Active in Faith. Pastor: Rev. Dana Alan Narring, MDiv. Mission and Vision Statement: Empowering All People to Know Jesus Christ!

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1 Active in Faith July 2016 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! Our churches teach that the remembrance of the saints is to be commended in order that we imitate their faith and good works according to our calling. Augsburg Confession 21. July 4 St. Mary Maglalene July 22 St. James the Elder, Apostle July 25 Saturday Sunday Worship Services 5:30 Praise and Worship Service 9:30 Worship Service Monday 10:30-11:30 Bible study on women in the Bible, Encouraged in Heart by Dr. Mary Hilgendorf. Classes will resume in November. Thursday 10:30-11:30 AM Pastor Clyde s Thursday Bible class will resume in the fall. 1

2 On my summer reading list is, Unchristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons of The Barna Research Group. I have found its concepts and direction very helpful for greater effectiveness in ministry and for focused outreach into our world today. In chapter three, I discovered this interesting quote: Most people do not have any idea about what Spiritual Transformation is, or what it should look like. How would you respond to the above observation from The Barna Group? The book goes on to mention that spiritual transformation is about depth rather than a simplistic formula. And yet, a definition or understanding of spiritual transformation would be helpful. So, it is natural to then ask, What are some of the passions/priorities that define a transformed follower of Jesus? Can you think of some? I m sure there are others, however, see if any of these describe you: Worshiping God, intimately and passionately Engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers Pursuing faith in the context of family Embracing intentional forms of spiritual growth Serving others Investing time and resources in other spiritual pursuits Having faith-based conversations with outsiders In Christ, we have been renewed, restored, and through God s Holy Spirit (if we ll let Him live in us), we are empowered to live-out our lives to glorify God! Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, But let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God What is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. Romans 12:2 GNT With the above points as a guide, we can measure our spiritual effectiveness not just in terms of the size of our church or the number of baptisms, but by the depth and quality of spiritual transformation in people s lives as well as in our own! Chapter 4 shares this important fact, When Christians live-out what the Bible teaches, we have an influence on our culture (as salt does on food or as light reveals a dark room). How are you making a difference in the lives of those who don t have Jesus living inside them? May God strengthen you to reach out to others as you, Live in His Love... and Share His Joy! In Christ, Pastor 2

3 July 12 Thank you, Pastor Narring, for your 20 years of faithful dedication in God s ministry and six years at Faith. God s blessing as you continue to serve the Lord. 3

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5 Wandering Editor s Note We have been able to stay connected to many family members and friends via s, Facebook and texting. How wonderful that is. As I write this our grandson is undergoing a LASIK eye surgery. The whole family is texting as a group. Distance doesn t matter. So it is with our Lord. He is beside us. Stay connected with Him...via prayers, Bible study and attending church no matter where you are. Naomi Weslock Editor Board of Evanglism Summer sun, Summer heat, Summer doldrums! Yes, it's officially summer and we are missing all of you who've gone "Up North" or on vacation. For those who are still in town, now is NOT the time to take a vacation from CHURCH! As a matter of fact, we'd like you to bring a friend or two. As added incentive for them to come with you, maybe you could throw in a visit to Culver's after Saturday night service or brunch at Elena's on Sunday! Whatever it takes, we look forward to greeting new friends in Christian fellowship! Susan Narring Chairperson IMMEASURABLY MORE As of June 2016 Mortgage Balance: $542, New Monthly payment: $4, Received IM (Just 1%): $140, Paid to principal: $132, Pledges Received to Date: $350, As you can see from the figures to the left, our capital campaign was successful and is already having a big impact on our mortgage payment. The generous members and friends of Faith have already given over $140,000 towards their pledges which has reduced the monthly payment by over $1,800. Keep up the good work and praise the Lord. Carol and Steve Meyer Campaign Directors 5

6 It is not too early to think of another year of school beginning this fall. Students and teachers need supplies. There are some supplies that the teachers purchase out of pocket. We can help by purchasing these items. The supplies will be donated to Sallie Jones Elementary School where our member Shelly Cope is teaching. Please place these items in a box labelled School Supplies in the narthex. Most needed items: Gift cards USA made #2 pencils Pencil cap erasers Elmers glue & glue sticks (Elmers works best) Dry erase pens (pen size & marker size All colors) Gel pens (all colors) Transparent tape Copy paper (reams) 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). Please place the items in the box in the narthex. Food pantries are low! Please place food supplies in the baskets located in the narthex. Used stamps of any kind are used to support missions, and empty ink cartridges will help support an up-coming international rally. 6

