Faith's Friday Update

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

Faith's Friday Update

July 30, 2021

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

9:00 AM Bulletin

This Week's Readings:

Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15

The Lord gives manna in the wilderness

Psalm 78:23-29

God rained down manna from heaven; so mortals ate the bread of angels. (Ps. 78:24, 25)

Ephesians 4:1-16

Maintain the unity of the faith

John 6:24-35

Christ the bread of life

TEMPORARY WORSHIP & FELLOWSHIP MODIFICATIONS

Given the surge of the Delta Variant Virus that is currently infecting 10,000 persons per day in Florida, the following, hopefully temporary, modifications are in place for Worship and Fellowship:

Congregants are encouraged to wear masks for Worship
The return of Communion in the Pews.
The suspension of the Coffee and Fellowship Hour.

These precautions are in keeping with the CDC's new guidelines. We believe that we need to be proactive rather than experience a complete shutdown of the church.

By the grace of God, this too shall pass.

Peace and Blessings,

Pastor Bob

ALL HANDS ON DECK! To “prepare our church” for a new pastor we are holding the final Clean Up & Organize event tomorrow, July 31. Please join us for one or both time slots. Even if you cannot lift, your help is needed. The more hands, the better!

Pizza will be served at noon for all helpers!

July 31: 10am-12pm and 12pm-2pm

BUILDING WISH LIST – The Property Committee has identified needs that are not currently in the regular budget but are valuable to keep up and improve our church.

Current needs and estimates, if available:

A Powerful Vacuum with Attachments (cost TBD)

Touch-Up/Repaint the Gym (cost TBD)

Machine Auto-Scrubber for the Gym Floor ($4,700)

Electronic Sign Upgrade on Beneva (cost TBD)

Security Camera for Main Office Lobby ($700)

Upgrade Narthex Restrooms to ADA (cost TBD)

To make a special offering to support the building needs; by check, indicate “Improvement Fund” in the memo; online or via the Give+ mobile app, select the Improvement Fund.

MARY CIRCLE NEWS

THE LADIES ARE BACK! In June members of Mary Circle met in the memorial garden to relaunch our meetings. We had a great time simply reminiscing about surviving COVID (to date) and checking up what everyone has been doing. We also reaffirmed our desire to continue meetings. Regular meetings in Fellowship Hall will begin in September.

HELP US PREPARE SCHOOL KITS FOR LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF.

As in the past we will be collecting supplies to pack in backpacks for LWR.

Each pack requires:

4 70-sheet notebooks (no looseleaf)
1 pencil sharpener
1 ruler with centimeters and inches
1 blunt scissors
*5 pencils, unsharpened
5 pens, blue or black ink
1 box crayons (16 or 24)
1 eraser

*Please do not contribute pencils because we already have an ample supply.

You may bring in any amount of any supply you wish. Mary Circle will be assembling the backpacks at one of our fall meetings.

Did you know the perfect time to shop for school supplies? July 7 to August 9 is tax free time when you buy school supplies here in Florida. Why not take advantage of this opportunity and help us stock up? If you would prefer to have us do the shopping just drop a donation in the collection plate or mail to Faith. If using a check please indicate in the subject line this money is for LWR.

A collection basket will be in the narthex of the church for all supplies collected.

UPDATES FROM THE FL-BAHAMAS SYNODICAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATION

Grant Opportunities: Share the Spirit and Let Your Light Shine

Did you know that the Florida-Bahamas Synodical Women's Organization has programs available to help defray the cost of attending the Fall Gathering? We know it’s not always easy being you. We don’t want you to choose between paying for prescriptions, groceries, or daycare and being in fellowship and worship with your sisters in Christ.

If you are are interested in attending the Fall Gathering and resources are a concern, we encourage you to first reach out to your congregational unit to determine what, if any, local funds may be available. We then invite you to complete the Share the Spirit or the Let Your Light Shine (for youth grades 6-12) application and submit it with your Fall Gathering Registration Form. Funds are limited and are administered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Grants are not announced publicly.

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 12!

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!

Available upcoming dates are; September 12, 19, 26, all of October, November 7 and 14, and December 19.

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 prayer for today is below. Visit the website if you would like to follow the daily prayers!

30 Give thanks for volunteers, congregational leaders and professionals who serve older adults in a variety of circumstances and settings; care for their spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs; encourage their gifts and involvement in congregations; and help them stay connected with life-giving relationships and communities.