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Messenger
The
Newsletter of Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Hastings, Minnesota
A Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Volume XXXII - No. 1
January-February 2015
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February 1, 2015
10:00 a.m.
Saturday
5:30 p.m.
Informal Worship
Our Saviour’s annual meeting will be held immediately
following the 9:15 am worship service, in the Worship
Center at 10:00 am.
Communion each week
God will be honored, praised and thanked. A budget
(investment plan) for 2015 will be adopted and new
leaders will be elected.
Sunday
8:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship
9:15 a.m.
Blended Worship
Members are asked to attend this important, brief meeting.
Communion 1st & 3rd Sundays
10:35 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
with
New Creation Worship Band
Communion each week
Education Opportunities
Sunday
9:15 & 10:35 a.m.
Church School
Wednesday
Children’s Choirs (4:45-5:30)
Church School (5:30-6:15)
www.OSEL.org
Lenten Worship begins Wednesday, Feb. 18
Join us on another Lenten Journey. Lent this year begins with our
traditional Ash Wednesday service at either 4:00 or 7:00 on Feb. 18.
On the following Wednesdays at 7:00, worship with us as we listen to
stories presented by some of Jesus’ closest friends, or persons whose
lives he touched. Hear dramatic presentations from Thomas (Chris
Hellie), The mother-in-law of Peter (Kath Pengelly), Mary Magdalene (Danelle Kurtz), Martha (Sue Wagner),
and Lazarus (Tom Sorenson).
You will not only be fed spiritually by these
Lenten monologues, but you can be literally
fed as well, each Wednesday, 5:00-6:45.
Date
Feb. 18
Feb. 25
Mar. 4
Mar. 11
Mar. 18
Mar. 25
Meal
Chicken Soup
Taco Bake
Turkey Dinner
Roasted Pork Meatloaf
TBD
Join us and be fed!
Served by and Donations to…
Youth and Family Ministries
Hastings Family Services
Food With Friends
Christian Education
Sharing & Caring Hands
Servant Road
Pastor’s Page
“Pray for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with
boldness the mystery of the gospel…”
--Ephesians 6:19-20a NRSV
Mystery of the Gospel
Douglas John Hall has got me thinking about this phrase in Paul’s writings. This might seem like a strange
phrase to those of us who grew up
in the church. What is mysterious
about the gospel? Isn’t it revealed in
Jesus Christ?
I was struck by the gulf between the
meaningfulness of the Lessons and Carols service and the confirmation kids’
question.
The Reason for an Additional
Worship Service
I am intrigued by the phrase ‘the
mystery of the gospel’, because increasingly, the gospel appears to be
a mystery to more and more people.
Let me explain what I mean. This
year’s Lessons and Carols service at
the beginning of December I found
to be especially meaningful. It really
touched me. The hymn selections,
the choir anthems, the whole service
was very moving for me. I appreciated the layers of meaning in the
service. It was a wonderful service.
This gulf in questions and what it takes
in order to be meaningful is the reason
for thinking about an additional worship
service. I don’t know how to provide
what would be meaningful for those
who like me were deeply moved by the
Lessons and Carols service and what
would be meaningful for those who are
asking “why should I read the Bible”
in the same service. This is about more
than music. It is about the questions and
concerns each group is asking and what
each need out of a worship service. I
want to be able to address both in meaningful ways.
But, even as I was being deeply
moved, a conversation was playing in my head that I had had with
an 8th Grade Confirmation teacher,
who with great (welcomed!) courage
had told me that I had missed the
confirmation kids in my confirmation opening remarks when I tried
to talk to them about “Why God
doesn’t answer prayer.” Essentially,
she told me that her confirmation
kids were asking prior questions like
“Why should I read the Bible?”
Obviously, those asking, “Why should
I read the bible?” need to be moved to
a deeper experience of the Christian
faith, but that can’t be done by simply
giving them what is meaningful to those
of us who have been formed in the faith
for years. It would be like reading a
seminary text book on theology as the
sermon and expecting everyone in the
pew to find it deeply meaningful (when
reading these books can be a stretch for
those of us who attended seminary!)
The first mystery of the gospel is
that for many the basic understandings of the Christian faith are a
mystery and we need to find a way
to help make it understandable.
An Experience of God
There is a second mystery to the
gospel. This second mystery is out
of our control. It is why Paul, and
I, ask for prayer. Faith is more than
ideas, or knowledge. Faith in its
essence cannot be taught. Christian
understandings, doctrines, confessions can be taught, but the essence
of faith cannot.
There is a mystery to how a person
comes to discover how the content
of Christianity connects with the
lived experience of being a Christian. There is a mystery to how a
person comes to have a living trust
in God – in the experience of turning to God in daily life. There is a
mystery to finding the right words
to help people discover that connection. Part of my walk of faith is in
my clear need for God’s assistance
and work in, through and even in
spite of me as I try to find those
words. And so, I ask for your continued prayer as I seek to be of use
to you and God in making known
the mystery of the gospel.
