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Faith Friday Update

April 3, 2026

Friday, 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae - (Live Stream Available)

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Easter Vigil 1 - Parking Lot

Sunday, 7 a.m. Easter Vigil 2 - Memorial Garden

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Egg Hunt

10:15 a.m. Celebration! (Live Stream Available)

Friday 7 pm Bulletin

Easter 10:15 am Bulletin

Easter Sunday

Lector:

Leslie Lorenz

Communion Assistants:

Vicky Claypool & Paula Morris

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)

Colossians 3:1-4

Raised with Christ to seek the higher things

Matthew 28:1-10

Proclaim the resurrection

Adult Bible Study to Resume

All are invited to an exciting new six-week session of Adult Bible Study beginning on the second Wednesday after Easter Sunday. This session will be led by our familiar and esteemed friend, Amy-Jill Levine, who partners with Bible scholar Marc Zvi Brettler to deepen our understanding of some favorite biblical texts as both Jews and Christians have interpreted them.

Each participant will receive a copy of The Bible With and Without Jesus. Through the book and accompanying DVD lectures, Levine and Brettler guide us through some of the most frequently quoted Hebrew Bible passages found in the New Testament. They explore what these texts meant in their original contexts and how both Jewish and Christian traditions have interpreted them over time.

By comparing historical, literary, and theological interpretations of each text, Levine and Brettler offer deeper insight into the original narratives and their many afterlives.

We will meet in the music room for each hour-long session. Refreshments and Bibles will be available, though participants are encouraged to bring their preferred Bible translation. Discussion based on the weekly readings and lectures is always enriching—time goes by quickly!

Dates: Wednesdays, beginning April 15 and concluding May 20

Time: 9:30–10:30 a.m.

Convenor: Pastor Larry, with Pastors Marianne and Eric present

Online Option: Zoom is available for those who wish to join remotely

Great Service Opportunity Hosted By Mary Circle

Once again this year, Faith has the opportunity to host Hope Seeds for a seed-packing activity. All members of the congregation are invited to join in this fun and easy event—if you can use a spoon, you’re qualified!

On Tuesday, April 14th, we will begin packing at 10:30 AM. Afterward, you’re welcome to stay for lunch—just bring your own meal, and dessert will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Spring Blood Drive

Our next church blood drive will take place on Sunday, April 12. Donating blood is a simple and meaningful way to care for our neighbors and help save lives in our community.

Each donation can make a life-changing difference for patients in need of transfusions due to illness, surgery, or emergencies.

If you are able, please consider giving this gift of life. Sign-ups will be available soon. Walk-ins welcome. Thank you for helping support this important ministry of care and compassion.

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 April

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.

Altar Flowers Sign Up

Sign-up sheets 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

Upcoming Week at Faith

Friday, April 3

7 a.m. Stations of the Cross at Redeemer Episcopal

8 a.m. Jazzercize, community center

2 p.m. Stations of the Cross, sanctuary

7 p.m. Tenebrae Worship, sanctuary

Saturday, April 4

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

Sunday, April 5 🐣🌷 Easter Sunday ✝️🐰

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

8:30/9 a.m. Breakfast and Egg Hunt

10:15 a.m. Celebration Worship

Monday, April 6

Office Closed for Easter Monday

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, April 7

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

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

Wednesday, April 8

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

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

1:30 p.m. Bereavement Group, chapel

Thursday, April 9

9 a.m. Food Pantry Prep, fellowship hall

4:30 p.m. Food Pantry Prep, fellowship hall

5 p.m. Food Pantry Distribution

Pray for Those in Need

Ross Abeles, son of Jim Abeles

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

Nancy Connors, friend of Jane Sanks & Joan Hirsch

Family & Friends of Doug Dahlquist

Charlie Durland, friend of Lillian Lapenckas

Marcia 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

Karen Kolschowsky

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

Dick Mejchar

Joanne Mitrenga, friend of Nancy Flanagan

David Morse, friend of David Ayars

Sutton Murphy, young family friend of Nancy Breen

Claudette O'Connell, friend of Marlene Radesk

Sue Ostrom, friend of Marlene Radesk

Betty Rively, sister of Sandy Dawson

Family & Friends of Alice Rush

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

Aylene Weaver

Jon Wooton

Joan Worth

John Yee, friend of Marlene Radesk

Mike Zuba, friend of Marlene Radesk

Those Who Serve, We Lift in Prayer

Quinn Figlo

Noah Giles

Trent Meeks-Hall

Brandon Ragan

Austin Saupe

Joseph Wallentine

Shay Michael Yoder

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

4/3 Good Friday Pray that we deepen our understanding of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the ultimate demonstration of God’s boundless love for all humanity. Ask God to forgive us when we seek or justify vengeance, isolation and dominance over people whom we see as adversaries, who unsettle us or whose beliefs differ from our own.

4/4 Pray for those who long for good news, hope, relief and liberation, including people of all ages who live in the midst of conflict and war, experience poverty and hunger, are imprisoned, suffer despair, and seek meaning and purpose.

4/5 Easter Sunday Shout together with siblings in Christ throughout the world, “Hallelujah! Christ is risen!” Give thanks to God for showing humanity that God’s promise of love, forgiveness and new life embodied in Jesus Christ is real, given to all people and to be trusted. Hallelujah!

4/6 Pray for peace where there is conflict, war and instability in the world, including Iran, the Middle East, Venezuela, Ukraine, Mexico, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan and Myanmar. Pray for people who are impacted and displaced by conflict, that they remain hopeful, find safe sanctuary in welcoming communities, have resources to meet daily needs, and know that they are not forgotten.

4/7 “Woman, dancing from the garden, find the others and proclaim Christ is risen as he promised; tell the world he knew your name” (ACS 935)! Ask the Spirit to help us invite others to have faith in God’s love and mercy and to spread the good news of the risen Christ through word of mouth, relationships, and acts of love and service.

4/8 National Arab American Heritage Month Remember in prayer the diverse gifts, cultures, heritages and stories of our Arab and Middle Eastern neighbors and siblings in Christ, who remind us of the rich history and tradition of Christ’s church in the world. Ask God to bless and further the ministries of Arab and Middle Eastern congregations, the Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage, ELCA Arab and Middle Eastern Ministries, and Sumud.

4/9 “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime” (attributed to Martin Luther). Signs of God’s love and forgiveness are everywhere! Pray for the Spirit to heighten our awareness of God’s presence, activity and promises manifested in creation, in our neighbors and siblings in Christ, and through Scripture, the sacraments and worship.

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

Office hours: 9 a.m.-4 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

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