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“Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others.”
Faith's Friday Update
August 20, 2021
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
This Week's Readings:

Joshua calls all Israel to serve the Lord

The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous. (Ps. 34:15)

Put on the armor of God

The bread of eternal life
UPDATED Temporary Worship & Fellowship Modifications:
  • 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.
Please join us at church

on SATURDAY, AUGUST 28

for our LAST

CLEAN UP & ORGANIZE EVENT (with Pizza!).
Full details are in the "Preparing our Church for the Future" section below.
SPECIAL OFFERING ON SUNDAY - LUTHERAN CHURCH OF HAITI - URGENT REQUEST
One of our global missions is the support of the Lutheran church in Haiti. Since 2010, there has been significant growth of the Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (ELH). Thanks to the efforts of Pastor Livenson and the Executive Council of the ELH, working in accompaniment with the Florida Bahamas Synod Haiti Task Force, progress towards a functioning church is being made. Our mutual goal is to expand the church’s ministry together and to help improve the quality of life for all Haitians.
 
Right now there is an urgent need due to the recent earthquake in Haiti. Below is an article and urgent request from the FB Synod on behalf of ELH.
NOTE: If you prefer to give via check at church, please indicate “Lutheran Church of Haiti” on your check.

Walking with our Companions in Haiti
Our companion church in Haiti, Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti (ELH), is suffering from the major earthquake that struck the southwestern peninsula of Haiti on Saturday morning. As of this writing, the death toll in the country stands at 1,300, with over 30,000 families left homeless. The likelihood of Tropical Storm Grace impacting the island only exacerbates the challenges the country faces.
 
ELH president Pastor Livenson reports significant damage, particularly in the communities of Baraderes, Jeremie, Lazil and Les Cayes. The church in Baraderes was destroyed and at this time, the people in the community do not have water. Roads to Jeremie are blocked due to rubble from the surrounding mountains. While the church in Les Cayes is intact, the community itself is devastated. The pictures below were taken of houses of church members. The destruction is vast.
The Florida-Bahamas Synod has already responded with an immediate, emergency request of $2,000. This will allow for Pastor Livenson to travel from Port Au Prince to the south, to be with the people and bring some initial food gifts. To be sure, much more will be needed.
 
With its accompaniment model, the Global Mission Table’s role will be to provide funds for rebuilding and infrastructure, once such projects are established. Pastor Livenson and the leaders of ELH will make those decisions based on their context and will invite our partnership. Meanwhile, however, additional emergency assistance is greatly needed.  Should you or your congregation wish to make an immediate, financial gift in the wake of this disaster, please direct the funds to Disaster Response and write “Haiti” in the memo line. This will provide emergency assistance as longer term needs are determined.
THIS SUNDAY - BLESSING OF FAITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As we begin a new school year, we celebrate those who teach, administer the work of teaching, and support the work of teaching at our amazing Faith Early Learning Center. Our school has touched the lives of over five hundred children and families in our community, in the seven years it has been in existence.
 
On Sunday the FELC staff and Board of Directors will join us for worship and we will have a special service of blessing over them for the upcoming school year.

Better than a thousand days of diligent study
is one day with a great teacher.
FELC DOOR MONITORS STILL NEEDED
With the increase in enrollment, additional door monitors and helpers are desperately needed to help deliver the children to their classrooms each and every school day.

If you would like to serve as a door monitor on one or more days from 8:30-9:30 A.M., which includes helping transport children’s supplies when needed, it would truly be appreciated.
 
Contact Candi Messerschmidt, FELC Board Chairperson, at 941/926-4113 or thecandistore@comcast.net to volunteer or if you need additional information. You will not only be helping our preschool stay safe by following CDC guidelines, but YOU will be rewarded with happy and smiling faces that will give YOU a positive start to your day!!
WE’RE ON A ROLL! PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 28. Thanks to everyone who helped during the cleanup events in July. We have one more event scheduled for Saturday, August 28 and will focus on the new Multi-Use Room (previously the Music Room).
 
This is our last “spit and polish” before the pastoral candidate comes to visit our church home. There will be things to do for all abilities and skills. The more hands, the better!

Please join us for one or both time slots. Pizza will be served at noon for all helpers!
 
August 28: 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:
Urgent Required Lift Station Repair ($6,870)
A Powerful Vacuum with Attachments (cost TBD)
Touch-Up/Repaint the Gym (cost TBD)
Reseal the Parking Lot
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)
 
Any amount, small or large, is appreciated! 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.
KAREN NAGLE MEMORIAL FUND
The family of Karen Nagle has established a Memorial Fund to support dental care for children in need. Karen, who died in Christ Friday, August 6, 2021, was the senior dentist at Hillview Dental Clinic Sarasota. The family is deeply grateful for your prayers and support. Checks may be written to Faith Lutheran Church-Karen Nagle Memorial Fund at 7750 Beneva Road Sarasota, Florida.
MARY CIRCLE NEWS
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. 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.
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!

Available upcoming dates are; September 19, 26, October 3, 17, 24, & 31, November 7, 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!

20 Remember in prayer the leaders, voting members and others gathering online for the Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and encourage them in learning, choosing leaders, proclaiming the gospel, growing the church, serving our neighbor and doing God’s work in an ever-changing world.
HELPFUL LINKS
Click on the desired icon to view/visit the item.
Interim Pastors: Rev. Dr. Robert Mursch and Rev. Larry Wright
Operations Manager: Tami Page
Office Tel: 941-924-4664
Weekly office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Faith Lutheran Values – Mutual Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Service, Forgiveness, Commitment,
Perseverance, Faithfulness, Compassion, Flexibility
CLICK HERE to view the current Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church.