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January 2, 2026
OUR SAVIOR’S WEEKLY LETTER
This Sunday we will celebrate Epiphany: the revelation of God’s love through Jesus, the Word of God incarnate. Sunday’s Old Testament lesson from Isaiah is an appropriate call to action as we enter a new year: Arise, shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. (Isa 60:1) The light of God’s love not only shines to us, but also through us to others, so that we may point others to Jesus, the true Light of the world, just as the star led the wise men to Jesus (recorded in this Sunday’s Gospel lesson: Matthew 2:1-12). As Jesus said in His sermon on the Mount: Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:16). Shine, Jesus, shine, to us and through us!
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Next Week
Sunday, January 4th Worship service at 10 a.m. Pastor Singh will share the message
also Bible Class at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Room
Wednesday, Jan 7th: Midweek Worship Service with Communion at 11 a.m. Followed by a Luncheon at noon in the Fellowship Room All are invited also a Prayer Gathering, led by the Elders 7-8 p.m. in the Prayer Chapel contact Vicar Mark if you would like to participate via Zoom
Thursday, Jan 8th: Men’s Bible Fellowship 7-8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room
Saturday, Jan 10th: Night To Shine training for volunteers 9:30-11 a.m. in the school cafeteria
Coming Events
Grief Share classes begin on Sunday January 11th, 1:30-3:30
Night To Shine Volunteer Training Sessions: January 10, 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.
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
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 beginning a five session study of 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, Fred Dignon, Kathy Hawley, Phyllis Lubiniecki, Barbara MacGowan, Patty Marshall, Jennifer Noble, George Swint, Eric Unright, Dave Wolcott, Al & Helen Walck, Joan & Walter Weis, Lori & Peter Whitehouse, Tim Zuelsdorf, -Homebound: Inge Glidden -in Assisted Living: Christine Baird, Lynn Currier, Marga Hildenbrandt, Lois O’Brien
Prayer for Reilly Tebbano, fifth grade teacher at Our Savior’s Christian School. May God richly bless Reilly as she guides her students along the path of righteousness by using the light of God’s Word to show them the way.
Contact Tom Roemke (518-669-0790 or troemke115@gmail.com) to place announcements in the weekly letter