Parent Connection October 29

Listen to His Voice

          Over the weekend, I noticed a comic in the paper that made me think. It was a simple drawing of a man and his dog out in nature somewhere. The man is cursing the fact that he can’t get any reception with his smart phone.  The dog is thinking, “Nature speaks to me of God’s presence, yet God is a total stranger to the restless world of men.”

          This struck me as an indictment of humankind. The world in which we live testifies to us about God. The Psalmist David reminds us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the earth.” Psalm 19:1-4.

          Even though nature gives clear testimony about the truth that there is God, we cannot learn who God is and what He has done for us. We need to learn these things from what He has revealed about Himself in His Word. In His Word, He reveals His love for us as He sends His Son to be the sacrifice to pay for our sins. Listen to and study His Word often.

Basketball

          Our next game is tomorrow, October 30th, at Anchor Lutheran School (8100 Arctic Blvd).  We will NOT practice on Thursday due to ACPaT. 

No School

We will not have school this Thursday or Friday, November 1st and 2nd.  Our teachers and pastors will be attending the Alaska Conference of Pastors and Teachers at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenai.

Chapel will be held on Wednesday this week.

Turn Your Clocks Back

          Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday morning (November 4th) at 2:00 am.  Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

Picture Retake Day

Lifetouch will be back Tuesday, November 6th, to do picture retakes, class group photos, and the all-school group photo. They will begin photographing at 9:00 am.

All K-8 students are required to wear their uniforms for these photos.  If they are having retakes done, they will be allowed to change into dress clothes then change back into their uniform. 

To have your child’s photo retaken, fill out a new order form and return your original portrait package on retake day.  Siblings of students and students who missed the first picture day should be ready to be photographed by 9:00 am.

Open House

During our Trunk or Treat event, we gave families from the community an invitation to come back to see what our school is like during an open house.  Our main reason for doing this is to bring more students into Faith Lutheran School. 

The open house will be on November 7th from 5:30-7:30 pm.  Of course we think our school is great, but it’s our parents who say it best!  So we are encouraging all parents and friends of our current and former students to attend to help us promote our school. 

 

Early Dismissal

          On Friday, November 9th, school will dismiss at noon for teacher in-service.  There will be no aftercare available that day.

Brrrrr…It Is Cold Outside

          Parents, be sure your student is bringing proper winter gear to school.  Students enjoy their time outside when they can keep warm and dry with hats, gloves, winter coat, boots, and snow pants.  They also need dry shoes to put on in the classroom when they take off their boots.

Faith Logowear

           If you are interested in purchasing clothing with the Faith Lutheran School or Huskies logos, forms are available in the box outside the office door.  Please include payment with your order when you return the form. 

Chapel Mission Offerings

          Our mission project for the first semester of the school year will go to WELS mission work in Russia.  We collected $263.10 with our first quarter chapel offering. 

Parent Connection October 22

Faithful to the End

          There were some who may have wondered, “Why, Lord? Why did he have to die? He was such a faithful follower of Jesus. He actively served the Lord and was sorely needed by the early church. Why did the Lord take him so soon?”

          The questions are familiar to many of us. When Stephen was stoned, he was a well-respected church member. But why did he have to die in such a way and at what seemed to be the prime of his life? The answer is simply: it was God’s will. Stephen was faithful to his Lord to the end. His death remains one of the finest examples of being faithful. When he was being murdered, he did not lash out with curses for his executioners, nor did he question the Lord’s wisdom. Rather with his last breath he confidently prayed, “Lord Jesus receive my spirit.” He also prayed for those ending his life, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7: 59-60.

          What an example Stephen is for us! He was faithful to the end. He accepted God’s will as good. We, too, can find the peace and hope that Stephen found in his Lord, even though in this life the will of God can seem hard to understand. We can use the story of Stephen to offer peace and courage, strength and conviction, to those who are experiencing difficult times in their lives. Through us, the Holy Spirit offers that same hope of eternal glory which Stephen had in Christ. May God plant that hope in each of us and give us the courage to share that hope with those who need its comfort.

It’s Game Time!!

Our first game of the season will be tomorrow night, Tuesday, Oct. 23rd at 5:00pm at Birchwood Christian School (22208 Birchwood Loop Rd, in Chugiak.)  We will have regular practice on Thursday at APU again. 

PTF Meeting

The PTF will be holding a meeting on Wednesday, October 24th at 6:00 pm to finalize the Trunk or Treat event. We are still looking for volunteers to either decorate a trunk or help with the photo booth and games.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences will be held Thursday evening, Oct. 25th and Friday morning, Oct. 26th.  Parents need to schedule a conference online at:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A44A5A723A20-parent

There will be no school on Friday.

Free Flu Shots

The Municipality of Anchorage Dept. of Health & Social Services is offering multiple free flu clinics.  This outreach is for FREE Flu vaccines open to ALL insured or noninsured (Public, ASD students, staff, and family).

For anyone who is interested, we have attached a flyer indicating when and where future clinics are being held.  Consent forms and vaccines will ALL be provided by MOA.

Trunk or Treat

This Friday, October 26th from 5-7pm we will be having our Trunk or Treat event. We would like to have six more trunks available for your visitors.  Please sign up at 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a49aca922a6f49-trunk2

          Please bring candy donations in as soon as possible.  Any leftover candy will be used in our goody bags for students at Christmas.  If you have any questions, contact Melissa Mittelstadt.

Deadline for Box Tops

          Please bring any Box Tops for Education you have been collecting to school and place in the collection box or give to your teacher.  The deadline for this submission is Friday, October 26th. 

Chapel Mission Offerings

          Our mission project for the first semester of the school year will go to WELS mission work in Russia.  We collected $263.10 with our first quarter chapel offering. 

No School

We will not have school next Thursday or Friday November 1st and 2nd.  Our teachers and pastors will be attending the Alaska Conference of Pastors and Teachers at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenai.

Picture Retake Day

Lifetouch will be back Tuesday, November 6th, to do picture retakes, class group photos, and the all-school group photo. They will begin photographing at 9:00 am.

All K-8 students are required to wear their uniforms for these photos.  If they are having retakes done, they will be allowed to change into dress clothes then change back into their uniform. 

To have your child’s photo retaken, fill out a new order form and return your original portrait package on retake day.  Siblings of students and students who missed the first picture day should be ready to be photographed by 9:00 am.

Open House

During our Trunk or Treat event we will be giving families from the community an invitation to come back to see what our school is like during an Open House.  Our main reason for doing this is to bring more students into Faith Lutheran School. 

The open house will be on November 7th from 5:30-7:30 pm.  Of course we think our school is great, but it’s our parents who say it best!  So we are encouraging all parents and friends of our current and former students to attend to help us promote our school. 

Parent Connection October 15

God Is Faithful

          You are watching a movie. The movie ends and the credits begin. They glide by on the screen, a long list of all the people and activities those people did in the making of the movie, quite the impressive list.

          If there was a list of credits at the end of the story of your life, of your salvation, what would it look like? There is only One credit, one Name. All of our hopes for this life and the next depend on our Savior alone. He is faithful! He promises, “I am trustworthy.”

          This truth is comforting to us because we are not always faithful to Him. Our best intentions to trust and obey can crumble when we are threatened, unhappy, or put under pressure or temptation. Our love and patience with others may be shallow and weak. The world we live in makes it increasingly hard to follow Jesus and keep our consciences clear from guilt.

          If our hope of forgiveness and eternal life depended in any way upon us and our faithfulness, there simple would be no hope for us. But God is faithful! Paul reminds us of this fact when he tells the Corinthian congregation, “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” I Corinthians 1:9. It was God who created faith in your heart. It is God who cares for your faith and strengthens it through His Word. He will bring that faith to its goal, eternal life with Him. God is faithful! Praise and honor Him every day.

