Active in Faith. Weekly Bible Studies/Devotion. Faith Lutheran Church 4005 Palm Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

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1 Active in Faith March 2013 Monthly publication for members and friends of Faith Lutheran Church 4005 Palm Drive, Punta Gorda, FL Pastor: Rev. Dana Alan Narring Mission and Vision Statement: Empowering all people to know Jesus Christ. March 24 March 28 Wednesdays Worship: 9:30 Worship: 7:30 5:00 Lenten Supper 6:00-6:30 Service Theme: Walking Easter March 10 with Jesus Mar. 6, 13, 20 March 29 Worship: Noon Worship: 6:30 7:30 9:30 Worship Services Saturday 5:30 Praise and Worship Service Sunday 9:30 Worship Service Weekly Bible Studies/Devotion Monday 7:30 to 7:55 AM Morning Devotions Thursday 10:30 to 11:30 AM Pastor Clyde s Bible class Parking Solution... Our parking lot is at, or near, capacity on Sundays. Please consider, if you are able, park next to our parsonage in the open lot (near Rio Villa). This will make our parking lot more welcoming to our visitors and to those with special needs. 1

2 Shepherd s Message Mayday, Mayday, Mayday Over the years, May Day (May 1 st ) has been celebrated in some parts of the United States. May Baskets are made small baskets filled with flowers or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away. The person receiving the basket tries to catch the fleeing giver. If caught, a kiss is exchanged. Mayday is also a distress signal to indicate a life-threatening emergency by mariners and aviators. It comes from the French venez m'aider, meaning, "come help me". For clarity, the call is always given three times in a row ("Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"). For many, many years from late Spring and throughout the Summer each year, Faith Lutheran Church, Punta Gorda, has experienced a Mayday of sorts. Our Snowbirds/Winter Residents (and even many of our full-time residents) ring the bell and run away, to the cooler climes... all at the same time... Leaving us and our finances in a potentially life-threatening state over the Summer months And making it difficult if not impossible to catch-up financially in the Fall/Winter. We so appreciate your fellowship, support, and commitment during the time you are here. However... Mayday, Mayday, Mayday We invite you to please come help us on any (or all) of the following dates this summer: May 1 st (May Day), July 1 st, and September 1 st So that we may be blessed to continue: Empowering All People to Know Jesus Christ! Providing Word & Sacrament, Fellowship, and Outreach Throughout the year! We ask that you would respond by returning your gift(s) In the pre-addressed envelope(s) provided by our Stewardship Committee in March. We will make a full accounting of these General Fund gifts to you in our monthly newsletters. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace 1Pet. 4:10 We trust fully that God will continue to provide for all of our needs, and will richly bless you as you share the blessings God will give you. Yours In Christ, Pastor Narring 2

3 Wandering Editors Note The winter months were filled with so many activities and now it seems that things are slowing down. Soon the winter residents will be heading north. BUT, life goes on...there will be worship services, meetings, repairs to be made, visits to shut-ins, and so on. Let us remember to keep Faith Lutheran Church in our prayers. Before you leave purchase the undies and remember those in the military. Don t forget bills have to be paid, so remember to take your offering envelopes with you and mail in your weekly offering. For those who are here year round, consider being an usher or reader during the summer months. Blessed Easter! Terry and Naomi Weslock Board of Trustees Lenten suppers will be hosted by: March 6: March 13: March 20: Elders Choir and Glee Club Stewardship and Altar Guild March 31: Easter Breakfast will be served between services. The Jesus statue is part of the memorial garden, and it is in need of restoration along with the garden surrounding the it. Part of the money donated for the 40 th Anniversary will go to help refurbish the Memorial Garden. Steve Meyer Chairperson 3

