March 2017
The Salutary Gift.
There can be no question of concerning the chief benefit of Communion. Jesus makes the main benefit
quite clear when He first gives it to the Apostle’s “given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” The
forgiveness won for us upon the lonely hill of Calvary given to us in the gift of our dear Lord’s body and
blood makes this meal a truly “salutary gift.” This gift, is perhaps the most profound gift ever given. The
church, through the centuries, has explored the gift of Communion through the poetry of the powerful
teaching tool of music.
Take for instance, one of the newer songs in the history of the church Stephen Starke’s “The Tree of Life”.
“For all who trust and will believe, Salvation’s living fruit receive. And of this fruit so pure and sweet The
Lord invites the world to eat, To find within this cross of wood The tree of life with ev’ry good” (LSB
561:4), Starke invites us to see in the Holy Meal a connection with the Tree of Life with in the garden. The
Tree of Life which was planted in the Garden of Eden in a fashion true to its name, gave life. And it
reappears in John’s vision of the New Heaven in Revelation. Starke would have us see the fruit of this tree
in cross of Christ. It is this fruit Starke shows us that we receive in Communion.
Johann Rist, in his hymn “Lord Jesus Christ, Life-Giving Bread” takes the image that Jesus weaves in
John 6 and connects it with the 23rd Psalm and Communion. In doing so he paints a picture that shows us
God giving a us an overflowing banquet. Rist, in a sense builds upon the idea that Luther writes about in
the Large Catechism when he calls the Sacrament “food of souls, which nourishes and strengthens the new
man.” Our Lord with abundant generosity, feeds His new creation, giving him or her strength. In a very
real sense, we can see Communion as the way that he sates the hunger and thirst for righteousness he
speaks of in the Beatitudes.
Still other hymns invite us to see in Communion a healing balm “Jesus comes today with healing,
Knocking at my door, appealing, Off’ring pardon, grace, and peace. He Himself makes preparation, And I
hear His invitation: “Come and taste the blessed feast.” (LSB 620) David Rogner invites us to see not only
the food of souls but a healing balm. We are given hope in the midst of our ailments of the healing that
comes with the resurrection where we will be fully restored in not just soul but also in our body.
This is just but a foretaste of our meditation this Lent. Over the next forty days, we will dive in deeper in
these and other topics. And I pray that it will be a blessing to you.
(Adapted from Paul Beisel’s “The Salutary Gift”)
~ Pastor Bowman
Page 2
FROM OUR ELDERS
2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (ESV)
11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in
peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the
saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy
Spirit be with you all.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
These days it seems far too many of us value our opinions while scoffing at others opinions. Who is right?
Does it really matter who is right more than what is right? As Paul states above within verse 11; “Aim for
restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of
love and peace will be with you.”
How cool yet impossible does this sound? Well, do not loose faith! Let Christ’s love truly
enter your heart and love someone impossible! I’m sure it will change their life and
perhaps some of their opinions!
With Christ’s love,
Tom Slaboszewski
Midweek Lenten Sermon Theme
Weekend Lenten Sermon Themes
“The Salutary Gift”
March 1 (Ash Wednesday)
March 8 (Lent I)
“Life-Giving Fruit”
March 5
“When Temptation Comes”
“Bread from Heaven”
March 12
“A God of Blessing”
March 15 (Lent II)
“Healing Medicine”
March 19
“Hope in Jesus”
March 22 (Lent III)
“Blest Communion”
March 26
“Healing in Jesus”
March 29 (Lent IV)
“Rest for the Weary”
April 2
April 5 (Lent V)
“Nuptial Feast”
MIDWEEK LENTEN SUPPERS
March 8
Board of Directors serving soup
March 15
Adult Choir serving ham & cheese Sandwiches
March 22
Adult Fellowship serving hotdogs and chips.
March 29
Men’s Group serving TBD
April 5
Pastor’s serving TBD
“New Life in Jesus”
SENIOR FELLOWSHIP
Page 3
The trip to the Shine of the Nativity in Indiana has been postponed until May when the weather should
be more cooperative.
Our group will be going to Joliet West High School on Sunday, March 19th to see
“Cinderella” at 3:00 p.m. Please sign up in the Ministry Hallway if you are able to join us.
