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Volume 24, Issue 3
A Free Publication from Osprey Observer Inc.
March 2020
Feed The Bay Outreach Replenishes Food Banks
By Amanda Boston
See Ad On Page 23
Offers On Page 3
3
Chris Pratt Page 20
In just one day, Feed the tional lines and truly Bay helps replenish food working together toward pantries across the Tampa one common cause. It is Bay area. What began as an an opportunity to bring a outreach at Bay Life Church large group of volunin 2006 now includes multiple teers together, exposing churches from various denomthem to the mission of inations and hundreds of volECHO.” unteers. Last year, Feed the The annual outreach Bay collected 109,923 returns this year on Sunday, pounds of food from 14 March 15 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Publix locations and Since its existence, the com$4,600 in gift cards. The munity outreach has collected collaborative effort nearly two million pounds of included 29 church camfood for local pantries and Pictured are volunteers from last year’s Feed the Bay event at the puses and 12 communicommunity agencies. Publix in FishHawk. ty agencies, totaling 626 Feed the Bay partners volunteers. with Publix Super Markets, which Volunteers must be 14 years provide shoppers with a list of old, but children are welcome to requested food items. After the participate alongside a parent. To shoppers purchase the food, volvolunteer or see a list of particiunteers are on-site to collect the pating Publix Super Markets, food items and load them onto churches and agencies, visit trailers. Then, truck drivers deliver www.feedthebay.org. the items to the different agencies, If you are unable to particiwhere other volunteers are on-site first recipient agency of Feed the pate during the event but still want to unload. Bay. to contribute, gift cards from any Since day one, Eleanor Saunders said, “It is incredible supermarket may be dropped off at Saunders has been a part of Feed to give as a church member and the Bay Life Church office on 1017 the Bay as a volunteer from Bay humbling to receive as an agency.” Kingsway Rd. in Brandon. For Life and an employee of the She continued, “Feed the Bay questions, contact Melanie Emergency Care Help Organization is a testimony to the power of the Langston at (ECHO). In 2006, ECHO was the church venturing out of denominamlangston@baylife.org.
Immanuel Lutheran Commemorates Its Golden Year Anniversary
New Pastor Jomo
Pg 9
Columns: Grace Notes:
Page 5
Hooked On Books:
Page 11
Your Monthly Catch: Page 14 Faith & Footprints:
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Immanuel Lutheran Church of Brandon will commemorate 50 years on Sunday, April 5. The church began celebrating in September with its annual ‘Back To Church Sunday’ and has had multiple events leading up its anniversary. Rev. Kenneth Farnsworth, who has been the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church for more than 20 years, talked about how the church will observe its anniversary, “There will be a focus on our half-century of God’s grace at Immanuel, as reflected in our mission statement of ‘Sharing the Love, Joy and Peace of Jesus.’” The idea of Immanuel Lutheran Church was birthed in October of 1969 after a few local families read an ad in the Brandon newspaper soliciting for Lutherans to start a Brandon congregation. On April 5, 1970, Immanuel Lutheran Church held its first worship service with 91 people. Founding members Don and Rita Fowler remember that day. “We’ve come a long way. God has been so good to us,” said Rita. Her husband, Don, added, “God has blessed us so much.”
By Amanda Boston
The Fowlers were one of the five couples in the original group. The effort was led by Nate and Eunice Kraxburger, who placed the newspaper ad, seeking others interested in planting a Lutheran Missouri Synod congregation. Other families included Jack and Mary Lou Nash, Larry and Katie
Unterfer and Dan and Willa Jackson. Rita continued, “My grandfather, George Lambertus, had been a part of starting Redeemer Lutheran Church in Louisville, Kentucky in 1888. It was part of my family’s heritage to start a church.” Situated next to the church is the Immanuel Lutheran School. In September, the school will celebrate 40 years. The church acknowledges the school’s vital role to the community as it reaches students and families with the gospel through its academics. Immanuel Lutheran School offers programs from preschool through eighth grade. More information on the school can be found at www.ilsbrandon.com. For more information on the church and its 50-year celebration, visit www.godsoloved.org or call 689-1787. Sunday services are held at 9 a.m. for Sunday school/Bible study and worship services are held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Immanuel Lutheran Church and School is located at 2913 John Moore Rd. in Brandon.