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Faith Lutheran Church, LCMS 935 S. Crystal Glen Dr.

Lecanto, FL 34461 Church Office - (352)527-3325 Pastor’s Cell – (352) 586-4468

Pastor’s email - pastorfaithlecanto@tampabay.rr.com

Church email – officefaithlecanto@tampabay.rr.com Web site - http://www.faithlecanto.com/

Our Mission Statement

“A HEART FROM GOD”

“A HEART FOR OTHERS”

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This is a meaningful time of year. It is an opportunity to invite friends to our Lenten services, pot lucks, and other events at the church. These are opportunities that have a different atmosphere than the weekend worship. This is also a busy time of year for many. It is always important not to forget our spiritual health. How easy it is to overlook our souls. Lent invites us to journey with our Lord during this time. It is a time of year to reach out as well. We reach out with God’s grace won for us on the cross to family members, friends, and all to whom we have an opportunity. This is best done naturally and lovingly. It is an extension of our own Lenten journey. May the Lenten season be for you especially meaningful this year and Easter especially joyful.

Pastor P.S. Below is an invitation to a special event at Faith Lutheran Church. Ginny’s Cello Pastor’s Cello

Please join us for some cello music and bring a friend. Ginny and Pastor will play music for two cellos.

Sunday, March 6th, 3:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall Arrangements of familiar hymns A few songs featuring the electric cellos with Kevin Belfry accompanying on the guitar. An assortment of music that you love and recognize

The concert is free. A free will offering will be available for our church sign fund and library project.

Rev. Stephen Lane, Pastor

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FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK Having just left the month emphasizing human love, we enter the month reflecting on the divine. March will see us through lent and the unfathomable love which produced Jesus’ suffering and His glorious resurrection. And so, as believers, we are embraced in eternal joy bought by a love we will fully grasp only when “we know as we are known”.

Our February Council meeting was so uplifting! Several ideas were brought forth which involve outreach as well as fund-raising. The CelloCello concert March 6 will request a freewill offering to help pay for our new sign and library, with the public invited. We have so much musical talent in this congregation that more such events may be in the offing. In this issue you’ll also learn about our Ice Cream Social/sock-hop to be held in April. Publicity will be moved to the Outreach committee (Tom Gottschalk) leaving Lu Ann with Newsletter duties. The playground equipment will be refurbished and set up on our “new” property. I think you’ll be impressed when you see it. (But don’t expect it for a while as it will require labor and some funding). For those of you who have lots of paper to shred, bins will be brought to the Fellowship Hall the last two weeks of April. We’ll give you information on the cost before then. Please consider helping your congregation in any way you can. Spread the word that we welcome visitors/members of all ages to fellowship with us.

Blessings, Gloria Schultz

Gloria Schultz President Needed Education Jerry Marquette Vice President Bud Riedel Stewardship Anita Trout Recording Secretary Maxine Crogle Coordinator Lu Ann Cooke Publicity/newsletter Bill Moeller Trustees Kathy Blondell & Joanne Fetzer Co-treasurers Carol Wygle Financial Secretary Fred Crogle Head Elder Tom Gottschalk Outreach Pastor Lane Christian Ministry Drawing by John Strutt

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ELDERS

Greetings Fellow Christians in Christ, Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, March 20th. May we always remember the path our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ chose for us. Grant to us as a congregation at Faith Lutheran Church to walk a spiritual journey through Holy Week with our Lord. Through Christ's resurrection He brings to us at last the full joy of eternal life. May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you always. Hallelujah! He is Risen...He is Risen Indeed! The March worship schedule is as follows:

05,12,19,26 Regular Saturday Evening Services with HC on 12,26 06,13,20,27 Regular Sunday Services with HC on 06,20,27 02,09,16 Lenten Services 5 p.m. with Potluck on 09 Holy Week Schedule: 24 Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service 7 p.m. 25 Good Friday Service 3 p.m. 27 Easter Sunrise Service 7 a.m. followed with Easter Breakfast 27 Easter Holy Communion Service 9:30 a.m.

