The Paper | Sep-Dec Issue 3 Vol 11

VO LU M E 11 ISSUE 3 S E P - D E C 2 02 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Letter from Pastor Bob

4

Charge the Darkness

8

The Gospel of Mark

10

Summer Missions

12

Are you the 80 or the 20?

14

“Faithreads” for Fall

16

Financial Update

20

Care & Connections

DEAR

FAITH CHURCH FAMILY & FRIENDS, In the spring of this year, I took a two month sabbatical, a time to study, rest and recharge. During this time, my wife, Laurie, and I spent a portion of the sabbatical in Western Europe. While there, we had the opportunity to see big, beautiful church buildings with the most amazing architecture.

It was peculiar to see so many people visiting these churches to experience the architectural wonder, yet in reality, these churches are dying. The ministries are miniscule and worship is empty. For example, Laurie and I worshiped at an English-speaking church inside a gorgeous building. The church could have easily accommodated over 200 people, yet there were only about 25 in attendance. The two of us honestly felt like teenagers compared to the rest of the worshipers.

Even though these elderly saints worshiped with all their hearts, my heart was sad to see hardly anyone in the pews.

I wondered if this is a foretaste of what American Christianity will look like in the future. Is the Western European church the future for the American church?

While I do not know the answer to this question, one thing I am certain of is that we need to pray for renewal in God’s Church.

It doesn’t lead to a good path when our spiritual lives become sleepy. When this happens, we often call our doings “good” and check them off the “religious to-do list” without considering our hearts, our passions and our motives. It’s time for us to awaken - wake up your heart to who God is and the abundant life He has for YOU! Please join me in praying for the future of our church.

My prayer is for God’s spirit to pour out on you, Faith Church, this region and to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 85 Restoration of Favor 1 Lord, you showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave your people’s guilt; you covered all their sin. Selah 3 You withdrew all your fury; you turned from your burning anger.

4 Return to us, God of our salvation, and abandon your displeasure with us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

Will you prolong your anger for all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again so that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your faithful love, Lord, and give us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God will say; surely the Lord will declare peace to his people, his faithful ones, and not let them go back to foolish ways.

9 His salvation is very near those who fear him, so that glory may dwell in our land.

10 Faithful love and truth will join together; righteousness and peace will embrace.

11 Truth will spring up from the earth, and righteousness will look down from heaven.

12 Also, the Lord will provide what is good, and our land will yield its crops.

13 Righteousness will go before him to prepare the way for his steps.

CHARGE THE

DARKNESS BY: KYLE ZUIDEMA

it

is this sentence that took hold of me at 17 years old. It ignited a spark in which God grabbed hold of my heart and laid out a new trajectory for my life.

To set your expectations on-course, my current story is one that is six years in the making (and still being written). It’s a story that might resonate with your own - evolving with time; with patience; and you don’t necessarily see the ‘whole picture’ until you’ve already arrived.

This story has God revealing Himself in unusual ways to keep a candle flickering for something I didn’t quite know. As you read the ‘birds eye’ view of my life over the last six years, just keep reading. God’s story is always worth it.

August 2017: It was 2017. I was sitting in the balcony of Faith Dyer next to my dad, who had invited me to attend the Global Leadership Summit. It was the very last session of a two day conference - and if you’ve attended a conference before, no matter how great it is, your energy is draining and your attention span is almost non-existent at the end. But it’s a pivotal moment to pull out the ‘big guns’ when you want to end with a bang. And in 2017 that person was Gary Haugen, Founder and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM).

International Justice Mission is a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts.

Gary shared the jaw-dropping statistic that ‘over 40 million people are living in slavery today, globally [as reported in 2017]; there are more slaves today than during the transatlantic slave trade.’ He spoke of IJM charging the darkness - Sex trafficking. Labor trafficking. Police abuse of power. Sexual violence against women and children. Online sexual exploitation. I left the Summit with Gary’s book in hand and a new passion ignited in me for an organization called IJM.

“The Real World”: After graduating from Calvin, I secured a position with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois doing internal management consulting. In a nutshell, I worked on creating and reporting metrics for initiatives set forth by the company (for example: building and reporting metrics on the financial value of our cyber resiliency). I really liked this job as it challenged me and I learned a lot. But I was still incessantly asking, “God, what’s the plan here?” as I felt there was more to what I was doing…there was Kingdom work to be done.

