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Sunday, March 31, 2024

Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day

Worship Services at 7 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Acts 10:34-43

God raised Jesus on the third day.

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps. 118:24).

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Witnesses to the Risen Christ.

Mark 16:1-8

Seeing the risen Christ.

Good Friday, March 29

2 p.m., Stations of the Cross Worship - sanctuary

7 p.m., Tenebrae Worship - sanctuary

Holy Saturday, March 30

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

Easter Sunday, March 31

7 a.m., Easter Vigil Part Two - Memorial Garden

8:30 a.m., Easter Potluck Breakfast - fellowship hall

9:30 a.m., Easter Egg Hunt - outside (meet in narthex)

10:15 a.m., Easter Celebration Worship with Holy Communion, choir and organ - sanctuary

Faith’s annual Easter Egg Hunt begins at 9:30 a.m. Easter morning. Children of all ages are welcome! Meet in the narthex before heading outside. Egg hunts are playful, symbolic ways to reenact the search for and discovery of the resurrected Christ. And because the egg represents new life, it reminds us that the joy, love and peace we find in Jesus brings us new and everlasting life. 

NOTE: Sunday School class will take a break on Easter Sunday.

Would you like to be part of a team that welcomes more families to Faith? Please join the new Family and Child Ministry team! Children need Jesus. They need to hear Bible stories, have relationships with church members and be nurtured in a community of faith. Like all of us, they need to grow in spiritual understanding, and learn about God’s will and the sacrificial love of Christ. You can help! Contact Deborah Dornemann, director of Family and Child Ministry, familyandchild@faithlutheransrq.com or 941-914-7553, to learn how you can help grow the Family and Child Ministry at Faith. 

Life is not always pleasant. In fact, it can be downright tough as it deals us one harsh blow after another. War, rejection, sickness, financial difficulties, loss of employment, death of loved ones, tragedies of one sort or another ...

That's the way it was on Good Friday as Jesus was in the tomb. The world seemed to be falling apart. But as one pastor observed, "It may be Friday, but Sunday's coming!" Jesus Christ rose from the dead that Resurrection Sunday morning to prove that he is the King of Kings. He is the victor who has conquered sin and death. That's why Easter is forever. That's why we have new life in place of death, liberty in place of bondage, joy instead of sorrow. Because he lives - because he is the victor - we shall live also!

That's the message of hope that we are proclaiming through the ministry at Faith Lutheran. But as with almost anything of value, there's a cost associated with proclaiming the good news of the resurrection. As one church newsletter put it, "We enjoy the benefits of being Easter people, but we don't like to hear about the cost of Good Friday." It costs money to keep the lights and heat on, to hire staff, to pay for the building and its upkeep, to buy music and Sunday School literature and more. And volunteers must invest time and talents to keep things going.

Those are good reasons, as you consider all that we have as Christians because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, to consider a special offering to this ministry. Perhaps you would see it as a praise and thanksgiving offering for the resurrection. Or maybe you would view it as an Easter memorial to the great sacrifice Christ made on the cross. Whatever you call it, as you pray about what God would have you do, you may be sure that what you give will be used to share the good news of Resurrection Sunday with those who are living with a "Friday" mentality.

It may be Friday, but Sunday's coming! Praise God!

Your Support is Important

Scan this QR Code to be directed to the Faith website, where you can make online contributions to the church's general fund and special ministries.

• Patty McKee, in memory of her husband, Donald McKee.
• John & Judy Millard, in memory of loved ones.
• Gail Murphy, in memory of her husband, Brion Murphy.
• Rev. Eric & Lisa Olsen, in thanksgiving for Olaf & Catherine Olsen.
• Olaf & Catherine Olsen, in honor of the Olsen family.
• Donna Pappalardo, in memory of loved ones.
• Marlene Radesk, in memory of Wally, Madelyn & Marilyn Radesk.
• Scott Rice, in memory of family.
• Joan Searles, in memory of parents, Christian and Clara Fick; & siblings & friends.
• Candace & Rod Secrest, in memory of loved ones.
• Ingrid Velkme, in memory of her parents, Arturs & Dzidra Cirulis.
• Susan Wakefield, in memory of Helen Mojo.
• David & Lauren Wardach, in memory of John Wardach.
• Doug & Aylene Weaver, in memory of Cheryl Weaver & John Brett.
• Rev. Larry & Ann Wright, in memory of their son, David.
• Joan & Conrad Zabor, in memory of their parents, Gertrude & Edward Kulakowski, & Thaddeus & Genevieve Zabor.
• Dick & Jetty Zarfos, in praise and thanksgiving for all God’s blessings.

