From the Pastor’s desk...
“If any want to become my followers let them deny themselves and take up the cross and follow me.” Luke 9:23
“What wondrous love is this?”
Dear friends in Christ,
We have passed the midpoint of our 40 day Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday and Easter. Welcome spring! Thank God for the weather! The polar vortex, rain and ice, chilling winds or sunshine, this long winter all were a shared experience. We have this in common. We have something to talk about with perfect strangers and close friends over coffee. The weather unites us in this time of our disagreement in America. Yet it says nothing about the love of God or the love of our brothers and sisters. So many things are occupying our time and receiving our attention as we rush about. The galaxies whirl in their orbits, the spring migration of birds and fish, the setting sun and each speaks of an amazing order but the voice of love and mercy is muted.
Nature is often cruel. The beautiful snow falls of winter are melting and causing rivers to flood wreaking havoc on farmers in Nebraska and points south. If there are sins that need to be forgiven, hopes to be revived, inner and outer conflicts to be resolved, another source must be found. Job cries in anguish, “Where shall wisdom be found and where is the place of understanding?”
Take me to the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God reveals his love and mercy supremely in his Son, Jesus Christ. The hidden God entered our world and made himself known. The Son of God died on the cross bearing my sins and death and rose again announcing that God is with us and for us. That we are God’s beloved children. If we dismiss Christ as only another in a long parade of teachers and martyrs, we will be without the one penetrating clue to God as the one who loves. But here faith clings and finds life.
Let the church rise and announce God’s new day in the death and resurrection of Jesus. He is ever opening our eyes and ears and heart and conscience and reason to what we are becoming in Jesus. Like a birthday, a graduation, a marriage, the birth of a child, a new job, a recovery from illness, a word of forgiveness , a time of reconciliation, a sunrise, Jesus is our new beginning. Pick up the cross and follow Jesus. Love God and neighbor to find life. This is not easy for we are sinful. Yet it is worth the risk.
Pepper Rogers said, “I had only one friend, my dog. My wife was angry at me and I told her a person ought to have at least two friends. She agreed - and bought me another dog.”
Pearl S. Buck wrote, “The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. Their heart withers if it does not answer another heart. Their mind shrinks if they hear only the echos of their own thoughts and find no other inspiration.”
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pick up the cross and follow me, Jesus!
To discover love, we must peer beyond all of this to find our God in Jesus who died and rose again for us. Looking to him we know nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ. Share his love. Like the weather it is something we all have in common and will unite us.
In His love, Pastor Dave
A guide to Our Savior’s Holy Week Worship and Easter Sunday Celebration.
+ Maundy Thursday, April 18, Worship at 7, “Thy will be done!” The Last supper.
+ Good Friday, April 19, Noon, stations of the cross. The three Ethiopian processional crosses, large central cross, a robe, crown of thorns and other items guide our reflection and meditation on the cross.
7 p.m. Tenebrae - “It is finished” Seven readings from the gospels share the last words of Christ and sacred hymns guide our meditation and worship.
Bring a coat as we finish outside viewing the 3 crosses.
+ Easter Sunday... early worship at 8 a.m.
Greet the new morn and rejoice that Jesus is risen!
Come early to watch the sunrise at 6:05 a.m.!
Family worship at 10 a.m.
Worship and rejoice... Christ is risen! Alleluia! “ Becoming”.
Continental Breakfast at served from 9 to 9:45. Would you bring a coffee cake, sweet rolls or muffins to share!
Church will provide juice, milk and coffee
Bring your camera or cell phone and
take a picture of the sanctuary flowers!
Easter egg hunt follows 10 a.m. worship.
You may pick up your flowers after 10 a.m. worship.
Stewardship... urgent appeal...
Can Our Savior’s count on your increased financial support?
This winter was brutal and filled with higher than normal expenses for all of us. Terrible snow and ice greeted us every weekend accompanied by cold temperatures and sickness reducing both worship attendance on Saturday night and Sunday at 8 and 9:30 and regular offering support. We must tell you that current offering gifts directed to the General Fund and the Building Mortgage are not keeping pace with every day expenses. Our Savior’s is falling behind. We have reached a critical point and are in need of your gifts. First, we want to thank you for giving your tithes and offerings, prayers and support to Our Savior’s when you are present at worship. Thank you to all who mail their offering gifts when away. Your gifts are important and greatly appreciated for they keep O.S. ministry boat afloat! We ask that every family would take the next step to pray and consider 1)increase your current offering support to Our Savior’s by the 2018 cost of living 2.8%? 2) If you do not already do so would you mail your weekly offering gift or upon your return give your regular offering and make up offerings for the weeks that you were away. “Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 6:24, Thanks!