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Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others. |
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Faith's Friday Update
November 4, 2022
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Sunday, November 6, 2022
22nd Sunday after Pentecost
All Saints Sunday
Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.
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Readings and Psalm:
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
The holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom.
Psalm 149
Sing the Lord’s praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Ephesians 1:11-23
God raised Christ from the dead and made him head over all the church.
Luke 6:20-31
Jesus speaks blessings and woes.
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Revised Minutes from the
October 20, 2022, Congregation Council meeting are now available.
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Welcome Our Special Guest:
Rev. Ana Lugo from ELCA
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Rev. Ana Lugo from the ELCA Foundation and Florida-Bahamas and Southeastern Synods will be our special guest this coming Sunday, Nov. 6.
She will preach at both services and will be available after worship for questions.
After the 10:15 a.m. service, the Endowment Committee will host a light lunch. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.
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A big thank you to all who donated, shopped, delivered and assisted in any way as we partnered with Lutheran Services Florida to prepare a house for a refugee family of 11 from Afghanistan. We will continue to update you about opportunities to support the family members during their transition. To God be the glory! |
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Volunteers are in the Office This Week |
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While Cate, our office administrator, is on vacation, volunteers are answering the phones, greeting guests and helping in the office this week.
We thank them and all members for meeting and exceeding the needs of the church in service to Christ.
You are all a blessing!
Please accept our heartfelt thanks.
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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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No Adult Forum Nov. 6, Study Resumes Nov. 13 |
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Adult Forum will NOT meet this Sunday, Nov. 6, but will resume 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.
If you choose to participate, you'll enjoy 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 will 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:
Eloise Dettmer - eadettmer@aol.com - 941-921-7381
Sandy Brinker - sbrinker973@verizon.net - 941-966-3209
Grace Kaarre - graceret99@aol.com - 941-468-6850
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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 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 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.
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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Our pastor often engages in conversation with members of the congregation or the 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 11 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 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. 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 Tuesdays
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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. Tuesdays 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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Readers Club Meets Monthly |
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Readers Club meets on the last Monday of the month at 2 p.m. in the conference room. Fliers are available on the table in the narthex.
The next meeting is Nov. 28 when the group will discuss Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anna Sebba. We 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. Stay tuned for more information about his visit to Faith. We look forward to having him here, and we hope that you will join us. All are welcome!
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. More information to follow soon.
During the 10:15 a.m. service, Sunday, Dec.11, David Patrick, our director of music, and Tom Tryon, our lead cantor, 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.
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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Adult Bible Study with Pastor Larry: A Beginner's Guide to Advent |
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"LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
A Beginner's Guide to Advent
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.
Our first four sessions delve into 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?
Pastor Larry is leading this five-week study that began Wednesday, Oct. 19, and will conclude Wednesday, Nov. 16. Each session is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
IMPORTANT NOTE: A limited number of 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 Community Center. Donuts and breakfast beverages will be available. 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 will be 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Tuesday, Nov. 15. The class will be one hour in length. |
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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.
Current needs:
1. Upgrade Narthex Restrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements (cost TBD)
2. Upgrade Electronic Sign 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 use the Vanco Mobile app (be sure to select “Improvement Fund”).
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COLLECTING EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES OFFSETS CHURCH OFFICE COSTS |
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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 collection bin is on the counter in Fellowship Hall.
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6Praise the teachings and example of Jesus, who calls for us to be caring disciples, unafraid of being involved in the lives of those suffering injustice, persecution, isolation, grief, poverty or illness.
7Pray for our outdoor ministry leaders as they gather for the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry conference in Boise, Idaho. Pray that their time together in the presence of the Spirit will be rich in mutual care and encouragement, ideas and resources, and opportunities to nurture their skills for serving in camp and retreat ministries.
8Election Day! Pray that our elected leaders will respect and serve all people, and that the Spirit will inspire and guide them in mending divisions, creating unity and encouraging constituents to work together for the well-being of all.
9 Ask the Spirit to deepen our understanding of Jesus and how the gift of God’s son has the power to transform our lives and identities in amazing and unimagined ways.
10Give thanks and pray for leaders of our church as they gather for the ELCA Church Council, that the Spirit will inspire faithfulness, wisdom, vision and creativity in their deliberations, decisions and guidance.
11Veterans 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.
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.
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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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