Faith Flame...It’s that love that drove all three Valentines to give their lives as martyrs. They were willing to die rather than give up their faith in this God who has loved them

OUR VISION

We believe God calls us to engage, encourage and equip our church,

community and world with His unfailing love.

STAFF AT FAITH

Church Office - (561) 848-4737

E-Mail: [email protected]

Website: faithlutheran-npb.com

Pastor - Rev. Mark Stillman

Music Director - Dr. David McCalla

Contemporary Music Director - Janet Cunningham

Pre-School - (561) 848-4737

Toddlers - (561) 842-2487

School Director - Kathy Knudtson

New Day- (561) 844-0012

Director- Julie Tombari

Sunday Worship Schedule

9:00 AM— Traditional

11:00 AM—Contemporary

Faith Flame

2018

February is pretty boring month. Most of the country is in the throes of winter. Even

down here, there are days it doesn’t get out of the sixties (yeah, I know, be nice). There’s

not a lot of time off from school. The Super Bowl is played on the first Sunday so the rest

of the month football fans are in mourning. There are no real holidays to speak of, except

President’s Day, and some other one…let me see…what’s it called…oh yeah, Valentine’s

Day. Valentine’s Day is a perfect example of how a minor league holiday made it to the big leagues. I re-

member doing the cards and candy thing growing up, but I honestly don’t remember it being that big a deal

in those days. But last year, 17.6 billion dollars were spent on Valentine’s Day. The average amount spent

on an individual was $126.00 (my family and I are definitely doing our part to lower that figure).

I certainly don’t want to be a Scrooge about Valentine’s Day. Nothing wrong with celebrating love, as long

as that celebration is Biblically sound and morally correct (I think those two are synonyms). I suppose, of

course, that therein lies the problem. A vast majority of that money was spent in a completely wrong cele-

bration of the holiday, where love is a thinly veiled disguise for lust, and morality gets thrown out the win-

dow. It doesn’t have to be that, to be sure. I’m certain that many of us don’t celebrate it that way. When

you think about the Christian origins of the holiday, it’s easy to see how Valentine’s Day can actually be a

great opportunity to celebrate the incredible love God has for us.

There are three Valentines accorded sainthood in the Catholic Church; all died as martyrs, faithful to their

Lord to the very end. One is said to have been martyred because he defied an imperial decree that no

young men should get married, because the government had decided that single men made better soldiers

(See? Stupidity often ruled the day back then too). Another Valentine is credited with sending the first

“Valentine” to a girl he had fallen in love with who visited him in prison. His last letter to her before execu-

tion was signed “your loving Valentine.” It stuck, apparently.

The Word of God states in Jer. 31:3, “The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you

with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’” But this is no mushy love. Ro-

mans 5:8 describes it best: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sin-

ners, Christ died for us.” God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes

in him should not perish but have everlasting life. It’s that love that drove all three Valentines to give their

lives as martyrs. They were willing to die rather than give up their faith in this God who has loved them with

an everlasting love.

Valentine’s Day is kind of hard on single, unattached people. But when we think about God’s love for us and

the world, we all can celebrate that. And there’s nothing wrong with the right celebration of romantic love,

either. So enjoy. Enjoy the love you have for each other in appropriate ways, and don’t forget to thank God

for his everlasting love for you.

Blessings!

Pastor Mark

Join us on Sunday morning—a traditionally excellent time to study the Scriptures!

10:00 AM—the Book of Matthew—Meets in the upstairs Library of the Michel Building.

Led by Larry Hess.

10:15 AM—NEW! -- Brothers and Sisters in the Word Sunday Morning Bible Study

Look a little deeper into the Scripture readings for each Sunday! Pour a cup of coffee, grab some refresh-

ment, and join us upstairs in the Michel Building – across from the Book Nook. This Bible study will not be

following a specific series or book of the Bible, so you can come once or many times. If your schedule does

not allow you to join us every Sunday, come when you can! Visiting this week or for a few months? Come

and spend an hour in fellowship and study! Led by Magdala Ray.

Weekday Bible Studies

Women’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study All Ladies! Women’s Tuesday morning Bible Study will meet at 10:00 AM in the Michel Building. “Relying on the Power of the Spirit”. Light refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there.

