CELEBRATE MARTY! TODAY, immediately following the late service, everyone is invited to join us for a light potluck lunch and retirement celebration for Principal Marty Brieschke in the gym; 12:30-3:00pm. Don’t forget to add a personal note, retirement card or family photo for the commemorative scrap book. Index cards will be available. Donations can still be made toward his “official” gifts. Mr. B enjoys gardening and golf (although he recently purchased a new set of clubs). He also likes Gummi ANYTHING, specialty garden centers/nurseries (like Wallitsch), Macaroni Grill and Lowe’s.  Although there will likely be a few formal announcements, this will be an Open House format. STOP IN WHENEVER YOU CAN AND SAY “THANKS!

POTLUCK AND CONGREGATION MEETING: will be held Sunday June 2, after late service.    We will have a pot-luck lunch together. The congregation will be presented with next years budget [July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014] for discussion and approval and also have a CALL MEETING for a new principal.
For the Potluck please bring a side dish, salad or dessert for 8-12 people.  Meat will be provided.

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  There will be no Sunday School on Sunday the 26th Memorial Day weekend.  Sunday School will resume again the following Sunday, June 2nd.

SPRING CLEANING: Women’s Ministry is planning a “Spring Cleaning” of the church on Saturday, June 1, at 9:00 am.  We would appreciate your help in making “Our Church-God’s House” fresh and clean, a place to be proud of.  If you can help, please come June 1st with your cleaning equipment.  Any questions, call Debbie Wolter at 243-4187.

LAWN AND GARDEN SPRING SPRUCE-UP: On Saturday, June 1st IOTA ChristCare would like to invite all church members, who enjoy making the outside as inviting as the inside, to bring their rakes, shovels, hoes, gloves and anything else to spruce-up the outside of the church and school.  Work will begin at 9:00 AM. Lets all make our church and school more attractive.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY BOOK SALE:  During the month of May we are collecting books for our June 2nd BOOK SALE.  There will be collection boxes in the hallway opposite Paul’s office by the coat rack.  Proceeds will go to the Women’s activities for the church.   Bring your fiction, nonfiction, cook books, etc.  On Sunday, June 2nd you can buy books for your summer reading at a reasonable price.  Any books remaining will go to our YARD SALE the next week-end (June 7th & 8th).

HOST A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT: Looking for something new and exciting?  Consider hosting a high school foreign exchange student next school year.  You may choose to host a 16-18 year old from one of 25 different countries.  There is no fee for the program.  You simply provide room and board, and necessary transportation.  Students come with their own insurance and spending money.  If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact Sally Crespo at 477-1972 or sunbeam916@yahoo.com for details.

SUMMERTIME IS TIME FOR CAMP!  You are invited to Camp Lakeview’s Annual Open House on Sunday, June 2nd.  Opening worship will begin at 11:00 a.m. with guest speaker Rev. Brad Hubbard from St. Mark Lutheran, Battle Creek MI.  The service will be followed by a delicious picnic lunch and other afternoon activities including tours of the new Lakeview Village Lodge and campsite, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, zip-line, swimming, miniature golf, and more.  Come on out and see all the new exciting things growing up at camp!  Everyone is welcome!  (For directions, call the camp at 812-342-4815 or visit the website at camplakeview.com)

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED
Prayers of Thanks;  As we celebrate the birthday of the church on Pentecost.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY YARD SALE: Women’s Ministry will again be participating in the Hurstbourne neighborhood yard sale on June 7th & 8th.  While you are doing your spring cleaning, please set aside those items you would like to donate.  There is an insert enclosed showing the types of items and when you can begin bringing them into the school gym.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The new July–September 2013 edition is now available.  They are on the tables in the Welcome Center.  If there are none there please stop in the church office to pick one up.

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS:
For Jr High Event information contact Doug Netherton at 451-5474 orDNetherton@bellsouth.net
For Senior High Event information contact Mark Otten at 558-9253 or patriciaotten@insightbb.com

THRIVENT WORKSHOP:  Please join us Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00 PM for a Retirement and Estate Strategies Workshop hosted by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and your local representative, Wendy Gonzales. Guest speaker Jonathan Doering, Thrivent Financial Consultant, with 22 years experience, will share strategies on:
• Alternative options to low-yielding savings vehicles
• 2013 tax law changes on income, estate, and investments
• Tax-advantaged investments strategies
• Multi-generation IRA and charitable planning…and more!
To reserve a seat for you and a guest call Jennifer at 877 593-1195 x218 or emailJennifer.Gi@thrivent.com.

Activities for the Week of May 19, 2013
Sunday
8:30 AM    Worship    Sanctuary
9:45 AM    Bible Study and Sunday School
9:45 AM    Script Sales
11:00 AM    Worship    Sanctuary
12:30 PM    Retirement Celebration Mr. B    Gym
7:00 PM    KinderCare Graduation    Gym
7:00 PM    Sr. High Bible Study
Monday
3:30 PM    Cub Scouts     Fellowship Hall
7:00 PM    Elder’s meeting
Tuesday
10:15 AM    Bible Study    Fellowship Hall
12:00 PM    Braille    Fellowship Hall
6:00 PM    AHG Awards Ceremony    Sanctuary
Wednesday
1:30 PM    SSOF ChristCare Meeting    Faculty Lounge
7:00 PM    Thrivent Seminar    Music Room
Thursday
12:00 PM    Golden Oldies    Churchill Downs
5:00 PM    8th Grade Dinner/Graduation    Gym/ Sanctuary
Friday
Last Day of School
Saturday             

MOTHER’S DAY ROSE SALE:  Church members may purchase beautiful long-stem red and yellow roses after each service TODAY.  The requested donation for the roses is $2.00 each or $20.00 a dozen  and the proceeds will benefit the pro-life work of the Little Way Pregnancy Resource Center at 1143 S. 6th street in Louisville.  This non-profit organization, offers alternatives to abortion, free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, referrals, friendship and prayers to those facing crisis pregnancies.

NEW MEMBER CLASS:  Pastor will be leading the next New Member Workshop THIS Saturday, May 18th, 2013 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM [lunch included] in the Faculty Lounge.  This class is for anyone who would like to know more about the Christian Faith and how we practice that faith as Lutheran Christians at Our Savior.  People who wish to join Our Savior who are not transferring from another Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation need to attend one of these quarterly workshops before being received into membership.

MENTOR MOM POTLUCK: There will be a Mentor Mom potluck THIS Saturday, May18 in the Fellowship Hall at 12:00(noon) for all women of OSLC, interested in becoming a mentor, having a mentor, or who have already been matched in a mentor relationship. Children are welcome. The OSLC Youth Group will provide crafts and music for the children. Please bring a main or side dish to share. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Please contact Michelle Downey (920) 248-2640 or michelle_klinker@hotmail.com with any questions.

GOLDEN OLDIES:  Our next meeting will be a trip to Churchill Downs.  The date for this outing is Thursday, May 23rd.  There were only twenty tickets and they are sold out.  We will meet at church at 10:45 am and carpool to the Downs.  Gates open at 11:30 am and there is free parking if you enter at Gate 10.  Valet parking is also available at Gate 10 for a charge of $5.00.  There will be a buffet luncheon on Millionaire’s Row beginning at noon, with races starting at 1:00 pm.  Questions may be directed to Bill Haller at 426-7755.

On Monday, June 10th, the Golden Oldies will have its last meeting before the summer break.  A presentation will be given by Louisville Slugger Museum speaker Don Greens.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY BOOK SALE:  During the month of May we are collecting books for our June 2nd BOOK SALE.  There will be collection boxes in the hallway opposite Paul’s office by the coat rack.  Proceeds will go to the Women’s activities for the church.   Bring your fiction, nonfiction, cook books, etc.  On Sunday, June 2nd you can buy books for your summer reading at a reasonable price.  Any books remaining will go to our YARD SALE the next week-end (June 7th & 8th).

