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Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024

Fourth Sunday After Epiphany

Worship Services at 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

The prophet speaks with God's authority

Psalm 111

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10)

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Limits to liberty: The case of food offered to idols

Mark 1:21-28

The healing of one with an unclean spirit

Scan this QR Code to be directed to the Faith website, where you can make online contributions to the church's general fund and other special ministries. Thank you!

The leaders of Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) recently wrote to express their deep gratitude to the generous people of Faith for incredible support during LSF's Christmas Angel Donation Drive during this past holiday season.

Faith was among 16 churches and organization to which LSF gave a "special shout-out" for going above and beyond in contributions. The LSF leaders added: "Your generosity has made a significant impact on the lives of people in need. We are truly blessed to have individuals, churches, companies, volunteers and teams like yours coming together to make a a difference. Your commitment to making a positive impact in the community is truly commendable, and we are grateful for your partnership. Together, we not only provided gifts under holiday trees, but also shared the spirit of love and kindness with those who needed it most."

Laughter Saves Lives!

During an interesting and fun-filled session, people from from Faith, New Life and St. Paul’s Lutheran churches explored how laughter is a gift from God that can help us do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God and neighbors.

Thank you to Al Ernst, our Faith-based humorist in residence, for his leadership and for sharing his passion in such a joyful and compelling way.

The fun and learning will continue at 2-3:30 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 19-March 18 at Faith, as Al leads a weekly “Here I Stand Up Comedy Academy” through which participants will learn more about how to act on Martin Luther’s words: “You have as much laughter as you have faith.”  

Sunday, Jan. 28, marks the final week in our stewardship emphasis, Experiencing the Joy of Generosity.

One day, a boy came to school without his lunch. He didn’t think about it until his classmates started getting out their lunchboxes. He was shy, and didn’t want to say anything, but his stomach was really growling. Against his will, his lip started to quiver, and his eyes filled with tears. Soon, his teacher noticed and then all the students did, and he was forced to tell them his problem.

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than his classmates were looking into their lunches. One student had two sandwiches and gave the hungry boy one. Another child had an apple and an orange, and gave his friend his choice of fruit. Another had too many cookies (could that be?!) and shared them. The hungry boy had a feast because of the generosity of others. This is just as God planned. One person is in need, and others give so that the need is met. The Bible says that “your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness” (2 Corinthians 8:14).

God wants our giving to be joyful and fulfilling. Through giving, we honor our Lord. Giving can fill the hunger pains of a little boy. It also can help the homeless and helpless, and support the ministry of our church. Through faith, we can share the abundance God has given us. As we do, we will find “joy in sharing God’s blessings.”

Giving statements for tax year 2023 either were emailed or mailed to those with contributions of record. If you did not receive yours, or if you need a paper copy and haven’t received it, contact the church office, 941-924-4664 or officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com; or Patty McKee, 941-921-3709 or financialsecretary@faithlutheransrq.com.

If you ordered 2024 giving envelopes, they are available in the narthex. If you did not order envelopes but would like to have them, use the sign-up form to request either Full Packets or Special Offering Packets.

From 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, be part of the crew that will cook and serve for about 70 food-insecure and homeless siblings in Christ at St. Paul’s Lutheran in downtown Sarasota. To volunteer, sign up on the sheet in the narthex or contact the church office.

Opportunities to meet together for prayer and study abound at Faith. Here's a look at what's coming up during the week ahead:

• Adult Forum meets between worship services, 9:10-9:50 a.m. Sunday in the conference room. The group will focus on Lesson 4, "Watch With Me - Israel Leaves Egypt" of Volume 8, "Finding Freedom in the Midst of Life's Trials" in the "That the World May Know" video series.
• Sunday School begins following the Children's Sermon during the 10:15 a.m. service each Sunday. Children learn about the gospel of the day through age-appropriate lessons and fun activities, then rejoin the congregation for Holy Communion. Questions? Contact Director of Family and Child Ministry Deborah Dornemann, familyandchild@faithlutheransrq.com.
• Men of Faith meet for breakfast and prayer at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail. All are welcome!
• G.I.F.T.S. (Growing in Faith Through Scripture) Women's Bible Study meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the conference room to focus on "Be Still and Know - a Study of Rest and Refuge" by Deb Burma. Questions? Contact Peggy Ragan, pragan12@aol.com or 941-302-7722. All women are welcome!
• Adult Bible Study delves into Mark's gospel at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 7 in the upstairs classroom across from the elevator. All welcome! Light refreshments! Great discussion! Fun fellowship!
• The Prayer Group meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the chapel to pray for all in need, our community, our nation and our world. The gathering concludes with Holy Communion. Can't attend in person? Join via Zoom: Meeting ID 871 4720 3661. Passcode 041291.

