From the Pastor's Desk

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