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 +
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
"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 +
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 +
Friday, August 12, 2011
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 +
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 +
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
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 +
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 +
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
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
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
Monday, June 13, 2011
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 +
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 +
Monday, June 6, 2011
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 +
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 +
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