Faithfully Yours

Faith Lutheran Church

180 County Road PPO, Ishpeming, Michigan 49849 / Rev. David Johnson, Pastor Monthly Membership Newsletter

September 2013
Especially in times of trouble it can leave us all wondering will things ever get better? We really dont need to be reminded that we will have trouble in our lives; given enough time we all come face to face with it. No matter how much we try to distance ourselves from the news, the world, or from anyone, we will still come face to face with it, and there is no escape. Maybe these words from Jesus are meant not to remind us that there is trouble in the world, but to remind us that we cant avoid trouble in our lives; no matter how hard we try the sin in our lives and in this world will bring trouble in this life. And in this good news can be foundbut how? These words dont come from any ordinary man, and they dont stop at reminding us that we will have trouble in our lives. These words come from the very mouth of God; from Jesus, God wrapped in human flesh. We are told by Jesus that yes, we will have trouble but to take heart, have courage, and do not fear; do not let that fact drag you down! Why, because Jesus has overcome the world! This is not only big news for any of us, but this is Good News for us all! Dont you see all of the exclamation points Im using because Im so excited about this fact?!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus has overcome the world, and so you dont need to be left in despair, defeated, or left without any hope. Yes, you and I will have trouble in this life, but Jesus has overcome it all on the

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
In this world you will have trouble. Yeah, no kidding! Way to point out the obvious Jesus. Im sure most people have already realized this. We can just look to the news to point this fact of life out. The stalemate between democrats and republicans in congress, the cost of living skyrocketing coupled with a high unemployment rate with no relief in sight, yet another house busted for drugs, the un civil war in Syria, and the list goes on and on. Not only that, but most of us have at one time or another experienced trouble or hardship in our lives. The loss of a job, the breakdown of a friendship, conflict in the family, pain, illness, the loss of a loved one, and whatever other trials we face in our day to day lives. In this world we will have trouble? Where is there comfort in that? With so much that happens in our lives and in our world it can be frustrating, and it can leave us wondering is there any hope for us?

F r o m t h e Pa s t o r s D e s k c o n t . . .
cross. All the things that bring trouble in our lives Jesus bears on the cross for you. All your sin, selfishness, all the things that seek to destroy you and this world including death itself are taken from you and put on the shoulders of Jesus, and when Jesus bears all of the trouble that happen in your life on the cross, he destroys it. And in the cross you will always find forgiveness, peace, and hope; not trouble. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Whatever you face in this world; whatever troubles you face in this life, through your faith you never go through them alone. All of it Jesus bore on the cross, and carries the burdens that you face in your everyday lives. You dont encounter God and faith just at church Sunday morning; God goes with you and bears your life, sin, and troubles with you. Because of this, we should take courage and have no fear. God is working in this world to destroy all the things that destroy us and the world; to bring the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. In this world you will have trouble, and because of what Jesus did for you on the cross we dont need to hide from trouble, but we can face it with courage and without fear knowing that Jesus has already overcome it all. With the help of our faith and God we can take the troubles of this world head on; we can stand up against and bear all the things that seek to destroy us and this world without fear knowing that Jesus overcame it all on the cross. We can boldly share the love that God has for us and this world in order to bring love and peace in the midst of all the trouble that fills this world. In faith let us stand up and face the troubles of this world together!

Pastor Dave

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
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Psalm 51

This Newsletter is a monthly publication brought to you by Faith Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. If you would like to publish an article, or have ideas and/or suggestions, please contact Pastor Dave Johnson or secretary Barbara Grisham. Newsletter deadline is the 24th of each month.

Church telephone (906) 486-9083 Parsonage telephone (906) 204-2401 Church email: faithlutheran@faithinishpeming.com
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READINGS FOR SEPTEMBER Faith reflections: Finding your path

