Faithfully Yours

Membership Newsletter ~ July 2015

Faith Lutheran Church ~ Rev. David Johnson, Pastor
Mark 5:35-36 While he was still speaking, people
came from the synagogue rulers house saying, Your
daughter has died. Why trouble the teacher any
longer? But Jesus, paying no attention to what was
said, told the synagogue rule, Do not be afraid; just
believe.
I have this tendency to be late to
everything. I really cant explain why or how
well then again, maybe I can some of the time. I
mean I do have this tendency to push things to the
last possible minute so that when it is time to go
somewhere or do something I end up being late for
it. So I know that is my fault. However, there are
still times that I wake up early, plan ahead, and
even head out early and I still end up being late. I
have to say that I am quite talented at it!
Now I know that there are people who are
driven crazy by people like me, and I have to admit
that I can be driven crazy by people like me. It is
quite frustrating to wait on someone that you are
expecting to show up. Now five or 10 minutes
isnt going to kill me. I can usually wait that long
unless I am in a rush to get something done. At
that point, patiently waiting is not one of my strong
suits. And Im sure you have been in that place
where something needed to happen, something
needed to get done, or you needed to be someplace
else and yet there you are, waiting on someone like
me to arrivelate. At what point does it become
too late and you just give up altogether?
This Bible text is just a small snippet from a
greater story. Jairus daughter is ill and he has
sought Jesus out to heal her. Jesus says that he will
go with Jairus to see his daughter, but along the

way the crowds who have heard about Jesus

press all around him wanting to get a glimpse of
this new celebrity. Then there is this woman
who has been suffering for many years and was
healed by touching Jesus clothing who Jesus has
a conversation with; all the while Jairus
daughter is getting sicker by the minute. Doesnt
Jesus know just how serious this is? Its no time
for a strollits time to ditch the sandals and
sprint to Jairus house. They dont have a minute
to lose!
But before Jairus can urge Jesus to get a
move on, some people come and inform Jairus
that its too latehis daughter is dead. Let that
sink in for a moment. Shes dead. Your very
last act of desperation was too little too late, and
your child just didnt make it. What if that was
you; what if that was your child or grandchild?
What if Jesus was too late?
Yet, the story doesnt end with Jesus not
making it in time to save a sick little girl. This
story is about how things are never too late for
God. Even in those moments when things seem
dead and gone, God can enter in and bring new
life. For God there is no time limit, and even
when it seems like its too late, stories like this
remind you that its never too late.
This is a message for the parent who
placed his/her work over and above family; its
for the friendships that were once so close and
are now buried in the ground; its for the addict
who has once again slipped into a lifestyle of
using; its for the person who has deep seated
anger and resentment towards someone who is

Fr om the Pastors Desk cont...

dead and gone; its for the one who has wanted
nothing to do with God all his/her life and now is
faced with overwhelming fearwhat seems to be too
late for us is never too late for God.

Giving Thanks!

In all these things and more that tell us its too

late; there is no way things can be made right; there is
nothing you can do, God is there to carry it with you,
bear it with you, and bring new life in the midst of
things that seem dead and gone. Even in this world
when things seem dead and buried, we carry with us
the hope that those things died with Jesus on the cross
and that through Jesus it can and will be raised to
new life. With God, its never too late.

In Gods Peace, Pastor Dave

Calling all Youth!

Thanks to all who celebrated FLLCs

85th anniversary June 7 in person or who sent
individual or congregational gifts. The Driving
Faith Forward theme was carried out with a
Fortune Lake 500 parade of vintage and
inventive vehicles, dedication of the new
pavilion, festive worship, and catered picnic
dinner.
Im delighted to report that the
anniversary campaign goal of $85,000
designated to build four tree houses has been
reached! Gifts are still arriving and will be
matched.
We have reached our goal to help us
drive the ministry for Vagabond Land forward
with the tree houses, but some other speed
bumps have come up. Our vehicle fleet is in
desperate need of upgrading. We have only one
reliable vehicle and are need of another minivan
and truck.

Who wants to go to Fortune Lake Lutheran

Camp in Crystal Falls, MI for the day
on Wednesday, July 29, 2015?
Great fun will be had with games, singing,
chapel, lunch, swimming, crafts, canteen,
etc.

When giving to a special appeal

increases, giving to the regular annual fund
often suffers. Unfortunately, that describes our
current financial situation. We are deeply
grateful for the successful anniversary
campaign, but we desperately need the
continued support of congregations and
individuals to balance our 2015 skeletal deficit
budget.

We will be leaving from church at 10:00am

EDT and will return around 5:00pm
EDT. Bring your swim suit and towel.
Cost will be $10.00 each.

