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Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024

Second Sunday in Lent

Worship Service at 9 a.m.

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

God blesses Abraham and Sarah

Psalm 22:23-31

All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord (Ps. 22:27)

Romans 4:13-25

The promise to those who share Abraham's faith

Mark 8:31-38

The passion prediction

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. Thank you!

Faith’s 2024 annual meeting is set for this coming Sunday, Feb. 25. On that Sunday, there will be one worship service at 9 a.m., immediately followed by the meeting. After the meeting adjourns, plan to stay for lunch and fellowship. 

Click the buttons below to view the official meeting notice, meeting agenda and committee reports, minutes from the 2022 and 2023 annual meetings, the Faith Lutheran constitution, and the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget.

All voting members are encouraged to attend the meeting either in person, by video or by phone (call-in):

• Attend in person in the sanctuary. Voting will be anonymous.

OR

• Attend by video using the Zoom app on your computer, tablet or phone. During the meeting, a Zoom coordinator will seek an anonymous vote from each person separately. At 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, click the link below or copy and paste it into your internet browser:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82864372049?pwd=5tVuWbVkn2CQG7aaVAQpsqTYJm6aaG.1

Passcode: 526226, Meeting ID: 828 6437 2049

OR

• Attend by phone (voice only) at 10 a.m. by calling 646-931-3860. You will be prompted to enter the Meeting ID: 828 6437 2049. You will then be able to hear and participate in the live meeting. Please note, this option does not allow for anonymous voting. You will be able to vote if you wish, but it will not be anonymous.

NOTE: Those attending the meeting by video or phone should log in or call at 10 a.m. so we can run the virtual side of this meeting with ease and make sure everyone is linked up appropriately.

Sincere thanks to all who already have submitted a pledge form for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Your support enables Faith’s ministries to continue in the congregation and the community. Thank you!

We encourage everyone to submit a pledge form by the end of February. Making a financial pledge is part of the commitment that we make to the Lord and to each other as members of our church. God has brought us together … let’s all do the best we can for the Lord! Need a pledge form? Click here or pick one up from the table in the narthex. 

Following the Children’s Sermon, Director of Family and Child Ministry Deborah Dornemann and volunteers help young people learn about the gospel of the day through age-appropriate lessons and fun activities. The children rejoin the congregation for Holy Communion. Could you help with Sunday School? Contact Deborah, familyandchild@faithlutheransrq.com, to express interest and learn more.

Adult Forum will not meet this Sunday because of the annual meeting. On March 3, the group will focus on Lesson 3, “Their Blood Cried Out - Israel Becomes a Community,” in Volume 9, “Fire on the Mountain/Displaying God to a Broken World,” in the “That the World May Know” series. 

Men of Faith meet for breakfast and prayer at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 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 second-floor library to focus on “Be Still and Know — A Study of Rest and Refuge.” 

The Prayer Group will not meet during Lent, and members are encouraged to attend Midweek Lenten Worship.

The Lutheran Comedy Craftsmen Class focuses on what the gospel teaches – to live with joy, gratitude and faith.

Join the fun at 2 p.m. this coming Monday, Feb. 26, and on subsequent Mondays through March 18 in the upstairs classroom to laugh and learn new ways to express your faith through humor. You are invited!

Readers Club meets at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, in the library to discuss The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts by Loren Grush. Questions? Contact Kathy Schilio, schilmo@hotmail.com. Please join!

On remaining Wednesdays during Lent -- Feb. 28, and March 6, 13 and 20 -- turn your heart to God during Midweek Worship at noon in the sanctuary, followed by a soup, sandwich and salad lunch in fellowship hall.

During Lent, please prayerfully consider a special thank offering to help support the many ministries at Faith. Give as you are able. Any amount is appreciated.

This past Wednesday, the amazing Faith kitchen crew - (left to right) Linda Burton, Laurie Stramaglia, Joan Zabor, Doris Anne Prieur-Lucia, Karen Naulty, Kevin Fewell and Sandy Gerber -- prepared grilled sandwiches, an assortment of fruit treats, and two delicious soups. What's on tap for this coming Wednesday? Come and see!

During Lent, the Bereavement Group will meet at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel so participants also can join in Midweek Lenten Worship and the community meal. If you or a friend is struggling with grief, this group is for you. There is strength and hope in community. 

Both of Faith’s Sunday services now are live-streamed and recorded, so we need more volunteers to operate the equipment. If you have used a computer, it’s easy! Questions or interest? Contact Pastor Marianne, pastorp2.0@gmail.com or (330) 464-0985.

Faith's current Worship to Go volunteers call the experience "a privilege and a joy."

Join them for the next services:

• 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, March 12, in the independent living facility’s Tiffany Room at Elancé, next door to Faith. Worship to Go volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. in the Faith chapel to review the service.
• 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, in the second-floor theatre at Angels Senior Living, 5750 Honore Ave. Volunteers will meet at 12:45 p.m. in the Faith chapel and will carpool to the facility. 