HOST A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT: Looking for something new and exciting?  Consider hosting a high school foreign exchange student next school year.  You may choose to host a 16-18 year old from one of 25 different countries.  There is no fee for the program.  You simply provide room and board, and necessary transportation.  Students come with their own insurance and spending money.  If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact Sally Crespo at 477-1972 or sunbeam916@yahoo.com for details.

SUMMERTIME IS TIME FOR CAMP!  You are invited to Camp Lakeview’s Annual Open House on Sunday, June 2nd.  Opening worship will begin at 11:00 a.m. with guest speaker Rev. Brad Hubbard from St. Mark Lutheran, Battle Creek MI.  The service will be followed by a delicious picnic lunch and other afternoon activities including tours of the new Lakeview Village Lodge and campsite, canoing, kayaking, horseback riding, zip-line, swimming, miniature golf, and more.  Come on out and see all the new exciting things growing up at camp!  Everyone is welcome!  (For directions, call the camp at 812-342-4815 or visit the website at camplakeview.com)

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED
Tom and Joyce Piegols: in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary yesterday.

IOTA CHRIST CARE GROUP AND WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  are planning a church clean-up day on Saturday, June1. We will begin work at 9:00 am.  We would like all members of OSLC and other Christ Care groups to join us.  Please bring your own gardening and cleaning items.  Let’s all make our church more attractive!

WOMEN’S MINISTRY YARD SALE: Women’s Ministry will again be participating in the Hurstbourne neighborhood yard sale on June 7th & 8th.  While you are doing your spring cleaning, please set aside those items you would like to donate.  There is an insert enclosed showing the types of items and when you can begin bringing them into the school gym.

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS:

For Jr High Event information contact Doug Netherton at 451-5474 orDNetherton@bellsouth.net
For Senior High Event information contact Mark Otten at 558-9253 or patriciaotten@insightbb.com

THRIVENT WORKSHOP:  Please join us Wednesday, May 22 at 7:00 PM for a Retirement and Estate Strategies Workshop hosted by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and your local representative, Wendy Gonzales. Guest speaker Jonathan Doering, Thrivent Financial Consultant, with 22 years experience, will share strategies on:
• Alternative options to low-yielding savings vehicles
• 2013 tax law changes on income, estate, and investments
• Tax-advantaged investments strategies
• Multi-generation IRA and charitable planning…and more!
To reserve a seat for you and a guest call Jennifer at 877 593-1195 x218 or email Jennifer.Gi@thrivent.com.

Activities for the Week of May 12, 2013
Sunday
8:30 AM    Worship    Sanctuary
9:45 AM    Bible Study and Sunday School
9:45 AM    Mother’s Day Rose Sale
11:00 AM    Worship    Sanctuary
7:00 PM    Sr. High Bible Study
Monday
11:30 AM    3rd Grade Mother’s Day Lunch    Fellowship Hall
7:00 PM    Council Meeting
Tuesday
10:15 AM    Bible Study    Fellowship Hall
12:00 PM    Braille    Fellowship Hall
3:30 PM    AHG Open House    Fellowship Hall
Wednesday
7:00 PM    Young Adult Bible Study
Thursday
6:00 PM    Louisville Survivor Basketball    Gym
6:30 PM    Adult Hand Bells
7:30 PM    Adult Choir
Friday
6:30 PM    IOTA ChristCare Meeting
7:00 PM    Belles “N” Beaus    Gym
Saturday
9:00 AM & 3:00 PM    Dog Handler Training    Gym
9:30 AM    New Member Class    Faculty Lounge
12:00 PM    Mentor / Mom Potluck    Fellowship Hall

A Happy and blessed Mothers’ Day to all our mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers as we celebrate God’s gift to us of those who brought us into this world … and… who shared in instructing us in the Love of God.