Pastor Lloyd Menke
Our Ministers:
All members of Our Saviour’s
Our vision: Rooted in God’s grace, always made new.
Our mission: Living as the hands, feet and heart of Christ.
Our promise: Rejoicing together in God’s grace, hope and love.
Page 2
Pastoral Staff:
Lloyd Menke, Senior Pastor
Doug Duin, Associate Pastor
Kelli Weiss, Associate Pastor for Family Life
Our Website: www.OSEL.org
Church email: [email protected]
January-February 2015
Growing in Grace and Loan Repayment
There have been a number of questions that have arisen regarding what to
do now that the Growing in Grace Campaign has ended. Please accept my
apologies for not making this clearer on a timelier basis. First, thank you to
all who have contributed generously to the Growing in Grace Campaign.
Your generosity has allowed us to make many needed improvements and
upgrades to our facilities, as well as, providing funding for some exciting
mission work.
The Growing in Grace Campaign ended December 31, 2014. However,
as you know, we took out a loan of $75,000 to do additional renovations
last year that were never a part of the plan for Growing in Grace. Our first
payment of $15,000 on this loan is due June 1st. We have been generously
granted two years of interest free money on this loan. After the first two years
the interest will be 4.75%. We will need non-operating budget contributions
to provide the money for this loan repayment. Therefore we would invite
those of you who have been contributing to Growing in Grace to continue to
give toward the loan repayment. Obviously, we would also invite those who
have not contributed to Growing in Grace to consider making a contribution
toward the loan repayment as well!
You can simply write in the memo section of your check, “loan repayment.”
If you still have Growing in Grace envelopes you can continue to use them
to make contributions. Please note: that contributions placed in a Growing
in Grace envelope will now go toward the loan repayment and not counted
toward Growing in Grace. The Growing in Grace Campaign is finished.
Nonetheless, if it is more convenient for you to continue to use these envelopes, you may do so with the understanding that your contributions in them
will be going toward the loan repayment.
Thanks, again, for the ways you generously provide for the ongoing financial
needs of ministry at Our Saviour’s.
Enjoy the convenience of
electronic giving
Electronic giving offers convenience
for our members and much-needed
donation consistency for our
congregation. There are two ways to
set up electronic donations. You can
visit the church website at www.osel.
org, locate the donation link and follow
the instructions or, if you wish, you can
simply complete a paper authorization
form and return it to the church office.
As you contemplate future
contributions, please consider
electronic giving. Authorization forms
and additional information are available
from the church office.
Donate from your smart
phone!
Our Saviour’s Evangelical Lutheran
Church now offers a mobile version of
our online giving page to make it easy
for you to give anytime from your
smart phone. Simply scan the image
you see here using
your phone’s Quick
Response (QR) code
reader!
Pastor Lloyd Menke
Thank you to
our Accounti n g C r e w,
Tricia Agen,
Marie Smead,
Pam Sorenson,
Ardel Woodward.
Thank you
to our outdoor
sign changers, Duane Davick,
Dennis Martin, Mel Agen.
Thank you to our volunteer receptionist, Pam Ganrud.
Thank you to our Messenger Task
Force, Audrey Adolphson, Helen Andreasen, Marion Crane, Darleen Hanson, Joyce Hoffman, Lois Malm, Jaci
McNamara, Janelle Stevens, and the
Tuesday Women’s Study helpers.
January-February 2015
Thank you to the Happy Stuffers,
Audrey Adolphson, Jennifer Bonness,
Marion Crane, Duane & Janet Falkingham, Chip Grosenick, Darleen Hanson,
Marge Hanson, Lois Morlock, Duane
Sanderson, Janelle Stevens, Marge
Trautmann, Roger Youngquist.
We celebrate the gift of the volunteers
who decorated our worship space so
beautifully. Special thanks and kudos to Rachel Sager and Dave Warg
for their leadership in the decorating
process. Thanks to Larry & Jody Hoffman for their work with the beautiful
live tree, to Pat Sanderson and JoAnn
Theodorson for the poinsettia set-up,
and thanks to those of you who helped
with decorating and the un-decorating.
Thanks for making Our Saviour’s so
warm and festive!
Thrivent offers a program called Thrivent Choice Dollars to its members.
People who own Thrivent products can
recommend where Thrivent Financial
distributes part of its charitable outreach funds each year. Our Saviour’s
participates as a recipient of Thrivent
Choice Dollars. In 2014, Our Saviour’s
received $3,391 in contributions from
our members who designated Our Saviour’s to receive the gift. Since Thrivent
began the program, Our Saviour’s has
received $11,557. Your generous gifts
help to purchase the new chairs for the
Fellowship Hall. Thank You! Keep up
the wonderful designating!
Page 3
Caring Ministries
Serving our need to care
and our need for care.
Jeanie McCabe, Council Rep.
Team Leaders:
Our Saviour’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church Prayer Chain
is composed of church members who
pray daily for those requesting prayers
for themselves and others. They
need not be members of our church
or community. Requests are kept
confidential unless otherwise specified.
Prayer requests may be submitted to:
[email protected]
or to the Prayer Chain Anchor, Rosanne
Otto 651-226-8299, (voice mail is
available if no one answers) or you
may call the church office.
If you would like to become a
member of the email prayer chain or
the phone prayer chain, please call
Rosanne 651-226-8299.
We pray that God will bless you
with peace!
Grief Support - Pastor Doug Duin
Care Cards - Audrey Adolphson
Prayer Chain Anchor - Rosanne Otto
Lay Ministry - Paula Davick, Tricia Agen,
Maxine Wiech
Communion Ministry - see Pastor Doug Duin
Spark Family is a devotional
resource that will help families explore
Bible stories together! Every issue
includes Bible stories, pictures, questions, and activities. If you are looking
for ways to talk about God with your
child or with a child in your life then
we invite you to bring home the current
issue of the new Spark Family devotion! Copies are available by the office
door.
STILL PRAYING!
Hastings Area Grief Support Group
is a welcoming place for grieving
people to find comfort and understanding. The meeting place is Tilden Community Center, 310 River St. Hastings.
Grief Group meetings are held every
Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m. and are open to
the
public.
Intercessory Prayer Ministry meets at
5:00 pm on Wednesday evenings. Join
this wonderful group as they diligently
meet and pray for the staff and life of
our church. Contact Jan Peterson with
any questions - (651) 437-9531
[email protected]
We do not know how to pray as we ought,
but that very Spirit intercedes…
--Romans 8:26
Personal and Family Devotionals and Care Notes
The conduct of a Christian
Questions of how to conduct oneself
as a Christian, or how to serve as a
Christian, must be answered by life
itself — the life of the individual in his
direct, responsible relationship to God.
This is dynamic, never a static thing.
And how can we speak at all of the
true meaning of conduct and service if
we do not speak first and last of love?
For it is love which sums up all other
commands. The one who loves knows
better than anyone else how to conduct
himself, how to serve the one he loves.
Love prescribes an answer in a given
situation as no mere rule can do. “The
man whose life is lived in love does in
fact, live in God, and God does, in fact,
live in him.”
—Missionary/author Elizabeth Elliot
in The Liberty of Obedience
Page 4
Provided by the Pastoral Care Team are available free in the rack outside the
office. You are welcome to take one for yourself or offer one to a friend.
Our sincere Christian sympathy is extended to:
Reba Johnson - death of brother
Norb Reinardy - death of sister-in-law
Maxine Wiech - death of brother
Adam Rachuy - death of father
Kurt Kohn - death of brother
Sandy Strandberg - death of father
Maxine Schroeder - death of husband
Kathy Pearson - death of father
Lois Malm - death of brother
Paul Woxland - death of brother
Sally Glasrud - death of daughter
Annette Watson - death of mother
Tom Trutna - death of brother
Please remember these and others you may know of in your prayers.
PLEASE, call the church office with news of a birth, hospitalization, or
bereavement.
Privacy Laws - Hospitals are not able to give patient admission notification
to churches. If you are aware of anyone in the hospital who would like a
pastoral visit or be included in prayers, please call the church office.
January-February 2015
Serving Ministries
Congregational Contacts...
Hastings Family Service
Board - Shelly Rohr, Terry Storholm, Carrie Jo Short
Meals on Wheels - Maxine Wiech
Narthex Food Wagon - Carol Rupp Fixers for Christ - Greg Mikel
Food With Friends - Sharon Langenfeld, Cathy Shores
Servant Road - Cary Nygaard
Sharing and Caring Hands - Jana Serres,
Heidi Siebenaler
Tanzania Partnership - Christy Baum
Opportunities for
Service
Fixers for Christ
Do not hesitate to call the church
office - 437-9052 if you need help with
a leaky faucet, a squeaky door, removal
of a dead shrub, replacing burned out
ceiling light bulbs, hanging a picture,
etc...
Our volunteers are eager to help you!
As we launch our 150th anniversary
year in 2015, we’re excited to share the
story of this organization. In this milestone year at LSS, we’ll celebrate neighbors who have helped make Lutheran
Social Service of Minnesota what it is
today. We couldn’t carry out our mission
without good neighbors, all across the
state, who have stepped forward to join
in this mission work. It’s going to be an
exciting year at LSS! Thank you for all
you do to carry on that legacy of innovation and loving the neighbor in ways
that inspire hope, change lives and build
community.
Contact: 651-642-5990 or visit their web
site: www.lssmn.org
You’ll find many great resources, interesting stories of changed lives and ways
you can donate or volunteer.
People helping people!
Sharon Langenfeld, Council Rep.
