Faith's Friday Update

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

Faith's Friday Update

December 3, 2021

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Second Sunday of Advent

Worship Services:

8AM (in person) & 10:15AM (in person & live-streamed)

Worship Bulletin

This Week's Readings:

Malachi 3:1-4 - My messenger is a refiner and purifier

Luke 1:68-79 - In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us. (Lk. 1:78)

Philippians 1:3-11 - A harvest of righteousness on the day of Jesus Christ

Luke 3:1-6 - Prepare the way of the Lord

SANCTUARY DECORATING PARTY - THIS SUNDAY (with refreshments!)

Get into the spirit early by helping to decorate our sanctuary for Christmas while enjoying pizza, wine, and eggnog!

Come JOIN THE FESTIVITIES this Sunday, December 5 after the 10:15AM service. All hands are needed, regardless of talents and abilities!

WORSHIP NEWS: SERVICE TIME UPDATES & ADVENT MIDWEEK SERVICES

Many enjoyed a meaningful Advent Midweek Prayer Service this past Wednesday and lunch hosted by Pastor Eric!

There are still two more - don't miss out! All are invited to Advent Midweek Prayer Services on Wednesday, Dec. 8 & 15 at 11AM.

There will be a light lunch afterwards with a free will offering. RSVP's are encouraged but not required. If you plan to attend, please help us plan by CLICKING HERE to RSVP.

DECEMBER WORSHIP SERVICE TIME UPDATES:

The early service has returned! On December 5, 12, & 19, an early service will take place at 8AM and the second service will shift to 10:15AM.

Christmas Eve Services:

December 24 at 5:30PM & Candlelight at 8PM

INVITE your family, friends, and neighbors! Invitation postcards are available in the narthex. Or, visit the Christmas Service events on Facebook!

On Sunday, December 26 there will be one service, time to be announced.

LAST CHANCE! ADOPT SOMEONE FOR CHRISTMAS - LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES

There are still many who need to be adopted for Christmas. Please consider adopting at least one Lutheran Social Services client.

Visit the announcement board in Fellowship Hall on Sunday to select one or more names, or email the church at officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com to request name/s!

The needs of each person are rather simple, but the gifts mean a great deal to them.

If you are unable to go shopping and would like the ladies of Mary Circle to do it instead, you can give money for the gifts. Please make your check payable to Faith Lutheran Church.

All gifts should be wrapped and bear the name of the recipient and RETURNED BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12.

Help us make some people very happy at Christmas!

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS NOW AVAILABLE!

Help decorate our Sanctuary for Christmas while honoring a loved one or special occasion by dedicating one or more Christmas Poinsettias!

CLICK HERE to make your dedication. Or, at church, you may complete a poinsettia envelope and place it in the offering plate. The cost of each poinsettia is $12. (Envelopes are located on the table near the entrance/exit.)

CATCH OUR OWN DR. JOSEPH HOLT ON DEC. 19 AT A LOCAL LIVE CONCERT!

2021 ELCA GOOD GIFTS

The new ELCA Good Gifts Catalog has arrived! Copies are available to view in Fellowship Hall. Shopping may be done online at https://goodgifts.elca.org/all-gifts.

AVAILABLE GIFTS INCLUDE Barnyard animals & farming, water systems, women & children, business & education, agriculture and health/hygiene items. See the catalog for more details.

FAITH LUTHERAN MUSIC NEWS

Jim Walton has been appointed the next Organist-Choirmaster of

Christ Church (Episcopal) in Bradenton. There he will be assisted by William Holt, organist, and Cecilia McEnany, handbell choir director. He will be conducting the Christ Church Chorale, administering the concert series and restarting the children's choir in the fall of 2022. The organ is large organ of 75 ranks by Letorneau - follow this link for photos and details:

http://letourneauorgans.com/en/opus096.php

Jim came to Faith Lutheran in January 2018 and has accompanied on the organ and piano, led the choir in Joe's absence, sung, performed piano 4-hands repertoire with Joe and worked to keep the organ in good shape.

His last Sunday with us will be December 19th.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY will resume on January 19! Details coming soon…

BUILDING WISH LIST

The Property Committee has identified needs that are not currently in the regular budget but are needed to maintain and improve our church.

Current needs:

1. Upgrade Narthex Restrooms to ADA (cost TBD)

2. Electronic Sign Upgrade on Beneva (cost TBD)

3. Touch-Up/Repaint the Gym (cost TBD)

4. Reseal the Parking Lot

Please consider supporting the church building by making a special offering. Any amount, small or large, is appreciated! To contribute by check, please indicate “Improvement Fund” in the memo. To contribute electronically, please visit our website at www.faithlutheransrq.com/online-giving or using via the Vanco Mobile app (be sure to select “Improvement Fund”).

AMAZON SMILE PROGRAM

Support Faith Lutheran Church when you shop on Amazon – there is no additional cost to you! CLICK HERE to learn how!

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, December 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!

EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES COLLECTION

Please consider donating your empty ink cartridges to help the church and environment! When we bring the cartridges to Staples, we receive store credit from Staples to help offset office supply costs.

The ink collection bin is on the counter in Fellowship Hall.

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 International Day of Persons with [JJ1] Disabilities Pray that we will grow stronger and more aware in our church’s commitment to seek full inclusion and equitable participation of all people within the life of society and the church, embracing the whole person — abilities, questions, life experiences, complexities and all.

4 “Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation” (Psalm 25:5). Pray that God will be patient with us as we strive to be faithful followers and students of Christ; ask the Spirit to stir our hunger for understanding the word of God and reveal its implications for our daily lives.

5 Pray that we will be eager to share the gospel and will welcome the Spirit to use our gifts, abilities, insights and life experiences to prepare the way for others to believe in Christ.