We Christians are citizens both of this world and of the world to come. This world has its own way of marking time. By observing the seasons and festivals of the Church Year we Christians are made conscious of belonging to the world to come which dawned when the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

February 2nd is the Festival of the Presentation of our Lord. On the fortieth day after His birth our Lord’s parents took Him – as the ancient law required – to the temple at Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (Saint Luke 2:22-40). There they were met by the aged Simeon who took the Child Jesus in His arms saying, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Simeon’s words are very familiar to us because we always sing them after receiving the Holy Sacrament; these words have also found a place in the daily evening prayer of the Church. The temple in Jerusalem was the place where the sacrifices were offered which pointed forward to the Savior’s one true and perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. And so the Festival of the Presentation is a kind of bridge between Christ’s birth and His saving death and resurrection. Since February 2nd falls on Sunday this year, we will have an opportunity to celebrate this festival.

At the voters meeting on January 19th there was discussion about attendance at voters meetings and at Divine Service. To put it bluntly, the attendance at voters meetings has been quite sparse for some time now and attendance at Sunday worship is also far from what it should be. At the meeting there was a consensus that we would like to know why so few people attend these congregational meetings and why church attendance leaves so much to be desired. To be sure, voters meetings are a humanly devised way of taking care of the business of congregations and it may well be that we need to rethink the whole matter in the light of present circumstances.

At the voters meeting there was also a report and discussion about the church’s heating system. Be sure to read Paul Techau’s report at the end of this newsletter. Paul is not only our cantor but also the president of our congregation. We must thank him for all he does!

There will be an indoor work day on Saturday, February 8th, starting at 9:30 A.M. It should last no more than 2-3 hours. There are a number of clean up chores around the church. Please join us if you are able.

Althea Masterson, Merton Masterson’s mother, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, January 3rd. May the Light perpetual ever shine upon her and may the Savior comfort Merton and all who mourn with the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.

We continue to remember in prayer Bridget Bauman, James Bauman, Christopher Bell, Bertha Buchanan, Dana Carmichael, Quilla Downs, David Dowdy, Bunny Duckett, Steve and Joyce Eaves, Albert Ford, Frank Ford, Iris Ford, Yolanda Ford, Sean Fortune, Sherry James, Gloria Jones, Jake Mokris, Mary Mokris, Pastor Elliott Robertson, Marian Rollins, Julia Silver, Robert Siperek Jr., Lawrence Smallwood, George Volkman, Dennis Watson, Gary Watson. Yolanda Ford remains at Future Care, 1046 North Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21224. Frank Ford is home from the hospital as is David Dowdy who was recently hospitalized.

Remember that one way you can provide desperately needed help to people suffering both at home and abroad is through our Synod’s Contributor Care Line (888-030-4439) or by sending a check to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, PO Box 66861, Saint Louis, MO 63166-6861. Make your check payable to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and mark the check for LCMS World Relief and Human Care. You can also donate through Synod’s secure website: lcms.org/givenow/mercy.

Food for the GEDCO Food Pantry remains an urgent need as do personal items for the Helping Up Mission  Boxes for both are just outside the door to the church office.

The Sunday Bible Class is beginning a study of Martin Luther’s Smalcald Articles. These are included in the Book of Concord of 1580 which, grounded in Holy Scripture, expresses the doctrine of the Lutheran Church. We meet at 9:45 A.M. Come join us! Questions are welcome!

Let me say again that I am always glad to hear from you in person or by telephone (410-554-9994) or email (charlesmcclean1942@gmail.com). At the recent voters meeting the desire was expressed to know why people are not coming to church or coming very seldom. I of course realize that this is not a problem confined to Our Saviour Church! I wonder if we realize that by failing to be present on the Lord’s Day we are refusing Christ’s gracious invitation to receive the gifts He gives through the preaching of the Gospel and through the holy Gifts of His precious Body and Blood. I also wonder if people have lost sight of the truth that, as members of Christ’s mystical Body the Church, “we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25) – which means that we are called to love one another also by encouraging one another through our presence at worship on the Lord’s Day. Think on these things! Lent begins early next month. Lent is the church’s season of repentance: repentance involves amendment of life! You are in my prayers. Please remember me in yours.

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean

A Word About the Heating System

As you may recall, about ten years ago we replaced the boiler for the heating system in the church, which was original to the building from 1930. It has performed very well for us. The other component of the heating system is the blower that forces the air heated by the boiler into the sanctuary. This blower is driven by a rather substantial electric motor. It also is original to the building from 1930. Sometime during the week of January 12, the motor failed. Our representative from AJ Michaels, the installer of the boilers and our maintenance contractor for the system, Ryan Small, has worked to help us find a temporary solution. Fortunately, he has found a temporary solution that involves air blowers in the heating chamber of the blower. This approach managed to get the temperature in the sanctuary to 66°. Until we get a permanent solution, this is about where we will be.

Ryan is also working up a quote to replace the blower. This will take some time as it involves replacing 95-year-old components that were custom to the building. It will be a substantial job. We will keep everyone updated as things develop and we get more information. In the meanwhile we can be grateful that it appears the temporary solution we have will keep the sanctuary warm enough to continue to comfortably use the sanctuary this winter. I would also like to thank Andy Layman for his help checking in on the church during the week, especially when it was so cold. Look for more updates in the coming weeks.

-Paul Techau