OOURUR SSAVIOURAVIOUR’’SS LLUTHERANUTHERAN CCHURCHHURCH of Stanwoodof Stanwood

Encounter God ~ Encourage Believers ~ Extend His Kingdom

Congregational Newsletter May 2019

“Do you Know the Score?”

72-58.

Last month I was following Gonzaga Basketball during the March Madness NCAA

Tournament.

They were ranked #1 in the West Region, and many had high hopes that they would

win the championship. In the second round, the Zags were going to play Florida State.

If they won that game they would make it into the second round called the Sweet 16. I

tend to get nervous watching these one and done games – so I decided to wait to watch

the game. I taped it on my DVR – and if they won, I would watch the game and if they lost – why bother. Is

that wrong?

Later that day, I checked my phone and found out the Gonzaga Bulldogs beat FSU 72-58. OK, so I drove

home, gathered some snacks around me and prepared to sip my sparkling water through to the end of the

game. Do you know how much fun and stress free it was watching a game that had already been won. When

the Zags made a bad play, missed a shot, or gave up a turnover – it didn’t matter because I knew the score.

With 14 minutes to go in the game, the Zags were up by 14 points. Then Florida State players starting making

plays. With 4 minutes left in the game, they had cut the lead to 4 points. Now, if the game was live, can you

imagine how stressed out I would have been, biting my nails, yelling at the players – I mean, “encouraging”

the players to play better? But because I knew the final score – I could continue to eat my chips and salsa with

perfect peace and contentment.

Yesterday, I was going to be at church during the final round of the Master’s golf tournament. Tiger Woods

was in contention to win the tournament for the first time in 14 years. Again, I taped the final round on my

DVR – but was hoping to watch it without knowing who won. Well, after church, the news feed on my phone

beeps and announces that Tiger Woods had just won his 15th major golf tournament. Now, I’m hot and both-

ered because I really wanted to watch it not knowing who won. But after church, again with munchies in close

proximity, I watched the final round. When Tiger missed a putt, or put his drive into the woods, I knew that it

wasn’t too significant because in the end, I knew the score and he finished on top.

Do you know the score? I mean the real score as it relates to life? Eternal life? If we knew the score at the end

of our life – that we went to heaven and spent the rest of eternity with our family, friends; with Jesus Christ,

the angels, music, light and love – just think about how we could relax and not get so stressed out about every-

day life. Wait a minute – as Christians, WE DO KNOW THE SCORE! We do know that we have the promise

that Jesus has gone before us and has prepared the WAY! So then, why do we get so worked up about all that

is going on in daily life? Have we forgotten the score, or have we chosen to be more invested, stressed and

anxious about the things around us.

Jesus reminds us, “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God

feeds them. And how much more valuable are you than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour

to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest.” (Luke 12:24-26)

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

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 pic-

tures of some activities and have permission from

the people photographed to post them on the web-

site send them along.

Ascension of Our Lord

May 30, 2019

I am with you always

Luke 24:44-53 (NIV) 44 He said to them, “This is

what I told you while I was

still with you: Everything

must be fulfilled that is writ-

ten about me in the Law of

Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could

understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them,

“This is what is written: The Messiah will suf-

fer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins

will be preached in his name to all nations,

beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses

of these things. 49 I am going to send you

what my Father has promised; but stay in the

city until you have been clothed with power

from on high.”

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS 50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of

Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed

them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left

them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then

they worshiped him and returned to Jerusa-

lem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continu-

ally at the temple, praising God. The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978,

Save these Dates!

VBS 2019

Wednesday—Friday, June 26-28

“ROAR ‒ LIFE IS WILD, GOD IS GOOD”

Sunday School News!

This year we will be having JAM

Café through the summer, but

will be calling it Summer Sunday

Celebration (for a change of

pace).

Beginning June 16, it will be held

at 10:15 each Sunday during the second ser-

vice for children age four through fifth

grade; middle school students are welcome.

We will be using a Bible and art-based curric-

ulum from Illustrated Faith called "An Illus-

trated Earth: Celebrating God's Creation."

Volunteers are needed to share the story,

assist with the art lessons, and provide

snacks. Contact Becky Wietzke if you are

Recognition of Graduates!

June 16, 2019

10:15 AM Worship Service

There will be a reception

following worship.

Join us as we honor our

graduating seniors!*

SENIORS:

1. Please submit (email or drop off) your

biography and senior picture to Linda in the

church office by May 15th to be included in

the June newsletter.

oslcstanwood@frontier.com

2. Also, send your pictures for the slideshow

to the church office. Please submit no more

than 5 pictures per senior, due by June 9.

*If you (or family members) are graduating from a

college (2 or 4 year), from a technical school, or

receiving another post high school degree please

contact the church office so you may be recog-

nized for your accomplishment.

Please submit to the office your name, your de-

gree, and the name of the institution so that we

may print it in both the June newsletter and the

June 16 bulletin.

