our savior’s lutheran church lifelinesoursaviorsaustin.org/_lifelines/lifelines.pdfspend my time...
TRANSCRIPT
Lifelines Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
June / July 2018
Lifelines
Pastor’s Note 2
News 3
Summer Hours 4
Missions 5-6
CYF news 7-10
Contacts 11
Inside this issue:
We are a Community, Centered in Christ, Committed to Equipping God’s People for Life and Service in God’s World
Congratulations, Class of 2018! Be sure to save the date- Baccalaureate Breakfast and Worship Service, will be held on Sunday, June 3rd. Brunch will be served at 9:30 a.m., followed by Baccalaureate worship at 10:30 a.m.
Experience the Ride of a Lifetime with God at VBS! At Rolling River Rampage VBS, kids will ride the river of amazing grace! Join us June 11-15 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. It isn’t too late to register for VBS! You won’t want to miss any of the fun. Beginning Monday, June 11th, kids will embark on a week-long Bible adventure during our summer VBS program. Our Savior’s VBS is for children ages 3 (before January 1st, 2018) to just completing 4th grade. Registration is easy online at www.oursaviorsaustin.org Just click on the VBS logo on the home page slide show, and you’ll enter our online registration site. To simplify our first-day processes, please register your child online prior to noon on June 10th to ensure that we have everything ready for your child. Online registration will close at this time, and only paper registrations will be accepted after this time. Paper forms are available at both Welcome Desks. Students finishing grades 5 through adult are welcome to partner with us in this awesome ministry opportunity! You can register on the same site listed above. For more information on VBS see page 13.
Intern Farewell Intern Pastor Anders Nelson will be ending his year with us in July. He will preach his final sermon here on Sunday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 25. He also has permission to preside at communion those dates. Worship, on both of those dates, will include a time of thanksgiving for Anders’ year of ministry with us, and all are invited to shower him with cards and your well wishes. Anders returns to Luther Seminary for his final year of classes.
Page 2
Membership News Baptisms:
5/6 - Nola Annamarae Klein, daughter of Michaela and Cody Klein
5/6 - Kipton James Gross, son of Brittni and Jacob Gross
IN – 2 – 3 OUT – 2 – 3 IN – 2 – 3 OUT – 2 – 3
I have been doing lots of deep breathing lately, and it’s not just at yoga. Breathe IN – 2 – 3; Breathe OUT – 2 – 3 over and over and over. More so than any other year of my recent memory, things have not been going to plan with my garden. I purchased my seeds months ago, but they have been waiting and waiting to find a home in the soil of my garden. The snow came late, the rains came heavy, and the sunny days seemed always to coincide with my busiest days at church. Even my wildflower garden is blooming late . . . . weeks later than previous years. And all of this is beyond my control. Breathe IN – 2 – 3; Breathe OUT – 2 – 3. So much in this world is beyond our control. We may envision how we want things to go, but more often than not, that vision must be adapted, modified, maybe even drastically changed. And that is okay, because that is life. We often cannot control what happens, but we do have some control over how we respond. Breathe IN – 2 – 3; Breathe OUT – 2 – 3. Rather than complain about what I cannot control, I strive to name something good in the midst of the challenge and thank God for the new perspective, for the lesson in patience, for the opportunity to spend my time in other ways, for moments of unanticipated joy and beauty. I find comfort and hope in this well-known prayer:
God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
It is such an easy prayer to play in my head, and I need these words again and again as I Breathe IN – 2 – 3; Breathe OUT – 2 – 3. Eventually, I know that my garden will get tilled. Seeds will be planted, and the harvest will come, likely later than in the past. And that’s okay. Breathe IN – 2 – 3; Breathe OUT – 2 – 3.
