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At the bottom of this email, if you see words such as "View entire message," please click the link to view all content.

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Worship Services at 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Jeremiah 33:14-16

A righteous branch springing up from David

Psalm 25:1-10

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. (Ps. 25:1)

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Strengthen hearts of holiness for the coming of the Lord

Luke 21:25-36

Be alert for the coming of the Son of Man

We will be caroling together on Sunday, December 22nd. We will gather after the 10:15 service to visit shut-ins and nursing homes to share the spirit of Christmas with those that cannot get out by themselves. It will be a fun an festive time!

Join us for a Festive Musical Celebration as we install Andi Zdrava as our new Director of Music with Flutist Yurii Padkouskiy and Pianist Andi!

Sat., Dec. 14th at 4 p.m. in the community center

As you may know, Hurricanes Helene and Milton have brought unprecedented devastation to our communities across Florida. Many of our congregations have suffered severe damage and flooding, and countless families have been displaced, losing homes and possessions. In times like these, we are called to come together as the body of Christ. We know that Lutherans respond to disasters in three powerful ways: pray, give, and serve.

Please join us in lifting up all those affected by the hurricane in your prayers. Pray for comfort and strength for those who have lost so much, and for wisdom and endurance for the first responders and relief workers on the ground.

Immediate financial support is urgently needed to provide essentials like temporary housing, transportation, and food for those in crisis.

Please prayerfully consider giving a Special Offering to help the ELCA Disaster Response. There are ELCA giving envelopes located in the Narthex and we have a giving tile on our website for the Florida-Bahamas Synod Hurricane Relief.

FLC New Member Q&A - to be held during Coffee Hour on Sun., Dec. 1st. If you are interested in becoming a member of FLC please join us!

Receiving New Members - we will be receiving new members on Sun. Dec. 8th during the 10:15 service.

Please JOIN US for a very special additional service next Sunday, Dec. 1st at 5 p.m. to commemorate World AIDS Day. Diversity Voices of Sarasota will share several moving musical offerings. Please join us as we pause to remember and worship.

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve – 4 p.m. & 7 p.m.

Christmas Day – 10 a.m.

Special Music for All Services

Help adorn the sanctuary for Christmas while honoring a loved one or special occasion by dedicating one or more poinsettias. You will be welcome to take your plant(s) home after the Christmas Eve service. The cost is $20 per plant (due to storm damage, prices have increased). Orders and dedications are due by Dec. 7. Special red-bordered giving envelopes for Christmas poinsettias are available in the narthex and pews. Or you can pay and record your dedication through the Christmas Poinsettia option on the Online Giving page at faithlutheransrq.com.



After enjoying an informative luncheon and presentation by Maxine Busbaugh regarding the purpose and goals of Hope Seeds the members of Mary Circle created seed packages for turnips. These packets have the potential to provide food for thousands of people all over the world. We all had an interesting and fun time. Watch for more exciting news about this ministry coming to Faith and is open to all.

In December, Mary Circle will be lunching out at Tripletail, located in Landings Shopping Center on 41. Tues., Dec. 10th at noon. Look for signup sheet in the church narthex. All are welcome!

If you have any questions please email Janet Petersen at luvstitches55@gmail.com. or Donna Pappalardo at donna326@aol.com.  

Faith Book Club will be taking a reading break for the holidays and will not meet in November. We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We will next meet in December for a holiday luncheon at Apollonia in the Landings Shopping Center on Mon., Dec. 9th at noon.

We will resume our reading discussions on Mon., Jan. 27th with the book The Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner.

If you would like to join us please contact Janet Petersen at luvstitches55@gmail.com

Please consider adopting one (or more) of the 50 clients we have been assigned by Lutheran Services Florida to make someone’s Christmas just a little bit nicer. Look for the table set up in the narthex to make your selection. Be sure to sign your name next to whomever you choose. All gifts are due back by DECEMBER 16 and should be WRAPPED and LABELED.  

Workshop for New Pictorial Church Directory

Next Workshop is Scheduled for January 12, 2025 after both morning services at 9:15 and 11:40 in the Sanctuary.

Our Workshops are a combined effort of our Evangelism Ministry Team and our Financial Committee to share with the congregation how to effectively use our church software called Icon CMO. Faith Lutheran Church has been using this software for decades. It is tried and true.

These workshops will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to maintain your own records while having the ability to contact and identify other friends and members within the church. 

It is important to sign up to have your pictures taken. There is a poster board on the door of the children's quiet room in the back of the sanctuary. Our photographer, Kelly, will be taking pictures for the next several Sundays and by special request as needed.

We hope to see you on the 12th of January. 

