January

2019

A Word from Pastor Jeff

As we begin a new year, there are a couple of things I’d like to share with you.

The first is something I recently received from a friend. It’s so good, in my opinion, that I’m making a New Year’s resolution to do my best to commit it to memory. I don’t know who wrote it but it’s called…

THE BIBLE IN 50 WORDS God made.

Adam bit. Noah arked. Abraham split.

Jacob fooled. Joseph ruled.

Bush talked. Moses balked. Pharaoh plagued. People walked.

Sea divided. Tablets guided.

Promise landed.

Saul freaked. David peeked.

Prophets warned.

Jesus born.

God walked. Love talked.

Anger crucified. Hope died.

Love rose.

Spirit flamed. Word spread. God remained.

In addition to working on memorizing this poem, I’m committing to spend more time with the Bible in personal

devotions. Sure, I’m digging around in scripture almost every day in the course of doing my work as a pastor.

But, I’ve decided I need to spend more time in God’s word next year with no particular agenda in mind other than

listening for God’s voice. Perhaps you’ll join me!

The second thing I’d like to share is inspired by something that happened about a week ago. I came across a book

that’s been in my library for a long time, Out of Solitude, by Henri Nouwen. Like the poem I shared above, I also

received this book from a friend. In an underlined portion of my book Nouwen writes…

“When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find it is those

who, instead of giving much advice, solutions or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our

wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or con-

fusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing,

not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares.”

I’d really like you to consider what Nouwen has to say. Put his insight to the test in your life. And think about

this: Jesus regularly and powerfully demonstrated the importance of true friendship in his life. The model Jesus

gave us is exactly what Nouwen is talking about.

It was good to find that old book. It really got me thinking. It helped me to remember how grateful I am to God

for the faith-filled friends in my life. And more than that, I’m hoping and praying with God’s grace, in this next

year I may be a friend who truly cares. How about you?

Pastor Jeff Sandgren

A Word From Pastor Anders “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time a mourn, and a time to dance;”

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2,4

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible, not because it tells me something I do not know, but because it reinforces the rhythms and seasons in our lives together and with God. And not all of them are wholly and fully “good”. If you get a chance check out the rest of Ecclesiastes 3 and read about the seasons of our lives and it might be helpful to recognize which season you might find yourself in.

Culturally, we have created such an emphasis on changing gears, making, goals, and resolutions for the coming of the New Year. Often these resolutions do not make it past the first week, and seldomly do these resolutions last the whole year. In fact, Pew Research said that on average only about 8% of people keep their New Year’s resolu-tions through the whole year. Perhaps most of the lack of success is due to lofty goals that were unattainable in the first place, but I would argue that much of it has to do with our self-awareness in what season of life that we find ourselves in.

Each year my immediate family would gather in our living room in our home in Gahanna, Ohio and we would start each year off with a blessing. These blessing rituals came from a book that my dad’s family wrote called For Everything a Season: 75 Blessings for Life’s Milestones. The blessing began with these words from Ecclesiastes 3, and then we would each share a reflection on the last year and the year to come.

So then, here is your homework for this month of January 2019:

Take a few minutes to read through and this reflection section from the For Everything a Season, book.

“New Year’s Eve is a celebration of the old and the new, the past and the future. These sentence starters might be helpful: One of the many blessings of this past year was… One of the disappointments of this past year was… One of the ways that I have changed over the past year is…

Now think ahead to the new year and complete the following sentences: One fear I have for this year is… One hope I have for this year is… “

Take some time and think through these things. I believe that as people of faith it is vitally important to ask these questions to gage where we are spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and physically, as we embark into a new year of life together.

Happy New Year.

Peace,

Pastor Anders

A Word From Vicar Maria Markman

Repeat the sounding joy!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Vicar Maria! My tag-line this Christmas season has been “repeat the sounding joy.” I took it from the very popular Christmas hymn Joy to the World. I thought it was fun and joyful. And now as we approach the new year, I feel as though I have a foot stuck in Christmas. Like a song stuck on repeat except I like it! Truth be told the twelve days of Christmas do not begin until Christmas and so if you are reading this in the first week of January, we are, in fact still in the season of Christmas! And we should still be repeating the joys of Christmas, a time when themes of Special celebrations with loved ones, acts of service, and care for a hurting world are central. Often times in churchy circles we call ourselves “Easter” people or “resurrection” people and although that is true and very important, we are also always “Christmas” people! Remembering we are reflections of Christ to the world, let us continue in the Christmas spirit all year through. “Repeat the sounding joy” and be the light of Christ to your neighbors and to strangers this year! I am so excited for this new year to begin. I am excited for the chance to experience the church year with Emanu-el Lutheran Church and together “repeat the sounding joy” through our mission and ministry together! Vicar Maria

Dear Quilting Club,

I am Staff Sergeant (SSG) Joshua Ellens, grandson of Don and Carol Ellens. I am emailing you as this is the best way for me to communicate. I am cur-rently in month 5 deployed to the Ukraine, and to receive a generous act like yours while abroad is one reason I take such pride in what I do. I will cherish the quilt not only for the obvious skill and craftsmanship it took to create it, but also as a re-minder that sometimes random acts of kindness can have the most profound effect on people. God bless you.

