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Sunday, March 16, 2025

Second Sunday in Lent

Worship Services at 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

The covenant with Abram and his descendants.

Psalm 27

In the day of trouble, God will give me shelter (Ps. 27:5)

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Our citizenship is in heaven from where we expect a Savior.

Luke 13:31-35

I have desired to gather Jerusalem as a hen gathers her brood.

It’s time to start collecting personal-care kit items for Lutheran World Relief. Please place nail clippers, combs, bath-size soap and adult-size toothbrushes in the bin in the narthex. Soap is the most-needed item. A Thrivent grant will cover the cost of towels for the kits. If you are unable to shop, monetary contributions are welcome.

Lenten Wednesdays: March 19 and 26, and April 2 and 9

• Noon, Midweek Lenten Worship followed by a common meal, sanctuary/fellowship hall

Palm Sunday/New Member Sunday, April 13

• 8 a.m., Celebration Worship with Holy Communion, sanctuary
• 10:15 a.m., Celebration Worship with Holy Communion and choir, sanctuary
• 5 p.m., Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion, sanctuary

Maundy Thursday, April 17

• 7 p.m., Worship with Holy Communion, sanctuary

Good Friday, April 18

• 7 a.m., Multi-Denominational Stations of the Cross, park at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave.; take a free trolley to the starting location
• 2 p.m., Stations of the Cross, sanctuary
• 7 p.m., Tenebrae Worship with choir, sanctuary

Holy Saturday, April 19

• 7:30 p.m., Easter Vigil Part One, parking lot

Easter Sunday, April 20

• 7 a.m., Easter Vigil Part Two, Memorial Garden
• 9 a.m., Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt, fellowship hall and playground
• 10:15 a.m.,  Easter Celebration Worship with Holy Communion and choir, sanctuary

The Faith Prayer List has begun anew.

To add someone to the list or to ensure that someone who had previously been on the list remains there:

• Email officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com, or
• Complete a Prayer Request Card. The cards are found in the pews, on the tables at the back of the sanctuary and in the narthex. Place completed cards in the offering plate. You are welcome to use the back of a card for additional names.



It is a privilege and joy to pray for those in need, and all prayer requests are welcome. Names can remain on the list for as long as prayers are requested. 

Sunday, March 16, will be your final opportunity to get your photo taken for the Faith pictorial directory. If that date doesn't work for you, contact the church office, officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com or 941-924-4664.

• Adult Forum meets between the two morning worship services in the conference room. This coming Sunday, the group will study Lesson 5, Pentecost, God Changes His Address, in the “Mission of Jesus” series.
• Women of Faith meet for breakfast, prayer and camaraderie at 8:30 a.m., Monday, March 17, at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail. Questions? See Pastor Marianne or email her, pastorp2.0@gmail.com.
• Men of Faith meet for breakfast and prayer at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail.
• G.I.F.T.S. (Growing in Faith Through Scripture) Women’s Bible study meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the library to focus on "Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God's Strength." Can't attend in person? Join via Zoom: Meeting ID 867 2113 5300, Passcode 815433.
• The Prayer Support Group meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the chapel to pray for all in need, our community, nation and world, and to share Holy Communion. Can't be there in person? Join via Zoom: Meeting ID 871 4720 3661, Passcode 041291.
• During Lent, the Bereavement Group meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel. If you or a friend can use help bearing the burden of grief, this group is for you.

Worship to Go needs additional helpers! You can participate at:

• 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at Angels Senior Living, 5750 Honore Ave.
• 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 25, at Aravilla Sarasota, 3251 Proctor Road.

Volunteers will meet in the chapel and can carpool to the facility (30 minutes prior).

To join in, contact Pastor Eric directly, 716-352-0055, or show up at the chapel. No experience necessary!  

Join other music lovers at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30, at Faith for an inspiring concert in which Faith's own music director Andi Zdrava, will lead an unforgettable program featuring works performed by talented guests artists.