Hastings Family Service
301 Second Street East
in Downtown Hastings
651-437-7134
ACCEPTS ONLINE DONATIONS:
www.hastingsfamilyservice.org
Hastings Family Service provides
emergency food, clothing, financial
assistance, and other support for those
experiencing a crisis in their lives, HFS
works to give them a hand-up rather
than a hand-out.
Provides groceries
to people in need of
emergency, short-term
assistance. In addition
to a five to seven day supply of groceries, persons receive a voucher to a local
grocery store for perishables.
Items such as pancake mix and syrup,
bottled juices, diapers, personal hygiene items, including toothbrushes,
laundry soap are always needed. Your
contributions may be brought to HFS
or dropped off in the blue wagon in the
church gathering area. Thank you for
reaching out to our community.
Meals On Wheels
In partnership with Regina Medical
Center, this program provides hot
meals and a safety check for the elderly
and people living with a disability.
Do you like to drive?
OSEL delivers meals to
residents of Hastings every
other Monday through
Meals on Wheels
program.
Call Maxine Wiech
(437-4356) for more info.
Just Friends can always use drivers!
Residents of our community need rides
to medical appointments within Hastings and/or the metro area. Receive
mileage reimbursement. Call Mick
Humbert, 437-7134, if you would like
to be a driver.
It’s Tanzania Time
Our Tanzanian brothers and sisters are
always in our prayers, but
once again at this time of
year we remember them in
a special way. The opportunity is available for you
to help provide educational
funding for students. Many of you have
consistently supported students these
past several years and we are grateful
for your support. We are actively looking for new supporters. Our goal this
year is to provide sponsorship for over
20 students. The cost is $400/student.
Maybe you can make it a family, or
neighborhood, or small group project?
Please sign up at the welcome center if
you are able to help. The students thank
you!
Food With Friends Ministry
This ministry on the first Thursday of the
month serves a meal to people unable to
provide a meal for themselves or their
family or those just looking for someone
to talk to.
Thanks to all who helped with food
and/or serving in December.
The next meal will be on Thursday,
Feb. 5 at 6:00 PM. Sign up at the
Welcome Center to provide food and/or
help with setup, serving, and cleanup.
Contacts:
Cathy Shores, 651-208-6244
Sharon Langenfeld, 437-8128
Sharing & Caring Hands
Sharing and Caring Hands is an outreach
ministry of Our Saviour’s. Every other
month we deliver meals at the Sharing
and Caring Hands facility in Minneapolis.
Thanks to all who helped with food and/
or serving in December. Our next date to
serve will be Saturday, February 14.
Watch for sign-ups on the kiosk in the
gathering area at church to help provide
food and/or to go along to serve. Contact:
Jana Serres, 651-707-7241
Heidi Siebenaler, 480-2225
January-February 2015
Page5
Christian Education
Theresa Chatelle
Director of Faith Formation
651-437-9052, ext. 27
[email protected]
Ellen McCullough, Council Rep.
Church School
Christian Education Leadership Team
meets the 4th Tuesday of every month in
the church office conference room.
Next meeting is Feb. 24, 2015:
6:00 PM
Dates to Remember
Souper Bowl of
Caring
NO Sunday School:
March 15 (Spring Break)
On Sunday, February 1, millions of
Americans will tune
into the Super Bowl.
There will be parties
with abundant food
and fellowship. At
the same time there
will be people worrying about finding
shelter and a warm meal.
Future events to watch for!!
So, we are having a SOUPER BOWL
of our own. On Sunday, February 1,
we are inviting you to take part in our
Souper Bowl of Caring. Church school
students will be in the Narthex as you
leave worship collecting monetary
donations. All of the money collected
will go to support Hastings Family
Service. Just find a student holding a
soup pot to make your donation.
Come join the fun!
Looking for volunteers to help serve
and clean up the March 11th Lenten
Supper sponsored by Christian Education—Proceeds go to Feed My Starving
Children. Contact Theresa.
Page 6
NO Wednesday School or Children’s
Choirs:
February 18 (Ash Wednesday)
March 18 (Spring Break)
April --2015/2016 Registration begins
for Church School and Choirs
June 8-12 - Vacation Bible School —
Registration will begin in April
Together in Faith is a ministry that
pulls parents into the role of being primary faith mentors for their children.
The Together in Faith ministry provides
an experience for parents to learn
alongside their child. These experiences will help each of you grow in your
faith and provide you an opportunity to
support the spiritual development of
your child. All of these sessions take
place on Sunday morning at 9:15 and
10:35. (Wednesday students are welcome to join with either hour.)
Sunday, February 9 ---- The Keys---4 yr. olds and their parents
We will learn the power of forgiveness;
how to say you are sorry.
9:15 or 10:35am in the classroom.
Look for Updates at the
end of February
NO Confirmation during Lent
(February 18 through April 1)
Even though small groups are not
meeting, Confirmation students
are expected to attend Lenten
worship.
Make a night of it!
