A few of this week's highlights!

• You can view this email in its entirety here.
• We focus . . . on focus! See Pastor's Ponderings for more.

Our weekly list of those in need of urgent and ongoing prayer.

A column by Joel Zander, Director of Education and Youth.

Weekly updates on the Covering the Next Generation Capital Campaign.

Where Is My Focus?

What have you chosen to focus on today? That focus shapes your attitude. If you are watching it rain as you step out the door for a picnic, your attitude will be different than if you have just finished planting your garden. One might think there are always two sides of the coin for what life brings your way. That is not true.

The Bible says, “(God) has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Let me share what helps me to see that . . .

Click here to see the rest of Pastor Heimsoth's article . . .

The process of selecting the members of the Call Committee is complete. 

The team is ready to begin their work of leading our congregation toward the individual that God has prepared to be our next Senior Pastor.

Heather Guinn will be the Chairperson and she will be working with the following members of Faith on this Committee:

• Greg Baehr
• Ben Craw
• Ken Duetsch
• Chad Fleming
• Cindy Gulyas

• Deb Lund
• Sarah Perkins
• John Rode
• Pastor Bob Scott
• Matthew Trevithick

Please join me in thanking these individuals for their commitment to the ministries here at Faith and the work that lies ahead. Special thank you to Bruce Trevithick for his counsel and support during this selection process.

Please pray that God will both guide this team on their journey and grant them discernment along the way.

To God be the Glory.

Scott A. Hans

Congregation President, Faith Lutheran Church

Winter/Spring 2024 Education: You can view a list of Faith's winter/spring educational opportunities, including 2024 Faith Legacy classes, HERE. Printed copies are also available at our Welcome Centers.

2024 Youth Calendar: A revised 2023-2024 Calendar of school year youth events can be found HERE. Printed copies are also available at the Welcome Centers.

2024 Board Nominee Biographies are now available HERE. Printed copies are also available at the Welcome Centers. NOTE: We are still looking for someone to chair the Board of Publicity. If you are interested in finding out more information, please call the church office at 810-694-9351. Voting will take place Sunday, April 28th.

I’m Listening: Pastor Heimsoth would like to hear your thoughts on Faith Lutheran Church. It is a place God has called us to be the Faith family. If you are willing to spare one hour of your time, he would like to listen to what you have to say. He has scheduled times for the next two weeks for small groups to meet. Sign up online HERE or just call the church office to let us know when you might be able to come in. He wants to hear your story! Remaining dates: Monday, April 22nd, 6:30 p.m. (Library); and Tuesday, April 23rd, 10:30 a.m. (Library) or 6:30 p.m. (Library).

Linda Mooney Celebration of Life: A Celebration of Life for former Faith member, Linda Mooney, will be held at Faith on Sunday, April 21st, in Heins Hall at 2:00 p.m. The day would have been her 80th birthday. Cake and ice cream will be served while we share memories of her involvement here at Faith in Parish Nursing, Journey to Bethlehem, Women's Bible Study, and as a constant Prayer Warrior. Linda's private Christian funeral/memorial service will be held later this year in Jackson. Any memorials may be made to Faith's "Covering the Next Generation" Fund or to Trinity Lutheran School in Jackson, Michigan.

THANK YOU to our Administrative Professional Staff: April 21st-27th is Administrative Professionals Week, and April 24th is Administrative Professionals Day. Please show your appreciation through a note or kind words to Alicen Dub, Marcia Thomas, and Krissa Zander for the contributions they make and the hard work they do to keep everything running smoothly in the office and for our congregation. (Blank note cards and a basket will be available in Heins Hall.) Join us for a special coffee hour on April 21st to celebrate and thank them for their service.

Last Faith Alive Until Fall: Wednesday, April 24th, will be our last session of Faith Alive until Fall.

LAST CALL! Trivia Night Ticket Sales End Sunday! Trivia Night is Friday, April 26th, at 5:30 p.m. Join the youth for a terrific night full of tasty treats and top-notch trivia, and bid on any of the gift cards listed above plus big-ticket items like a Florida vacation rental and more! All proceeds benefit the youth program. Childcare will be available.

• Doors open at 5:00 p.m.
• Trivia begins at 5:30 p.m.
• Dinner served at 6:00 p.m.
• Silent auction bidding until 8:00 p.m.

Prices are now $20/ticket or $100/table. Tickets are being sold at services or anytime online HERE through THIS Sunday, April 21st. Thank you for supporting our youth!

Youth Donations: We are raising funds to support our youth by offering them activities to forge friendships through fellowship, grow their faith and Christian confidence, and provide opportunities to serve their community. Even if you can't make it to the auction, we'd appreciate any donations you can make online. Thanks for supporting the youth! Click HERE to give.

Praising Jesus in Song: Join us Sunday, April 28th, to praise and worship our Risen Savior, Jesus, with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16). Our 8:15 and 10:45 services will be led by the Chancel Choir, Faith Family orchestra, Youth Worship Team, and piano. We will be "Praising Jesus in Song!"

Faith Legacy: Faith Beyond: What happens after graduation from high school? How will you continue in your relationship with Jesus and other believers? This session will be held Sunday, April 28th, at 9:30 a.m. and will be a special opportunity for our High School Seniors to spend some time together reflecting on faith, friendships, and their futures. This is led by Mr. Zander for seniors in high school and their parents in room B-4 in the basement. There will be a blessing event following this session during the 10:45 worship service. Sign up to attend HERE.

Women's Faith-Based Book Club meets next on Thursday, May 2nd, to discuss "Grace in Thine Eyes" by Liz Curtis Higgs, masterful storyteller and Christian author. In this book, she artfully parallels biblical history with Scottish history into a compelling work of riveting fiction. Davina McKie is a bonny lass of seventeen, also a clever and gifted musician. Unable to speak since childhood, Davina is doted on by her younger brothers, who vow to protect their silent sister. Join us to discuss her gripping journey as a young woman finding our Lord's gift of grace. We will meet in the church library at 10:00 a.m., and our discussion will be led by Cindy Robson. You may share one of the eight copies in our church library generously gifted through a Wave Grant and a Thrivent Action Team Grant. Book Club participation is open, depending on your availability each month, with remote access also available via Zoom. Invite your friends to join this enjoyable fellowship any time. Check the bulletin board outside the church library or the church website HERE for a list of upcoming titles and meeting dates. Contact Roxanne Steffe at 810-280-1399 with questions.

Save the Date for Springfest 2024! Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 19th, at noon, and plan to join us for Springfest! It will be a good old-fashioned church potluck picnic with games, entertainment, and lots of fellowship. More details to follow in May!

VBS registration is open to children 4 years old through 6th grade! Youth 6th grade through 12th grade are invited and encouraged to sign up as a volunteer! VBS is June 24th-28th from 9 a.m. to noon. Register at faithgb.org/vbs.

You can view a running list of our regular service opportunities HERE.

Grand Blanc Community Cleanup: On Saturday, April 27th, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Faith will host the Second Annual Grand Blanc Community Cleanup. Residents of our community will be gathering here at Faith for donuts and coffee in the morning. After that, they will load buses in our parking lot and head out to various spots around town that are desperately in need of cleanup. Following that, we will return here to church for lunch and conversation with our neighbors. We are in need of people to help with set-up, serve in the kitchen, direct traffic (in the parking lot and in the building), and others to stand around with a smiling face, to offer a word of welcome. And, of course, we need people to help pick up litter. If you want to be a part of this awesome event, you can sign up online HERE or at the sign-up sheet in the Narthex, across from the Welcome Center near the south entrance. If you are a social media user, join and share our Community Cleanup Day Facebook Event HERE and help spread the word! 

Youth Serving at FAM: Youth are invited to join other members of our Faith Family to serve Jesus by serving others at Franklin Avenue Mission on either or both April 30th and May 2nd. It is in situations like these that we can function as the hands and feet of Jesus. This is appropriate for youth in middle and high school. We are encouraged to arrive at Franklin Avenue about 4:00 p.m. and will leave at about 6:00 p.m. Be sure to wear a cap! Let us know you can serve HERE!

