Happy All Hallows Eve!

 

On this official Reformation Day / All Hallows Eve (October 31), here’s a little update about our upcoming All Saints Weekend, and a little more.  

 

But first, a reminder, tonight there will be no regular Wednesday night supper or handbell or choir practices.  (Next Wednesday the suppers will resume with a potluck supper at 6pm.)  But tonight the Youth Group will be gathering from 6:30 til 8:30 for a Halloween Party.  Kids of all ages are welcome.  It will be a fun, safe place, to eat, play and just celebrate being together. 

 

Tomorrow, the annual Samaritan Center Soup Bowl takes place at a number of places around the community, including here at Our Savior from 11:30 til 1:30.  Come and have some wonderful soup from local restaurants for a $5 donation to the Samaritan Center.  Always a great event.  Our thanks to George and Lois McAllan and their crew for manning the Our Savior station!

 

Coming up this weekend, along with remembering the saints who have gone before us, we will be receiving 33 new members into the congregation!  This is another wonderful group of people with all kinds of gifts and interesting backgrounds.   Be sure to introduce yourself and offer them a warm welcome. 

 

For more info about life at Our Savior please visit our website at:  www.oursaviorelca.com .     See you in church!  

 

 

FW: OSE-news: Reformation/Halloween/All Saints 2012

 

When you hear the date October 31, what is the first thing you think of?  I'm betting Halloween is close to the top of the responses.  But if Reformation Day is your first thought, you might be a long time Lutheran.   And then there's November 1, All Saints Day.   So, what do these three events, in two days, have in common?

 

Since All Saints Day, also called All Hallows Day, was a holy day of obligation in the church, Martin Luther knew that people would be going to church.   This would make it a good time to post his 95 theses, or statements for discussion about what he saw as abuses in the church at that time, on the church door, so that conversation about those things could begin.  So, according to tradition they were posted on October 31, All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day.  

 

So, how does Halloween fit in there?   There are all kinds of traditions around Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day.  Some say it was the last night the evil spirits could come out, because on All Saints Day they would all be put in their place.  So, it can be a time to make fun of or laugh in the face of scary things knowing that they don't have the last word.  But mostly today it's a time of goodies and costumes and trick or treating and having fun.  That's ok too.  

 

In that light, since Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year, we will be no Wednesday night supper at church.   As Pastor Shelly announced yesterday in church, you can stay home and eat candy or hand out candy. J  Or, you can come and join the Youth Group Halloween Party, which will begin at 6:30pm.  There will be food (sloppy joes among other thing....yummm!), games, costumes and more.  All ages are welcome.  

 

Next Wednesday, November 7, our Wednesday dinner (at 6pm) will be a potluck.  There’s a sign-up sheet in the narthex in church to let us know what you plan on bringing, but for those of you who can’t bring something to share, come anyway.  There’s always enough to go around. 

 

But first, stepping back a little, this past weekend we remembered and celebrated the Reformation in a wonderful, meaningful way with special music, a procession, streamers, and the confirmation of 5 of our young people.  It seems the older I get, the more meaningful special celebrations like that are.   It was such a good reminder that God continues to be at work re-forming and re-newing the church and His people.  

 

This coming weekend, we celebrate All Saints Day.  This is also a very meaningful, touching service, as we remember those members of Our Savior who have died since All Saints Day last year, as well as remembering all those near and dear to us who have gone on before us.  There will be a time in the service to come forward and light a candle in memory of those loved ones.  This is another one of those services you don’t want to miss, and which you might want to bring a friend to.  

 

Now for a few odds ‘n ends:  

 

This Thursday, Nov.1, it’s the Samaritan Center Annual Soup Bowl, and Our Savior is once again one of the lunch sites.  Come between 11:30 and 1:30 for some great soup for a $5.00 donation (or more if you’d like!), donated by local restaurants, for a great cause. 

 

Looking ahead a little farther, the Women of the ELCA will hold their annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday Nov. 17.  Plan now to bring, anytime between 9am and 3pm on Friday Nov. 16,  your baked goods for the bake sale part of the bazaar. 

