God has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.”
Luke 1:52

Correction: Lenten Soup & Table Talks on Wednesdays throughout Lent.
6:30 pm followed by Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm and will meet at:
Please note the changes on March 3 & March 10.


Correction: March 3 – Grace - Stratford March 17 – St. Paul’s – Bridgeport
Correction: March 10 – Holy Trinity - Trumbull March 24 – Salem – Bridgeport

Remember:

Inclement Weather notifications – Please tune to one of the following sources to find out if there will be a delay or cancellation of activities:
Radio: WICC 600 AM or WEBE 108 FM; TV: cable Channel 12 or broadcast Channels 8 & 9, or on the Internet www.ctweather.com.

Weekend Backpack Project - We will continue to collect food items for the Weekend Backpack Project through Wednesday, March 3. Donations may include single serving, easy to open containers of food such as cereals, soups, pastas, fruit, granola bars, juice, etc. A collection box has been placed in the Narthex. Donations will be taken to Golden Hill United Methodist Church on the night of the Community Supper, March 3. Thank you for remembering the hungry children in our community.

Community Suppers – Our Saviour’s will be serving suppers at Golden Hill United Methodist Church on Wednesday, March 3, 3:30 to 6:00 pm. We need servers and helpers. If you can help, please contact Karen Valenti at 203-268-3741 or email at peteconn3@aol.com. Also if you have any gently used clothing for men, women or children, please bring to church and leave in the Narthex before March 3. Thank you for your participation and help!

NEWS FROM ELCA

Connect to the global church through elca.org
December 2009

When snow or ice forces the closing of the Office of the Bishop in Worcester, Mass., an announcement will be placed on our voice mail system by 7 a.m. that day. Call 508-791-1530 for info before you drive. The office is closed whenever schools in Worcester are closed due to inclement weather.

Christmas Message 2009
A message from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us... Titus 3:4-5a
Into this shadowed world light shines and joyous voices sing. Glad tidings cheer the heart and liberate hope. “A child has been born for us, a son given to us” (Isaiah 9:6). God our Savior has appeared!
God’s saving goodness and loving-kindness have arrived in Jesus, the Word made flesh. Though hidden in the humility of a manger, and later in the scandal of the cross, God’s promise is being made good in plain sight for all to see, in a life of generous mercy, richly poured out for all.
“See, your salvation comes,” the prophet wrote (Isaiah 62:11). God’s faithfulness to God’s promises calls us to a new hope, for the hope of eternal life is an inheritance that we can enjoy today in lives of generosity and compassion, joy and peace.
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Our Saviour’s information and events

Help us prevent the spread of germs during this flu season. Consider following these safety precautions. When we share the Peace, greet others with a smile, a pat on the back or some other friendly gesture and with the words, "Peace be with you." Avoid placing members and visitors in an awkward position of refusing your handshake or hug, as they take precautions to protect their own health.

During the Distribution of Holy Communion we ask that you not dip the bread into the common cup, a practice that is commonly called "intinction." We also recommend you receive the wine or grape juice from an individual cup. Your good health and the health of others is our concern.

Inclement Weather notifications – Please tune to one of the following sources to find out if there will be a delay or cancellation of activities:
Radio: WICC 600 AM or WEBE 108 FM; TV: cable Channel 12 or broadcast Channels 8 & 9; or on the Internet www.ctweather.com.

New OSLC Member Directory – Will be published within the next week. Please look for the new directory with the purple cover in the Narthex and take one so that you can have member information available at home or in your office.

Preschool Update – Now that the Town of Fairfield Zoning Board has approved the zoning request for the Preschool, the Task Group has been reviewing the Business Plan with Kathy Barnes, Preschool Owner/Director. The proposal will be finalized over the next month. A presentation will be made by Kathy and the Task Group following 10:30 am service on January 10th. The Congregation will be able to meet Kathy and discuss the Preschool Proposal with her and the Task Group at that time. The final Proposal will be made and voted upon at the Annual Congregational meeting.

Update on John Carlin – John is at CT Health of Southport, 930 Mill Hill Terrace – Room 416, Southport, CT 06890, tel. 203-307-4013 (12/11/09). Visiting hours are 8 to 8. Visitors are welcome. It is also possible to call and have a conversation with him. Give John a call! The family thanks everyone for all the support.

January Banner Newsletter – Please submit any articles or information that you would like included in the January Banner as soon as possible to Will Thoretz, wthoretz@optonline.net. We appreciate your contributions to the Newsletter!

What are you expecting for Christmas? Advent is a time of promise awaiting fulfillment, and during this season the Adult Discussion group will be exploring different themes of Advent expectation. We will study lessons from the prophet Isaiah, other Bible passages, and works of art that communicate what God has invited us to expect. Adult Discussion meets on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am in the education wing behind Schilke Hall. All are welcome, and newcomers may join at any time.

Please keep the following people in your prayers for comfort or recovery from sickness, surgery or other daily struggles …
Nick, friend of the Thoretz’s, Anne, Nancy Heske’s mother, Pam Husband, Donald, Linda Bresky’s brother, Anna, Timothy, the Verses’ grandson, Ralph, Marge Erskine’s brother-in-law, John Carlin, Betty Bjorklund, Lisa Beasley, Gladys Grey, Bob Makar, Sharon Horvath, Heather (Pr. Mark’s relative), Nancy Heske, Charles, (Lillian’s brother), Gavin, Ingrid (Lisa Beasley’s sister), Adele & Malcolm (Amy Eisenberg’s parents), Marilyn (Pam Schramm’s mom), Allison Prugh, Brian (Katie’s nephew), Flori Critcher (Carlson’s friend), Jack (Mike Lennhoff’s dad), Cathie Gordon, Jason Bresky, Toby Entwistle …

Please remember our members and friends who are unable to attend …
Edith “Gahto,” Tom, Nancy, Ann, Verner, Elsie, Ellie, and Marge

If you would like to deliver altar flowers to their homes or nursing home, please let Audrey in the office know.

