the voice contents: August The Shepherd s Voice 1 Youth/Sunday School 2 Birthdays and Anniversaries 3 Calendar 4 Briefs 5 WOF/LWML 6

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1 the voice OF FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH OF NAPLES FLORIDA Dorcas the Seamstress We hear about Dorcas in Acts 9, where she is mentioned as a disciple living in Joppa. Dorcas was known to be full of good works and acts of charity (9:36). She was dearly loved in her community; but when she suddenly fell ill and died, it was a tragic loss for those around her. It seemed Dorcas service out of her faith in Jesus touched so many lives. So that they may receive comfort, the community called Peter who was in a nearby town. We witness that the people gathered around Dorcas body and praised her charity by showing Peter all the beautiful garments she made (v.39). But her works were not what saved Dorcas, nor did it define her. It was solely the seamstress faith in Christ. Solely because of that, her death would not be the end. In this account by Luke, we see that through Peter, God raised Dorcas back to life. Those gathered around were then led to belief. From this small (yet at the same time huge) account of the Church s history, we see how everlasting and powerful faith in Jesus truly is. When we live out our faith like Dorcas, the people around us are affected for the better. Yet even more gloriously, when we are secure in our faith: death will not have the final say and there will be great rejoicing with our brothers and sister in Jesus. contents: The Shepherd s Voice 1 Youth/Sunday School 2 Birthdays and Anniversaries 3 Calendar 4 August 2017 The Voice of Faith is a monthly publication of Faith Lutheran Church of Naples, Florida. Please address comments and articles to: communications@flc-naples.org The deadline for submissions is the 15th of every month. Briefs 5 WOF/LWML 6

2 What I ve learned After 35 years of Marriage On August 21, 2017, Jo and I will celebrate our 35 th Wedding Anniversary. Looking back at that hot, muggy wedding (no air-conditioning) at the Martha-May Chapel at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan, I can say marriage has not always been easy. There is a reason why the New York Times recently reported that there are fewer couples reaching their 35 th wedding anniversary than any other time in history. The commitment of death do us part is far easier said at the altar than done in the everyday struggles of life, differing personalities, and sin. After 35 years with Jo, I can honestly say that thanks need to be given to God for the help-mate that she is in my life. There have been great times, there have been trying times, and times when it was clear that God s Will Be Done got us through. These are some of the lessons that 35 years has taught me: 1. The best way to show love to my spouse is to imitate the way God has shown His love to me. 2. Stop thinking of ways to change the other person and start praying: Lord, change me! 3. God comes first, then spouse, and then children/ grandchildren. The order is not always easy to keep. 4. Material things can never mean as much as time spent together making memories. 5. Communication, Communication, Communication. 6. Never let the sun go down on your anger 7. Be thankful and appreciative for my partner in ministry not all pastors or pastor s wives understand that. 8. Making memories is a better attitude than Keeping a record of wrongs 9. It is good on Anniversaries to remember the blessings that have come from God throughout the past years. 10. Remember God s Word. I remember at our Wedding, Pastor Don Jung, reading From 1 st Corinthians 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Thank you God for your glorious and grace-filled love that You have showered on us during the past 35 years. Pastor Don Treglown A Blessing to look Back August 14, 2017 will mark one whole year when it all was official for me: I became a called and ordained servant of Christ. Whoa. It was the real deal. Reflecting and remembering what it was like last summer, I can say it was centered on anxious preparation: Packing up the seminary apartment we lived in for four years. Dotting all the i s and crossing every t on countless forms and applications (who knew that moving would help me and Liz master our signatures). Getting ready to receive and take hold of the command at the altar to faithfully tend Christ s fold. Building anticipation balanced with a good dose of nervousness regarding what we would see God had in store for us. I remember it being a flood of emotions quite unique: certainty mixed with anxiety. Oh, what a summer it was! It is a blessing to look back and see how God transformed those specific frets, misgivings, and apprehensions I had into trust, sureness, and peace. The concerns I have now as I look ahead to another year are of a different shade; I am not immune to worry. It s a fact of life for all of us. But one thing remains constant: God leads. Considering this, I believe that s how God uses our past(s). Whenever we look back, God directs us to see His order and purpose in our lives to open our hearts for the here and now so that we might humble ourselves under God s mighty hand for Him to lift us up in His time. Therefore, we can cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7). As I ponder the past, I marvel at God s mercy. In doing this, He helps me in trusting that His hands uphold me. Because of it, I look out with the certain hope: The Church will stand ever firm, and God will keep us in it. It is yet another amazing gift that faith brings: through its eyes we see that God is thoroughly invested in each of us. May our Lord guide you to see His handiwork upon you yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Your brother in Christ, Pastor Sam 1