 

You might recall mention of an Eagle Scout project in last week’s OSE-news.   I’m happy to say that the cost for both benches have been covered and the project is underway!  You folks always amaze me.  Many thanks, especially from Wesley Dean who’s Eagle Project this is. 

 

May you all have a safe, inspiring and fun Reformation Day/Halloween/All Saints Day week!    

 

See you in church (and don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour on Saturday, or we’ll see you in church an hour early!)    Pastor Jack Diehl +    www.oursaviorelca.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

OSE-news: Oct. 22, 2012

 

Ahhh….wasn’t that a nice hint of Fall Sunday morning, as the temperature dipped into the 60s for the first time since, what, last April or May?    But now we’re back to the tropical days already.  It was a nice reminder however of the change of seasons which will be coming eventually (and which my wife and I were able to experience in Ohio last weekend visiting the grandbabies and seeing the beautiful colors J).   This change of seasons is also something we are about to experience in worship these next several weeks. 

 

This coming weekend is Reformation Sunday, as we bring out the red (remember to wear red if you have it, even if it’s an Ohio State Buckeye shirt J) as we celebrate not just something that happened some 500 years ago in Germany, but as we celebrate the ongoing renewing, re-forming work of the Holy Spirit among us today.  A part of our celebration will be the confirmation of 5 of our young people at the 11am service.  As we see these young people come forward and hear a bit of their stories, we see in a very real way how God continues to touch and shape lives.  You won’t want to miss this weekend at worship; a very special day for Lutherans in particular.

 

And speaking of our young people, congratulations to Michael and Christopher Reed who both became Eagle Scouts yesterday afternoon.  What a great celebration that was!  Michael’s Eagle Project was the walkway in our Memorial Garden and Christopher’s project was the Altar in our Memorial Garden.  These projects have created a beautiful, sacred space here in the middle of the campus at Our Savior for which we are very grateful.  Chris also continues to serve as the youth member on our congregational council and as one of the leaders in our Youth Group.  These are truly Eagle Scout quality young men.  Many thanks and congratulations to them both. 

 

And speaking of Eagle Scouts…another one of our young men, Wesley Dean, is beginning his Eagle Scout project.  Our property at Our Savior runs along 6^th Ave.  Many people who live to the east and south of us walk along there to go to the store and/or go to work in the Miracle Mile Shopping area.  As a community service, Wesley will be making two rest areas along that way.  Each will be located in the shade of one of the trees and include a bench surrounded by some landscaping.  The bench will have an inscription something like, “Come to me you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.   Jesus”   If you would like to provide one of these benches (total cost, $600 per site) we would also have a plaque “Given in Memory of…..by ……..”  placed on the bench.  We feel this will be a very welcome rest stop for our neighbors, many of whom don’t drive or who are elderly and who walk along 6^th Ave. on a regular basis.   If you are interested in providing one of these benches, please reply to this email or call the church office 772-567-2253 or call Wes himself at 772-559-9426 or 772-569-5231.  Thanks!

 

Looking a little ahead, the weekend of Nov. 3-4 is All Saints Sunday.  During worship we will remember all the members of Our Savior who have died since All Saints Day last year, along with remembering others who have gone before us.  There will be a time in worship to come forward and light a candle in memory of loved ones.  Another very meaningful service in the changing of the seasons, and a service you won’t want to miss.

 

Finally, welcome back to many of our seasonal folks!  That’s one of the happy parts of this season…kinda family reunion time each time we gather for worship.  Good to have you back!    Along with folks returning, our Wednesday suppers have resumed.  This week, the menu includes “Brats”, as kind of an Oktoberfest food. 

 

For more information on life at Our Savior be sure to visit our new website (wow…I thought our other one was great…this one is even better!) at:  www.oursaviorelca.com.      

