dear people of our savior’s lutheran hurch, › pdf › newsletter › 2020 › newsletter... ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Dear People of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church,
As I listen to the news, it’s clear that in our nation there’s not a lot of consensus on things related to the COVID-19 virus. To mask or not to mask. To open the economy or keep things buttoned up. There does, how-ever, seem to be consensus that at least for the next many months and maybe longer, the way we interact with one another is going to be different. The world as we knew it in January 2020 is not going to return, at least not anytime soon.
As far as I can tell, the way we worship and gathering is going to be different, at least for a while. Facing this reality, one of the questions your pastors are fussing with is, “What is essential for you, to help you grow in faith in the months and year to come?”
Many years ago, the ELCA put out a Bible study series called the “Marks of Discipleship.” The series lifted up seven marks of discipleship. Followers of Jesus, worship, pray, study, encourage, invite, serve, and give. As you think about what is essential for your life of faith during this time, think about this areas:
Worship: Over the summer, you are encouraged to continue to worship from the comfort and safety of your own home through Facebook, YouTube, and the Radio Broadcast. Some in person worship opportunities may be offered later this summer. See more information about this in the newsletter.
Pray: A mentor of mine once said, “You can pray anytime and anywhere, but it’s important to pray sometime and somewhere.” Followers of Jesus regularly stay connected with him. Choose a time each day to pray. It can be as straightforward as praying the Lord’s Prayer when you brush your teeth at night. Make prayer a daily habit.
Study: God’s Word brings life to us. Reading or listening to scripture draws us closer to the heart of God. Find a devotion book, pick up a Christ in Our Home Devotion book, use an app like d365 or Pray-as-you-go, or sim-ply pick up your Bible and read. Check out the newsletter for a weekly Bible Study opportunity or let us know if there’s something else we can be doing to provide study opportunities for you.
Encourage: Phone calls, cards, and conversations in coffee shops and street corners have always been won-derful ways to provide encouragement to each other. Acts of encouragement are really needed now, in this time when we have limited interactions with one another.
Invite: You might not be able to invite someone to an in person worship service with Our Savior’s Lutheran Church right now, but you can share our worship service on facebook or youtube or let them know about our radio broadcast. Share your faith with them by asking, “How can I be praying for you?”
Serve: Right now, it seems to me that the best way you can serve is by caring for your friends and family that are nearby. Sew masks, change diapers, mow lawns, listen even when you are tired, offer to get groceries for someone, smile, etc. “Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Give: Even though the offering plate hasn’t been passed in a while, your continued generosity to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and other ministries allow us to move forward boldly in sharing God’s work. Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 21:6)
Finally, a prayer: Yikes! Help! Thank you! Here we go! Amen.
Grace and peace to you, Pastor Emmy Swedlund
Flat Roof Project Though our full Capital Campaign has been put on hold, the flat roofing project is moving forward. Completion date is expected to be July 2020. The is project includes the flat roof over the Gathering Room and Office Areas. Costs are estimated to be about $105,000. Financing has been secured for this project, on an as needed basis.
It’s time to “unleash” your generosity. Gifts above and beyond your contributions to our general offering fund are needed.
Please earmark gifts for the Capital Campaign – Roof Project. Send to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 138 3rd St. NW, Valley City, ND or give online at www.oursaviorsvc.org and click the blue “give online” button. Be sure to designate your gift to “Capital Campaign-Roof.” If you give online, also please consider offsetting the service fees, but clicking the box at checkout.
Thanks “fur” your generosity, especially to those who have already contributed to this project. We’ve already raised 2 out of 10 paws towards this project.
When Lutheran World Relief launched the 75,000 Face Mask Challenge less than a month ago, they knew the compassionate response would be overwhelming – and that good people like you would meet the challenge. They just had no idea you’d pull it off so quickly. Thank you! As COVID-19 continues to make its way around the world, the poorest communities stand to bear the heaviest burdens. Cloth masks are a first barrier of defense, and the need is only increasing. To reach even more people in dire need, Lutheran World Relief is collecting 75,000 more masks! How many will you make to help stop the spread? Sign up for more info. www.lwr.org/masks A BIG THANK YOU to all who have made masks for local organizations, friends, family, and neighbors. _____________________________________________
This year, the Good Samaritan Quilters are hosting an online quilt sale. The sale starts June 7th. Check out the event “Our Savior’s Online Quilt Sale.”Purchased quilts can be picked up at the church office. Arrangements for delivery and mail (at the expense of the purchaser) may also be made.
Members of the July Our Savior’s Servants
Coordinators: Jill Kvilvang—(701) 840-0536 Wendy McDaniel-(701)490-0774 Jeff Brown Cynthia Lerud-Creviston Jason & Angie Elston Sandra Franke Dennis & Judy Gumke LaVerne Henne Scott Hurlimann Alan & Kelli Karn Clint & Lynae Klemisch Neil & Tricia Lebahn Jeff Matson Monte & Pat McDaniel Don & Janice Olafson Tyler & Jamie Pederson Wanda Perdue Emily Peterson Brittney & Kandice Risser Vicky Royse John & Bobbi Suhr Pastor Kyle Symanski Kelly & Lori Tabor Dan Taylor James & Brenda Veach ___________________________________________
Radio broadcast of the 8:30 worship is on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. on KOVC 1490 AM. To sponsor a broadcast and/or reserve a sponsorship date for 2020, please contact the church office. The cost to sponsor a broadcast is $100 and you may provide this gift in memory of or in honor of some-one, an a anniversary or another significant event. Your gift to this important ministry is appreciated.
Opportunities to Love our Neighbors
If area residents would like to donate money to the Barnes County Food Pantry, simply write your check out to the “Food Pantry” and mail it to Barnes County Food Pantry, PO Box 298, Valley City, ND 58072. Every dollar given to the Food Pantry is used for food, and only food. No food item donations are being accepted at this time.
Throughout the summer, our primary worship opportunity will be through radio and the internet. You are encouraged to continue to worship from the comfort and safety of your home.
The Church Council has a task force working to develop plans for when we start having in-person gatherings. Some in person worship opportunities may be available later this summer. Information will be shared as it is decided. When we do resume to gathering in-person, some things will be differ-ent, at least for a time. You’ll likely be encouraged to wear a mask and practice 6’ apart physically distancing. We’ll sit every other pew, not touch each other while passing the peace, and not pass the offering plate. Out of an abundance of caution, we will refrain from singing together, because it appears that singing causes respiratory droplets that spread the virus to carry even further. This is hard, but in its 2,000 year old history the church has faced many challenges. We will get through this too!
A Sunday bulletin, with full liturgy and hymns, is found at oursaviorsvc.org or call the church office 845-1328, if you would like a bulletin mailed to you.
Sunday Worship at Home Times 8:30 am Facebook Live at “Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Valley City, ND” 11:00 am Broadcast on KOVC 1490 AM Sunday Afternoon – Worship Posted on “ OSLC Valley City” on Youtube.com
Thanks to Pastor Sharayah Robinson from the Kathryn-Nome-Fingal Parish for joining us in leading worship during this time.
Highlights from the May Congregation Council Meeting The Council met via electronic (Zoom and phone) means for our May meeting.
Barnes County Food Pantry Donation: With a portion of the funds in the Lent Supper Fund, the council approved a $750 donation to the Barnes County Food Pantry.
Capital Campaign/Flat Room Project: Per the meeting last month, the full Capital Campaign Project has been put on hold. The Flat Roof Project is on schedule so far, pro-jected for July completion, total cost estimate is $101,710. Funding is set of as a line of credit at Dacotah Bank, $107,000 max, to draw on as needed. Fundraising for this project will begin in June. Donations should be earmarked for the “Capital Campaign/Roofing Project.”
COVID-19 & Resuming In-Person Gatherings: Consensus was we are not ready to return to in-person worship until at least June. We need to have a solid plan in place so that everyone will have confidence and feel safe when return. A task force will be formed to lead Our Saviors in setting parameters for how we open back to in-person worship, clearly defining risks and actions, while following guidelines.
Transitions in the Congregation: Deaths: non-member burial, Lester Matthews
A draft of the full meeting minutes are posted on the bulletin board outside of the pastors offices or can be requested by emailing [email protected] .
Church Office Hours Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 3:00 pm Please enter through the West door. If you need a handicap accessible entrance, please call the church, so that we can have the North doors open for you.
Contact Information Church Office 845-1328 [email protected]
Pastor Emmy Swedlund Cell – (701)552-2419 [email protected]
Pastor Kyle Symanski Cell - (708)476-8712 (YES! It’s 708) [email protected]
Youth Director, Kyla Festch [email protected]
If we do not answer, please leave a message so that we can get back to you.
We want to be in contact with you! Each Wednesday the church sends out a weekly email. If you aren’t getting it, check your junk or spam mail. And – make sure to get your email to the church office at [email protected]
Like us on Facebook at “Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Valley City, ND” for ongoing ministry updates, reflec-tions, and worship opportunities.
Subscribe to the “OSLC Valley City” for weekly devotions and Sunday Worship posted by Sunday afternoons.
This Photo by Unknown Author
MidWeek Bible Study
During the first part of the summer, we’ll go behind the scenes and explore the Bible Stories behind some classic Sunday School songs like “Fishers of Men,” “Zacchaeus,” and “Father Abraham.”
You can participate in a couple of ways. Choose one or both options:
Wednesday Bible Study Email: Each Wednesday morning, Pastor Kyle or Pastor Emmy prepare a Bible Study that is sent out via email. The studies include a Bible passage to read, a few thoughts, questions for reflection, and sometimes music or a video clip. You can do the study on your own or with others in your home.
Zoom Bible Study Wednesday at 1:00 pm: We’ll meet “together” through this great technology. Bring yourself and a Bible. We’ll explore the story together and enjoy conversation. We’ll email the Zoom link along with the Wednesday Bible study email. You don’t, however, have to “do” the Bible Study before attending. Just come!
If you wish to participate, please email Pastor Emmy at [email protected] so that we get you added to the list. If you are already receiving Wednesday Bible Study, you do not need to register. _______________________________________________
The 2020 Missionary Calendar is located above the information counter. Claim your 2020 dates. Donations of $25 a day support our missionaries, Willie and Anne Langdji, serving as ELCA Representatives in Western Africa. They provide support to churches, schools, and medical centers in that region, including our partner synod in the Central African Republic. Donations also support Global Health Ministries, a Twin Cities based organization that supports medical centers around the world, through shipping supplies, sharing expertise
A BIG THANK YOU to all who have shared offerings through mail, dropping them off, and online giving. Even when we are unable to meet in person for worship, our ministry continues to happen. Your ongoing financial and prayer support is so appreciated. Thank you!
MAIL Offering can be sent to the church at 138 3rd St, NW, Valley City, ND 58072
GIVE ONLINE Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is now able to accept gifts to our ministry online through Credit or Debit Card. There are two ways:
1. Visit our website www.oursaviorsvc.org and click on “Give Online.” You can make a one-time gift or create an account to set up on going giving.
2. Apps make life easier. With the GivePlus Mobile app, you can use your smartphone to give anywhere, anytime. Make a one-time gift or set up recurring donations. Set up an account or give as a guest. Securely and conveniently manage donations from your phone. To give through our mobile app, download the free GivePlus app from the App Store or Google Play.
Please note: You’ll be given the option to add small percentage to your gift to offset the service fees. Please consider selecting this option. Consider it the small fee of convenience!