School Year 2018-2019: Like most seniors in high school, I was trying to determine ‘what I want to do with the rest of my life.’

And as much as I wanted to tie-in the mission of IJM, I was finding it difficult to see what God’s calling might be in my life. What I did know was that I had an interest in biochemistry and language came naturally to me, so biochemistry and Spanish became my majors. While I didn’t recognize it, God was already planting seeds.

I didn’t have to wait much longer for my answer.

School Year 2019-2020: I started my freshman year at Calvin University. And it’s in this year (with the goal of becoming a doctor) that I attended a medical missions conference. The keynote speaker spoke on the topic of sex trafficking - and identifying the signs and symptoms. It felt like a God wink, a comforting assurance, that there was a reason why He ignited the IJM spark and that in due time, I’d understand why.

School Year 2020-2021: It’s in this year that I began to realize that I may not actually want to be a doctor. As I uncovered more and more about IJM’s mission and work, I began to wonder if I should be a lawyer. But as I brainstormed this potential path, I’m told time and again, “the market is saturated,” “don’t be a lawyer,” “that’s a pipe dream; don’t get a law degree to change the world.”

I decided to apply for a summer remote internship with IJM (remote because of COVID protocols), supporting a team in the Dominican Republic. After a couple rounds of interviews, I learned that IJM decided to make it an in-person internship for someone living in the country. While I was disappointed, I was thankful to have built a relationship with one of IJM’s intern recruiters, Lucas, who I follow on LinkedIn. Summer 2021: Since IJM didn’t work out, I work to secure an internship that will give me ‘law-ish’ experience without actually having to be on the law-degree journey, yet. I end up working in Intellectual Property (IP). I learn all about how IP law governs creation and innovation through patents, copyright and trademarks. It’s during this internship I also learn that I can apply my background in biochemistry to a future career in IP law. It becomes apparent in this season how God is forming a potential future for me.

School Year 2021-2022: In the fall of 2022, I was in the hiring process for a fully remote, part-time internship with IJM, but eventually (and very begrudgingly) had to remove myself from candidacy due to my school schedule. In my last semester of college, I completed a study abroad program to finish my Spanish major. I was able to practice my Spanish first-hand in my day-to-day living, and the experience also lent itself to learning what it was like to live so far from home.

Six months into my job, I saw a LinkedIn post from Lucas at IJM that applications were being accepted for their Global Fellowship Program! And after completing my own (with no hesitancy), I learned that:

I was fit for a position in Bolivia as it was a requirement that the applicant knew Spanish. (Puzzle pieces: Spanish major - check; living abroad - check)

My position will be with the ‘Monitoring, Evaluating, Researching & Learning’ Team, which correlates to the work I was doing at Blue Cross, Blue Shield. (Puzzle piece: metrics job - check)

I would need to attend a required training & orientation in Washington D.C. in June. It was at this event that I would have a providential moment. The keynote speaker was a member of IJM’s Board of Directors. And do you know what she does for a living?

She’s a Harvard Law Professor who is a scholar in Intellectual Property Law. Goosebumps on my arms, that tingling feeling up my spine. God whispers clear as day, “I’m here. I’ve been here. You are on the right path.” (Puzzle piece: biochemistry major - check; IP law internship - check)

Finally! All the puzzle pieces of the last six years have come together. It became clear how IJM fit into His plan for me.

IJM’s Global Fellowship Program will be for one year. And while I am well aware that I don’t know what’s to come during or at the end of it, I’ve decided that in the meantime, I would apply to law school, to equip myself to practice Intellectual Property Law and champion the rule of law for those vulnerable to unspeakable violence, knowing that God will use the gifts He’s given me for His greater purpose.

But God: Charge the darkness. In Gary’s talk at the 2017 Summit, he spoke of fear being a destroyer of dreams.

