Much, Much More!

OSE NEWS  January 27, 2014                      There is a verse I quoted in my sermon yesterday from a not so familiar hymn that has stuck in my mind because of it's power.   "Your Living finger never wrote that life should be an endless mote, a deathward drift from futile birth."  Not exactly the kind of words you would find on a "Thought for the Day" calendar, pretty sobering words.   But important words, especially if you can hear and see the promise in there.  Life can be much more than that "endless mote" and "deathward drift from futile birth".      That is what we heard this past weekend as we heard Jesus' call to be a part of the unfolding Kingdom of Heaven, and the dawning of the great Light which would shine on those "who sat in the region and shadow of death".   Life giving, hopeful words which give meaning and purpose to life!   This coming Sunday we will hear more about what that Life that God gives looks like, as we hear the Beatitudes, which begin with:  "Blessed are....", or sometimes translated "Happy are....". With these words also stuck in our minds and hearts life really is more than "an endless mote, a deathward drift from futile birth"!     Come and see!           +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++   Here are a few highlights and upcoming events around Our Savior:   If you weren't able to join us yesterday for our annual congregational meeting, here is a link to the reports.  Lots of wonderful things going on at and around Our Savior.     Plus, did you know??   We made a big and important change to our constitution!  Along with just making the regular ongoing updates from the ELCA, we deleted a part of our constitution re: the call of pastors.   What we had was a "co-terminus" line in there, as is in many Lutheran Congregational constitutions.  This means that when a senior pastor retires, dies, takes another call or resigns for whatever reason, any other pastor or called people on staff must automatically resign.  I know there were reasons for that to be in so many constitutions, but after carefully considering this part of the constitution; we decided that would not serve the congregation well at all.  So, that "co-terminus" line has been taken out.  (Not that Pastor Jack is planning on dying, retiring or moving anytime soon!)   :-)     Also, WOW!  What an amazing and fun Dixieland/Swing Concert yesterday afternoon at Our Savior with the New Orleans Nighthawks!  The church was packed with almost 250 folks and there were nothing but smiles and toe tapping the whole time, another amazing part of our Fine Arts Series.   Many thanks to Ryan for lining this up.  Coming up next will be the Wiffenpoofs from Yale on March 9 and the Lenoir-Rhyne University Concert Choir on March 16.  (We will need host families for this group!  Keep that in mind or contact Ryan in the church office if interested!)   For more information about all that is happening around Our Savior please visit our website at:  www.oursaviorelca.com.      See you in church!    Pastor Jack     New Orleans Nighthawks Jazz Concert The word "Beatitudes" refers to the list of nine "Blessed are they" in this Sunday's gospel. These words of Jesus are lovely to hear, but challenging to embody. Come to worship, where we receive the Spirit to live according to this countercultural worldview. Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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What is Your Calling?

OSE NEWS  January 20, 2014                      What is your calling?    When I stop and look around at our congregation (or even just look at our 4 grown kids) I'm amazed at the diverse and various callings people have.  I see callings in the areas of medicine, teaching, law, business, construction, music, motherhood, secretarial work, art, communication, mechanics, utilities, science, sports, caregiving, service, and the list goes on.  What a variety of gifts and abilities!  Some things are just second nature to one person, while that same thing would be unthinkable to another. Amazing.   During this season of Epiphany we hear about callings.  We heard this past Sunday and will hear again this coming Sunday about Jesus calling his first disciples.  This gives us the opportunity to think about how we are to live out our "calling", in whatever area it might be.  Being "called" isn't only for ordained pastors or church leaders.  We are all "called" in many and various ways to be a Light in whatever ever area God calls us.  Have you thought about how your gifts, your interests, your abilities, your "calling", is really God's calling to you to be a Light, a force for good, in that particular area?   It's an amazing, beautiful thing!       See you in church this coming weekend as we hear more about God's calling!     Pastor Jack Diehl +         + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +   Following are a couple notes and news about some important upcoming events at Our Savior:   To get in on a group rate ($25.50 per ticket) for the St. Olaf Choir concert at the community church, you need to get your check in to the office ($25.50 made out to Our Savior Lutheran Church) by Thursday of this week.   Sunday, Jan. 26 during the Sunday School hour, beginning at 9:45am in the sanctuary:  Annual Congregational Meeting, including updates on the life and activities of Our Savior, adopting a 2014 budget and more, all beginning with a special opening devotion by our Sunday School children.   Sunday Jan. 26 at 4pm, Jazz Concert at Our Savior!  Not to miss!   Check out our website for more up to date info about life at Our Savior:  www.oursaviorelca.com.   In the gospel for this coming Sunday, Jesus' call of his disciples is like light shining into the darkness. Our baptism is one such light. Come to worship, to hear again the call and to rejoice in the light who is Christ. Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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Who Are You?

