We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new Executive Council. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and lead our church into this next chapter.

New Executive Council Members:

Jane Sanks – President
Ann Greenwood – Vice President
Scott Rice – Secretary
Anita Wooten – Treasurer
Linda Burton – Member-at-Large
Nancy Flanagan – Member-at-Large
Wayne Head – Member-at-Large

Please join us in congratulating each of these individuals as they step into their new roles.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Executive Council for their dedication, leadership, and countless hours of service. Their commitment has strengthened Faith Lutheran and laid a strong foundation for continued success. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our mission.

Concert Hospitality Interest Meeting

We are forming a Concert Hospitality Committee and are looking for volunteers who would like to help create a warm and welcoming experience for our guests at upcoming concerts.

If you are interested in being part of this committee, please gather with the pastor immediately following the 10:15 a.m. service on March 8 for a brief meeting and more information.

We would love to have you join us!

Mary Circle March 10th

Please join us at Mary Circle on Tuesday, March 10, for lunch and a special presentation by Anita Wooton, Faith’s 2026 Bold Woman of the Year. Anita will be sharing her personal faith journey. The meeting begins at 12:00 p.m., bring your lunch and dessert will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Honoring a Bold Woman of Faith

The Women of Faith are proud to announce that Anita Wooton has been selected as our 2026 Bold Woman!

Anita faithfully serves as our church treasurer and lovingly works in the memorial garden, along with many other responsibilities she has graciously taken on. She truly gives more than 100% in everything she does.

As an exemplary treasurer, Anita demonstrates integrity, accuracy, and careful stewardship of the church’s finances. She is trustworthy, organized, and dependable, handling every detail with transparency and wisdom.

We are truly blessed by Anita’s unwavering dedication, her joyful willingness to serve, and her inspiring example of faithfulness in action.

Congratulations, Anita, on being named our 2026 Bold Woman!

Thank You for Your Faithful Support

Thank you so much for your generous response to our current stewardship campaign. Your support is deeply appreciated. Because of your faithfulness, we can move ahead together as a family of faith—working to achieve our ministry goals while also keeping our building in good order.

If you have not yet handed in a pledge card, they are still welcome at any time.

As Scripture reminds us:

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”

— 2 Corinthians 9:12

Wednesday Services and Lunch

What a wonderful turnout for our first Lenten lunch this week! Thank you to the lovely ladies who made the delicious soups, salads and sandwiches.

Join us each Wednesday during the season of Lent for worship at noon, followed by lunch at 12:30 p.m. We look forward to sharing this meaningful time together.

Women of Faith March Breakfasts

Women of Faith - don't forget to join us at Skillets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 8:30 a.m.

See you this Monday! Bring a friend for great food and conversation.

Worship-to-Go New Location

Join us this week for a new Worship-to-Go location at Sarasota Point. Meet in the chapel at 9:30 a.m. to allow ample time for travel. No experience necessary; just a desire to praise God and raise spirits!

Worship Assistants Needed For 10:15 Service

We invite you to be part of worship by signing up to serve. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!

👉 Click here to sign up for March

Pastor's Humanitarian Benevolence Fund

Many of our neighbors face unexpected emergencies that leave them struggling to pay for rent and utilities. The Pastor’s Humanitarian Benevolence Fund exists to offer relief in these difficult moments, providing real help and hope to families in crisis.

However, without sufficient funds, we risk being unable to support those who come to us in need. We never want to turn away a neighbor who is seeking help. Your generosity can ease the burden for local families and remind them that they are not alone.

👉 Click here to give electronically.

Book Club March 30th

Our March 30 book is the Color of Water by James McBride. This is an autobiography and memoir of a black man raised by a white mother. He reflects on his upbringing and the things he was taught by his mother.

If you have any questions please contact Janet Petersen at luvstitches55@gmail.com

Lenten Movie Nights

Join us as we journey through Lent with a special series of movie nights designed for reflection and meaningful conversation. Each evening will include pizza and guided discussion following the film.

Our second movie night will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 5:00 PM in the Conference Room. Come for the movie, stay for the conversation, and share in this Lenten season of faith and fellowship. The movie will be The Apostle, a powerful and deeply moving drama that was written, directed by, and starred Robert Duvall. The film follows a passionate Southern preacher who, after a personal crisis, sets out on a journey of repentance, redemption, and renewed faith. As he starts over in a small Louisiana town, he builds a new church community while wrestling with his past.

Come for the movie, stay for the conversation, and share in this Lenten season of faith and fellowship.

