REFORMATION - Toledo, OH



FAITH UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH

4543 DOUGLAS ROAD

TOLEDO, OH 43613

DECEMBER 2019

FAITH CHRONICLES

Faith United Lutheran Church

4543 Douglas Road – Toledo, Ohio 43613

419-473-1369

Email: faithunitedlutherantoledo@

Website: or faithunited.church

Pastor: Pr. Tom Schaeffer Worship Services: Saturday – 4:00 pm

Secretary: Jan Weatherly Sunday – 10:00 am

Organist: Patrick Finnegan Sunday School – 9:00 am

Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs. – 9:00-4:00; Wed. 10:00-4:00; Fri. 9:00-2:00.

In case of an emergency, you may reach Pastor Tom at 419-481-3891 or Donna Morrin at 419-290-8997

______________________________________________________________________________

A Message from our Pastor

What are we waiting for?

What are we waiting for? That’s an important question during the season of Advent. “Advent,” as you may know, means “to come”. It is the season that we remember the waiting of God’s people for the Messiah to come and it is the season when we focus on our waiting for the Messiah to return. Waiting is what Advent is all about.

But, answering that question is very important. What are we waiting for? As the people of God, who have the task of advancing the Kingdom and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, what are we waiting for?

There are some critical things that we should be waiting for. Foremost among them, is to wait upon the direction and leading of God. We must immerse ourselves in prayer, asking for God’s direction, imploring the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our church. We want the vision of God, the mission of God to be the guiding light of all that we do. That is worth waiting for. In fact, we must wait for it. God’s path is right. All other paths are wrong.

However, this is not what many churches are waiting for. They are not waiting for God to lead them. They wait, because they are afraid. They wait, because they don’t want to change. They wait, because they would rather be where they are than to where God wants to take them.

When that happens, the church is not waiting for God. They are trying to out-wait God. They remain stuck, unable to move forward, hoping that the world will change, circumstances will change, and God will change, before they have to. The Lord once said to his people, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death . . . choose life.” On November 12 in my sermon, I said, “the path of God is life. All other paths are death.” Some churches would rather die than walk down the path God has planned for them.

I am confident that we will choose life. We will wait. We will pray and wait on the Lord. We will wait for his leadership. We will wait for God to reveal to us the vision, the mission that He has planned for us. But, as God does so, as God shows us each small step to take, we will go. We will head down that path. We will advance the Kingdom and proclaim the Gospel each day, every day until Christ comes again.

I wrote these words in 2017 for both Bethany and Reformation. I truly didn’t know what that path of life would be. This was well over a year before our merger took place. But I was confident that Bethany and Reformation were waiting on God’s leading. Today, I am writing this a few days before Thanksgiving 2019. I am thankful for both our predecessor churches. I am thankful for their faithfulness and selflessness. I am thankful that they have given us Faith United. I am thankful that we now have the opportunity to wait on God once again.

Now I look forward to following the leadership of God once again. I look forward to discovering the plans that God has set for us. I am excited about the future of our church- Faith United!

In Christ,

Pastor Tom

What’s New at Faith United?

Facebook Page: If you haven’t been to Faith United’s Facebook page yet, please visit there (and Like us.) Anyone is welcome to share photos of church activities, say hello to one another and just keep up on news. You can also share upcoming events with your Friends. It is called Faith United Lutheran Church.

Donations to the Fish Bowl

Each week donations to the Fish Bowl will be designated to a different cause, organization or other purpose. Any and all donations are always gladly accepted.

Web Site – The church’s Web site, or faithunited.church, is a great source for information for you and you can tell friends to check out the site to find out what is happening at Faith United! This website is up and running, and new items are added all the time.

Church Office Hours – as of 1/14/2019, the new office hours are:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-4:00

Wednesday 10:00 – 4:00

Friday 9:00-2:00

There are now doorbells at both entrances to the church office. If the doors are locked during regular business hours, please ring the buzzer. Just a personal note, the secretary has bad knees, so it takes a couple of minutes to get to the Luther Hall door, so please be patient.

Church Supplies – the church is always in need of paper towels, toilet paper, and hand soap. You can bring supplies to the church office or drop off on Sunday.

Important Up-coming Dates

Dec. 1 Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata – 3:30pm

Dec. 14 & 15 Cookie Buffet

Dec. 18 Community Christmas Dinner

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Worship - 7:00 (Family Oriented Worship)

10:00 (Festival Christmas Worship)

Choir Christmas Program

On Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, we will be presenting our choir Christmas program. This program will begin at 3:30pm in our sanctuary with both Bell Choir and Vocal choir taking part.