7 Lutheran Women s Missionary League Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2 LWML FL-GA District Convention September 30-October 2, 2016 PGA National Resort and Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, FL If you wish to join our two delegates, Virginia Johnson and Joanna Waterman, and two alternates, Marilyn Bredvik and Susan Narring, please pick up an information sheet on the LWML cabinet. Please keep Sam Fink, our adopted seminarian, in your prayers as he studies for the ministry at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Please take a look at the LWML bulletin board for information about the Sarasota Zone Fall Rally on November 19 to be held right here at Faith. Plan to attend this great event! Faith Quilters We invite you to join us in the fall when we resume. Packets for Quilt Tops are available on the LWML Table in the Narthex. Please pick some up to sew over the summer for the Faith Quilt Group. Thank you, Arlene Wells Dates to remember: Sept. 30-Oct. 2: LWML FL-GA District Convention at Palm Beach Gardens, FL Information sheet is on the LWML Cabinet. Nov. 9: Meeting Nov. 18: Set-up for the rally Nov. 19: Fall Zone Rally at Faith, Punta Gorda Dec. 3: Cookie Walk (Set-up Dec. 2) 2017 Jan. 25: Meeting Feb. 22: Meeting Mar. 3 and 4: Flea Market (Set-up Feb. 27-Mar. 3) Mar. 22 Meeting Apr. 26: Meeting June 22-25, 2017 LWML Convention at Albuquerque, NM Naomi Weslock President 7

8 Dear members and friends of Faith Lutheran Church, I have the privilege of being a member of a short term mission team through Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) Ministries. My team will be serving in South Africa from October 29 through November 6. We will be working with Drew and Lindsey Berson who are missionaries there in Mhluzi. We will be helping to give out pairs of glasses each day at a clinic. We expect to meet and greet many South Africans in need of glasses and hope to share the gospel message with them through conversation and the use of wrist bands with a scripture message. Our team needs the prayer support of fellow Christians and I would like to ask you to be a prayer partner for me, the team and the ministry we will provide in South Africa. Please pray for our team as we prepare for this ministry. Also, pray for safe travel to and around South Africa for the team from October 29 to November 6, 2016, as well as for our health and safety throughout the trip. We pray that the Lord will use our team mightily for His purposes. Volunteers can help by donating used glasses. Our team is required to bring 3,000 pairs of used glasses to replenish the glasses that will be given out as part of the mission. Also, as a team member, I am responsible for the cost of the mission trip which is between $4,500 and $4,800 partly due by the beginning of June; the rest is due in September. Would you consider supporting this mission with a financial gift? If you would like to contribute, please make a check payable to Joanna Waterman or MOST Ministries. If you are sending your check to MOST Ministries directly, please note my name and team number (1634) in the subject line. Their address is 655 Phoenix Dr., Ann Arbor, MI MOST Ministries is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Supporters submitting funds directly to MOST Ministries on my behalf will receive a donation letter in January of next year listing contributions for tax purposes. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to sharing with you how God used this mission team after I return. Thank you, Joanna Waterman A box will be placed in the narthex and Zalman Hall entrance for donations of any used glasses. Thank you for your support. 8

9 Andrew Sias February 2, 1934 June 11, 2016 Lillian Vedder April 17, 1916 June 21, 2016 Sandy Meidl 7/1 Kathy Winkler 7/1 Marilyn Wessel 7/2 Bill Davis 7/9 Lorne Niemann 7/9 Jack MacDonald 7/12 Helene Orsino 7/14 Lorraine Chamik 7/16 Sharon Whalen 7/17 Ron Niemeyer 7/18 Margaret Andrews 7/19 Ruth Cavallini 7/19 Deb Worthington 7/20 Dick Young 7/20 Dennis Garling 7/22 Ellie Brauner 7/23 Doris Hinze 7/24 Rev. Clyde Kaminska 7/24 Bob Speck 7/24 Linda Frantz 7/27 Art Hope 7/27 Mike Staicoff 7/27 Don Kelner 7/28 Pete Daut 7/29 Gerald Schultz 7/29 Steve and Janis Schroeder 7/3 33 yrs. Dick and Sandra Lehman 7/15 32 yrs. David and Shelly Cope 7/6 25 yrs. Richard and Linda Nicholas 7/15 38 yrs. Ken and Trudi Hagel 7/7 53 yrs. William and Lisa Neff 7/25 17 yrs. Pat and Elaine Martin 7/10 34yrs. Mel and Linda Volz 7/25 12 yrs. Fred and Jean Fuhrmann 7/12 47 yrs. Mike and Kay Oetting 7/29 54 yrs. Duane and Mary Hilgendorf 7/13 42 yrs. Pete and Linda Daut 7/31 57 yrs. Bud and Shirley Wolff 7/14 71 yrs. Terry and Naomi Weslock 7/31 51 yrs. 9

10 July Ushers, Readers and Elder Schedule Date Ushers Reader Head Elder July 2 Sat. Dick Lehman July 3 Sun. Bob and Gladys Manley Sam Jackson and Bev Shutter Fred Vogelpohl Dave Cope July 9 Sat. Ken Johnson July 10 Sun. Larry and Marcia Berkel Bill and Beverlee Winslow Larry Berkel Larry Berkel July 16 Sat. Dick July 17 Sun Dave and Shelly Cope Leonora Suglio and Betty Pio Dave Cope Pete Daut July 23 Sat. Dick Lehman July 24 Sun. Phil and Ro Miller Peter and Linda Daut Pastor Koehler Richard Fasnacht July 30 Sat. Ken Johnson July 31 Sun Ken and Virginia Johnson Doris Hinze and Sam Jackson Kay Oetting Gerry Misener View weekly announcements and calendar at: The church s office address is: faithadmin88@embarqmail.com Summer Church office hours are 9am-12:00 pm Monday-Friday Deadline for August newsletter is July 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