News ​

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In Memorium

We are sad to learn of the passing of our former bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Patricia Davenport. Bishop Davenport served as bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod from 2018 to 2024. Prior to that she served as our synod’s Director of Evangelical Mission, in which post she made frequent visits to Faith. She was always a friend to our congregation. She complimented us on our ministry, enjoyed her worship experiences with us, and approved a number of grants which helped our congregation in times of need (Repairing our sewer line and paying the attorney who corrected the deed to our church property). She served as bishop during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a strong and forthright leader. She died following a battle with cancer early this morning, July 29th. May Our Lord receive his servant with love and peace.

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New Website Photos

Faith’s talented and tech-savvy 20-somethigs are working on creating a new and slicker version of faithlutheranphiladelphia.info. We’d like to have pictures of all our volunteers. If you give time to the church, please hang out after church this Sunday, August 2 so we can snap your picture and explain what you do for Faith. If you’re on the Praise Team or the Finance Team or if you just help out with bulletins or Altar Guild, we’d like to celebrate you!

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“Space Quest” was a Blast!

 

Congratulations to Faith’s Youth/Sunday School Team. We were once again able to offer a fun and meaningful VBS experience from July 21-23. Twelve youngsters participated, including some non-member children from our neighborhood. Thanks to Michaela, Emma, and Grace and to volunteer moms Selena and Annemarie. Good job!

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​Men’s Fellowship

Faith’s new fellowship is for boys and men ages 14 and up. Joe Ross is leading this group, and it’s off to a great start. August meetings will be Wednesday August 5, Friday August 14, Wednesday August 19, and Friday August 28. Come meet other guys, talk, and explore ways to become better husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. All meetings are at 7:00 PM and last for an hour.

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Youth Led Service

The last Sunday of every month will be a youth-led and youth participation service. Our goal is to involve our young people, teach them about the liturgy of worship, and make them feel part of our Christian community. This is a great opportunity to promote Faith Lutheran to any neighbors or relatives who have young children.  Please support our children with your presence each last Sunday. You will be making a huge difference in their lives!

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​Last Sunday of the Month Offering

The Last Sunday Offering for August will go to Caring for Friends. Over the years this local charity has grown from a “Meals on Wheels” model to a food cupboard which services the five county area and a food distribution program which brings nutritious food to those living on the streets of our city. Every month Faith Lutheran volunteers prepare 50 “heat-and-eat” meals which Caring for Friends delivers to elderly homebound folks in our neighborhood. Please keep this generous mission alive and make an extra donation on Sunday, August 30th.

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Feast of Justice Satellite Planned

Pastor and the Church Council are in talks with our Seventh Day Adventist friends and Feast of Justice about starting a satellite food distribution site here at Faith. Pastor Casseus of Beree SDA has requested permission to open a food cupboard here to serve any in our immediate community who are food insecure. Faith members have traditionally donated to Feast of Justice and we did not want to be in competition. Subsequently, Pastor suggested that Faith become a satellite of Feast, and Feast’s board has shown interest in the possibilities. To date, we are waiting to learn about a possible domestic hunger grant from the ELCA. If funding can be secured, we would use the storage area in the lower auditorium to store food supplies. Clients would register for assistance through the Feast of Justice website, and food would be distributed from the door facing our parking lot. Food distribution would be one or two days per month, with Feast coordinating and members of Faith and Beree volunteering. More information to come!

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Faith's Veggie Garden

Thanks to Mark Syke's green thumb, our 2026 garden has been planted. If you can help weed and harvest, contact Mark or Wayne. Our garden helps to feed the 3,000 neighbors who are registered for food assistance with Feast of Justice.

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​​​Kids' Time

Just a reminder Faith has a Kids' Time every Sunday during the 10 o'clock worship. Miss Grace and Miss Emma tell stories to the tiny tots who may not be able to sit comfortably through our liturgy. The kids also do crafts and get a special message from Pastor. 

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Commemoratives this Week:

Saturday, August 8: Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (better known as the Dominicans). (d. 1221) Dominic was a Spanish priest who preached against the Albigensians, a heretical sect which held gnostic and dualistic beliefs. Dominic believed that a stumbling block to restoring heretics to the church was the wealth of the clergy, so he formed an itinerant religious order, the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), who lived in poverty, studied theology and philosophy, and preached against heresy. The method of this order was to use kindness and gentle argument, rather than harsh judgment, to bring unorthodox Christians back to the fold. Dominic opposed burning Christians at the stake. Three times he was offered the office of bishop, but he refused so he could continue his work of preaching.