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Dear Members & Friends of Our Savior's Lutheran Church,
We're about 4 months removed since Pastor Dale announced his resignation and a tremendous amount has happened since then. The board feels most grateful that Pastor Christine accepted our call to be our pastor during this transition.
Pastor Christine has shown tremendous energy and enthusiasm taking interest in all aspects of our congregation and its operations. She's asking tough questions, evaluating staffing and operations, digging deep into administration and budget, coaching the board and transition team, meeting with staff and the congregation to hear their concerns, their hopes, their ideas. Somehow she also finds time to deliver personally touching and thought-provoking sermons each Sunday morning!
I know you all have noticed the positive impact Pastor Christine has had thus far as well and many of you have asked whether we could consider her to be our settled Pastor.
Unfortunately, the Interim Covenant that Pastor Christine signed explicitly prohibits her from being considered for a permanent call to our congregation. Bishop Lull from the St. Paul Area Synod has provided clear reasons why this must be:
1. Pastor Christine's vocation is to do this kind of hard transition work. She is very good at this. She entered knowing that she would be with you for a while but not many years. Honor her vocation.
2. Sometimes an interim needs to help congregational leaders with tough decisions - staffing, stewardship, unhelpful dynamics, etc. Knowing that she is not building up support to stay many years allows an interim to be an honest and strong voice in the middle of change. Honor her in that.
3. You have not seen the talent pool that will be presented when you are ready to call a settled pastor. It will be strong because Our Saviors has grown stronger. So don't look back with anxieties about what "won't happen". The bishop (this bishop) and synod staff have high hopes for you and the ministry God is calling you into."
So let us rejoice and be glad that we have Christine now as our Pastor. She will be with us as long as we need her to be. But she will not be our settled Pastor. Let us patiently do the work we need to do to call the Pastor who will lead Our Savior's to where God is calling us.
In Christ,
Ray Valley
Board President
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Message: Christine Wenzel, Interim Pastor
7:55 am Hymn Pick Prelude
8:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary
Special Music at 8:00 am: Summer Singers; Don & Charlotte Schuld
9:30 am Worship in the Sanctuary
Led by the Praise Band
Special Music at 9:30 am: Don & Charlotte Schuld
Volunteers always needed to welcome worshipers,
read lessons, usher or serve communion.
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Summer Holiday Schedule
Single worship service at 9:00 am in the Sanctuary
- Labor Day Weekend: Sunday, September 2
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Children, Youth & Family Ministry
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Park Day -- Join Darla for some Fun in the Sun!
Date: July 25, 2018
Where: Pioneer Park in Stillwater
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 am
Who: Children and a parent/guardian -- All ages invited
A snack and water will be provided. Feel free to bring a friend.
Hope to see you there!
Note: In case of rain, event will be cancelled. Call Darla at 651-308-8641 if you have questions.
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Shipwrecked Vacation Bible School -- 1 Week Left to Sign-up!
Dates: August 6 - 10, 2018
Time: 9 am - 12 pm
Ages: 3 yrs. (by 6/1/18) to Grade 6
(2017-18 school year)
Cost: $35 per participant
Online registration closes July 26, 2018.
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2018-19 Faith Formation & Confirmation Registration
Registration for Fall Faith Formation & Confirmation (Sundays/Wednesdays) is open NOW! We have something available for children & youth age 3 through 12th grade. Please register by August 31, 2018. Register Now!
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Summer Singers -- July 22!
We are looking for anyone interested to join a small choir to present special music on Sunday, July 22 at the 8:00 service. Rehearsal will only be that morning at 7:15 am. Contact Michael at 651-335-1412 if you have questions, or just show up Sunday morning.
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Mid-Year Financial Review
There will be a financial review on Sunday, July 22, at 9:00 am in the Family Room for anyone wishing to attend.
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Lumberjack Parade -- July 22!
Donations for parade give-aways are needed now! Drop off candy, water or freezee pops - collection bin in the Gathering Area (no chocolate please)!
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Walk and Talk
The next group walk will be on Monday, July 23, at 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Meet at the Browns Creek Trailhead on Neal Avenue near McKusick Road. Walk at your own pace! The walk will only be cancelled in case of lightning in the area. For more information, contact
Sue Hedlund or
Stacy Meyer.
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Transition Team Listening Sessions
Get ready to take the next important steps toward preparing our congregation to call our next pastor! The Transition Team will be hosting a series of Transition Listening Sessions, which will be held at the church and in people's homes over the next several weeks. The goal of these listening sessions is to hear perspectives from as many people as possible across the congregation. The Transition Team will consolidate responses and incorporate member perspectives into the work on OSLC mission, vision and value statements later this summer.
Please take time to sign up for a Transition Listening Session on
the sign-up sheets located in the Gathering Area or send an email to the church office with your desired preference for one of the sessions.
- Wednesday, July 18, at 6:30 pm at Don & Charlotte Schuld's home
- Wednesday, July 25, at 7:00 pm at Ray & Andrea Valley's home
- Sunday, July 29, at 9:30 am in the church Family Room
- Sunday, July 29, at 10:30 am in the church Family Room
- Wednesday, August 1, at 7:00 pm at Dave & Sandy Fabio's home
- Thursday, August 2, at 2:00 pm at Jan Leppla's home
- Thursday, August 9, at 7:00 pm at Steve & Susan Russell's home
In addition to the listening sessions, we'll be setting up other opportunities to hear directly from our members. The team will share news about other venues and further progress in the coming weeks.
If you have questions, send an email to the Transition Team and we will follow-up with you.
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Cancer Care Kits -- Donations Needed!
We are partnering with the McKesson Foundation to distribute "Cancer Care Kits" to people in our community. Our goal is to provide support and encouragement to children and adults who are facing cancer treatment. We will be collecting unused items during July so we can start distributing the kits in August. Please bring any of the items listed below to the Gathering Area:
- Freewill $5 cash donations
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Small books (children's books, notebooks, coloring)
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Note cards (4" by 6" or smaller)
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Games (cards, handheld toys, crayons, markers)
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Handwritten notes offering caring and supportive messages for children and/or adults.
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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 Christine Wenzel or Parish Nurse,
Stacy Meyer, with any of your needs.
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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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