News From the Pews

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

So, just what is Jesus trying to say in his parable of the mustard seed, because there are parts of this story that make absolutely no sense at all? Find out this weekend in worship – Saturday, 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 9:45 a.m. I bet it has something to do with God!

 

This Sunday, our Summer Sunday School classes begin. Classes start immediately following the Children's Moment, and this year, the study/activity theme is Parables of Jesus. Summer Sunday School classes are designed for children ages 4 through grade 3.

May the God of renewal and new beginnings breathe the Spirit of New Life in you this week! I hope to worship with you this weekend.

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

News from the Pews

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This weekend in worship, our lessons lift up the doctrine of the Holy Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We move to our summer worship schedule: Saturday, 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 9:45 a.m. We are also celebrating "Music Sunday" at the Sunday service, as we praise God for the gift of music in our lives. The Punch Bowl fellowship time after Sunday worship will be hosted by the Youth Group, in honor of our High School graduates.  

Lutheran Study Bible

It's one thing to read God's Word. . . it's another to have a sense of grounding and understanding for what you are reading. Try The Lutheran Study Bible. We just gave copies to our confirmands, and it is a tremendously helpful resource to complement your daily Scripture reading. A copy is on display in the narthex, along with an order form, if you wish to order a copy for yourself. Cost is $18.75 per copy, which is a savings of $6.24. The order will be placed on Monday, June 29. 

 

Prayers

For NCR employees – that their fears be eased as they await word on their future . . . for the many former GM (and affiliated) workers and the many former DHL/ABX employees who are still seeking employment – that doors would soon open for them . . . for parents, that they would remain strong as they strive to rear their children in the faith during such confusing times . . . for Dayton and Montgomery County leaders – that they be given vision and skills to effectively lead in these challenging times. . . for our congregation – that we would always keep God's mission foremost in our minds . . . and praise to God – because despite the junk life throws at us, God is always good all the time!

 

If you are traveling this weekend, may God keep you safe. If you are in town, let's gather in worship to praise God in song!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

Worship Schedule Change

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

This is a reminder – our Sunday worship schedule changes this Sunday, June 7 –

 

One service at 9:45 a.m.

 

 

The Saturday worship schedule remains the same – 5:30 p.m.

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

Holy Week News

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

We are quickly approaching the Crown Jewel of the church year – Easter Sunday: the Celebration of the Resurrection! But before we celebrate, we are called to journey with Jesus through this week. I invite you to join the journey, and participate in the worship opportunities during this Holy Week. Below is the worship schedule:

 

            Maundy Thursday, 7:00 p.m. (no meal), LCOS sanctuary, including the prayers and anointing for healing, and the celebration of Holy Communion

            Good Friday, 7:00 p.m. (no meal), St. Paul sanctuary (Wayne Ave.), including the ancient Bidding Prayers, the service of Tennebrae, and the Passion Narrative

            Holy Saturday, 5:30 p.m., LCOS chapel, including a service of lessons and prayers (sung/silent/spoken) and the celebration of Holy Communion

 

EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE

            Worship – 8:15 and 10:30 a.m., with the celebration of Holy Communion at both services

            Breakfast – 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall – pancakes and sausage

            Sunday School – 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

 

May God breathe new life into you this week!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

Last Wednesday Lenten Services

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

Our final Wednesday Lenten Services will be held this week, with the following schedule:

 

            Noon, in the chapel, with lunch to follow in the parish house meeting room

            Theme: "Raisin' the Roof!"

 

            6:30 p.m., in the LCOS sanctuary, preceded by dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the parish house meeting room

            Theme: "This prayer stuff is highly overrated, blah, blah, blah"

 

Special thanks to all who have helped with meal preparations during Lent!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

Fwd: Lenten Worship with Captive Free

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

Tomorrow we hold another round of mid-week Lenten services, with our schedule being as follows:

 

            Noon – LCOS chapel, with lunch in the parish house meeting room

                         Theme – "The Devil Made Me Do It"

 

            Evening – St. Paul sanctuary, 6:30 p.m., with dinner in the upstairs fellowship hall at 6:00 p.m.

