First off – let’s join together and approach our gracious God’s throne of
Grace and pray for Jill Wilson’s mom, Mary Anderson, who has been diagnosed
with severe emphysema and they have found another tumor and spots on both
lungs. She had a biopsy on friday and they collapsed her lung so she spent
an extra day in the hospital.  She is now back home and we are waiting for
the results of the biopsy to determine what treatment she will
have.  Thanks!

Secondly, did you get Staff Minister Jason Fry’s new phone number?  It is:
 719-641-4197?

Thirdly – The FOL Ski outing is at Monarch this Saturday.  Any questions,
contact Mike and Annette Cantin at mamacantin62@hotmail.com.

In Fourth place – I’ve attached a WELS annual update to this email (e-mail sent out 2/21).
 Interesting and brief recap of the year in the WELS.

Finally, but not at all least in importance:

Our midweek Lent worship begins THIS WEDNESDAY (February 22nd) at 6 pm with
soup supper (need people to bring soup, bread, desert, drinks, not that
many signed up yet).  We worship at 7 pm.

Here is this year’s theme (updated)

“Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness”  (Hebrews 9:22)
 This Wednesday, I’ll be preaching on the theme, “The Blood of the Passover
Lamb”

We’ve always had great attendance, good fellowship, and a great time of
repentance and renewal.  Join us!

Greetings FOLers:

Let me describe the “scene” last night in the Fount of Life “atrium”.
 People started arriving around 6:40 pm for the 7 pm Monday evening worship
service.  Those who have been there before know we meet in the atrium for a
casual (though worshipful and liturgical) and abbreviated worship service.
 It’s casual and abbreviated so that Jason Fry and I can meet with people
afterwards.  More on that in a moment.  In attendance were people who work
on Sundays, people who were out of town this particular Sunday, and people
who simply enjoy the Monday night time and service.  22 in all were there
(in 2012 we’ve been averaging 18).  So, for the Sunday-Monday, we had 187
worshippers (165 on Sunday).  We’ve been averaging 190 for the  year, up
from 160 last year!  Praise God!

We usually get a pot of coffee going for after church and have some snacks
set out.  So after worship, people visited for about 15 minutes and then
Jason met with one couple at one end of the atrium and taught a Bible
Information Class, and I met with another couple on the other end of the
atrium and taught them a Bible Information Class (the one couple just
started, the other couple was finishing the class).  Meanwhile, a few
people lingered and sat at a couple other places in the atrium, drinking
coffee, chewing on a cookie, and chatting.  You know what this means, don’t
you ….. FOL has its own Starbucks!

Who would have thought a year ago that we’d be averaging 190 in worship,
have another full time staff minister teaching Bible classes, in a
beautiful and comfortable and inviting cafe style addition to our church?
 And that a dozen or more college aged kids (recently named CORE -
Collegiates on the Road to Eternity) meet there every Tuesday night, now
under the direction of Jason and Kayla Fry?  Or that we’d have 50+ on
Sunday mornings studying the book of Romans?

God knew, of course, but none of us did.  We thank the Lord for his
undeserved blessings.  May we continue to honor him and thank him in
everything we do!

If you missed the announcements on Sunday (or service) go to the web page
and read and watch and listen.  www.fountoflife.com

We’ve been tracking the missing offering envelopes and hope to find out
where in the world they are this week.

We’re three weeks and one day away from Ash Wednesday and Lent.  This
year’s theme is “God’s Gift of Forgiveness” and we’ll look at a different
Psalm each Wednesday.  The preaching rotation includes Pastor Mark Hayes
from Crown of Life, Pueblo West; Staff Minister Adam Lambrecht from COL,
P-West, and me.

God bless your week!

Pastor

Sunday School begins again this Sunday at 10:15 am.  Next Sunday Adult
Bible class begins a study of Romans.  There’s lots of good stuff in Romans
– Christian doctrine and practice!  Join us!

This Saturday is the Epiphany party for FOL adults and friends.  Walk-ins
are welcome.  It’s 7 pm.  Join us!

Remember to send your updated addresses, contact info, and digital pictures
to Erica Olson for the new directory.  Last email had one letter missing in
her email address.   My bad.  Here is her correct address:
ericalolson@yahoo.com

Good news – Jason and Kayla Fry have arrived!  A crew of men helped them
unload in 45 minutes!  And when they arrived there was a huge outpouring of
food and other pantry items, plus a bunch of furniture!  Thank you for your
generosity and your support of the Gospel ministry here at Fount of Life.  I
can’t tell you how encouraging and uplifting it is to know that you have
arrived at a place where God’s people love those who bring Good News!   Thank
you.

Installation and welcoming is this Sunday.  Jason’s email is:
Jason@fountoflife.com  His cell # is:  614-507-7199

Hi Everyone

We have had a very good response with some furniture for our new Staff
Minister Jason and his wife Kayla.
One couch, a couple of recliners, end tables, small stereo, etc… even
some baby stuff!

