Faith's Friday Update

NOTE: At the bottom of this email, if you see words like, "View entire message", you will need to click the link to view the rest of the content.

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

Faith's Friday Update

February 18, 2022

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

8AM & 10:15AM, In Person & Live-Streamed

Worship Bulletin

NOTE: The Voices of Faith Choir is on hiatus - no practice until further notice.

Readings:

Genesis 45:3-11, 15 - Joseph forgives his brothers

Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 - The lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace. (Ps. 37:11)

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 - The mystery of the resurrection of the body

Luke 6:27-38 - Love your enemies

LADIES BIBLE STUDY - NEXT MEETING ON MARCH 1.

Please note the Ladies Bible Study will not meet on Tuesday, Feb. 22. It's just a one-week hiatus and will resume the following Tuesday, March 1.

BEREAVEMENT GROUP BEGINS WEDNESDAY

The psalmist declares to God, “You have turned my mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30:11).

If you are experiencing a period of mourning in your life, please know you are not alone. Consider joining Pastor Eric and Pastor Bob for a new Bereavement Group, which will begin this Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.

The group will meet in the old Pastor’s office off Fellowship Hall.

PREPARING FOR TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY

"Experience the Joy That Comes from Giving, Serving, and Growing in the Lord"

We are preparing for Transfiguration Sunday! A letter with details was mailed out Friday, Feb. 11. If you have not received yours in the mail, CLICK HERE to view the electronic version. Hard copies will be available in the narthex this Sunday. Don't miss your chance to participate!

VIRTUAL OPTION: If you will be away or watching online, you may complete your electronic pledge card by CLICKING HERE. We will print and include it during the dedication on Transfiguration Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022.

"SOUPER" BOWL RESULTS

THANK YOU to everyone who generously participated in the “SOUPER” BOWL food drive!

Souper Bowl voting overwhelmingly predicted the Cincinnati Bengals to win – it was a close game!

144 cans of soup were collected plus an additional $837 between the Souper Bowl and recent Norwegian luncheon, hosted by Pr. Van & Ruth Anna Miller! All food and money donations are going to All Faiths Food Bank.

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Rams!

A FAMILY IN NEED

"An outstretched hand of kindness can transform someone's dark moment with a blaze of light”

A family, enrolled in our school, is facing major financial hardship at this time.

We would like to appeal to you for help in assisting this family through a crisis situation with your prayers and by making a donation specifically designated to help pay for the costs associated with the tuition for 2021-22 for their two children enrolled in our school.

If you are able to make a donation, please send a check to Faith Early Learning Center marked: “Family in Need 2022”.

Thank you for giving this request your consideration.

CAR DONATION NEEDED

Please help if you can. We know of a large local family in need of a car. If you have a working vehicle, please consider donating it to Faith Lutheran Church so we can help this family in this very important way.

SAVE THE DATE: WOMEN'S MINI RETREAT

SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 8:45AM-1:00PM

Ladies of Faith, you are invited to a mini retreat to be held here at Faith. Experience fellowship, being in the Word, participate in a servant project, worship with Holy Communion, and luncheon served by men of Faith. This event will focus on God taking our old natures and turning us into something new and of great value.

Watch the bulletin for registration and more information.

Great American Cleanup - March 26th

A Message from Keep Sarasota County Beautiful:

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2022 Great American Cleanup.

This year there is a great variety of locations and volunteer opportunities for both traditional litter removal (registration: Great American Cleanup - Litter Removal) and "special projects" (registration: Great American Cleanup - Special Projects). The special projects include invasive removal, painting, riding the SCAT bus to collect litter at several bus stops, and many more!

We look forward to seeing everyone at this year's Great American Cleanup event!

Sincerely,

The Keep Sarasota County Beautiful Team

NOTARY SERVICE AT FAITH

Notary Public service is now available at Faith Lutheran during office hours, Monday-Friday between 9AM-3PM. There is no charge for members, but donations to Faith are always welcome!

If you have any questions, please contact Tami Page at officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com or (941) 924-4664.

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”).

ALTAR FLOWERS

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 date is Sunday, March 6!

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!

18 Give thanks that our faith and hope are grounded in Christ’s resurrection and the promise of one day being raised to eternal life as God’s children. Pray that the Spirit will help us articulate — in our own imperfect words — our joy, our faith and the good news of Jesus Christ for all people.

19 Pray that our seminaries and Lay Schools for Ministry program will grow, thrive and prepare our church leaders for ministry in diverse and changing contexts, in the present and with insightful anticipation of the future.

20 “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as [God] is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36). Ask the Spirit to help us do what seems difficult or impossible and live as willing disciples of Christ.