Active in Faith November 2018 Monthly publication for members and friends of Faith Lutheran Church 4005 Palm Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Church office hours are 9:00am - 1:00pm Monday - Friday (941)639-6309 faithadmin88@embarqmail.com Pastor - Rev. Dana Alan Narring, MDiv Mission and Vision Statement: Empowering All People to Know Jesus Christ! Daylightsavings Time ends November 5 All Saints Day November 1 Veterans Day November 11 Thanksgiving Day November 23 Christ the King November 26 Saturday Sunday Worship Services 5:00pm Praise and Worship Service 9:30am Traditional Worship Service Bible Classes Mon 10:30am- Women in the Bible led by Dr. Mary Hilgendorf resumes Nov. 5 th. Tues 7:00pm- Evening LWML Bible Study Group (Held monthly) - Nov. 13. Wed 11am & 6:30pm- Our Rich Christian Heritage Pastor Narring. Thurs 10:30am- Study the book of Joshua with our retired pastor Clyde Kaminska. 1
Board of Missions It s almost time to start ringing bells for the Salvation Army. The Port Charlotte Salvation Army, started in 1986 is known for aiding in disaster relief such as hurricanes, for fighting hunger and for providing care for the local community. Many local organizations help to support this charity in the Port Charlotte/ Punta Gorda area. Faith Lutheran Church is again taking part in this. We will be ringing bells at the Winn Dixie Super market on Route 17 outside of Punta Gorda. We will be responsible for ringing the Salvation Army bell on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting the day after Thanksgiving, November 23rd through December 22nd. The sign-up sheet will be in the narthex early in November. Please sign up as many times as possible so that we can keep the bells ringing in order to collect as much money as possible for the important work of the Salvation Army. Please join our past volunteers in ringing the bell. Pastor s Brunch on Sunday, October 14th, 48 people attended a tasty brunch that was prepared and served by these lovely ladies (photo to right), Virginia Johnson, Susan Narring, and Linda Frantz. Special thanks to Pastor Narring for taking time to plan and organize this entire event! The quiche was created by French Chefs Thierry and Pat. Brunch included vegetable or meat quiche, a fruit cup and beverages. A free will offering was taken and the proceeds of $150.00 benefited Redeeming Life Outreach in Sanford, FL. Please sign-up in the church narthex for our next brunch which will be on November 18th after the worship service. 2 Jo Waterman Missions Chair
Transfer The Blessings Eternity Workshop Saturday, November 17, 2018 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM Faith Lutheran Church, Zalman Hall Sign up to attend by calling the church office (941) 639-6309 or sign up in the church narthex. Refreshments will be provided. Are these things important to you? That at your death, your family is not burdened with questions that you should have already answered? That you have a current will/trust that names who you want to handle your desires, names a guardian for minor children? That you leave a faith legacy to family and friends that you love? That, if your loved ones (child, spouse, etc.) are in a serious accident, that the doctors will share information with you? That, after your time on earth is done, you leave the very best gifts to the family you love and the ministries you care about? Give your loved ones the gift of peace of mind. This workshop will help you prepare for: your medical care at life s end your burial your will/trust your funeral or memorial service your vital records On Sunday, October 14 Jim Pennington was commissioned as Faith Lutheran s Gift Planning Counselor. He is a fellow Lutheran representing the LCMS Foundation whom we have commissioned to provide planning at no charge for our members. You may contact Jim directly at: (863) 370-0305 3
