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“Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others.”
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Faith's Friday Update
September 9, 2022
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Sunday, Sunday, September 11, 2022
14th Sunday after Pentecost
Worship Services at 8AM & 10:15AM
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Readings and Psalm:
Exodus 32:7-14
The Lord said to Moses...
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord...
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen...
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Minutes from the August 18, 2022 Congregation Council meeting are now available.
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A snapshot of our
Finance Committee Meeting
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A snapshot of Faith's Finances |
Please click the green button to find the snapshot of the Finance Committee meeting. |
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Exciting News about our new
Readers Club - starting in October -
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Please join our Readers Club in October! Kathleen Schilio spearheads this effort, but she needs your help. A planning meeting will soon be announced, so we can choose the books we read together. This is a good way to grow and learn as we share and listen to each other's insights.
Please join! All are welcome!
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We have this Sunday a special Offering Opportunity for our Pastor's Discretionary Funds |
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Our pastor is in the unique position of being able to speak to members of the congregation or the community about specific needs and aid they might require. This fund provides him the means to help financially when necessary. Please note that this fund is nearly depleted. Please consider a donation so vulnerable members of our community can continue to receive emergency assistance.
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Adult Forum - Christian Education
starts this Sunday, Sept. 11
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Adult Forum
will begin this
Sunday, Sept 11th
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We start with the Life and Ministry of the Messiah “That the World May Know” video series. We will meet in the conference room between the two morning worship services from 9:10 – 9:50am.
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Pack your bags! We're going on a journey with Ray Vander Laan, a Biblical scholar. 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.
If you are wondering what the title of this series is based on, it 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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Mary Circle meets
September 20th at 12 p.m.
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On Tuesday, September 20th at 12:00 p.m. the women of Mary’s Circle will meet in the Fellowship Hall with a brown bag lunch followed by a homemade dessert and coffee. Our program for the day will be a time for sharing. Please bring a photo of yourself from any time in your past and share a story with all about what was happening in your life at that time. This will give us an opportunity to learn new things about everyone and share happy memories. All are Welcome.
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Please help to collect school supplies for Lutheran World Relief. |
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Please be aware the ladies need your help! It is time to collect school supplies for Lutheran World Relief. Please consider donating any of the following items by placing them in the bin at the church in the narthex.
It is not too late to bring in school supplies!
Mary Circle is still collecting supplies to complete school kits for Lutheran World Relief. We especially need: 70-page spiral notebooks, blue or black pens ( not gel), rulers, crayons, 2 1/2 inch erasers, and blunt edge scissors. If you would prefer us to do the shopping just donate cash or check in the offering plate earmarked for LWR.
A special thanks to Thrivent who provided us with an action grant of $250.00 to purchase the bags to hold all the supplies!
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Calling all men of faith! |
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Please join us on Tuesday 9/13 for another session exciting study of the shortest books of the bible!
Don’t let their size fool you, these short books pack a serious spiritual punch! Join us at 10 am in the Chapel. No prior bible study experience necessary! Consider inviting a friend or two as well!
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September 11th is
"God's Work Our Hands" Sunday
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We are collecting items for blessing bags.
It's not too late to contribute items!
Please donate travel toiletries
- i.e., shampoos, soaps, deodorants.
Also, we are looking to gather razors, women’s hygiene items
and small snacks.
Blessing Bags will go to Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) of Sarasota.
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Would you consider hosting Coffee Hour? |
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One of the joys we experience at Faith Lutheran church is the beautiful fellowship and caring that we share together. If you would like to help us enjoy that time together as we enjoy Coffee Hour, please sign up to help with goodies on Sunday! They can be homemade, or store bought, and do not need to entail a lot of work. Or better yet, grab one or two other members and share in bringing items together for one Sunday! Cleanup is easy too! There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex, on the Greeting Table.
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A Family that prays together stays together!
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Looking for a time to pray with members of our Faith family? Join on Wednesday at 11:00 am in the chapel for a time apart. 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 will conclude our time 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 us via Zoom Meeting. Please click the green button below.
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Faith's Food Pantry Update |
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We are excited to announce that there was a historic meeting with All Faiths Food Bank. We are currently taking next steps in completing our application and will start observing food pantry operations at other sites to understand the process more thoroughly.
We have filled out all the necessary applications and Pastor took his Florida Food Handler’s Course and passed! We need to paint the room and acquire new shelves and then we are good to go!
Our preliminary goal is to open a pantry that would distribute food one day a week. At this time, we believe that our distribution may be on Thursdays from 5-6:30 pm. We would need volunteers to receive food in the morning and sort it and other volunteers to bag food items for distribution and volunteers to greet clients, check them in and register them in the system if needed. This is a wonderful way for Faith to serve and love our neighbor!
In the meantime, we are still collecting food for All Faiths. Bring in any nonperishables, that can be gifted to others who may need them. There is a large barrel, in the narthex, just waiting for your items.
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Faith’s Bereavement Group will meet every Wednesday,
at 1 p.m. (unless notified) in the prayer chapel. All are welcome. 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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Would you consider serving as an Usher, a Lector, or as a Communion assistant? It is a wonderful way to serve and to feed your faith! No experience necessary! If you are interested in serving please call Joan Searles, Worship Committee Chairperson at (941)921-9896 or call the church office. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
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ALTAR FLOWERS are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor/remember someone or a special occasion, while decorating our altar for worship. The 2022 Altar Flowers signup poster is available in Fellowship Hall.
The next available sponsorship date is September 18 for one vase or September 25 for two vases.
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 after the 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; or CLICK HERE to order online. The cost is $60, which is for 2 vases, or $30 for 1 vase. Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church and indicate ‘altar flowers’ in the memo.
Thank you for making Faith Lutheran’s altar beautiful!
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The Property Committee has identified needs that are not currently in the regular budget but are needed to maintain and improve our church.
Current needs:
1. Upgrade Narthex Restrooms to ADA (cost TBD)
2. Electronic Sign Upgrade on Beneva (cost TBD)
3. Touch-Up/Repaint the Gym (cost TBD)
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 using via the Vanco Mobile app (be sure to select “Improvement Fund”).
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EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES COLLECTION |
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Please consider donating your empty ink cartridges to help the church and environment! When we bring the cartridges to Staples, we receive store credit from Staples to help offset office supply costs.
The ink collection bin is on the counter in Fellowship Hall.
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11 “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday On our church’s annual day of service, ask God to help us throughout our baptismal journeys as we strive to bring justice, stir hope, care for creation and strengthen communities through churchwide programs, local churches, global companions, social ministries and community organizations.
12 Give thanks and praise to God for seeking us out when we are lost or wander away, and for restoring and affirming our relationship as children of God.
13 Pray that the Spirit will inspire people to use their unique gifts and skills abroad, seeking opportunities to serve with the ELCA’s global church companions and international partners.
14 Give thanks and pray for confirmation programs and teachers who help young people study the Bible; learn the basics of faith; become familiar with Lutheran theology, confessions and practices; and examine the connection between their faith in Jesus Christ, the world and their daily lives.
15 First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month Give thanks to God for the gifts, contributions and rich cultural diversity of our Latinx neighbors and siblings in Christ, and pray for the growth and vitality of the 147 Latino ministries of the ELCA as they share the gospel, equip leaders, promote inclusivity and diversity, and serve their neighbors.
16 “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15). Lift up prayers of repentance and gratitude for God’s gift of undeserved love and forgiveness, made personal through Jesus Christ.
17 Ask God to sustain teachers in schools and early childhood education programs. Pray that they will create safe and encouraging environments where students can learn skills for living and decision-making, form caring friendships, better understand the world and humanity, and develop concern for the well-being of their communities and society.
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09/07 Ragan, Kirsten & Jeffery
09/25 Cook, Dave & Cheryl
09/27 Innes, Mary & Bruce
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09/02 Hradek, Christine
09/02 Schell, Michael
09/02 Ruiz, Christian
09/04 Ashby, Susan
09/06 Clancy Jerry
09/06 Olesen Linda
09/08 Erne Karen
09/12 Anderson Beverly 09/12 Winemiller Rebecca 09/13 Hradek Alexis
09/13 Walsh Betty
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09/15 Marer Peter
09/16 Ragan Peggy
09/17 Wilkinson Keith
09/18 Campbell Carol
09/19 Smirnow Dieter
09/20 Verwey Luke
09/21 Gaddis Gail
09/22 Rosselot Makayla 09/22 Schmeling Thomas 09/25 Ragan Steven
09/27 Innes Mary
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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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