Wednesday nights during Lent
(March 5 through April 16)
• Lenten dinners from 5:00 to 6:45
• Lenten Worship starts at 7:00
Confirmation will start
back up again on
Wednesday, April 8.
7th Grade
Keep up with your worship notes
and service hours.
April 18—All day retreat at Camp
Victory. Watch for more info and
mailing.
April 22—6:15pm Mandatory
Parent Night with guest speaker
Marilyn Sharpe “Building a Faith
That Last”
8th Grade
February 27, 5:45pm—Visit
Temple of Aaron Synagogue in St.
Paul—Watch for info in the mail.
March 29, 4-6pm—Mandatory
parent(s) and student Seder. Watch
for mailing.
9th Grade
Start those mentor meetings and
pastor sessions.
Continue to attend Wednesday
night worship time.
January-February 2015
Youth and Family Ministries
Kelli Weiss
Associate Pastor for Family Life
651-437-9052, ext. 17
[email protected]
Laura Cassidy, Council Rep.
[email protected]
Wednesday Nights During
Lent at Our Saviour’s!
Families and individuals have
opportunities to connect in faith,
community, and Christian education
every Wednesday night. Here’s our
Lenten schedule (Feb. 18 - Mar. 25):
Homework and Hangout (2:45—5:30 pm)
Children’s Choirs (4:45—5:30 pm)
Church School (5:30—6:15 pm)
Supper (5:00—6:45 pm)
Lent Worship (7:00—7:30 pm)
Chancel Choir (7:30—8:30 pm)
Family Faith Practice (7:30-7:45 pm)
Adult Leader
for Ash Wednesday Meal
Wednesday, February 18. As a fundraiser for our students’ trips to camp
and on mission trips, we will be hosting
supper on Ash Wednesday. Chef John
will be preparing the food, but we
need an adult to provide leadership to
the students volunteering that night. If
you’re interested in helping, contact
Dee Bowles, our fundraising coordinator, 651.437.2185 or
[email protected]
Serve the Lord—Mary’s Place
Serve the LORD
Go in peace, serve the Lord! Let’s
serve God by serving our neighbors,
community, and people around the
world. About twice a month all youth
(middle school and high school) and
adult leaders are invited to participate
in service right after worship on Sunday morning (unless otherwise noted).
All youth and families welcome!
SERVE THE LORD - Sundays
All youth and families welcome!
January 25: Mary’s Place
(11:45 AM - 4 PM
February 8: Valentine’s Day Cards
and Cookies (11:45 AM - 3 PM)
February 22: Free child care (11:45 AM - 3:30 PM)
Sunday, Jan. 25 from 11:45 am to 4:00
pm. Mary’s Place is a transitional apartment complex connected to Sharing and
Caring Hands in North Minneapolis.
We’ll be playing
with kids during
their Kids Club/
Daycare time.
Serve the Lord—Valentine’s Day
Sunday, February 8 from
11:45 am to 3:00 pm. We will
be frosting cookies and making cards to deliver to people
in the community—specifically our
friends at various assisted living and
senior housing apartments in town.
Serve the Lord—Free Child Care
February 22 from 12:30-3:30 pm. We
want to be able to offer a gift for families
of free child care and a fun day for kids
to play at church. Our older students and
families will lead games, a craft, making
a snack, as well as supervise the nursery
for younger children. We will also serve
lunch to the children and volunteers.
Sign-ups for children and a sign up for
volunteers will be at the Welcome Center.
Fundraisers
Youth & Family fund-raising opportunities coming soon to earn money
for mission trips and camps. Watch for
information in next month’s Messenger
for:
Ash Wednesday Supper - Feb. 18
Gertens’ Flower Sale (Orders taken in
March for delivery in May)
Spring Garage Sale - TBD
(Start cleaning/saving now!)
Camp and Mission Trips
Silent Auction!
Help our trip participants earn funds
for their 2015 trips. OSEL will hold
our annual mission trip silent auction
to help defray the costs of the trips.
Mission trip and camp participants and
others may donate items and services
(e.g. tickets to Vikings/Wild, cabin stay,
restaurant certificates, 5-10 hours of
babysitting services, weed pulling, let
your imagination run wild, what is your
talent, skill or???) Auction donations
are being collected by Dee Bowles
between now and February 1. Please
contact Dee at 651.437.2185 or
[email protected]
The auction will run between
February 8 – 22.
Scrip Gift Cards are available
at the Welcome Center on Sundays or
in the church office during business
hours, M-F.
January-February 2015 Page7
CAMP WAPO
Even though the
snow is falling, it’s
time to start thinking about camp!!!
Camp is a place
where fun and faith collide. Encounter
God’s word, make friends and create
memories to last a lifetime. Scholarships are available through WAPO.
This year’s theme is “AmagingRace”
and instead of registering through the
church, all registrations are to be made
online at:
www.campwapo.org
Registration with deposit is
DUE: Sunday, March 15.
