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.
Yes!
“Yes!” is the answer that Jesus’ friend Martha gives when Jesus asks her if she trusts that he is indeed the Messiah, the offspring of God. Her statement of faith is central to the miracle story of her brother Lazarus’ resurrection. Trust in the work of God, through Jesus, is the central persuasive aim of John’s Gospel. Perhaps what is most interesting about Martha’s confession of faith is the context in which it is made. Her beloved brother has recently died, and she is in an acute state of grief. She knows that if only Jesus had been with her when Lazarus was sick, Jesus could have prevented his death. She says to Jesus in John 11:20, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Martha’s faith is relatable. Many of us have lost dear loved ones or have been in situations where we wonder why Jesus was not with us to heal the situation. We cry out, “If you had only been with us God, this whole thing wouldn’t have happened!” Faith in Christ is a trust that, despite the seeming absence of God in a situation, God is there. In baptism, we ask God to give us the light we need to see God’s presence in the places where we can’t see it on our own. To believe or trust in Christ as the Messiah is to place the future in God’s hands, despite the challenges of the present. In faith, we are called to see the faint outline of a resurrection even when surrounded by death. To trust that in some mysterious way, God is with us always in the present even when it is impossible to see.
May your daily confession of faith in Christ help ease your sufferings and help when God seems far away. Even when we feel like saying “no,” may we all follow the example of Martha and say “yes” to the life of faith.
See you in worship,
Pastor Joel
A Note From the Office...
The office will be closed tomorrow and next Thursday.
Also, we’re seeking candidates for a new office manager, as I will be moving on to a great new opportunity as a paralegal at a local Fairhaven law firm. If you know someone who might be a good fit for my position, please have them contact me by email at office@oursavioursbham.org with questions or for a detailed job description.
Sincerely, Rebecca
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.
Bring a friend or neighbor and join us soon!
We look forward to connecting with you.
Peace be with you!
Lost and Found
A black lanyard with 3 keys was found near the front (side) door to the church last week. Please contact the office if you think it might be yours.
Wednesdays in Lent
Join us this evening as we gather for soup and prayer in the Fellowship Hall. Come at 5:30 for a simple soup supper and stay for a time of Prayer around the Cross which will begin at 6:00 pm. Prayer Around the Cross is a contemplative worship experience that involves simple music and the use of candle light. These services help to prepare us for the events of Holy Week and the eventual Easter celebration. Next Wednesday, March 29, will be our final Soup and Prayer gathering.
Current Service Opportunities
Reader
Worship Assistant
Communion Assistant
Usher
Coffee hour refreshments
Community meal service
Sign-up sheets are in the narthex, or please call or email the office.
THANKYOU!!
Bible Study
Wednesdays at 1 pm
Join the OSLC community in the Fireside Room 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 discussion questions.
Calling all middle school and high school students!You're invited to attend our Confirmation Pizza Nights. We meet the second Sunday of the month from 5-6 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We have pizza, engage in lively discussion, play games and have fun! For more information, talk to Pastor Joel.
Fun and Educational Opportunity for All! Join us the first Sunday of each month before church from 9:45-10:15 in the Fellowship Hall when we gather for our all-ages Sunday School. 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.
God’s Global Barnyard
Porkchop is back! The little pigs are out in the narthex to “eat” your donations throughout Lent and until Easter. Once we have our total, we will invest in various animals. An animal can make a world of difference for a family in need. Animals provide food to eat, fertilizer to grow crops and offspring to sell at the market. With one gift, you can help a family escape the cycle of hunger and poverty for good.
April is National Poetry Month and OSLC will once again be participating by posting a new poem each week out at the little free library. Grab a walking map from the narthex, and take a stroll around Happy Valley throughout April to check out all of the poems. Submit a Poem!
Your new, original, or classic poem submissions are welcome. Submit a poem here.
Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30 pm
Stacy Phelps, community liaison for Peace Health's Palliative Care department, will present an informational Zoom session about palliative (comfort) and hospice care, important topics for us all, no matter what age. More information, including the Zoom link, will be shared at a later time.
OUR MINISTRIES
Lutheran Campus Ministry
No events this week during Spring break. Find us on Instagram for details of our future events.
PRAYER LIST
Please hold in prayer these members, friends and family...
~ Betty (Mills, mother-in-law of Alexandra) for healing from a broken elbow. ~ 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.
~ Denis Bailey for strength and healing.
~ Harry (Mills, father-in-law of Alexandra Sands-Mills) for healing following surgery.
~ Karen Lyon for comfort and peace in assisted living.
~ Jon Soine for healing from back pain.
~ 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.
~ Matt (friend of Alexandra Sands-Mills) for healing following surgery.
~ 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.
Join us for Worship Service
Wednesdays in Lent
Calling all 
Monthly Articles by our Synod Bishop & VP
