From the Pastor's Desk

Monday, May 5, 2014

Do You See Him?

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May 5, 2014

Did you see him? He was there, right in front of them, but they didn't see him until he blessed and broke the bread. Then their eyes were opened, and they saw him. We heard that story again this past weekend, of the Emmaus road disciples.

How many times has Jesus been right there, in front of us, and we didn't see him? This past weekend as we gathered around His table, he was there...again. I saw him.... in the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the happy and the hurting ones, all at the same table...being fed, being forgiven, being connected. The Easter story continues. The Risen Christ is present here and throughout the world, where the bread is broken, the wine is poured, and God's people are gathered. He is also present in the hurting ones, the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick. "Whenever you did it to one of the least of these (fed, gave a drink, visited, etc.) you did it to me." Did you see him? The Easter story continues to unfold (click to listen). Christ is Risen, and he's here...right in front of us, in many ways.

Do you see him?

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One of the happiest things we do at Our Savior is to welcome and get to know new people who have come to our community and become connected with our congregation. This coming Wednesday we have the first of 3 "get acquainted" gatherings for anyone wanting to know more about Our Savior and who might like to become a member of Our Savior. We meet at 7pm in the Quiet Room off of the narthex in church. The 2nd of the 3 gatherings will be Sunday, May 11 at 9:45, between the services, and the 3rd gathering will be Wednesday May 14 at 7pm, again in the Quiet Room. Anyone interested in getting to know us and each other better, are welcome to join us for these get togethers.

Looking ahead, our Summer Worship Schedule begins Memorial Day Weekend, with worship at 6pm on Saturdays (that stays the same all year) but only one service on Sunday at 9:30am! So, please mark your calendars. This is always a special time of the year when we get to know others in the congregation whom we might not see by having 3 services and get to worship together at a time that's not too early or not too late! (But come early if you want "your seat"). :-)

And finally, on Memorial Day Sunday (May 25) we will have our Spring Congregational meeting following the 9:30 service, where we elect some new council members and get a little "State of the Congregation" update. Won't be a long meeting. All is well. Hope you can join us.

For more about life at Our Savior, please visit our website: www.oursaviorelca.com. See you in church! Pastor Jack +

When in the early centuries of the church Christians first began to draw pictures of Jesus, they depicted him as the good shepherd.

This coming Sunday we hear part of John 10, a chapter that elaborates on the image of Jesus as the shepherd. Come to worship, and join the rest of the sheep to honor our shepherd.

Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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Our Savior Lutheran Church | 1850 Sixth Ave. | Vero Beach | FL | 32960

Monday, April 28, 2014

Christ is Risen! Happy 9th Day of Easter!

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April 28, 2014

Christ is Risen!

Happy 9th Day of Easter!

Yes, just like there are 12 days of Christmas and 40 days of Lent, there are 50 days of Easter! Seems fitting that this season would have the most days, since celebrating the Resurrection just can't be done on one Sunday. In fact, we worship on Sunday all year long because of the Resurrection which happened on a Sunday. But during these 50 days of Easter, we especially get to reflect on Resurrection stories in particular, the days when the Risen Jesus appeared to his disciples and others before his Ascension.

But this isn't just a time of remembering those days way back then. This is a season of seeing how that same Risen One continues to make himself known to us yet today. Sometimes it's in ordinary everyday things like bread and wine. Sometimes in surprising, extraordinary ways, through encounters with people you might not expect who give us a glimpse of God's grace. Are you watching? Are you listening? One of the ways to help be in tune and receptive to those times and places is by being together in worship, hearing the Word, and gathering at His table. In that setting our eyes, ears and hearts can be opened to see Him and live as Easter people the other 6 days of the week.

See you in church.

Pastor Jack Diehl +

www.oursaviorelca.com

On this coming Sunday, we hear about three thousand people who were baptized and about two disciples who were surprised to discover that they were eating a meal with the Risen Christ. Come to worship: celebrate your baptism, and join us at a meal with Christ.

Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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Our Savior Lutheran Church | 1850 Sixth Ave. | Vero Beach | FL | 32960

Monday, April 21, 2014

Fear and Joy!

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April 21, 2014

"With fear and great joy": that's how the first witnesses of the Resurrection, (the 2 Marys) headed out to tell the disciples "Christ is Risen!" With fear and great joy...at the same time. How many times haven't you experienced those feelings...at the same time!? They are usually connected with a major milestone along life's journey: a move, job, marriage, graduation, etc.

We often head into new situations"with fear and great joy". But the "great joy" part isn't just whistling in the dark or comes from having positive thoughts. The "great joy" ultimately comes only from knowing Jesus the Risen One who has had the last word over those things which threaten us: His Life is stronger than Death, His Love is stronger than Hate, His Light is stronger than the Darkness. Because of that, because of Christ, we can head into the future, yes with fear (which is a natural part of the human condition) but at the same time with great joy, because Christ is Risen!

So, come, continue to celebrate with us that Good News during these 50 days of Easter which began this past Sunday. And in case you weren't able to join us for Holy Week or Easter, you can click here to hear the sermons from Maundy Thursday and Easter morning.

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As these 50 days of Easter unfold, here are some things that are going on that you might want to be aware of:

No Music Rehearsals this week, all rehearsals resume next week. Thank you for your leadership this Holy Week and Easter!

God Pause begins again this Wednesday at noon in the Garden Room--a time of prayerful reflection and study on God's word, bring a Bible.

Sunday School resumes on Sunday morning 9:45am for all ages.

The Adult Sunday School class will welcome our friends from Haiti and have a chance to learn more about what progress IS being made in Haiti.

First Communion classes start this Sunday meeting in Room 4. These classes are for children whose parents determine are ready to begin receiving communion. One parent is asked to attend the classes with the child(ren). Classes are 9:45am this Sunday and next Sunday, meeting in Room 4.

Interested in becoming a member of Our Savior? There will be a series of 3 get acquainted gatherings on May 7, 11 and 14 (Wed./Sun./Wed.).

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +

This coming Sunday is often called "low Sunday" because in many churches attendance is so low. Yet also this Sunday we gather to celebrate the resurrection. Come and rejoice with the disciple Thomas, for now in one another we encounter the Risen Christ.

Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith