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Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others. |
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Faith's Friday Update
Nov. 11, 2022
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Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022
23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.
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Readings and Psalm:
Malachi 4:1-2a
A day of blistering heat for the arrogant; a day of healing sun for the righteous.
Psalm 98
In righteousness will the Lord judge the world.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Do not be idle, but do what is right for the sake of Christ.
Luke 21:5-19
Jesus speaks of wars, endurance, betrayal and suffering for his sake.
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Revised Minutes from the
October 20, 2022, Congregational Council meeting are now available.
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Delve Deeper Into Word and Service By Becoming a Church Deacon |
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Please contact Pastor Eric if you are interested in delving deeper into your faith formation and becoming a church deacon. If we get two members to join in study through Diakonia Florida-Bahamas Synod’s School of Lay Ministry, we can meet at Faith for our classes.
For more information, visit diakoniafl.org or contact Deborah Dornemann, 941-914-7553.
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Adult Forum Study Resumes Nov. 13 |
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Adult Forum resumes Sunday, Nov. 13, with Lesson 8, "Living Water" in the "That the World May Know" video series. We will meet 9:10-9:50 a.m. in the conference room between the two morning worship services.
Participants will embark on a journey with Ray Vander Laan, a Biblical scholar, in a quest to uncover scripture and its meaning across history. Filmed on location in Israel and throughout the Middle East, the Faith Lessons Digital Series is an adventure in biblical learning. You will discover why Jesus turned the world upside down with his compelling call to follow him. The insights you gain will transform your reading of the gospels and inspire a deeper faith commitment.
The title of the series comes from John 17:23: "... May they be brought to complete unity That the World May Know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
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Choir Rehearsals: All Are Welcome |
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Choir rehearsals take place Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. as well as Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room.
All are welcome! Whether you are seasonal or full time; an experienced singer or a novice; a soloist or a shower-singer; a church member or a visitor, you are welcome to join the Voices of Faith Choir. We have a place for you!
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Help Continue God's Work through Faith's Congregational Council |
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It is time to prepare a slate of people who will serve on the Congregational Council of Faith for the next three years.
We need to fill four seats at a time when there is excitement in the progress that the past year has brought to the renewal of our church. Under Pastor Eric's leadership, Faith is again looking for new ways to serve God. The third stanza of "God, When Human Bonds are Broken," a hymn that we sang Oct. 23, encourages us to consider serving the church: "Send us, God of new beginnings, humbly hopeful into life. Use us as a means of blessing; make us stronger, give us faith."
Please give prayerful consideration to help Faith continue God's work through the Congregational Council. It can be a blessing to many people, including you. If you feel called to serve, please inform one of the nomination committee members listed below. And if you are asked to serve, please say a little prayer before responding.
The members of the nomination committee have served on Council for different lengths of time, have completed their terms and now have responded to Pastor Eric's request to lead the nomination process. They look forward to presenting a slate of candidates to be voted on during the Annual Meeting in February.
Please feel free to contact any one of them:
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Dick Sanks, husband of Jane Sanks, joined the Church Triumphant this past week.
Please include Jane and all of Dick's family and friends in your prayers.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Dick. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
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Altar Flowers are a Beautiful Remembrance |
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Altar flowers are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor/remember a special someone or a special occasion while decorating our altar for worship. The 2022 Altar Flowers signup poster is available in the fellowship hall.
The next available sponsorship date is Nov. 20.
When you purchase altar flowers, your name and dedication will be published in the bulletin on your selected Sunday, and the flowers are yours to keep or share after the 10:15 a.m. service.
To make a dedication:
- At church, complete an Altar Flowers envelope with your payment, and place it in the offering plate.
- By mail, send payment with a note indicating your desired date and dedication.
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Or CLICK HERE to order online.
The cost is $60 for two vases or $30 for one vase. Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church and indicate ‘altar flowers’ in the memo line.
Thank you for adding beauty to Faith Lutheran’s altar!
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Donations to Pastor's Discretionary Fund Enable Emergency Assistance |
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Pastor Eric often engages in conversation with members of the congregation or community about specific needs and aid they might require. The Pastor's Discretionary Fund provides him the means to help financially, when necessary.
If you are able, please consider a donation so vulnerable members of our community can continue to receive emergency assistance. Following Hurricane Ian, requests for assistance have grown substantially.
Thank you for the strong congregational response thus far!
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Looking for a time to pray with members of our Faith family?
Join at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel. We will pray for ourselves, our loved ones, those in need, our church community, the larger community that we serve, our nation and the world. We conclude with Holy Communion.
Come and bring your concerns and your desire to connect with our loving heavenly father!
