From Our Savior's Voice

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me..."
John 10:27

December 2006
 

Sunday School Key Verse and Needs

Here is the verse for Decembers, 10, & 17:

"Don't be afraid. God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus." (Luke 1:30-31).

Please help our children learn this verse each month. Grandma's, Grandpa's, Aunts, Uncle's, Friends, Mom and Dad can all share in helping our children grow in faith! Remember: Youth & Family Ministry begins with "adult renewal"!

Items needed for Sunday School Projects:

Global Mission

Thank you all for your support of Global Mission projects. We sold $ 778.50 of SERRV articles which was enough to pay our invoice! Think of how you have helped artisans in third world countries earn a living! We will display the remaining items at the Christmas Tea.

We were also able to send $ 314.41 to LWR to buy 6 sheep for Peruvian farmers. This was a Sunday School project. Thank you for your generosity. Check the Global Mis­sion bulletin board to learn more about our work in Peru.

On-going projects include knitted and rolled bandages. However, in order to proceed with the rolled bandages we will need more bandage rollers. A simple bandage roller may be constructed from scrap wood and hanger wire!—yet it serves to help volunteers prepare rolled bandages efficiently and faster. Patterns are available in the church of­fice. Can you help?

Another on-going project is "Missionary for a Day". There is a sign-up board in the narthex if you wish to pay tribute to someone you love: a memorial, a birthday, or an al­ternative Christmas gift for only $10 a day.

Again, we say thank you.

Gather 'Round the Manger: Christmas Poinsettias and Animals in the Stable

Each year members and friends of Our Savior's graciously and generously donate funds in memory or honor of a loved one. With these funds, our worship space is decorated for the Christmas season with beautiful poinsettia plants. As we remember the birth of the Christ child, we envision not just Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus, but also the animals gathered around the manger. This year, in addition to poinsettias, you are in­vited to make a gift of farm animals to help people around the world through the ELCA Good Gifts program.

Here's how you can help:

These gifts not only provide the animals, but also provide training and help to new own­ers so they can sell their animals at a fair price, as well as care to ensure the animals will stay healthy.

Please make checks payable to OSLC.  Envelopes will be available on Sunday mornings or in the church office. Poinsettia plants will be delivered to homebound members and nursing home residents following our Christmas Eve worship service. Thank you for your support of this mission project!

Social Action/Hunger Committee

"This is what real love is: It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us in sending his Son to be the way to take away our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us that much we also should love each other." 1 John 4: 10.11 NCV

Again we will be preparing for Christmas. Have you looked toward the cross lately? I see Jesus' love in his outstretched arms gathering in all of us in love.

Can we reciprocate by stepping from our comfort zones and let the real meaning of Christmas urge us to reach out to others? It does take time and effort but the rewards are awesome.

Heifer International offers animals we can purchase for third world countries. Greater Gifts and Equal Exchange coffee, tea and chocolate items help subsidize people in their industries. (Sponsored by ELC A Hunger Appeal)

Community projects have food shelves in need of donations of food and cash, but also help unpacking trucks and opening case goods to put away. The Salvation Army needs bell ringers for the kettles and also needs help with gifts and food. There are giving trees located at several locations across the iron range. Bring food, coins to the kettles or purchase gifts for someone.  Our church has our own food shelf and help is always needed in packing boxes; delivering flowers; tending children during programs, choir and Sunday school programs; and/or serving beverages.

Place a call to a homebound member or visit with someone who is probably very lonesome at this time of year.

Send an extra card to let someone know you are thinking of them. Greet the person next to you in church... invite them to fellowship hall for coffee. Too busy... .send cash to your favorite organization in someone's name.. .just do it. Reach out as Jesus did for us, after all it's his birthday.

Bread for the Journey

Join us for Wednesday's Bread for the Journey at 5:15 pm, Dinner at 6:00 pm and Worship at 6:45 pm. This is a great time to get together for that mid-week lift, plus you don't have to cook! There are lots of activities for all ages, including choirs, hand chimes, crafts, Bible Studies, and PUPPETS!

During Advent we will be making different pieces of a Nativity set each week on Wednesday Nights leading up to Jesus' birth and finishing the set with the Three Wise Men on January 4th just before Epiphany on January 6th.

We have delicious home-cooked meals -free will offering. 

12/7 - Baked Chicken
12/14 - Fajitas
12/21 - Fettuccini
12/28 - No Bread for the Journey activities

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee would like to thank all those who have prayerfully considered their relationship with God and filled out an Estimate of Giving card and returned it to the church. Giving to God is two fold:

  1. The use of our treasures in helping others and multiplying the Kingdom of God and
  2. Strengthening our personal relationship with Him. God knows the meaning of giving up things that we hold as valuable.

After all, He gave His only Son.

If you haven't already filled out and returned an Estimate of Giving card to the church office there is still time. If you need a card, just contact in the church office for one.

Sharik/Farseth Scholarship Winners!

Congratulations! Our two Sharik/Farseth Scholarship winners of $1000 each are Corrisa and Martha. We had several applications - each with wonderful backgrounds and experience - the committee enjoyed reviewing the talents of all the students! Keep up the great work!

Church and Community Needs

Food boxes for Christmas - chocolate chips, brown sugar, candy canes, sweet potatoes, puddings, fruits and vegetables, and/or cash.

Clothes Closet - needs Children's winter clothing 

Adult Fudge Makers - To help the youth make fudge on December 15th, from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight.

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.

College student outreach - Adults to stay in contact with one or two college students while they are away at college.  We have adults for all the 2005 graduates and we are still looking for contacts for some of the class of 2004.

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!

Remember to pick up dishes from the kitchen dessert corner!

Words to Live By
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray..." James 5:13a

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Last updated:  December 10, 2006

oslchibb@rangebroadband.com