Faith's Friday Update

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

Faith's Friday Update

January 7, 2022

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Baptism of Our Lord

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

Worship Bulletin

Readings:

Isaiah 43:1-7 - When you pass through the waters, do not fear, for I am with you

Psalm 29 - The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3)

Acts 8:14-17 - Prayer and laying on of hands for the Holy Spirit

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 - The baptism of Jesus with the descent of the Holy Spirit

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED!

If you are interested in teaching Sunday School, we would love to have you as part of our team!

Please call the church office or speak to Pastor Olsen as we are planning an upcoming meeting to discuss our Sunday School Launch.

COMING SOON AT FAITH - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Sunday, Jan. 23 at 9AM

Potential New Members Q&A with Coffee

If you’ve been thinking of becoming a member of Faith Lutheran Church, we’d love to have you! Please call the office or speak to Pastor Olsen and join us on January 23 at 9AM to learn more.

Sunday, Jan. 30 at 9AM

Budget Forum (with coffee!)

The forum is an opportunity for members of Faith Lutheran to ask questions about the budget and understand the budget process. It will take place in Fellowship Hall and will be offered via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person.

Sunday, Feb. 6 at 9AM

2022 Annual Congregational Meeting

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 9AM (between worship services). It will be offered in person and virtually, via Zoom. All voting members are encouraged to attend, if possible.

We will receive new members at the 8AM and 10:15AM services.

Sunday, Feb. 13 at 9AM

Weekly Confirmation Class, led by Pastor Olsen

If you are interested in Confirmation Classes, please join us for the first class on Sunday, February 13 at 9AM in the old pastor’s office off Fellowship Hall. For our first week, we invite a parent to accompany each student.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Olsen.

Year End Giving Statements for 2021 will be:

Emailed to those with a valid opted-in email address on file on Friday, January 14. Paper copies will be provided on request. Signup for a paper copy in the narthex or contact Patty McKee (941-921-3709), or email pattymckee15@gmail.com.
Available for Pick Up in the Narthex (Sundays) or in the Church Office (Mon-Fri) for those without email addresses or have opted out from Sunday, January 16 - 23, after which they will be mailed to the address on file.

Please contact the church office or Patty McKee to update any information prior to the dates noted above, or if you have questions.

If you want or need a Year-End Statement prior to the dates noted above, please feel free to contact the Church Office or Patty McKee.

LADIES' BIBLE STUDY

RESUMES JAN. 11

The Tuesday morning G.I.F.T.S. ladies bible study will resume on Jan 11, at 9:30am in the conference room. We will begin a new study, "Living a Chocolate Life". What does it mean to live a chocolate life? It means experiencing everything from bitter nuggets of pain to sweet morsels of joy. Whatever the shape, flavor or texture of your days, you can live in the rich and endless supply of the grace that is ours because of Jesus. This study will focus on different aspects of life as a Christian woman, reminding us we are wrapped in His Love.

Plan to join GIFTS (Growing In Faith Through Scripture) as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.

“ENTERING THE PASSION OF JESUS”

A Beginners Guide to Holy Week

Once again, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Sciences provides our material for this study. It includes six short DVD lectures featuring each of the six sessions in the Participant’s Book. Each person will receive his or her own student book, thanks to a grant from our congregation’s Mission Endowment Fund.

Jesus’ final days were full of risk. Every move he made was filled with anticipation, danger, and the potential for great loss or great reward. Jesus risked his reputation when he entered Jerusalem in a victory parade. He risked his life when he dared to teach in the Temple. His followers risked everything when they left behind their homes, or anointed him with costly perfume. We take risks as we read and re-read these stories, finding new meanings and new challenges.

This Six-Week study will begin on Wednesday, January 19^th, and conclude the 23^rd of February. Each session is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. We will gather in the Community Center, in an upstairs room with good acoustics. Pastor Larry will lead our group study.

IMPORTANT: In order to know how many books to order, please register by CLICKING HERE, or calling the church office (941-924-4664) and inform Tami of your intention to join the study.

The registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 10. Participant books will be available in the narthex on Sunday, Jan. 16 and in the office on Jan. 17 & 18 for pickup.

Coffee + Tea + Donuts + Laughter + Fellowship

Prayer + Lively Discussion

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. Next available date, February 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

January is Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month - Throughout this month, pray for those victimized by human trafficking, which disproportionately affects women and girls. Pray for an end to this global tragedy, and pray that all who suffer its abuse, injustice and oppression will find freedom, healing, support and safety, especially in our communities of faith.

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!

7 Thank and praise God for restoring our relationships as children of God, so that we can live with faith, hope and freedom as new creations and siblings in Christ.

8 After a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program is getting ready to send volunteers out into the world again. Pray that the Spirit will guide the prayerful reflection of young adults as they discern how to respond to God’s call to service and ministry with our global companions and churches.

9 Pray that everything we do during our baptismal journey in this world will point to God, who has redeemed us and redirected our lives through the birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus — our Savior, teacher, guide and friend.