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Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others. |
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Faith's Friday Update
February 17, 2023
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Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023
Last Sunday After Epiphany
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Worship Services at 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
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Readings and Psalm
Exodus 24:12-18
Moses enters the cloud of God’s glory on Mount Sinai
Psalm 99
Proclaim the greatness of the LORD; worship upon God’s holy hill.
(Ps. 99:9)
2 Peter 1:16-21
The apostle’s message confirmed on the mount of transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-9
Revelation of Christ as God’s beloved Son
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Congregational Council minutes from the January 19 meeting can be viewed at the link. |
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Newly elected officers:
President: Scott Rice
Vice-President: Ann Greenwood
Treasurer: Anita Wooton
Secretary: Peggy Ragan
Newly elected members:
Jerry Cooper
Mark Nelson
Lauren Wardach
Returning members:
Amanda Bright
Gail Lidinsky
Joan Searles
Please join us in congratulating our church council and thanking them for their stewardship.
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Year End Giving Statements for 2022 were emailed to those with opted-in valid email addresses on file. Please check your junk or spam if you did not receive it.
Paper copies will be provided on request. Signup for a paper copy in the Narthex or contact Patty McKee at 941-921-3709 or pattymckee15@gmail.com or FinancialSecretary@faithlutheransrq.com.
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Volunteers Needed on 2/21 |
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Help us clean out an exterior closet in anticipation of the installation of our new sanctuary air conditioner unit. Volunteers are needed on Tuesday, 2/21 at 11 a.m. God’s work, our hands!
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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. Please note that we have two vases each week. This means that each week we can have either 1 donor for both vases, or 2 donors for 1 vase per donor.
If both vases for the week have already been sponsored, please choose an alternate week for your donation. The altar flowers donation board in the fellowship hall is updated weekly. Please check to see if your desired date is available.
The next available Sundays are April 9 and 30. Both vases are available for these dates.
When you purchase altar flowers, your name and dedication will be published in the bulletin on your selected Sunday. After the 10:15 a.m. service, the flowers are yours to keep or donate to a person or place of your choice.
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 the fellowship hall or 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.
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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Please leave the liner pots at church. The florist picks these up every week to reuse them. If you have any of these, please return them. We greatly appreciate it.
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Tech Savvy? We need your gifts! |
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THE SEASON OF LENT & EASTER
Join us for Midweek & Holy Week services:
ASH WEDNESDAY
February 22 – Ash Wednesday:
8 a.m. Drive-Thru Ashes & Blessings to Go
12 p.m. Prayer Service & Imposition of Ashes
7:00 pm. Ashes & Communion Service
LENTEN PRAYER SERVICE WITH COMMUNION
Wednesdays on March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, and March 29:
12 p.m. Lenten Prayer Service with Communion
LENT SOUP & SANDWICH SUPPERS & SERVICES
Wednesdays on March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, and March 29:
6 p.m. Soup & Sandwich Supper
7 p.m. Evening Holden Prayer Service
Sign up to bring soup or sandwiches on one or more Wednesdays!
The signup sheet is in the narthex.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES
April 2 – Palm Sunday:
8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Worship Services
April 6 – Maundy Thursday:
7:00 p.m. Eucharist Service
April 7 – Good Friday:
2:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Service
7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Service
April 8 – Easter Vigil Part One:
7:30 p.m. Meet at the Fire in the Parking Lot
April 9 – Easter:
7 a.m. Easter Vigil Part Two in Memorial Garden
10:15 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary
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Lent Soup & Sandwich Supper |
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Sign up to bring soup or sandwiches on one or more Wednesdays! The signup sheet is on the table is in the narthex.
Lent Soup & Sandwich Supper will be offered at 6 p.m. Wednesdays on March 1, March 8, March 15, March 22, & March 29 followed by Evening Holden Prayer Service at 7 p.m.
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Have you looked at a quilt and wondered at its beauty. Would you like to see how quilts are made? Pastor Eric has expressed an interest in forming a group to make quilts. We are looking for anyone interested in learning to quilt, sew or just to meet and get to know people better.
No sewing skills needed to join.
We will begin with very simple patterns and sew on machines rather than hand stitch. If you have a sewing machine but do not want to bring it to the church, we can find machines to be left at the church.
If you are an experienced quilter or seamstress, we would absolutely love to have you join. Please leave your name and contact information with the church office or call Jane Sanks (941) 923-4240.
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Tech Savvy? We need your gifts! |
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We are looking to train several additional operators to join our team to run the live stream for our 10:15 a.m. service.
If you are comfortable with technology, we would welcome you to join us in providing this vital ministry.
Interested? Just curious? Contact Marianne Powrie, or leave a message with Cate in the office.