If you cannot attend in person, we invite you cordially to join via Zoom. Please click the red button below.
And if you need the sacrament brought to your house, please let us know or take consecrated elements home with you on Sunday if you are in town.
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G.I.F.T.S.
(Growing In Faith Through Scripture) Meets Tuesday
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G.I.F.T.S. (Growing In Faith Through Scripture) will continue the study "Be Still and Know" by Deb Burma at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the conference room.
All women are welcome. Books are provided. Just bring your Bible and a joy in your heart to be in God's Word.
Questions? Contact the church office.
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Men of Faith Gather for Breakfast, Prayer and Fellowship |
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Calling all Men of Faith! Join us at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail, for a hearty breakfast, prayer and fellowship.
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Readers Club Meets Monthly |
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Readers Club meets on the last Monday of the month at 2 p.m. in the church library.
The next meeting is Nov. 28 when the group will discuss Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anna Sebba. The readers will skip December due to Christmas. Jan. 30, the group will discuss Haven Point by Virginia Hume.
For more information, contact Kathy Schilio, schilmo@yahoo.com. Please join! All are welcome!
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Sunday, Nov. 20, Bishop Pedro M. Suárez will preach at both services. We look forward to having him here, and we hope that you will join us.
4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, join friends at Faith for a special fund-raising event for Hurricane Ian relief. Entertainment by legendary singer/songwriter Karlos Trapp and comedy by Sarasota's king of comedy, Al Ernst, will highlight the evening. Also, please join us to plan for this fund-raising event at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the conference room.
During the 10:15 a.m. service, Sunday, Dec.11, David Patrick, our director of music, and Tom Tryon, our lead cantor and music librarian, will be officially installed. A reception will follow.
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Bereavement Group Meets Wednesdays to Share Strength and Hope |
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Faith’s Bereavement Group meets at 1 p.m. every Wednesday
(unless notified) in the prayer chapel.
If you or a friend can use some help bearing the burden of grief, this group is for you. There is strength in the community.
Help spread the word of hope!
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Adult Bible Study with Pastor Larry:
A Beginner's Guide to Advent
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"LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
Pastor Larry leads this five-week study that began Wednesday, Oct. 19, and will conclude Nov. 16. Each session is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences, once again has provided us with Participants' Study Books* and DVD mini lectures.
The first four sessions explore accounts in Matthew and Luke about the beginning of Christian experience: the story of the birth of Jesus. The final two sessions include a study of hymnody, with special references to favorite hymns of the season and the stories behind them.
Participants will consider interesting questions, such as:
- Do the differing birth stories from Matthew and Luke contradict each other?
- What does one make of Herod's slaughtering of innocent children?
- How is Advent/Christmastide more than just a children's holiday?
- Are Matthew and Luke totally interested in historical accuracy? Or are they interested in telling us about the connection of the good news of Jesus both to the story of Israel and to the Gentile world?
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only a few extra textbooks are available for anyone who has not yet joined the study group but is interested in participating. To join, contact Pastor Larry or the office.
The group meets in a second-floor classroom in the church's Community Center. Donuts and breakfast beverages are served. ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
*Our Mission Endowment Fund makes these materials available free of cost. Blessed are we who receive.
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Calling All Confirmation Students |
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Our new class time is 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Tuesday, Nov. 15. The class will be one hour in length. |
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Interested in Membership at Faith? You are Invited to a Prospective-Member Tea |
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Are you interested in becoming a member of Faith Lutheran? You are cordially invited to join members of the Congregational Council at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the fellowship hall for refreshments and to learn about what it means to be among the faithful at Faith.
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Faith's Food Pantry Soon to Come, Donations of Ready-to-Eat Items
Are Most Needed
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We continue to work in partnership with All Faiths Food Bank to begin food pantry operations at Faith.
In the meantime, we still are collecting food for All Faiths. Please consider donating ready-to-eat canned foods such as tuna and canned fruit. However, you are welcome to bring in any nonperishables that can be given to others who may need them. There is a large barrel in the narthex for your donations.
Following Hurricane Ian, many in our community are in need of food donations. Thank you!
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Funds Needed for Items on the Building Wish List |
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The Property Committee has identified projects that are not currently in the regular budget but that are needed to maintain and improve our church facility.
Current needs:
1. Upgrade Narthex Restrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
2. Upgrade Electronic Sign on Beneva
3. Touch-Up/Repaint the Gym
4. Reseal the Parking Lot
Please consider supporting the church building by making a special offering. Any amount, small or large, is appreciated! To contribute by check, please indicate “Improvement Fund” in the memo. To contribute electronically, please visit our website at www.faithlutheransrq.com/online-giving or use the Vanco Mobile app (be sure to select “Improvement Fund”).
