May 2018 Sunday Worship 9:30 am Communion 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month Sunday School 10:45 am Bible Class 11:00 am Sunday Worship and Bible Class Closed Captioned for the Hearing Impaired Pastor: Rev. Glenn E. Fischer Founding Pastor: Rev. Milton Lehr Church Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (352) 683-9731 forestoakslutheran.com Food Pantry - Tuesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Not To Be Missed: May Servant Schedule 2 Easter 2 Financial Reports 3 Sunday School & VBS 4 Women s Guild & LWML 5 Quilting for Charity 6 Graduates 7 Church Life Ministry 7 Memorial & Honor Gifts 8 Police Memorial Week 8 Help Wanted 10 Birthdays/Anniversaries 11 Calendar 12 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Control Who is in control? I know. Do you? After being in the hospital for more than a month and also in Rehab and answering my roommate a few times a day, I was convinced that I knew who really was in charge. Every day the same questions, who is in charge? Surely not me. Every day, what is this that I am eating? Many times the food was unrecognizable. Is there a real cook? I would hope so, but I wasn t sure. Menu, hah, no such thing. Sometime the aides said what the meal would be; other times it would be a mystery. Forget it if you were a vegetarian. Do they know what a vegetarian eats? When the food arrived, it was cold, but there was a printed menu with half of the printed foods missing. How could this happen? Who is in charge? That s only a small part of this socalled Rehab. There was a clarion call and it said, Norma get up and get out of here. I have called you and you are not listening. Now get up and From the Editor: do what you need to do to get home. A few other bumps in the road got this body off the bed, into the chair and rolled home. Now on the mend and having home health, a wonderful family and all the other things God gave me, I look forward to listening for God to say, get up and be strong. I have a lot more fore you to do. I will never leave you. I am in control. How can you fail? To God be the glory. Norma Karpiscak And a big thank you to so many members who called me, send lovely cards and special prayers. How do I thank you all? I just want to give you all a bid hug and continue my prayers for this great church. Happy Mother s Day to all the Moms. This month, we remember the ascension of our Lord to prepare a place for us. We say, Come, Holy Spirit as we remember Pentecost and are empowered in God s service to others. Remember to wear red on Pentecost Sunday. Take some time on Memorial Day to remember those who gave their lives for our country. There are many opportunities for you to serve throughout our congregation. Check out some of them in this newsletter. The newsletter needs your articles and pictures! Please email them to folc25news@outlook.com. For those unable to email, you may place it in the newsletter box behind the church office. The deadline for the June newsletter is May 20.
Page 2 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST SERVANT SCHEDULE FOR APRIL Serving on Altar Guild: Darleen Keck Alice McCarrick Betty Marshall Norma Karpiscak Serving as Ushers: Debra Holbrook Louise Hirsch Ted Ryder Robert Turffs Serving as Lay Readers: May 6: Joan Rullman May 13: Larry Schmitz May 20: Norma Miller May 27: Marge Pritchard Serving as Counters: Darleen Keck Roman Parks Thelda Parks Serving as Greeters: Jackie Beardon Mark Best As you fulfill your commitment to serve, you are fulfilling God s words in 1 Peter 4:10: Each one should use the gift he received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. Thank you. May God continue to bless you as you serve. What a wonderful Easter Sunday! Thank you to our Sunday School children. They did a fantastic job singing and playing the bells. We hope they enjoyed their Easter baskets and the Easter egg hunt following the service. Thank you to everyone who placed flowers on the Living Cross and purchased lilies for the altar. They made our sanctuary look so beautiful. Our ladies looked beautiful in their Easter bonnets. And thank you to Lonnie Benmore for organizing the Easter breakfast, and Herta Oglialoro for managing the kitchen and decorating the fellowship hall and to all those who made stratas and helped with the cleanup. We have such an amazing group of volunteers!
