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Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, November, 2019

OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH
in the City of Baltimore

November,  2019

 

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3: PUT YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR.

THANKSGIVING EVE
Wednesday, November 27
DIVINE SERVICE, 7:30 P.M.
“Come, ye thankful people, come”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since November 1 is All Saints Day we always keep the first Sunday in November in celebration of this festival of the Christian Year. It is a glorious festival in which we rejoice in the great reality of the communion of saints, that blessed company of all who are Christ’s both in paradise and on earth. We especially remember all those who have loved and served Him here on earth and who now rejoice in His nearer presence. We together with them look forward to that Last and Great Day when the risen Lord will appear in glory as Judge of the living and the dead and will raise from the dead the bodies of all who now rest in Him. According to the usage of the word in the New Testament all who are Christ’s are “saints,” that is “holy people” – holy not in ourselves but holy because in Baptism our sins have been forgiven and we have been clothed in the spotless robe of Jesus’ blood and righteousness. But from ancient times the word “saint” has especially been given to those in whom the light of Christ has shone more brightly: the virgin mother of our Lord and Savior, the holy patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and confessors through all the ages. And all of us can think of those we’ve known whose lives were bright with faith and hope and love.

It is our custom especially to remember members of our congregation who have died since the last All Saints Day. This year we remember our dear sister in Christ, Ethlyn Gosnell, who fell asleep in the Lord on October 16 and was given Christian burial following the funeral service here in church on Friday, October 25. May she rest in peace and may the Light perpetual shine upon her. And may the risen Lord Himself comfort all who mourn her departure.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Germany this past month. It was delightful in every way – not least the German food and drink! Among other things I was able to see the city of Rastatt where one of my great-great-grandfathers had lived and the city of Bad Wildungen where one of my great-grandfathers had lived before coming to Baltimore. There I saw the church where Philip Nicolai served as pastor in the late 16th century. He is the author of what we Lutherans call “the King and Queen of Chorales”: “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying” (LSB 516) and “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” (LSB 395). I visited Wittenberg and there saw the Castle Church of All Saints, the City Church of Saint Mary and Luther’s home; I attended Divine Service in the Chapel of the Old Latin School which now is an international center for faithful Lutheranism. I also visited the tomb of Saint Boniface (672-754) in Fulda. Because of his great missionary labors he has been called “the Apostle of Germany”; his name appears in the list of commemorations in our Synod’s present hymnal.

I think that we are all grateful for the new lighting in church. I for one had not realized how dim the lighting had become! Many of the bulbs had burned out but now they have been replaced with LED lights which will last a very long time.

The third Thursday in November is Thanksgiving Day. On Thanksgiving Eve there will be Divine Service at 7:30 P.M. I remember how when I was a boy the churches would be filled on Thanksgiving – and that was as it should be. But that has long ceased to be true. There are no doubt all kinds of reasons for this. But do we not need to consider our priorities? Is it too much to ask that we spend one hour in the House of God to join together in giving thanks for His blessings to us all?

The last Sunday in November is the Last Sunday of the present Church Year. The following Sunday, Advent Sunday, will be the beginning of the new Church Year. As one Church Year is ending and another about to begin we surely need to examine our lives in the light of the Word of God. In doing so we will surely come to see our many sins in thought and word and deed and our utter dependence on the mercy of God in His Son Jesus Christ our Savior. Let us then be diligent in the use of God’s Word and Sacraments in which He freely bestows forgiveness of our sins, life, and salvation. Ask yourself: If this were my last day on earth, how would I wish to live?

I ask your prayers for me; you are in mine.

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean

Works of Mercy

When I went to tally the results of the Free Flea markets this year, I was pleasantly surprised. 144 people attended and 1,165 items were distributed. And 12 volunteers assisted 32 times at these occasions. But even more impressive are the numbers for the 6 years we have been doing this outreach to the community. We touched the lives of 979 people and distributed 6,698 items. Wow!!!! That’s a lot of people and items that we gave from the bounty the Lord has given us! It couldn’t have been done without the helpful hands of the volunteers, who came out 264 times to assist. Quite impressive for a small congregation!

And that change that’s in your pocket? It all adds up. Bert Buchanan’s husband emptied his pockets every night in a jar for years. She recently shared these coins to be used to purchase items for the Helping Up Mission. The total came to $56.43. So every penny counts and is used to help others.

