Faith Lutheran Church

Receiving and Sharing the Love of Christ

May 2020 Newsletter

Contact Us At:

3000 NW Loop, Stephenville, Texas 76401

254-968-2710

Website: faithlutheranstephenville.com

Email: church.office@faithlutheranstephenville.com

From the Pastor …

The Blessing of Servant Leadership

Jesus said - “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by

some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep … He calls his own

sheep by name and leads them out … Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep … whoever

enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture …

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:1-10

We awaken to a new reality on May 1. “Shelter in Place” has expired in our community. We feel like sheep

ready to be let out of the pen! Indeed, we have been “penned up” in our homes for a long while. Yet, sheep are

vulnerable without leadership. They are capable of running through an open gate and scattering in all directions.

Scattered sheep quickly find themselves defenseless. They will lack the shepherding guidance which leads them in

the wilderness to water and good pasture. Without the shepherd, thieves and wolves will attack the flock.

Jesus said – “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep … and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other

sheep that are not of this sheep pen … I must bring them also.” (John 10:14-16) Long ago as a seminary student,

one textbook used in pastoral formation for the public ministry was titled “Shepherd Under Christ.” The title of

the book says it all! All shepherding – all leadership in the Christian Church takes place under and through Jesus

Christ. He is both the shepherd and the gate for the sheep pen. Servant leadership affirms that all the blessings of

life and the promise of salvation have their origin in the person and work of Jesus, the eternal Son, of the only true

God. I am committed to Christ alone (1 Corinthians 2:2) in the ongoing celebration of Word and Sacrament

ministry. Even as we move toward corporate worship again with new guidelines, Jesus encourages us to be mindful

of other sheep. We are not a private club. We are called together to worship God and bear witness to our Lord

Jesus by serving our neighbor with acts of mercy in word and deed.

As pastor, I do not serve alone. We are grateful for the enduring sacrifice of time and talents by our

members who have served on Church Council and Boards during the past year. Many of them continue serving as

they are joined by new servant leaders of the Council and Boards for the coming ministry year. The Holy Spirit is

at work among us. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit ... different kinds of service, but the same

Lord.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-5)

I look forward to the restoration of our worship life, the study of God’s Word, and fellowship time together.

We pray that God, our Father, will bless us with patience, perseverance, and servant hearts for the journey ahead.

Easter peace to all in Christ, our Lord,

Pastor Ed Auger

On Journey with Jesus through John

During the month of May all of the Gospel Lessons

which inform preaching for worship are found in the

Gospel of John, chapters 14-17, with the exception of

John 7:37-39 for Pentecost. Join us on the journey!

Teach Your Children

The Holy Scriptures command God’s people to treasure His words in their hearts and “teach them

diligently” to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). In doing so, parents will live out God’s mission,

following the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 12:28-31) and the Great Commission

(Matthew 28:18-20). Parents invest in the children’s spiritual development and growth through

Sunday’s Divine Worship and worship in the home: learning by heart God’s Word, confessing God’s

Word, praying God’s Word, and teaching their children to do the same. Children will know Jesus,

the object of their faith, as they grow in their baptismal faith through the teaching of their parents

and the Church.

All God’s people are affected by the energy needed to navigate the changes in work, society, and

family as we discover new ways to care for others and ourselves in the era of COVID-19. Concordia

Publishing House (www.cph.org) is offering free resources for God’s children of all ages. I

encourage you to visit the website and explore the “Be Still” portal for your home. You will find

personal and family devotions, music, articles to read, and a place to share. “Be still” and know that

God is with you.

Deaconess Cherie Auger

Chair, Board for Christian Education

We would like to thank

everyone for the cards,

phone calls, texts and

prayers after the

passing of my mom.

Your thoughts have helped us

through this tough time.