Fred Crogle Chairman

FORMS If you have not completed a Time & Talent form for this year (even if nothing has changed from the previous year), it is not too late to complete one and put it in the box in the Narthex or church office. Thank you, Maxine Crogle

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mildred Schutz upon her recent death. The family invite friends to a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran.

ELDERS Fred Crogle Paul Mantey Chuck Davey Jerry Marquette Jerry Gneckow Ed Stern Tom Gottschalk Jack Ryan Gus Krayer

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The Power of God's Word

A woman returning home from church one Sunday came face to face with a burglar in her house. "Acts 2:38" she yelled! "Turn from your sin!" The burglar froze and the woman called the police who came to her house immediately. As the burglar was being handcuffed, the woman told the officer that she had stopped him by citing a Bible verse. "A Bible verse!" protested the burglar. "Heck no! She told me she had an axe and two 38's!" God's word is often misquoted or misunderstood. Even in these situations it can be a powerful tool. A good Steward uses his time to study Scripture in preparation for its timely use. Are you prepared? Bud Riedel

Stewardship 😊

We’ll be studying Ephesians for a little while and then do parts of the Old Testament book of Numbers omitting the genealogies and census taking. Numbers has a lot to offer including Jewish practices and history which helps us to better understand New Testament writings. We will continue to meet at least through April before our “summer break”. You still have time to get a taste of Tuesday Bible study at 1 p.m. and, as always, come as you are able. Gloria Schultz

Stitch and Tie Group

The Trash and Treasure event is over and our sewing group was prepared for the many people who were interested in what we had. It is always fun and interesting to converse with the community people. It appears many of these people are "regulars" who look forward to our two Trash and Treasure sales.

It was very much appreciated that all our sewing women helped before, during and after the sale as they could to fill in to make the process flow smoothly. Our group is in the process of organizing our materials and making room for a new supply of fabric donated to us. Our new storage closet that was made available to us is very much appreciated and we plan to make good use of it. We have spent extra time to accomplish this but we still meet on Friday mornings for sewing. We have two upcoming efforts that will require our getting things organized to make them successful. Anytime, someone wants to be part of the group, the door is open and we will welcome you. Marilyn Richards

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NEW SIGN FUND Bill Grosze, Chairman of the Sign Committee, has been working very hard these past few months meeting with county officials, sign companies, etc. to get a new church sign on Highway 44. Bill presented to the Church Council on February 19 the final bids, and the Council gave Bill the green light to contact the sign company to start work on it.

What we need now are funds to pay for the sign. We are more than halfway there. If you haven't noticed, there is a purple box in the narthex to drop loose coins, bills or checks (made payable to Faith Lutheran Church) into the box. Let's see if we can get the thermometer to start moving upward. Also, please come to the ice cream social and sock hop; and if you can't come, please make a donation. Details noted below.

MISSION OF THE MONTH Faith recently donated…………to the Disabled American Veterans organization.

A Legacy of Service, Hope for the Future

DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all

generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive,

life-changing ways each year. The organization provides more than 700,000

rides for veterans attending medical appointments and assists veterans with

more than 300,000 benefit claims annually. In 2015, DAV helped attain more

than $4 billion in new and retroactive benefits to care for themselves and for veterans, their families

and survivors.

DAV is also a leader in connecting veterans with meaningful employment, hosting job fairs and

providing resources to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in the American Dream their

sacrifices have made possible.

With almost 1,300 chapters and nearly 1.3 million members across the country, DAV empowers our

nation’s heroes and their families by helping to provide the resources they need and ensuring our

nation keep the promises made to them.