Our next regular meeting will be Wednesday, April 26th.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
FLEECE TYING EVENT: We had 5 ladies pool their talents on Feb 4 to create 7 blankets for
the Joliet Police Department. Many thanks to these ladies and to Meg McEvilly for delivering them to the
Chief on Feb 12.
LWML SPRING RALLY: We are hosting our annual Spring Rally on Sunday March 19. It will
start at 12:30. Special guest speaker will be Judy Wierman who oversees the Bethesda Group Homes in
Plainfield. She will share a presentation about her ministry and the lives of the special people Bethesda
serves. Please join us and also we would welcome our ladies helping with the program.
LENTEN DINNERS:
We have been asked by Adult Fellowship if we will host the Easter
Breakfast. Ladies, can you help with ideas on decorating as well as the menu and help setting up and
cleanup. Also, the March 22 dinner hosted by our Youth is now needing some additional help. Please let
Kathy or Karla know if you can help with these. We are open to suggestions on the type of meal and could
use help in preparing and cleanup after. Please contact Kathy Harringer or Karla Jessen with any ideas.
OSLC CHILI COOKOFF: The Adult Fellowship is looking for help and ideas for holding our
chili cookoff again! Please contact Charles Middleton if you are interested in making chili or in helping
with plans for the event. It is scheduled for March 12. There are now signup lists posted in Ministry
Hallway.
LWML LENTEN INSPIRATION: St. John’s Lutheran Church in Schaumburg is hosting our
LWML Spring Lenten Inspiration gathering on Saturday, March 25. Featured speaker will be on Martin
Luther’s struggle with mercy. Please watch for a flyer to be posted soon, and contact Kathy or Karla if you
would like to carpool.
LWML MITES STATUS: We have received word that the mites giving is significantly down,
and the projections are a deficit of $17,360. If you have mite boxes at home that you need to empty,
please bring them to church and deposit your coins in the big mite box to the left of the Church office.
Please watch our board and the bulletin for further announcements. If you have any questions or
have suggestions for future meetings or wish to become a part of our Board or help in anyway, please
contact Kathy Harringer or Karla Jessen. We welcome all ideas!
May Christ fill your life with His blessings!
OUTREACH SEMINAR – March 25th
8:30 AM – 1 PM
This seminar isn’t so much about learning about outreach as it is about gaining confidence. You will be
given some helpful tips and more importantly given a chance to practice in a safe atmosphere. Come and
join us in gaining confidence to share the glorious hope that we have in Christ Jesus. A light breakfast and
lunch will be provided.
Page 4
MARCH PRAYER FAMILIES
I would like to thank everyone for their cards,
calls, well wishes during my recent time in the
hospital, it meant a lot to me.
Lucille Kasch
Mar 5
Stephen & Vicki Lakotich, daughters
Mandy, Jordan, Stephenie and Harley
Mar 12 Don & Sharon Martin
Mar 19 Dick & Dorothy Milling
The Preschool staff and board would like to
thank everyone for their support of our Fun Fair.
We could not do this without you all. Thank you!
BAPTISM BIRTHDAYS
Sydney Hartmann……………………… Mar 13
Daniel Blankenship……………………..Mar 21
Mary Lee Repko, Bob Koppen,
LeeAnn Nippert, Judy Rauch,
Margaret Sherpan
ADULT FELLOWSHIP
CHILI COOKOFF
March 12 @ 5:00 p.m.
Prizes for BEST Chili, HOTTEST Chili, and
MILDEST Chili.
Sign up now in ministry hall to be a judge or to
let us know you will be competing. Good luck
chefs!
Mar 26 Modise & Phadi Mmutle, Sons Lore and
Modise Jr., daughter Palesa
BIRTH
Monica and Aaron Zupancic were
blessed with a little girl Macee Lola
on January 20th. Macee was welcomed
home by her big sisters Macoi and
Ava.