                              Theme – "Change Your Oil Every 3000 Miles"

 

Our worship experiences will be blessed with the presence of the East Lakes Captive Free Band (John Buechele's counterparts serving in this part of the country). I hope you can join us.

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

News from the Church Pews

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

It might have been 7 degrees above zero yesterday morning, but you can hear it in the air – SPRING is coming on fast!! Can I get an AMEN?

 

It is in this season of transition between winter and spring that we observe the season of LENT, and this weekend, our lessons continue with the theme of covenant and promise, as our Old Testament lesson recounts the second covenant God made with humanity – Abraham and Sarah called to become the parents of the chosen people of God. And in our Gospel lesson, Jesus clearly spells out what is expected of those who are called to be God's people.

 

Don't be late! MOVE YOUR CLOCKS ONE HOUR AHEAD THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!!!! Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday.

 

Council Strategic Planning Session

Saturday, March 7, 8:00 a.m., the congregation council will hold the first of many work sessions in creating a strategic plan for ministry Lutheran Church of Our Savior. We will keep you informed of the progress.

 

Adopt-A-College Student Program

Special thanks to everyone who took an envelope off the tree in the narthex to adopt one of our college students! We still have a few envelopes out, so please bring/mail your envelope to the church office ASAP!

 

Jr. High/Sr. High Discussion

Youth in the Jr. High and Sr. High are invited to gather at Graeters Ice-Cream Shoppe in Oakwood on Sunday, March 15, 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of brainstorming ideas for Sunday School. We will meet for one hour; bring your ideas of how, when, where and what as we look at how the church can best meet the spiritual needs of our youth.

 

Easter Lilies

It is time to reserve your Easter Lilies. Forms will be in the bulletins this weekend, as well as in the narthex "information shelves". Cost is $7/plant, and the deadline is April 3 to submit your form and money to the church office.

 

Lutheran Course

This month, the Lutheran Course will again be held at Lutheran Church of Our Savior on Tuesday, March 17. In keeping with St. Patrick's Day festivities, the theme of our discussion will be The Three Most Rebellious Things Jesus Did. A light dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall, and study will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the parish house meeting room.

 

Jeremiah's Letter FISH FRY

Saturday, March 21, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church (3315 Martel Dr., just off Patterson Rd.)

Ron Iverson and Jack Whitaker have tickets, the cost of which are: -$9.00 in advance; $10.00 at the door; $4.00 for children 10 yrs and younger.

Matching funds are provided by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

All proceeds will benefit Jeremiah's Letter.

Those attending are asked to bring an in-kind donation of towels or hygiene products (toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.).

 

No snow or ice in the forecast, so let's gather in worship this weekend!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

This Week's Mid-week Lenten Services

Just a reminder of our mid-week Lenten services tomorrow:

 

Noon – "What in a Name?" – study of the Lord's Prayer – in the chapel, with lunch following in the parish house meeting room

 

6:30 p.m. – "Do You Want the Wax Job?" – joint worship with St. Paul, in LCOS sanctuary – simple dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. (Next week, the service is at St. Paul.)

 

Hope you can join us!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

NEWS FROM THE CHURCH PEW

Sent from my iPhone-pardon the typos. 

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Gary W. Eichhorn" <gwe@OurSaviorDayton.org>
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

Yesterday we entered a new season of the church year, Lent, the name of which is derived from the Latin meaning "lengthening of days". Throughout this 40 day season (Sunday's are not part of Lent), our gospel texts help us to focus on our baptismal identity as children of God. This weekend, we have the brief account in Mark of Jesus' baptism, temptation in the wilderness, and his proclamation that the Kingdom of God has come near – a fitting way to begin our reflection on our relationship with the God who claimed us in Baptism.  Instead of following the tradition of "giving up" something for Lent, I encourage you to take advantage of the new beginnings God gives us each day: find ways as a family or individually to help someone else by using your gifts in ministry; make a difference in the life of another.

