From the Desk of Pastor Diehl

Week of Epiphany 3

2012-01-23T10:24:00.001-08:00

Sounded pretty crazy didn’t it! Leave your boats, leave what’s familiar, go off in a new direction, follow Jesus? Since the first disciples, that has been the story of God’s people. Following Jesus often means going to places where we’re not as comfortable, where we are learning, growing, stretching. We talked a little about that at our Men’s breakfast this morning. A number of us remembered how racist some of our forefathers were, and how, thankfully, we have made some good progress in moving away from that (although there’s still a good ways to go around). But we learn, we grow. In following Jesus, our hearts and minds are opened to seeing each other, and especially others different from us, in new ways. Such is what the season of Epiphany is about…revealing, making manifest, letting God’s Light shine into the darkness, into our darkness. What a crazy journey this is. We just need to hang on for the ride, to each other and to Jesus.

As members together on this journey, here are a few things coming up:

This coming Sunday, Jan. 29, our Annual Congregational meeting will be held at 9:45am in the sanctuary. We’ll have our 2012 budget to vote on, a report on our director of music/organist position, and more. Please join us.

Looking ahead, the Spring Youth Retreat will be coming up the weekend of March 30-April 1. This will be for all Youth in grades 6-12. See Jimmy Smith, our Youth Director for more information.

New Team on board! With the addition of our new narthex, “Quiet Room”, lobby and more, comes ideas about how to furnish and decorate these and other spaces on our campus. For that reason we have formed an “Architectural Review Team”. If you have any ideas, suggestions, recommendations for our new space or anything else related to our facilities, please pass them along to this group via this email, or through a phone call to the office, a note in the offering plate, or whatever other way you’d like to share your ideas. Thanks!

Finally, from our parish health ministry team, blood pressures will be taken this coming weekend before the 8:30 service and after the 6pm and 11am services in our new Quiet Room off of the narthex. (An adult Sunday School class normally meets there between the services, so that room isn’t available after the 8:30 service). Also, a bottle of nitro pills was turned in yesterday. If it’s yours, it’s here in the office.

For other information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

God’s work; our hands. See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +

O.S.E-news: Jan 16

2012-01-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

What a great week we had with our students from the Youth Ministry Certification School! Students (mostly in their 20s and 30s, including 2 young pastors) from S.C., FL., S.D., MN and WI worked, played, studied and learned how to better serve the church and especially our young people. Having them around certainly was a pleasure and for me, gave me a renewed sense of hope for the future of our church. To see the future of the church in the hands of those 2 young pastors and youth workers was so encouraging. Many thanks to all who hosted them in your homes: the Silkworths, the Goldens, Pam Meredith, the Kriegers, Lu Owens, Debbie Borfitz, the Ballersteins, the Wolls, the Berniers, and Barb Russell. And thanks to everyone who made them feel welcome here at church, especially at our Wednesday night supper. What a great experience all the way around! Lots of “grace” moments. J

Coming up, more “grace” moments:

Our 2 new adult Sunday School classes continue, “Duty and Delight” (5 more weeks) in the new “Quiet Room” off the narthex and “Treasures: Discovering God’s Riches” (4 more weeks) in room 4. Even if you can’t make every one of these or missed the first two, you can come when you can, and still gain from them.

Sunday, January 29 at 9:45 our annual congregational meeting. Come and hear the latest “wrap up” on our building program and about our new organist/director of music!

Looking a bit farther ahead, the weekend of March 3-4 will be our second “Seminary Weekend” as the Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan, assistant professor of homiletics at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary comes to visit us that weekend. Even though that is a ways off, I’m mentioning it here because she is featured in the January 2012 issue of “The Lutheran” which many of you receive in your homes. You might want to check out the article “Salvation: A conversation between—and for--Lutherans” under “Deeper Understandings” beginning on page 18. And be sure to mark your calendars for that weekend. Dr. Hannan will be preaching at all 3 services and leading a Sunday School class, with lots of time for questions/answers/dialog.

As this week unfolds, and as some of you may have a holiday today, Jan. 16, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., may you be “graced” and see “grace moments” all around you.

See you in church! Pastor A.C. ‘Jack’ Diehl III + www.oursaviorelca.com

A BIG Thank You!

2012-01-12T10:36:00.001-08:00

For over 25 years, as many of you may know, Pastor Jack's license plate has read: GRACED. That is not just a reflection of how he feels about his life, but a reminder that all of our lives are "graced" in many and different ways.

This past Christmas Eve Adam Bolinger, on behalf of the congregation, presented to each of us (Pastor Jack and Pastor Shelly) a very generous Christmas gift gathered from so many of you leading up to Christmas. We certainly both feel very much GRACED and humbled by your generosity and kindness, both for those gifts, but also for your ongoing love, support and other touching cards and gifts received from so many of you during this past Christmas season.

We are very grateful to be here and be able to serve together as pastors of Our Savior. May God bless you, and us all, as together we enter another year of being "graced" together. Pastor Jack and Pastor Shelly

OSE-news: Jan. 9

2012-01-09T07:59:00.001-08:00

This past weekend in worship we were surrounded by water! We had 6 fountains throughout the church, in the lobby, narthex and sanctuary with the sound of running water. How cool was that!?! Many thanks to all who brought in their fountains! (You can come by anytime this week, or next time you’re at church and pick them up.) Along with those reminders of our Baptism, we have the Baptismal Font (in it's new prominent place in the narthex, reminding us that it is through Baptism that we enter the church), the "Fountain/Water Glass" in our new main entrance door windows and water symbols in at least two of our faceted glass windows (the Baptism window up front and the northern facing window up top). And on top of that we got to celebrate a Baptism at the 11am service, and our organist Ray Adams played a beautiful impromptu, improvisation of “Wade in the Water” during Communion at all of our services. Awesome.

What great reminders of our Baptism, where God calls and claims us as His people, His children! That's what Dr. Paul Hill reminded us of in his sermon; how at creation God said, "This is my cosmos!", at Jesus’ Baptism God said, "This is my Son!", as the early church sprouted up, God said, "This is my people!", and in our Baptism, God says, "You are my child!"

There's a Word we can take with us into the week, a Word that helps us see our place in the cosmos, and a Word that can both see us through life's challenges and shape who we are and what we do.

Speaking of taking us into the week...and beyond. This week we are hosting a Youth Ministry Certification School. 11 people from Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota, South Carolina and Florida will be here for the week: working, playing, learning about how better to do Youth Ministry in their congregations. Along with that they bring a great spirit to Our Savior. It’s good to have them here. Many thanks to our host families who are providing a place for these folks to sleep and too all who are making them feel welcome.

On Wednesday you can meet some of these folks at our Wednesday night supper. Supper is at 6pm. Menu includes pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, something else and dessert.

On Thursday evening this week, our Eagle Scout candidate, Michael Reed, begins his Eagle Scout project, which will be putting pavers in the walkway in our Memorial Garden. If you’d like to volunteer to help with the project or donate toward it, call Michael at 516-312-8734.

Looking ahead, our annual congregational meeting will be held Sunday January 29 at 9:45am in the main sanctuary. Please plan on joining us as we give an update on our new building, our financing of it, what lies ahead this summer re: the building project, and also a report from our "Search Team" on our new director of music who will begin around June 1!

With our 50th Anniversary behind us and our building project complete, we stand at the beginning of another new chapter in the life and ministry of Our Savior. With all of the good music and talent surfacing, even before our new director of music arrives later this year, and with the continued growth of our educational ministry, with such quality adult classes such as "Duty and Delight" and “Treasures: Discovering God’s Riches” having just begun, we have so much to be thankful for and much to look forward to as we begin our next 50 years!

For more details and up to date information on the life and ministry of Our Savior, see our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

See you in church! Pastor A. C. "Jack" Diehl III +

home hosts needed

2012-01-04T06:16:00.001-08:00

On Sunday evening, Jan. 8, eleven members of this year’s Youth Ministry Certification School (mostly from up north somewhere) will be arriving in Vero Beach for a week of Youth Ministry training. Once again Our Savior will be the host site for this event, as we’ve done several times in the past. Due to some unexpected events, a couple of our home host families are not able to provide housing this year. All that is needed is a place for these students to sleep. No meals or transportation will be required. The classes will take place during the day, and sometimes into the evening. The students just need a place to sleep. They will be here beginning Sunday night and through the week. If you have an extra bed in your home for one of these students, that would be much appreciated. You can reply to this email or call the church office at 567-2253. Thanks very much. Happy 11^th Day of Christmas!

Unusual request

2012-01-02T08:26:00.001-08:00

Dear People of Our Savior, This is kind of an unusual request and might only apply to a handful of you who live nearby…but here goes. We would like to have some “fountains” in church this coming weekend (Jan.7-8). I’m thinking of the kind of small, portable fountains that are in homes. The readings this coming Sunday are around the Baptism of our Lord. As we gather to worship around the theme of Baptism, we’d like to have a number of small fountains in our lobby, narthex and in church as reminders of the Living Water of Baptism! The more the merrier! If you have such a “fountain” or know of one that we could borrow just for the weekend, please reply to this email or call the church office: 772-567-2253. Thanks very much!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T06:42:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year, and Happy 8^th of the 12 Days of Christmas! What a great way to start the New Year this past weekend, at church, around Word and Sacrament, being reminded of who we are and whose we are, and welcoming back some of our winter residents!

As this New Year begins, it is especially nice having our new lobby and narthex for us to gather in before and after worship. For those of you who might have been waiting for a special time to invite that friend, co-worker or neighbor to church, this might be that time…come and see our renovated space and experience what is happening around Our Savior.

Speaking of our new space, the leaves on our “Tree of Life” continue to sprout. If you’ve given a leaf and it isn’t up there yet, they are still in the process. They should all be there before too long. Also, if you’d like to give a leaf but haven’t yet, it’s never too late. This will be an ongoing “growing” tree.

Speaking of what’s happening…our Wednesday suppers resume this week (Wed. Jan. 4). Menu includes ham, pineapple casserole, “Lutheran green beans”, parsley potatoes and desert. Supper begins at 6pm. A donation is accepted to help cover the cost. Also, helpers (set up, serve, clean up) are always welcome!

“Dancing with the Lutherans” begins Thursday evening in the Fellowship Hall. Call Betty Lou Hamilton, 569-4117, for more info. Sounds like fun!

Looking ahead to the weekend, Sunday School resumes with classes for all ages. Please note, there are two great adult classes starting up: “Treasures: Discovering God’s Riches”, a 6 week series in room 4 facilitated by Kelly Elsebough, Mike and Lana Heinze; and “Duty and Delight”, a new Dr. Mark Allen Powell 7 week video series, facilitated by Linda Aiken and Kent Annan, meeting in the new room off of the new narthex! No more having to hunt around for where the adult Sunday School class is going to meet each week!

Finally, by Sunday evening, 11 members of this year’s “Youth Ministry Certification School” will be arriving (mostly from up north somewhere) for a week of Youth Ministry training, here at Our Savior. We will be contacting our host families this week who will be providing a place to sleep for these students. You’ll be hearing more about this during worship these next couple of weekends.

As the 12 days of Christmas come to a close this week, and as this New Year begins to unfold, may the peace, hope and joy of the Christmas message, that God is with us and that God’s Light permeates the darkness, go with us and fill our lives.

See you in church! Pastor Andrew C. “Jack” Diehl III + www.oursaviorelca.com

Merry Christmas...continues!

2011-12-26T05:43:00.001-08:00

Happy 2^nd Day of Christmas! (and Happy Birthday Pastor Shelly!) As these 12 days of Christmas unfold, in the middle of all the comings and goings of the season, may you take time to "behold" and reflect on the Christ child and the meaning of God coming to be with us. For this is the real and lasting source of Light, Love and a Peace that passes all understanding.

Then, as 2011 comes to a close this coming weekend, (New Year's Eve, Saturday and New Year's Day, Sunday) come and worship at any of our regular worship services: Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8:30 and 11am. (Sunday School will resume on January 8). What better way to end one year and begin another than gathered around God's Word and Sacraments and sing

“For lo! The days are hast’ning on, by prophets seen of old, when with the evercircling years shall come the time foretold, when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and all the world give back the song which now the angels sing.”

May that peace be yours in these 12 days of Christmas and into the New Year!

See you in church. Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III + www.oursaviorelca.com

"Occupy Church"

2011-12-19T09:45:00.001-08:00

A big thank you to all who contributed to make worship so special this past weekend! First, to our guitarist Ron Sample who led the music at our Saturday service, and to Sarah Lanyi, a member of our Youth Group who was “Mary” at both the Saturday and 8:30am Sunday services. That was a wonderful, meaningful portrayal. Also, a big thank you to our Sunday School children and families and to Karen Diehl and Jennifer Hall leading and accompanying the children as they once again told us the Christmas story, God’s plan to “occupy earth” through the Christ Child, to bring us Light, Love and God’s Peace that passes all understanding. An added dimension which made the weekend all the more special was that little William Charles Nesper, who was baptized at our Saturday service, was our baby Jesus for the children’s program on Sunday. So grateful for everyone’s participation.

Now, looking ahead, we will have two Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services at 6pm and 9pm. On Christmas Day there will be one service with Holy Communion at 11am followed by our Home Alone Christmas Dinner at noon. If you would like to join us for that dinner you can reply to this email or call the church office at 772-567-2253 and we’ll save you a place. This is our gift to the community. Also, we need pies! If you can donate a pie for our dinner, please bring pies by the church office on Wednesday or Thursday between the hours of 9am and 3pm or around 3pm Friday, when the crew will be gathered to set up for the dinner. If you’d like to help with the set up, you can stay and help with that as well! Many hands make light work. Many thanks.

As I mentioned above, and as I mentioned in church this past weekend, the message of Christmas is that when God looked at the world he made and loves and saw things going wrong (the abuse of power and wealth at the expense of the vulnerable, and the lack of love) God had a plan to turn that around that I like to call: “Occupy Earth”. That’s what Christmas was; God coming among us to set up camp among us by becoming one of us, so that we could become like him. This is the wonderful, Life giving event which the world celebrates each year at this time. One of the ways we can become a part of God’s plan to “occupy earth” is to “occupy church”! While God can and does touch our lives and speak to us in many ways, when we “occupy church” we gather to hear that story again, to thank and praise God, to lay before God our needs in prayer, to receive God in the bread and wine. By “occupying church” we are a witness to a world floundering in the darkness of God’s Life giving Light, and a support to those who gather to worship with us. And what better time of the year than now to invite that friend or neighbor or family member to come and “occupy church” with you and to share in the celebration of Christmas!

Finally, our “Tree of Life” in the north end of the new lobby continues to grow. Not all “leaves” are on the tree yet. More are still in the works. If your “leaf” isn’t there yet, it is still at the engraver or we don’t yet have your information. But it is “growing” and unfolding as we speak. Thanks to those of you who continue to help it grow. It is definitely a living, growing tree and it’s never too late to add a leaf.

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com

Basking in the Light

2011-12-12T11:17:00.001-08:00

Dear People of Our Savior, What a wonderful celebration yesterday for our 50^th Anniversary and Dedication of our expanded building! This morning at the Men's Breakfast Don Poust (one of our ushers yesterday) said they started to lose track after counting over 400 people in attendance. It was wonderful having so many members plus friends and many of the workers who worked on our project, along with the Bishop and Bishop's assistant, all in attendance. Even with the rain, the celebration continued in the Fellowship Hall and under the tent with a nice luncheon and lots of great conversation, laughs and remembrances. And speaking of remembrances, at the end of this email is a letter of congratulations and some wonderful memories from "Vicar Dave", now Pastor Dave Keck from Hickory NC. Pastor Keck was our first "Vicar" or "Intern" in 1994-1995, from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Since we didn't get to read his whole letter at our celebration, I thought you'd enjoy reading it all here.

Now, at the risk of missing anyone, let me here send out some BIG THANK YOUs to the following for this past weekend:

Worship: Our musicians: Deacon Carol Olsen for directing our women's choir; Bobbi Johnson, cantor and all the other choir members; Dr. Ray Adams, organist; Sara Diehl Fletcher, oboist; Karen Diehl and Debbie Mozodlowski, handbells; Ron Sample, guitarist and leader for the other guitarists and Youth Group singing during the offering; Michael Hyde, our resident bagpiper who piped us in and then piped us back out of worship…awesome. Also thanks to Bob Kapp, John and Pat VanDeusen, head ushers and their crew of ushers; to Katie Lindner, Linda Goodson and their Altar Guild crew who came in during the week to scrub down and clean all the pews and other woodwork in the church including the floors, and all others who added to a wonderful worship experience.

Anniversary Celebration: As mentioned above, after worship, the celebration continued in the Fellowship Hall and under the big tent with a luncheon. But first, along with that, a lot of folks hung around in the church before and after the luncheon watching the great 50^th anniversary photo history which was Zac Barringer's Eagle Scout project. How fun was that! Thanks, Zac! We're looking into getting it accessible on our website, and will let you know Along with that, a big thanks to Michael Heinze and his Outreach Team who manned the tables where people could sign the posters if they were baptized, married, or confirmed here or if they had a memorial service for a loved one here at Our Savior. These posters will be available in the narthex for the next few weeks. In fact, this coming Saturday we'll add the name of Wil Nesper to the Baptized list, as he the first baby baptized in our new narthex (but baptized at the same baptismal font that his Mom was baptized at over 20 years ago)! Then, the next morning, he will be baby Jesus in our Sunday School Christmas program! J How's that for a special weekend for that family and all of us here at Our Savior!

But back to the luncheon, a huge thank you to the Bolinger family (Adam, Suzanne and Brittany) and to Linda Aiken for spearheading that whole event from the big picture to the smallest details. Very, very nice and very impressive on all counts! And thanks to their crew at the event, especially the whole Dritenbas family, all 5 of them, and Silas Weeks, who helped set up, serve and cleanup. What great helpers and what a great spirit they all brought with them.

A big thank you also to Marianne Luethje and her crew (Carole Olsen, Gail Parker and Helena Pierson) for the 50^th Anniversary Historical Booklet. Whew. What a job that was! This is the best, most comprehensive history of Our Savior ever! If you'd like one of the booklets, contact the church office.

For a list of all the contractors and workers on our building expansion, that was in this past weekend's worship bulletin. What a great job everyone did, and what a wonderful experience this was for all of us. It was a lot of work, but when we see the results that we have, that makes it all worthwhile.

Finally, I want to thank our whole staff (Pastor Shelly, Bonnie, Jimmy, Gretchen, Eleanor, Marilyn, Mo, Carol, and all our great office volunteers, "folding ladies" and "money honeys" for all the extra work that went along with the building program and the anniversary celebration. This was all on top of the normal work of a congregation and the search for a new director of music! It's been an extraordinary several months. The fact that we are all still standing, enjoying each other's company and continuing to do what we are doing says that truly God's Light is shining on us...and we pray through us…in these holy, special days.

Now, looking ahead, this coming weekend, Dec. 17-18 will be the 4^th weekend in Advent and the last weekend before Christmas. At the 11am service on Sunday the Sunday School children will be "telling us" the Christmas story. The following weekend, our Christmas schedule is as follows: Christmas Eve, Saturday Dec. 24, Candlelight Communion Services at 6pm and 9pm; Christmas Day, Sunday Dec. 25, Christmas Service, with communion at 11am followed by our Home Alone Christmas Dinner at noon. Call the church office, or just reply to this email and we'll save a place for you.

For other information about life at Our Savior, please visit our website at www.oursaviorelca.com. In these last two weeks of Advent, may the Light of the coming Christ Child shine upon you and through you in all of your comings and goings. Now, below is the letter from "Vicar Dave".

Dear Pastor Diehl and Our Savior Lutheran Church,

The peace of Christ be with you and Happy Anniversary! You are in my prayers as you celebrate 50 years of ministry, proclaiming the Gospel in Word and deed; 50 years of worshiping our Savior Jesus Christ; administering the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Communion; singing to God above anthems, hymns of joy, grateful love, praise, blessing, hope and faith; 50 years of teaching the Bible, the old, old story of Jesus and his love; 50 years of welcoming the stranger and the snowbird; 50 years of building community, a family in the name of Our Savior; 50 years of serving the community; 50 years of raising children, youth, adults in faith; 50 years worth of marriages, funerals, Christmas Eve and Easter Sunrise services; 50 years of being GRACED by God; 50 years of confession and forgiveness by command and mercy of Jesus; 50 years of blessings outpoured by the Holy Spirit; 50 years of being led by the Spirit; 50 years of laughter, tears, celebrations, sorrows; 50 years of being stewards of the mysteries of God.

On Sunday, December 11, the congregation that I serve will be celebrating too. We began a capital campaign at the end of 2007 to pay off existing debt as well as to renovate and restore our sanctuary (pews, lighting, flooring, audio/visual, heat/ac) and other building work. In addition we have tithed all the offerings that have been given and shared them semi-annually with several local ministries as well as some Lutheran ministries.� We moved out of our sanctuary in June 2011 for the work to commence. We move back in the sanctuary this Sunday, December 11 and rededicate it to the glory of God. Thus I am not able to be present with you on your 50^th celebration.

I treasure the time I enjoyed at Our Savior and the blessings that you graced me with during my internship as �Vicar Dave� in 1994-1995. I learned a great deal from Pastor Jack and from ministry with Our Savior. Some of those remembrances are: the crucifix hanging above the front of the sanctuary; Evelyn Anderson gracefully giving the church and this new vicar her home for the year!; a sudden tornado north of town and Pastor Jack�s whisking me away in his red Tracker to go visit victims; youth group gatherings every Sunday afternoon for games, Bible study, or beach time; hospital visits; key limes; Friday night dinners with Don and Lela Poust and Wil and Sylvia Coudriet; the hospitality of so many Our Savior members who invited me and my wife into your homes or out for a meal; peanut butter pie; fishing early one Friday morning with Pastor Jack; the wonderful stories of faith and traditions I heard from Lutherans of German, Scandinavian, New York, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania descent; Easter sunrise service at the columbarium; council meetings; the Gardening Angels; getting to preach on Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day like I will do again this year; Pastor Jack always being so wonderfully excited to welcome newcomers and old friends to worship; the choir in their blue robes and the festival of love songs near Valentine�s Day; Pastor Jack playing the accordion; Pastor Jack praying with me and for me; newsletter articles �From Pastor Jack�s Desk� and �Off the Vicar�s Wall�; my Honda Civic�s engine troubles; the River Rat Ramble; manatees; early-bird specials; Pastor Jack�s fantastic family: Karen, Sara, Andrew, Katie, and Anna; sunset walks on the beach with my bride Nina (we now have a 14 year old daughter Rachel and 11 year old son Robert); and there are many more special memories and mementoes of my one short year with you out of your 50 years.

Keep on being Our Savior�s people! Almighty God bless you now and forever.

Week of Advent 2

2011-12-05T06:51:00.001-08:00

From: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2011 9:49 AM
To: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Subject: Week of Advent 2

For months, this is the week that we have been preparing for! This coming Sunday, December 11 there will be only one service at 10am at which time we will dedicate our new addition and celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of Our Savior Lutheran Church here in this community. A lunch at noon follows for all who have previously sent in their reservations. But even if you haven’t made a reservation for lunch, still plan on coming to the service at 10am and being a part of that celebration. (There will still be a service on Saturday evening at 6pm also.)

Following the dedication/celebration service, and before the luncheon, there will be places throughout the church with posters for people to sign who have been baptized, confirmed and/or married at Our Savior, plus a place to light a candle and remember a loved one who’s memorial service was held here at Our Savior. During this “tour the sanctuary” time a pictorial walk through our 50 years will be scrolling on the wall over the hymn board in the sanctuary. This was an Eagle Scout Project by Zac Barringer as a part of our 50^th Anniversary Celebration.

In our new lobby, Swarovski Crystal Crosses will still be available, donated by the Swarovski family with 100 % of the proceeds to go to our building fund. Plus, our commemorative 50^th Anniversary ornaments will be available, designed by Arun Wijetilleke (the designer for the ever popular “Garden Club” ornaments, and yes, Dr. Wije’s wife J ). The crosses and ornaments both make wonderful Christmas Gifts and also help support the building project here at Our Savior.

Apart from these activities, here are a couple of other items:

This Wednesday we will have our “last supper” at 6pm til after the holidays. Stuffed Cabbage is on the menu. The suppers will resume Wednesday January 4.

This coming Saturday, December 10, a “Painting Party” will be held at the Big Brothers Big Sisters new home at 1860 18^th Ave., just west of the Freshman Learning Center. Painting begins around 9am. All equipment and paint will be provided. Many hands make light work. Call Allan Klotsche if you can help or if you have any questions: 234-0441.

If you’d like to provide a poinsettia for Christmas at Our Savior today is the deadline! The cost is $10. You can email us today (or tomorrow) with information re: it being in memory or in honor of someone. We’ll just trust you to get the money in next time you’re in church. J The proceeds go to help support our scholarship fund.

For other happenings and our upcoming Christmas Schedule of services, stay tuned or check out our web site at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

Finally, in the middle of all the comings and goings of this season, remember Pastor Shelly’s sermon from yesterday and be a sign of God’s peace in the middle of the “crazies”. That may be one of the best witnesses to the coming “Prince of Peace” that we can offer…a peaceful presence with our families, friends and out among strangers. Come, Lord Jesus, and give us that peace, especially in these days.

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +

Advent Greetings!

2011-11-28T08:52:00.001-08:00

A wonderful Thanksgiving weekend at Our Savior included the first Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new church year. First, many thanks to: Judy Kloski, our strong behind the scenes coordinator for the Home Alone Thanksgiving Dinner; to Colleen Heagy, chief cook (and Thanksgiving Day “Cover Girl” on the Press Journal!); Linda and Ted Krieger, on site hosts and coordinators; and all the wonderful volunteers who made this year’s Home Alone Thanksgiving Dinner a wonderful event for everyone. We are very grateful for all of you.

Then in worship this past weekend we entered the season of Advent; a time of hope, promise, preparation and anticipation. This is a wonderful, hopeful season of the year which is characterized in worship by the lighting of the Advent wreath at the beginning of each service by one of our families, the blue paraments, the singing of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” before the reading of the Gospel, the wreaths in the church, and more. This was also likely the last weekend of having to come into the church through the side doors! Hopefully, this coming weekend we will be able to use the new main entrance!

Then looking ahead just a little, on Sunday December 11 we will have only one service at 10am, which will include a dedication of our new narthex, lobby, and bell tower and a celebration of Our Savior’s 50^th Anniversary! Following the service there will be a 50^th Anniversary Luncheon. Reservations for the luncheon need to be in by this Wednesday, Nov. 30! Cost is $15 per person or $25 per household.

While that will be a big weekend, for anyone available, there will be a “painting party” at “The Little House” on Saturday, Dec.10 beginning around 9am. This is a house being renovated for Big Brothers Big Sisters at 1850 18^th Ave., just west of the Freshman Learning Center. Paint and equipment are all there. Your help would be much appreciated. Call Allan Klotsche for more information at 234-0441.

This week our Wednesday supper menu will include Italian Sausage with onions and pepper. The suppers are held each Wednesday at 6pm, with a break for the holidays. Watch for more details.

Finally, at this time of the year we have a lot more folks worshiping with us, some for a short time, some for the season. Please make the extra effort to be a welcoming presence to those around you. The world can often be a harsh and unwelcoming place. A welcoming word at worship to your neighbor can sometimes say as much (or maybe even more) than the sermon! God’s work; our (welcoming) hands.

As this season unfolds, in the middle of all of the comings and goings, may your days be filled with hope, peace and joy in the promised coming of our Lord.

See you in church. Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com

Happy Thanksgiving Week...and some righteous indignation at the end of this email!

2011-11-21T09:19:00.001-08:00

From: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 12:18 PM
To: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Subject: Happy Thanksgiving Week...and some righteous indignation at the end of this email!

First, a big THANK YOU to all who were a part of our annual Bazaar/Health Fair this past weekend! Our parish nurse/seminarian Bonnie Lanyi wanted to make sure to send out this “Thank You” to everyone, but I first want to extend my thanks to HER! She did an amazing job coordinating so much of the weekend, from table layouts, set up and clean up, to lining up people for blood pressure and blood sugar checks, flu shots, “ask the pharmacist”, “ask the dietician”, etc. So, many thanks to Bonnie for all of that, and also to all of those who made it a great event: including all the Health Fair people mentioned above along with the “Crafty Ladies”, those who contributed to the bake sale, the kitchen crew, our “hospitality” crew and more. Such a pleasant morning! Lots to be thankful for!

Youth Group on Thanksgiving Eve will include a trip to see “The Muppet Movie”. Contact our Youth leader (794-0746) Jimmy Smith for more info.

On Wednesday around 2pm preparations for our Thanksgiving Home Alone dinner will continue (some of the prep has already begun!) Potatoes will be pealed, and the tables will be set up and decorated. This is all a great part of our Thanksgiving celebration.

Thanksgiving Day will begin with a Thanksgiving Service in the church at 11am, followed by our “Home Alone” Thanksgiving Dinner at noon. Many years ago, Our Savior was one of the first places in our community to offer a Thanksgiving Dinner, on Thanksgiving Day for anyone who would otherwise be “Home Alone”. With families scattered and schedules as they are today, it’s likely that not everyone can get together on Thanksgiving (or Christmas). That is why we have these “Home Alone” meals. They are our gift to the community. There is no charge for the dinners nor is there even an offering taken. It’s pure grace. J

Now, here’s my righteous indignation. I’m afraid Thanksgiving is soon going to be thought of as only a prelude to “Black Friday”. That seems to be where our culture is moving more and more. “Black Friday” (so named, because it helps our retail businesses get “in the black”, from what I understand) used to start Friday morning, after a day of giving thanks, feasting, family and football, among other things. But now, look at all the businesses opening at midnight on Thanksgiving night! And some stores are even starting their “sales” at 10pm on Thanksgiving night! How does this help us, or especially the employees of these businesses, focus on being thankful to God and enjoying being together on this national day of Thanksgiving when meals and gatherings have to be cut short only in order to bow at the altar of consumerism!? This is just shameful, and I hope that somehow the word gets to the people making decisions about those ridiculous hours to go back to staying closed til early Friday morning. Maybe between writing letters, talking with friends and family, or just not shopping on Friday (some of us avoid that already!) that terrible tide can be turned. Whew. Thanks. I had to say that!

So, whether you are coming to Our Savior for Thanksgiving or celebrating Thanksgiving somewhere else, may it be a time for you to reflect on the blessings you have and truly be thankful to God. That after all is why our country established a day of Thanksgiving…to pause and recognize that we are blessed beyond measure, even with all of our challenges and struggles, and give thanks to God, the source of all we are and have.

Have a safe, blessed and happy Thanksgiving! Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com

FW: Bits 'n Pieces

2011-11-17T08:06:00.001-08:00

Just a reminder about the Bazaar and Health Fair this Saturday. The Bazaar is from 9am til 1pm and the Health Fair portion is from 9am til 11am. If you can donate any baked goods or other goodies, please bring them in during the day Friday between 9am and 3pm or Saturday morning. Also, FOR KIDS, from 9am til 11am there will be crafts to make in the nursery! See you Saturday!

We are in the final stages of the financing for our Building Project. If you are interested in holding a note (in increments of $10,000) at 3% interest, please call Shannon Banitt at 772-713-6839 or Allan Klotsche at 414-510-3443. This opportunity will be closing by the end of the month.

Speaking of the end of the month, if you’d like to join us for the 50^th Anniversary Luncheon, we need those reservations in by the end of the month also. Cost is $15 per individual or $25 per household. The luncheon, which follows the one service at 10am that day, December 11, will include marinated chicken vegetable kabobs and pork and vegetable kabobs, baked Spanish rice, and more.

This coming weekend is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year! Watch for an insert re: our Christmas poinsettias. They are only $10 each, with proceeds going to the Our Savior Scholarship Fund. Or you can just email us your order along with information if it is given in memory or in honor of someone.

And finally, it looks like maybe only about 2 more Sundays of traveling “over the river and through the woods” to get to the sanctuary. We will soon be able to park close again and walk in those beautiful new front doors!

See you at the Bazaar, then see you in church! Pastor Jack +

Bazaar/Health Fair/Thanksgiving and more...

2011-11-13T17:53:00.001-08:00

After hearing some pretty tough, fire and brimstone readings this morning (especially that one from Zephaniah), it was great to also hear St. Paul’s words in the second reading, “But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day.” When that new identity takes root in us, it changes everything….how we live, how we see God, ourselves and each other, and ultimately how we die. “Therefore encourage one another (in this new God given identity) and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

Now, as children of the Light, it’s getting into that time of year when a lot is going on around Our Savior where we live out, celebrate and encourage one another in that new identity. In that light, this email will be a walk through the next few weeks around here.

This Wednesday, Nov. 16, will be our last Wednesday night supper before Thanksgiving! (There is no supper the night before Thanksgiving, but the suppers will resume the following week.) This week will have a “Tailgate Party” theme. The Lutheran Men in Mission will be grilling burgers and hot dogs. Beans and coleslaw will also be on the menu. So wear your favorite team’s colors and come “tailgate” with us in the Fellowship Hall. Supper is served at 6pm.

If you’d like to hear some great handbell music, “The Atlantic Ringers”, a community handbell choir, with experienced ringers from area churches (including Our Savior), will be in concert Friday at 7:30pm at the Community Church. A donation will be accepted at the door.

Saturday, Nov. 19 is Our Savior’s annual Bazaar (9am til 1pm) and Health Fair (9am til 11am). The bazaar will have baked goods (you can bring some to sell anytime on Friday or Saturday morning), lunch, and very nice crafts for sale. This is a great way to start to ease into the holiday season. The Health Fair will have the Blood Mobile on site, flu shots, balance screening, “ask a pharmacist”, child safety kits, a registered dietician, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings! Wow! Lots of good stuff! Besides these things, Our Savior’s 50^th Anniversary ornaments, designed by the same artist who does the ever so popular annual Garden Club ornaments, will be available for $20 each. Swarovski crystal crosses will also be available. The proceeds for both the ornaments and crosses all go to the Building Fund. So, be sure to come by Saturday morning. There will be something for everybody.

On Sunday afternoon at 3pm, Nov. 20, a favorite annual event takes place…the making of Advent wreaths. These are beautiful wreaths made with live greenery. There are only a limited number of spots left, so call the church office (567-2253) to reserve your place. Cost of materials is $15 per wreath.

Then looking ahead a little farther, our annual Home Alone Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at noon on Thanksgiving Day. A Thanksgiving service is held in the church at 11am followed by dinner in the Fellowship Hall. Volunteers are needed to help peel potatoes on Wednesday at 2pm, and pies are needed also. If you can provide a pie, please bring it by the church anytime Wednesday between 9am and 3pm the day before Thanksgiving. Call the church office to make a reservation (772-567-2253). There is no cost and no offering received. This is our gift to the community. Don’t be home alone, come celebrate Thanksgiving with us. If you know of someone who will be home alone on Thanksgiving, tell them about our dinner also.

Finally, be sure to mark your calendars for our Anniversary Celebration and Building Dedication at our one service that Sunday at 10am. An anniversary luncheon will follow at noon. Tickets ($15 per person or $25 per household) are required and need to be purchased by November 30 to reserve a place.

50th Anniversary Celebration!

2011-11-08T19:12:00.001-08:00

The 50^th Anniversary Celebration for Our Savior is coming up in a little over a month! Here are some details about that event.

On Sunday December 11 there will be only one worship service at 10am. Bishop Ed Benoway of the Florida Bahamas Synod will be our guest preacher that day. During the service we will both dedicate our new building addition as well as celebrate our 50 years of ministry here in this place. Before and after worship a pictorial review of our 50 years will be scrolling on the wall over the hymn board, thanks to Zac Barringer. This 50 year pictorial history is Zac’s Eagle Scout project.

During worship we will introduce all those involved in our building project: the building committee, the builders and workers who can join us, and our church council.

Our worship that day, the third Sunday in Advent, will fittingly center around the theme from the Gospel reading: “The true Light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.”

After worship there will be a reception with light refreshments in the new lobby for anyone not going to join us for the 50^th Anniversary Luncheon at noon which will be held in the Fellowship Hall and a big tent on the north side of the hall. During that time before the lunch, there will be “stations” in the church in various places with posters for people to sign if they were married, baptized, or confirmed in the church. There will also be a table with a sign in sheet and candles to light for anyone who had a loved one who’s memorial service was held at the church.

Then the luncheon, beginning at noon, will be a time of remembering, celebrating and giving thanks for our life together. The menu will be:

Marinated chicken and vegetable kabobs; Marinated pork and vegetable kabobs

Baked Spanish Rice; Corn relish; Apple Slaw

Watermelon Boat and Carrot Cake and Petit Desserts

along with coffee, iced tea and lemonade.

The cost of the luncheon is $15 per individual or $25 per household. This is only a partial cost of the event (with the rental of the tent and all). The balance of the cost will be covered by the congregation. If you’d like to make a donation toward the event, that would be welcome.

Some of you have already picked up your invitation and have sent in your reservation and money! Included in our November/December newsletter will be a reservation reply form or pick one up after worship or in the church office. We look forward to this happy milestone in the life of Our Savior!

Wednesday suppers/Bazaar & Health Fair/and $!

2011-11-07T12:34:00.001-08:00

From: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 3:33 PM
To: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Subject: Wednesday suppers/Bazaar & Health Fair/and $!

First, how good it was this past weekend to remember all the saints who have gone before us since All Saints Day last year. This is always a meaningful, moving time and we are grateful to be able to share that with so many. But this was also a time for us to remember all those other saints who have touched our lives over the years, and to be reminded that we too are called and blessed to be numbered among the saints! And finally, it was also good welcoming back more of our regular winter “saints”! Every weekend recently feels a little like “family reunion” time! Glad to have you back!

Once again this coming Wednesday, our suppers continue with the meal served at 6pm. These suppers have been very well received, and we want to especially thank the following 4 “Crew Chiefs” who spear-head these suppers. Each Chief takes one Wednesday a month to set up, cook, serve and clean up. Chief of the Crew Chiefs and one of the 4 Chiefs is Nancy Ogonoski (569-1798). The other 3 are: Colleen Heagy (774-8795), Sue Davia (226-7783) and Linda Krieger 299-0729) (all 772 area code). Also a special thanks to Brian Rogers, who almost single handedly sets up the tables most Wednesdays! If you would be able and willing to help out any of these crews, please let them know either when you come on Wednesdays, or call them ahead of time and volunteer. Clean up is especially appreciated. You can just stay and help with that any Wednesday. Although it is work, it really is also a lot of fun working with those folks. So, please lend a hand when you can! You’ll be glad you did!

Now, it won’t be long til our annual Bazaar and Health Fair is here (a week from Saturday!) Below are details from our Parish Nurse, Bonnie Lanyi, about the event and what you can do to be a part of it!

Annual Bazaar is Saturday, November 19 from 9:00am to 1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring your crafts in no later than November 16. Please donate baked goods and drop them off in the Fellowship Hall on Friday or Saturday morning before the sale begins. Along with crafts and baked goods there will be lunch available. All proceeds from this event go to charities.

Health Fair is the same day from 9:00am to 11:00am and will include the following:
Indian River Blood Bank Blood Drive-You can tell them to donate $5 to the Harvest Food and Outreach instead of getting a gift for yourself.
VNA-free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings. For best results, fast after midnight for the blood sugar test. Preservative-free flu shots. Getting your shot here will help the VNA provide home care, hospice and wellness services to the uninsured and under-insured in our community.
Humane Society-What do you do with your pet during an emergency such as a hurricane?
Balance Screening by Sunshine Physical Therapy.
Indian River Sheriff's Dept-Child safety kits, vials of life, and safety info.
Treasure Coast Community Health-ask a pharmacist about medications.
Gwen Turner, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator-nutrition info and body fat analysis.
Treasure Coast Ovarian Cancer Alliance
Our Savior Health Ministry Team
-- thank you,
Bonnie
Bonnie Lanyi RN
Parish Nurse
Our Savior Lutheran Church
1850 Sixth Ave
Vero Beach, FL 32960
www.oursaviorelca.com

Finally, this coming weekend is “Stewardship Weekend”! Many of you have already brought or sent your commitment cards (which you received in the mail last week) in for 2012! If you haven’t, this coming weekend we will be gathering those cards during worship. (Extras will be available). It’s been amazing how you all have stepped up to help support our 50^th Anniversary Building Project, along with continuing to support the general life and ministry of Our Savior this past year. In these challenging economic times, you are all living proof of God’s ongoing nurturing hand at work among us. Sincere thanks to all!

In another separate and special email later this week, watch for details on our 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Building Project!

As this week now unfolds, may you both be blessed and be a blessing to those around you. God’s work; our hands. Pastor Jack +

Happy Reformation Day!

2011-10-31T08:58:00.001-07:00

Maybe it’s a Lutheran Pastor thing, but when I hear “October 31^st”, my first thought is “Reformation Day!” So, happy Reformation Day to everyone, and oh yeah, Happy Halloween also. J For those of us here in Vero Beach we woke up to many flooded streets, equal to our hurricanes, and an automated phone call from the Sheriff’s office saying if you haven’t sent your children to school yet, you can keep them home and they won’t be counted as absent due to all the flooding. Our elementary school across the street is closed! If this hangs around all day, I’m afraid there is going to be a lot of “Trick or Treat” candy left over tonight.

But, back to Reformation Day. Yesterday we celebrated the day with special music from our Women’s Choir (very nice, and a little jazzy!) and some beautiful oboe/piano and oboe/organ music from Dr. Ray Adams and Sara Diehl Fletcher. Many thanks. It was also Confirmation Day for Brandon Klotsche, Elizabeth Nelson, Charles Pascale and Tyler Welsh at the 11am service. Congratulations to another fine group of young people who’s choice of Confirmation Scripture verses and hymn of the day were an inspiration to us all as we were once again reminded of God’s ongoing reforming, renewing, redeeming work in the church and in our lives.

As “reformed and renewed” people of God, we reach out into the world with a Word and with actions which bring Life and Hope. Here are a few ways we can do that:

Coming up this week on Thursday, Our Savior is once again a host site for the annual “Samaritan Center Soup Bowl”. Various soups from local restaurants will be served for a donation of $5 (or more) from 11:30 til 1:30.

On Saturday, “Every Dream Has A Price” (a local agency which helps people in need fix up their homes, or get into a home if their’s has been damaged or destroyed for whatever reason) is having a big day at Dodgertown including a Barbecue cook off, a “Guns and Hoses” softball game between our local police and fire departments and lots of fun activities for kids and families! It all begins at noon. See the attached fliers.

If you’d like to get into the Christmas Spirit early, you can do so and do a good deed at the same time. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons through the month of November, at the Haiti Partners office (first floor, Bank of America building on the corner of 6^th Ave. and 21^st Street, Miracle Mile area) you can help address and write Christmas cards on behalf of Haiti Partners. Call Debbie Coleman at the Haiti Partners office 772-539-8521 or cell 772-971-6958 if you can help. And thanks!

We are in the final stages of our building project and looking ahead to our 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Building Dedication on Sunday December 11 at ONE SERVICE at 10am followed by a luncheon. Bishop Benoway will be our guest that day. Mark your calendars! Invitations with response cards will be coming out next week.

Since we are in these later days of construction, we are also finalizing the financing of this project. It’s still not too late to make a gift to the building fund either anonymously or through purchasing a leaf for our “Tree of Life” or a “Living Stone”. If you have already done so, be sure to get the information in (ASAP) about how you would like your “leaf” engraved! As a part of bringing this project to completion, secured notes of $10,000 or more are being made available at 3%. If you are interested in holding one or more of these notes, please come by the church office to pick up a form or call Allan Klotsche (772-234-0441) or Shannon Banitt (772-713-6839) for more information.

Finally, since this is “All Hallow’s Eve”, that means All Saints Day is tomorrow, which means that this coming weekend we will be celebrating All Saints Day. During our services we will be naming those loved ones who have died since All Saints Day last year, as well as inviting people to come forward and light a candle remembering and honoring them. This is always a very special day in the church year. I hope you can join us.

May you all have a great Reformation Day/All Hallows Eve/Halloween, and a blessed week as God’s renewed, reformed, redeemed people!

(And I think the rain is subsiding! J) For more information on the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at www.oursaviorelca.com. Peace and Joy, Pastor Jack Diehl +

Some of what we do and who we are!

2011-10-26T13:56:00.001-07:00

Dear People of Our Savior, In these last few months a lot of our energy and focus has been on the new building addition and upgrading of existing buildings. Every once in a while, those are things that just have to be done. And the project is coming along beautifully. But I had an image come to mind recently about what that is all about. I pictured a train. The engine is what pulls the train. But the cargo is what is important. Our buildings are important and very useful, and need to be in good working order, just like the engine of a train, but always for the purpose of "hauling the cargo". An engine by itself going down the tracks isn't good for much. So what is the cargo that is hauled?

Above the entrance in our new narthex is a faceted glass window with the message "Let Your Light Shine". Those are the words with which we are sent out after worship, having heard that Eternal Word and having been fed at the Lord's Table. "Letting our Light shine" is what happens as we leave worship. That happens in all kinds of ways through our members here in our community: Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Homeless Family Center; Harvest Food and Outreach; Habitat for Humanity and the list goes on and on; and beyond our community such as through our work with Haiti Partners.

Following is a 2-minute video of Mary and Allan Klotsche in Haiti, and some words of gratitude from Kent Annan, co-director of Haiti Partners (and Pastor Shelly's husband).

"Everyone at Haiti Partners is grateful for Allan and Mary's warm, generous spirits--and also the way they are working with and nurturing the children in our elementary schools through music education. We're so grateful for the Our Savior community and their Social Ministry Team, which supports and encourages this work from here in Indian River County!

You can see the short video (with great singing!) here: http://www.haitipartners.org/2011/10/partners-in-music/

With much gratitude for Mary and Allan, as well as for the prayers and encouragement of so many at Our Savior,

Kent"

Isn't this some great "cargo" that we are able to help pull here at Our Savior?! God's work; our hands.

__________
Kent Annan
Co-Director, Haiti Partners - http://www.haitipartners.org
Order new book "After Shock" - http://www.kentannan.com

On Oct 26, 2011, at 9:19 AM, verodiehls@juno.com wrote:

> Hi Kent, Being kind of a "low tech" guy, I need a little help. Could you email me a link to the latest Haiti Partners video about Allan and Mary's music project, in a form that I could just forward to the congregation? I'd like to send that out to the congregation as an example of what we are doing there. In fact, if you could "reply all" to this email, it will go right to the church email and I could forward it from there. Thanks. Hope you're surviving having "Mom" gone these few days! :-) I'm looking forward to hearing about the event tomorrow when she returns. Thanks! Pr. Jack +

O.S.E-news: Monday October 24

2011-10-24T09:11:00.001-07:00

From: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 12:04 PM
To: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Subject: O.S.E-news: Monday October 24

Ahhh….for the first time we have the windows open here in the office this morning and we’re enjoying the beautiful Fall weather along with the all of the other Floridians who are grateful for this time of the year.

I had been out of town since last Thursday and was so pleased to see the progress on our building when I returned this morning. Most all of the drywall is up, and the painting outside and stucco is all coming along nicely. Still looking good for the December 11 celebration!

But, before then, a number of things continue to happen around Our Savior. Our menu for this Wednesday’s supper includes mac and cheese and baked breaded Haddock. Following the supper is choir practice, Youth Group, a women’s Bible study and our Outreach Team meeting focusing especially on the 50^th anniversary celebration events.

Looking ahead, our annual Bazaar and Health Fair is coming up Saturday November 19. A part of that event will be a Bake Sale and all are invited to bring their favorite baked goods (or fudge, or other such goodies) that morning or the day before to add to the sale.

Recently you may have received in the mail the latest information on our Building Fund. The “Tree of Life” will be finished within about a week and will be installed as soon as the drywall is finished. Inscriptions on the leaves and on the “Living Stones” are starting very soon. If you would like to have a leaf on this “Tree of Life” or a “Living Stone” please call George Dann at 772-978-9124 or the church office 772-567-2253.

This coming weekend is “Reformation Weekend” at Our Savior. This is always one of the big festival days of the church year as we not only remember our roots and the events of the Reformation some 500 years ago, but more importantly remember the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in renewing and reforming the church yet today. Along with that, we will be celebrating the confirmation of 4 of our young people (Brandon Phillips-Klotsche, Tyler Welsh, Elizabeth Nelson and Charles Pascale) at the 11am service. Wear RED!

As the week unfolds, be grateful each day and let your light shine! See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +

For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com

(Password for on-line church directory is: letyourlightshine)

Menu and feedback

2011-10-18T08:30:00.001-07:00

Dear People of Our Savior, In yesterday's email I forgot to mention the menu for our Wednesday supper this week. It will be lasagna, salad, green beans, French bread and probably some kind of dessert (at least those are the things I saw in the kitchen this morning) . Looks good!

Also, since we're sending this note out, I had to send out the following response to yesterday's email:

Hi Pr Jack - the rainbow is wonderful. There's so much here that is uplifting & open & honest & inviting –

Thanks so much Eleanor for your kind comments. It really is good to be a part of the life and ministry of this place.

And finally, the new doors on the main entrance to our addition are going on today! The building will all be dried in (a good thing with this latest rainy weather front on top of us) and the drywall will be going up perhaps as you read this. Looks like we'll make the December 11 dedication!

Rainbow, Music and Swarovski Crystal

2011-10-17T11:46:00.001-07:00

First, the Rainbow. In the sermon yesterday we were reminded that God’s image is imprinted on God’s creation and on God’s people for us to see. An example was of a beautiful rainbow which graced our sky after the big no-name storm last weekend. Pastor Shelly and her family were outside looking at it when their 2 and ½ year old Cormac asked, “God make that?” Yes, Cormac, God sure did. After a pause, he then asked, “Jesus color that?” J Even a child can see God’s image imprinted in the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. This morning, one of our new members, James “Duke of Warwick” Logan emailed us the picture of that rainbow which he also saw last weekend. Hopefully the attachment comes through. If you look closely you can see that it was a double rainbow in fact. Thanks Cormac, and Duke.