God’s peace,
Pastor Karen
A note from the pastor
Page 3
New Intern Starting in August My name is Luke Lekander and I am so excited to be the next intern at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Donna, my wife of 22 years, loves to garden, walk in nature, and be with her family. Together, we have three children. Our daughter Lyric, 20, attends Wartburg College where she is studying music therapy and music education. Laec, our son, is going to be a senior in high school. He enjoys long walks in nature, E-sports, and hanging out with his friends. Our youngest daughter, Alina, is going to be 16. She enjoys volleyball, choir, and socializing with her many friends. As for me, I enjoy music (I am a drummer with the Holy Hootenanners), swimming, conversation and, at times, being silly. In ministry I have a passion for justice, reconciliation, chaplaincy work, and helping people live the abundant life freely given to all by grace through Jesus Christ. It's going to be a great year, I just know it! My family will remain in Moose Lake, MN; however, they hope to visit frequently.
Serving This Month Ushers
Robert Brinkman John Stevenson Taggert Medgaarden Angie Ruhter Scott Lewis Bob Jochumsen John Pacovsky Jerry Ward Ken & Doris Hagen Steve Greenman Scott Greenman Wayne Nemitz Bob Lindhart Shar Westrick Gordon Kuehne Jared Heimer Don Leathers Ron Felten David Hoversten Tom Baudler Steve Krob Mark Kossman
Sacristy Team
Lori Bartz Kathy Wohlfeil Jenny Esplan Gwen & Duane Mortensen
Communion Team
Rick Pedersen Hayley Newman Greg Roberts Corey Haugen Shar Westrick
Acolytes
Cole Schultz Anita Rao Sydney Tobak Addison Tobak Rob Wicks Baptism Reader
Shar Westrick
Left to right: Laec, Donna, Intern Pastor Luke, Alina and Lyric Lekander
Intern Pastor Luke will start August 15. .
Bulletins Available If you or a loved one are one of our homebound members and watch our church services on the cable access channel on Wednesday evening, or simply like to keep up on the happenings at the church, we would be happy to mail a copy of the Sunday bulletin to you. Just call the church office and we’ll mail one out each week to you!
Page 4
Summer Worship Sunday Worship at 9 a.m. Only one service starting: June 10 through September 10 Please note that Sunday worship will be a blended style of worship – a mixture of praise band, organ, and piano – there should be something to suit most all musical tastes throughout the summer.
Wednesday Worship at 6:30 p.m. ***Potlucks will be served at 5:30 p.m. on June 13, July 25 and August 22***
Summer is a season to be “Renewed, Refreshed, Restored”, as we enjoy outdoor activities, spend time with family, let go of the school routine, and travel. Whether we choose Sunday or Wednesday, all are invited to join us for worship where we are “Renewed, Refreshed, Restored” through holy communion and music and prayer and fellowship together, as we hear assurances again and again of Christ’s love for us and commitment to sustain us.
Join us for “Destination Worship” on Summer Wednesdays! On three Wednesdays this summer, we’ll be experiencing worship in new locations around OSLC, with new worship styles that tie us to the life of the church during this extended season of Pentecost! Prior to each of these worship services we will have a potluck in Knutson Hall. Drinks and utensils will be provided, so simply bring your favorite dish to pass! See the full list of dates and occasions below and we hope you’re able to join us!
June 13th – Rolling River Rampage: VBS Worship (Great Hall)
July 25th – Intern Pastor Anders’ farewell (Knutson Hall)
August 22nd – Bluegrass Worship on the Lawn (on the church grounds)
Hospitality Gatherings: July’s hospitality community sign-up gathering (last names Felten-Greenman) will take place on Sunday, June 17th. Come meet your new steward, Debra Schmitt and choose your hospitality service date(s). Be sure to bring your calendar on the 17th!
August’s hospitality community sign-up gathering (last names Greibrok-Heichel) will take place on Sunday, July 8th. Come meet your steward, Betty Shaw, and choose your hospitality service date(s). Be sure to bring your calendar on the 8th!
Duties may include: Welcome Desk attendants, Greeters, and Coffee Servers.