Home Bible Study at the home of Tom & Sally Schwartz Bible Study at the Schwartz’s is the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. All are welcome. The program begins at 6:30 PM and includes potluck dinner, fellowship and Bible Study, ending promptly at 9:00 PM. Call for info and directions @ 622-4946.

Sunday Morning Studies

If you would like us to add your prayer request for family or friends, please e-mail your request to [email protected] or call the church office at 848-4737

Marcia Brancolino, Bill Cahill, Judith Gonnerman, Bob Heath, Larry & Sharon Hess, Dave & June Johnson, Joan Kmetz, Audrey Kittelberger, Kathy McCoy, Curtis Mertz, Cynthia

Mertz, Irma Meyer, Etta Ornstein, Ron Reilly, Carole McCoy Satherwaitte, Tom & Sally

Schwartz, Betty Sither, Jim Stilwell, Rosie Stilwell, Laura Tegart, Monica Trautsch, Rich Walker.

Our Faith Family In Need of Prayer

Prayers for the extended family of Faith

Rida Veliz’s mother, Aura Garcia; Lois & Henry Scheck, aunt & uncle of Nina Speck; former mem-ber, Dr. Howard Lyboldt; former member Carol Schmidt;

Beans—Canned Fruit—Canned Meat, Tuna—Diced Tomatoes—Tomato Paste—Mac & Cheese—Pasta—Peanut Butter—Pop-Top Cans—Canned Vegetables —Rice—Soup—Canned Spaghetti Sauces

We also need volunteers 2 hours on Wednesdays (with enough volunteers, this opportunity oc-

curs about every 5-6 weeks). If you have 2 hours to donate, this involves distributing groceries to

those in need. The hours are; 10 AM—12 Noon. If able, please call Marcia: 561-843-4516. Thank

you......

Food Pantry News

Please continue your food donations, see suggestion list for groceries needed

and thank you for your past and continued giving. Keep those donations com-

ing!!!

Suggested List for Food Pantry—Only Non-perishable food please.

The 2018 Altar Flower Chart is now in the

Usher’s room. Sign up now for “In Memory of” or

“In Honor of” or “to the Glory of God” for the

dates you want. The Altar flowers are $25.00 per

Sunday. Please make your checks out to Faith

Lutheran Church and put Altar Flowers in the

memo line.

Openings on the 2018 Flower Chart:

February 11 & 18;

September 23 & 30

October 7, 14 & 28;

December 9, 23 & 30

3 Marcia Brancolino

5 June Johnson

9 Carla Sesola

13 Istvan Krisko

17 Marjorie Bean

19 Brooke Leininger

22 Jane Dahlmeier

23 Mark Leininger

25 Daria Johnson

28 Donna Van Bommel

Mid-Week Lenten Worship Service and Dinners will begin on Ash Wednesday, February 14th.

Dinner being served starting @ 6:00 PM and Worship Service @ 7:00 PM

More Information to follow

URGENTLY NEEDED – YOUR UNUSED JEWELRY

We need jewelry for our jewelry table at the upcoming rummage sale. All kinds of jewelry and jewelry cases are very popular items.

Now is the time to clean out and donate jewelry you haven’t worn in ages, no longer need or don’t like.

We need time to sort and price each item so please bring to the church office ASAP or give to Judith Gonner-man or Donna Van Bommel. Thank You.

Women of Faith—Rummage Sale

Friday, February 9th

10:00 AM—2:00 PM

Saturday, February 10th

9:00 AM—1:00 PM

Wanting to De-clutter your closets and drawers??? Clean out your garage???

Bring in all your gently used items for the next Rummage Sale.

You may put your donations, in the Multi-purpose room in the Michel Building

Many hands are needed to facilitate this event, please come and donate your time to help set-up ta-

bles Sunday, February 4th after late service; and Tuesday through Thursday (February 6—8) begin-

ning at 9:00 AM to place and price items. Volunteers are also needed to work the days of the sale and to

clean up after the sale.

This year, we are celebrating our 60th year of ministry as a church! The first service was held in Decem-

ber, but that whole year was spent in planning and gathering. In this 60th year of ministry, we are looking forward, not

backward. We’re thankful for all the blessings of this year, and we’ll have formal times to celebrate all of that, but we

also know that we cannot and will not rest on any laurels. So, this year, here’s some things to pray about:

1) Mission trip: we are hoping to go on a mission trip to bring the gospel in various ways to people who need Jesus.