Transfer the Blessings Ministry Partnership Faith s Gift Planning Counselor Jim Pennington What is the Transfer the Blessings (TTB) ministry all about? Faith Lutheran s Transfer the Blessings ministry is a partnership with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Foundation committed to providing our members the support and comprehensive expertise needed so that they can plan wisely how they transfer their blessings to their families. The wise transfer and stewardship of these blessings to our family and ministries can have an eternal impact today, tomorrow, and forever. Our faith in Jesus gives us a certainty in eternity! With the help of TTB, we can be just as certain about the way we impact the future for our loved ones! They say that no one plans to fail, they simply fail to plan! Since we, by our baptism, are called to be giving people as God is a giving God, then the church s role is to help our members in implementing this most important discipleship activity of transferring our blessings in the best way possible. It is not to be left up to the world s transfer plan. Seven out of ten of our members don t even have a plan... and, two of the remaining three don t have a Christian gifting plan. Being good stewards of the resources God affords us! We understand how important it is to have wise and biblical direction as stewards of God s provision and we want to afford our members with what they need to plan appropriately. This service is provided free of charge to our members, and there is absolutely no sales of any kind involved with this service. Our TTB Gift Planning Counselor is a fellow Lutheran trained by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Foundation and works in partnership with Faith Lutheran. He does not work for insurance or financial planning organizations, nor does he benefit in any way from the work with your family. Utilizing the experience, wisdom and resources of The LCMS Foundation, which has assisted families of the Lutheran Church for over 50 years, TTB seeks to bless you and your family. So, what s in it for me? Important questions are addressed in TTB s Lifetime Plan for Giving process: How can I ensure the gifts I leave behind for my family bless their lives and not harm them? How can I ensure the gifts I leave behind bring my family closer together rather than cause division? How can I provide for a family member with special needs after I am gone? How can I demonstrate my faith to my family, so they see it is real? Continuing our legacy of faithfulness and thankfulness to our Lord. Out of love for what Christ has done for us, many consider including a gift to our congregation in their wills as part of their plans. It s a legacy gift that continues the work of our congregation even after your death. Clearly, this is a wonderful way to witness your faith and blessings to those who come after you - while also impacting the lives of others with the love of Jesus. The TTB ministry is important in the lives of our members so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life 1 Timothy 6:19b as they plan the best gifts to their loved ones and the best gifts to the ministries they love. Please contact Jim Pennington - Faith Lutheran s Gift Planning Counselor at 863-370-0305 or james.pennington@lfnd.org today! 4
Start planning now to invite your friends to the annual Cookie Walk at Faith on Saturday, December 8 at 8:00-noon! We will need bakers. Please label the cookies if they contain nuts or if they are gluten free. Workers will be needed to sort the cookies on Friday and to help on Saturday. Please sign up to help at the LWML counter. Please contact Nancy Frantz or Bonnie Griffith for information. Lutheran Women in Mission of the Florida-Georgia, Gulf States, and Louisiana-Mississippi Districts invite YOU to the 38th Biennial Lutheran Women s Missionary League Convention June 20-23, 2019 Mobile, Alabama As hosts we are asked to volunteer as workers during the convention. 500 workers are needed. Reduced registration price for those who volunteer. Read the information sheets and workers needed list. They are on the LWML counter. LWML Dates to remember: Nov 10 Sarasota Zone Fall Rally, Lakeside Lutheran, Venice Nov 13 Evening LWML Bible Study 7pm Nov 28 Fellowship and meeting 9am Dec 8 Cookie Walk. (Set up Dec. 7) Dec 11 Evening LWML Bible Study 7pm Jan 23 Fellowship and meeting 9am 9:30 Presentation by Howard Williams representative for Gideons International. Feb 27 Fellowship and meeting 9am Mar 1 &2 Flea Market (Set-up Feb26-Mar 1) Jun 20-23, 2019 37th Biennial Convention Mobile, Alabama Naomi Weslock LWML President 5