The couple of items we have not had any offers of is bedroom stuff such as
dressers or nightstands and a washer/dryer.
(Washer/dryer could be as a loan, gift or purchase if preferred)
If anyone has those it would certainly be appreciated

They are scheduled to move in next Wednesday the 4th or Thursday Jan 5th.
I will keep everyone posted as we get closer.

Thanks!
Bill Rodgers
Property Committee Chair
Propertycommittee@fountoflife.com

P.S.
We could actually use 2 sets of Washer/Dryers as my daughter and son in
law, Karla and Derick are looking to purchase an inexpensive set.

PSS – Pastor knows of someone who is willing to donate a 36 inch TV (not a
flat screen HD but has a good picture) (Fry’s don’t need one) so let him
know and he’ll hook you up

Here goes:

* Remember, worship times this weekend are as follows and are all the same
service/sermon:  Saturday, 7 pm; Sunday, 9 am (no SS or Bible class);
Monday 7 pm.  Take your pick!  Our worship theme will be:  Our God, Our
Help, in Ages Past – Our Hope in Years to Come.  Yes, we’ll sing that hymn!

* Daneen and I would like to thank you for your Christmas cards, Holiday
well-wishes, continued prayers, wonderful support, and generous Christmas
gift this past week.  We love living in Colorado Springs, love serving at
Fount of Life, and look forward to 2012.  The Lord has really, really,
blessed us over the years, as a congregation and as a family.  We thank
God!  We thank you!  We thank God for you!

* We’re still taking in pantry shower gifts for the Frys.  Your welcoming
generosity and hospitality has been terrific.  Below is an update from Bill
about what has been offered already by way of furnishings and what is still
needed.  It’s looking like Jason and Kayla will arrive later on Wednesday
evening, January 4th, along with some family and friends. We’re hoping to
get a crew over there to help them unload on Thursday morning.  Jason’s
installation and welcoming cake reception is Sunday, January 8th.

* A reminder that Catechism class starts Thursday, January 5th.

Just a reminder to, if possible, consider parking “up top” on the old east
parking lot, so that there is plenty of room for visitors this Christmas
Eve.  Both parking lots were plowed this morning and with the wonderful
Colorado sun, should be snow free by tomorrow evening.

Kids are to be dropped off for the SS program by no later than 5:40 pm in
the old upper east parking lot and will gather in the old sanctuary /
conference room.

Worship begins at 6 pm.  Bring a friend to celebrate and hear about the
Savior’s birth this Christmas Eve (Christmas Day worship is at 9 am on
Sunday).

Pastor

Ah, the blessings and challenges of a white Christmas!  I hope and pray
that everyone is safe.

Here’s what we have in store for the upcoming Christmas weekend.

Friday, December 23rd, dress rehearsal for the Christmas Eve SS program,
from 10 am – 11:30 am.  We need to have everyone there who will be
participating in the service.  Thanks!

Note, we’ll also be getting Christmas bags ready to hand out to the kids
during practice, so any adults that can stay and help with that would be
great.  Also, we are still collecting candy, cuties, and the like, for the
Christmas bags.

Christmas Eve worship begins at 6 pm on Saturday.  Have your children to
church by 5:40 pm, and please take them up (or drop them off) at the old
sanctuary (now conference room).  That’s where all the kids will gather
pre-service.  Also, because we expect a large attendance, if you can, (and
I know that some of you cannot and should not), we’ll need some to park up
top on the east parking lot.  Thanks.

On Sunday, we’ll have our normal 9 am worship time – a Christmas Day song
service.  No Sunday School or Bible class.

No Monday night worship at 7 pm on Monday, December 26th.

Bill Rodgers is contacting people about shoveling snow and getting the
sidewalks ready and has talked to the snow plow service, so we should be
good there.

I look forward to celebrating our Savior’s birth with you and your friends,
for the first time ever, in our new building!

Pastor

Here you go:

* From the Christmas Bags for Kids on Christmas Eve committee:  Bring
cuties (those mini orange things), candy, etc., (no peanuts please) to
church this Sunday, and/or throughout the week, and/or to Friday’s
rehearsal, and a group of parents and adults will assemble the bags.  We
are planning to hand out 120 bags.   Thanks!

* From the SS teachers:  Remember – final rehearsals for the Christmas Eve
program are this Sunday at 10:15 am, and Friday, December 23rd, from 10 am
- 11:30 am.  All people who will be involved in the Christmas Eve program
need to be there (including ushers, AV, etc.)

* From the Let’s Organize a Pantry Shower for new Staff Minister Jason Fry
and his wife Kayla Committee:  We’ll be accepting donations to help stock
their pantry (food, cleaning items, etc.) and / or gift cards, to help
welcome them to Colorado Springs in the kitchen from now until January
4-5th, when they are scheduled to arrive.   We’ll then deliver these items
so that when they arrive in their new home they are given a warm, Fount of
Life, welcome!  Thanks.

