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Pastor Ready To Enjoy The Good Life

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By DIANE LOEBEL

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 10, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Roy Lidbom will preach his last sermon at Faith Lutheran Church Sunday.

His topic: the celebration of Pentecost.

Lidbom, who is the church's senior pastor, announced his retirement Jan. 4. He has been pastor of Faith Lutheran for more than 36 years, since August 1971.

Before that, he served St. Paul Lutheran Church in Apopka, where he was ordained in 1969.

Lidbom, 65, grew up in Connecticut and moved to Florida in 1967. He and his wife, Jo, have been married for 41 years and have two sons. Mark lives in New Port Richey and Paul and his wife, Anna, live in Atlanta.

Under Lidbom, Faith Lutheran built a Christian life center, expanded its office space, sponsored immigrant families and started a food pantry. It opened a Braille center, where church members make Braille versions of biblical books, which are shipped to people around the world at no cost. The Braille ministry is part of a network of centers across the country.

The church added a contemporary Saturday evening service in recent years. The congregation also helped organize Charley's Angels, a disaster-relief crew of early responders.

Lidbom and his church has seen and responded to many changes in the community through the years.

"The Holy Spirit gives everyone gifts to be used in service to others," he said. "It has been a joyous privilege to me to have served here. I am humbled that God has given me the gift and used me to be part of a wonderful congregation and community."

In his retirement, Lidbom plans to be busy but not confined. He and his wife look forward to traveling and seeing friends across the country as well as discovering new places.

He said he looks forward to not having a daily schedule. He likes to golf and plans to continue volunteering and helping people in the community.
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
WHERE: 5443 Sunset Road, New Port Richey
WORSHIP: 10 a.m. this Sunday. Regular worship is 5 p.m. Saturday and 8 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

CALL: (727) 849-4418

ONLINE: www.faithnpr.net

To suggest a Faith in Focus feature, call Diane Loebel, (727) 815-1081; write her at The Tampa Tribune, 6214 U.S. 19, New Port Richey FL 34652; or e-mail dloebel@tampatrib.com.

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