Forest Oaks Lutheran Church March 2018 Financial Reports General Fund Operations Income $35,127 Disbursements $18,655 Year-to-Date Accounting Income $77,297 Disbursements $62,849 Budget $66,105 Debt Reduction Loan Principal $3,119 Additional Principal $1,535 Year-to-Date Loan Activity Principal $9,318 Additional Principal $3,675 Loan Balance (May 1) $310,074 Accounting Fund Balances General $50,731 Needy Family $202 Memorial Garden $2,913 Endowment $23,984 Major Rep. Income $815 Major Rep. Balance $21,974 Financial Report - March This was a very good month for income and expenses. The income was high due to a Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD) from an IRA and another sizable donation. Our Major Repair and Replacement Fund again fell short of the needed budget. If you would like information regarding making an QCD or for any questions, contact Jess Ward (754-3041). LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 3 Our Worship Services Attendance Were you among these? February Sunday Services 2017 169 177 180 183 Ash Wed 100 Lenten 8 76 15 72 22 56 29 50 2018 166 169 171 180 Lenten 21 50 Ash Wednesday 62 AM 72 PM 46 March Sunday Services 2017 184 167 154 160 2018 178 152 143 181 Lenten 7 58 14 56 21 46 Maundy Thursday 77 Good Friday 81 Listed below are the number of Communicants who worshipped at God s Altar in 2018 to receive Christ s Body and Blood: February 11 161 February 25 168 Ash Wednesday - AM 72 PM 43 March 11 148 Maundy Thursday 76 Pastor s Bible Class Feb 27 25 21 28 Mar 28 21 21 No Class Sunday School Feb 7 6 10 8 Mar 9 6 9 6 Body and Soul Class meets at 9 a.m. on Thursday. Still Searching: As of November 2018, Forest Oaks will be in need of a new treasurer. The position entails working with FOLC s financials, budget and accounting system, and preparing reports for finance committee meetings and the annual Voters Meeting. Training will be provided and can begin right now. Please contact Jess Ward or the Church Office if you have any questions, or would like to have an introductory session and be put on the ballot for the Treasurer Position at FOLC s Annual Meeting in November.
Page 4 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Prayer for Pentecost Lord, send the wind and fire of your Spirit to move us into the future you have set for us. Fill our hearts with a desire to go, our ears with the call to go, and our feet with the need to go and reach and teach each one. In the name of the One Who was willing to go to the cross for us. Amen. Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther (October 25, 1811 May 7, 1887) was the first President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and its most influential theologian. He is commemorated by the church on May 7, the anniversary of his death in St. Louis in 1887. On April 26, 1847, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod was founded. Walther served as its first president, a position he held from 1847 to 1850 and again from 1864 to 1878. During his forty years of involvement in the Sunday School is growing! We have 4 new children that have been coming...isak, Armando, Tiara, and Titan! We have also been having the children be acolytes in church. It was a rough beginning, but we seem to be having more children wanting to do this. A big thank you to Kyle, Laurel, and Ava who have already been acolytes. With Sunday School growing, and having all church, Walther held several positions, including that of president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (founded at Perry County, Missouri in 1838), President of Concordia Theological Seminary, now of Fort Wayne, Indiana (1861), and founder of the St. Louis Lutheran Bible Society (1853). He also began and edited several Lutheran periodicals, including Der Lutheraner and Lehre und Wehre. He wrote a number of theological books; perhaps the best known is The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel. ages from Kindergarten to 7th grade, it is a challenge to keep their attention. A big thank you to Ms. Jodell, Ms. Sue, and Ms. Lauren for their help with the children learning about Jesus. We were all happy to see Ms. Marlene come back for a few Sundays to help also. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to a very successful Easter. So many people had helped out, with baskets, cookies, and their time. I am always amazed as to the generosity of everyone here at FOLC. Caryl Kellerman Plans are underway for this year s exciting Vacation Bible School to be held July 16-20 from 9:00am to noon. It should be a fun time for children and volunteers alike as we become superheroes with the theme Hero Central: Discover Your Strength in God. This year our children will be divided into groups by age rather than mixing ages as we have in the past. We especially need group leaders who can guide the children through the various stations each day, plus there are other areas in which you can serve. If you have any questions, please talk to Jocelyn Fischer or Judy Ward. Please prayerfully consider becoming a Superhero volunteer and ask God to guide you in our efforts to bring children to Christ and teach them about Jesus. This outreach to our community is so important in today s environment. Our superhero volunteers will be meeting again on May 6 at 12:30pm. Please mark your calendars and come and join us!
LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 5 I am very proud of our Women s Guild for helping out with the church s routine maintenance. Before Palm Sunday and Easter, we arranged for the cleaning of all our windows and polishing of the wood in the church. The Women s Guild will meet on Wednesday, May 2 nd at 10am. We will gather in the sanctuary for a short business meeting with the installation of officers (President and Treasurer). There will be a movie followed by lunch, compliments of the Guild. Please sign up at the Welcome Center. Mothers Day will be honored with the gift of pink carnations to all Mothers. See you at our last meeting for the summer. Goodbye to all our snowbirds. Have a safe trip and see you in the Fall. God bless. Your President, Bonnie Wright 2018 LWML FL-GA DISTRICT CONVENTION INFORMATION SHEET Orlando Airport Marriott Lakeside Orlando, FL September 28-30, 2018 STRENGTHENED. HELPED. UPHELD. The convention theme Strengthened. Helped. Upheld is based on Isaiah 41:10; Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. SPEAKERS: Keynote Speaker: Rev. William Weedon, Director, LCMS Worship; LWML Representative: LWML President Patti Ross; Mites in Action Speakers: Rev. Dr. Robert Roegner, Board Chairman and Mrs. Kristi Roegner, Apple of His Eye Mission Society. REGISTRATION: Registration forms will be available in the Summer Evangel. Early registration will be $160 MUST BE postmarked on or before June 30, 2018. Regular registration will be $195 MUST BE postmarked on or before August 31, 2018. Late registration will be $215 MUST BE postmarked on or before September 7, 2018. Pastors OR Young Woman Representatives $95 There will be NO online registration or payment available. There are THREE MEALS included in the registration fee: Saturday lunch and banquet, and Sunday breakfast. Sign up for the Convention at the Welcome Center.
Page 6 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST QUILTING FOR CHARITY May is filled with many blessings. We look forward to continuing our celebration of Easter, the resurrection of our Savior. We cherish the knowledge of one who loves us so dearly that He laid down His mortal life on our behalf then He rose again. Now, we too, will be with Him and the Father through all eternity. On May 13 th, we will be acknowledging and honoring our mothers for all the love and care they bring or have brought into our lives. This is blessing number two. May 28 th is the date when our nation takes time to remember the lives which were given to protect our freedoms and way of life. These things should never be taken for granted. We are richly blessed! The quilters have been working hard (most of the time) making quilts for others who may need them. That is not all we do. Most of you know our purpose is to use our God-given talents as a team to make life better for others. Sometimes that means giving our quilts away and other times it means using funds gained by selling our quilts to provide Christmas gifts to unfortunate children. This past month we took a day off, April 9 th, to celebrate the gift of our friendship by going to Cheddar s for lunch. We enjoyed every bite and topped it off by having a bit of birthday cake in celebration of Christine s birthday. Sadly, not everyone could attend due to conflicts in their schedules. QUILTING AT CHEDDARS HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE! OUR FAVORITE PASTTIME! (BEING TOGETHER.) Below are photos of quilts completed in the past month: SOCCER BALL BY KAREN BARB S QUILT FOR RITA FLANNEL KID S QUILT BY DANI DANI S BABY QUIL COLORFUL QUILT BY BARB I SPY QUILT BY KATHY DANI S HANDS AND FEET BABY QUILT KID S QUILT BY DANI These are the highlights of the past month. Our group continues to meet every Monday and we welcome anyone with an interest in our fellowship to stop by between 1:00 and 4:00 in the Fellowship Hall of Forest Oaks Lutheran. Bring yourself, all other things are provided by the grace of God and our generous friends. Peace be with you. Karen
LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 7 Attention Graduates!! We would like to recognize our graduates in the June newsletter. We need information on members of Forest Oaks graduating from high school, community college, technical school, college or grad school. Please provide the following information: name, school and studies or degree completed, and plans for the future. We would also appreciate a current photo. Email to: folc25news@outlook.com or place it in the newsletter box. The deadline for submitting this information is May 20 th. Thank you. Blood Drive: Our most recent blood drive had an attendance of only seven. This is low compared to our previous drives. We are only scheduled for three this year instead of four. I am hoping that you will find it in your heart, if possible, to participate in the remaining scheduled drives, on July 15 th and October 14 th. Remember lives are saved, it could be ours. National Association of Letter Carriers: We will be hosting the food drive in our parking lot on May 12 th. For those who are unfamiliar with the drive, this is the day our people all over the county donate non-perishable items at their mail box. We along with neighboring pantries rely on this large donation. We have recently exceeded feeding over 70,000 since we opened in 2010. Our cupboards are becoming very bare. This is a day that needs a lot of hands and there is something for everyone. We normally have donuts and coffee to start the day for our volunteers which include our church and the volunteers from neighboring pantries. We serve lunch which includes hot dogs, hamburgers and chips. We need help in the kitchen, packing boxes in the parking lot, and sorting in the pantry. Sign up for a block of time and join in the fun. Please!!! Much help is needed. Sign up sheet at the Welcome Center or see Lonnie Benmore. BODY AND SOUL FOOD MINISTRY NEEDS: cereal (lots of it) saltine crackers bars of soap peanut butter jelly toilet paper canned chili and canned beef stew canned yams egg cartons canned sloppy-joe mix pancake mix Plastic bags canned fruit canned potatoes Volunteers We do NOT need egg cartons. In March, we served 315 families with a total of 801 people. Of these, 197 were children and 263 were seniors (65 and over). There were 288 repeat families and 27 new families. The families that we served in March came from the following zip codes: 33523 1 34606 106 34610 2 34601 23 34607 17 34613 22 34602 2 34608 69 34614 11 34604 9 34609 48 Homeless 4 Our Food Ministry is eight years old this month and we have served over 70,000! How wonderful that we have been able to share Christ through this ministry. Please remember our food ministry when you shop and in your prayers. Don t forget to put out non-perishable food by your mailbox for the mail carriers food drive on Saturday, May 12 th. Thank you for your continued support. May 12, 2018
Page 8 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Memorial and Honor Gifts: Through April 22, 2018 Praise God for blessing us through those He s placed in our lives! With Gifts in Memory and Gifts in Honor, you demonstrate your love and appreciation for someone, while contributing to drawing people to Christ and expanding the reach of the Gospel through various ministries at Forest Oaks. GIFTS IN MEMORY: A memorial gift is a meaningful way for you to celebrate the life of a dear one who has passed on, or express to their family how much they meant to you. We extend our deepest sympathy to families who have recently lost loved ones. Hoping all things that made your loved one a special gift from God will forever bless your life in beautiful memories. God is our refuge and strength...psalm 46:1 In Memory of: Contribution for: Given By: Harold Dean Future Maintenance Ms. Audrey Dean Gussie Garbinski Food Pantry Mr. & Mrs. Stan Benmore, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Pavlik Future Maintenance Mr. & Mrs. Derald Kading, Ms. Darleen Keck, Ms. Joyce Neuber, Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Postel, Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Ward Sunday School Ms. Jodell Burgdorf Unspecified Mr. & Mrs, Claude Glimpse, Mr. & Mrs. Wil Hei GIFTS IN HONOR: An honor gift marks a special occasion or acknowledges someone who has had a significant impact in your life or to praise God for His blessings. It s a great idea for birthdays or anniversaries, or just as a way to say thanks. In Honor of: Contribution for: Given By: Blessings Received Unspecified Ms. Audrey Dean The idea of a Peace Officers National Police Week Memorial Day came into effect on October 1, 1961, when a joint resolution of Congress asked the president to designate May 15 th to honor law enforcement officers. President John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962. Each year, the president of the United States proclaims May 15 th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which May 15 th occurs as Police Week. It recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement and pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. The month of May is normally designated as Law Enforcement Awareness Month. In the past during May, all residents and businesses have been asked to display blue lights on their buildings or property to show support for our law enforcement officers who risk their lives for us.