Both of Faith’s Sunday services now are live-streamed and recorded, so we need more volunteers to operate the equipment. If you have used a computer, it’s easy! Questions or interest? Contact Pastor Marianne, pastorp2.0@gmail.com or (330) 464-0985.

Worship to Go has expanded to two facilities this year!

The next service at Elancé kicks off at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the independent living facility’s Tiffany Room next door to Faith. Worship to Go volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 13 in the Faith chapel to discuss the service.

The next service at Angel Senior Living, 5750 Honore Ave., is set for 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the facility’s second-floor theatre. Volunteers will meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Faith chapel and will carpool to the facility.

We need additional Worship to Go helpers. If you can help, contact Pastor Eric directly, 716-352-0055. No experience necessary!

The Bereavement Group meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel. If you or a friend can use help bearing the burden of grief, this group is for you. There is strength and hope in community.

Ladies and gents, grab your hooks and needles for Stitch 'n' Chatter 1-2:30 p.m. Thursdays in room 212.

The Faith Food Pantry needs your help on Thursdays. To sign up:

• Click here, or
• Sign the sheet on the narthex table, or
• Contact Karen Naulty, knaulty@yahoo.com or 406-334-1063.

Remember BOGO – Buy One Give One – for food and paper products (toilet paper, facial tissues, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, etc.), then leave them in the car so you don’t forget to bring them to church. Place donations in the barrel in fellowship hall. Thanks!

Confirmation Class meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays via Zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83054124705?pwd=jkQYOIazk519ubngIAeJxxa6USxWOA.1, Meeting ID 830 5412 4705, Passcode 688400.

Contact Pastor Eric with questions. 

Let's get to know some of Faith's newest members. Look for more new-member introductions in future editions of the Friday Update.

Darren Thomsen says God has watched over him his entire life and likely carried him most of the way. Darren walked away from Him for about 30 years, but then God made a way back for him. He is forever grateful that God loved him first. Amen.

Udine Gordon is a stay-at-home mom with three beautiful girls - Nayeli Cathris, Johanneke Spense and Jenesis Spence - who are her world.

She says she, her mother Jennifer Morris (not pictured) and her children came to Faith because she wanted to bring her family and herself closer to God. Although she drives a considerable distance to attend Faith, she says she feels that Faith is where they all belong, and it is where God is calling them to worship and serve.

Are you contemplating membership at Faith? Please contact Pastor Eric. We will welcome new members during both services on Sunday, Feb. 11. 

Please consider donating altar flowers in honor of a special occasion, in memory of a loved one or to glorify God.

The cost is $30 for one vase or $60 for two vases. For each week, we can have either one donor for both vases, or two donors for one vase each. Make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church, and indicate "altar flowers" in the memo line.

Check the altar flowers donation board in fellowship hall to see if your desired date is available. If not, please choose an alternate date. The next open date is Sunday, March 17.

When you purchase altar flowers, your name and dedication will be published in the bulletin on your selected Sunday. To make a dedication:

• At church, complete an Altar Flowers envelope with your payment, and place it in the offering plate. Indicate your wish to keep or donate the flowers on the donation board in fellowship hall. You also can include a note in the envelope with your donation or call the church office.
• By mail, send payment with a note indicating your desired date and dedication, and if you want to keep the flowers or donate them.
• By email or phone, contact the church office with your desired date and dedication, and whether you want to keep or donate the flowers. Pay through the altar flowers option on the Faith website.



If you have specific requests about who or what facility should receive donated flowers, contact Judi Melander, judimelander629@gmail.com or 941-927-2502.

Coffee hour is an important fellowship ministry at Faith that needs additional volunteers. All you have to do is put out snacks and clean up afterward.

Please sign up on the sheet beside the coffee pot in fellowship hall. Questions? Contact Karen Naulty, knaulty@yahoo.com or 406-334-1063; or Denise Kirkeeng, kirkeengd@verizon.net or 941-468-6668.