With thanksgiving for blessings received

and with faith for the future,

Please rsvp with Pastor Dave (486-9083) or

Kathy Richards (486-8931) so that
transportation can be arranged.

Pastor Tracy Polzin, Camp Director

P.S. Acknowledgments of anniversary gifts are
being mailed as time permits. Right now, camp
is in high gear driving faith forward! (Its not
too late to take a ride!)

Join us for a fun day!

A Place Of Grace
For all Seasons
2

Faith Lutheran Church Council 2015

resolutions were passed including the capital

campaign, Always Being Made New Appeal that will
provide funding over a four year period to youth and
young adults, new and renewing congregations,
Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, congregational barrier
free projects, world and local hunger, global
ministries, ELC in Tanzania, and campus ministries.
More information will be forthcoming through the
churchs stewardship program. Newly published
prayer books for service men and women were
provided to each church for distribution along with
history books of Finlandia University and
stewardship packages for each congregation.
Breakout sessions were conducted on Saturday
afternoon on a variety of topics including worship,
Muslim faith, Tanzanian girls school and
microloans, Lutheran higher education, ELCA social
statement on women and justice, and faith
community.

Jeff SwansonPresident
Victor Cox Vice President
Judy SwansonSecretary
Norma Denney
Nancy Harmala
Dave Magnuson
Ross Carlson

Committee Liaisons
The Church Council members serving as
Committee Liaisons for 2015:

Mutual Ministry - Dave Magnuson

Finance - Ross Carlson
Worship / Music & Altar Guild - Victor Cox
Property Furnishings - Jeff Swanson/Vic Cox

Overall, I found the assembly to be well planned and

run. I made many new friends and had deep
conversations with Reverend Bill Payne. Pastor Dave
joined me Saturday morning, which was comforting.
I was impressed with the extent of involvement of
many lay people from across the synod in formal
synod business. The most important take away,
however, is the extent that my assembly experience
has inspired me to determine ways to grow our
church. Through the years, many people have talked
about how the church is shrinking and how the
younger generations are not attending Sunday School
and church. Until now, I had not spent much thought
of how to change this trend. Since the assembly, it
has been a constant focus of mine. I cant seem to get
it out of my head. The Holy Spirit has inspired me; I
was nervous about going to the assembly for the first
time by myself, but I think it allowed me to branch
out and be introspective about the experience. I hope
my excitement for new ideas and concern for the
future of our church will inspire others to support and
join me in the effort to make more opportunities
available to those in our community to get to know
Jesus and be blessed by Him. Thank you for
providing me the chance to attend this years Synod
assembly. It has changed me in ways that I had not
expected. God is good.

Fellowship / Evangelism - Nancy Harmala

Share & Care - Judy Swanson
Thrivent - None at this time
Youth & Christian Education - None

Date of Next Council Meeting:

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 6:30pm in
the Pine Room. No meeting for July due to
Summer schedules.
Interested in joining the newly forming Stewardship
Committee? Please contact Dave Magnuson at
(906) 485-1642.
Northern Great Lakes Synod Assembly
May 15-17, 2015
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
& Finlandia University, Hancock, MI

he theme of this years assembly was

Worship; inspirational worship services
were held on Friday evening and Sunday
morning. The band, Dakota Road, provided
lively music throughout the weekend. Dr. Victoria
Kisyombe brought greetings from the ELC of
Tanzania through her keynote address. Synod business
was conducted with the adoption of the synod budget
and election of synod officers, committee positions,
and church wide synod voting members. Eight

Renewed in Christ, Kathy Richards

Keep in our
Prayers
Julie McCoy
Lucas Saron
Jennifer Irish
Scott Syrjala
Lindsey Maddock
Mary Anderson
Leigh Gervae
Robert Racine
Jeremy Harvala
Jennifer Skridulis
Lassandra Martin
Hunter Nault
David Koval
Sidney Richards
Shane Nardi
Terry Jr Alderton
Elmer Juntila
Roxanne Willey
Emily Kaare

7/1
7/1
7/2
7/2
7/3
7/4
7/5
7/5
7/8
7/8
7/11
7/11
7/14
7/15
7/16
7/17
7/17
7/19
7/20

David W. and Deborah Keto

Robert and Karen Katajamaki
Norma and Gary Denney
Michael and Erin Cox
William and Lori Brewer
Brian and Kim Raisanen
Pamela and Mike Boone
Jane and Robert Hebert
Paul and Lois Ombrello
Steven and Vicky Racine
David and Katie Johnson
Diana and Jesse Baldini
Ted and Diane Houseman
Allen and Kathyrn Solka
Kathy and David Richards
5

