Me mbers hi p News l et t er Se pt e mber 2014

Faith Lutheran Church Faith Lutheran Church

180 County Road PPO, Ishpeming, Michigan 49849 / Rev. David Johnson, Pastor
Church (906) 486-9083, Parsonage (906) 204-2401, faithlutheran@faithinishpeming.com
Persecution against and killing Christians is
something that has gone on since Jesus was
crucified, raised from the dead, and this group of
Christ followers kept on insisting that not only was
Jesus alive, but they had seen him face to face.
This group of men and women endured beatings,
torture, and even being put to death clinging to
their hope which was that Jesus was alive, and that
what he left them with was something worth dying
for. And as a result the message of who Jesus is,
what he has done, and how important this faith is
spread like a wildfire in the midst of the fiercest
persecutions Christians have ever faced. For these
people, their faith is such a part of who they are
that they would rather be beaten and killed than to
ever deny it.
It makes me wonder at times, does our
faith evoke the same devotion and meaning. I
once heard someone tell me that in the face of
death, this person would choose life and verbally
denying the faith than to die or suffer for it. Why?
And what would it mean for that person if that
situation ever came up? It wouldnt be a serious
denial after all; it would be just giving lip service to
the demands in order to live. The faith would still
be there, just hidden for no one else to see (at least
in public anyway). I wonder how many people
would choose that route in order to be spared?
I can see why anyone would choose to do
that. I can see why anyone would deny what they
believe vocally while not changing what they
believed on the inside. I can see why people would
keep the faith but keep it hidden. What about

Matthew 5:10-12: Blessed are those who
are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11
Blessed are you when people insult you,
persecute you and falsely say all kinds of
evil against you because of me.
12
Rejoice
and be glad, because great is your reward in
heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before
you.




This image above is something that I have been
seeing posted all over the internet, and for a while
I have been trying to figure out the significance of
it all. This is the symbol that Isis insurgents have
been using to mark people as Christian. They
have used this symbol to mark Christian
businesses, houses, and properties in Mosul. This
is meant to be a mark of shame, and on top of
that, it is a mark that has brought about the
persecution, disappearance, and death of many
Christians under the tyranny of Isis. Most recently
the group has warned Christians to leave Mosul or
they would be taxed at best, or at worst, be put to
death. Looking into what news there is on the
Christian persecution in places such as Mosul, it
appears that Christians are either fleeing or
disappearing.
2

family, friends, or anyone that you care about
deeply? I can see why people would deny the faith
out loud. However, I dont think I could. The
cross and this gift of faith that I have been given
means way too much for me to even do that. God
gave up everything; literally everything for me. Left
His throne in heaven, became fully human, and
gave up His life on that cross all for me (oh, and
this was done all for you too). How could I not
give up everything that I have in order to stand up
for what is right, good, and true in this world?
How could I not confess a faith that is so real to
me that it has changed who I am for the better?
How could I deny a God that reached down and
saved my life; even if I was only giving it lip
service? I guess what the question boils down to is,
how has your faith affected your life?


Thank You to the Hosts of the
Sunday Evening Camp Worship
Service
Kathy & Jeff Swanson
Karen & Ken Blau
Carol & Vic Cox / Lee Irish
Kathy & Dave Magnuson
Pastor Dave & Katie Johnson







In Gods Peace, Pastor Dave Johnson
From t he Pas t or s Des k cont . . .

Psalm 25:1-3(NIV)
1
In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.
2
I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3
No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.

September Psalm Readings

Sept 7, Pentecost 13
Psalm 119:33-40

Sept 14, Holy Cross Day
Psalm 98:1-4 or
Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38

Pentecost 14
Psalm 103:[1-7] 8-13

Sept 21, Pentecost 15
Psalm 145:1-8

Sept 28, Pentecost 16
Psalm 25:1-9
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2 01 4 Counci l

Norma Denney
Carole Watson
Harmony Michaud
Judy Helsten
Dave Magnuson
Ross Carlson
Victor Cox
Judy Swanson
Jeff Swanson
Fai t h Lut heran Church Counc i l
Our home-bound and nursing home residents:
Signe Carter and Red Hytinen.
In Our Prayers in August
Keep in our Prayers
Janine
Jennifer
Donna
Lorraine
Cambri
Karen
Patsy M.
Larry
Jackie
Stefan
Eloise
Deni
Denise
Helen
Chris P.
Lynn
Judy
Bill
Pearl
Rita

