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Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, June, 2018

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Our Saviour Lutheran Church
3301 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-235-9553
June, 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During the past month we celebrated the ascension of our Lord, the great Feast of Pentecost – the coming of the Holy Spirit, the birthday of the Church, and the Feast of the Holy Trinity, commonly called Trinity Sunday on which we rejoice in God’s revelation of Himself as one God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And on Pentecost three fine young men, having completed the study of the Catechism, were confirmed: Dominick Carmichael-Myrie, Elijah Carmichael-Myrie, and Theodore Jones. Remember these young men in your prayers that they may always remain faithful to Christ and His Church.

Our dear sister in Christ, Mary Bridges, fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, May 28th, following a lengthy illness. May the Light perpetual shine upon her and may the risen Lord comfort her daughter Lynetric and all who mourn her departure. As of this writing, funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Remember also to pray for all those whose names appear in the Sunday bulletin. Helen Gray was recently hospitalized but is again at home. Our dear organist emeritus, Don Weber, is now a patient at Franklin Square Hospital.

Every Sunday morning we have Bible class and Sunday School at 9:45 A.M. Mary Techau has been teaching the little ones and the not so little ones. And for that I am very grateful! During the past year the Bible class has studied some of the Scripture lessons assigned to the Sundays of the Church Year, the Augsburg Confession, and the use of the psalms in the New Testament. We are now beginning a study of the Letter to the Hebrews which was addressed to Jewish Christians in danger of falling back into Judaism. God’s written Word is always timely, but I think that Hebrews is perhaps especially timely in a time when the Church is increasingly under pressure from a society which has ceased to be – if it ever really was! – in some sense Christian and in which the whole Judaeo-Christian tradition no longer forms the world we live in. Our Sunday Bible classes are quite informal. Questions are very welcome. Come join us!

  We have now been using our Synod’s new hymnal, Lutheran Service Book, for a month. I think that it has been well received. We have been using what is called Divine Service III which is the same liturgy that is found in The Lutheran Hymnal, the “red book.” Beginning on the first Sunday in July and continuing through August and September, we will be using Divine Service I which is the same liturgy that is found in Lutheran Worship, the “blue book.” I am happy to report that we have received so many offerings from members and friends of Our Saviour that these books have cost us very little. You can still give a book or books in honor or in memory of loved ones. The cost is $30.00 per book. By the way, we have numerous copies of the two older hymnals. You are certainly welcome to take one or more for your own use. The Church’s hymns are intended for use not only in public worship but also in family and private devotion.

 You may or may not have noticed that in the Lutheran Service Book there is a small triangle before the beginning of the last stanza of those hymns which conclude with a doxology, a stanza in which we give glory and praise to the triune God. The triangle is there to remind us to stand for these stanzas. It will no doubt take time before we all become familiar with this custom. Do remember that as we worship our heavenly Father we are not a regiment on parade but are the children of God in their Father’s house. 

 The new Church Council will be installed during the Divine Service on June 10th.  They are:  Paul Techau’ President; Dana Carmichael, Secretary; Bernie Knox, Treasurer; Mary Techau, Director of Education; Merton Masterson, Director of Worship; Gary Watson, At Large.

 Sunday, June 24th, is the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the Forerunner of our Lord. Saint Luke tells us of this in Luke 1:57-80. Since John was born six months before the Savior, the Church has from ancient times remembered John’s birth six months before Christmas Eve.

 Enclosed with this letter is a tract which addresses the question of Fellowship in the Lord’s Supper. The Holy Sacrament is the Sacrament of Unity. The faithful Lutheran Church has always so understood it and has insisted on unity of faith on the part of those who receive Communion. The fact is that Christians are sadly divided in what they believe, teach and confess. Until these doctrinal differences are resolved, the common reception of Communion by Christians who are divided in  doctrine would suggest a unity which does not yet exist and for which we must all fervently pray. I am always happy to prepare people for the reception of Holy Communion.

 Do not forget that every Lord’s Day is a celebration of the Lord’s resurrection when Christians gather to hear His Word and to receive Him in the Holy Sacrament of His Body and Blood. Continue to pray for one another and for me your pastor.

Affectionately in our Lord,


Pastor McClean

Ordination Anniversary Celebration:
As you know, Pastor McClean will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination this June the 23rd.  In honor of this occasion, we will be having a celebration of thanksgiving on June 23rd at 10:00 AM with Divine Service and a luncheon to follow.

