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Tuesday, January 31, 2017
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"Salt and Light"
Dear Members and Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
Imagine Jesus teaching the crowd on the mountainside. Imagine the crowd listening to his every word. It is one thing for Jesus to offer the blessing of the beatitudes as we heard about last Sunday (and this Wednesday), but he also commissions his followers as salt of the earth and light of the world - as we will hear about this coming Sunday (and next Wednesday). This commission is found in Matthew 5:13-20. Imagine the crowd looking at each other with wonderment. Just who is Jesus commissioning? Could it be me or you? The answer is yes! We are commissioned to be salt and light in this world. This week I encourage you to think about what it means for you to be commissioned by Jesus to be salt of the earth and light of the world. This is especially important given the uncertain days we are living in under the new presidential administration.
This text is so timely and powerful for us to consider. There is no doubt Jesus expects his words and teachings to impact people in such a way that there is permanent transformation. If salt does not have the qualities of salt, then it is no longer salt. Likewise, light is no longer light if it does not illumine. We as Christians are directly connected to Christ, otherwise he or she is not a Christian. It would be impossible. How do you respond to the expectation that you are connected to Christ and a visible witness to Christ and his teachings? Jesus does expect us to impact the lives of others positively and in his name. How are you being salt and light in this world that so needs it right now? It's a powerful metaphor. When salt is added to food, it typically disappears. That is until the salted food is tasted. Then the salt is evident. There is no doubt salt is present. You may prefer to be like this salt - behind the scenes but making a powerful and noticeable difference. You may resonate more with being light. Your impact is immediately detected. In a power outage, what a relief and comfort when light is provided.
People of God, please consider ways how you might add salt and light to the communities you find yourselves in on a daily basis, all in an effort to make a positive difference in Christ's name. You and I have the power and means to make that difference. We've been commissioned by Jesus to do so.
This Wednesday and Sunday you are invited to express your appreciation to our parish nurse, Becky Hulden, who will be leaving Our Savior's to begin a new position at Lyngblomsten Senior Housing and Healthcare in
St. Paul. We will have an informal time of celebration in our gathering area on Sunday between services beginning at 9:15 a.m. to honor, bless, and share appreciation for Becky and her ministry among us the past four years. I hope you can join us.
I also remind you of our congregational meeting on Sunday, February 12 between services at 9:15 a.m. to discuss the proposed building project with Ecumen Senior Independent and Assisted Living Services based in Shoreview, MN. This is not a formal meeting of the congregation, but an opportunity to ask questions and find out more. I hope you can join us!
There's a lot going on at Our Savior's! Invite a friend to "Come and see!"
Pastor Dale
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Worship & Music This Week
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Worship at 5:30 pm
Sermon by: Pastor Dale Stiles
5:00 pm Dinner
6:10 pm Faith Formation
7:00 pm Confirmation
7:00 pm Kingdom Choir
Sunday, February 5, 2017
8:00 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
9:15 am
Farewell Reception for Becky Hulden, Parish Nurse
9:15 am Faith Formation
9:15 am Time for Parents
10:30 am Blended Worship in the CLC
11:45 am Jr. High Evolve
5:00 pm Sr. High Activate
7:30 pm AA
Special Music at 8:00 am: Kingdom Choir
Childcare available at all worship services
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Tubing & Tailgating for All Ages!
Whether you enjoy tubing or just hanging out with good friends, this is the event for you! We will meet in the Green Acres parking lot at 6 pm on Feb. 10
to eat some brats, hot dogs and sip some warm hot chocolate! If you want to tube, you can do that too! Sign-up in the Gathering Area!
If tubing, cost is $13/person (age 13+) or $11/person (12 & under) if paid in advance.
Otherwise, it is $17 (age 13+) or $13 (Age 12 & under).
Register by Monday, Feb. 6
. Waivers and checks can be turned in at the drop box on the welcome desk. Please contact Chad Larson or Darla Goble if you would like to donate any items for this event or, if you can bring a propane heater. Make sure to bring a lawn chair if you would like to sit and hangout!
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Families join us on Sunday, February 12, to learn more about our summer
opportunities! Camp Wapo information for Elementary and youth will be available. We will introduce our theme, Maker Fun Factory, for Vacation Bible School and registration will begin. Volunteer opportunities for VBS will also be posted. We hope to see you there to celebrate all of our awesome summer activities!
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Gratitude Containers!
For the next two weeks on Sundays and Wednesdays the gratitude containers will once again be given out. These containers are a physical reminder that we hope will remind you each day to think about what you are grateful for. Then, when you are feeling gratitude, drop a coin or two in your container. These containers will be collected in November and those monies will be given to organizations locally, nationally, and internationally so that others might know of our care.
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Contribute to Our Own Lenten Devotional!
The season of Lent is right around the corner and Our Savior's is teaming up with Christ the King Lutheran Church in Durango, CO to create our own devotional for Lent. Our Savior's is in partnership with Christ the King in sponsoring the church in Zaculeu, Guatemala and this is an extension of that partnership. We are asking members of Our Savior's to pick a day and share one devotion for that day. Just click here, sign up for a date to share a devotion, click "submit and sign up" at the bottom of the screen. You will then be directed to log in. The devotions are due by February 13 so there will be time to print the booklets before Lent. You can use one of the verses listed for that day or you can use any verse that you might like. Each one should be no more than 300 words. And, thanks for sharing with all of us!
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Sweet Life Café
The women's overnight retreat will be happening on April 28-29, 2017. Since the Villa Maria Retreat Center has closed, this year we will be at the Koinonia Retreat Center up north in South Haven, MN. Sweet Life Café is the theme and it will provide an experience that allows women to slow down and savor time with God and each other. The cost will be $100/person for a double room and $120/person for a single room. Registration forms are on the women's bulletin board across from the church office.
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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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Graduate Care Packages!
Care packages to our 2016 high school graduates will be packed and mailed on Wednesday, February 15. We will be needing cookies to include in those care packages. If you can make cookies for this, please let Becky Maier or the church office know. THANK YOU very much!
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Like to bake! Willing to provide treats!
Looking for individuals to provide 2-3 dozen treats (cookies, mini muffins, donuts, bars, etc.) for Sunday morning coffee. Please use the sign-up sheet on the kitchen door to indicate your willingness to provide treats on a specific Sunday. Thank you.
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Jamaica -- Clifton Boys Home -- Donations Requested!
The Clifton Boy's Home had a fire on Sunday, January 15. Thankfully, no boys, staff or the animal stock were injured. However, all supplies, clothing, linens, appliances, furniture, water tanks, and food were lost. Mission Jamaica will be working with Clifton Boys Home, St. Johns Anglican Church and the Child Development Agency as they rebuild. 100% of donations received through the disaster fund will go to assist the boys during the transition period.
There are two ways to donate:
1. Mail donation to: Mission Jamaica Office
c/o St. Andrews Lutheran Church
900 Stillwater Road
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
(
Note Clifton Boys Home Disaster Relief on memo line of check.)
2.
Click here to donate online. Indicate "MJ Clifton Disaster" when donating online.
Please share the need and opportunity to support the Clifton Boys Home.
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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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