Faith Notes And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in clothes, and

laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn .

-Luke 2:7

Merry Christmas! Yes, it is still appropriate to say Merry Christmas, for in the Church, Christmas is a 12 day event. We will be in the Christmas season until Epiphany, which

always is celebrated on Jan. 6th. We won’t be having an Epiphany service this year, but that is

something I would like to add for next year. Epiphany is one of the major feasts of the Christian

year, but has sadly become neglected by the Church due to a number of factors. Hopefully next

year we will be able to revive the practice of celebrating the coming of Christ to the Gentiles, as

that is the category that almost all of us fall into, since I don’t think we have any Messianic Jewish

believers in our congregation at this point.

It is a wonderful new year here at Faith Lutheran as it signals the start of our 51st year of

bringing Word and Sacrament to the people of this community and the 500th Anniversary of

Luther nailing up his 95 Theses, which many mark as the “beginning” of the Protestant

Reformation. One way we will be remembering our past and celebrating our future is through a

new pictorial directory. Please note the article inside the newsletter on how to sign up and what

times we will be shooting photos, Jan. 17th thru the 21st.

There are a number of other dates that you might want to include on your January

calendar as well. January 3rd – 5th, LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ) has

asked all congregations and pastors to participate in the annual “Three Days of Prayer.” As such, we will be setting up some additional opportunities for prayer on these dates. If you aren’t able to

participate during the times we have set here at Faith, we encourage you to take some extra time

for prayer during those days when you are able. See the article inside the newsletter for more

details on the themes for the days as well as the times we will have available for prayer here at

Faith.

There will be a New Members Class held on Jan. 16th at 6:30pm in the Activity Center. If

you are interested in joining Faith, or you would simply like more information about how LCMC

operates as an association, we would love to have you attend. We normally do new member

classes in January, May and September, and will do them on other dates as well if the need arises.

Lutherans that are simply transferring their membership are not required to attend the class, but are encouraged to do so if they would like. Non-Lutherans seeking to join Faith are required to

attend this one-time class to learn some of the basics of Lutheranism as well as look at how

LCMC/Faith Lutheran functions.

January is also the month when we try to turn our hearts back to the issue of life and how

we have been dishonoring God by not promoting a culture of life, but rather one of death. Along

with churches across the country, we will be celebrating Sanctity of Life Sunday on Jan. 22nd. In

conjunction with Life Sunday, the annual Texas Rally for Life will be held in Austin on Jan. 28th

from 1 to 3pm. See more details inside the newsletter.

During Christmas, we celebrate Jesus coming into the world as the Life of the world.

During Epiphany, we celebrate that Life being spread to the Gentile nations through the image of

the Magi finding the Christ Child. In this new year, what priority will the Christ Child hold in your life? 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place, or lower down the list? Many will give lip service to say He has 1st Place

in their lives, but if you don’t have any time for Him, is that really true? If you never have time to

attend any events honoring Him or things He is passionate about, is He really 1st in your life?

Many in Israel said that they wanted the Messiah to come, but when He came, how many made

room for Him in their schedule or lives? He was born in a manger, for there was no room for Him.

Have you made room for Him in your life this new year? To make room for Him, some competing

things will have to go. May God give you vision and discernment on how to make room for Him in

your life this new year. May God bless your new year abundantly with His Presence!

In His Agape,

Pastor Taylor +

Flowers in 2017

The 2017 Flower

Chart is now posted on the bulletin

board outside the church office. If you

would like to provide flowers during the year,

please remember to sign up for the Sunday of your

choice as soon as possible.

2017 “Words of Faith”

Sponsorship

“Words of Faith” will be broadcast on KWED

1580 AM every Sunday morning at 8:00 AM.

Families or individuals wishing to sponsor a

broadcast may do so for $50. Look for the sign-up sheet on the bulletin

board outside the church office. A

broadcast may be sponsored in memory of someone or in honor of a person or celebration.

www.faithseguin.org

Be sure and tune in to

“Words of Faith”

Broadcast on KWED

1580 AM

Sunday Mornings

8:00 AM

Page 2 January

January

Birthdays

04 Robert Raetzsch

05 Emma Jean Becker

06 Tara Sagebiel

07 Brooke Bennett

07 Patrick Casey

08 Carol MyCue

10 Amy Cantrell

11 John Dikes

12 Dolly West

12 Kathy Ersch

12 Jonathan Edwards

12 Pat Dikes

13 Chunkie Harwell

13 Pat Bodine

13 Alexander Taddy

14 Kale Lange

14 Andrew Koenig

15 Leah Linnet

16 Sue Harwell

16 Kendalynn Pruitt

16 Karl Boysen

Church Council Communication Corner Church Council meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 PM in the

Activity Center with an agenda-setting meeting on the first Tuesday of the

month, also at 6:30, in the small kitchen. The Council encourages any member

of the congregation who would like to bring something before the Council to

contact any council member or attend the agenda-setting and Council

meetings for the month.

December Council Meeting Highlights:

Approved call for Congregational Meeting for January 29, 2017 and

agenda which includes election of four new council members, two

delegates to the LCMC National Convention, ratify a nominee for a vacancy

on the Council and present new budget.

Approved to accept the Nominating Committee Recommendations for

Church Council.

Approved the Endowment Fund Committee recommendations.

Eastern European Mission Presentation - Approved Pastor David

Breidenbach to be at Faith on January 8 and Pastor Bill Moberly on

February 12.

Call Committee Update - The two candidates for the Associate Pastor

position have both given sermons at Faith and second interviews have

been completed.

Preschool Board Update - Nine members of Faith and a parent have agreed

to serve on the board and recommendations were approved.

