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Faith Friday Update
October 31, 2025
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Sunday, November 2, 2025
All Saints' Sunday
Worship Services at 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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Lectors:
8 a.m. Nancy Flanagan
10:15 a.m. Leslie Lorenz
Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
The holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom.
Psalm 149
Sing the Lord’s praise in the assembly of the faithful. (Ps. 149:1)
Ephesians 1:11-23
God raised Christ from the dead and made him head over all the church.
Luke 6:20-31
Jesus speaks blessings and woes.
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This Sunday, we will celebrate All Saints' Sunday, a time to remember and give thanks for the lives of those who have gone before us in faith. As you enter the sanctuary, you are invited to write the name of a loved one who has passed in the remembrance book so that we may lift them up in our prayers. During worship, we will also have a time to light candles in memory of those saints who have touched our lives and continue to inspire our faith. Come join us in this special service of remembrance, gratitude, and hope.
| | Hot off the presses! The church directory is ready! | | |
We’re excited to share that the updated church directory is now available. Hard copies will be on hand this Sunday for those who requested them.
Remember—you can always access the most up-to-date version anytime through the ICON app on your phone or tablet. If you need help getting started or have any questions, please reach out to our church office.
| | Faith Prays for those in Melissa's Path | | |
Thank you to all who have reached out asking how you can help the Caribbean islands that have experienced such devastation from Hurricane Melissa.
There are Lutheran congregations in all the affected areas who are currently assessing needs and will soon share how our donations of goods and money can best be used to support recovery efforts. Once more information is available, Pastor will discern how we, as a congregation, can respond together in a coordinated, meaningful way.
In the meantime, please see the announcment below.
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Special Giving Envelopes –
Responding to Hurricane Melissa
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During the month of October, your special giving envelopes included options for the ELCA Disaster Response Fund and Lutheran World Relief. Both of these organizations have teams on the ground in some of the hardest-hit areas of Hurricane Melissa—including Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.
Your gifts make a real difference in bringing relief, hope, and rebuilding to those most in need. Thank you to all who have already donated. Please consider supporting these important ministries during this critical time.
| | Next Concert Series November 21! | | |
Our next Concert Series event will feature a piano trio (piano, cello, and violin) on Friday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
The concert is free and open to all, with refreshments served following the performance. More information about the program and performers will be shared soon — but for now, mark your calendars and plan to join us for an evening of beautiful music and fellowship!
| | Celebrating Good News from Our Faith Family! | | |
Our faithful former congregants — whom many of you will remember — Vivek and Susmitha Adepu, reached out from Chicago to share some wonderful news! Susmitha has recently been conferred with her white coat and is now a professional dentist.
Vivek and Susmitha continue to worship with us virtually and have asked for your prayers and blessings as they begin this exciting new chapter.
Please join us in offering heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Susmitha Adepu!
| | New Member Coffee and Affirmation | | |
We would like to invite anyone who wishes to become a member of Faith to a conversation with our council members and church leaders during the coffee hour immediately following the 10:15 a.m. service on Sunday, November 9. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another and learn more about becoming part of our church family.
We plan to receive new members through Affirmation of Baptism during the 10:15 a.m. service on Sunday, November 16.
If you’re interested in either full-time or seasonal membership but are unable to attend the conversation on the 9th, please reach out to Pastor Eric.
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Due to the ongoing realities of food scarcity in our community, we invite everyone to help support our neighbors in need. As you come to church, please consider bringing non-perishable food items to share.
The large white donation barrel will be located in the narthex for your convenience. If you prefer to give financially, you may designate a monetary donation to go directly toward our food pantry ministry. Together, we can be a tangible expression of God’s love and care for those who are struggling.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food…” – Matthew 25:35
| | Holocaust Museum of Sarasota to Host Event November 9th at The Ora | | |
Family Promise Fundraising Event
at McCurdy's,Thursday, Nov 13th at 6 PM
| | Family Promise of Sarasota, who rents space at Faith, invites you to join them for a night of comedy at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 13th at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $31. Purchase tickets on McCurdy's website or click here: Buy Tickets | | |
Family Promise Leader Highlights
Nov. 11 Mary Circle Meeting
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All women of Faith are invited to the next Mary Circle meeting, noon, Tuesday, Nov. 11, in fellowship hall.
Tara Maffei, executive director of Family Promise of South Sarasota County, will bring news about how that organization’s current activities support its mission. The organization, which rents office and storage space at Faith, is driven by gratitude, integrity and respect as it advocates for and collaborates with the community to support families facing housing insecurity. Be there to learn more!
Bring your lunch. Dessert is provided.
| | Faith & Justice Committee Nov. 7th | | |
This committee will explore contemporary social issues and discuss how our faith community might respond with compassion, wisdom, and action. Our conversations may include various forms of advocacy and faithful engagement with the world around us.
We will hold our first meeting on Friday, November 7th at 4pm in the conference room. If you would like to join or have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Eric.
| | Stewardship - Simple Gifts | | |
Here in Florida, we truly understand the meaning of natural disasters — hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires. These powerful forces remind us that everything in this world is temporary. In moments like these, we can echo the words of Jesus:
“My life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” – Luke 12:15
Yet our culture insists otherwise, shouting that happiness is found in having more. The result is a constant wrestling match within our hearts. Though we affirm Jesus’ words with our lips, we often devote our time, talents, and resources to acquiring more things.
This season, let’s pause to celebrate "SIMPLE GIFTS" — the blessings that money cannot buy: faith, family, friendship, love, and the beauty of creation. In doing so, we rediscover the true meaning of stewardship — living gratefully and generously, recognizing that everything we have belongs first to God.
| | Book Club November - January | | |
Why not join Faith’s Book Club, which meets on the last Monday of each month?
