Celebrating relationships... Baptism, Weddings, 45th Anniversaries of Marriage and Ordination...
From the Pastor’s Desk.
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1 & 2
Dear friends in Christ,
The phone rang late on a Tuesday evening. The familiar voice of the son of a good friend and mentor called to say his father had passed away suddenly from a heart attack. The ensuing conversation began with expressions of great sadness that yielded to a flood of warm reflections recalling how his father and mother and family had blessed and enriched our lives. We first met in my last year in seminary when I was the youth director for Newport Lutheran Church and grew. Add this tough news to a week when I was asked to preside at the “celebration of life ceremony” of 3 good people. Some of you have recently shared this experience of a loved one, significant friend or your pet passing. It is a time of intense loss and strong emotions as we take the journey through grief seeking comfort and healing in sorrow. But we do not do so alone. The author to the Hebrews tells us that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. And Jesus will lead the way.
Author Andrew Arnold tries to help in the children’s book, “What’s the Matter, Marlo?”
Our narrator is a girl named Coco who is perplexed to find Marlo, her best friend slumped in gloom. She tries telling a joke, but instead of laughing Marlo gets angry. Black scribbles appear above his head, expand and grow larger eventually blocking out everything. Darkness engulfs the page. But Coco knows that Marlo must be in there some where. She continues to walk beside him. She finds him when she realizes that he is not just angry but also sad. “I’m sorry, Marlo.” she says, putting her arms around him as both gaze upon a dog’s empty collar atop a nearby patch of dirt. It gives eloquent explanation for Marlo’s behavior and reveals the source of his pain.
Every one has lost something this past year. The world, the rituals we used to have, the events postponed or altered, a loved one dies. All of us have go to emotions. The person who is angry and the person who is crying have the same pain. We need to witness one another’s grief. Seek to listen to understand. You don’t have to respond. Your presence says, “I don’t know what it is like for you, but I am here for you.” And that is enough.
We are not alone. Jesus is present. He told us, “I am the resurrection and the life. All who believe in me, though they die will have eternal life.” The words were not spoken to remain in dusty Bethany, but are as fresh and alive as the Savior risen from the dead that Easter morning. The heavenly host are now with Christ in heaven. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. They cheer us on. You can picture them in the bleachers. We hear their words of encouragement. Their example, witness, words of faith and wisdom resonate in our minds. We hear them saying, “Though you don’t see us. We are still here for you! Don’t give up. You can do this! Look to Jesus!
At great cost, Jesus carried our sins. He is our brother in suffering who takes our pain and death upon himself. Then dies on the cross and rises to eternal life. We will persevere in the midst of our sorrow and feelings of loss by looking to Jesus with a trusting faith. Though we may not see a way through our present pain and circumstances. He does and will lead us. His Spirit lives in us and will guide us. We can place all things, our conflicting emotions and pain and questions with him. Persevere, there is no time for rehearsal. There is a sense of urgency. The great play of our life is still on. Every day is another little block of time in which to live - to love, to serve, to weep, to laugh, to forgive, to move on, to reconnect, to be Christ with another person. There is part of our hearts that will forever be impacted by these friends and our shared lives. But it does not mean we cannot build a new life. Surrounded by their witness, let us look to Jesus with a persevering faith sharing his love.
In His love, P. Dave
Prayers for September 2021
prayers of thanks..
+ for the leadership of Jennifer Johnson and her team of helpers, Sheila Thompson, Brenda Adrian and mom, Patti Webber, the work of Our Savior’s family and friends to make the 2021 bbq a huge success. Thanks be to God for providing a beautiful day, the next Saturdays were in the 90's, We prepared, served and sold out of 1,100 delicious meals! Really! That’s Amazing! Thanks be to God!
+ wish Judy Heller a happy September birthday!
+ for the work and gift of music shared by organist/pianist and friend of Our Savior’s, Rachael Jones. Rachael and her family relocated to Louisiana.
+ welcome Abi Mogge as pianist/organist at Our Savior’s. Please pray that God would send a second organist/pianist to join the Our Savior’s team.
