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The Freedom that we Celebrate Billy Graham was once asked by someone visiting from an-

other country, “What does your festival on July 4 mean. Does

it have something to do with your Christian religion?”

After some thought he replied, “July 4th commemorates the

day in 1776 that our nation declared itself to be an independ-

ent nation, and no longer a colony of England. On that date,

a number of our leading citizens signed what is known as the

Declaration of Independence, stating our determination to be-

come a free country.

Our independence did not come

easily; only after several difficult

years of war, would it finally be

won. Nor were our first years as

a nation free from problems and controversies (as is still

true). But our forefathers were determined to establish a free

and democratic system of government, and the Declaration of

Independence (together with our Constitution and the Bill of

Rights) became the foundation for this. They have stood the

test of time, and on July 4th we give thanks for the wisdom

and faith and courage of those leaders.”

Our Mission: “Sharing the Love of God in Christ Jesus”

JOIN US ON SUNDAY…

Bible Study 8:30 am

Worship 10:00 am

WEDNESDAY...

Men’s Bible Study 8 am

Women’s Bible Study 9:30 am

AA Meeting 12 noon

Mini Bells 1:00 pm

Bell Choir 2:00 pm

Voice Choir 3:30 pm

MINISTRY STAFF

The Rev. Robert J. Benke

Pastor

Marjorie (Margie) Lambert

Secretary

Sharon Martin

Organist

Sigilda Naidin

Bell & Voice Choir

Director

Frankie Berlanga

Newsletter Editor

Faith Lutheran Church 1196 DeSoto Blvd. Hot Springs Village, AR

501-922-5700

Visit our website at www.faithhsv.com

July 2020

Faith

News

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KIMA’s ministry certainly could not exist without the love of God flowing

through your hearts.

This past month we sent $4,900 to the Lutheran Synod of Mexico to help sub-

sidize eleven pastoral leaders who are serving God’s people in fifteen different

congregations or missions throughout Mexico.

Through your gifts we were also able to provide material for Vacation Bible Schools, some Lutheran Hour

Ministry booklets for the children at Cristo Rey in Cacahoatan, Chiapas, and make a beginning to put together

the Christmas Gifts for the Mission Kids.

We spent almost $6,000 and we received gifts of about $4,000. We were able to keep

our administrative expenses down to $44. Praise the Lord.

We thank you all for your gifts and assure you that the churches in Mexico greatly

appreciate what you are doing through the love of Jesus Christ.

As the pastors respond to the help that we can do through this ministry, I say to you,

“Un abrazo en Cristo, A hug in Christ!”

—Rev. Norman R. Finke, Executive Director of KIMA

July 4th is definitely not a Christian religious holiday like Christmas

or Easter. It is a time for Christians throughout our land to reflect

and give thanks for God’s goodness to us as a nation. Did you

know that molded into the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia are these

words from the Bible: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto

all the inhabitants thereof.” Leviticus 25:10,

As Christians, free to worship in our own way in these United

States, we are thankful for the freedoms we are granted as citizens.

St. Paul wrote to the Galatians about the greatest freedom we have through the gift

of faith: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let

yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (to sin).” —Galatians 5:1

We are also compelled by faith to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for them-

selves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the

rights of the poor and needy.” —Proverbs 31:8-9

As Christians, we look with gratitude to the past every July 4th. We also look in faith

to the future, committing it and our lives to God and His will. The ancient words of the

Psalmist are still true: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” —Psalm 33:12.

— Pastor Bob

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1 & 2 Thessalonians -- A New Ladies Bible Study

“You are all children of the light and children of the

day. We do not belong to the night or to the dark-

ness.” —1 Thessalonians 5:5

Our next ladies Bible study will focus on 1 & 2 Thessa-

lonians and the message of living with the light of God

and being a light to others. This nine-week study is by Beth Moore and includes daily

readings to help you prepare for our weekly discussions. We’ll start meeting on

Wednesday, July 8. To maintain social distancing, we’ll in the large fellowship hall

from 9:15 to 11:15 am.

All ladies are welcome to attend. Please contact Deb Reed at 608-444-2932 or debrar1980@gmail.com by Sunday, June 28, to reserve a study book.