Please plan on attending this very special event. If you could please, respond by calling the church office (410-253-9553) and leaving a message or signing the sheet on the piano in the church by June 9 so that we can properly plan for the luncheon, it would be most appreciated.
– Our Saviour Church Council

Free Flea Market
As you change the clothes in your closet for the warmer weather, remember the Free Flea Market at Our Saviour. We can always use men’s clothing, housewares, and other items of interest. We will also gather coats for Waverly Elementary/Middle School, so you can bring them in now. This will be the 5th year that we have held this successful outreach to the community. Items can be dropped off in the room next to the Multi-Purpose room. Let Judy Volkman know what you are leaving. The first Free Flea Market will be June 9th and every second Saturday through September. Volunteers are needed to greet visitors and welcome them to Our Saviour.
– Judy Vokman

 

Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, May, 2018

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Our Saviour Lutheran Church
3301 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-235-9553
May, 2018

 

Ascension Divine Service May 10, 7:30 P.M.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ not only on Easter Day but also throughout the forty days from Easter Day itself until Ascension Day which this year occurs on May 10th. Divine Service will be celebrated at 7:30 P.M. We hear Saint Luke’s account of the ascension as he tells of it in Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:44-53. I love these words of Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1885) in which he addresses the ascended Lord:

 Thou hast raised our human nature
On the clouds to God’s right hand;
There we sit in heav’nly places,
There with Thee in glory stand.
Jesus reigns, adored by angels;
Man with God is on the throne.
Mighty Lord, in Thine ascension
We by faith behold our own.

 Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you. And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). And so on Ascension Day we not only rejoice in our Lord’s ascension but also in the sure promise of His coming again. I hope that many of you will come to the Divine Service on Ascension Day: the celebration of the great festivals of the Christian Year is not a burden but rather a joyful privilege.

 Our hearts have been saddened by the death of our long-time member and sexton, William Hawkins, who fell asleep in Christ on Friday, April 27th. His kindness, his cheerful service, his faithfulness to Christ and His Church, his eagerness to bring others to the knowledge of the Savior will long be remembered. Ours is the loss but his is the gain for “to depart and be with Christ…is far better” as Saint Paul teaches us (Philippians 1:23). The funeral service will take place on Friday, May 11th, at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. until the service. A repast will follow. If you wish to donate a dish for the repast, call Bunny Duckett at 410.842.7262.

 We extend our Christian sympathy also to Richard Brown and his family who mourn the death of Richard’s mother and father who both died as the result of an automobile accident. The taxi in which they were riding was struck by a car whose driver then fled the scene. At such a time as this we remember the promise of our Lord: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27,28).

 On the first Sunday in May we will begin to use our synod’s new hymnal, the Lutheran Service Book. It combines the best of the two hymnals we have been using The Lutheran Hymnal  (the “red book”) published in 1941 and Lutheran Worship (the “blue book”) published in 1982. I think that everyone will find much that is very familiar and dear as we begin to use this new hymnal together with new hymns which will enrich our worship. Thanks to the generosity of many people these hymnals are largely paid for. It is still possible to give one or more as memorials of loved ones or to honor someone. The cost is $30.00. Be sure to mark the check for this purpose.

 Our spring Voters Meeting will take place following Divine Service this coming Sunday, May 6th. Members of our congregation 18 years and older are eligible to participate. The slate of candidates for the 2018/19 church council is: President, Paul Techau; Vice President, open; Secretary, Dana Carmichael; Treasurer, Bernie Knox; Education, Mary Techau; Property, open; Worship, Merton Masterson; At Large, Gary Watson.

 Confirmation will take place on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday, May 20th. Dominick and Elijah Carmichael-Myrie and Ted Jones will be confirmed. A potluck lunch will follow Divine Service. Pray for Dominick, Elijah, and Ted as they approach their confirmation.

 The rededication of the sacristy in memory of James Gray who for so many years faithfully cared for the altar and sacristy was a happy occasion as was the lunch which followed. Many thanks to all who made this happen.

 I must also thank everyone who worked so hard on this year’s Saint Mark’s Conference, especially Bernie Knox and Paul and Mary Techau. Gene Wilken from Nashville, Tennessee, graciously donated his expertise to record the Conference. The videos of the services and presentations will be available on our website oursaviourbaltimore.org. 

 The first free flea market will take place on Saturday, June 9th. Volunteers are always needed! You may call Judy Volkman at 410.377.8833.

 I will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of my ordination with Divine Service at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 23rd. This is an opportunity for me to remember and give thanks and to ask God’s continued blessing.

 You are in my prayers as I hope I am in yours.

I wish you a blessed Holy Week and joyous Easter.

Affectionately in our Lord,


Pastor McClean

Works of Mercy

Our Saviour has been a member of GEDCO since its inception. This coalition of churches and community groups has done fantastic things in reaching out to those in need in our community. Last year, GEDCO provided permanent housing and supportive services to more than 530 people in need. From April 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, GEDCO’s Community Service division accomplished the following:

Responded to 3,357 requests for food assistance, helping 2,439 individuals (Our Saviour regularly contributes food items to them)
Prevented utility turnoffs or restored power for 523 households
Prevented 97 evictions
Provided prescription medication assistance to 95 households
Prepare resumes for 166 job-seeking clients, thus helping 143 individuals procure employment.