VBS Volunteers! Faith Family! We have an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus’ love and forgiveness with children in our community at our very own VBS this June 24th-28th! The volunteer registration form is live and available. There are many opportunities of various kinds for each morning as well as opportunities leading up to VBS including decorating. You are invited and encouraged to consider how you might join this mission to our very own community HERE. Look for the volunteer button with the heart.

Youth Ark Encounter + Creation Museum Trip: Youth in High School (current 8th graders through seniors) will have the opportunity to explore the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum on a 3-day, 2-night trip this July 14th-16th, 2024. The cost will not exceed $150 per youth assuming that youth are active at Faith Lutheran and have been involved in Trivia Night. Registration is live and closes on April 30th. Register HERE!

St. Michael's, Richville, Mother's Day BBQ: St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Richville (3455 S. Van Buren Rd), is hosting a Mother's Day drive-through Chicken BBQ on Sunday, May 12th. For $12.00 you will receive Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Dressing, Corn, Coleslaw, and Cupcake. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's School. All proceeds benefit St. Michael's Lutheran Church.

Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday

SUNDAY - April 21st

8:15 a.m. - Worship/Communion

9:30 a.m. - The Chosen Adult Bible Study (Sanctuary)

9:30 a.m. - Sunday School

• Grades K-5 Basement Classrooms
• Grade 6 Library
• Grades 7-8 Confirmation Music Room
• Grades 9-12 Youth Lounge

10:45 a.m. - Worship/Communion - Click here for the live stream.

MONDAY - April 22nd

6:30 p.m. - Faithful Ringers (Sanctuary)

6:30 p.m. - Pastor Heimsoth Open Meeting (Library)

TUESDAY - April 23rd

10:00 a.m. - H.O.T. Ladies Bible Study (Music Room)

10:30 a.m. - Pastor Heimsoth Open Meeting (Library)

6:15 p.m. - K.O.O.L. Ministry (K.O.O.L. Room)

6:30 p.m. - Pastor Heimsoth Open Meeting (Library)

WEDNESDAY - April 24th

9:30 a.m. - Tiny Tots

5:30 p.m. - Faith Alive Dinner (Heins Hall) - Last until Fall

6:00 p.m. - Faith Alive Bible Studies - Last until Fall

• Adult: What Did Jesus Teach His Disciples (when no one else was around)? (Music Room)
• Grades K-5 (Basement Classrooms)
• Middle School (Living Room)
• High School (Youth Lounge)

7:00 p.m. - Worship/Communion - Click here for the live stream.

THURSDAY - April 25th

5:30 p.m. - Women's Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

6:15 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

7:15 p.m. - Male Chorus Practice (Sanctuary)

FRIDAY - April 26th

3:00 p.m. - Youth Worship Team

5:00 p.m. - Trivia Night

SATURDAY - April 27th

8:30 a.m. - Community Cleanup Day

SUNDAY - April 28th - "Praising Jesus in Song"

8:15 a.m. - Worship/Communion

9:30 a.m. - Faith Legacy: Faith Beyond

9:30 a.m. - Adult Bible Class

9:30 a.m. - Sunday School

10:45 a.m. - Worship/Communion

Readings: Acts 8:26-35; Psalm 150; 1 John 4; John 15:1-8

See the full schedule of our Bible study on The Chosen Season 3 HERE.

Our Sunday morning 10:45 a.m. service can be viewed HERE.

NOTE: To keep in compliance with copyright laws, our services can legally be live-streamed, but we are not able to keep recordings of several parts of our services. Our Sunday service is streamed at 10:45 a.m. and Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. After this, the full service will not be available; however, the pastor's sermons will be archived on our YouTube channel after the service.

The complete order of service for Sunday, April 21st, can be found HERE.

We also have Sunday morning children's bulletins for the children in our Faith family. You can print them from the following links:

• 3-6 year old HERE
• 7-12 year old HERE

Our COVID-19 response plan can be found HERE.