"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they
follow me..."
John 10:27
May 2007
Social Action / Hunger CommitteeWe just celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd and I think we all know how planting trees is good for the environment. With spring here planting season has begun for everything from trees and bushes and flowers and vegetables. Well, I would like to tell you about a woman who would like to see one billion trees planted in the next decade worldwide.
Wungari Maathai (Wun-gar-ee Muh-thye) founded Green Belt Movement in Kenya in 1977. There have been more than 10 million trees planted since then and she would like to see 9 million trees planted in 2007. She is the winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and world renowned environmentalist and social activist.
You know that the planet faces many problems—global warming and climate change— the loss of millions of acres of forest every year and with it the extinction of countless species of plants and animals. We have one planet earth and we must be good stewards of the land. Planting trees is something almost all of us can do. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere converting it into food, medicines and shelter and other beneficial products while replacing it in the atmosphere with life-giving oxygen.
Let's all help out and be solution-oriented people—we know that planting trees is a program that works.
If you would like more information on planting trees or Wungari Maathai, log on to www.plant-trees.org/about/crisis.htm or Wungari Maathai.
Swedish Gospel and Jazz Orchestra in Concert! Save the Date!
On Thursday July 12th at 7 p.m. OSLC will host a very special concert of the Swedish Gospel and Jazz Orchestra. We are the second stop of the very first United States tour for this unique group of young people. This should be an evening to remember, with good music and a chance to meet youth from another part of the world!
At this time, we are looking for hosts to house the band members overnight. If you are interested in hosting members of this group, please call the church office at 263-7422.
News from the Foundation Committee
The Foundation Committee would like to welcome two new members!
Tim has just come on the Committee and will be the Treasurer of the Perpetual Fund. Terry is a non-voting member and a liaison with the Church Council. Welcome Terry and Tim to the Foundation Committee and thanks for serving!
The Foundation Committee reminds everyone to keep this branch of the Church in mind if you wish to honor or memorialize a loved one. Also, when you are taking care of your estate planning, please consider making a gift to the Church and the OSLC Foundation For example, under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, IRA distributions can now be given directly to a charity, such as the Foundation Committee.
The new provision of the law allows one to make Qualified Charitable Distributions totaling up to $100,000 per year directly from a Traditional or a Roth IRA to qualifying charities. This new provision is available for such distributions made from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2007. In order to qualify, the IRA holder must be 70 1/2 years or older and the distribution may be made directly from the IRA to the charity. By doing so, you will avoid having to pay tax on the IRA and this distribution will not count against your income.
If you would like any information on this or other opportunities to help in the growth of the Foundation and to enhance the mission of this Committee and the Church, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Foundation Committee.
Sunday School Key Verse
Here is the verse for May 6th, 13th, and 20th:
"The greatest blessing of all is to be at the banquet in God's Kingdom!" (Luke 14:15)
Please help our children learn these verses 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
Youth & Family Ministry Internship - The internship would involve helping to plan summer youth activities, Vacation Bible School/Day Camp, and planning the calendar for this fall while expanding the Youth & Family Ministry concept. If you are interested, please contact Donna at 263-7422 or 263-8103 by May 15th.
Computer knowledge to assist in setting up our Computer Room. We have 10 donated computers and wish to get things set up.
Vacation Bible School Needs
- June 18 -22 - helping with meals and lodging for the Voyageur's Lutheran Ministry
- We are looking for Vacation Bible School Teachers for the week of June 19th - 23rd for the Pre-K group.
- We are looking for 7th - 12th graders to help with Day Camp.
- Service Project ideas for Vacation Bible School Day Camp
Relay for Life - We need team members of all ages are welcome to join Our Savior's Lutheran Church on August 10th.
Sponsors for radio broadcasts throughout the year - Sponsor a broadcast in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special event, call the church office to reserve a date. Each Sunday's broadcast costs $50. Call the church office (263-7422) for more information if you would like to help with this ministry.
Softball players - softball season is just around the corner! Games are scheduled to start in May on Monday nights and last about one hour. Fans are always welcome! Anyone interested in playing on the Men's Church Softball Team that is male, at least 16 years of age by June 30,2007, and affiliated with or visit Our Savior's. All skill levels are welcome. Anyone that wants to join the team or has questions should contact the church office at 263 7422.
Sponsor our Missionaries - You can be a part of Our Savior's commitment. For just $10.00 you can sponsor our missionary for one day. Honor a loved one, their memory, their birthday, or give in appreciation of someone special to you.
Layette and Midwife kits - Still needed are undershirts, sleepers, sweaters, cloth diapers, bars of Ivory soap, razor blades, gallon ziploc freezer bags, receiving blankets.
AAA Adults - to keep in contact with our college students. Starting next fall, our goal is for each person to have 1 or 2 students to periodically follow up with while they are away at college.
Scrapbookers - We are trying to preserve all the wonderful memories of the Youth & Family activities. We have posters with pictures and now we want to put them into a scrap book to save for future reference. Whether you want to do one page or many, we'd love to receive your gift of time and creativity!
2007 Graduating Seniors - We would like to put together a booklet of our graduates. In this booklet, we would like to include your picture and a little summary about your future plans. Forms will be mailed to your home -please complete ASAP and return to Donna.
Words to Live By"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray..." James 5:13a
Return to Voice CalendarLast updated: July 11, 2007
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