The event celebrates and welcomes Andi as the new conductor of the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra, and supports the group's upcoming season.

Mention Faith Lutheran for a special discounted price when you buy tickets online at aicco.ludus.com or by calling 941-312-1789.

Save the date for the WELCA Mid-Gulf Spring Gathering, Saturday, April 12, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Faith. It will be a day of fellowship, Bible study and a special presentation by Faith’s own Al Ernst.

Both continental breakfast and lunch will be served at a cost of only $10. Sign up on the narthex table to indicate that you'll be there.

The Faith Evangelism Ministry team is sharing daily devotions and prayers from Luther Seminary with the musical theme “There in God’s Garden.”

You have begun receiving a devotion via email from Faith each morning. Printed devotional booklets also are available on the table in the narthex for people who do not use email.

During midweek Lenten lunches on Wednesdays, which will follow midweek worship, you will be invited into meaningful discussion based on the daily devotions.

The Evangelism Ministry team prays that the devotions and discussions will draw us closer as a congregation during our Lenten journey.

The Faith Readers Club meets at 2 p.m. on the final Monday of each month.

On March 31, the group will discuss How We Learn to be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith by Mariann Budde, Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C.

Come and join the conversation. All are welcome.

Faith will receive new members on Palm Sunday, April 13.

If you are considering membership or have questions, please see Pastor Eric or contact him, 941-924-4664 or pastor@faithlutheransrq.com.

Thanks to the Faith property committee, with special thanks to John Thomsen, 10 new garden benches are securely installed in the Memorial Garden, providing opportunities for restful meditation among nature. The cost of the benches was covered by generous donors.

The garden, located behind the church building, is the site of special worship services, the final resting place for the ashes of Faith members and friends who have joined the church triumphant, and a place of quiet respite. Volunteers work diligently to maintain the garden and continually enhance its beauty. The cost of garden maintenance is covered by the Faith Memorial Garden Fund. 

Have you wondered about the cinderblock structure that's being constructed on the southwest corner of Faith's parking lot? It will house Faith's trash and recycling dumpsters, and protect them from unauthorized use that increases the church's refuse-hauling costs. The structure will continue to take shape during the coming weeks.

Zumba begins at 6 p.m. Mondays in the Community Center (gym). All fitness levels are welcome! It is free for congregation members, and a voluntary donation from non-members is appreciated. Join in the fun!

Faith will pay for Uber or Lyft to bring you or others to worship or other events.

Contact Pastor Eric to make arrangements, 716-352-0055.

You can place small, used batteries in the box on the counter in fellowship hall. A volunteer will take them to Staples once a week for recycling.

Batteries that can be recycled are:

• Lithium Ion (Li-Ion). 
• Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH).
• Nickel Zinc (Ni-ZN).                                   
• Non-Rechargeable Lithium.
• Rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd).
• Single-Use Alkaline.
• Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb).

Please consider donating altar flowers in honor of a special occasion, in memory of a loved one or to glorify God.

The cost is $30 for one vase or $60 for two vases. For each week, we can have either one donor for both vases, or two donors for one vase each. Make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church, and indicate "altar flowers" in the memo line.

Check the altar flowers donation board in fellowship hall to see if your desired date is available. If not, please choose an alternate date. The next open date is April 6.

When you purchase altar flowers, your name and dedication will be published in the bulletin on your selected Sunday. To make a dedication:

• At church, complete an Altar Flowers envelope with your payment, and place it in the offering plate. Indicate your wish to keep or donate the flowers on the donation board in fellowship hall. You also can include a note in the envelope with your donation or call the church office.
• By mail, send payment with a note indicating your desired date and dedication, and if you want to keep the flowers or donate them.
• By email or phone, contact the church office with your desired date and dedication, and whether you want to keep or donate the flowers. Pay through the altar flowers option on the Faith website.



If you have questions or specific requests about who or what organization should receive flowers that you purchased and choose to donate, contact Joan Hirsch, 941-726-7885.