Letter from our Adopt a Student Dear Women of Faith, We pray this letter finds you well, and that God s peace is with you now always! It s hard to believe it, but we are back in St. Louis. What a year we had! Our time with the people of St. John s Lutheran Church in Orchard Park, New York has certainly given a new focus and shape to the way we will attempt to serve God as a pastor and his wife. From the moment we first arrived in August, until our final Sunday, July 29 th, we were embraced with unconditional and unrelenting love, support, and compassion to help us along in our formation. As a result, we had a wonderfully successful vicarage, making scores of friends, developing skills to encourage Christian community in our future parish, and learning to receive and give love in the context of the body of Christ as leaders and peers. It was my privilege to preach on our final weekend with St. John s. We looked at Genesis chapter 2, where God says it is not good for man to be alone, and John 15, where Jesus tells us that greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Isn t it incredible that, knowing it is not good for us to be alone, God sent his son to be our friend! It is then within the context of a friendship that Jesus offers us the righteousness earned by his death and resurrection. I believe, based on the example of the Old and New Testaments that it is still God s desire to offer us redemption via friendship. Christ, our friend who laid his life down for us, now empowers us through his Spirit to be true friends to one another. Just as Christ s sacrifice redeems us, our Christian friendship in good and bad times lets us restore and build one another up. In this way, we are like mountain hikers, all holding tightly to the same rope, so that should one of us stumble or fall, the others are there to catch us and restore us in Jesus name. It was my admonition to the people St. John s that day to ask themselves who s on my rope? Who is there to catch me, to pull me to safety, to restore me gently when I fall? Who will support me when I need it? Ladies of Faith, you are on our rope. Thank you for your ongoing support of our family. Your love is felt, appreciated, and celebrated. Here s to a wonderful final year of seminary, possible only because of you! Sam and Kelsey Fink, Emmylou, Eli, and Abel. 6
Voter s Meeting Sunday, November 11th after the 9:30 worship. Board of Fellowship Mark Your Calendar - Look for details coming soon! Hanging of the Greens, December 1 st 9am - Enjoy warmed cider and Christmas goodies as we fellowship together and decorate our church and hall for Advent. Annual Christmas Dinner, December 2 nd in Zalman Hall. Caroling at the retirement homes will be on December 11 th. We look forward to you joining with Pastor Narring on his guitar) as we sing songs of the Season. 2:00 at Palms of Punta Gorda and 3:00 at Brookdale, (Bal Harbor) Punta Gorda If you had your photo taken during the last photo-shoot at Faith, your church directory is ready to be picked-up in the church narthex. Thanks to all who helped make this possible - especially to Joanna Waterman for organizing so much. You will find your directory with your name printed on the front. Enjoy your directory! Pastor Narring 7
Okoberfest The Okoberfest was enjoyed by 41 people! It was well-organized by Betty Pio who had many volunteers on the committee. They were Debbie Worthington, Roberta Misener, Linda Frantz, Shari Mercer, Dora Anderson, Lori Chamik, and Janet Dalin. The cooks were Wayne Nicklas and Lis Dicci- the sauerbarten; Linda Frantz- the red cabbage; Debbie Worthington- the applesauce; Roberta Pretzel-the appetizers; and Janet Dalin the apple strudel. Servers were Marylin Bredvik and Muriel Pedersen. Janet Dilan, Roberta Misener, and Debbie Worthington. Missing Linda Frantz Lis Dicci, Betty Pio, and Wayne Nicklas Betty with Terry Weslock who was the MC and led us in prayer Jerry and Cindy Young Jerry Toporek and Tish Pannozzo Dennis Colwell and Gail Berson Terry and Naomi Weslock Don and Donna Harrelson Mike Turkal Steve and Carol Meyer Gerry and Roberta Misener Suzanna Thompson and Lois Bowers Suzanna Thompson and Suellen M. Elroy Marilyn Bredvik and Betty Pio 8