Newsletter articles are due by the 20th of each month. Please send updates and articles to my email address: bluann@tampabay.rr.com. Be sure to check out Faith’s web site for the newsletter and weekly updates. Go to http://www.faithlecanto.com/ Editor: Lu Ann Cooke

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EASTER CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

MARCH 27, 2016

7:45 – 9:00 AM Please plan to attend the Easter Breakfast that includes a variety of breakfast goodies and to share good Christian fellowship with one another on this joyous Easter morning. There will be two sign-up sheets in the narthex for food and to volunteer. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet what you are bringing so we know if we have enough of everything. The choices are as follows: Egg Casserole Coffee Cake Sweet Bread Muffins Spreads Orange, Apple or Cranberry Juice Fresh Fruit Please bring the food to the kitchen Saturday morning between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. or no later than 7:45 a.m. Sunday morning. No food will be served after the 9:30 Easter service. We need volunteers to help with the Easter breakfast. The times to work are broken down into 1 ½ hour shifts. We need help setting up Saturday morning from 10 to 11:30 a.m. On Sunday, you can choose one of these times: 1) 6:00 to 7:30 a.m., 2) 7:30 to 9 a.m. or 3) after the 9:30 a.m. Easter service to help clean-up. Please indicate on the sign-up sheet which day and time you can help. Whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions, please call Maxine Crogle at 637-4649.

LIVE FLORAL EASTER CROSS

It is a tradition at Faith Lutheran Church each Easter for the congregation to pick flowers from the yard or purchase fresh cut flowers to put on the cross that is in the narthex. This photo was taken last Easter. What a beautiful and joyous way to celebrate Easter.

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The Ladies of Faith, at the February meeting, were made aware that this year we are to choose a vice president and treasurer. We are also still in need of a president. The nominating committee will be busy looking for ladies who are willing to fill these three positions. A president not only presides over the meetings but also attends the meetings of the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League). The women who have been in this office have found it a rewarding experience, meeting our sisters in Christ of our North Central Florida District. Vice president presides over the meeting in the president’s absence. The treasurer is in charge of keeping track of the funds coming in and going out. The Ladies of Faith have done so much good, and would be greatly missed if it no longer could function at Faith Lutheran. So, when you are approached by a nominating committee member please give it your prayerful consideration. The March meeting will be on Wednesday, March 2nd at 10:30 a.m. with a guest speaker. Anita Trout

CUB (CITRUS UNITED BASKET) SUGGESTED MARCH DONATIONS ARE PAPER PRODUCTS (SUCH AS, PAPER TOWELS, KLEENEX, TOILET PAPER)

Drop your donated items in the garden cart in the narthex. Any non-perishable donation is appreciated. (You don't have to give every month. Please give when you can, what you can.) Thank you! Maxine Crogle

There was no Men's Breakfast in February due to a lack of a show of hands during the announcements at the conclusion of the service on Sunday, February 7th. It was later discovered that some thought the following Monday, the 8th, was not the second Monday of the month. Apparently an early, "second Monday," was the problem. March's second Monday should not cause such a problem

since it is on the 14th. At our March meeting we will finalize plans for our annual Pizza & A Movie Night. This will be held on the evening of April 8th. More information to follow. To avoid confusion in the future, I have been asked to no longer ask for a show of hands for participation in the breakfast. Hope to see you there!

Steve Fetzer

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ICE CREAM SOCIAL/50'S & 60'S SOCK HOP

Mark it on your calendar now! On Friday, April 22, at 7 P.M. we are having an ice cream social and a 50's & 60's sock hop to help raise money for the new sign. Tickets will go on sale for $6.00 per person starting Saturday, April 1, through Sunday, April 17. Tickets may also be purchased during the week from Kevin Belfry in the church office via check payable to Faith Lutheran Church. Please consider contributing more than that amount to help fund the sign. So ladies get out your poodle skirts and men put on your tee-shirts and jeans and be ready to boogie.

Currently we have 4 members for the band being formed by Kevin Belfry. We are still in need of a drummer if anyone would happen to know of someone, make sure the person is aware that we need someone who would like to do it and is willing to commitment. Contact Kevin at the Church Office for more information. We will be playing a combination of Country, Country Gospel, and maybe a few Polka's Kevin

at Faith Lutheran -- one or two or three ladies for our COMMUNION SERVICE at 6 p.m. on Saturday for the months of September, October & November. This needed service would accommodate TWO (2) --- 6 p.m. services for each month. Could any 6 p.m. attendees give their time for this ALTAR TABLE PRESENTATION of the LORD'S SUPPER? If so, please call me at 382-1526 or see me in church (9:30 a.m. service) THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! God's Blessings TO YOU. Ellen Davey, Altar Guild

Jessica Pennington, daughter of Tom & Lu Ann Cooke, would like to thank Faith Lutheran for all their prayers and concerns for her health during her pregnancy. A beautiful and healthy baby boy was delivered and mom is doing fine.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT THE BUZZARD If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

------------------------------------------ THE BAT The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

------------------------------------------ THE BUMBLEBEE A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

------------------------------------------ PEOPLE In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up!

