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May 11, 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.

Loving as Christ Loves

One of the privileges of serving Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church is the close relationship we have with leaders in our neighborhood. It is a great joy to witness the passion of neighbors who value each other and do the hard work of organizing for the common good. The Happy Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA) is a vibrant and diverse group blessed with committed leaders. I have enjoyed befriending Wendy Scherrer, who seems to never tire of serving her local community and God’s creation. She has served as President of HVNA and was instrumental in launching the Southside Community Meal hosted monthly at Our Saviour’s. She was recognized this week by the Bellingham Herald for her contributions to our local school system (see attached article in this week’s e-news).

Wendy has helped young people learn about the precious salmon in our watershed and has built lasting relationships with First Nation leaders for whom the salmon is sacred. This week we return to Jesus’ commandment to love. In John 13:34-35, he says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” God works through the compassion and service of people like Wendy. As I have gotten to know Wendy better, I learned that she is the daughter of a pastor. Wendy’s faith is known through her love of community and creation.

I am inspired by the many ways that God works through people in our time and place. People like Wendy and people like you. We each have our gifts to share with others and Christ is made known as we do so.

May God continue to inspire us to love one another and may we be known in the community and world for loving service!

Pastor Joel

Wendy Scherrer, a longtime leader with the Happy Valley Neighborhood Association and a great friend to the congregation.

From the Bellingham Herald...
Meet the longtime Bellingham resident who took local salmon education to another level
Expectation hung in the air on a cool Friday in late March as Wendy Scherrer stood at the edge of Squalicum Creek Park.
Scherrer’s eyes were trained on the road leading to the park, her stern expression transforming into one of elation as a school bus pulled up. Out poured a parade of rambunctious fifth-graders from Alderwood Elementary School, ready to release the 110-day-old Nooksack chum salmon they had raised in classroom tanks... (Read the full story here.)

Online Giving

ICYMI...We are pleased to now offer an online giving option via Tithe.ly. 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

Volunteering Service

There’s a signup sheet in the narthex for anyone who would like to volunteer their service for: reader, worship assistant, communion tray setup (training available), usher, or bringing refreshments. Please consider donating your time. THANK YOU!!

C.A.S.T. Shares Their Request

Last month, Pastor Joel, along with Luther Campus Ministry, volunteered their time making sandwiches. Recently we learned that C.A.S.T. is faced with a crisis that threatens the existence of their program, and we have an opportunity to demonstrate our strong support. Read the full story in their newsletter here.
If you are able to donate to this great group, they have provided a secure option to donate online:
https://secure.myvanco.com/YGKV/campaign/C-YGYP.

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

https://www.lcmwwu.com/

We continue to meet in Bond Hall 112 at 6pm on Wednesdays, alternating between Bible study and contemplative prayer. Talk to Pastor Joel if you'd like more details and to be added to our social media.

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

This Sunday, May 15 at 6 pm
We will discuss what it means to be a Lutheran in the 21st Century and what makes us unique. Pastor Joel will once again make pizza and we will eat together before our PowerPoint and discussion time. 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

Memorial Service

For Sarah Wetzel

(Daughter of Bonnie and Larry Larson)

Sunday, June 4, 2022 at 2 pm

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.
~ Larry & Bonnie Larson as they grieve the passing of their daughter, Sarah Wetzel.
~ Linda Pettigrew for healing from a concussion.
~ 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.
~ 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