Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others. |
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Faith's Friday Update
October 7, 2022
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Sunday, October 9, 2022
18th Sunday after Pentecost
Worship Services at 8AM & 10:15AM
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Minutes from the September 15, 2022 Congregation Council meeting are now available.
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Pastor Eric made personal calls on behalf of our congregation to the ELCA congregations in North Port, Englewood, Port Charlotte, and Fort Myers offering our support. The Jazzercise community that meets regularly at Faith has begun collecting items for distribution to the hardest hit areas. We are also working with NovusWay Ministries, Luther Springs, Lutheran Disaster Relief and Florida-Bahamas Synod in supporting teams of youth groups who will actually rebuild areas hard hit by Ian. More information on how you can support these efforts will be forthcoming.
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Adult Forum will not meet this Sunday, Oct 9th, but will resume on Sunday, Oct 16th with Lesson 5 “The Rabbi” of “That the World May Know” video series. We will meet in the conference room between the two morning worship services from 9:10–9:50 a.m. 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.
If you are wondering what the title of this series is based on, it comes from John 17:23, “...May they be brought to complete unity. That the world may know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
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Meet the New Music Director
& Come Sing With Us!
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David, and his husband Tom Tryon, recently retired from the Walt Disney World Resort and made their home in Sarasota. For David this was a homecoming, of sorts, having graduated from Sarasota High School and Manatee Junior College (State College of Florida) in the 70’s. Originally from Atlanta, GA, David, his older brother Mike and younger sister Janice, along with their wonderful parents, moved to Sarasota in 1971. David sang under Andy Wright at SHS, played organ in the Sailor Circus Band and was a founding member of Gloria Musicae (Choral Artists of Sarasota).
Following two years on the road singing and playing with Fred Waring and the Young Pennsylvanians, David joined the Walt Disney World Resort as a musician and vocal coach. While living in Orlando David also served as the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church; Chapel Organist at Rollins College; and owner of Keynote Arts Associates where he and his team produced choral festivals and events nationwide.
Honored to be called to serve as your Director of Music / Organist, David is looking forward to working with Pastor Eric, and all of you, to enhance the worship experiences at Faith Lutheran Church. BTW: Have you considered joining the Choir? You should!
You are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for our Voices of Faith kickoff Rehearsal and Reception in the Choir Room on the second floor of the Activity Center. All are welcome! Whether you are seasonal or full time; experienced singer or novice; soloist or shower-singer; church member or visitor you are welcome to join the Voices of Faith Choir. We have a place for you!
Regular rehearsals will take place on one Wednesday evening per month during season. We will also gather on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room beginning Sunday, October 23, 2022. The Choir will return to Worship leadership on Reformation Sunday, October 30, 2022.
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Please sign up to share goodies on Sunday! They can be homemade, or store bought, and do not need to entail a lot of work. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex, on the Greeting Table. |
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ALTAR FLOWERS are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor/remember someone or a special occasion, while decorating our altar for worship. The 2022 Altar Flowers signup poster is available in Fellowship Hall.
The next available sponsorship date is October 30.
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, or $30 for 1 vase. Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church and indicate ‘altar flowers’ in the memo.
Thank you for making Faith Lutheran’s altar beautiful!
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Pastor's Discretionary Funds |
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Our pastor is in the unique position of being able to speak to members of the congregation or the community about specific needs and aid they might require. This fund provides him the means to help financially when necessary.
Thank you for the strong congregational response thus far!
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.
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Looking for a time to pray with members of our Faith family? Join on Wednesday at 11:00 am in the chapel for a time apart. 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 our time with Holy Communion. Come and bring your concerns and your desire to connect with our loving heavenly father!
If you cannot attend in person, we invite you cordially to join us via Zoom Meeting. Please click the red button below.
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Ladies of Faith please join the G.I.F.T.S. (Growing In Faith Through Scripture) Bible study on Tuesday, October 11th at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room. All are welcome. Our study will be "Be Still and Know" by Deb Burma. We will unpack the promises found in Psalm 46 and fulfilled in Christ. We will examine stormy situations and see how Jesus met various women in the midst of their turmoil. Books will be provided, just bring your Bible and a joy in your heart to be in God's Word.
If you have any questions, please call Gwen Schell 402-613-1285 and she will joyfully answer your concerns.
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Calling All Men of Faith! |
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Please join us on Tuesday 10/11 for another session exciting study of the shortest books of the bible!
Don’t let their size fool you, these short books pack a serious spiritual punch! Join us at 10 am in the Chapel. No prior bible study experience necessary! Consider inviting a friend or two as well!
We will not meet on Tuesday 10/18, but will gather next for our prayer breakfast at Skillets on Tuesday 10/25 at 8:30 a.m.
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Faith’s Bereavement Group will meet every Wednesday,
at 1 p.m. (unless notified) in the prayer chapel. All are welcome. If you or a friend can use some help bearing the burden of grief this group is for you! There is strength in the community!
Help spread the word of hope!
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Would you consider serving as an Usher, a Lector, or as a Communion assistant? It is a wonderful way to serve and to feed your faith! No experience necessary! If you are interested in serving please call Joan Searles, Worship Committee Chairperson at (941)921-9896 or call the church office. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
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Readers Club will meet on Monday, 10/24 at 2:00 p.m. in the Library. Flyers will be available on the table in the Narthex beginning this Sunday 10/9. Kathy Schilio is coordinating the Readers Club. This is a good way to grow and learn as we share and listen to each other’s insights. Please join! All are welcome! |
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Adult Bible Study with Pastor Larry
Please Note Date Change
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“LIGHT OF THE WORLD”
A Beginners Guide to Advent
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences will once again provide us with a Participant’s Study Book* and four DVD mini lectures. Our first four sessions will delve into Matthew and Luke’s accounts of the beginning of Christian experience the story of the birth of Jesus. The last two sessions will include a study of hymnody, with special references to favorite hymns of the season, and the stories behind them.