2025. For more information or to ask questions, contact Lauren Wardach, 941-529-6879; LaurenFLCSRQ@gmail.com.

Zumba Class will take place on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Center (gym). All fitness levels are welcome! It is free for congregation members and a voluntary donation from non-members is appreciated. Join in the FUN!!!

Faith will pay for Uber or Lyft to bring you or others to worship or other events.

Contact Pastor Eric to make arrangements, 716-352-0055.

God gives us the talents, abilities and gifts necessary for our tasks, and then God grants us the glorious privilege of serving in the kingdom.

“For we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

The Prayer Support Group meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the chapel to pray for all in need, our community, our nation, our world, and to share Holy Communion. Can't attend in person?

The Bereavement Group meets at 3:15 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel. If you or a friend can use help bearing the burden of grief, this group is for you. All are welcome!

Opportunities to study God's word among an ever-widening circle of women friends return as G.I.F.T.S. (Growing in Faith Through Scripture) women's Bible study every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.

All women are invited to meet in the upstairs library for a relatable, encouraging and easy-to-follow study by Deb Burma,

"Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God's Strength." 

Let's make new friends and grow in faith together! Please come! Questions? Contact Peggy Ragan, 941-302-7722 or pragan12@aol.com.

Adult Forum classes between worship services - 9:10-9:50 a.m. in the conference room.

Lesson 5, "They Were Not Wandering", in Volume 12, “Walking with God”.

Please consider donating altar flowers in honor of a special occasion, in memory of a loved one or to glorify God.

The cost is $30 for one vase or $60 for two vases. For each week, we can have either one donor for both vases, or two donors for one vase each. Make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church, and indicate "altar flowers" in the memo line.

Check the altar flowers donation board in fellowship hall to see if your desired date is available. If not, please choose an alternate date. 

The next open date is Sunday, Dec. 29th, Jan. 5th and Jan. 12th.

When you purchase altar flowers, your name and dedication will be published in the bulletin on your selected Sunday. To make a dedication:

• At church, complete an Altar Flowers envelope with your payment, and place it in the offering plate. Indicate your wish to keep or donate the flowers on the donation board in fellowship hall. You also can include a note in the envelope with your donation or call the church office.
• By mail, send payment with a note indicating your desired date and dedication, and if you want to keep the flowers or donate them.
• By email or phone, contact the church office with your desired date and dedication, and whether you want to keep or donate the flowers. Pay through the altar flowers option on the Faith website.

If you have questions or specific requests about who or what organization should receive flowers that you purchased and choose to donate, contact Joan Hirsch, 941-726-7885.

Coffee hour is an important fellowship ministry at Faith that needs additional volunteers. All you have to do is provide and put out snacks, and clean up afterward.

Faith can cover the cost of the snacks If you would like to volunteer but don't have resources to purchase them.

Please sign up on the sheet beside the coffee pot in fellowship hall. Questions? Contact Karen Naulty, knaulty@yahoo.com or 406-334-1063; or Denise Kirkeeng, kirkeengd@verizon.net or 941-468-6668.

Please join us for Mid-Week Soup Supper & Taize Workshop

Wed., Dec. 4th. 11th, 18th

Supper at 5 p.m.

Worship at 6 p.m.

Pastor Eric often speaks with people about aid they require, including desperately needed assistance following Hurricane Debby. The Pastor's Discretionary Fund allows him to assist financially, when appropriate.

The need currently is great so, if you can, please consider a donation to the fund so those in need can receive assistance. To give online, click here, or designate a cash or check donation.

