Faith's Friday Update

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“Gathered faithfully to love and serve God and all others.”

Faith's Friday Update

April 22, 2022

Sunday, April 24, 2022

Second Sunday of Easter

Worship Services at 8AM & 10:15AM

Worship Bulletin

Readings:

Acts 5:27-32 - The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus

Psalm 118:14-29 - You are my God, and I will exalt you. (Ps. 118:28)

Revelation 1:4-8 - Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the dead, is coming

John 20:19-31 - Beholding the wounds of the risen Christ

COFFEE HOUR THIS SUNDAY

Please enjoy the coffee hour treats provided by Mary Circle this week.

We are currently raising money for the improvement of the garden and there will be an offering basket on the table. Please consider leaving a contribution. And …. enjoy the food!!

LWR Ukraine Response: UPDATE

Please see the following message from Lutheran World Relief regarding Ukraine. CLICK HERE to read the Situation Report.

Partners in Ministry,

As you proclaim the good news of Jesus this Easter season, I give thanks for the many ways that you and your congregation are sharing the hope of Jesus. As war continues to rage in Ukraine, and the ripple effects are felt around the globe, we all need glimpses of that hope.

Because of your love, Lutheran World Relief has committed $7 million to respond to the crisis in Ukraine, and we expect to increase this amount as we receive additional support. With more than 4.6 million refugees fleeing to other countries and more than 6.5 million individuals displaced in Ukraine, the needs grow daily.

I've attached our latest situation report that details the ways in which we are responding in Ukraine and Poland. Please share these updates – and our gratitude – with your congregation. Here are a few key highlights:

In Ukraine, we are supporting health facilities by providing supplies such as surgical and wound care kits, IV kits, defibrillators and stretchers. We are also providing ongoing support to six facilities that are being used to shelter internally displaced persons. Your love will provide nearly 60,000 nights of shelter for people who need a place to stay.

In Poland, we are distributing emergency cash and vouchers to more than 1,300 refugee families for the next three months. We’re also integrating a referral system at these sites to protect women and children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

None of this would be possible without your generous care and support. If you haven’t sent your gift in yet, there’s still time. Please see details below and we will rush your congregation’s support to our neighbors. Thank you for all the ways you are caring for God’s people.

Grace and Peace,

Tim

Ways to Give

You can give online at lwr.org/match. This link can be used for your congregational gift or by your individual members.
You can also give by mailing a check to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Please write "Ukraine match" in the memo line.

Rev. Tim Krick

Manager, Congregational Engagement

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

OFFICE 920-205-1520

LWR.ORG

THANK YOU FOR THE DRESSES!

97 dresses will be delivered to the Orphan Grain Train, a Lutheran organization that will send them to third world countries to be enjoyed by little girls in need.

Thanks to all the ladies of Faith Lutheran Church that donated, cut and sewed the dresses!

MENS BREAKFAST: APRIL 26

In John 21:12 The resurrected Jesus said to his disciples, "Come and have breakfast." He wanted to nourish their bodies and souls so they could be strong witnesses of the good news in the world. Jesus wants the same for us today!

Join us this Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.! We will gather at Skillets Restaurant (Pioneer Room) in Oaks Plaza, 8635 S. Tamiami trail, Sarasota FL, 34238.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY - APRIL 27

Back in 2015 we did a study of the book of Revelation. This Apocalypse is one of the most engaging and disputed books in the Bible. It has inspired great works of art and music, and it has also fed social upheaval and speculation about the coming end of the world. Is it true that all faithful Christians can expect to be whisked up from the earth into heaven in an event known as the Rapture? Who are the 144,000 envisioned to play a key role in the apocalyptic drama? What is the final battle of Armageddon about?

In this post-Easter series, we will briefly explore the message of this Book and continue on to discover why it has played such a volatile role in Western culture and how it continues to be meaningful to contemporary readers.

We are meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 9:30-10:30 a.m. and will conclude on May 25. We will gather in the upstairs Youth Room of the Community Center. Unless plans change, meet in the Conference Room, masked, to be escorted to the room.

WELCOME ALL!!!

ALTAR FLOWERS

ALTAR FLOWERS are a beautiful and meaningful way to honor/remember someone or a special occasion, while decorating our altar for worship. The 2022 Altar Flowers signup poster is available in Fellowship Hall.

The next available date is Sunday, May 8!

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 after the 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; or CLICK HERE to order online. The cost is $60, which is for 2 vases. Please make checks payable to Faith Lutheran Church and indicate ‘altar flowers’ in the memo.

Thank you for making Faith Lutheran’s altar beautiful!

BUILDING WISH LIST

The Property Committee has identified needs that are not currently in the regular budget but are needed to maintain and improve our church.

Current needs:

1. Upgrade Narthex Restrooms to ADA (cost TBD)

2. Electronic Sign Upgrade on Beneva (cost TBD)

3. Touch-Up/Repaint the Gym (cost TBD)

4. Reseal the Parking Lot

Please consider supporting the church building by making a special offering. Any amount, small or large, is appreciated! To contribute by check, please indicate “Improvement Fund” in the memo. To contribute electronically, please visit our website at www.faithlutheransrq.com/online-giving or using via the Vanco Mobile app (be sure to select “Improvement Fund”).

EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES COLLECTION

Please consider donating your empty ink cartridges to help the church and environment! When we bring the cartridges to Staples, we receive store credit from Staples to help offset office supply costs.

The ink collection bin is on the counter in Fellowship Hall.

DAILY PRAYER

VENTURES

The ELCA offers daily Prayer Ventures, which may be found on their website, https://www.elca.org/en/Resources/Prayer-Ventures. The prayers for this weekend are below. Visit the website if you would like to follow the daily prayers!

24 What nagging questions do you have about Scripture, faith or God’s actions in the world? Amid a life of doubt and uncertainty, ask God to grant us reassurance and insight; pray that our faith and belief will grow deeper and stronger through the work of the Spirit, the support of our siblings in Christ and the opportunities for study, prayer and discernment in our communities of faith.

25 Pray for church leaders and congregations participating in Valparaiso University’s Institute of Liturgical Studies, a source of renewal and re-creation through worship, music, study and reflection on the church’s challenges and opportunities after the pandemic.

26 “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:6). Consider how each thing you do today can glorify God.