Knowing Jesus, Growing in Jesus, Sharing Jesus. February, 2016 Shepherd s Staff LCMC Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ

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1 Our Saviour s Lutheran Church February, 2016 Shepherd s Staff LCMC Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ Knowing Jesus, Growing in Jesus, Sharing Jesus OSLC address: 326 Leroy Street, Audubon, Iowa OSLC Telephone: (712) OSLC oslc@iowatelecom.net OSLC Fax #: (712) OSLC Website: oslcauduboniowa.org Pastor Doug s Phone numbers: (home) (cell phone) Pastor Doug s address: pastordoug@iowatelecom.net 2016 LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES AND HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Ash Wednesday, February 10 th Ash Wednesday Worship with Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 17 th Aebelskiver Supper from 5:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Worship Lesson 1: Abraham and Sarah and Three Strangers filmed in Tel Arad in the Negev Wilderness Wednesday, February 24 th Lenten Supper served from 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Worship Lesson 2: Israel at Sinai: The First Great Commission filmed at Mount Timnah in the Desert of Paran Wednesday, March 2 nd Lenten Supper served from 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Worship Lesson 3: Jesus Renews the Mission: Seeking the Lost filmed in the reconstructed village of Qatzrin Wednesday, March 9 th Lenten Supper served from 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Worship Lesson 4: The Lost Son: In a Far Country filmed at Jerash, first century Gerasa Wednesday, March 16 th Lenten Supper served from 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Worship Lesson 5: The Seeking Father: The Lost Son Returns filmed in the region of Decapolis Palm Sunday, March 20 th : 9:00 a.m. Worship Children are invited to participate in a Palm Processional at the beginning of the Palm Sunday service. The Rock Youth Group will do a reenactment of the Crucifixion. Maundy Thursday, March 24 th : 7:00 p.m. Worship with Holy Communion Good Friday, March 25 th : 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Worship Easter Sunday, March 27 th : 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service 8:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Worship 1

2 Greetings from Pastor Doug, Lent is almost here! It may be hard to believe that the Epiphany season has begun and before we know it Lent will arrive. Wednesday, February 10 th, we begin the 2016 Lenten journey. You are invited to gather on Ash Wednesday for worship, which includes the celebration of Holy Communion and the Imposition of Ashes, as well as the following Wednesday evenings throughout Lent. This Lenten season we plan to continue with a new approach, as we did last year, to the five Lenten mid-week services that follow Ash Wednesday. We are including a 30 minute message from the well-known Bible teacher and historian, Ray Vander Laan followed by additional instruction from Pastor Doug. It will be another way for us to use the projection system as we grow in faith and our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ. The title of the Lenten series is, Israel s Mission Becoming a Kingdom of Priests in a Prodigal World. Filmed in Israel, you will see and hear Ray Vander Laan weave together the Bible s historical, cultural, religious and geographical contexts, providing insight into Holy Scripture s significance for present day believers. If there is interest, each DVD faith lesson will also be available during the Sunday morning S/S hour in the month of March as well. The 2016 Lenten schedule includes the following: Wednesday, February 10 th Ash Wednesday worship with Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes, 7:00 p.m. Worship Wednesday, February 17 th Lesson 1 Abraham and Sarah and Three Strangers filmed in Tel Arad in the Negev Wilderness, 5-6:45 p.m. OSLC Aebleskiver Supper, 7pm Worship Wednesday, February 24 th Lesson 2 Israel at Sinai: The First Great Commission filmed at Mount Timnah in the Desert of Paran, 6:00 p.m. Supper, 7:00 p.m. Worship Wednesday, March 2 nd Lesson 3 Jesus Renews the Mission: Seeking the Lost filmed in the reconstructed village of Qatzrin, 6:00 p.m. Supper, 7:00 p.m. Worship Wednesday, March 9 th Lesson 4 The Lost Son: In a Far Country filmed at Jerash, first century Gerasa, 6:00 p.m. Supper, 7:00 p.m. Worship Wednesday, March 16 th Lesson 5 The Seeking Father: The Lost Son Returns filmed in the region of Decapolis, 6:00 p.m. Supper, 7:00 p.m. Worship God gave a command to His people thousands of years ago: bring lost sheep back into the love and safety of His kingdom. It remains our responsibility today. In this 13 th volume of That The World May Know, Israel s Mission, we are given a glimpse of the urgency and the rewards of welcoming strangers and prodigals the Lord longs to embrace. You are invited to come, discover the mission that can give your life, and the lives of those around you, greater meaning than you ever imagined. May the 40 day Lenten journey transform our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord! Pastor Doug 2

