Pies for Pensacola Marines

"Dear Bishop Suarez and Deacon Schmucker-

I wanted to write to you and tell you of my thanks for the wonderful congregation of St. Paul’s in Pensacola. On this day of thanksgiving, our family in Nebraska gives thanks for all of the saints in that congregation.

Our son Isaac, is a Marine, and is stationed for training down in Pensacola, and is finding it a bit different than Nebraska. He didn’t really have enough time off to come home, and decided to stay on base for Thanksgiving. His middle school best friend is also stationed in Pensacola. This would be their first holiday away from family.

I contacted the Council President Skip, to see if there was a local place that we could deliver a pie to base. Skip, took my email, and sent it out to the congregation and proceeded to create a Thanksgiving pie drop for all the Marines and Sailors that didn’t go home for the holidays. I was hoping for one pumpkin pie for our son and his friend…the members of St. Paul’s just delivered 21 different pies! Our boys were able to then walk around base and gather everyone that they could find that didn’t go home so that they could have a pie party. Another one of the members of the church invited them over to spend their Thanksgiving meal with them. We are amazed at the graciousness of these people.

In these days of stress and anxiety, it would have been easy for the congregation to ignore my email or just send me a local supermarket name, but they didn’t, they went above and beyond to bring joy to Marines that they didn’t even know before today. In these days of uncertainty, this is what the church does, it builds relationships. Sometimes the work we do is stressful, other days it’s graciously given as pie. I am thankful to God for the work you do and the people you serve. I am thankful for this community of faith reaching out to our boys and taking them in as their own. 

In Thanksgiving for our new friends in Florida,

Juliet Focken

Assistant to the Bishop

Nebraska Synod ELCA"

Substitute Keyboardist/Organists for Living Lord Lutheran

Living Lord Lutheran Church, Lakewood Ranch, is putting together a substitute list of organists/ keyboardists for the coming year. On Sundays, we have two traditional services at 7:45 am and 11 am, and a contemporary service at 9:00 am. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested, please contact: info@LivingLordFL.org.

Or check out the website at livinglordfl.org. 

Save the Date!

Sunday Assembly for Word and Sacrament: Recovering it and practicing it in late pandemic time.

A conversation led by the Rev. Dr. Gordon Lathrop.

Pastors and assembly leaders have had a very hard time living out their call for nearly two years. Are there resources in the Bible and in the Lutheran liturgical tradition that can refresh us in assembly practice?  What from our tradition do we maintain and strengthen?  What do we drop?  What new practices should we adopt?  And how should we teach the importance of the assembly in this time?  On December 9, Pastor Gordon Lathrop will present ideas in response to these and related questions and will engage with us in conversation.

When: Thursday, December 9 at 2pm over Zoom. CLICK HERE to register. 

Thanksgiving Dinners for Ocala Families

The members of Our Savior Lutheran Church rejoice in the opportunities they have to be God's Hands in our community.

Over the three Tuesdays before Thanksgiving, Our Savior and the Interfaith Emergency Services Food Pantry in Ocala distributed more than 120 turkeys, hams, and side dishes to local families. Thanks be to God for all of the volunteers and the generosity of our partners from the Community Congregational Church, the Presbyterian Church of Marion Oaks, and many other stalwart supporters who helped make this happen.

Transitions Ministry Webinar

January 24 - 28, 2022

There are many factors that come into play when a congregation is in transition. Whether that congregation has just received an interim pastor, has just received a newly called pastor, or is seeking new direction into God's future. This is a time of transition from something that was, towards something that is yet to be. The Transition Training Event will help attendees tofocus on what it is that properly motivates ministry so that the "yet to be" is fully in the hands of God, and God's people are themselves renewed and ready for that ministry.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Interim Pastors, First Call and New Call Pastors, Pastors in congregations needing new direction.

COST:

Interim Pastors 5 days - $160

First Call and/or New Call Pastors & Others (M-W) - $130

The Continuing Education Credit for the Rostered Leaders Annual Report to the Bishop is 9 hours for 3-day attendees, or 15 hours for 5-day attendees.

Registration is now open!

Palms Deaf Church is coming to the Florida-Bahamas Synod in 2022. 

It’s exciting to see a new congregation about to be birthed. And, you and your congregation can become Partners in Mission to help make this happen for the whole synod. Your prayers and support will help make this bold adventure happen.

If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Rob Carlson at robc@fbsynod.org. 

Click Here to read more about Palms Deaf Church. To watch an informative video on Palms Deaf Church, click here.

Please share this information and video with your congregation.