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Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

God's law: A sign of a great nation.

Psalm 15

Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? (Ps. 15:1).

James 1:17-27

Be doers of the word, not hearers only.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Authentic religion.

Receive with Thanksgiving

Scripture: “For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…” (James 1:17). Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your promise to be with me and protect me. Help me to depend on you. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.

And Be Thankful

Scripture: “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Too often, when we pray, we put an agenda before God. We tell him what we want him to take care of: find that person a job, heal that other person, solve our money problems, and keep our kids safe. We add our thanks as an afterthought. Try spending your whole prayer time offering thanks. The Bible tells us, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As his stewards, we humbly and joyfully give him thanks. Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to express my gratitude to you by what I say and do. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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? You also can join via Zoom: Meeting ID 871 4720 3661. Passcode 041291.

The Bereavement Group meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the chapel. If you or a friend is struggling with grief, this group is for you.

There is strength and hope in community. 

After enjoying delightful fellowship and delicious food at Connors in August, Mary Circle resumes second-Tuesday-of-the-month meetings at church beginning at noon, Tuesday, Sept. 10, in fellowship hall.

The group will welcome Linda Fewell, who, following a recent trip to China, will share perspectives and invite discussion about that country’s faith traditions, people, history and culture.

Bring your lunch, and then enjoy dessert prepared by a circle member. All women are invited!

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 resumes at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept 17.

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.

A new season of Adult Forum classes kicks off Sept. 22 between worship services - 9:10-9:50 a.m. in the conference room -- with an exciting new study series, "Path to the Cross."

All young people who have completed confirmation study and all adults are welcome to join in on Sept. 22 and subsequent Sundays to explore what it means to travel that path.

Here's a preview of what you'll delve into during upcoming Sundays:

• Sept. 22, The Way of the Essenes. At times, God chose to use the harsh reality of life in the desert near the Promised Land as a practical teaching tool to mold and shape His people. The Essenes went willingly into this wasteland to allow Him to do just that: to teach them His words and how to walk obediently in His ways. In this lesson, you will catch a glimpse of what it means to travel this path of obedience as you continue to "prepare the way" for the Lord.
• Sept. 29, The Way of John the Baptist. John the Baptist focused his life entirely on preparing the Jewish people for the coming of Jesus. His ministry still holds enormous meaning for us today, and there is much we can learn from his understanding of how to prepare for the arrival of Messiah. In this lesson, you will consider what it means to live a life of wholehearted commitment to God, His word and His kingdom.
• Oct. 6, Into the Desert to be Tested. During their 40 years of testing in the desert, God continued to teach and shape the Israelite nation. By the time the Israelites entered the Promised Land, a new generation had formed, a people who obeyed and trusted God with all their heart, soul and strength. Follow along as this lesson invites God to reveal what you are lacking, so you can learn to walk in His ways with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength.
• Oct. 13, The Passover. In the story of God making Himself known to His people, Passover is a foundational element. As the continuation of this redemptive process, the Lord's Supper finds its most profound meaning when taken in the context of Passover imagery. In this lesson, you will unpack the full meaning of the Last Supper, and learn how to engage it in deep celebration, commemorating Jesus' redemptive work on our behalf.
• Oct. 20, The Fifth Cup. The Passover Sedar employs four symbolic cups to help the Jews remember the miraculous ways that God delivered His people from the hand of Pharaoh. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked the Father to take away the cup placed before Him, a "fifth cup" in a sense, which signifies the complete deliverance of God's people from the wages of our own sin. In this lesson, you will consider the implications of Jesus accepting this cup of God's wrath so that we could be spared from it, once and for all.

Mark your calendars now, and plan to participate!

There currently is a great need for blood of all types, but especially O Positive (O+) and O Negative (O-). If you are able, please donate at any of the Suncoast Blood Centers, at scheduled bloodmobile sites, or contact the blood center to schedule a Donate@Home appointment.

For more information, donation site locations and to schedule a donation appointment, visit www.suncoastblood.org.

Faith will again host blood drives beginning this fall. In the meantime, please ask that your blood donations be applied to Faith Lutheran Church Account #178.

Calling all Swifties! To encourage donations, everyone who donates blood to Suncoast Blood Centers by Sept. 15 will be entered to win a pair of tickets to the Taylor Swift Eras Tour Oct. 20 in Miami!

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, Sept. 22.

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.

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.

The Faith Food Pantry currently feeds about 250 people each week!

Help care for our hungry neighbors by placing donations of food or paper products in the white food pantry barrel.

And please consider volunteering at the pantry as friends help friends with both food and attention. Thank you!