+ Celebrate the wedding of Jill Stevenson and Bob Krause on Saturday, September 4th, 2021 with Dr. Craig and Linda and family.
+ the beginning of Sunday School and Confirmation classes. The Covid virus is still a challenge. We pray for a vaccine to help the children. We want to go ahead with on site teaching. Pray that God will provide teachers who love God and children and want to share the Christian faith.
+ Friends who are attending on site worship. It is so good to see you again. Thanks for all who watch the Good News broadcast each week.
Prayers for help, healing and generosity...
+ strength for two friends who are facing surgery.
+ Healing from this virus and two friends who are recovering after a tough battle with Covid.
+ a friend recovering from knee replacement surgery.
+ a friend who is having knee replacement surgery.
+ a friend who had a bleeding ulcer.
+ a friend who was stung badly by hornets.
+ Two friends awaiting a heart procedure.
+ Grace Dahlberg and Gene Westerberg, may God continue to be with them and heal Gene’s knee.
+ Greg Roate, may God continue to be with Greg and Becky.
+ A father who is battling liver cancer and received good news.
+ May God heal a spouse battling pneumonia.
+ for a brother who is depressed.
+ May God be with all recovering from the destruction of Hurricane Ida.
+ for a safe harvest for our farmers.
Prayers of healing and comfort for those who mourn..
+ thanks for the life of David Meredith, loving spouse, father and grandfather, enjoyed his farm, growing sweet corn, hunting and fishing with family.
+ thanks for the life of Annette Jordan, loving spouse of Dale, daughter Jennifer who spoke with Mom every day, loving sister and caring friend who desired to help everyone. Battled diabetes with great courage. A joy to be with and to love, member of Our Savior’s. She greeted me with a smile her way to work at Larson’s auto repair.
+ thanks for the life of John William Kell, 95 years old, beloved father of Jerry (Debra) grandson Ryan Kell, worked with Sandwich Boy Scouts and Little League, member of United Church of Sandwich.
Prayers for God’s presence, blessing and thanks
+ Good friends who are relocating due to health issues and to move closer to family.
September worship at Savior’s.. three opportunities
“Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.” begins with honoring and thanking God with our worship. Invite family and friends to join us.
There are three opportunities to worship each weekend...
1- Saturday Worship at 5:30, greet old and make new friends as we worship God with a joyful heart.
2- Sunday morning Worship at 9:30. We worship God and become part of the action as we record the “Live” broadcast of “Some Good News from Our Savior’s in Sandwich, Il.” Sunday School will meet during the 9:30 worship beginning September 19th!.
3- Worship at home Sunday mornings at 9:30 sharing the experience of the “Live” broadcast of “Some Good News from Our Savior’s” recorded on the Our Savior’s Facebook page and available thereafter.
You can find the broadcast by..
1- Go to www.our-saviors.com.
2- locate the light blue “Facebook” just below the Easter sunrise picture of the three crosses.
3- Click on the “Facebook” and it will take you to Our Savior’s Facebook page. It is the Facebook page of Jennifer Johnson who maintains our page. Click on the 3 squiggly lines and go to Our Savior’s.
4- You can also do a Google search for Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sandwich, Illinois. If you scroll down the listing you will see two Facebook listings for the church. Click on the second one. It will take you where you need to go.
5- At the bottom of the page are three squiggly lines. Click on it. Then click on Our Savior’s and you are there! If you are not a member of Facebook, it will ask you to create an account. You can do so but may also bypass this step. You can still participate in worship and browse the page, Just click “not now.”
Here you will find interesting photos, all videos of our worship and comments and join our live broadcast or view it any time. God is with us! We want to help connect you to God and with your church family!
Giving to God our offering thanks and to support the work of Our Savior’s ministry.
God has provided for our needs and we want to give thanks in a generous tithe and offering. God has blessed us with the good news of Jesus Christ. We want to help share that good news in our offering .
Thanks for giving an offering of thanks to God!
1-You may bring your tithe or offering to worship or the church office and stop in to say hello.