4 Lutheran Women s Missionary League Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2 All women, members and friends, are invited to the Bible study and meeting on March 20 at 9:30 in the Zahman Hall. Put this up-coming event on your calendar: The LWML Sarasota Zone Spring Rally April 6, 2013 (8:45 until 2:30) Redeemer Lutheran Church and Child Care 6970 Mineola Road, Englewood, FL Come to the Living Water Rev. 7:17 8:45-9:25: Registration and coffee 9:30: Opening Devotions (without communion) Offering for District and Zone Expenses Bible time and Program will be presented by Jan Struck Gifts from the heart: Ingathering to Englewood Helping Hands Food Pantry Peanut butter, jelly, canned fruit, mac-n-cheese, cereal, canned fish, canned meat, soups with meat/chicken Registration fee includes lunch: $6.00. Please write checks payable to Faith Lutheran LWML and give it to Arlene Wells or Naomi Weslock or drop it off at the office. Deadline: March 15, 2013 Map to Redeemer and bio on Jan Struck is available on the LWML table in the narthex. The LWML would like to thank everyone who helped make the Flea Market a success, especially the men. Through your donations and work we will be able to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief and others who are in need. Also, we will continue to support our child, Kevin, in Kenya and meals for C.A.R.E. Thrivent will also help with funds. We would also like to thank all the volunteers who, as a labor of love, put in 337 hours. God Bless. Bervelee Winslow Help is needed! During the summer months there is a need for people to serve as ushers and readers. If you are a year-round resident, please consider volunteering during the summer months. There is also a shortage of ushers and readers during the winter months. Please call Joyce Jandola at or to volunteer for this important service to the Lord. Naomi Weslock President Please wear your name tags and introduce yourself to the new members and visitors or just to help us remember your name. 4

5 Board of Missions Undie Sunday April 14 Leaving for up north before April 14? There is a collection box in the narthex. More About Undie Sunday 1 st Annual Charlotte County Undie Sunday for Underprivileged Kids Undie Sunday will be April 14 and at that time we hope to have many packages of undies to give to the underprivileged children in our area. There are several churches that have begun to collect packages of undies for children in kindergarten through middle school, for both boys and girls. You will find a box in the narthex to put your purchases in. Let s show the community that we do care about others and by April 14 we hope to have hundreds of undies collected. Please make sure they are new and in their original packages. This is one project where the community is coming together to help the underprivileged and we are happy to be a part of it. You can start bringing them now so even if you plan to head north before Easter, you will be able to participate in this worthwhile project. This is sponsored by the Board of Missions and if you have any questions, please call Carol Meyer at In the past months there has been a drop in what is being donated for the care packages for those who are serving in the military. Please remember them in your prayers and by donating items. The care packages containing personal products and treats are like treasures from home. Items needed are playing cards, games and movies are always welcome as are most hygiene supplies (soaps, deodorant and individually wrapped baby wipes are high on the list). If you know of a soldier stationed overseas, give us his/her address, and we can mail a box to them. At the end of each month there is a collection of food for Salvation Army. We would like to thank the Mahjong players who faithfully and generously donate nonperishable items of food each month. (You can join the group to play this fascinating game and enjoy good fellowship every Monday at 1:00pm. For more information call Marilyn Bredvik at ) Carol (Leasure) Meyer Chairperson 5

6 Board of Education On Saturday morning, February 23, 15 members of Faith Lutheran Church met at the Apostle's Build Habitat House. We all worked on siding the house. It was amazing to see how much we accomplished in less than 3 hours!!!! We had beautiful weather and it was fun to work side by side with everyone from the church. The Vargas family was there and worked right along with us. They thank God every day for this blessing of a new home for their family. Carlos and Maribel Vargos are the new homeowners. They were on site with their children Sara and Carlitos. 6

7 Board of Fellowship We had our Spaghetti Dinner on February 8 and it was attended by76 guests. The menu included Caesar salad, spaghetti with two meatballs and two sausages, garlic toast and wine. The dessert was Spumoni ice cream with sugar wafers. The kitchen help was extraordinary. Debbie Worthington and Joette Thornley did the spaghetti and meat. Wallie Mitter and Carolie Brockmiller did the salad and garlic bread. Pat Fasnacht helped the rest of the ladies with decorating the tables with red and white checked table cloths and wine bottles. Jerry and Kathy were the clean up crew. Betty Pio and Shirley Cyr Co-chairpersons Happy birthday!!! At the first meeting of their small group Bible study the Merry Messengers celebrated Pastor Ken Wessel s 85th birthday. Glee Club Rehearsing for Sunday. They look quite different without their white shirts and bowties. Their director is Hugh MacDowell. Please like us on Facebook. Our address is 7