He spoke of advancing into what is broken and being courageous. God doesn’t promise us an easy life; He never promised following Him would be. It’s in our moments of uncertainty, weariness, weakness that we become fully reliant on Him. And here I am boldly in Jesus’ name taking my steps to Bolivia with IJM in September 2023.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9

BEECHER FRIDAYS, 6-8:30 PM MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL

DIRECTOR:

CEDAR LAKE SUNDAYS, 5-7 PM

SCOTT MATTINGLY

DIRECTOR:

SMATTINGLY@WEAREFAITH.ORG

COLTON EBBENS

CEBBENS@WEAREFAITH.ORG

DYER SUNDAYS, 5-7 PM DIRECTORS:

HIGH SCHOOL: JUSTIN SOMMER JSOMMER@WEAREFAITH.ORG

HIGHLAND / MUNSTER SUNDAYS, 6-8 PM DIRECTOR:

MIDDLE SCHOOL: RONNIE HOLMES RHOLMES@WEAREFAITH.ORG

SMALL GROUPS: WILL RYAN

ABDIEL VALERIO

AVALERIO@WEAREFAITH.ORG

WRYAN@WEAREFAITH.ORG

WEAREFAITH.ORG/STUDENTS

R E F L E C TO R S WO R S H I P Cedar Lake Sundays 9:30 AM - Kids | Sundays 11 AM - Adults Dyer Sundays at 11 AM - Ages three through adult Highland Sundays at 11 AM - Ages three through adult

S I T E C O N TAC T CHRIS RECHSTEINER | CENTRAL

CHRISR@WEAREFAITH.ORG

BECKY GOUWENS | CEDAR LAKE

BGOUWENS@WEAREFAITH.ORG

Event, midweek and volunteer information at:

WeAreFaith.org/Reflectors

PAM VANDERMEER | DYER

PAMV@WEAREFAITH.ORG

AMY BOSHEARS | HIGHLAND

ABOSHEARS@WEAREFAITH.ORG

D I R E C TO R S BEECHER MANDY PRICE MANDYP@WEAREFAITH.ORG

C E DA R L A K E RONDA HUISMAN RHUISMAN@WEAREFAITH.ORG

DY E R MICHELLE PEREZ MPEREZ@WEAREFAITH.ORG

HIGHLAND TIM VANDERBILT TVANDERBILT@WEAREFAITH.ORG

MUNSTER

W E A R E FA I T H .O R G / K I D S

ANNE CONTRERAS ACONTRERAS@WEAREFAITH.ORG

NEW GRO

UPS

MUNSTER IN CEDAR LA & KE!

Love Kids?

We need YOU! God created us to crave companionship. Join Moms Nation as we do the brave, intentional, awkward work of extending friendship and find yourself Surrounded by a community where you are wanted, needed, loved and seen.

Moms of Littles (birth through kindergarten) and Moms in the Middle (elementary through high school) gather together and enjoy a meal, hear from a speaker or do a fun group activity, and spend time in small group discussion with fellow moms who get it.

Register today to save your seat: MomsNation.org BEECHER | CEDAR LAKE | DYER | HIGHLAND | MUNSTER

We are seeking loving, responsible individuals to provide childcare during our Moms of Littles and Moms in the Middle meetings, Sep - May.

Interested?

Contact Trish! tmiller@WeAreFaith.org

S

omething that I have always found fascinating about the Bible is that it features four accounts of the life of Jesus: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Our familiarity with these four gospels may cause us to forget how remarkable this phenomenon is. Most of the events the Bible describes - like the Exodus from Egypt or the events of the early church - are only recorded in one place in the Bible. Some, like the lives of David and Solomon, are found in two places. But nothing else has four! This fourfold description BY: BRIAN DENNERT of the life of Jesus is not just unusual within the Bible but also seems unique as it is unparalleled in other religions. These facts point both to the uniqueness of our faith and the centrality of the person and work of Jesus in our faith.

This fall at Faith Church, we will be studying one of the gospels, Mark. Why did we pick this gospel rather than one of the others for our study? It was chosen in part because when we kicked off the Bible Reading Plan back in March we started with Mark; we wanted to revisit this book that many of us recently read through. That still raises the question: Why did we read Mark first rather than Matthew, the first gospel in the New Testament?

