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May 4, 2022

By the grace of God, we at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church are filled with the Holy Spirit and respond to God's love by sharing the Good News with our friends and neighbors. We go into our community and world to make a difference in the name of Jesus.

Belonging

Humans long to belong. It seems to be in our DNA that we sense a need to be connected. Even the most fervent isolationists among us have the basic need to relate to other humans or other creatures. Some people long to belong to exclusive clubs or social groups. Others long to belong to organizations that work for the common good. A sense of belonging can take many shapes according to context. Webster defines “belonging” as either “something we possess or a close or intimate relationship”. The word, belong, fits very well in the context of the relationship between Jesus and his followers.

In this week’s story from John’s Gospel (10:22-30), Jesus proclaims that he and Yahweh belong to one another. He says, “The Father and I are one,” and this implies they are in closest relationship. He also refers to his followers as his “sheep” who belong to him and because they belong to him, they also belong to God. I am not always excited to think of myself as a “sheep” but to be reminded that I am close to God brings me great comfort. It is also true that I am the possession of God, I belong to God. This too brings comfort as I trust that I am of great value to God, and God cares for me.

For what do you long to belong? How do we sometimes get in the way of others who long for a sense of belonging? When have you felt a true sense of belonging or when have you sensed you didn’t belong? This is a good week to reflect on what it means to belong and most importantly, what it means to belong to God through our relationship with Christ and each other.

I hope you feel a sense of belonging in our spiritual community, and I hope that we might all be inspired to foster a wide spirit of belonging.

In Christ who shepherds us,

Pastor Joel

The Office is closed this week, due to a family emergency. Thank you for your understanding.

God's Quilter's

The Blessing of the Quilts will take place this Sunday, May 8, during worship, then they will be packed and shipped starting Monday, May 9. Your help with shipping is gratefully welcomed. Also, if you would like to sponsor the shipping of a quilt, the shipping price for each is $2.50. There will be envelops available in the narthex this Sunday.

Online Giving

ICYMI...We are pleased to now offer an online giving option via Tithe.ly. Tithe.ly is a safe platform that helps churches simplify the online donation process. There's even an app that can be downloaded to your phone to make giving even simpler, and you can choose to make a one-time donation, or setup a recurring donation and let the program take care of that for you-no hassle!

One point of note is that we do get charged a per-donation fee to use this service and that will be taken out of the amount you donate. There is an option available for you to cover those fees if you are feeling so inclined. If you do not want to cover the fees, make sure the "Cover Fees" box is unchecked on the donation screen.

Click the Donate Now button below to give the online donation option a try. And if you'd like to download the app, you can click here to get more information for your type of phone. Our website also now has a Give option on the menu at www.oursaviourbham.org/give, and moving forward the Donate Now button will always be included at the bottom of this newsletter. Please let the office know if you have an questions.

Donate Now

Family Promise of Whatcom County
Shares a Family Story

It's great to hear success stories like this of people being served through community efforts. Read Jolynn's story here.

Community Garden - Volunteers Wanted

The Community Gardeners are beginning their preparations and are formally inviting those interested to come and lend a hand with planting, weeding or the weekly harvest (harvest day of the week is still TBD). Please give Laurel V. a call if you'd like more information at 360-223-6363.

Preschool Teacher Position

Christ Lutheran Church Preschool (CLCP) in Ferndale has an opening for the position of Teacher. CLCP is a faith-based school looking for a candidate whose teaching style is filled with patience and care and the ability to guide and mentor students to be kind classmates, good listeners, and curious learners. This is a 9-month position, Sept-May. Complete information can be found at Job Openings - Christ Lutheran Church Ferndale (clcferndale.org). Questions can be emailed to Liza Okan, preschooldirector@clcferndale.org. Application deadline is June 18.

Thank you,
Liza Okan
CLC Preschool Director
360-380-2233

This Saturday!
Go to https://www.camplutherwood.org/events for more information.

https://www.lcmwwu.com/

We continue to meet in Bond Hall 112 at 6pm on Wednesdays, alternating between Bible study and contemplative prayer. Join us for coffee/donuts in Red Square Monday, May 9 at 11 am. Talk to Pastor Joel if you'd like more details about any of our events.

Educational Opportunities

First Sunday of the Month
9:45 to 10:15 am in the Fellowship Hall.
All ages welcome!

Join Pastor Joel and your OSLC community for Bible Study, Thursdays at 1pm on Zoom as we check in and explore the coming week's Gospel lesson. Pastor Joel leads us through an informative PowerPoint presentation and facilitates discussion.

Download this week's text and discussion questions here.

Join the Zoom Meeting Here

3rd Sunday of the Month | 6 pm
Contact Pastor Joel for more details.

Monthly Articles by our Synod Bishop & VP

Checkout the new May edition of The Spirit
or go here for previous editions.

May 2022 Schedule and Celebrations

READINGS FOR MAY

Mask Policy

We no longer require indoor mask use; however we continue to encourage and support it, especially for those who are in a high risk category. We will continue to offer our live YouTube stream for the safest option, and if you have symptoms to please stay home.

Worship Service

Sundays at 10:30 am

We meet in-person and also broadcast live on YouTube.

If joining us by live stream click here to go to our YouTube Channel. Here's the bulletin if you would like to follow along from home.

Bring a friend or neighbor and join us soon!
We look forward to connecting with you.

Please hold in prayer...

Members
~ Betty Strand for healing and peace of mind.
~ Bill Simpson (father of Liza Okan) for comfort and healing while returning home from rehab.
~ Kae Brown for healing for her foot.
~ Larry Jackson (and his wife and caregiver Marlene) for comfort and strength.
~ Margaret Smithson for healing for Emphysema.
~ Summer Trudell for healing.

Friends and Family
~ Charlene (Cochran, sister of Merrilee) for comfort and strength.
~ David (Hoyt, twin brother to Darlene Moore) for comfort and healing while recovering from a fall and Covid.
~ Fran (Briscoe, friend of Sue Cross) for comfort in hospice care.
~ Karen Lyon for comfort and peace in assisted living.
~ Kristi (wife of William Warnekros) for comfort and strength following surgery.
~ Laurel (Leigh, friend and mentor of Sue Cross) for healing and strength during treatment for advanced lung cancer.
~ Lydia (Barren, daughter of the Jacksons) for strength and healing.
~ Margie (sister of Alice Reberger) for strength and comfort.
~ Sarah (daughter of Larry & Bonnie Larson) for comfort and peace in hospice care.
~ Victoria (Antoniewicz, daughter of Rebecca Hobbs) for peace and healing as she transitions out of an unsafe home.

Ministries
~ Camp Lutherwood
~ ECHOES (ELCA mission for the unchurched)
~ Interfaith Coalition
~ Love INC
~ Lutheran Campus Ministry at WWU
~ Lutheran World Relief
~ Our Saviour’s House

Please let Pastor Joel or Rebecca in the office know of changes or additions to this list.

As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, we believe in a God who loves all people unconditionally. You are welcomed and affirmed here regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion or economic status. We are a church that is committed to anti-racism. We stand by our belief that God loves us all, no matter what.

Donate Now

Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
10 am to 3 pm
office@oursavioursbham.org | 360-733-6749