If you can help, contact Pastor Eric directly, 716-352-0055. No experience necessary!

Faith’s Worship To Go Team brought the good news of Jesus in word and sacrament to the beloved residents of Angels Senior Living!

Thanks be to God!

Experts with Lutheran World Relief (LWR) say that personal-care kits make a profound difference for people struggling with poverty. LWR has challenged us to react to that fact with compassion, and the women of Mary Circle are leading the effort to take on the challenge!

During Lent, please donate bath-size towels, metal nail clippers, 4-5 oz. bars of soap, combs and adult-sized toothbrushes. Don’t have time to shop? Monetary contributions to Faith designated for “personal care kits” are welcome. During 2023, Mary Circle created 60 kits. Can we donate enough for 70 this year? Thanks for responding generously.

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, March 17.

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.

Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity (S.U.R.E.), a faith-based community organizing entity of which Faith is a covenant member, is focused on affordable and accessible housing. Interested in getting involved? Contact Pastor Eric.

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 fun so those in need can receive assistance.

During each of the past two weeks, the Faith Food Pantry has provided food for more than 200 people! Please place donations of food and paper products in the white food pantry bin. They will provide nourishment for many families.

Today, Friday, Feb. 23

Saturday, Feb. 24

8:30 a.m., Jazzercize, gym

9 a.m., Diakonia, conference room

Sunday, Feb. 25

8:15 a.m., Voices of Faith Choir Rehearsal, choir room

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

9:10 a.m., Sunday School, classroom

10:15 a.m., Annual Meeting, sanctuary

11:30 a.m., Lunch, fellowship hall

Monday, Feb. 26

2 p.m., Lutheran Comedy Craftsmen, upstairs classroom

2 p.m., Readers Club, library

Tuesday, Feb. 27

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

9:30 a.m., Women's Bible Study, conference room

10 a.m., Jazzercise, gym

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

Wednesday, Feb. 28

10:30 a.m., Bereavement Group, chapel

12 p.m., Midweek Lenten Worship, sanctuary

12:30 p.m., Community Meal, fellowship hall

Thursday, Feb. 29

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

10 a.m., Jazzercize

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.

2/23 Promise to learn God’s ways and truth, and to integrate them into your daily life, that we might operate from a firm foundation of love, wisdom and justice when struggling to discern right from wrong and to relate to one another.

2/24 Pray for the work of the ELCA Peace Not Walls campaign, which seeks a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and connects ELCA members with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, the Lutheran World Federation and ecumenical companions across the Middle East.

2/25 Do you know someone celebrating a momentous occasion — a birth, an anniversary, recovery from illness or injury? Let their joy be your joy, and lift up prayers of thanksgiving to God.

2/26 Pray that we will not grow weary of serving our neighbors in need, both nearby and around the world. Ask the Spirit to renew us when we feel overwhelmed by human needs.

2/27 Remember in prayer the bishops of our church gathering for the Conference of Bishops in Itasca, Ill. Give thanks for their faith, gifts, wisdom and diverse perspectives, which God uses to benefit the church and help us do God’s work in the world.

2/28 “In my trials, Lord, walk with me; when my heart is almost breaking, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me” (ELW 325). Lent reminds us of our frailty, suffering and loneliness, and of God’s love and forgiveness found in the life, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Breathe a sigh of relief and thank God.



2/29 Be mindful of those in your community who lack safe shelter and adequate food. Pray that their needs will be met, and that God will use you and your congregation to meet them.

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

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

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

Rev. John Spittal

Cathy Stubenvoll

Ron and Leigh Tarrantino

Werner Thomsen, brother of John Thomsen

Colette Thornbloom

David Turnbull

Alyene Weaver

Jon Wooton

Family & Friends of Angelo Yerace

3/4 Kenneth & Sandra Brinker

3/18 Steve & Susan Ashby

2/20 Karen Ballweg

2/20 Jonathan Capilla

2/21 Jayne Clark

2/21 Jerry Cooper

2/22 Kevin Fewell

2/24 Tricia Thomsen

2/27 Barbara Bolon

2/27 Olivia Bright-Cox

2/27 Stan Stelmahsenko

3/3 John White

3/4 Eloise Dettmer

3/5 Virginia Chauncey

3/7 Sharry Morrison

3/8 Nancy Dandino

3/10 Linda Burton

3/10 Ann Wright

3/12 Steve Stramaglia

3/13 Patty McKee

3/13 Joan Zabor

3/15 Rita Jimenez

3/16 Denise Kirkeeng

3/16 Aaron Puebla

3/16 Jeffrey Ragan

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 David Dawson

3/27 Chase Graziade

3/31 Ray Giannini

3/31 Al Hirsch

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 Ministries: 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; Ann Greenwood, vice president; Peggy Ragan, secretary; Anita Wooton, treasurer; Jane Sanks, assistant treasurer; Jerry Cooper; Gail Lidinsky; Mark Nelson; Joan Searles; Lauren Wardach

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