Active in Faith. April 2014 Monthly publication for members and friends of

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1 Active in Faith April 2014 Monthly publication for members and friends of Faith Lutheran Church 4005 Palm Drive, Punta Gorda, FL Pastor: Rev. Dana Alan Narring, MDiv Mission and Vision Statement: Empowering all people to know Jesus Christ. Lenten suppers will be served at 5:00. Lenten services at 6:00 April 2 and 9. Palm Sunday April 13 Maundy Thursday April 17: 7:30 PM Communion Good Friday April 18: 12:00 noon 7:30 PM Worship Services Saturday 5:30 Praise and Worship Service Sunday April 23 9:30 Worship Service Weekly Bible Studies/Devotions Monday 7:30 Morning Devotions Thursday 10:30 to 11:30 AM Pastor Clyde s Bible class Youth Confirmation April 6 Easter Sunday April 20: 6:30 AM SONrise Service 9:30 AM Easter Celebration Service Easter Breakfast will be served in Zalman Hall at 7:45. April 13, 2014 Confirmation of Nathanial Kolenda David Kolenda Colton Kolenda Daniel Kukuk 1

2 The Shepherd s Message... Greetings in Christ! These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) We may think otherwise, however, Jesus never promises peace in this life. He never promises you won't be sick... Or picked on... Or hated... Or persecuted... Or sneered at... Or made fun of... Jesus never promises that people won't make your life miserable. And, He certainly doesn't promise any of that as a condition of your obedience and good behavior. The fact is that Jesus, true God and true man, came to save the world from sin... and the world said, No thanks! Then... nailed Him to the cross. But now, as we complete our Lenten Journey and once again experience Easter this month, we see how Jesus overcomes the world. It's not just that He died and then rose again so He could say Ha ha! to the skeptics. Our Lord Jesus Christ overcomes the world by being the world's whipping boy and using that very whipping (His suffering and death) to be the payment that redeems and saves the world from sin, eternal death, and the power of the devil. Therefore, in a real sense, there is nothing the world can throw at you that can defeat you. That's because the One who overcame the world, Jesus, has given you His victory over the world in your Baptism. He's declared that victory to you in the preaching of His death and resurrection. He also, as often as it is offered, shares that victory with you as He dwells in you by His body and blood. That, gives us peace lasting peace from Jesus our Savior, Lord, and King! So, no... Jesus doesn't promise that you won't suffer and have tribulation. In fact, He clearly says that you will. But He also says that since He's overcome the world, there is no tribulation that can ultimately harm you there is nothing that can hurt you forever. And so, when we undergo tribulation, suffering, persecution, misery, what to do? We turn our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ! Be of good cheer! Only the resurrection of Jesus from the dead can give us that lasting peace which passes understanding. To Him be the glory who gives/gifts us with everlasting life. Gods Blessings be to You! Pastor 2

3 Wandering Editors Note Hopefully spring has finally arrived for those in the northern states. After the winter they had, any signs of spring is a welcome sight...even the brown lawn and mud. Hope is in the air with the arrival of the robins. We, too, live in hope...for good travels...improved health and healing. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. Romans 5:5. The death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday is good because He washed the mud of our sins. Then comes the Resurrection of our Redeemer, our Hope, on Easter Sunday. Salvation is no longer just a hope. It is freely given by His grace and mercy for eternity. Terry and Naomi Weslock Editors Date Hosts Meal April 2 LWML Soups April 9 Elders Chili Free will offering will be taken. On Thursday, March 20, 2014, representatives from the 12 Apostles Build churches gathered at the house on Midway with Cindy and her daughter McKenzie to dedicate their new home. Pastor Narring opened with a prayer and everyone formed a circle around the house as other pastors offered prayers. A picnic lunch followed the dedication. Cheryl Kampa Coordinator 3

4 Board of Education On March 8 Faith held its first ever Senior Vacation Bible School. As the pictures show, the 45 senior kids participated in many activities including lunch. Everyone had a fun day. Senior VBS We were blessed to have professional puppeteer, Joanne Schroeder, here to present Bible stories to the group. The day started with a paper scavenger hunt. Pass the egg relay and Dino Derby were two games the kids got to play. Participants enjoyed 2 craft projects: making Easter cards and staining crosses to be handed out to guests at Easter services. Our organist and choir director, Tish led everyone in Board of Education members enjoying singing old time the puppet presentation. Left to right: songs and hymns. Cheryl Kampa, Joyce Jandola, Jan Smallen, Jeana Kukuk and Terry Weslock. 4 Terry Weslock Chairperson