Board of Fellowship Everyone is welcome! Luncheon on November 8 at noon. Crab house at Laishley Park. Open menu. Sign up in the narthex. Betty Pio Chairperson Come join us on Saturdays at 10:00am for a Tai Qi Gong class! The next session begins on November 10 in the Memorial Garden. Tai Qi Gong is a form of Tai Chi. No equipment needed. It can be done sitting or standing. It can help with your balance, coordination and strength. The leader is Cindy Coutts, a member at Faith. For info call Cindy at (954) 805-1615 Name Tags We encourage all of our members/associate members to wear their nametag to help us to know each other better! There s No Charge for your first name tag. Sign-up in the Narthex. If you have not yet received yours, please call Betty Pio our Fellowship chairperson at (941) 276-3621. Help beautify the chancel area to the glory of God by ordering flowers for special occasions or in memory of loved ones. There are still a few openings in the fall. You may sign up on one line for one vase, or indicate on both lines that you would like to sponsor both vases for the weekend. One vase is $26, two are $52. Please notate on your check that your payment is for flowers. 9
Board of Education Our Rich Christian Heritage Concludes Wed, Nov. 14th 11am & 6:30pm Our class is winding-down with sessions both on November 7th and November 14th. However, there are still a few weeks left to grow together in God s Word. You are cordially invited to pull-up-a-chair and join us for even one, or both sessions. As we review our updated and expanded Luther s Small Catechism, Pastor Narring will continue to guide us toward a better understand of how we can offer a greater Christ-like response to issues we may encounter as we: Empower All People to Know Jesus Christ! Please call our office if you wish to reserve a copy. If you would like to know more about associate or communicant membership at Faith Lutheran Church including: The work we are doing in the Name of Jesus; How we seek to Open the Book and grow in and through God s Word; And what we believe/teach/confess as Lutheran Christians, then please contact Pastor Narring to discuss these or other questions you may have. Save the Date(s)... Something Exciting Is Happening at Faith on February 16 & 17, 2019 Stay-tuned for more information soon!!! 10
The weekly prayer list is on the glass table in the narthex. If you, or someone you know, would like prayers please call the office. Please note, names will remain on the list only for four weeks. Barbara Garling 11/1 Jean Fuhrmann 11/2 Arthur Groen 11/2 Roberta Misener 11/3 Evan Ross 11/5 Beverly Shutter 11/9 Mary Saxton 11/13 Virderie Kaminska 11/14 Shirley Naumann 11/14 Douglas Keim 11/16 Jeana Kukuk 11/16 Bill Suckow 11/16 Cheryl Wirth 11/16 Dick Ollek 11/18 Mary Prod 11/20 Ernie Lallmann 11/27 Sharon Stocker 11/27 Karen Krauss 11/29 Janis Schroeder 11/29 Lou Zanoni 11/29 Dick Lehman 11/30 Douglas and Jill Keim 11/4 (40 yrs.) Erwin and Carmen Vosberg 11/15 (59 yrs.) Fred and Gloria Koehler 11/8 (60 yrs.) Lyle and Terry Sperber 11/18 (57 yrs.) Ken and Virginia Johnson 11/10 (6 yrs.) Dick and Barb Ollek 11/24 (56 yrs.) If we have missed your special day, please accept our apologies and contact the office so we can help you celebrate next year! 11
Mortgage balance $275,045.55 New monthly mortgage payment $3,215.23 Received in October $8,193.23 Total received for Just 1% Program $318,195.00 Program expenses $4,768.69 Total extra paid to principal $313,426.31 Total pledged $350,993.00 Amount remaining to Goal $32,798.00 November Ushers and Readers Date Ushers Readers Sun., Nov. 4 Terry Weslock Naomi Weslock Terry Weslock Sun., Nov. 11 Jan Hubbell Kay Oetting Sun., Nov. 18 Angela Callahan Sun., Nov. 25 Fred Vogelpohl There are still some opportunities available for you to: greet our guests and members and assist as an usher, or share your gifts as a reader in the coming months. Please take a moment to add your name to the sign-up sheet which is located on the counter at the Welcome Center. If you have any questions, please contact our Head Elder, Gerry Misener. Thank you! View weekly announcements and calendar at: www.faithlutheranpg.com December Newsletter Deadline is November 22. Please e-mail all announcements, articles, and photos to: wanderingweslocks@netzero.com Editor reserves the right to proofread and edit all articles for the monthly newsletter. 12