|  Another amazing morning at Our Savior! This past Sunday was both the annual congregational meeting and some very special worship...again. As I reflect on both of those events, there is a common thread that ties them together. We are very blessed, and as a congregation have never been in a better, healthier place in our 50 year history! The annual meeting reflected this in the great support from the congregation in sharing their time, their expertise and their financial gifts all so generously, along with the many good things that are happening in and through the various mission teams and staff that all work so well together. Because of these things it was noted that Our Savior is often recognized and held up as a model congregation both in our synod and in the ELCA! Wow. To hear things like that makes one feel very grateful, but it is also very humbling, realizing how fragile the human condition is, and how it is all simply by the grace of God. Then along with that kind of an annual meeting, worship also was amazing...again. :-) For this Third Sunday after Epiphany, Ryan, our minister of music, had two esteemed guest musicians, Bob Hudgins on bass and Jan Walton on saxophone, help lead worship. These folks have worked with Ryan at his former congregation and in many ELCA events around the country, including the Florida Bahamas Synod Assemblies. What a treat and what a gift to have them with us. I've never had more positive comments, from members and visitors alike, about how inspiring (and fun) worship was. Check out the website in the coming days for some video and audio clips! Having that jazz theme for worship really fit into this season of Epiphany as we have been experiencing different types of music from different parts of the world for our hymns, hymn of praise and other parts of the liturgy. We have done this to underscore the Epiphany message is that Jesus, the Light of the World, came for the WHOLE world, all peoples, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female. That thought is even reflected in the different kinds of bread we are using for communion on different Sundays. There's only 2 more Sundays left in this season of Epiphany...come see what they will bring! Looking ahead, this coming Saturday, there will be an Altar Care Workshop at 1pm in the church. Anyone who is presently serving or is interested in serving in this way are invited to come. This will be a time to go over the latest changes and procedures for setting up the altar, as well as getting to know the other folks on the team. This coming Sunday is "Scout Sunday", as we recognize all the scouts in our congregation. This is also a day when the troop offers, in thanks for the support they receive from Our Savior, a pancake breakfast, served from 8am till 11am in the Fellowship Hall. For the many other things going on at Our Savior please visit our website at : www.oursaviorelca.com. Have a blessed week, and remember, you are a member of the Body of Christ, a living example and agent of God's promises being fulfilled every day. See you in church. Pastor Jack Diehl + | 
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