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Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others.
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Faith's Friday Update
January 20, 2023
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Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023
Third Sunday After Epiphany
Worship Services at 8:00 & 10:15 a.m.
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Readings and Psalm
Isaiah 9:1-4
Light shines for those in darkness
Psalm 27:1, 4-9
The Lord is my light and my salvation. (Ps. 27:1)
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Appeal for unity in the gospel
Matthew 4:12-23
Revelation of Christ as a prophet
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Congregational Council
meeting minutes can be viewed at the link.
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Faith's financial news can be viewed at the link below.
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Adult Forum will meet this coming
Sunday, January 22nd with Volume 4
Lesson 7 “The Weight of the World” of
“That the World May Know” video series. We will meet in the conference room between the two morning worship services from 9:10 – 9:50am.
Pack your bags! We're going on a journey with Ray Vander Laan, a Biblical scholar. A quest to uncover Scripture
and its meaning across history. Filmed on location in Israel and throughout the Middle East, the Faith Lessons Digital series is an adventure in biblical learning. You will discover why Jesus turned the world upside down with his compelling call to follow Him. The insights you gain will transform your reading of the Gospels and inspire a
deeper faith commitment.
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Stewardship - a Living Faith
Fulfilling God’s Purpose!
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The theme on the final week for our program Fulfilling God’s Purpose! is “Giving Joyfully and Generously.” We give because God first gave to us. As created and redeemed people, we give out of gratitude and thanksgiving for his lavish love for us. Our giving honors and worships our Lord. Giving supports our Lord’s church, spreads the Gospel, and helps the needy.
We hope and pray that this program, Fulfilling God’s Purpose! has blessed you and has helped you grow as a God-pleasing steward.
Sunday January 29th we will be bringing our pledge cards to the alter to present to our Lord. We thank GOD for all he has given us, including the ability to give back to the head of the Church, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. AMEN!
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Confirmation class is 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Our next class is January 24th.
This comprehensive confirmation program is more than just a class. It seeks to provide experiences and opportunities in which the individual can grow in faith as a Christian (i.e., worship, relationships with peers and mentors, small group experiences, and ministry opportunities).
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Men of Faith
Breakfast at Skillets
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Join us for a hearty breakfast, prayer, and fellowship at Skillets, 8635 S. Tamiami Trail on Tuesday, January 24th at 8:30 a.m.
All are welcome!
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G.I.F.T.S.
(Growing In Faith Through Scripture)
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G.I.F.T.S. (Growing In Faith Through Scripture) will resume studying "Be Still and Know" by Deb Burma at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, in the conference room. We look forward to continuing our exploration of Psalm 46.
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Join Faith’s Bereavement Group at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel.
If you or a friend can use some help bearing the burden of grief, this group is for you. There is strength in community. Help spread the word of hope.
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Faith Lutheran Blood Drive at Church
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Sunday, January 22, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Faith Lutheran is hosting a Blood Drive.
For more information, contact Patti McKee at (941) 921-3709 or the church office.
Walk-ins welcome!
Sign-up for an appointment:
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Readers Club meets at 2 p.m. on the last Monday of the month in the church library. Jan. 30, they will discuss Haven Point by Virginia Hume.
For more information, contact Kathy Schilio, [email protected]. Please join! All are welcome!
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Altar Flowers are a Beautiful Remembrance
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Altar flowers are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor or remember a special someone or a special occasion while decorating Faith's altar for worship. The 2023 Altar Flowers signup poster is available in the fellowship hall.
The next available sponsorship date is February 5.
When you purchase altar flowers, your name and dedication will be published in the bulletin on your selected Sunday, and the flowers are yours to keep or share after the 10:15 a.m. service.
To make a dedication:
- At church, complete an Altar Flowers envelope with your payment, and place it in the offering plate.
- By mail, send payment with a note indicating your desired date and dedication.
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Or CLICK HERE to order online.
The cost is $60 for two vases or $30 for one vase. Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church and indicate ‘altar flowers’ in the memo line.
Thank you for adding beauty to Faith Lutheran’s altar!
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Donations to Pastor's Discretionary Fund Enable Emergency Assistance
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Pastor Eric often engages in conversation with members of the congregation or community about specific needs and aid they might require. The Pastor's Discretionary Fund provides him the means to help financially, when necessary.
If you are able, please consider a donation so vulnerable members of our community can continue to receive emergency assistance. Following Hurricane Ian, requests for assistance have grown substantially.
Thank you for the strong congregational response thus far!
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Looking for a time to pray with members of our Faith family? Join us at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays in the chapel. We will pray for ourselves, our loved ones, those in need, our church community, the larger community that we serve, our nation and the world. We will conclude with Holy Communion.
Bring your concerns and your desire to connect with our loving heavenly Father! Can’t attend in person? Please join us via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 871 4720 3661, Passcode: 041291
NOTE: If you need the sacrament brought to your house, please let us know or take consecrated elements home with you on Sunday if you are in town.
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Joan's Soup Freezer
Consider Sharing Soup,
and Take Soup When Needs Arise
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The soup fridge is filling up! Please consider making a donation or simply taking one of the delicious soups found in the fridge labeled Joan’s Soup in the kitchen. Please help us keep this Ministry, founded by Joan March, going. If making a contribution, please label with the type of soup and when it was made. Thanks so much!
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Adult Bible Study
to Resume Its Winter Session
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“Signs and Wonders”
A study of Jesus’ Miracles
Ever wonder about the stories of Jesus’ miracles? Believers are very familiar with Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000, and the stilling of the storm. What do we make of these accounts? Actual happenings? Metaphorical stories? Let’s explore these questions together. Perhaps the big question is not “did this happen?” but “what does it mean?” Both questions deserve our faithful deliberation and interpretation!