Free Family Movie Night Set for Tuesday, January 31st Faith Lutheran Church will be hosting a free movie night on Tuesday, Jan. 31st at

6:30 pm. We will be viewing the movie, “The Heart of Texas.” “The Heart of

Texas” is a moving portrayal of forgiveness and redemption that took place

about 2 hours from Seguin. Come out and see the amazing work of the Lord that

took place in a community close to home. This would be a wonderful movie to

invite friends and family to, as we all need work in the area of forgiveness and

reconciliation. Free snacks and refreshments will be provided. For more

information about the movie, visit www.heartoftexasthemovie.com. Contact

Pastor Taylor, 361-772-6363 with questions.

Congregational and Town Hall Meetings Scheduled

At the Congregational Meeting held on December 11th, the proposed budget

was defeated by a narrow margin. The Church Council will revisit the budget and

resubmit it for approval at the Congregational Meeting scheduled for January

29, 2017. The Town Hall meeting will be held Sunday, January 22nd, at 6:00 PM

in the Activity Center. Please plan to attend these important meetings in the life

of Faith Lutheran Church.

Page 3

January

Birthdays

16 Kate Sherwood

17 Georganna Roswell

20 Vicki Kalkwarf

21 Albert Zipp

22 LeAnne White

22 Charlotte Burns

23 Kelsey Laird

24 Mona Kuhene

24 Suzette Long

24 Joan Vanbeek

27 Judy Sagebiel

28 Deloris Atzger

28 Joyce Seidel

28 Lauren Eckhardt

29 Weston Koehler

29 Sydney Brucks

29 Henry Scull

30 Travis Mauermann

30 Stacy Smith

31 Colby Wilke

31 Annie Parker

Pastor Taylor Invites Everyone to The Texas Rally

for Life on Saturday, January 28th in Austin The Texas Rally for Life is scheduled for Sat., Jan. 28th this year. We

are hoping that many from Faith Lutheran will come out and support life in

2017. For those who haven’t participated before, the Texas Rally for Life is a

gathering of thousands and thousands of Texans in Austin who support life.

Everyone will meet at 1pm at 17th and Congress and then once everyone is

assembled, march to the south steps of the Capitol for a Rally that will go

from 2 to 3pm. The Governor and many other pro-life officials will speak and

give testimony to the value of Life that God has blessed us all with here in

Texas and the United States.

Those that would be interested in carpooling to the Texas Rally for Life

should be at Faith Lutheran by 11:15 am. Liz, Abigail, Sophia and I will be

going, so we would love for you to come along for the fun. (Abigail and Sophia

went last year—if they can do it, I think some of you can as well.) Many of you

love the joy young ones bring to our congregation. Come support these little

ones and help to prevent the 55,000 of them that are killed here in Texas

each year and the more than 58 million that have been killed in the US since

1973. In this year when we celebrate Martin Luther taking a stand 500 years

ago for truth and life, won’t you come and take a stand for life as well? Come

out and show your support for Life and the God of Life who loves the little

children. For more information, call Pastor Taylor at 361-772-6363 or visit

www.texasrallyforlife.org.

Nominating Committee Names Church Council Candidates

The Nominating Committee of Faith Lutheran Church has submitted

the names of the following individuals to be candidates for election to the

Church Council at the Annual Congregational Meeting on January 29, 2017:

Doris Engelhardt, Kim Koenig, Ric Landvatter, and George Mannel. Four

individuals will be elected to replace the four outgoing council members. In

addition, Clem and Jan Howe have been nominated to be Faith’s delegates to

the LCMC District and National Conventions.

As per the constitution, members of the congregation may submit the

name or names of additional nominees, but they must be submitted by

January 6, 2017. The individual must have been contacted and be willing to

serve. Names should be submitted in a sealed envelope and left at the

church office. The Nominating Committee will verify that they are eligible and

are willing to serve and then submit the name or names to the Church

Council.

Looking for a Few Good Voices! Please consider this an open invitation to join the Chancel Singers

as they resume choir practice on Wednesday, January 4th. The only

requirements are to love singing and enjoy gett ing together with

others to make “joyful sounds”! The choir practices from 7:00 PM

to 8:00 PM on Wednesday evenings in the LEC. If you are looking

for a way to serve the Lord through music ministry, choir might be

just the thing! For amore information, please contact Music

Director Roxanne Heckmann.

Page 4 January

Faith

On

Tour

Projects

January Item of the Month for

Christian Cupboard Donations

For the month of

January, the

Christian Cupboard

states that their most

needed item is canned

beans. This includes

any brand or type of

beans. Please bring

your donations to

church through

January 31st, and

place them in the

basket in the narthex

marked Christian

Cupboard. Faith’s

members have been

wonderful supporters

of the Christian

Cupboard, and the

Social Concerns

Committee thanks

you for your ongoing

generosity.

Mission Trip to Cristo Rey Planned for Jan. 14—15 The next trip to Cristo Rey is set for the weekend of January 14—15. The group

will leave from Faith at 7:00 AM on Saturday and return about 7:00 PM on

Sunday. Those making the trip will have the opportunity to spend Saturday

afternoon visiting the Home Churches in Donna, Texas started by Cristo

Rey. There will also be time to meet with and plan for the future with our

friends at Cristo Rey. Please pray about going and let Harold Bogisch or Jesse

Atzger know if you would like to go. Saturday night will be spent at Echo Hotel

and Conference Center in Edinburg where rooms have been reserved at a

special rate. We will also be taking the trailer with gifts from members. They

can use almost anything that is gently used, especially clothes. They will also

have a garage sale to help raise funds for their budget. Much help is needed

with their budget. You may begin bringing items and putting them in the room

across from the art room in the education wing. Please have all donations to

church by 9:00 AM on Friday, January 13th.

