Spring Newsletter
Faith Lutheran Church      February 2015
In This Issue

Lent is a time of profound grace. You are invited to let that grace seep into your life, take root and create change!

Blessings,
Your Faith Family

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Financial Snapshot


 

Just a short note to keep you up-to-date on our financial situation.  While giving was up for 2014, so were expenses.   Not surprisingly, the main addition to our expenses was in personnel.  We have also spent a little more on supplies (worship, administrative, maintenance.)  As we are beginning our 2015 financial year, here is a snapshot of where we are in the realm of money:


                    December  2014            January 2015

Total income:  $14,493.00                   $14,152.00                          

Total expense: $16,076.20                   $16,488.96

Difference:          -1583.20                     -2,336.96


2014 Budget Monthly Expectation:   $15,416.67

2015 Budget Monthly Expectation:   $16,533.33


As we move further into 2015, we anticipate some larger expenses in regards to property upkeep/maintenance.  Obviously, it is not good stewardship to live beyond our means and the Church Council is looking carefully at priorities and ways to keep costs as low as possible. Thank you for your continued financial support of the ministries of this congregation.

Child Protection Policy
As of March 2015 we are required by our insurance carrier to have a policy and plan in place to insure the safety of the children on our campus, as well as the protection of those who work with our children.  If you would like a copy of the Policy, please contact the office.

 Lent and Easter


 
WEDNESDAY LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES

All events begin at 7 pm unless otherwise noted.


 

Feb 18-Ash Wednesday at St Theresa's Catholic Church  

Join us at St. Theresa's in Auburn for a joint service with area churches.  Pastor Charlane will be offering the message for the evening.


Feb 25 & Mar 4- Lenten reflections on Immortal Diamond          

What would it be like to experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus?  Join Joan Stockbridge on an exploration that will lead to a deeper connection with that part of our soul, our true self, that is hidden with Christ.  What is our True Self?  How is it found?  What does it matter?  What does it have to do with our spiritual journey?  Father Richard Rohr writes that the true self is a diamond buried deep within us that is yearning for resurrection.   Joan will be using Father Richard Rohr's Immortal Diamond as the guide for our time together discovering our true self.


Mar 11- FLC will host a more traditional lenten worship service.   

Pastor Dan Appel will be our guest preacher for this service.


Mar 18, Mar 25, &  Apr 1-Lenten reflections with Joan, continued      


Good Friday, April 3- Tenebrae Service (Service of Shadows)


Easter, April 5     6:30 AM   Sunrise Worship at Meadow Vista Park

                            We will share in celebration with Gold Country Community Parish

                            and return to Placer Hills Community Church for a Fellowship Breakfast.

                            8:30 AM   Worship at Faith Lutheran

                          10:00 AM   Worship at Faith Lutheran

Building Security
Just a reminder that if you unlock a door, please make sure you lock it back up or make arrangements with someone else to lock up.   Also, if you are using the Fireside Room, please double check to make sure the sliding glass doors are locked after your event.  Thank you.
Service Letter

During the last year we have been evaluating the ways in which Faith Lutheran serves our neighbors through programs such as the Gathering Inn, Welcome Center, etc.  FLC supports the mission of many programs throughout Placer County and beyond and it is something to be thankful for and proud of.  


Upon deeper reflection of this support, 4 things have come to our attention: 

 

  1. Most of the service projects are supported by the same group of FLC people.  This was particularly true during the months of November and December.  

  2. Most of the support we offer goes to programs outside of our immediate community.  

  3. None of the projects are actual ministries of Faith Lutheran Church.  They are ministries by other organizations that we support.  

  4. Because of the large number of projects we support, we give a little bit to a lot of places rather than giving a significant, life-changing amount to any one project.  

As a result of this evaluation, and in consultation with the church council, we ask two things of you as people of Faith:  1.What ministries can you imagine coming directly out of this congregation and impacting our immediate community?  2.There is a list of projects that we, as a faith community, currently support on the website.  If you feel called to support a ministry that is not part of the FLC Service Support List, we ask that you support that ministry directly as we will not be actively fund-raising through our church.  


Again, this is not a change meant to hinder ministry, but rather to focus ministry.  Thank you for your understanding and support of God's Kingdom. 


 

Pastor Charlane      Colleen Hogan, Service Chair      Mark Achen, Service Chair

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Thank You
Thank you for being so conscientious about leaving the upper parking area for those in need of disabled parking.  With your help, we have been able to determine what our needs are for specialized parking and we are taking steps to procure appropriate signage.  Once we have signs up that designate four parking spaces for limited mobility, we will open the upper parking lot back up for general use. 
News from the ELCA
In February 2014, the ELCA launched Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA.  The goal of this initiative is to raise      $198 million by January 31, 2019.  This money is being raised to support new and existing ministries of the ELCA.  Each year there is an annual campaign theme, with the 2015 theme being ELCA new congregations, Renewing Congregations, and Disability Ministries; the financial goal for this year $16 million.  The money being raised by this campaign is above and beyond that which is given by congregations/synods in their yearly benevolence. If you would like to contribute to the ELCA campaign, please speak to Pastor Charlane.









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Faith Lutheran Church
1115 Combie Road
Meadow Vista, CA 95722

530-878-1870