Music: the international language, at the heart and core of worship, according to Luther God’s greatest gift next to theology…and some might call it God’s greatest gift period. At Our Savior we have a Search Committee who have been diligently going over resumes and talking to possible candidates for our director of music position. Most names (about 14)have come through an announcement in the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians website about our position. The chair person of the committee is Marjorie Silkworth, who is the Worship and Music Council person. Members of the committee are a cross section of the congregation representing different groups and our three worship services: Gwen Turner, Johanna Jones, Michael Hyde, Doris Zelie, Chris Jones, Ron Sample, and Lisa Collison. While the process continues we are blessed to have some wonderful organists both in our congregation and community who can lead our worship during this interim time: Johanna Jones, Rebecca Barkett and Dr. Ray Adams. Having gifted people like this around means we don’t have to rush the process, but can do what is needed to find the best person for the position. If you have any thoughts, suggestions or questions for the committee feel welcome to contact any of those named above.

Swarovski Crystal: As our Building Dedication and 50^th Anniversary approaches (December 11!) we have been given a wonderful gift to help support the building project. As you may or may not know, when the Swarovski family is in this country, Our Savior is their home church. As a way of helping with our building project, they have donated a beautiful assortment of their Swarovski Crystal Crosses, which would be very suited for a necklace, and which are available for a donation of $20 (for the small cross) and $50 (for the larger cross). This past weekend Adam Bolinger manned a table after worship making them available for the first time. They were very well received and will next be available the first two weekends in November. So, keep these dates in mind and plan to stop by after worship to see these beautiful crosses. (What a nice Christmas gift!) Many thanks to the Swarovski family for this thoughtful gift to Our Savior.

This coming Wednesday our Wednesday dinners continue with supper served at 6pm followed by a Women’s Bible Study at 6:30 in room 4, choir practice at 7pm, Youth Group from 6:30-8:30 and the Music Search Committee meeting at 6pm in room 5 (and “eat and meet” meeting…get your dinner and join us in room 5).

For other information and news about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please check out our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com .

As this week unfolds, may we see God’s image all around us imprinted on God’s creation and on God’s people. And may we also live out our identity as God’s children, called, gathered and then sent out into the world as bearers of his image in our lives. +

O.S.E-news: Monday Oct. 10

2011-10-10T08:54:00.001-07:00

If any of you haven’t experience a hurricane in Florida, this past weekend was very close to what that is like: a few days of heavy overcast skies and blustery wind, strong rain bands coming through (in fact more rain than some hurricanes!) local flooding (on my way to church Saturday evening I saw Jimmy, our Youth leader, out in his truck rescuing one of several motorists he helped who were stranded in some deep water), a really angry looking surf with lots of erosion, trees cleaned out…everything except the 75 plus mph wind! That was quite a weekend! The good news is that since it was mostly over the weekend, it didn’t really slow down construction much, and with the sun shining this morning, workers are well underway again today.

But in spite of the hurricane like weather, and slightly smaller attendance at worship, understandably so, our healing service and “Blanket Sunday” went very well. It was great to be wrapped together in God’s grace in the middle of it all. And the line from the Isaiah reading, “For you have been a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm…” took on special meaning, as the storm raged outside. It was good to be here.

And it IS good to be here for many reasons. One of which is our Wednesday suppers which have resumed (serving starts at 6pm). On the menu this week is Brats and Kraut (Oktoberfest food!) Following the supper the Lutheran Men in Mission will be meeting at 7pm in the west end of the Fellowship Hall, a women’s Bible study continues in room 4 at 6:30, the Education Team meets in room 5, the Youth Group meets at 6:30 in the Youth Room and the choir and hand bell ringers meet at 7pm in the choir room. Something for everyone!

This coming weekend, Oct. 15-16, around 30 new members will be received into our congregation. This is a wonderful group from babies to retired folks. If you will be here this weekend, be sure to introduce yourself and offer a warm welcome to those becoming a part of our faith community. This is also a time when our winter residents are returning, so each weekend feels a little like a family reunion. Welcome back!

Looking ahead, our annual Health Fair and Bazaar will be happening Saturday November 20. This will also include our Fall Bake Sale! If you have a favorite recipe, plan on pulling it out and bringing some nice baked goods to the Bake Sale.

Also, looking ahead, watch for tickets to soon be available for our December 11^th luncheon following our 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Building Dedication at our one service that morning at 10am!

Letting our Light shine for 50 years, and counting! See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com

20 iPhotos I thought that you might enjoy

2011-10-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

(If you've received this email twice, it's because I wasn't sure if it was sent out the first time.)

Dear Folks, Attached are several pictures from yesterday related to our construction. I'm a little to technologically challenged to sort them out so you are getting all 20 whether they make sense or not. However it will be worth sorting through just to see Pastor Shelly 30 feet up in the air on the lift machine which is being used in the construction. Also, the picture she took from up there of the Memorial Garden is also worth looking for.

Tomorrow, Sunday October 9, between the services, beginning at 9:45am we'll have a congregational meeting updating our building process and getting input from the congregation re: financing.

Also, our worship this weekend, including our 6pm service tonight, will include a service for healing. This is always a very meaningful time to be together as we pray for healing for ourselves and for those near and far.

We're hoping the weather eases off to make access to and from church a little easier than it is right now as I write this in the middle of yet another big downpour! Whew...let's hope this is the closest we get to any hurricanes this season.

Peace and Joy be yours, Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com

Congregational Meeting!

2011-10-05T09:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Folks, This Sunday, October 9 at 9:45am in the sanctuary, we are going to have congregational meeting to give a building update and bring to the congregation a proposal for the final financing of the project. We will also have the latest information on our “Tree of Life”, and forms to fill out if you have contributed toward a lead or if you would like to. The building dedication and 50^th Anniversary Celebration date is December 11, so we are getting closer! Please plan on joining us as we head into the home stretch on this wonderful project. Many thanks. Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com

O.S.E-news: October 3

2011-10-03T07:40:00.001-07:00

Thank you,
L M. Silkworth, AIA, NCARB
FL Registered Architect #AR8431

We Floridians are all abuzz these last 2 mornings as the temperature finally dipped below 70 degrees. Ahhhh....what a nice break. Fall is coming! That also means the first of our winter residents have started returning and that is always a blessing. It's kind of like "family reunion" time around here each weekend.

And this year, as Fall begins, there is much more than usual happening around Our Savior. Let me here offer a brief list of highlights:

1) Our BUILDING PROJECT is into the home stretch, with dedication date set for Sunday December 11. On that day there will be only one service at 10am with Bishop Ed Benoway joining us for a special 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION and building dedication. Watch for details as the time approaches.

2) Regarding MUSIC MINISTRY: Tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 4) the Search Team meets again regarding the calling of a new director of music. The committee's work involves reviewing the shape and scope of the needs and goals in our music ministry, along with looking at our budget and reviewing applicants. The committee is made up of a broad cross section of members from the congregation. If you have any thoughts or input you'd like to share with the Search Committee regarding our music ministry or this process please email us (simply reply to this email).

On this same subject, hopefully a picture will come through on this email about last Friday night's "Jam in the Sanctuary". This was just one example of some of the many musical gifts present in this congregation, which the Search Team sees as a priority for a director of music to tap into and nurture.

And finally, a correction regarding our director of music (Jim Boschker's) letter of resignation: In our recent newsletter and a previous email, along with wishing Jim well in this new chapter in his life, it was stated "We understand that he will be moving to Colorado to help his sister care for her seriously ailing husband." We've since heard that that move is not in Jim's immediate plans, so that stands corrected. But wherever this new chapter leads for him, we still wish him well.

3) This coming Saturday 2 things will be happening: For one, members of our Youth Group are invited to another "YOUTH IN ACTION" event from 8am til noon. This brings together kids from various youth groups in our community for a service project. This also counts for volunteer hours for our high school students. Come to Youth Group Wednesday night for more info.

The other Saturday event is a FAMILY JAMBOREE at the Indian River County Fairgrounds. There are no parking fees and no admission fees. The event is from 11am til 8pm with activities for all ages. Very family friendly. See www.FamilyJamboreeIRC.com for more info. Sounds like a winner, and some of our folks will be there involved in some of the activities. (Watch especially for a train ride for little ones.)

Next weekend, our worship will take the shape of a HEALING SERVICE. Our Parish Health Ministry Team will be involved in various parts of worship, and there will be opportunity for members of the congregation to come to the altar for anointing and prayers for healing. This is always a well received and meaningful service as we pray for healing for ourselves, for family, friends and loved ones near and far.

NEWSFLASH! As this email comes together, we just received a phone call from a member who said he has a car load of non-perishable food items, and wondered where to bring them. I asked where he got all of that. He said he had a retirement party for his wife and asked that instead of gifts, people would bring non perishable food items! We were happy to direct him to the Harvest Food and Outreach Center here in Vero Beach (on 29th Street, 1/2 block east of US1) where not only is emergency food given to people in need, but classes are also offered to help people get to a better place in their lives. This is a place we regularly support. Many thanks to Dave and Sheila for such a great idea and living out "God's work; our hands" in a very special way. And congratulations, Sheila on your retirement! :-)

Finally, for other information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at www.oursaviorelca.com. And oh yes, the menu for this Wednesday night's dinner includes Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes and gravy. Yum!

As this week unfolds, remember that we are all called to be workers in God's Vineyard, who will faithfully care for what God has entrusted to us, and by doing so bear good fruit in our lives and for the sake of the world. Have a blessed week!

Peace and Joy, Pastor Jack Diehl +

O.S.E-news: Special addition

2011-09-26T12:16:00.001-07:00

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. For this special addition O.S.E-news, here are three pictures (at the end of this email) of our addition as it unfolds.

But first, some important upcoming dates:

This coming Wednesday, Sept. 28: Our mid-week dinners resume! Chicken parmesian and pasta is the main course. Dinner is served from 6pm til about 6:45. Then at 6:30 three things happen:

1) New Member information gathering in the sanctuary.

2) Beth Moore Bible Study in room 5 led by Kelly Elsebough.

3) Youth Group in the Youth room.

At 7pm, anyone interested in singing is invited to join the choir in the choir room for this first meeting of the season. One of our deacons, Carole Olsen, Westminster trained organist and choir director for over 50 years will be leading. All are welcome.

On Friday night at 7pm there will be a “Jam in the Sanctuary” for anyone who likes to sing, play an instrument (any kind) or just likes to listen to music. This is an intergenerational event and always lots of fun!

On Sunday, Oct. 2 at 4pm our annual “Blessing of the Animals” will be held in the Fellowship Hall. Dr Anna Diehl Harp (recent graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University) will be the guest speaker. Dr. Anna was born and raised in this congregation and will share how she shares her gift of love and care for God’s creatures in Veterinary Medicine. She practices medicine at the Veterinary Center at Fishhawk near Brandon FL.

Looking ahead, on Sunday October 9 there will be a congregational meeting at 9:45am in the sanctuary. An update on the building project will be presented as well as a proposal re: the final financing of this project.

Finally, the “season” has begun! This past weekend we welcomed back a few of our winter residents. Always a nice time of the year as we get re-connected. May you all have a blessed week.

God’s work; our hands. Pastor Jack + www.oursaviorelca.com (See pictures below!) J

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O.S.E-news: Sept. 19

2011-09-19T01:51:00.001-07:00

In worship this past weekend, we were reminded of God’s generous mercy. This is a mercy which is generous sometimes to the point of being troubling, as it was for Jonah. That’s why Jonah resisted going to Ninevah to call them to repentance. He’d rather they die in their state of being an immoral, ungodly city. But he knew if they repented, God would have mercy on them, and He did!

That’s what God is always about; bringing Life where there is Death, Light where there is Darkness, forgiveness and mercy where there is repentance, making things new. And that is a life-long process. We are all a work in progress. That’s what the church is about, as we worship together, work together, serve together, play together, and learn together.

Below is our ongoing and updated list of “Dates to Remember” for events and activities where God’s generous grace and mercy is passed along, celebrated, taught and/or lived out.

“Dates to Remember”

For adults, there will be a Wednesday evening adult class offered beginning September 21 at 6:30pm, “Believing God: A Bible Study”, a Beth Moore 10 week Bible Study based on Isaiah 43:10 exploring not only what it means to believe in God, but to believe God! Please call Kelly Elsebough at 589-8651 if interested so she can order enough of the materials.

Also, this year, along with our regular confirmation class, we are offering a confirmation class, which began this past Sunday for anyone older than Jr. High, through High School, who hasn’t yet been confirmed, but who would like to be. Marianne Luethje will be teaching this class which will cover the basics of Luther’s Small Catechism, and which will prepare our older children for Confirmation by next Spring. It’s not too late to become a part of this class. If interested, contact either of the pastors, or Marianne.

Wednesday September 28 will be a big night at Our Savior:

1) Wednesday night dinners resume at 6pm!

2) This will also be the first night of 3 New Member Gatherings. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just learning more about the congregation is invited to join us at 6:30pm after the dinner then again on Sunday, Oct.2 at 9:45am and again on Wed. Oct. 5 at 6:30pm. New members will be received the weekend of Oct. 15-16. On Sunday October 2 pictures will be taken for our on-line church directory. This will be for all upcoming members as well as anyone who would like an updated picture for our directory. (If you’d like to view our online directory, go to our website, www.oursaviorelca.com, click on “directory” and use the password: letyourlightshine.

3) Choir practice will resume at 7pm! If you’ve been in the choir before, or if you’d like to join the choir, there will be a gathering in the choir room for all interested. Carole Olsen, one of our deacons, will be there to look at something coming up for the choir and gather input from the choir members as to how to best serve in this interim period while we are seeking a new organist/choir director. Also, watch for hand bell choir information soon to come.

Sunday October 2, at 4pm, “Blessing of the Animals” with special guest, Dr. Anna Harp. Dr. Anna was born and raised in this congregation, and having graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama last May, is now practicing veterinary medicine at the Veterinary Center at Fishhawk, near Brandon, Florida. Dr. Anna will be joined by her rescue dog, Chai, and share with us how she is using God’s gift of love and care for God’s creatures.

Please note: Sunday October 9, 9:45am, special congregational meeting for a brief update on our building project and to vote on a financing proposal to finish the project! This won’t be a long meeting, but it is an important one as we move toward the completion of this 50^th Anniversary Building project.

Beginning First Thursday evening in October: Dancing with the Lutherans! Watch for more info to come.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, one service only at 10am! 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Dedication of our new addition!

There will be a service on Saturday at 6pm that weekend, but only one service that Sunday at 10am. Bishop Ed Benoway will be our guest preacher that day. Worship will be followed by an “Open House” to tour the new addition, pictures and remembrances of Our Savior’s 50 year history, and a dinner. Watch for more info, but mark your calendars now!

For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

God’s work; our hands. Pastor Jack +

2011-09-13T07:32:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, September 11, was an especially memorable day for us at Our Savior. Not only did we remember the horrific events and also the acts of selflessness and courage of 10 years ago, but on the same morning we began our new Sunday School year, for all ages which included so many of our children who weren’t even born 10 years ago! It is our hope and prayer that even though the bad things that happen in our world would change us for the worse, God’s Word of promise and forgiveness would be a force that would truly change us for the better. That is the Word we draw upon in good times and bad, and the Word which we pass along to our children.

As this season now begins to unfold, and we find ways to draw upon and live out God’s Word of promise and forgiveness, please check out the following dates to remember.

“Dates to Remember”

Sunday School has resumed, and along with classes for all ages, two adult classes will be offered. The one class that began yesterday looks at changes in life from a Biblical perspective. The 2nd adult class which begins this coming Sunday, Sept. 18, will be an in depth study on Holy Communion.

Also, for adults, there will be a Wednesday evening adult class offered beginning September 21 at 6:30pm, “Believing God: A Bible Study”, a Beth Moore 10 week Bible Study based on Isaiah 43:10 exploring not only what it means to believe in God, but to believe God! Please call Kelly Elsebough at 589-8651 if interested so she can order enough of the materials.

Wednesday September 28 will be a big night at Our Savior:

1) Wednesday night dinners resume at 6pm!

2) This will also be the first night of 3 New Member Gatherings. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just learning more about the congregation is invited to join us at 6:30pm after the dinner then again on Sunday, Oct.2 at 9:45am and again on Wed. Oct. 5 at 6:30pm. New members will be received the weekend of Oct. 15-16. On Sunday October 2 pictures will be taken for our on-line church directory. This will be for all upcoming members as well as anyone who would like an updated picture for our directory. (If you’d like to view our online directory, go to our website, www.oursaviorelca.com, click on “directory” and use the password: letyourlightshine.

3) Choir practice will resume at 7pm! If you’ve been in the choir before, or if you’d like to join the choir, there will be a gathering in the choir room for all interested. Carole Olsen, one of our deacons, will be there to look at something coming up for the choir and gather input from the choir members as to how to best serve in this interim period while we are seeking a new organist/choir director. Also, watch for hand bell choir information soon to come.

Sunday October 2, at 4pm, “Blessing of the Animals” with special guest, Dr. Anna Harp. Dr. Anna was born and raised in this congregation, and having graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama last May, is now practicing veterinary medicine at the Veterinary Center at Fishhawk, near Brandon, Florida. Dr. Anna will be joined by her rescue dog, Chai, and share with us how she is using God’s gift of love and care for God’s creatures.

Beginning First Thursday evening in October: Dancing with the Lutherans! Watch for more info to come.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, one service only at 10am! 50th Anniversary Celebration and Dedication of our new addition!

There will be a service on Saturday at 6pm that weekend, but only one service that Sunday at 10am. Bishop Ed Benoway will be our guest preacher that day. Worship will be followed by an “Open House” to tour the new addition, pictures and remembrances of Our Savior’s 50 year history, and a dinner. Watch for more info, but mark your calendars now!

For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

May you have a blessed week! See you in church! Pastor Jack +

O.S.E-news: Sept. 12

2011-09-12T14:04:00.001-07:00

As this season now begins to unfold, and we find ways to draw upon and live out God’s Word of promise and forgiveness, please check out the following dates to remember.

“Dates to Remember”

Sunday School has resumed, and along with classes for all ages, two adult classes will be offered. The one class that began yesterday looks at changes in life from a Biblical perspective. The 2^nd adult class which begins this coming Sunday, Sept. 18, will be an in depth study on Holy Communion.

Also, for adults, there will be a Wednesday evening adult class offered beginning September 21 at 6:30pm, “Believing God: A Bible Study”, a Beth Moore 10 week Bible Study based on Isaiah 43:10 exploring not only what it means to believe in God, but to believe God! Please call Kelly Elsebough at 589-8651 if interested so she can order enough of the materials.

Wednesday September 28 will be a big night at Our Savior:

1) Wednesday night dinners resume at 6pm!

Sunday October 2, at 4pm, “Blessing of the Animals” with special guest, Dr. Anna Harp. Dr. Anna was born and raised in this congregation, and having graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama last May, is now practicing veterinary medicine at the Veterinary Center at Fishhawk, near Brandon, Florida. Dr. Anna will be joined by her rescue dog, Chai, and share with us how she is using God’s gift of love and care for God’s creatures.

Beginning First Thursday evening in October: Dancing with the Lutherans! Watch for more info to come.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, one service only at 10am! 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Dedication of our new addition!

For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

May you have a blessed week! See you in church! Pastor Jack +

Some construction pictures!

2011-09-07T06:15:00.001-07:00

Attached are a few pictures of our construction project, which is coming along nicely! The first two are of the bell tower. The third is looking at the entrance coming down the new walkway from under the bell tower. The last picture is in the new narthex looking out the new main entrance and up at the circle where the new faceted glass window will be. Today the rest of the plywood for the roof is going on. More pictures to come! Dedication date is December 11, with one service that Sunday at 10am! God’s work; our hands! (Many thanks to our Property Chairperson from our Church Council, Mark Davia, for the pictures!)

2011-09-06T07:16:00.001-07:00

I think summer must be “officially” over. It’s Labor Day, and I know for us Floridians, while Fall seems a long way off, and we are still in the peak of hurricane season, I received a text message from my son in Ohio today. He said that on Saturday the heat index was 105 degrees and people of all ages were suffering from heat exhaustion. Today it is 60 degrees and overcast. Good ol’ Midwest! So, Fall is on its way, at least in some parts of the country. That means this coming weekend we return to our regular worship schedule; Saturday remains the same, 6pm, but Sunday returns to 8:30 and 11am with Sunday School at 9:45am. After our wonderful Sunday School registration pizza night last week, it was reinforced for us once again that having a change of schedule for the summer, with a recess for Sunday School is really a good thing. After all the comings and goings of the summer, we can now all re-connect, the teachers are ready to go, we have another fun theme for the new Sunday School year (“working dogs” with Goldie our mascot) and this is something we’re all looking forward to! Hope you can be here for this kick off weekend! And on top of everything else, you can stop in the choir room after worship and get your blood pressure checked by one of our parish nurses.

With the new “season” upon us, please check out our “Dates to Remember” section below which highlights some special events coming down the pike. (This section will be updated weekly.)

But before you check that out, I need to make one comment about worship this past weekend. We started a new tradition this past weekend as we celebrated and honored all the work that the people of Our Savior do during the week. We placed a bulletin board in the chancel, entitled “God’s Work; Our Hands” where people placed their business cards or wrote on post-it notes their names and what they did in their daily work. As the board filled up we saw what a wonderful mixture of gifts and abilities from Our Savior are out there at work in the world! It was so interesting that we decided to hang that bulletin board on the wall in our gathering/sending space for you to see. And if you weren’t here this past weekend, feel free to bring in a business card or put your own note on the board. We will be leaving it in church for the month of September. As I mentioned at the end of worship, as we look at the altar and see only the crust of the loaf of bread left after communion, we are reminded that the rest of that loaf, the Body of Christ, is now out in the world in each of us as we leave the altar and take Christ with us into our daily work and daily lives. May that be so for each of you.

“Dates to Remember”

Wednesday September 28: Wednesday night dinners resume; 6pm! This will also be the first night of 3 New Member Gatherings. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just learning more about the congregation is invited to join us at 6:30pm after the dinner then again on Sunday, Oct.2 at 9:45am and again on Wed. Oct. 5 at 6:30pm. New members will be received the weekend of Oct. 15-16.

Sunday October 2, at 4pm, “Blessing of the Animals” with special guest, Dr. Anna Harp. Dr. Anna was born and raised in this congregation, and having graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama last May, is now practicing veterinary medicine at the Veterinary Center at Fishhawk, near Brandon, Florida. Dr. Anna will be joined by her rescue dog, Chai, and share with us how she is using God’s gift of love and care for God’s creatures.

Beginning First Thursday evening in October: Dancing with the Lutherans! Watch for more info to come.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, one service only at 10am! 50th Anniversary Celebration and Dedication of our new addition!

There will be a service on Saturday at 6pm that weekend, but only one service that Sunday. Bishop Ed Benoway will be our guest preacher that day. Worship will be followed by an “Open House” to tour the new addition, pictures and remembrances of Our Savior’s 50 year history, and a dinner. Watch for more info, but mark your calendars now!

For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

May you have a blessed week! See you in church! Pastor Jack +

O.S.E-news: Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T14:22:00.001-07:00

With the new “season” upon us, please check out our “Dates to Remember” section below which highlights some special events coming down the pike. (This section will be updated weekly.)

But before you check that out, I need to make one comment about worship this past weekend. We started a new tradition this past weekend as we celebrated and honored all the work that the people of Our Savior do during the week. We placed a bulletin board in the chancel, entitled “God’s Work; Our Hands” where people placed their business cards or wrote on post-it notes their names and what they did in their daily work. As the board filled up we saw what a wonderful mixture of gifts and abilities from Our Savior are out there at work in the world! It was so interesting that we decided to hang that bulletin board on the wall in our gathering/sending space for you to see. And if you weren’t here this past weekend, feel free to bring in a business card or put your own note on the board. We will be leaving it in church for the month of September. As I mentioned at the end of worship, as we look at the altar and see only the crust of the loaf of bread left after communion, we are reminded that the rest of that loaf, the Body of Christ, is now out in the world in each of us as we leave the altar and take Christ with us into our daily work and daily lives. May that be so for each of you.

“Dates to Remember”

Wednesday September 28: Wednesday night dinners resume; 6pm! This will also be the first night of 3 New Member Gatherings. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just learning more about the congregation is invited to join us at 6:30pm after the dinner then again on Sunday, Oct.2 at 9:45am and again on Wed. Oct. 5 at 6:30pm. New members will be received the weekend of Oct. 15-16.

Beginning First Thursday evening in October: Dancing with the Lutherans! Watch for more info to come.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, one service only at 10am! 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Dedication of our new addition!

