April 2023

Monthly Messenger
Saron Lutheran Church

From the Pastor’ Desk Events in April

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those 1 Women's Breakfast
who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and 6 Maundy Thursday Service
everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do 7 Good Friday Service
you believe this?” - John 11:25-26 8 Crafting Gathering
9 Easter Sunday and Egg Hunt
I am grateful to Victor and Karin who helped arrange a 16 Young Families Gathering
Taize-style prayer service for our Lenten midweek 19 Prayer Meeting
gatherings. The songs, prayers, and intentional silence of 20 Council Meeting
Taize has been a gift to me in my life of faith and I was 22 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
excited to be able to share it with my Saron family. 23 New Member Sunday
Bible Study
The first week was a little rocky and after receiving some 29 Love Escalon Day
feedback I made some changes to the bulletin for the 30 Book Club
second week. Due to the shift in formatting, there was an
error in the bulletin from week two onward. I had intended
to replace the lyrics at the end of the second song “he Mark your Calendar
rescues me from death” with “who leads us into life,” but 5/4 National Day of Prayer
both appeared on the final copy. Both speak the truth 5/14 Mother’s Day
about the power of Christ, but I preferred the language of 5/20 Pee Wee Golf Tournament
life. 5/28 Pentecost Sunday
5/29 Memorial Day
However, one Wednesday evening as I was sitting in the
pews listening to people sing around me, I heard both lines
simultaneously and it was beautiful. I was reminded at that
moment that in both our life and our death, we are held in Join us for Worship!
the loving embrace of God. The joyful celebration of life Sundays at 9:30 am
at Easter would not be meaningful without the reality of In the Sanctuary or
Jesus’ death. Because Jesus lives we no longer have to on the “Saron Lutheran Church”
look at death as something to fear! We have a God that is
much stronger! That is the promise of Easter! Facebook page
Bulletins are sent via email every
Blessings to you and your families this Easter and always! week.
In Love and Peace,
Saron Staff
Pastor Callie Torres
Rev. Callie Torres, Pastor
Louise Spurgeon, Secretary

Office Hours
Saron Lutheran Church
1742 North Street, Escalon CA95320 Tuesday through Friday
saronlutheranescalon.org
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
209-838-7695 | [email protected]
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President’s Message
Worship and Music asked that you please see future
Your church council is committed to keeping you dates for information about Holy Week services. A
informed about important issues being addressed at postcard will be sent from the office with the
our meetings. It is also our interest to hear if you service dates and times. Please share with your
have questions or suggestions. You are invited to friends and neighbors. It was also reported that the
read the minutes that are posted on the bulletin average attendance for February was 41 with 6
board. Treasurer Sylvia McGowan reported the viewing online. Service and Support continues to
income was greater than expenses in February. We stay in contact with members and friends by
appreciate the financial support of our members and sending cards, flowers, meals, etc. The next crafting
friends. day is planned for April 8th. Stewardship will be
meeting next month for future reporting. Fellowship
It was the decision of the council, based upon the is planning a pancake breakfast on April 22nd from
recommendations from the Property Committee, 8:30 to 10:30. There will be a presale for tickets.
that the heating and air conditioning units at the All proceeds will be used to improve the parking
parsonage be replaced at the cost of approximately lot. Pastor Callie shared with the council the many
$12,000. This leaves only the office, the fireside things happening at the Synod and the upcoming
room and the classroom building that will need to baptisms and other events. We ask for your
be replaced in the future for approximately $30,000. feedback as to the automated telephone messages
Sylvia reported that there are funds to replace the received from her.
units at the parsonage. We will need to continue to
ask for financial support to replace the remaining We have heard many concerns from our members
units in the future. about the condition of our parking lot. We are
currently seeking information about the cost to
The Finance Committee reported the 5% offerings, repaint the strips and/or to replace the parking lot.
designated for the Synod, are being withheld until Further information will be provided to you once it
such time as a satisfactory response is received is available, along with suggested plans for
from Synod regarding how money is received and covering the cost.
processed. At this time, no response has been
received from a letter sent to Bishop Burkat or We wish all of you a blessed Easter.
Pastor Mark Price, our conference Dean. A
registered letter has now been sent to both parties. Ann Shaddix, Council President

Holy Week & Easter Services at Saron

Good Friday Service
Holy Week and Easter is one of the most sacred
times of the church year. Through these days we April 7 at 7:00 pm
move from the triumphal entry of Jesus into Passion reading and hymns
Jerusalem, to the last supper with his friends, to the
painful crucifixion, to the joyful resurrection. We Easter Sunday Worship
hope that you and your family and friends can join April 9 at 9:30 am
us in worship as we complete our journey through Celebration of the resurrection of our Lord
these most sacred days.