 

This Sunday is Bring A Friend To Sunday School Sunday. Our Christian Education team is encouraging everyone to invite a friend, classmate, coworker, neighbor, family member, to attend Sunday School. And while you are at it – invite them to worship as well!

 

Next Sunday, March 8, we will conclude our Summer Camp Scholarship Drive. Special thanks to everyone who has already made a donation to help send some of our children and youth to church camp this summer. If you would like to make a donation, please use on of the envelopes in the narthex and cloister tables labeled, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio "Camperships", and place your donation in the offering plate or mail it to the church office.

 

Your response to the Souper Bowl Food Drive was exceptional! Thank you for all your donations. Unfortunately, the need continues to grow, so keep bringing your canned food donations to the church. On March 14/15, in worship, a representative of the New Hope Food Pantry will be with us to share more details about their work. On that weekend, the Social Ministry Committee is hosting a Fill the Grocery Bag Drive. Kroger Grocery is supplying bags, and the Social Ministry Team is creating a "shopping list". Be sure to pick up your grocery bag at the church March 14/15 to fill up. More details will follow.

 

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 8. REMEMBER TO MOVE YOUR CLOCKS ONE HOUR AHEAD ON SATURDAY NIGHT, MARCH 7, SO YOU WON'T BE LATE FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP!!

 

Your Lenten Journey starts in worship – join me this weekend on Saturday, 5:30 p.m., or Sunday, 8:15 or 10:30 a.m.

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

Chancel Choir Singing On Ash Wednesday At St. Paul's

Just a reminder to members of the Chancel Choir that we are singing
with the choir of St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Ash Wednesday at the
joint service at St. Paul's. Meet at 6:30 p.m. in the choir loft.

Sent from my iPhone-pardon the typos.

Ash Wednesday

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

We move into the season of Lent this Wednesday, February 25, with our observance of Ash Wednesday. Two worship opportunities are provided for you:

            Noon – in the LCOS chapel (with imposition of ashes and celebration of Holy Communion), followed by a simple meal in the parish house meeting room

            7:00 p.m. – at St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Wayne Ave.), also with the imposition of ashes and Holy Communion. Pastor Miller and I will present a dialogue sermon on the Old Testament lesson (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17). Please eat before coming to the evening service – there is no meal!

 

May the Holy Spirit lead you into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ during this season of Lent.

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

News From Our Pastor; Ash Wednesday

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

The Season of Epiphany concludes this weekend with our observance of the Transfiguration, that mountaintop event in which Jesus takes 3 disciples who witness their "changed" Lord talking with the Old Testament prophets Moses and Elijah. As we have seen through our lessons in Mark during the season of Epiphany, the disciples just don't "get it", as here, Jesus prepares to travel to Jerusalem to meet his death, and they try to stop him. Are we willing to walk with our Lord to the cross in our discipleship?

 

Chancel Trees Coming Down

This Sunday, following the 10:30 a.m. service, we will remove the lights and dismantle the trees, which will be stored in the parish house basement. Lunch will be provided. Plan to remain/come back after worship to help prepare our sanctuary for the season of Lent. With enough help, this should be an easy, quick job.

 

New Members

We are receiving new member-disciples into our fellowship this Sunday, during the 10:30 a.m. service.

 

JLI Annual Meeting

Jeremiah's Letter, Inc., the urban ministry arm of the Dayton Conference, will hold its annual meeting on Monday, February 23, 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, on Wayne Ave. Our own Terry Bruns is the executive director of this organization which is one of our mission partners. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend and learn more about this important ministry in the Dayton community.