Seeds Weekend - July 24-26
Completed 2nd or 3rd grade
This action packed weekend is an opportunity for our youngest campers to experience the fun and fellowship of camp in
a weekend setting. Knowing this may be
some of the kids’ first camp experience,
WAPO counselors spend every moment
with them. They provide a safe and caring environment filled with music, Bible
study, campfires, crafts, water activities
and tons of games.
Youth Camp - July 26-31
Completed 4th-9th grade
This week, packed with a variety of
activities, is meant to impact kids for
eternity. Each day includes Bible study,
chapel, cabin activities, free time,
games and a campfire.
TIM TEAM-July 26-31
Completed 9th-12th grade
TIM Team is a leadership development
opportunity for Senior High youth.
TIM teamers commit to one year of
service as leaders in their home congregations working primarily with younger
youth. TIM Teamers will spend time at
both Ox Lake and Wapo during the 6
day experience. TIM Teamers will have
lodging at Ox Lake, as well as experiencing the Low / High Ropes Challenge Course. During the week, much
of each day is spent at Wapo interfacing
and participating as leaders amongst
the younger youth from their congregation.
Page 8
During Lent last year we were able to
create a devotional book compiled from
writings by members to pass out to the
congregation. We’d love to be able to
offer this opportunity again! If you’re
interested in contributing something to
the book, contact Pastor Kelli. Reflections will be due the first week of
February.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Write up to a page (a paragraph is OK
too!) worth of thoughts related to the
theme “Easter Stories.” That theme is
up to your interpretation; it could be:
• Ways you’ve seen God bring new life in your life or some-
one else’s;
• Your experience with how God has brought/brings joy in the midst of sorrow;
• A time when God has shown up somewhere unexpected;
• A reflection on what Easter means to you.
These stories can be personal or not—
they can be about you or someone you
heard about one time. They can go deep
or remain sort of on the surface. They
can be questions or something you are
certain about. It’s up to you. We are
looking for diversity and a variety of
ways people can connect during Lent.
Scrip Cards—on-going, year round
fundraiser. Families may purchase gift
cards from Our Saviour’s to stores/
restaurants/gas stations/etc. and earn a
percentage back to personal fundraising accounts. Scrip cards cost exactly
what they are worth (i.e. $25 @ Target
is $25). Stop in the church office if you
have any questions or want to purchase
scrip cards.
Shared Ministry
Through
Small Groups
Kristine Thompson, Council Rep.
Continuing Groups...
First timers are always welcome.
Men’s Study Group
Sundays, 6:30 p.m.
Contact Dennis Nygaard, 437-7943
Luther, the Man
Mondays, 6:30 p.m.
Contact Pastor Menke, 437-9052
Women’s Bible Study
Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m.
Contact Jan Peterson, 437-9531
Men’s Wednesday Morning Group
Wednesdays, 5:45 a.m.
Contact Tim Mellesmoen, 437-5221
Adult Study Group
Currently studying Romans
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Contact Kristine Dotson, 480-2287
Good News Men’s Group
Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.
Contact Pastor Doug, 437-9052
Ben Utecht in Concert
Surrender to Love
February 13, 2015
7:00 PM
Hastings High School Auditorium
Hastings native Ben Utecht returns
to his hometown for a one-night-only
performance and will share his inspired
music and giant voice in a style of Pop/
Rock with country music influences.
His eight person band brings a fullblown concert experience to Hastings,
combining his powerful sound with a
stimulating media and light show.
The Surrender To Love concert will be
an experience that includes worship and
Ben’s message about life’s challenges
and setting meaningful priorities. His
concert has been described as having
the potential to be a life-changing event.
Use promo code WORSHIP20 and
save 20% on tickets at:
https://quick.crowdtorch.com/49401
January-February 2015
Worship & Music Ministries
Diane Pearson
Organist
651-437-9052, ext. 21
Kevin Gagnon
Media Coordinator
Hymn Festival
Saturday, Feb. 7
5:30 pm
Sunday, Feb. 8
8:00 & 9:15 am
You are invited to join us on Saturday,
Feb. 7 at 5:30 or Sunday, Feb. 8 at 8:00
or 9:15, for an Our Saviour’s “Singing
Our Faith” hymn festival. The service
will be structured around the hymns of
faith that have been submitted by the
congregation. Please join us as we hear
again God’s promises to us through the
music of the church.
You are invited to nominate a hymn
and to tell us why it is meaningful to
you. The deadline for submissions is
Wednesday, January 28. Bring your
nomination to the church office or use
the orange welcome cards in the pews
and place them in the offering plate at a
Sunday morning worship service.
Choir Directors:
Kathy Hardy - Jubilee Ringers
Lin Warren - Chancel Choir
Tammy McMenomy - God’s Little
Angels (Preschool-Kindergarten choir)
Diane Pearson - Good News Gang
(1st through 5th grade choir)
Jerrie Pittenger, Council Rep.