Coffee hour is an important fellowship ministry at Faith that needs additional volunteers. All you have to do is provide and put out snacks, and clean up afterward.

Faith can cover the cost of the snacks If you would like to volunteer but don't have resources to purchase them.

Please sign up on the sheet beside the coffee pot in fellowship hall. Questions? Contact Karen Naulty, knaulty@yahoo.com or 406-334-1063; or Denise Kirkeeng, kirkeengd@verizon.net or 941-468-6668.

“You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6:24).

The world sees money as life's report card, and source of all happiness and security.

In contrast, we, as faithful stewards, see money as a means to provide for our needs, to help others and to further God's kingdom.

Dear heavenly Father, help me to hold money loosely and to have a proper attitude toward it. Amen.

The Mission Endowment Fund allows Faith Lutheran to be a Christian factor in our community and world for years to come. Think of a gift to the endowment fund as a legacy extending the work of the church, and allowing you to make a lasting impact on our church and world. Endowment funds consist of monetary gifts or assets of which the principal amount given usually is retained and only the income is spent to fund ministries that are not covered by the church budget. If you use giving envelopes, a special Mission Endowment Fund envelope is included in your packet this month. Or to give online, click here.

Saturday, March 15

8 a.m., Jazzercise, community center (gym)

9 a.m., Diakonia, conference room

Sunday, March 16

8 a.m., Worship In Person and Live-Stream, sanctuary

9:10 a.m., Adult Forum, conference room

9:30 a.m., Voices of Faith, choir room

10:15 a.m., Worship In Person and Live-Stream, sanctuary

5 p.m., Worship In Person, sanctuary

Monday, March 17

8:30 a.m., Women of Faith Breakfast, Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail

6 p.m., Zumba, community center (gym)

Tuesday, March 18

8:30 a.m., Men of Faith Breakfast, Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail

9:30 a.m., G.I.F.T.S. Women’s Bible Study, library

12:45 p.m., Worship to Go Prep, chapel

1:30 p.m., Worship to Go, Angels Senior Living, 5750 Honore

6 p.m., Diversity Voices of Sarasota, choir room and sanctuary

Wednesday, March 19

9:30 a.m., Executive Committee, conference room

10:30 a.m., Prayer Support Group, chapel

11:30 a.m., Property Committee, conference room

12 p.m., Midweek Lenten Worship followed by a Common Meal, sanctuary/fellowship hall

1:30 p.m., Bereavement Group, chapel

Thursday, March 20

9 a.m., Food Pantry Prep, fellowship hall

9:30 a.m., Finance Committee, conference room

1:30 p.m., Stewardship Committee, conference room

4:30 p.m., Food Pantry prep, fellowship hall

5 p.m., Food Pantry Open

6:30 p.m., Voices of Faith, choir room

Friday, March 21

8 a.m., Jazzercize, community center

Saturday, March 22

8 a.m., Jazzercize, community center

9 a.m., Diakonia, conference room

• Lucy Abbott, sister-in-law of Judy Millard
• Susan Armistead, friend of Patty McKee
• Billy Bajor
• Family & Friends of Michele Bajor
• Gail Brown
• Dee Burlingame                                                      
• Linda Craley, sister-in-law of Dick & Jetty Zarfos
• Nancy Dandino
• Ken Dixon, online worshipper
• Joe and Joan Dongarra, friends of Lois Weaverling
• Mark Evan
• John Robert Flower, son of Bob & Catherine Flower
• Becky Hilton Heeps, friend of Lisa Olsen
• Pete Inkrott
• Leonard Kotwitz, brother of Janet Falk
• Juli & Eli Maresch, niece and grand-nephew of Patty McKee
• Family & Friends of Matthew McKelvey
• Jay Millard, son of John & Judy Millard
• Kathy Ocker, friend of Lisa & Pastor Eric Olsen
• Judy Osborn, sister of Peggy Ragan
• Stephanie Sebastyn, friend of Carolyn Winemiller
• Darren Thomsen, son of John & Tricia Thomsen
• Jessica Uebel, cousin of Adele Smith
• John White
• Dorothy Wolfe, cousin of Adele Smith

If you have an addition to or would like to remove a name from the prayer list, email the person's name to officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com.