Sincerely,

Troy, Robin, Karsyn and Kallan

Kimbrough

Happy Birthday To:

05/04 Bob Small

05/07 Karlee Easterling

05/08 Jocelyn Lewis

05/11 Karl Fredrickson

Kerstin Fredrickson

05/13 Bella Manlapaz 05/15 Robert Curtis

Rachel Moravec

05/17 Leslie Hallgarth 05/19 Bethany Espinoza

James Soltau

05/22 Tess Maruska 05/23 Seth Curtoys

Tana Mundfrom Luke Weber

05/25 Joseph Gray 05/26 Daniel Carrasco

Hannah Lee

05/27 Jeanette Quade 05/31 Linda Fulton

Gary Revere

Sunday, May 17th

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us

kneel before the Lord, our Maker” Psalm 95:6

Join us in the Sanctuary at 8:00am or 10:45am

for Divine Worship with Holy Communion.

Dear Faith Family, I look forward to the day that we can worship in the Faith sanctuary together again. On behalf of the

Stewardship Board, let me express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you that have continued to

faithfully send in your offerings either through the mail or online. Your gifts during this difficult time

are joyfully received and desperately needed as well! Though we are not gathering as a congregation

at the church, the work of the church continues. Offerings are down, as can be expected, and are short

of our budgeted church expenses, but I am encouraged by the continued giving I have witnessed. I

encourage each of you to continue to bless the church in this way, as God has blessed you and as you

are prayerfully led to do so. Know that you are a blessing to Faith Lutheran Church and the ministries

Faith supports!

I wanted to take the opportunity to again let all of you know that we have added secure online giving

that is accessible from our website at faithlutheranstephenville.com/give. When you are on the Giving

site, scroll down a bit. There you will see the giving portal. Simply enter the amount you want to give,

the frequency or one-time gift and click next. You will be redirected to a secure giving page. Simply

follow the prompts to get an account set up. Be sure to remember your password! It will verify your

email address. If you choose ACH with a bank account, you will be given some directions on how that

is completed. It takes a day or two to verify your bank account. Debit and credit cards are available

immediately. You can set up one-time gifts or recurring gifts. Also, there are several sub-accounts

that allow you to direct your giving. Once your account is set up, giving can be literally be

accomplished in seconds! Direct any questions you may have to Lisa in the church office at

church.office@faithlutheranstephenville.com. Blessings to you all!

In His Service, Kris Nehring Chair, Faith Stewardship Board

Stewardship

May Mission of the Month

Backpack Buddies

Faith will accept free-will donations for Backpack Buddies throughout May. At the end of the

month, Faith will also donate 4% of our monthly congregational offerings to Backpack

Buddies. Please give generously to this community effort. Director Sena Leese expresses her

gratitude for our partnership.

This month, Faith will be partnering with the community program, Backpack

Buddies. Backpack Buddies provides healthy weekend meals to children in our area who are

food insecure. Currently, Backpack Buddies is serves 385 children through school bus

delivery and pickup. Demand for food assistance is growing and financial resources are

stressed.

Stephen Ministry

Ministry from Afar

When we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in

thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted

to come to you – certainly I, Paul, did, again and again. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18a

Stephen Ministry is, by nature, in-person care. When your care receiver is hurting, there is no

substitute for being fully present with him or her – physically, mentally, emotionally, and

spiritually. Likewise, many other parts of a congregation’s ministry, such as coming together

to worship, are also typically done in person.

During this time of social distancing, though, being physically present with others isn’t

possible To preserve the safety of those they serve, churches everywhere – and the Stephen

Ministry at these churches – are having to make some challenging adjustments, ministering

from afar much more than usual.

The Example of Paul

The Apostle Paul often needed to minister over a distance as well, which he did through his

many letters to scattered groups of Christians. Through these letters, we can gain insight

into how Paul related to believers when he couldn’t actually be with them. Most scholars

believe that Paul’s earliest surviving letter is the one we know as 1 Thessalonians. This letter

demonstrates some important principles to keep in mind in this challenging time.

