All posts by OSLC

Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, July-August, 2022

Leave a comment

OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH

3301 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218
410.235.9553

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

If you use the daily prayers in Luther’s Small Catechism, you know that both his morning and his evening prayer begin with thanksgiving: “I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ Your dear Son.” These morning and evening prayers are not only fixed forms of prayer, they also provide a pattern for our own personal life of prayer which should also shape our daily life. Thankfulness is a powerful medicine for the often besetting sin of discontent, of taking for granted God’s gifts which are new every morning!

John Igoe has been our organist for some time now and he has been a blessing to everyone who worships in this place. Anyone who has heard him play will know that he is a truly gifted church musician whose work at the organ has greatly enlivened our worship. And so I truly regret to tell you that August 14 will be his last Sunday with us. On the following day he will become the organist at Saint Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Catonsville. Our loss is surely their gain! We sincerely and heartily thank John and wish him well in his service at Saint Mark’s.

We also have yet another reason to thank John. I am tempted to say that he has left us a parting gift! For he recently created a video about our wonderful stained glass windows: “Windows That Witness: Stained Glass in Baltimore.” I have admired the beauty of these windows since I was a boy, and I often think that they are like sparkling gems. John’s video can be found online at on our web site (Stained Glass | Our Saviour Lutheran Church (oursaviourbaltimore.org)) and Facebook page (Our Saviour Lutheran Church – Home | Facebook) We also have a few “paper” copies of this work, a pdf of this can be found at the sam link. There are full color photographs together with commentary based on the leaflets published in connection with the dedication of the windows. My understanding is that it was Pastor Stiemke who planned the subject matter of the windows. It was in fact Marguerite Gaudin (1909–1991) of the Willet Stained Glass Studios in Philadelphia who designed them. She was a remarkable artist, and over a period of many years created windows for many notable churches including the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City and the National Presbyterian Church in Washington.

Our congregation has certainly been blessed with members who willingly and faithfully serve here. Judy Volkman has done just that for 60 (!) years and now is asking that other members assume her current responsibilities. From the time I arrived here she has been such a good friend to me and I am very grateful! At the end of this newsletter you will find a description of her current responsibilities. But she has done so much more over the years! She has served as president and vice-president of the congregation, as secretary, as director of stewardship and education, as Sunday School teacher and superintendent, as chair of a pastoral search committee. And since 2014 she has been the driving force of our free flea markets. We most certainly owe her a debt of gratitude.

Our dear brother in Christ, Phillip Purviance, fell asleep in the Lord on Thursday, June 9, and was given Christian burial at the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery following the funeral service here in church on Tuesday, June 21. May the Light perpetual ever shine upon him and may Christ our Savior comfort all who mourn with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.

Please remember to pray for all those for whom our prayers are desired: James Bauman, Louis Bell, Dana Carmichael, Lucille Carmichael, Maggie Doswell, Quilla Downs, Albert Ford, Frank Ford, Iris Ford, Yolanda Ford, Sean Fortune, Helen Gray, Queenie Hardaway, Gloria Jones, Althea Masterson, Julia Silver, Robert Siperek, Lawrence Smallwood, George Volkman, Dennis Watson, Gary Watson. Maggie Doswell remains at Cadia Healthcare, 4922 LaSalle Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Yolanda Ford remains at Future Care, 1046 North Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21224. Louis Bell remains at Autumn Lake HealthCare, 7 Sudbrook Road, Pikesville, MD 21208. Queenie Hardaway has been living at the Augsburg Home for some time now: 6825 Campfield Road, Baltimore, MD 21207. Quilla Downs continues to make a good recovery from surgery. Her new address is 1000 Brightseat Road, Apt. 462, Landover, MD 20777.

I continue to bring Holy Communion to members who are unable to come to church. If you want me to visit or bring you the Sacrament, call me at (410) 554–9994 or email me at charles.mcclean42@gmail.com. If you are in need of transportation to church, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be glad to make arrangements for that purpose.

We continue to have the free flea market on the second Saturday of each month from 9:00–12:00 Noon. We always need volunteers to help. On July 9 there were 42 visitors and we distributed well over a 100 items.

