Astounding!

July 21, 2014               The following reflection comes from a blog by Rachel Held Evens about Jesus' parables:     "It is an astounding detail when you think about it:  the God of all creation, the One who knows every corner of the cosmos and fathoms every mystery, the One who could answer every theological riddle and who, I suspect, chuckles at our volumes of guesses, our centuries of pompous philosophical tomes, debating His nature, when present in the person of Jesus Christ, told stories."   Told Stories. Simple Parables.  About seeds, birds, yeast, vineyards, etc.  That's it?  That's it!   But in these stories and parables, we get glimpses of the Kingdom of God, of Life as God intends, of the Big Picture, of who God made us to be.   It is these stories/parables that we have gathered around in church recently and will gather around yet again this coming weekend. Come, join us, be inspired and astounded.   And this coming weekend, if you come early (8:30am) you can join the Intergenerational/Anybody Choir, prepare to do some special music during worship at 9:30, and be a part of telling these astounding stories.   See you in church!      Have a blessed week.    Pastor Jack +   www.oursaviorelca.com  The gospel reading for this coming Sunday includes six very brief parables about what Matthew calls "the kingdom of heaven." At worship, choose which picture of the mercy of God is most appealing to you, and at the Lord's Supper, take this treasure into yourself. Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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Comings and Goings....

July 14, 2014                 Comings and goings.   It's that time of the year when so many of our folks are traveling, visiting, vacationing.  This past weekend, Pastor Shelly talked about going out in joy and being led back in peace.  May that be the case for all who are coming and going this summer.    For those of you who are in town,  our worship will focus this coming weekend on wheat and weeds.  Isn't life always a mixture of those things in our comings and goings?!  So, what does God have to say about that?  Come and see.     Finally, speaking of comings and goings, there is a lot of extra activity around the offices as they are being repainted, offices moved, new flooring, etc.  This will continue for the next few weeks, which may even include some days where the office will have to be closed.  So, we ask for your patience and understanding.  Many thanks to our property chairman, Mark Davia for spearheading this whole project, and in fact doing much of the work himself!    See  you in church!     Pastor Jack Diehl +    www.oursaviorelca.com  (and please "Like" us on Facebook!)       The wonderful office staff using the new copy workroom! The parable we hear this coming Sunday is about a field in which  both wheat and weeds are growing-which is a way to describe the church, the world, and even ourselves. Come to worship, so that hearing the word and eating the supper of the Lord can nourish your "wheat" and stifle your "weeds." Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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Yoked Together!

July 6, 2014                 One of life's hardest things is being disconnected, going it alone, feeling cut off.   In worship this past weekend (click for the sermon) we had a beautiful image before us, as Jesus said:  "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  This is a picture of Jesus beside us, connected to us, our yoke mate, pulling our loads with us, showing us the way, bearing our burdens.     And in him being connected to us, that connects us to each other. As a people yoked together, when we share our joys, they are doubled and when we share each other burdens, they are cut in half.  It's a wonderful, life-giving thing to be yoked together, with Jesus and each other.     Not all "yokings" are like that.  Some things we get "yoked too" can weigh us down, add to our burdens, be a destructive force in our lives.  When that happens, we need to hear Jesus' words again, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you..."     That's what we do as we gather to worship, or gather for Bible study, such as a new women's Bible study "Restless: Because You Were Made for More", starting tonight (Monday July 7 in the Quiet Room off of the narthex, from 6:30-8pm.) We nurture that relationship with Jesus and each other, as fellow yoke mates. What a freeing, wonderful gift that is!   The parable we hear this coming Sunday likens the word of God to seed that Christ sows into the field that we are. Come to worship, to receive the seed of the word, and at the table, to be nourished for a fruitful life.   See  you in church!     Pastor Jack Diehl +    www.oursaviorelca.com  (and please "Like" us on Facebook!)     Weekly Devotions and Prayers: Taking Home Faith

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Passionate, Bold and Faithful....

June 30, 2014           We heard on Sunday in worship how Jesus spoke about "whoevever gives even a cup of cold water to one of the little ones" reaches out in God's love. Sometimes sharing Christ is complicated and sometimes it is not, sometimes it is as simple as sharing a cold cup of water!   Here are two simple ways to stay connected with your Christian family at OSLC and in the greater Florida-Bahamas Synod. Read a terrific summary of the Synod Assembly that just took place in Orlando from our new Council President, Vernon Khail. It will encourage you about the state of the church! Like Our Savior Lutheran Church on Facebook to receive regular pictures and updates through FB.         Reflections on the Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly of June 20-22 Vernon Khail, OSLC Council President    This was a truly joyous gathering of more than 450 Lutherans from 184 congregations, and the logistics of shepherding this group through three legislative sessions, 35 separate workshops, three worship services and numerous presentations were flawlessly executed.  You could tell that the assembly was exceptionally well-thought out by an experienced and inspired staff.  Our own Ryan Hostler was responsible for the worship services, and it felt a lot like home, albeit in a larger setting.   Bishop Robert Schaefer is a charismatic and brilliant leader, and I run out of superlatives when I try to describe his impact on the assembly and on the Synod.  He has also perfected the use of humor in a spiritual setting to keep things entertaining and uplifting at the same time.  The emphasis throughout the assembly was on becoming "Mission Directed" churches who Boldly Share Christ, Passionately Make Disciples, and Faithfully do Justice; and our job ahead is to evaluate how well Our Savior meets that definition and where we can improve.   After participating in four workshops on Saturday, it became apparent that Our Savior in Vero Beach stands out from the crowd.  I learned repeatedly in all four workshops about the struggle that most congregations face in growing or holding membership, and continually making difficult choices as a result of their financial situation.  We should all be grateful that Our Savior's history and stability will allow us to focus our energy and resources on service and not on maintenance.   Gisela and I came away from the Assembly with a new and renewed appreciation for the leadership of the Florida-Bahamas Synod, and especially for the leadership of Our Savior Lutheran Church.  We are very, very thankful for the opportunity to represent this great church at the Assembly.     The word "yoke" (at least when heard) probably makes us think of eggs. But in the gospel on this coming Sunday, the yoke is the wooden neck brace that helps two oxen pull their load together. Come to worship, to find out about the yoke we are fitted into at our baptism, and at the table, be strengthened to join with Christ to carry your heavy burdens. 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