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Sunday, May 11, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Easter

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

Acts 9:36-43

Peter raises Tabitha/Dorcas from the dead

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1)

Revelation 7:9-17

A white-robed multitude sings before the Lamb

John 10:22-30

Jesus promises eternal life to his sheep

There always is a need for blood, but the need is critical after many of our neighbors return north for the summer. Your donation on Mother's Day, May 11, at Faith can save three lives and would be a wonderful way to honor your mother.

Walk-ins are welcome. You can also sign up at donorportal.suncoastblood.org/register.

Last Sunday, volunteers worked hard to create personal care kits for Lutheran World Relief. Thanks to all those who volunteered their time and brought donations.

• Adult Forum meets between the two morning worship services in the conference room. This Sunday, the group will study lesson 2, Engaging the Heart, in the “Cultures in Conflict” series.
• Women of Faith meet for breakfast, prayer and camaraderie at 8:30 a.m., Monday, May 12, 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. New location this week! Max's Table, 115 S Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229
• 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 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 Men's Study Group will be taking a break for the month of May. Please stay tuned for information about June meetings.

Zumba begins at 6 p.m. Wednesdays – note the new day! -- 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. Be there to move with the music and join in the fun!

What exactly do “we” profess to believe as ELCA Lutherans? How are we different and the same as other Lutherans, Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists? What beliefs do Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Bahái practitioners hold dear? What do we hold in common and where do we differ?

Jesus calls us to love our neighbor and to do that to our fullest. We need to take time to understand the faith traditions of our neighbors. This 5-week course began this past Wednesday, May 7. Four weeks remain! Join us this Wednesday, May 14, 9:30- 10:30 a.m. in the upstairs classroom. Can’t be there? Join via Zoom, Meeting ID 830 7077 7013, Passcode 793244.

Mary Circle will meet on Tuesday, May 13,

at noon. Our featured speaker is

Faith's Bold Woman 2025, Linda Burton.

Bring your lunch and dessert will be provided.

This month Faith Book Club will meet on Tuesday, May 27 (note the day change due to the Memorial Day holiday). Join us to read and discuss The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner. This book tells the little known story of a German American family sent to an internment camp during World War II. We will meet at 2pm in the conference room.

Looking for a summer activity for a child aged 7-14? St. Paul Lutheran Church in downtown Sarasota will offer a weekday Summer Garden Camp June 2-July 25. A fee of $250/week includes quality snacks, lunch, a journal and gloves. To learn more, contact Rachel Williamson, gardencamp.srq@gmail.com. Fliers are in 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.

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 18.

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 for Pastor's Discretionary Fund.

This Week at Faith

Monday, May 12

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

Tuesday, May 13

8:30 a.m.     Men of Faith

Breakfast, Max’s Table,     

115 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey

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

10:15 a.m.     Worship to Go Prep, chapel

10:45 a.m.    Worship to Go, The Barclay, Tiffany Room

12 p.m.          Mary Circle, fellowship hall

6 p.m.            Diversity Voices of Sarasota,

                       choir room and sanctuary

Wednesday, May 14

9:30 a.m.     Honoring Our Neighbor’s Faith, upstairs

classroom

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

11:30 a.m.    Property Committee, conf. room

3:15 p.m.       Bereavement Group, chapel

6 p.m.            Zumba, community center

Thursday, May 15

9 a.m.            Food Pantry Prep, fellowship hall

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

10:30 a.m.    Men’s Study Group, conf. room

1:30 p.m.      Stewardship Meeting, conf. room

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

5 p.m.           Food Pantry Distribution

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

Friday, May 16

8 a.m.           Jazzercize, community center

Saturday, May 17

8 a.m.           Jazzercize, community center

9 a.m.            Diakonia, conference room

10:30 a.m.    Rev. John Spittal: Service of Resurrection and

Life followed by luncheon, fellowship hall

• Lucy Abbott, sister-in-law of Judy Millard
• Dick Allender, cousin of Gerri & Terry Copper
• Billy Bajor
• Gail Brown
• Dee Burlingame                                                      
• Rick Chauncey, son of Wess Chauncey
• Jerry Clancy
• 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
• Janet Dullard, friend of Bev Hungate
• Mark Evan
• Beth and Maggie Farmer, daughter & granddaughter

