 |
"Amazing Love"
Dear Members and Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
A pastor was speaking to a group of second-graders about the resurrection of Jesus when one student asked, "What did Jesus say right after he came out of the grave?" The pastor explained that the Gospels do not tell us what he said. The hand of one little girl shot up. "I know what he said: he said, 'Tah-dah!'"
Perhaps it would be fun to have the little girl's flair of the dramatic, "Tah-dah!" She probably isn't right, but would the women or Peter who arrived at the empty tomb first have been any less surprised seeing what they did? The women are perplexed when suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stand beside them. Shocking? Any more shocking than Jesus coming out of the tomb and saying, "Tah-dah!"? Or Peter disbelieving all the way on his run to the tomb outside of Jerusalem. He looks in and, instead of seeing the dead body he expected, he sees linen cloths by themselves. Luke tells us that he goes home amazed.
Amazed! Are you amazed any more at what happened? We have heard and believed the Easter story for so long that we are no longer amazed. We are in the midst of Holy Week when we remember the final suffering and death of Jesus, yet you and I know the end of the story before we arrive at Easter worship next Sunday, don't we? It seems as if it gets more difficult every year to amaze people with the story of Easter in our day.
As we make preparations this week for you and many others to gather
at Our Savior's to remember, celebrate, and worship the crucified and resurrected Jesus, I encourage you to open your hearts and your minds
to The Story - the story you and I have heard, know, and believe.
Chris Tomlin in his popular praise song, "Amazing Love", captures the wonder of it all in his lyrics:
"Amazing love, how can it be, that You my King, should die for me?
Amazing love, I know it's true. It's my joy to honor You.
In all I do, I honor You."
We will gather in worship this Holy Week to do just that - to honor our Lord, our King, our Savior, our Friend, our God - the Resurrected Jesus.
Easter Blessings to you and your family this week.
Tah-dah!
Pastor Dale
|
|
Maundy Thursday, April 13, 2017
11:30 am Worship followed by soup lunch
7:00 pm Worship in the Sanctuary
Special Music at 7:00 pm: Liturgical Singers
Good Friday, April 14, 2017
7:00 pm Worship in the Sanctuary
Special Music at 7:00 pm: Kingdom Choir
Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017
8:00 am Easter Worship in the CLC
9:15 am Easter Worship in the CLC
10:30 am Contemporary Easter Worship in the CLC
Special Music at 8:00 & 9:15 am: Kingdom Choir
Easter Breakfast served between services throughout
the morning. Proceeds go to the Youth Mission Trip.
No Faith Formation Classes or Youth Group meetings April 16
Childcare available at all worship services
|
|
Faith Formation for Children and Youth -- Back to Regular Schedule!
All children and youth programming resumes on Wednesday, April 19 and Sunday, April 23. Please plan on attending Faith Formation Classes for
Ages 3 through 6th grade, confirmation, Jr. High Evolve and Sr. High Activate.
|
Spark Story Bible FaithMarker
- Who: 2 and 3 year old children and their families
- What: The Spark Story Bible FaithMarker is an opportunity for your family to learn together. "God's Story In My Life" and is designed to honor and build on the fact that 2 and 3 year old children love to have stories read to them. This passion for reading will help bring to life the stories in the SPARK Story Bible, which you will receive and explore at the FaithMarker. Children will also receive a tote bag for their new Bible.
- When: Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 9:15 am (during the Faith Formation hour)
- Where: Room 2
- RSVP: Click here to register for this FaithMarker
Children will receive their FaithMarker blessing during the 8:00 or 10:30 am worship service. Please plan to attend one of the services that day. For questions, please contact Darla Goble.
|
Faith Formation News for Grades 1-4
The students are learning about Easter through various Rotation Stations. We need parents to help in the Art Station and ask that you please plan to join your student for Faith Formation to assist them with a project.
We have our Large Group opening in the Children's Gathering Area from 9:15-9:30 and then we will go to stations from 9:30-10:10. Please plan to attend Large Group Opening and Faith Formation with your child as follows:
- Sunday, April 23 - 1st and 2nd grade
- Sunday, April 30 - 3rd & 4th grade
I am excited to have parents in Faith Formation with their children and hope you will enjoy this opportunity to be in class together! Questions? Please contact Darla Goble.
|
Grades 5/6 Boys Fishing Outing
- Who: 5/6 grade boys and a parent or grandparent
-
What:
Chad and Darla will lead a time of fellowship and fishing. Dinner will be provided. Please bring fishing poles and dress appropriately for the weather. Adults will need a fishing license. Chad suggests a Conservation License if you don't plan to keep the fish you catch. We will provide bait.
-
When:
Saturday, April 29, 2017- 3:30 pm
-
Where:
Dave and Laverna Scholz' Home in Hugo, MN
- RSVP by April 22, 2017: RSVP Now!
|
Road Side Clean-up!
Time for our spring road side clean up day on Saturday, April 22 at 9:00 am. We will begin at Otto Berg Park and go down Stonebridge Trail. This usually takes about an hour. Bags and vests are provided. This is a great way to help keep our community clean. Please email Mary Knuteson
if you can help or with questions.
|
New Session Inspirational Yoga!
On April 22 we will begin a new 8 week session of Inspirational Yoga
which goes to June 10th
from 9:00 to 10:00 am. We usually meet in the Gathering Area but will need to relocate to the Children's Gathering Area
or the Youth Room (which ever is available) when necessary. Cost is $72.00, payable to Lyne Seppala at our first practice. All ages, guys, gals, no experience needed, come and bring a friend and a yoga mat. For questions or to sign up for the new session contact Heidi Puckett.
|
4th Annual Guatemala Gala
The annual Guatemala Gala
is right around the corner and will be held on April 23, 2017 from 4:30-8:00 pm at the Southview Country Club in West St Paul. The Gala will include a benefit dinner with silent and live auctions. Pastor Karen Castillo of the ILAG will be the featured speaker. Money raised will be used in Guatemala to fund "Education for All" including secondary school scholarships for youth and adults, Colegio El Mirador (the ILAG's elementary school), theological training for church leaders, women's retreats, and the Centro Educativo Milagro (women's education center).
f you are interested in attending please contact Janet Metcalfe
before
April 14. Tickets are $75 each.
|
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 with any of your needs.
Pastor Dale
|
|
|
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!
|
Stewardship is about love:
serving others through our time, talent, and treasure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
