This Sunday, we will welcome and install new members during worship. We give thanks for the ways God continues to grow our congregation and invite you to greet our newest members following the services.

Don't Forget: Wear Red on Sunday!

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday — one of the great celebration days of the Church! Pentecost marks the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, empowering them to share the Good News with the world. It is often called the “birthday of the Church.”

Traditionally, we wear red on Pentecost to symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit described in Acts 2: “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them.”

We invite everyone to wear red this Sunday as we celebrate the Spirit’s presence and power among us!

We will also attempt to take a group picture at each service, so we hope you’ll join in the fun and help us create a sea of red throughout the congregation.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Men of Faith Breakfast Location Change

For the next several weeks, our Men of Faith Prayer Breakfast will take place at the Toasted Yolk Cafe, 3750 S. Tamiami Trail. Join us, won't you?

Many Hands Make Light Work

Help assemble the Personal Care Kits for LWR

Mary Circle and the Women of Faith at Faith Lutheran Church are once again assembling Personal Care Kits for distribution through Lutheran World Relief to sisters and brothers in need around the world. A clean towel, soap, and basic personal hygiene supplies can bring comfort, dignity, and hope to those facing difficult circumstances.

Mary Circle will sponsor a “Putting Kits Together” work party on Sunday, June 7, following the 10:15 a.m. service. Tables will be set up in the Fellowship Hall so kits can be assembled assembly-line style.

Everyone is invited to help! Each kit only takes a minute or two to complete, yet each one becomes a blessing to someone in need — both here and overseas.

Please watch for more information as the date approaches. Thank you for your support!

Bereavement Group Hiatus

Bereavement Group will be on hiatus beginning June 3 for the summer months. However, Pastor Eric remains available for one-on-one bereavement counseling. Please feel free to call the church office at any time to arrange a meeting and receive support during your time of grief.

SURE Update

Behavioral Health Stakeholder Consortium Meeting

Community leaders will gather on Thursday, June 19 for the next Behavioral Health Stakeholder Consortium Meeting. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the William L. Little Health and Human Services Center, 2200 Ringling Blvd., 2nd Floor. Please let Pastor Eric or Marianne know if you plan to attend. This will be one focus of the Faith and Justice Team's work in the fall.

Calendar Year-to-Date Giving Summary

Year-to-date giving summaries for January - April 2026 were:

Sent May 14 via email for those who have opted in to use email communication. Check your spam folder if you did not receive a report. If you want a paper copy, please contact the church office.

Mailed May 14 to those without email addresses or those who have opted out of email communication.

If you have questions or want to update or make changes to your contact information, contact the church office, officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com or 941-924-4664, or Patty McKee, financialsecretary@faithlutheransrq.com or 941-228-1192.

Bread for Our World

We are wrapping up our 2026 Offering of Letter Campaign. Thank you to all who have participated!

There is still a chance to have your voice heard. We have printed letters to each of our representatives that you can easily sign and add your contact information. Just stop by the table in the narthex, grab a pen and add your name.

Hunger is a serious - and growing worse every day – problem in our country, and even more so around the world. We all know the cost of basic groceries is going up. It is important that ALL are able to purchase healthful, nutrious food to be able to learn and grow and have the strength to work and play. Please join in the effort to follow Jesus example to feed the hungry. God has blessed us in so many ways, take a minute to share your gratitude with others.

Lutheran Services of Florida

Baskets of Love for Struggling Families

Our congregation is partnering with Lutheran Services of Florida for their Baskets of Love for Struggling Families outreach. Now through the end of May, we invite you to help support local families in need by contributing items for these special care baskets.

These baskets provide comfort, encouragement, and essential supplies to families facing difficult circumstances in our community. Donations of everyday necessities and thoughtful items can make a meaningful difference and remind recipients that they are not alone.

Collection bins will be available at the church throughout the month. Thank you for your generosity and for sharing Christ’s love in such a tangible way!

To learn more or give directly online, click this link to visit the Lutheran Services of Florida Baskets of Love page.

Pray For Our Troops

If you have a loved one currently serving on active duty and would like them to be included in our prayer list, please send their name to Carrie at officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com. We would be honored to keep them in our prayers.

Worship Assistants Needed

For 10:15 Service May and June

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

👉 Click here to sign up for May and June

Book Club

Faith’s Book Club has embarked on a busy season of reading! Please look over our selections through the summer and join us for some lively discussions at 2:00 PM in the conference room at church.

JUNE 29

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

This book follows the meeting of three people in a bookstore in Portland, Maine. The reader sees the interactions between Viola, a 26-year-old newly released from prison; Harriet, who runs the prison book club; and Frank, the husband of the woman Viola killed while driving drunk. The story shows how powerful the messages in books can be.