Possible destinations include Guatemala or Dominican Republic. Pray for this.

2) Small Group Ministry: small groups, along with worship and prayer, form the backbone of a church’s ministry.

Small groups can exist around any number of things, whether it’s Bible study, ministry-related or life-related. A

movie discussion group could qualify as a small group, as long as one (or more) of four ingredients are present:

prayer, worship, Bible, or testimony. Ask God if he’s leading you to start a small group. Leader training will be

available (and required), but not 6 sessions and all that, probably about 3 hours in length.

3) Prayer ministry expanded.

4) Ministry to school children (especially after school kids) developed and implemented.

5) Outdoor service/picnic.

6) Other stuff.

More info, much more info, will be forthcoming. Most of this is in the infancy/prenatal stage of planning and implemen-

tation. It is also in addition to all the other stuff that normally happens, and is not final or set in stone (in other words,

some may have other ideas that are really good too!) They all must be bathed in prayer, and more info will be coming

as the year goes on. Buckle up; this 60th year is going to be awesome!

Men Of Faith

Quarter Auction

Thursday, February 22nd

Doors Open @ 6:00 PM

Auction Starts @ 7:00 PM

It’s a cross between a home party, a raffle, bingo and a Chi-

nese auction! Bring a roll or two of quarters and bid on prod-

ucts from local vendors for quarters; while supporting our

charity.

Paddles to bid are $2.00 each, Dinners will be sold for $5.00

prepared by the Men of Faith.

Come, party with us and have the most fun you’ve had in a

long time while winning expensive items at inexpensive prices

or maybe even FREE!

Come at 6:00 PM to the “Faithful Walkers” Come join in the fun and fellowship in an air-

conditioned gym! This is a multi-muscle walking program done to a Leslie Sansone DVD. Bring

your water bottle, towel, hand-weights, stretch bands and floor mats. No fees. We all need to

take care of the body God has entrusted us with, so get off that couch and that means YOU!

Check Out Our Tuesday Evening Wellness Ministry

AARP Tax Aide will do Federal Income taxes for almost anyone. Our volunteers are all IRS certified

and prepare the returns which all reviewed for quality and accuracy before they are e-filed for

free. A printed copy is given to each client. Sites are open from February 1 to April 17, 2018.

Northern Palm Beach County area sites:

Lake Park Library-529 Park Ave, Lake Park - Saturday 10:00 to 2:00

NPB Village Hall-501 US Highway 1 NPB - Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 to 1:00

VA Medical Center-7305 N Military Trail, Riviera Beach - Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 - 1:00

Gardens Branch Library-11303 Campus Dr. PBG—Tuesday 12:30 - 4:30 and Friday 11:00 - 3:00

North County Senior Center-5217 Northlake Blvd, PBG-Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12:00 - 4:00

Jupiter Community Center 210 Military Trail Jupiter-Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 - 1:00

2017-2018 Concert Series

Faith Lutheran Church presents…….

Hazel Thorpe Graham—

Mezzo Soprano, in concert

Dr. Dale Reith– accompanist

Saturday, February 3rd at 6:30 PM

Our 2017-2018 Concert Series continues with the very talented Hazel Thorpe

Graham, mezzo soprano. Ms. Graham studied voice performance at Canadian

schools, the University of Guelph and Wilfred Lauier University. She did gradu-

ate voice studies at Washington State University and Boston University. She has

taught voice for the past 12 years at IRSC in Ft Pierce,. She is the founder and di-

rector of the Voices Community Chorus in Port St. Lucie. Come and experience

the beauty of this very talented singer. Everyone is invited to this free concert,

a free will offering will be collected

555 US Highway One, North Palm Beach

561-848-4737

Faith Lutheran Church 2018 Concert Series

Saturday—February 3rd, @ 6:30 PM

Hazel Thorpe Graham—Soprano

Saturday—March 24th, @ 6:30 PM

“Seven Last Words of Christ” by Theodore Dubois

Indian River State College Choir and the Voices Community Choir

Saturday—April 14th, @ 6:30 PM

Singularity Vocal Ensemble

Saturday—May 5th @ 6:30 PM

Daniel Bayless, Organist