SSG Ellens, Joshua

F a c t s a n d F i g u r e s f o r

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 8 3 Y e a r C o m p a r i s o n N o v e m b e r O f f e r i n g 2 0 1 8 $ 4 8 , 0 1 6 2 0 1 7 $ 5 9 , 8 2 2 2 0 1 6 $ 5 7 , 2 1 2 N o v e m b e r E x p e n s e 2 0 1 8 $ 5 3 , 7 0 1 2 0 1 7 $ 4 5 , 6 5 7 2 0 1 6 $ 4 9 , 6 4 6 Y T D I n c o m e 2 0 1 8 $ 5 9 3 , 8 8 2 2 0 1 7 $ 5 9 3 , 7 4 9 2 0 1 6 $ 5 9 6 , 0 3 1 Y T D E x p e n s e 2 0 1 8 $ 6 2 8 , 1 0 9 2 0 1 7 $ 5 8 1 , 3 5 1 2 0 1 6 $ 5 6 9 , 9 8 0

R i s e C a p i t a l C a m p a i g n

F u n d s R e c e i v e d .

3 Y e a r P l e d g e s — $ 7 5 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 F u n d s r e c e i v e d a s o f

D e c e m b e r 1 s t $ 4 2 3 , 6 5 2 . 8 7

( t h i s i n c l u d e s t h e d e b t f o r g i v e n b y D R I P I n v e s t o r s ) .

T h a n k s f o r y o u r g e n e r o s i t y ! O u r S a v i o r ’ s i s b l e s s e d w i t h m a n y

g r a t e f u l h e a r t s .

Baptisms

November 25, 2018

Margaret Sefkow

Daughter of

Dan and Abby Sefkow.

December 9, 2018

Decker Finstuen

Son of

Andy and Kelsi Finstuen.

December 23,2018

Kenley Smuda

Daughter of

Jacob and Kallie Smuda.

December, 30, 2018

Elsie Quam

Daughter of

Jason and Emily Quam.

Welcome to the family little ones!

Stewardship Summary

2019 Stewardship Campaign

Pledge Card Results As of December 13, 2018

General Fund $492,134.00 Number of Households that pledged: 135 Number of Households that pledged for the first time: 8 Number of Households that increased pledge: 105 Number of Actively Giving Households (2018) 365 Percentage of active households that pledge: 43.9%

General Fund

Estimated 2019 Revenue

Pledge total: $492,134.00

Est. Giving from Non Pledgers* $195,697.00

Est. Loose Offering* $ 15,000.00

Est. 2019 Revenue $702,831.00

Proposed Expense Budget $702,831.00

Projected Income over Expenses $ 0.00

*based on 2018 giving YTD

General Fund Rolling Revenue January 2018—December 2018

Month Revenue

January $56,009.71

February $51,938.44

March $56,579.66

April $65,733.44

May $57,265.56

June $49,881.52

July $53,265.49

August $50,445.96

September $54,958.32

October $48,807.43

November $48,016.43

December (not available at time of printing)

CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Worship

9:30 a.m.

Congregational Meeting

10:30 a.m.

in the Sanctuary.

Continental Breakfast

following the meeting in the All Purpose Room.

(please sign up for the meal by January 20)

2018 Annual Reports will be available by Sunday, January 13th.

Habitat Needs Us! Meals, Help, and More!

Meals: Thanks to Our Savior's for faithful service to Habitat for Humanity! This fall 24 members provided 10 meals to the building crews. We will have opportuni-ties to provide meals again on the following dates: January 3rd, 8th, and 15th. If you are able to provide a food item (soup, casserole, sandwiches, dessert), please contact Barbara Karli at barbkarli1@gmail.com or call 503-334-8189.

Help Wanted: Beginning on January 3rd both houses, 315 Willow and 1004 Central, will need many hands to help with painting, trim work, flooring, hanging cabinets and doors, etc. Individuals are welcomed or bring a group of friends. Contact Barbara Karli to get involved! Barbkarli1 @gmail.com or call 503-334-8189.

More: Many of you have watched the progress of the Habitat house being built at 315 Willow. This will become home for Ali Mohamed and Fadumo Ahmed and their nine children. Their only daughter, Lul, was struck in a crosswalk by a motorist in the fall of 2013. She is a 9th grader at Faribault Senior High and is an excellent stu-dent. Lul is still using a wheelchair but she has a positive attitude and is determined to regain her mobility.

Lul's lengthy hospitalization stressed the family's financial situation. Although her father resumed his employ-ment working at the Jennie-O plant, they have not been able to save money for the needed household appliances (washer, dryer, microwave, and dishwasher) for their new home. The cost of the appliances totals $1334.00. The loose offerings and jar offerings at Our Savior's for the month of January will be designated toward the cost of the appliances.