If you donated a plant, you are welcome to take it home after the 10:15 a.m. service service or donate it to brighten someone else's day.

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.

Deb Masser and her husband moved from East Greenwich, R.I., to Osprey, Fla., as part-time residents in December 2010. They visited several area churches and fell in love with Faith Lutheran, Pastor Steve and the congregants who very warmly welcomed them. They stayed through the long transition while Faith was in the process of calling a new pastor, and couldn't be happier with Pastor Eric and his team!

After her husband's passing, Faith and its people have become even more important to Deb. She became a member, participates in the Bereavement Group and says she truly loves this special church where God led her. She now is a full-time Florida resident, and she looks forward to spending more time helping and worshipping at Faith.

Adult Forum will not meet Easter Day. Next week, April 7 between the services, the group will study lesson 5, “I Led You Like a Bride – A Wedding at Sinai,” in volume 9, “Fire on the Mountain/Displaying God to a Broken World,” in the “That the World May Know” video series. 

Men of Faith meet for breakfast and prayer at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 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 “Be Still and Know — A Study of Rest and Refuge.” 

The Prayer Group meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the chapel to pray for all in need, our community, our nation, our world, and to share Holy Communion. Can't attend in person? Join via Zoom: Meeting ID 871 4720 3661. Passcode 041291.

The Bereavement Group meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel. If you or a friend is struggling with grief, this group is for you. There is strength and hope in community. 

Mark your calendars and prepare to be entertained during the Here I Stand Up Class Comedy Show Graduation, Sunday, April 7, in the gym. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the fun begins at 2 p.m.

For a free-will donation, you can smile and laugh through the event while enjoying light refreshments ($20 value). All proceeds will benefit the Here I Stand Up Comedy Ministry.

Along with comedy "professor" Al Ernst, featured performers include Faith's own Gail Lidinsky, Scott Rice and Pastor Eric Olsen. Be there to experience the fun of living in faith.

The spring session of Adult Bible Study will focus on chapters from a favorite resource: “Reading Biblical Literature,” with Dr. Craig R. Koester, professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary. Each one-hour session begins at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, April 10-May 15, in the second-floor classroom.

Pastor Larry will lead the six-part study, which will cover:

• Violence and Kindness in the Promised Land (Joshua, Judges and Ruth).
• Elijah, The Troubler of Israel.
• Biblical Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job).
• Psalms: The Bible’s Songbook.
• Luke on the World Upside Down.
• John on the Word Made Flesh.

You don’t have to register, but please indicate your intent to attend by signing the sheet on the narthex table or contacting the church office, 941-924-4664 or officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com.

Light refreshments provided! Great discussion! Fun fellowship! You are invited!

The Faith Mission Endowment Fund Committee met March 10 and welcomed new and returning members: Ann Greenwood, chairperson; Patty McKee, vice chairperson; Denise Kirkeeng, secretary; Terry Copper, treasurer; Rev. John Spittal, finance assistant; Marlene Radesk, marketing; and Karen Kolschowsky, grant coordinator.

They are committed and passionate about helping to fund new ministries that are not within the current church budget. If you have a need, idea or question, please see any committee member. They are here for you and want to hear from you!

Mark your calendars, invite friends and register now for Vacation Bible School Day Camp, July 22-26 at Faith. It will run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday of that week, and will conclude at noon Friday with a special program for families and friends. There is no cost to attend, and lunch and snacks are included!

Taught by trained teachers from Camp Luther Springs, the five days of fun will include Bible study, worship, games, arts and crafts, nature studies and more.

Click the corresponding button below to get additional info or to view/print a registration form. Questions? Contact Director of Family and Child Ministry Deborah Dornemann, familyandchild@faithlutheransrq.com.

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 Sunday, May 12.

