Our Savior's Lutheran Church
April 14, 2022
Newsletter
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Coming This Sunday
April 17, 2022
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Easter Sunday
Services at 9:00 A.M.
and 10:30 A.M.
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IN-PERSON WORSHIP & LIVESTREAMING |
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Scripture Readings
First Reading
Christ raised from the dead, the first fruits
Gospel
The women proclaim the resurrection
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Holy Week & Easter Worship |
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Maundy Thursday, April 14
Worship Service, 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday, April 15
Worship Service, 7:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 17
Worship Services, 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
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The Transition Team Needs You!
Sunday, April 24th, following worship.
Purpose: Continuing conversations,
going deeper into our identity.
There will be refreshments!
There will be breaks!
We will be done no later than 12:30 p.m.
(This is in place of the April Fellowship Forum)
Come help us as we gather information for the Ministry Site Profile.
We will gather together at one time in one room for some foundational information. Then we will immediately divide into small groups and go into different rooms for structured conversations, using the same sort of process as in the first round. After spending time in those conversations, we will re-gather into the one room to do some sharing and close in prayer.
For those who are not able to gather in person, there will be a Zoom session on Sunday, May 1st, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Same breaks; you provide your own refreshments.)
Note: if you have not been able to participate in the first round, no problem: each step of the transition process is open for everyone to participate.
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Masking is currently optional for our congregation, including singers, with the exception of the front social distancing section. Those still wishing to wear masks are welcome to do so.
- The front four rows continue to be designated "social distancing" rows. Out of respect for those worshippers who wish to continue being able to socially distance, we request that anyone seated in that section remain masked. This is consistent with the idea of social distancing.
- If you have traveled in the previous two weeks (particularly out of the country) we strongly encourage wearing a mask for one Sunday following your return home.
- The number of singers in the chancel area is no longer limited.
- We will continue using the individual packets for communion.
- We will continue monitoring Oregon Health Authority's website and be prepared to reinstitute more stringent Covid guidelines if recommended by state public health officials.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
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From the Interim Pastor's Desk |
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Holy Week. A week different from every other week of the year. Set apart from all the other weeks. That’s what the word “holy” means – something that is set apart for a special purpose. In common use, it has come to mean something that is set apart to use for God.
Holy Week began with Palm Sunday. With a crowd greeting Jesus with enthusiasm, using exclamations reserved for royalty: “Hosanna”, “Son of David”, the “one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Maundy Thursday moves to a more intimate setting. Jesus sharing a last meal with his disciples. We don’t really know just how many people might have been at that meal. The twelve who went everywhere, of course. But there could also have been some of the women who travelled with the group, providing for their needs. There could have been many people who were in the category of disciple. In the first chapter of the book of Acts, which begins immediately after the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are told that there were about 120 “believers” in Jerusalem.
Thursday moves into Friday and the scene shifts several times. There are the quiet moments in the garden, interrupted by soldiers who arrested Jesus and brought him before the council of elders. From there, it was to Pilate, and then to Herod, back to Pilate, and along the way a crowd gathers. A crowd that calls for Jesus to be crucified.
Was it the same people who gathered? The people who welcomed Jesus on Sunday and suddenly feel differently as Thursday night moves into Friday? Often we make that assumption, but the gospels never state that.
Who gathered on Sunday to welcome Jesus? Who hailed him with royal titles? It must have been people who were unhappy with those in power, who wanted someone else to follow. These were the people who wanted change, who wanted to tear the mighty down from their thrones (to quote from Mary’s words when she discovered that she was to bear a child.)
And who made up the crowd in those dark night hours a few days later? Where did they come from? They must have been people who would come at the bidding of the chief priests. Or people who hung around the courts of Pilate and Herod. People who gave support to the oppressors, who did not want to upset things. People who sought a “peace” that meant maintaining the status quo instead of a peace that would bring righteousness and justice for those who were oppressed.