Carole Watson
Chris Honkala
Danielle Perreault
Austin Brewer
Anthony Darga
Saddiqah Gardner
Eva LaFave
Ashley Saari
Travis Swanson
April Wickstorm
Cheryl Niemi
Michael Kindstrand
Daniel Poirier
Victor Cox
Madison Maclachlan
Melissa Kroon Harris
Riley Nault
Dale Poirier
Luke J. Vidlund

1-Jul
2-Jul
7-Jul
7-Jul
8-Jul
8-Jul
10-Jul
11-Jul
12-Jul
13-Jul
14-Jul
17-Jul
17-Jul
20-Jul
21-Jul

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.
6
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
~ Psalm 130
4

7/21
7/22
7/23
7/24
7/24
7/24
7/25
7/25
7/25
7/26
7/27
7/28
7/29
7/30
7/30
7/31
7/31
7/31
7/31

Our home-bound and

nursing home residents.

Those We Prayed
for in June
Priscilla
Jackie
Beverly
Chris
Bill
Luella
Judy
Roberta
Jeff
Kim
Zac
Mark
Susie
Bev
Elmer & Shirley
Simeon
Tammy
Danielle
David
Donna
Lorraine

Kathy
Cathy
Karen
Paisley
Geraldine
Ginny
Leonard & Joan
Helen
Phil
Maryann
Ashley
Lynn
Carolyn
Bob
Dean
Lois
Carole
Laurie
Our Military

Family of Bo Biden
Family of Bob Collick
Family of Alice Korpi
Family of Nancy Nurmi Perry

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 - Lutheran Book of
Worship (Augsburg, 1978) reprinted 2012 pg. 28

CONGREGATION NEWS & INFORMATION

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Sunday Worship Schedule

Worship Service 9:30am - 10:30am
Communion 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays
Coffee Fellowship follows Service each Sunday
Sunday School will resume in the Fall.

Quilts & Such

For Sale
The Quilters have set up a table in the
fellowship hall with items they have
made and are for sale. Please stop by
& take a look. Proceeds directly
benefit the church.
We are looking for a couple more
Lawn Mowing Volunteers to assist
with the grounds for Summer and
Fall. If you can assist, please contact
Nancy Harmala at (906) 486-9200.

Online Devotional Resource

Our Northern Great Lakes Synod offers a
wonderful online prayer resource,
including a daily devotional thought.
Check it out at www.nglsynod.org/
prayfaithfully/daily-devotions.html

Psalm 130
Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
Psalm 30

PSALM
READINGS
FOR JULY

Church Office Hours

Pastor Rev. Dave Johnson
From 10am6pm, Monday thru Thursday; if Pastor Dave is out of the office, he is still on the clock.
Please call him on his cell phone during this time. And if you have an EMERGENCYCALL ANYTIME:
651-769-3365. Join him on Mondays from 9:30am1pm for a cup of coffee, locations to be announced in
the Sunday bulletin.
Church Secretary, Barb Grisham Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6:008:00 pm, Saturday: 8:00noon.

Email: faithlutheran@faithinishpeming.com
Schedules will vary somewhat
5 during the Summer months.

With Thanks to Those Who Serve

Lectors
07/05 Marilee Koval
07/12 tba
07/19 Marilee Koval
07/26 tba
Counters
07/05 Debbie Kroon & Norma Denney
07/12 Irene Kindstrand & Lee Irish
07/19 Lois Ombrello & Norma Denney
07/26 Debbie Kroon & Kathy Richards
08/02 Elizabeth Lawer & tba

Coffee Servers
07/05 Lois Ombrello and Norma Denney
07/12 tba
07/19 tba
07/26 Laurie Collins
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day,
please switch with someone or contact:
Irene KindstrandLectors
Cheryl SalmerCounters
Kathy MagnusonCommunion Servers

Mission Statement

Memorial Service
for
Carl Red Hytinen
Friday, July 3 at 2:00pm

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.

In lieu of flowers and cards, please

bring a sweet treat to share.

SUMMER SCHEDULE: join us for Worship service at 9:30am, and Coffee

Fellowship immediately following. Please let Pastor Dave know if you can host a
Sunday evening camp service this Summer. Camp Service announcements will be in
the Sunday bulletins. ALL ARE INVITED!

July 2015
Sun

Mon

5 COMMUNION 6

7
Mutual
Ministry 630pm

12

Tue

13

Wed

Fri

Sat

10

11

17

18

24

25

Finance Committee
6:30pm

14

Thu

Memorial
Service for Carl
Red Hytinen
2:00pm

VBS 67:30

15

16
VBS 67:30

19 COMMUNION 20

21

22

23

Share & Care

Committee
11:30am

26

VBS 67:30

27

28

29

FORTUNE
LAKE DAY
10 AM5PM

30
VBS 67:30

31