Considering Ushering?
A few new people are needed to fill
out some existing usher teams at all
services. If you have considered this
ministry, now is the time to act. New
schedules are being put together
soon. Please call Linda at 437-9052,
ext. 12, or email: Linda.gathright@
osel.org.
There are also opportunities to serve
at special services coming up soon,
like Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. If you plan to
attend one or more of these services
and would like to usher or assist with
communion, please let Linda know
as well.
(NOTE: All worship services
accepting new Ushers as well as
Greeters, Lectors, Communion
Assistants and Coffee Fellowship
Servers!)
Special thanks to all those who
currently serve in one or more
areas listed above.
Jubilee Ringers
The handbell choir is still looking for
some musical people to ring bells! If
you’ve ever thought about joining the
bells, now is a great opportunity to
start! Rehearsals are Mondays at 7:00.
Please contact Kathy Hardy at hardy1@
usfamily.net if you are interested in
joining!
Recently
Baptized
at
Our Saviour’s
Maximus Herman Ogilvie
Born: September 13, 2014
Baptized: December 21, 2014
Parents: Trevor Ogilvie and
Jessica Herman
Sponsors: Angela Simpson,
Troy Shannon
Story Eleanore Stewart
Born: July 27, 2014
Baptized: December 28, 2014
Parents: Joseph & Mindy Stewart
Sponsors: Megan Broin, Jason Stewart
Rayah Skye DuBé
Born: November 15, 2014
Baptized: January 11, 2015
Parents: Michael DuBé &
Miranda Rivera
Sponsors: Andrew Rivera, Cory DuBé,
Sean DuBé
Weston Joseph Lodermeier
Born: November 14, 2014
Baptized: January 17, 2014
Parents: Joe Lodermeier and
Bre Erickson
Sponsors: Sam Erickson,
Tony Lodermeier
The next Baptism Seminar has
been scheduled for Sunday,
March 1 at 11:45 a.m. If you wish
to have a child baptized, you must
first attend a seminar. Please call the
church office, if you wish to register
for the next seminar, to schedule a
baptism, or if you have questions.
We are broadcasting our Sunday
worship services on KDWA 1460
AM radio and at www.kdwa.com at
6:30 p.m. on Sundays (9:15 service)
and 6:30 pm Wednesdays (10:35
service). Tune in if you’re unable to
attend worship.
January-February 2015 Page 9
Coming Weeks at Our Saviour’s
Church doors are open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., weekdays. Please call the office to schedule ALL meetings, 437-9052.
Sunday, Jan. 25
7:30 AM Weekly Prayer
8:00 AM Traditional Worship
9:15 AM Blended Worship
9:15 & 10:35 AM Church School
9:15 & 10:35 AM Together in Faith for Kinder-
gartners & Parents
10:35 AM Contemporary Worship Service
Monday, Jan. 26
11:00 AM-5:30 PM Red Cross Blood Drive
12:00 Noon Church Staff Meeting
6:30 PM Luther Study
7:00 PM Boy Scouts 503
7:00 PM Jubilee Ringers
Tuesday, Jan. 27
9:00 AM Women’s Study
1:00-7:00 PM Red Cross Blood Drive
6:00 PM Christian Education Leadership Team
6:30 PM Auditors
Wednesday, Jan. 28
5:45 AM Men’s Study
2:45 PM Homework & Hangout
4:45 PM God’s Little Angels Choir
4:45 PM Good News Gang Choir
5:00 PM Intercessory Prayer
5:00 PM Supper
5:30 PM Wednesday School
6:15 PM Confirmation
6:15 PM High School Worship
6:30 PM Adult Study
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
7:30 PM Coffeehouse
Thursday, Jan. 29
9:00 AM Men’s Study
5:00 PM New Creation Band Rehearsal
5:00 PM Servant Road Annual Celebration
Friday, Jan. 30
9:30 AM Bulletin Stuffers
Saturday, Jan. 31
5:30 PM Saturday Worship Service
Sunday, Feb. 1
Souper Bowl of Caring
7:30 AM Weekly Prayer
8:00 AM Traditional Worship
9:15 AM Blended Worship
9:15 & 10:35 AM Church School
10:00 AM Annual Congegation Meeting
10:45 AM Contemporary Worship Service
Monday, Feb. 2
12:00 Noon Church Staff Meeting
7:00 PM Boy Scouts 503
7:00 PM Jubilee Ringers
Tuesday, Feb. 3
9:00 AM Women’s Study
6:00 PM Council Organization Meeting
7:00 PM Good Neighbors 4-H
Wednesday, Feb. 4
5:45 AM Men’s Study
9:00 AM Quilting
2:45 PM Homework & Hangout
4:45 PM God’s Little Angels Choir
4:45 PM Good News Gang Choir