 

Ash Wednesday

The season of Lent begins with our observance of Ash Wednesday on February 25. We will offer two worship opportunities: one at Noon, in the chapel, followed by a simple lunch in the parish house meeting room. The evening service will be held at St. Paul (Wayne Ave.), 7:00 p.m. (NO MEAL). The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services, as will the imposition of ashes. 

May God's healing peace surround you this week and lift your spirits in worship!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

News From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

Aaahh . . . the hint of spring . . . good medicine for the soul! As we gather in worship this weekend, we hear about another kind of good medicine – our Old Testament and Gospel lessons are accounts of God healing lepers, who were excluded (literally "kicked out) from society because of their disease. Our lessons raise questions about our own lives: when and how have we been the "leper" and felt excluded? And, who are the "lepers" today – in our lives and in society? And in both cases, how does God in Christ bring about the healing of inclusion and acceptance?

 

On Saturday, February 14, the Health Ministry Team is hosting "FUN FOR YOUR HEART, MIND, AND SOUL" in the fellowship hall, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. for people of all ages. This "game day" features a wide variety of activities:

            HEART             corn hole, ping pong, shuffle board, charades, Wii, foosball, and more

            MIND                pictionary, scrabble, sudoke, hidden pictures, and more

            SOUL               fellowship with our sisters and brothers in Christ!

If you have them, bring your Wii Mii remotes.

 

Troop Supplies

We have already collected enough supplies to send our first box to Ramadi, Iraq. Thanks for your continued support.

 

Adopt-A-College Student

There are still envelopes on the tree in the narthex. Take one this weekend and support our students while they are in school.

 

Outdoor Ministry Camperships

Again, this weekend, special envelopes are in the bulletins for our campership (summer camp scholarship) fund drive. We are collecting donations to create scholarships to encourage kids from our congregation to attend summer camp this summer in one of our ELCA camps in Ohio: Lutheran Memorial Camp, Camp Mowana, or Camp Luther. Checks should be made out to Lutheran Church of Our Savior. The fund drive will conclude on March 8, and families have until March 22 to apply for scholarship funds.

 

Lutheran Course

The next installment of our monthly study with St. Paul's Lutheran Church is next Tuesday, February 17, 6:00 p.m., and will be held at Lutheran Church of Our Savior. A simple meal will be held in the fellowship hall at 6:00 p.m., and the class discussion will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the parish house first floor meeting room. This month's study topic is "The Sacrament of Holy Communion".

 

New Members

We will receive new members into our fellowship on Sunday, February 22, at the 10:30 a.m. service. If you know of someone who is interested in becoming a part of our fellowship, please let me know.

 

I encourage you to join your sisters and brothers in worship this weekend, and look to invite a friend to come with you!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

Souper Bowl

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

At our annual meeting this morning, I had the joy of announcing that our congregation collected 389 cans of soup, plus another 47 boxes of crackers/ramen noodles/etc. for the Souper Bowl Food Collection this weekend. Way to go! Perhaps an even more exciting number to share is that the children in our Sonshine Children's Choir came to rehearsal this morning and brought with them 55 food items for the collection!

 

This means that an additional 100 cans of soup will be donated to the cause since we met the challenge. Thank you for responding!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

We are coming down to the wire . . . there are three more Sundays left in this Church Year before we step through the threshold of a new year, in which we tell the faith stories of Scripture all over again, from a different perspective. And the mood of our lessons changes with the year's approaching end. For the past few months, our lessons have focused on the importance of following Jesus' lessons as we grow in our discipleship. Now, the lessons point to the end times, looking toward that time when Jesus will usher in the Kingdom of God in its fullness. And this week, our worship theme deals with being prepared, keeping our relationship with God fresh, alive, and "filled".

 

Tomorrow night (Wednesday, 11/5), we gather again in the chapel for our contemplative worship time Escape the Noise. This 30 minute time in the chapel is set aside for silent prayer and the renewal of our relationship with God. It begins at 6:45 p.m., and includes the reading of Scripture at the beginning, and a spoken prayer at the conclusion. You are welcome to come and go as your schedule permits.