SYMPATHY
Shirley R. Monday (91), was called to her
heavenly home Saturday, February 4th. The
Christian Memorial Service was here at Our
Savior on Feb. 9th. We extend our Christian
love and sympathy to her family. In February
of 1965, Shirley became the first paid part time
secretary for Our Savior and was secretary
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Creation is featured this month, and we have a great
shelf for adults and children. D is for Dinosaur is so
special using ABC’s to tell the creation story. Has
instructions to help parents with each letter given in
the book. (3-8 years)
For adults, Evolution Exposed by R. Patterson helps
you refute the evaluation claims seen in so many
text books in our public schools today. (for Jr. High
- High School)
Page 5
Our lessons for March are:
March 5
“Jesus and Zacchaeus”
March 12
“The Triumphal Entry”
March 19
“The Widow’s Offering”
March 26
“The Lord’s Supper”
Our Savior Lutheran
Preschool & Kindergarten
Spring is right around the corner and lots is
happening at OSLP&K! March kicks off with
Registration for the 2017/2018 school year for our
currently enrolled families!
Preschool programs can be customized to fit into
any families schedule for either Full Day or Half
Day enrollment. Do you know someone who might
be interested in our preschool or kindergarten?
Invite them to attend our
OPEN HOUSE! March 9, 2017 from 6:00 to 7:00
Meet the staff! Tour the Classrooms! Enroll that
night and Get $10 off your Registration Fee!
Are you on Facebook? OSLP&K would love for you
to "like" our page! We are looking to get 500
"likes" by the end of the school year. Share our
page and invite your friends to "like" it!
Thank you to all who helped make our Family Fun
Fair such a great event! I was a wonderful night. A
great big special "Thank you" to the amazing
OSLP&K School Board! We couldn't do it without
you.
~Tori Hicks
YOUTH SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Summer 2017 VBS
June 19 – June 23
ADULT EDUCATION
Will resume at the ARK March 5th. “Jesus Dies
and Rises to Save Us” will continue along with
Sunday School led by Deanne, Darrell, and
Tiffany in the den. Women’s study will begin
“Stepping Out to a Life on the Edge” by Deb
Burma led by Monica Lane in the kitchen. Just
beginning “Joining Jesus on His Mission” led
by Pastor Schlote in the living room.
Pastor Bowman will continue his online study
Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m. on Proverbs.
Saturday March 11th from 8 am—12pm inside
work probably.
Saturday April 1st from 8 am—12pm outside
Page 6
New Bible Class: Joining Jesus on His Mission
Beginning Sunday, March 5, the Sunday morning Bible classes will resume at the ARK. Pastor Schlote will
begin a new study based on Greg Finke’s book: Joining Jesus on His Mission.
“This life-altering book will change the way you see your life as a follower of Jesus! It will take you beyond
living your life for Jesus to living your life with Jesus.”
If you simply apply the concepts and principles found in this book in your everyday life, your life of faith will
never be the same. Lots of people tell us we as Christian people are to share our faith in Christ with others. Greg
shares a simple, powerful way of doing that.
He shares how to do it without adding another layer of activity to your already busy life. He invites you to
start to see yourself as an everyday missionary in the various neighborhoods where you already live, work, go to
school. He shows how you can begin to see where Jesus is already at work and how you can begin to join him there.
In this class we will be looking at how Jesus was at work in the lives of the people that He met while He was
here on this earth and how He continues to be at work in the lives of people in our world today. We will also begin to
experience what is looks like for us to join Him on His mission in some very simple and practical ways.
God is already at work in the lives of the people around you, redeeming and restoring their lives! Greg
shares some simple ways that you and I can recognize what He is already doing and join Him on His mission! Jesus
is already doing the heavy lifting of changing people’s lives! He invites us to join Him.
FIRST THINGS FIRST GATHERINGS
Jesus invites us to join Him in His mission of rescuing and redeeming the world. If we are to be a missional
church, joining Jesus on His mission, we need to regularly gather together for mutual encouragement, support and
prayer and this needs to be a priority!
To facilitate this, I would like to introduce First Things First gatherings! There will be two such gatherings
each month: on the 1st Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8:00 p.m. and the 3rd Saturday of each month, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
While the gatherings will be similar, the intention is to have one during the week and one on the weekend so that
there is a gathering for everyone. We begin in March.
They are called gatherings rather than meetings because they are intended to provide a place for God’s
people to come together, not to do business, but rather to be Body of Christ to each other. There will be NO “church”
business!
They are named First Things First because they are designed to help us keep the most important things
the most important thing.
The gatherings will have a definite focus, but will be kept informal. As we gather, we will be reminding each
other to keep first things first!
1). Time in the Word: as we spend time searching the Scriptures together we listen for God to speak into our lives
as we mutually encourage one another in His Word.