And so, for all Mother’s… we give thanks to God and pray His continued blessings on them this day.  Amen.

Today our first reading is sort of a birth-giver for our readings coming next week, as then we will celebrate the Birthday of the Church with God’s gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost …

And so, today’s reading from the Book of Acts, is sort of a heads-up for what is to come…

In our reading, the Evangelist Luke gives us the inside story about how the 11 disciples had to re-fill the office of disciple which Judas had held prior to Jesus’ betrayal, death, resurrection and ascension.

We heard in our reading that there were qualifications set for that office … and that two of the men in their midst met those qualifications.  The disciples then let God chose between the two men by casting lots.  And, we heard, the Lot fell to Matthias.

The Casting of Lots was a practice that God had given to the priestly office which He established among God’s People at the time of Moses

The priests were to use the special stones known as the Urim and Thurmmin that were kept in the special breast plate worn by the priest.

The Urim and Thurmmin were consulted to determine God’s direction in questions that needed simple yes or no answers… like, “should we go up against this city or not?”

And so, the handling of those stones and using them to cast lots was only done by the priest … because it was he who held that God-established office of being the spiritual intermediary between God and His people.

Now… in this New Testament event we have in our reading for this morning … we see the last time casting of Lots is employed by God’s people to determine His will.  Casting of Lots is never used again.

Why?  Because with Pentecost comes the gift of God’s Holy Spirit among His people in a way like never before.

And with the gift of the Holy Spirit … we don’t see the disciples using lots to determine the direction they should go on their missionary journeys, or about who should go, or about other issues that came up regarding doctrine or practice…

In fact, we see a church council convened in Jerusalem in order to address those early New Testament church questions … many of which were ones that were not simple enough to have just yes or no answer.

So, how did they get their direction instead?  By the power and direction of the Holy Spirit.  Indeed as Jesus had even promised would happen on the night when He was betrayed.

And so, that opens the door to questions about what we as Christians and the Church face today.  Apart from the clear guidance of Scripture itself, how do we determine God’s will in our various areas of life today, especially in those areas where scriptures are silent?

Such an instance is the decision that our congregation is dealing with right now:   How do we find a New Principal for Our Savior Lutheran School?

Now the problem is, first of all, that that’s probably not the right question.    When the apostles were choosing who would replace Judas, we hear them pray in our text… “Lord, you know every one’s heart.  Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go to his own place

Who were they looking for, to do the choosing?  God.   Why?  Because God is the one who chooses who will do His work in the people’s midst.  And so we heard the Lot went to Matthias.

Now … move that into our day and time.  Say Eastern High School wants to get a new principal.  How do they go about that?  They set personal, academic and professional standards for that job. … With those criteria they compile a group of candidates.  They then interview those candidates.    And then, using a process set by the JCPS School Board, they choose one from that group to be the new principal.

Could we do the same thing at Our Savior? Certainly, but we don’t.
In our text for today, who chose Matthias to be Judas’ replacement?  Did the disciples?  No.  They set the criteria, namely  … “One of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time Jesus was taken up from us.”

And using that Standard, those criteria, they proposed two men who met them … Barsabbas and Matthias.   But they did not make the final selection … God did… through the means they had available at that time… namely, the casting of Lots.

Now… again, why was the decision God’s, not theirs?  Because the office that one of the two men would fill was a ministry … not just a job.

That person selected would be God’s agent to act on His behalf.  To carry God’s name before others.  To recall the Words of Jesus, God himself, to others.

And that’s what makes the principal of Our Savior Lutheran School different entirely from the principal of Lowe Elementary or even Eastern High School.

Here at Our Savior the principal is God’s agent to carry on a ministry, to be an agent of the Gospel of God’s grace… to the Children, parents and staff of Our Savior Lutheran School… doing so on God’s behalf.

Yes, that individual receives a paycheck, and physical and even spiritual support through the organization of the Church and School.  But who is their real boss?   The One who has called, or in this case, will call him or her to serve in this ministry.

