In This Issue
 


This Sunday we will ordain and install elders.
Please join us for this uniquely Presbyterian tradition and support Fred, Julia, Marilyn and Scott as they commit sacrificially to leadership of this congregation.

Also, please thank outgoing elders Paula French, Steve Hanson, and Kevin Lungwitz, for their service on session. Also, we never had a chance to thank Marty McDougal who needed to step aside to care for family during her remaining term. Steve will continue on as Clerk of Session until a new clerk is identified. We thank him for continuing to serve in this capacity for us. 

PLEASE NOTE:

The office will be closed on Monday, January 23 so that Melissa can take a personal day to attend to some business in reference to the death of her father in law. We will re-open on Tuesday, the 24th, at 9:00. Thanks!

THOSE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR CHURCH:

Please remain after worship to meet with Kyle so we can calendar our meeting times. We will be gathering to provide time to learn more about the church, what membership means here, and what Presbyterians are like out in the world. This will be a casual Q&A experience.

No test, no altar call, no kool-aid. We promise!
 



Two classes will be offered the remaining four Sundays in January.  1) Our Bible Study group led by Stephen Hilders will meet in the Fellowship Hall to continue their study of Matthew, and the 2) Israel/Palestine study group will continue meeting in the parlor.
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FAITH BOOK GROUP will meet at 6:30 pm on Monday, January 23rd, at the home of Susan Sanders, 4909 Prairie Dunes Drive 78747, for soup and good conversation about books.  We want to compile the list of books we are going to read this year, so bring your suggestions.   You don't need to bring anything else...just book ideas.  Call Susan at 512-292-1107 if you have questions.

YOU CAN GIVE ELECTRONICALLY
(but we still accept cash and checks as usual!).  

How does it work? Scan the QR code below with your smartphone. There are no additional fees for you as the donor. However, as with all such transactions, an administrative fee of 1% will be deducted from your gift before it is delivered to our church. This one-time fee is for the reasonable and customary costs of operation of the Presbyterian Mission Exchange which hosts our electronic giving. If you pay by EFT option, this will be the full extent of the fees deducted. Gifts made using a credit or debit card will be assessed an additional fee of 2.598%+$0.26 (deducted automatically by our card processing vendor). Your full donation, which includes all the fees, is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.  

 
 



VALENTINES -
It's time already for us to begin with our valentines for college students.   If you have one in your family, or know of any in our congregation, please let us know so we can be sure we have a valentine for every one of them.    Please contact Martha Loer, 512-447-8012, or [email protected], and include the name and the address we can mail a valentine to.    Then, when the valentines are laid out on the table in the foyer, please write a note or at least sign the cards.    If there are military members, include these away-from-home Faith folk, too.    Thanks!



 
STATEMENTS:

End of the year statements went out on January 10. If you have not received yours, please contact Melissa in the office so she can arrange for a replacement. Also, in an effort to go "green-er", we are giving members the option of having their statements emailed to them. If you would like to take advantage of this, please contact the office and give Melissa your email address.

Please be sure to double check your statements and contact the office immediately if you find something that you are unsure of. Thanks so much!


IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER IN 2017:

The following are upcoming events at Faith for 2017.

January 22        Installation of Ruling Elders, Class of  2018
February 12     Congregational Meeting
 
 
More information will be announced about aforementioned events as it becomes available! 

 
YOGA:

Please join us for a free yoga class on Monday evenings at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. If you would like more information, please contact Becky Davis at [email protected]
 


PARKING:


Parking is tight again on our campus. If you are able, and wish to have a little walk in the morning, you are welcome to utilize both the front & back lots at Travis High School on Sundays. This would be very appreciated by any visitors to Faith, those who need assistance, and for the congregation of the Wildflower Church. Thank you in advance! 



CALENDARS:

If you find yourself with an overabundance of 2017 calendars, please share them with those who need one. You may leave them in Clara's Kitchen (aka the food pantry) or the office. By all means, if you need one,take one. Any not taken will be given by the pantry to those who need food as well as a calendar. 

Sherry Hester Kenney, of The Presbyterian Foundation will be with us on Sunday, January 29 to talk about planned giving and other stewardship opportunities the foundation offers.

Fourth Tuesday 
Fourth Tuesday will be on January 24th at about noon in the Parlor. Please bring a side dish and join us for fellowship and good food. Feel free to come early and help set up or stay late and help clean up. Either way please do join us. If you are new and/or have never attended a 4th Tuesday luncheon, now is the perfect time. What a great way to begin a new year! 




DRIVE A SENIOR - SOUTH AUSTIN

In addition to volunteering as a driver for our older neighbors  (ask Martha Loer if you want more information or see contact info below), here's another easy way you can help:

 

CONNECT WITH US:

You will notice a Connection Card in the pew. If you would like to receive our electronic newsletter and correspondence about the life of the church, please let us know how to find you between Sundays by filling out the information you are comfortable giving us and placing the card in the Offering Plate.

 


DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE IN THE HOSPITAL OR IN NEED OF PASTORAL CARE?

Hospitals no longer notify pastors. If you wish a visit from a pastor during your stay, please let us know. Also, if you are unable to get to worship for a long time, we now offer quarterly home communion.   It only takes a very few minutes to share communion with our pastor and an elder in your home. Let us know if this is something you would like or if you'd like us contact someone in particular and ask if they would like this provided for them. 

DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO IS NOT GETTING THE NEWSLETTER?

If you know someone who does not have email access and who should be getting our newsletter, please call or email Melissa in the office so she can get the information. Thanks!



Angelique ElaZe
Benjamin Brown
Bette Lippincott
Cliff Krulan
Elysse Siddiqui
Julia Ross
Kathryn McDougal
Kevin Lungwitz
Kyle Walker
Roger McDougal
Sarah Sharp
Sue Hohenshell
Susan Marshall
Tony Kimbrough


 



IN OUR PRAYERS:

    • The family of Mona Wright who passed away on December 31
    • Tom Trimble, Melissa's father in law, who passed away suddenly on Dec. 26
    • Jo Hammer who is having severe back pain
    • Victims and family members of recent terror attacks around the world
    • Johnie Lou Gober who had hip surgery this past Monday and is in St. David's Rehab
    • Jannet Smith having tests and awaiting results.
    • Barbara Arctur for a speedy recovery from foot surgery
    • For peace in our country as inauguration day grows closer
    • For all who believe that violence is the answer
    • Our leaders for wisdom and understanding
    • Victims of violence and their families
    • Those suffering from physical, mental, or emotional stress and illness. Those who are homeless, financially despairing and all others for whom our prayers have also been requested