There will be a service on Saturday at 6pm that weekend, but only one service that Sunday. Bishop Ed Benoway will be our guest preacher that day. Worship will be followed by an “Open House” to tour the new addition, pictures and remembrances of Our Savior’s 50 year history, and a dinner. Watch for more info, but mark your calendars now!

For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

May you have a blessed week! See you in church! Pastor Jack +

O.S.E-news: August 29

2011-08-31T06:27:00.001-07:00

This 50^th year of Our Savior is proving to be even more of an eventful year than we anticipated. To help keep up with some of the many things going on, at the end of this and future E-newsletters we’ll be running an ongoing “Dates to Remember” section. So, be sure to give that a quick perusal each time.

This Wednesday night, August 31, is our Sunday School Pizza and Registration night, beginning at 6pm. If you have a child Sunday School age (pre-school thru grade 12) please join us and see what is in store for another Sunday School year. This is always a fun night and great way to get to know folks!

This coming weekend (Labor Day Weekend) we will be celebrating the work that is done in and through our members and friends throughout the week. This will not only be a way to recognize and give thanks to God for the work we do, but also get to know better what each member does and how each member uses his or her gifts. So at either 6pm Saturday or 9:30am Sunday worship, bring a business card or brochure for your place of work, or wear what you wear to work, or just plan on filling out a 3X5 card (which we will provide) for you to put your name and what you do to be placed on our bulletin board. You might be surprised at all the various gifts and abilities present in this congregation!

Now, getting back to this 50^th Anniversary year being even more eventful than anticipated, on August 23 our church council received a letter of resignation from our music director, Jim Boschker. The council thanks him for his service and sharing his gift of music with us for these past seven plus years. Jim has been the most gifted and experienced musician Our Savior has had in our 50 year history. We’ve appreciated the work he’s done with our chancel choir and hand bell choir, along with introducing our congregation to our red hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. I’m proud to say that we are probably one of the few congregations in the ELCA who know most of the settings in the ELW, and we have Jim to thank for that. We understand that he will be moving to Colorado to help his sister care for her seriously ailing husband. We wish Jim well in this new chapter in his life.

As we also now enter a new chapter in our life, we invite your input as we look at the future of music ministry here at Our Savior. We have many musically gifted people among us. We thank especially Johanna Jones and Ron Sample for stepping up and leading worship and we look forward to other musical gifts among us to be shared in the weeks and months ahead.

Finally, remember, this will be the last weekend of our Summer Worship Schedule (Saturday 6pm, Sunday 9:30am). Our regular schedule of Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8:30 and 11am and Sunday School at 9:45 am resumes the weekend of September 10-11.

For other information about the life and ministry of Our Savior be sure to visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

See you in church! Pastor Jack +

“Dates to Remember”

Wednesday August 31: Sunday School and Confirmation Registration Night, 6pm with pizza and salad supper.

Labor Day weekend, September 3-4: Last weekend of summer schedule: Saturday worship 6pm, Sunday 9:30am. For all our working folks, bring a business card and wear your “work” clothes to worship as we celebrate and give thanks for the workers among us.

Beginning First Thursday evening in October: Dancing with the Lutherans! Watch for more info to come.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, one service only at 10am! 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Dedication of our new addition!

2011-08-25T06:35:00.001-07:00

Today is another one of life’s milestones for many children and families: the first day of school in Indian River County! This past weekend it was wonderful having so many of our children, teachers and those who work in the school system in any way, come forward for a beginning of the school year blessing. While a couple of our folks couldn’t be here due to being sick or out of town, the blessing included them also.

To take a few images from our Scripture readings and sermon yesterday, our prayer for our students, teachers (and all of us in fact) is that: 1) this year may be built on God’s presence and promises, which is a Rock solid foundation for life; 2) with that foundation that our lives be transformed into the kind of people God made us to be; and 3) that we find our true identity in that transformed, “built on a Rock” life, remembering that we are numbered with all of those heroes of faith from Abraham to Peter and all of the others since.

With the school year begun, Sunday School is now around the corner. A week from Wednesday, August 31, will be Sunday School registration night at Our Savior. A pizza and salad dinner will be served, children can come and meet their teachers and classmates, everyone will get to meet “Goldie” our Golden Retriever “Seeing Eye Puppy in Training”, who will be this year’s mascot for the Sunday School and you’ll get to hear about all that is in store for this new Sunday School year, for our kids and adults. So, please mark your calendars and plan on joining us.

As we keep an eye on our latest tropical weather system, our “Disaster Response Team”, which went to Alabama back in June, is on standby and ready for whatever may come our way. But the general feeling is that we probably won’t see more than some extra wind and rain, which is still needed (at least the rain part).

For other information about what is happening in and around Our Savior, please check out our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com . To see the member directory on that website, the password is: letyourlightshine. (I know, it’s kinda long. We’re working on that.)

God’s work; our hands! See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-08-15T09:55:00.001-07:00

There's no doubt that the summer season is winding down! Teachers are all busy in their classrooms, the "Back to School" sales are happening, and this coming weekend, we'll be having our "Blessing of the Backpacks" at both the 6pm Saturday service and the 9:30am Sunday service. Our children will be bringing their backpacks to church, placing them at the altar, and during the service will be invited up, along with all teachers and others who work in our school system for a beginning of the school year blessing.

On the construction front, attached with this email is a picture of the great progress being made on our addition. The walls are up and trusses may be going up by later this week! In the picture you can see in the center the higher part of the wall, which is where the new main entrance will be. Mark your calendars now for the dedication and 50th anniversary celebration on Sunday, December 11!

This past week we received notice that Thrivent (the fraternal insurance company for Lutherans) was sending us $1200! What a nice surprise! This is because several of our members designated their "Thrivent Choice Dollars" to Our Savior Lutheran Church! Many thanks to those of you who did this. This is something any Thrivent member can do. You just need to call 1-800-THRIVENT (or 1-800-847-4836) and tell them you would like to designate your Thrivent Choice Dollars to Our Savior Lutheran Church in Vero Beach. Or, you can designate them to something like "Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida" or any of a number of other recipients. If you don't designate your "Thrivent Choice Dollars", they will still go to a good cause, but one of their choosing, not yours. So, if you're a Thrivent policy holder, please consider this. It costs you nothing but a few minutes of your time to make the phone call.

Along with school beginning, the Youth Group (grades 6-12) will have its kickoff party for the new school year on Wednesday August 24, 6:30-8:30pm. Plans are in the works for "Rock the Universe" coming up along with other great things in Youth Ministry. Whether you are a long time Youth Group veteran or brand new, plan on joining us as another season begins.

Finally, our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be meeting all week in Orlando. For highlights or to follow the events of the week as they happen, go to www.elca.org.

As another season is about to unfold before us, may we enter it with hope, confidence and trust in the One who promises to be with us til the end of the age. And in the time we have, may we be reflections of His Light in all of our comings and goings.

See you in church! Pastor Jack +

2011-08-14T17:10:00.000-07:00

"How my mind has changed" is the title of an occasional article in a bi-weekly theological journal. I thought of that title as I reflected myself on how my mind has changed on some-thing. As Christians, and Lutherans especially perhaps, we don't like to "blow our own horn." When giving a gift to the church, we prefer to do that anonymously.

But several years ago when we were visiting Savannah, Georgia and touring the old churches there, I noticed the names of people (most who have long since been gone) under some of the stained glass windows. As I looked at those names I didn't see those people as "bragging" or "blowing their own horn". Instead what I saw were some of God's people who left a bit of their legacy to the glory of God for the benefit of genera-tions to come. These were real people, living real lives, with all the joys and sorrows of life, but who left a part of themselves which would point to a greater Life, to God's ongoing presence in our lives.

Then I thought of the brick at Beachland Elementary with the Diehl Family name on it, as a way of giving thanks for our 15 years there (4 kids, 3 years apart!); and the Diehl Family name on the Rotary Fountain at Pocahontas Park, as a way of giving thanks for being a part of this community for all of these years. And I think of the names we have here at Our Savior in our Memorial Book of those who gave the pews or the windows in our existing church some 28 years ago, and how when I see those names, many of whom have gone on to glory, I rememberthem and give thanks for them and am reminded that we are a part of that "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in the letter to the Hebrews.

For that reason, my mind has changed about names being out where they can be seen, as a witness to our faith and gratitude to God for how our lives have been blessed, and how we can be a witness to God's love even after we are gone.

That is the thought behind our "Tree of Life" which will be "growing" out of "Living Stones" in our new narthex/lobby area. This "tree" will be formed out of copper and the leaves on it will be of gold, silver and bronze colors. On each leaf will be names of families, children, parents, in honor of, or in memory of, or simply to the glory of God. To claim a leaf the gold leaves are $5,000, silver $2500 and bronze $1000. The payment for these can be spread over 5 years if necessary. The "Living Stones" at the base of the tree will be for other gifts. But when the tree is up, there will be no "key" saying how much any of the leaves or stones "cost". It will just be a beautiful legacy to the real people who have been and/or are a part of the life and ministry of Our Savior on this 50th Anniversary year. And for anyone who prefers to claim a leaf or part of a leaf or stone anonymously there will be plenty of un-named leaves and stones.

So no matter how you'd like to be a part of this 50th anniversary project, it will be a witness each of us can make to God's love and care both to those around us now and to future generations. For when all is said and done, isn't that what God's call to us is in our Baptism? "Let your light so shine before others that people may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven!"

Letting our light shine, for 50 years and counting!

Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-08-12T09:15:00.001-07:00

We still have several weeks of summer, and our summer worship schedule, yet to go. Having been gone on vacation for a big part of July I almost forgot what a nice change this summer schedule is! Yesterday was a great example. During our one service on Sunday morning (9:30) folks who don't usually get to worship together were there, catching up on summer travels and activities and reconnecting with one another. There was also a special kind of energy about all being together. Many thanks to all who are such good sports about making the adjustment and help make summer a special time together!

Along those lines of being together, we all got to recognize and say good-bye to Laura Hincemon. Laura and her husband David have been an important part of our congregation and community for about 25 years. Laura was our organist for many years during the time that Linda Fox was our director of music. After retiring she had been a "pink lady" at the hospital for many years, continuing to share her sweet spirit in that setting. She also has regularly provided cookies and other goodies for our coffee hours and for the staff. David was the funeral director at Strunk funeral home in Sebastian for many years, and cared so well for a number of our families in that part of the community. Laura and David will soon be moving to Salsbury NC near Laura's daughter, closer to her roots. As they have been a blessing to us, may God bless them in this new chapter in their life. How good it was for members from both the 8:30 and 11am services to be together to share in this sending.

A quick story about priorities: This past Friday one of our members, Harry Olmstead, who lives alone, was admitted to the hospital, right from a visit to the doctor. He hadn't expected this. Realizing he would be there over the weekend, when he asked his daughter to go to his house and bring him his toothbrush, shaver, etc., he told her to be sure and get his offering envelop (he told her right where it was) and make sure she put it in the offering plate when she came to church! He said he knew everyone's part helps. :-) Thanks for being a great example for all of us!

Looking ahead, a week from this coming weekend, August 20-21, will be the last weekend before school starts already! On that weekend we are inviting all school children (including college students if they are around) to bring their backpacks, or computers or whatever, for a "Blessing of the Backpacks". We also invite our teachers (and we have quite a few!) and anyone who works in the school system, to bring lesson plans or just come and be included in the blessing at the beginning of another school year. So, get the word around, mark your calendars and plan to join us on either that Saturday or Sunday August 20-21 for a beginning of the school year blessing!

Finally, re: our construction! One of our members will be cruising the parking lot in our golf cart before worship on Saturday and Sunday to spare folks the longer than usual walk to the church during our construction. This service was pretty well received this past weekend. Don't be shy. Take advantage of it! It's fun besides. And speaking of construction, concrete blocks are being delivered today and the walls will start going up tomorrow! Maybe we'll have some more pictures for you within the next week or so.

As your week unfolds, when the storms of life come your way remember the words from our 2nd reading this past Sunday, how "the Lord is generous to all who call on him" and "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." We live with a great Promise and Presence in our lives as a people of faith.

See you in church! Pastor Jack +

2011-07-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July week! Yep, this is a day late because of the holiday yesterday. I hope it was a good one for you, and that you got to reflect at least a little on the many wonderful freedoms we enjoy as a nation.

Along with that thought, in light of this past weekend's worship, remember, freedom isn't just about doing whatever we please no matter who it hurts or what the consequences. That is not freedom. That is only bondage to a different, negative, destructive kind of 'yoke-mate'. Like the great theologian Bob Dylan (haha…you can laugh here…but listen to the truth in this) said in one of his songs from the late '70s, "It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody." The good news is that God sent Jesus, whose "yoke is easy and whose burden is light" to be our yoke-mate. Being yoked to Him, means loving, trusting and serving God and loving the neighbor, and walking with one who can help us bear the heaviest of burdens with faith, hope, courage, strength and peace. In that there is true freedom!

So, as God's free and yoked together folks, when you come to worship this coming weekend, the first steps in our construction process will have begun! The word is that the construction fences will be going up later this week and demolition of the existing walkway and narthex area will begin by next week.

What that means is that getting into church will no longer be through the familiar entrances. Instead, the main doors will be on the north side of the church (the side where the organ and choir were this past winter). To get there, you will need to come in from one of 3 directions (many of you come this way already): 1) down the sidewalk from the kitchen/nursery area, OR 2) down the sidewalk at the north entrance (between room 4 and the Youth Room) OR 3) via the sidewalk going to the offices, near the mailbox on the east side of the classroom buildings.

If that all sounds confusing, just come and there will be signs. Also, there will be benches near those entrances and wheel chairs with helpers nearby in case the walk is too far for anyone. Just don't let a little extra walk keep you from worship. If the early Christians worshiped in catacombs and in secret for fear of being crucified or thrown to the lions, and if people in some countries yet today move from home to home to worship in secret for fear of persecution (really!) I think we can put up with a little inconvenience for a short time until the construction is over.

After all, what better way to celebrate our freedom to worship, which was one of the founding principles of our country, than to gather together for worship, either on Saturday at 6pm, or Sundays at 9:30am (through and including the Labor Day weekend), even if it takes a little extra effort to make it happen. You'll be all the better witness to your faith for doing it!

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-06-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

Having been a pastor as long as I have, I've seen and heard a lot. But until yesterday morning, I've never heard an applause after the reading of the Old Testament lesson for the day. Yes, it indeed happened and was one of those spontaneous, authentic affirmations of what was just experienced.

What? Following the Old Testament reading? For those of you who weren't here, this is the way it unfolded. The reading was the Creation story from Genesis. Pastor Shelly began reading it in the dark. As we got to "Let there be light", the lights came on. Then as the water and dry land were separated from each other, water was poured into the font and a bowl of dirt was brought forward. Then plants and seeds and fruit and fish and birds and animals and Adam and Eve and following the words "be fruitful and multiply" more dogs and all the children came forward! As I mentioned above, the applause was authentic and unstoppable. What a wonderful image of God's creative work unfolding before us. Many thanks to all who helped us "hear" that story in a new way.

Following that, the Psalm and Pastor Shelly's sermon all underscored the beauty and wonder of God's ongoing creative work and us being a part of that. "And indeed it was very good."

What a wonderful day to then, at the end of worship, have the "Groundbreaking" for our 50th Anniversary building project…another way we see God's creative work unfolding here in a very real, concrete way. Our architect, Lynn Silkworth, was here along with Robert Paugh and Jeff Sotter from our general contractor's office, Bill Bryant and Associates (Bill was out of town, but would have been here also), and with them our building team and church council. Following is a message from our Council president, Martin Preuss, following yesterday's service.

We had a beautiful Sunday, yesterday. A Life filling service and the Groundbreaking of OSL's move to the future. We know everyone is busy and involved in other good works in our community outside of OSL. But what we are doing here is building for the future.

If you haven't let us know of your intentions to be part of our renovation please fill out your pledge card or E-mail Pastor Jack or myself (mpreuss@att.net) with your response. I dream of seeing our "Tree of Life" covered with Gold Leaves.

On top of those things, this is Daycamp Week at Our Savior! This is always one of the noisiest, most fun weeks of the year around here! To get a taste of it, please join us this Thursday evening at 7pm for a program in the church, highlighting some of the events of the week, followed by an "Ice Cream Social" in the Fellowship Hall. All are welcome!

For other things happening around Our Savior, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

Letting our light shine for 50 years, and counting! See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl

2011-06-13T08:41:00.001-07:00

After worship this past weekend one of our members said she was talking to a friend of hers from Germany who now lives here in America also. This friend goes to a Baptist Church and was lamenting the fact that "we don't have Pentecost here in America". To that the lady from our church promptly said, "Well we do at Our Savior!" :-)

And we certainly do "have Pentecost" here. It was such a blessing to be a part of worship this past weekend with our children in procession with the streamers, a visual reminder of the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit, and the readers speaking in various languages (Spanish, Greek, Italian, German, Norwegian, French, Polish…and did I forget any?) along with the other readings, the singing, gathering for Holy Communion…yes, the same Holy Spirit continues to breathe Life into God's people today as that Spirit blew into and through and among those in Jerusalem so many years ago.

One of the reminders of that mentioned at worship was our "Disaster Response Team" made up primarily of members of our senior Youth Group who are presently in Alabama helping with post tornado cleanup efforts. To see pictures of our kids at work go to our website (www.oursaviorelca.com) and under "Ministries" click on "Youth". The team will be returning this Wednesday. More to come!

Along with mission trips like this being faith building events, to help nurture and build faith in the home, be sure to check out the Vibrant Faith Ministries website (www.vibrantfaith.org) , which is now beginning a new dimension to their ministries called "Vibrant Faith @ Home". Just go to the www.vibrantfaith.org website and click on the "Vibrant Faith @ Home" link for all kinds of tips, tools, resources and suggestions that parents, families and households -of all ages and stages- to help people grow in faith.

This coming weekend at Our Savior we will be celebrating "Trinity Sunday". This is the only festival day of the church year that is about a teaching of the church and not a person or an event. This year, the Old Testament reading is the creation story. Some of you may recall this from 3 years ago. (We're on a 3 year cycle for our readings.) As we hear this story, we will be "seeing" the story unfold before us: eg. "let there be light" and the lights will come on, and as God created the plants and animals, birds and creeping crawling things, we will invite folks to bring up representatives of all of those elements of creation. We already have some dogs lined up, but if you have any creeping crawling critters as pets, or birds or fish who could be brought forward in a fish bowl, please contact the church office this week and we'd love to have you be a part of our hearing and seeing the creation story unfold this coming Saturday or Sunday.

Also, this coming Sunday, at the end of worship (remember, we're in our summer schedule: 6pm Saturday and 9:30am Sunday) we will have the groundbreaking for our 50th Anniversary Building Project! The plan is to have the new space and renovations dedicated at our 50th Anniversary Celebration the weekend of December 11. If you haven't yet "bought a leaf" for our Tree of Life, it's certainly not too late. This is going to be a beautiful, lasting symbol of our life together here for generations to come. See me (Pastor Jack) or George Dann for more information about this part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations.

For more information, especially about special summer activities, please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com . And keep your eyes, ears and hearts open to the working of the Spirit around and within you as this week unfolds!

See you in church! 50 years of letting our Light Shine and counting!
Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III +

2011-06-06T08:34:00.001-07:00

Summertime, and the livin' is…well, not really easy. But it's good! This has the makings of an historic summer at Our Savior. Especially fitting as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, this coming weekend (wear RED!) which stirred up Jerusalem and sent the disciples out across the world with the Good News of what God was up to, breathing new Life into the world.

This Wednesday Our Savior's Disaster Response Team, made up mostly of members of our Youth Group who received special training in that area, will be headed to Alabama to help in tornado relief efforts. They will be home based at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Birmingham and going out from there to help in the most tornado stricken areas, especially Christ Lutheran Church in Cullman.

On the home front our 50th Anniversary Building Project continues to move along. Last Thursday our building plans were unanimously approved by the Planning and Zoning folks of Vero Beach and our ground breaking is set for Sunday June 19. Along with that good news, one other little piece of good news is that at our congregational meeting on Memorial Day weekend, it was reported that there was going to be an increase of about $2000 per month which would have to be paid to the Board of Pensions. Rather than $2000 per month, that figure is actually about $1800 for the year! Big difference! Whew.

Many thanks to all who have given and/or committed about $380,000 toward our $700,000 goal. There are still "leaves" on the Tree of Life left for special gifts in honor or memory of someone and are as follows: gold leaf, $5,000; silver leaf, $2,500; bronze leaf, $1,000. This "Tree of Life" is going to be a beautiful part of the new lobby next to the window overlooking our Memorial Garden. There will also be "Living Stones" at the base of the tree recognizing larger gifts, or specially designated gifts.

Speaking of our 50th Anniversary, if you have any pictures of special events at Our Savior over the years: weddings, baptisms, confirmation pictures, picnics, etc., please bring them into the office ASAP. One of our scouts, Zac Barringer, is working on his Eagle Scout project which will be both a "Memory Book" and "Power Point" type of presentation for Our Savior's 50th Anniversary. Pictures can be returned. Thanks!

A six week summer Bible study series begins this Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30pm in room 4. "Psalms of Ascent", a Beth Moore Bible study facilitated by Kelly Elsebough. This study runs at the same time as Youth Group, so this would be a great opportunity for parents of Youth Group members to gather along with other adults interested. And beginning June 30 til September 1, "Dancing with the Lutherans", from 6:30-7:30pm Thursday nights, an introductory ballroom dance class, for $5 per person per evening.

These are only some of the highlights as summer begins here at Our Savior. If you are nearby, we look forward to you being a part of these things. If you are far away, may your summer be safe and renewing. And for all of us, whether near or far, may we be open to God's Life giving Spirit at work in our lives and in the world.

Letting our Light shine…for 50 years and more! Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-05-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

First, I hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend. I'm proud to say a number of our folks were involved in the Memorial Day activities both at Memorial Island yesterday and at the Navy Seal Museum in Ft. Pierce. (I saw Arnie Schwichtenburg, our Pearl Harbor survivor, on TV last night, which covered his speaking at the Navy Seal Museum earlier that day!) And whether you were at either of those or not, I hope whatever you did included remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Now that the first "official weekend" of summer has come, we are into our summer schedule at Our Savior (along with most other congregations in our community). We continue to worship on Saturday at 6pm but go to just one service on Sunday at 9:30am. This schedule will run through August. Also, Pastor Clark's Wednesday morning Bible study continues through the summer.

But with the summer schedule comes some extra and different kinds of activities around Our Savior. Day Camp for all kids entering 1st through 8th grades will be held June 20 -24. There are only a few spots left.

How about "Ballroom Dancing"? Dance classes will be offered each Thursday evening, 6:30-7:30pm, beginning June 30 through September 1. Cost is $5 per person. Sounds like fun!

On Wednesday evenings, from 6:30-8pm (same time as the Youth Group meets) there will be an adult summer Bible Study meeting in Room 4. This will be a great opportunity for some good fellowship and Bible study for working folks and parents of Youth Group members to gather during the summer.

This coming weekend, we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord along with commissioning our Mission Trip Team (members of our Youth Group) who will be heading to Alabama next week to help with tornado relief efforts.

The following weekend, June 11-12 we celebrate Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples in a dramatic way in Jerusalem. If you speak a language other than English and would like to read part of the Pentecost story in that language during either the 6pm Saturday or 9:30am Sunday service, please email or call the church office and Pastor Shelly will be in touch with you about that.

And finally, it looks like ground breaking for our 50th Anniversary Building Project will be Sunday June 19! Stay tuned!

So, as another summer season begins to unfold, may this be for you another season of seeing God's Spirit at work in some perhaps new and different ways: in our comings and goings, our building project, in special worship focuses, and in the beauty and wonder of God's creation.

Peace and Joy, Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-05-17T10:54:00.001-07:00

We certainly live in amazing world. I was in Columbus Ohio at 8am this morning, and have now been in the office here at Our Savior in Vero Beach for a couple of hours already, and it's only a little after 3pm! For a lot of regular business travelers (Amy, Marty, etc.) that's probably not surprising, since you do this on a regular basis. But it still amazes me.

Having just arrived back after a week of being gone, here are just a few things to share with you.

For one, tomorrow morning at 11am there will be a Memorial Service for Shirley Walker. Shirley was a member at Our Savior longer than anyone. She joined Our Savior shortly after the congregation was born 50 years ago. All are welcome to attend the service.

Speaking of our congregation being born 50 years ago, as you probably know, we are in the middle of a building project which we plan on completing by around Thanksgiving of this year! Presently our contractor, Bill Bryant is gathering bids from qualified sub contractors and suppliers. If you are, or know of someone who fits this category and would like to offer a bid for this project, please contact Bill Bryant at 567-0045 (area code 772…local).

A part of our being in this community for 50 years also means being involved in many different aspects of this community's life. One way that you might be interested in serving is at the Harvest Food and Outreach Center here in Vero. They are presently in need of volunteers for their emergency food and clothing bank, as well as volunteer teachers who would meet with people who need help with money management, relationship issues, and healthy eating habits, among other things. If you are interested in learning more about these volunteer opportunities, please call 772-770-2665 or go to volunteersirc@harvestfoodoutreach.org or stop by at 1360 28th Street here in Vero Beach. God's work; our hands!

This is only one of many ways our folks are involved in our community.

As this Easter season continues to unfold, there are plenty of opportunities to be God's Easter people involved and making a difference in the world which longs to hear the Good Shepherd's voice and which is hungry for the food the Good Shepherd has to offer.

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-05-02T10:18:00.001-07:00

Having our littlest Sunday School children sing at the 11am service yesterday was a wonderful way to continue to Easter celebration here at Our Savior! Many thanks to them all.

I was asked about a reference I made in the sermon yesterday about “God said No”. This came from a poem by the name “And God said ‘No’”. If you “google” that, you will find the entire poem and the story behind it.

As these 7 weeks of Easter unfold, a number of things will be happening around Our Savior that you might want to be aware of. Along with Pastor Clark’s regular Wednesday morning Bible study at 10am, mid-week “Prayer and Meditation” and “God Pause” gatherings have resumed at noon. This past week “God Pause” met, this week the “Prayer and Meditation” group will meet in the “Quiet Room” off of the narthex. These two gatherings will alternate each week at noon.

This coming Sunday, Mother’s Day, May 10, will be the last day of Sunday School for this season. All children will meet in the Fellowship Hall for awards, recognitions and a celebration of this year of Sunday School.

Looking ahead, on Saturday and Sunday May 28-29, scholarships will be presented to members of Our Savior who will be attending college or graduate school in the coming school year.

Also on Sunday, May 29 at 9:45am, we will hold our annual Spring congregational meeting. New Church Council members will be elected and there will be an update on our 50th Anniversary Building Project. If construction hasn’t begun by then, it will likely begin shortly thereafter! So, plan on joining us at that meeting to get the latest information on this big step in the life of Our Savior during this our 50th year of ministry here in Vero Beach.

As this second week of Easter unfolds, may you have eyes to see the Risen Christ at work in your lives and in the world around us. Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Peace be with you. Pastor Jack + www.oursaviorelca.com

2011-04-28T08:38:00.001-07:00

According to Dr. Mark Allan Powell of Trinity Seminary in Columbus Ohio, the second happiest people in the world are grateful people. When a person recognizes his or her blessings and is grateful, everything looks better. Gratitude colors one’s life and helps a person see blessings even in difficult situations. Yes, the second happiest people in the world are grateful people.

So, if the second happiest people are grateful people, who are the happiest?

Generous people! Really. When we are generous we look outside of ourselves, we are more Christ-like, we become more of whom God made us to be. Look around. Think of the happy people you know. I'm thinking generosity is a big part of their lives. I know some of the things that make me happiest are when I'm being generous.

During this 50^th Year Anniversary of Our Savior, we have some extra opportunity to be grateful and to be generous. Many have already done so!

To back up a little, at our annual meeting this past January, the congregation voted to move ahead with a building proposal to expand our narthex, “gathering and sending” space and do some important upgrading on our present church building among other things. The estimated cost for all of this is in the area of $700,000.

The plans are being developed and the fund raising has begun. That involved a letter with a picture of our proposal and a “plan for giving” card which went out to everyone on our mailing list.

HOWEVER, some of our folks, due to a computer glitch, did not receive that letter. If you didn’t receive that letter and card, please let us know and we’ll get one to you.

But to get back to the early part of this email, the early results of the fund raising part of our 50^th Anniversary Building Plans reflect that there are some happy, grateful and generous people in our congregation! To date a total of $300,00 has been spoken for, both in gifts and commitments.

If you have any questions or input about the project or giving opportunities please feel free to call the church office (772-567-2253). Also, please plan on coming to our Spring congregational meeting on Sunday May 29 at 9:45am, between the services, in the sanctuary. At that meeting we’ll have an update on both the building and fund raising progress and be able to point out what will be happening.

So as these early days of Easter unfold and as we continue to move into this 50th year of letting our light shine here at Our Savior, we have a lot for which to be grateful and some wonderful opportunities to be generous. That sounds like the makings of some pretty happy people, as we work together and combine our gifts to reflect the Light and Love of the Risen Christ among us! J

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com

2011-04-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

As we head into the last couple weeks of Lent here are a couple of reminders: this will be the last Wednesday for our Lent meals and mid week services. Lunch following the 11am service and supper beginning at 6pm before the 7pm service. Just this morning at our Men's Breakfast someone said he wasn't much in favor of these "sand art" messages for Lent when he first heard about them, but after seeing them, he changed his mind, and said how engaging and meaningful they've been. Even if you haven't been to any of the Wednesday services yet, you have one more opportunity this Wednesday to see what we've been talking about. And the setting "Holden Evening Prayer" which we use on Wednesday evening, is beautiful and meaningful in and of itself. Hope you can join us.

This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday. Three of our youngsters will be celebrating their First Communion at the 8:30 service, and we will be celebrating a Baptism as well.

During the Sunday School hour, Pastor Shelly's husband, Kent Annan will be leading a discussion on his new book, "After Shock". This class will meet in the west end of the Fellowship Hall.

Watch next week for our detailed Holy Week schedule. (Or check out our website: www.oursaviorelca.com)

These last couple of weeks we've been saying "Good-bye" to a lot of our seasonal folks. If you are numbered among those, may your travels be safe and your summer be blessed, til we see you again next season! One of the real blessings of being a congregation here in Florida is having a real sense of being a part of the extended Body of Christ, sometimes with many miles between us, but still connected. As the one old favorite hymn goes, "Blest be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love…".

So, whether you are near or far, may these last days of Lent be a blessing to you and may our Lenten journey bring us closer to our Lord and to each other…even if miles separate us.

Living in God's amazing grace, Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-03-21T10:38:00.001-07:00

There's no other time of the year quite like the Spring as to how the church calendar and this season of the year compliment each other. Especially with the recent time change, we really see how the days are getting longer, which is where we get the word "Lent", from an old English word referring to the "lengthening" of the days. And with the lengthening of the days, we see new life springing up all around us.

While we've seen that for a while already here in Vero Beach, with the new tender green leaves on the oaks and the Azalea's in blossom among other things, I saw another sign of Spring last week while we were visiting our son and his family in Columbus Ohio. Even though it still very much looks like winter in many ways (bare trees, mostly brown fields) if you look closely, on just about every tree and bush there are tiny buds just waiting to bust open. And in the middle of our son's front yard, there in the grass, was a little purple crocus that poked it's head up and seemed to be saying, "Spring is just around the corner!"

Ahhh…new life coming, a fresh start for God's creation, new birth. Isn't that what the season of Lent is about also? This is the time of year that began on Ash Wednesday when we reflected on our mortality…that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Then throughout this season, we get to gather to reflect on both those things in us that perhaps need to die or be made new, but also then on the promise that God can and does make things new, as we walk towards Easter…the day when God's New Life sprang out from the empty tomb and the world has never been the same.

Those are the things that both our church calendar and God's creation around reminds us of at this time of the year.

Speaking of this time of the year, we have Lenten services at 11am each Wednesday followed by a light lunch and at 7pm preceded by a Lenten supper at 6pm. The morning service is a service of prayer and hymns and the evening service uses the musical setting "Holden Evening Prayer". At each service there is a message which comes in the fascinating form of "Sand Art". Can't really be described. You just have to see it. Hope you can join us.

And speaking of new life springing up! Today a letter will be going out to all friends and members of Our Savior about our 50th Anniversary Building Program. This is a wonderful plan that has developed over the past several years which will provide, much better "gathering, sending and overflow" space for worship, more meeting space for both during the week and Sunday morning, and some much needed maintenance on our existing sanctuary. You will be able to read about it soon in the special mailing that is going out as I write this email. Special thanks to the crew who came in today to put this all together. Headed up by Marilyn Fisher, the crew consisted of: Helena Pierson, Carol Artigas, Sue Siket, and Barbara Preuss. This project will be above and beyond our regular offerings, but is well within our capability if everyone does his or her part. If you have any questions about our plans or how you'd like to be a part of them, please feel free to give me a call. I look forward to taking this step with you all.

As this Spring season unfolds, keep your eyes and ears open for signs of God's New Life springing up all around us at this time of the year.

For more information about the life and ministry of Our Savior please visit our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

God's work; our hands. Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2011-03-07T06:14:00.000-08:00

Having come to the mountain top this past weekend (Transfiguration Sunday), we are about to enter our Lenten journey on Ash Wednesday, March 9, with services at 11am and 7pm. In these services we will be brought to Ezekiel's Valley of the Dry Bones, via a chancel drama. The imposition of ashes will also be offered at each service. Child care will be offered at the 7pm service.

There will be no meals offered on Ash Wednesday, but beginning the following Wednesday, March 16, there will be a light lunch served following the 11am Lenten service and a light supper at 6pm preceding the 7pm Lenten service throughout Lent. The setting for the evening service will once again be the much loved Holden Evening Prayer.

Along with these special worship opportunities during Lent, Our Savior has also been invited to be a part of a "Circle of Faith" Habitat Build during March and the first part of April. A number of churches in the community are combining efforts to build a Habitat House in 6 weeks! Work will happen every day (except Sunday) and volunteers are needed to help with the building as well as providing lunches and or snacks for about 20-25 of our volunteers . In particular, lunches are needed early in April (4th-7th and 10th-13th) when there will be some college Spring Breakers down to work. If you can volunteer in any way, call Don Poust at 567-0803 or Jessica Schmitt at Habitat at 562-9860,ext. 212 or email her at: jschmitt@irchabitat.org. The location of this house is 6565 5th Street, on the southwest end of Vero Beach.

And speaking of building, our 50th Anniversary Building Team (Allan Klotsche, Martin Preuss, George Dann, Lynn Silkworth, Mark Davia, Bill Halliday, Nancy Ogonoski, Norm Stevenson and John Banitt) has been working hard and is very encouraged about our expansion and renovation building plans. After many years of planning, visioning and brainstorming, Lynn Silkworth, who was a part of the building team when our present sanctuary was built 28 years ago, and who has been a part of the visioning process over the years, has developed a beautiful and functional design which will maintain the beauty and use of our existing sanctuary, while expanding the "gathering and sending" space, along with providing extra room for other activities, and addressing some basic maintenance issues which come with time. Already some special gifts have begun to come in designated for this project. Within the next couple of weeks a special mailing will go out to members and friends of Our Savior giving a number of ways people can be a part of this project. The overall cost of this 50th Anniversary Building Plan will be in the neighborhood of $700,000, so it will take everyone's participation, be it large or small, to bring it to fruition. Please keep this in your prayers and consider how you might be able to be a part of it.

This is really an amazing journey we are on together. And the world has a great need for places where faith is nurtured and passed along. That is what Our Savior has been about for the past 50 years, and this latest undertaking will be a great step in helping us continue being a "Vibrant Faith" congregation, where AAA (Authentic, Affirming and Available) Christians are grown and nurtured. It's wonderful to be a part of this with you all. God's work; our hands.

Gratefully, Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III + www.oursaviorelca.com

And for more information about having and growing a Vibrant Faith for you or your family, you might want to check out: www.faithformationlearningexchange.net. This site is for pastors and church workers, but also has some great information for parents and families as well.

2011-03-02T06:13:00.001-08:00

Spring is in the air around Our Savior! The temperatures are warming, the "fuzzies" are blowing out of the oak trees, the new, tender little green leaves are busting out, the "yellow dust" from the pines is on everything, alergies are kicking in and we've said "Goodbye til next season!" this past weekend to the first of our seasonal folks who are leaving! It's Springtime in Florida!

It's also time (although later than usual) to transition from the Epiphany Season into Lent. This coming weekend we celebrate Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday of Epiphany, as we remember that mountain top experience with Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John, and then lock away our Alleluias during our sending hymn.

At our 8:30 service this coming Sunday, we get to celebrate the consecration of our second deacon, Carole Olsen! A little over a year ago, Allan Klotsche was consecrated as Our Savior's first deacon. This follows a 2 year diakonia course of study and hands on service in the congregation. The deacon is an office in the church of "Word and Service", which differs from the office of Pastor which is an office of "Word and Sacrament". Congratulations to Carole as she takes this big step in her service to our Lord and to the church.

Speaking of service, this coming summer our Youth Group will be going on another mission trip to West Virginia! To help fund the trip, this coming Saturday, March 5, there will be a Youth Group Car Wash from 9am til noon, then a dinner and silent auction Saturday evening. One seating for the dinner will be at 5pm and the second seating will be at 6:30pm. Call our Youth Director, Jimmy Smith for more info. at 567-2253, or talk to him Wednesday night at our church supper!

Speaking of our Wednesday night supper, this week's menu is Swiss Steak, mashed potatoes and steamed carrots. PLEASE NOTE: This will be our last regular Wednesday supper before Lent. Next Wednesday, March 9 is Ash Wednesday and there will be no meals that day. However, beginning Wednesday March 16 and throughout Lent there will be a light Lenten lunch following the 11am Lenten Service on Wednesdays and a light Lenten supper at 6pm, preceding the Lenten Service on Wednesdays at 7pm.

Also, on this first Wednesday of the month, the Lutheran Men in Mission will meet at 7pm in room 4. All men of the church are invited and welcome to attend. This week we will be talking about the upcoming Easter Breakfast which the Men in Mission take on with help from the members of the Youth Group. Proceeds from the breakfast go to support summer camping and mission trip experiences for the youth group.

So, as we enter another season of the year, and as the new life and growth springs up around us, remember the words of Jesus from this past Sunday, near the end of the sermon on the mount: Look at the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. They neither sew nor reap, nor toil nor spin, yet look how the heavenly Father cares for them! Why should you worry about those things that the Father knows you need? Then go out and live your life as confident, faithful, generous and beloved children of God who know that your life is safely in God's hands!

See you in church! Pastor Jack + www.oursaviorelca.com

2011-02-21T11:46:00.000-08:00

These past several weekends have brought us on a wonderful journey through the Sermon on the Mount. This past weekend we continued that journey as Pastor Shelly gave us some wonderful new insights into those old, but ever new, words of Jesus. In telling us about turning the other cheek, going the extra mile and loving our enemies, Jesus shows us a way in which violence and hatred can be met in a way which neither perpetuates those things nor succombs to them, but which rather values justice and honors all people. This is yet another example of how the Christian life is always a work in progress.

As this week unfolds, and as we grow into the new life that Jesus brought and continues to bring into our world, here are some events and activities that you might want to be a part of.

Our Wednesday suppers continue at 6pm. Throughout the week items will be gathered for our WELCA "Grandma's Attic" sale this coming Saturday, Feb.26. Proceeds go to local charities. Next weekend, we will be receiving new members at all three services. This is a wonderful, gifted group of people who have come to us from within our community, from South Florida and from a number of northern states. Be sure to offer these folks a warm welcome. On Sunday evening, from 5-8pm, the Sunshine Physical Therapy Clinic will be holding their annual "Founders and Friends" event at which Pastor Jack will be the honored guest. The dinner is $35 and will be at the Heritage Center. Call 772-562-6877 for more information.

Our Savior's building plans are moving ahead quickly. Best case scenario is that the plans and financial gifts all come together so that construction can begin after Easter and be finished for our 50th Anniversary celebration late next Fall. These are exciting times! Be watching for more information and be thinking and praying about how you can be a part of this.

For other information about the life and ministry of Our Savior, please check out our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

Finally, occasionally throughout the year you might see a big motor home parked in our field (which has been there again recently). On the side it says "SheaLaurel". In case you were wondering, this motor home belongs to one of the most talented families you will ever come across. This is Tom and Janet Burke's daughter and her family, who travel throughout the country (and the world) making beautiful music and bringing joy where ever they go. Below is some information about an upcoming performance of "Irish Music and Dance" at the Vero Beach Performing Art Center on Sunday March 13. If you haven't seen and heard these talented folks, here is a wonderful opportunity to do so. (In addition to the information below, check out their website for more information about them and other performances.)

Irish Roots

The Florida Irish American Society presents ShaeLaurel, Irish Music and Dance, on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 2 pm and 6 pm at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, at 1707 16th Street, Vero Beach.

Tickets are $25 for the Lower Orchestra Level and $20 for the Upper Mezzanine Level. Visa & MasterCard are accepted. Call 772-564-5537 to reserve your seats today. For more information about this venue, please visit www.vbhs.org. This International Cultural Event is appropriate for the entire family!

ShaeLaurel has thrilled audiences all over the world with their amazing talent and dazzling showmanship. Performing a unique blend of fast fiddling Irish and contemporary music, ShaeLaurel’s fun and comedic stage show has thrilled audiences around the world: from the US to Canada, Europe, the UK and China. Their high-energy performances feature an amazing blend of musical acrobatics and traditional Irish Step and American Dance. Featured on regional television and radio shows as well as international programs and ABC TV, ShaeLaurel reaches out to audiences of all ages with heart-stopping performances that will leave you wanting more! For more information about this group, please visit www.shaelaurel.com.

The FIAS builds friendships in the Vero Beach community by promoting Irish spirit, culture and appreciation for Irish heritage. They hold weekly lunches, monthly meetings, conduct fundraisers, and participate in the St Patrick's Day parade. The club also has dinners and dancing with live entertainment. For more information about the Florida Irish American Society, please call 772-569-1460 or visit www.IrishClubVeroBeach.com

###

Crystal Corrigan, Auditorium Director

Office 772-564-5497

Fax 772-564-5546

To Order Tickets, please call the Box Office at 772-564-5537

Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center

1707 16th Street

Vero Beach, FL 32960

crystal.corrigan@indianriverschools.org

www.VBHS.org

2011-02-14T11:41:00.000-08:00

First, Happy Valentine's Day! While there are a number of legends about St. Valentine, through them all he is remembered as one who valued human love and marriage. One of the legends is that while the Emperor of Rome made it illegal for soldiers to marry (he thought the men would make better warriors if they weren't married) Valentine, a priest at the time, would secretly perform weddings for soldiers who wanted to be married. And eventually Valentine was imprisoned, and some legends say even killed for doing that. But since then, he has been remembered as one who recognized the power and wonder of human love. So, today, we too remember and celebrate that with those we love.

Here are a few things coming up in the both near and more distant future for us here at Our Savior:

About this time of the year we often have a class for all youngsters to begin receiving Holy Communion for the first time. If you have a child, or know of one, who isn't yet receiving Holy Communion, please let Pastor Shelly or me know and we'll make arrangements to have a class for both the parents and the children who would like to become a part of the communing members.

Habitat for Humanity is going to be having a special "Faith Build" in March, where a number of congregations from our community will join efforts to build a home in one month. Work will happen every day and volunteers and funds will be gathered from a number of congregations in Vero Beach. If you'd like to be a part of this in any way, contact the church office or Don Poust, one of our key Habitat volunteers.

This Wednesday our third of three "New Member" orientation classes meets at 6:30, following supper (which begins at 6pm). Anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just in learning more about our congregation, is welcome to attend.

Our "Building Team" is coming together nicely and will soon be getting more and more information out about our building proposal. Please watch for this information and how you can be a part of it. Our goal is to have enough up front gifts and a financial plan together for the building to begin after Easter and be finished in time for our 50th Anniversary celebration next December. You will be hearing more very soon!

As this week now unfolds, may the love that we share on this Valentine's Day with those special people in our lives be a reflection of that great love that comes first from God and who gives us clean hearts and new and right spirits.

Peace, Joy and Love + Pastor Jack Diehl www.oursaviorelca.com

2011-02-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

Our journey through this wonderful season of Epiphany continues, as we bask in the light of Christ and then carry that light out into the world. Here are a few things especially on our minds here at Our Savior as this week unfolds.

This coming Wednesday (Feb. 9), after supper (chicken marsala this week), there will be a gathering for anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or simply in knowing more about our congregation. We will meet at 6:30pm in rooms 4 and 5 this Wednesday and the following, plus we will meet in the sanctuary next Sunday, Feb. 13 at 9:45am, during the Sunday School hour. These are always great opportunities to get to know both God and one another in some new ways.

We are now in the second week after our annual congregational meeting where the congregation voted to move ahead with a building proposal offered by one of our resident architects, Lynn Silkworth. This building plan involves a new narthex, expanded gathering/sending space, a "cry room/bride's room/extra meeting room, and a new covered walkway, along with some important maintenance work on our sanctuary which is now about 28 years old. Already some special gifts are coming in toward this project. Watch for lots more info to come. What a great 50th Anniversary project for our congregation this year!

Along with that project, Our Savior has also recently become one of only a few "teaching congregations" in the Florida/Bahama's Synod. As a "teaching congregation" we are an important part of our seminarian's (Bonnie Lanyi) "Distributed Learning" element as a student at Luther Seminary. What this means is that not only does Bonnie have an opportunity here to learn and develop skills as a pastor, but we benefit from the wonderful ministry she offers at the same time. It's a privilege and an honor to be working with Bonnie in this way.

Looking ahead, this coming Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10am there will be a "Celebration of Life" service remembering Bob Russell who died last week. Bob and Barbara have been an important part of Our Savior's life and ministry for many years. Please join us as we share both the loss and good memories with Barbara and her family, and as we commend Bob into God's gracious eternal keeping.

The following Saturday, Feb. 19, we will offer a "Spiritual Gift's Workshop" from about 9am til 2pm, as we explore what gifts God has given us and how we are called to use those gifts. Please call the office to reserve a place.

For more activities around Our Savior, please see our website at: www.oursaviorelca.com.

One final word: During Confirmation class yesterday between the services, we talked about being salt and light (from the Gosple reading from yesterday). The "being light" part was pretty understandable, but the question was, "What does it mean to be salt?" One of the things we talked about was how before refrigeration, salt was used to preserve food, to keep it from going bad. As "salt", by the power of the Holy Spirit, God sends us into the world to keep it from going bad! That's one simple way of looking at that image, but not a bad one! So, go out and be salt and light in a world that is in great need of both!

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl

2011-02-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

Joys and sorrows; our life together is filled with both of those things, and especially this past weekend.

As most of you know by now, our dear Ruth Ann Gasparik died unexpectedly Friday morning. She was the president of WELCA and one of our key volunteers in the office (coming in 3 full days a week), among other things. A service for Ruth Ann will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 11am here at the church.
Yesterday we held our annual congregational meeting. Copies of the reports are available in the church office. The main action taken was to approve the moving ahead of a proposed building program to expand the "gathering and sending" space for worship, which will also provide extra space for some classes and other gatherings both on Sunday and during the week. Much more information will be coming as we begin this 50th Anniversary Year for Our Savior Lutheran Church here in Vero Beach.

Our Wednesday suppers continue this Wednesday. The menu is: baked ham, pineapple casserole, parsley potatoes and "Lutheran Green Beans" (there's a story behind these!) Come and enjoy a meal and some great fellowship. Supper is served at 6pm. Helpers, especially for clean-up, are always welcome.

Last Wednesday after supper over 20 people gathered for an Enneagram presentation. This was a most enjoyable and interesting time of learning more about our various personality types and what our various gifts are. At the end of this email is some information on follow up gatherings on this topic at the Center for Spiritual Care here in Vero Beach.

Looking ahead, next Sunday, Feb. 6, it will be Scout Sunday nationwide. Here at Our Savior we will have a number of our scouts serving in worship in a number of ways along with our own scout troop providing a pancake breakfast, in appreciation for the support they receive here at Our Savior. The breakfast will be served from 8am til 11am in the Fellowship Hall.

Later on Sunday afternoon there will be a "Four Chaplain's Service", remembering the four chaplains, of four different faith communities, who gave their lives so that others could survive when the Dorchester was torpedoed and sunk during WW II. The service will be held at

Now, as this week unfolds, may we remember the words of the beatitudes from yesterday's Gospel reading (Mt. 5:1-12) where Jesus speaks words of blessing, then go out into the week both as God's children who are both blessed and called to be a blessing. Have a blessed week!

Pastor Jack Diehl +

2011-01-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

This is a great time of the year here at Our Savior! This past weekend it was so good to have so many of our regular seasonal folks worshipping with us again, along with new visitors and new residents in the area. Welcome, and welcome back to all!

As we live out our identity as God's beloved, called to be children of the Light and of the Day, here are some settings and ways for that to happen this week. (This isn't an exhaustive list, but some of the highlights. For more info check out our website: www.oursaviorelca.com).

Our Wednesday suppers continue at 6pm, with Youth Group following at 6:30pm. This Wednesday we will start serving a little early so that whoever would like can get to the book signing at the Vero Beach Book Center at 7pm! Kent Annan, Pastor Shelly's husband will be there signing his new book," After Shock: Searching for Honest Faith When Your World is Shaken".

On Friday, there will be a Haiti Partners dinner at 6pm at the Community Church. The theme of the evening is "Focusing on Hope". There will be videos, guests from Haiti, a silent auction and great food as we hear about life in Haiti since the earthquake one year ago and the signs of hope that are springing up. Cost is $30 and tickets are available through Wednesday by calling 772-778-1070.

The "Spiritual Gifts" workshop scheduled for this coming Saturday, Jan. 22, is being rescheduled for Saturday, February 19 here at Our Savior. This will put it closer to, and connect it with, our next New Member Gatherings which will take place on Feb. 9, 13 and 16. If you're interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just learning more about Our Savior, mark your calendars and join us on those dates.