 

Saturday, November 8, the annual German Fest Dinner will be held at Faith Lutheran Church as a fundraiser for one of our mission partners, Jeremiah's Letter. The meal will be served from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available from Ron Iverson and Jack Whitaker, and we also have a few available in the church office. Cost is $8 for adults ($9 at the door), and $4 for children.

 

Sunday, 11:45 a.m., the Youth will gather at the church for a lunch meeting, and parents are invited. This is a rebuilding and restructuring year for our Youth Ministry Program, and our Youth Ministries Director, Celeste Hoerner, is seeking input from youth and parents for this new year. We are ordering lunch from Milanos. Parents: help us out by making sure your youth can be with us after worship!

 

It's a nice day for an election. May God bless the poll workers with strength and wisdom! But as our nation moves through the next days, weeks, and months, regardless of who is elected, I ask you to pray for the healing of our nation, and for forgiveness for all those of any party affiliation who used half-truths and lies to spread fear in the American public just to get someone elected. May God silence the merchants of fear today! And may our nation learn to trust and follow God, who is the source of life, and hope, and peace - the one who continually tells us, "FEAR NOT!"

 

May the God of peace breathe hope and new life in you this week, and may we be led to gather together in worship this weekend to lift our voices in praise to the God who is in charge, and who makes all things new!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary

 

A Message from Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

 

This weekend, our worship theme is very timely, as the Gospel lesson is Christ's discussion with the Pharisees about paying taxes to Caesar and giving to God what belongs to God. In uncertain times such as what we are experiencing, it is vital for us to remember that while presidents come and go, while the stock market rises and falls, it is God who has remained constant and faithful throughout time, and it is God's Church that is called to proclaim God's voice of hope and sensibility when humanity starts grasping at straws for answers. So, remember to cling to God, not Wall Street, for hope and security. And, help one another hold on by gathering together in worship this weekend, for we are here, not for ourselves, but to help one another!

 

On another practical level, if you think these times are difficult, I encourage you to seek out a family member or church friend who lived through the Great Depression – they are models of "God will see us through this"!

 

This Sunday, 5:00 p.m., the confirmation cluster will gather at Wittenberg University to study the second table of the Law (commandments 4-10) – how God wants us to relate to one another in community.

 

Monday, 10/20, 7:00 p.m., the congregation council gathers for its monthly meeting, in the parish house meeting room (aka, the blue room or the Penn State Room).

 

Tuesday, 10/21, 6:00 p.m., the Lutheran Course will begin at St. Paul Lutheran Church (Wayne Ave.) with dinner. Activities for children and youth, and the class for adults will commence at 6:45 p.m., and will conclude at 7:45 p.m. This 7-session (3^rd Tuesday each month) class is designed to help us connect with our Lutheran roots, and to help us claim our identity as God's people (Lutheran Christians) called to a life of service to others. I hope you can be a part of this monthly event.

 

Wednesday, 10/22, 11:00 a.m., we will gather in our sanctuary for a memorial service for Alan Crandall, with light refreshments afterwards. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, 10/21, 6-8 p.m. at Schlientz and Moore Funeral Home (Centerville).

 

A special word of thanks and recognition – this past Wednesday, I attended the official "seating" service at Trinity Seminary, Columbus, for the newly created Haman-Pfahler Chair in Christian Communications. The Rev. Henry Langknecht, Ph.D., is the newly-installed professor. Our own Bob and Carolyn (Pfahler) Haman were the people whose generosity established this chair. The Body of Christ, the Church, has been greatly enhanced by the Hamans' generosity and faithfulness to the Gospel, and it was an honor to attend this event with Bob and Carolyn!

 

May the Holy Spirit breathe excitement and new life into you this day!

 

In Christ's peace,

Gary