Quilters will meet Mondays June 4 and 25 Callers for funerals in June are DedaRae Graber and Judy Schaefer Board will meet Monday, June 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Page 5
Mission, giving, & Fellowship Opportunities Salvation Army
The Salvation Army Food Shelf has been serving approximately 300 families per month. Besides the free shelf (i.e, fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, etc.) each family gets a monthly allowance from the food shelf (pantry). The quantity of food they receive is dependent on the size of the family. The Salvation Army works with the ethnic families to get them the food items that fit into their diet. Serving the 300 families equates to approximately 12,000 pounds of food per month. The letter carriers food drive on May 12th was very successful, bringing in a little over 16,000 pounds. As you can see this food will be consumed by those in need within the community in just over a month. Our Savior’s has been very generous over the years, and it has been greatly appreciated! Thank you for all of your support! John Gray
Canned peas, beans, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, tuna, rice. Also anything in a glass jar such as pasta sauce and pickles. Personal care items, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, diapers.
Items still in need:
Salvation Army Dinner We will prepare and serve the evening meal at the Salvation Army on Thursday, June 21 and Thursday July 19. If you would like to help prepare the lasagna at 2:30 p.m. or serve and clean-up from 4:45 - 6:15 p.m. please sign up at the Welcome Desk.
Volunteer in the Community July 9 - 12
Help us beautify the exterior of a home for a homeowner in need! Our Savior’s is gathering a team of adults/family volunteers for C.H.I.P. (Community Home Improvement Project) to work on July 9th - 12th. Work days will run from approximately 9:30 am – 3:30 p.m. No special home improvement skills are needed. Possible jobs may be: painting, landscaping, concrete work, debris removal, installing railings, etc. Last year our team painted a house for a grateful homeowner.
Page 6
Sew a Backpack Can you sew a straight line? Your skills are needed to sew backpacks for Lutheran World Relief. Our goal is 200 bags, so we can use many hands! Watch for information in the bulletin in the month of June for instructions and pre-cut materials for this simple bag which will be available in the office during regular hours. Please return bags to the office as soon as they’re completed. Thank you for your help!
School Kit Supplies It’s that time of year – stores are stocking their shelves with school supplies at great prices, and donations are needed to fill backpacks for Lutheran World Relief. If you are able to donate items, please choose from the list below and drop them off in the church office. Thank you for your contribution! Each backpack contains: four 70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper a ruler with centimeters and inches pencil sharpener blunt scissors five unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers five black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink) one box of 16 or 24 crayons one 2 ½” eraser
Our Savior’s Fall Retreat at Good Earth Village Do you long to step away from the hectic pace of everyday life? Would you like to spend some quality time with family and friends, as you dive deeper into relationship with God, with creation, and with new friends from Our Savior’s? Come to be refreshed and renewed at Good Earth Village near Spring Valley, MN. Our Savior’s has the camp reserved for the weekend of Sept. 14-16, as we gather around the theme “A Place for You” and focus on Jesus’ invitation for all to join him at his table of mercy. Pastor Karen Behling and new Intern Pastor Lucas Lekander will be leading this weekend. All are welcome – young adults, retired folks, families with kids, empty nesters, teenagers, couples, and singles. Brochures are available at either Welcome Desk. Housing options include the hotel-like Log Lodge or bunks in a cabin of your own or bringing your own camper or tent. Be warned that only a couple of rooms remain open in the Log Lodge. Questions? Contact Pastor Karen Behling at [email protected] or 437-4516
Page 7
Child, Youth, and Family Opportunities
Summer Grunge Days – Service and Justice
We’re excited to announce that Summer Grunge, an opportunity for students who’ve just completed grades 5 – 8, is coming on July 10, 11 and 12! You should’ve received an email containing important registration information for Grunge, but if you haven’t, consider this a “save the date” and get GRUNGY with us! Friends are welcome! Registration must be completed on or before Wednesday, July 1st by using the following link -https://goo.gl/jK5otA. Cost for Grunge is $25 and includes all activity fees, snacks and a “God’s Work. Our Hands” t-shirt. Registration deadline is quickly approaching so please register ASAP so we can best plan for our group. We look forward to working with CHIP, Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, and other groups, all within our own community, as well as many other opportunities that will come forward. This year, we’re encouraging a parent, grandparent or other adult to participate with students to maximize the impact within our community.
High School students interested in participating as a Grunge Leader should contact Marcia Pedersen for details!
A recurring question this year has been:
Can my middle-schooler participate if they can’t attend all the work days?
Yes, absolutely! Friends of students are also welcome to participate. Simply ask them to complete the registration link above.
Questions regarding this event should be addressed to Marcia Pedersen by emailing: [email protected] or by calling the church at (507) 437-4516.
Leadership Lab On July 23 - 28, we ask for prayers for the group attending Leadership lab. Students will immerse themselves in the Lab community, learning leadership skills for study, event, and worship planning, and the inner-workings of group dynamics; equipping them to lead in our congregation, in our community, and beyond. Please keep: Emily Billings, Abby Deyo, Jordan Harmon, Hannah Alberts, Ava Chesak, Nathan Grav, Ava Jovaag, Morgan Shipler, Katie Shin, Mallory Brown, Anika Chesak, Megan Schultz, and Jordan Williamson in your prayers during their time on the Augustana College Campus in Rock Island, Illinois!
Page 8
Youth Gathering Update Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
This changes everything! This is the “Why” that drives us to action in response to God’s grace. This is why 34 students and 6 adults will venture to Houston, TX this summer to engage in learning, faith formation, and service for the ELCA Youth Gathering.
At the time of this writing, we are within $2,892.26 of reaching our goal. That puts us almost into Minnesota. Please keep our team in your prayers as we continue to come together to make a difference in God’s world. Please keep your eye out for more fundraising opportunities to bring us home! Thanks for all your support!
Stock Certificates in $20.00 increments are still available for you to support students for the ELCA Youth Gathering. Please fill out the certificate and clip or staple cash or check made out to Our Savior’s with “Youth Gathering” in the memo line. Return it to the church office, attention Rod Wiese. Thanks in advance for all of your support for our youth.
Congratulations to our Class of 2018! We recognize and bless our seniors during our Baccalaureate service on Sunday, June 3rd during 10:30 a.m. worship. Graduating Seniors are: Hannah Alberts, Alyssa Anderson, Thaddeus Belden, Hannah Biwer, Logan Braaten, Brooklyn Brandt, Madelyn Brown, Ava Chesak, Katie Condit, Levi Dahl, Madison Elit, Justin Farnsworth, Andrew Forbes, Blake Forbes, Nena Fox, Lucas Goodew, Jacob Halsey, Jordan Harmon, Nicole Heimsness, Haley Helland, Claire Kleis, Grace Mikkelsen, Beau Oster, Josie Reinartz, Maxwell Reynen, Emily Sayles, Grey Severson, Abigail Schammel, Araiha Shropshire, Grace Shupe, Nicole Summerfield and Leah Wills. God’s blessings to you as you continue on life’s journeys!
Pastels and Pastries A big thanks to Jenna Grabau, who led 13 people in pastel composition and techniques to create their own masterpieces and raise $405 toward our goal of fully funding our Youth Gathering trip.
Page 9
See you at camp! Have you registered your child for camp yet? This year, OSLC is encouraging our children and youth to get to camp the week of July 15-19! We plan to have staff joining OSLC campers for meals, hikes, games, and more! Seeing familiar faces of other OSLC kids AND staff will help students be more comfortable at camp, and reconnect with camp experiences after returning home. Please keep these children and youth in your prayers as they prepare for a week of fun, learning and bonding.
Summer Worship Offering This summer as you worship with your families, kids will have an opportunity to take an active part in our weekly worship services. Each Sunday during the offertory, children will be invited to come forward with any pocket change or coins and bring them to the pot that will be located in the front of the sanctuary. As you drop your coins into the pot, we encourage you to listen for the “clank” that your noisy offering brings! Following each offering time as the ushers come forward, a child (or children) will be asked to carry the pot out with the ushers following the prayer. Noisy offering monies will be considered Sunday School offerings and will go to support our local Angelfood Backpack Program. Noisy offerings will continue throughout the summer.