Pastor Eric often speaks with congregation or community members about 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, either through the Discretionary Fund option on the Faith website or in the offering plate, so vulnerable people can continue to receive help. 

Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (S.U.R.E.), a faith-based community organizing entity of which Faith is a covenant member, is focused on affordable and accessible housing, an issue with which neighbors who visit the Faith Food Pantry regularly struggle. While this problem might not affect every member of our parish, we are compelled by the gospel of Jesus Christ to care deeply about our neighbors’ needs.

Interested in getting involved? Contact Pastor Eric. Visit suresarasota.org to learn more.

Today, Friday, Jan. 26

8:30 a.m., Jazzercize, gym

Saturday, Jan. 27

8:30 a.m., Jazzercize, gym

9 a.m., Diakonia, conference room

1 p.m., Country Club of Sarasota Board Meeting, fellowship hall

Sunday, Jan. 28

8 a.m., In-Person and Live-Stream Worship, sanctuary

9:10 a.m., Adult Forum, conference room

9:30 a.m., Voices of Faith Choir Rehearsal, choir room

10:15 a.m., In-Person and Live-Stream Worship, sanctuary

10:25 a.m., Sunday School, classroom

Monday, Jan. 29

9 a.m., Organ Repair, sanctuary

2 p.m., Readers Club, library

5 p.m., Evangelism Ministry, conference room

Tuesday, Jan. 30

8:30 a.m., Men of Faith Prayer Breakfast, Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail

9:30 a.m., Women's Bible Study, conference room

3 p.m., Feed the Hungry, St. Paul's Lutheran, 2256 Bahia Vista

6 p.m., Diversity Voices of Sarasota, sanctuary

Wednesday, Jan. 31

9:30 a.m., Adult Bible Study, upstairs classroom

10:30 a.m., Prayer Group, chapel

1 p.m., Bereavement Group, chapel

Thursday, Feb. 1

9 a.m., Receive Food Delivery and Prep for Distribution, food pantry

1 p.m., Stitch 'n' Chatter, room 212

4:30 p.m., Food Pantry Prep, food pantry

5 p.m., Food Pantry Open

6 p.m., Jazzercise, gym

7 p.m. Confirmation, Zoom

Find daily Prayer Ventures on the ELCA website. Here are prayers for today and the days ahead.

1/26 Pray for the Deaconess Community of the ELCA, a diverse group of sisters in Christ who courageously proclaim the gospel, work for justice and healing, and serve all people.

1/27 Lydia, Dorcas and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith:  Pray that when we share the story of God’s love and activity in the world, we will remember women in the Bible who professed their faith in God, served as leaders in the church, shared the good news of Jesus Christ and cared for neighbors in need.

1/28 Praise God that Jesus was born human and knows what our lives entail, and that Jesus is the Son of God, revealing the immeasurable power, love and mercy of our Creator.

1/29 Remember in prayer those who serve in law enforcement in our communities and nation. Give thanks for the many ways they care for our wellbeing. Pray for their safety, and ask the Spirit to nurture their wisdom, compassion and impartial judgment in the exercise of their responsibilities.

1/30 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding” (Psalm 111:10). Give thanks that, in this verse, fear isn’t something negative, threatening or worrisome but instead means awe and respect for God and God’s ways, which enable us to practice wisdom, compassion and justice throughout life.

1/31 Pray for leaders and organizations gathered at the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network Winter Meeting in Phoenix, that the Spirit will inspire and guide their work as they empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead their best lives in society, the church and the world.

2/1 Pray for synod hunger team chairs and other key ELCA World Hunger leaders participating in the ELCA World Hunger Leadership Gathering in Houston. Ask the Spirit to guide their work of energizing congregations and synods to end hunger and poverty in the world, bringing relief and hope to our neighbors.

2/2 Remember in prayer those who suffer from heart disease, heart failure and congenital heart defects. Pray for the doctors, nurses, surgeons, care providers, researchers and chaplains who provide treatment, care and encouragement to patients of all ages and their families.

