Happy Reformation Day!

 

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!

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

(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!

 

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

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 +