January 8, 2026
OUR SAVIOR’S WEEKLY LETTER
This coming Sunday we commemorate the Baptism of Jesus, in which He is called the “beloved Son of the Father” and begins His public ministry (Matthew 3:13-17). Jesus’ baptism reminds us of our own baptism, whether we were baptized as an infant or as an adult, we are connected with Christ through our baptism. As Paul wrote in Sunday’s Epistle (Romans 6:1-11), our baptism marks the death of our sins and the new life we experience through the victorious resurrection of Christ, our Savior. Martin Luther encourages us to remember our baptism daily, thanking God for making us His own and remembering that the Old Adam (our sinful nature) in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. (from Luther’s Small Catechism). What a way to begin each day, remembering God’s grace and celebrating our renewed life in Christ!
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Next Week
Sunday, January 11th Worship service at 10 a.m. Vicar Mark will share the message also Sunday School and Bible Class at 9 a.m. also Grief Share class, 1:30-3:30 in the Church Office Conference Room
Wednesday, Jan 14th: Women’s Bible Class 10-11 a.m. in the parsonage also Choir- 7 p.m.
Thursday, Jan 15th: Men’s Bible Fellowship 7-8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room
Coming Events
This Saturday, January 10th: Night To Shine Training for Volunteers 9:30-11 in the school cafeteria
Additional Night To Shine Volunteer Training Sessions: January 27 and February 7
Voters Assembly - Sunday, January 25
More Information
Night To Shine, a prom for people with disabilities, will be held at Our Savior’s on Feb 13th This is a unique opportunity to let Jesus’ love shine through us to our honored guests and their parents and caregivers. We need volunteers for this event, particularly buddies to accompany our guests. You may register as a NTS volunteer through our church website (oslalbany. org). You may also provide financial support for this Night To Shine event by sponsoring one or more of our guests, using a special offering envelope or by giving on line through our church website. The sponsorship cost is $60/guest. One generous donor has offered to match any sponsorship gifts up to $1000. Please pray that God’s love would abound among all guests and volunteers.
Grief Share: If you need help dealing with grief, consider participating in Grief Share, a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through these thirteen sessions, you will discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. The Grief Share group will meet on Sunday afternoons, 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the church office conference room. Contact Cathy Kilpatrick for more information.
Voters Assembly is scheduled for Sunday, January 25th, following the worship service. We will be electing Elders and several members of Church Council at that meeting (The slate of nominees will be published in Sunday’s bulletin and in next week’s letter.) The Council will also give an updated report our annual Ministry Plan. Voters will also hear reports on church finances and Our Savior’s Christian School as the school plans to add 9th grade next year.
Resolutions: In January and February gyms are filled with people who have resolved to get in shape, but their numbers decline significantly as the year progresses. Here are a few suggested resolutions designed to help us get in spiritual shape. With God’s help, may we keep these resolutions throughout this new year.
1)Grow in the Word: Read God’s Word daily and participate in a group Bible study: Sunday morning Bible Class meets in the Fellowship Room at 9 a.m. This class is studying the book of Numbers, an account of God’s guidance and provision for His people on route to the Promised Land. A Women’s Bible Class led by Cheryl Pangburn meets in the parsonage on Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m. and a Men’s Bible Fellowship meets in the Fellowship Room on Thursdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Both of these Bible study groups are currently discussing the spiritual disciplines that are foundational to discipleship. Consider participating in these opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship
2)Grow in Prayer: In addition to times of prayer throughout the day, join others in Prayer Gatherings led by our Elders and held in the Prayer Chapel, 7-8 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you are unable to come in person, you may participate via Zoom on a link provided by Vicar Mark
3)Grow in Service: Use your God-given gifts to serve others: sing in the choir, assist with ushering, help with the coffee hour and fellowship meals, teach or assist with Sunday School and Bible Class, volunteer to help with Night To Shine. Call Linda in the church office for the names of people to contact in these areas of service.
Vicar Mark Chaffee’s office hours are 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You may also reach him by cell phone: 518/763-1085 or via email: mark.chaffee@oursaviors.com
Pastor Patrick Singh is serving as part time vacancy pastor at Our Savior’s, providing pastoral care and leadership in cooperation with Vicar Mark. You may contact Pastor Singh by email: patrick204642003@yahoo.com or by cell phone (917/254-2597) if you wish to talk or schedule a time to meet with him.
PRAYER NEEDS
Healing: Christine Baird, Barbara Bruso, Lynn Currier, Fred Dignon, Kathy Hawley, Peter Kemmer, Phyllis Lubiniecki, Barbara MacGowan, Patty Marshall, Jennifer Noble, George Swint, Eric Unright, Dave Wolcott, Helen Walck, Joan & Walter Weis, Lori & Peter Whitehouse, Tim Zuelsdorf,
Daughters of Sarah Rehab: Al Walck
-Homebound: Inge Glidden
-in Assisted Living: Christine Baird, Lynn Currier, Marga Hildenbrandt, Lois O’Brien
Prayer for Veronica Alaimo, Director of Enrollment and Marketing for Our Savior’s Christian School. We thank God for Veronica’s creativity and enthusiasm as she promotes the school and takes parents of prospective students on tours. May her promotional efforts bear fruit as more students enroll in Our Savior’s Christian School.
Prayer for Pastor Singh as he ministers to residents of Coberg Village in Clifton Park, sharing the joy and peace of Jesus in the chapel services that he leads in this residential community for seniors.
Contact Tom Roemke (518-669-0790 or troemke115@gmail.com) to place announcements in the weekly letter