– Judy

 

Gate of Heaven

Funeral of Ethlyn Gosnell

OSLC 5Funeral of Ethlyn Gosnell

October 25, 2019 AD

Epistle: Romans 8:31-39
Gospel: John 14: 1-6
Sermon Text: Psalm 116:7-9

Click here to listen and subscribe to Pastor McClean’s sermons on iTunes.

This morning we gather to give thanks to God for the life of our dear sister in Christ, Ethlyn Gosnell, and to commend her soul into the hands of our heavenly Father, trusting not in our merits but in the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who, at His glorious coming again to judge the living and the dead, will change our lowly body and make it like His glorious body, using that power which enables Him to subdue all things to Himself.

In the Apostles Creed which we just joined in saying we confess our faith in “the resurrection of the body” and later, at the cemetery we shall pray, “May God the Father who created this body. May God the Son who by His blood redeemed this body together with the soul. May God the Holy Spirit who by Baptism sanctified this body to be His temple keep these remains unto the day of the resurrection of the body.” And so these earthly remains which now lie before us in the bonds of death will at the Last Day be raised in glory by the Savior whom the cross could not daunt nor the grave contain.
St. John the Beloved Disciple put it so simply: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, but it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

The human mind cannot fully understand, human words can never fully express the joy of that final resurrection morning. For “eye had not seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” According to her soul, Ethlyn already enjoys that sweet peace, that quiet rest, as we sing “sweet is the calm of paradise the blest” but then go right on to sing, “but lo there breaks a yet more glorious day, the saints triumphant rise in bright array.” And so Ethlyn, together with all who have fallen asleep in Christ, and with all who now in the is life trust and hope in Him look forward to that “yet more glorious day,” as we believe in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.”

Many of you knew Ethlyn for a very long time. I’ve known her for only six years But I must truthfully say that – until these last few very difficult months of her life – I always came away from every visit with Ethlyn cheered and encouraged by the delight she took in life, her deep interest in the life of our congregation, by the grace with which she bore the infirmities, and by her simple gratitude for the Holy Sacrament of her Savior’s true body and blood. I think that, like the blessed mother of our Lord, she “rejoiced in God her Savior.” But it became clear to me in these last months that she was quite simply tired and wanting to go home. I think that some verses of Psalm 116 express it so well. The psalmist says to himself, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I WILL walk before the Lord in the land of the living.”

May she rest in peace and rise in glory!

Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, October, 2019

OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH
in the City of Baltimore

October,  2019

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This coming Sunday, October 6, is Family Day. Following Divine Service there will be lunch in the undercroft. Sandwiches will be provided; you are encouraged to bring a side dish to share. Come and bring your friends!

From October 7 through October 21 I will be away on my trip to Germany. If you need a pastor while I am gone, you may call our good friend Pastor Coats at 443.745.9200. Pastor Noah Rogness will be here on the two Sundays I am away. You may remember that he preached on Family Day last year.

Voters Meeting will be held following Divine Service on Sunday, October 20. All members of Our Saviour, eighteen years and older, are invited to participate.

On the last Sunday in this month, October 27, Our Saviour will be the host for the Joint Reformation Service of all the Baltimore area congregations of our Synod. The service begins at 4:00 P.M. The Rev. Dr. Gregory N. Todd, Rear Admiral United States Navy, Chaplain of the Marine Corps, will be the preacher. A reception will follow. Plan now on attending this festival celebration.

Reformation Day always comes as an invitation to remember what it means to be Lutheran. None of the Lutheran reformers imagined that they were somehow “founding” a new Church. Rather they saw their work as reforming the one Church of Christ which will be and remain forever. As someone has said, the difference between the Church before and after the Reformation is the difference between a garden before and after it has been weeded: it is in fact the same garden, only the noxious weeds have been removed. The Lutheran Reformation removed only those teachings and practices which contradict the teaching of Holy Scripture, which obscure the Gospel of God’s free pardon through the life, death and resurrection of His only and eternal Son. And so as Lutherans we are heirs to the whole heritage of the Church through the centuries. We confess the three ancient Creeds: the Apostles, the Nicene, and the Athanasian. Our Divine Service is not something made up in the sixteenth century; it is essentially the same liturgy which has been in use from the most ancient times. Reformation Day always comes as an invitation to remember and give thanks, to repent of our sins of indifference and ingratitude and also as an invitation to fervent prayer that God would guard and keep His Church in all its struggles until the risen Lord appears in glory to make all things new.

