Updates from Pastor Tim
11/19/2020
We are currently open for safe in-person worship at Abiding Savior Lutheran at our regular worship time of 10AM. Bring a mask and feel comfortable in worship with our social distanced safe seating arrangement. Our Abiding Savior family would love to worship with you the Christ of Christmas.
Dear Member of our Abiding Savior Family,
My friend, we are praying for you during this time of fear and uncertainty brought on by the COVID 19 Pandemic. God is with us as he promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). And, yes, though the world would have us believe it is not true, God is still firmly in control and our forever refuge. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Allow me to share a couple of quick encouragements and then some adjustments we’ll be making in the days ahead at Abiding Savior out of love for others and our own family members.
ENCOURAGEMENTS
A. Read the Word of God. In a unique way God prepared us for just such a crisis when he led us to take up reading through the Bible together at Abiding Savior as a church family. The read through the Bible journey we are on together is entitled “Here We Grow.” The daily readings listed for that journey are on Abiding Savior’s Web Site: www.abidingsaviortx.com under the RESOURCES tab. Click that tab and you will see “HERE WE GROW.” If you binge watch the news it will only feed fear. God’s Word will fill you with hope, wisdom, and confidence in God’s grace. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).
B. Hear the Word of God. On any Sunday we do not physically gather during this crisis Pastor Tim will be posting a sermon message the night before that Sunday on our Abiding Savior Facebook Page and Abiding Savior Website (RESOUCES tab VIDEO DEVOTIONS). All Pastor Tim’s video devotions posted are also found on YouTube at “Hidden In Plain Sight: Abiding Savior: Killeen, TX.”
UPDATES
A. Reception of the Lord’s Supper. As a way of being extra cautious we will be ushering communicant members forward for communion in groups of three only on those Sundays when we commune (The first and thrid Sunday of each month). Wafers will be distributed in individual medicine cups and the wine offered in individual cups as well. Pastor Tim will be masked during distribution.
B. Offerings to the LORD. Yes, you can mail in your offering to Jesus for his work at Abiding Savior. For security reasons please, put the check or the enclosed offering envelope in a folded blank piece of paper first and then in the mailing envelope. We have also installed a black lock box on the inside left brick pillar as you enter the church. Feel free to swing by and place your offering envelope in there at any time.
We love you all! We have a loving church family at Abiding Savior. If you need help in any way, shape or form please, do not hesitate to contact Pastor Tim or any of the Church Council Leadership Team. We would love to assist you in any way and we are lifting you all up in prayer.
Jesus Loves Us,
Pastor Timothy R. Soukup
5/7/2020
We are opening again for safe, in-person worship at Abiding Savior Lutheran at our regular worship time of 10AM beginning on Sunday May 17th. Come worship the Risen Christ with our Abiding Savior family.
3/25/2020
Dear Member of our Abiding Savior Family,
My friend, we are praying for you during this time of fear and uncertainty brought on by the COVID 19 Pandemic. God is with us as he promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). And, yes, though the world would have us believe it is not true, God is still firmly in control and our forever refuge. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Allow me to share a couple of quick encouragements and then some adjustments we’ll be making in the days ahead at Abiding Savior out of love for others and our own family members and that we continue to honor our government.
ENCOURAGEMENTS
A. Read the Word of God. In a unique way God prepared us for just such a crisis when he led us to take up reading through the Bible together at Abiding Savior as a church family. The read through the Bible journey we are on together is entitled “Here We Grow.” The daily readings listed for that journey are on Abiding Savior’s Web Site under the RESOURCES tab. Click that tab and you will see “HERE WE GROW.” If you binge watch the news it will only feed fear. God’s Word will fill you with hope, wisdom, and confidence in God’s grace. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).
B. Hear the Word of God. On any Sunday we do not physically gather during this crisis Pastor Tim will be posting a sermon message the night before that Sunday on our Abiding Savior Facebook Page and Abiding Savior Website (RESOUCES tab VIDEO DEVOTIONS). All Pastor Tim’s video devotions posted since his arrival are also found on YouTube at “Hidden In Plain Sight: Abiding Savior: Killeen, TX.”
UPDATES
A. Reception of the Lord’s Supper. In light of the new shelter in restrictions in surrounding Texas areas and the state of emergency declared by our Judge here in Bell County we wisely do our best to limit unnecessary gatherings even in our homes. For this reason let’s wait for reception of the Lord’s Supper even on a private basis until, by God’s grace, we are past this crisis. If you have an emergency and feel you would want the Lord’s Supper in that dire situation please, contact Pastor Tim (210-837-3934) and with wisdom and care he will visit you privately in your home for a devotion and Holy Communion.
B. Offerings to the LORD. Yes, you can mail in your offering to Jesus for his work at Abiding Savior. For security reasons please, put the check or the enclosed offering envelope in a folded blank piece of paper first and then in the mailing envelope. We have also installed a black lock box on the inside left brick pillar as you enter the church. Feel free to swing by and place your offering envelope in there at any time.
C. Cancellation of Sunday Services. After prayerful consideration and again in love to others and honor to government we feel we need to suspend our Sunday gatherings for worship indefinitely. Our leadership will alert you when we feel it is permissible, loving, and wise to gather again at our church. Pray with us that, as the Lord allows, it would be soon!
We love you all! We have a loving church family at Abiding Savior. If you need help in any way, shape or form please, do not hesitate to contact Pastor Tim or any of the Church Council Leadership Team. We would love to assist you in any way and we are lifting you all up in prayer.
Jesus Loves Us,
Pastor Timothy R. Soukup