And this is why, then, that Our Savior congregation, not just the school or just school parents, plays the key role in making this call.  Otherwise, if this were just a secular position, the school board would have authority, just like the JCPS school board does in its jurisdictions to name a new principal.

But since OSLS is a ministry of Our Savior Lutheran Church … God is the one who gets to make the choice.    And God does that through His people… people who now, since the Day of Pentecost, have been blessed with the gift of His Holy Spirit.

Practically, how does that work?   Well… you ever look at what happens when you put a choice in front of a group of people?  It’s amazing.  Take a presidential race, for instance.   Even if you take into consideration that many people don’t vote for or against a candidate, but adhere strictly to party lines … how does the outcome go …?

If the outcome is 53 to 47 percent, the election is considered a landslide in favor of the person with only 6% more than their opponent.  In fact, most elections are much closer than that.  When was the last time we had a popular election that went 80% to 20%?

I can’t remember one, unless it was one for a minor office where the losing candidate spent virtually nothing on their campaign compared to their opponent.

Just opinion polls these days on what we might term “moral issues” run fairly close.

But what happens when the Holy Spirit is the one who’s making the choice through His people?

We see something rarely seen in the secular world …the outcome is summed up in this wonderful word … consensus.   Why? Because the outcome is evidence of the Spirit at work.

Sometimes the question is put to the congregation like this: … “How many of us believe that this is the way God is leading us?”  And a preponderance non-verbal signs of approval from the body gathered is all that’s needed to move forward.

Sometimes a vote is taken with the same result.   But, if a vote taken is 60/40 or closer, that’s not a good sign.   That may well mean that more time and prayer is required.  Sometimes that may mean that we have not asked the right question … or we don’t have the right choices before us.

And so, you see why it’s important that ALL the members of the body need to be present… because it is through ALL of them that the Holy Spirit expresses God’s will … for the body as a whole.

And so … you can also see why we have these words to us in Scripture:   St. Peter proclaims:  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Since the Day of Pentecost, we have been made God’s priests, each of us, filled with His Spirit.  And yet He brings us together as a priesthood to determine His will for us as His body… as His Spirit speaks through us together.

And so, the one who receives “the call” doesn’t see that as just a piece of paper containing just another “job offer”  ….but sees it as a True Calling or “speaking” of their selection from God to minister to these people of His in their midst … according to the gifts and abilities God has given.

Now, does that person immediately drop everything and say, “Yes, sir!  Reporting for duty, Sir!”   No, not necessarily … and not always.

You see, the reason a person is currently serving where that person is at may very well be because of a previous calling from God.  Or. Perhaps, their current situation might be due to some other action by God’s design.

Now, God can and will use any of us in what ever setting we are.  But now it is up to that “called” person, who has the Holy Spirit, too, by the way, to resolve their own sense where God is now calling them to serve.  And sometimes what comes into play are things known only to them and God.

We see at age of 80 that Moses was living out a call to tend sheep.  And then, he was confronted with a call from God through a burning bush… Moses didn’t refuse that call, but he tried pretty hard to disqualify himself …

But what Moses learned … was the key in all this … that he was just going to be the conduit through whom God Himself would act to bless His people then… and even us today.

In the end, Moses got a lot of abuse from all sides… from Pharaoh to even his own people as he remained faithful to God in his calling.  .
Happens in our day as well.  The call to serve as one of God’s conduits is not an invitation to an easy life.  The world is a hostile place.  But the joy of seeing God’s work being done in it is hard to surpass.

And so, as we have been praying for our call committee, and their work, both guided by the Spirit… we look forward to next Sunday as we will celebrate the Gift of God’s Spirit to His People … and the difference that that gift makes in our individual lives and even in our lives together in Christ as His Church.

In Him…Amen.

People are interesting eye-witnesses.  You may have heard stories about different people eye-witnessing the same event, like an automobile accident, and then walking away very different accounts of what happened.