JULY 27

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley

Follow Lydia, the newly appointed director of the local senior center, as she deals with the idiosyncrasies of its members. The group joins forces with the daycare center in the same building to prevent their closure. A hilarious and heartwarming story!

AUGUST 31

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

This book shows how people connect through kindness and wonder. Theo arrives in the town of Golden and is immediately intrigued by portraits of residents hanging in a local restaurant. As he interviews each individual, wonderful personal stories unfold.

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

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

Saturday, May 23

8:00 a.m. Jazzercise, community center

10:00 a.m. Celebration of Life for Alan Edwards, sanctuary

Sunday, May 24

Pentecost Sunday - Wear Red!

8 a.m. Traditional Worship Service

10:15 a.m. Traditional Worship Service

5 p.m. Contemporary Worship Service

Monday, May 25

Office Closed for Memorial Day

9 a.m. Garden Team, Memorial Garden

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

Tuesday, May 26

8:30 a.m. Men of Faith Breakfast, Toasted Yolk Cafe

10:45 a.m. Worship to Go - The Barclay

7 p.m. Marbella HOA Meeting, fellowship hall

Wednesday, May 27

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, May 28

9:00 a.m. Food Pantry Truck Unloading

2:00 p.m. Stewardship meeting, conference room

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, May 29

8 a.m. Jazzercize, community center

Pray for Those in Need

Ross Abeles, son of Jim Abeles

Tani Banta, friend of Marlene Radesk

Harold Bell, father of Liz Omler

Susan Bernard, friend of the Geysers

Family & Friends of Dick Bruning

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

Jerry Clancy

Evelyn Conlon

Family & Friends of Don Cotton, husband of Patty McKee's best friend, Joan Cotton

Lu Cox, friend of Jim Winemiller

Family & Friends of Doug Dahlquist

Charlie Durland, friend of Lillian Lapenckas

Marcia Durland, friend of Lillian Lapenckas

Maggie and Beth Farmer, daughter and granddaughter of Lynn and Jerry Clancy

Mary Friedman, friend of Marlene Radesk

Mark Greenwood

Bryan Hadley

Alison Hartill, friend of Marlene Radesk

Maureen Hendrix, friend of Adele Smith

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

Cliff Hornsby

Pete Inkrott

Alf Kerkeeng

Helen Krueger, friend of Sandra Brinker

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

Jim Mason, friend of Pastor Eric

Gene Meloney

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

Becky & Bill Payne, friends of Dee Burlingame

Laurie Richards, friend of Faith

Betty Rively, sister of Sandy Dawson

Leigh Ann Tarantino, friend of Marlene Radesk

Craig Thomsen, son of John and Tricia Thomsen

Butchy Toms

Ed and Carol Wambold

Family & Friends of Sandee Warnke, friend of Kim MacDonald

Jon Wooton

Joan Worth

John Yee, friend of Marlene Radesk

Jetty Zarfos

Mike Zuba, friend of Marlene Radesk

Kyle (last name withheld)

Those Who Serve,

We Lift in Prayer

Tyler Daniels

Quinn Figlo

Elizabeth Gentine

Noah Giles

Trent Meeks-Hall

Dean Mohammed

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

5/22 Give thanks for the ELCA Prison Reentry and Advocacy Network, which provides leaders, resources and opportunities for congregations and individuals to accompany people in prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers. Pray that our congregations will welcome and support those working to reclaim their lives after incarceration.

5/23 “In hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24-25). Ask the Spirit to strengthen our faith in God’s promises and in what Jesus Christ taught us. Pray for reassurance when we feel pressured to prove our faith and defend our beliefs.

5/24 Day of Pentecost Give thanks for the Holy Spirit, through which we invite people of all nations, races, genders, cultures, languages and ages to believe in God’s love, mercy and presence in the world. Praise God for the rich diversity of humanity, which yields a variety of gifts for sharing the gospel, serving our neighbors and growing the church.

5/25 Memorial Day Remember, mourn and give thanks for those in the military who gave their lives for justice, peace and the freedom of our country and all nations. Pray for the safety of those currently serving in the military and for the well-being of their families.

5/26 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the Upstate New York Synod assembly, 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.

5/27 “There are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Diversity and interdependence are essential qualities of creation and humanity, to be valued and affirmed, not feared, disparaged or eliminated. Lift up prayers of recognition and thanksgiving for God’s wisdom!

5/28 Pray for leaders, voting members and others as they gather for the assemblies of the North Carolina and Southeastern synods, 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, serve our neighbors in need and work for justice and peace.

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

Congregation Council: Jane Sanks, president; Ann Greenwood, vice president; Scott Rice, secretary; Anita Wooton, treasurer; Jerry Cooper; Quyen Dang; Julianne Geyser; Peggy Ragan; Wayne Head, Nancy Flanagan, Linda Burton

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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