3 National Youth Gathering 2019 Info Meeting Attention all families! The LCMS National Youth Gathering is set for July 11-15, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN. It is open to any youth who are entering high school through recent graduates that summer. This is a joyful time for all youth and adult guides who attend the event every three years. Please mark your calendars: On Friday, September 1, 2017, there will be an info meeting for those interested. Hope to see you there! Praying and looking for sharers and shapers The start of Sunday School is right around the corner (September 10). We thank God for the yearly blessing of being able to form and shape our youth in the love of Christ. The opportunity to share God s Word with them is here. We are in need of servant teachers who love to proclaim the Good News. Please prayerfully consider joining us in helping to teach and form the youth in Holy Scripture as a Sunday School teacher. No lesson or curriculum planning required. We have that covered! Please contact the office or Pastor Sam. 2

4 Elise Mast 1 Paul Renzi 2 Roger Best 5 Gail Peterson 5 Don Carlo 6 Denelle Kern 7 Mark Peterson 7 Lois Poretti 8 Dolores Gehrke 9 Sam O'Hara 9 Sue Wood 9 Joyce Couch 10 Judy Johnson 10 Elaine Maki 10 Adam Pajer 10 Alex Pajer 10 Sandi Herrman 11 Betty Marsit 11 Kooper Wise 11 Paul Ligman 12 Alma McCaffrey 13 Angela Marceau 14 Kensi Wells 14 Tiffany Renzi 15 Emil Kolberg 18 Sonia Ortega 19 Cookie Justice 20 Bonnie Smith 20 Makenna Englund 21 Barbara Hildebrandt 21 Jo Treglown 21 Lisa Ahlbrand Twadell 22 Kathy Miller 22 Nick Beres 23 Anna Cheffy 24 Paul Wendling 24 Ashley Inman 25 Earl Mast 27 Ron Mitchell 27 Warren Opel 27 Virgine Lackey 29 Donald Longshore 29 Helen Strahley 30 Denny Duebner 31 Bill & Angela Marceau 1 Walt & Vera Berning 4 Roger & Donna Jean Christy 5 Bill & Mary Anne Miller 6 Greg & Evva Boll 10 William & Mardelle Wuerger 11 Bob & Jan Scholie 12 Quinten & Corey Grier 13 Don & Jo Treglown 14 Barry & Carol Farnam 15 Dale & Karen Kruse 15 Paula & Richard Leighton 15 Bill & Dolores Gehrke 21 Don & Marie Carlo 27 3

