A new season

 

This Memorial Day weekend brought in a new season at Our Savior in more ways than one.   For one, we are now in the summer season for our worship schedule,  with worship on Saturdays at 6pm and Sundays at 9:30am only.  This schedule runs through the Labor Day weekend.  (Like so many other churches, including the Lutheran Church in Lake Wobegon...if you heard the Prairie Home Companion this past weekend.)     

 

But in a bigger way, it's also a new season for our congregation and the music ministry at Our Savior, as it was Ryan Hostler's first Sunday with us and his installation as minister of music.  And what a fitting day for that, as we celebrated Pentecost...the coming of the promised Holy Spirit!  Many thanks to the women's choir, the readers of the Pentecost story in several different languages, the children who processed in with the streamers, all who wore red and all who made it a wonderful celebration of Pentecost.  I received the following text from one of our members after worship yesterday: "Pastor, the Spirit of the Lord was manifest in the House of God today!  Through Ryan and his music especially!"  And in another email I received a similar response about worship, re: the children and the red and the music and the singing, and how the Spirit was present in a very real way.  What a wonderful way to start this new season!  Lots for which to be grateful.  

 

As this new season now begins to unfold, don't forget the Lasagna dinner Wednesday night with our special guest, Pastor Kevin Jacobson and Vicar Aretha, from Suriname.  The evening begins at 5pm in the church followed by dinner in the fellowship hall.  We have a good number of people signed up, but there is still some room if you'd like to come.  Just reply to this email and we'll save a seat for you!

 

The Friday "Parents' Night Out" concluded last Friday.  Thanks to all who took advantage of that service by the upcoming Mission Trip Team of Youth Group members.   They are now finalizing their plans for this summer’s Mission Trip.  

 

This is hoping that all had a good Memorial Day weekend.   On Monday, Memorial Day afternoon at 3pm (as I understand people were doing all around the country) we paused at our family picnic to remember those who gave of themselves in service to our country.   We thought of the drummer in our High School band who went off to Viet Nam and didn't return.  And of all of those others who died in service to our country, or who did return, but not the same as they left.  Many sacrifices were made.  Terrible things happen in a broken world.  How long will it take us to figure out how to resolve conflicts and problems apart from war?  Lord, have mercy.

 

As this week unfolds, may we be open to the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all Truth and who is our source of that Peace which passes all human understanding.  

 

See you in church.     Pastor Jack +          www.oursaviorelca.com