* Here is an expected time-line:  Fry’s arrive by January 5th.  Jason is
installed as Staff Minister of Youth and Adult Discipleship during the
Sunday worship service on Sunday, January 8th.  We hold a cake reception to
welcome Jason and Kayla after the worship service, during the Adult Bible
study hour (10:30 am).  Note:  Maybe we can coax them to come to the FOL
adult Epiphany party on January 7th!  Jason will get to work right away,
more or less shadowing me, and learning all about FOL’s people and
ministry.  Soon enough he’ll begin to take over his division of duties.  As
time goes on the FOL staff ministry oversight committee will help Jason and
I adjust the duties to accommodate strengths, areas of interest, etc.  For
a reminder, I’ve attached the proposed division of duties.

* Unrelated to staff minister news, but important:  Also scheduled on
January 8th, at 11:30 am, is the annual voter’s meeting.  Besides reports,
voters will address and adopt a 2012 calendar year budget, and elect new
officers and elders (whose terms expired).  Here is a listing of positions
that are open and people who have been nominated:

Church President:    Matt Dettman

Church Council Secretary:    Jon Hahm

Financial Secretary:    Mike Figurski

Property Chairman:    Bill Rodgers

Head Elder:    John Wohlrabe

Elder:    Joe Orlando

Those elected (along with the men currently serving positions whose terms
expire next year) will then be installed on January 15th.

* Somewhat related, but also important, the day after FOL received the good
news that Jason Fry was assigned to our congregation, we then received the
good news that we were awarded a Antioch Foundation grant to help fund this
position for $25,000 in 2012 and $25,000 in year 2.  Thank you, Lord!

* This Sunday we take a look at our third Angelic Announcement of Advent:
 The angel appearing to Joseph to announce the miracles of Christmas!

* The Church Council decided to cancel Monday worship on Monday, December
26th.  But every other Monday including December 19th and January 2nd,
2012, we will continue to have Monday evening worship at 7 pm.

“Oh, Come, Let Us Adore Him”!

Pastor

Yesterday the Lord of the Church, through the WELS Conference of
Presidents, Called Mr. Jason Fry to be Fount of Life’s Staff Minister of
Youth and Adult Discipleship.  I found out that we were assigned a staff
minister in early afternoon, but also learned that there is a mini-call
service in the evening and that’s where they tell the candidates their
assignments.  So it wasn’t until last evening that I actually got to speak
to Jason.  I’ll share what I Iearned from him, what was discussed at the
Church Council meeting, and his letter of Call acceptance and brief
biography in this email.

But let me just say this:  God has been gracious to us and has showered us
with His blessings.  Jason “Jay” Fry served as a camp counselor at RMCC in
the summers of 2008 and 2009.  So the kids who went to camp those summers
know him.  I remember him as one of the most popular counselors that all
the kids loved.  He was a hard worker and an easy guy to like and be
around.  Since that time, he married Kayla, and as you’ll read in his
letter they are expecting their first child in July.  I think he’ll be the
perfect fit.  Thank you Lord!

He told me last night that they are going to try to arrive here around
January 5th.  We will then install him on Sunday, January 8th.  We’re
hoping that it works out to have them rent the Mortag’s house (where the
Lambrechts lived), until such a time that they could buy a home.  They may
need help unpacking, we will be looking to organize a pantry shower, they
may need some used or borrowed furniture, and we’ll also plan to have a
cake type reception after church on January 8th.  More details, obviously,
as we get closer to the date.

Here is his letter, and I’ve attached a picture.

Dear Members of Fount of Life:

I thank you for extending a Divine Call to me through the Assignment
Committee of the WELS.  With this letter I formally accept your Call as
Staff Minister of Youth and Adult Discipleship.

It is certainly a blessing to be given an opportunity to serve at
Fount of Life. There is a good chance that some of you may remember me
from RMCC. For those of you who do not know me, which I imagine is
most, here is a “little” information on myself and my family.

I grew up in Helenville WI, on a small family owned dairy farm. I am
the youngest of 4 with two brothers and a sister, Brian, Kevin and
Carmen. I went to Lakeside Lutheran in Lake Mills WI where I
participated in baseball, football, wrestling, choir, band, student
council, and drama.

From Lakeside I attended UW Steven’s Point where I was recruited to
play baseball. After one semester I realized that God was pulling me
in a different direction. I made the switch to MLC during the second
semester of my freshman year in college. Over the course of the
following 6.5 years I experienced a lot of confusion over what
specific area of the ministry that I wanted to focus. I graduated from
MLC with a degree in Staff ministry in May of 2011.

I met my wife at MLC, her name is Kayla.  Everyday I thank God for how
blessed I am to have her in my life. We were married in the Chapel of
the Christ at MLC on August 6th 2010. She will be graduating from MLC
with a degree in Early Childhood Education on Dec 15th 2011. While she
was finishing school I held down a server position at Lamplighter bar
and grill as well as a full time job at St. Paul’s as a
para-professional.

Our family is slowly growing with the addition of Sophie, our 1
year-old-yellow-lab-mix. We also are going to be expecting our first
child on the 9th of July. We are very excited that you all get to be
part of our growing family’s life.

Kayla and I are so blessed to be coming to Fount of Life. God has
answered our prayers through this call. We are looking forward to
meeting you all as we hope to be moving in by the 5th of January. God
bless.

In Christ,

Jason Fry