Please pray for our family and friends in the military …
Tom and Patrick, relatives of the Bauer’s, Christopher, relative of the Christoffersen’s, Richard, grandson of Betty Bjorklund, and Corey, grandson of Bobbie Trahnstrom

“God will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.” Psalm 72:12

Bible Study meets – Thursdays, 12 pm lunch, 12:30-1:30 pm study
No Bible Study – December 24 or 31.

THIS WEEK of December 21st

No Adult Choir Rehearsal – Monday, Dec. 21

No Music for Children – Wednesday, Dec. 23

No Bible Study – Thursday, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24

Children’s Christmas Pageant – Thursday, Christmas Eve, Dec 24 at 5:00 pm

Prelude Music by Strings & Choir– Thursday, Christmas Eve, Dec 24, 10:00 pm

Service of Holy Communion – Thursday, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 10:30 pm

Christmas Day - No Services – Friday, Dec. 25,

LOOKING AHEAD...
Sunday Worship and Holy Communion
First Sunday of Christmas, December 27, 2009
– Two Services at 8:30 & 10:30 am
– No Sunday School - 9:30 am Adult Discussion Group will meet
– No By Faith Alone Youth Group

Day After Christmas Holiday – Monday, Dec. 28 – office closed

No Music for Children – Wednesday, Dec. 30

No Noon Bible Study – Thursday, Dec. 31

No Children’s Choir – Thursday, Dec 31

No Adult Choir – Thursday, Dec. 31

New Year’s Day Holiday – Friday, January 1, 2010 – office closed

AA Meeting – Friday, Jan. 1, 7:30 – 9:30 pm

OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION..

Thursday, Dec. 24th, Services for Christmas Eve “Expect a Saving Reign!”
5:00 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant and celebration of Holy Communion
10:00 pm Music by the Choir and the Musicum Collegium, the Strings
10:30 pm Holy Communion and Candlelight

Sunday, Dec. 27th, 8:30 & 10:30 am, “What do you expect for the New Year?”
No Sunday School Classes – Cookies, Coffee, Cider, and Carol Singing between the Services
For up-to-date information ask the church office, onthecalendar@oursaviours.net or call 203-255-0545, to include you on our weekly emailing, “On the Calendar.”

“Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near!” Philippians 4:5 ASAP (Always say a prayer!) AKS, 12/21/09

ELCA Assembly Opens Ministry to Partnered Gay and Lesbian Lutherans
09-CWA-34-CA

MINNEAPOLIS (ELCA) - The 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted today to open the ministry of the church to gay and lesbian pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships.
The action came by a vote of 559-451 at the highest legislative body of the 4.6 million member denomination. Earlier the assembly also approved a resolution committing the church to find ways for congregations that choose to do so to "recognize, support and hold publicly accountable life-long, monogamous, same gender relationships," though the resolution did not use the word "marriage."
The actions here change the church's policy, which previously allowed gays and lesbians into the ordained ministry only if they remained celibate.
Throughout the assembly, which opened Aug. 17, the more than 1,000 voting members have debated issues of human sexuality. On Wednesday they adopted a social statement on the subject as a teaching tool and policy guide for the denomination.
The churchwide assembly of the ELCA is meeting here Aug. 17-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. About 2,000 people are participating, including 1,045 ELCA voting members. The theme for the biennial assembly is "God's work. Our hands."
Before discussing the thornier issues of same-gender unions in the ordained ministry, the assembly approved, by a vote of 771-230, a resolution committing the church to respect the differences of opinions on the matter and honor the "bound consciences" of those who disagree.
During the hours of discussion, led by ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, the delegates paused several times each hour for prayer, sometimes as a whole assembly, sometimes in small groups around the tables where the voting members of the assembly sat, debated and cast their votes.
Discussion here proved that matters of sexuality will be contentious throughout the church. A resolution that would have reasserted the church's current policy drew 344 votes, but failed because it was rejected by 670 of the voting members.
Pastor Richard Mahan of the ELCA West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod was among several speakers contending that the proposed changes are contrary to biblical teaching. "I cannot see how the church that I have known for 40 years can condone what God has condemned," Mahan said, "Nowhere does it say in scripture that homosexuality and same sex marriage is acceptable of God."
But others said a greater acceptance of people who are gay and lesbian in the church was consistent with the Bible. Bishop Gary Wollersheim of the ELCA Northern Illinois Synod said, "It's a matter of justice, a matter of hospitality, it's what Jesus would have us do." Wollersheim said he had been strongly influenced by meetings with youth at youth leadership events in his synod, a regional unit of the ELCA.
Some speakers contend that the actions taken here will alienate ELCA members and cause a drop in membership. But Allison Guttu of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod said, "I have seen congregations flourish while engaging these issues; I have seen congregations grow recognizing the gifts of gay and lesbian pastors."
During discussion of resolutions on implementation of the proposals, Bishop Kurt Kusserow of the ELCA Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod asked that the church make clear provision in its policies to recognize the conviction of members who believe that this church cannot call or roster people in a publicly accountable, lifelong, monagamous, same-gender relationship. A resolution that the denomination consider a proposal for how it will exercise flexibility within its existing structure and practices to allow Lutherans in same gender relationship to be approved for professional service in the church. That resolution passed by a vote of 667-307.
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Information about the 2009 Churchwide Assembly is at http://www.elca.org/assembly on the ELCA Web site.