Full Service – May 24, 2020
St. Pete Sermon – May 24, 2020
Our Savior Lutheran Church
Food to Go Program
Each Thursday from 5-6 pm, over 40 cars pull into Our Savior’s parking lot at 301 58th Street S. in St. Pete. In orderly fashion they wait in their vehicles as volunteers place a hot meal and groceries in their vehicles, for some this is the only food they can give to their families, most were living paycheck to paycheck, just making ends meet, then the pandemic hit.
Our Savior’s “Food to Go” program has responded to the needs of individuals struggling with food insecurity. In times of uncertainty, we have not wavered from our mission to Love Jesus, Love People, and Serve the World. “Food to go” is bringing life-giving sustenance to over 160 people, all on donations.
Our Savior is currently feeding over 160 people which results in 40 hot meals for 4 and 40 bags of groceries each week! A hot meal is prepared and served to those that need it. The volunteers cook and package over 160 meals and serve them with love. Desserts are prepared by volunteers each week, according to each week’s theme. This is all accomplished by people who want to give back, some are members of the church, most just wanting to help in any way they can.
Each grocery bag is filled with enough food for a family of 3-4, for three meals. The bags have a theme each week. This last week the bags contained a pound of pasta, a large jar of pasta sauce, two cans of vegetables, a loaf of bread, snack, some type of fresh fruit, and a box of breakfast items for four.
All of the food given away is either donated or purchased by donations. We have several volunteers that drop food off at the church. What isn’t donated is purchased on a weekly basis. The largest hurdle is the rationing of food within the stores. Many stores only allow one or two loaves of bread per person, one pound of pasta, etc… thus the need for several shoppers. They spread out in the community and through love, they are filling the need of these families.
Pinellas County has many in need and the majority of the people are families with children. We have had scenarios where both mom and dad have lost their jobs, single parents after paying household bills and utilities, have nothing left to purchase food. Most are so grateful they are moved to tears.
Our Savior’s volunteer, Tina states: “Every face is humbled and grateful for this program. One young man cried, stating that he and his wife both lost their jobs and he was so very grateful to feed his three children for the day. Another single mom drives from Largo and has three children. Some want to share my faith. We talk periodically.”
According to Feed America:
“Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and need to rely on their local food banks and other hunger relief organizations for support. Households with children are more likely to experience food insecurity. Currently, more than 11 million children live in food-insecure households.”
The volunteers have stepped up in such a way that you can see the hands and feet of Jesus daily. Volunteers are collecting gift cards and donations to keep this ministry in enough food for anyone who needs it. Some volunteers are even from out of state. They saw the program online and responded by sending in checks.
Our Savior is “Living Love” in a powerful way. It is our desire to serve even more individuals, to have a positive impact on our community.
If you would like to donate, or if you need food or know someone who could benefit from this ministry, contact the church office at (727) 344-2684.
All food donations require a reservation.
To donate to this program please go to www.oursaviorfl.org/donate.
Welcome to Our Savior Lutheran Church & School
At Our Savior Lutheran Church and School, living love drives our mission,
ministries, teaching and outreach.
We invite you to join our family-oriented church with God as our Father! Learn how you can…
Love Jesus, Love People and Serve the World!
Ways to give:
Our online giving offers peace-of-mind knowing that your church is receiving your contribution even if you are unable to physically attend. It is an easy and safe practice used by many organizations. This would be a great time to begin giving electronically if you have not yet done so. You can give at www.oursaviorfl.org/donate, or you can instruct your local bank to automate your tithe and offerings.
We now offer Text-To-Give: our number is 833-969-0514. Text an amount to this number to make a donation. You will need to set up an account on your first donation.
If you wish to send your tithe through the mail, please send to 301 58th Street S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707. Checks may be made out to “Our Savior Lutheran Church”.
Weekly Worship: Live Streamed Sunday Mornings @ 10 am
Sunday morning worship services will live stream on Sundays at 10 am on the Our Savior Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OurSaviorFL/) and will subsequently be posted on our website (oursaviorfl.org). The service will include songs, a message and prayers. Please like our Facebook page and share with others.
- Did you know that you can share the live stream service with your Facebook friends? While watching the video, simply click the ‘Share’ button, and select the option that says, ‘Start a Watch Party.’ Then press the ‘Start’ button. This is a great opportunity to reach out to our neighbors with Living Love!
Mid-Week Drive-In Communion Services: Wednesday Evenings
We invite you to join us in the church parking lot to celebrate Holy Communion. From your car, you can tune into Facebook Live on your mobile device to participate. We will have Confession & Absolution, a brief devotional and celebrate the Lord’s Supper all in the safety and comfort of your own automobile. The schedule for these drive-in communion services is as follows:
- Wednesdays @ 6:00 pm (St. Pete campus)
- Wednesdays @ 7:30 pm (East Bay campus)
Weekly Bible Study: Live Streamed Tuesday Evenings @ 7 pm
A mid-week Bible study will live stream on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm on the Our Savior Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OurSaviorFL/). This will be an interactive study with one of the pastors, and we will study the book of Philippians.
Community Prayer: Live Streamed Sunday Evenings @ 8 pm
Go to the Our Savior Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OurSaviorFL/).
We will spend a few minutes collecting prayer requests
followed by a time of prayer.