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Mary Circle Meets for Lunch and to Pack School Kits |
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The women of Mary Circle will meet at noon, Tuesday, Nov. 22, to enjoy lunch and dessert, and to complete packing school kits for Lutheran World Relief. |
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Help Feed the Hungry at
St. Paul's Lutheran
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The people of St. Paul’s Lutheran have invited the people of Faith to assist with the Tuesday feeding ministry at St. Paul’s in downtown Sarasota. The ministry, which feeds about 70 people each Tuesday, serves our food-insecure and homeless siblings in Christ.
We hope to attract a group of Faith Lutheran volunteers to cook and serve a meal at St. Paul’s on the fifth Tuesday of each month (when there is a fifth Tuesday).
From 3 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29, which is a fifth Tuesday, those who are interested are invited to help a St. Paul’s cook-and-serve team and learn from that experienced group in the process.
Interested? Contact the church office.
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Consider Sharing Soup for Joan's Soup Freezer, and Take Soup When Needs Arise |
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As the weather begins to cool, who doesn’t appreciate a great bowl of hot soup? Joan’s Soup Freezer in the kitchen needs to be restocked.
Please consider making a little extra soup to share, put it in a freezer-safe container marked with the type of soup and the date it was prepared, then place it in the kitchen freezer that is labeled “Joan’s Soup.”
All are welcome to take soup from that freezer for yourself, friends or anyone who is struggling or not feeling well.
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Collecting Empty Ink Cartridges Offsets Church Office Expenses |
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Please consider donating your empty ink cartridges to help the church and the environment! When we bring the cartridges to Staples, we receive store credit to help offset office supply costs.
The ink cartridge collection bin is on the counter in the fellowship hall.
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11/11 Veterans Day! Honor and give thanks for those who have served in the military to secure freedom, justice, peace and security for our country and other nations. Remembering the sacrifices they have made on our behalf, pray for their families, their congregations, federal chaplains, and organizations that support and care for returning veterans.
11/12 Give thanks for the ELCA Lay Schools for Ministry Network and for the Select Learning program, through which our church and its partners provide laity with opportunities to deepen their faith, study scripture, and apply their skills and life experiences to following Christ and serving the church, their communities and the world.
11/13 Pray that the Spirit will help us live our baptismal journeys in anticipation of the return of Christ, with confidence in God’s grace and without fear, worry or obsession over when or how that day will come.
11/14 Reaffirm to God our commitment to equal employment opportunity for all citizens, especially our neighbors and siblings in Christ who live with disabilities but whose gifts enrich our communities and nation.
11/15 Pray for a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine, and that the millions of people displaced from their homes and communities might find comfort, healing, hope and stability, returning to the daily lives and routines they once knew.
11/16 Pray for the ELCA’s Homeless and Justice Network, a coalition of ministries called to serve those on the margins who experience homelessness, poverty and injustice.
11/17 “Do not be weary in doing what is right” (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Pray that our assurance of eternal life in the kingdom of God will free us to live in the here and now, fully engaged with our lives and vocations, sharing the gospel, serving our neighbor and working for justice.
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11/09 Siefke, Kimberly & Duane
11/18 Brown, Gail & William
11/22 Gamboa, Andrea & Sergio
11/23 Reinstrom, Lorel & Gary
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11/01 Max Powrie
11/01 Thomas Soukup
11/02 Gail Lidinsky
11/03 Kristin Urgo
11/03 Olivia Miller
11/03 Whitney Falconer
11/05 Brian Martinson
11/05 Makenna Siefke
11/06 Van Miller
11/09 Isolde Smirnow
11/10 Nancy Windish
11/11 Kathleen Denning
11/15 Greg Larson
11/15 Robert Mursch
11/17 Casey Taylor
11/17 Kayla Taylor
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11/18 Justin Ahlquist
11/19 Allan Dandino
11/20 Kara Ashby
11/20 Kaye Kempson
11/22 Cheryl Cook
11/23 Susan Yosco
11/24 Barbara Suprina
11/24 Bill Ordman
11/24 Kamrynn Court
11/25 Cate Teague
11/26 Ashley Sboray
11/26 Erica Davis
11/27 Tabytha Siefke
11/28 Terry Weisgerber
11/30 Adrianne Rans
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Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen
Church Office Administrator: Cate Teague
Weekly office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Mission – Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others.
Values – Mutual Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Service, Forgiveness, Commitment, Perseverance, Faithfulness, Compassion, Flexibility
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CLICK HERE to view the current Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church.
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