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Faith Friday Update
February 6, 2026
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Sunday, February 8, 2026
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Worship Services at 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 5 p.m.
| | Congregational Meeting February 22 | | |
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held at 9:15 a.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026, between the two morning services.
A separate email went out with zoom and call-in information. You can also access the information by clicking this link:
2026 Congregational Meeting Information
| | Budget Q&A Meeting February 15 | | |
Plan to attend the Faith Lutheran 2026-2027 Budget Question and Answer session between the two morning worship services next Sunday, Feb. 15, in the conference room. Note that Adult Forum will not meet.
You can pick up a copy of the 2026-2027 budget in the narthex this Sunday to review beforehand.
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Show your team spirit by bringing donations of canned soup and placing them on one of the tables in the fellowship hall — there is one table for the Seahawks and one for the Patriots. (So far the Seahawks are winning!)
The team with the most donations will win this year’s Faith Soup-er Bowl, but the biggest winners will be our neighbors who rely on the Faith Food Pantry.
Thank you for sharing your generosity!
| | CATA RSVP Deadline is TODAY! | | |
RSVP by today, Friday, Feb. 6th by 👉 clicking here to sign up online.
Join us on February 12, 5:00 – 8:00, at St. Armand’s Key Lutheran Church for dinner and conversation on this important topic. Questions? Contact Pastor Marianne.
Conversations Across The Aisle is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) established in Sarasota in 2023. CATA exists for the purpose of building stronger communities. They do this by facilitating authentic, civil, discussions that cross lines of ideological division. CATA workshops reward curiosity, and respectful dialog. They provide the opportunity to practice civil discourse that can lead to understanding, and appreciation for different perspectives, while providing an opportunity to acquire and apply the skills critical to navigating challenging discussions successfully.
Each three-hour CATA workshop begins with a meal, followed by a brief framing presentation by a subject matter expert. The core of each workshop? The peer discussions that take place at the "dinner tables," where groups of 5-7 persons, under the guidance of a trained facilitator,
explore questions about the subject matter. Participation is always free, and the meal is complementary. Local philanthropy and participant donations fuel CATA’s work.
In collaboration with Faith Lutheran Church, New Life Lutheran Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, and Conversations Across The Aisle, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church is excited to present a CATA Dinner-Workshop, where we will explore:
The Evolving Relationship Between Church and State
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The Men of Faith lunch last month was a huge success. We added some fresh faces to the group and hope to see even more on Monday.
Join us for faith, fellowship, and food at Beckham’s Restaurant (8579 S Tamiami Trail) on Monday, February 9 at noon.
Come hungry and bring a friend!
| | Pledge Update: You Make It Possible! | | |
The Stewardship Committee extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made a financial commitment for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. Please remember that pledge cards are accepted at any time. Even if you give the same amount each year, completing a pledge card is a meaningful way to support our planning and ministry.
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 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 9:11–12
| | Ash Wednesday Ashes and Services | | |
A Time of Preparation: Lent Is Near
Ashes-to-Go will be offered from 8:00–9:00 a.m. in the side parking lot. A Midday Service will be held at 12:00 noon, and Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome.
| | Angel Patron Concert Fund | | |
To better reflect its purpose, the Angel Patron Fund has been renamed the Angel Patron Concert Fund. This change was approved by church leadership and Council to clearly distinguish concert music support from worship music expenses.
Historically, the Angel Patron Fund supported both worship music and concerts. Over time, worship music expenses—including music staff, musicians, instruments, maintenance, and licensing—have been fully incorporated into the General Fund, in keeping with our Lutheran tradition that worship music is essential to our life together.
Recently, Faith received a generous gift designated specifically for developing a concert series. With this in mind, all gifts to the Angel Patron Concert Fund will now be used exclusively to support music concerts that foster community engagement, musical excellence, education, and spiritual outreach.
Thank you for your continued support of music at Faith.
With gratitude,
Faith Church Leadership
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Join us for a wonderful jazz-filled weekend this February! We are excited to welcome back Sean and Emma Fitzpatrick to lead Jazz Worship at the 5:00 p.m. service on Sunday, February 15.
Then, continue the celebration on Tuesday, February 17, as we host a Jazz Concert and Mardi Gras–themed reception in honor of Fat Tuesday, helping us joyfully kick off the Lenten season.
The concert will begin at 6 p.m. with the reception to follow.
| | Worship Assistants Needed For February | | 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.
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In February we will meet on Monday, February 23 to discuss The Wedding People by Alison Espach. This is an amusing book about a woman who shows up a hotel to enjoy some time off. She turns out to be the only hotel guest not attending a wedding! The book centers around the interactions between this woman and the bride and all the arrangements necessary to pull off a wedding.
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
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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
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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
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
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
Eli & Julie Maresch, grandnephew & niece of Patty McKee
Family & Friends of Kristina Marin, friend of Faith
Dick Mejchar
Sutton Murphy, young family friend of Nancy Breen
Sue Ostrom, friend of Marlene Radesk
Alice Rush
Family & Friends of Barbara Szabo, friend of Pastor Marianne
Andris Sprudzs, nephew off Ingrid Velkme
Leigh Ann Tarantino, friend of Marlene Radesk
Butchy Toms
Family & Friends of Sandee Warnke, friend of Kim MacDonald
Alene Weaver
Jon Wooton
Joan Worth
Family & Friends of Susan Wyhoski, sister of Ann Wright
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. | | |
2/6 Ask the Spirit to provide us encouragement and guidance for our life and baptismal journey through Scripture, faith communities, the counsel and example of siblings in Christ, church leaders, people of faith who have gone before us, and prayer.
2/7 Give thanks and pray for the ELCA’s partner church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and the challenging and hope-filled work of its school and ministries that serve both Christians and Muslims.
2/8 “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Give thanks for those who have inspired your faith. Pray that you are also a light for others, giving glory to God and shining bright with love, mercy and hope.
2/9 Pray for the ELCA’s Congregations Lead Initiative, which equips and inspires congregations with innovation and tools that renew their ministry and community partnerships to create adaptable, relevant and thriving faith communities.
2/10 “The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail” (Isaiah 58:11). Give thanks and praise to God who is ever-present and sustains our faith, spirit and strength so that we can navigate times of adversity and uncertainty.
2/11 Give thanks for your synod staff who help equip, support and encourage congregations and leaders to share the good news of Jesus Christ, serve neighbors in need and do God’s work in the world.
2/12 As ELCA members, we are called to respond to our neighbors in need here and around the world. Pray that the impact we have with individuals and communities will grow with the work we do together through ELCA World Hunger, HIV and AIDS Ministry, Lutheran Disaster Response, AMMPARO Migrant Ministry and social ministry organizations.
2/13 Remember in prayer unsheltered neighbors and siblings in Christ, that they will have safe, secure and consistent places to live each day. Give thanks and pray for those who are part of the Homeless and Justice Network of the ELCA, a coalition of ministries called to serve people on the margins who are struggling with homelessness, poverty and justice issues.
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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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