We chose to kick things off with Mark (and I often encourage those reading the Bible to start with Mark) because it is the shortest of the gospels, telling the story of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection in a compact way. In some ways, it provides the foundation of what we need to know about Jesus, an outline which is more or less supplemented in the other gospels (such as the story of Jesus’s birth or some of His most important teachings). It is also an easy and engaging read in that it is action-packed, moving quickly from one incident to another! The action-packed feel of the book is also enhanced by the fact that it focuses more on Jesus’s actions rather than His teachings. These actions reveal Jesus’s identity as the Son of God and the nature of the kingdom He invites us into.

Jesus, Son of God: Headlines from Mark will be a 10-week series. And while Mark is the shortest gospel, 10 weeks still doesn’t give us time to look at each and every incident he includes. We’ve chosen to look at some of the key incidents that are representative of Jesus’s ministry in hopes that it will help us see the power of Jesus in new and deeper ways. It’s our hope that journeying through this gospel that shows Jesus on the move reminds us that He’s still on the move in our lives today, some 2,000 years later.

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Summer M I S S I O N

Joni & Friends Family Retreat | June 12-16

Faith Kids Fun Run | June 3

The Fun Run is hosted by our children’s ministry as an opportunity to not only build community but to teach children to be on mission for Jesus. From a young age we want children to know that they can make an impact and God cares for ALL of His children.

Funds from our June event were raised for Tesoros de Dios in Nicaragua, a special needs ministry that aspires to build a vocational center. Our Faith Kids participants did an amazing job and raised over $8,000!

One of Faith Church’s mission partners is Joni & Friends. Each year volunteers head to Muskegon, Michigan to Maranatha Conference Center to serve as short term missionaries for Joni & Friends Family Retreat. Each volunteer is paired with an individual with special needs to support them and their family in having an unforgettable, spiritually-nourishing, communitybuilding, vacation-type experience.

We are grateful for what God did through this year’s Family Retreat in the hearts and lives of the families and volunteers who attended! It was a KAPOW of a SUPER good time!

S

High School Mission Trip | June 17-24

Middle School Mission Trip | July 25-28

Faith Students High School traveled south to the city of New Orleans. Every morning the mission team - 19 students and seven leaders - went to local parks to clean up trash and connect with the people that came through. Different activities were completed in the afternoon each day, such as creating care packages for the homeless; while distributing them, team members would sit with each person, hear their stories and pray for them. Another opportunity included handing out water bottles in some of the busiest parks to spark conversation with people.

The serving team also partnered with “MissionLab” to conduct prayer walks; the organization has a goal of having their groups walk all the streets of the city, covering it with prayer.

It wasn’t “the big easy” but our students stepped out of their comfort zones and shared their faith stories with people!

Our Middle School Missions Trip this summer focused on supporting causes in our surrounding communities.

Twenty students and eight leaders assisted with Faith Beecher’s Mobile Food Pantry; served at a couple area thrift stores; prepared food packs to be sent to other countries; and completed work at Chicagoland Prison Outreach. These students stepped up & out as they worked hard, no matter the task at hand!

God Story At one of the parks we connected with a man that showed up every day. This guy was currently living with family and looking for a job. We told him who we were and why we were coming to the park. Many of our students got to know him and had the opportunity to share what God had done in their lives.

He asked us to pray for a housing opportunity and a job. One of our leaders spent some time one day working with him on his resume. On our last day, our friend shared the news with us that he had received a call about a housing opportunity. He also received a call from a job that he had recently submitted his resume to. He came to us that day and asked what he needed to do to accept God into his life. The life change we got to experience in a few short days was something only God could be the architect of.

A R E YO U T H E

80 OR THE 20?

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iscipleship is important at Faith Church. This means we want to help you become more and more like Jesus - talking like Him, acting like Him, being like Him. Once we RESPOND to Jesus, we become His disciple. And He tells us to “grow in every way” (Ephesians 4:15).

His Spirit helps us as we REDIRECT our lives - He helps us change into “new creations.” And as we grow, we continue to REFINE and then we REPRODUCE - we become “disciples who make more disciples.”

BY: MARILYN MILLER

But what’s involved in the “REFINING?” Part of refining is molding and changing by serving Jesus, His Church and people. We serve because Jesus modeled serving.