Basketball

          This week’s practices, Oct. 16th and 18th, will be held at The Center on Arctic Blvd. between Tudor and International (4855 Arctic Blvd). APU gym is not available to us this week. We will be leaving school a little earlier than usual since it will take a little longer to get to the gym. 

Hot Lunch

          Hot Lunch will be served this Thursday, October 18th.  The menu is sloppy joes, chips, fresh fruit, and dessert.  The cost for the meal is $4.00 cash or check made out to PTF Faith Lutheran. 

If you have prepaid your meals, just fill out the attached permission slip, otherwise, please return forms and money by Wednesday, October 17th, so that we purchase enough food for everyone.

Half Day of School

Our first quarter ends Friday, October 19th.  School will dismiss at noon for teacher in-service.  There is no aftercare available.

Trunk or Treat

On Friday, October 26th from 5-7pm we will be having our Trunk or Treat event.  At this time, we need more volunteers to decorate their trunks.  We are hoping to have 25 signed up t o do the trunks.  Please sign up today: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a49aca922a6f49-trunk2

          If you are unable to help with trunks, we do need more candy donations.  Please bring donations in as soon as possible so that we know how much candy we will have for this event.  If you have any questions, contact Melissa Mittelstadt.

         

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences will be held Thursday evening, Oct. 25th and Friday morning, Oct. 26th.  There will be no school on Friday.

The easiest way to see what times are available for each teacher is to use this link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A44A5A723A20-parent

Box Tops

          Please bring any Box Tops for Education you have been collecting to school and place in the collection box or give to your teacher.  The deadline for this submission is Friday, October 26th. 

         

Chapel Mission Offerings

          Our mission project for the first semester of the school year will go to WELS mission work in Russia.  As of Oct. 11th, we have collected $187.86.

October Birthdays

          Amy R. – October 16

          Emma R. – October 16

Parent Connection October 8

Which Would You Choose?

          Paul was in a quandary, he was unsure of what kind of future he should wish for. What a blessing it would be if he would die and be with his Savior in heaven! On the other hand, what a joy it was to do the work of the Lord on earth! Which was better? Which should he choose?

          Paul knew better than to try to make a decision on his own. He chose to leave the matter in the Lord’s hands. To do otherwise would be to play God. Only the Giver of life has the privilege of taking life.

          We all know that there are many in today’s world who want to usurp God’s authority in the matter of life and death.  Whether it is abortion, euthanasia, or suicide, someone is playing God. Our lifetime on earth is so precious, it is the only opportunity we have to learn of our Savior’s love for us. Dare we shorten that opportunity, either for ourselves or someone else?

          With Paul, we commit our future into the loving hands of God. He knows what is best for each of us. He will make the correct decision for us. He will direct our life, and our death, for our eternal good.

          “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Philippians 1:22-24.

Basketball

          Next week, Oct. 16th and 18th, practice will be held at The Center on Arctic Blvd. between Tudor and International (4855 Arctic Blvd). APU gym is not available to us next week. We will be leaving school a little earlier than usual since it will take a little longer to get to the gym. 

This week we will practice at the usual time and place.

Reminder

Last Friday’s adventure with my van should serve as a reminder that we live in a sinful world and sometimes that sinful world reaches into what we would like to think of as a safe place. Please do not leave your vehicle unlocked when you bring your child into the school building. Do not leave your purse or other valuable objects where they can be seen from outside of your locked car.

Library Visit

The 5th-8th grade classes will be visiting the library this Friday, Oct. 12th.  We will also be going out to lunch.

Jr. Choir Sings

          Junior choir will be singing this Sunday, Oct. 14th, at Peace in Eagle River during the 10:30 am service.  Please be there by 10:10am.

          If you need a ride to the church, please speak with Miss Krueger or contact her at 928-812-0311 or missheidikruger@gmail.com.

Box Tops

          Please bring any Box Tops for Education you have been collecting to school and place in the collection box or give to your teacher.  The deadline for this submission is Friday, October 26th. 

         

Family Art Gallery

          Thank you to everybody who came to Art Night!  We will be hanging all of the artwork in the hallway downstairs over the next couple of weeks.

