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Dear Members & Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
I knew a church custodian named, Harvey. Harvey was a gentle man, soft-spoken, and full of compassion. Harvey was known for his broad, inviting smile - and for his hugs. Harvey emulated love as he quietly went about his business of caring for the church. You didn't know Harvey. But I did - and he was good.
We've all recently been introduced to another Harvey - Hurricane Harvey.
Hurricane Harvey is anything but gentle. Hurricane Harvey has burst on to the scene with massive power, presence, and might, leaving a path of destruction and death in its wake. I have a hard time with such a hurricane named Harvey - a Harvey that is nothing like the Harvey I knew.
However, as my heart aches when I watch the continual and graphic news footage of Hurricane Harvey's destruction, I do see similarities to the soft-spoken and compassionate Harvey I knew. These similarities are not characteristics of Hurricane Harvey itself but of the overwhelming response to Hurricane Harvey. As I watch from a distance, I see gentleness, compassion, smiles, hugs, and love all wrapped up in the people who are responding to Hurricane Harvey's blunt display of power. Jesus said to his disciples that "all will know you are my disciples by your love." There was no doubt that my custodian friend, Harvey, was a Christian. His love for his Lord shone brightly through how he loved and cared about others.
I am seeing the light of Christ shine brightly throughout Houston, Corpus Christi, and all along the Gulf Coast - in the gentle, loving, compassionate, and inviting presence of so many people and how they have responded to this national tragedy. As in national tragedies before, the good is evident in how people love and care for one another. I always think at times like this that perhaps, if for a brief moment, our Lord's High Priestly Prayer in the 17th chapter of John's gospel that "we might all be one" has been answered, and I am filled with hope of what is and can be. In the midst of Hurricane Harvey's continued and massive display of power, presence, and might, I am thankful for the peaceful presence of Christ that is there with them, in their midst, embracing them fully.
To learn more about how the ELCA is responding to the crisis you can visit the Gulf Coast Synod's website and the ELCA's Disaster Response website.
As you know, figuratively speaking, hurricanes seem to disrupt our lives as well. As we prepare to grieve and celebrate the life of Lee Natwick this afternoon and evening I understand that his untimely and unexpected passing must feel like a hurricane to his family and close friends and all who knew him. Yet even in that massive display of power, presence, and might, death does not have the final say. I reiterate again that fact and that promise today as we declare victory over death at Lee's funeral. Please join me in praying for Lee's family and for all those along the Gulf Coast as they begin to seek and experience a "new normal" in daily life and living.
Peace be with you,
Pastor Dale Stiles
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Summer Worship & Music This Week
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Sermon by: Pastor Dale Stiles
Single Worship Time at 9:00 am
9:00 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
Special Music: Holly Newton
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High-Top Tables
We are looking for donations toward the purchase of high-top tables to be placed in the Gathering Area for the purpose of encouraging fellowship among our church family. The cost of each table is $200, and we would like to purchase 8-10 of them. Consider making a donation in honor of or in memory of a loved one. All donations are tax-deductible.
There is a sample table located in the Gathering Area outside the CLC. If you are interested in donating, please complete a donation card located on the table and place it, along with your check donation, either in the offering basket during the church service or in the mail slot at the Welcome Desk. Please indicate "Table Donation" in the memo of your check.
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JuBellate Handbell Choir
Rehearsals for JuBellate will resume at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 5. If you would like to be a part of this handbell ministry, please contact
Marlene Lentz or just come. We meet in the choir room. If you are new to handbells, lots of help is available! Give it a try!
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Be Part of Kingdom Choir!
The Kingdom Choir at OSLC seeks to lead, teach and inspire the congregation in worship through making music together. We value fellowship in rehearsal and during worship. High school age and older are welcome. We typically sing two Sundays per month as well as for other special occasions. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm beginning September 6. Come join us! Questions? Please contact
Michael Bloem.
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Mission Trip to Zaculeu, Guatemala
Would you like to visit our companion congregation in Zaculeu, Guatemala?
There is room to join those of us going from October 8 - 16, 2017. Perhaps things in your life have opened up that could make this possible! Let the church office know you are interested or talk with Becky Maier. We'll be in touch and make it happen! It will be a most valuable experience for you!
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Children, Youth & Family Ministry
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Faith Formation Supply Donations!
We are in need of a few key supplies. To donate, take a heart off one of
the crosses in the Gathering Area and return it with the donated item by September 10. Your gracious donations help keep the Faith Formation programs alive and thriving! Questions? Contact Darla Goble or 651-439-5704, ext. 32.
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2017-18 Faith Formation & Confirmation Registration
Registration for Fall Faith Formation & Confirmation (Sundays/Wednesdays) is happening NOW! We have something available for children & youth age 3 through 12th grade. Please register by August 31, 2017. Register Now!
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Faith Formation Teachers & Assistants Needed!
Our kids need you! We are in need of teachers and assistant teachers for Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. We will have Faith Formation Classes 12 times throughout the coming year. Lessons are prepared and all supplies provided. Please contact
Darla Goble to volunteer.
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Faith Formation All Worship Sundays
Interested in providing special music or would you like to participate in our skits for our All Worship Sundays at the 10:30 am service? We need people of all ages to participate! Please contact
Darla Goble with questions or to volunteer.
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Looking for Experience in Human Resources
The Church Board is in the process of forming a personnel committee to advise the board on important human resource related matters and how to best manage for the welfare of OSLC staff. If you have professional training and/or experience in Human Resource Administration and would be willing to apply your talents to help us get this committee up and running, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact OSLC President
Ray Valley or any board member.
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Willing to Serve at Worship?
View Usher/Greeter slots for September and October
(Sundays at 8:00 or 10:30 am).
Those with last names beginning
P, Q, R and S
are called to help during September and October, though anyone can sign up who enjoys serving in these capacities. Thank you for helping us to share hospitality with all who enter our doors!
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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 Pastor Dale Stiles with any of your needs.
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Updates on the Ecumen Project.
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Zoning Text Amendment
a.
Planning Commission public hearing on zoning text amendment that allows Senior Living Facilities by Special Use Permit in the RA Zoning District (PASSED).
b.
City Council approval of first reading of the zoning text amendment (PASSED).
c.
City Council approval of second reading and adoption of zoning text amendment (PASSED).
- Concept Planned Unit Development
a. Planning Commission public hearing on the Concept Planned Unit Development (PASSED)
b. City Council hearing/vote on Concept Planned Unit Development. (8/2/2017 - City Council Voted to Approve Concept PUD)
- Neighborhood Meeting - Informational Meeting
When: September 6, 2017
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Family Room at Our Savior's Lutheran Church
- Special Use Permit, Preliminary and Final Plat, Final Planned Unit Development
a. Planning Commission holds public hearing on all of these requests at same time (Tentative 10/11/17).
b. Park Commission considers this application.
c. City Council holds hearing.
- Building permit
a. The building permit application
- Development Agreement
a.City Council considers agreement.
- Preconstruction meeting
a. As soon as development agreement is approved by City Council, the Ecumen engineers and development team could meet with the City Engineer.
- Site work
a.Site work can begin after preconstruction meeting and payment of fees described in the Development Agreement.
b.Work on the building itself has to wait until the building permit is issued
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Simply Giving
A more convenient way to give! In a few short minutes, you can make a one-time gift or set up a donation that will process automatically on a recurring basis. Recurring donations are convenient and provide our church with much needed consistent support throughout the year.
To give online, visit our church's website and get set up!
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Stewardship is about love:
serving others through our time, talent, and treasure.
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