Palm & Passion Sunday

April 2 at 9:30 am
Palm procession and a dramatic reading of “The
Passion of our Lord According to Matthew”

Maundy Thursday Service

April 6 at 7:00 pm
Lenten absolution and the stripping of the altar

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Easter Morning Sunrise Service Lenten Outreach
The Escalon Ministerial Association is hosting a For Saron’s annual Lenten Outreach, we are
Sunrise Easter Morning Worship Service on Easter collecting funds for Lutheran Disaster Response to
Sunday at 6:30 am at Burwood Cemetery in support our siblings in Turkey & Syria who have
Escalon. Bring a warm coat and a lawn chair (if you been impacted by the recent earthquakes. Envelopes
can) and let us celebrate the empty tomb with our for donations can be found in the back of the
siblings from other churches in Escalon! Sanctuary or make checks out to Saron Lutheran
Church and write “Lenten Outreach” in the memo
line.

We will be ending our collection for Lenten

Outreach on April 9th, Easter Sunday. If you are
still interested in donating after that date you can
donate directly to Lutheran Disaster Response at
community.elca.org/middle-east-crisis.

Pancake Breakfast
April 22nd from 8:30 - 10:30 am
Please attend the Saron Lutheran Pancake Breakfast
Flowers for Easter Cross on Saturday, April 22nd. Breakfast will be served
continually from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Flowers are needed to adorn the beautiful cross that
Tickets are $10.00 each for adults and include, "all
greets people when they come to worship on Easter
you can eat pancakes" sausage, eggs, yogurt parfait,
Sunday. Please bring flowers and leave them in the
juice and coffee. Children's tickets are $5.00 each.
kitchen or the social hall, left in a container with
This event is a fundraiser for our Facilities Fund,
water no later than Saturday, April 8.
and will go to support repairs for out parking
lot. Please invite your family, friends and
Annual Easter Egg Hunt neighbors. You may purchase your tickets in
On Easter Sunday, April 9th after worship, there advance or at the door. Tickets are available in the
will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the children. Bring church office or from a member of the Fellowship
an Easter basket if you have one. & Outreach Committee.
Anyone who would like to donate candy or plastic
eggs, please bring then to church on April 2nd. If you can not attend but would like to make a
Thank you! donation to this event, please note “Pancake
Breakfast” on your check or envelope.

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New Member Sunday Young Families Gathering
April 23 April 16th at 11:00 am
On Sunday, April 23rd we will be welcoming The next Young Families Gathering is on Sunday,
several new members into our Saron family and April 16th at 11:00 pm. Come and hear the good
celebrating a new baptism. Come and meet the news of the Easter story while children have a
newest members of Saron and celebrate with some chance to do fun activities and parents can enjoy
special treats after worship. some fellowship. Snacks will be provided.

Bios and photos of our new members will be Next month we will be getting together on May
included in the May Messenger! 7th at 11:00 am in the Fireside Room for a lesson
about Pentecost.
Women’s Breakfast
April 1st at 8:30 am Prayer Group
Mark your calendar for the next Women’s
April 19th at noon
Breakfast on Saturday, April 1st at 8:30 am at Each month a group gathers to pray for our church,
Velvet Creamery on McHenry Ave. Please call the world, share individual prayer requests, and
Ann at 209-505-7854 to RSVP as we will need to support one another. The next prayer group
let the restaurant know how many to expect. meeting will be on Wednesday, April 19th at noon
in Pastor Callie’s office at church. All are invited,
please join us!

Calling All Crafters -

April 8 at 9:00am
I would like to welcome everyone to another
crafting session on April 8 at 9:00 am in the
Fellowship Hall. We are meeting each month (or
nearly each month) to build up our inventory of
items for sale at the annual Kris Kringle Market
held in November. This event is open to the public
and is a major fundraiser at our church. Last year's
proceeds were earmarked for necessary major
repairs at our church.

This month we will decorate burlap items for plant

and floral arrangements. No crafting talent
required. All materials will be provided.
Additional scissors and/or glue guns will be
available or you can bring your own. If you would
like to bring a snack to share I am sure it will be
appreciated. Put it on your calendar to come and
enjoy another crafting gathering on Saturday,
April 8th.