Let us continue to pray for one another, for the whole church and for the whole world. Remember: The Lord’s People are in the Lord’s House at the Lord’s Own Service every Lord’s Day. Says the psalmist: “Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells” (Psalm 26:8).

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean

After more than 60 years of involvement at Our Saviour, it is time to “pass the torch” along. I have been involved in numerous projects over the years and would like to work with the persons who would be willing to take over these responsibilities. I am still around, so I can support when needed. Instructions have been written for each position. Interested? You can contact me at (443) 425–3437 or judyvolkman9961@gmail.com.
– Judy Volkman

Poinsettias and Lilies
At Easter & Christmas, the altar is adorned with seasonal flowers. These need to be set out and orders taken. A listing of donors is compiled to be printed in the appropriate bulletin. A listing of monies collected is given to the money counters so these donations can be credited to the person’s contributions to OSLC.

Holiday Baskets
For a number of years, OSLC has provided holiday baskets for families associated with Waverly Elementary School.The names are requested through the school Social Worker, funds are requested from members of OSLC and from offerings at Lenten Soup Suppers, and gift cards purchased for families to buy their holiday dinners. These are mailed, with a greeting card, to the families. In the past, we have donated baskets 10 families.

Helping Up Mission
This Mission in East Baltimore assists men and women in turning their lives around. We have assisted them with donations of personal care items, clothing, and money. Help is needed to keep this mission before the Congregation, collect items to be donated and then delivered to the Helping Up Mission. Monies collected in the alms boxes in the church are used to purchase needed items.

Financial Secretary
According to our bylaws, this person shall:

  • Record all contributions from members
  • Acknowledge receipt of a contribution from a non-member
  • Purchase, prepare, and distribute offering envelopes
  • Prepare year-end statements of contributions by members
  • Inform the congregation of any noteworthy trends in contributions
Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, June, 2022

Leave a comment

OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH

3301 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218
410.235.9553

Pentcost, June 5, 2022
Festival Divine Service, 11:00 AM

Memorial Service
for the Rev. Gary L. Fisher
Pastor of Our Saviour  1989-2006
Saturday June 11, 2022 12:30 PM

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During this past month our country has yet again been horrified first by the killing of African Americans in Buffalo and then by the killing of little children and their teachers in Uvalde, Texas. Included with this newsletter is a statement following the Buffalo tragedy by the President of Synod, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison. Although words can never be enough in responding to this kind of evil, I urge you to read and to ponder what he has to say. These killings are occurring with mind-numbing regularity. Each of us must, according to his or her particular role and place in society, do what we can and also pray for an end to these intolerable events. Surely God is calling us all to repentance.

Saint Peter called to repentance the large crowd gathered in Jerusalem on that first Day of Pentecost. In response to his preaching, about three thousand people were baptized. Together with Easter and Christmas, Pentecost is one of the Three Great Festivals of the Christian Year. On Good Friday the Savior finished His redeeming work, on Easter His victory was revealed, on Pentecost the Holy Spirit came, Christ’s victory was proclaimed and the Church was born. And since that first Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit has continued through the preaching of the Word of God and the administration of the Holy Sacraments to bestow eternal life. For the Holy Spirit is, as we confess Him to be in the Nicene Creed, both “the Lord and Giver of life.”

Everyone is invited to the Memorial Service for Pastor Gary Fisher on Saturday June 11 at 12:30 PM. Pastor Fisher served as pastor of this congregation 1989–2006. Be sure to let your friends who may have been members here during those years know about this service. Pastor Fisher’s children will be present.

On the cornerstone of this church building, following the name of this church, we find the letters “U A C,” which stand for Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the confession of faith which was presented by the Lutheran princes and cities to Emperor Charles V in the City of Augsburg on June 25, 1530. And so on the last Sunday in June we commemorate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession. This is the principal confession of the faith of the Lutheran Church. So important is this Confession that there was a time when the Constitution of Our Saviour Church and of other churches required members to know not only Luther’s Small Catechism but also the Augsburg Confession. The text of the Augsburg Confession can easily be found online. We also have a number of paper copies available for the asking.