Chapel Mission Offerings

          Our mission project for the first semester of the school year will go to WELS mission work in Russia.  As of Oct. 4th, we have collected $187.86.

October Birthdays

          Amy R. – October 16

          Emma R. – October 16

Looking Ahead…

Half Day of School

Woohoo we made it!!  Our first quarter ends next Friday, October 19th.  School will dismiss at noon on that day for teacher in-service.  There is no aftercare available.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences will be held Thursday evening, Oct. 25th and Friday morning, Oct. 26th.  There will be no school on Friday.

More information will be provided as the time gets closer.

Trunk or Treat

We are starting to prep for our Trunk or Treat event here at Faith! It will take place on Friday, October 26th from 5-7pm. We need parent and friend volunteers to make this event run smoothly!  Would you be willing to have your trunk decorated? Sign up today with a theme! (If you need ideas, Google and Pinterest are great resources!)

Unable to do a trunk but want to help us out? Feel free to donate candy for us to use at the event. We are so excited to have this event for our community! Sign up today: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a49aca922a6f49-trunk2

Class Pictures

          Due to the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Zarnstorff on picture day, we did not have the photographer take class pictures.  Instead, he will take them on Nov. 6th when he comes to do retakes and the all-school photo. 

          Everyone who ordered a class picture will receive it as soon as possible after November 6th.

Parent Connection October 1

Always Thankful

          Learning to say “Thank you” is an important step in growing up. Learning to thank God, to see and appreciate His grace in our lives, is important as a Christian.

          “I always thank God for you because of the grace given you in Christ Jesus.”  I Corin-thians 1:4. Paul wrote these words to the congregation in the city of Corinth, but if you keep reading in this letter, this thankful praise seems surprising. The people had fallen into drunkenness and immorality, quarreling and envy. How could Paul always thank God for Christians like those?

          The grace that God had given to the Corinthians in Christ Jesus was the key to Paul’s thankfulness. He knew that this love of God had triumphed over sin. In his own life, Paul had seen how grace can change a blaspheming enemy of the Church into a faithful servant of God.

          The grace of God is the key to new life and thankfulness to God for us also. None of us is without sin. God’s holy law condemns us all as sinners. But thank God for His grace! He judges each one of us to be righteous and innocent because of what Jesus, His Son, has done for us. His work as our Savior is the sure promise of peace with Him forever.

          We know that because of His love for us, God guides every event of history and every moment of our lives to serve our best interest.  Even those things which cause us trouble and sorrow happen in harmony with his wisdom and love for us. Even the sting of sin and death fades when we see His grace and remember the perfect life and joy Jesus has come to give us.  In light of His love, we can always be thankful even at the grave of a loved one.

Basketball

          Practices continue at Alaska Pacific University on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00pm - 5:30pm.

Thank you

          A big thank you to all who worked to keep school functioning during the last week as my family and I traveled to Nebraska. Thank you also for the words of comfort and sympathy expressed toward us.

Parent, Teacher, Friends

          PTF will hold a meeting this Thursday, Oct. 4th at 6:00pm.  I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Art Night

          Please join us Friday night, October 5th, at 6:30pm.  We will be painting/decorating canvas letters to use to spell out a Bible passage that will be on display on the wall in our downstairs hallway. Snacks will be provided.

Do You Have…?

          The preschool is looking for medium or large mason jars (with the lids) for a classroom project.  If you have any you would like to donate, please bring them to the office for Miss Mittelstadt

Class Pictures

          Due to the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Zarnstorff on picture day, we did not have the photographer take class pictures last Thursday.  Instead, he will take them on Nov. 6th when he comes to do retakes and the all-school photo. 

          Everyone who ordered a class picture will receive it as soon as possible after November 6th.

  

Chapel Mission Offerings

          Our mission project for the first semester of the school year will go to WELS mission work in Russia.  As of Sept. 27, we have collected $150.13.

October Birthdays

          Amy R. – October 16

          Emma R. – October 16