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Dear Members and Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
The news was once again, heartbreaking, as we awoke on Sunday, hearing of yet another shooting involving mass casualties.
In the short time since it has happened it seems to me that there is a numbness surrounding the event and a lack of understanding about how to proceed. People have become de-sensitized regarding such horrific acts. This worries me, as a pastor, as I expect there to be more of a public outcry and response not only from our nation, but from within our congregations - including Our Savior's. We discussed the tragedy at our staff meeting this morning. We want to be informed. We want to be of help. We want to provide opportunities for sharing and listening and expressing anger and frustration. I was struck by late-night talk show host, Stephen Colbert's opening monologue last night as he shared his thoughts on the tragedy. "It is if there is a national script that we have actually found out." Colbert said, adding that "love offers us hope that modification is possible. Love permits us to alter the script."
It's true that it seems as there is a national script that is read by the President, by the politicians, by the clergy, by organizations, etc. I'm hoping we can change the script, with what Jesus taught us (and Colbert shared) - with love.
Our own Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Elizabeth Eaton, contributed a new voice to "the script" this time - one founded on love - and I share it with you now. Please keep our nation, the people of Orlando and the families of those killed, in your prayers. We'll join for worship together again this coming Sunday to call on God for comfort, hope and healing. We worship outdoors at 9:30 a.m. behind our Community Life Center. Please bring lawn chairs and/or blankets to sit on.
Peace!
Pastor Dale
[From Bishop Eaton]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
"So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them." Genesis 1:27
We are killing ourselves. We believe that all people are created in God's image. All of humanity bears a family resemblance. Those murdered in Orlando were not abstract "others," they are us. But somehow, in the mind of a deeply disturbed gunman, the LGBTQ community was severed from our common humanity. This separation led to the death of 49 and the wounding of 54 of us.
We live in an increasingly divided and polarized society. Too often we sort ourselves into like-minded groups and sort others out. It is a short distance from division to demonization. Yesterday, we witnessed the tragic consequences of this.
There is another way. In Christ God has reconciled the world to God's self. Jesus lived among us sharing our humanity. Jesus died for us to restore our humanity. God invites us into this reconciling work. This must be our witness as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The perpetrator of this hate crime did not come out of nowhere. He was shaped by our culture of division, which itself has been misshapen by the manipulation of our fears. That is not who we are. St. Paul wrote, "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ" (II Corinthians 5:17-20).
Our work begins now. We need to examine ourselves, individually and as a church, to acknowledge the ways we have divided and have been divided. We must stand with people who have been "othered". We must speak peace and reconciliation into the cacophony of hatred and division. We must live the truth that all people are created in God's image.
This morning your churchwide staff came together to mourn and to pray. We prayed for those killed in Orlando and remembered the Charleston Nine killed only a year ago. We prayed for the family of the shooter, for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters and for our Muslim brothers and sisters who now face the threat of retaliation. And we prayed that the Prince of Peace will bring us to the day when we stop killing ourselves.
Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
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Worship & Music This Week
8:00am
Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
9:00am Blood Pressure Check
9:30am Blended Worship (Worship on the Lawn)
Songs: Our God, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, Friend of God
Special Music (9:30am): Dan & Seth Olson
Childcare available at all worship services
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Worship Time Change for July 3rd!
Because of the holiday weekend, we will be having a single worship service on July 3 at 9:00 am in the sanctuary. Please plan on joining us!
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Worship on the Lawn
June 19 the 9:30 worship service will be on the lawn on the north side of the building. Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to sit on. Fruit Parfaits will be served between services, sponsored by the Health and Caring Ministry Advisory Group and provided by Kitchen Coordinator, Sue Ortman. There will be communion and healing prayers. In case of rain, worship will be held indoors.
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Mid-Year Budget Update Meeting
The Church Board invites you to an informal mid-year budget meeting on Sunday, June 26 at 10:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary. At our Annual Congregational Meeting in January it was announced that we would hold this mid-year budget meeting for the purpose of updating the congregation about how we're doing with our budget, including offerings and expenses. Given our low year-to-date offerings it is especially important that this meeting be held and that members attend, to discuss potential ramifications and to share the thoughts our Church Board has about possible solutions and plans for the remainder of the 2016. Please plan to attend if you're able.
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Africa Mission Trip!
Have you ever thought about traveling to Africa? If interested, please attend an informational meeting on Wednesday, June 15, at 7:00 pm in the Family Room.
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Request for Prayers and Support
Everyday joys and sorrows...Once in a lifetime joys and sorrows. Your brothers and sisters at Our Savior's want to support you. Email or call our Pastor or the Parish Nurse with any of your needs.
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OSLC Park Days!
For children ages birth through Kindergarten
and their families;
Come and join Miss Darla for fun at the park! We will do a craft, play, have a snack and story time and fellowship with our church friends! We will provide snack and water. We will meet from 10-11:30 am at the following parks weather permitting (meet at the church if it rains):
June 22 - Washington Park
July 13 - Valley View Park
July 27 - Pioneer Park
Call Darla with any questions: 651-308-8641
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Register for Faith Formation!
Please register for Fall Faith Formation (Sundays/Wednesdays). We are preparing for volunteers and classroom space.
Register Now!
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3rd Summer Mondays!
Introducing 3rd Monday Food & Fun! All Jr High and Sr High kids are invited! From 12:00pm-2:00pm on the 3rd Monday of the summer months we will be meeting at OSLC to eat lunch, hangout and play games! We will have the grill available so bring whatever you'd like for us to cook or a regular bag lunch is fine as well. Contact Chad or Kristi with any questions!
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Stewardship is about love:
serving others through our time, talent, and treasure.
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Coffee and Conversation-June Dates
Volunteers are needed for our monthly visits to our local assisted living sites. Please contact Becky Hulden, Parish Nurse if you are able to attend and help
. 6
51-439-5704 #24 or
[email protected]
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Oak Park Senior Housing
Main Dining Room
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Tuesday, 6/28
2:00 - 3:00
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Volunteer Opportunities
We have plenty of volunteer opportunities and would love to use your gifts! Please contact the office and we can find the best fit for you!
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