The cantata we have selected this year is “The Glory of Christmas” by Lloyd Larson. This is a choral work celebrating the birth of Jesus. This is music sure to be enjoyed by all with its many traditional songs of the season and beautiful new music. This music will be sung by a 25 voice choir – directed by Pat Finnegan and accompanied by Marilyn Joyner, piano, and Tricia Haase, keyboard. Both are excellent musicians, not new to Faith United Lutheran. Narration will be provided in between songs to tie everything together. Music of the season will also be played by our Bell Choir.

A reception will immediately follow this program in Luther Hall. Invite your d, family, and neighbors to join you. We are sure this program will be enjoyed by all who attend. Mark your calendars now:

The Glory of Christmas by Lloyd Larson

For mixed chorus and solo voice

Sunday, December 1, 2019 3:30 pm

Faith United Lutheran Church

4543 Douglas Rd.

This program is Free and Open to the Public!

Christmas Eve Worship

This year we are planning to have two worship services on Christmas Eve. The first will be at 7:00 pm and will be a family-friendly service, featuring favorite carols and readings. The second service will be the Christmas Festival Worship Service at 10:00 pm. This will be “high” church service, with candlelight. Communion will be served at both services. Everyone is welcome at either service. Please invite friends, neighbors and family to join us in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Angel Tree and Cookie Buffet and Family House

The Angel Tree will be up with name ornaments on Sunday, Dec. 1. The return date will be indicated on the sign-up sheet. Thank you in advance for your participation. This year we will be helping a family with 6 children from the DeVeaux School area. Please consider helping a local family by taking an ornament from the tree, or donating money towards gift cards.

Calling all cookie bakers and candy makers! These treats are needed for the Cookie Buffet that will take place on Dec. 14 & 15. The cookies will be made available in the south hallway. Please have your donations to the lounge by 11:00am on Dec. 14. The proceeds will benefit Family House. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Twist Ties Needed! In the church kitchen twist ties are used in a variety of ways. Consequently, our supply of those handy ties has become really low and is in need of replenishing. If anyone has any extra twist ties (new or used) that you could donate, please place them in the container next to the fish bowl at the back of the pews. Thank you!

Christmas Cards If you plan to send Christmas cards to some of your Faith United Family, bring that card to put on the Angel Tree in the narthex.  Everyone can read and enjoy your message to Faith United friends!  Let's fill the tree!

Snow Days Faith United Lutheran Church is automatically closed if Lucas County is under a Level 3 emergency.  You don't need to bother reading the TV scrolls that list a million closings.  Under a Level 2, church will be open.  Come to church if you feel it is safe in your part of town; use your discretion.

Building Usage

To avoid any further confusion and inability to place necessary dates on the church calendar, beginning immediately there will be a 3-month calendar of upcoming events located in 3 places. There will be one hanging on the bulletin board in the Narthex. Another will be hanging outside the door to the church office. The final one will be in the mailbox of each committee, and/or chairperson, and all council member. I will try to be as diligent as possible in keeping these current. All events are also listed on the calendar on the church’s Web site, faithunited.church.

It is the responsibility of the individual committees to keep current on these calendars. Use of any portion of the church, except for specific church-related functions, are on a first come first served basis. Beginning in January 2020, it is recommended that each committee try to make every effort to plan for any events they may need the use of Luther Hall or a classroom or any other place of meeting. There are already events booked on the 2020 calendar, so the sooner you get your reservation form to the office, the more likely you will be able to get the date and time you desire.

Regularly weekly/monthly scheduled meetings are always listed on the calendar. Please refer to the quarterly calendars before requesting any date from this date forward. A monthly calendar will continue to be in the Faith Chronicles for each month. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and should result in a much more efficient use of the church’s facilities. Thank you.

Thank You!!!

Thank you to Fran Oliver for once again preparing a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner and raffle baskets. You out-did yourself – again!

Thank you to all who helped to decorate the church for Christmas! All of the help made it go quickly and we then enjoyed lunch together.

Thank you to Craig Whitaker and Tricia Haase who have both stepped in to help lead worship by playing the organ and directing the choir. You are very much appreciated!

A big THANK You to our Faith United Family for your kind caring and your prayers while I was in the hospital!  Thank you, Pastor Tom, for your warm visit!  We are so blessed to be part of this loving church family!