Our Veterans
Our Military
Commi t t ee Li ai s ons

Christian Education Harmony Michaud 250-9675

Worship & Music/Altar Guild Carole Watson 485-6156

Evangelism / Fellowship Judy Helsten 486-8603

Long Range Planning Norma Denney 485-1941

Finance Committee Ross Carlson 486-9040

Thrivent Helen Frederickson 486-9666

Mutual Ministry Dave Magnuson 485-1642

Property Vic Cox 485-1922
A Prayer for Courage
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 pg. 28
Faith Lutheran Church 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.
The Family of Elaine Carlson The Family of Samantha Bonovich
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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 and Jesse Martin 22-Sep
John and Beverly Korpi 24-Sep
Clarence and Alice Johnson 26-Sep
Donna and Howard Kroon-Harris 26-Sep
Alan T Anderson 9/1
Lois E Poirier 9/1
Tanner M Sirtola 9/2
Jeff M Swanson 9/3
Marjorie M. Sanchez 9/4
Chase Henry 9/5
Douglas Kroon 9/5
Kimberly Racine 9/6
Todd Racine 9/6
Brandon Michaud 9/8
Thomas Skrenes 9/8
Sara M Johnson 9/9
Derek A Langson 9/9
Holly Slawinski 9/9
Jacob A Carlson 9/10
Pam Evans 9/10
Linda Michalski 9/10
David W. Keto 9/11
David L. Magnuson 9/11
John D Tyynismaa 9/11
Carter R Helsten 9/14
Peggy K LaForge 9/14
Diane Houseman 9/15
Amber L Harmala 9/16
Ilene Mattson 9/16
Karen M Perreault 9/16
Andrew L Johnston 9/19
Deanna Caplett 9/20
Katie M Rankinen 9/20
John M Korpi 9/21
Patricia L Kautz 9/22
Amanda Morse 9/22
Paul Ombrello 9/22
James Jr. Laakso 9/24
Leeann Pellow 9/24
Kali A Saari 9/24
Erik Anderson 9/25
Clarence Johnson 9/25
Shannon Magnuson 9/25
Thomas J Ahola 9/26
April M Lawer 9/26
Michael J. Salmer 9/26
Jaelynn Watters 9/26
Ruth Dobson 9/27
Gregory Pietro 9/27
Laura Frederickson 9/29
Gerald Luokkala 9/29
Sue Syrjala 9/29
Bruce Manty 9/30
3
On the day I called,
you answered me, you increased
my strength of soul.
Psalm 138
5







Fortune Lake
Lutheran Camp



Womens Retreat
Sept. 19-21, 2014
Women of the ELCA for
reflections of the Psalms.
Theme The Lord is Our
Shepherd. Registration is
posted in the Narthex.

Fall Fest
October 4
Brunch 9:30am
11am
Quilt & Fine Arts Auction
Viewing at 9:30 am
Auction at 11am
Country Market & Store
Kids Activities

For full details and other
scheduled retreats see the
FLLC flyer posted in the
Narthex.
Faith Lutheran Church News Faith Lutheran Church News Faith Lutheran Church News
Faith Lutheran Scheduled Meetings
Finance Committee will meet Sunday, Sept 7
after worship service.
Mutual Ministry will meet Monday, Sept 8 at
6:30pm
Council Meeting is Tuesday, Sept 9, at
7:00pm
Dates/times subject to change. Meeting coordinators please
remember to write your meetings on the calendar in the office.
Thank you!

Giving of Non-Monetary (or in-kind)
Donations to the Church

If you purchase an item for the church and wish to be
given a receipt for that item, please leave a description
of the item for Robyn Stille, the Financial Secretary. A receipt will be
prepared acknowledging receipt of the item by the Church. However,
pursuant to Federal Law, the receipt will not include a monetary
value. Your year-end contribution statement will not include in-kind
donations. It will include all cash or check donations you have made to
the church.
Example: You purchase a chair for the church. The receipt from the
church will include the date received, and a description of the chair. It
will be your responsibility to retain the receipt you received when you
paid for the chair for your tax preparer. If you donate items for which
there is no receipt, seek guidance from your tax preparer before
assigning any value to your in-kind donations.
General Operating Fund
Current Funds and Unpaid Bills support the everyday
operations expenses of the church such as salaries, utilities,
office supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses, while
the other funds support those areas for which they are designated. If
you mark your donation under Current on your envelope, 10% of this
amount will be sent to the Synod as Benevolences to support the
worldwide church, and 3% will be sent to support Fortune Lake; the
remaining 87% will remain at Faith Lutheran Church. If your donation
is marked for Unpaid Bills, Fuel Fund or the Building Fund, 100% of
these funds will remain at Faith Lutheran Church.
From the Finance Committee
KNITTERS NEEDED
For those that knit we would
greatly appreciate donations of
hats and mittens for upcoming
winter projects i.e. Angel Tree, Christmas
Families, Operation Christmas Child, just
to name a few.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
begins Sunday, October 5 and ends
Thursday, November 20 at noon.
More information to follow in the
October Newsletter.
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Wi t h Thanks t o Thos e Who Serve i n Sept ember
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day,
please switch with someone or contact the following:
Irene Kindstrand, Lectors and Ushers
Cheryl Salmer, Counters
Marlene Anderson, Coffee Servers
Kathy Magnuson, Communion Servers
Cof f e e Serve rs
09/07 Potluck
09/14 tba
09/21 tba
09/28 tba

Us he rs
09/07 Betsy Lawer & Joellyn Maddock
09/14 Pam Evans & Debbie Kroon
09/21 Penrose Family
09/28 Linda Michalski & Sheila Wilson
10/05 Ann Poirer and Marcia Anderson

Lect ors
09/07 Shannon Yakovich
09/14 Pat Kroon
09/21 Kelly Penrose
09/28 Pat Kroon
10/05 Cyndi Armitage

Count e rs
09/07 Lois Ombrello and Norma Denney
09/14 Robyn Stille and Nancy Harmala
09/21 Irene Kindstrand and Lee Irish
09/28 Rita Miller and Helen Frederickson
10/05 Judy Swanson and Cheryl Salmer

Thank You!
Communi on Serve rs
September Pat Kroon
October Nancy Harmala
November Dave Magnuson
December Ken Blau
September 2014
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
Fall Worship Schedule
commences Sunday, Sept 7 at 9:15am with Adult Sunday School
(Childrens Sunday School to be announced) and Worship Service at
10:30am. Coffee fellowship to follow service.
Mutual
Ministry
6:30pm
Fall Schedule
Finance
Committee
Council
Meeting
7pm
In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15
Labor Day
Observed
FLLC Womens Retreat