At the Voters Meeting on May 15 we approved the budget for fiscal year 2022–2023 and elected members of the Church Council: Bernie Knox, Merton Masterson, Ben Orris, Gabe Purviance, Mary Techau, Paul Techau, Gary Watson. As pastor, I am very grateful for the faithful and willing service of these leaders in our congregation. I do not take them for granted; they often go far above and beyond the call of duty!

Two people are attending a membership class on Saturday mornings at 10 o’clock. Anyone wishing to be a member of the church may attend, as well as anyone wishing to review the essential Christian teachings. This will continue through the month of August.

The first free flea market of this year was held on May 14, and the next one will take place on Saturday, June 11, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. The Ednor Gardens/Lakeside Association held a yard sale on our parking lot on May 21 and will hold an Ice Cream Social on Saturday, June 11, at 4:00 PM.

Please remember to pray for all those for whom our prayers are desired: James Bauman, Louis Bell, Dana Carmichael, Lucille Carmichael, Maggie Doswell, Quilla Downs, Albert Ford, Frank Ford, Iris Ford, Yolanda Ford, Sean Fortune, Helen Gray, Queenie Hardaway, Gloria Jones, Althea Masterson, Julia Silver, Robert Siperek, Lawrence Smallwood, George Volkman, Dennis Watson, Gary Watson. Maggie Doswell remains at Cadia Healthcare, 4922 LaSalle Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Yolanda Ford remains at Future Care, 1046 North Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21224. Louis Bell remains at Autumn Lake HealthCare, 7 Sudbrook Road, Pikesville, MD 21208. Queenie Hardaway has been living at the Augsburg Home for some time now: 6825 Campfield Road, Baltimore, MD 21207.

I continue to bring Holy Communion to members who are unable to come to church. If you want me to visit or bring you the Sacrament, call me at (410) 554–9994 or email me at charles.mcclean42@gmail.com. If you are in need of transportation to church, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be glad to make arrangements for that purpose.

Let us continue to remember one another in prayer and to pray for peace and tranquility both in our own country and throughout the world. And let us each and every one follow the example of the Church in the days after that first Pentecost, as described in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers… And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42, 47).

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean

WORKS OF MERCY

A number of people regularly attend our Free Flea Market; this is the story of one of those persons: She is an older lady who is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Loch Raven. She is always looking for school supplies and other items for children, and she also checks out clothing, especially shoes, for adults. At the May Free Flea Market, she had 3 large bags of items to take home; as she travels by bus, that presented challenges for her. So I offered to take her home—I knew she lived off Loch Raven Blvd since I had seen her walking in that area. She accepted my offer, and on the ride home, she filled me in on her background: She is from Jamaica and has lived here for many years. Her mission is to support families who come here from Jamaica and help them learn about the USA. And there are occasions on which she insists on giving us a donation! It is a joy to know that our outreach to the community is helping those in need.

Many thanks to the volunteers who faithfully come out on the second Saturday of each month. We couldn’t do it without your hel

—Judy Volkman

A Word in the Wake of the Buffalo Tragedy

reporter.lcms.org/2022/a-word-in-the-wake-of-the-buffalo-tragedy

May 18, 2022

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Once again violence saddens our nation. A young man, gripped by the satanic delusion “you shall be like God,” has stolen the precious lives of innocent mothers, daughters, sisters, fathers, sons and brothers in Buffalo, N.Y. In his writings, the perpetrator rejected Christianity and espoused the demonic ideas of racial hatred and violence. Yet each one of the slain was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and each was as valuable as the blood of Jesus (John 3:16).

Acts of evil such as this make us ask, “Is there no reasonable path to preclude the deranged from the legal acquisition of firearms?” “Are threats of violence from such a person free speech?” “Must free speech mean the infinite, unending gush of hatred and filth on the internet, including evil, racist rants with associated threats of violence?” “Is there no stronger pre-emptive remedy available?” We cannot settle for the status quo.

Yet Paul reminds us to persevere in goodness. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). But who of us does not grow weary? Good citizens, loving family and friends, are murdered in cold blood; a heroic retired police officer gives his life for others … again. We pray with the psalmist, “I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God” (Psalm 69:3).