Corinne Oliger

There was an important job to be done and Everyone was sure Somebody would do it.  Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did.  Somebody got angry, because it was Everybody's job.  Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized Everybody wouldn't do it.  So Everybody blames SOMEBODY when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Just remember we are the Anybody who can be peacemakers, disciple finders, faith builders, encouragers and hope makers.

BE THE CHANGE!!!  THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Ichthus Quilters

ICHTHUS Quilters completed our quilting for the year with 20 finished quilts.  We delivered them to the LWR ingathering at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Pemberville, OH.  From there they go to Baltimore, Maryland to be shipped overseas as needed.

Ruth and Paul are already working on our next year's quilts.  We have completed 3 quilts for next year already and are hoping to increase the number of finished quilts from this year.  You can help us by donating good full-size flat sheets or larger for quilt backs, good material for making quilt tops and monetary donations for quilt batting.  We currently meet on Thursdays after the breakfast in room 205 from 10:00 to noon.  We would love to have you join us whenever you are able.  If you can thread a needle, cut material, sew squares together, or tie a knot, we could use you.

Let us know how you would like to help,

ICHTHUS Quilters

Ruth and Paul

In Our Prayers

Home: Jan Ellenberger, Pat Finnegan, Randy Collier, Lois Manning, Jan Leonard, Julie & Rick Hagg, Phyllis Neeley, Judy & Al Schaarschmidt, Char Bowlus, John Bailiff, Sandy Drake, Larry & Sandy Matzinger, Terry Belcik, Gloria DeMerritt, Lori Knous, Les Johnson, Pattie Webber, Joanna Ranes, William McDermott, Marie Gillen, Colleen Krebser.

Hospitals/Care Centers: Pastor & Sandy Mays (Elizabeth Scott); Shirley Kennedy (Rosary Care Center); Michael Morrin; Elsie Johnson (The Waterford at Levis Commons).

Family and Friends: Julie Hipple; Nicole Erdman; Chris, Paula Sanner, Gina Glover, Margaret Schonter, Tom Schonter, Jack Schonter, Reed Francis; Violet Liest; Jeff Snow; Connie & Brandon Sondergeld & Katie Holtgrieve; Clay Wilson; Eli Titkemeier; Frankie Edinger, Jim Ansted; Cara, Bob & son of Jennifer Prueter; Mike Jorris; Regina, Kim; Janice Blazey, Erica Foster, Rick DeLeonardis, Christina Lloyd, Jim Lang, Jennifer and Steve Kern, Sharon; Heather; Wendy & Neal; Greg Horton; family of Dave Caig; Maggie & Britany; Gerry Finnegan &Shirley Skeldon; Keith Rabie; Karen Sauppe & Tim Cummings; Andy & Mary Okapal; Betty & Vicky, Don Fall, Nathan, & Lou & Barbie; Jaime Wetherald; Chuck Skeldon; Karen Bernadino; Betsy Jaynes, Kristie Massie, Morgan Hickerson; Barbara McClintock, Jeff Decker; Family of Steve Kern; Noah Asher, Bob Molina & Adeline Masters; Karen Dewitz; Tony & Pam Zglinski; Terry Stygles; Vern, The Pompey Family.

In the military: Bill Myers, Ashley and Jason Weatherly, Kyle Dietrich, Kyle Mikolajczyk, Kayla Fowler, Sean Ray, Logan Hillesheim, Tyler Coulter, Pete Christoff, Roy Oberhaus.