The Church Council voted to contribute $500 to their mission, and will be looking for ways to better partner with them.                                                                                                            – Judy Volkmann

Gate of Heaven

Misericordias Domini

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Misericordias Domini, The Second Sunday after Easter

April 15, 2018 AD

Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:11-16

Epistle: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Gospel: John 10:11-16

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“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” – Saint John 10:27f

On this second Lord’s Day after Easter Day the Church always draws our attention to the risen Lord as the good shepherd. I doubt that there is any image of Christ more precious to the Christian heart than this image of Jesus the good shepherd of us lost and lonely sheep.

The words just read as our text for this sermon are, like the Gospel read just a few moments ago, only a fragment of Jesus’ teaching about Himself as the good shepherd as we find His words in the tenth chapter of Saint John’s Gospel. It’s of course a firm principle that in order to understand rightly part of Holy Scripture we must pay close attention to the context. And Jesus’ teaching about Himself as the good shepherd immediately follows His healing of a man who had been blind from birth and immediately precedes the raising of His friend Lazarus from the dead. It’s as if Jesus is saying, “This is what’s happening as I restore sight to the blind man and raise Lazarus from the dead.” For in healing the blind man and in calling Lazarus out of the tomb, the good shepherd is seeking his lost and lonely sheep.

There is also this: the man born blind and dead Lazarus are in fact a vivid picture of us all as we in fact are apart from our good shepherd: blind to the wonderful radiance of God’s love, “dead in trespasses and sins,” and doomed to bodily and eternal death. But the good shepherd doesn’t abandon us in our blindness and in our death, He doesn’t leave us lost and wayward sheep to our own devices! He came and He comes seeking us – at the cost of His own life as He said: “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Jesus the good shepherd rescues us His sheep by himself becoming a lamb as the prophet Isaiah said: “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and as a sheep, before its shearers is dumb.” The one true and eternal Shepherd becomes a little lamb – born of the lowly Virgin Mary; dying He destroys death and rising tom the dead opens the way to eternal life for all who hear and follow Him. He has overcome the devouring grave, for as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes: “the God of peace has [indeed] brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep,” the Lord Jesus who says, “My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.”

The man who’d been born blind hears the voice of the good shepherd and receives his sight, Jesus’ friend Lazarus – a full four days dead in the tomb! – hears the voice of the good shepherd calling him and comes out of the tomb. The blind man and Lazarus hear the voice of their good shepherd, but those who chose to be Jesus’ enemies don’t. For they see no need for such a shepherd, they’re content to live and manage things as they see fit, and can only see in Jesus a disturbing presence who challenges their beliefs and plans, and threatens their power over the people. And so they do not hear!

As so often happens in Saint John’s Gospel, seemingly insignificant details are fraught with meaning. For example, Saint John tells us that when Judas left the last supper “it was night,” night, not only in the sense that the sun’s light no longer shone but also in the sense that all the powers of darkness were in that moment gathering together to destroy Him who is the radiant brightness of the Father’s face, the true Light of the whole world. Well Saint John tells us that our Lord spoke these words about Himself as the good shepherd during the feast of the dedication of the temple at Jerusalem when – as Saint John writes – “it was winter.” “It was winter” – winter not only in the sense that it was the cold and dreariest of all the year, but also in the sense that the hearts of Jesus’ enemies were wintry: cold to divine love, wandering all unknowingly in a confused and of world, as spiritually dead as the leafless trees and the cold, hard ground.

So how is with you, with me? Are our hearts cold and wintry? Are we blind to the light of love shining from Jesus’ cross and open tomb, therefore “full of [God’s] glory”? Are we like dead men, in the grip of guilt, or bitterness rooted in past hurts, or paralyzed by fear of what the future might hold? Are we just a bit bewildered, like sheep who hear not the familiar voice of their shepherd but the even terrifying voice of a stranger bent on harming them?

If so, there is but one remedy: to listen! To listen to the voice of the good shepherd who came and who comes seeking us as He does again this day in the holy mysteries of His body and blood which tell us with unmistakable clarity that He is indeed our good shepherd who loved us enough to die for us: “My body … given for you…My blood poured out for you… you are mine.” We listen to His voice, calling us from our wayward ways into His way of life and peace. We humbly follow where our shepherd leads until that Day when, by His mercy, we take our place among that great multitude which no man can number, standing before the throne of God and the Lamb, the heavenly flock of the good shepherd, of whom Saint John exiled on Patmos writes: “They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more, the sun shall not strike them nor any scorching heat. For the LAMB in the midst of the throne will be their SHEPHERD, and He will guide them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Amen. The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus unto life everlasting.

Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, April, 2018

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Our Saviour Lutheran Church
3301 The Alameda
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-235-9553
April, 2018

 

MAUNDY THURSDAY – DIVINE SERVICE, 7:30 P.M.
GOOD FRIDAY – THE LITURGY, 7:30 P.M.
EASTER EVE – THE EASTER VIGIL, 7:30 P.M.
EASTER DAY – FESTIVAL DIVINE SERVICE, 7:30 P.M.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Once again we stand at the threshold of the yearly celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord. Because the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus are the foundation of all our life and hope, this is the very heart of the Christian Year. To participate in the celebration of those mighty acts whereby God in His great love has given us life and immortality is a great privilege and blessing. In addition to the services here at Our Saviour there is also a Tre Ore Good Friday Service from 12:00 noon until 3:00 P.M. at Bethlehem Church, 4815 Hamilton Avenue. It goes without saying that every Christian will wish to be in the Lord’s House on Easter Day so that with repentant and faithful hearts we may receive the body and blood of the risen Lord in the holy Sacrament. With joy we exchange the Easter greeting, “Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!” 

But the Church does not celebrate the resurrection for just one day. The celebration continues for the forty days until Ascension Day when our Lord withdrew His visible presence from us and after ten days sent the Holy Spirit to be with His Church for ever. The Paschal – Easter – Candle burns at all services and we continue to sing Easter hymns. The Paschal Candle is a symbol of the risen Lord whose light dispels all darkness. The five red wax nails in the Candle remind us of the scars of nails and spear still to be seen in the body of the risen Savior. The Paschal Candle burns at all services until on Ascension Day it is extinguished following the reading of the Gospel telling of Jesus’ ascension. For the rest of the year the Paschal Candle stands near the baptismal font and is lit for baptisms since baptism is participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:3-11) It stands by the casket at funerals as a symbol of the hope of the resurrection. Our own Paschal candlestick is beautifully hand carved and is a gift from Pastor and Mrs. Stiemke.

There can be no greater sadness in this life than the death of one we have loved. And so we extend our Christian sympathy to those who mourn the death of Marion Purviance, the mother of Gabe Purviance and wife of Philip, and to Eugene James who mourns the death of his brother Kenneth. Marion’s funeral service was held in church on March 3rd, Kenneth James’s funeral on March 23rd. May the Light perpetual ever shine upon them and may our heavenly Father comfort all who mourn their departure.

On Sunday, April 8th, the sacristy will be rededicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of James Gray who for so many years faithfully cared for the altar of our Church. This will take place at the end of the Divine Service and lunch will follow.

On Sunday, April 22nd, I will be preaching at Martini Church, the Church I grew up in and where I was baptized, confirmed and ordained. Martini is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Chaplain Graham Glover will be the celebrant and preacher here at Our Saviour.

 The annual Saint Mark’s Conference takes place on April 23/24. Everyone is welcome to attend. The theme of this year’s Conference is “Eucharist and Church Fellowship.” Information about the Conference can be found at our Church website: oursaviourbaltimore.org/conference

 On the first Sunday in May we will begin using our Synod’s new hymnal, the Lutheran Service Book. The January Voters Meeting unanimously decided to introduce this book of worship. We have received some very generous gifts toward the cost of these new books but you can still give a hymnal in memory of departed loved ones. The cost of one book is $30.00. Be sure to mark the check for this purpose. The book includes much that is best in the two hymnals we have been using: The Lutheran Hymnal (the “red book”) published in 1941 and Lutheran Worship (the “blue book”) published in 1982. There are also new hymns which will enrich our worship.

 Because Confirmation will take place on the third Sunday in May, the spring Voters Meeting will be held following Divine Service on Sunday, May 6th. Members of Our Savior 18 years and older are eligible to participate.

 Dominick and Elijah Carmichael-Myrie and Ted Jones are completing confirmation instruction and will be confirmed on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday, May 20th. Pray for these fine young men as they approach their confirmation.

I wish you a blessed Holy Week and joyous Easter.

Affectionately in our Lord,


Pastor McClean

Although the last Soup Supper during Lent was cancelled because of snow, a total of 75 people enjoyed the various dinners by our volunteer cooks.  Bernie Knox, Judy Volkman, the Ushers, Quilla Downs, and Mary Techau served up delicious meals.  And Helen Gray and her band of cooks stood ready but the weather didn’t allow them to share their goodies!  A total of $309.65 was received from the free-will offering and will be used to purchase turkeys and other food for the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets.  Many thanks to all who gave of their talents.

– Judy Volkman