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 specific requests about who or what facility should receive donated flowers, contact Judi Melander, judimelander629@gmail.com or 941-927-2502.

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

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.

Pastor Eric often speaks with people about aid they require. The Pastor's Discretionary Fund allows him to assist financially, when appropriate. If you can, please consider a donation to the fund so those in need can receive assistance.

The Faith Food Pantry now consistently provides food for almost 200 people each week! Please place donations of food and paper products in the white food pantry barrel. They will provide for many families in need.

Congratulations and God's blessings to Pastor Eric, who, along with his pastoral work at Faith, has been named Sarasota Fire Department Chaplain. In that role, he counsels and prays with firefighters and staff during difficult times, and celebrates and prays with them during happy, exciting times. With the fire chief and incident commander, he also focuses on the needs of citizens who experience loss or distress during fire-related incidents.

Pastor Eric previously served as fire department chaplain in Buffalo and New York City, N.Y., and says he is humbled to once again be serving with the fine men and women of the fire service.

Today, Good Friday, March 29

8:30 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

2 p.m., Stations of the Cross Worship - sanctuary

6:15 a.m., Voices of Faith Quartet Rehearsal - choir room

7 p.m. Tenebrae Worship -sanctuary

Holy Saturday, March 30

8:30 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

9 a.m., Diakonia - conference room

7:30 p.m., Easter Vigil Part One - meet at firepit in parking lot

Easter Sunday, March 31

7 a.m., Easter Vigil Part Two - Memorial Garden

8:30 a.m., Easter Potluck Breakfast - fellowship hall

9:30 a.m., Easter Egg Hunt - outside (meet in narthex)

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

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

Monday, April 1

Tuesday, April 2

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

9:30 a.m., Women's Bible Study - library

10 a.m., Jazzercise - gym

6 p.m., Diversity Voices of Sarasota - sanctuary

Wednesday, April 3

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

1 p.m., Bereavement Group - chapel

Thursday, April 4

9 a.m., Receive Food Delivery and Prep for Distribution - food pantry

10 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

1 p.m., Stitch 'n' Chatter - room 212

4:30 p.m., Food Pantry Prep - food pantry

5 p.m., Food Pantry Open

6:30 p.m., Confirmation - conference room

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

3/29 Good Friday: Pray that, when we gather, worship and study as siblings in Christ, we will encourage one another to grow in faith, understanding and gratitude for God’s sacrificial, life-giving love, witnessed in Christ’s suffering and death on the cross.

3/30 Much of what we profess to believe may seem like a mystery to us and others. Ask the Spirit to help us live with the mystery and, at the same time, to grow in faith and awe of the triune God, who claims and gathers us close as loved children.

3/31 Easter Sunday: Praise God that sin, fear and death have no control over us — Jesus Christ has risen for the redemption and healing of humanity! “Christ is living! Gone with sorrow! Tears and terror, be no more” (All Creation Sings 934). 

4/1 “We need to hear the gospel every day, because we forget it every day” (attributed to Martin Luther, 1483-1546). Pray that we might never grow weary of hearing the story of Easter or experiencing God’s love and mercy for the world in the gift of Jesus Christ.

4/2 Arab American Heritage Month: Remember in prayer the diverse gifts, cultures, heritages, ethnic values and stories of our Arab and Middle Eastern neighbors and siblings in Christ. Ask God to bless and further the work, witness and advocacy of Arab and Middle Eastern congregations and ministries, of ELCA Arab and Middle Eastern Ministries, and of the Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage.

4/3 Ask God to help us see the presence and influence of Jesus in our daily lives, our relationships and our conversations with neighbors, coworkers and siblings in Christ.

4/4 Pray for the people of Haiti, who have suffered multiple natural disasters in recent years, and are now experiencing civil and political unrest and violence.

4/5 Lift up praise and thanksgiving to God, celebrating God’s promise of love, forgiveness and eternal life. “This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah 25:9). 

