OOURUR SSAVIOURAVIOUR’’SS LLUTHERANUTHERAN CCHURCHHURCH of Stanwoodof Stanwood

Encounter God ~ Encourage Believers ~ Extend His Kingdom

Congregational Newsletter April 2019

“The Resurrection of the Dead”

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all people.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

I Corinthians 15:19-20

In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul speaks the truth about the resurrection. If we apportion our faith in

Christ only to this life on earth, we have missed the mark, and are most to be pitied. If we only apply our faith

to circumstances in our everyday life, we have not come to understand God’s grand design. Life here on earth,

as much as there is to enjoy, is not our home. We are travelers passing through. David is aware of this as he

writes in Psalm 144:4, “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” But we have been created,

we have been painted into God’s great masterpiece, if we are willing to receive it. Christ has indeed been

raised from the dead, and his resurrection points us to home – our eternal home – the place of paradise. With

our feet firmly planted in this life on earth – I’m not sure that we can truly appreciate God’s plan without

supernatural help. The Holy Spirit must open our eyes and hearts to the truth of the reality that life here pales

in comparison to the life that awaits us. Lord have mercy! Let us know with certainty, that while everything on

this earth will surely fade, there is a life in heaven that will never die.

Paul knew with certainty that there was a paradise awaiting him. In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, He describes getting

caught up to paradise and hearing inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. Because of this

supernatural experience, Paul writes with conviction and confidence, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is

gain.” Philippians 1:20-21

Recently, I have been reading Mary Neal’s second book entitled, “Seven Lessons From Heaven”. Before Mary

died and experienced heaven and had a face to face conversation with Jesus, she would call herself a humanist,

a naturalist, a “cultural” Christian. She was a successful surgeon and had a loving family. Mary was living a

life experiencing all this life had to offer. But when she experienced heaven – she realized in a flash that she

was TRULY home. Everything on earth faded away. Her soul was captivated by the unity, harmony and love

that exists in Paradise. This is the home we are promised and which awaits us because of Jesus’ resurrection

from the dead. That we might KNOW Him fully and the INHERITANCE that awaits us through Him. Come

Lord Jesus!

Mary Neal describes 7 lessons that she learned while in heaven. As we approach and celebrate Easter Sunday,

ponder these 7 lessons and ask the Holy Spirit to do a supernatural work in you – that we might, on this side of

the grave, be able to embrace and celebrate all that awaits us in Paradise. God bless you!

1. Circumstances make sense when seen through heaven’s lens, and the abundant grace we receive from God

is the same grace we can freely offer others.

2. Death is not to be feared, because death is not the end. It is a threshold where we leave our physical selves

behind and walk whole into eternity.

3. Choosing forgiveness releases our burdens and frees us to live fully and joyfully in God’s extravagant love.

4. Heaven in a reality where we are made whole – no pain, no sorrow, no suffering – understanding prevails,

relationships are reconciled, and we will be with God and our loved ones forever.

5. Big miracles happen sometimes; personal miracles happen often. God invites us to notice His miraculous

presence all around.

6. God has a plan for each of us – full of hope, purpose, and beauty, and He wants us to discover it.

7. In our mistakes and failures, tragedies and losses, God never leaves us. His goodness and love surround us.

In His time, beauty blossoms in all things.

He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!

Love in Christ, Pastor Mark

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Stanwood

1876 — 2019

Street Address:

27201 99th Ave. NW

Stanwood, WA 98292

Mailing Address:

P. O. Box 370

Stanwood, WA 98292

STAFF Pastor: Mark Bankson

Office Secretary: Linda Hammer

Treasurer: Sheri Durham

Contemporary Worship Coordinator: Steve Dams

Choir Director: Erik Ronning

Organist: Marylee Sams

Music Coordinator: Connie Ronning

Custodian: Duane Holtmann

Technician: Sharon Hanson

Preschool Director: Jaimi McCall

Office email: oslcstanwood@frontier.com

Pastor email: bankson42@aol.com

Website: http://www.oursaviourschurch.org

Contact us at:

360.629.3767 or 360.629.3772

Church Office Hours:

Monday—Thursday, 9 AM—3 PM

WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Traditional Worship ~ 8:45 a.m. Altar Communion 1st Sunday Processional Communion 3rd Sunday

Coffee Hour ~ 9:45 a.m.