If you know of a FOLC member, a family member or friend who is ill or in the hospital, please let the church office (352-683-9731) and Marilyn Nibert (352-683-0023) know right away. The names will be placed on the Prayer List for one month and will be removed if the office or Marilyn is not updated. Our Church Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm (Monday is Pastor s Day off) *Hours may vary occasionally. PLEASE NOTE: The church office is closed Saturday and Sunday. If you call on these days, you will get our answering machine. No one will answer the phone, so please leave a message and your call will be returned on Monday....be aware of the groups meeting in the Fellowship Hall and Conference Room. It is very important to check with the Secretary in the church office before you schedule a meeting or event. Our members always take precedence over the outside groups/ organizations that meet here. We just have to be sure and alert them to any changes that have to be made. Another reason for checking first before scheduling is that you may not be aware of another church meeting or activity that is already on the calendar. Thank you for your kind consideration and cooperation in the scheduling process! ATTENTION! All articles for the weekly Bulletin and slides MUST be in by 1:00PM on Wednesday if you want it included for that week. Please send or give your item to Lyla in writing. Thank you. May 20 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 9 Lyla, our church secretary, is a Notary Public and can notarize your documents. There is no charge for this service, but PLEASE CALL first, if you want her to notarize something for you, to make sure she will be in the office and have her notary seal with her. Please let us know if your address, email address or phone number has changed. If you have an e-mail address, please send an email to our office: folcoffice2@tampabay.rr.com and your name will be added to our email contact list. That way we can let you know of sick members and cancellations of church activities. You can also get our newsletter and send in any prayer requests or information to the church. Please Notify the Church Office When You or a member of your family is hospitalized You have a change of address Your phone number has changed Your email address has changed You want to use the conference room for a meeting Your board or committee changes a meeting date or time Members of your family are students attending school away from home or are living at a different address Your help with all of the above is very much appreciated! We are still collecting the following items: 1. UPCs from Campbell s soup labels. The Sunday School gets free stuff for all we send in. 2. Used ink cartridges 3. Used eyeglasses 4. Coupons for Food Pantry 5. Labels for Education 6. Aluminum cans for F.O.C.U.S. 7. Box Tops for Education* 8. Aluminum Tabs from soda cans* Containers are next to the double doors or in the hallway that leads to the Fellowship Hall. *Donation boxes are at the Welcome Center.