Of course some individuals may have been present in both crowds. Certainly it’s fair to assume that those who shared the last meal and watched in the darkness of the garden were at both. But I think it is a mistake to assume that the crowds had an identical composition. There were some who cared passionately about Jesus and believed he would create change. And there were those who feared change, whether because it meant a loss of power or simply because it was the unknown.
Pastor Sue
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From the Letty Owings Center
Road to Recovery: Nichole
Central City Concern’s Road to Recovery series features the stories of clients who have successfully turned their lives around. These stories of resilience inspire us and remind us that recovery is possible.
In late 2019, Nichole knew she had to make a change. Her struggles with meth began in 2003 when she was coping with losing custody of her first son. Her substance use had led to property crimes and prison—twice. With long periods of sobriety, she started using again before the birth of her fourth child. Now her three younger children were being cared for by relatives, and she was experiencing homelessness.
But then a DHS worker told her about CCC’s Letty Owings Center, a safe, inclusive environment for women to live with their children while in treatment for substance use disorders. .... When a bed opened up, Nichole felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. The moment she moved in, she was ready to engage in everything Letty had to offer. Her 3-year-old moved in with her, and her other children were able to visit frequently. ...
After nearly five months at Letty, Nichole was ready to move on to the next chapter of her life, eventually moving into an apartment at CCC’s Sunrise Place, which offers recovery housing for families with young children, known as FAN, (Family ADFC Network Program) Housing. There she was again able to find community with other moms in recovery.
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Now Nichole has joined the staff of Central City Concern. She started her job with Central City Staffing earlier this month. Eventually, she hopes to work as a recovery mentor and use her personal experience to help others.
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Physical and Spiritual Wellness
As we begin to modify Covid Precautions, more of our members will need transportation to church services, medical appointments, and other errands.
If you would like to help with this ministry or if you are in need of transportation, please contact Mary Hawkins at 503-939-1641 or contact the church office.
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Evangelism Club
Our Prayer Cross has been put up in the front parking lot of the church again this year. Please tie ribbons to the Cross as you contemplate your prayer concerns. The ribbons will be provided next to the Cross. Tie as many as you like, then leave that concern on the Cross. All of our neighbors are invited to tie on ribbons also. The Prayer Cross will be up all of Holy Week; come by any time.
During Holy Week please add the Prayer Cross to your prayer life. And ask that God mercifully and lovingly answer each petitioner.
On Easter Sunday the Prayers will have been removed from the Cross, and the Cross will become the Celebration Cross of Our Risen Lord. He is the answer to all of our prayers. You can bring flowers to decorate the Easter Cross, and there will be some flowers provided. The Celebration Cross will be left up as long as possible depending on the flowers and the weather.
Diane Dahlin
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Tips from the Emergency Preparedness Team
April is Earthquake Preparedness month. One of the high risks from an earthquake is having the utility lines break. It's very important to learn how to turn off your utilities. But you can also lessen the possibility of leaks by installing flexible gas and water lines. Also, you can buy an earthquake-actuated gas shutoff valve. It is installed between the meter and the house, shutting off the flow of gas into the house, and is activated by an earthquake of approximately 5.4 on the Richter scale. They are available at the home improvement stores and online. They start at about $60. A plumber can install it for you.
Diane Dahlin
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Reminder
The church office will be closed on Monday, April 18th
for the Easter holiday.
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The easiest way to watch the Livestream of upcoming services is to go to the OSLC YouTube page and click on the red SUBSCRIBE button. There's no cost, it's free! When new livestream videos begin, you'll receive a notification to click on and enjoy the live service. Recordings of the livestream will be available afterward.
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April 10,2022, Our Savior's Lutheran Church Lake Oswego, OR
Passion/Palm Sunday, Our Savior's Lutheran Church Lake Oswego OR, Online Church Service
Read more
www.youtube.com
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Our Savior's Lutheran Church
15751 Quarry Rd/PO Box 1548 Lake Oswego, OR 97035 | 503-635-4563 |
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