Faith Lutheran Preschool to Incorporate a School Board A Preschool Board will be formed to oversee the operation of the preschool

and day care programs of Faith. At a special Congregational Meeting, we will

amend our constitution and by-laws to incorporate the board into the structure

of Faith Lutheran Church. The following people have agreed to serve on that

board: Jill Friedeck (parent representative), Kim Kauitzsch, Kerry Koehler,

Irene Menn, Betty Moltz, Carol MyCue, Joanne Shanafelt, Jamie Shashack,

Diane Terp, and Stan Wieding. Sharon Stollewerk and Pastor Taylor will be ex

officio members of the board. The Church Council would like to thank these

people for volunteering their time and expertise to this important effort.

Social Concerns Committee Kicks Off Baby Bottle Campaign In conjunction with Sanctity of Life month in January, the Social Concerns

Committee is once again sponsoring the Baby Bottle Campaign Drive for the

South Texas Pregnancy Care Center. The primary mission of the center is to

promote life for the unborn child and to offer support for the mother and child

during pregnancy, birth, and the baby’s early years. The fundraiser will run

through the end of January. As in the past, baby bottles will be available in the

narthex for Faith members to pick up and take home. Bottles will also be

distributed to Sunday School children.

We encourage you to join other churches in the Seguin area by placing

change, dollar bills, and checks in the baby bottles to help support the

services that the center provides. Services include pregnancy tests,

sonograms, counseling, educational materials, and newborn gift packages at

no charge to clients. One hundred percent of the funds raised go directly

support the center's budget. The South Texas Pregnancy Care Center exists to

offer hope to people who mistakenly believe abortion is their only option.

Please return the bottles to the church no later than Sunday, February 5th.

Contemporary Worship Service Set for January 18th On Wednesday, January 18th, you are invited to come and experience a

Contemporary Worship Service in the Life Enrichment Center at 7:00 PM.

These unique services blend live praise music, scripture reading, testimony,

and Holy Communion to provide a fresh perspective of worship. Hope to see

you there!

Page 5

January

Anniversaries

06 Brad & Stacy Zella

10 Fred & Sue

Blumberg

11 Brad & Mary

Flippin

11 Rusty & Jennifer

Reininger

13 John & Pat Dikes

14 Will & Renee`

Scull

15 Cliff & Debbie

Lehmann

15 Kerry & Mary

Koehler

26 Jerry & Carol

MyCue

30 Mike & Carrie

Mueller

Faith to Hold Prayer Opportunities Jan. 3rd - 5th Every congregation, member and pastor of the LCMC is being invited to set

aside some time for Three Days of Prayer, January 3, 4 and 5, 2017. Our

attitude toward prayer has often been characterized by saying, “well, all we

can do now is pray!”. Prayer is not the hopeless act of desperation. Prayer

is a gift that God has given to us as a means to approach the throne of grace

with confidence—like that of a child coming to her parents sharing concerns,

victories, defeats and every part of life. It is an opportunity to express the

deepest heartache and the greatest joy. Prayer is a conversation between

the Creator and the created…and the conversation began with God, for us,

in Christ Jesus.

LCMC sets aside these three days at the beginning of each year for us as an

Association to pray. To help guide us during this prayer time, the LCMC has

set up a theme for each day:

Day One: January 3 - This is a day focused on confession. We have made

our lives, our relationships—and even the church—in our own image. We

confess that the church belongs to Jesus and not to us. We gather to lay

down our pride, our sin and our agenda and ask the Lord of the church for

forgiveness, which He gives freely and with mercy.

Day Two: January 4 - This is a day of petition. Pray for your congregation,

for the pastor, for the leaders, for those who carry out ministries, for the

Sunday School teachers, for the Confirmation leaders, for those leading

adult Bible studies and for those leading small groups. Pray for those in

hospital and nursing home ministries. Pray for all those connected to your

church that they might know God’s redeeming love for all in Christ.

Day Three: January 5 - This is a day for vision. Pray that the Holy Spirit

will again move through the hearts and minds of leaders and pastors that

God’s vision for His church might be revealed and fulfilled. This is a time of

prayer for renewal, revival and encouragement. Pray for God’s vision.

To honor the call for Three Days of Prayer, Faith Lutheran will be having

Morning and Evening Prayer times. On Tues., Jan. 3rd, we will have Morning

Prayer at 6:30am in the Sanctuary. On Wed., Jan. 4th, we will have Evening

Prayer at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. On Thurs., Jan. 5th, we will have

Morning Prayer at 6:30am in the Sanctuary. We realize these time will not

work for many, but wanted to make some time for corporate prayer if you

are able to join us. Regardless, we hope you will try to take some time to

pray in a special way during these three days. As Mark Vander Tuig likes to

say, “I believe that the church will never rise up until we first get down on

our knees!”

Page 6 January

Sunday School

Spotlight Sunday School

Classes resume on Sunday, January 15th, at 10:30 AM. The joint opening with the children

singing songs with the adult class in the Activity Center has become a favorite among many. The

Answers in Genesis Curriculum will

continue chronologically

through the Bible as we learn about

creation, Adam and Eve, the fall and sin

coming into the world. Remember that all classes will go over the same

lessons each Sunday, so you are encouraged to use these lessons to create a dialogue with your family

about what you are learning.

Reminder for students and

parents: Confirmation classes will resume

on Wednesday, January 11th, with supper at 6:00 PM

and class at 6:45 PM.

Stewardship Committee Announces Theme for

Commitment Sunday - January 8th You are being "baconed" and are "eggs-actly" who we need!

The Stewardship Committee has chosen a lighthearted play on

words for our Commitment Sunday theme this year. Come and join us

for breakfast in the Life Enrichment Center from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. for

eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, plus fruit and pastries. At

10:00 AM we will have our special Commitment Sunday Worship

Service with Communion. Please note, there will be no Sunday School

on January 8th.

We ask that before Commitment Sunday, you please consider

that Stewardship is not only about giving generously in response to

how the Lord has blessed you, but Stewardship is also about serving

with your time and talents. As our theme verse found in I Peter 4:10

states: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to

serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

Each of us has God-given gifts and talents that Faith Lutheran needs to

become a growing and vibrant congregation that serves not only our

members, but reaches out to serve others in our community and the

world.

In James 2:14 we read: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters,

if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?"; and in Ephesians

2:10a we read: "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to

do good works...". We, as Christians (followers and disciples of Jesus

Christ), are to have an attitude of gratitude and servantship. We

encourage you to prayerfully consider how God has blessed you and your

family; then complete your offerings pledge card, which will be kept

unopened on the altar the entire year, and also mark your "Time & Talent"

sheet with the ways you intend to serve and support the programs of

Faith Lutheran Church in 2017. Be BOLD in 2017, and offer to serve on a

committee (or on a different committee) and also in some other new

capacity. Remember: You are being "baconed" (beckoned) and are "eggs-

actly" (exactly) who we need to help support Faith Lutheran Church.

OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO Jeff Mueller Donald Jackson Wallace Dube Sandra Aadland, mother of Kolleen Kallus

Allan Dreibrodt Nora Lavalett Julie Sagebiel Allison Goodson, friend of Janyce Dreibrodt

Sydney Brucks Dorothy Burris Laura Nash Leslie Brooks, uncle of Sue Blumberg

Jim Leiber Tootsie Rodgers Doug Eckhardt Doug Kunze, cousin of Harry Dietz, Sr.

Correen Dube Lisa Boenig G.P. Day Donna Becker, sister of Debbie Lehmann

Clarence Frase Glenda Leiber Charlie Koehler Reid Strauss, great-grandson of Carla Anderson

Jeri Mires Ruby Linsey Lisa Lohmeyer Doug Brown, brother of Sammie Pooley-Means

Lawrence Wolter Buzzy Keller Avery Curnel Cherie Almand, friend of Vanita Hodge

Vicki Bierstedt Melvin Boelter Jody Dixon Marilyn McLauchlan, mother of Jamie Shashack

Patti Zimmerman Lee Roy Schievelbein Felix Garza, friend of Katharine Schievelbein

Nancy Mercer, friend of Kim, Deborah, and Diane

Felix Hahn, Jr., father of Margie Campbell Judy Parker, aunt of Sara Edwards

Ron Ridge, father of Syndra Schulze Jo Ann Hoel, cousin of Anita Hoff

Pam Taggart, sister of Lisa Lohmeyer Kim Isaacs, sister of Kristin Moum

Mike Herry, brother-in-law of Jesse and Deloris Atzger Rossi Flores, friend of Syndra Schulze

Barbara Roesler, cousin of JoAnn Bogisch Matt, Melissa, and Ella Graves, family of Sharon Stollewerk

Pastor Alma and Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Pharr, Texas Bill Mires, Jr, son of Geri Mires

Dianne Mueller, mother of Mike Mueller Michelle Waag, friend of Cliff and Debbie Lehmann

Art Hiltgen, brother/uncle of Glenda Leiber/Nicole Dietz June Foerster, mother of Steve Foerster

Rebecca Haskin, niece of Carolyn Sagebiel Miles Takington, friend of Cliff and Debbie Lehman

Leigh Couch, sister of Kathy Ersch Betty Wiederstein, sister of Dorothy Burris

Glen, Gene, and Wanda Badgett, family of Clara Fischer Marilyn Lubbering, niece of Dorothy Burris

Nancy Rodgers, sister of Damon Rodgers Shirley Masterson, relative of Ruby, Mona & Roxanne

John Brannan, friend of Steve and Susan Foerster Sara Rainwater, friend of Allan and Janyce Dreibrodt

Diane Allbaugh, friend of Birdie Kuempel Nancy Swanger, friend of Lisa Lohmeyer

Faye Henze, sister of Birdie Kuempel Judi Pyburn, sister of Jerry Vogel

Lessie Shashack, mother of Steve and Jamie Shashack Audrey/Amelia Hettinger, friends of Margie Campbell

Marti Radicke, friend of the Reiningers Nancy Bittrich, sister of Susan Wuest

Liza Mossler, former daughter-in-law of Fred & Sue Blumberg Bridgette Smith, great-great niece of Clara Fischer

Mary Moss, cousin of Jo Ann Bogisch Gay Shelnutt, sister-in-law of Danny and Deborah Shelnutt

Brook Peterson Johnson, friend of Pat Bodine & M’Liss Harrington Brenda Hodge, step-mother of Richard Hodge

Kenny Mertz, nephew of Lee Roy and Jody Schievelbein Emmett & Dolores Engelke, friend of Ted and Doris Engelhardt

Clay Brawner, cousin of Rusty Reininger Bill P. Davis, friend of Roxanne Heckmann

George Walker, father of Sara Edwards Eric Moum, brother of Kristin Moum

Willie Mae Brondstad, mother of Donna Boelter Marie Karm, mother of Sharon Stollewerk

Landon Douglass, friend of Lisa Lohmeyer Clara Lindig, mother of Melvin Lindig

Richard Luensmann, friend of the Reiley Family Marilyn King, friend of Steve and Susan Foerster

Brittany Bonner and family, friends of Ashley Bogisch Trish Valentine, sister of David Brucks

Kendra Mooney, daughter of Jessie and Katharine Schievelbein Amy Norris, friend of the Kuempel family

Randall Ingalls, friend of Faith Lutheran Brian Boykin, son of Sydney and David Brucks

Jill Mannel, sister-in-law of Gina Mannel Mary Kroeger, sister of John Taddy

Carla Mergle, friend of the Andrews and Zipp families Mike McGrath, family of John Kuempel

Genevieve Moore, friend of Mark & Sharon Westerholm Sharen Carley, seeks a kidney donor, friend of Fonda Mathis

Kenny Haas, brother-in-law of Emma Jean Becker Robert Coldewey, father of Melba Govett

Lillie Kusak, family of Candi and Mike Andrews Charles Soehnge, friend of Mike and Candi Andrews

Jan Baker, Josephine Williams, friends of Sara Edwards Gay Shelnutt, sister-in-law of Danny and Deborah Shelnutt

Harry Westerholm, nephew of Carolyn Westerholm Paige Ullrich Cooper, daughter of Spitzie and Jeanine Ullrich

Kyle Worthy, friend of Kim Kauitzsch Chad Braun, son of Wally and Fran Braun

Terri Hinson and family, sister of Sara and Manuel Ramos

Betty Vetter, sister of Emma Jean Becker

** Please note: if someone you have placed on this list has been

helped by our prayers, please notify the church office so the

person's name can be removed. Thank you for your cooperation.

Page 8 OCTOBER

Prayers for Those

In the Military

At this time in the life

of our nation and all

that is happening

throughout the world,

it is most appropriate

that we remember in

our prayers those in

the military and their

families. Please

remember in your

daily prayers the

following military

personnel and their

families:

Ann Sagebiel

Stoney Portis

Todd Wegner

David Daniels

Raul Davila III

Tony Leal, Jr.

Shannon Nance

Brad Dillon

Victor J. Rodriquez

Amanda Sagebiel

Cameron Koehler

Michael McBride

Jason Sagebiel

Michael Fruehling

Shelly Park

Ricky Fryer

Brian Branin

Jason Hubbard

Lance England

Preschool News Submitted by Preschool Director Sharon Stollewerk

The TRUE meaning of Christmas was everywhere you looked in the Preschool wing. The two, three, and four year-olds made beautiful handmade gifts for their parents, and were

even more excited about GIVING them. The entire month of December we held a food drive

for the Christian Cupboard. The children opened their hearts and generously donated 101

pounds of food to help feed those in need. Wow! The children truly understand the meaning of GIVING!

Angelic voices were heard at Seguin Assisted Living as the Preschoolers did an

AMAZING job singing Christmas carols to a standing room only crowd. They were

rewarded with huge smiles and warm hugs from the residents and parents.

During chapel, Ms. Stollewerk and Mrs. Crettenden (Abigail's mommy) presented the wonderful story of Christ's birth. The children were in awe and listened so attentively as

these ladies brought the story to life. Mrs. Crettenden shared her wonderful sandbox talents

with her beautiful figurines including a stable, shepherds, sheep, and the three Wise Men.

When she asked the children what the wise men rode on, one child proudly exclaimed "camos!" The highlight of the story was when each child held the tiny baby Jesus in their

hands.

All classes celebrated with a Birthday Party for Jesus. What a joy it is that these

children understand the TRUE meaning of Christmas! As the year comes to an end, we thank God for the gift of His Son and for the gift of each of you who help our Preschool Program

grow each year. Merry Christmas and God's blessings to all!

Faith Lutheran Church Retreat - April 21 - 23, 2017 Time flies by, and you know how your calendar gets really full, so we wanted to give

you plenty of advance notice; let this be the first thing you put on your calendar for April

2017. April 21-23 is the first weekend after Easter.

We are planning another retreat for all families of Faith. Invite relatives and friends,

too; the more the merrier. This time it will be at Leisure Resort on the San Marcos River in

Fentress - just 20 miles from Faith. We will rent their Club House for a central gathering

place for Friday evening and Saturday, where there will be planned activities and a potluck

meal and church service Saturday evening. Members of the congregation who do not wish

to spend the weekend are welcome to come out to join us for the day on Saturday. Fee for

day visitors will be discounted to $6 per person (over age 3).

Each family will be responsible for making their own reservations by calling: 512-

213-0112 or 800-248-4103. Please Note: All prices listed below or online will be reduced

by a 30% discount for all attending our Faith Retreat Weekend. Be sure to tell them you are

with the Faith Lutheran Retreat when making your reservation. Prices listed are for 2

people; extras are $5 per person per night (over age 3). Please try to make your

reservations early, as Leisure Resort is very popular, and they have a limited number of

cabins they are temporarily holding for us.

Leisure Resort has concrete pads with full hook ups for RVs—$46; pull thru RV

sites with full hook up—$44; shady water and electric sites for pop-ups and tents—$40.

Leisure Resort also has several cabins to choose from: Country Cabin - sleeps 4—$101;

Deluxe Country Cabin - sleeps 6—$141; Duplex Cabin, sleeps 5—$115; Tree House, (no

plumbing)—$75; RV rentals, sleeps 4— $100. You must provide your own linens and cooking utensils in all rental units; no pets

or smoking allowed in any rental unit. One tent is allowed on each rental unit site (except

for the Duplex Cabins) for an additional $10. Visit www.LeisureResort.net for more

information, pictures, and complete details of what each cabin has in it. Also, look for a

display with pictures and brochures and park maps in the Narthex. Retreat Committee

Members: Deloris Atzger, Cindy Curnel, Doris Engelhardt & Sue Powell .

MEN OF FAITH The Men of Faith Lutheran Church will meet in the small

kitchen at 8:30 AM for breakfast and Bible study on Saturday, January 21st. Please note the temporary

change in location.

WOMEN OF FAITH IN JANUARY

CHARITY CIRCLE—Monday, January 16th, 7:00 PM - home of Deloris Atzger, 1249

FM 467 LOVE CIRCLE—Tuesday, January 17th, 9:30 AM - in the Activity Center

HOPE CIRCLE—Thursday, January 19th, 2:00 PM - at the home of Carolyn

Sagebiel, 520 Blue Heron Lane

2017 Women of Faith Officers: Charity Circle Co-chairs – Doris Engelhardt & Colleen Eckhardt

Love Circle Chair – Nancy Wieding, Hope Circle Chair – Carolyn Sagebiel Treasurer – Brenda Bloch, Projects Coordinator – Sherline Bogisch

Church Women United Representative – Pat Bodine

Page 9

Thank you to all Faith members who helped with the 2016 Salvation Army Kettle Campaign.

Bell Ringers—some rang multiple times with Faith and other organizations. Kettle Crew—who set up

and took down kettles and stands, counted

money, and made late nigh bank deposits.

Contributors—those who made donations and

finally our own Gingerbread Lady who was the “star” as she

received donations for the Salvation Army.

Thank you for all the

prayers, cards,

condolences, and

love at the time of

the illness and death

of my brother

Edward Marquardt.

Your kindness was

truly appreciated.

Prayers of the Congregation Requested for: the family of Leroy Haas, father of Glenn Haas. Mr. Haas passed through death into eternal life on November 23, 2016. His funeral was held on November 28th at Grace Lutheran Church.

Prayers of the Congregation Requested for: Brian and Alexandra Bacon, who were blessed with the gift of their son, Krue Anthony on December 6, 2016 in San Antonio. Proud grandparents are Al and Debbie Bacon.

Prayers of the Congregation Requested for: Denver and Ashley Bierstedt, who were blessed with the gift of their son, Bowen Don, on December 21, 2016 in Austin. Proud grandparents are Doug and Vicki Bierstedt and proud great-grandmother is Patti Zimmerman

Prayers of the Congregation Requested for: the family of Barbara Harborth, sister of Linda Foreman. Barbara passed through death into eternal life on December 26, 2016. Her memorial service was held December 31st at Friedens Church in Geronimo.

Prayer and Healing Service Set for January 24th

Beginning in January 2017, the Prayer and Healing Service will be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month. If you have not been to one of these services make plans to attend in the new year. The first opportunity will be on Tuesday, January 24th, at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. Pastor Taylor invites everyone to come and participate in these services of healing. Invite friends and neighbors to come and experience the healing power of God’s Word and prayer.

If this calendar is printed too small to be useful, please come by the

church office for a larger print version.

Pictorial Directory Portrait Sittings to be Held Jan. 17—21

Faith members will have the opportunity to sign up to have their photograph taken by

Lifetouch for Faith’s 2017 Pictorial Directory. Appointments will be set for January 17 – 21.

Available times will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2:00 to 8:30 PM, Friday from

12:30 to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Sign up on Sunday mornings in

the narthex, call the church office or use Lifetouch’s online scheduling.. Click the “Lifetouch

Appointment” link in red at the bottom of the page at www.faithseguin.org. Volunteers who

are willing to serve as hosts on those days are needed as well. Contact Amy Cantrell if you are

interested. Each family will receive a complimentary 8x10 and a directory for participating.

Please make a point to schedule your appointment so you and your family can be included in

this valuable church resource.

JANUARY 2017SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6 79:00AM(Sant) Worship w/Holy 6:30-7:00PM Council Board 9:00-12:00PM(AC) Sewing 9:00-10:00AM(Ed Wing) Men's 10:00-11:00AM(AC) Al-Anon. Rev. Mark Vander Tuig Speaks

Communion 7:00PM Committee Meetings 12-1:00PM(AC) Prayer Group Bible Study At First Lutheran, El Campo

Jaxson Crew Harvey Baptism 7-8:00PM(LEC) Choir Practice 9:30AM - Noon

OFFICE CLOSED Morning Prayer 6:30 AM Evening Prayer 6:30 PM Morning Prayer 6:30 AM

NEW YEAR HOLIDAY Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary

LCMC'S…………....THREE…………....DAYS…………...OF…..……….PRAYER

8 9 10 11 12 13 148:30-9:30AM (LEC) Breakfast 7:00-8:00AM Prayer Group 6:30PM Council Meeting 9:00-12:00PM(AC) Sewing 9:00-10:00AM(Ed Wing) Men's 10:00-11:00AM(AC) Al-Anon. 4:00-6:00PM(AC) Rental

10:00AM (Sant) Commitment 12PM(AC) Ladies Bible Study 12-1:00PM(AC) Prayer Group Bible Study

Sunday Worship w/Communion 6:00PM(Sant) Hand Bells 7:00PM (AC)Genesis Bible Study Cristo Rey Trip

Pastor David Breidencach 6:45 Confirmation

Preaches 7-8:00PM(LEC) Choir Practice Seguin Area Men's Prayer

Breakfast 8:00 - 10:00 AM

12-3PM(AC) Rental Lifegate Church

15 16 17 18 19 20 219:00AM(Sant) Worship w/Holy 7:00-8:00AM Prayer Group 9:30AM(AC) Love Circle 9:00-12:00PM(AC) Sewing 9:00-10:00AM(Ed Wing) Men's 10:00-11:00AM(AC) Al-Anon. 8:30AM Men of Faith

Communion 12PM(AC) Ladies Bible Study 12-1:00PM(AC) Prayer Group Bible Study Breakfast

10:30AM(AC/Ed Wing) Sunday Study 5:30PM(Sant) Hand Bells 2:00PM Hope Circle

School 7:00PM Charity Circle 6:45PM Confirmation *Newsletter Deadline*7:00PM(LEC) Comtemporary No Bible Study

Cristo Rey Trip 6:30 (AC)New Members Class Service

7:45PM (LEC) Choir Practice

LIFETOUCH ………….. PORTRAITS…………… SCHEDULED ……………….FOR………………….THIS ………………WEEK…..NO RENTALS

2:00-8:30PM 2:00-8:30PM 2:00-8:30PM 12:30-7:00PM 9:30-4:30PM

22 23 24 25 26 27 28Life Sunday 7:00-8:00AM Prayer Group 7:00PM(Sant) Prayer & Healing 9:00-12:00PM(AC) Sewing 9:00-10:00AM(Ed Wing) Men's 10:00-11:00AM(AC) Al-Anon. Texas Rally For Life 1-3 PM

