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Sunday, April 13, 2025

Palm Sunday

Worship Services at 8 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 5 p.m.

John 12:12-13

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Isaiah 50:4-9a

The servant of the Lord submits to suffering.

Psalm 118:14-29

You are my God, and I will exalt you (Ps. 118:28).

Philippians 2:5-11

Humbled to the point of death on a cross.

Luke 19:28-40

Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!

A service of resurrection and life for:

• John White will begin at 10:30 a.m., today, Friday, April 11, in the sanctuary. A luncheon will follow in fellowship hall. Please keep John's wife, Karen, and all of John's family and friends in your prayers.
• Judi Melander will begin at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 14, in the sanctuary. A luncheon will follow in fellowship hall. Please keep Judi’s family and friends in your prayers.

Plans for a service of resurrection and life for Joe Dongarra are pending. Please keep his wife, Joan, and all of Joe’s family and friends in your prayers.



Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servants, John, Judi and Joe. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, sheep of your own fold, lambs of your own redeeming. Receive them into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) workers in Myanmar and Thailand report that the devastation from the recent earthquake is worse than news reports reveal. Your donation can help LWR deliver water, medical care, shelter and essential supplies to those affected.

You can donate at give.lwr.org, through the Online Giving page at faithlutheransrq.com, or via cash or check to Faith designated to LWR Earthquake.

Worship to Go needs additional helpers! It is a heartwarming experience in which volunteers bring worship with Holy Communion to people in care.

You can participate at:

•  1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, at Angels Senior Living, 5750 Honore Ave.
• 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 29, at Aravilla Sarasota, 3251 Proctor Road.

Volunteers will meet in the chapel and can carpool to the facility (30 minutes prior). To join in, contact Pastor Eric directly, 716-352-0055, or show up at the chapel. No experience necessary!  

Mary Circle is collecting personal-care kit items for Lutheran World Relief (LWR). Please place nail clippers, combs, bath-size soap and adult-size toothbrushes in the bin in the narthex. Soap is the most-needed item. A Thrivent grant will cover the cost of towels for the kits. If you are unable to shop, monetary contributions are welcome.

Palm Sunday, April 13

• 8 a.m., Celebration Worship with Holy Communion, sanctuary
• 10:15 a.m., Celebration Worship with Holy Communion and choir, sanctuary
• 5 p.m., Contemporary Worship with Holy Communion, sanctuary

Wednesday, April 16

1 & 7 p.m., Walk the Prayer Labyrinth, community center/gym (see story below)

Maundy Thursday, April 17

• 7 p.m., Worship with Holy Communion and choir, sanctuary

Good Friday, April 18

• 7 a.m., Multi-Denominational Stations of the Cross, park at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave.; take a free trolley to the starting location (see story below)
• 2 p.m., Stations of the Cross, sanctuary
• 7 p.m., Tenebrae Worship with choir, sanctuary

Holy Saturday, April 19

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

Easter Sunday, April 20

• 7 a.m., Easter Vigil Part Two, Memorial Garden
• 9 a.m., Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt, fellowship hall and playground
• 10:15 a.m.,  Easter Celebration Worship with Holy Communion and choir, sanctuary

Join fellow worshippers at 1 p.m. or 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, in the Faith community center (gym) for a prayer labyrinth walk. Used for spiritual centering and contemplation, a labyrinth walk is a meditative practice during which participants follow a single, winding path to the center of a labyrinth and back out. Quiet and prayerful, the calming walk is a moving addition to Holy Week worship.

Join 27 pastors and more than 1,000 people from more than 14 denominations for the Good Friday Stations of the Cross Main Street Pilgrimage, April 18. Pastor Eric will present at Station 5.

Park at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm, by 7 a.m. to take the trolley to the Regal Hollywood starting point near Main and Highway 301. Trolleys begin running at 6 a.m. The procession to 14 Stations of the Cross along Main Street will begin at 7:20 a.m. and will conclude with morning prayer at Church of the Redeemer.

Questions? Email Dr. Tom Pfaff with the Sarasota Ministerial Association, ChaplainTomPfaff@gmail.com.

• Adult Forum meets between the two Sunday morning worship services in the conference room. On April 13, the group will study Lesson 3, The Powers of Darkness, in the "A Clash of Kingdoms” series.
• Women of Faith meet for breakfast, prayer and camaraderie at 8:30 a.m., Monday, April 14, at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail. Questions? See Pastor Marianne or email her, pastorp2.0@gmail.com.
• Men of Faith meet for breakfast and prayer at 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail.
• G.I.F.T.S. (Growing in Faith Through Scripture) Women’s Bible study meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the library to focus on "Leaning on Jesus: A Study of God's Strength." Can't attend in person? Join via Zoom: Meeting ID 867 2113 5300, Passcode 815433.
• The Prayer Support Group meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the chapel to pray for all in need, our community, nation and world, and to share Holy Communion. Can't be there in person? Join via Zoom: Meeting ID 871 4720 3661, Passcode 041291.
• The Bereavement Group once again 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.