2- Mail your offering to Our Savior’s 2465 West Sandwich Road, Sandwich, Il. 60548.
3- Give your offering electronically by going to the Our Savior’s web page at www.our-saviors.com. Click on the donate button. Our Savior’s ability to do ministry is dependant on the Holy Spirit and the generosity of our many members and friends who give their regular tithes and offerings. Would you pray and consider giving a gift to the General Fund and place an additional gift in the bucket named the building mortgage fund. Our monthly payment is $8,033. Our August principal balance is $608,893. Thank you for supporting this ministry. The proceeds raised at the chicken bbq are needed along with our offering to make the monthly church mortgage payment of $8033.
Thank you Rachael Jones..
Rachael was a vital member of the Our Savior’s “Good News” worship team raising our spirits and sharing the faith in her gift of music and compassion for all. Like all of Our Savior’s talented musicians, Rachael was a joy to work beside. Her husband Brandon began a new dream job in Louisiana. May God bless this new chapter in their life. We took a special offering to say thanks to Rachael. If you would like to contribute, please give your gift and designate it for “Rachael”.
Welcome Abi Mogge to the
Our Savior’s worship team.
Welcome Abi Mogge as organist/pianist for Our Savior’s. Abi is a teacher and presently resides in Sycamore/DeKalb. She has been a collaborative pianist playing at the Neuman Catholic Student Center in Dekalb and in United Methodist and Lutheran congregations for about 10 years. When Judy Heller and Carol Hill chose to retire from leading our worship music. Our Savior’s sought a second organist/pianist to work with Rachael Jones. She recommended Abi! We discovered “why” when Abi auditioned for the job sitting down at the Steinway and organ and lifting our spirits and filling the sanctuary with wonderful variations on familiar hymns played with great care and excellence. When asked if she wanted this job? She shyly smiled and said “Yes”. We said, “Welcome to the team! Please share your gift of music with us!
Part 2.. We seek a second organist to join Abi as part of our worship team! There is a sense of urgency!
Then Rachael Jones moved! With a sense of urgency, we must find a second organist/pianist to create a music team. Music has become even more important in Covid times. Each week hundreds and sometimes thousands of people tune in Our Savior’s “Good News” live Broadcast and attend on site worship seeking spiritual strength, hope and to find some normal! We must be careful not burn out our musicians and staff! In the Spirit of desiring to build another great music team like Judy Heller, Carol Hill, Rachael Jones, Yanli Ding, Mary Rightmeyer, Sam Eallonardo, Mr. Terry Wickwire and Janet Parchert. Each talented musician greatly enhanced our lives and helped our faith journey. Our Savior’s seeks a second member to be part of our worship team. Would you pray that God would lead us. Would you help get the word out! Send an e-mail or call P. Dave, Judy Heller if you have leads or questions!
September Servants... We need you! Would you help serve in September or throughout the year.
As we journeyed through the Covid-19 virus challenge and prior to the vaccine being available most of us stayed “sheltering” at home. The many and various serving jobs of ministry were filled by the few, the church staff, members of the church council and those attending worship on site. We must expand our list of volunteers.. Below find a list where we need additional help and you can serve....
Worship Assistant..
__ Greeter
__ Reader
__ Usher
__ Altar Team, help set up Holy Communion
__ Operate sound System
__ Project worship service
__ Count Offering
__ Provide Altar flowers
My best month to serve ____
Christian Education
__ Sunday School Teacher/Presenter
__ Sunday School Shepherd
__ Planning Sunday School Workshops
__ Substitute teacher
__ Confirmation mentor
Office Help
__ Help assemble monthly Lightshine newsletter
Property Care
__ Trim Bushes & Weed Team, Yard clean up
__ Grass mowing Team
__ Adopt an Island
Carry Out Chicken bbq/Auction Team
__ Worker for Carry Out or Auction Team
Live Nativity- December
__ Publicity
__ Help with Costumes
__ Sight/Sound music preparation
__ Cast member
Please e-mail your response or any questions to
oursaviorssandwich@gmail.com, 815-786-6406