Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Meditation Moment
 
From the Pastor ....
 
"Be still and know that I am God"
Psalm 46:10 
 
Last Thursday Brian and I ventured to taste the "piece of cod that passes all understanding," AKA a "Lutefisk Dinner," at Trinity Lutheran. My dad always said, "Norwegians put butter on it, Swedes put a cream sauce, while cats cover it with dirt." Nonetheless, I felt this compelling reason to go to this meal. After all, there were meatballs as a back-up main dish.

We were greeted from a gentleman that actually lives in Rochester-whom I've never met. "Oh, you're the new pastor at Our Saviors! I was about to contact you late summer, but then I noticed you moved here." He wanted to tell me about a contemplation ministry he is starting in Rochester. "God meets us in the silence." How true! In the midst of a busy culture, with a lot on our plates (sometimes even Lutefisk), it is vital to create space for stillness. Psalm 46 speaks of chaos and turmoil. In our hectic lives, God is the calm. We can always take more off of our "plates." Surprisingly though, I actually did like the Lutefisk!
 
Eternally,
 
Pastor Karna
 
This Week at Worship
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
 

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 
 
5:00 pm Dinner  
Menu: Pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, bread, salad and dessert
 
5:30 pm Worship 
Message: Pastor Karna Moskalik 
Guest Musican: Pastor Andy Potsko 
 
6:10 pm Faith Formation
7:00 pm Confirmation & Concert with Pastor Andy Potsko 
7:00 pm Kingdom Choir
   
 
Sunday, November 17, 2019
 
Remember this Sunday is commitment Sunday
as we turn in our 2020 intention of giving cards.  
We are excited about the ministry opportunities at OSLC.
 
8:00 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary   
Message: Pastor Karna Moskalik
Special Music: St. Croix Sacred Ensemble 
 
  9:15 am
Adult Education
Faith Formation
Time for Parents
 
10:30 am Contemporary Worship in the CLC
Worship Leaders: Praise Team 
 
11:45 am Jr. High Evolve Youth Group (Grades 7-9)
4:30 pm Sr. High Activate Youth Group (Grades 10-12) 
7:30 pm AA 
 
 
Volunteering is a work of heart. 
SIGN UP TODAY
  to greet, usher, read, serve communion  
or serve coffee!
 
 
Legacy Fund Dinner
 
Please plan to join the Friends of the Legacy Fund Committee for a
special dinner on Sunday, November 17th at 5 pm in the CLC.  Enjoy a dinner from Scheel's Catering while learning about what the Committee
has been doing and its plans for the future.  We will also recognize members of the Legacy Committee and discuss ways you can include
Our Savior's in your planned giving.   
 
** Please respond to the Committee at legacy@oslcstillwater.org
by Friday, November 15th if you plan to attend so we can get an idea on numbers for dinner. **   
 
 
Adult Education -- 9:15 am Sundays
 
November 17 with Pastor Karna Moskalik
What is faith formation? We hear this term at church, but is there an
actual process of how faith is formed? Yes! In fact, some scholars discern anywhere from four to seven stages of faith development. Come hear
from classical and contemporary perspectives describing the journey of faith development. In particular, Pastor Karna will cover a quick re-cap of St. Theresa of Avila's Interior Castle and see the overlay of current theologian Janet Hegberg describing faith as the "critical journey."

   
Help Us Catch Up and Meet Our Budget Goal! 
 
Help Us Catch Up and Meet Our Budget Goal!  As of Nov. 3, 2019 we are at $435,390 total giving   to the General Fund for 2019. We are behind our expected giving at this time by $65,956 We received $8,503 between 10/28 and 11/3. We need to average $19,639 each week in order to meet our end of year budget goal of $592,500.  We ask for your prayerful consideration in helping where you can to meet our budget goal.
 
You can easily and securely donate online by clicking here . This will take you to our online donation portal where you can log in with your email and manage your giving. Contact the church office or 651.439.5704 if you would like help. Thank you for helping us meet our goal!
  
 
Care of Creation Tip
In gratitude, caring for God's Air, Water, and Land
 
Cold Facts About Global Warming
Famed arctic explorer Will Steger will share his experience with climate change on his arctic expeditions in a presentation entitled "Earth's Changing Climate - Finding Our Way Forward: An issue of Faith and the Future." 

The program, followed by questions and answers with a panel of experts, will be held in the sanctuary at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi on Thursday Nov. 21, 2019 at 7:00 pm.  The tickets are free, and the public is invited.  More details at saintandrews.org/steger.

 
A lot of "just one persons" working together can accomplish mighty things. ~ A message from your OSLC Care of Creation team.
 
Announcements
 
Join us on November 13

 
We will have an amazing worship service and a concert by Pastor Andy Potsko! As a storyteller and a singer-songwriter, Andy loves sharing the Gospel with enthusiasm. He just released a recent CD that appeals to all ages--especially families. Andy was a missionary in India and Nepal with Pastor Karna and he is a college friend of Chad Larson. Bring friends! 
Worship at 5:30 pm and concert at
7:00 pm on Nov. 13.
Kitchen Shower
 
All women and friends are invited to a kitchen shower on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:00 pm, right here at Our Savior's. This shower will be a fun filled event that will provide kitchen items to Lutheran Social Services for their work with homeless youth. Check the poster in the Gathering Area for the list (registry) of items to be collected. Put your name beside the gift you would like to bring. Bring the gift wrapped. A fun evening will provide plenty of laughs and good fellowship. And it will all benefit the kids!
Turn in Your Gratitude Containers
 