Posted by Bold Caf on Jun 3, 2013 in Faith Reflections

by Megan Jane Jones Some of us are natural risk takers. Others among us are a little more reluctant. But large and small, risk is part of life. It represents opportunity: to take a stand; to learn a skill; to initiate change; to build relationship; to embrace a truth. It can fill us with great excitement and deep fear, all at once. Risk becomes an option when we see that potential outweighs our fear. Risk can be invigorating and life-giving and is sometimes born out of the unexpected. Well-made plans turned upside down can bring us to our knees wondering, now what? Sometimes we come face to face with an injustice that so moves us that failing to risk is far less palatable than taking a risk. The Bible is full of stories of women and men who took bold risks for the sake of their own sense of vocation and purpose, faith and community. It is with intention that I share the stories of women here because they are the lesser told. The risks they take are very different but they come from a place of deep conviction, strength of character and a call to faithfulness to God and Gods people. The story of Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1:18-21) Out of fear of the Messiah, the Egyptian king ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all baby boys born to Hebrew women. Shiphrah and Puah were called to bring life. In a time when child birth was particularly dangerous, they were called to care for both mother and child, to do everything within their means to deliver babies that survive to mothers who do the same. Very few women had been set apart in such a way. Midwifery passed from generation to generation of

women who were seen as gifted and called for this role. They could never have imagined such a command as the Egyptian king had given. It caught them completely off guard and shook them to their core. It was so abhorrent, so antithetical to their own sense of vocation, their own sense of right and wrong that they could not go through with it. At great personal risk these women did not kill a single son. These two bold women were faithful to their people and their faith and their call as midwives. So God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied and became very strong. Exodus 1:20 Few of us will ever face a challenge like this. Most of us know injustice from a greater distance and the risk for us to name it and confront it not nearly as dire. The story of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1) Naomi lost her husband to famine. A widow with two sons married to foreigners, she relied on these daughters-in-law to care for her, to give her a home. When both sons died, she and her two daughters-in-law were at great risk. Women on their own with no men to give them a nameto lend them legitimacylived outside of community and their safety and survival were in real jeopardy. Naomi urged the younger women to return home to their own people. She thought they might be able to find new husbands, and she had no such hope for herself. Orpah did just that, though it caused her to weep. Their futures were unknown and this choice was also a risk. But the other daughter-in-law, Ruth, would not leave Naomis side. Ruth could not know what would await them. She was defiant in her loyalty and her commitment to rebuild their lives in the community together. She remained faithful to Naomi and to God. Continued on page 5.

Go to www.womenoftheelca.org for free womens ministry resources and to find more readings in Faith Reflections by Bold Caf.
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Faith Lutheran Church Council ~ 2013

Committee Liaisons
Carole WatsonPresident Norma DenneyVice President Harmony MichaudSecretary Nancy Harmala Judy Helsten Dave Magnuson Ross Carlson Victor Cox Matt Zamora
Christian Education Harmony Michaud 250-9675 Worship & Music/Altar Guild Carole Watson 485-6156 Evangelism / Fellowship Judy Helsten Long Range Planning Norma Denney Finance Committee Nancy Harmala Thrivent Judy Helsten 486-8603 485-1941 486-9200 486-8603

Mutual Ministry Dave Magnuson 485-1642 Property Ross Carlson Vic Cox 486-9040 485-1922

Share & Care Endowment None at this time

Dear Faith Members & Friends:

I am grateful to everyone who remembered me on my 80th birthday. Your thoughtfulness was touching. God bless you all.

Stewardship

None at this time

Mission Statement
It shall be the mission of Faith Lutheran Church of Ishpeming to develop, strengthen, and share witness to the message of the Gospel; through an increased understanding of our ministry, and our daily living, both individually and as a congregation.

Elmer J.

Faith reflections: continued from pg 3...

Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you do die, I will die there I will be buried. May the Lord do thus to me, and more as well, if even death parts me from you. Ruth 1:15-17 Mary Anoints Jesus (John 12:1-8) Jesus gathers with his friends for dinner at the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. In an act of true extravagance, Mary anoints Jesus with a whole pound of expensive perfume, filling the room with fragrance. The intimacy and seeming excessiveness of the act is a risk she is willing to take. Mary risks breaking social taboos and she risks the judgment of others, including Jesus. She risks spending lavishly and she risks showing such devotion, love and even a sense that she knows what is to come. Mary pours herself out in this fairly public, incredibly tangible way. She saves none of itshe empties the vessel and she empties herself. Though she is still unsure of what it all means, she prepares Jesus for his anointing as king and for the anointing at his burial. She is his witness in the midst of community, modeling what real faith looks like. Discussion questions 1. What risk(s) is God calling you to take in your life right now? What are your fears around that risk? What excites you about the possibilities? What is the cost of failing to risk? 2. What are the ways in which you might nurture community in your own place? 3. How has community been a gift to you? What difference does community make in your faith, in your life? Closing Prayer God of Wisdom, make us bold enough to take risks and vulnerable enough to love for the sake of your whole creation. Amen. The Rev. Megan J. Jones is a child of God living in Chicago. She is a lover of books and dogs and is praying for the courage to take more risks for the sake of Gods kin-dom.