REGULAR BUILDING USE AS OF 12/01/2019

SUNDAY 9:00-9:45 SUNDAY SCHOOL

10:00-11:00 SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP/COMMUNION

11:30 BELL CHOIR REHEARSAL

MONDAY 12:00-1:00 OPEN MINDED AA – LOWER EDUCATION WING

7:00-10:00 VOLLEYBALL - LUTHER HALL

TUESDAY 12:00-1:00 OPEN-MINDED AA – LOWER EDUCATION WING

3:30-5:15 ZION BASKETBALL

5:30-9:30 TDV – LUTHER HALL

WEDNESDAY 12:00-1:00 OPEN-MINDED AA – LOWER EDUCATION WING

6:00-7:00 WEDNESDAY EVENING MEAL

8:30-9:30 PRIVATE MEETING – LOWER EDUCATION WING

THURSDAY 9:00-10:00 THURSDAY MORNING BREAKFAST

12:30-2:00 WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

12:00-1:00 OPEN-MINDED AA – LOWER EDUCATION WING

3:30-5:15 ZION BASKETBALL

6:00-7:00 BASKETBALL - LUTHER HALL

7:00-9:00 BASKETBALL - LUTHER HALL

FRIDAY 12:00-1:00 OPEN-MINDED AA – LOWER EDUCATION WING

5:00-9:30 TOLEDO DYNAMIC VOLLEYBALL

SATURDAY 12:00-1:00 OPEN-MINDED AA – LOWER EDUCATION WING

2:00-3:00 DRAGONRAID – OLD CHOIR ROOM

4:00-4:30 SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP – FAITH CHAPEL

*****THIS IS THE SCHEDULE FOR “REGULAR WEEKLY” ACTIVITIES AT THE CHURCH. ANY OTHER EVENTS, COMMITTEE MEETINGS, PRIVATE EVENTS, ETC., ARE NOTED ON THE CALENDAR ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE NARTHEX. PLEASE USE ONLY THAT CALENDAR TO PLAN YOUR ACTIVITIES*****

Each Month

1st Sunday - Haugen service with Sending of Communion

1st Friday - Feed Your Neighbor

1st Thursday - WELCA/Rebekah Circle 7:00

2nd Monday – Congregational Council 7:00

2nd Tuesday – Worship Committee 7:00

Last Tuesday – Men’s Night Out 6:30

Last Sunday – Healing Service

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR DECEMBER 2019

SUNDAY 12/01/2019 4:00-7:00 CHOIR PROGRAM – PART LUTHER HALL

TUESDAY 12/03/2019 2:30-5:00 TEACHERS’ PANTRY

TUESDAY 12/03/2019 7:00-9:00 WORSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

THURSDAY 12/05/2019 7:00-9:00 WELCA – LOUNGE

FRIDAY 12/06/2019 5:00-9:00 PRIVATE PARTY – LUTHER HALL

SATURDAY 12/07/2019 9:00-9:00 PRIVATE PARTY – LUTHER HALL

SUNDAY 12/08/2019 10:00-4:00 PRIVATE PARTY – LUTHER HALL

SATURDAY 12/14/2019 COOKIE BUFFET

SUNDAY 12/15/2019 COOKIE BUFFET

WEDNESDAY 12/18/2019 6:00-7:00 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER

SATURDAY 12/21/2019 3:00-11:00 PRIVATE PARTY – LUTHER HALL

SUNDAY 12/22/2019 12:00-6:00 PRIVATE PARTY – LUTHER HALL

TUESDAY 12/24/2019 OFFICE OPEN ½ DAY

TUESDAY 12/24/2019 7:00 CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY WORSHIP

TUESDAY 12/24/2019 10:00 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL WORSHIP

WEDNESDAY 12/25/2019 OFFICE CLOSED

THURSDAY 12/26/2019 OFFICE CLOSED

TUESDAY 12/31/2019 OFFICE OPEN ½ DAY

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Birthdays Anniversaries

Dec. 2 Ryan Titkemeier 4 Dave & Peg Hinds

3 Nancy Taylor 19 John & Linda Bailiff

7 Nancy Robinson 27 Chuck & Carol Dolt

8 Bill Koegler

14 Pastor Tom Schaeffer

19 Peg Hinds

21 Jan Titkemeier

22 Sue Kusz

23 Chuck Dolt

27 Chase Irons

28 Kristy Simms

30 Randy Collier

31 Tricia Haase, Jackie Cannon

December Bible Readings

1 Matthew 24:36-44 17 Jude 17-25

2 2 Romans 6:1-11 18 Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34

3 Hebrews 11:32-40 19 Galations 3:23-29

4 Matthew 24:23-35 20 Galations 4:1-7

5 Acts 1:12-17, 21-26 21 John 3:31-36

6 Acts 13:16-25 22 Revelation 22:6-7, 18-20

7 John 1:19-28 23 Galations 3:6-14

8 Matthew 3:1-12 24 Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]

9 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 25 Luke 2:[1-7] 8-20

10 Romans 15:14-21 26 Acts 7:59-8:8

11 Matthew 12:33-37 27 1 John 5:1-12

12 2 Peter 3:1-10 28 Matthew 18:1-14

13 2 Peter 3:11-18 29 Matthew 2:13-23

14 Luke 3:1-18 30 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

15 Matthew 11:2-11 31 John 8:12-19

16 Acts 5:12-16

Wishing a Blessed Christmas to all from the staff at Faith United

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