Contemporary Worship ~ 10:15 a.m. Altar Communion 1st Sunday Processional Communion 3rd Sunday

Nursery is available during worship for your childcare needs.

Remember to Check our Website

Don’t forget to check the website,

http://www.oursaviourschurch.org,

for information and events—we’re trying our best

to keep things current.

If you are part of some church activity or event

and the information isn’t there or isn’t current,

please provide updates to Annette Bowden

(am.annette@gmail.com). Also, if you take

pictures of some activities and have permission

from the people photographed to post them on the

website send them along.

Barbara Crow

Bob and (Carolyn) “Maureen” Hitz

Kristine Hughes

Lynn Leese and Don Sherrid

Ken Miley

Tim Schmitt

Kirsten Spencer

Bruce and Candace Spong

Student and Family Ministry Director

We have a candidate that will be interviewing for the position and visiting our congregation the weekend of March 30-31. He and his wife will be joining us for worship on Sunday, March 31st.

We are planning a continental breakfast between services, starting at 9:30 a.m. for the congregation to meet and visit with them. We hope that you will join us for worship that day and meet Alex and Katherine.

Parish Hall Remodel Project Update March, 2019

I met with Designs

Northwest and a contractor

who is estimating the

project with the possible bid

coming from them. We have also given Designs

Northwest permission to hand out blueprints to a

second contractor who is interested in the project.

We also met with a local electrician who has

access to all plans for bidding and he is meeting

with Nate Schwartz to go over all audio and visual

plans. We are also in contact with the

environmental testing firm who will be testing for

asbestos concerns throughout the Fellowship Hall.

As you can see, things are starting to ramp up and

we should have some firm estimates sometime in

early April. If new developments happen, we will

place that information in the Sunday bulletin.

Marv Hansen,

Committee Chairperson

Sunday Coffee Hour

Volunteers Sunday morning coffee time, between

services, is a great time to get together with

your friends from either service, and a

wonderful time to greet new people!

Many enjoy having a cup of hot coffee, or other

beverage, and a little treat. We

need your help. Please consider

volunteering to prepare for this

fellowship time. Many hands

make lighter work for everyone.

Please sign up on the 2019 sign-up sheet in the

kitchen, or you may call the office or Lina Richert,

360-387-4400.

2020 OSLC Directories Directory photoshoot is scheduled for April

2020. If you would like to be a part of the

directory committee and help organize the

layout of the directory, please let me know

soon. Garin Haskins

Save these Dates!

VBS 2019

Wednesday—Friday, June 26-28

“ROAR ‒ LIFE IS WILD, GOD IS GOOD”

You Are Appreciated!

A heartfelt thank you to all those who shared their

musical gifts by providing special music during

worhip services this past winter, while the choir

was on break.

A special thank you, also, to Connie Ronning for

graciously coordinating our special music.

Men’s Fraternity

Men’s Fraternity meets on Tuesday mornings at

7:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Breakfast is

served at 7:00 with our study to follow. Please

join us. All men are welcome.

“Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” —Martin Luther

A Message from our Care Team

Some of you may remember the words from the “ancient” TV show (1970), “Your assignment, should you

choose to accept it is:…..”

The Care Team has a variety of assignments, and we invite you to accept one. One that is not listed and

which is assigned to everyone is… to be watchful of those around you who may need some extra support.

Does someone need a visit, someone to run an errand, the gift of a meal, a small home repair, just a friendly

chat on the telephone or an encouragement via email, an extra prayer - then the Care Team members are

ready to assist. A phone call or email to Linda in the office or to me will make your assignment complete.

Take a look at the sheet and see where you can accept an extra Care Team assignment, fill in the necessary

blanks and return the sheet to the church office. If you have a helpful suggestion for the Care Team, we’d

like you to share it with us.

Like the “ancient” TV show, Mission Impossible, our mission is possible with YOU, and this message does

not “self-destruct in five seconds.”