The WELCA Mid-Gulf Spring Gathering begins at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, April 12, at Faith. It will be a day of fellowship, Bible study and a special presentation by Faith’s own Al Ernst.

Both continental breakfast and lunch will be served at a cost of only $10. Sign up on the narthex table to indicate that you'll be there.

The annual Easter Potluck Breakfast takes place between the two morning worship services on Easter Sunday, April 20. Please consider bringing an egg casserole, pastry, fruit, fresh veggies or other items to share. Thank you!

A new video produced by Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) shows what it means to say, "We Are the Lutherans." Click here to view the brief video, parts of which were taped in the Faith sanctuary. You may see a few familiar faces!

Eight volunteers from New Life Lutheran Church in Sarasota send their thanks to Faith and its food pantry volunteers, especially operations leader Linda Burton, for welcoming and integrating them into yesterday's Faith Food Pantry distribution. The new volunteers helped Faith's team serve more than 100 shoppers who represented more than 250 people fed.

Via a daily email, the Faith Evangelism Ministry team is sharing Lenten devotions from Luther Seminary with the musical theme “There in God’s Garden.”

Printed devotional booklets also are available on the table in the narthex for people who do not use email.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of your possessions” (Luke 12:15).

In that verse, Jesus tells us, his listeners, that if we store up things only for ourselves and are not “rich toward God,” we will have the same fate as the Rich Fool. To be “rich toward God” with our money, we need to acknowledge that God is the source of all that we have and to glorify God through the use of our money.

Dear Lord, help me to be rich toward you in how I view and use my money. Amen.

The Faith Readers Club meets at 2 p.m. on the final Monday of each month.

On April 28, the group will discuss The Gift of Empathy: Helping Others Feel Valued, Cared For, and Understood by Joel P. Bretscher and Kenneth C. Haugk. You can purchase the book from StephenMinistries.org (not Amazon, which has a similar title, but not this book).

Come and join the conversation. Or log in via Zoom, Meeting ID: 840 3904 1433, Passcode: 182787.

From 3 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, be part of the crew that will cook and serve for about 70 food-insecure and homeless siblings in Christ at St. Paul's in downtown Sarasota, 2256 Bahia Vista.

To volunteer, sign up on the sheet in the narthex or contact the church office.

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.

You can place small, used batteries in the box on the counter in fellowship hall.

Batteries that can be recycled are:

• Lithium Ion (Li-Ion). 
• Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH).
• Nickel Zinc (Ni-ZN).                                   
• Non-Rechargeable Lithium.
• Rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd).
• Single-Use Alkaline.
• Small Sealed Lead Acid (SSLA/Pb).

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 May 11.

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.

Pastor Eric often speaks with people about aid they require. 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 give via check or cash to Faith designated to Pastor's Discretionary Fund.

Today, Friday, April 11

8 a.m., Jazzercise, community center (gym)

10:30 a.m., John White Service of Resurrection and Life followed by Luncheon, sanctuary/fellowship hall

Saturday, April 12

8 a.m., Jazzercise, community center (gym)

9 a.m., Diakonia, conference room

9:30 a.m., WELCA Mid-Gulf Spring Gathering with Breakfast and Lunch, fellowship hall

Palm Sunday, April 13

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

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

9:30 a.m., Voices of Faith, choir room

10:15 a.m., Worship In Person and Live-Stream, sanctuary

2 p.m., German Congregation Worship and Fellowship, sanctuary/fellowship hall

5 p.m., Contemporary Worship In Person, sanctuary

Monday, April 14

8:30 a.m., Women of Faith Breakfast, Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail

10:30 a.m., Judi Melander Service of Resurrection and Life followed by Luncheon, sanctuary/fellowship hall

Tuesday, April 15

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

12:45 p.m., Worship to Go Prep, chapel

1:30 p.m., Worship to Go, Angels Senior Living, 5750 Honore

6 p.m., Diversity Voices of Sarasota, choir room and sanctuary

Wednesday, April 16

9:30 a.m., Executive Committee, conference room

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

1 p.m., Prayer Labyrinth, community center (gym)

3:15 p.m., Bereavement Group, chapel

7 p.m., Prayer Labyrinth, community center (gym)

Thursday, April 17

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

9:30 a.m., Finance Committee, conference room

1:30 p.m., Stewardship Committee, conference room

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

5 p.m., Food Pantry Open

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

7 p.m., Maundy Thursday Worship, sanctuary

Friday, April 18

7 a.m., Multi-Denominational Stations of the Cross Downtown, park at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm, take a trolley to the starting location