How are you serving right now? If there is nothing in your “serving column,” you may need to refine your priorities. Have you fallen into the trap (we all do at times) of viewing church as a consumer? What can they do for me?

It’s said that most churches are sustained because 80 percent of the work is done by 20 percent of the people. I don’t think that is totally true at Faith Church. But to the 20 percent of our people it may feel true. COVID changed so much of our world. And to be honest, since COVID, the percentage of us who are serving is down significantly. We all need to remember, there is community in serving! We don’t want to sustain, we want to thrive and take the message of Jesus to our communities and beyond.

“When you are part of a serving team - like making coffee, greeting people, handing out programs or by holding a baby, you are getting to know people and serving others,” says Jen Stevens of Faith Munster.

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What if we all stepped up and decided to serve once a month - no matter our age, situation or location. What difference would that make at Faith Church? At your location?

But mostly what would it make in your heart?

Pastor Jason DeVries says it this way, “It’s like diving into a pool. You may not hit the exact spot the first time around but try something. If that’s not a fit, jump again. Keep jumping until you find your target - exactly what God has prepared you to do.”

Not sure where to begin?

• Ask people who know you. You may be surprised at their suggestions.

• Ask people at your location. They know the greatest need - and it may be a need God is waiting for you to fill.

• Take the Spiritual Gifts assessment at WeAreFaith.org/spiritual-gifts-survey.

What would it take for Faith Church to be a church where 80 percent of the people are actively serving? The first step is yours!

“God has created me to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. . . . I have a part in a great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall love as Christ loved, I shall do His work.”

John Henry Newman 1801-1890

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

GROWING WITH

JESUS

Respond

Redirect

Recogniton of God’s action

Adapting to new rhythms of life

Refine

Reproduce

Reflect Jesus

Be a disciple who makes disciples

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

“Faithreads” for Fall

A BOOK R ECOM M EN DATIO N F RO M M A R ILY N M I L L ER

B

iographies inspire me. I’ve read three in recent months, learning about the lives of Eugene Peterson, Tim Keller and Beth Moore.

I was reading about Tim Keller during the last days of his life (he passed in May 2023), which made it feel even more important. “Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation” by Collin Hansen is not written in typical biography format. Rather, it was written about those who influenced Keller throughout his life, “a rich account of the sources of his spiritual formation.” It fit Keller’s humble spirit not to desire a book that detailed his life experiences but instead to focus on those who he found to be wise and meaningful counsel.

Keller’s focus was on the lost. When he began Redeemer Presbyterian in 1989, he avoided making the opening public. He wasn’t seeking Christians, but he wanted to interact with New York City religious skeptics. When his books became popular, he was not delighted to see people standing in line after services for him to sign their books. That exercise only kept him from the important conversations with seekers.

With a thriving church in Manhattan, his influence was critical in the days after the 9/11 attacks. Afterward, when people were leaving Manhattan in droves, Keller encouraged his parishioners to stay and serve and help the city heal.

Tim was an avid reader, even in his final days. He read and understood philosophy and science so he could have intelligent conversations that pointed to Jesus. I have found his podcast, “Questioning Christianity with Tim Keller,” to be a great source of help in conversations with non-believers and his video series, “Discovering the Gospel in Every Book of the Bible,” fulfills its title.

Throughout my read, I found myself quoting Keller often. Then I got to the end of the book where Keller encourages readers NOT to quote him, but to quote those who he found worth quoting. Sorry, Pastor Keller.

“Only if our highest love is God himself can we love and serve all people, families, classes, races; and only God’s saving grace can bring us to the place where we are loving and serving God for himself alone and not for what he can give us.”

Tim Keller

R E C O M M E N DAT I O N F R O M A BOOK R ECOMMENDATIO N F RO M DAV E WEEM HO FF

I

’ve enjoyed Albert Tate as a speaker over the last couple of years, and I recently heard his interview, The Art of Vulnerable Communication, on Craig Groeschel’s leadership podcast. He mentioned his book, “Disobedient God,” and I was intrigued not only by the title but also an anecdote that he shared on the podcast.