Sunday Nov. 17, is the day the gratitude containers will be collected.  In February many members began using these containers to share coins when feeling gratitude for things happening in their lives.  The dollars from these containers will now be given to Lutheran Disaster Response to aid those affected by the many recent natural disasters around the US.  If writing a check please mark clearly on the memo line "Gratitude".  Cans of coins can go into the basket at the Advent Tea table in the Gathering area.
Our Savior's  101 Class (Membership Class)
 
This 1-hour class will be held on Wednesday, November 20 from 6:15-
7:15 pm and again on Sunday, November 24 from 9:15-10:15 am in the Fireside Room across the hall from the church office. The class is for anyone seeking more information about Our Savior's or who has already decided to join
. Please RSVP to Kathy in the church office with the date you wish to attend: or call 651-439-5704 ext. 101.
Community Meal at OSLC
 
Are you interested in fellowship, food and fun? Join us at the Fourth Friday dinner being held at OSLC on Friday, Nov. 22, from 5:30-7:30 pm. Come for dinner and conversation. Stay for games! Sign-up sheet at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Area. Call Catherine Solheim for more information 651-414-1556. (Fourth Friday dinners are held at various churches in the St. Croix Valley each month. A list of upcoming dinners will be available at the dinner on Nov. 22.)
Advent Teas
 
Sign-ups for Advent Teas are happening on Sundays, Nov. 17 & 24. There are opportunities for 6 times and 6 locations to gather with a small group of women to take a breath before the busy Christmas rush and remember that the Advent season is a time of expectant waiting. Check out the table in the gathering area and find a time that will work for you. Feel free to invite a friend to join you.
5th Annual Christmas Cookie Tray Sale!
  • Bakers Needed: The Women's Team is looking for volunteer bakers for this year's cookie trays. Each baker will be asked to bake 10 dozen cookies or candy. If you haven't signed up yet, please do so this Sunday, Nov. 17. We will have a list of the kinds of cookies/candy we are looking for and we will give you a recipe to use. The cookies will need to be brought to the church by 10 am on Friday, Dec 6th, when they will be packaged for sale. 
  • Trays for Sale: We are also taking orders for the cookie trays at this time. The trays are $40 for 10 dozen cookies (6 of 20 kinds) or $25 for 6 dozen cookies (6 of 12 kinds). The trays will be ready for pick-up on Fri., Dec 6 from 3-5 pm or Sunday morning Dec. 8th. Buy early, they go fast!
  • Proceeds from this sale go toward scholarships for women's conferences and retreats. Any questions, please contact Susan Fredricksen
Book of the Month Club
 
The Book of the Month Club will meet on on Monday, November 25th at 1:00 pm to discuss Tuesdays with Morrie. Hope you can join us!
PEP Christmas Lunch
 
SAVE THE DATE: The PEP Christmas party lunch is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10 at the Lowell Inn. Put it on your calendar and watch for more details in the near future!
 
Children, Youth & Family Ministry
 
Operation Christmas Child
 
PLEASE RETURN BOXES WITH $9.00 DONATION BY NOVEMBER 20.
Thank you for your generosity!
VBS need -- Artificial Christmas Tree
 
As you are preparing for Christmas decorating, please let Darla Goble know if you have an artificial Christmas tree we can have for VBS this summer. 
 
In the Community
 
Friends of Guatemala 
 
Saturday, November 16, 9 am - Noon at Easter Lutheran on the Hill (4200 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN)
  •  What does becoming a safe and welcoming denomination mean for the ELCA, the St. Paul Area Synod, and individual congregations? How might we come alongside those who are vulnerable and looking for safety? These are big, timely questions of faith that we cannot answer in a vacuum. Where do we begin to seek context and understanding beyond our own perspective?
  •  One place to start is by listening to our partner congregations in Guatemala. These are not strangers. They are our sisters and brothers in Christ, with whom we share a relationship. As we seek to gain a deeper understanding of how immigration issues impact them, we can apply that knowledge in the larger contexts of immigration and sanctuary.
  •  Pastor and president of Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala Rev. Karen Castillo will join us via video to share her perspective and insights. Director of Lutheran Advocacy - MN Tammy Walhof will help us process these big questions and begin a conversation about what this means for each of us. You are invited to join the conversation!
Anuak Benefit Concert Follow Up 
   
The Anuak Benefit Concert held at Trinity Lutheran on Sunday, Nov. 3, was a huge success with nearly 400 people from the community attending. A special thank you to the choir members from Our Savior's Lutheran that participated in the event along with those who volunteered to help prepare and serve desserts that were enjoyed by all.  
 
The $15,000 that was raised that afternoon will be used toward the purchase of a van that is badly needed to meet transportation needs for the Anuak immigrants from Ethiopia/South Sudan living in Stillwater and the metro area. Together with about $5,000.00 already in the fund, the Anuaks now have about two-thirds of the $30,000.00 needed for a used 15 passenger van.  
 
If you were not able to attend the concert and would like to contribute, you may make your check payable to The First Presbyterian Church, note "Anuak Van" in the memo, and mail to: First Presbyterian Church, 6201 N. Osgood Ave, Stillwater, MN 55082. 
Prayer
 
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 Karna Moskalik  with any of your needs.
Board Updates
 
To view church board minutes, please Click Here!
 
Giving Opportunities
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.