Find daily Prayer Ventures on the ELCA website. Here are prayers for today and the days ahead.

3/14 Give thanks for the ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship program, which supports students attending ELCA seminaries so that they can graduate with less debt, and respond to God’s call as the church needs and the Spirit leads.

3/15 Pray for the ELCA AMMPARO Migrant Ministry, ELCA Witness in Society, ELCA World Hunger, Global Refuge, Lutheran Services in America, and other partner ministries and organizations that uphold basic human rights, address causes of migration, and help immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees rebuild their lives in our country.

3/16 “O God, you know all that we think or do, you know the pain we put each other through. Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord, grant us peace” (WOV 739). Praise God for the boundless love and forgiveness that create a new spirit within us and enable us to change how we behave toward our neighbors.

3/17 Remember in prayer the 240 ELCA missionaries who serve alongside global church partners in more than 40 countries, doing God’s work in the world and supporting the growth of new congregations, urban and youth outreach, theological education, pursuit of justice and peace, and leadership training.

3/18 Remember in prayer congregations that are working through leadership transitions, assessing their missions and resources, and searching for pastors, deacons or others to become teachers and leaders.

3/19 “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me” (Martin Luther, Table Talk). Pray that the word of God in scripture will lay hold of us and reveal something new to us each time we read the Bible, hear it read aloud or reflect on its implications for our daily lives.

3/20 First Day of Spring: Sing praises and lift up prayers of joy and thanksgiving for the new life, light and hope that emerge with spring — awesome gifts from God, the Creator.

3/21 Thank God for the ELCA’s special relationship with The Episcopal Church, a full communion partner since 1999. Pray for the church, its members and its leaders, that together we will find strength and resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor.

3/4 Kenneth & Sandra Brinker

3/18 Steve and Susan Ashby

3/3 John White

3/4 Eloise Dettmer

3/5 Virginia Chauncey

3/5 Lars Olsen

3/7 Sherry Morrison

3/8 Nancy Dandino

3/10 Ann Wright

3/10 Linda Burton

3/11 Elaine Donham

3/12 Steve Stramaglia

3/13 Joan Zabor

3/13 Patty McKee

3/15 Rita Jimenez

3/16 Denise Kirkeeng

3/16 Jeffrey Ragan

3/16 Aaron Puebla

3/17 Jerry Kolschowsky

3/18 Kathy Schilio

3/20 Kay Bruning

3/22 Janet Petersen

3/25 Sandy Gerber

3/26 Donna Pappalardo

3/26 Marlene Radesk

3/27 Chase Graziade

3/31 Ray Giannini

If a birthday or anniversary is missing or listed incorrectly, kindly notify officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com.

Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen

pastor@faithlutheransrq.com

Assistant to the Pastor: Rev. Larry Wright

larannw@comcast.net

Retired Pastors in Residence: Rev. John Hilficker, Rev. Marianne Powrie, Rev. John Spittal

Director of Music/Organist: Andi Zdrava

musicdirector@faithlutheransrq.com

Interim Executive Assistant: Linda Fewell

officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com

Congregation Council: Ann Greenwood, president; Joan Searles, vice president; Lauren Wardach, secretary; Anita Wooton, treasurer; Jane Sanks, assistant treasurer; Jerry Cooper; Quyen Dang; Julianne Geyser; Mark Nelson; Peggy Ragan; Deacon Scott Rice

941-924-4664 | www.faithlutheransrq.com

Office hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday

Mission – Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others

Values – Mutual Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Service, Forgiveness, Commitment, Perseverance, Faithfulness, Compassion, Flexibility

CLICK HERE to view the current Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church.