While writing the book, Albert was learning that we all have a longing inside of us, and we all have a reach within us; but what we long for isn’t always what we reach for. The anecdote that stuck with me was - he’d have a hard day at work and would long for comfort but reach for a Big Mac, a 20 minute fix that would end up backfiring.

Albert is a hilarious speaker but brings you really close at certain points and convicts the listener. I decided to read, “Disobedient God,” and his writing is much the same way as his speaking. You can hear his voice in his writing. You laugh with him and at other moments, your heart is breaking with his.

The subtitle of the book is, “Trusting a God Who Goes Off Script.” I think this speaks to all of us. We tend to have plans and dreams, and we hope that God will fit into those. But what happens when he doesn’t follow our plan? An illness. An addiction. A broken relationship.

A prodigal child. What does it look like to trust God in those “off-script” moments? Albert shares some of his own real life stories where God has gone off script and the challenge of trusting Him in those events. It is heartfelt and transparent. He uses scripture to help make sense of it and points to Jesus as the only hope to get through it.

If you have ever gone through something that leaves you doubting God or lacking trust in Him, this book will encourage you to dig deeper. It will point you to the word of God and remind you that you are not alone. The whole world seems to be off script right now, so this book will encourage anyone who reads it!

THE BOOK CLUB “The Woman from Lydia”

by Angela Hunt Widowed Euodia wants to make a fresh start by moving to the foreign city of Philippi. She finds new purpose after meeting Paulos, apostle to the Gentiles, who opens her eyes to helping those in need, particularly women and those who have been enslaved.

Discussion: October Book Club meetsOct 26 at 6:30 PM at Faith Dyer.

C H I L D R E N ’ S R E C O M M E N DAT I O N Wherever You Go, I Want You to Know As children embark on life’s journey with all their potential and aspirations, use this beautifully illustrated, rhyming storybook to tell them your biggest dream - that whatever they do and wherever they go, they will love and follow Jesus.

Gift: Makes for a great baptism gift or preschool/kindergarten graduation gift.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

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nstruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 The Bible has so much to say about money, riches, wealth, provision, generosity and giving, doesn’t it? This passage is a great lesson on God’s expectation from us and how we should view and use His good gifts.

BY: JOHN CLAUSING & DAVID VEURINK

(STEWARDSHIP DEACON TREASURER) On June 30 of this year we ended one fiscal year, and on July 1 we started our 2023/2024 budget. Reflections on the past year once again demonstrated that Faith Church is a church that is “generous and willing to share.” While we did not meet our giving goal of $8.8 million, the giving of $8.1 million was more than our expenses of $7.45 million. God richly provided!

For our 2023/2024 budget, we once again have a God-sized goal - $9.1 million. Yes, this is a significant amount as we seek to meet increasing ministry needs and opportunities here locally and worldwide. As a church family we will need to increase our giving from last fiscal year by just over 12 percent to reach this giving goal.

In addition we also have our “Better Together” building campaign and projects underway.

As of July 31 we have had $2,573,150 given of the $6,995,987 pledged. Once again, we are so thankful for those who have stepped forward in faith in this endeavor and who have not set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

As we enter another busy ministry season, we ask that you reflect on how God has blessed you but also, what he is asking of you. It’s more than “meeting a budget.” It’s an investment in weekly worship services throughout our region; ministering to those with special needs, Faith Kids and Faith Students; mission causes around the world; in future leadership through our residency and internship programs; in helping those in need through food programs; in bringing the goods news of Jesus Christ through social media; in building facilities where lives are changed; and more!

For some, sacrificial giving is already a part of their life and a 12 percent increase is not a reality. For others, sacrificial giving, or giving at all, has not been a part of their walk. What’s important is that we all need to ask ourselves if our generosity and willingness to share aligns with the blessings God has provided. Our 2023/24 giving goal would be met if all members were to give in accordance to the blessings and faithfulness God has provided each of us. Giving is an opportunity, really, to take hold of what is truly life!

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FA M I LY DISCOVER FAITH Discover Faith is designed to help you learn more about Faith Church.