Well, this is not the time or the place to get into the why’s and wherefore’s of different eye-witness accounts…we’ll leave that to psychologists to explain …( and personal injury lawyers to exploit.)

But we do have to deal with this issue today in John’s Gospel, an account of a rare glimpse of Jesus’ healing ministry here on earth.   This reporting of Jesus’ miracle by the Pool of Bethesda is only found in John’s Gospel.  And before we even get into it we are faced with a dilemma.  What happened to verse 4 of the text?

We have verses 1-3 and verses 5-9 … but no verse 4.  Verse 4 helps us understand the invalid man’s words in verse 7, where he says to Jesus:  “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up

What’s he talking about? The water being stirred up?  What does that have to do with his being healed …?

Well… that missing verse, verse 4, says this:  “From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters…
The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease he had.”

Now, with that information, verse 7 makes a lot more sense, doesn’t it?  The man’s problem was that his immobility prevented Him from being the first one into the pool once it was stirred up … and so, that’s the reason he gives Jesus that he had not yet been healed.

Now, since we took a jab lawyers, we’ll take one at ourselves and confess that there is some disagreement amongst theologians on whether verse 4 is part of the scriptural record or not.

Again … several eye-witnesses … different opinions.  And so for our purposes … we will follow the majority opinion and leave verse 4 out, but having read it, we benefit from the insight into the situation that it gives, and we go on.

We need to be our own eye-witnesses now, and see what is really going on here with this man who has been an invalid for 38 years.

He’s at a place in Jerusalem which was about the closest thing to a hospital or nursing home in Jesus’ time.  Jesus sees him there and asks if he wants to be healed.

The man’s response on the surface sounds like an excuse as to why He’s still in the condition that he’s in … “I have no one to help me…”   But behind those words what he’s saying is… “that pool is my only God-givenhope … and if it were within my capabilities alone … I would have been cured years ago.”

Jesus’ response to that is: “Get up!  Take up your bed and walk.”

A miracle is performed by those words … undoing 38 years of being unable to function…  instantly reversing it … and making the man the way he was intended to be from the beginning.

Now…. let’s unpack all that  … and then apply it to ourselves.

First, it appears that Jesus singles out this one man among many of those gathered at the pool due to the number of years (a precise number of 38) that he had been suffering his affliction.

And so given that number of years the question:  “Do you want to be healed?”  might seem a bit loaded, like meaning … “Have you become so comfortable in this life-style that You prefer to remain this way…”

You see, a man who had lived off of the generosity of others for so long, might be fearful of having to actually earn his own living if he were cured, …

So Jesus’ question may not be as simple as it seems… or even one with an obvious answer.  We notice that the man’s response isn’t, “Why, yes!  Why do you ask?”

No … he answers saying that he’s not healed… not because of any lack of will or desire… but because of the nature of the illness with which he had been afflicted … its very nature, his paralysis, makes him an invalid, and prevents him from availing himself of the curative power of the pool.

And what happens, then?  Without any further ado, Jesus heals Him by His word.  “Get up, Take up your bed and walk.”

Just like Jesus ordered the storm on the Sea of Galilee to be still… and it obeyed … likewise, whatever has been plaguing this man leaves him cured.

Now… elsewhere in Scripture we hear Jesus’ words in situations similar to this, saying … “Go … Your faith has made you well …”

We don’t hear those words here.  We don’t even hear the word “faith” here.  We don’t even hear a confession on the part of this man that might even imply faith here.

And so… if we were to argue for a reason why John included this miracle in His Gospel … this lack of faith discussion would be the reason why.  Faith is present, but not so that everything is somehow dependent upon a human expression of it.

How can we say that faith is there?  Well…

First of all, the first word the man says to Jesus is a word rendered “Sir” in our translation, but it is also the same word translated LORD on other occasions.  And so, no matter how it is rendered in English we see that the man is receiving Jesus’ question about being healed in such a way that he is recognizing Jesus’ authority.

And his reply to Jesus points to a faith that God could and would cure him …but, just as long as he was the first to be in the pool.

