March 2023 Lightshine
“The seven last words of Christ; “Father, forgive them: for they do not know what they are doing!” Luke 23:34
Dear friends in Christ,
Martin Luther wrote in his explanation to the 2nd article of the Apostles Creed, “At great cost God has saved and redeemed me a lost and condemned person. He has freed me from sin, death and the power of the Devil, not with silver or gold but with his precious blood and innocent sufferings and death.”
That is Jesus, our Lord, dying on a cross. A punishment Rome imposed on slaves and revolutionaries. Because we love him, we have come to keep Jesus company in his sufferings. This is hard to watch or even think about. We hang upon his last words and carry them in remembering hearts. What does this man who is dying for you and me and the sins of the world have to say?
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” His words strike directly into the heart of all the troubles of humankind. His words speak to the reason for his death. They echoed back through the corridors of time returning to a garden in the cool of the day. As God pronounced the consequences of Adam and Eve and Satan’s actions in humankind’s fall there was this bright promise. “And I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. It shall bruise your head. It shall bruise his heel.” This was now the fulfillment of God’s solemn pledge. God was working out the plan conceived in the garden, worked out in a manger, and in Gethsemane’s garden and on a cross. Here is God coming to the hearts and lives of people calling them by name and bringing them the greatest treasure the heart of God can give- the forgiveness of sins and peace with him.
We cannot rush by his cross. Here is the terrible reality of sin, clearly and definitely. There are a great many things which we can do about sin. We can be confess and be sorry for it. Like Peter in the garden we can weep over it. We can regret it and offer some small reparation to those who have been hurt. One thing we cannot do is forgive it. This only God or the offend person or party can do. As we watch from beneath his cross we hear his voice crying out of the long silences of eternity and over the noise of our world and lives. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!”
We bring memories into this church. Some bless while others burn. There are things and words we would like forget. Here is that washing of those memories and the drying of your tears. Here is relief from the guilt and pain in our minds and heart. His words are like a healing balm and restoration of relationship. That is what forgiveness does. The past is buried in the love and mercy of God. Here God says because of Jesus death, I will remember your sins no more. I have removed them as far and the east is from the west. You are washed whiter than snow.
This is the gift of the cross. Our fellowship with God is restored. We can return to the Father’s house not as servants but as the children of God. Broken hearts can be healed. The separation that sin had created is ended for our union with God is restored through faith in Christ. We are free from fear and shame and loved because of Jesus!
He asked that his disciples who received this great gift would extend it others who have sinned against them. Not because they are worthy or have even expressed remorse but because Jesus has given us this gift. There was man who owed his king an amount of money so large he could never repay it. So the King ordered him thrown into jail to serve his sentence until he repaid his debt. The man fell before him asking his forgiveness. And the king granted it. Then going outside, he saw a man who owed him a little. He commanded him pay me what you owe. When the man couldn’t he had him thrown into jail. It is where we live when we cannot forgive others. God has made a choice to live in his love. It is the only way God could have a relationship with sinful and often selfish people.
On the cross, Jesus gave us this gift. May we live In his love. Amen. Looking forward to seeing you at Wednesday and weekend worship! P. Dave
Mahalo! Thank you - Ann, Sheila, Bruce, Bill, Jennifer, Bonnie, Beth & Michael, Erik, Abi, Ray, Our Savior’s. Joan and I had not taken a weekend off from leading Our Savior’s worship and recording the Facebook broadcast in three years. We traveled to Maui, Hawaii to enjoy some time with family and each other in a place Joan loves! We enjoyed walks on the beach and whale watches, green sea turtles, amazing sunsets, rainbows and tide pools. We snorkeled in the ocean, swam in the pool, drove to Haleakala, cooked in and ate out, relaxed, prayed, read old magazines and books and watched the O.S. Facebook broadcast. Glad to be home sleeping in our bed and to see you in person! Gratitude, reverence, respect, Mahalo God and Hawaii!
March Prayers…
May God bless our journey of Lent 2023 from Ash Wednesday crosses to Easter’s empty tomb.
+ We are thankful for the gift of our children... we will celebrate two baptisms of two special children on March 12th: Charlie, son of Alex and Ryan Fox, and
Maizie, daughter of Aimee and Ken Brossman
+ We are thankful for our excellent Sunday School program and are in need of additional teachers. We have enjoyed an increase in the number of children attending Our Savior’s Sunday School.
+ Thankful for the gifts of lay people who led and broadcast Our Savior’s worship while P. Dave and Joan were away.
+ We are thankful for the life of Betty Ione Fosdick, the mother of Cindy Fraser. Betty was a loving spouse to Bill- they celebrated 60 years of marriage, mother and grandmother, a teacher who loved to learn, to work in her garden, an excellent cook and baker, a delightful woman, full of life and made the best of each challenge. She was active in her church. She told Cindy that she wanted to go home to be with Jesus. Services for Betty will be Saturday, March 4 at 11 am at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Savanna. Visitation begins at 9 a.m..
+ We are thankful for the life of Virginia Mazanek, 96, loving mother of Leonard (Susan), grandmother of Scott Mazanek, and Kristen (Dan) Karpierz, Great grandmother of Chloe and Mia. She loved her family, to travel-cruising, was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 65 years. She had a contagious smile and never said a bad work about anyone. She loved our Lord and his church. The family attended Our Savior’s when visiting the lake house at Lake Holiday.
+ Prayers for those who mourn the passing of loved ones... Lori McBride wrote us in Hawaii to tell us that her best friend’s daughter who courageously battle brain cancer for three years and at the age of 16 passed away.
+ Karen Deitzman told us that her brother in law, Jim McCary had passed away.
+Prayers of God’s presence and the joy of heaven for friends who have been placed in hospice care.
+ Prayers of healing for...
+ a friend having knee replacement surgery.
+ a friend whose sciatica nerve has flared up.
+ a friend who is having a second surgery.
+ a friend who has an infection.
+ a grandchild with strep throat.
+ a person with long term Covid.
+ a loved one whose cancer numbers have increased as we seek the right chemo therapy treatment.
+ a little guy born with a hernia and having corrective surgery.
+ That Our Savior’s would begin a children’s choir with the goal to sing on Easter Morning at 9:30 worship. This was the dream and goal of good friend who passed away this year. For more information please call
815-786-6406 or send an email to oursaviorssandwich@gmail.com
A prayer for Lent…
Lord Jesus, you endured the sufferings and pain of the cross to redeem us from our sin and death and the devil, let us find cleansing and healing in these 40 days. Draw us closer to you and the needs of my neighbor as I hear the message of your redeeming love. Be present with those we love and our church family and send the help of your Holy Spirit so we may grow in faith and live for you today, tomorrow and forever. Amen.
Welcome Ann Chen, pianist, organist to Our Savior’s.
We are increasing our roster and need a deep bench. We want to continue to bring the best music program to Our Savior’s while respecting the busy lives of our excellent musicians who help lead worship. Ann began music lessons at the age of 5. She earned her degree in music in the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. She earned her master degree and performer’s certificate from Northern Illinois University. Accompanist, piano instructor, composer, Ann’s goal is to share her love for music and life!
First Communion Study... Again
Do you think your child, grandchild 4th grade and older is ready to receive communion? Pastor Dave will lead a study on the sacrament of Holy Communion on two Saturdays during Lent. Please enroll your child. We’ll set the dates according to everyone’s schedule. The student must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent. Please call 815-786-6406 or send an e-mail oursaviorssandwich@gmail.com for more information
SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS
New Sunday School Unit has begun: “Teach Me to Pray”
Do you know what a pita is? Have you ever eaten one? In Sunday school the pita we are going to discover is not one you eat, but one you pray! We will be learning why we pray, what to pray, when to pray, and how to pray. The pita we will use is a simple acronym – P.I.T.A. to help
us remember the different parts of prayer. P – Praise God, I – I’m sorry God, T – Thank you God, A – Ask God. We will be playing a PITA game, doing a science experiment, baking a prayer pretzel and more! Come and have fun and learn more about prayer!
Thank You….We are so grateful for our Sunday school teachers: Cindy Fraser, Beth Butler, Bill Brubaker, Ali
Swanson, Kristina and Eva Cutsinger and Elly and Mel Goldstein. They bring their faith and love of children to each class they teach. Mel Goldstein will be graduating from Sandwich High School this May along with her brother Jake and sister Cadence. Because of all of the activities surrounding the spring of senior year Mel and Elly will not be teaching the rest of the Sunday school year. Thank you to both of them and congratulations Mel!
On feeling poor...
A friend wrote that he was feeling poor as he and his wife walked down the street after meeting with their accountant. They owed taxes. They owed other bills. The dog needed vet work. His savings had dipped. They were struggling to pay the monthly balance on their credit cards. “Where does all the money go?”
A bedraggled young woman held out an empty fast food coffee cup with a penciled dollar sign with the word “food” inscribed on it. His spouse subtracted a wrinkled dollar bill from her jean pocket and added to the woman’s cup. Shock prevented him from reacting but finally he couldn’t hold it in. “You know what she is going to spend it on?” His wife shrugged, “Everyone has to eat! I like to think my dollar will go toward a meal!“ “He asked “Shouldn’t we be worrying about our own money predicament?” Then the dig, “You’re just doing this to make yourself feel better!”
She stopped in her tracks. “Yeah,” she agreed, “in a way I do. To be able to give something reminds me of how much I have and that makes me feel blessed. So I guess I am making myself feel better.”
I stood there on the street wondering if I looked as stupid as I felt? He had allowed his anxiety and tax time finances get the better of him as seemed to do every April. God would provide for us. He always does. Through his spouse God had even provided something in his own way for the young woman. “I no longer felt so poor.”
“Lord, let me not forget that your blessings are meant to be shared.”
The sermon on the amount... would you pray and consider increasing your tithe or offering to Our Savior’s?
The last three years have been tough as we have endured Covid and then high inflation. There was no safe haven for our investments as stocks tumbled and bonds had an even more bruising 2022. Inflation surged effecting everything from eggs to natural gas. We didn’t want to add another burden to your challenges. We would make the best of this difficult time and get by. But a vaccine and herd immunity have slowed Covid and inflation is coming down. We can tell you that Our Savior’s faced the same challenging circumstances enduring much higher costs especially for utilities, insurance and supplies. Offering support in 2023 in the general fund was down 16% from offerings given in 2022. This is the time to ask ourselves, “when did I last increase my tithe or offering support to Our Saviors?” We cannot survive or provide the best ministry in 2023 with the same tithe/offerings given in 2020. Would you pray and consider increasing your offering support to Our Savior’s general and building funds? Your gifts are needed and make our work possible and allow us to impact your lives and the people of the greater Fox valley for Christ. Here is the challenge for you to pray and consider.
1- If you are new to Our Savior’s or the Bible’s teaching on being a steward of God’s gifts would you set a goal and commit to giving a generous regular weekly or
monthly offering of any amount to both the general and building funds?
2- If you are already giving a regular offering or an annual qualified charitable contribution to the general and building funds, would you ask God to help you be generous and pray and consider increasing your regular offering gift by 10% - which is less than the cost of inflation over the last 3 years or increase your gift by whatever amount you want to and can give regularly. God told the people of Israel, “I humbled you in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3) We can trust God to provide. His blessings are meant to be shared.
Thank you for your support of this ministry.
You may bring your offering gift...
1- to worship or the church office.
2- Mail your offering gift to Our Savior’s, 2465 West Sandwich Road, Sandwich, Il. 60548 or
3- Give electronically by going to the Our Savior’s Web page www.our-savior’s.com and following the prompts. May God bless each of you and this ministry of sharing God’s love together in Christ.
Daylight Savings Time Begins March 12th!!
Don’t forget to set your clocks AHEAD one hour Saturday night – March 11th!
The order form for Easter flowers is on the back page of this newsletter. The form will also be an insert in the bulletin for the next few weeks as well!! The cost of many flowers, as well as the delivery charge, has increased. As a result, we’ve had to increase the price of the flowers on the form. Apologies ….PLEASE be prompt in getting your order to me no later than March 19th – I’d like to get the order in ASAP. Praying they don’t sell out of some as they did last year. Thank you for helping to make the church beautiful for our Easter celebration!!
Lent 2023 – “The seven last words of Christ from the cross”
We will share meditations on the seven last words spoken by Jesus from the cross bringing us to the place of wonder, of repentance and sheer gratitude. Quietly and relentlessly Jesus greatness and the core of what Christians believe is shared empowering us for life here and preparing us for eternity. You will want to be present each Wednesday at noon for prayer or evening worship at 7:05 or tune in the “live” Facebook broadcast as we share these exalted truths of Jesus.
Lenten Wednesday Service of Word and Prayer – 12 Noon & 7:05 PM
- Live Broadcast posted to Our Savior’s Facebook page
- March 1 – “Father, forgive them”
- March 8 – “Today you will be with me in paradise”
- March 15 – “Woman, behold your son”
- March 22 – “My God, why have you forsaken me”
- March 29 – “I thirst!”
BIBLE STUDY on the 7 Last Words – Wednesday’s at 6:15 PM ….
You are invited to join Pastor Dave and the Confirmation students as we dig deeper into that
night’s worship theme in a Bible study beginning at 6:15 PM.
WEEKENDS – “The Gospel of John”
- Saturday at 5:30,
- Sunday at 9:30 - or – the Live “Good News Broadcast” on the Our Savior’s Facebook page
Jesus’ “I am” statements come alive in John’s gospel as we meet the Pharisee, Nicodemus, the Samaritan Woman at the well, the blind man and the risen Lazarus.
- February 25, 26 - “The temptation of Christ”
- March 4,5 - “Nicodemus, Lifting up our eyes!”
- March 11,12 - “The woman at the well, I am living water.”
- March 18,19 - “The blind man, I am the light of the world, Amazing Grace”
- March 25, 26 - “Raising Lazarus, “I am” life”
- April 1, 2 - “Palm Sunday”, Reading of the Passion (Matthew)
- April 6, Maundy Thursday, 12 noon and 7:05,
- April 7, Good Friday 12 noon and 7:05
- April 9, Easter Worship at 9:30
“Mourning into Dancing!”
Lenten Projects to Help With at Our Savior’s ….
1- updating and replacing children’s toys in the cry room.
2- sweep and clean the basement, recyle the furnaces and
old water heater.
3- repair and paint the dry wall in the sanctuary over the altar.
Replace burned out flood lights.
4- Be good to the earth, clean up your neighborhood, throw away
the trash, recycle any aluminum through Our Savior’s.
Pray as you walk.