Ladies Guild

Our monthly meeting will be Monday, July 20th, at 9:00AM for

snacks and fellowship followed at 9:30AM with our speaker,

Kathy Sanders who will present her program “Laughter is Good

Medicine”. Kathy was here last year when she shared the story

of her grandsons who were victims of the OKC bombing. Her

presentation promises to be uplifting! Food donations will be delivered to Harvey’s

Chapel after our meeting.

Our Seminary student, Sawyer Meyers, has taken a Call at Cordova, TN, and will be

installed in late July. His home church is Zion Lutheran in Avilla, and we wish Sawyer

and his family the very best as they embark on this new ministry!

In the fall we will begin our support of Kyle Ronchetto, a student at the St. Louis Sem-

inary. He will complete his vicarage in August and return to St. Louis for his final

year.

Julie Keck and Susan Peterson had planned to attend the Mid-South District Conven-

tion in June, but it was cancelled. They were able to vote on-line for the officers, by-

laws revisions, and mission grants. Results will be available soon.

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THANK YOU FOR GIVING YOUR TIME AND TALENTS IN JULY

ELDERS : D. Olson Bob Traywick

DATE COUNTERS GREETERS READERS

7/5 Jeff & Sherri Wohlrabe Jesus Keith Keck Mary Bartels 7/12 Ken & Carma Wood Jesus David Drago Mary Michels 7/19 Paul & Marsha Lehmann Jesus Dana Peick Kathi Wastel 7/26 Dave & Martha Olson Jesus Terry Wendling Beverly Kraus

Figures for end of month May

Budgeted Income $29,955.00

Income Received $23,367.00

Shortage for Month ($6,588.00)

YTD Budgeted Income $149,775.00

YTD Income Received $137,954.16

Shortage for Year ($11,820.84)

USHER

TEAM “F” TEAM “G”

July 5 & 12 July 19 & 26

Keith Keck Charles Peterson

Chuck Smestad Rose Ludeke

Julie Keck Dennis Spars

John Gourlay Susan Peterson

David Preboski

Quilters are back! Ladies, come join us on Mondays at 9:30am to assemble quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

We don't usually meet in the summer, but we are behind in our goal of 100 quilts because of the spring virus shutdown.

Come try it out, no experience or special skills are required.

If you have questions, contact Julie Keck, 501-463-3486

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MEMORIAL GARDEN MEMO

“We need your help”

The Memorial Garden Committee meets in the garden twice a month on the 2nd and 4th MON-

DAYS starting at 8am for approximately 2 hours. Our work sessions consist of: cutting grass in the

scatter area, weeding the garden beds, spraying the rocky area for weeds, trimming bushes and

trees as needed, feeding plants, mulching and Preening, blowing the grounds to keep tidy.

Occasionally we have special projects.

DATES OF WORK: July 13 and 27

Aug. 10 and 24

Sept. 14 and 28

If you need information regarding acquisition in the Memorial Garden, please contact MaryAnn or

Hank at 501-226-5157 (home) or 501-226-9974 (cell). We will be happy to be of assistance.

AUDIO BOOTH TEAM FOR JULY

7/5 - Bob Bartnett

7/12 - Dave Drago

7/19 - Joe Michels

7/26 - Ken Wood

ALTAR GUILD FOR JULY

Mary Michels

and

Kay Klemsz

Operation Christmas Child

Faith members are collecting items for the Operation Christmas Child

shoeboxes throughout the year as a way to spread out the giving to

make it more manageable. For the months of July and August we are

collecting crafts and school supplies – pencils, markers, erasers, scis-

sors, rulers, crayons and notebooks – for boys or girls ages 2 – 14.

You can find our complete list of items for this program on the Faith website. Go to faithhsv.com

then click on More/Social Ministries/Social Ministries/Shoebox Annual List.

Donations are to be placed in the Operation Christmas Child box in the Fellowship

Hall. If you have any questions, contact Deb Reed, Sharon Joy, or Veronica Detjens.

Happy shopping and thanks for your support!!

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July Birthdays

1 - Dana Peick

1 - Bettie Ann Salzwedel

4 - Ruth Rysan

5 - Marvin Siebels

14 - Sue Burns

18 - Robert Griep

18 - Heidemarie Reed

19 - David Muller

22 - David Kluba

23 - Fran Mongomery

24 - Bobby Traywick

25 - Larry Smith

26 - Shirley Smestad

26 - Shirley Smith

27 - Ariel Muller

28 - Sigilda Naidin (Music Dir)

31 - Mary Cunningham

Happy

Anniversary

July ________ __# of years

7 - Paul & Vicki Poecker 47

15 - Jeffrey & Sherri Wohlrabe 3

17 - Steve & Kathi Wastel 49

23 - Robert & Judi Prestridge 44

24 - Charles & Susan Peterson 16

Altar Flowers for July

7/5 - Larry & Shirley Smith’s Birthdays

7/12 - Carl Nelson...in memory of Rose Marie

7/19 - LaDonna Rhodes...in memory of Jim

Rhodes’ Birthday

7/26 - Carl Nelson… in memory of June Dahl

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WITNESSING -- TRUE OR FALSE

The Bible tells us to ‘make disciples of all nations’.

Consequently, how often do we hear and believe . . .

“I must lead people to a decision for Christ.”

“I need to save people.”

“It’s my fault if someone goes to hell.”

“I can increase the population of heaven.”

So are these statements true or false? Notice how each statement is about what “I”

must do or it’s “my” fault. If they are true, we put a tremendous amount of pressure on

ourselves. No wonder we are afraid to witness!!

Rest assured, these statements are NOT true; they are NOT biblical. In “Everyone His

Witness” training, we were reminded that no one is able to choose or decide to be

saved. And it is impossible for us to convince people to believe in Jesus. It is the Holy

Spirit’s role as stated in the 3rd

Article of the Apostle’s Creed:

“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my

Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlight-

ened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way

He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on

earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.”

Our role is to share our story about the love of Jesus. So let’s do it!!

—Deb Reed

SERVING IN THE MILITARY

Bruce White grandson of Bruce & Dot Neunaber. Sean Sandeen and Darryl

Wolff, grandsons of Don and Jackie Wolff. Devin Williams and P.K. Dao,

grandsons of Jim and Mary Cunningham. Joe Schreck,

son of Tom and Carol Schreck. Jesse Meerschaidt, Grand-

son of Stu and Ruth Zimmerman. Dr. Mary Roelof who is

serving in the Army and granddaughter of Richard and Bet-

tie Salzwedel. Shane Wersching, grandson of Joe and

Grace Wersching in serving in the Navy.

Please God, keep them safe….Amen

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

-LBS 9am

-Ringers #1

2:30pm

-Ringers #2

3pm

2

-Braille 9am

3

-Elders

8:30am

4

5 6

-Braille

8:30am

-WRQ 9:30

7

-Braille 9am

8

-Trustee

Workday 8am

-LBS 9:15am

-Ringers #1

2:30pm

-Ringers #2

3pm

9

-Braille 9am

10 11

12

-Holy

Communion

13

-Mem Gar

8am

-Braille

8:30am

-WRQ 9:30

14

-Braille 9am

15

-LBS 9:15am

-Ringers #1

2:30pm

-Ringers #2

3pm

16

-Braille 9am

-ORB 10am

17 18

19

-Voter’s

Assembly

20

-Braille

8:30am

-LWML 9am

21

-Braille 9am

-GWBG 4pm

22

-LBS 9:15am

-Ringers #1

2:30pm

-Ringers #2

3pm

23

-Braille 9am

24 25

26

-Holy

Communion

27

-Mem Gar

8am

-Braille

8:30am

-WRQ 9:30

28

-Braille 9am

29

-LBS 9:15am

-Ringers #1

2:30pm

-Ringers #2

3pm

30

-Braille 9am

31

July 2020

AA = Alcoholic Anonymous

Am Leg = American Legion

CGSG = Care Givers Support Grp

FCA = Fellowship of Christ Athletes

GWBG = Great Works Book Grp

LBS = Ladies Bible Study

LWML = Lutheran Women’s

MB = Mini Bells

MBS = Men’s Bible Study

Mem Gar = Memorial Garden

Men Chr = Men’s Choir

ORB = Outreach Board

VQG = Village Quilt Guild

WRQ = World Relief Quilters

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