On Sunday, June 9th, the Second Sunday after Trinity, we heard our Lord’s parable about a man who prepared a great feast; but when the feast was ready, those who had been invited all made excuses as to why they could not come (Luke 14:15-24). On every Lord’s Day the Lord Jesus continues to prepare a great feast, a feast in which He is both the Host and Food. But just as those who were invited in the parable made excuses and would not come, people continue to make excuses and refuse Christ’s gracious invitation. But as we can see in the Book of Acts, the earliest Christians gladly gathered on the first day of the week because it was on that day that Jesus’ tomb was found empty and He appeared in the splendor of His resurrection to the faithful women and His disciples. Our whole faith as Christians depends on Christ’s resurrection, and that is why from earliest times Christians have gathered to celebrate His resurrection every Lord’s Day by joining together in worship, prayer and praise, listening to His Word and receiving Him in His Sacrament. But that was a very long time ago. So let me say this as clearly as I can: when you fail to be present at the Divine Service on the Lord’s Day you not only deprive yourself of the Means of Grace, you also deprive your fellow Christians of the encouragement your presence could provide. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews admonishes his hearers: “Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the [Last] Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:23-25). Ponder these words and take them to heart!

Yes, “Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering”! June 25th will be the 494th anniversary of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession by seven princes and the representatives of two cities to Emperor Charles V in the City of Augsburg. This principal confession of the faith of the Lutheran Church is so important that the cornerstone of our church building is inscribed with the letters “U A C” which stand for Unaltered Augsburg Confession. In these days of so much confusion and uncertainty among Christians we need more than ever to be clear in our confession of the truth God has graciously revealed to us through His Son. It is our conviction as Lutheran Christians that the faith confessed at Augsburg was no novel teaching but none other than “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). And so on the last Sunday in June we will once again celebrate the anniversary of the Augsburg Confession, giving thanks to God for His great mercy. humbly confessing our sins, and praying for steadfastness in faith and hope and love. The text of the Augsburg Confession can easily be found online. I would also be glad to provide you with a booklet containing the text.

On Trinity Sunday, May 26th, we received two new members into our congregation: Andrew Layman, who was formerly a member of Faith Church in Troy, Michigan, and Paul Swank, who was formerly a member of Saint Paul’s Church in Kingsville.

On Thursday, May 16th, Pastor Carl Kruelle fell asleep in the Lord at his home in Newark, Delaware. He was 86 years old. Pastor Kruelle loved Our Saviour Church. He grew up in this congregation and was confirmed, married, and ordained here. He had preached here on Family Day last October and he last attended church here this past Easter Day. On Wednesday, May 22nd, I attended his funeral service at Our Redeemer Church in Newark, Delaware, where he had served as pastor for many years. On the following day I officiated at the committal service in Loudon Park Cemetery. May the Light perpetual ever shine upon him and may the risen Lord comfort all who mourn.

At the Voters Meeting on Sunday, May 19th, the budget for fiscal year 2024/25 was approved and the Church Council was re-elected. Bernie Knox, Merton Masterson, Gabe Purviance, Paul and Mary Techau, Gary Watson, Wayne and Jean West. The Council will be formally installed on Sunday, June 30th.

From May through September we have a Free Flea Market on the second Saturday of each month from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 Noon. As always we are in need of donations and also of volunteers to greet and assist our visitors.

And do remember to bring items for the GEDCO Food Pantry and for the Helping Up Mission. Boxes for both are found inside the door from the parking lot north of the church.

And remember that you can help suffering people around the world – as in this time of war in Ukraine and in the Holy Land – through our Synod’s LCMS World Relief and Human Care. You can do this by calling our Synod’s Contributor Care Line (888)030-4439 or through this secure website: lcms.org/givenow/mercy or you can send a check to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, PO Box 66861, Saint Louis, Missoui 63166-6861. Make your check payable to “The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod” and write “LCMS World Relief and Human Care” on the memo line.

We continue to remember in prayer Bridget Bauman, James Bauman, Christopher Bell, Louis Bell, Dana Carmichael, Timothy Doswell, Quilla Downs, Bunny Duckett, Steve and Joyce Eaves, Albert Ford, Frank Ford, Iris Ford, Yolanda Ford, Sean Fortune, Sherry James, Gloria Jones, Althea Masterson, Chris Mokris, Marion Rollins, Julia Silver, Robert Siperek Jr., Lawrence Smallwood, George Volkman, Dennis Watson, Gary Watson, Julie Watson. Yolanda Ford remains at Future Care, 1046 North Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21224. Louis Bell remains at Autumn Lake Healthcare, 700 Sudbrook Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, Julie Watson is now at Complete Care at Multi Medical Center, 7700 York Road, Towson, MD 21204.

Let us continue in prayer for one another and for the troubled world, keeping in mind the words of Saint Paul: “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean