December 5, 2024

OUR SAVIOR’S WEEKLY LETTER

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    A bottle of bleach is not a likely Christmas decoration.  Christmas trees, lights, candles, stars, Santa, etc. are all common sights in and outside homes at this time of the year; but I have never seen a bottle of bleach prominently displayed.  Yet, it might be an appropriate Advent “decoration”  based on Malachi’s inspired words in this Sunday’s Old Testament reading:  Who can endure the day of His coming . . ..He will be like a  refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap… He will purify the sons of Levi. (Mal 3:2-3).  We cannot purify ourselves or make ourselves right with God, but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins  (1 Jn 1:8).  Advent is a time of penitence as we prepare for the coming of the Lord - now and later.  Praise God that we are cleansed, not by bleach, but by the blood of the Lamb!   

 

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Next Week

Sunday, Dec 8:  Worship at 8:30 and 11  Vicar Mark will lead both services and share the message.  

Adult Bible Classes and Sunday School for preschool-6th graders at 9:45-10:45

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Wednesday, Dec 11: OSL Singers at Promenade - 10-11                                                                  

Women’s Bible Study:  10-11 in the Fellowship Room                                                             

Advent Supper-5:30 followed by Advent Vespers-6:30.   The theme is Peace ,

 also Choir 7:15

 

Thursday, Dec 12:  Men’s Bible Fellowship   7-8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room

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Friday, Dec 13:  Christmas Concert presented by students of Our Savior’s Christian School in the school gym at 6:30

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Saturday, Dec 14:  Christmas Caroling  meet at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Room        

 

Coming Events

Christmas Eve Services:  5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Christmas Day Worship    9 a.m.

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More Information

Mission/Vision:  Over the next several months, we plan to clarify the mission and vision of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church by gathering input from members via a survey. Please complete the survey on line. Paper forms of the survey are also available in the narthex.  We will discuss results of this survey and gather more information at a Town Hall meeting in January.  The approved mission and vision statements will provide clarity and unity as we move forward.

 

Singing:   OSL Singers will be singing carols to residents at the Promenade 1228 Western Ave, Albany, 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec 11th.  All are invited.  Contact Al Walck for more information.

 

All are also invited to go Caroling on Saturday, Dec 14th.  Gather in the Fellowship Room at  3 p.m.  Go to sing carols for members who are homebound or in nursing homes and return for a meal at 5:30.   Contact Betsy Kocsis for more details  (518- 869-9897).

 

Warm clothing needed: Our Savior’s is gathering articles of warm, clean clothing to assist poorer families being assisted by our sister congregation, SonRise Lutheran Church in Pottersville NY. These families are among some of the poorest in New York State. If you have articles of warm clothing you are able to donate, please drop them off at the church office during the month of November or December.

 

Night To Shine: Our Savior’s will again host Night To Shine on February 7th.  NTS is a prom for people with disabilities.  Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of capacities, especially as buddies with our guests. You may register as a volunteer on line through our church website (oslalbany.com).  We also need financial support for this ministry.  You may use special offering envelopes in your box of envelopes or in the tract rack.  Make checks payable to Our Savior’s and designate the offering for Night To Shine.

 

Nominations:  for Church Council and Elders should be submitted by December 15th;   Church Council positions:  President (three year term),  Member-at-Large: two positions - one with a three year term and the others with a two year term.  Nominations should be submitted to Greg Schoonmaker, Church Council secretary (518/272-6602) or email: gregschoon@juno.com.  Greg will contact nominees to determine their willingness to serve.  Elders:  There are currently five elders serving in terms that do not expire in 2025.  Under the constitution there is no limit on the number of elders who may serve.  If you wish to nominate someone as elder, please contact your assigned elder with that person’s name.  The current elders are Dave Hawley, Ike Wallace, Brian Dollard, Tom Aery and Mark Stuart.   The slate of all nominees will be listed in early January and voted upon at the Voters Assembly later that month.    

 

Fellowship Time:  On Sunday, December 22nd, the Hospitality Committee is planning a Holiday Fellowship Hour between services. There will be no Adult Bible Class that Sunday.  We are not planning a special menu.  If you choose, please bring something to share.   We will provide coffee, juice and egg nog along with paper products. No need to sign up, just show up

 

Grief Share:  A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you'll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what's “normal” in grief.   The first meeting will be held on Sunday afternoons from 3:00-5:00 beginning January 12th  in the Prayer Chapel (behind the Sanctuary).  Cost is $20 and includes the workbook.  

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Vicar Mark Chaffee’s office hours are 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  You may also reach him by cell phone: 518/763-1085 or via email:  mark.chaffee@oursaviors.com Pastor Patrick Singh is serving as part time vacancy pastor at Our Savior’s, providing pastoral care and leadership in cooperation with Vicar Mark.  You may contact Pastor Singh by email (patrick204642003@yahoo.com or by cell phone (917/254-2597) if you wish to talk or schedule a time to meet with him. 

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PRAYER NEEDS

-Healing: Tom Aery, Barbara Bruso, Linda Flynn, Phyllis Lubiniecki, Barbara MacGowan, Harper Noble, Jenna Noble, Patty Marshall, Lori Smith, Nora Schoonmaker, George Swint,  Eric Unright,  Joan & Walter Weis, Lori & Peter Whitehouse, Dave Wolcott, Tim Zuelsdorf, Tony Zuelsdorf

Hospice Care:  Linda Flynn

Homebound:  Inge Glidden                                                                                                                                          

Assisted Living: Christine Baird, Hazel Gutkoska, Marga Hildenbrandt, Ruth Looman, Lois O’Brien, Jon Ronson                                                                                                                                                 

-for Tim Isgro - Technical Support for Our Savior’s Christian School   Thanks for Tim’s servant’s heart and willingness to help faculty, staff and students  with computer issues.                                                                                             

-Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fishkill  Prayers for on-going ministry to children and families through their Little Lambs Preschool.    

 

Announcements for this weekly letter may be sent to Tom Roemke  (troemke115@gmail.com      or 518/669-0790)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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