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Tuesday, November 7, 2017
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"One Big Body of Christ!"
Dear Members & Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
Just home from my third visit to the Iringa Diocese of Tanzania I was reminded again of God's One Big Body of Christ. Of course we believe fully in the universal Body of Christ, but for me, until I went to another side of the world, I never realized the reality of that belief. I hope to convey to you in this short article, and tomorrow night in worship, how the Body of Christ is more than just words.
One of the biggest indicators of this belief was the love (upendo in Swahili) that our brothers and sisters in Christ at Mlafu have for each of you, and for our congregation as a whole. I know for certain if they were able to visit our church they would say how much they love you, how much they pray for you, how appreciative they are of our gifts and friendship, and how they covet our prayers for them on a regular basis. These expressed sentiments are real. They are genuine. They are beyond sincere.
In the United States there are so many things that divide us. When in Tanzania and among our friends at Mlafu, there is no apparent divisions between us and them. It's as if they don't see our skin color, for one thing. This would be, and is, the most obvious difference. But other than the occasional child calling out with an exuberant "wazungu!" (white person), it was never even thought of. There were other obvious differences, mostly related to routine domestic chores or activities, but again, none of them ever were mentioned.
What was often mentioned, however, was what unites us and makes us one - our belief in and trust in the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This for me, again, was a renewing and refreshing reminder that we are just part of One Big Body of Christ!
I hope to nurture that renewing sense of understanding among us at Our Savior's, as I see too much focus sometimes on how even we as a local community of faith are different from one another. When a congregation can regularly focus on what unites them and who calls them together united, they will be transformed in ways they wouldn't expect. I hope and pray for this always.
So I hope you feel the love of our friends in Mlafu from across the world. I hope you feel the love of those right here at home, seated around you in worship, packaging meals next to you, serving food alongside of you, sewing quilts among you, singing songs with you, learning stories of faith together with you, and comforting you as needed. This is only part of the One Big Body of Christ - at Our Savior's - but a very important part!
In love,
Pastor Dale
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WORSHIP & FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
5:00 pm Dinner
Cost $4/person
5:30 pm Worship
Sermon by: Dale Stiles
6:10 pm Faith Formation (Classroom)
Youth Group (Youth Room)
7:00 pm Confirmation (Grades 8 & 9)
7:00 pm Kingdom Choir
8:00 pm Liturgical Singers
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Sermon by: Pastor Dale Stiles
8:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary
Special Music: JuBellate
9:15 am Faith Formation (Classrooms)
Time for Parents
3rd Grade FaithMarker (CLC)
Adult Education (Family Room)
10:30 am Worship in the CLC
C
hildcare available for the 10:30 am service.
11:45 am Evolve Youth Group (Grades 7-9)
5:00 pm Activate Youth Group (Grades 10-12)
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Adult Education Schedule
Sunday, November 12, at 9:15 am in the Family Room
Topic: Racism Workshop
Guest Speaker: Carolyn Farmer Sampson, has studied racism and racial justice at St. Catherine University and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Her presentation will include insights gained through her experience as a white female business woman and suggestions for concrete actions every white person can take to be an effective ally with people of color.
Sunday, November 19: Union Gospel Mission
Guest Speaker: Todd Shannon
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Children, Youth & Family Ministry
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Grade 3 FaithMarker
The 3rd Grade FaithMarker "Back-to-the-Bible is happening on Sunday, November 12
from 9:15-10:15 am. Your 3rd grader will be receiving the Connect Study Bible at this FaithMarker. Parents & guardians please attend with your child or another special adult is welcome to join us in your absence. Please RSVP to the church office if
you plan to attend this FaithMarker.
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All Worship Service Sign-ups
Families, please sign up on the poster in the Gathering Area if your family can help with "All Worship" services happening at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 15 or at 10:30 am Sunday, Nov. 19! We need kids and their families to help with greeting, ushering, reading, acolyting and serving communion.
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Operation Christmas Child
Our global Christmas outreach program this year will be Operation Christmas Child. Please grab a pre-assembled box from the table in the Gathering Area along with an instructional handout to explain the items that can be put into the Christmas Boxes. Kids love to help fill the boxes! You can choose a boy or girl and the age range which is marked right on the form. Please bring your filled boxes back to church by Sunday, November 19. Stacy Meyer, OSLC Parish Nurse, will collect the boxes and bring them to the drop off site on Monday, November 20.
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Christmas Cookie Bakers Needed
It's that time of year again! The Women's Team is looking for Christmas cookie bakers for our annual fundraiser. We will need 20-25 people to bake 10-20 dozen cookies each. You pick the cookie from our list, bake them and have them back to church by Friday, December 8th at 10 am. We will pack them in trays of 10 or 6 dozen to be sold for $40 or $25. Please sign up in the Gathering Area at church between services on October 29, November 5 and November 12. We will also be taking preorders for the trays. Don't miss out! Contact Susan Fredricksen with questions.
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ADvent eVENT Teas
This Sunday, Nov. 12, you will have the opportunity to begin sign up for the Women's ADvent eVENT teas that will be held the first week of December at various times and various places. Stop by the table in the Gathering Area
and reserve your spot at the time and place that best fits your schedule. Teas are limited in the number of attendees so not only will you be remembering the Advent Season but also sharing fellowship with other women and getting to know others in Our Savior's community. Please join us and bring a friend.
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Coffee Server Sign-up
The sign-up sheet for making and serving coffee for November and December is posted on the kitchen door. Volunteers may sign up for setting up the coffee service from 9-9:45 am or cleaning up from 9:45-10:30 am. You may also sign up to provide treats. Training will be provided, if needed. Please consider helping out with this important ministry. Questions? Please contact Susan Fredricksen.
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Gratitude Container Collection -- November 19
Recently as we have turned on the news we have seen many tragic events, such as the damage of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and the wildfires in northern California. We may even know people who have suffered losses in these events. To help lighten the load that many are experiencing, it has been decided that all of the monies donated through the Gratitude Containers will be given to Lutheran Disaster Response to go toward recovery from these disasters. Our Gratitude Container collection will be Sunday, November 19th. Coins can remain in the container and placed in the offering plate. If checks are written, please write Gratitude Container in the memo line. And we thank you in advance for sharing those extra coins with others in need. Blessings to you all!
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November & December Ushers and Greeters Needed
If you worship on Sundays, please consider signing up to serve as either an usher or greeter. Y
ou can view the openings and sign up from our church website or
Sign-up NOW!
Thank you!
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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
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Special Use Permit, Preliminary and Final Plat, Final Planned Unit Development at Council Chambers, City Hall
a. Planning Commission holds public hearing on all of these requests at same time on October 11, 2017 at 7:00 pm
(PASSED)
b. City Council holds hearing on November 7, 2017 at 7:00 pm
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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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