February 2024

Monthly Messenger
Saron Lutheran Church

From the Pastor’s Desk

“Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves… What Events in February
is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our 2/3 Breakfast Bunch
brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Council Retreat
Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without 2/4 Young Families Gathering
a moment’s hesitation.” - Catherine Doherty (1896-1985) 2/11 Transfiguration Sunday
New Member Sunday
As we approach the season of Lent, I don’t think I plan to Visit from Mt. Cross
“give up” anything, but I find myself thinking about the 2/14 Prayer Circle
things that I want to “let go” of. The goal of Lent isn’t Ash Wednesday
about taking away things that bring me joy, like my 2/15 Church Council Meeting
evening dark chocolate treat, or keep me moving, like my 2/18 Bible Study
morning cup of coffee, but letting go of those things that 2/21 Lenten Soup Supper & Taize Service
keep me from feeling connected to my faith and investing 2/28 Lenten Soup Supper & Taize Service
time in the relationships that are important to me. Perhaps I
won’t “relentlessly tear it out,” but instead invite the Spirit
to help me notice and to redirect my thoughts and Mark your Calendar
behaviors. I invite us all into this practice in this Lenten 3/24 Palm/Passion Sunday
season and perhaps find new ways to enrich our 3/28 Maundy Thursday
relationship with God and with others. 3/29 Good Friday
3/31 Easter Sunday and Egg Hunt
There are many meaningful opportunities to grow in faith
and relationships this month as we worship together on
Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings, come together Join us for Worship!
for crafting and fellowship, enjoy breakfast with others, Sundays at 9:30 am
spend time in fellowship with other families, explore
scripture together, and more. In the Sanctuary or
on the “Saron Lutheran Church”
Blessings to you as you begin your journey through the Facebook page
season of Lent. Bulletins are sent via email every week.

In Love and Peace,

Saron Staff
Pastor Callie Torres Rev. Callie Torres, Pastor
Louise Spurgeon, Secretary
Melanie Tunison, Office A ssistant
Saron Lutheran Church
1742 North Street, Escalon CA95320 Office Hours
saronlutheranescalon.org Tuesday through Friday
209-838-7695 | saronlutheran@att.net 9:00am - 12:00pm

