MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Was America founded as a Christian nation?
That is an often-debated question. If we look at ancient Israel, for example, to answer the question, we will discover that our nation was not founded to be Christian. Israel was founded as a nation under God, which the Lord founded with its first citizen Abraham.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:1-3 (NIV)
The Lord's promise to Abram (Abraham) was clear: He promised to make Abraham a great nation that He would bless and protect. Israel was a nation founded upon God, founded by the Lord God.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! Psalm 33:12 (ESV)
Did the Lord God covenant with our founding fathers to build America into a great nation for God? I don't see any evidence. Were many of the founders Christian in conviction and confession? Indeed. But to say that America was a nation founded upon God would be an aspiration.
"The majority of the founders also believed that religion was necessary for maintaining moral virtue and assumed that the nation would remain culturally Christian."(Steven K. Green teaches law and history at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He is the author of, "Inventing a Christian America: The Myth of the Religious Founding.") "Demographically speaking, America certainly resembled a ‘nation of Christians’ at the time of its founding and has ever since. But it's a rather different proposition to claim that the founders established the new American government as a ‘Christian nation.’ Clearly, they did not.
"If the founders had not made their stance on this ‘Christian nation’ issue clear enough in the Constitution and the Federalist Papers, they certainly did in the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli.
"Begun by George Washington, signed by John Adams, and ratified unanimously by a Senate still half-filled with signers of the Constitution, this treaty announced firmly and flatly to the world that ‘the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.’
"Despite the founders' intent, later generations of Americans began to assert that the country they created was indeed Christian."
(The above-italicized quotes are from Kevin M. Kruse, professor of history at Princeton University, author of "One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America.")
There is no question that many of the laws in the Bible and values of the Christian faith influenced the shaping of our nation both in its laws and government.
However, remember that our pledge of allegiance to the flag didn't include "one nation under God" until 1954 when President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words.
It wasn't until July 20, 1956, Congress proclaimed that “the national motto of the United States: ‘In God We Trust’, and that motto to be inscribed above the main door of the Senate, behind the Chair of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and on the currency of the United States."
Where is America today? Today 63% of U.S. adults claim to be Christian in some sense.
Culturally, we are still a nation where the majority are Christian, a fact for which we should be prayerfully thankful to our God every day. 63% would be excellent, except 75% claimed Christianity a decade ago. Here is a frightening reality: if the number of professing Christians continues declining at the same rate as the last ten year, 100 years from now, anno domino 2122, there only be ONLY 6.2% in America who will claim to be Christian.
The future doesn't need to be so bleak. It's not too late for the church to wake up and be the church. Especially as the SCOTUS made great strides regarding the abortion laws of our land, let's not sit idly by and let the evil one take more ground without the church resisting His evil influence. Let us rejoice that Christ is still risen and ascended. Let the words of Christ to Peter encourage us today:
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
Let us pray for our nation but let us also proclaim the name of Christ to our neighbors.
"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
We'll never be a Christian nation, but we can be a nation where Christians abound, our faith is alive, and we are striving to bring the name of Christ to neighborhoods, nations, and the world. All for the sake of Christ and our blessing in Jesus' name.
Pastor Carl
Dear members of Faith Lutheran Church and School,
I am pleased and excited to inform you that I am accepting your call to be a middle school and fifth grade teacher at Faith Lutheran School in Marietta Georgia. I am looking forward to serving my Lord and His church at Faith. I am excited about this opportunity God has in store for me and look forward to become part of the ministry team there.
Please pray for me as I make this transition across the country as I will be praying for God's guidance in this new position. I look forward to getting to know all of you again and to share Jesus' love with my new students. I am excited about being a part of the wonderful plans God has in store for Faith Lutheran both at the church and the school.
In His Service, Ann Greinke
We have quilts, yes, we do,
We have quilts, how about you?
Moms! College-bound students! Anyone who wants to stay fashionably warm:
If you're planning your new living quarters for college, come take a look at all the beautiful quilts available from the ladies of LWML! They're on display in the Craft Room (across from church mailboxes) and we have great pricing! Your purchase will go to supporting our various missions. Want more info? Stop by on Sunday morning and ask about our missions - we'd love to share with you. Below are just a few of the quilts available:
In All Things God is at Work!
In just a few days now, five of the youth of the congregation will be traveling to Houston, Texas for the National Youth Gathering. We are thrilled to be joining our group with six other youth and three adults from two circuit congregations Rivercliff Lutheran, Sandy Springs, and Savior of All, Cartersville. Our group of fifteen will be gathering with approximately 20,000 other youth from around the country and the world to celebrate, grow in faith, worship, serve, and just have fun in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.