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Adult Forum - Next Meeting is 2/19 |
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Adult Forum will meet this coming Sunday, February 19th Volume 4 Lesson 10 “Total Commitment” of “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. 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.
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Thank YOU for the Donations of Soup Cans |
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In celebration of Super Bowl Sunday, we asked everyone to bring cans of soup to support the Philadelphia Eagles (65 cans) or the Kansas City Chiefs (106 cans). Just like the game, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles, but our score was 106-65.
Thank you so much to all of you for donating soup cans!
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It certainly takes everyone at Faith to get the job done. In August we asked you to contribute school supplies for Lutheran World Relief kits. In November Mary Circle ladies put together those kits and last Friday we delivered 126 completed kits to Emmanuel in Venice. They will then travel to Maryland to the LWR headquarters and be shipped out where needed. THANK YOU FAITH from The Ladies of Mary Circle!
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Donations Needed for the Food Pantry:
· 1 lb. packages of pasta
· 1 lb. packages of rice
Healthier varieties like whole wheat, veggie, and gluten-free are appreciated.
Help us spread the word that our Food Pantry distribution has officially begun! Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thank you to all generous donors and volunteers who graciously give time, talents, and treasures. We appreciate you so very much!
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Confirmation Class meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.
This comprehensive confirmation program is more than just a class. It seeks to provide experiences and opportunities in which the individual can grow in faith as a Christian (i.e., worship, relationships with peers and mentors, small group experiences, and ministry opportunities).
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Please join us on Tuesday, 2/21 for another exciting study of the Book of Judges! Join us at 9:30 a.m. in the Chapel. No prior bible study experience necessary! Consider inviting a friend or two as well!
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G.I.F.T.S.
(Growing In Faith Through Scripture)
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G.I.F.T.S. (Growing In Faith Through Scripture) will continue studying "Be Still and Know" by Deb Burma at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays, in the conference room. We look forward to continuing our exploration of Psalm 46.
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Join Faith’s Bereavement Group at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel.
If you or a friend can use some help bearing the burden of grief, this group is for you. There is strength in community. Help spread the word of hope.
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Mary Circle - 2/19 & 2/21 |
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Sunday, February 19th we will be celebrating Bold Woman Sunday! To honor our selection, voted on by the women of the church, Mary Circle will be sponsoring a coffee hour in that person’s honor (will be announced). We are asking for free will donations for the goodies provided. This money will be used by Mary Circle to support our various ministries. Thanks so much for your support.
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Please consider joining us at our February Mary Circle meeting. We will meet on Tuesday, February 21 at 12 p.m. Please bring your own lunch: dessert will be provided. This month we are very pleased to offer a presentation by Joan Zabor. Joan is a very talented artist who uses shells as her medium of expression. Joan graciously gifted the church with the shell cross in the office entryway. Come out and hear Joan talk about where she gets her inspiration and how she actually creates her stunning pieces. For questions, contact Janet Petersen at luvstitches55@gmail.com
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Readers Club meets at 2 p.m. on the last Monday of the month in the church library. Feb. 27, they will discuss "The Other Einstein" by Marie Benedict.
For more information, contact Kathy Schilio, schilmo@yahoo.com. Please join! All are welcome!
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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 us at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays 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 with Holy Communion.
Bring your concerns and your desire to connect with our loving heavenly Father! Can’t attend in person? Please join us via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 871 4720 3661, Passcode: 041291
NOTE: 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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Joan's Soup Freezer
Consider Sharing Soup,
and Take Soup When Needs Arise
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The soup fridge is filling up! Please consider making a donation or simply taking one of the delicious soups found in the fridge labeled Joan’s Soup in the kitchen. Please help us keep this Ministry, founded by Joan March, going. If making a contribution, please label with the type of soup and when it was made. Thanks so much! |
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Save the Date!
Rummage Sale!
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Faith Lutheran Church will be holding an indoor rummage sale on February 25. Through the generosity of many people for many years, FLC has abundant items that could be used by others. A rummage sale will help others get things they can use. Payment will be by donation and all proceeds will go to Hurricane Disaster Relief. Help will be needed Friday February 24 and Saturday February 25. There is a sign-up sheet to volunteer in the Narthex. You can also contact the office to sign-up as a volunteer.
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Women's Mini Event
Spring Tea
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All women of Faith are invited to join us in the fellowship hall for a spring tea and Luncheon “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” 10:00-12:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11. We will have uplifting discussions regarding our friendship with Jesus, and friendships with women of Faith. If you desire to meet new friends in a unique way, without a big-time commitment, we would love to have you register for our event. We ask that each participant bring their favorite teacup and saucer or coffee mug. Hopefully there will be a story for you to share about this special cup. We also ask you bring non-perishable food items for our food bank. To register, please contact Gwen Schell, or the church office no later than Sunday, March 5.