Psalm 103:15, 2022

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits 3who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 20Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, obedient to his spoken word. 21Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will. 22Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul.

Psalm 1: 1-3
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; 2but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. 3They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

Keep in our Prayers

Our home-bound and nursing home residents: Signe Carter, Robbie Hansen, Red Hytinen, and Bernice Korpi.

Those We Prayed For in August

Pandora Aaron Emma Donna Lorraine Jackie Robbie Irma Clay Jennifer Pam Peter Joan George Leonard Karen Judy Bill Patty Pearl Diane Tony Arlene Margaret Maryann Marv & Geri Helen Our Veterans Our Military

The Family of Craig Hebein

The Family of Peter Michalski

A Prayer for Courage

On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
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Psalm 138

Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
- This prayer comes from the Lutheran Book of Worship (Augsburg, 1978) reprinted 2012 p. 28

Alan T Anderson Lois E Poirier Tanner M Sirtola Jeff M Swanson Marjorie M. Sanchez Douglas Kroon Kimberly Racine Todd JRacine Sulo Juntila Brandon Michaud Thomas Skrenes Sara M Johnson Derek A Langson Holly Slawinski Jacob A Carlson Pam Evans Linda Michalski David W. Keto David L. Magnuson John D Tyynismaa Carter R Helsten Peggy K LaForge Diane Houseman

9/1 9/1 9/2 9/3 9/4 9/5 9/6 9/6 9/7 9/8 9/8 9/9 9/9 9/9 9/10 9/10 9/10 9/11 9/11 9/11 9/14 9/14 9/15

Amber L Harmala Ilene Mattson Karen M Perreault Andrew L Johnston Deanna Caplett Katie M Rankinen John M Korpi Patricia L Kautz Amanda Morse Paul Ombrello James Jr. Laakso Leeann Pellow Kali A Saari Clarence Johnso Erik T Anderson Shannon Magnuson Thomas J Ahola April M Lawer Michael J. Salmer Jaelynn Watters Ruth Dobson Gregory Pietro Laura Frederickson

9/16 9/16 9/16 9/19 9/20 9/20 9/21 9/22 9/22 9/22 9/24 9/24 9/24 9/25 9/25 9/25 9/26 9/26 9/26 9/26 9/27 9/27 9/29

Gerald Luokkala Sue Syrjala Bruce Manty

9/29 9/29 9/30

For September
Psalm 1 Psalm 51:1-10 Psalm 113 Psalm 103:1-5, 20-22

Robyn & Cory Stille 2-Sep Jason and Emily Kaare 6-Sep Sue Ellen and Tim Stowe 7-Sep Simeon and Lois Richards 15-Sep Jodi and Mark Ouellette 16-Sep Terry Jr and Amy Alderton 17-Sep Alan and Lori Anderson 17-Sep Thomas and Luanne Skrenes 17-Sep David and Justine Helsten 21-Sep Lassandra Jean and Jesse Martin 22-Sep John and Beverly Korpi 24-Sep Clarence and Alice Johnson 26-Sep Donna Jean and Howard Kroon-Harris 26-Sep

With Thanks to those who serve in

Ushers
09/01 Marlene Anderson and Marcia Anderson 09/08 Melita Aho and Irene Kindstrand 09/15 Helen Fredrickson and Carole Watson 09/22 Pam Evans and Debra Kroon 09/29 Laura Korte and Irene Kindstrand 10/06 Elaine Maki and Lee Irish

Counters
09/01 Jerry Kippola and Elaine Maki 09/08 Lois Ombrello and Norma Korpi 09/15 Kathy Richards and Debbie Kroon 09/22 Nancy Harmala and Helen Fredrickson 09/29 Lee Irish and Irene Kindstrand 10/06 Elizabeth Lawer and Rita Miller

Lectors
09/01 Pat Kroon 09/08 Irene Kindstrand 09/15 Robyn Stille 09/22 Carole Watson 09/29 Laura Korte 10/06 Alice Johnson

Coffee Servers
09/01 Janet Willey, Donna Richards, Sandy Levi 09/08 Rally Sunday (need volunteers to serve) 09/15 Donna K. Harris 09/22 Marilee, Sara, and Anna 09/29 Laura K. and Marlene A.

