"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they
follow me..."
John 10:27
November 2006
Journey into Prayer
Once again OSLC is sponsoring a team to participate in the Synod's ongoing
prayer initiative called "Journey into Prayer". Our team, consisting
of Jim Fitz, Karen Fitz and Pastor Kathy meets with other congregational teams
on the second Thursday of each month at Faith Lutheran in Chisholm to learn
about deepening our prayer practices and experiences. We have an opening for one
additional team member. Contact Pastor Kathy if you would like to join this
team.
Pastoral Acts
There were:
one baptism, one marriage,
and two funerals
performed.
19 Youth were Confirmed
on October 29th.
Advent Event: The Night of Las Posadas
Sunday, December 3rd 4:30-6:30 p.m.
This year, as we journey through the Advent season, we will experience the
Mexican tradition of "Las Posadas" which celebrates the journey of
Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in search of a place to stay. Join us for an
evening of celebration as we follow the holy couple on their way. We'll gather
to learn about this tradition with crafts, worship and a special Mexican
Fiesta! Mark your calendars now and watch the Sunday bulletins for more
information in the weeks to come!
Bread for the Journey
Gathering at 5:15 p.m., supper at 6:00 p.m. and worship at 6:30 p.m.
We will conclude our study of Discipleship from the Gospel of Mark,
celebrate Thanksgiving and then begin our Advent journey!
November 8th - Mark 12:3 8-44 What about my money?
November 15th - Mark 13:1-8 What's next?
November 22nd - THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP and DESSERT & COFFEE!
November 29th - ADVENT BEGINS!
For the season of Advent we will focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus, her
humility, her humanity and her experience of God's power, as expressed in the
beautiful words of the Magnificat.
Operation Christmas Child
The Sunday School Children are currently collecting items for Operation
Christmas Child Gift Boxes. We like to add basic health care supplies to these
boxes. Toothbrushes. Toothpaste. Nail Clippers. Sturdy Combs and Bars of
Soap make nice additions to the toys and treats. If you would like to
contribute, please place these items in the green LWR box next to the church
office. The boxes will be packed and sent by mid-November, so please act
promptly. Thank you. Pam and Sue.
Stewardship Committee
We would like to share this letter about the Joy of Giving from a Bishop.
This letter presents ideas for us to consider as we prepare our faith pledge
for Our Savior's. Our gifts will be consecrated on November 19.
Dear friends in Christ,
I cannot tell you a precise moment when Christian giving became for me a
joy rather than a discipline or simply a practice. However, the transformation
of giving from duty to joy is a spiritual gift, a divine gift, for which I am
grateful. By grace, God has changed giving from something I "ought to
do" to an act of gratitude that I want to do.
My thankfulness to God certainly informs my giving, but even so, my
stewardship is not just a matter of returning to God a portion of God's
generosity to me. No, there is more. In Christian giving, I believe myself to
be living into what God has created me to be, at least in part By training, I
am not a particularly generous person; by grace, I pray that I am learning
Christian generosity. Such generosity is of the image and likeness of God
revealed to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Not only is generosity the Lord's command but it is his example. He who
died for us "while we were yet sinners" has given to us more than we
merit or deserve; that is, his glorified life now and for all eternity. There
is a certain recklessness in God's generosity. In God there is no holding
back, no reserve, no condition. His generosity is total and without condition.
All our congregations will offer to us the opportunity this autumn to make, in
faith, a pledge for next year. Some don't like to be bothered; others of us
don't like to commit. Some of us may not feel that we are getting "value
received" for our gift. Others of us may not like something the church
has done or left undone. I invite you this Sunday to look at the cross above
the altar in your church and to see there God's generosity poured out for you,
and thereupon base your response.
The goal of deepening our own discipleship in our
congregations cannot happen unless we take seriously implications of Christian
stewardship. The amount of our gift does not matter, whether it is the widow's
mite or a princely sum. It is the sacrifice that will be transformed to
gratitude that matters.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Diocese of Louisiana
Sunday School Key Verse
Here is the verse for November 5th:
The Scriptures say, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul,
strength, and mind."
They also say, "Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself." (Luke 10:27).
Here is the verse for November 12, 19, & 26:
Jesus then said, "So it is. Everyone who is now first
will be last, and everyone who is last will, be first. " (Matthew 20:16).
Please help our children learn this verse each month. Grandmas, Grandpas,
Aunts, Uncles, Friends, Mom and Dad can all share in helping our children grow
in faith! Remember: Youth & Family Ministry begins with "adult
renewal"!
Church and Community Needs
Remember to pick up dishes from the kitchen dessert corner!
Adult Fudge Makers - To help the youth make fudge on December 15th,
from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight.
Lutefisk/Meatball Dinner Helpers - Please call Jerry 262-3501, Fred
262-2518 or Tom 262-4255 if you are able to help with the Lutefisk/Meatball
Dinner on Nov. 16th. Preparation days are Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 14 and 15.
Help is also needed from 4-7 on the day of the dinner.
Scrapbookers - We are trying to preserve all the wonderful memories.
Posters have been made and now we want to put them in to a scrap book to save
for the future.
Bread for the Journey - helpers on Wednesday evenings
for a half hour to help with music, activities, or crafts. Everything is all
planned - we just need your assistance to help our young people.
Thanksgiving Food Boxes - We will be filling about 20
boxes of food for families. We are requesting the following items:
stuffing mix, sweet potatoes, cranberries, canned vegetables, canned fruit, Jell-O,
pumpkin, evaporated milk, brown and white sugar, flour, cereal, or anything to
make a holiday meal festive.
Attention all college students: We would like to have
your college addresses and e-mail addresses. Please e-mail Donna Hoag at dmhoag@ranqebroadband.com!
We want to be able to keep in touch!
Range Women's advocates: Toiletries are collected at the
OSLCW Christmas tea.
Soup Kitchen - OSLC will be cooking, serving, and
cleaning up at the Salvation Army the 4th Wednesday of every month. All members
of your family are needed to help out. Also needed is someone to
coordinate volunteers for each month.
Craft Group - Meets every Tuesday at 9:00 in the Boy Scout Room.
All welcome to come and work on projects for the bazaar. Coffee
"and" provided. NO Talent needed, we have something for everyone to
do. Many hands make light work!
Words to Live By
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should
pray..." James 5:13a