That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem...just look up Submitted by Judy Jung

MARCH BIRTHDAYS Rachel Schielke 2 Paul Williams 3 Alex Logsdon 5 Robert Staab 6 Beth Lawrence 8 Gert Sullivan 10 Walter Gergely 13 Les Tonkel 17 Joanne Johnson 18 Margaret Forte 22 Ralph Frank 23 Valerie Brandt 24 Pat Meier 31

MARCH WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

Norm & Ruth Schmidt 2 Margaret & Pete Forte 15 Gus & Charlotte Krayer 15 Steve & Joanne Fetzer 28 Jane & Paul Mantey 31

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FOR MARCH 6:00 SATURDAYS Tom & Judy Jung 9:30 SUNDAYS Fred & Maxine Crogle Sylvia Decker Betty Marquette ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mar.2nd Tom & Judy Jung Danny & Kathy Walker Mar.9th Bill & Joyce Engelbrecht Dennis Jones Jane VanOrden Mar.16th Jerry & Pat Gneckow Paul Mantey Gene Askins Maundy Thursday - March 4th Fred & Maxine Crogle Sylvia Decker Bill Moeller Dave Trout Good Friday - March 25th Ed Stern Tom Gottschalk

BATHROOM CLEANING SCHEDULE FOR MARCH Week of: March 06 Professional Cleaner Donated by a Generous Member March 13 Lorraine Schluckbier March 20 Professional Cleaner Donated by a Generous Member March 27 Carol Steans

MARCH Ellen Davey, chairman (382-1526)

Saturday – Joyce Engelbrecht Sunday – Marilyn Richards

MARCH NAME TAG DISPENSER DATA ENTRY & FILE NAME TAGS Shirley Granneman Nita Hass Judy Hill

MARCH SCRIPTURE READERS Saturday Sunday 05 – Tom Gottschalk 06 - 12 – Elsie Cougias 13 – 19 – Kathy Walker 20 – Gloria Schultz Maundy Thursday 24 – Good Friday 25 - 26 - Joyce Engelbrecht 27 – Candy Lott You may pick up your readings ahead of time on the name tag table. A calendar is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex for the whole year. Please sign up to read the good news.

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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1:00 pm Bible Study

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10:30 am LOF

5:00 pm Lenten Worship Serv. Choir

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8:00 am Workday

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9:00 am Stitch & Tie

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6:00 pm Worship

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9:30 am Worship & Com. 11:00 am Bible Study & S.S 3:00 pm Cello Concert

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1:00 pm Bible Study

9 12:00 Fellowship & Games 5:00 pm Worship Potluck Choir

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8:00 am Workday 7:00 pm Elders

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9:00 am Stitch & Tie

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6:00 pm Worship & Communion

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9:30 am Worship- 11:00 am Sunday School/Bible Study

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9:00 am Men’s Breakfast 11:00 am Outreach

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1:00 pm Bible Study

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5:00 pm Lenten Worship Serv. Choir

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8:00 am Workday 3:00 pm Council

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9:00 am Stitch & Tie

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6:00 pm Worship

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9:30 am Worship & Com. 11:00 am Bible Study & S.S

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1:00 pm Bible Study

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12:00 Fellowship & Games

5:30 Choir

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8:00 am Workday 7:00 pm Worship Service & com.

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9:00 am Stitch & Tie 3:00 pm Worship

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6:00 pm Worship & Communion

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7:00 Sunrise S. 7:45 Breakfast 9:30 am Worship & Com.

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1:00 pm Bible Study

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5:30 pm Choir

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8:00 am Workday