Looking ahead to next Sunday afternoon, at 4pm, there will be a service of prayer for Christian Unity at Christ by the Sea Methodist Church. Ten congregations, including ours, will be involved in this service. In our ever increasingly polarized world, here is a place we can affirm a unity we share in Christ and celebrate that together. All are welcome.

As this week unfolds, may you live in God's peace and let your light shine! See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl

2011-01-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

Dear Called, Chosen, and Sent Ones,

That's quite an identity, but in Baptism that is all true! This past weekend in worship we both celebrated that and reflected on that. In Pastor Shelly's sermon, she mentioned one way that can help us live that out. For all of you "list people" out there, this will be especially meaningful. (I'm one of them, so I really appreciated this gift this past Christmas.) What Pastor Shelly was referring to is a little notepad we each received this past Christmas from Melissa, one of our members, for making a "to do" list. The unique part of this notepad is that the first 5 things on the "to do list" are already written in. They are: 1) Love God; 2) Serve God; 3) Praise God; 4) Remember to ask God for help; and 5) Thank God. No better way to start your "to do" list than like that!

One other note from yesteday's worship: "Here I raise my Ebenezer: 'Hither by thy help I've come'". Say what???!!?? That's the opening line of the 2nd verse of "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing", and probably one of the most non-understandable (if that's a word) lines in any hymn. That expression comes from an Old Testament reference to a stone monument of sorts that was raised to mark the place where God intervened and helped his people. The word actually means "stone of help". So, to "raise an Ebenezer" is to mark a place, actually or figuratively, where God has stepped in to help his people.

Looking to this week: Our Wednesday suppers continue at 6pm. This week, Chicken Cordon Bleu. Following the supper the Lutheran Men in Mission will be meeting at 7pm in room 4. This is the meeting that was postponed from last week. Also, the Enneagram workshop has been postponed til a later date. If interested, let me know. The tentative date for that workshop is Wednesday January 26.

As a part of our "End of Life Issues" adult Sunday School class, there will be a tour of the Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, 1655 27th Street, just east of the new County Administative buildings complex, this Friday, January 14 at 1pm. You don't have to have been at the class to join us.

May you all live out your Baptism faithfully this week! See you in church! Peace and Joy + Pastor Jack

2010-12-29T08:04:00.000-08:00

On this 4th of the 12 days of Christmas, I hope all are still basking in the Light of the Christ Child and reflecting on the wonder of Christmas.

Just a couple notes this week: Since New Year's Day is Saturday, we will not have our regular Saturday service at 6pm, and since the schools are still on Christmas break, there will be no Sunday School this coming Sunday, January 2.

At the 8:30 and 11am services this coming Sunday, January 2, we will be celebrating Epiphany with the procession of three kings, incense and all! This is the day that we celebrate that Jesus, the Christ Child, was the Messiah and God's Light for the whole world, Jews and Gentiles! What better way to start the New Year than gathering around that!

Our regular schedule of Saturday worship at 6pm and 8:30 and 11am worship with Sunday School at 9:45 will resume on January 9, and our Wednesday suppers will resume January 5.

May these 12 days of Christmas and the beginning of the New Year be filled with God's Lightand Peace and Love for you and yours.

See you in church!
Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-12-21T10:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a wonderful journey through Advent! Many thanks to our Sunday School children and parents who brought the Advent season to a culmination yesterday at our 11am service with their annual Christmas Program. What a wonderful celebration. A special thanks to Charlotte Elizabeth Roble, born October 3, (Dr. Linda Aiken's granddaughter) who was Baptized at the 8:30 service and came back to be "baby Jesus" at the 11am service. She truly lived out in a hurry what Martin Luther said that each of of our callings is as a Baptized child of God, that is to be a "little Christ" in the world!

We now stand on the threshold of the Christmas celebration.

On Christmas Eve we have 2 candlelight communion services: one at 6pm with our Handbell Choir ringing and one at 9pm with our Chancel Choir singing. There will be preservice music beginning about 1/2 hour before each service.

On Christmas Day there will be a service with Holy Communion at 11am followed by our annual Home Alone Christmas Dinner at noon. The menu will be mashed potatoes, gravy, roast beef and all the fixins! This is our gift to the community. If you'd like to make a reservation, reply to this email and we'll save a seat for you.

Since Christmas Day is on Saturday this year, there will be no regular 6pm Saturday service, but there will be two services of Lessons and Carols on Sunday at 8:30 and 11am.

At Christmas we celebrate that God has not stayed far off in an unknown distance, but has come to be with us in the person of Jesus. May these holy days be filled with the Peace, Joy and Love of the Christ Child for all of you.

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III,

2010-12-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, oh Israel." During these weeks of Advent we have been singing this refrain every time we prepare to hear the reading of the Gospel. It is especially fitting at that point in our worship, because there is one of the places where Emmanuel, Jesus, the Word become flesh, comes to us…through God's Word.

But that's not the only place God comes to us. Along with coming to us in worship, in His Word and in Holy Communion, God also comes into the dark places of his creation and of our lives…the places where people are hurting or sick or suffering or lonely. As the one verse in "It Came upon the Midnight Clear" goes, "And you, beneath life's crushing load, whose forms are bending low, who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow; look now, for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing; oh, rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing!" God doesn't leave us alone, forsaken. God comes among us. And that is our reason for Hope, for Joy and for Peace in this wonderful season.

As the last weekend in Advent approaches, the Sunday School children will be helping us hear the Christmas story at the 11am service this coming Sunday, December 19. There will be shepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph and some wonderful singing by the children. This is a wonderful way to experience the wonder and joy of the Christmas message…through our children helping to tell the story. At the 6pm and 8:30am services Pastor Jack will be sharing "An Advent Monologue" by Walt Wangerin Jr. (If you get "The Lutheran" be sure to read "Jesus. Him." on page 28 of the recent December 2010 issue by Wangerin.)

Because of the upcoming Christmas Home Alone Dinner here at church and all of the other preparations and activities at this time of the year, our Wednesday suppers are taking a little recess, but will resume on Wednesday January 5.

As we enter the last days of Advent, may they be filled with Hope, Peace and Joy for you and yours. See you in church!

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-12-07T10:07:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, one word which rose to the surface in our worship was "Hope". In the middle of desperate times for Israel, Isaiah spoke a word of hope. Over the centuries, God's people, trusting in God's promises, have been a people of hope. And the hope we share is not just wishful thinking, but is in that One, the "…shoot that shall come out from the stump of Jesse…", Jesus himself, who came among us to bring us God's Light and Truth and Life.

Among the images of hope that Pastor Shelly shared, was that of Nancy Ogonoski's Christmas tree last year, which began sprouting forth new growth, much to everyone's surprise! That's a picture of hope, where life springs up in a most unexpected way. (So, what ultimately happened to that tree, many have asked? Well, not only did new growth sprout forth from the branches, but as Spring approached, little critters which had been laying dormant in the tree, also "sprung forth" from the tree and began flying all around inside the house! The tree was out of there! :-) But wasn't that also another sign of life springing up in an unexpected way?!) Hope is sometimes surprising!

Along with that image of hope, Pastor Shelly also told the story of Christa Brelsford who lost a leg in the earthquake in Haiti, but who out of that tragedy has helped build a new school in cooperation with Haiti Partners where the former school was destroyed in the earthquake. If you click on the following link, you can see and hear more about Christa's story, and hope springing up in the midst of the destruction and rubble of a country cut down to the stump.

http://www.haitipartners.org/2010/12/christa-brelsford-on-nbcs-today-show/

Another local way of living out the hope God gives us, this past weekend, our Men in Mission held their annual Christmas Gift fundraiser by providing some wonderful food after each worship service. Here's a message from our Men in Mission leader, Jack Mill, which he sent out to the guys after this weekend's event.

"God's grace never ceases to amaze me! What a great group of Men in Mission and what a wonderful and generous turnout from Our Savior Lutheran Church for our BBBS (Big Brother Big Sister) Christmas Fundraiser! ALL the food was delicious and well received by the congregation. A total of $1902.83 was raised so that needy children can have a Christmas present this year. THANK YOU very much and may God bless you all!"

(A big thank you to Jack Mill for heading up this great project up and to all the guys who make it happen. This coming Wednesday evening the Youth Group will be taking the money and going Christmas shopping for these children. They will then come back, wrap the gifts and make arrangements for the families to get them. What a wonderful cooperative way of sharing God's love in this season!)

As this week unfolds, may we all be a people of hope, seeing God's new life springing up in all kinds of unexpected ways and places, as we wait and watch for the clebration of the coming of the Christ Child in that unexpected way and place, in a lowly manger, for you and for me.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 15:13)

See you in church!

Pastor Jack

2010-11-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

We have definitely entered the "Holiday Season", with Thanksgiving and the first Sunday in Advent coming on the same weekend! Many thanks to all who made it such a great Thanksgiving Day here at Our Savior with the Thanksgiving service at 11am and Thanksgiving Dinner at noon. About 140 people were served and all of the "reviews" were great! A special thanks to our chief cook, Colleen Heagy who spent the last days before Thanksgiving here in the church kitchen getting everything going.

And speaking of food, our Wednesday suppers resume this week, with beef pot roast on the menu. These are wonderful opportunities to have a great meal and get to visit with other members of the Our Savior church family. A donation basket is available for you to help cover the cost of the meal. Plan on joining us.

This coming weekend, our Lutheran Men in Mission will be serving some very special refreshments after all 3 services, including Saturday evening. This is a part our annual Christmas gift project in cooperation with Our Savior's Youth Group. Along with the special food, an offering basket will be available for anyone to make a donation which will be used to provide Christmas gifts for a number of families in our community who are in need. At their December 8th meeting, the Youth Group will take the money received from this upcoming weekend, along with information about the families (ages and genders of the children) and go Christmas shopping for them. After the shopping, the gifts are wrapped and the families are notified as to when they can come by and pick up the gifts. This is a wonderful cooperative way so many can work together to be a sign of God's grace at work in this holy season.

So, in the middle of all of the sights, sounds and smells of this season, may they all be reminders of the One who comes to bring us Life and Hope and Peace. May our eyes be open to God's coming, not just at the end of time, but among us now, in this season, in all kinds of ways, great and small. And may we be living examples of God's New Day dawning upon us and all of creation as we "…lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and live honorably as in the day..." (Romans 13, this past Sunday). This is what this season is really about!

See you in church!

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-11-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

As we head into Thanksgiving, we first need to do a little recap of this past weekend. It was really a wonderful weekend at Our Savior beginning with the Annual Holiday Bazaar and Health Fair Saturday morning. Lots of good food, crafts and health related information and activities. Many thanks to all who participated in so many ways.

A special thanks also to those who gave blood at the Bloodmobile which was here Saturday morning. Re: the Bloodmobile, I have to pass this along. This morning I saw the man who runs the Bloodmobile and he made a point to tell me what a pleasure it was to be here at Our Savior. He told me that he takes the bloodmobile all over, to other churches and businesses and events, but that the people at Our Savior we're really extra pleasant and good to work with. And that was a totally unsoliceted comment. (Well, he did want to know who made the great lemon squares which he bought from our bake sale!) :-) But his comments really were sincere. You needed to hear that.

If you weren't able to get your flu shot because your finances are tight, talk to our parish nurse, Bonnie Lanyi. She has some vouchers and information for those who can't afford to get a flu shot.

This past weekend was also the last weekend of the church year, Christ the King Sunday. In her sermon, Pastor Shelly mentioned a wonderful event that happened at the Macy's store in downtown Philadelphia last month. It was inspiring, uplifting and amazing. For those of you who haven't seen it, you can check it out at the following link. Just click on, watch and listen to the words. Very fitting for Christ the King Sunday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU

With Thanksgiving around the corner, this coming Wednesday afternoon at 3pm we'll be setting up for our annual Home Alone Thanksgiving Dinner, which will be at noon on Thanksgiving Day, following our Thanksgiving Service at 11am. If you'd like to volunteer helping set up, peeling potatoes, serving or cleaning up, or if you'd just like to join us for dinner, please call the church office (567-2253). There will be a place for you!

Because of this Thanksgiving Weekend the church office will be closed on Friday and there will no Sunday School this Sunday. Worship for this first Sunday in Advent will be at the normal times: Saturday 6pm and Sunday at 8:30 and 11am.

For those of you who are traveling, may your ways be safe and your homecomings joyful, and may you all have a blessed and gratitude filled Thanksgiving.

Most gratefully yours,
+ Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-11-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

"Anyone unwilling to work should not eat." (2 Thess. 3:10) "Give to everyone who begs from you." (Luke 6:30) We heard one of these verses a week ago, the other yesterday. Being a Christian isn't simple. It calls for wisdom, compassion, and discernment. And as St. Paul went on to say, "Do not be weary in doing what is right."

I began this morning "living" in a car at the Sexton Plaza here in Vero with others who are taking shifts "living" in a car for a 24 hour period which began yesterday. This is a part of "Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week", reminding the community that there are people who in fact are living out of their cars as a result of these difficult economic times. These are families and individuals who really would rather work and be able to support themselves. What the Homeless Family Center, and other agencies like that, are about, is helping families get over the hump and get to that place where they can get back to work. One statistic that stood out for me this morning is that there are over 41,000 homeless children in the state of Florida! These really are tough times for so many. And the Homeless Family Center is one of the places Our Savior helps support, both with donations and by brininging one meal a month to the center. Along with that, if anyone knows of any work that is available, please contact the center at 567-2766. They are always looking for work for their residents.

As we look ahead to this week and beyond around Our Savior, our Tuesday morning fitness class will be held at 10:30. Gloria Basile will be the teacher. Gloria comes with much experience. We're grateful for her helping out in this way!

Our Wednesday supper at 6pm will feature cheeseburgers and baked beans among other things. These suppers have been so very well received. What a great time to get together for some good food and conversation!

This coming Saturday is our annual Holiday Bazaar and Health Fair from 8:30am-1pm! There will be many beautiful crafts and a bake sale (I know there are some wonderful bakers out there…bring your goodies by on Friday between 9am and 3pm or Saturday morning! I'm already looking forward to Carol Javin's cookies among others!) There is no "garage sale" or "Grandma's attic" component this year. You can bring any of those items to the new Harvest Outreach Center Thrift Store on US1 and 28th Street, or any of many good thrift stores in our area. Or wait until February 26, when our WELCA ladies will host a rummage and book sale.

But along with our Bazaar, we have a wonderful Health Fair, which includes: "Healthy Eating" by Gwen Turner, registered dietician; blood pressure checks; flu and pneumonia shots; balance screening by a physical therapist who specializes in vertigo; the Blood Mobile will be here for you to donate blood; Fire Safety presentation by firefighter Tob y Turner; and more. This Saturday Our Savior will be the place to be!

If you'd like a special way to get into the Christmas Spirit, Haiti Partners is in need of volunteers to help write Christmas Cards to be sent out during December. If you can offer a couple of hours doing this, it would be much appreciated. Contact Debbie Coleman at the Haiti Partners office for more information (772-539-8521). The Haiti Partners office is on the first floor of the Bank of America building on the corner of 6th Ave. and 21st Street, just down from the church.

Finally, looking ahead to this coming weekend, November 20-21, this is the last weekend of the church year, Christ the King Sunday! This is also the day when we will be receiving "My Estimate of Giving Plan" cards for 2011. Many of you received these cards in the mail in the last week or so, and a number of you have already returned them! Thank you! But if you haven't, these cards will be available this weekend as you come to church and a basket will be in the church to receive these. This is an important and very helpful way for us as individuals to plan our giving for the coming year, and also for us as a congregation to plan our budget for the coming year. Your being a part of this process is most appreciated.

These are only some of the highlights of what is happening at and through Our Savior. And whatever you do or wherever you go as this week unfolds, may you not grow weary in doing what is right!

See you in church!

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-11-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Fellow Saints, Yes, that is who God calls us to be! This past weekend that is what we celebrated in worship together, as we remembered the saints who have gone before us, received some new saints into our congregation and were reminded that in our Baptism, we are indeed numbered among God's saints. Now, I know myself and I know many of you pretty well, and it may seem like a stretch to call any of us "saints", but this is all the more evidence of the amazing grace of God at work among us.

Speaking of God at work among us here are some things for you to be aware of and possibly be a part of:

1) Our Wednesday suppers continue at 6pm. If you received the latest issue of "The Lutheran" magazine, be sure to read Peter Marty's article on page 3. While he wasn’t writing about our Wednesday suppers directly, what he had to say certainly fit what we do at those suppers! And if you'd like to help set up, serve, or clean up, your help would be very welcome. Set up is usually underway by around 4:30pm. Thanks!

2) This coming weekend at the 11am service several new Christ Care leaders will be recognized and commissioned. This is a wonderful small group ministry at Our Savior. Information about our Christ Care groups will be available at all services.

3) This Saturday morning, November 13, we will have a team walking in this year's "Walk to Remember". So far we have over 15 signed up to walk and it's not too late to join them! The walk supports the local Alzheimers/Parkinsons organization and begins at 8:30am at Riverside Park. For more information contact Penny Dann at gpdann@att.net.

4) Also this coming Saturday there will be a Harvest Block Party at the new Harvest Thrift Center on the corner of 28th Street and US1 from 11am til 2pm. There will be a Bounce House for the kids, face painting, games, raffle prizes, hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. This is Free to the public. And if you want to do some pre-holiday cleaning out, you can bring something to donate to the Thrift Store, or you might want to do some shopping there!

5) Looking ahead, our "Annual Holiday Festival and Health Fair" will be taking place Saturday November 20 from 8:30am til 1pm. Our Bake Sale chairlady, Barbara Hauser says, let's make this the best Bake Sale ever! You can drop off your favorite pie, cake, cookies or other sweet treats anytime on Friday November 19 between 9am and 3pm or bring them by Saturday morning. Along with the Bake Sale there will be crafts to buy, lunch will be avialable and our Health Ministry Team will be offering flu and pnemonia shots, blood pressure checks, the Bloodmobile will be here, massages, and many other healthy activities and information. Mark your calendars because there will be something for everyone November 20! Proceeds all go to local charities.

Whew! And that's only part of what's going on here among the saints at Our Savior. Now as you go about this week, in your comings and goings and contact with others, as one of God's saints, remember, you may be the only Bible someone ever reads.

Have a blessed week.

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-11-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

"Welcome back" has been a common greeting around Our Savior these past few of weeks! And it's good to have so many of our seasonal folks returning…at least for a while. For many, it's back north for the holidays, then back again in January. That all makes for a good rhythm to life here in Vero Beach.

Along with many of our returning friends we also had a number of visiting family and friends at the 11am service as we not only celebrated Reformation Day, but also Confirmation Day for six of our young people. Seeing them, and many of their peers, gathered and celebrating together yesterday and the night before at the Youth Group "Marty Party", was a very real reminder of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit touching the lives of God's people, young and old, and renewing and reforming the church. It was a humbling, inspiring experience.

As this week unfolds there will be a number of opportunities for God's saints to gather and serve. Our popular Wednesday suppers continue with supper served from 6pm til 6:30pm. This has been a great opportunity for folks to visit and have a good meal together, which fits right into the Four Keys for practicing faith: 1) Caring Conversations, 2) Devotions, 3) Service (the supper is prepared, served and cleaned up after all by volunteers!) and 4) Rituals and Traditions.

Following this week's supper, the Lutheran Men in Mission will be meeting in room 4 at 7pm. All men of the church are welcome. The main topic this week will be the Christmas Gift project in conjunction with the Youth Group which includes special refreshments after worship the first weekend in December. More info to come!

On Thursday from 11:30-1:30, some of Our Savior's saints, headed up by George and Lois McAllan, will be hosting the annual "Soup Bowl" supporting the Samaritan Center here in Vero Beach. Our Savior is one of the sites in the community where you can come and enjoy a wonderful soup lunch with various specialty soups donated by local restaurants. Minimum donation: $5.

On Saturday, Nov. 6, "Every Dream Has a Price" will be hosting a fun family day at Dodgertown with activities for all from 11am til 6pm. For more information call Melissa Tripson at 770-9391.

This coming weekend, Nov. 6-7, will be "All Saints" weekend at Our Savior. We will be receiving new members into our congregation at all three services. This is also the time of the year when we remember those saints who have died since All Saints' Day last year and have gone on before us. Along with naming and ringing a bell for those, worshippers will have the opportunity to light a candle for any loved one who has died in this past year. All Saints Day began many years ago as a way of remembering those unnamed martyrs in the early church, but has become a time to remember all those who have gone on before us and to celebrate our being connected to them by the grace of God and by sharing the faith that they had during their life's journey.

Following each service pictures will be taken of our new members and any members or friends who have not yet had their pictures taken for our in house directory.

As this All Saints week unfolds, may you remember that you are numbered among God's saints. That is both a wonderful blessing and a great responsibility. May God give you the grace to accept both of those gratefully.

See you in church.

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-10-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

I hope all of you "Proud to be Humble Lutherans" are off to a good start this week, as we head toward Reformation Sunday, next weekend. But before we get there, remember our Wednesday supper at 6pm. Rumor has it that we will be having lasagna and salad. If you'd like to help with set up or clean up, you would be most welcome. Supper is at 6pm, set up happens around 5pm. This is such a good way to share a meal and be connected with others in the middle of the week. Hope to see you there. (The Outreach Team will be gathering to meet and eat together. Look for a designated table somewhere near the west end of the hall.)

This coming Saturday, October 30, at 6:30pm our Youth Group will celebrate Halloween in great Lutheran fashion with a "Marty Party"! The party will be in the Fellowship Hall where the kids will be brought back to 16th Century Germany at the time of Martin Luther. Great fun, food, and a wonderful learning experience in the process. Adults are welcome to peak in and get a taste of the cool things our Youth Group is up to. What a great way to celebrate Halloween!

This coming weekend we will celebrate the Reformation at all of our services, and the confirmation of six of our young people at the 11am service. This is one of the great festival days of the church year as we remember and celebrate the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit renewing and reforming the church. The color for the day is RED!

Looking ahead, Saturday November 20 will be our annual WELCA BAZAAR and HEALTH FAIR!

Here's a message from this year's Bake Sale coordinator, Barbara Hauser:
Mark your calendars, dust off your favorite pie, cake, cookie, sweet treat recipe for the best Fall Bake Sale ever! Plan to drop off your goodies anytime Friday November 19th between 9am and 3pm, and so help the women of the ELCA support Our Savior and many community needs with your generosity and tasty treats!

Along with the Bake Sale there will be crafts and lunch in the Fellowship Hall, but NO GRANDMA's ATTIC/Rummage Sale at this time. That will be at a later date. So, if you have anything you would otherwise donate to the rummage sale we suggest you bring those items to the new Harvest Food and Outreach Thrift Shop on the corner of US1 and 28th Street, or any of a number of good Thrift Shops in our community.

The HEALTH FAIR part of the bazaar will include flu and pneumonia shots, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, massages, the Bloodmobile, and much more.

So mark your calendars for Saturday November 20 for all of the above!

As this week unfolds, may we all humbly recognize our need for God's grace and mercy every day, and be open to opportunities where we can be vehicles and agents of God's grace and mercy to those around us. When that happens, each of us can be, in the best sense of the word, "Proud to be a Humble Lutheran" as my bumper sticker says. :-)

(P.S. When Garrison Keillor comes to Ft. Pierce in December, I will be giving him one of those bumper stickers, since he partly inspired it.)

See you in church!

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-10-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

Today, October 18 is the day set aside in the church calendar to commemorate St. Luke, Evangelist. Since Luke was also a physician, this past weekend's worship took the form of a healing service. Several years ago we began offering this kind of a service. At the time it was a little foreign to some of us Lutherans, but what we realized yesterday was that we have come to appreciate such a focus in our worship and be comfortable with it. It really was a moving service as we gathered, recognized our need for healing in all kinds of ways, prayed for others who need healing in their lives, and looked to God as the Great Physician and the one who truly makes us whole.

At the 11am service we had a special guest, 47 year old Rob Gilbert, one of our members, whom earlier this summer doctors thought would likely be a paraplegic the rest of his life. But he walked into the chancel to share his story and his gratitude to God, to the congregation and others who have prayed for him and supported him and his family through this. While the journey and therapy continues for him, Rob's life and attitude are a very real witness to God's loving presence and healing power at work.

In keeping with the theme of God being at work among us to keep up whole and healthy, our parish nurse, Bonnie Lanyi resumes her very popular exercise class tomorrow, Tuesday October 19 at 10:30am, "Stretch and Pray". This is especially helpful for seniors with various degrees of abilities. "Stretch and Pray" is based on a book by Rev. Murray Finck, bishop of the Pacifica Synod and former classmate of mine! :-) This is good stuff!

Our Wednesday suppers continue this week with supper served at 6pm. (Sorry, I haven't heard the menu as of this writing, but I guarantee it will be good!) These suppers offer a great time to be together and better connected with each other here at Our Savior. There is no set charge, but an offering basket is available to help cover the cost.

A gathering for anyone interested in learning more about Our Savior or becoming a member of Our Savior will take place following the supper at 6:30pm in room 4. This will be the last of 3 of such gatherings, but if you didn't make the first one or two, you're still welcome to this one. New members will be received the first weekend in November, All Saints Sunday.

As this week unfolds, may you find wholeness and healing for whatever your need may be, in body, mind or spirit. And may you know that in all things, God is the Great Physician and a good and loving Father.

See you in church!

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-10-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

This news will be coming to you on Tuesday, October 12, but it's being written Sunday evening, 10/10/10, so I couldn't resist dating it as such. :-) You don't see a date like that very often!

As the 10th leper in today's Gospel, and Naaman in today's Old Testament reading had their eyes opened to God's grace at work in their lives, may our eyes be open to God's presence and activity in our lives and in the world around us as we enter another week.

One way to see God active among God's people is to join us Wednesday evening for supper at 6pm. Through an all volunteer staff we get to eat together (pulled pork and all the fixins') and enjoy some good conversation with each other. A donation to cover the cost of the food is all we ask. If you'd like to help with any of the setting up, serving or cleanup, give the office a call, or email us as such. Eating together is so Biblical!

Following the supper, at 6:30, anyone interested in learning more about Our Savior, or in becoming a member of Our Savior is invited to meet in room 4 for about an hour.

Looking ahead to next weekend, as a way of commemorating St. Luke the physician and evangelist, our worship will take the shape of a "Healing Service". There will be opportunity for worshipers to come forward for prayers and anointing with oil, and/or to offer prayers for others. Our parish nurses will be participating in various ways in the service.

As this week unfolds, may God give us clear eyes to see ourselves, our neighbors and God's creation in the light of God's grace and mercy shown to us in Jesus.

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-10-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today, Monday October 4 is the day set aside to remember Francis of Assisi, who died in 1226. But his influence continues yet today as the order of the Franciscans still share the gift of hospitality in a most gracious way, and his love of nature and God's creatures continues to be reflected in events like we had yesterday in "The Blessing of the Animals". Our Fellowship Hall was jam packed with cats, dogs, a beautiful big Macaw and all of their caring owners and friends. And once again, amazingly, all critters were together in a wonderful kind of harmony…no fights, no bloodshed…reminding me of that Scriptural image of the lion laying down with the lamb…the place to which God would one day bring his creation. It was all a "grace place" for that time together. And once again, the owners of some of the more "rambunctuous" critters were amazed at how they all got along. Francis would have been pleased, and I can't help but think that God was smiling on us all. :-)

That same space (our Fellowship Hall) will be a "grace place" again this Wednesday evening as our Wednesday suppers continue. This week there will be an "Oktober-fest" theme with brats, sauerkraut, German chocolat cake, homemade potato salad, applesauce and rumors of accordion music!?! There is no need to sign up. Just show up. If you'd like to volunteer to help set up or serve or cleanup, please call the church office (or reply to this email) and we'll plan on you helping. A jar for an offering is available at the dinner to help cover the cost.

Looking ahead, since it is October, the Youth Group will be having a "Marty Party" (in honor of Martin Luther) on Saturday evening, October 30, the evening before Reformation Day and Confirmation Day for six of our young people. Lots to celebrate!

As we head into the week, may we go with the grace that Francis both experienced and also shared with God's creatures, and, like we heard in worship yesterday, may we be "Mustard Seed" kinds of Christians, both nurturing the seeds of faith that have planted in us and spreading those good seeds of faith into whatever little corner of God's creation we have been placed.

See you in church!

God's work; our hands.

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-09-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here at Our Savior we operate out of an understanding of five principles for passing on faith. The first one of those principles is: "Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal trusted relationships--often in our own homes." In subsequent e-mails to come, I will speak of the other 4 principles, but for now, this one. As a way of helping to nurture "personal trusted relationships" and give the Holy Spirit room to work, and so help to pass along the faith, one of the things that is resuming again this coming Wednesday, Sept. 29, are our "Family Night Suppers". The menu this week is: breaded Haddock, home made mac and cheese, stewed tomatoes, cole slaw and cherry cheesecake! Wow! I can't wait! This is an opportunity to come with your family and/or get together with other members of our church family, build relationships, and be a part of the Body of Christ alive and at work here in this place. The whole dinner is put together by volunteers, so if you'd like to be a part of helping with that, whether it be cooking, set up, clean up, shopping or whatever, let us know. Eating together really is a wonderful way to build relationships and get to know each other. Eating together is also a Biblical image of heaven…the wedding banquet, the feast of victory! So, along with Holy Communion being a foretaste of that feast to come, in some ways, our Wednesday church suppers can also be a kind of foretaste of that feast to come. If you'd like to help, call the church office, or put your name on a list in the narthex or let us know Wednesday evening at the supper. There will be a basket available for a donation to help cover the cost of the meal. Your generous support of this will be much appreciated.

And speaking of good fellowship, this coming Sunday, October 3 at 4pm, we will have a "Blessing of the Animals" in the Fellowship Hall. This is always a wonderful event as we come together to ask God's blessing on those very special creatures in our lives. Dr. Linda Aiken will be here to share some words about her calling as a veterinarian in caring for God's creatures. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend, neighbor or fellow animal lover for this special service.

As this week unfolds, in light of yesterday's worship and Gospel reading about the rich man and poor Lazarus, may we especially be aware of anyone "at our gate" who may be in need of a tender touch or a kind word or some reminder of God's grace. Have a blessed week.

God's work; our hands.

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-09-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

Do you know anyone who has had a pig valve put in his or her heart? Do you know anyone who has or has had breast cancer? I'm thinking just about everyone can say yes to either of both of those questions. Both of these topics are directly related to the study and work of genetics. Or how about genetically engineered food? That’s in the news and on our tables more and more everyday.

Because this issue is before us everyday in different ways, our church, the ELCA, prompted by it's members in assembly, is undertaking a study on genetics. Just like there was a study on human sexuality which came before the greater church in the summer of 2009, this study will be coming before the ELCA in assembly in Orlando next summer. Input on this study is welcome and invited. For a copy of the initial statement, there is a hard copy in the church office, or, you can go to either the ELCA website (http://www.elca.org/) or our Florida/Bahamas Synod website (http://www.fbsynod.com/) to find it. Our synod website also has a great power point walking through the study. Your thoughts and input are, as I mentioned above, welcome and invited. And it can all be done on-line. What a world we live in!

Looking ahead, a week from tomorrow, Wednesday September 28, our Wednesday dinners resume! Dinner will be served beginning at 6pm. What a great time to come together with the church family, have a nice meal and share in some good conversation. In our increasingly technological world, as evident above in our genetics study, with all the benefits that brings, one of the downsides is a lack of face to face contact with others. So, come, have a good meal and experience community together in the middle of the joys and sorrows, celebrations and struggles of living in today's world.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-09-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday School got off to a wonderful start yesterday. You could feel the buzz (and hear echos of "The Chicken Dance") all morning. It's a wonderful thing to be a part of the learning and growing of faith that goes on in Sunday School for both our children and adults.

And speaking of beginnings, this Wednesday rehearsals begin for both the Handbell Choir and the Chancel Choir. Handbell practice is in the church and meets from 5:30-6:30pm. The chancel choir meets in the choir room, and begins at 7pm. If you are musical in any way, you'd be most welcome to be a part of our music ministry.

Looking ahead, a number of people are interested in becoming members of Our Savior. In October, we will be having some new member gatherings both on Wednesday evenings, around our Wednesday evening suppers which will soon be starting, then again on Sunday mornings. Exact dates will soon be posted. At this time we are planning to receive members into our congregation on All Saint's Weekend, Nov. 6-7. If you have any questions feel welcome to talk to either of the pastors.

Finally, the Space Coast Conference will be having a Fall Gathering at Advent Lutheran Church in Palm Bay on Sunday September 26 at 4pm. We'd like to have some of our members join us for that gathering. A potluck dinner will follow the meeting. This is a great way to get to know other folks in our conference and be a part of the bigger church at work. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Jack.

As this week unfolds, may all we say and do be in the light of God's presence and God's promises to us. Only then can we become the kind of people God made us to be.

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-09-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

I hope all had a good Labor Day weekend! As of this past weekend we are now back to our regular worship schedule (Saturday 6pm, Sunday 8:30 and 11am). This coming weekend (Sept. 12) our Sunday School resumes with Sunday School beginning at 9:45am. This first Sunday will be "Rally Day" with all children meeting in the Fellowship Hall for special activities and to learn more about this year's focus and service project. (Did I hear something about the "Chicken Dance"?) Sounds like a great year in the making. As some of the first disciples said to the others, "Come and see!"

Thrivent Members you may have gotten in the mail recently (I just did) a letter entitled ("Help choose where Thrivent Financial gives back". This is about your "Thrivent Choice" options for where you'd like Thrivent to designate some funds. You can choose "Our Savior Luthernan Church" or "Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida" or any of many options. I did mine by a simple, quick phone call. For other Thrivent information you can call our local Thrivent Representative, Sam Lyons at 772-453-5688.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday Sept. 8, Youth Group meets from 6:30-8:30. For part of that time Pastor Jack will be there with his old Geo Tracker to teach any new drivers how to drive a stick shift.

Singers and Musicians! Next Wednesday, September 15 rehearsals begin: Handbells at 5:30pm, Choir at 7pm. Music is such a wonderful gift…it's too good not to share. If you have even a little bit of that gift, come and share it. It's good for the soul…both for those giving and those receiving.

Now, as this short week unfolds, and as we bask in the refreshing rain (I can hear almost our plants and grass say "ahhhh") may all you do, whether resting or working, be done, as Pastor Shelly reminded us yesterday, S.D.G.! (Soli Deo Gloria…to the Glory of God alone!)
S.D. G.!!

See you in church!

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-08-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

In the church we celebrate a number of seasons throughout the year, liturgical and otherwise. In the liturgical year we are a little more than half way through the longest season of the church year, the season of Pentecost. But in another way, we are at the beginning now of a new season, re: the switch back to our regular schedule of worship and the beginning of Sunday School. Starting this coming Labor Day weekend, the first weekend in September, our regular worship schedule resumes with worship at 6pm on Saturday (that happens year round) and back to worship at 8:30 and 11am on Sunday. Sunday School will resume, as usual, the week after Labor Day, this year September 12.

In preparation for that, all are invited to our Sunday School Registration/Get Acquainted Open House/Pizza and salad night this Wednesday, September 1 between 6 and 7pm. Please plan to join us to register your child for Sunday School and/or confirmation classes and get to meet the teachers and other Sunday School families. It really will be a fun night with activities for the kids and did I hear something about the "Chicken Dance" ?!? Come and see! :-)

As this week unfolds may our lives be shaped by being at God's table of Grace. When we take part in that banquet, when we taste and see the goodness of God and experience God's welcoming presence there, nothing or no one looks quite the same after that!

See you around His Table!

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-08-26T07:31:00.000-07:00

It used to be that Labor Day marked the end of summer. School resumed right after that. Well, today is different. With the beginning of school today for so many, I think it's safe to say summer is kind of officially over. In that spirit, our "blessing of the backpacks" this past weekend in worship was a great way to end the summer and head into the new school year. It was so good to have so many children, teachers, parents, and others who are involved in teaching our children, come forward in worship for a blessing. Great way to start the new school year!

Friday, August 27, 7pm: Jam in the sanctuary! Several of our resident musicians will be gathering to make music together, enjoy some old music and learn some new music. If you would like to join us please just come by. Bring an instrument or just your voice, or just come to listen. We'll choose the best of what we hear to bring into worship some Saturday or Sunday. We'd like you input!

FREE MONEY!?!? Do you remember matching fund projects from Thrivent? For our Easter Breakfasts and also for our annual Fall Bazaar Thrivent often matched funds raised to help support our camping ministry for our kids and local projects with our WELCA group. Thrivent has changed some procedures so that now we may be able to receive even more money for ministries like those mentioned above. Through a new program called "Thrivent Choice", all Thrivent members are asked to designate where they would like the money generated from their policy or accounts to go. This will not take away anything from the person's account. The Thrivent members of Our Savior alone have policies that generate over $3000 per year, which can be designated as each member chooses. But you have to choose! So, if you are a Thrivent member, please go online, or call 1-800-847-4863. I called last week to designate Our Savior as the recipient of these funds from my account, and the call only took about a minute! This Saturday evening, our local Thrivent agent, Sam Lyons, will be hosting our refreshments and be available to answer any questions you might have.

Finally, looking ahead to Wednesday Sept. 1, mark your calendars for Sunday School and Confirmation registration night! We will gather around 6pm for some pizza and getting connected with new teachers, students and each other. Please plan to join us. And if you haven't yet seen our renovated Fellowship Hall, this will be a great time to do that! What a nice space! You'll be amazed. Hope you can join us!

So, as another season begins, we enter it with hope and courage knowing that God is here among us to lead, correct, comfort, and strengthen us for the journey, so that we might become AAA Christians: Available, Authentic and Affirming for our young people and for each other.

See you in church!

Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-08-17T10:34:00.001-07:00

Surrounded and cheered on by that great cloud of witnesses, we head into another week!

Tonight our Long Range Planning Team meets to look at a proposal for expanding our gathering and sending space in the church (the narthex and outside space). Tomorrow night the Church Council meets, looking ahead at upcoming things for the Fall. We'll keep you up to date on what comes from these meetings.

School has already begun for some of our kids (the charter high school for example) and this week school begins for the teachers in Indian River County. With that in mind, this coming weekend, Aug. 21-22, we will have a "Blessing of the Backpacks" during worship. All of our children are invited to bring their backpacks to church for a special blessing as they begin school next Monday. Teachers are also invited to bring their lesson plan books and come forward for a blessing along with the children. Along with those blessings, we will also be celebrating the Baptism of James and Julie Ledlow's new son, Aaron Louis Ledlow. Good, happy milestones for us all to celebrate together.

Also, this coming weekend, former bishop of the Florida/Bahamas Synod, Rev. Lavern Franzen, will be our guest as he will share with us the work of Lutheran Services Florida.

As summer winds down and the new season begins to unfold, may we enter it with hope, faith and the confidence that God is with us and surrounds us with his love, as those people of faith who have gone before us knew and lived out in their lives.

God's work; our hands!

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-08-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday the last group of campers returned home from camp. This marked the end of a total of 4 different week long camp experiences for our kids this summer (Daycamp here, Confirmation Camp at Luther Springs, another week at Luther Springs for our younger ones and a week at Lutherock for our senior high kids), plus a 10 day mission trip to Guyana for 2 of our college students and our youth director Jimmy. You'll be hearing more about this in our next newsletter. What these experiences offer to our young people is a bigger picture of the church. In settings like these there is opportunity to experience Christian community, get a taste of that "great cloud of witnesses in a special setting and to get to know other young Lutheran Christians who are also learning and growing in the faith. Many thanks to all who have contributed to help make these camping experiences possible.

And speaking of a "great cloud of witnesses", this coming weekend (Aug 14-15), that part of Hebrews (the 11th chapter) will be before us, as we think of what it means to be surrounded by them and what it means to be numbered with them!

Looking ahead, the following weekend, August 21-22, former Bishop Lavern Franzen will be our guest as he shares with us the work of Lutheran Services Florida. Also, since that is the last weekend before school starts for many we will be having the "Blessing of the Backpacks" for our children and blessing of the lesson plans for our teachers. Mark your calendars, have your children bring their backpacks to church, teachers their lesson plans, and be sure to join us.

It's a real blessing to be numbered with and surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses. Come and strengthen that relationship and be equipped to live that special identity out in your everyday lives.

See you in church!

Pastor Jack

2010-08-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

Seeing things from a different angle can be quite enlightening! We've just returned from 3 weeks of vacation. It was a great 3 weeks which involved some time here in Vero (consisting mostly of major kitchen renovation at our home and fishing) and some time in Gatlinburg TN where we gathered with our 4 kids, their spouses (minus one who had to work) and 2 grandbabies. It was wonderful all being together as we played games, watched movies, ate, walked in the woods and streams, watched the hummingbirds, saw a couple of bears, etc. It was a real blessing.

And now, it's good to be home and back to work. That's one of the best parts of getting away and being on vacation. The time apart helps you appreciate being back home and back to work. In fact, on the last day day of my vacation I received an article from a friend, via email, about clergy today. The article referred to various health problems, depression, over use of medications, stress, unhappiness, etc. It went on to say that part of the problem is clergy not taking vacations or time away or apart. (I also think part of the problem is a form of arrogance on the part of clergy who act like it's "their church" and not God's! But that might be another conversation.) Anyhow, I very much appreciated the time apart.

What part of being away offered, along with some good R&R, was the opportunity to worship in 3 different congregations, which gave me a view from the other side. It was really nice to get to the church a few minutes before worship began, be able to participate, be fed, and then be able to leave when worship was over! What that perspective did was shoot some real holes in excuses I sometimes hear for people not going to church:

1) Sunday is the only day I have to sleep in. What?? One can still sleep in and get to church in plenty of time if one goes to a later service. Or, come to worship on Saturday evening and sleep til noon on Sunday!

2) Sunday is family time. What better "family time" could one have than some time together in church?! To be able to go to church with your family is a real blessing! The world barrages us daily, hourly, with it's messages of "buy this" or "buy that" or "do this" or "do that" to be happy, fulfilled, or whatever. An hour together in church puts us in a place to hear another Word, a Life giving Word. Just the effort of going, whether the sermon or hymns are great or not so great, tells our children, and each other, that there is a God and there is more to life than what we get caught up in on a daily basis. Then upon hearing that other Word, we can bring something special back into our daily lives.

3) Going to church takes up too much of the day. I've almost fallen for that one before, since for us pastors, we're usually at church between 7 and 7:30 in the morning and don't leave until 12:30 or 1pm during the season, and even with one Sunday service, we're here about 8:30 and don't leave until 11:30 or 12. That is a pretty big chunk of time. But, while on vacation, I realized that going to church was more like an hour, or hour and a half including commuting time! That sure isn't a big chunk of time, (how much more time than that is wasted in front of a TV!) but it sure is an important chunk of time! A lot of the day is left after that! Or if you go to a late service, I've known guys who have gone fishing early Sunday morning and have been in church following that! Really!

So, for me, that view from the other side these past few weeks have shed some new light once again on the blessing, the importance and the wonderful opportunity we all have in being able to gather for worship. Don't let some lame excuses get in the way for you to gather with other folks to hear that "other Word", that Word that gives Life and Hope and that feeds and nourishes us to take on another week.

It's nice being home. See you in church!

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

2010-07-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

Mid-summer greetings! For us at Our Savior, especially this year, an important part of summer is church camp. This year Our Savior is helping make church camp experiences available to our kids from 1st grade through college age.

In June, we hosted our annual Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida Day Camp here at Our Savior. This involved kids from 1st grade through middle school, as college age camp counselors came to lead over 70 children from our congregation and the community on a wonderful week of songs, activities and learning in a Christian context.

In addition to this, kind of the next step up, older elementary youngsters and also members of this year's confirmation class will spend a week at Luther Springs, our Lutheran camp in the woods of north Florida, about 1/2 hour east of Gainesville.

Then, yet another step beyond that, some of our high schoolers will spend a week at Lutherock, near Boone, N.C. In all of these settings our young people have the opportunity to "unplug" from cell phones, ipods, TV, video games, computers, etc. and experience Christian community in a special and unique way, with well trained college age counselors who are there to share their faith and give our young people an opportunity for their faith to grow and unfold in a special setting.

The June issue of "The Lutheran" magazine had a number of wonderful articles about church camping experiences and how meaningful and formative they are. If you still have that issue around, be sure to look at it and see what many of our children are experiencing.

As a major step beyond those camp experiences, two of our college students, Libby Anderson and Zach Jedzinak, who have been campers in the past, will be going on a mission trip to Guyana along with Jimmy Smith our youth director and a group from Tampa. This is the first foreign mission trip for our college age students, and we are very proud of Libby and Zach for stepping up to such an adventure.

I share this information about camping ministry to say thank you to all who have helped support our kids going to camp. The challenges of the world today need young people who are rooted and grounded in a faith that will not just sustain them, but which will guide and direct them through their life's journey. The world needs people who can see beyond what the billboards and advertisements say is important in life. The world needs people who have been given hearts that know how to love and trust God. Without that, how can one ever really know how to love and trust another? The world needs people who have been given ears to hear God speaking, in the middle of the cacophony of sounds and demands of the culture, and to hear the hopes and hurts of their brothers and sisters. Church camp experiences help our young people become the kind of people the world needs.

May God bless all campers and counselors this summer, so that they may in turn be a blessing to others. If your child or grandchild hasn't had a church camp experience, start thinking about how to help that happen next summer.

Peace and Joy + Pastor Jack

2010-06-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

After a great Fathers' Day weekend at Our Savior, Day Camp began today. This is one of the noisiest, most energetic weeks of the year at Our Savior. About 70 kids from Our Savior and our community gather for a week of singing, activities, games, praying and all kinds of fun. College age counselors, along with our wonderful teenage helpers and AAA adults (Available, Authentic and Affirming) who are support staff (feeding and helping in all kinds of ways) make for a terrific week for our campers and for everyone involved. On Thursday night at 7pm our campers will share some of the songs and other things they've learned this week followed by an ice cream social. Everyone is welcome!

Also, this is kind of the 'kick off' week for camps this summer at Our Savior. This coming Sunday afternoon 8 of our confirmation students will be off to Luther Springs, our church camp east of Gainesville, for a week of confirmation camp. Then later this summer another group of younger campers will be off to Luther Springs and high school campers off to Lutherock, in North Carolina, on Sugar Mountain.

These camping experiences have always been formative, wonderful experiences for our young people. But in today's world, where our young people are so bombarded by electronic media (not just TV, but also ipods, DVDs, cell phones, computers, Facebook, Twitter, and the list goes on) these kind of camp experiences, where our young people get to "unplug" and experience nature and real face to face community, are all the more necessary and valuable. Many thanks to all who support these efforts through your volunteering and financial support. As Garrison Keillor (of the Prarie Home Companion) says, "Whatever you do for a child is never wasted."

God's work; our hands.
Have a blessed week.
Pastor A.C.'Jack' Diehl III

2010-06-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

One of the most amazing tools we have available to us today is the Internet. The other day I was listening to an old rock n' roll song from my teenage years and always wondered what one of the phrases was in that song. So I "googled" the name of the song, hit "enter" and there came up the lyrics. I know that for our younger generation that is pretty much taken for granted, but I’m still amazed at what kinds of information is available at the click of a button. (By the way, the song was "Devil with the Blue Dress" by Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels and the hard to understand phrase was, "…she's a real humdinger…". :-) For years we tried to decipher what that phrase was, but with a couple of clicks of the computer, there it was. Makes me smile, because I remember my Dad using that term often.)

Anyhow, for all of the useless information available, such as that, and all of the bad stuff available out there on the Internet, there are also some wonderful resources there as well. When the Bible, written thousands of years ago, meets the Internet, we have some wonderful tools available to help us understand what God was and is saying to us in the Bible.

In particular, I refer you to two sites: www.elca.org/bookoffaith and www.enterthebible.org . Both the "Book of Faith" initiative in the ELCA and the "Enter the Bible" resource from Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN, came about to help us understand what God is saying to us through these ancient, yet always new, Scriptures. And it's good to have help like this, because, as you know, over the years the Bible has been used and abused for all kinds of purposes. Christians of all stripes look to the Bible as the place where God speaks to us. Even the Jehovah's Witnesses use the Bible, and the Jehovah's Witnesses aren't even what you could call a branch of the Christian church. So, how do we navigate through the Bible today?

Through the two sites mentioned above, we are given a Gospel centered perspective from which we come to hear and understand what God is saying to us through these ancient Scriptures. In the "Book of Faith" and "Enter the Bible" resources, some of the churche's best teachers and theologians help us read and understand what God was saying to his people then and what God is saying to us today. In addition to those sources, you can receive a daily on-line devotion trough "God Pause", another offering from Luther Seminary. (Google "God Pause, Luther Seminary" for more info.)

So, as this summer unfolds, and as you have the opportunity, check out these websites, with Bible in hand, and be open to what God would say to you today. Our faith is a living faith and God really does continue to speak to us and to our world. Are you listening?

See you in church!

Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III

www.oursaviorelca.com

News & Notes

2010-05-01T13:57:00.001-07:00

The older I get the more I appreciate the many and varied gifts God gives everyone. In our four adult children alone, all of whom grew up in the same house with the same parents and in the same surroundings, I see such varied and unique gifts, interests and abilities! It amazes me.

On a larger scale, I see that in our congregation. During this past Lenten season, Holy Week and now during our ongoing Easter elebration, so many contributed in such meaningful ways to our worship experience: from the lighting (Wesley Dean), to the dramatic readings (so many of our folks, young and old), to the planning (eg. Good Friday, Carole Olsen), to all of the beautiful music, to the beautiful lilies (all who donated and Lynn Sadler and crew who ordered, delivered and set them up), and the list goes on (like the Easter breakfast put on by our Men in Mission). And that's only in the area of worship.