First, Paul’s ministry was built on in-person relationships. Because of his prior, face-to-face

ministry, Paul could tell the Thessalonians, “We loved you so much that we were delighted

to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (2:8a). These

relationships were built on Christ-centered love and compassion. That same foundation

helps us keep our relationships strong when, for a time, we can’t meet face to face.

Second, we learn from 1 Thessalonians that ministering from afar was not Paul’s first choice.

He says, “When we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out

of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you –

certainly I, Paul, did, again and again” (2:17-18a). We can take comfort in knowing that Paul,

too, found it challenging to be apart from those he cared for. But when it became necessary

to minister over distance, he did so whole-heartedly, using the tools he had to address this

growing church’s needs. For us, although caring from afar may not be ideal, we can

accomplish real ministry using the tools available to us.

continued…

.

Third, while Paul’s letter met real needs, he always looked forward to meeting his fellow

believers again. He wrote 1 Thessalonians, in part, to comfort the church following the death of

some in the faith community (4:13-14). Even as he offered that care, though, he expressed his

eagerness for the day he could support them in person: “Night and day we pray most earnestly

that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” (3:10). We, too, can look

ahead to the time we will meet our care receivers in person once more.

In Anticipation of Coming Together Again

If Paul were here today, we can only imagine how he might make use of the devices and apps

we have now, just as he made extensive use of letters in his own time. Of course, these tools

wouldn’t be a replacement for his in-person ministry, but they could still serve as a powerful

means of ministry between visits – or at times when visits just weren’t an option. Likewise, we

can be grateful for the technologies we have today that enable us to stay connected with our

care receivers when we are not able to be physically present with them. And we can seek to use

those tools in the best ways possible, anticipating the time when we can resume our in-person

care.

Here’s a prayer we can all join in saying during this time.

Prayer

Lord God, the Scriptures say that when we call, you answer. You are always there for us,

hearing and responding to every thought and every need. Thank you for the privilege and

power of providing in-person care, as well as for ways to stay connected when we can’t be

physically present. Guide us during this unique time, helping us to exercise wisdom and

discernment in using the communication tools available today. Amen.

Copyright © Stephen Ministries St. Louis, Ministry from Afar: A Devotion, March 27, 2020

05/01 Gary & Diane Revere 05/27 Chet & Liz Cameron

05/10 Larry & Becky Fick 05/27 Barry Harpole & Cheri Spellmeier

05/18 Matt & Lindsay Laurent 05/30 Bob & Sheila Small

05/24 Will & Emily Lansmon 05/31 John & Glennetta Young

05/25 Jeff & Lisa Stroebel

Celebrating May Anniversaries…

High School

KYLIE CURTOYS, DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL

PLANS TO ATTEND THE DENTAL CAREER CENTER OF STEPHENVILLE

KARLEE EASTERLING, STEPHENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

PLANS TO ATTEND TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

ANNA GRAY, STEPHENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

PLANS TO ATTEND TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

JAMEE NELSON, STEPHENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

PLANS TO ATTEND TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE

COOPER VANDENBERG, STEPHENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

PLANS TO ATTEND TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

DELANEY JOHNSON, SILVER CITY HIGH SCHOOL, NM

PLANS TO ATTEND NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY, LAS CRUCES

(Darleene Hufstutler’s granddaughter)

College

SAM WEBER, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, AUSTIN

DEGREE: AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

WILL BEGIN WORKING AT BELL HELICOPTER IN JULY

(From our College Bible Study Group)

EMILY MCARTHUR, TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

DEGREE: PSYCHOLOGY

DELANEY SCHMIDT, TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

DEGREE: AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS

Congratulations to our Graduates

Doing Our Part By Cindy Ramming

Did you know that these days, wearing a mask is an act of unselfish love?

A face mask helps keep the minuscule droplets from our coughs, sneezes and even breaths from entering the atmosphere around us and possibly affecting or infecting other people. We understand that an unknown number of people are infected with the Covid-19 virus but have no symptoms. A major reason for social distancing right now is to stay far enough away from each other, so that we don’t accidentally infect one another if we are carrying the virus unawares. Wearing a mask helps in that effort.

The extreme shortage of the N-95 masks in our country has led to thousands of sewers rallying to the cause by making masks at home for themselves and others. Masks made from our own congregation have found their way to many states: for individuals, nurses, daycare, nursing homes and hospitals. The needs are overwhelming.

We can each do our part in the battle against Covid-19. For some, that means making face masks. For others, that means wearing them! Getting a mask is simple: call Lisa or me and you will soon have a mask of your very own.

Do your part! Wear a mask.

Thanks to the ladies of Faith

who are busy sewing &

distributing masks.

Doing our part,

cont.

even Moola…

“The wind doth blow” and self-distancing are two things that are constant in our weekly plans!

At least some springtime weather helps for sunshine and exercise. The latest information

from Governor Abbott does sound promising regarding church WITH Communion soon!

LWML officers were able to communicate on April 14 to review our minutes from March and

see the update of our treasurer’s report, both with big thanks to Rachel Moravec. Prayer Pals

mailed Easter greetings to their Confirmands.

The latest report from LWML includes letting everyone know that our officers (through

internet technology) have determined that we CAN have a garage sale, BUT the date will have

to remain undecided at this point. Also, our Trinity Zone Spring Workshop on April 26 was

cancelled; however, the Blessing Bags (project) were delivered to a night shelter for homeless

persons in the Metroplex.

The LWML Texas District Convention 18-20 of June is still scheduled, but provisions are being

planned for voting electronically on important business items. Since we will select new

Mission Goals for our MITE Box offerings, YOU have the opportunity to help select them for

our voting delegate (Lynann Simpson). Included on the next two pages are the 18 Proposed

Mission Grants. LWML ladies may select only five (5) and send me by email the five grant

numbers by May 10. Send to lks-ag66@nctv.com or text to 254-592-6266, including your

name. I will compile all I receive and be able to vote on the five that are most important to

Faith. For two years we will support those projects with our MITE Box donations.

Thank you for helping us serve others,

Lynann K. Simpson, Faith LWML President

LWML

2020-2022 Proposed Mission Grants

1. Blessings and Bibles – Lutheran Disaster Care - $15,000

Blessing and Bibles volunteers will assist victims of disasters in Texas and neighboring states. They will listen to their

stories, share hope in Christ and leave victims with a Bible and devotional material for their spiritual care and a gift card

to help relieve a small part of their immediate physical needs.

2. Scholarships for Seminarians – Texas District LCMS - $40,000

The LCMS recognizes the importance of seminary training to equip dedicated men for ministry to God’s people. To help

offset these costs, scholarship funds will assist seminary students from the Texas District, enabling them to go out and

serve with less financial burden.

3. Building Multi-ethnic Women Leaders – Glocal Missions - $20,000

Greater Houston is one of the nation’s most ethnically and culturally diverse metropolitan areas. As such, this mission

grant will be used to fund two new female mission leaders to lead multi-cultural missionary home startups where

Gospel and food are shared with a focus on child and family programming.

4. Mercy Meals – Orphan Grain Train - $5,000

World hunger continues to be a desperate need, especially among children in third world countries. This mission grant

will assist Mercy Meals at Orphan Grain Train in packing and shipping meals. Most of these shipments will go to

countries with sister church destinations where they will accompany Gospel messages.

5. Neighborhood Outreach in North Houston – Lazarus Lutheran Church - $10,000

Lazarus Lutheran Church, a new mission start in a rapidly growing area of north Houston, will use this mission grant to

connect with young families and share the Gospel at community-building events and 24 “Parties with a Purpose” hosted

by members of the congregation.

6. Multiethnic Pastoral Formation – LINC Houston - $20,000

Our LINC motto is “No Leader walks alone”. Multiethnic pastoral formation is difficult to navigate alone and

barriers along the way are challenging to overcome. This grant will ensure that multiethnic ministry leaders

get the coaching, training & support to fulfill their calling and reach immigrant communities with the Gospel.