The theme of this gathering is “In All Things” and will focus on Colossians 1:15-20. The youth are so excited and so grateful to the congregation: without your support they would not be able to go on this adventure of faith and fellowship. Thank you for all your support and prayers for the youth.
Most especially prayers are requested for July 8-13 as we travel to and from the gathering. And next time you see one of the youth, be sure to ask them about the NYG.
Peace in Christ,
Katie Wilson (Onnen)
Volunteer Youth Leader
Donation for First Care Women's Clinic
Thank you to all who donated to the First Care Women's Clinic, this year's VBS mission recipient. This is a local Christian-based clinic for women and men providing reproductive services and counseling in a Christ-centered environment. I am pleased to say that we will be providing them a donation of $101. Below is a link to a video that describes the clinic's mission and services. They also have a baby boutique where they help supply clothing for newborns and toddlers. If you are so moved, please consider donating unused diapers and/or gently used baby and toddler clothes. Thank you again.
Projector Update two contractors have been to our campus this past week. As of the writing of this note, we have received one bid and anticipate a second before the weekend. We anticipate two or more contractors on campus this next week.
Thanks for your prayers and patience.
Pastor Carl
Worship Changes for Summer Sundays only:
During the months of June and July, the Praise Band will be taking a much-deserved break from their weekly presentations. 11 am service will be the traditional service identical to the 8 am service for Sundays from June 5 through July 31. Join us in thanking the band for sharing their gifts and talents in service to the Faith family and to our Lord; and wishing them a safe, restful, and blessed summer!
In addition to giving the Praise Band a rest, the nursery workers will be on vacation for the summer. Please bring your children to worship with you! We love having the voices of children raised in praise to our Lord, too. If they get a little too rambunctious or just need a break, you may take them out into the lobby, where there are rocking chairs, coloring books, and crayons.
Since 1995, Faith Lutheran Church has been a member of the Lutheran Coalition for Habitat for Humanity in the northern Atlanta metropolitan region. Faith has participated with other Lutheran churches in the area in the building of over 30 houses for poor families.
Building of new homes will begin again in late fall or early winter 2022. Our big fundraising event to support the builds is coming up. The 18th Annual Taste of Habitat is being held on Friday, September 16, from 7 – 9 PM at The Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta.
We are looking for “volunteer chefs” to represent Faith Lutheran Church at the Taste of Habitat event. Each chef is to prepare 150 small “spoon sized tastes” of your specialty! Appetizers, salads, entrees, desserts. There will be about 50-60 chefs at the event and hopefully Faith will be represented by a few.
If you have question or would like to volunteer to be a chef,please contact Gary Schleicher at garyandkim23@outlook.com or 908-339-7180.
SAVE THE DATE!!!!! 18th Annual Taste of Habitat
The 18th Annual Taste of Habitat Fundraising Event returns on September 16 from 7 – 9 PM at The Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta.
Our goal this year is to raise $30,000 to build Habitat homes in Metro Atlanta. More than 60 fabulous chefs from the Lutheran Coalition for Habitat churches will be sharing the foods they love to make. It’s a fun “date night” (adults only) with outstanding food & drink, great fellowship, and most enjoyable live music. There will also be a Silent Auction and trivia contest!
How can you participate?
Attend and Buy individual tickets. Mark your calendars!
Volunteer to be a chef—All you have to do is prepare 150 “tastes” of your specialty! Appetizers, salads and entrees served from 7-8 and desserts served from 8-9.
Contribute a special item, artwork, dinner or theatre tickets, gift package etc. for the Silent Auction.
Be a sponsor or ask your workplace to sponsor the event. Businesses appreciate the opportunity to market their support for community charities such as Habitat for Humanity. Sponsorships are Bronze $200, Silver $500, Gold $1000, and Platinum $2,500.
Social Ministry
Mission of the Month:
Help fund Social Ministry
Have you noticed the rising prices of everything? We all are seeing the impact on our wallets and bank accounts; the dismay when we see what it costs to put fuel in our vehicles! Now imagine you're already living on the edge, wondering where you'll spend the night tonight? What's for your next meal? How are you going to feed the kids? There are many people right here wondering just that. Please help us help them!
For June and July we're asking everyone to donate gift cards for gas, Walmart & Target cards, grocery store cards, or cash donations. Where do you shop? Surely someone else could use a gift card for there, too. (Challenge - would you consider purchasing gift cards totaling the amount you just spent on your groceries to be gifted to another family? What about for half the amount you just spent? Think about how blessed you are.) Please put gift cards in Deb Schellman's church mailbox. Donations to the food pantry so we can feed even more families is also a blessing.
Thank you in advance, Faith family, for your generosity!