Counting Jesus

A little girl returning from Sunday school was

asked by her grandmother how many had been in

her class that day. She replied, “Counting Jesus,

there were 15 of us.”

—Beatrice Plumb

in Christian Herald

God Bless You!

Prohibitions against prayer are now common in

most public school graduations. But some stu-

dents at a high school in Washington, Illinois,

came up with a way around the ban.

Ryan Brown, a graduate scheduled to give a

speech, paused to bow in silent prayer as he ap-

proached the podium. Moments later, with all

eyes on him, Brown faked a sneeze. In response,

a handful of his friends shouted, “God bless

you!”

2020 OSLC Directories Directory photoshoot is scheduled for

April 2020. If you would like to be a part

of the directory committee and help or-

ganize the layout of the directory, please

let me know soon. Garin Haskins

Sunday Coffee Hour

Volunteers Sunday morning coffee time, between ser-

vices, 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.

News from the Caring Place:

Hi friends,

The past couple months have

been wonderful and the abun-

dance of our father in heaven

is plentiful. We have been

serving and praying for the numerous clients that

come to the ministry of our church, the Caring

Place.

Please keep us in mind for donations as you do

your spring cleaning; the Caring Place wish list

items for May are deodorant for men and women

and in June it’s feminine hygiene products.

Please keep the Caring Place in prayer as we need

expansion, and volunteer support.

As always feel free to contact Mardi at 360-913-

1551. Blessings to you all!

Van Trips

May 2019 is

Exploring Little Islands Month

Thursday, May 2, at 9:45

Guemes Island

Friday, May 17, at 9:30

Samish Island

Please see the sign-up sheets in the narthex.

Questions? Call Robin Erickson,

360-941-1593.

Care Team Prayer Chain

For whom and what do you pray?

Would you like someone to pray with

you? The Care Team Prayer Chain is

ready and willing to add their prayers

to yours…prayers of need, health,

thankfulness, praise, etc.

A phone call (360.629.3767) or email

(oslcstanwood@frontier.com) to Linda in the

church office will begin the process, and it can be

done anonymously.

We are waiting to hear from you!

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

GROW (God Renewing Our Women) May 14, 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, May 8, 1:00 PM

The last meeting for the spring season is scheduled for

Wednesday, May 8th, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fireside

Room. A delicious, fellowship dessert will be served,

followed by a business meeting and Bible study. The

study is “Turning Sorrow to Joy”, chapter two page 9,

in “Experiencing Contagious Joy” by Christa Kinde from

the Women of Faith series. All women are invited.

Martha Circle will recess during June, July and August.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 11,

2019.

Blessings for a great summer.

Elsie Pritchard, 360-629-3940.

OSL Mission Quilters

OSLC Mission Quilters will meet

Tuesday May 7, 14, 21, and 28 in the

Fireside Room from 10am to 2 pm.

Quilting will quit the end of May and

resume in September.

Faith and Film Tuesday May 28, 6:00pm

Film: “Collateral Beauty”

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

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

uality. Movies are a prevalent part of today's soci-

ety, 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 pre-

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

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.

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!

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 con-

cerns. 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

Rose on the Altar Welcomes Madison Ann!

Sarah (Williams) and Adam Grohs welcomed

daughter Madison Ann into their family on March

13, 2019. Proud grandparents are Rick and

M’Lisse Williams, and Steve and Susan Grohs.

Great-grandparents are Bill Williams and Ann

Grinolds.

Thank You and Prayers of Thanksgiving!

A heartfelt thank you from Charlie and Candyce

Sylling to the congregation for its support during

our daughter Emily’s cancer treatment. Your love,

prayers, cards and phone calls sustained us during

this difficult time. Emily has finished active treat-

ment and is excited to continue her recovery this

spring.

Thank You for Your Kindness

The Glaspy family would like to thank everyone

for the many cards and flowers as well as contri-

butions to Hospice of the Northwest as a memorial

to Fran Glaspy. We have truly been blessed to

have felt the outpouring of love at this difficult

time in our lives.

Congratulations to Benson Reeve Bonacci who

was baptized Easter morning. Benson is the son of

Luca and Lauren Bonacci, and brother to Alexan-

der and Viviana. His sponsors are Cameron Shal-

low and Katelyn Mercer.

Benson’s grandparents are Claudio Bonacci and

Barbara Bedetti, and Ric and Julie Shallow. Great

grandparents are Ardis and Del Larson.

May the Lord bless the new life

Joys of motherhood

A hug for no reason.

Belly laughs.

The light-bulb moment when your child understands something you’ve been trying to teach them.

Smiles and giggles.

Mud pies.

Arms raised in the air after a big accomplishment.

Hearing Scripture and prayer from your child’s lips.

Quiet moments on the couch.

Reading aloud together.

A family meal filled with conversation and laughter.

Watching your child be kind to another.

Recognizing a moment you’d like to freeze in time.

A child’s look of surprise and joy.

A quiet conversation that heals a wounded heart.

The words “I love you” — and a sticky kiss.

—Unknown

When a new baby is welcomed into our con-

gregation, 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!

Dignity in Cleanliness

Dear Partners:

A seminary professor of mine once shared with us his all-time least favorite word: “just.” He hated

when students said, “I’m just a student” or “I’m just a freshman.” From his standpoint, God made us

uniquely us and with our special set of gifts—so why do we use words that play down what God has created

and given?

I’d like to offer a similar thought but maybe from a slightly different direction. I deeply believe that

God’s light can shine in every place, every circumstance, and through every gift. I remind our folks at Jose-

phine about this all the time. As you can imagine, with the folks we have facing longer and longer lives

along with the difficulties of getting older, there are times in their lives that can be quite hard and even quite

dark for them. During those times, we are invited to hear the good news from St. John: “The light shines in

the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (Jn 1:5).

The point, dear friends, is that no matter how we might look at it—God can work and shine through

everything—beautifully and brilliantly! This is the backdrop in which I would like to share a recent loss to

our Josephine community—the death of our Director of Housekeeping, Joanne. This was a totally unex-

pected and sudden loss to our community—and quite hard news to take particularly for many in our staff.

Your prayers are certainly requested.

The hardest piece of the loss, though, might be the loss of the tremendous gift that Joanne was to this

community. I’m not simply talking about her knowledge of how to clean things or even the good tone that

she set for her housekeeping staff—although she certainly did these things very well. The thing I will miss

the most about Joanne is her attitude in which she did her work. I believe that her approach to cleanliness

was with a full sense of giving dignity to those she served. Housekeeping is not care work like nurses,

aides, and chaplains—but that had no bearing on Joanne being able to fully treat people with a sense of love

and dignity through her work. I don’t think she would ever, ever, say that she was just a housekeeper—or

even just a Director of Housekeeping. She embraced her role and let the light of God shine through it. For

that, I give thanks to Joanne for her ministry and proclamation in this place. May God’s light find a place to

shine in every place, circumstance, and role/gift that God has given you too.

Stanwoood Sons of Norway, Fritjov Lodge will

be hosting its 3rd Annual Troll Stroll 5K Run/

Walk and Nordic Fest on May 18th. Registration

will start at 9am, Race starts at 10 am and Nor-

dic Fest opens at 11am until 4pm. Nordic Fest is

for families and friends to enjoy a day of ven-

dors, music, craft beers and nordic inspired food.

We will have kids actives and a beer garden for

those 21 and older. The event will be held at the

Stanwood Sons of Norway lodge. Please con-

tact: Ali Sollid at fritjovlodge@gmail.com or

visit the chapter’s Facebook page at Stanwood

Sons of Norway.

Our Prayers continue for..

Pr. Jerry Hefty; Loren Gilbertson (brother of Annette Bowden); Sue

Reiter, Hailey Dolmseth and Joyce Williams (friends of Cindy Ches-

ter); Suzanne Herold (daughter of Tess and Gary Aldinger); 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 Walder-

haug; 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 Krip-

paehne; Alex Megyery; Emily McGlinchy (sister of Jeb); Sandi Tor-

rez; 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 Sick-

ler); 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 Syl-

ling’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

Scripture Texts

To better prepare for worship:

May 5, 2019

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-22

Psalm 30

Revelation 5:1-14

John 21:1-19

May 12, 2019

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 20:17-35

Psalm 23

Revelation 7:9-17

John 10:22-30

May 19, 2019

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 150

Revelation 21:1-7

John 16:12-22

May 26, 2019

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:9-15

Psalm 67

Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27

John 16:23-33

May 30, 2019

The Ascension of Our Lord

Job 19:23-27

Psalm 118:15-29

I Corinthians 15:51-57

John 20:1-18

Altar Flowers

Thank you very much to all who donate funds for altar flowers. Be-

cause no funds for flowers are designated in the regular church budget,

we depend on donations and in the summer we use flowers from our

own gardens.

Please consider honoring a loved one or a special occasion by donating

flowers for the altar. Add your name to the calendar in the narthex and

put a check for $30.00 in the offering.

Memorial Day Prayer

We remember, O

Lord, all those men

and women who

have made the

supreme sacrifice

for our country. Do not let us

breathe the air of freedom or

claim the right to justice or enjoy

the privilege of worship without

remembering with great grati-

tude those who gave the last full

measure of devotion - their very

lives - for our benefit. May they

now know the peace of eternity

and the joy of your presence.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

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

May 2019

Turn of the Century Mil-

linery Ladies Tea

(1890 – 1920)

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Noon

OSLC Fellowship Hall

Food and Entertainment

Bring a Friend!

$10

Spring

ConneXion

Dinner and Adult Study

“Soul Keeping” Begins May 1

Wednesdays, 6—8 PM