OSE NEWS  January 13, 2014                  Who are you?  Whose are you?  What will 2014 hold?     This past weekend as we celebrated "The Baptism of our Lord", (and also celebrated the Baptisms of Isla Mae Spilman and Sara and Abigail Campos) we also got to reflect on our own baptism. When we recall our Baptism, no matter when it was, or whether or not we remember being there (most of us don't), reminding ourselves that we are Baptized, answers those questions I posed at the beginning.  Who are you?  A child of God, numbered among those called children of the Light and of the Day.  Whose are you?  God's!   Not a child of the darkness or an orphan with no moral compass.   What will 2014 hold?  Whatever it is, we face it with the promise, "Lo, I am with you always to the end of the age."  Doesn't get much simpler...or more profound...than that!     As the weeks unfold during this season of Epiphany, come and hear the stories of others who have been called, and what it means for you to be called to be a reflection of God's Light in the world.     See you in church!       Pastor Jack Diehl +       www.oursaviorelca.com      Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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Let Your Light Shine!

OSE NEWS  January 6, 2014                  New Epiphany Banner!      A wonderful end the 12 days of Christmas yesterday, and beginning of the New Year...in many ways!   Worship began with a procession of the 3 Kings and continued with a focus on the words from Isaiah, "Arise, shine for your Light has come!"  Adding to the great worship experience was the arrival of so many of our winter friends. Welcome back!   Then the day was then topped off by a great concert by the Augsburg College Orchestra from Minneapolis at 4pm!     More about that momentarily.....   But first...the sermon (click to listen) ended yesterday with something to ponder.  What if you began everyday with the words from Isaiah ringing in your ears and heart:  "Arise, shine, for your Light has come!" ?    Then, along with those words, what if you remembered the words spoken over you at the time of your Baptism: "Let your light shine before others that they can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." ?   How would beginning your day like that shape your life and affect those around you; those near and dear and even strangers?  And if all of God's people began their day like that, what kind of impact would that have on our communities, our society and on the world!?   Well, our folks seemed to take that call to heart last night for the Augsburg Orchestra concert.  The conductor and musicians were all so grateful and so pleased by the great turnout of over 200 people, the warm reception, the helpful volunteers and the great meal following the concert.  The conductor told me after the concert that they go to many churches on their tours, but there was something very special about being here: the warmth, the reception, the helpfulness, the generosity, the spirit.  He said you could just feel it.  Many thanks to all for making that happen, and especially to the helpers who provided the meal for the musicians. You truly did let your Light shine!  What a wonderful way to end the 12 days of Christmas and begin the New Year.     Finally, a brief but most heartfelt word of thanks from Pastor Shelly, Ryan and me, for your humbling and most generous Christmas gifts (both individual gifts and the combined gift gathered from so many of you) and for all of your kind and gracious words attached to so many of those gifts.   This is a wonderful place to be, and we are so grateful to you all for your love and support.         Happy Epiphany today!    See you in church!     Pastor Jack Diehl + Throughout the Sundays after Epiphany, the lectionary readings feature stories in which Jesus is shown forth as Christ, our Savior. The gospel for this coming Sunday tells of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus and a voice from heaven naming Jesus the Son of God. We who are baptized are also called sons and daughters of God. Come to worship, to remember and celebrate your own baptism. Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

Forward this email This email was sent to oslcvero.godsamazinggrace@blogger.com by info@oursaviorelca.com |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Our Savior Lutheran Church | 1850 Sixth Ave. | Vero Beach | FL | 32960