Today, Friday, Nov. 22

8 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

Saturday, Nov. 23

8 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

9 a.m., Diakonia - conference room

Sunday, Nov. 24

8 a.m., In-Person and Live-Stream Worship - sanctuary

9:10 a.m., Adult Forum - conference room

9:30 a.m., Voices of Faith Rehearsal and Worship - choir room

10:30 a.m., In-Person and Live-Stream Worship - sanctuary

During Coffee Hour - FLC New Member Q&A 

Monday, Dec. 2

6 p.m., Zumba Class, community center

Tuesday, Dec. 3

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

Skillets. 8635 S. Tamiami Trail

9:30 a.m., G.I.F.T.S. Women’s Bible Study, library

6:00 p.m., Diversity Voices of Sarasota, choir room & gym

Wednesday, Dec. 4

10:30 a.m., Prayer Support Group, chapel

3:15 p.m., Bereavement Group, chapel

5 p.m., Midweek Soup Supoer & Taize Worship

6:30 p.m., Voices of Faith Choir Practice, choir room

Thursday, Dec. 5

9 a.m., Food Pantry Prep, fellowship hall

1 p.m., Stitch ‘n Chatter, fellowship hall

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

5 p.m., Food Pantry

Friday, Dec. 6

8 a.m., Jazzersize, community center

Alan

Dick Allender, cousin of Gerri Copper

Pastor Steve Anderson, friend of Jan Phillips

Chuck & Tani Banta

Barbara Brannan, mother of Kim McDonald

Arthur Brucato, friend of Karla Lewis &

Michael Leonhardt

Dee Burlingame

Judy Carlsen

Evelyn Conlon

Merle Cusmano

Doug Dahlquist, dad of Hannah Boyd

Jeanine Davis (nee Molella), granddaughter of

Karen & John White

Eloise Dettmer

Ryan Donahue, friend of Doris Anne Prieur-Lucia

Beth & Mary Farmer

Andrea Gamboa

Jeff Hansen, nephew of Joan Searles

Patricia Head, mother of Wayne Head

Sonja Hickling, mother of Kelly Ashlock

Becky Hilton Heeps, friend of Lisa Olsen

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

Bob Hurdle, friend of Gerry & Karen Kolschowski & Gerri & Terry Copper

Jesus & Rita Jimenez

Alf Kirkeeng

Leonard Kotwitz, brother of Janet Falk

Lillian Lapenckas

Kevin Lasko

Chick Lehmann, husband of Suzie Lehmann

Ruth Levy, sister of Joan Hirsch

Diane Lewis, sister-in-law of Karla Lewis &

             Michael Leonhardt

Pat Longo & Ronnie Mojo, friends of Susan Wakefield

Kimberly MacDonald & Barbara, self and mother

Julie & Eli Maresch, niece & grandnephew

of Patty McKee

Paul & Debbie Maresch, brother & sister-in-law

of Patty McKee

Dennis McCaughey, friend of Lois Weaverling

Kim McDonald

Judi Melander

Alison Nommay, friend of Karla Lewis

& Michael Leonhardt

Terry O’Connell, friend of Marlene Radesk

Meghan Ortega, niece of Lisa & Pastor Eric Olsen

Judy Osborn, sister of Peggy Ragan

Sue Ostrom

Pastor Terry Parker, friend of Max &

Pastor Marianne Powrie

Fran Perkins

Jean Peters, friend of Faye Adkin

Carl Petersen

Richard Keith Radcliffe, brother of

            Gail Radcliffe Brown

Annabel Ryan

Robin Ryder, daughter of Floyd Ryder &

             sister of Gail Murphy

Lorna Sawyers-Sucra, friend of

Jeremy & Yvonne Mullins

Kathy Schilio

Becky Sciranko, niece of Alice Rush

Joan Searles

Stephanie Sebastyn, friend of Carolyn Winemiller

Shirley Schimke

Pastor John Spittal

Pamela Spry, mother of Hannah Boyd

Dr. Heather Stark, friend of Cliff Hornsby

Mark Stengel

Ed & Gail Straight, friends of Nancy Dandino

Tess Stransky, daughter, grandaughter, & cousin of Lynn Clancy

Leigh Tarantino, friend of Marlene

             Radesk

David Turnbull, husband of Patricia White

Brittany Wanko & her premature newborn

             infants, Olivia Mae & Emmet Walter

Friends & Family of Paul Wick

Dr. Patty White

Jon Wooton

Celeste & John Yee, daughter and father 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.

12/07 Nancy & Alan Dandino

12/16 Michael & Gwen Schell

12/26 Kaye & Jerry Kempson

12/31 Ann & Mark Greenwood

12/01Jeanine Davis

12/02 Laura Welp

12/04 Karla Lewis

12/05 Jerry Kempson

12/08 Eileen Welsh

12/12 Patrick Gordon

12/13 Gwen Schell

12/17 Louraine Salvaggio

12/23 Ann Cornell

12/25 Kathleen Meeks

12/25 Karen Brown

12/28 Dean Patterson

12/29 Chris Ordman

12/29 Janis Conlon

1231 Jan Phillips

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

Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen

pastor@faithlutheransrq.com

Assistant to the Pastor: Rev. Larry Wright

larannw@comcast.net

Retired Pastors in Residence: Rev. John Hilficker, Rev. Marianne Powrie, Rev. John Spittal

Director of Music/Organist: Andi Zdrava

musicdirector@faithlutheransrq.com

Church Administrator/Executive Assistant to the Pastor: Heidi Floyd

officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com

Congregation Council: Scott Rice, president; Lauren Wardach, vice president; Mark Nelson, secretary; Anita Wooton, treasurer; Jane Sanks, assistant treasurer; Jerry Cooper; Quyen Dang; Ann Greenwood; Peggy Ragan; Joan Searles

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

CLICK HERE to view the current Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church.