On November 24, we’ll dive into The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden, a psychological thriller about a couple who desperately want a baby and enter into an agreement with someone they think they know. Join us at 2 PM in the conference room.
In December we will be lunching out and celebrating the holidays. Please join us at Tripletail (in the Landings shopping center) at 12 PM on Monday, December 15.
Our reading selection for January 26 is The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager. This is a real plot twister set in Vermont where a wife disappears and her newfound friend demands answers.
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It is with joy and thanksgiving that Steve and Peggy Ragan
welcome a granddaughter, Eleanor Irene Ragan, into their family. Eleanor means "God is my light" in Hebrew. [Let it be so, Lord!]
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There are many open dates in 2025 for Altar Flower dedications. Please see the sign-up in the fellowship hall, or call the church office. You can pay online:
Click here to purchase altar flowers
| | November Worship Assistants | | |
We invite you to be part of worship in October by signing up to serve. Whether you’ve served before or are trying something new, your participation helps enrich our worship.
Click here to sign up
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Council Meeting Minutes
and Financial Report
| | Click the buttons below to read the approved Council Meeting minutes and the Financial Report for September. | | Prayer and Community Support | | |
Men of Faith meets for breakfast and prayer at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Skillets.
Women’s Bible Study meets Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. in the 2nd floor library.
The Prayer Support Group meets at 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays in the chapel to pray for all in need, our community, nation and world, and to share Holy Communion.
The Bereavement Support Group meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel. Please note the new time is 1:30 p.m.
The Adult Forum meets on Sundays between the two morning worship services (9:10–9:50 a.m.) in the Conference Room.
| | Join in Upcoming Activities at Faith | | |
Sunday, November 2
9:10 a.m. Adult Forum, conference room
Monday, November 3
10:30 a.m. Balletone, upstairs classroom
Tuesday, November 4
8:30 a.m. Men of Faith Breakfast, Skillets
9:30 a.m. Women's Bible Study, library
Wednesday, November 5
10:30 a.m. Balletone, upstairs classroom
10:45 a.m. Prayer Support Group, chapel
1:30 p.m. Bereavement Support Group, chapel
6 p.m. Zumba, community center
Thursday, November 6
9 a.m. Food Pantry Prep, fellowship hall
4:30 p.m. Food Pantry Prep, fellowship hall
5 p.m. Food Pantry Distribution
6:30 p.m. Voices of Faith practice, choir room
Friday, November 7
8 a.m. Jazzercize, community center
4 p.m. Justice Team Meeting, conference room
Saturday, November 8
8 a.m. Jazzercize, community center
9:00 a.m. Diakonia, conference room
| | Parochial Statistics for Sunday, Oct. 26th | | |
Online Views 96
8 a.m. in person 35
10:15 a.m. in person 133
5 p.m. 15
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**The children of God affected by Hurricane Melissa**
Carl Bertram, brother of Phyllis Bertram
Jerry Clancy
Al Ernst
Beth Farmer, daughter of Lynn & Jerry Clancy
Donna Gerber, sister of Lelia Hagen
Vanessa Geyser, daughter of Mike & Julianne Geyser
Alix Giannini
Family & Friends of Jon Hale
Becky Heeps, friend of Lisa Olsen
Pastor John Hilficker
Kevin Hooks, son-in-law of Jon & Anita
Wooton
Cliff Hornsby
Pete Inkrott
Eric Lasko, neighbor of Jan Burch
Ruth Levy, sister of Joan Hirsch
Family & Friends of Pat Longo, family of Susan Wakefield
Eli & Julie Maresch, grandnephew & niece of
Patty McKee
John & Judy Millard
Marlene Sarah, friend of Ken Dixon
Leigh Ann Tarantino, friend of Marlene Radesk
Alla Thompson, aunt of Lisa Olsen
Melissa Thompson, cousin of Lisa Olsen
Jon Wooton
Joan Worth
Jerry (last name withheld)
Mark (last name withheld)
| | 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. Names will be kept on the prayer list for one month, unless you tell us otherwise. | | |
10/31 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assembly of the Allegheny Synod, that the Spirit will strengthen, guide and inspire them as they reflect on the mission of the church, choose leaders and encourage one another to proclaim the gospel and serve our neighbors in need.
11/1 All Saints Day Today we remember, honor and pray for saints, those people of faith in the cloud of witnesses — past and present, known and unknown — who have died and now rest in the mercy of God.
11/2 All Saints Sunday Who have you lost in your life? A family member, spouse, friend, neighbor, co-worker, a fellow congregant? Reflect on their significance in your life and community, and give thanks, praying that their memory and influence endure.
11/3 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). Ask God for the faith and courage to follow Jesus when he implores us to resist human nature and social influences that drive us to vengeance, malice and judgment. Pray that our words, actions and decisions reflect God’s boundless love for us—for humanity.
11/4 Pray for the Spirit to temper our emotions and actions when we experience conflicts of opinions, values, religious belief or political ideology. Ask God to help us relate to one another without violence or belligerence—despite our differences—and to engage one another with attention, respect, attentive listening, dialogue and, when possible, reconciliation and compromise.
11/5 The Rev. Lucille “CeCee” Mills is the new secretary of the ELCA. Ask the Spirit to strengthen and prepare Rev. Mills for her ministry of supporting and equipping ELCA leaders in congregations, synods and the churchwide organization.
11/6 Praise God for helping us respond with love and generosity to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. Give thanks for the work of Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of our church that manages our generosity, resources and partnerships with other organizations for maximum immediate and long-term impacts.
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Mission – Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others
Values – Mutual Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Service, Forgiveness, Commitment, Perseverance, Faithfulness, Compassion, Flexibility
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