From the Pastor's Desk

There's no other time of the year quite like the Spring as to how the church calendar and this season of the year compliment each other. Especially with the recent time change, we really see how the days are getting longer, which is where we get the word "Lent", from an old English word referring to the "lengthening" of the days. And with the lengthening of the days, we see new life springing up all around us.




While we've seen that for a while already here in Vero Beach, with the new tender green leaves on the oaks and the Azalea's in blossom among other things, I saw another sign of Spring last week while we were visiting our son and his family in Columbus Ohio. Even though it still very much looks like winter in many ways (bare trees, mostly brown fields) if you look closely, on just about every tree and bush there are tiny buds just waiting to bust open. And in the middle of our son's front yard, there in the grass, was a little purple crocus that poked it's head up and seemed to be saying, "Spring is just around the corner!"



Ahhh…new life coming, a fresh start for God's creation, new birth. Isn't that what the season of Lent is about also? This is the time of year that began on Ash Wednesday when we reflected on our mortality…that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Then throughout this season, we get to gather to reflect on both those things in us that perhaps need to die or be made new, but also then on the promise that God can and does make things new, as we walk towards Easter…the day when God's New Life sprang out from the empty tomb and the world has never been the same.



Those are the things that both our church calendar and God's creation around reminds us of at this time of the year.



Speaking of this time of the year, we have Lenten services at 11am each Wednesday followed by a light lunch and at 7pm preceded by a Lenten supper at 6pm. The morning service is a service of prayer and hymns and the evening service uses the musical setting "Holden Evening Prayer". At each service there is a message which comes in the fascinating form of "Sand Art". Can't really be described. You just have to see it. Hope you can join us.



And speaking of new life springing up! Today a letter will be going out to all friends and members of Our Savior about our 50th Anniversary Building Program. This is a wonderful plan that has developed over the past several years which will provide, much better "gathering, sending and overflow" space for worship, more meeting space for both during the week and Sunday morning, and some much needed maintenance on our existing sanctuary. You will be able to read about it soon in the special mailing that is going out as I write this email. Special thanks to the crew who came in today to put this all together. Headed up by Marilyn Fisher, the crew consisted of: Helena Pierson, Carol Artigas, Sue Siket, and Barbara Preuss. This project will be above and beyond our regular offerings, but is well within our capability if everyone does his or her part. If you have any questions about our plans or how you'd like to be a part of them, please feel free to give me a call. I look forward to taking this step with you all.



As this Spring season unfolds, keep your eyes and ears open for signs of God's New Life springing up all around us at this time of the year.



For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.



God's work; our hands. Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III