PRAYground Space Families with little ones are invited to worship in or near our brand new, child-friendly worship corner where you will find quiet activities, toys, puzzles, books and more! Materials are swapped out regularly and coordinate with our worship themes to provide concrete, hands-on learning opportunities for worshippers of ALL ages! Children of all ages are welcome, though adult supervision is necessary as this is not a babysitting service.
Year End Family Picnic Fun was had by all at our end-of-the-year family picnic and campfire worship service. We enjoyed an array of activities from: kickball, water fun, bouncing, gardening, visiting and singing. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event run so smoothly and to all who came and participated in the fun.
Page 10
Mission VBS Each year during our summer VBS program, we learn about an area in our world, become aware of their culture, and support them for a specific need. While needs in impoverished countries are great, sometimes the needs of our neighbors are great as well. Stay tuned and watch VBS materials that come home with your student during the week to discover other ways to support our VBS mission!
We’re Gathering River Gear
There are still a few donation tags left. If you’re able to help out with a donation, choose a tag from our VBS Donation Board located in the atrium and north entry area, purchase the item listed, and return it ASAP to the pantry or Billie Jo’s office. If you prefer, you can also give a cash donation to VBS. No amount is too small. Thanks so much – it is your donations that make VBS at Our Savior’s such a positive and free experience for all kiddos!
CELEBRATE VBS! Everyone is invited to join us Wednesday, June 13th to celebrate VBS! We will have a potluck dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by a VBS themed worship service at 6:30 p.m. We will be celebrating and lifting up our VBS ministry. Following worship, dessert will be available and classrooms will be open for touring.
VBS Decorating Party Sunday afternoon June 10th, we will be having one rockin’ decorating party from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m! Station Leaders, this is a great opportunity to make sure your area is river ready for VBS! Everyone is welcome, 5th grade or older, to meet in the Great Hall ready to work!
VBS Ministry Partners Orientation Our mandatory orientation for all Rolling River Rampage VBS ministry partners will be on Sunday, June 10th at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided and we will go over the week so you will know exactly what to expect on Monday morning. Please RSVP with Billie Jo, so we can prepare lunch. After our orientation, please stick around to decorate your classrooms and hallways.
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) 1600 W. Oakland Ave. Austin, MN 55912 Phone: 507-437-4516 Fax: 437-1874 Email: [email protected] Web: www.oursaviorsaustin.org
Our Savior’s Staff Pastor: Karen [email protected]
Intern Pastor: Anders [email protected]
CYF Director: Marcia [email protected]
Dir. of Faith Formation: Billie Jo [email protected]
Dir. of Youth & Music: Rod [email protected]
Dir. of Missions & Hospitality: Chris [email protected]
Office Manager: Deb [email protected]
Dir. of Communications: Krista Wald [email protected]
Membership Secretary: Carole [email protected]
Building Supervisor: Dana [email protected]
Wedding Coordinator: Christine Seppanen
Organists: Janet Gilbertson Ryan Hulshizer Diane Heaney
Contemporary Worship Nancy Arneson Accompanists: Brian Johnson Alex Knoll
Choir Directors:
Sanctuary Choir: Kaye Perry Gospel Ensemble: Kaye Perry Our Savior’s Singers: Holly Dalager King’s Kids: Morgan Dickman Resound!: Ann Flisrand Savior’s Soundwaves: Kim Richardson
Worship Services Sunday: 9 a.m. 1 p.m. Anyuak language
Wednesday: 6:30 p.m.
Our Savior's Sunday Worship service is re-played on the local cable access Channel 181 on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
Lifelines is published monthly for members and friends of Our Savior’s
Lutheran Church, Austin, MN. Notices for Lifelines must be submitted to the church
office by the 20th of the month. Articles received after this date will not run or will run the next month. All articles are subject
to editing for content or length.
Office Hours: Mon. - Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.