We are called to serve and in our partnership with Rice County Habitat for Humanity we are creating brighter futures for families!

Lamplighter’s Meeting Tuesday , January 8

1:00pm

In the All Purpose Room

Visitors are always welcome

Never Worry About Money Again

Financial Peace University will help you take control of your money, plan for your future, and transform your life.

W h a t i s F i n a n c i a l P e a c e U n i v e r s i t y ? Financial Peace University is a nine-lesson, money-management class taught by America's most trusted financial guru, Dave Ramsey. Dave and his teaching team will walk you through the basics of budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future, and much more. And now you can experience this life-changing class the way that’s best for you: with other people in a local group, online at your own pace or both! “This course will do more than give you the knowledge you need to gain Financial Peace, you will also find that it will help you with strengthening your marriage and help you to attain mutual goals. It will help you gain a margin in your life that will let you breathe easier and find that what used to be financial emergencies are now simply speed bumps or detours that can be managed. If you want to win with money AND deepen your spiritual life AND strength-en your marriage AND change your family tree - take this 9 week course. YOU will win. “Robert from AUBURN, CA

Class Starts January 10th at Our Saviors at 6:30 and will meet every Thursday.

Sign up at https://fpu.com/1081013 For more information contact Class Coordinator Doug Nelson at 612-232-2115 or Doug.B.Nelson@gmail.com

P a g e 1 0

I have a question about Mental Illness…G.I.F.T. Event

1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness in a given year, and 1 in 4 people will develop a mental ill-ness in their lifetime. Mental Illness does not discrimi-nate and can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, reli-gion or income. But people are still afraid to talk about “mental illness” due to the shame, misunderstanding, negative attitudes, and fear of discrimination. Join us on January 2nd when we will start the conversation about Mental Illness immediately following worship from 6:45-3:30 in the sanctuary.

We will be continuing Adult Education times for all peo-ple to dig deeper into the conversation about mental illness. Please join us on January 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th.

Pre- Sunday School Stepping Stone

We are excited to have added a new Stepping Stone for our youngest

members! Any child that has not yet entered Sunday School is invited to participate in their first Stepping Stone class called Worship Young. We will spend time together exploring the worship space and the church. Our hope is that families will find this space as theirs in the faith journey. Please join us on Sunday, January 6th from 8:45-9:15am. Your child will be presented with their Stepping Stone on Sunday, January 13th at the 9:30 worship service.

1st Grade Stepping Stone

Our children often think that money just miraculously appears. How do you start to teach children about managing money, and spending responsibly. This stepping stone will explore how God intends for us to appreciate and use God’s gift of money. We will talk about spending, giving, and saving. Class will meet on Wednesday, January 16th from 6:45-3:30 in the Chapel. All Wednesday and Sunday School families are invited to attend this class. The presentation of the Stepping Stone will be on Sunday, January 20th and Wednesday, January 23rd at the Worship services. We look forward to having you all join us for this wonderful stepping stone.

January Volunteers

Team 4 ©Dwight Elthon Larry Hafemeyer

Ginger Myers Fred Grote

Joe Grote DeDe Howie

Dennis Wunderlich Rita Wunderlich

Welcome Counter January 6 Lyle and Ruth Olson

January 13 Clarence and Vivian Anderson

January 20 Arvid and Pat Mensing

January 27 Ginger Myers

Communion

January 6 January 20

Comm. Prep. Mary Osborne Comm. Prep. Dave and Sarah Stensrud Servers Todd Markman Servers Dave Borka Dan and Karen Rasmussen Linda Mueller Ellen Bisping Troy and Tara Dunn Lori Boyle Keith and Karen Larson Becky Bender

Scripture Readers

January 6 Rick Bartness

January 13 Claire Anderson

January 20 Ellen Bisping

January 27 Dave Borka

Tech. Team

January 6 Troy and Carlie Caron

January 13 Ken Butzow and Mark Zentner

January 20 Chris and Gabe Trebelhorn

January 27 Dick Lawson and Linda Hanegraff

We are always looking for more people to get involved in the life and ministry of Our Savior’s

Lutheran. Please contact Georganne Danielson or Wendy Smith Becker if you would like to

volunteer for any of these opportunities.

V i s i t u s o n t h e w e b !

w w w. o u r s a v i o r s f b o . o r g

O u r S a v i o r ’ s L u t h e r a n C h u r c h 1207 Prairie Ave South

Faribault, MN 55021

Nonprofit Or.

U.S. Postage Paid

Faribault, MN 55021

Permit No. 81

Change Service Requested

Take a moment and call

Our Savior’s Daily Devotion Line

@ 507-331-7477

Serving is from

5:00-6:00pm

Cost is $3.00 per

person

with a family

maximum

Of $15.00.

Come enjoy great

food

and fellowship with

your

Our Savior’s family!

C a f é M i d w e e k J a n u a r y M e n u

January 2

Hotdogs

January 9

Lasagna

January 16

Beef and Chicken Tacos

January 23

Pizza

January 30

Soppy Joes