The Infrastructure Endowment Fund has replaced the building fund and helps to ensure the long-term viability of our campus.

While a campaign for the fund hasn’t officially launched, you are invited to make a donation to it online by clicking here, or by designating a cash or check offering. More education about the fund will be available following Faith’s reserve study this fall.

Readers Club will meet at 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30, in the upstairs library to discuss The Last Flight by Julie Clark.

Join in for lively discussion and fellowship. All are welcome!

Today, Friday, Aug. 30

8:30 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

Saturday, Aug. 31

8:30 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

9 a.m., Diakonia - conference room

Sunday, Sept. 1

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

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

Monday, Sept. 2

Labor Day: Church Office Closed

Tuesday, Sept. 3

10 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

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

Wednesday, Sept. 4

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

1 p.m., Bereavement Group - chapel

Thursday, Sept. 5

9 a.m., Receive and Prep Food Delivery - food pantry

10 a.m., Jazzercize - gym

2 p.m., Stitch 'n' Chatter - Room 212

4:30 p.m., Food Pantry Prep

5 p.m., Food Pantry Open

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

8/30 Give thanks and praise to God for responding to our cries for help — silent and spoken — in times of trouble, when our spirits are crushed.

8/31 Who or what has drawn your attention and inspired your prayers today? Ask the Spirit to embolden you to move forward and respond. 

9/1 “It is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, folly” (Mark 7:21-22). Recognizing that evil intentions and actions come from the human heart, confess your weakness to God, who is rich in mercy and loves us even in our imperfection.

9/2 Labor Day: Recognize and pray for the work people do to sustain their families, and to benefit their communities and society. Pray that all will receive fair wages, work in safe environments, be renewed through times of sabbath, and experience joy and fulfillment in their labor. Pray for those who seek employment and for the care, support and wellbeing of people unable to work.

9/3 National Suicide Prevention Month: Pray for those who feel lonely, depressed and hopeless, that they will find compassion and spiritual renewal in times of darkness and suffering. Ask the Spirit how we might best respond to our neighbors and siblings in Christ who are struggling.

9/4 Ask the Spirit to help us be doers and hearers of the word of God, looking beyond our own needs and attending to the needs of our suffering neighbors.

9/5 Give thanks for the thousands of young people who attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in July and raised nearly $100,000 for Generation Zero-Hunger, supporting ELCA World Hunger in its work to end hunger and poverty, and to transform lives, families and communities around the world.

9/6 Pray for communities and congregations like ours, which are vulnerable to hurricanes, that we and others will be prepared, resilient and ready to serve neighbors affected by severe weather. Give thanks for the many ways — immediate and long term — that Lutheran Disaster Response gathers resources to relieve suffering, support recovery and healing, and stir hope.

Alan

Alex

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

Jeanine Davis (nee Molella), granddaughter of Karen & John White

Eloise Dettmer

Ryan Donahue, friend of Doris Anne Prieur-Lucia

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

Jesus & Rita Jimenez

Alf Kirkeeng

Leonard Kotwitz, brother of Janet Falk

Lillian Lapenckas

Kevin Lasko

Chick Lehmann, husband of Suzie Lehmann

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

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

Bob & Kathy Millard, relatives of John & Judy Millard

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

Pastor Terry Parker, friend of Max & Pastor Marianne Powrie

Family & Friends of Wally Pina

Cindy Press, friend of Kevin & Linda Fewell

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

Pastor John Spittal

Mark Stengel

Family & Friends of Jerry Stiles, relative of John & Judy Millard

David Turnbull, husband of Patricia White

Brittany Wanko & her premature infants, Olivia Mae & Emmet Walter

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.

9/7 Jeffrey & Kirsten Ragan

9/9 Michael & Amanda Kulaw

9/25 David & Cheryl Cook

9/2 Mike Schell

9/3 Christian Ruiz

9/4 Steve Ashby

9/6 Jerry Clancy

9/12 Beverly Anderson

9/12 Rebecca Winemiller

9/15 John Cusmano

9/15 Peter Marer

9/16 Peggy Ragan

9/16 Chloe Sweeney

9/18 Quyen Dang

9/25 Steve Ragan

9/26 Joan Hirsch

9/29 Gavin Degroote

If a birthday or anniversary is missing or listed incorrectly, kindly notify communications@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: David V. Patrick

musicdirector@faithlutheransrq.com

Lead Cantor/Music Librarian: Tom Tryon

thomas.e.tryon@gmail.com

Interim Operations Administrator: Kelly Ashlock

officeadmin@faithlutheransrq.com

Communications Administrator: Linda Fewell

communications@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.-1 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.