of Lynn & Jerry Clancy

• John Robert Flower, son of Bob & Catherine Flower
• Travis Galyon, cousin of Bev Hungate
• Anatoliy Gurov
• Becky Hilton Heeps, friend of Lisa Olsen
• Kevin Hooks, son-in-law of Jon & Anita Wooton
• Pete Inkrott
• 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
• Dick Mejchar, brother-in-law of Patty McKee
• Judy McMahon, friend of Kristine Ordman
• Family & Friends of Judi Melander
• Jay Millard, son of John & Judy Millard
• John Millard
• Bob Miller, friend of Bill Greenaway
• Dulce Mogan, friend of Nancy Flanagan
• Valerie Nicolls, mother of Pastor Ashley Nicolls
• Kathy Ocker, friend of Lisa & Pastor Eric Olsen
• Heather Schott, daughter-in-law of Les Lorenz
• Kathy Schilio
• Stephanie Sebastyn, friend of Carolyn Winemiller
• Family & Friends of Rev. John Spittal
• Norman Stoll, brother of Dottie Gustavson
• 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
• Dorothy Wolfe, cousin of Adele Smith
• Jon Wooton
• Rev. Melvin Younger, friend of Bill Greenaway

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.

5/9 “In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing, in the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done” (WOV 760). Pray for the Spirit to give us a clear understanding of God’s will and ways, that our concern and love for our neighbors in need will not be hindered by bias,

suspicion or judgement.

5/10 Remember in prayer students at universities, colleges and seminaries as they prepare for exams and graduation, that they will find comfort in times of stress, encouragement when they feel uncertain and renewed hope for what lies ahead of them in their vocational journeys.

5/11 Mother’s Day Pray for mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers and expectant mothers. Pray for women who struggle with parenting, who are trying to conceive or who cannot bear children of their own but serve as loving and faithful adults in the lives of children and youth. 

5/12 Praise God for the boundless love and forgiveness we have in Jesus Christ and the gift of eternal life that stirs hope, joy and gratitude in us. Pray for the Spirit to inspire and equip us to share this good news far and wide.

5/13 The ELCA walks with more than 80 companion churches around the world to participate in God’s work of service, reconciliation and proclaiming the gospel. Praise God for what we accomplish together and for the faith, hospitality, enthusiasm and wisdom of companion churches that energize our own leaders and congregations.

5/14 Give thanks for ELCA Campus Ministry and the Lutheran Campus Ministry Network (LuMin), which serve students, faculty, staff and others on college and university campuses and which bear witness to God’s abundant grace through worship, study, fellowship, service and pastoral care.

5/15 Pray for the leaders, voting members and others gathering for the assemblies of the Northern Great Lakes and Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast 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 and serve our neighbors in need.

5/2 Richard & Kris Sullivan

5/7 Lee & Helen Kohlhafer

5/20 Greg & Joey Larson

5/27 Kevin & Linda Fewell

5/27 John & Tricia Thomsen

5/2 Chloe Millard

5/7 Doris Anne Prieur-Lucia

5/11 Jesus Jimenez

5/11 Darrel Huggins

5/11 Mark Greenwood

5/12 Todd Brown

5/13 Lynn Clancy

5/13 Lyna Jimenez-Ruiz

5/14 Lilian Moore

5/17 Ashley Garlitz

5/18 Christopher Degroote

5/19 Dave Windish

5/19 Lee Kohlhafer

5/19 Daniel McKee

5/19 David McKee

5/23 Judy Carlsen

5/25 Pat Faubel

5/25 Linda Urgo

5/26 Karen Knatz

5/27 Ron Walter

5/30 Kris Sullivan

5/31 Ingrid Velkme

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

Executive Assistant: Carrie Christenson

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.