July 2020 Ministry Messenger

Pastor Kevin's Letter

Change is hard. I think that this is a sentence that most of us can agree upon. Even for those who thrive in changing environments change can be hard. And yet the reality that doesn't change in an ever-changing world is change itself.

For the last few months, we have been faced with life in an ever-changing world. Everything seems to be changing. The way we do church has changed. The way we see doctors has changed. The way we walk into a store has changed. (Just imagine if we were to walk into a store with half of our face covered with a mask in February.) Sports have changed. The rhythms of our lives have been interrupted and changed. The world around us has changed.

Truth be told, each of us have probably changed as well. Some people have changed more than others. Some of the change has been for the good, maybe new habits or less craziness. Some the change may be for the bad as we are feeling the disconnect from other people or the loss of good habits, or a job.

The reality is we live in an every-changing world that is changing at a rate faster than any other time in history. The question is: how will we react to change?

This last week, I read an article by a blogger by the name of Tony Morgan who was talking about change within churches. Here is a snippet of what he wrote.

"It might be good to keep in mind that whether the change is big or small, people (that includes you and me) will go through a common cycle of emotions and behaviors. We should expect it, rather than be surprised by it, when people react as they do when change happens.

One good tool to use to help identify where people are in the change process is "The Change Cycle" developed by Ann Salerno and Lillie Brock. Their model acknowledges these six stages that are a part of change:

Stage 1: We experience loss. We have feelings of fear and can be initially paralyzed by the change.
Stage 2: We experience doubt. We have feelings of resentment and we try to resist the change. (That's where the Snapchat crowd is today.)
Stage 3: We experience discomfort. We have feelings of anxiety and we become unproductive because we're overwhelmed by the change.
Stage 4: We experience discovery. We have feelings of anticipation and we are energized because our perceptions of the change have shifted.
Stage 5: We experience understanding. We have feelings of confidence because our productivity increases as we implement what we've learned from the change.
Stage 6: We experience integration. We have feelings of satisfaction and become more generous in our behaviors because the change no longer seems new or different."

I think Tony Morgan's insights are spot on. We all experience this common cycle or emotions and walk through the six stages of change. My question for you is: where are you at in the six stages? Are you stuck in the loss of what was and may never return again? Are you trying to resist change as much as possible thinking that with enough will power you can hold off change? Are you in that place where nothing quite feels comfortable because there is enough different in your life? Are you in that exciting period of new discovery as you are leaning into the new in your life and trying to navigate new opportunities? Do you feel like you finally have solid ground beneath your feet again? Do you feel like you are in the midst of a new normal now? Maybe you vacillate between these stages by the day or by the hour. I share this because every single one of us is walking through this right now. The feelings that we are all feeling are not new or out of the ordinary.

But I'm also reminded that in the midst of all of this change there is one constant: our God. I'm reminded of the words of Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Even though everything around us may change, our God remains the same. God's love for you remains the same. God's grace lavished on you daily remains the same. God's presence with you will never leave you. The way we do church may change (as it has had to over the last 3 months) but the God who meets us there in worship remains the same. The message of the Gospel remains the same. The hope that we have in the cross and empty tomb of Jesus remains the same. No matter where you are with the changes going on all around you, remember that even in a world where change seems to be the only constant, we have an unchanging God.

OSLM Endowment Fund

-Accepting Grant Applications Now

With the far-reaching impact of the COVID19 pandemic, the physical, spiritual and financial needs of mankind are escalating, as well. The OSLM Endowment Fund may be a small source of help. Do you need funding for a mission project or community outreach/service activity? Or do you have a student studying for a career in ministry who could benefit from scholarship assistance? If so, apply for a grant from the OSLM Endowment Fund.

The deadline to apply for funding in this first round is Sept 1. A grant application may be obtained by clicking here, from the church office or from one of the Endowment Committee members: Joe Ryno, Ann Brand, Beth Erbert, Jeffrey Walsh or Beth Young. You can submit your grant application-BEFORE Sept 1-to any of the committee members or drop it in the Endowment Committee box in the church office workroom.

Finally, investing in the Endowment Fund today builds the principle so that the Fund will be sustainable and available for His work well into the future. Please consider adding the Endowment Fund to your personal charitable giving portfolio. Investing in the Endowment Fund enables others to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus for many years in the future.

Click HERE for a grant application.

Shop with Scrip

SHOPPING? Don't forget to SHOP WITH SCRIP!

Whether you need essentials from stores that are still open, want to earn while ordering take-out or delivery for dinner, or need some online retail therapy, get eGift cards for hundreds of brands-and do it all from home by placing your orders online.

Set up an online account if you don't already have one

It only takes a few minutes to get started. Here's how:

Go to ShopWithScrip.com and select Join a Program. Or on your phone, go to MyScripWallet.com and choose Create an Account.
You'll be asked for an Enrollment Code. Enter L5EEL9F39228 and select Register.
Fill in the enrollment form to finish setting up your account.
Register your phone for two-step verification.
Once your account is set up, you will have the option to link a bank account to easily pay using your checking or savings account. Or you can use a credit card by entering your card information at checkout.
Now you're ready to shop and earn online.

Purchasing gift cards through this fundraising program before you shop helps our Ministry at Our Savior whether you are shopping online or at the store. Here is a list of all of the participating retailers .

Call Carla Gomes at (925) 447-1246 ext. 222 or email at [email protected] to order physical gift cards. Carla can let you know if the cards you want are currently on hand and can let you know when they will be available if we need to order them.

Stay safe and healthy and don't forget to Shop With Scrip!

Shopping with Amazon

Hello online shoppers! For those of you utilizing Amazon, did you know there is a an option to have .5% of your purchase to go to a charitable organization?

Go to Smile.Amazon and create an account. You will be asked to pick your charity. Charities are separated by categories, make sure you are looking under "All". Type in "Our Savior" and you will see several listed, look down the list that shows "Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore, CA" and then click "Select". You must always start with smile.amazon.com in your browser to support our ministry.

Updates from our Board of Directors

April P&L

May Pastor's Report

Final BOD Minutes

Engage Encourage Equip Launch