9:00AM(Sant) Worship 12PM(AC) Ladies Bible Study Service 12-1:00PM(AC) Prayer Group Bible Study

10:30AM(AC/Ed Wing) Sunday 6:30-9:00PM (AC) Via de Cristo 6:00PM(Sant) Hand Bells 7:00PM (AC)Genesis Bible Study

School 6:45 Confirmation

7-8:00PM(LEC) Choir Practice

6:00PM(AC) Town Hall Meeting

29 30 31

9:00AM(Sanct) Worship w/Holy 7:00-8:00AM Prayer Group 6:30PM (AC) Movie Night - The ABREVATION KEY:

Communion 12PM(AC) Ladies Bible Study Heart of Texas

Temple Talk-Suresh Vernalapali AC= Activity Center

10:30AM(AC/Ed Wing) Sunday LEC= Life Enrichment Center

School Sant= Sanctuary

Ed Wing= Education Wing

Annual Congregational Rentals

Meeting

LCMC….. ……………..Pastor's….. ………….Retreat

Live on Purpose

"How many souls have you won for Christ?" That question was recently posed by one of our pastors to a group of colleagues to begin what ended up being a very lively conversation on evangelism and discipleship. This question is not often discussed by

Lutherans and the terminology tends to make us a bit uncomfortable. In our good Lutheran theology, we understand that a person coming to Christ does not happen apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, so we tend therefore to not see ourselves as responsible for such a victory. But it made me wonder if the same thinking might have led many of us to forget that we do have a responsibility as followers of Jesus. In Acts 1:8, Jesus sends his disciples with the command to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. And while we don't have the power to "bring" someone to faith, we do have a role to play in others coming to Jesus.

I believe the key for most of us is we need pause and think about living our lives for a greater purpose. As followers of Jesus, we have a calling to live with an intentionality in our relationships. Each relationship represents the opportunity to bear witness to Christ and the grace and mercy that our Lord and Savior has given his life for.

And it can be as simple as paying closer attention to the people that God has already brought into your life. Think for a moment about all of the people that you know that you don't know about their faith lives. Don't know any non-believers? Then get to know some. Begin with your neighbors or co-workers, or start befriending employees of businesses you frequent. We can all do a better job of befriending the 85+% of the population who don't attend worship in a week!

Next, pray to God for opportunities to love these people with a Christ-like love. Pray for open doors to begin spiritual conversations. And don't forget that we believe in a God that can transform lives, so be sure to include those people who you might first write off as lost causes. We cannot forget that we ourselves are our own lost causes in need of God's grace just as much as the next person!

Not sure what to say? Get some help. Be sure to turn to God in prayer for the words and don't be afraid to ask others for help. Talk with your pastor and other brothers and sisters in Christ for ideas on how to share the Gospel. I highly recommend Bill Hybel's book, Just Walk Across the Room, as a guide to relational evangelism. But most of all, make a commitment to God and yourself to live your life with a greater intentionality and purpose: to be a witness for Christ in all of your relationships. While it is indeed by God's grace and power that anyone comes to faith in Jesus, as his followers we also have a responsibility and therefore we share in the joy of victory of souls won for Christ!

Pastor Bryce Formwalt is the Director of Mission Growth for the LCMC Texas District. Residing in Georgetown, Pastor Bryce is available to coach congregations on mission. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments: 512-942-7776 or bryce@lcmctexas.org. Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lcmctexas

JANUARY 1 JANUARY 8 JANUARY 15 JANUARY 22 January 29, 2016

Willie Bloch Jesse Atzger Randy Bennett N/A Brett Owen

Brenda Bloch Deloris Atzger Elaine Bennett N/A Lisa Barnes

COMMUNION Ric Landvatter Harold Bogisch Fran Braun N/A Linda Dietz

Jesse Atzger Deloris Atzger Janet Wolber Mark Herbold Gail Herbold

Dianne Chambers Lisa Barnes Bill Ermel Katharine Schievelbein Albert Menn

Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable Unavailable

Jesse Atzger Tim Fox Clem Howe LeAnne White Tim Bogisch

Bryan Terp Willie Bloch Harry Dietz Anita Hoff Brian Dahl

David Moltz Ronnie Glenewinkel Bill Ermel Vanita Hodge Albert Menn

Fred Blumberg Mike Andrews Danny Neumann Carolyn Westerholm Blake Pruitt

Brett Owen Michelle Kuempel Lisa Barnes N/A Doris Engelhardt

Diane Lippe Diane Lippe Diane Lippe N/A Diane Lippe

Eileen Schulz Eileen Schulz Eileen Schulz N/A Eileen Schulz

Dianne Chambers Dianne Chambers Dianne Chambers N/A Dianne Chambers

BJ Chambers BJ Chambers BJ Chambers N/A BJ Chambers

Carly Bornemann Carly Bornemann Carly Bornemann Carly Bornemann Carly Bornemann

Ric Landvatter Rose Mary Ermel Bertha Marie Keller Melvin Boelter Willie Bloch

Wally Braun Emma Jean Becker Jan Quello Donna Boelter Brenda BlochGREETERS

USHERS

ALTAR GUILD

Clean Up

Set Up

NURSERY HELPERS

LOCK-UP

Sund ay

School &

Church

SERVING FAITH IN JANUARY 2017

COMMUNION

COMMUNION

COUNT

COUNT

LAY READERS

How to Have a Personal Revival

(Reprinted article by A. W. Tozer from The Size of the Soul – “What About Revival? – Part

IV” written between 1950-63)

I have previously shown that any Christian who desires to may at any time

experience a radical spiritual renaissance, and this altogether independent of the

attitude of his fellow Christians. The important question now is, How? Well, here are some suggestions which anyone can follow and which, I am convinced, will

result in a wonderfully improved Christian life.

1. Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself. Complacency is the deadly enemy of

spiritual progress. The contented soul is the stagnant soul. When speaking of earthly goods Paul could say, “for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content” (Philip. 4: 11); but when referring to his spiritual life

he testified, “I press toward the mark” (3:14). “Thou stir up the gift of God,

which is in thee” (2 Tim. 1: 6).

2. Set your face like a flint toward a sweeping transformation of your life. Timid

experimenters are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our

whole soul into our desire for God. “The kingdom of heaven suffereth

violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt. 11:12). 3. Put yourself in the way of the blessing. It is a mistake to look for grace to visit

us as a kind of benign magic, or to expect God’s help to come as a windfall

apart from conditions known and met. There are plainly marked paths which

lead straight to the green pastures; let us walk in them. To desire revival, for

instance, and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion is to wish one

way and walk another.

4. Do a thorough job of repenting. Do not hurry to get it over with. Hasty repentance means shallow spiritual experience and lack of certainty in the

whole life. Let godly sorrow do her healing work. Until we allow the

consciousness of sin to wound us, we will never develop a fear of evil. It is our

wretched habit of tolerating sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition.

5. Make restitution whenever possible. If you owe a debt, pay it, or at least have

a frank understanding with your creditor about your intention to pay, so your

honesty will be above question. If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can in an effort to achieve reconciliation. As fully as possible make the

crooked things straight.

6. Bring your life into accord with the Sermon on the Mount and such other New

Testament Scriptures as are designed to instruct us in the way of righteousness. An

honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is

wrong with him very quickly. I recommend that the self-examination be made on

our knees, rising to obey God’s commandments as they are revealed to us from the

Word. There is nothing romantic or colorful about this plain, downright way of dealing

with ourselves, but it gets the work done. Isaac’s workmen did not look like heroic

figures as they digged in the valley, but they got the wells open, and that was what

they had set out to do.

7. Be serious-minded. You can well afford to see fewer comedy shows on TV. Unless

you break away from the funny boys, every spiritual impression will continue to be

lost to your heart, and that right in your own living room. The people of the world

used to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God and religion. You

would not join them there, but you now enjoy spiritual communion with them in your

own home. The devil’s ideals, moral standards and mental attitudes are being

accepted by you without your knowing it. And you wonder why you can make no

progress in your Christian life. Your interior climate is not favorable to the growth of

spiritual graces. There must be a radical change in your habits or there will not be

any permanent improvement in your interior life.

8. Deliberately narrow your interests. The jack-of-all-trades is the master of none. The

Christian life requires that we be specialists. Too many projects use up time and

energy without bringing us nearer to God. If you will narrow your interests, God will

enlarge your heart. “Jesus only” seems to the unconverted man to be the motto of

death, but a great company of happy men and women can testify that it became to

them a way into a world infinitely wider and richer than anything they had ever

known before. Christ is the essence of all wisdom, beauty and virtue. To know Him

in growing intimacy is to increase in appreciation of all things good and beautiful.

The mansions of the heart will become larger when their doors are thrown open to

Christ and closed against the world and sin. Try it.

9. Begin to witness. Find something to do for God and your fellow men. Refuse to rust

out. Make yourself available to your pastor and do anything you are asked to do. Do

not insist upon a place of leadership. Learn to obey. Take the low place until such

time as God sees fit to set you in a higher one. Back your new intentions with your

money and your gifts, such as they are.

10. Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up toward the throne where your

Advocate sits at the right hand of God. All heaven is on your side. God will not

disappoint you.

If you will follow these suggestions you will most surely experience revival in your own

heart. And who can tell how far it may spread? God knows how desperately the

church needs a spiritual resurrection. And it can only come through the revived

individual.

(May this article help inspire you as you move into a new year and seek to know Him in a

greater way)

Faith Lutheran Church 1326 E Cedar Street Seguin, Texas 78155 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT #3

SEGUIN, TEXAS 78155

JANUARY

2017

PRESCHOOL & EXTENDED

CARE STAFF

Director/Teacher…Sharon Stollewerk

5 Day Teacher/EC…...Paula Neuman

3 Day Teacher…..…..Angela Beasley

Preschool Aide….…..Georgie Dittrich

MMO Teacher…………...Chris Brown

MMO Aide…….....……….Avis Herrick

5 Day Aide/EC Teacher...Sheri Scaief

Volunteer………....……..Nancy Estes

CHURCH STAFF

Senior Pastor…….…….Andy Taylor

FLC Administrator...Danny Neumann

Evangelism Director…...Harry Dietz

Communications Dir…Teressa Cope

Church Secretary….....Angie Rohde

Financial Assistant ….…...John Hoff

Music Director…………....Roxanne

Heckmann

Organist / Pianist ……Annette Stout

Bill Ermel, President…...Junior High Youth Committee

Amy Cantrell, Vice-President…..Parish Education Committee

Dianne Chambers, Secretary…...Social Concerns Committee

Doug Eckhardt, Treasurer…...Stewardship Committee

Ed Engelhardt, Asst. Treasurer….Worship Committee

Lisa Barnes…...Mission Outreach Committee

Vacant…...Senior High Youth Committee

Katharine Schievelbein…...Preschool Committee

Vacant….Property Management Committee

Albert Menn….Evangelism Committee

What’s Happening

in January?

Committee Meetings—

Jan. 3, 7 PM

Three Days of Prayer—

Jan. 3, 4, & 5

Commitment Sunday—

Jan. 8th

Church Council—

Jan. 10th

Lifetouch

Appointments—

Jan. 17—21

Family Movie Night—

Jan. 31st