The Monthly Messenger
Dear Faithful People,
This summer has been a good one. A great picnic
in June, a fun ice cream social in July, Kid’s Night
Out in July and August, and next week, National
Night Out Taco Tuesday. And we have had inspir-
ing attendance at worship even on these hot Sun-
day mornings. (Thanks to Delores Grabow and
Kathy Pendleton for coming early on Sunday morn-
ings to open the windows in the sanctuary!
Attendance has also included numerous visitors—
which is always a joy. We are known to be a friend-
ly group so I hope you don’t feel shy in welcoming
visitors on Sundays. Four things you can do to en-
courage visitors to return: introduce yourself, invite
them to sign the guest book, and then go with
them into the fellowship hall for a cookie after wor-
ship, once you’re there introduce them to at least
one other member (and the Pastor, too). Because
growing a congregation is a one person/one family
at a time endeavor it is important to connect with
our visitors the first time, so that they will feel wel-
come to come a second time.
We will receive new members on Rally Sunday—
September 8—and I hope to see many of you there
introducing yourself to our new members and wel-
coming them into the life in Christ we share at Sa-
ron. Our new members were once first time visi-
tors—and now they will make this their church
home, in part because someone (maybe it was you)
welcomed them!
It’s good to feel welcomed!
Pr. Sheri
Prayers
Continued prayers for comfort and healing for Jack-
ie Johnson, Sarah White, Vern, Karen Pearson, Bir-
ger Pearson and Mabel Rietveld.
August 2019
Worship With Us
Sunday Schedule
9:00 am
Praise and Thanksgiving Commun-
ion
August 4
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23, Psalm
49:1-12, Luke 12:13-21
Jesus urges us to take care and be on
guard against all kinds of greed. To that
end we seek the sustenance of the
Lord’s supper and the encouragement
of God’s word.
August 11
Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22, Luke
12:32-40
Jesus says, “It is your Father’s good
pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Faith, God’s baptismal gift, trusts the
promises of God. Have no fear.
August 18
Jeremiah 23:23-29, Psalm 82, Luke
12:49-56
The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus
is the great divide in human history. In
the word and in the holy communion
we are invited yet again to look to Je-
sus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our
faith.”
August 25
Isaiah 58:9b-14, Psalm 103:1-8, Luke
13:10-17
Remember the sabbath day. This is the
Lord’s day, and the Lord will do for us
what the Lord does: feed us, forgive us,
help and heal us. Rejoice at all the won-
derful things God is doing.
Call Committee Update
It has been a quiet summer for the call commit-
tee. We have not received a candidate’s name
forwarded to us for our consideration and
scheduling an interview. The Bishop did re-
spond to our request for information that he
continues searching for a candidate for consid-
eration. He did caution us there are fewer pas-
tors available to call as well as fewer seminari-
ans graduating. I have some specific questions
of Bishop Mark but in calling I found him to be
on vacation until August 30. I am therefore as-
suming that we will not receive any names until
after he returns. We are blessed to have Pastor
Sheri who has assured us she will stay with us
and continue her pastoral duties and ministry.
She reminded us on Sunday, God has a plan for
Saron, and it will happen in His time. Dave
Strand
Mosaics
There are pictures of those working on mosaics
for the Kris Kringle and finished products are
scattered throughout the pages of the Messen-
ger. The Saron crafters have been diligently
working all summer at the wonderful host, Chris
Holck’s home. You might even see one that you
would like to purchase in the future. Thanks to
all for the fellowship, fun, and dedication.
Send Cards
You may send cards to Mabel and Bir-
ger:
Mabel Rietveld
Pacifica Senior Living
2325 St. Paul’s Way
Modesto, CA 95355
Birger Pearson
27345 Vine Avenue
Escalon, CA 95350
Housekeeping
The Property Committee discussed
the advantages of a maintenance
agreement for heating and air condi-
tioning systems both at the church
and the parsonage. A company will
be contacted to assist with identifying
the usage and condition of these
units, as well which are at the great-
est risk for replacement. The Commit-
tee will also review contracts for cor-
recting the water drain in the parking
lot to avoid excessive accumulation
of water during the winter.
The overhead fluorescent tubes will
be replaced with LED tubes this week.
This may help overtime reduce our
electrical bills, as the LEDs will gener-
ate no heat at the ceiling level and
use less electricity. It is important
that everyone be aware of the im-
portance of turning lights off when
the room is no longer occupied.
The Worship and Music Ministry team
reported that our attendance at wor-
ship has remained consistent. Table
communion will begin on August 4
changing from intinction. The fifth
Service of the month will be a service
of Lessons and Songs and will begin
September 29.
 Noah Keith Stevens
Born: June 29, 2019
Noah is the amazing son to Faith and
Gregg Stevens and grandson to Deborah
Grochau and David Wright. Noah weighed
7 pounds and 1 ounce and measured
19.25 inches. Faith and Gregg’s new ad-
dress is 5336 Kirkland Way, Carmichael,
CA 95608.
Welcome Noah and God bless!
Senior Activities
Come to an ice-cream social at the Es-
calon Community Center on August 21
from 2-4 pm. This is a great opportunity
to meet people of Escalon and enjoy some
delicious ice cream.
Thank You
To my Saron Family,
Thank you for the generous cash gift you
gave me for graduation. I appreciate it
very much and it will be put to good use.
It makes me happy to know I have the sup-
port of my church family.
I guess this would be a good time to let
everyone know I have accepted a position
to play hockey for a team in Minnesota. It
is called the Steele County Blades and they
are located in the southern position of
Minnesota in a town called Owatonna. It
has a population of about 25,000, and I
think that is comparable to Oakdale. I
signed the contract last week, and I will be
leaving sometime around the 20th of Au-
gust. I will be living with a family while I
am there and will be back in about six
months.
Thank you for your past encouragement
and support, and I will see everyone in
February or March. It is good to know my
church family is behind me. Oh yeah, I
checked it out and in this town there are 2
Catholic churches, 2 Baptist churches and
7 Lutheran churches! I should feel right at
home.
Tommy Avila
Dear Saron Family,
That was so nice of all of you.
We can’t thank you enough for all the
prayers, cards, and help with Toni’s Cele-
bration of Life.
Much Love to all!
Richard & Crystal Jilbert
 KIDS’ NIGHT OUT
Come have some FUN, make ocean SLIME and pipe cleaner CRAZY ANIMALS, eat DINNER,
play GAMES, sing SONGS and make new friends!
WHEN: AUGUST 16, 2019 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: SARON LUTHERAN CHURCH
1742 North Street Escalon CA

Bring a friend or two!

We hope you can come on Friday, August 16th for a fun time. If you can make it, we would love to know.
Please call the church office 209-838-7695 or
Nancy Sappenfield at 614-499-7146 or
Terese Hair at 209-505-2687.
 FELLOWSHIP
Fun Bunch
SARON LUTHERAN IS AN OFFICIAL NA-
TIONAL NIGHT OUT LOCATION
On Tuesday, August 6th, across thousands of
communities from all fifty states, millions of
people take part in National Night Out; an an-
nual community-building campaign that en-
hances relationships between neighbors and
first responders.
Saron Lutheran is hosting one of these local
gatherings and we invite you, along with family
and friend to come and meet some of our local
law enforcement and fire and rescue profes-
sionals.
Join us for a fantastic, fiesta taco bar while
showing your support for our local heros. Fes-
tivities will begin at 6:00 p.m.
See you there!
Saron Lutheran Church Annual
Bunco Night
Save the date!!! Friday, September 6 is
our annual Bunco Night with proceeds
going to EMA for food vouchers for use
at local markets during the holidays for
those in need. 6:00 pm is dinner and
sign in and at 7:00 pm the game begins.
Tickets are $20 each that includes bun-
co, potato bar and drinks. The raffle tick-
ets are available separately. Come join
us for a fun night of fellowship and food.
You might even win a prize! If you have
any questions, please contact the church
office.
 Those That Serve

Aug. 4 Aug. 11 Aug. 18 Aug.25

Altar Guild F Hanlon D Grabow K Pendleton S Harrison
Flowers C Holck R Cohagan
Greeters C Holck D Wright L Spurgeon K/L Peters
Musicans S McGowan S McGowan S McGowan B Dahlin
Usher R Hair R Hair R Hair
Lector J Emery J Rose E Scholz J Rose
Refreshments C Holck
Assisting
K Reenstierna C Shipley D Cook J Emery
Minister
Communion F Hanlon D Grabow K Pendleton S Harrison
Assistants M Olson D Strand T Hair
Money K Pendleton N Sappenfield D Grabow N Sappenfield
Counters B Emery D Grabow B Emery K Pendleton

October 19
Harvest Halloween
August 6
Property & Finance Committee 3:30 pm
National Night Out 6:00 pm

August 8
Witness & Service Committee 9:00 am
Church Council 6:00 pm

August 16
Kid’s Night Out 5:30—8:00 pm

September 6
EMA Bunco

September 8
God’s Work, Our Hands
Sunday School Rally

September 21
Honoring Birger