|  Having been to the top of the mountain where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John this past weekend, we soon begin our journey to a very different "mountain top", Golgotha, where we see God's glory revealed in a very different way, on a cross. The season of Lent begins in two days, on Ash Wednesday, where we gather to remember that we are dust and to dust we shall return. But in remembering that, we also hear God's promise of redemption, forgiveness and new life. Ash Wednesday services will be held at 11am and 7pm with the imposition of ashes. Our guest preacher will be Pastor Ron Engle, a good friend and former pastor of Adam and Suzanne Bolinger when they lived in Orlando. No dinner will be served on Ash Wednesday. This upcoming first weekend in Lent, Feb. 16-17, will be our 3rd annual Seminary Weekend as Rev. Dr. Dirk Lange will be our visiting professor from Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN. Dr. Lange is our seminarian, Bonnie Lanyi's, favorite professor and comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the area of worship. He will be our guest preacher at all 3 services, plus will lead the adult Sunday School class. This is something you don't want to miss. Looking ahead to the end of Lent, there will be a few opportunities for giving a special gift in honor or memory of someone. For one, we will be purchasing palm crosses made in Africa which help provide jobs there. The cost for these crosses for our Palm Sunday worship are $125. This year, in addition to a new Paschal Candle, which we get every Easter, we will also be purchasing a new Paschal Candle Stand, which will better fit the area in the narthex near the font. The cost of the candle is $225 (more than in the past, because it is a much bigger candle) and the cost of the stand is $400. It is a beautiful wooden stand which will fit in with the woodwork in the narthex. The existing candle stand will be used exclusively for the Advent wreath in the future. If you are interested in purchasing any of these special gifts, contact the church office. And for your information, the Paschal Candle is often spoken for very quickly! Finally, looking ahead to Saturday Feb. 23 will be Our Savior's Annual Rummage Sale from 8:30-11am in the Fellowship Hall. You can bring in items to the west end of the Fellowship Hall (jewelry, holiday treasures, books, hats, handbags, etc. but no clothing unless vintage or unusual...grandma's mink stole?) beginning 3pm Wednesday and no later that 5pm on Friday. Also on Saturday Feb. 23, Senior Fest is happening at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palm City. This event lasts from 9am til 3:30pm and is filled with wonderful speakers, worship, a nice lunch and great fellowship with other Lutherans from around the area. Due to a grant from Thrivent, the cost is only $25 per person, and well worth it. Please contact us by replying to this email or calling our office at 772-567-2253 if you'd be interested in going. We'd like to have a group go together. For more information about life at Our Savior please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com. Thanks! Now, by the grace of God, go out and be a transformed and transforming presence in the world as this week unfolds. See you in church. Pastor Jack Diehl + |
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