Please remember in your prayers this week:

Marsha Anderson, sister of Gail Murphy

Tim Anderson, son-in-law of Dick and Jetty Zarfos

Anna Bancroft, 6-year-old friend of Alyene Weaver

Chuck Banta

Chloe Bennethum, friend of Gail Murphy

Sean Brett, son of Alyene Weaver

Sandra Brinker

Charles Budreau

Family & Friends of David Bunce, friend of Kevin and Linda Fewell

Jason Byrne, friend of Anita Wooton

Elise Carmona

Evelyn Conlon

Jordan Demers, cousin of Hannah Boyd

Eloise Dettmer

Philomena Dimichelle, friend of Conrad Zabor

Ken Dixon

Ryan Donahue

Valerie Donahue

Elizabeth Farmer

Judy & Robert Ferguson

Carolyn & Marty Friedman, friends of Marlene Radesk

John Gallo, friend of April Shettler

Andrea Gamboa

Amanda Gerber, daughter of Sandy Gerber

Laurie Good, friend of Ann Greenwood

Elaine Graham

Paula Haas, friend of Eloise Dettmer

Jon Hale

Alyssa Hansen, cousin of Lisa Olsen

Jeff Hansen, nephew of Joan Searles

Patricia Head, mother of Wayne Head

Michael Helpin, friend of Marlene Radesk

Christiana Holmes

Kevin Hooks, son-in-law of Anita and Jon Wooton

Jesus & Rita Jimenez

Alf Kirkeeng

Lillian Lapenckas

Jacqueline Laurent, friend of Margaret Borrows

Lois Light

Shirley Manning, friend of Margaret Borrows

Paul & Debby Maresch

Vincenzo Mariani, friend of Conrad Zabor

Kathleen McBride

Judi Melander

Family & Friends of Rev. Van C. Miller

Jeremy & Yvonne Mullins

Beverly Novak, cousin of Patty McKee

Judy Osborn, sister of Peggy Ragan

James & Virginia Pease

Fran Perkins

Wally Pina

Kristen Pizan

Marlene Radesk

Fritz Rappold

Gabriel Rockwell

Ted and Carol Rodi

Floyd Ryder

Phillip Schlueter

Rev. John Spittal

Dianne Stoll, friend of Dorothy Gustavson

Cathy Stubenvoll

Ron and Leigh Tarrantino

Werner Thomsen, brother of John Thomsen

Colette Thornbloom

David Turnbull

Alyene Weaver

Nancy Wilborn

Jon Wooton

Family & Friends of Angelo Yerace

2/13 Thomas & Sharon Soukup

If your anniversary or a friend's or family member's anniversary is missing or listed incorrectly, kindly notify communications@faithlutheransrq.com.

1/25 Kaitlyn Clark

1/25 Laurie Stramaglia

1/26 Dick Bruning

1/29 Marianne Powrie

1/30 Nell Rude

2/3 Karen Ramme

2/5 Gail Brown

2/5 Molly Wlodarczyk

2/6 Rev. Larry Wright

2/8 Katie Bolon

2/8 Darren Thomsen

2/15 Jim Lauritsen

2/20 Karen Ballweg

2/20 Jonathan Capilla

2/21 Jayne Clark

2/21 Jerry Cooper

2/22 Kevin Fewell

2/24 Tricia Thomsen

2/27 Barbara Bolon

2/27 Olivia Bright-Cox

2/27 Stan Stelmahsenko

If your birthday or a friend's or family member's birthday is missing or listed incorrectly, kindly notify communications@faithlutheransrq.com.

Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen

pastor@faithlutheransrq.com

Assistant to the Pastor: Rev. Larry Wright

larannw@comcast.net

Retired Pastors in Residence: Rev John Hilficker, Rev. Marianne Powrie, Rev. John Spittal, Rev. David Wagner

Director of Family and Child Ministries: Deborah Dornemann

familyandchild@faithlutheransrq.com

Director of Music/Organist: David V. Patrick

musicdirector@faithlutheransrq.com

Lead Cantor/Music Librarian: Tom Tryon

thomas.e.tryon@gmail.com

Operations Administrator: Jenniffer Shaffer

officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com

Communications Administrator: Linda Fewell

communications@faithlutheransrq.com

Congregation Council: Scott Rice, president; Ann Greenwood, vice president; Peggy Ragan, secretary; Anita Wooton, treasurer; Jane Sanks, assistant treasurer; Jerry Cooper; Gail Lidinsky; Mark Nelson; Joan Searles; Lauren Wardach

941-924-4664 | www.faithlutheransrq.com

Office hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday

Mission – Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others

Values – Mutual Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Service, Forgiveness, Commitment, Perseverance, Faithfulness, Compassion, Flexibility