 

No matter in what season you are in your life, being in worship brings a sense of wholeness and purpose and a peace in knowing that as seasons come and go, Jesus is there with us as the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end of all seasons.   As we are connected with Him and our Creator, each season can bring its own special beauty and wonder, be it the seasons in nature, the seasons of the church year or the seasons of our lives.  See you in church!

 

Pastor Jack Diehl +           www.oursaviorelca.com

O.S.E-news: October 16

In worship this past weekend our Gospel came from Luke 4, Jesus reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the Nazareth synagogue. Jesus read these words: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ The Reverend Doctor Valerie Balius, our guest preacher, called these words "the Divine mission statement" and spoke about how these words apply to all of us. The focus in our worship was drawing near to God with all our needs, and there was special time in the services in which people could write out or come forward for special prayers of healing.

 

We give thanks for our Heath Ministry Team, who assisted in the weekend’s worship services and who all year-long provide a ministry of care and healing to those in need. They visit those who are homebound, recently hospitalized or ill, they deliver meals, accompany on doctor visits, give rides, take blood pressures, and provide care in whatever ways they can. If you feel called to help in this kind of ministry, just reply to this email and we will get you in touch with the Health Ministry Team.

 

On another note, we now have six new Assisted Listening Devices for worship. These are small headsets with ear buds that amplify the volume of the service. These new Listening Devices were donated by OSLC members, Mark and Barb Hauser of Select Audio. They were already used by several folks this past weekend and the report was a "thumbs up!" The devices can be found in the narthex on the Welcome Table, help yourself (and just be sure to return them after worship). Thank you Select Audio!

 

This Wednesday night is our first Wednesday night dinner of the season: 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. This week’s menu: Chicken Parmesan. A free will offering is taken to cover the cost of the meal. Come have dinner with your church family! (And if you would like to help with these meals in any way, just reply to this email as well).

 

Also, on Wednesday night at 6:30pm we will have our first of a three-part series of New Member Gatherings. We will meet in the Sanctuary/Church building. These gatherings are for all who would like to learn more about OSLC and to officially become members. Childcare will be provided in the nursery. Join us!

 

This coming weekend in worship we will commission Ed and Kelly Elsebough as our new Directors of Youth ministry. Come and pray for and support Ed and Kelly, who have already been doing an amazing job working with our youth.

 

May God’s Grace and Peace fill you this week in every way you need,

Pastor Shelly and Pastor Jack

OSE-news: 10/7/12 Was that fun or what!

 

 

From: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 1:49 PM
To: Our Savior Lutheran Church
Subject: OSE-news: 10/7/12 Was that fun or what!

 

On Sunday afternoon at 4pm our annual “Pet Blessing” brought dogs (lots of dogs…from little tiny to great big) a few cats, and one little bunny (“Thumper”), together.    And all who were there, people and animals, were blessed.   Our thanks to Janet Winikoff from the Humane Society for her message.  That’s always a special, fun time here at Our Savior.   Pictures of the event will soon be posted on our website. 

 

This coming weekend, Oct. 13-14, worship will have a “Healing” emphasis at all 3 services.   This is always a very meaningful service, where worshipers can come to the altar for prayers for healing be it for body, mind or spirit. 

 

Looking a little farther ahead, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 6pm our Wednesday suppers will resume, by popular demand!   These are always very well received and a great time to get together in the middle of the week for some good food and fellowship.   Volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up are always welcome. 

 

Also, that evening at 6:30 anyone interested in becoming a member of Our Savior, or just learning more about Our Savior is invited to a gathering in the Quiet Room off of the narthex.  This is the first of 3 gatherings, the 2^nd to be on Sunday Oct. 21 at 9:45, and the third to be Wednesday Oct. 24 at 6:30.  

 

Looking a little beyond our neighborhood, we in Florida have a wonderful place called Luther Springs near Gainesville.  This past weekend 10 members of our confirmation class spent the weekend there for a confirmation retreat.  Many thanks to Ed Elsebough and Michael Hyde, who brought them there and back safely and who had a wonderful time there with them.  Our thanks to Chris Reed, one of our senior Youth Members who also went along to help.   