7. Reaching Immigrants and Refugees – Multi-Ethnic Ministry of North Texas - $12,000

The words of our Lord Jesus say to go and make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them. Multi-

Ethnic Ministry of North Texas is doing just that in the DFW area as they continue to reach out to African

refugees and immigrants, physically and spiritually.

8. Lutheran Student Center Improvements – Lubbock - $20,000

The Lutheran Student Center is in dire need of much deferred improvements, mainly carpet/flooring and exterior paint.

We want students to know that this ministry, as well as their faith, is important enough to warrant an update to their

“home” to encourage them to study, cook and enjoy Christian fellowship.

9. DCE Scholarship – Concordia University of Texas - $24,000

Requested funds will be used for the provision of academic scholarships for students pursuing their Director of Christian

Education (DCE) degree in academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

10. Urban Base Camp Outreach – Camp Lone Star - $15,000

Urban Base Camp is a new program designed to partner with urban congregations at their facilities to reach out to

lower income youth in their communities, offering an adventurous Christ-centered camp. The mission grant will be used

to purchase a mobile rock-climbing wall. continued on next page…

J

Have you noticed?

Our website looks different.

Same address; New Look.

www.faithlutheranstephenville.com

Stay Updated.

11. Training Leaders in Israel – Apple of His Eye - $10,000

Funds will be used to help identify and train Israeli Jewish believers using Hebrew catechism and New Testament texts.

Systems and strategies for outreach and planting house fellowships will be developed, and where there is a critical mass

for congregational worship services, facilities will be rented to host worship services.

12. Multiplying Lutheran Partners – Resurrection Mobility Mission, Spring - $15,000

Isolation and hopelessness characterize life in the third world for children with disabilities and their families. Wheelchairs

cost one year’s salary. For 15 years, Resurrection Mobility Mission has shared dignity, transformation and the Gospel.

Funding increases the training of new Lutheran mission partners and provides equipment to multiply Gospel witness.

13. E-Kids After School Program – Expansion Ministries, Inc. - $20,000

This program cares for precious children living in impoverished Latino community apartment complexes of greater

Dallas. The love of Jesus is shared while helping with homework. Funds will be used for snacks, special day celebrations,

VBS, a computer lab, women’s Bible study and an outreach coordinator.

14. Laundry Love – St. Paul, San Antonio - $12,000

Laundry Love partners with a laundromat, paying for all services one evening a month. On those evenings, food, games,

crafts, Bible lessons and time for prayer and fellowship are provided in an effort to share with Gospel with neighbors of

St. Paul Lutheran Church.

15. Let the Little Children Come – St. Paul, Dallas - $20,000

St. Paul Lutheran Church through its Christian Academy offers the only Christ-centered preschool and before-and-after-

school care for children and families to become a part of the St. Paul family. A van will expand outreach to those in need.

16. Multicultural Youth Ministries – Bethel, Dallas - $10,000

Bethel, a multicultural congregation in east Dallas, holds services in English, Spanish and Kinyarwandan which is spoken

in East Africa. This mission grant will help integrate youth from these varied cultural groups. The funds will provide and

train a part-time youth worker and support participation of lower income students.

17. Creating a Network of Hope – Driving Hope of Texas - $20,000

Driving Hope of Texas provides rides to and from medical facilities for poor and elderly patients. The mission grant will

promote partnership between area churches to meet the physical and spiritual needs of this often underserved

population by developing the network and promoting the service.

18. Translating LWML Bible Studies – WORDrus - $11,000

Translating the LWML Donna Pyle Bible Study Series into Russian and German will create a global media resource

through WORDrus Missiona Society’s internet outreach and foster spiritual growth for laypeople in Lutheran churches

and communities throughout Eurasia.

Total Requested $299,000

81% Inside Texas $243,000

19% Outside Texas $ 56,000

Church & School Offices will be closed on

Monday, May 25, in observance of

Memorial Day.

Normal hours will resume on the 26th.