5 Faith Lutheran Church August SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 8:00 a.m. Men s (FH( 11:00 a.m. - Itchin' to Stitch (FH) :00 a.m. - Women's (FH) 6:30 p.m. First Friday Family Event (FH) 5 5:00 p.m. - Saturday Service (S)! 6 Pentecost 9 Mite Sunday 8:00 a.m. -Worship (Comm) 9:00 a.m. - Fellowship (CY) 9:15 a.m. - Praise Worship (Comm) 10:00 a.m 11:00 a.m.. - Worship (Comm) 7 9:30 a.m. - Cravin' to Craft 8 9 8:00 a.m. Men s (FH) 11:00 a.m. Human Care 10 7:00 p.m :00 a.m. - Women's (FH) 12 Taps Across America 5:00 p.m. - Saturday Service (S) 13 Pentecost 10 8:00 a.m. Worship (S) 9:00 a.m. - Fellowship 9:15 a.m. - Praise Worship (S) 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. - Worship (S) 14 9:30 a.m.- Cravin' to Craft 15 1:00 p.m. WOF Rally Meeting 7:00 p.m. Church Council Voice Deadline 16 8:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study 11:00 a.m.- Itchin' to Stitch (FH) :00 a.m. - Women's 19 5:00 p.m. - Saturday Service (S) 20 Pentecost 11 8:00 a.m. Worship(Comm) 9:00 a.m. - Fellowship (CY) 9:15 a.m. - Praise Worship (Comm) 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.. - Worship (Comm) 21 9:30 a.m. - Cravin' to Craft 22 12:15 Staff Meeting 23 8:00 a.m. Men's Bible Study 24 7:00 p.m :00 a.m. - Women's 26 8:30 a.m. - WOF planning meeting 5:00 p.m. - Saturday Service (S) 27 Pentecost 12 8:00 a.m. -Worship (S) 9:00 a.m. Fellowship 9:15 a.m. Worship (S) 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. - Worship (S) 28 9:30 a.m. - Cravin' to Craft 6:30 p.m. Board of Elders :00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study 11:00 a.m.- Itchin' to Stitch (FH) 31 4

6 Prayer Chain Our current sermon series focuses on all aspects of prayer. Prayer is one of the best ways for us to support our Faith Family each and every day. With that in mind, The Missions and Outreach Board would like to remind everyone about the availability of our Prayer Chain. The Prayer Chain makes it easy to submit prayer requests to the church. They can even be kept confidential if desired. To put a request in to our prayer chain, Michelle at prayer@flc-naples.org. Please join Faith s prayer chain by ing Patti in the church office, faithnaples@flcnaples.org, with your address. Wanted! Blood Drive Coordinator Faith has been sponsoring a Blood Drive for many years, and this is one very easy, and immediately effective, way that we can give back to our community. We are now actively looking for a new Blood Drive Coordinator! This is not a very big job but it can make a big difference saving lives! Maybe you would love to give blood but you cannot - this is your opportunity to help! Please contact Patti in the church office. (239) or faithnaples@flc-naples.org 5

7 The Women of Faith are having their Annual Planning Meeting Saturday, August 26, at 8:30 am. This will be a breakfast potluck. Donna Jean Christy will be our host, please call her if you need directions. (239) LWML Report The Mite collection for July was $ That means that we have collected over $600 so far this year! Thank you! We are making it possible to pay the mission grants that were voted on at the District and National Conventions. Thank you for sharing your blessings. The Women of Faith are going to host the LWML Fall Rally at Faith on October 21 st as you have read in the Save the Dates portion of the bulletin insert. We need the support of you ladies and some gentlemen too if you would like to help in preparation or clean up. There is a sign-up sheet on the LWML bulletin board to help the day before or the day of the Rally. If your schedule only allows you to attend the Rally the morning of the 21 st there is a sheet to sign-up for that also. The cost of the Rally is $7.00 payable to Women of Faith if writing a check. This is to be given to Joann Johnson. If you have any questions talk to Donna Jean Christy, Pam Di Sarro, or any member of the Women of Faith Board. We are celebrating the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation and the 75 th anniversary of the Lutheran Women s Missionary League (Lutheran Women in Mission). Read about some wonderful service projects and people who serve our Lord in the new Lutheran Women s Quarterly which is in the holder under the LWML bulletin board in the hallway. The list of former mission grants is in this publication. New mission grant proposals have been voted on at the National Convention this summer. That list will be in the Winter edition. Look for it. 6

8 Organization U.S. Postage Paid Naples, Florida Permit #883 The Voice of Faith Lutheran Church Naples, Florida Faith Lutheran Church is a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We strive to be a friendly, family oriented church united under the goal of enriching our community through the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith Lutheran Church 4150 Goodlette Rd Naples, FL (239) faithnaples@flc-naples.org Weekly Worship Opportunities: Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Traditional Sunday: 8:00 a.m. Traditional 9:15 a.m. Contemporary 11:00 a.m. Traditional Holy Communion will be served every Saturday and the first and third Sundays of every month the voice FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 4150 GOODLETTE RD NAPLES, FL Non-profit OR CURRENT RESIDENT