8 Pastors Talent Show This show should be renamed Pastors Got Talent. On February 15 at the First Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, 610 people were entertained by pastors from local churches. Pastor Narring played his guitar and clarinet accompanied by Tish Pannozzo. A Love Offering was taken and $3,201 was received. A check will be disbursed to Habitat for Humanity. A note from Crew 3 February, 8-10 th 2013, Crew 3 participated in the Native American Weekend, at Camp LaNoChe (Central Florida). Of the six who were in our camp, three were youth and three were adults. We all were glad that we went. It was great to hear about wilderness survival, some history of the American Indians, their pottery and clothes, and to see Grass Dancers and the Hoop Danced performed. The youth took outdoor classes on making a beaded Indian choker, Indian Finger weaving, beading on a loom, and molding items in clay. Although these things encourage them to create and experience something outside of what they are used to it is the responsibility and personal growth that mean the most. As you know, they have to pack their own gear and pitch their own tent. Thank you for allowing Crew 3 to be a Unit. We look forward to watching Crew 3 grow and opportunities, like this weekend, available to many more youth. Yours in Scouting, Lauren (14) and Dianna Lucchetti 8

9 Heartfelt thanks to the members of my Faith family for all your prayers, concerns, calls, cards, visits and delicious meals provided while I was recovering from my recent back surgery!!! (Harv appreciated the meals as well!) My surgeon lifted all my restrictions yesterday and says I'm "good to go. (I'm still working on that part!) I am especially thankful for Pastor Narring's visits and prayers, and as he always says, "don't we have a great God?"!!!!!!!! In Christian love, Marj Sterriker Sail with Tish and friends for a 13 night Adriatic Adventure on the Celebrity Cruise Line s newest ship, Silhouette. October 31, 2013 through November 13, For more details pick up a flyer in the narthex. Call Audrey Frost or toll free audreythetravelagent@comcast.net George Speilhaupter 3/2 Judy Niemeyer 3/3 Richard Fasnacht 3/4 George Whalen 3/6 George Boehm 3/12 Margaret Schlicht 3/13 Lorraine Smith 3/14 Pat Fasnacht 3/15 Elaine Hahn 3/15 Marilyn Moore 3/15 Richard Koll 3/16 Sharon Hall 3/17 Waltraud Mitter 3/18 Gladys Jeffery 3/22 Lois Niemann 3/22 Myron Oetting 3/22 Andrew Suglio 3/22 Joyce Jandola 3/23 Douglas Killian 3/23 Laura Meyer 3/26 Herb Smith and Connie Sasse-Smith 3/3 Bill and Cheryl Kampa 3/5 James and Lenore Conenello 3/12 Adrian and Jenna Kukuk 3/19 Charles and Darleyne Holt 3/26 George and Sharon Whalen 3/26 Kenneth and Marilyn Wessel 3/27 Will and Charlotte Puska 3/28 9

10 February Ushers and Reader Schedule Date Ushers Reader Sunday, March 3 Wed., March 6 Sunday, March 10 Wed., March 13 Sunday, March 17 Wed., March 20 Sunday, March 24 (Palm Sunday) Ron and Flo Norsell Larry and Marcia Berkel Joyce Jandola and Phil and Ro Miller Jim and Margaret Andrews Jeanna and Amanda Kukuk Bruce and Connie Frilstad Pete and Linda Daut Jeanna and Amanda Kukuk Dick and Lou Young Bob and Joanna Waterman Larry Berkel Jim Andrews Kay Oetting Bob Waterman Thursday, March 28 (Maundy Thursday) 7:30 PM Friday, March 29 (Good Friday) 12:00 Noon 7:30 PM Sunday, March 31 (Easter) 6:30 AM Hal and Joyce Jandola Cheryl Kampa and Dick Spolzino Bev Shutter and Barbara Johnson Carolie Brockmiller and Cheryl Kampa The Cope Family 9:30 AM Bill and Bev Winslow Doris and Ralph Heinz David Cope Bev Winslow View weekly announcements and calendar at: The church s office address is: faithadmin88@embarqmail.com Church office hours are 9am-2pm Monday-Friday Deadline for April newsletter is March 22. Please all announcements, articles and photos to wanderingweslocks@netzero.com Editor will reserve the right to proofread and edit all articles for the monthly newsletter. 10