Which to that, Jesus’ reply is quick and firm:  “Get up, Take up your bed and walk.”

We get a sense that Jesus wanted this man to know that God is merciful… and His mercy is NOT contingent somehow upon our works.

That’s the entire key to this passage and why again we think John specifically included this miracle in His Gospel.   God’s mercy and grace are not somehow dependent on mankind pushing the right buttons in the right sequence in order to get God to display His mercy.

Jesus wants to erase the erroneous idea that God will only merciful to those who earn it …like… by being the first one in the pool.

God’s grace and mercy are not brought down from heaven in response to our good works.   And knowing that in our hearts and in our heads can be very freeing…

Look again at what’s going on:   A question.  A response.  Boom, You’re healed.

Jesus’ question seeks the basis for the man’s expectation for a healing… and the man’s a response is really a prayer for help… indicating that he is seeking God’s grace… And in that context, Jesus performs the immediate healing.

In other words, God doesn’t set a Bar that we somehow have to jump over by faith to have our prayers answered.

Why do we EVEN  think that that’s the way God works?… We are led to think that because so often our prayers are not answered when and how we want them answered.

So we fault ourselves for that, not God… and we go at it again and again … trying harder … thinking all the while that our efforts in the preceding times were not sufficient to move God to display His Grace.

We keeping trying to find the right buttons to push, and the right sequence to push them in … in order to get the answer we want when we want it.  It’s just human nature… and God understands that.

If human works, if human demonstrations of faith were necessary before God would show us His grace and mercy … then none of us would ever be saved.  Why.  Because we are truly saved by His grace… alone.  Through faith… alone.  Without the necessity of our works to motivate His benevolence on our behalf.

Baptism is a prime demonstration of that.   Healing of a soul for eternity is granted as an unconditional gift of his grace, apart from any works on our part… lest we should boast.

And so … this miracle that John presents us with … is a case in point.  This gift of healing is received by faith by this invalid, but he can’t even take credit for that faith, for even that faith in his heart is 100% of God’s origin.

And, more than that… God in Christ can hear even in this man’s complaint about a lack of a helper … a prayer for healing, which is granted … obviously not because of its eloquence, and not because of the man… or who he is … but because of who God is.

Just so … we are healed eternally, not because of who we are … but because of who He is.

And when it comes to seeking His grace and mercy for our lives in the here and now … the formula is still the same.

We do not, we cannot, somehow come before His throne with our works in our hands expecting to be rewarded accordingly.

We can only come as this man did … with nothing in our hands but an expectation based on the knowledge of faith that God does love us,  Jesus’ death on the Cross being the eternal proof of that.

And so … no matter what is happening in our lives … the final outcome will be an expression of God’s eternal love for us … as difficult as that may be, for us to understand, sometimes, this side of the grave.

As the Promise of Scripture says:  “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.”   Romans 8:28.   And those called according to His Purpose are you and me … as He has had mercy on us in Christ Jesus and made us His Children by faith.

And so today … as frail as our prayers may be … as weak as our faith may seem to us … God knows us as His children… and He shows only love to us accordingly.   Thank God it is that way … for the sake of Jesus Christ.

In Him.  Amen.

THE FACULTY AND STAFF: extend their heartfelt thanks to the OSLS students and families who so generously shared their appreciation last week. Special thanks to Leanne Hardin for coordinating the week and all the volunteers who helped each day to make it a truly special week.

“ MAD HATTER MOTHER/DAUGHTER TEA” TICKETS ON SALE TODAY!! The LAST DAY AT REDUCED PRICE! Our American Heritage Girls Troop is hosting our annual Mother/Daughter Tea fundraiser on Saturday, May 11, 12:00-2:00pm. Tickets are $12/person through 12:30pm TODAY! (Additional daughters/$6 each).  $15/person after May 5 and at the door. This special event will include a light lunch, Talent Show, crafts and other activities. Please Make Plans to Join Us!!