Do remember to pray for those whose names appear each Sunday in the bulletin especially for our members who are shut in: Dorothy Bell, Charles Dowdy, Joyce Gillespie, Ethelyn Gosnell. Yolanda Ford has recently been hospitalized and Paul Techau is recovering from surgery.

I believe it cannot be said too often: Every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every Sunday the Church gathers to hear His word of judgment and mercy. Every Sunday the Church gathers to meet Him as He truly comes in the blessed Sacrament of His Body and Blood. Every Sunday is therefore a day of great joy.

Remember me in your prayers as you are in mine.

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean

Works of Mercy

Our quarterly delivery of grooming items will be delivered to the Helping up Mission this week. Thankfully, this will be a larger than usual delivery of grooming products and wearing apparels due to the donation of a satchel full of coins. The coins were turned over to the Financial Secretary, Mrs. Judy Volkman, who undertook the herculean task of sorting and counting the stash which totaled some $60.00. The converted dollars were turned over to me; I in turn purchased multiple grooming products as well as socks, shorts, tee shirts, etc. Many thanks to Mrs. Bertha Buchanan for her generous donation which she made in memory of her late husband, Mr. Peter Buchanan. Another monetary donation was made from a donor friend outside of our church, thanks to Judy Volkman. The monetary donations, combined with the change collected from the Poor Boxes, and the usual church family grooming gifts, enables us to better bless the men and women who are in spiritual recovery. Jesus said, “When I was naked you clothed me, in prison you visited me, hungry you fed me… whatever you do for the lease of these you do for me.” (Matthew 25:3, 35-36). Many thanks to our church family and friends who consistently support the Helping up Mission. Your can read about the many stories of recovery on line and through the Mission’s Newsletter which we post on Our Saviour’s bulletin board.

– Qullia Downs

Parish Newsletters

Our Saviour Parish News, September, 2019

OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH
in the City of Baltimore

September,  2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This summer seems to have passed by rather quickly. We have certainly had some very hot and humid days – including Sundays. But the summer Sundays have not been uneventful!

Elizabeth Katherine Ford, who was born on January 11th, received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on Sunday, August 11th. Her parents are Carlos Juan Ford and Kimberly Ann nee Gado. Elizabeth is a great-granddaughter of Frank Ford. It was a very happy occasion! We sometimes forget that as a Christian congregation it is our duty to remember those who have been baptized in our prayers that they may grow up as faithful members of Christ and His Body the Church.

We were happy to have Joshua Dub with us as our summer vicar for most of July and August. Earlier in the summer he served as summer vicar for Philadelphia Lutheran Ministries with Pastor Robert Kieselowsky who serves Saint John’s Church in the suburb of Springfield and the Logos Church in center city Philadelphia. We were glad to hear him preach twice and lead our Sunday Bible Study of the Gospel according to Saint Mark. Joshua is very gifted musically and we were happy to hear him chant the Gospel on Sunday, August 11th, the Seventh Sunday after Trinity. He joined me in visiting several of our shut-in members and also made such calls and also hospital calls on his own. Pastor Coats and I joined him in weekly study of the original Greek language of the Sunday readings from Holy Scripture. Josh has definite scholarly interests and is already involved in the preparation of translations of significant works of theology including some of the new volumes in the American edition of Luther’s Works. He now returns to Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne for his second year of study. After a full year as a vicar and a final year at the Seminary he will be ready to be ordained. I am convinced that he will be a fine pastor, truly a blessing to those whose lives he will touch.

Those of us who were at Divine Service on July 14th heard the Rev. Dr. John Bombaro preach. He made a very interesting visual presentation at the Sunday Bible Class about the work he will soon begin in the City of Riga in Latvia, establishing an English-speaking congregation there and teaching at the Luther Academy in that City. It was wonderful to hear about the revival of the Lutheran Church in Latvia after so many years of Soviet oppression and persecution.

