Have a blessed Christmas season — and stop in this Sunday for worship at 10:30 a.m.!  Faith Talk begins at 9:30 a.m. with Pastor Rollenhagen leading a look at Chapter 4 of David Lose’s “Making Sense of Scripture.”  Don’t worry if you don’t have the book – a short video sets up the discussion.

• Blue Christmas: A service of remembering, healing & hope.  Psalms, prayers and healing rite offered.  Begins 5 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 22).
• Fourth Sunday in Advent (Dec. 23).  Worship at 10:30 a.m.  Faith Talk at 9:30 a.m.
• Christmas Eve.  Pre-service music begins at 6:15 p.m.  Worship, with candlelight and Holy Communion begins at 7 p.m.
• Christmas Morning.  Casual service of scripture and carols begins at 10:30 a.m.

Hear their music performed by pianist David Robison this Sunday (Dec. 9) at Faith in the annual Dorfmeyer Advent Concert.  The concert begins at 3 p.m., followed by a reception.  Freewill offering accepted.  Enjoy!

Three ways to join together in a little reflection and conversation as we get ready for Christmas:

- Check out discussions listed under the “Preparing for Christmas” tab above and check out the daily readings and discussion. (A pull down menu appears when you move your cursor to it.)

- Join a Facebook discussion in a closed group by e-mailing or sending a Facebook message to Pastor Mark Rollenhagen.

- Stop by the chapel at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings during Advent for reflection, conversation and prayer.

Pets are welcome at the monthly pet-friendly worship this Sunday (Dec, 2) at 2 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  The half-hour or so service features scripture, easy-to-sing hymns, prayer and blessings for pets and their people.

Faith’s Clothing Closet has free children’s clothing available for families with referrals from Lakewood area social service agencies.  The closet will be open from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (Nov. 17) and is open other times by appointment.

You’ve probably heard the line — and the response — in the old Jack Benny routine.  You can hear it here now.

It came to mind this week in thinking about the Gospel reading for reading for Sunday, Mark 12: 38-44.  Is this story about the widow and her two coins about how much money we give away?  Or, is about what we do with our lives?  Is there a difference?

We’ll give that some thought during worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

that’s Latin, meaning “faith alone” … we’ll consider what that means as we observe Reformation Day in our 10:30 a.m. worship this Sunday (Oct. 28.

We’ll also welcome three new members of Faith Lutheran Church.  Worship is sure to be followed by cake and great coffee from Equal Exchange!

Faith Talk (adult Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.) will focus on Luke in a discussion led by the Rev. Lynn Schlessman, retired pastor and member of Faith.

Faith Walk (for middle and high school students at 9:30 a.m.) will begin looking at Christianity’s roots in Judaism.

Come on by!

and conversation about faith and spirituality at Faith Talk this Thursday (Oct. 18) at the Rocky River Brewing Company, 21290 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River OH 44116.

A few things that might spark some conversation:

A pastor’s column titled “The Big Question: why become a Christian today?”

A New York Times story on a study that showed a continuing decline in the percentage of Americans who are affiliated with any organized religious group.

And finally, if you get a chance, check out this week’s gospel lesson, Mark 10:35-45.  What might a church intent on service look like in practice, in worship, in study, in conversation?

this Sunday (Oct. 14) at Faith Lakewood.  Worship begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by a lunch of brats, sauerkraut, hot dogs and chips; and a brief acknowledgment of those who have supported the mission effort at Faith and a look toward the future.

Come celebrate Faith’s roots — and future — as a mission congregation in southwest Lakewood!