IOTA CHRIST CARE GROUP AND WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  are planning a church clean-up day on Saturday, June1. We will begin work at 9:00 am.  We would like to invite other Christ Care groups and anyone else to join us.  Please bring your own gardening and cleaning items.  Hope you will join us in making our church more attractive.

NEW MEMBER CLASS:  Pastor will be leading the next New Member Workshop on Saturday, May 18th, 2013 from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM [lunch included] in the Fellowship Hall.  This class is for anyone who would like to know more about the Christian Faith and how we practice that faith as Lutheran Christians at Our Savior.  People who wish to join Our Savior who are not transferring from another Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation need to attend one of these quarterly workshops before being received into membership.

MENTOR MOM POTLUCK: There will be a Mentor Mom potluck on Saturday, May18 at 12:00 (noon) for all women interested in becoming a mentor, having a mentor, or who have already been matched in a mentor relationship. Children are welcome. The OSLC Youth Group will provide crafts and music for the children. Please bring a main or side dish to share. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Please contact Michelle Downey (920) 248-2640 or michelle_klinker@hotmail.com with any questions.

GOLDEN OLDIES:  Our next meeting will be a trip to Churchill Downs.  The date for this outing is Thursday, May 23rd.  There were only twenty tickets and they are sold out.  We will meet at church at 10:45 am and carpool to the Downs.  Gates open at 11:30 am and there is free parking if you enter at Gate 10.  Valet parking is also available at Gate 10 for a charge of $5.00.  There will be a buffet luncheon on Millionaire’s Row beginning at noon, with races starting at 1:00 pm.  Questions may be directed to Bill Haller at 426-7755.

On Monday, June 10th, the Golden Oldies will have its last meeting before the summer break.  A presentation will be given by Louisville Slugger Museum speaker Don Greens.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY YARD SALE: Women’s Ministry will again be participating in the Hurstbourne neighborhood yard sale in early June.  While you are doing your spring cleaning, please set aside those items you would like to donate.  We will be letting you know when you can start bringing your donations to church.

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED
The Family of Frank Walker:  who was called home on Tuesday, April 30th.

HOST A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT: Looking for something new and exciting?  Consider hosting a high school foreign exchange student next school year.  You may choose to host a 16-18 year old from one of 25 different countries.  There is no fee for the program.  You simply provide room and board, and necessary transportation.  Students come with their own insurance and spending money.  If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact Sally Crespo at 477-1972 or sunbeam916@yahoo.com for details.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY BOOK SALE:  During the month of May we are collecting books for our June 2nd BOOK SALE There will be collection boxes in the hallway opposite Paul’s office by the coat rack.  Proceeds will go the Women’s activities for the church.   Bring your fiction, nonfiction, cook books, etc.  On Sunday, June 2nd you can buy books for your summer reading at a reasonable price.  Any books remaining will go to our YARD SALE the next week-end (June 7th & 8th).

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
For Jr High Event information contact Doug Netherton at 451-5474 orDNetherton@bellsouth.net
For Senior High Event information contact Mark Otten at 558-9253 or patriciaotten@insightbb.com

SUMMERTIME IS TIME FOR CAMP!  You are invited to Camp Lakeview’s Annual Open House on Sunday, June 2nd.  Opening worship will begin at 11:00 a.m. with guest speaker Rev. Brad Hubbard from St. Mark Lutheran, Battle Creek MI.  The service will be followed by a delicious picnic lunch and other afternoon activities including tours of the new Lakeview Village Lodge and campsite, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, zip-line, swimming, miniature golf, and more.  Come on out and see all the new exciting things growing up at camp!  Everyone is welcome!  (For directions, call the camp at 812-342-4815 or visit the website at camplakeview.com)

PRESCHOOL AFTERNOON CHILDCARE: is searching for an energetic helper to work with a wonderful group of children Monday – Friday from 3:00 – 6:00pm starting immediately. If you are interested, please inquire in the school office or contact Amy Masterson.