On Nov. 30, 2021, a shooting occurred at the high school my niece and nephew attend in Oxford, Mich. They had attended school with the eventual assailant for years. Their friends were murdered. Other close friends barely survived being shot, including the grandchild of a retired LCMS pastor. The signs were all evident in the young man whose life had become captive to sin, death and the devil, a participant in the demonic. I think of how devastating this incident has been for my sister’s family. I thank God for their resilient faith in Christ and courage in the face of evil, even when answers are not easily at hand.

I now pray for the courage of the victims’ families in Buffalo, that Christ’s merciful love would surround them all and that they would look to Jesus’ cross and resurrection for eternal hope.

Today I think of the beautiful and ever-growing collage of saints in the LCMS. I think of your love and humility. I think of your clear confession and witness to Jesus Christ, a Jew from Palestine, whose racial identity few among us share. He is our precious Savior. I think of His zeal to reach the Jews, the Samaritans and the Syrophoenician woman. I think of Simon from Cyrene, the African who bore our Savior’s cross (Matthew 27:32), and his family who were vital members of the earliest church (Mark 15:21; Acts 11:20; Romans 16:13). I think of my pagan Slavic and German ancestors — apart from Christ and all hope — who were grafted into the family of God when they heard the witness to Jesus. I think of my own precious granddaughter, who has more African genetic material than German. I think of our black brothers and sisters whose hearts have been so won by Jesus and His Word that they hold the Gospel as the greatest treasure and confess the Lutheran faith from deep conviction, despite our many weaknesses and failings.

I thank God that in this dark world of sin and hatred, you are light in Christ. “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness” (1 John 2:9). Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Paul says that “the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:9). Peter reminds the church, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Let us act as good citizens of this world as we demand reasonable laws and strict prosecution of evil doers to thwart evil. “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who

carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. … Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:3–4, 8). It is a good work of love to practice civil righteousness toward our neighbor and to demand justice from our leaders. “Public remedy, made through the office of the public official, is not condemned, but is commanded and is God’s work” (Apology of the Augsburg Confession XVI 59).

Please join me in praying for the saints of our LCMS Eastern District and their president, the Rev. Dr. Chris Wicher, that they would not lose heart, but be greatly empowered in their witness to Jesus, the light of the world.

May the words of Paul and Barnabas continue ever more to mark us: “For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47).

O Spirit, who didst once restore Thy Church that it might be again The bringer of good news to men, Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more, That in these gray and latter days There may be those whose life is praise, Each life a high doxology To Father, Son, and unto Thee.

(Lutheran Service Book 834:4)

Pastor Matthew C. Harrison President

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
LCMS.org/president

Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, May, 2022

Leave a comment

OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH

3301 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218
410.235.9553
May, 2022

ASCENSION DAY
Festival Divine Service May 26, 7:30 PM

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On the last Thursday in May we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord, because it was on the fortieth day after His resurrection that the crucified and risen Lord ascended into heaven in the presence of His disciples. From ancient times Ascension Day has been one of the great festivals of the Christian Year, for through His ascension Christ took the humanity that is yours and mine, the humanity He took from His blessed mother and has never put aside, into the very presence of God that He might make us “partakers of His divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).

Until Ascension Day we continue to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection. Easter hymns are sung and the Paschal (Easter) Candle burns at all church services. After the reading of the Holy Gospel on Ascension Day, the Paschal Candle is extinguished as a sign that in His ascension our Lord withdrew His visible presence from us. During the rest of the year the Paschal Candle stands next to the baptismal font as a sign that through our baptism we share in Christ’s death and resurrection. At funerals the Paschal Candle stands next to the casket as a sign that through Christ’s resurrection death has become for believers an entrance into eternal life. Many years ago Pastor and Mrs. Stiemke gave the beautiful candlestick which was hand carved in England.