Page 10 LEAVES FROM THE FOREST OPENINGS FOR THE FOLLOWING Bulletin Boards Choir Counters Fellowship set up/clean-up Food Pantry volunteers Garden of Remembrance record keeper Greeters Handbell Ringers Librarian Soup makers: Advent & Lent Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Ushers HELP WANTED ADS IMMEDIATE HELP VBS VOLUNTEERS, Thrivent Action Teams Group Leaders TREASURER POST OFFICE FOOD DRIVE ARE YOU READY TO SERVE? Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I answered, Here I am. Send me. Isaiah 6:8 Do you have a heart for helping others? CARE MINISTRY: Congregation Care Tel-A-Care Hospital and Home Visits Transportation WOMEN S GUILD: Altar Guild Crafters Prayer Chain Quilters Women s Bible Study Leader Drawing People to Christ
May Birthday* Blessings to: 03 Jan Lehr 04 Gary Bartz 05 Frank Carrow 09 Logan Braun Diane Trumbauer 12 Kasey Danese Andrew Fischer 13 Larry Miller Hans Mutschler 16 Colleen Mueller 18 Audrey Stead 21 Delores Nilsen 24 Butch Almstedt Barry Robinson 25 Lauren Grimsland LEAVES FROM THE FOREST Page 11 May Anniversary* Blessings to: 07 Darrel & Mary Olson 10 Rev. Glenn & Jocelyn Fischer 27 Jesse & Judy Ward May the Lord be with you always And as years go passing by, May your happiness keep growing And your blessings multiply. God Bless your day! * If you don t see your birthday or anniversary listed or you prefer not to have the date included please contact the church office. Call, email, or write it down and leave it in Lyla s box in the hallway. Thank you. Anna M. Jarvis first suggested the national observance of an annual day honoring all mothers because she had loved her own mother so dearly. At a memorial service for her mother on May 10, 1908, Miss Jarvis gave a carnation (her mother's favorite flower) to each person who attended. Within the next few years, the idea of a day to honor mothers gained popularity, and Mother's Day was observed in a number of large cities in the U.S. On May 9, 1914, by an act of Congress, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. He established the day as a time for ''public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country.'' By then it had become customary to wear white carnations to honor departed mothers and red to honor the living, a custom that continues to this day. May you have a blessed Mother s Day. Plans are underway for a new pictorial directory for 2019. We thank Ellouise Emke for agreeing to chair this event. Expect to begin seeing additional information later this year when our snowbirds return. This newsletter is available via e-mail (and in full color) The Leaves from the Forest monthly newsletter is available via e-mail. You ll be able to download this newsletter in PDF, with photos in full color. In addition, you ll save the costs of paper, postage and ink for Forest Oaks. If you re willing to try getting Leaves from the Forest in this way, please e-mail (folcoffice2@tampabay.rr.com) or leave a note in Lyla s box in the hallway, including your e-mail address. Thanks!
13 Mother s Day 20 Pentecost 27 Holy Trinity 7 C.F.W. Walther 15 Peace Officers 28 Office Closed 29 3 National Day of Prayer 10 Ascension Day 31 The Visitation 18 19 Armed Forces Day S U N D A Y M O N D A Y T U E S D A Y W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y F R I D A Y S A T U R D A Y 6 Worship-9:30 am Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Mites Sunday Worship-9:30 am ** Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Nametag Sunday Worship-9:30 am Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Newsletter Deadline Worship-9:30am ** Fellowship after service Sunday School-10:45am Bible Class-11:00am Quilters-1:00pm 14 Quilters-1:00pm 21 Quilters-1:00pm 1 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am 8 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am Finance Comm.-9:00am AARP 12:00-3:00 pm Memorial Day Food Ministry-9:00am 22 TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am SH Garden Club-1:00pm TOPS-8:00am Food Ministry-9:00am 2 W.I.S.E-6:30pm 9 W.I.S.E-6:30pm 16 Lunch Bunch-12:30pm W.I.S.E-6:30pm 23 W.I.S.E.-6:30pm 30 W.I.S.E.-6:30pm Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am Accordion Club-1:00pm Handbell choir-5:00pm Choir-7:00pm Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Crafts Group-9:00am AARP 12:00-3:00 pm Handbell choir-5:00pm Choir-7:00pm 17 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Accordion Club-1:00pm Handbell Choir-5:30pm 24 Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Body & Soul Bible Study 9:00am Accordion Club-1:00pm 4 H.C.I.G. Mtg-6:30 pm 11 12 National Letter Carriers Food Drive-11:00am 5 25 26 10:00am **Holy Communion will be celebrated at this service