Communion Servers
for the remainder of 2013 September October November December Kathy Swanson Open Dave Magnuson Ken Blau

Please prayerfully consider serving during this very special part of the worship. Let Kathy Magnuson know if you are willing to help in any way.

If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day, please switch with someone or contact the following: Irene KindstrandLectors and Ushers Kathy MagnusonCommunion Servers Cheryl SalmerCounters Marlene AndersonCoffee Servers

~ Faith Lutheran Church ~ NEWS

Sunday, September 1Summer worship schedule ends after Worship Service. Thursday, September 5Altar Guild meeting 10:30am. Sunday, September 8 Sunday School resumes at 9:00am. Join us for RALLY Sunday- 10:30am Worship Service will be held outside, weather permitting; please wear RED! Coffee Fellowship will be held immediately following Service. Finance Committee Meeting to be held after Service. Confirmation Meeting will be held for Parents and Students at 7:00 pm. Tuesday, September 10Council Meeting 7:00pm. Monday, September 16Mutual Ministry meeting 6:30pm. PRAYER SHAWLS: We have a number of prayer shawls available for use. If you or someone you know can use one, or two, please feel free to take them. All we ask is that you mark down the number of shawls taken on the list provided. Questions or more information please talk with Carole Watson. There is a box of Lost and Found in the main entryway to the church. All of these items have been there for over a year. If you know someone missing any of these items, please take them. Otherwise, these articles will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul. Deadline: September 30, 2013. Thank you!

Fortune Lake Lutheran CampSeptember Senior Adult Day Monday, September 9, 10am 2pm; guests will be Dave and MaryLou Bloomquiest reflecting on their teaching experience in China during the Winter. Pontoon rides will also be offered, weather permitting. Lunch is included at a cost of $10.00 There is a good possibility that a bus will be chartered in Marquette and would make stops in Negaunee and Ishpeming to pick up any interested persons. Let Kathy Magnuson know if you have any interest in this day trip. Cost is still being negotiated and we will keep you informed.. Golf Outing Fundraiser Friday, September 13 Registration forms available in the Narthex. Synodical Womens Convention Friday, September 20. Moved By the Spirit September 20 22 (Friday Sunday); All the Women of the ELCA in the Northern Great Lakes Synod are invited to a weekend of Spiritual Renewal at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp. Information and Registration forms are available in the Narthex. Plan to Attend (more information on the bulletin board in the Narthex): Fortune Lake Fall FestSaturday, October 5 CROP WALKSunday, October 6 at 1:15pm; along the Heritage Trail in Ishpeming FLLCSecond Sunday Folk Concert / DanceOctober 13 Church Musician WorkshopSaturday, October 19, 9am3pm at Bethany Lutheran Church, 110 Poplar St., Republic, featuring Jay Beech. W.I.N. (Westwood-Ishpeming-Negaunee) for ChristChristian family concert at 7 pm on Wednesday, October 30 at Ishpeming High Schools Peterson Auditorium. Jerry Jacoby: Kid Motivator! Unique Christian entertainment for the whole family! Laughs, music, life stories. FREE! Breaking the MoldSaturday, November 23, Messiah Lutheran Church, Marquette. A series of training events to equip adults to share the Gospel with young adults, youth, and the unchurched.
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September 2013
Sun 1
Last of the Summer Worship Schedule

Mon 2 3 Labor Day

Observed

Tue 4

Wed 5

Thu
Altar Guild 10:30am

Fri 6 7

Sat

Rally Sunday
Service 10:30am

10

Finance Committee

Council Meeting 7:00pm

11

12

13
FLLC Golf Outing Fundraiser

14
FLLC Confirmation Leaders Event

15

16

Mutual Ministry 6:30pm

17

18

19

20

21

FLLCWomens Fall Retreat through the 22nd

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Good luck to all those starting or returning to school!

~ KIDS (and Adults) CORNER~

Complete the crossword puzzle to fill in the blanks of this memory verse. _______________up at the
3 across

_____________ and
6 across

_________________ the
2 down

___________________- if indeed you

4 down

can _______________ them. So shall

2 down

your ____________________be.
5 across

_________________15:5
1 across

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