Copy
View this email in your browser

January 18, 2023

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.

Kairos Time for Healing


The ancient Greeks had multiple words for time. “Chronos” is the word for chronological time, the kind of time we think of the most—the time on the clock moving ever-forward. “Kairos” is the Greek word for a different kind of time. Kairos is the time of the moment—the “opportune time.” It is the present that is full of possibilities. The present that is ripe for change and filled with hope. We are in a moment of Kairos as a country as we seek to heal from the sin of racism.

I recently watched a wonderful TV show on racial healing, and it featured some incredible panelists. One person interviewed was Minnijean Brown-Trickey, one of the “Little Rock Nine.” As a teenager, she and her group of activists courageously integrated her local high school. After a long life of activism for both civil rights and the environment, she has much wisdom to share. I was surprised when the first quote she shared was from Dietrich Bonhoeffer (martyred Lutheran pastor and scholar). She shared that he once said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” This was a moment to speak up about what is going on and the need to face the truth of our racist past and present.

Other panelists included a Jewish leader of the Anti-Defamation League and an Asian American author and activist. Each panelist highlighted that this is a time where hate crimes are more prevalent and that antisemitism is on the rise. They showed a clip of a white supremacist group marching through Boston in masks flying flags of hate. It was shared that Asian Americans report being especially concerned as they are targets of random violence and hate speech. A local indigenous leader spoke about the myriad ways their people had experienced injustice.

Make no mistake, as Christians, we are called in this moment to speak up. To not speak is to speak. What do we say? As an identified white person, I realize that I must speak, but I first must listen. I must face the truth of the situation and not minimize it because of my privilege. I must see that white supremacy is not good for anyone and is not in line with following Christ. As we recently celebrated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we must take heed of his words about how racism affects us all. He said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Now is the Kairos time for racial reconciliation. I encourage our spiritual community to see Christ leading the way toward a better future for all people!

See you in worship!

Pastor Joel

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
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.

Join us for 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 ChannelHere'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.

Peace be with you!
 
Become a Member

Would you be interesting in joining the church formally as a member? We will welcome new members on January 29th and would love to welcome you. Membership helps folks feel more connected to the church and provides voting privileges at our annual meetings. Just let us know in the friendship pads or let Pastor know after church if you want to be added. Have you not yet been baptized? Let Pastor Joel know if you are interested in exploring the gift of baptism.
Readers Needed

We could use more readers in our Sunday morning worship rotation so we encourage you to jump back in if you haven't read for a while.
If you've never read before, consider giving it a try! The readings are provided in advance each week, and a larger print copy is provided the day of worship. There's a signup sheet in the narthex or just let Pastor or the office know if you'd like to sign up!
Volunteer for Worship Service or the Community Meal

We can always use your assistance with tasks on Sundays. And now that the community meal has started, we'd love for you to lend a hand serving there too! Please call or email the office if you would like to volunteer, or use the sign-up sheets in the narthex. THANK YOU!!

Annual Congregational Meeting


Our annual meeting will be held February 5, 2023 immediately following worship. This is a chance to connect with your fellow congregants, be inspired, and make your vote count. Stay tuned for a special announcement email which will contain the annual report. 

Bible Study, Wednesdays at 1 pm


Join the OSLC community in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday afternoons at 1 pm.  We'll check in and explore the coming week's Gospel lesson. Pastor Joel leads us through an informative PowerPoint presentation and facilitates discussion. Here is next week's text and study questions. 

Confirmation Class
All middle school and high school students are invited to attend our Confirmation Pizza Nights. We meet the second Sunday of the month from 5-6 pm in the Fellowship Hall to have pizza, engage in lively discussion, and have fun! For more information, talk to Pastor Joel.
Intergenerational 
Sunday School

Join us the first Sunday of the month at 9:45 AM when we gather for Sunday School in the Fellowship Hall. We have activities such as singing songs, making crafts and creatively connecting the Gospel for the week with our daily lives. It will be fun and educational for our youngest, oldest and all people in between.
Classical Music Performance

Come and listen to some Bach and Handel! Alice Reberger and her friends, will play select pieces for all who are excited to listen. Invite your friends and enjoy the blessed sound of piano, cello and violin, Sunday, January 22, at 2 PM in the OSLC Sanctuary.
OUR MINISTRIES
Lutheran Campus Ministry

We currently meet on campus each Wednesday at 6 PM in Bond Hall 111 for pizza and bible study.

PRAYER LIST
Please hold in prayer these members, friends and family...

~ Charlene (Cochran, sister of Merrilee Swinehart) for comfort and peace in assisted living. And for Charlene’s daughter and caregiver, Heather, for peace and strength.
~ Darlene Moore, for healing from back pain.
~ David (Hoyt, twin brother to Darlene Moore) for comfort and healing while recovering from a fall.
~ Denis Bailey for strength and healing.

~ Karen Lyon for comfort and peace in assisted living.
~ The family and friends of Larry Larson as they grieve his passing.
~ Laurel (Leigh, friend and mentor of Sue Cross) for healing and strength.
~ Margie (sister of Alice Reberger) for strength and comfort.
~ Margaret Smithson for healing from emphysema.
~ Sue Cross for wisdom.
~ Summer Trudell for healing.

  As well as our ministries...
 Please let Pastor Joel or Rebecca in the office know of changes or additions to this list.
SYNOD/ELCA NEWS
Monthly Articles by our Synod Bishop & VP
Checkout the new January 2023 edition of The Spirit
or go here for previous editions.
Donate Now
Facebook
Website
YouTube
Church Office Hours
Monday - Wednesday 10 am to 3 pm
Thursday 9 am to 12 pm
office@oursavioursbham.org   |   360-733-6749
Copyright © 2023 Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp