NOTE: At the bottom of this email, if you see words such as "View entire message," please click the link to view the rest of the content.
|
|
Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others. |
|
Faith's Saturday Update
Nov. 19, 2022
|
|
|
Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022
24th Sunday after Pentecost
CHRIST THE KING
Worship Services at 8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m.
|
|
|
|
Readings and Psalm
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Coming of the shepherd and righteous branch who will execute justice.
Psalm 46
I will be exalted among the nations. (Psalm 46:10)
Colossians 1:11-20
Hymn to Christ, firstborn of all creation; peace through his blood.
Luke 23:33-43
Jesus is crucified between two thieves; you will be with me in paradise.
|
|
Revised Minutes from the
October 20, 2022, Congregational Council meeting are available.
|
|
Delve Deeper Into Word and Service By Becoming a Church Deacon |
|
Please contact Pastor Eric if you are interested in delving deeper into your faith formation and becoming a church deacon.
Participants will meet for classes on Saturday mornings at Faith beginning in January.
For more information, visit diakoniafl.org or contact Deborah Dornemann, 941-914-7553.
|
|
Adult Forum Study Continues: 'That the World May Know" |
|
Adult Forum resumes Sunday, Nov. 20, with Lesson 9 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.
|
|
Choir Rehearsals: All Are Welcome |
|
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!
|
|
Let's Decorate for Advent This Sunday (There Will Be Pizza!) |
|
Come all ye faithful! Help us deck the halls and prepare the church building for Advent.
Please join us immediately after the 10:15 a.m. service this Sunday, Nov. 20, as we help to prepare the way of the Lord. A pizza lunch will be provided for all of Saint Nick's helpers.
|
|
Help Continue God's Work through Faith's Congregational Council |
|
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 the hymn, "God, When Human Bonds are Broken," 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:
|
|
Altar Flowers are a Beautiful Remembrance |
|
Altar flowers are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor or 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 Dec. 11.
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.
-
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!
|
|
Donations to Pastor's Discretionary Fund Enable Emergency Assistance |
|
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!
|
|
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 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.
|
|
G.I.F.T.S.
(Growing In Faith Through Scripture) Meets Tuesday
|
|
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.
|
|
Men of Faith Bible Study Explores Short Books of the Bible |
|
Calling all Men of Faith! Please join us at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22, in the chapel for another exciting study of one of the shortest books of the Bible.
Don't let their size fool you. These short books pack a serious spiritual punch! No prior Bible study experience necessary.
Consider inviting a friend or two, as well.
|
|
Readers Club Meets Monthly |
|
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!
|
|
Advent Midweek Services Return |
|
Join us at 11 a.m. Wednesdays in Advent — Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 — in the sanctuary for a meaningful and joy-filled worship service that centers on Mary's great song of praise, "The Magnificat." A light lunch will follow in fellowship hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. |
|
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.
|
|
Be at Faith Dec. 4 for Fun and to Benefit Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts |
|
Join friends at Faith at 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, for a special fund-raising event for Hurricane Ian relief.
Entertainment by legendary singer/songwriter Karlus Trapp and comedy by Sarasota's king of comedy, Al Ernst, will highlight the evening.
|
|
Bereavement Group Meets Wednesdays to Share Strength and Hope |
|
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!
|
|
Calling All Confirmation Students |
|
Our class time is 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The class is one hour in length. |
|
Stay Tuned for Angel Tree Opportunity |
|
Be on the lookout for an upcoming announcement about this year's Angel Tree.
We again will have the opportunity to spread Christmas cheer by buying gifts for folks who are economically challenged and could use a tangible sign of Christmas love.
|
|
Faith's Food Pantry Soon to Come, Donations of Ready-to-Eat Items
Are Most Needed
|
|
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!
|
|
Funds Needed for Items on the Building Wish List |
|
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 line. To contribute electronically, visit www.faithlutheransrq.com/online-giving or use the Vanco Mobile app (be sure to select “Improvement Fund”).
|
|
Mary Circle Meets for Lunch and to Pack School Kits |
|
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. |
|
Help Feed the Hungry at
St. Paul's Lutheran
|
|
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.
|
|
Consider Sharing Soup for Joan's Soup Freezer, and Take Soup When Needs Arise |
|
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.
|
|
Calling All Christmas Carolers! |
|
Join our happy throng of singers as we visit our less-mobile members at their homes and spread some Christmas cheer!
We will meet at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 21, in the fellowship hall at Faith and determine carpools. You will not want to miss this beautiful outreach opportunity!
|
|
Collecting Empty Ink Cartridges Offsets Church Office Expenses |
|
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.
|
|
11/19 Pray for the ELCA’s advocacy network, and the work it empowers us to do for justice, equity and the well-being of society.
11/20 The love and mercy of God, which we experience in the life, suffering and sacrifice of Jesus, are for our sake and salvation. Pray that the Spirit will deepen our faith in Christ, and help us reflect God’s unconditional, sacrificial love for humanity.
11/21 Give thanks for Lutheran Men in Mission, Women of the ELCA and congregational ministries that attend to the spiritual, physical, emotional and relational needs of all ages, and that nurture leaders for the church, our communities and society.
11/22 Remember the people of Puerto Rico, who have suffered multiple natural disasters and endure ongoing, extensive recovery work. Ask the Spirit to renew their faith, hope, stamina and resilience; pray that they will make progress in restoring their infrastructure and regaining access to food, water, shelter, sanitation and medical services.
11/23 Give thanks to God for rescuing us from the power of darkness through the gift of Jesus Christ—our teacher, our truth and the light illuminating our complicated lives.
11/24 Thanksgiving Day! Remember that everything we have to sustain and renew us, physically and spiritually, comes from God. Let us promise to be generous with all we have and to tirelessly bear the good news that Jesus Christ, the bread of life for the world that is never depleted, is our hope and salvation.
|
|
11/09 Siefke, Kimberly & Duane
11/18 Brown, Gail & William
11/22 Gamboa, Andrea & Sergio
11/23 Reinstrom, Lorel & Gary
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
|
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
|
|
Mission – Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others.
Values – Mutual Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Service, Forgiveness, Commitment, Perseverance, Faithfulness, Compassion, Flexibility
|
|
CLICK HERE to view the current Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
