Tuesday, May 16, 2017

"New Beginnings "
   

Dear Members & Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
 
I won't be with you in worship this Sunday as I will be celebrating my daughter's Rite of Confirmation at Glen Cary Lutheran Church in Ham Lake where my wife, Carrie, serves as the Youth & Family Ministry Director. Pastor Keith Lentz will be leading worship in my absence at Our Savior's. Thank you, Keith!
 
I am disappointed to have to miss our high school graduation recognition and FaithMarker at Our Savior's this Sunday. As tradition here, each graduate will receive a special quilt made by the Women of the ELCA at Our Savior's. Our youth director, Chad Larson, will lead this time of recognition and blessing. Thank you, Chad!
 
Confirmations and graduations are being celebrated and recognized this time of year in most communities and congregations. It would seem that they are endings to significant stages in life for these young people. However, in the church we would rather not celebrate or recognize them as endings, but instead as beginnings. Yes, they signify endings to some meaningful chapters of life and stages of faith, but more importantly they signify beginnings to the next exciting chapters of life and stages of faith. In the church we look forward to how God will continue to, or now begin to, use the young people we celebrate, to accomplish God's purposes and mission in our world. If I were with you on Sunday, I would likely read or reference again, Dr. Seuss's book, "Oh the Places You'll Go." I recommend it as a graduation gift as a book that will encourage, inspire, and affirm the young people in our lives as they enter into this new beginning.
 
Pastor Keith will remind all of our worshipers this Sunday, and especially our graduates, what Jesus says in our gospel reading for Sunday (John 14:15-21): "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you." Whenever we begin a new chapter or journey in life, we never go alone. This will be an important reminder to you and to our graduates this Sunday.
 
Come and see! 
 
Pastor Dale Stiles 
Worship & Music This Week
   
Sunday, May 21, 2017 
Sermon by: Pastor Keith Lentz

8:00 am Traditional Worship in the CLC

10:30 am Blended Worship in the CLC   

Special Music 8:00 am: Kingdom Choir 

Childcare available at all worship services


Memorial Day Weekend -- Single Worship service on
Sunday, May 28, at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary!

THANK YOU to all the 'good and faithful servants' who helped  
with the Wednesday Night Suppers during this past year.  All  
your hands helping with prep, serving and clean-up made the suppers a rewarding experience for members during the Wednesday Evening worship.  Thank you, again!
Children, Youth & Family

Summer Stretch 2017!    

Hello Parents and Students! Are you getting excited for the summer? Well you should be because Summer Stretch starts again! This year three other churches in our area will participate with us in some awesome activities like Vertical Endeavors, Bunker Beach, Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Valley Fair. We serve at local community organizations in the morning and head out for activities in the afternoon. The cost is $100 before May 17th and $120 after. There will be no registrations accepted after June 1st. There are registration sheets on the welcome desk so if you are interested, sign up now and get it into the office ASAP. We are going to have a blast so make sure to sign up! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Chad at 425-281-8315. Get pumped!
Youth Rummage Sale Fundraiser!    
 
Do you have items in your house that you are no longer using? Well we have a solution for you. Donate to our Youth Fundraiser Rummage Sale taking place this Saturday, May 20. Please make sure the items you are looking to donate have the potential for resale. Items may be dropped off at the church May 17-19 in the CLC. Questions? Please contact Chad Larson, Youth Director.
 
Ministry Opportunities!

Fishing for Men (and Fish) Ministry
 
We're currently gauging interest in forming a Men's Fishing Club/Ministry that meets weekly on a rotating lake schedule (determined by members) beginning in mid-June, probably on Tuesdays.  Either early morning or late afternoon. We'd do a short devotional at the launch prior to launching and then have a friendly catch and release tournament. Prior to further planning, we need to acquire a critical level of interest from both Men with and without boats. We'd fish 3 per boat with people rotating among boats each week. We think this could be a great way for OSLC members with fishing interests to build relationships with each other while enjoying one of our favorite summer pastimes! Please email Ray Valley by Monday, May 22  if interested. Let me know if you have a boat or would just like to fish/ride along. Also let me know if you prefer 6-9 am or pm.  Based on the response, I'll make a judgement whether to move forward.
Legacy Fund Committee
 
We are looking for volunteers to join the Legacy Fund Committee at OSLC. If you are interested in joining our team or just wanting to finding out more about this committee, please contact Mark Fjestad or the church office. Thank you! 
Sunday Morning Coffee Volunteers
 
Enjoying a good cup of coffee while chatting with other OSLC members is a focal point of the hospitality time during worship services. With summer approaching and OSLC moving toward the summer worship schedule, volunteers are needed to prepare coffee for this hospitality time. Please consider volunteering to help with this important ministry via the sign-up sheet on the Kitchen Door or online. Thank you! 
Guatemala Trip
 
October 8-16 are the dates for an upcoming Our Savior's trip to our companion congregation San Juan Bautista in Zaculeu, Guatemala. We would love if you would join us on this trip. There will be an information session on Wednesday, May 24, at 6:30 pm at church.  If you want to know more and are unable to attend that session, let the church office know, or contact Becky Maier or Corinne Colburn.
Habitat for Humanity
 
Please mark your calendars for this year's Habitat for Humanity build  July 24th through 28th. This build will again be at 14932 Generation Acres, Hugo, MN. Look for details and sign-up information at the Welcome Desk.
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

LADC News

Retirement - Julie Honebrink
 
We will be celebrating Julie Honebrink's service to LADC as she retires. There will be an open house/reception on Thursday, June 1 from
6:00-7:00 pm at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. We invite both past
and present friends of LADC to join us for cake and refreshments.

Help Wanted!

We have plenty of Service Opportunities!
Check it out at: Sign Up to Serve! 
     
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.