Kate Phillips was with us on Sunday, August 18th, and made a visual presentation at the Bible Class and spoke to the congregation about the work she will soon begin in the Dominican Republic where there is clearly tremendous need. She is in the Deaconess Program at the Fort Wayne Seminary and this two year internship is part of that program. Kate’s parents live in Arnold near Annapolis. She attended the Christian Day School of Saint Paul’s Church in Glen Burnie and happens to be a friend of my great-nephew Wes Pierce who also attended Saint Paul’s School.

The presence of Dr. Bombaro and of Kate Phillips reminded us of the larger mission of the Church throughout the world. Let us faithfully remember them in our prayers and – as we are able – support their work financially. You may send a check clearly marked on the memo line with “Bombaro-Latvia Support” or “Phillips-Dominican Republic Support” to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, P.O. Box 66861, Saint Louis, Missouri 63166-6861.

Looking ahead, the last free flea market of this year will take place on Saturday, September 14th from 9:00 to 12:00 noon and that will be followed immediately by a picnic in honor of our City Council member, Mary Pat Clarke, who will be retiring from public service. Mary Pat is a good friend of Our Saviour. Please come and enjoy lunch and say thank you for all of the support she has given us.

I trust that you have all received the recent letter from the Church Council concerning the finances of our congregation. Saint Paul says that “the Lord loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). It is a grateful heart which cheerfully gives. I remember that Pastor Engelbert (who baptized and confirmed me) once said that every line of the Apostles Creed is reason for gratitude, for thanksgiving.

On the last Sunday in September we will have an opportunity to give thanks for the ministry of the holy angels: in the calendar of the Christian Year September 29th is the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels. Surely there is a great comfort which this feast suggests. At every Divine Service we worship “with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven” in the presence of the risen Lord who is truly present in the Holy Sacrament. The Morning and Evening Prayers in the Small Catechism conclude with the petition, “Let Your holy angel be with me that the evil foe may have no power over me.” Yes, the holy angels are yet another reason for gratitude, for thanksgiving!

The first Sunday in October will be Family Day and on the last Sunday in October the Joint Reformation Service will be held here at 4:00 P.M.

It is all too easy to become discouraged or even cynical about so many things. But that is what the devil wants! Because Christ is risen we have hope that can never be put to shame! Every Lord’s Day we are privileged to celebrate that victory of the eternal love of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Let us continue to remember one another in our prayers!

Affectionately in our Lord,

Pastor McClean

Works of Mercy

 Sharing our bounty. On July 24th, CARES came to the church and picked up 4 crates of canned food items. This will help them through the lean summer months. Keep on bringing in canned food items so we can have them come soon again!

The Free Flea Market on August 10th had 30 people attending, and 192 items were distributed. This is less than we have done in previous flea markets. Maybe it was because it was a nice Saturday (not so hot) and everyone wanted to enjoy it! The last Flea Market of the season will be held September 14th. At that time, we will have fall clothing items to get ready for some chillier weather. If you have any fall clothing and/or household items, please get them to Judy before the 14th. And there will be a gathering to honor Mary Pat Clarke immediately after the Flea Market.

A generous donation of personal care items has been received from the Ronald McDonald House and will be distributed to the Helping Up Mission. As you probably know, the Ronald McDonald House provides housing for families when they have a loved one receiving treatment at Johns Hopkins. When these people are traveling, they collect the personal care items found in hotels. The House had an abundance of items and contacted us through a volunteer that Judy knows and shared them with us. They, and we, are good stewards of the bounty God has bestowed on us!

Thanks to all who have contributed in our outreach to those who need it.

– Judy Volkman

We are fast approaching the date of our fall delivery to Helping Up Mission. Our planned date of delivery is the 3rd week of September. As we reported earlier, the Mission has expanded, and is now accommodating women who are committed to recovery. However, the women are housed in a separate location until such time a permanent facility is constructed. As we minister to the men with our gifts, please keep the women in mind. The needs remain the same; soap, deodorant, wash cloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. There is also need for socks, t-shirts, and any item of men and women’s apparel. In addition to new items, the Mission accepts clean, gently used clothing. Thanks to all who deposit loose change into the poor boxes; those funds are designated to purchase additional items for Mission residents. Many thanks to the congregation for sustained support of Helping Up Mission, know that we are contributing to the success of recovering men and women.

– Qullia Downs