Ahhh….wasn’t that a nice hint of Fall Sunday morning, as the temperature dipped into the 60s for the first time since, what, last April or May? But now we’re back to the tropical days already. It was a nice reminder however of the change of seasons which will be coming eventually (and which my wife and I were able to experience in Ohio last weekend visiting the grandbabies and seeing the beautiful colors J). This change of seasons is also something we are about to experience in worship these next several weeks.
This coming weekend is Reformation Sunday, as we bring out the red (remember to wear red if you have it, even if it’s an Ohio State Buckeye shirt J) as we celebrate not just something that happened some 500 years ago in Germany, but as we celebrate the ongoing renewing, re-forming work of the Holy Spirit among us today. A part of our celebration will be the confirmation of 5 of our young people at the 11am service. As we see these young people come forward and hear a bit of their stories, we see in a very real way how God continues to touch and shape lives. You won’t want to miss this weekend at worship; a very special day for Lutherans in particular.
And speaking of our young people, congratulations to Michael and Christopher Reed who both became Eagle Scouts yesterday afternoon. What a great celebration that was! Michael’s Eagle Project was the walkway in our Memorial Garden and Christopher’s project was the Altar in our Memorial Garden. These projects have created a beautiful, sacred space here in the middle of the campus at Our Savior for which we are very grateful. Chris also continues to serve as the youth member on our congregational council and as one of the leaders in our Youth Group. These are truly Eagle Scout quality young men. Many thanks and congratulations to them both.
And speaking of Eagle Scouts…another one of our young men, Wesley Dean, is beginning his Eagle Scout project. Our property at Our Savior runs along 6th Ave. Many people who live to the east and south of us walk along there to go to the store and/or go to work in the Miracle Mile Shopping area. As a community service, Wesley will be making two rest areas along that way. Each will be located in the shade of one of the trees and include a bench surrounded by some landscaping. The bench will have an inscription something like, “Come to me you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Jesus” If you would like to provide one of these benches (total cost, $600 per site) we would also have a plaque “Given in Memory of…..by ……..” placed on the bench. We feel this will be a very welcome rest stop for our neighbors, many of whom don’t drive or who are elderly and who walk along 6th Ave. on a regular basis. If you are interested in providing one of these benches, please reply to this email or call the church office 772-567-2253 or call Wes himself at 772-559-9426 or 772-569-5231. Thanks!
Looking a little ahead, the weekend of Nov. 3-4 is All Saints Sunday. During worship we will remember all the members of Our Savior who have died since All Saints Day last year, along with remembering others who have gone before us. There will be a time in worship to come forward and light a candle in memory of loved ones. Another very meaningful service in the changing of the seasons, and a service you won’t want to miss.
Finally, welcome back to many of our seasonal folks! That’s one of the happy parts of this season…kinda family reunion time each time we gather for worship. Good to have you back! Along with folks returning, our Wednesday suppers have resumed. This week, the menu includes “Brats”, as kind of an Oktoberfest food.
For more information on life at Our Savior be sure to visit our new website (wow…I thought our other one was great…this one is even better!) at: www.oursaviorelca.com.
No matter in what season you are in your life, being in worship brings a sense of wholeness and purpose and a peace in knowing that as seasons come and go, Jesus is there with us as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end of all seasons. As we are connected with Him and our Creator, each season can bring its own special beauty and wonder, be it the seasons in nature, the seasons of the church year or the seasons of our lives. See you in church!
Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com
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