March 18, 2020
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:10)
Dear Our Savior Family,
We are in unprecedented times for our world and for our Church. Our jobs, our schools, and our social habits are all entering into uncharted territory, and we are learning to navigate this together, as CDC guidelines and local government guidance and restrictions are constantly updating. Yes, we are in this together, as a family and a community. Here at Our Savior, we are seeking to respond prayerfully, conscientiously, purposefully and responsibly. We are faced with a delicate balance of how to minister and help meet the needs of individuals and families, but do it in a way that protects our members and neighbors who are most vulnerable.
The ministry of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School will continue, but it will look a little different for the foreseeable future. We are asking you to stay connected through a variety of ways that will not increase the spread of COVID-19 and increase risk. It is imperative that we stay connected to God’s Word and Sacrament and to each other, even while we may be physically separated for a period of time.
Our Savior will be temporarily suspending all in-person, on-campus worship
services and programs
If you are not receiving the weekly email newsletter or the weekly Rev-Ups, please send your email address to kim.fritz@oursaviorfl.org or call the church office at (727) 344-2684.
Below are some ways that we can all stay connected over the next few weeks:
Weekly Worship: Live Streamed Sunday Mornings @ 10 am
Sunday morning worship services will live stream on Sundays at 10 am on the Our Savior Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OurSaviorFL/) and will subsequently be posted on our website (oursaviorfl.org). The service will include songs, a message and prayers. Please like our Facebook page and share with others.
- Did you know that you can share the live stream service with your Facebook friends? While watching the video, simply click the ‘Share’ button, and select the option that says, ‘Start a Watch Party.’ Then press the ‘Start’ button. This is a great opportunity to reach out to our neighbors with Living Love!
Mid-Week Drive-In Communion Services: Wednesday Evenings
We invite you to join us in the church parking lot to celebrate Holy Communion. From your car, you can tune into Facebook Live on your mobile device to participate. We will have Confession & Absolution, a brief devotional and celebrate the Lord’s Supper all in the safety and comfort of your own automobile. The schedule for these drive-in communion services is as follows:
- Wednesdays @ 6:00 pm (St. Pete campus)
- Wednesdays @ 7:30 pm (East Bay campus)
Weekly Bible Study: Live Streamed Tuesday Evenings @ 7 pm
A mid-week Bible study will live stream on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm on the Our Savior Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OurSaviorFL/). This will be an interactive study with one of the pastors.
Rev-Ups will be Emailed on Tuesdays and Fridays
Rev-Ups, a short video devotion, will be emailed directly to you and posted to our Facebook page on Tuesdays & Fridays. Please share with others.
Community Prayer: Live Streamed Sunday Evenings @ 8 pm
Go to the Our Savior Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OurSaviorFL/). We will spend a few minutes collecting prayer requests followed by a time of prayer.
Read through the Bible
You can download the study at https://oursaviorfl.org/read-through-the-bible/
Share your Stories
We want to encourage you to share stories and words of encouragement of how you are living love during this time. An example could be helping an elderly neighbor get groceries or mowing a neighbor’s lawn. Please send a short blurb and a picture (images are powerful) to our Director of Communications, Marilyn Brownlee (marilyn.brownlee@oursaviorfl.org).
Weekly Newsletter – Sent on Thursdays
The Our Savior Living Love Newsletter with updated announcements and links to all of our online ministries will continue to be emailed on Thursdays. The News and Notes are available online at https://oursaviorfl.org/news-and-notes/
Life Groups and Impact Teams
If you are part of a Life Group or Impact Team, there are some creative ways that you can still stay connected. Zoom Video Conferencing and Google Hangouts offer ways for groups to digitally meet together. For more information on how to set this up, please contact Marilyn Brownlee (marilyn.brownlee@oursaviorfl.org).
Kids & Youth Online Presence
Thankfully, our younger generation already operates in a digital world! We will continue to connect with our youth via Instagram, WhatsApp groups for confirmation, middle and high school students, and via regular emails and text messages. We are already creating unique ways to foster community and conversation online, from virtually watching movies together to sharing prayer requests and Bible studies. We’re updating our Digital Goody Bag online and Facebook page frequently to offer great resources for families with children to go through Bible studies and educational and Bible-based apps together. For more information, please contact Cassie Moore (cassie.moore@oursaviorfl.org).
Tithes & Offerings
Giving our tithes and offerings reflects a grateful heart that wants to give back to God a portion of what He has given us; in reality, what is already His. This is our opportunity to show God that He is first in our lives. Tithing is a reminder that God is the supplier of everything we have.
As you know, the many ministries of Our Savior rely on the generosity of the congregation.
Our online giving offers peace-of-mind knowing that your church is receiving your contribution even if you are unable to physically attend. It is an easy and safe practice used by many organizations. This would be a great time to begin giving electronically if you have not yet done so. You can give at www.oursaviorfl.org/donate, or you can instruct your local bank to automate your tithe and offerings.
We now offer Text-To-Give: our number is 833-969-0514. Text an amount to this number to make a donation. You will need to set up an account on your first donation.
If you wish to send your tithe through the mail, please send to 301 58th Street S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707. Checks may be made out to “Our Savior Lutheran Church”.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3)
In the midst of all of the uncertainty and anxiety we can confidently seek refuge in our God, who promises to help us in every situation. He, who was willing to give up His Son for us and for our salvation and who promises to be with us always, will certainly not abandon us now. Let us remember and trust in Him always, even now, as we walk through this challenging time. Thank you for being a part of the Our Savior family, as people who focus on the Almighty God, even beyond our present circumstances.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)
LIVE LOVE,
Pastor Burtzlaff
Pastor Moore
Pastor Futch
St. Pete Campus
301 58th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33707
(727) 344-2684
East Bay Campus
4825 East Bay Drive
Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 531-2761
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