At the same time wonderful things were happening in Sunday School, in our Parish Health Ministry, in our Youth Ministry, and in our community, with so many members involved in a number of local social service ministries and beyond, with our connection with Haiti Partners and the Lutheran Church in Guyana. And the list goes on. So many and varied interests and gifts!

I share this because Our Savior is about to recognize another way that various gifts and abilities are shared through the church. That is through the office of deacon. Deacons have been a part of the churchmsince Biblical days. In the ELCA a number of congregations are recognizing certain people who have had specialmtraining and who are qualified to hold the title of deacon.

Here at Our Savior, Allan Klotsche is one such person. Having completed a two year diakonia program of education here in our Synod, and having met certain service related requirements, Allan is now ready to be consecrated as a deacon of the church. That will happen on Pentecost Sunday, May 25 at the 8:30 service.

Due to space limitations, I'll just say for now that on that Sunday and in future newsletters we will share more about what this means for Allan and for our congregation. You can also go to our synod website: www.fysynod.com and type "diakonia program" in the select-a-topic" text box for more information.

As this season of Easter concludes on May 16 and as the season of Pentecost begins May 23, may we all recognize the gifts God has given us and be open to using them for the good of all and to the glory of God.

See you in church!
Pastor Jack Diehl

And the world would never be the same.

2010-04-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Since that first Easter everything changed. The authorities, religious and political, thought that Jesus had been silenced, taken out of the picture, finished. Jesus’ follower’s hopes and dreams had come to an end. It seemed the powers of death and darkness had prevailed.

But then there was that open, empty tomb. And then the Risen, Living Jesus talking to Mary and later to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. And the world would never be the same. Because of this Risen One, the Bible would not be read the same either . From that first Easter the Bible would be seen and heard and read in light of that ultimat e act of redemption. There would no longer be Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; all would be one in Christ. (Gal. 3:28) Even the Biblical Sabbath Day would be changed from Saturday to Sunday, the day of Resurrection, as an ongoing reminder of the Dawning of God's New Day. For God sent his Son
into the world not to condemn the world but that the world might be saved through Him. The Bible isn't just a book of laws and rules. This Risen One, we see, is the focus of the Bible, and the One to whom the whole Biblical story points!And the unfolding of that story continues.
Come and see, not just on Easter Sunday, but on all of the

Sundays of the Easter season and beyond, as the Living, Risen Christ and his promised Holy Spirit continues to breathe life into us and into God's world yet today.
And the world would never be the same.
See you in church!
Pastor Jack Diehl

2010-03-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

For the entire month of March we will be journeying through Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17 and ends on Easter Sunday, April 4. So, what does that look like at Our Savior? In addition to our regular worship schedule of Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 8:30 and 11am, there will be midweek Wednesday Lenten services at 11am & 7pm. The midday service is followed by lunch and the evening service is preceded by a soup & salad
supper at 6pm.

These services and the meals are wonderful times to gather together for some of the "Four Keys for Practicing Faith": 1. Caring conversations; 2. Devotions; 3. Service and 4. Rituals and Traditions. (You'll be hearing more of this language as a result of our Jan. 23 workshop with Pastor Hill.)

But for now, what these mid week services and meals offer are places for caring conversations, which take place at and around the meals provided during this season. In these settings we are able to get caught up on each others lives and share both our joys and sorrows.

The worship then provides a place for devotion as we sing, pray and hear God's Word together. The theme for these services will be "Overheard Conversations by the Cross" as we listen in on conversations that may have taken place between different people who were there during Jesus' last days.

Between the meals provided and the conversations overheard, many members of Our Savior will be providing some wonderful service to us all. (If you'd like to be a part of helping with any of this, talk to one of the pastors.)

There are also some rituals and traditions which will continue for our evening worship. The setting on Wednesday evenings will be Holden Evening Prayer which is becoming a much loved tradition here at Our Savior.

So, as this season unfolds, I hope you can join us on this Lenten journey. This is the bread that feeds our souls and the spiritual exercise that makes our faith strong.

See you in church!
Pastor A.C.'Jack' Diehl III

2010-02-01T05:58:00.000-08:00

Not long ago I saw the new blockbuster movie, Avatar. It's 2 hours and 40 minutes of amazing special affects (no, I didn’t see it in 3-D...it was plenty enough for me to see it as it was!) lots of action, explosions, etc. But it was also filled with all kinds of religious and spiritual symbolism.

I found it curious that in an increasingly secular world, and in a world where church membership in general is waning in some areas, there would be so much interest in spiritual things, such as evidenced in this movie and other popular movies today (“The Book of ELI” is another). What this tells me is that the spiritual nature in us is always there and always hungry. There is a part of us that wants and needs more than just the tangible, measurable and/or pleasurable things in life.

As we enter February we come to a time of the year when our different worship experiences can speak to our spiritual nature in different ways. The season of Epiphany comes to a conclusion on Transfiguration Sunday, Feb. 14, as we once again lock away our Alleluias until Easter. Then our Lenten journey begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, as we begin our way toward Easter. During the changing of the seasons we get to hear and experience the different dimensions of our Christian faith.

In the spirit of our Jan. 23 "Vibrant Faith Formation" workshop, these extra worship opportunities are additional times our faith can be nurtured.

Watch for the special presentations and unique worship settings as the season of Epiphany comes to a close and as the season of Lent begins. Come worship and be a part of something that can nurture your faith and your spirit, which movies like Avatar can't really feed.

See you in church.

Pastor Jack Diehl

2009-12-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

This December/January newsletter brings us into the new church year. This is a wonderful time of the year beginning with a season of hope, anticipation and preparation: Advent (which began Nov. 29 this year). This is often a time when "the world" wants to simply jump right into Christmas (then toss Christmas out with the tree on December 26). Let this be a time to begin thinking about what it means that God would choose to come among us, to bring us his Light and Life, and what we need to do to be open to the great gift of the Christ Child. In our worship together during the four Sundays in Advent leading up to Christmas, we can keep our focus on what this season is about and what God has done and is doing among us, instead of just getting caught up in the commercialism and secularization of the season.

Then as the season unfolds, Christmas and Epiphany become celebrations of what it means that God is with us (Emmanuel) and that God's Light shines into our deepest darkness. Yes, we are entering a wonderful season, rich in images, symbols and celebrations. Let regular worship help shape this season for you, help you avoid the pitfalls of a secularized Christmas and help you keep close to the heart of it all.

See you in church!
Pastor Jack Diehl

2009-11-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

If you've spent any time around children, you would know that during October there is one thing on their minds: "Halloween"! Ask any teacher, Sunday School teacher or parent.

As November comes, what is one of the first things that comes to mind for you? My guess would be that "Thanksgiving" would be right up there. Of all the holidays and seasons of the year, "Thanksgiving" has a unique character. It's not wild and noisy like the 4th of July, it doesn't mark the beginning or end of the summer season like Memorial Day or Labor Day, (although it does kind of mark the beginning of "the holidays"), and it doesn't have the religious significance of Christmas or Easter. It is simply a time to reflect on our blessings, usually with family and friends, and be thankful. By it's very nature Thanksgiving is a reminder that "It's not about me." To truly be thankful, as a nation or as an individual, means to look outside of ourselves, to THE source of our blessings, God our heavenly Father.

One can't be truly thankful, or have a thankful heart if ones attitude is "It's all about me!" That kind of "turned inwardness" sees blessings only as something earned or received because of some kind of entitlement. But to be truly thankful is to recognize "It's not about me", but rather it's about a gracious God who gives us more than we desire or deserve. For that reason, it seems fitting to bring our Stewardship emphasis, “It’s Not About Me” to a conclusion in November. The weekend of November 7-8 we are asking that we all bring our plans for giving for 2010 to worship, as a way of saying "thanks to God", and recognizing that all we are and have are gifts from God. As we make that important shift from "It's all about me" to "It's NOT about me", I can almost hear Jesus say, "You are not far from the kingdom of heaven."

May God give us the kind of thankful hearts that truly know "it's not about me", and which find joy and satisfaction in giving thanks and in living out an attitude of gratitude everyday.

Gratefully,
+Pastor Jack Diehl

2009-10-01T06:32:00.000-07:00

Polarization: to be separated into opposed or antagonistic groups or viewpoints. Lately it seems our country and churches are experiencing more and more polarization. While it seemed both political parties, during the election process last year, talked about "crossing the aisle" and working together", it seems little of that is happening now that the election is over. And I'm not faulting either party for that. I'm just saying, it's a sad situation that doesn't seem to get any better.

But it's not just in the political world. For several years a number of church bodies have been experiencing polarization among their members. Just within the last couple of years we've seen that happen on a local scale with a well established congregation here in Vero Beach. Maybe some revel in this kind of discontent and division, but to me it's always painful.

Our own church body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is not untouched by this kind of negative force at work around and within us. Since the national assembly, I've heard of a couple of congregations that are talking about leaving the ELCA. This is just sad, and in my opinion, plays right into the hand of the devil himself, who would love to see Christ's church wrangling and divided.

But in the middle of this kind of atmosphere, I am hopeful that our church, the ELCA, can be a different kind of witness and a different kind of "leaven in the loaf.” Our Bishops, and so many of our pastors and members are saying, the oneness we share in Christ, is stronger than some differences we may have among us. Not only that, but we need each other, with our differences, to keep each other honest and learning and growing together in God's grace. Perhaps one of the ways to fight the polarizing that is going on in our country and churches, is to set aside our arrogance, and be open to listening and learning from one another, recognizing that all are gifted in some way, but also that we are all also broken in some way.

The Scriptures are filled with stories of broken people being used in amazing and powerful ways for God's purposes. Is it possible that God is calling us, the ELCA, to be a witness to God's ability to reconcile a fallen humanity to Himself and to one another, in spite of our differences? This is a constant work in progress, the end of which isn't totally clear. But as we stand at the foot of the Cross and recognize the oneness we share in Christ as a beginning point, I believe the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and direct us, and even lead us out of this wilderness of polarization, to a new way of dealing with our differences and learning to live and work together for the common good and to God’s glory.

Lord, have mercy.

Pastor Jack

2009-09-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Having had roots "up north", it's always a bit of a wonder to me what a difference Labor Day means up there and here in Florida. "Up north" Labor Day marked the end of summer, school would soon begin, you took in the dock at the lake, and you knew cool weather was around the corner.

Ha! None of that is true for us in Florida. School will have been in session for a couple of weeks, we never have to bring in the docks or winterize the boats, there is no end in sight for the steamy conditions, and we are in the peak of hurricane season!

But another thing marked by Labor Day for us is that we return to our regular worship schedule, that is: Saturday 6:00 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM. We do that with some mixed feelings.

Just recently after one of our 9:30 Sunday morning services, someone said, "This is the perfect time! Not too early and not too late!" And it's been great for many of us. But, in the interest of making the best use of our space and opportunity for more to worship, our 3 worship services resume for September through May.

The reason we want to make worship available to as many as possible is that worship is at the heart and core of who we are and what we do. In worship we hear that Life Giving Word and feed on Living Bread. In worship we are equipped to go out into the week and into the world, having heard and seen something more than what the world alone has to offer. There are so many Sundays (and Saturdays) when, after worship, I think, "Oh, I wish this person or that person would have been here. This is just what he or she needed."

During our several "Bread Sundays" this past summer, we were reminded of how eating the "Bread of Life" is as important to do on a regular basis as it is to eat "daily bread" on a regular basis. To fail to feed our physical bodies means one will wither and die. To fail to feed our spiritual nature, or to feed it with that which perishes, means that part of us will wither and die.

Perhaps Labor Day can mean, along with other things, a good time to re-commit to regularly and faithfully coming to worship, and to strengthening your spiritual self by feeding on the Bread of Life and then sharing that Bread of Life everyday with a hungry world. That could be one of the most important things one could do on this last holiday of the summer, no matter where one lives.

See you in church!

Pastor Jack Diehl

2009-08-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Midsummer greetings! As we enter the long, hot days of August, I'd like to share a little of a trip we took earlier this summer. The end of June, Karen and I visited theLutheran School of Theology Chicago, one of our ELCA seminaries, for the 35th anniversary of Christ Seminary/
Seminex, my alma mater. Seminex was born out of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's "civil war" back in the '70s, and was, in fact, part of the catalyst of the birthing of the ELCA some years later.

It was a wonderful event, seeing classmates and professors, some of whom I haven't seen in over 30 years, and a humbling feeling to have been a part of such an important time in the history of the church in the 20th century in America.

At this event, a conversation which took place in 1971, between Doc. Caemmerer (a homiletics prof) and John Tietjen (our seminary president) was remembered and shared. I'm sharing it with you, because it speaks so well to the question, "What is the difference between the Missouri Synod and the ELCA?" Even though there was no ELCA at that time, the quote is still helpful and insightful about who we are as Lutherans.

"The two views about Lutheranism that are in contention right now are as different as a box is different from a platform. The Preus people (the Missouri Synod leadership at the time...not related to our Martin Preuss) think of Lutheranism as a box. You have to be in the box to be a Lutheran. The box tells you what you can believe and what you can't believe. If you don't agree on the truth in the box, you have to get out. But Lutheranism is really a platform on which to stand. The Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions that witness to what they teach are the ground of our life together. They are the platform on which we stand to witness to what we
believe. As a rule and norm the Scriptures help us make sure that we speak the Word of God when we witness. The Confessions free us up to witness to what is the heart of our faith - Jesus Christ - and the good news that we are justified by faith in Him." (Memoirs in Exile, Tietjen, p. 72).

That may be a little heavy for mid summer reading, but it says something about who we are as Lutherans, for which I am humbly proud. :) From that platform, we have "good news" to share, the good news of the Gospel, the grace of God as revealed in Jesus. That is a grace that shapes our lives, our words and our actions as we live out our faith in our daily lives. And there is a wonderful freedom in that.

Being able to attend that anniversary celebration helped underscore that wonderful gift for me, and for that, I am so grateful.

May we all boldly and faithfully live out our calling as that part of God's people called Lutherans.

Sincerely and gratefully,

Pastor Jack Diehl

Pentecost Coming

2009-06-03T09:56:00.001-07:00

We have just entered the long, "green" season of the church year, the season of Pentecost. In this case "green" refers to the liturgical color, symbolizing growth and life. But it could also refer to our efforts to "go green" by entering our summer schedule with worship at 6pm on Saturday and 9:30am on Sundays, beginning this coming Sunday June 7 and going through the end of August. During these summer months our worship setting is the same on both Saturday and Sunday, using Setting 10 from our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship. This setting includes many familiar hymn tunes for the liturgy and is one of our favorites.Also, for this summer schedule, a staffed nursery will be available for our Saturday night service along with our Sunday morning service. If you took a "post-it note" off of the "wish list" board for Daycamp, you can bring those items in anytime up to and including next Sunday. As the week unfolds, remember to pray for those going on our Mission Trip to West Virginia the end of this week. They will be returning the end of next week. This coming weekend we'll still have some "bracelets" available with the names of those going for you to wear as a reminder to pray for them. Also, if you'd like to be a part of supporting that trip, it's not too late. Any gifts marked "Mission Trip" are greatly appreciated.Looking ahead to next weekend, June 6-7, we celebrate the only festival day of the year based on a teaching of the church and not on an event. Trinity Sunday is coming up, when we gather around that mystery of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit; one in three and three in one. May you all have a blessed week and may you be open to the presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit as the week unfolds. See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl www.oursaviorelca.com

Staying Connected and Being Green

2009-03-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

Staying connected. This is such an important part of maintaining relationships. It's easy to drift apart without any real animosity or negative intentions. Family members find themselves in this situation. Friends find themselves there. We find ourselves in that situation in our relationship with God. Someone once said, if you feel God is far away, you might want to ask yourself, “Who moved?" Staying connected is not automatic. It takes some effort and determination to make that happen.

One of the ways we work to maintain our relationship with God and each other is through communication. This newsletter is one of those means of communicating. For years, monthly church newsletters have been used to help members stay connected and informed about their local family of faith.

Today, another major means of communicating is via computers and the Internet. With that development, some churches have discontinued mailing a monthly newsletter totally, using only an "electronic" newsletter. For us, in the interest of "going green", and using less paper, postage and fuel to deliver hard copy newsletters, we are offering the option of reading our newsletter on line. To do this, a person can simply go to our website (http://www.oursaviorelca.com/) and click on "newsletter". If you would be willing to be a part of the "green team" and receive your newsletter this way, please call (772-567-2253) or email (oursaviorelca@bellsouth.net) the church office and let us know. This will be not only a savings for the church, but just one more way to be a good steward of the environment.

At the same time, if you would like to keep receiving this newsletter in a hard copy form, that is fine also, and we'll be glad to keep you on the mailing list.

Thank you very much for considering this step in "going green" and helping us be good stewards of what God has given us.

Keeping in touch,

Pastor Jack Diehl http://www.oursaviorelca.com/

OSL E-News March 2, 2009

2009-03-02T11:38:00.000-08:00

Now that we've entered the first full week of our Lenten journey, our mid week meals and services are beginning. On Wednesdays, we worship at 11:00 AM followed by a lunch in the Fellowship Hall, and we have a dinner at 6:00 PM, followed by worship at 7:00 PM. In these mid-week Lenten services, we will resume our "Conversations Under the Cross" as we did last year, with the theme this year being "Sharing our Stories about Scripture". This is in conjunction with the "Book of Faith" initiative in our synod and throughout the ELCA, as we share how this "Book of Faith", the Bible, has shaped and continues to shape our lives. The worship setting for the 11:00 AM service will be "Responsive Prayer/Suffrages" in the ELW, and for the 7:00 PM service, the beautiful, musical "Holden Evening Prayer".

This coming Saturday, March 7, the Care Net Pregnancy Center of Indian River County "Bridges to Life" Walk will be held at Riverside Park. Registration is at 9:00 AM. A number of folks from Our Savior will be walking. If you would like to join them, or could make a donation to support this local Christian ministry, call Bonnie Lanyi, our parish nurse, at 567-2253. CareNet provides pregnancy tests, ultrasound, abstinence programs, social service referrals, clothing, furniture and food to individuals and families in crisis.

Finally, don't forget to "spring forward" one hour with your clocks Saturday night! Daylight savings time begins this coming weekend! If you forget to change your clocks, this is the one where you'll wonder why the parking lot is full and everyone is already in church, and when you get in you'll find everyone singing the closing hymn. Will you be that one this year? Every year it's somebody!

For other latest information about Our Savior, visit our website at: http://www.oursaviorelca.com/.

As this week unfolds, may God bless you on your Lenten journey, and especially in those wilderness places. Remember, the wilderness is not meant to crush us or discourage us or only to punish us. God meets us in the wilderness to turn it into a training ground, a place of testing, a place where God wants to care for us and strengthen us for life's journey. See you in church.

Your fellow traveler on our Lenten journey,

Pastor Jack Diehl

O S E-News

2009-02-11T10:59:00.001-08:00

Dear People of Our Savior,

Ahhh, Spring has returned to Vero Beach after several days of "winter" last week. But the "winter" weather didn't cool the wonderful events of last week, which many of us were able to enjoy.

Thursday night many Our Savior folks were among those who enjoyed a wonderful St. Olaf Choir Concert at the Community Church. Then Friday night many more Our Savior folks were among those who enjoyed a great evening at the Heritage Center downtown. This was a Beyond Borders/Florida event, which included a nice meal, music, and Tony Campolo, nationally known speaker and founder of Beyond Borders. Some wonderful ministry is happening in Haiti through Beyond Borders, as they help the people of that inpoverished country work to rebuild their lives and their country after 200 years of dictators.

Then, Sunday at noon, Pastor Paul Summer was our guest for Our Savior's first annual "Loaves and Fishes Community" luncheon, provided by the Endowment Team at Our Savior. A lot of real good information was shared, more of which you'll be hearing about as time goes on. But for now, here's one of the main questions which came out of that lunch. "Have you remembered the church in your will?" Many just don't think of that! But what a wonderful way to continue to be a part of God's work after you're gone. Something to think about.

Now here are a couple of highlights for this week:

On Tuesday at 6pm the Christ Care groups will gather together in the Fellowship Hall for their annual potluck dinner, to celebrate their ministry.

This week's Wednesday dinner will be provided by the Vero Beach High School S.A.D.D./D.A.R.E.
(Students Against Destructive Decisions and Drug Awareness Resistance Education). The meal time will be extended, begining at 5pm and lasting until 7pm. A staffed nursery will be available for the entire time. A basket will be available at the door for your gift to support this cause. The money raised will help fund the annual, very powerful, "Mock DUI" presentation held each year around prom time.

At 6:30pm on Wednesday, there will be a "New Member" gathering in room 4 for all interested in knowing more about Our Savior. All are welcome.

As this week unfolds, watch for opportunities to be a part of bringing hope and healing to our hurting world. This may take place with a family member or neighbor, or maybe even a stranger. But a kind word or a helping hand can go a long way toward reflecting God's grace which touches our lives everyday.

See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl

O.S.E-news

2009-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

Dear People of Our Savior, There's no doubt we are in "the season". Each week when we send these "Our Savior E-news" e-mails out, I think of all the folks up north who are receiving them. This time however, many of you who read these "up north" are now down here with us, and it's good to have you back. There's almost a "family reunion" dimension to our Saturday and Sunday gatherings for worship and our Wednesday evening meals, with folks now back and getting caught up on each other's lives.

Since it is "the season" the calendar is also filled with all kinds of opportunities to be together. Let me here share those as the week unfolds:

Wednesday evening: Our mid week dinners continue to be a great success, with over 100 folks gathering each Wednesday for good food and conversation. This week's dinner is a modified "Potluck". A couple of main meat dishes will be provided, and if you can bring a dish to pass to add to that, it would be welcome. The official dinner starting time is 6pm, but often begins a bit before that. All are welcome. (A sneak peak ahead to next week, Feb. 11: the SADD and DARE kids from the Vero Beach High School will be providing a pasta dinner which will run from 5-7pm. Activities for kids will be available throughout that time.) But, back to this week. At 6:30 pm, anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just in learning more about Our Savior is invited to join us in room 4 (one of the classrooms) until 7:30. This will be the first of 3 such Wednesday evening gatherings on Feb. 4, 11 and 18. New members will be received into the congregation on the weekend of Feb. 21-22.

On Thursday evening at 7:30pm the St. Olaf Choir will be in concert at the Community Church here in Vero. This is a premier choir from one of our ELCA colleges. Tickets are $30 each and available at the Community Church\

Friday, Feb. 6th, a Beyond Borders dinner with special music and a return of Tony Campolo will be held at the Heritage Center in downtown Vero. Tickets are available in the church office.

This coming weekend, Feb. 7-8 Free dinner! Pastor Paul Summer, ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner for the Florida-Bahamas Synod will be our guest at worship and at our first "Loaves and Fishes" dinner on Sunday Feb. 8 immediately following the 11am service. This lunch is a gift from the Endowment Fund and will be an opportunity to thank those who are remembering Our Savior in their wills, to share what the Endowment Fund does at Our Savior, and to help us discover new approaches to provide support for families and ministries of the church. This is an open invitation. Please plan to join us for this first of what we plan to be an annual dinner. Email or call the church office for a reservation.

Capping the week off will be an Ecumenical Choir Festival sponsored by the American Guild of Organists on Sunday Feb. 8 at 4:30pm at Trinity Episcopal Church. Nationally known choir director, Dr. Michael Burkhardt, will be the guest conductor. This approximately hour long program will consist of both old and new hymns interspersed with readings by clergy from various congregations throughout our community.

As this week unfolds:

1) May God bless all of these activities that will take place;

2) Even though winter has returned to Vero Beach, may the Light of Christ warm our days and our lives;

3) May the world be "infected" with God's goodness and grace, beginning with us.

God's work; our hands. + Pastor Jack Diehl www.oursaviorelca.com

2009-02-01T16:12:00.000-08:00

Last February, Lent came so quickly that we almost missed the season of Epiphany. But this year, Ash Wednesday isn't until near the end of February, so we get to bask in the Light of Epiphany a little longer.

This is the season when in worship we walk through those days when Jesus revealed God's mercy and grace through his teaching, healing, and calling his disciples. But, this isn't just something we remember from way back then. God still makes himself known to us and calls us to follow as Christ is present among us in the Word, the Sacraments and the gatherings of God's people.

Along with worship there will be other gatherings of God's people this month:

A special lunch will be provided on Feb. 8 for all who have remembered Our Savior in their wills or might consider doing that. Pastor Paul Summer, the ELCA Foundation Regional Gift Planner for our synod will be our special guest that day.
For anyone who would like to know more about Our Savior and what it means to be a member of Our Savior, there will be three gatherings from 6:30- 7:30 PM following our mid week dinners. New members will be received into our congregation on Transfiguration Sunday,
February 22.
The Lenten season begins Ash Wednesday, February 25, as we begin another part of our journey together, to the cross, and then to the open tomb.

As we walk these walks together, may we all continue to grow in God's grace that we may better let God's light shine on us, in us and through
us.

God’s Work, Our Hands,

Pastor Jack Diehl