Please remember in your prayers this week:

Marsha Anderson, sister of Gail Murphy

Rev. Steve Anderson, pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Tim Anderson, son-in-law of Dick & Jetty Zarfos

Kara Ashby, granddaughter of Pete and Carole Inkrott

George and James Ball, brothers of Alix Giannini

Anna Bancroft, 6-year-old friend of Alyene Weaver

Chuck Banta

Chloe Bennethum, friend of Gail Murphy

Allan Boardman, friend of Kevin & Linda Fewell

Sean and Rebekah Brett, son & daughter-in-law of Alyene Weaver

Charles Budreau

Jason Byrne, friend of Anita Wooton

Elise Carmona

Evelyn Conlon

John Conlon, son of Evelyn Conlon

Jordan Demers, cousin of Hannah Boyd

Eloise Dettmer

Philomena Dimichelle, friend of Conrad Zabor

Ken Dixon

Ryan and Valerie Donahue

Elizabeth Farmer

Judy & Robert Ferguson

Carolyn & Marty Friedman, friends of Marlene Radesk

John Gallo, friend of April Shettler

Andrea Gamboa

Amanda Gerber, daughter of Sandy Gerber

Laurie Good, friend of Ann Greenwood

Paula Haas, friend of Eloise Dettmer

Jon Hale

Alyssa Hansen, cousin of Lisa Olsen

Jeff Hansen, nephew of Joan Searles

Patricia Head, mother of Wayne Head

Michael Helpin, friend of Marlene Radesk

Christiana Holmes

Kevin Hooks, son-in-law of Anita and Jon Wooton

Tesa Inkrott, granddaughter of Pete & Carole Inkrott

Jesus & Rita Jimenez

Alf Kirkeeng

Lillian Lapenckas

Jacqueline Laurent, friend of Margaret Borrows

Diane Lewis, sister-in-law of Karla Lewis & Michael Leonhardt

Lois Light

Shirley Manning, friend of Margaret Borrows

Paul & Debby Maresch

Vincenzo Mariani, friend of Conrad Zabor

Annabelle Martone

Kathleen McBride

Judi Melander

Jeremy & Yvonne Mullins

Beverly Novak, cousin of Patty McKee

Olaf Olsen, father of Pastor Eric Olsen

Judy Osborn, sister of Peggy Ragan

James & Virginia Pease

Fran Perkins

Wally Pina

Kristen Pizan

Marlene Radesk

Fritz Rappold

Gabriel Rockwell

Ted and Carol Rodi

Floyd Ryder

Phillip Schlueter

Family of Jenniffer Shaffer

Rev. John Spittal

Family & Friends of Cathy Stubenvoll

Ron and Leigh Tarrantino

Werner Thomsen, brother of John Thomsen

Colette Thornbloom

David Turnbull

Alyene Weaver

Jon Wooton

4/11 Mark & Amy Nelson

4/22 Bill and Kristine Ordman

4/23 Chu Lee & Quyen Dang

4/25 Dave & Nancy Windish

4/30 Larry & Pat Liedel

3/31 Ray Giannini

3/31 Al Hirsch

4/1 William Greenaway

4/2 Dee Burlingame

4/2 Pete Inkrott

4/2 Amanda Kulaw

4/3 Jerry Clancy

4/3 April Shettler

4/6 Karen Kolschowsky

4/9 Matthew Giannini

4/11 Sharon Soukup

4/12 Sandra Jimenez

4/13 Richard Capilla

4/13 Jenniffer Shaffer

4/14 Robert Clark

4/14 Arnie Masters

4/16 Keri Degroote

4/17 Richard Venator

4/19 Karen Berwick

4/19 Chu Lee

4/22 Evelyn Hansen

4/22 James Shoup

4/24 Darryll White

4/26 Cecilia Thornbloom

4/30 John Thomsen

If a birthday or anniversary is missing or listed incorrectly, kindly notify communications@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, Rev. David Wagner

Director of Family and Child Ministry: Deborah Dornemann

familyandchild@faithlutheransrq.com

Director of Music/Organist: David V. Patrick

musicdirector@faithlutheransrq.com

Lead Cantor/Music Librarian: Tom Tryon

thomas.e.tryon@gmail.com

Operations Administrator: Jenniffer Shaffer

officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com

Communications Administrator: Linda Fewell

communications@faithlutheransrq.com

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

941-924-4664 | www.faithlutheransrq.com

Office hours: 9 a.m.-1 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.