Altar Flowers Sign Up

Sign-up sheets for February through May are available in the fellowship hall for Altar Flower dedications. You may also call the church office during the week. You can pay via check or online:

Click here to purchase altar flowers

Church Calendar

This Week at Faith

Sunday, March 1

Pastor Eric in NY, Pastor Larry to lead worship

Monday, March 2

8:30 a.m. Women of Faith Breakfast, Skillets

9 a.m. Garden Team, Memorial Garden

10:30 a.m. Balletone with Jane, upstairs classroom

Tuesday, March 3

8:30 a.m. Men of Faith Breakfast, Skillets

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

9:30 a.m. Worship to Go prep, chapel

10:30 a.m. Worship to Go, Sarasota Point

5:00 p.m. Movie night w/ pizza, conference room

Wednesday, March 4

10:30 a.m. Balletone with Jane, upstairs classroom

10:45 a.m. Prayer Support Group, chapel

12 p.m. Mid-week Lent Service, sanctuary

12:30 p.m. Lenten lunch, fellowship hall

1:30 p.m. Bereavement Group, chapel

Thursday, March 5

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, March 6

8 a.m. Jazzercize, community center

Saturday, March 7

8 a.m. Jazzercize, community center

9:00 a.m. Diakonia, conference room

Pray for Those in Need

Otis Archer, friend of Carrie Christenson

Tani Banta, friend of Marlene Radesk

Dick Bruning

Samantha Carollo, daughter of Pastor Eric and Lisa Olsen's friends

Family & Friends of Rick Chauncey

Jerry Clancy

Family & Friends of Doug Dahlquist

Charlie Durland, friend of Lillian Lapenckas

Beth & Maggie Farmer, friends of Lynn Clancy

Mary Friedman, friend of Marlene Radesk

Bryan Hadley

Alison Hartill, friend of Marlene Radesk

Mary Healy, friend of Sandy Brinker

Maureen Hendrix, friend of Adele Smith

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

Cliff Hornsby

Nick Hysell, friend of Karla Lewis & Michael Leonhardt

Pete Inkrott

Ruth Levy, sister of Joan Hirsch

Longo and Mojo families, friends of Susan Wakefield

Lenny Longo, brother of Tricia Thomsen

Steve Madorin, friend of Susan Morrissey

Eli & Julie Maresch, grandnephew & niece of Patty McKee

Family & Friends of Kristina Marin, friend of Faith

Dick Mejchar

Joanne Mitrenga, friend of Nancy Flanagan

Sutton Murphy, young family friend of Nancy Breen

Sue Ostrom, friend of Marlene Radesk

Alice Rush

Anja Schwarzbauer, daughter of Carrie Christenson

Andris Sprudzs, nephew off Ingrid Velkme

Leigh Ann Tarantino, friend of Marlene Radesk

Craig Thomsen, son of John and Tricia Thomsen

Butchy Toms

Carol Wambold

Family & Friends of Sandee Warnke, friend of Kim MacDonald

Alene Weaver

Jon Wooton

Joan Worth

John Yee, friend of Marlene Radesk

Mike Zuba, friend of Marlene Radesk

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.

ELCA Prayer Ventures

2/27 Give thanks and praise to God for strengthened faith, blessings and the confidence we receive through God’s word, water, bread and prayer, which equip and encourage us to go out into the world and do God’s work — together.

2/28 Pray for the ELCA’s directors for evangelical mission, the leaders who help coordinate the partnership between churchwide ministries and the 65 synods of our church. Pray for the work we do together to develop new-start ministries, revitalize congregations, practice stewardship and generosity, and develop and equip leaders for mission and ministry.

3/1 Give thanks to God for the faith and gifts of hymn writers, musicians, choir members and directors of music ministries who help us express our praise, thanksgiving, joy and petitions to God.

3/2 Women's History Month Remember, celebrate and give thanks for the contributions, achievements, leadership, wisdom and gifts of women and girls in the church, our communities and the world throughout history. Remember in prayer women who have been present and influential in your life, including parents, grandparents, pastors and deacons, teachers, youth ministers, outdoor ministry staff, neighbors and friends.

3/3 Remember in prayer the bishops of our church as they gather for the spring Conference of Bishops meeting. Give thanks for their faith, gifts, wisdom and careful deliberation, which God uses to benefit and guide the church and its leaders.

3/4 “Grace knocks us flat, preventing any form of self-congratulation. All the good we achieve is to be attributed to God rather than to ourselves” (Kathryn Tanner, Christ the Key). Ask the Spirit to help us embrace the free, undeserved gift of grace — love, forgiveness and new life — that is made real to us through baptism and the life, teaching, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3/5 Remember in prayer those recovering from winter storms and flooding in various regions of our country, that they will receive support, encouragement and resources from neighbors, communities of faith, and disaster relief agencies and ministries, including Lutheran Disaster Response.

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

Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen

pastor@faithlutheransrq.com

Assistants to the Pastor:

Rev. Marianne Powrie, pastorp2.0@gmail.com

Rev. Larry Wright, larannw@comcast.net

Retired Pastor in Residence: Rev. John Hilficker

Director of Music: Andi Zdrava

musicdirector@faithlutheransrq.com

Office Administrator: Carrie Christenson

officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com

941-924-4664 | www.faithlutheransrq.com