8 a.m., Jazzercize, community center

2 p.m., Stations of the Cross, sanctuary

7 p.m., Tenebrae Worship, sanctuary

Saturday, April 19

8 a.m., Jazzercize, community center

9 a.m., Diakonia, conference room

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

• Lucy Abbott, sister-in-law of Judy Millard
• Dick Allender, cousin of Gerri & Terry Copper
• Billy Bajor
• Family & Friends of Michele Bajor
• Gail Brown
• Family & Friends of Dorothy Burkhart, friend of Marlene Radesk
• Dee Burlingame                                                      
• Rick Chauncey, son of Wess Chauncey
• Linda Craley, sister-in-law of Dick & Jetty Zarfos
• Lindsey Dacey
• Doug Dahlquist, father of Hannah Boyd
• Nancy Dandino
• Tyeann Dillon
• Ken Dixon, online worshipper
• Famly & Friends of Joe Dongarra, friend of Lois Weaverling
• Janet Dullard, friend of Bev Hungate
• Family & Friends of Christine Earp
• Mark Evan
• Beth Farmer, mother of Lynn Clancy
• John Robert Flower, son of Bob & Catherine Flower
• Travis Galyon, cousin of Bev Hungate
• Becky Hilton Heeps, friend of Lisa Olsen
• Kevin Hooks, son-in-law of Jon & Anita Wooton
• Pete Inkrott
• Family & Friends of Joan Bridges, sister of Bill Greenaway
• Bruce Katz, friend of Nancy Flanagan
• Leonard Kotwitz, brother of Janet Falk
• Ruth Levy, sister of Joan Hirsch
• Juli & Eli Maresch, niece and grand-nephew of Patty McKee
• Family & Friends of Arnie Masters
• Judy McMahon, friend of Kristine Ordman
• Family & Friends of Judi Melander
• Jay Millard, son of John & Judy Millard
• John Millard
• Dulce Mogan, friend of Nancy Flanagan
• Valerie Nicolls, mother of Pastor Ashley Nicolls
• Kathy Ocker, friend of Lisa & Pastor Eric Olsen
• Family & Friends of Judy Osborn, sister of Peggy Ragan
• Heather Schott, daughter-in-law of Les Lorenz
• Kathy Schilio
• Stephanie Sebastyn, friend of Carolyn Winemiller
• Leigh Tarantino, friend of Marlene Radesk
• Melissa Thompson, cousin of Lisa Olsen
• Darren Thomsen, son of John & Tricia Thomsen
• Jessica Uebel, cousin of Adele Smith
• Carol Wambold
• Family & Friends of John White
• Dorothy Wolfe, cousin of Adele Smith
• Jon Wooton

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.

Find daily Prayer Ventures on the ELCA website. Here are prayers for today and the days ahead.

4/11 Give thanks that God is always doing something new in and through us, wonderful things that impact others when they witness Christ’s awesome love reflected in our lives as disciples.

4/12 Pray for youth in our congregations and communities, recognizing the challenges they face, celebrating the joys they experience and showing gratitude for what they add to our faith communities, which need the gifts of all generations to do God’s work in the world.

4/13 Palm Sunday: Pray that we might accompany Jesus in his journey of persecution, suffering, death and resurrection, a journey of love and sacrifice for our sake.

4/14 Pledge to bear hope, grace and newness in Christ to our neighbors in need, especially those who are poor, hungry, sick, imprisoned, unemployed, or plagued by war or domestic conflict.

4/15 Praise God for the strength we draw from scripture, from our siblings in Christ, from living in community and from the tireless work of the ever-present Spirit.

4/16 Pray to the Lord for comfort, strength and renewed faith when you feel broken and worn out.

4/17 Maunday Thursday:  Today, we end our observation of Lent and shift our attention to what God has done for the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, son of God and son of humankind. Give thanks for the gift of new life in Christ, a life wrapped in God’s boundless grace.

4/18 Good Friday:  “Start being brave about everything. Drive out darkness and spread light. Don’t look at your weaknesses. Realize instead that in Christ crucified you can do everything” (Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380). Pray for the Spirit to strengthen our faith so that, through us, God’s love and mercy might shine brightly in the world.

4/19 Holy Saturday: Ask the Spirit for a faith that is certain and resilient, even when we don’t fully understand or appreciate what God has done for humanity through Jesus Christ.

4/20 Easter Day: Sing praise and thanksgiving to God! This is the day the Lord has made for us to gather as loved and forgiven children, celebrating our freedom from the bondage of sin and death. 

4/11 Mark & Amy Nelson

4/22 Bill & Kris Ordman

4/23 Chu Lee & Quyen Dang

4/25 Dave & Nancy Windish

4/27 Ken & Karen Knatz

4/30 Larry & Pat Liedel

4/1 William Greenaway

4/2 Pete Inkrott

4/2 Dee Burlingame

4/2 Amanda Kulaw

4/3 Jerry Clancy

4/3 April Shettler

4/5 Kelly Ashlock

4/6 Karen Kolschowsky

4/9 Matthew Giannini

4/10 Karen Storey

4/11 Sharon Soukup

4/12 Sandra Jimenez

4/13 Richard Capilla

4/14 Arnie Masters

4/16 Keri Degroote

4/17 Richard Venator

4/19 Chu Lee

4/22 Evelyn Hansen

4/24 Darryll White

4/30 John Thomsen

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

Interim Executive Assistant: Linda Fewell

officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com

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

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.