J O IN OUR

BEECHER

Thursday, October 19 | 6:30 PM

CEDAR LAKE

Sunday, September 10 | 1:30 PM

DYER

Thursday, October 12 | 6:30 PM

HIGHLAND

Sunday, October 15 | 12:30 PM

JOIN OUR FAITH FAMILY

PARTNER WITH FAITH Partner with Faith focuses on what it means to be a member and why you should consider that commitment.

MUNSTER

Sunday, September 24 | 3 PM

BEECHER

Thursday, November 2 | 6:30 PM

CEDAR LAKE

Sunday, September 24 | 6:30 PM

DYER

Thursday, October 26 | 6:30 PM

HIGHLAND

Sunday, October 29 | 12:30 PM

MUNSTER

Sunday, October 8 | 12:30 PM

*BOTH CLASSES ARE REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP | CELEBRATION WEEKEND - NOV 18/19

Upcoming Events SEP

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Faith Church Golf Classic Tuesday, September 26 White Hawk Golf Course WeAreFaith.org/golfclassic

The Gobbler Classic Thursday, November 23 Faith Dyer WeAreFaith.org/gobbler

D EC

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N OV

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A Long Winter's Night Wednesday, December 13 | 7 PM Faith Dyer WeAreFaith.org/lwn

CHRISTMAS THANKSGIVING SERVICES Beecher

Wed, Nov 22 at 7 PM

SERVICES Beecher

Sat, Dec 23 at 7 PM Sun, Dec 24 at 9 & 11 AM

Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake

Wed, Nov 22 at 7 PM

Sat, Dec 23 at 7 PM Sun, Dec 24 at 9 & 11 AM, 3 PM

Dyer

Dyer

Wed, Nov 22 at 5:30 & 7 PM

Highland

Wed, Nov 22 at 6 PM

Munster

Wed, Nov 22 at 7 PM Visit WeAreFaith.org/thanksgiving for Faith Kids & Reflectors availability.

Sat, Dec 23 a 5 & 7 PM Sun, Dec 24 at 11 AM & 1 PM

Highland

Sat, Dec 23 at 7 PM Sun, Dec 24 at 9 & 11 AM, 1 PM

Munster

Sat, Dec 23 at 6 PM Sun, Dec 24 at 9 & 11 AM Visit WeAreFaith.org/christmas for Faith Kids & Reflectors availability.

CARE & CONNE CTIONS A L L LO C AT I O N S I N V I T E D

CARE Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery (CR) is based on the original 12 steps of recovery and the Beatitudes-the actual words of Jesus. CR is open to everyone as a place of rescue, restoration, safety and renewal for those seeking God’s healing from life’s hurts, hang-ups and habits.

Mondays, 6:30-8:30 PM Faith Cedar Lake Contact the team WeAreFaithCR@gmail.org Tuesdays, 7-9 PM Faith Dyer | FS Commons Contact Jim celebraterecovery@ WeAreFaith.org Thursdays, 7-9 PM Faith Munster Contact Charles/Breanne munstercr@WeAreFaith.org

Celebration Place

Tuesdays, 6:45-9 PM Faith Dyer | Elem Rm Contact Trish at tmiller@WeAreFaith.org

Celebration Place is designed for kids Kindergarten through 13 years of age whose parents attend Celebrate Recovery.

We hope to make Jesus the foundation of their lives, break cycles of dysfunction and join their parents in forgiveness & healing.

Food Assistance

Mobile Food Pantry Faith Beecher Sep 26 | Oct 24 Nov 28 | Dec 19 4:30-6 PM Contact Mandy at mandyp@WeAreFaith.org Open to any Illinois resident Family Market Faith Cedar Lake Mondays, 10 AM-Noon Closed the 5th Monday Contact Beckie at bhayes@WeAreFaith.org Family Market Faith Dyer | East Hall Sundays, 10-11 AM Contact Pat at FFM@WeAreFaith.org Open 2nd & 4th Sunday For Dyer Members/ Attenders

Family Market Faith Highland/Munster Faith Munster Community Hall Sundays, 12:30-1:15 PM Contact Lisa or Bob at blhberr@att.net Open 1st & 3rd Sundays

Fresh Hope

Tuesdays, 7-8:30 PM Faith Munster | Ministry House freshhope@WeAreFaith.org

NA-The Grace Street Recovery

Meeting of Narcotics Anonymous Thursdays, 7-8:30 PM Faith Highland | Great Room Contact Mike at (219) 214-0399 This is an open meeting where all are welcome, but only members are encouraged to speak.