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Ministry Reports
President’s Report
It is a pleasure to share the names of our new
council members: Heather Thomasser, Sylvia
McGowan, and Pete Kler. Remaining members are
Lori Armstrong, Kathy Pendleton, Janet Casaus and
Ann Shaddix. Please keep the leadership teams of
the church in your prayers on February 3rd, as they
work together, to set plans for the future of Saron
and our role within the community.
Updated Church Directories are available at the
church office. Thank you to our clerical staff for
preparing these for us. Please report updated
information to Louise Spurgeon.
Have a wonderful month. Consider making a
commitment to reach out to someone by phone,
writing a note or just stopping to say hello.
My love to you all.
Ann Shaddix
Treasurer’s Report
The December 2023 revenue was more than our
December 2023 expenses. Also, the total annual
revenue for 2023 was more than our total annual
expenses for 2023. Praise God! Your faithful
giving is appreciated! You each are part of the
blessings God is producing through Saron!
Treasurer’s Thoughts for February 2024
As I am writing this, I am reminded of one of my
recent banking emails entitled, “Looking toward a
new era of growth”. This strikes me as applying to
our current environment at Saron. We are enjoying
a new era of being a growing church. We are a
church with a future. As we move into 2024, we use
our God-given time, talent, and treasures to God’s
glory and for His purposes. What an exciting time
to be part of God’s wonderful plan for Saron! Let’s
continue to be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading in
Saron’s new era of growth!
Blessings!
Sylvia McGowan
Property Report
The tentative date for the parking lot seal coating
will be April 4-5, 2024, depending on the weather.
Locks for the Sanctuary doors have been repaired –
oiling and tightening. Repairs to wood flooring
border and kitchen hallway threshold have been
made. The large Oak Tree in the back lot has been
pruned thanks to Mat Spurgeon. The brush will be
disposed of by Tim Jaramillo. We have seen
evidence of motorcycle activity again in the backlot.
We will post No Trespassing signs, indicating no
motorized vehicles allowed! We will be painting the
sacristy and the room to the right of the altar area.
Kathy Pendleton
Worship and Music Report
Our average December Sunday morning attendance
was 34 adults, 4 children and 6 live streams.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, February 14th.
Our 5 evening soup suppers and Taize services
begin February 21st. Please check the signup if you
would like to make soup, help setup or cleanup,
bring bread, or a dessert. Our Sunday morning
service on February 11th will have a representative
from Mt. Cross giving a temple talk, the Children’s
message, and playing his guitar for the Hymn of the
Day. It will be nice to hear more about this outreach
program that Saron supports. Plans are being made
for a sanctuary cleaning day sometime after Ash
Wednesday and before March 9th. We plan to
vacuum and clean the pews, dust and polish the
pews, and dust other areas needed. Please let me
know if you would be able to help.
Blessings to All,
Kathy Pendleton
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Pastor Out of Office
February 20th-25th
Pastor Victor Haglund will lead worship on Sunday,
February 25th. In the case of emergency please call
the church office or Pastor Callie’s mobile number.
Events and Fellowship
Breakfast Bunch
Saturday, February 3rd at 8:30 am
All are invited to breakfast at Perko’s in Riverbank.
Please RSVP to Dorene at (209) 605-0951 so we
have a headcount!
Council and Ministry Team Retreat
Saturday, February 3rd
Please hold your congregational council and
ministry leaders in prayer as we reflect on the past
year, dream for the future, and reorient ourselves to
the mission that we share. Special thanks to Pastor
Dorothy Lindstrom who will be facilitating our time
together.
Young Families Gathering
Sunday, February 4th at 11:00 am
Families with young children are invited to come
together for a time of story and fun as we look at the
story of “Joseph and his Brothers”
Crafting Day
Saturday, February 10th at 9:00am
Join us for food, fun and fellowship while we craft
more goods. We will be decorating Christmas gift
bags. This was a hit with our KKM shoppers and
nearly sold out!
New Member Sunday
Sunday, February 11th
Come and celebrate as we welcome three new
members to the congregation: Timmy, Debbie, and
Marty!
Mt. Cross Visit
Sunday, February 11th
Sam Garcia, Program Director at Mt. Cross
Ministries in Felton, will be coming to worship to
share more about the opportunities available for
outdoor ministry and to thank our congregation for
our continued support!
Bible Study
Sunday, February 18th, after worship
We will be discussing the words of the Apostle
Peter about the power of baptism found in 1 Peter
3:18-22.
Prayer Circle
Wednesday, February 14th at noon
All are welcome to gather in Pastor’s office for a
time of prayer and fellowship.
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 Worship Matters In the Community
Escalon Senior Fun Bunch
Ash Wednesday Wednesday, February 21 2:00pm-4:00pm
February 14th at 7:00 pm At the Escalon Community Center. Theme: Love is
Begin your journey through the Lenten season and in the Air! Free. Fun. Entertainment. Refreshments.
receive ashes at the Ash Wednesday service on Prizes!
February 14th at 7:00 pm.

If you are unable to attend the evening service,

Pastor will be offering ashes and a Lenten blessing
in her office from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Please feel
free to drop by!

Lenten Soup Suppers & Taizé Services

Beginning February 21st at 6:00 pm CARE Sunday
Wednesdays in Lent all are encouraged to take a
time apart for fellowship, song, and prayer: soup February 25th
suppers begin at 6:00 pm and the Taize-style service Please bring your donations of eggs on Sunday the
begins at 7:00 pm. If you are interested in 25th for C.A.R.E.
volunteering to bring soup, bread, or dessert or assist
with set-up or clean-up please see the sign up sheet Other non-perishable food items or monetary gifts
in the Social Hall. are always accepted.

What is Taizé?
The Taizé worship that we follow for the
Wednesday evening services in Lent is inspired by
the Taizé Community located in France. The
community is described as an ecumenical Christian
monastic fraternity and has become an important
site of Christian pilgrimage, especially for young
adults, with over 100,000 people each year coming
for worship, Bible Study, sharing, and communal
work. The music and prayers of the community
emphasize simple phrases, often lines from scripture
that are repeated. The community also seeks to
include people from around the world and make use
of many different languages in song and prayer.

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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

February Birthdays Saron Lutheran Church Council

Ann Shaddix
2/2 Trinity Thomasser
Kathy Pendleton
2/6 Johanne Ervin-Gade
Lori Armstrong
2/9 Dave Strand
Janet Casaus
2/18 Garrett Bomer
Heather Thomasser
2/19 Scott Armstrong
Peter Kler
Mark Olson
Sylvia McGowan, Treasurer
2/21 Nena Dahlin
Gary Thomasser
2/24 Callie Torres
2/28 Karen Bartolomei March Messenger Deadline
If you have any news or announcements that you
would like included in next month’s messenger
please submit it to saronlutheran@att.net by
February 28

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

Saron Lutheran Church is part of the
If you have any questions, suggestions, or prayer Evangelical Lutheran Church
concerns please feel free to contact Pastor Callie at in America.
pastorcallie.saron@gmail.com or 209-425-3390