Weekly Note from Our Savior’s

 March 23, 2023  

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Dear members and friends of Our Savior’s,

             If only…  How often haven’t we said, “If only this had happened, or that hadn’t happened?” This Sunday’s Gospel (John 11:1-45) records Martha’s plaintive cry addressed to Jesus upon His late arrival to Bethany.  “Master, if only You had come earlier my brother (Lazarus) would not have died.” But Jesus had a greater plan in mind, and Martha’s complaint was changed into a shout of joy when Lazarus was raised from the dead.  Jesus always has a better plan for our good and for our growth. As Lazarus was set free from death and the restriction of the grave clothes, so we are set free from the condemnation and guilt of our sins as declared in Sunday’s Epistle (Rom 8:1-11) It is God’s desire to revive us with the breath of His Spirit, so that we might arise as a mighty army, victorious in His name. (recorded in Sunday’s Old Testament lesson, Ezekiel 31:1-10)   Indeed - if only we would follow the Master’s lead, submitting to His will and trusting in His power and provision.  Then see what happens!

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Coming Events:

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            Our final Lenten Vespers will be held next Wednesday, March 29, beginning at 6:45 p.m.  Ray Hoffman will share a brief meditation on Sanctification, the last section of the Red Letter Challenge.  

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            The Red Letter Challenge for this coming week centers on Sanctification (Days 34-40) as we conclude this forty day Bible study.  This same topic will be introduced in Sunday’s Adult Bible class, meeting in the Fellowship Room between services. 

 

             Indoor Clean up of the church has been scheduled for Saturday, April 1st, 8:30-noon. Please come and help as we prepare the sanctuary and related facilities for Easter Sunday.

 

            Scheduled Services for Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday - April 2nd  services at 8:30 and 11 - Pastor Jay Richmond preaching

• Maundy Thursday, April 6th  communion service at 7 p.m.  Pastor Sean Chapman

• Good Friday, April 7th  service at 7 p.m.  Pastor Sean Chapman and Marlow Olson

• Easter Sunday  services at 8:30 and 11  Pastor Sean Chapman

• also on Easter Sunday: an Easter Breakfast in the school cafeteria between services and an Easter Egg Hunt for young children between services

 

For Your Information:

Easter Lilies:  If you are willing to purchase Easter lilies to beautify our sanctuary, please sign up in the breezeway or call the church office (518/459-2248).  Donate $10 toward the purchase of an Easter lily.  You may take the lily home after Easter or bring it to another family member or one of our home-bound members.  Left-over lilies will be taken to nursing homes.  

 

Alpha Pregnancy Center Baby Bottles are now available in the breezeway.  Fill the bottles with change (or bills) and bring the filled bottles back to church by May 1st.  This is a tangible way of supporting Alpha, a local ministry that provides care and counsel to women in their pregnancy.

 

Easter Breakfast!!  Set your alarm and get up early! You won't want to miss this meal! We're cooking for you and cleaning up, too! Please join us  Easter Sunday, April 9th from 8:30 - 10:30am in the school cafeteria. Serving fresh eggs, homemade quiche, tantalizing pastries, hearty French toast, crispy bacon and sizzling sausage, fresh fruit, juicy punch and hot and ready coffee and tea. Questions? Please call or text Lori Dollard at 518–703-9855. Come and let us celebrate together for HE HAS RISEN INDEED! Invite a friend, too! And we'll see you there!

 

Pastor for April:  We are blessed to have Pastor Sean Chapman serving us during Holy Week and every Sunday in April (with the exception of Palm Sunday).  Pastor Chapman is an associate pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Whitestone, NY where he works closely with Pastor Johnson Rethinasamy.  He also serves as chaplain and Bible instructor at Martin Luther High School in Maspeth. In addition to leading worship at Our Savior’s in April,  Pastor Sean will be working with Council, Elders and others within the church as we seek to clarify and implement our 2023 Ministry Plan and move forward into the coming months.  Pastor Sean will be on site, four days/week, staying in our parsonage.  He will be available for pastoral care and will be providing leadership and guidance.  Come and meet him as he arrives during Holy Week. We pray God’s rich blessings on Pastor Sean as he ministers to and with us.

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A Great Opportunity!  With 50+ years of experience, Paul and Elaine Bauer are eager to come and teach about canning (pressure and water bath) freezing foods, long term storage and how to garden.  Ever heard of vertical gardening?  They will discuss buying food in bulk and preparedness pantries you set up in your home and there will be lots of handouts.  Call the church office if you are interested. Date and time is yet to be determined

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Help is needed to clean the church (including the church kitchen, hallways, bathrooms and Prayer Chapel).  This would require coming in once/month for about two hours.  We currently have four teams of volunteers who are cleaning the church, but we are looking to augment these teams and add substitutes.   Please call the church office if you are able to assist in this area.

  

Help is also needed in our school cafeteria of during lunch time (11-1:00 p.m.) to provide supervision and support for the lunch team.  Call the school for more information.

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Next Week at a Glance

Sunday, March 26th    (services at 8:30 and 11 a.m.) Pastor George Carstensen will return to share the Word with us. 

Monday, March 27th    Church Council meeting   6:30 p.m.  

Tuesday, March 28st   Red Letter Challenge Small Group at church 10 a.m.    Launch Pad open for young children and parents/grandparents  10-11:30  a.m.     Worship Team 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 29nd  Lenten Service  6:45 p.m.  / Choir 7:30 p.m                    

Thursday, March 30th   Women’s Bible Class 10 a.m.  /     Men’s Bible Fellowship 7 p.m.     

Friday,  March 31st   Launch Pad open for young children and parents/grandparents 10-11:30  Mother/Son Carnival at Our Savior’s Christian School   6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 1st   Indoor Clean-up at the Church, 8:30-noon