5:00 PM Intercessory Prayer
5:00 PM Supper
5:30 PM Wednesday School
6:15 PM Confirmation
6:15 PM High School Worship
6:30 PM Adult Study
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
7:30 PM Coffeehouse
Thursday, Feb. 5
9:00 AM Men’s Study
4:30 PM New Creation Band Rehearsal
6:00 PM Food with Friends
Friday, Feb. 6
9:30 AM Bulletin Stuffers
Saturday, Feb. 7
5:30 PM Saturday Worship Service with Festival
Sunday, Feb. 8
7:30 AM Weekly Prayer
8:00 AM Traditional Worship
9:15 AM Blended Worship with Hymn Festival
9:15 & 10:35 AM Church School
9:15 & 10:35 AM Together in Faith - 4 yr. olds & Parents
10:35 AM Contemporary Worship Service
11:45 AM Serve The Lord
7:00 PM Sons of Norway
Monday, Feb. 9
12:00 Noon Church Staff Meeting
7:00 PM Boy Scouts 503
7:00 PM Jubilee Ringers
Tuesday, Feb. 10
9:00 AM Women’s Study
6:00 PM Church Council
Wednesday, Feb. 11
5:45 AM Men’s Study
2:45 PM Homework & Hangout
4:45 PM God’s Little Angels Choir
4:45 PM Good News Gang Choir
5:00 PM Intercessory Prayer
5:00 PM Supper
5:30 PM Wednesday School
6:15 PM Confirmation
6:15 PM High School Worship
6:30 PM Adult Study
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
7:30 PM Coffeehouse
Wednesday, Feb. 18 - Ash Wednesday
5:45 AM Men’s Study
9:00 AM Quilting
4:00 PM Ash Wednesday Worship
NO regular youth activities, church school or children’s choirs
5:00 PM Intercessory Prayer
5:00 PM Supper
6:30 PM Chancel Choir
7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Worship
Thursday, Feb. 19
9:00 AM Men’s Study
4:30 PM New Creation Band Rehearsal
Friday, Feb. 20
9:30 AM Bulletin Stuffers
Saturday, Feb. 21
5:30 PM Saturday Worship Service
Sunday, Feb. 22
7:30 AM Weekly Prayer
8:00 AM Traditional Worship
9:15 AM Blended Worship
9:15 & 10:35 AM Church School
10:35 AM Contemporary Worship Service
11:45 AM Serve The Lord
Monday, Feb. 23
12:00 Noon Church Staff Meeting
7:00 PM Boy Scouts 503
7:00 PM Jubilee Ringers
Tuesday, Feb. 24
9:00 AM Women’s Study
6:00 PM Christian Education Leadership Team
Wednesday, Feb. 25
5:45 AM Men’s Study
2:45 PM Homework & Hangout
4:45 PM God’s Little Angels Choir
4:45 PM Good News Gang Choir
5:00 PM Intercessory Prayer
5:00 PM Supper
5:30 PM Wednesday School
7:00 PM Lenten Worship Service
7:30 PM Chancel Choir
Thursday, Feb. 12
9:00 AM Men’s Study
4:30 PM New Creation Band Rehearsal
Thursday, Feb. 26
9:00 AM Men’s Study
4:30 PM New Creation Band Rehearsal
Friday, Feb. 13
9:30 AM Bulletin Stuffers
Friday, Feb. 27
9:30 AM Bulletin Stuffers
Saturday, Feb. 14
8:00 AM Creative Memories
8:00 AM Sharing & Caring Hands
5:30 PM Saturday Worship Service
Saturday, Feb. 28
5:30 PM Saturday Worship Service
Sunday, Feb. 15
7:30 AM Weekly Prayer
8:00 AM Traditional Worship
9:15 AM Blended Worship
9:15 & 10:35 AM Church School
10:35 AM Contemporary Worship Service
12:00 Noon Valentine Brunch
Monday, Feb. 16
12:00 Noon Church Staff Meeting
7:00 PM Boy Scouts 503
7:00 PM Jubilee Ringers
Newsletter
Deadline
Tuesday, Feb. 17
9:00 AM Women’s Study
7:00 PM Stewardship Ministry Team
Page 10
The next
Messenger
deadline is
Tuesday,
Feb. 17, at
4:00 p.m.
January-February 2015
Faith and health
Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard Medical School made a study of the effect
praying can have upon those who pray. He discovered those who pray 10
to 20 minutes daily can lower their blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and
metabolic rates. Prayer can work wonders.
—Proclaim, Nov. 1, 1998
January-February 2015
Page 11
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 95
Hastings, MN
400 West Ninth Street
Hastings, Minnesota 55033-2025
(651) 437-9052
www.OSEL.org
Dated Material
Address Service Requested
Ash Wednesday Worship
Service of Holy Communion and
Imposition of Ashes
Wednesday, Feb. 18
4:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Light Supper in the Fellowship Hall
between services (5:00 - 6:45 p.m.)
Free will donation
Sponsored by Youth and Family
Ministries for youth mission trips
and/or summer camp