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Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others. |
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Faith's Friday Update
February 3, 2023
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Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Worship Services at 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
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Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 58:1-12
The fast God chooses
Psalm 112:1-10
Light shines in the darkness for the upright. (Ps. 112:4)
1 Corinthians 2:1-16]
God’s wisdom revealed through the Spirit
Matthew 5:13-20
The teaching of Christ: salt and light
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Congregational Council minutes from the January 19 meeting can be viewed at the link. |
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We are approaching the time of year for our Annual Meeting. Please Save the Date of February 12, 2023, and join us after the 10:15 service. We will try to begin the meeting by 11:45 a.m. Your Church Council and Committee Chairs look forward to sharing our Congregation update with you at that time. We will also be presenting a slate of members to join our Church Council for your vote.
Please also note that a Budget Forum will take place on February 5, between the services at 9:00 a.m. Please join us for any questions you may have about our upcoming budget and planning. Our goal is to be transparent with our finances, so come and join us for a Q & A. Please note: Budget information will be sent out prior to the Budget Forum. Thank you for your involvement!
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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!
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 2/12 |
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Adult Forum will not meet this coming Sunday, February 5th but with meet again on February 12th Volume 4 Lesson 9 “Power to the People” 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. Instead this Sunday we are invited to attend a Q& A session concerning the 2023/2024 budget in the Fellowship Hall. 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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Stewardship - a Living Faith
Fulfilling God’s Purpose!
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We thank you for your giving hearts, your giving makes it clear of your love for our Lord. It is because of this that Faith Lutheran will grow in service and God will bless us with a growing family of faith.
Lord we thank you for loving and caring for us, help us to return your love. In communion you offer your life to us, help us to accept and to in-turn offer our life to you our treasure. Amen, let it be so.
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Confirmation Class meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Our next class is Feb. 7th.
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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Men of Faith
Breakfast at Skillets
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Join us for a hearty breakfast, prayer, and fellowship at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail on Tuesday, 2/7 at 8:30 a.m.
All are welcome! Please RSVP by emailing Pastor Eric at pastor@faithlutheransrq.com or call the church office!
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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 - RESCHEDULED |
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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 Haven Point by Virginia Hume.
For more information, contact Kathy Schilio, schilmo@yahoo.com. Please join! All are welcome!
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Altar Flowers are a Beautiful Remembrance |
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Altar flowers are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor or remember a special someone or a special occasion while decorating Faith's altar for worship. The 2023 Altar Flowers signup poster is available in the fellowship hall.
The next available sponsorship date is March 19.
Please note that we have two vases each week. If someone has already sponsored both vases for the week, please choose an alternate week for your donation. We greatly appreciate it.
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.
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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 line.
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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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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Adult Bible Study
to Resume Its Winter Session
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“Signs and Wonders”
A study of Jesus’ Miracles
Ever wonder about the stories of Jesus’ miracles? Believers are very familiar with Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000, and the stilling of the storm. What do we make of these accounts? Actual happenings? Metaphorical stories? Let’s explore these questions together. Perhaps the big question is not “did this happen?” but “what does it mean?” Both questions deserve our faithful deliberation and interpretation!
Our theologian in residence, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, will by DVD lecture and student book provide grist for our mill, featuring 6 selected miracle stories. Our Faith Endowment Fund will provide a student book for each who registers for the class.
Pastor Larry leads this Six-Week study through February 15th. Each one-hour session begins at 9:30 a.m. and meets in the second-floor classroom in the Community Center across from the elevator.
Welcome all! Refreshments! Great discussion! Fellowship!
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10 Remember in prayer the 1.3 million people serving in the military and the nearly 800,000 serving in the military reserves, many of them young adults.
11 Give thanks and pray for the ELCA’s AMMPARO strategy (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities), work that grows more critical every day as vulnerable youth yearn for assistance with the daunting task of finding safety, stability, respect and welcoming communities in our country.
12 Pray for people who suffer chronic illness and pain that impacts their daily lives, activities and employment; pray that they might receive affordable health care and effective treatment; and ask the Spirit to stir our empathy and help us provide appropriate, respectful support.
13 Pray that our civic engagement and concern for our neighbor and the world might exceed what is required or expected of us by laws, social norms, trends and tradition.
14 Ask God to help us understand, respect and set aside our differences so that we might be empowered by our unity in Christ and embrace our complementary gifts and passions to do God’s work in the world, “for we are God’s servants, working together” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
15 Praise God that, as different as we are from one another, we gather to celebrate Communion remembering our unity and strength in Christ, who frees us to love and serve our neighbor and to bear God’s mercy into the world.
16 Give thanks for the publishing ministry of Augsburg Fortress and for writers and editors who help deepen our faith, equip us for life and service, and support our faith communities.
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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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