Included with this newsletter is an article written by the Rev. Dr. Alvin L. Barry, who from 1992 until his death in 2001 served as the President of our Synod. In it he addresses the topic of Fellowship in the Lord’s Supper in accord with Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions—which we Lutherans accept as a true exposition of Holy Scripture. This article explains why the following notice always appears in our Sunday bulletin:

Holy Communion: We welcome you to this Divine Service in which our crucified and risen Lord speaks His Word of pardon and peace and comes to His people in the Holy Sacrament of His True Body and Blood. Because the pastors of Christ’s Church are, as Saint Paul writes, “stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1), and therefore accountable to Him for their administration of the Sacrament, visitors who are not members of this congregation yet wish to receive Holy Communion are asked to speak with the pastor before the Divine Service.

I am always happy to answer any questions you might have about this or any other matter of doctrine and practice.

Paul Techau’s father, Wallace Techau, fell asleep in the Lord early in the morning of Maundy Thursday and was given Christian burial on Easter Tuesday. May the Light perpetual ever shine upon him, and may the risen Lord comfort Paul and all who mourn his father’s departure with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.

I am sure we are all glad that the bells in our church tower are ringing again! There will be a rededication of the bells on the first Sunday in October when we celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of this church

building. This is also Family Day. Do plan now on being present and tell your friends, especially former members of Our Saviour, about this happy occasion.

The first Free Flea Market of this year will take place on Saturday, May 14, 9:00 AM–12:00 noon. As always we are in need of volunteers to greet those who come and to help distribute the items they choose. I am not able to be present since a great nephew’s wedding will take place that day in Pennsylvania.

The Ednor Gardens-Lakeside Association will be using our parking lot for a Yard Sale on Saturday, May 21, from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. This is an opportunity to meet and greet our neighbors, so—if you can—why not spend some time at the yard sale? Come when you can, leave when you must. The rain date is May 28.

I must thank Paul and Mary Techau, Bernie Knox, Richard Brown and Ben Orris for all their help in making this year’s Saint Mark’s Conference a success. A number of people who attended this year’s conference have written to tell me how much they appreciated it and that they look forward to next year. Dr. Stephenson of Concordia Seminary, Saint Catharines, Ontario, showed us how that great confessor of the faith, Dr. Hermann Sasse (1895–1976), responded to conditions in Hitler’s Germany and how Dr. Sasse continues to provide solid teaching and reliable guidance for us who are living in the church and in the world of the early 21st century. Our good friend Pastor Coats provided a vivid picture of the remarkable works of Pastor Frederick Roth Webber (1887–1963) who regarded our own church building as a superb example of what a church building should be. Next year’s conference may well be devoted to the topic of prayer.

Please remember to pray for all those for whom our prayers are desired: James Bauman, Louis Bell, Dana Carmichael, Lucille Carmichael, Maggie Doswell, Albert Ford, Frank Ford, Iris Ford, Yolanda Ford, Sean Fortune, Helen Gray, Queenie Hardaway, Gloria Jones, Althea Masterson, Julia Silver, Lawrence Smallwood, George Volkman, Dennis Watson, Gary Watson. Maggie Doswell remains at Cadia Healthcare, 4922 LaSalle Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Yolanda Ford remains at Future Care, 1046 North Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21224. Louis Bell remains at Autumn Lake HealthCare, 7 Sudbrook Road, Pikesville, MD 21208. Queenie Hardaway has been living at the Augsburg Home for some time now: 6825 Campfield Road, Baltimore, MD 21207.

I continue to bring Holy Communion to members who are unable to come to church. If you want me to visit or bring you the Sacrament, call me at (410) 554–9994 or email me at charlesmcclean42@gmail.com. If you need transportation, do not hesitate to contact me and I will be glad to make arrangements for that purpose.

Let us continue to pray for peace in the world, and especially for an end to the sufferings of the people of Ukraine. When in the Creed we confess that the Lord Jesus “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father,” we are confessing our faith that our merciful Savior—though all unseen—rules all things for our true and eternal good. So let us then on Ascension Day come and worship Him with joy and with penitent and faithful hearts Him in His glorified Body and Blood!

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean

WORKS OF MERCY

Saturday, May 14 will be our first Free Flea Market of the season. We have a great deal of household items and clothing, but we need volunteers. We will be open from 9:00 AM–12:00 noon. Each person attending will receive 10 tickets and can redeem them for 10 items. This is our way of sharing the bounty the Lord has given us!
—Judy Volkman