Faith's Food Pantry
Our goal is to be able to make more food bags for June and the end of July. The end of July bags will include toiletries for back to school. Good deals on toiletries will be included in our weekly sale list. Thanks to everyone for your support of the pantry. The weekly community distribution at Brumby has climbed to over 200 families weekly. The need will only grow in the summer with the children being out of school and not receiving breakfast and lunch.
The below are advertised grocery prices for Kroger, Publix, and Walmart. The sales ads run from June 22nd thru June 28th.
The pantry needs corn bread mix (Jiffy, etc), Tuna Helper, and canned vegetables (corn, peas, black beans, and baked beans) for the bags we are doing for delivery on June 28th.
PUBLIX Hormel Chili with Beans or No Beans 14 to 15 oz can - BOGO
Suave Shampoo 30 oz bottle - 2 for $3.00
Kraft Mac & Cheese 5.5 to 7.3 oz box - BOGO
Jiffy Cornbread - not listed in ad but has been running 55¢ a box KROGER Must have Kroger Card - specials vary using digital coupons which you add to your card, or buying 5 or more specials, (this can be a combination of buy 5 or more items as marked in the store) etc. Please see flyer at store. Kroger is running their ads now for basically 2 weeks with a few changes - so if you used the digital coupon the first week you are cannot use it again.
General Mills Cereal 8.9 to 16.7 oz - $1.99 - must buy 5 or more to get the sale price - can be in combination with other items
Kellogg's Cereal 10.1 - 18 oz.- $1.99 - must buy 5 or more to get the sale price - can be in combination with other item
Post Cereal 12 to 25 oz - $1.99 - must buy 5 or more to get the sale price - can be in combination with other items
Starkist Chunk Light Tuna 5 oz cans - 10 for $10.00
Martha White Muffin Mix 7 - 7.6 oz - 10 for $10.00
LIDL
Tropical Fruit Cup or Pineapple Tidbits 15.9 oz - BOGO - Limit 6
WALMART
Walmart brand Pasta - 82¢ box White rice - 1 lb bag - 72¢
Small 4 roll pack of Toilet Paper - 60¢ a pack Hunts Pasta Sauce - $1.16 each Walmart brand Pasta Sauce 24 oz jar - 88¢ Grape Jelly - $1.68
Jiffy Cornbread - 52¢
Sweets/Treats and canned fruit is always appreciated if you run into any deals on these items.
Have a great day and thanks for your support!
Hope's Happenings
I would like to thank everyone who stopped by to wish me a Happy Birthday on 6/26. I have made a note that I need to have healthier treats for you on my next birthday.
Later that day morning, I attended an emergency visit from the ‘Thank a Cop Foundation’ for a memorial service in honor of a deputy in Moore, SC, who was killed in the line of duty. Some of my other Comfort Dog friends, Lizzie, Seth and Zoara attended as well. Special thanks to Peter and Judy who accompanied me to this service.
I am continuing in my regular visits to the Cobb County Courthouse, Nursing and Memory Care facilities and Schools.
Please continue to submit your requests for a Zoom visit via the following methods:
Complete the ‘Hope Comfort Dog Request’ form via this link: https://forms.gle/8oknB7haY7VLGgtE9. When a request is submitted, the information is sent directly to my organizer’s phone.
Call the church office at (770) 973-8877 to set up a visit. Janice Schaag and Susie Glass are excellent sources for getting this information to my group.
Woof...Hope
Jul 3 - Carter Rush
Jul 4 - Sue Garner
Jul 5 - Sophia Neto (G3)
Jul 6 - Avi Cortes-Gordy (G5)
Jul 6 - Carol Rice
Jul 7 - Eve Boren (E2)
Jul 7 - Josef Good (Kdg)
Jul 8 - Cathy Kaumeyer
Jul 9 - Jim Feltman
Jul 9 - Evelyn Feltman
Jul 10 - Keegan Brooks
Jul 19 - Adaline Lohuis Panetta (Kdg)
Jul 1 - Greg & Janice Schaag Jul 4 - Bob & Mary Bowen (30 years!)
Jul 4 - Tim & Julie O'Brien
Jul 7 - Byron & Nancy Pietro
However, remember that our pledge of allegiance to the flag didn't include "one nation under God" until 1954 when President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words.
It wasn't until July 20, 1956, Congress proclaimed that “the national motto of the United States: ‘In God We Trust’, and that motto to be inscribed above the main door of the Senate, behind the Chair of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and on the currency of the United States."
Later that day morning, I attended an emergency visit from the ‘Thank a Cop Foundation’ for a memorial service in honor of a deputy in Moore, SC, who was killed in the line of duty. Some of my other Comfort Dog friends, Lizzie, Seth and Zoara attended as well. Special thanks to Peter and Judy who accompanied me to this service.