Meets weekly

This group is both for individuals who have a mental health challenge AND their loved ones (family members and close friends).

WeAreFaith.org/mentalhealth.

Meets weekly

Our Hope

Friendship

Overcomers

Tuesdays, 7 PM Faith Highland Contact Amy at aboshears@WeAreFaith.org Friendship Ministry is a place where adults with special needs can gather to learn from God’s Word and enjoy a great time of fellowship. For a complete listing of meeting dates visit WeAreFaith.org/Friendship.

Meets most 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

Golden Hope

Golden Hope helps grieving families find hope and healing in the midst of loss through death. This is a safe place for peer-to-peer grief support for children, teens and adults. Contact Ashley at dakrygsheld19@yahoo. com.

Grief Share

Tuesdays, 7-9 PM Faith Dyer | Prayer Room Contact Jeri at darchsmom@gmail.com Grief support group for women Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays

Mondays, 6:30 PM Faith Dyer | Atrium Contact Andy at anearpass@WeAreFaith.org or Chris at cperez@WeAreFaith.org This ministry is for patients and caregivers of patients with life-altering illnesses.

Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays

Parenting LGBTQ Kids

Mondays, 6:30 PM | 144/145 Contact Karyn at kjustice@WeAreFaith.org A support group for parents, grandparents or guardians of LGBTQ Kids.

Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays

Prayer

Let us be heartfelt in praying for our Faith Church family.

Sign up to receive our prayer email or submit your own prayer request at WeAreFaith.org/prayer.

Grief Share offers help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend.

Contact Brian at brian.blummer@gmail.com for next meeting dates & times.

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CONNECTIONS Book Club

Thursday, 6:30 PM Contact Adrianna at awalters@WeAreFaith.org Meets the 4th Thursday of the month.

Sep 28 - The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton & Tosca Lee Oct 26 - The Woman from Lydia by Angela Hunt Nov & Dec - Holiday Break

Faithful Friends

Monday, 1 PM | Faith Dyer Contact Sue at suezarate@yahoo.com Fellowship for singles 65+ from any Faith Church location.

Meets the 2nd Monday of the month

Faith Stitchers

Thursday, 1-4 PM (Sep-May) Faith Dyer | Rooms 140/141 Contact Sharon at sharontlc756@hotmail.com

We knit & crochet for those in need.

Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month

Quilters

Monday, 8:30 AM Contact Donna at donnaquilts2@gmail.com A group of women who meet around a common interest of quilting.

Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays

Women’s Bible Studies Visit WeAreFaith.org/ biblestudies for a list of women’s Bible studies.

Preparing for Marriage

Class is offered twice per year on Wednesdays in the spring and fall for dating and engaged couples. Next class will be Sep 20- Nov 8. Information on the class and mentoring options can be found at WeAreFaith. org/marriage. We look forward to preparing you for marriage. faithmarriageministry

MOMSNATION

A community for moms with children ages birth through high school. Visit MomsNation.org for information on all our groups, meeting places and times.

Contact Rebekah at rmoore@WeAreFaith.org

12.1 Running Club

Saturdays, Early Morning Contact Judy at judithkupsik@yahoo.com Meets weekly

The Journey

The Journey is a 22-week course designed to provide a safe place for a group of 7-10 people to slow down and be intentional about focusing on their relationship with Jesus and personal discipleship. To learn more, go to vantagepoint3.org/ vp3-pathway/the-journey/ Contact Marilyn at mmiller@WeAreFaith.org for more information. Join the hundreds of people from Faith Church who have come to understand God (and themselves) in a new way through The Journey!

The Ravines is a safe place to find healing and restoration for your marriage.

W H AT I F T H E R E I S

HOPE FO R MY MARRIAGE?

“He makes springs pour water into the ravines.” Psalm 104:10

TheRavines Info@TheRavines.org (219) 864-5063

OUR 4GS You will see these icons throughout this edition, with stories related to how we are living out our 4Gs.

WeAreFaith.org