Lois Stahley

206.972.2266

stahleyle@gmail.com

Do you have some extra time? Do you enjoy serving others? Then the Care Team ministry might be

what you are looking for. The beauty of serving on the Care Team is, you serve when you can so there is

flexibility for number of hours, what day or time, and how long you may serve. When a need arises, the

coordinator rotates names on the list of volunteers.

If you are willing to serve with others in one or several of these areas, please place a checkmark by

them and sign your name with contact info – place in the offering plate. If you have a question or a helpful

suggestion, phone or email Lois Stahley 206.972.2266 or stahleyle@gmail.com.

______ Provide a meal ______ Run an errand for someone ______ Make a minor home repair ______ Provide occasional transportation ______ Pay a friendly drop-in visit ______ Keep in touch in with someone via emails, phone calls ______ Become a member of the prayer chain

Name _______________________________________ Phone ___________­____________________________ Email ________________________________________

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the

least of these, you did for Me.” Mt. 25:40

Care Team Ministry

Caregiving that does for a friend what a friend would do.

GROW (God Renewing Our Women) April 9, 6:30 PM at the church

Join us on the second Tuesday of the month at

6:30 p.m. as we explore a study on Genesis:

Jen Wilkin’s God of Creation.

All women are invited to join in this engaging

look at the first book of the Bible, the start of the

promise that leads us to Jesus. Contact Elsa

Schwartz (206-714-7717) or Becky Wietzke (360-

722-4377) for questions or more infomation.

Martha Circle Wednesday, April 10, 1:00 PM

Martha Circle will meet on Wednesday, April 10,

2019 at 1:00 p.m in the Fireside Room. All ladies

are invited for a dessert fellowship, followed by a

business meeting and the study, “Joyless Living”,

chapter 1, page 1 in the new study book,

“Experiencing Contagious Joy” by Christa Kinde

from the Women of Faith series.

Please contact Elsie Pritchard, 360-629-3940 or

Marilyn Templeton, 360-629-4779.

OSL Mission Quilters OSLC Mission Quilters will be

meeting Tuesday April 2nd, 16th and

30th from 10 a.m.‒2 p.m. in the

Fireside Room. We are currently

prepping quilts for LWR and the

Everett Gospel Mission Women's

Shelter. Quilts will be blessed at the Sunday April

28th services. The 30th will be our packing day for

LWR. Quilts and baby care kits will then be

shipped on Friday, May 3rd. If you plan to attend

and spend the day please bring a sack lunch, coffee

is provided.

Any questions or to confirm meeting dates please

call Marilyn Templeton at 360-629-4779.

HELP WANTED!

Tuesday, April 2 at 9:00 a.m.

Mark Your Calendar for

*** Spring Cleaning Day ***

Please join our work party on Tuesday, April 2, to spring clean our church in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. We plan to give extra attention to deep clean the kitchen, the narthex, oil the sanctuary pews, and dust the high areas of the altar and sanctuary. We need many helping hands, especially strong helpers for the tall ladders and to reach the high places.

Please join us April 2!

Coffee, Snacks & Lunch provided

Faith and Film Tuesday April 23, 6:00pm

Join us on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6:00

p.m. as we look at films through the lens of

spirituality. Movies are a prevalent part of today's

society, and many secular films contain Christian

themes including: faith, spirituality, forgiveness,

hope, and redemption. We invite you to watch the

movie ahead of time and join us for dinner and

discussion.

Hosted by Nate and Elsa Schwartz, at their home:

45 S. Sunrise Blvd, Camano Island.

Please RSVP so we know how much food to

prepare (elsacarlisle@msn.com or 206-714-7717).

“Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.” (Charles Dickens)

Prayer time in the Study

Sunday Mornings, 8 AM

Every Sunday folks gather from 8—8:30 a.m. in

the Study for a time of intentional prayer before

our first worship service. Anyone is welcome —

just drop in when you can.

If you have questions please contact Pastor Mark

or Cindy T-D.

Van Trips Thursday, April 11, 10:00 AM

Ella Bella Vintage Finds and south Mount Vernon

Antiques and Collectibles

Kiwanis Salmon BBQ $12 or $15

Thursday, April 25, 11:30 AM

Lunch at Rhodes River Ranch

Please see the sign-up sheet in the narthex.

Questions? Call Robin Erickson,

360-941-1593.

2019 Offering Envelopes

Offering envelopes are available in the church

office for anyone, member or friend, who would

like to participate in the financial contributions to

our congregation.

Are You Receiving our Churchwide emails and Monthly Newsletter?

If you are not receiving our emails or newsletter, please write your name, email and address on one of the white cards in the pews and place it in the offering – we will add you to the list.

We send out emails during the month alerting you to upcoming events, information and prayer concerns. Pastor Mark

*Also, if you no longer use your landline, please let us know a cell phone number, or good contact number. Thank you! Linda/Office

“Take Me Out to the Ball Game!”

August 9, 2019

Seattle Mariners vs Tampa Bay Rays – 7 pm

The Seattle Mariners are celebrating the

induction of Edgar Martinez into Major League

Baseball’s Hall of Fame during the 3-game series

with Tampa Bay in August.

Game tickets and bus transportation from OSLC

have been reserved for Friday night’s 7 p.m.

game at the cost of $60 per person.

If you are interested or have any questions, see

Sheri Durham to be added to the sign-up sheet.

Ladies Tea Saturday, May 11, 2019

Save the date and watch for details!

AMAZON SMILE

AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of the purchase

price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases

to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church at no cost to

you. When making purchases at Amazon, login

at smile.amazon.com, select Our Saviour’s

Lutheran Church as your charity of choice.

There are many Our Saviour’s Lutheran

Churches listed, be sure to look for Stanwood,

WA to direct your donation to support our

church. Thank you!

“God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” —St. Augustine

A Prayer

Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart,

Which no unworthy affection may drag

downwards;

Give us an unconquered heart,

Which no tribulation can wear out;

Give us an upright heart,

Which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.

Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God,

Understanding to know you,

Diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you,

And a faithfulness that may finally embrace you;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

—Thomas Aquinas

Voices of Hope Concert

Please join us at the 23rd annual

Voices of Hope Concert April 28

at 2 p.m. at Our Saviour’s

Lutheran Church. The concert will

feature choirs from Our Saviour's,

St. Cecilia Catholic Church,

Stanwood High School, Mt.

Vernon Christian School, and the Beachwood

Boys from the Warm Beach Senior Community.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more

about Housing Hope and their impact in our

community.

There will also be Bake Sale tables filled with

yummy treats, and a Silent Auction featuring

unique and creative gift baskets sure to appeal to

all! All proceeds from the concert, bake sale, and

silent auction will be used to support the

homeless and low-income families of Lervick

Family Village and Lincoln Hill Family Village

here in Stanwood.

If you would like to donate something for the

auction please contact The Stanwood

Ambassadors for Housing Hope, Dee Jonson

(Ljonson@aol.com) or Wendy Lervick

(wendylervick@hotmail.com). Donated baked

items are encouraged and may be left in the

church kitchen that morning. All items will be

available for viewing and bidding during coffee

hour April 28.

Packing Day April 11

Days For Girls (DFG)

Please join us for packing kits for Days For Girls

in Kenya. We have supplies for about 300 kits,

the most ever! A lot of help is needed. These kits

will be distributed to school girls this summer in

the Kisii area of Kenya. Call Linda Haskins @

360-774-0387 or Carol Curtis @ 360-387-1189

so we can plan accordingly.

April 11, 9:30 am – until we finish

Carol Curtis’ home: 218 Meggia Lane

Camano Island

Lunch will be provided

Scripture Texts

To better prepare for worship:

April 7, 2019

Fifth Sunday in Lent Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126

Philippians 3:4b-14

Luke 20:9-20

April 14, 2019

Palm Sunday Deuteronomy 32:36-39

Psalm 118:19-29

Philippians 2:5-11

Luke 22:1—23:56

April 18, 2019

Maundy Thursday Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 116:12-19

Hebrews 10:15-25

Luke 22:7-20

April 19, 2019

Good Friday Isaiah 52:13—53:12

Psalm 22

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

John 18:1—19:42

April 21, 2019

The Resurrection of Our Lord Job 19:23-27

Psalm 118:15-29

I Corinthians 15:51-57

John 20:1-18

April 28, 2019

Second Sunday of Easter Acts 5:12-32

Psalm 148

Revelation 1:4-18

John 20:19-31

Our Prayers continue for..

The family and friends of Fran Glaspy; Vonda Buse

and family in the loss of her husband Jon Buse; Lorri

DeFelice and her son, following the death of Lorri’s daughter-n-law,

Amy; Steve Dams; George and Joyce Zeigen; Michelle Rockwood;

Marilynn Thompson (sister of Amy Thompson); Paul Ringstad

(brother of Judy Anderson); Pat Hayenga (friend of Dee Jonson);

Joyce Perry (friend of Amy Thompson); Ray and Sandy Erps; Gary

Schreiner; Paul Walderhaug; Lois DeBoer; Marylee and Leon Sams;

Judy Anderson; Ken Freeman; Emily Sylling (daughter of Charlie and

Candyce); Miles (son of April Russell); Taylor Peterson

(granddaughter of Willy and Sonni Blom); Mary McDonald, Marlene

Schuster and Thelma Weber (friends of Pat Lund); Cindy and Ron

Taggart-Deffinbaugh; Kent and Marina Fosnes (son and daughter-in-

law of Sue Fosnes); Leslie Krippaehne; Alex Megyery; Emily

McGlinchy (sister of Jeb); Sandi Torrez; Jo Hoag; Jim Neher; Emily

Brower (friend of Angela Libengood); Steve Bodnar (friend of Kathy

Beauchamp); Lauren Pickens; John Gedstad (brother of Alex

Gedstad); Don Hickey (brother of Barb Sickler); Pat Jones; Wayne

Larson; Al Orsland; Kip Gibson and family; Kenny Yoder (nephew of

Donna Cook); Marilyn Shipley; Ray Erps; Ric Shallow; Doris Hatlen;

John White; Jim Woodward (Charlie Sylling’s nephew); Eldon Allen;

Gretchen Orsland

Pastor Mark, OSLC Staff and Preschool, Our Saviour’s Lutheran

Congregation, Homeless, Armed Forces, Josephine and Warm Beach

residents, Government and Community Leaders

Please help us keep our prayer list current

by contacting the office with updates.

EASTER ALTAR FLOWER DONATIONS

Help us sing “alleluia” in flowers on Easter Sunday, when altar flowers return celebrating Christ’s resurrection and the promise of eternal life! Your donations for the purchase of potted tulips and lilies are greatly appreciated. Please include the words “Altar Flowers” on your check and drop it in the offering plate.

Thank you to all who support the altar flowers ministry with their donations.

Lina Richert and Candace Spong.

When a new baby is welcomed into our congregation, a rose is placed on the altar

to honor the occasion. If you know of someone who has recently had a birth

in their family, please let the office know!

OUR SAVIOUR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH P. O. Box 370 Stanwood, WA 98292 Change Service Requested

Non Profit Organization

US Postage

PAID

Stanwood, WA 98292

Permit No. 11

Jesus Loves:

Holy Week and Easter at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church

Worship and Special Events

April 14 Palm Sunday 8:00 a.m. Prayer Time in the Study

8:30 a.m. Palm Walk / 8:45 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:45 a.m. Coffee Fellowship

10:00 a.m. Palm Walk / 10:15 a.m. Contemporary Worship

10:15 a.m. Little Eden, Jam Café (these include ages 3—Grade 5)

April 18 Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service of Holy Communion

April 19 Good Friday 7:00 p.m. Good Friday Worship Service

April 21 Resurrection of Our Lord 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Service — a cross will be filled with flowers as part of the service

8-11 a.m. Easter Breakfast in Fellowship Hall

8:45 a.m. Traditional Festival Worship and Holy Commuion *— with Choir, Special Music

10:15 a.m. Contemporary Festival Worship and Holy Communion*— with Praise Team

*Nursery Care will abe available at the 8:45 and 10:15 services on Easter morning.