2). Community Building: as we get to know each other better, we learn to be the Body of Christ to one another.
Over time trust builds among us.
3). Time to focus on the Mission: five simple practices and their corresponding questions become a springboard
for us to share stories and encourage each other in the mission God has entrusted to us.
4). Training: we may watch a video or listen to the stories of people who have been having an impact for Christ in
their neighborhood or ministry.
5). Praying together: there will always be a time for mutual prayer for each other and for the mission we share.
Throughout, we will try to keep the atmosphere of the gatherings positive and encouraging. Our goal is to
“spur one another on toward love and good deeds”.
Page 7
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH LENTEN SEASON
HARVEST FOOD DRIVE
Food will once again be collected starting Sunday, March 5 th and ending Sunday, April 9th.
Suggested items are listed below. Of course, if there are other items you want to bring, please do so;
donations are not limited to the list. Collection tables will once again be set up in the Narthex. Together
we can collect a lot of food to feed our hungry neighbors in Joliet. No donation is too small. Before Easter
food boxes will be made for congregation families and friends. The remaining food will be delivered to
Santa Cruz Food Pantry. If you would like to give a monetary donation, please put it in an envelope and
marked “Food Drive” and place in the offering plate. Monies donated will first be used to buy Walmart gift
cards for OSLC families and friends. The remaining funds will be given in a check to the Santa Cruz Food
Pantry. Donations are accepted at anytime.
Mar 5
Canned Food - fruit, vegetables, meat (tuna, chicken), soups, stews
Mar 12
Boxed Meals - Mac & Cheese, Noodle/Rice-a-Roni, Hamburger Helper
Mar 19
Dry Goods - noodles, rice products, pasta/pasta sauces, stuffing, instant potatoes, cereal
Mar 26
Baking Goods - flour, sugar, Bisquick, cake, muffin mixes, Jiffy mix, Misc. Items - syrup,
peanut butter, jelly, Jell-o pudding
Apr 2
Cleaning Products - laundry detergent, dish soap, household cleaning products,
Paper products - toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, etc.
Apr 9
Personal Products - shampoo, deodorant, bar soap, body soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes
USHERS AND COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
I am pleased to announce that we have added several new Ushers and a couple new Communion
Assistants this winter. We still need more of each, and every new name we add is both a blessing,
and a relief for the existing overworked helpers. Thank you to everyone who has joined our groups,
and thank you to everyone who is considering it!
However, I am sad to say that I won’t be able to conduct training anytime soon. But don’t worry, I’ve
scheduled the new helpers with those that “know the ropes” AND there are helpful training guides
for each of the positions in the red, green or blue folders at the Elder Station in the Narthex.
The most important thing that all of us that serve Our Savior needs to do is SHOW UP. Read the
Voice, mark your calendars and if you can’t make it GET A REPLACEMENT and call or email the
office (815) 725-1606, [email protected] to let them know who the replacement is.
Thank you for your service to your church!
Howard Hamilton, Elder #5
Usher & Communion Assistant Chairman
Our Savior Lutheran Church
1910 Black Road
Joliet, IL 60435-3423
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. Postage PAID
Joliet, Illinois
Permit No. 237
Change Service Requested
March 2017
Our Path Together
Wallie Sharp, President
This month I am going to throw some “teasers” out here, so be on watch for what is happening…
My first item is a question that has been asked of the board members recently, “How has Jesus been
messing with you?” As we move into some new adult classes, this will be explored more so come join us on
Jesus’ mission.
Secondly, as you look at Joining Jesus more on His mission, consider that the congregation meeting
in May will have elections of officers. The positions that will be elected (some members may be continuing
on) are President, Secretary, Treasurer, Outreach, Stewardship and Youth. If you feel that you are being
called to serve our congregation in one of these positions, contact me or (when they are posted) a member
of the nominating committee.
Third, do you want to explore ways that you can do personal outreach? Look for the workshop on
Outreach. By the way, we are called to “go and make disciples” and in order to do that, we need to reach out
to others.
Finally, where are we in building God’s Kingdom? I am not talking about the physical building with
things what is happening through Habitat, I am talking about helping each other grow and build. I am
hopeful that some new gatherings will allow time to build each other up. Watch for the times on these.
Peak your curiosity? Hopefully! Let’s move forward down the path.