Do the differing birth stories from Matthew and Luke contradict each other? What does one make of Herod’s slaughtering of innocent children? How is Advent-Christmastide more than just a children’s holiday? Are Matthew and Luke totally interested in historical accuracy? Or are they interested in telling us about the connection of the good news of Jesus both to the story of Israel and to the gentile world?
Pastor Larry will lead this Six-Week study beginning Wednesday, October 19th and concluding the 16th of November. Each session is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
IMPORTANT: In order to know how many books to order, please call the church office (941-924-4664) and inform Cate of your intention to join the study. In order for books to be available by Sunday, Oct. 16th, our cut-off date will be Oct. 11th.
We will meet in a second-floor classroom in the Community Center. Donuts and breakfast beverages will be available. ALL ARE WELCOME!!!!! (* Our Mission Endowment Fund makes these materials available free of cost. Blessed are we who receive.)
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Celebration of Life - This Sunday 10/9 |
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Please help us celebrate a life well lived. Our beloved sister, Karla Howell went to be with God at the end of August. Karla loved Faith and all its members. She regularly volunteered in the office, was chair of the new members committee, served on the council, taught Sunday School and was a member of Mary Circle. Karla was a gentle soul who always went the extra mile to help others and seek out visitors as they came to church.
So, let’s have a celebration! Come and join us on Sunday, October 9 after the 10:15 service for a luncheon in Karla’s memory. People will be invited to share their memories of Karla with those present. To honor Karla, please consider wearing purple, her favorite color. Mary Circle is organizing this event. If you would like to contribute some deviled eggs or desserts, please email Janet Petersen at luvstitches55@gmail.com.
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Calling all confirmation students! We will meet
in the Old Pastor’s office
this Sunday, 10/9 at 9:15 a.m. See you there!
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We are continuing to work in partnership with All Faiths Food Bank to begin food pantry operations. In the meantime, we are still collecting food for All Faiths. Bring in any nonperishables, that can be gifted to others who may need them. There is a great need in the community, now more than ever, due to Hurricane Ian. There is a large barrel, in the Narthex, just waiting for your items. |
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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”).
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EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES COLLECTION |
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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.
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9 Praise God for the example of Jesus pausing on his way to Jerusalem to heal the 10 lepers, which encourages our faith in the power of God to heal and renew and calls our attention to the needs of people around us.
10 Pray for rostered ministers and lay leaders who serve congregations in part-time or multiple-ministry contexts, that through their faith, energy and creativity those congregations might discover and use the assets they have, responding to God’s call to serve their community, share the gospel and give witness to God’s love and mercy.
11 Give thanks and pray for the ELCA Justice for Woman program and for the unique voices and experiences of women and girls — across race, ethnicity, ability, class, sexuality, gender identity and age — who raise awareness of and advocate for gender justice.
12 The ELCA Fund for Leaders helps provide scholarships for seminary students responding to God’s call to follow Christ as congregational leaders, campus ministers, missionaries, mission developers and more. Give thanks for the fund’s 25 years of helping seminary students continue their journey to ministry debt-free and for the generosity of ELCA members committed to encouraging and preparing new leaders.
13 Pray that we will live and serve with confidence in God’s promises, listen to and respect one another, and reflect the love and ways of God in all that we do and say as people of faith and disciples of Christ.
14 Remember in prayer young adults who are working, serving in the military or engaged in nontraditional education opportunities, that they might know that God has purpose for them and that their gifts, knowledge, interests, life experiences and work are valued by the church, their communities and the world.
15 “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart” (Psalm 111:1). Give thanks for God’s trustworthy grace, activity in the world and daily blessings that renew and sustain us.
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10/01 Ahlquist, Connie & Richard
10/10 Zabor, Conrad & Joan
10/12 Powrie, Marianne & Max
10/15 Jimenez, Jesus & Rita
10/17 Hradek, Christine & Jeffrey
10/19 Lauritsen, Kay & Jim
10/20 Clark, Jayne & Robert
10/23 Rappold, Elsa & Fritz
10/29 Cusmano, Merle & John
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10/02 Keith Ballweg
10/04 Jeffrey Smith
10/05 Carrie DeZutter
10/07 William Riedel
10/08 Ashley Ahlquist 10/08 Mike Hosler
10/09 Carole Inkrott
10/10 Carolyn Winemiller
10/10 Sergio Gamboa
10/11 Alix Giannini
10/11 Mark Weisgerber 10/11 Troy Ashby
10/13 Bill Little
10/13 Jere Stiglitz
10/13 Richard Radey
10/14 Catherine Olsen 10/17 John Weisgerber, Jr.
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10/19 Kristy Knutson
10/20 Ken Knatz
10/20 LaVerne Ulreich 10/20 Sandra Dawson
10/21 Ed Wambold
10/21 Larry Liedel
10/21 Luke Olsen
10/22 Fritz Rappold
10/22 Jason Thornbloom 10/24 Alf Kirkeeng
10/24 Kelly Clark
10/25 Pat Liedel
10/26 Jennifer Verwey 10/27 Lori Moreland
10/28 Andrea Gamboa 10/29 Scott Rice
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Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen
Church Office Administrator: Cate Teague
Weekly office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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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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