God is continuing to bless and challenge us at Our Savior's Lutheran, and for this, we are grateful!

Some examples of this include the gospel text for this coming Wednesday and Sunday worship.  In Mark 10:2-16, while being tested by the Pharisees, Jesus confidently addresses the age-old question of divorce.  This is a challenging address, since such a large percentage of marriages, then and now, end in divorce.  Jesus, of course, in his address, does not encourage or advocate for divorce, but rather clearly, condemns it.  The challenge this week for us all is to hear the Good News in such a teaching of Jesus' when such a large percentage of Christians are divorced.  What will be considered as part of understanding this teaching is that Jesus is not only condemning divorce, but he is more importantly, emphasizing and advocating for love in all circumstances and in all relationships.  God intends for marriage to be a life-giving union.  Above all, this is what Jesus wishes for each of us - to be joined together, in union, with another, where life and love is experienced as God intends.  A challenging teaching, yes.  A blessed teaching, yes!  Join us this week as we explore this further together.

Another blessed challenge Our Savior's has been given is how to best welcome our children and their families in worship.  Families that haven't been able to worship together in previous years are enjoying the opportunity now with our new worship schedule, but it has presented challenges.  Our children's area available in front of our Community Life Center is a wonderful addition to our worship time and space, and we, as pastors and staff, are weekly evaluating and determining how best to make it effective, useful and non-disruptive. Please be patient with us as we explore this more and as it evolves into something great for all of us!

Another blessed challenge is our current congregational financial status. You should have received a letter in the mail a couple weeks ago from our congregational president, Gloria Guinee, and me, regarding the current financial giving to date and budgeted need. At that time we were about $57,000 behind in our year-to-date giving. In an invitation was presented in that letter to offer a financial gift above and beyond your regular tithes and offerings, if possible.  I am excited and grateful to share with you that so far, $5,155 dollars in gifts above and beyond regular offerings has been contributed by members of Our Savior's!  Thank you to all who have met this challenge and accepted the invitation.  Others are invited to still do so, if able.  Please use the envelope included with your letter or make notify our church office if your gift is in response to the letter.  Thank you! 

An additional opportunity for financial gifts to Our Savior's is now available!  In our Gathering Area each Wednesday and Sunday there will be an electronic giving kiosk enabling members to give gifts with credit/debit cards.  This has proven to be a safe, secure, convenient and effective way for members of other congregations to share their gifts and we expect it will be the same for us. Check it out this week!

Another blessed challenge of ours is the need for 90 volunteers from Our Savior's to help package meals for Meals From the Heart on Saturday, November 7 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.  The good news is that we already have 58 volunteers scheduled!  Praise the Lord!  This is a great opportunity for individuals, couples, a group of friends or entire families (immediate or extended) to serve together.  Pray about it and consider if this is something that God might be calling you to do.  We're planning a post-meal-packing pizza party for all our volunteers. Sign up by October 18 on the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Area at church.

A final blessed challenge for us at Our Savior's (and among our Lutheran churches in general) is the need to understand who we are as Lutherans, and what we have to offer, in the midst of a constantly changing religious, political and economic landscape.  As part of our Adult Education program you are invited this Sunday at 9:15 a.m.  to a Lutheranism 101 Crash Course. We will teach, review, and explore who we are as Lutherans and what we distinctly have to offer one another, our communities and our world.  No preparation is needed for this conversation. We will meet in the Family Room. In addition to this opportunity Nancy Lee Gauche will be back to continue the conversation she began last Sunday about StrengthFinders and how to best use your God-given gifts to inspire your congregation and community. That group will meet again at 9:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. 

So much to be thankful for! We are blessed, indeed.