About Us

What We Believe

Faith’s Mission is to openly share the saving grace of Jesus' love.

Lutherans, along with Christians who worship in many other traditions, are part of the one, holy, catholic (meaning “universal”) church. We believe in God who is revealed to us in three persons: as our Creator who made the heavens and earth and all things in the earth; as Jesus Christ, God’s son, who came to us as both divine and as a human being to share our experience, suffer with us and for us on the cross, died, and rose from the dead; and as the Holy Spirit who continues to lead, guide, and inspire us in our daily lives. We baptize in the name of the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  
The Bible is central to our faith. It provides us with the history that ties Christianity to its roots in the early Jewish tradition, gives us the prophecy that foretold the coming of Jesus as our Savior, includes the law that guides us in knowing how to live in a way that is pleasing to God and respectful of each other and God’s creation, and brings us the good news (gospel) that our frail and failing human condition will find its help and strength through Jesus.
  
The concept of being set right with God through faith in Jesus Christ is called “justification by grace through faith.” Our faith can be summed up as: We are saved by the grace of God alone — not by anything we do; Our salvation is through faith alone — we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who died to redeem us.

Our History

In the summer of 1951, Student-Pastor Philip V. Anderson, from Christ Lutheran Church in New Hyde Park, went from house to house in Syosset to determine if enough people were interested in starting a Lutheran Church. That September, a meeting was held to plan for the first service to be held on Christmas Day. A temporary chapel was set up in the old International Harvester Building at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Cold Spring Road. The congregation was formally organized and incorporated as Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church on September 28, 1952 with 65 charter members. With very little money to start, the church was named after the faith it would need to grow.

PASTORS:

— Rev. Rebecca Sheridan:  2019-present

— Rev. Robert Kasting: 2016-2017

— Rev. Marc Herbst: 2011-2013

— Rev. James G. Anderson: 1997-2010

— Rev. Nancy Hainfeld: 1992-1995

— Rev. Henry Brau: 1972-1991

— Rev. Paul A. Lorimer: 1960-1971

— Rev. Philip V. Anderson: 1953-1960

ASSOCIATE PASTORS:

— Rev. Stephen Lorimer, 1966 – 1967

— Rev. Edward A. Rauff, 1970 – 1971

— Rev. Chris Matthy, 1979 – 1984

— Rev. Thomas Kennedy, 1989 – 1990

— Rev. Nancy Hainfeld, 1990 – 1991

 

MEMBERS WHO ENTERED ORDAINED MINISTRY:

— Rev. Dennis O’Rourke

— Rev. Karen Brau

Staff

 

Pastor Rebecca Sheridan

 

Pastor Rebecca Sheridan grew up in Omaha, Nebraska in the Lutheran church.  She received a Bachelor’s  degree in English and secondary education from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and a Master of Divinity from The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where she met her husband, Rich Sheridan. Her first call was serving a two-point rural parish of Calvary Lutheran Church of Swede Home and Zion Lutheran Church in Benedict, Nebraska.  Her second call was serving as co-pastor with Rich at Bethel Lutheran Church in Omaha and as Director for Evangelical Mission with the Nebraska Synod.  Pastor Rebecca and Rich moved to Syosset to be closer to his family in  New Jersey.  Rich is a clinical psychologist and Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in North Bellmore.   They have two daughters, Erin (11) and Grace (9).  The Sheridans enjoy camping, skiing, cooking, reading, and singing as a family.  Pastor Rebecca is so excited to be serving the people of Faith Lutheran Church and School.

 

Linda Boccafola

Church Administrator

 

Linda volunteers her time in the church office and is a valuable asset to both Faith Lutheran Church and Faith Nursery School. Linda is always willing to jump in and help out during the school day, and coordinates all church events. Linda is an Altar Guild member, sings with the Church Choir, and sees to it that coffee hour is ready, on time. She is on the 75th Anniversary Committee, schedules acolytes, and coordinates our Shepherds program.

Linda has been a member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church for 50 years. She served on the Church Council for two terms, and spent one of the six-year terms as Council President. Linda taught Sunday School for many years and had been the Superintendent of the Sunday School for over 30 years. Linda worked at Faith Nursery School for over15 years as an Assistant Teacher, and as a Toddler Teacher.  Linda has lived in the community since 1969 and has three grown children.  All three attended Faith Nursery School and Sunday School, received First Communion, and were Confirmed here at Faith Lutheran Church. Two of her children were also married at Faith.  When she’s not here at church, Linda enjoys spending time with her 5 grandchildren.

 

Wendy Abruzzo

 

Bookkeeper/School Office Administrator

 

Wendy has worn many hats while working at Faith for over 30 years. She is currently the Church Bookkeeper, School Office Administrator and the assistant teacher in the Owls classroom.
Wendy has worked with all age groups as assistant teacher, camp counselor, and camp director.

She is a reliable and dedicated worker, to both Faith and the children. She keeps calm and is always caring and nurturing.  Wendy has lived in the community for 40 years, has a grown daughter, and two grandchildren.

 

 

 

Phillip Harville

 

Church Sexton/Property Steward

 

Phil is a California transplant who works full-time at Home Depot and makes sure our school and church properties are clean and well-cared for.  In addition to daily cleaning, he helps with light repairs around the church.  He is often behind-the-scenes, but he'll be sure to greet you with a friendly face!

 

 

 

Miloš Velkjović

 

Music Director

 

Miloš Veljković is an accomplished collaborative pianist and educator with extensive
international experience in church music, choral collaboration, vocal coaching, and
ensemble performance. Trained in Europe and the United States, he holds graduate
degrees in piano performance from institutions in Serbia and Norway and works at the
Manhattan School of Music as a collaborative pianist and coach with singers and
instrumentalists. In addition to his institutional work, he is active as a private piano
teacher, vocal coach, and ensemble coach, working closely with students and performers
of all ages. A recipient of a Norwegian Government Scholarship, he has collaborated widely
with choirs, soloists, and conductors across diverse repertoire, with sensitivity to sacred
music, vocal accompaniment, and the musical flow of liturgical services.
Miloš previously worked as an accompanist and coach at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of
Music and at AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, and for eight years
served as Head of the Chamber Music Department at the Faculty of Philology and Arts in
Serbia. Across academic, performance, and church settings, he is known for his calm,
supportive presence, strong sight-reading skills, and collaborative spirit. He values long-
term musical partnerships and is passionate about serving church communities through
thoughtful, sensitive, and reliable musicianship, and welcomes opportunities for
collaboration with other congregations and music ministries.

 

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