Submitted by Pat Strand

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Bible Study C.A.R.E. Donations
April 23rd after worship The number of individuals needing assistance have
The next Bible Study meeting will be on Sunday, increased at C.A.R.E. This month we are asked to
April 23rd after worship. We will be continuing our bring Mac n Cheese and other boxed food items,
study of the 10 Commandments, focusing on the and eggs. Please bring your donations to the
fifth and sixth commandments. Let us explore church by Sunday, April 23rd and it will be
together what it means to be a “covenant” people. delivered to C.A.R.E. Monetary donations are
welcome as you are able.
Book Club
April 30th after worship
Our final discussion of the book W aking Up W hite
will be on Sunday, April 30th, after worship. All are
welcome to reflect on our nation’s history of race,
our own upbringing, and the perspectives that have
been taught. Our discussion will focus on sections
seven, eight, and nine (pgs. 185 - 253). If you need
a copy of the book, please contact the church office.

Love Escalon Day - April 29th

Let’s show some love and support for our town!
Love Escalon Day is on Saturday, April 29th.
There are lots of ways to volunteer: C.A.R.E.
Clean-up, Crafts, Trash Pick-up, Gardening,
Senior Bingo, and more! For more information, to
purchase a T-shirt, or sign up for a project please
visit loveescalon.com.

Escalon Senior Fun Bunch

Mark your calendar for April 19th from 2 – 4 pm for
the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch monthly gathering at
the Escalon Community Center. Donations are
welcome. Come and enjoy being together and Lutheran Lobby Day
having fun.
All are invited to join the California Lutheran
The Fun Bunch Planning Team, along with Krista Office of Public Policy on Wednesday, May 17th
Adametz, are preparing a flyer of names and phone in Sacramento, CA for Lutheran Lobby Day! Join
numbers of individuals willing to assist with minor Lutherans from throughout the state for a day of
projects around the house. If you have names of lobbying, a form of advocacy work that involves
those you would recommend, and have permission directly meeting with political decision-makers.
to print their information, you may contact me or Please contact Pastor Callie if you are interested in
Krista Adametz. You may call or email with the attending!
information or contact the church office. It is hoped
that we will find individuals that will give a senior Pastor Out of Office
discount or volunteer their services. Some examples
of what we are asking are those able to assist with Pastor Callie will be out of the office from April
housekeeping, gardening, computer training, etc. I 11th - 13th due to a lack of childcare. She will be
look forward to seeing all of you on the 19th for available via phone or email, don’t hesitate to
“Love grows here”. Ann reach out to her.

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Spaghetti Feed and White Elephant
BINGO Recap
WOW! What an event!!! We had a spectacular
community and member turn out. It was a full
house! How wonderful to be a destination for
fellowship and fun.

Lori Armstrong, chef extraordinaire, served us

sumptuous spaghetti, great garlic bread and
spectacular salad! We also had a delicious dessert
bar and ice cream sundaes.

Bingo prizes were plentiful and Bingo winning

was wild. Of course, some people were luckier
than others. Our very own Pastor Callie was on a
hot streak with three prizes in a row. Some were
speculating that her luck was, in part, due to,
"clean living"! ;)

In the end, we finished the evening with bellies

full, prizes in hand and with the warm glow of
having spent times with friends.

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 We are a congregation called to faithfully follow Jesus Christ by sharing the
inclusive love of God with our neighbor using our gifts joyfully in worship and
service.

Together we use our gifts to move into God’s future inviting all we encounter
with the hope of the Gospel

April Birthdays Saron Lutheran Church Council

4 Ashley Dahlin Ann Shaddix, President
Ann Shaddix Gary Thomasser, Vice President
Amelia Torres Kathy Pendleton, Secretary
7 Julie Rose Krista Adametz
13 Larry Grossi Lori Armstrong
Janet Casaus
16 Julie & Katie Avila
Louise Spurgeon
17 Katy McNinch
20 Dick Kershner Sylvia McGowan, Treasurer
24 Bob Dahlin Heather Thomasser, Recorder
28 Faye Hanlon
Teresa Olson
May Messenger Deadline
If you have any news or announcements that you
would like included in next month’s messenger
please submit it to [email protected] by
April 21st.

Find Us On Facebook
Search for
@SaronLutheranEscalon and
look for the photo of our church.
Follow for Sunday worship
livestreams, news from our
church, and more!

Contact Pastor Callie

If you have any questions, suggestions, or prayer
concerns please feel free to contact Pastor Callie at
[email protected] or 209-425-3390 Saron Lutheran Church is part of the
(text/call). She is eager to hear from you! Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.