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17 Praise God for the clarity and joy we find in following God’s ways and commandments, and for the assurance that we are never alone or directionless in our baptismal journeys.
18 Martin Luther, renewer of the church (1483-1546) Give thanks for the life, faith, prayerful deliberation, and wisdom of Martin Luther, who continues to influence and challenge the church and our theology. Pray that we might remember Luther’s human complexity and imperfections — and our own — as we strive to understand Scripture and live as children of God in an ever-changing world.
19 We embrace the mystery of the Holy Trinity through the gift of faith. Give thanks that, through Scripture, God leads us to clarity about the true nature of Jesus Christ, who was sent to redeem us and to teach us how to live as children of God: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5).
20 World Day of Social Justice Pray that our concern for social justice in the world will be grounded in our faith, Jesus’ example and the ways and wisdom of God, emboldening us to serve our neighbor, respect one another and risk changing unjust laws, traditions, institutions and behaviors.
21 Shrove Tuesday Ask the Spirit to prepare our hearts for the season of Lent and to create in us a humble, penitent spirit that is renewed daily through faith in God’s forgiveness and love, revealed and experienced in Jesus Christ.
22 Ash Wednesday “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Give thanks for the cross of ash drawn on our foreheads today, which assures us of God’s forgiveness, love and renewing spirit.
23 Pray for ELCA missionaries serving with our global companions in Tanzania: David and Kellen Msseemmaa, Astine and Ryan Bose, Dr. Steven and Bethany Friberg, Dr. Stephen and Jodi Swanson, Deacon April Trout, Linda Jacobson, Robert Kasworm, the Rev. Mary Jo Maas, Derrick Matthews and Dr. Dorothy Brewster-Lee, the Rev. Elieshi Mungure, and Robert and Carolee Stuberg.
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Please remember in your prayers this week:
Jeff & Nancy Arntsen
Anna Bancroft, 6 years old, friend of Alyene Weaver
Family & Friends of Kevin Beard
Sean Brett, son of Alyene Weaver
Tommy Bright
Charles Budreau
Dee Burlingame
Michael O. Cannon, father of Kay Cannon
Cheryl Cook
Joan Cotton
Eloise Dettmer
Family & Friends of Megan Fairlie
Family & Friends of Marlene Falconer
Elizabeth Farmer
Family & Friends of Stanforth Forbes
John Gallo, friend of April Shettler
Andrea Gamboa
Elaine Graham
Alyssa Hansen, cousin of Lisa Olsen
Jeff Hansen, nephew of Joan Searles
Christiana Holmes
Kevin Hooks, son-in-law of Anita and Jon Wooton
Mary Janice Holt
Jesus & Rita Jimenez
Paul & Debby Maresch
Kathryn McLaughlin
Judi Melander
Kristin Mohammed
Jeremy & Yvonne Mullins
Family & Friends of Dennis Pappalardo
Virginia Link-Pease, wife of James Pease
Doris Anne Prieur-Lucia
Fritz Rappold
Family & Friends of Deacon Sue Rice
Gabriel Rockwell
Beverly & Floyd Ryder
Family & Friends of Dick Sanks
Ken Schell, brother of Mike (Gwen) Schell
Shirley Schimke, friend of Karen & John White
Rev. John Spittal
Dieter Smirnow
Michael and Marie Smith, friends of Carole Inkrott
Cathy Stubenvoll
Michelle Terrell, niece of Kay Cannon
Colette Thornbloom
Marlene Wiest
Jon Wooton
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02/13 Sharon & Thomas Soukup
02/14 Liz & Brian Martinson
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02/01 Ruth Ditmars
02/01 Erica Homer
02/03 Karon Ramme
02/05 Gail Brown
02/05 Pierce LaVigne
02/05 Molly Wlodarczyk
02/06 Larry Wright
02/08 Katie Bolon
02/09 Brian Deming
02/10 Sydney Lenz
02/11 Jean Smith
02/12 Kyle Kennedy
02/13 Frederick
Weisgerber
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02/14 Marian Batzer
02/15 Dean Dennis
02/15 Jim Lauritsen
02/17 Cathy Eckhardt
02/19 Sue Marley
02/20 Karen Ballweg
02/20 Jonathan Capilla
02/20 Wayne Deming
02/21 Jayne Clark
02/21 Jerry Cooper
02/22 Kevin Fewell
02/24 Bradley Scully
02/24 Tricia Thomsen
02/27 Barbara Bolon
02/27 Olivia Bright-Cox
02/27 Stan Stelmahsenko
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Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen
Assistant Pastor: Rev. Larry Wright
Director of Music/Organist: David V. Patrick
Lead Cantor/Music Librarian: Tom Tryon
Artist in Residence: Dr. Joseph Holt
Church Office Administrator: Cate Teague
Weekly office hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
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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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