Our theologian in residence, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, will by DVD lecture and student book provide grist for our mill, featuring 6 selected miracle stories. Our Faith Endowment Fund will provide a student book for each who registers for the class.
Pastor Larry will lead this Six-Week study beginning Wednesday, January 11th, and continuing each Wednesday through February 15th. Each one-hour session begins at 9:30 a.m. and meets in the second-floor classroom in the Community Center across from the elevator.
It’s not too late to register for this class. Welcome all! Refreshments! Great discussion! Fellowship!
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Collecting Empty Ink Cartridges Offsets Church Office Expenses
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Please consider donating your empty ink cartridges to help the church and the environment! When we bring the cartridges to Staples, we receive store credit to help offset office supply costs.
The ink cartridge collection bin is on the counter in fellowship hall.
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20 Pray that, when we experience disagreement in our communities of faith, we will turn to the word of God and be reminded of what unites us as siblings in Christ and of the values and behaviors that bring healing and reconciliation.
21 Pray for ELCA missionaries serving with our global companions in the Middle East: the Revs. Gabi and Meghan Aelabouni, the Rev. Jordan and Rev. Adam Miller-Stubbendick, and the seven young adults serving in the Young Adults in Global Mission program in Israel/Palestine.
22 Ask the Spirit to help us respond when we are called to follow Christ into unfamiliar places and situations, attending to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of our neighbor.
23 Pray that we might press forward with the ELCA Future Church priorities to be a welcoming church that engages new, young and diverse people; a thriving church rooted in tradition but radically relevant; and a connected, sustainable church that shares in a common purpose and direction.
24 Thank God for the ELCA’s special relationship with the United Church of Christ, a full communion partner since 1997. Pray for the church, its members and its leaders, that together we will find strength and resources for the work of sharing the gospel and serving our neighbor.
25 Conversion of Paul All things are possible through God, even the transformation of our heart, spirit and identity. Ask God to shape us for participating in God’s work in the world and to make us faith-filled agents of change, healing and renewal for the sake of humanity.
26 Ask God to bless directors for evangelical mission, who coordinate the partnerships between ELCA synods and churchwide ministries to guide “new start” ministries, congregational renewal, Mission Support and stewardship, and missional vision and planning.
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Please remember in your prayers this week:
Jeff & Nancy Arntsen
Anna Bancroft, 6 years old,
friend of Alyene Weaver
Family & Friends of Kevin Beard
Tommy Bright
Charles Budreau
Dee Burlingame
Michael O. Cannon, father of Kay Cannon
Cheryl Cook
Joan Cotton
Eloise Dettmer
Megan Fairlie
Family & Friends of Marlene Falconer
Elizabeth Farmer
Family & Friends of Stanforth Forbes
John Gallo, friend of April Shettler
Andrea Gamboa
Elaine Graham
Alyssa Hansen, cousin of Lisa Olsen
Jeff Hansen, nephew of Joan Searles
Christiana Holmes
Kevin Hooks, son-in-law of Anita and Jon Wooton
Mary Janice Holt
Jesus & Rita Jimenez
Paul & Debby Maresch
Kathryn McLaughlin
Judi Melander
Ed Miller
Kristin Mohammed
Jeremy & Yvonne Mullins
Family & Friends of Dennis Pappalardo
Virginia Link-Pease, wife of James Pease
Doris Anne Prieur-Lucia
Fritz Rappold
Family & Friends of Deacon Sue Rice
Gabriel Rockwell
Beverly & Floyd Ryder
Family & Friends of Dick Sanks
Ken Schell, brother of Mike (Gwen) Schell
Rev. John Spittal
Dieter Smirnow
Michael and Marie Smith, friends of Carole Inkrott
Cathy Stubenvoll
Michelle Terrell, niece of Kay Cannon
Colette Thornbloom
Marlene Wiest
Jon Wooton
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Let us know if your wedding anniversary is in January!
There are none showing in our membership directory.
Please inform us if we need to update our records.
Thank you!
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01/02 Nancy Arntsen
01/02 Amelia Hubschman
01/02 Tony Moreland
01/02 Carol Wambold
01/03 Mary Foxwell
01/04 John Spittal
01/05 Brandon Ragan
01/08 Kay Deming
01/08 Carol Hanson
01/08 Conrad Zabor
01/09 Barbara Little
01/09 Jay Millard Jr.
01/09 Doug Weaver
01/10 Ryan Verwey
01/12 Ileana Capilla
01/13 Alida Martin
01/13 Steve Rice
01/15 Michael Deming
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01/15 Zach Rans
01/16 Paula Harris
01/17 Sally Ann Keller 01/17 Valerie Meister
01/17 Wayne Smith
01/19 Grethe Oiulfstad 01/19 Annabel Ryan
01/20 Donald Wilborn Jr. 01/23 Mark A. Nelson
01/24 Jeff Arntsen
01/24 DeLaine Roessner
01/24 Karen Vogel
01/25 Kaitlyn Clark
01/26 Dick Bruning
01/29 Destiny Duke
01/29 Marianne Powrie
01/30 Tyler Moreland
01/30 Nell Rude
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Pastor: Rev. Eric Olaf Olsen
Assistant Pastor: Rev. Larry Wright
Director of Music/Organist: David V. Patrick
Lead Cantor/Music Librarian: Tom Tryon
Artist in Residence: Dr. Joseph Holt
Church Office Administrator: Cate Teague
Weekly office hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday
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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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CLICK HERE to view the current Constitution of Faith Lutheran Church.
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