5 Lutheran Women s Missionary League Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2 Special invitations to all new members. All ladies are invited to join us in fellowship, Bible Study and general meeting on April 9 at 9:00 in Zalman Hall. This will be our last meeting until November. LWML Fall Rally: May 10, 2014 at Faith Lutheran Church, 9608 US 301 N. Parrish, FL :00 am Registration and Refreshments / 9:30 Program of Service and Communion Gifts from the Heart will be health kits for Project Heart for homeless school children in Manatee County. (hand towels, wash cloths, tooth brushes, tooth paste, combs, shampoo and deodorant.) or give cash or check to Faith Lutheran Church 1st donation will help defray expenses for District Delegates. Cash or check to Faith 2nd donation is a Love Offering for Hope Seeds. Cash or check payable to Hope Seeds, Inc. Guest Speaker: Bethany Matzke, Hope Seeds, Inc. Cost: $7.00. Please call Arlene Wells ( ) to register. Or register on April 9. Deadline April 21. LABELS FOR EDUCATION Please save LABELS FOR EDUCATION for East Elementary School, Punta Gorda. Shelly Cope, a member of Faith, is a teacher at the school participating products are Campbell s, Pepperidge Farm. BIC, Prego, V8, Pace, Goldfish, Emerald, Dannon, Pop-Secret, Glad, Post and Swanson. Simply cut out the label and place it in the School Supply basket or in a box on the LWML table. Thank you. April 9: Our last LWML meeting at Faith until fall. May 10: Spring Rally will be at Faith, Parrish Future dates to put on your calendar: September 28-30: District Convention in Jacksonville. ( We will need to select a delegate and alternates to the convention.) November 1: Fall Rally at Beautiful Savior, Sarasota. (We will be electing a president and treasurer.) Naomi Weslock President 5

6 Board of Missions Donations for care packages have been dwindling. Let us remember the men and women who are serving our country. 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. We are continuing to collect cell phones that are no longer being used. After deleting information on the cell phone, please put it the box in the narthex. Local public school teachers and students are in need of school supplies. We are also collecting Labels for Education for East Elementary School, Punta Gorda. Please read the list of participating companies in the LWML article or check the list near the basket. Carol Meyer Chairperson 6

7 MEN OF FAITH On Friday, MARCH 7th, 16 members and friends met for lunch at the Rib City in North Fort Myers, and then toured the Ford, Edison Estate in Fort Myers. We spent the afternoon at the beautiful Estates, Museum and Laboratory where we took an interesting and insightful guided tour back in history. Our tour was blessed to be narrated by a very knowledgeable young history major. We all had a wonderful day of Christian fellowship, education, and visit to a beautiful estate. Parking Solution... Our parking lot is at, or near, capacity on Sundays. Please consider, if you are able, parking 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. 7

8 Lorraine Chamik Victor and Diane Gonzalez Bill and Sandy Holbrook Janis Hubbell Floyd and Veraline Matzke Rev. Jack and Tuni Miller Richard and Barbara Olleck 8

9 We would like to thank everyone for your many kindnesses during the passing of my father: every card, e- mail, call, and prayer. You are such a warm and caring congregation, and special friends. Our deepest appreciation... Marjorie Faurot February 13, March 12, 2014 Marcia & Larry Berkel Our family wishes to express our appreciation for the many kindnesses shown to us at the time of Ralph's death. Thank you for the many prayers, cards, memorials and other acts of love. Doris Hinze and family Pat Lehmann 4/3 Jane Stenberg 4/3 Carol Meyer 4/4 Frank Livingston 4/5 Beverlee Winslow 4/5 Ken Smallen 4/8 Joyce Kolka 4/9 Jan Wells 4/10 Linda Daut 4/11 Warren Seeke 4/11 Tom Schminke 4/13 Rev. Fred Koehler 4/14 Melvin Volz 4/16 Audrea Trumpey 4/17 Paul Beight 4/18 Sherry Schwalm 4/19 Carolie Brockmiller 4/20 Lois Purdy 4/23 Roberta Pollock 4/24 Merle Wilts 4/26 James Bowden 4/27 Walt and Maureen Zaleski 4/4 44 yrs. Bob and Gladys Manley 4/9 9 yrs. Andrew and Leonora Suglio 4/13 29 yrs. 9

10 April Ushers and Reader Schedule Date Ushers Reader Sunday, April 6 Larry and Marcia Berkel Terry and Naomi Weslock Larry Berkel Wednesday, April 9 6:00 PM Sunday, April 13 Palm Sunday Thursday, Apr. 17 7:30 PM Maundy Thursday Friday, April 18 12:00 Noon Good Friday Friday, April 18 7:30 PM Good Friday Sunday, April 20 6:30 AM Easter Sunday Sunday, April 20 9:30 AM Easter Sunday Sunday, April 27 Bob & Sharon Hall Stan Smith and Gladys Manley Dick and Lou Young Bob Page and Bev Shutter Ron and Flo Norsell George and Sherrie Marks Sam Jackson and Cheryl Kampa Dave and Shelly Cope Lois and John Ahrens Hal, Joyce, and Kristen Jandola Sam Jackson Bill and Beverlee Winslow Bruce and Connie Frilstadt Stan Smith John Ahrens Kay Oetting Beverlee Winslow Unless indicated the Saturday ushers are Dick and Sandy Lehman and the reader is Dick Lehman. 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 May newsletter is April 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. Please like us on Facebook. Our address is 10