Dear family,

“God is our refuge and strength. An ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way.” Those opening words from Psalm 46 inspired the greatest of all Lutheran hymns, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. Today those words are also our inspiration in this present time of trouble. Nevertheless, we must find refuge, strength and help from God somewhere besides within the church walls for the moment. Regretfully, we will need to suspend all Sunday and Wednesday worship services and Bible studies at Our Savior Lutheran Church until Sunday, March 29, in response to concerns about the coronavirus, which has claimed more than 6,700 lives worldwide. Our Savior Lutheran School will also be closed until further notice. Doing this was a very painful, difficult but prayerful decision. We appreciate the hardship this creates for all of us. And yet, we believe an “ever-present” God will be with us as our refuge and strength even as we are briefly forced to worship Him from the shelter of our homes.

We may be separated from one another for a time in the body. However, we can remain together in the one Spirit who makes us the one body of Christ. The people of God have more resources to stay connected and support one another now than any other time in the history of the church. On our website https://oslplantation.church/ you will find the following:

• Sunday and midweek video recordings of the current “12” sermon series highlighting the apostles of Christ
• Occasional devotionals for encouragement
• Updates and notices regarding the church schedule and our response to the epidemic

We are also able to continue to support the body of Christ with our offerings to the Lord. Your church exists with the help of everyone’s contributions. More now than ever we will all want to continue our regular giving and tithes as suspensions of worship services at church tend to adversely impact the congregation financially. You may continue to worship God with your offering in the following ways:

• Mail a check to Our Savior Lutheran Church 8001 NW 5th Street Plantation, FL 33324
• Send a Text to 954-280-1671

In the message box put the amount you would like to give (no dollar sign) and send. You will get a message with a secure link to Vanco for your information.

• Search for iOS/Android

App “GivePlus” Church

• Go online oslplantation.church

At the bottom of the home page click on "Giving" in the red banner.  This will direct you to Vanco for Simply Giving.

In the meantime, let us remain united together in worship under the shelter of our Lord in prayer:

Holy Lord, You gather us under Your wings and shelter us between the nail-pierced palms of Your hands. Cover us now Lord God as we are plagued with hardship and uncertainty. Give wisdom to all those who lead us and knowledge to those who provide medicine to cure us. Amplify and multiply the voices of those who proclaim Your word that we might find refuge in Your infinite mercy through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Even during the hiatus, I will be keeping office hours at the church Monday-Thursday and will be available to talk with you as you have questions or need for prayer. Please feel free to contact me by phone at 954-473-6888 or by email at tdurante@oursaviorplantation.org. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

In Christ,
Tony Durante

Pastor