From the Pastor's Desk

Our journey through this wonderful season of Epiphany continues, as we bask in the light of Christ and then carry that light out into the world. Here are a few things especially on our minds here at Our Savior as this week unfolds.



This coming Wednesday (Feb. 9), after supper (chicken marsala this week), there will be a gathering for anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or simply in knowing more about our congregation. We will meet at 6:30pm in rooms 4 and 5 this Wednesday and the following, plus we will meet in the sanctuary next Sunday, Feb. 13 at 9:45am, during the Sunday School hour. These are always great opportunities to get to know both God and one another in some new ways.


We are now in the second week after our annual congregational meeting where the congregation voted to move ahead with a building proposal offered by one of our resident architects, Lynn Silkworth. This building plan involves a new narthex, expanded gathering/sending space, a "cry room/bride's room/extra meeting room, and a new covered walkway, along with some important maintenance work on our sanctuary which is now about 28 years old. Already some special gifts are coming in toward this project. Watch for lots more info to come. What a great 50th Anniversary project for our congregation this year!


Along with that project, Our Savior has also recently become one of only a few "teaching congregations" in the Florida/Bahama's Synod. As a "teaching congregation" we are an important part of our seminarian's (Bonnie Lanyi) "Distributed Learning" element as a student at Luther Seminary. What this means is that not only does Bonnie have an opportunity here to learn and develop skills as a pastor, but we benefit from the wonderful ministry she offers at the same time. It's a privilege and an honor to be working with Bonnie in this way.


Looking ahead, this coming Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10am there will be a "Celebration of Life" service remembering Bob Russell who died last week. Bob and Barbara have been an important part of Our Savior's life and ministry for many years. Please join us as we share both the loss and good memories with Barbara and her family, and as we commend Bob into God's gracious eternal keeping.


The following Saturday, Feb. 19, we will offer a "Spiritual Gift's Workshop" from about 9am til 2pm, as we explore what gifts God has given us and how we are called to use those gifts. Please call the office to reserve a place.


For more activities around Our Savior, please see our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.


One final word: During Confirmation class yesterday between the services, we talked about being salt and light (from the Gosple reading from yesterday). The "being light" part was pretty understandable, but the question was, "What does it mean to be salt?" One of the things we talked about was how before refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, to keep it from going bad. As "salt", by the power of the Holy Spirit, God sends us into the world to keep it from going bad! That's one simple way of looking at that image, but not a bad one! So, go out and be salt and light in a world that is in great need of both!


See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl