Faith's Friday Update

NOTE: At the bottom of this email, if you see words like, "View entire message", you will need to click the link to view the rest of the content.

The office will be closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.

“Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others.”

Faith's Friday Update

September 3, 2021

Sunday, September 5, 2021

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 AM Bulletin

This Week's Readings:

Isaiah 35:4-7a

Like streams in the desert, God comes with healing

Psalm 146

I will praise the Lord as long as I live. (Ps. 146:2)

James 2:1-10 [11-13] 14-17

Faith without works is dead

Mark 7:24-37

Christ healing a little girl and a deaf man

UPDATED 08/26/2021 - Temporary Worship Modifications:

For contact tracing purposes, we ask those who attend in-person worship to kindly sign-in with name and phone or email address. There will be a table outside of the narthex.
With love and concern for those who attend in-person worship, please note until further notice masks are required during worship services.
The return of Communion in the Pews.
The suspension of the Coffee and Fellowship Hour.

SPECIAL OFFERING ON SUNDAY - PASTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

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 the pastor with the means to help financially when necessary.

MARY CIRCLE NEWS

Due to the uncertainties surrounding the COVID situation Mary Circle will not meet in September. Everyone is eager to get back to our normal meeting schedule and we will evaluate an activity for October. Until then, please stay safe!

FROM THE FL-BAHAMAS SYNOD - DISASTER RELIEF

A Message from Rev. Daniel Rift, Director of ELCA World Hunger and Lutheran Disaster Response:

Dear friends,

I’m writing to you with an update to my email earlier this week. Just last night the remnants of Hurricane Ida barreled through the Northeast, leaving devastation in their wake. New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey were hit with historic flash flooding and tornadoes touched down in Maryland and New Jersey. Homes and subways filled with water, and cars were swept away. The death toll is expected to rise, and authorities continue to work on restoring transportation services.

Meanwhile, information regarding the extent of the destruction in Louisiana and parts of Mississippi continues to trickle in, and the damage will undoubtedly be more severe than we know today. In Louisiana, some evacuees have been told not to return because many areas remain without electricity and people are struggling to find gas, food and clean water. With power lines down and communication hindered, many are waiting for relief in dangerous 90-degree heat.

You can accompany our neighbors who have been affected by this disaster. Please give now . Lutheran Disaster Response is developing plans to accompany on-the-ground partners, including social ministry organizations and synods, in the areas impacted. Immediate needs are expected to include food and shelter, while long-term recovery could include helping people repair or rebuild their damaged homes.

With your support, hurricane survivors will know they’re not alone. This is an important part of Christ’s call on our church. To stay up to date on our ongoing response, follow Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook or visit our website.

Thank you.

GIVE NOW - HURRICANE IDA RELIEF

Haiti Earthquake - Our Friends in Haiti Still Need Help!

Help send relief to our companions in Haiti in the wake of the recent earthquake. You may give online at https://fbsynod.com/ - then, on their website, click on “Give Now” or a check made payable to Faith Lutheran Church and indicate “Haiti Earthquake” on the memo line.

GOD'S WORK. OUR HANDS. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 AT FAITH LUTHERAN!

Hello everyone! Gods work our hands is coming up on Sunday, September 12! We will gather in the fellowship hall, following church service that day. The FLC Council and the FELC School Board, will be joining together for this event! We invite all parishioners to join us!

This year we’ll be doing ‘Blessing Bags’ for SPARCC. That involves packing travel-size toiletries and other necessities into bags for abused women and men, abused single mothers, abused teens/children and the less fortunate. There is a list of suggested items below. You don't have to buy all of the items, just whatever you’re comfortable with. If you think of something not on the list, feel free to get that item. If possible, each person would purchase 5x’s the items they wish to have for their bag. Meaning, each person makes 5 bags. However, everyone is welcome to purchase more items and make more bags. Bags will be provided. You can drop your items off at the church in the office before September 12, or you can bring them that Sunday morning.

We will be donating the bags to SPARCC, which stands for Safe Place And Rape Crisis Center. They are an amazing organization that provide resources and support to abused women, a few men, as well as abused single mothers and abused teens/children. It’s exciting to give back to them for everything they do!

Please let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see you all there!

Thank you and blessings!!

Amanda Bright

SUGGESTED ITEMS LIST

(all hygiene items should be travel-sized)

Large Ziploc Baggies
Shampoo
Conditioner
Deodorant
Wipes travel size
Razors
Shaving cream/aftershave
Maxi-pads, tampons
Diapers/pull ups any size to split up between bags
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes - adult & children's
Pacifiers
Sunscreen
Mouthwash
Band-Aids

Body soap bar or liquid
Small scrubby‘s for shower
Baby shampoo
Baby soap
Baby wash rags
Hairbrushes or combs
Hair ties
Kleenex
Neosporin
Peroxide
Qtips
Cotton balls
Small baby bottles
Lotions, body sprays
Diaper rash cream

IMPORTANT MOBILE GIVING CHANGE

Our giving software company, Vanco, has launched the new Vanco Mobile app. It is available now for iPhone and Android in your app store and replaces the GivePlus+ app, which will be discontinued at the end of September.

If you use the Give+ app, please make the change now by downloading Vanco Mobile. Your login, payment methods, and current giving have been migrated to the new app. Once logged in, simply search for our church by name, Faith Lutheran Church, Sarasota, and verify the location (7750 Beneva).

If you are new to mobile giving, we encourage you to try it out! The app offers the ability to select your desired fund and donation frequency. Also, donations made via the app will appear on your giving statements in the same way as other payment methods.

Download and start using Vanco Mobile today!

If you have questions or need help, contact Tami in the church office.

(The app icon is pictured.)

9/11 20TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION SERVICE

THE FLORIDA-BAHAMAS SYNOD INVITES YOU TO THE:

9/11 20th Anniversary Commemoration Service

Join members of the Florida-Bahamas Synod in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of September 11th.

This service will serve as a time of worship and reflection on the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 and changed lives forever.

When: September 11, 2021

at 2pm via Zoom.

Registration is required.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SERVICE

ANGEL PATRON FUND

Please remember to support our singers and music program by giving to the Angel Patron Fund.

You may use the Angel Patron envelopes or give online via our website or via the new Vanco Mobile app. Be sure to select the Angel Patron Fund.

ALTAR FLOWERS

ALTAR FLOWERS are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor/remember someone or a special occasion, while decorating our altar for worship. Next available date, September 19!

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. Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church and indicate ‘altar flowers’ in the memo.

Thank you for making Faith Lutheran’s altar beautiful!

DAILY PRAYER

VENTURES

The ELCA offers daily Prayer Ventures, which may be found on their website, https://www.elca.org/en/Resources/Prayer-Ventures. The prayers for this weekend are below. Visit the website if you would like to follow the daily prayers!

3 Give thanks for the International Women Leaders (IWL) scholarship program and for the accomplishments and new beginnings of the six IWL scholars who graduated in May, embarking on journeys of leadership and service, and of the seven incoming students starting their programs.

4 Pray for the people of Haiti, who endure poverty, political turmoil and the long, difficult recovery from their 2010 and 2021 earthquakes. Ask God to build up their faith, hope, courage and strength in the face of daunting difficulties, and resolve to support them with prayers, advocacy and generosity.

5 Ask the Spirit’s help in responding to the diverse needs, circumstances and challenges of our neighbors, and in opening our hearts and minds to those who are forgotten, neglected, ignored or unfamiliar to us.