 

But, Luther Springs isn’t just for young folks!  Coming up Oct. 23-25 there will be a “Boomerang Retreat” at Luther Springs sponsored by ALOA (Adult Lutherans Organized for Action).  Click on the following for more information about a great couple days at Luther Springs:  http://www.lomfla.org/retreats/adult-retreats/index.php#Boomerang .   If you’re interested in this event, please let us know, because it would be wonderful if we could have a group from Our Savior attend.   There are RV sites if you have your own RV, or you can stay in one of the very nice rooms in the Kuehner Center.  Either way, you will be glad you went.  Check it out! 

 

Finally, welcome back to so many of our seasonal folks.   It was good to see you this past weekend (the first weekend on October…first wave of northern visitors returning!)   And we look forward to the more of our extended church family returning as the weeks unfold. 

 

And as the weeks unfold, now that we’re into October, more and more special events and festivals days will be coming along, so keep an eye on our website and join us as we live out our calling here in this place to be called children of God. 

 

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

 

OSE-news: Happy October!

In this past weekend's Old Testament reading about the Israelites and Moses in the wilderness, we saw once again how God provides.  In this particular case, God provided what they all needed by giving his Spirit to seventy of the elders to help care for and lead the people.  

 

For me, who now has a lot less years of ministry ahead of me than behind me, that is really a welcome and hopeful thought.  To know that we as the church are a part of something that has been unfolding over the centuries, and will continue to be the living, breathing Body of Christ, at work in the world when we're gone, says that we are a part of something lasting and important.  I love Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber's image of worship and the liturgy being this beautiful stream that flows through the centuries, and we get to step into it and be a part of it.  (To see the video where Nadia mentions this, go to our website: www.oursaviorelca.com then move the little arrow to “Media” and click on “videos” below that.  You will find several videos there.  One of them is Nadia’s.)  

 

As I look around, I see how God continues to raise up people in the church, with so many different and varied gifts, and pour His Spirit upon them, for the sake of the world.  It all just makes me hopeful and grateful.  

 

And speaking of those things:  here are some ways that God is at work around Our Savior, which you ought to know about, or might want to be a part of:    

 

This coming weekend is "Blanket Sunday" (Oct. 7), when gently used or new blankets and quilts are gathered by our Women of the ELCA to be distributed throughout our community this winter.  (Yes, it will eventually get to the point where a blanket will be needed.  And when that time comes, the blankets given to those who have none are much appreciated!)

 

Also on Sunday October 7 at 4pm in the afternoon on the Fellowship Hall, we will have our annual "Pet Blessing".   It's always a great and touching event to give thanks for God's creatures, reflect on the love they bring into our lives and ask God's blessing on them.  

 

If you'd like to get a taste of what Our Savior is doing beyond our local community, you'll have to follow Ben Smith, one of our college students who has taken the Fall semester off to work with the church in Suriname at an orphanage there.  He has written a wonderful account of his first days there which he will continue to update on our website.  His mother, Sara Smith, an author and writer herself, must be very proud of Ben's writing ability!  It's like you are there in Suriname with Ben.  Go to our new website (www.oursaviorelca.com) and click on to the correct links (hey, I did it, which means about anybody can do it!)  and you can follow Ben's story, which he will be updating for us during his time there.  

 

In a world where we hear that churches are in decline (and some aspects of the church need to be perhaps) and religion gets a bad name (and for some good reasons), the Church, the Body of Christ, is still alive and God is always at work in some new and Life-giving ways.  What a privilege it is to be a part of that.  

 

To learn more about life at Our Savior, please visit our website: www.oursaviorelca.com , where you can now click on one of the places and actually hear the recent sermons from Our Savior!  Yesterday’s isn’t up yet, but will be sometime this week.  This technology still amazes me.  Wow.

 

May you have a blessed week.     See you in church.      Pastor A.C. 'Jack' Diehl III +