3 Annual Meeting will be Sunday, January 24 th, :00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Annual Meeting in the Sanctuary Lunch to follow the Annual Meeting in the Downstairs Social Room (The lunch will be served by the 2016 Workcampers & The Rock Youth Group but please bring either sandwiches or desserts, the Workcampers will provide the soup.) Audubon Ecumenical Lenten Prayer Breakfasts 6:30 a.m. (This is a community breakfast for all men and women) Tuesday, February 16 th Our Saviour s Lutheran Church Tuesday, February 23 rd First United Methodist Church Tuesday, March 1 st First Presbyterian Church Tuesday, March 8 th St. Patrick s Parish Center Tuesday, March 15 th St. John s Lutheran Church Volunteers are needed to help prepare and serve. Contact the church office if you are able to volunteer for this ministry. Daffodil Days Daffodils bring hope and support the fight against cancer and are a universal symbol of hope and life. This campaign will deliver thousands of yellow flowers across the country to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer. There will be a table set up January 22 nd & 31 st following worship for you to order Daffodils ($10.00 per bunch). Questions, contact Anna Elmquist at Sunday Morning Adult Christian Education Opportunities Continue to grow in the Lord! Bring a friend or family member, your coffee or snack, enjoy the conversation and fellowship, and join us in the Chapel at 10:20 am. Upcoming faith formation opportunities for January and February include: A DVD series of teaching and discussion titled, Exploring the History, Meaning and Relevance of C.S. Lewis s Greatest Book, Mere Christianity, hosted by Eric Metaxas. January 24 th The Rival Conceptions of God January 31 st Free Will and the Shocking Alternative February 7 th Christian Behavior and the Great Sin of Pride February 14 th The Christian Virtue of Hope February 21 st God in Three Persons February 28 th Counting the Cost In my opinion this is one of the most valuable faith building Christian resources we have provided here at OSLC. If you are not able to be there in person on Sunday mornings, I would be willing to offer the series another time during the week. And if that is not possible, the resource will be available for you to check out after the end of February. I have also included in this newsletter a list of additional resources we have available for you to check out for your personal or study group to study at your convenience. Pastor Doug 3

4 Out of consideration for those who may find it harder to walk during inclement weather, please leave the parking spaces closest to our entrances open for those who need them. Also, please leave the parking spaces to the east of the alley open for our brothers and sisters in Christ at the First Presbyterian Church Offering Envelopes are available in the entryway near the coat racks at the church. If you do not see your envelopes, please contact the church office. Marriage Conference at Grace Church in Des Moines, Iowa What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage with Paul David Tripp. January 29 th 30 th, 2016 $10 registration fee per person. Contact Grace Church at for more information. Paul David Tripp is a pastor, author and international speaker. Paul s driving passion is to help people understand how the gospel of Jesus Christ speaks with practical hope into all thing people face in this broken world. Church Music Sunday Sunday, February 28 th will be Church Music Sunday. Our Sunday morning guest will be a staff member from Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp. Join the Behind the Cross Praise Band, Kids Choir and Senior Choir during worship to praise God with music with some of their favorite songs. Worship Announcements As a reminder, on Sunday mornings general announcements and Temple Talks will begin prior to 9:00 a.m. in order for our worship service to begin at 9:00 a.m. or shortly after. Shift: Retooling Church LCMC 2016 Leadership Conference April 10 th -12 th, 2016 at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Altoona, Iowa Jesus is at work in His church, retooling us for God s mission to a plugged-in and over-booked world. Join us as we work together to discover three major shifts into which the Holy Spirit is inviting us: 1: from congregational-focused to kingdom-focused 2: from pastor-dependent to pastor-equipped 3: from consumer-making to disciple-making Join Pastor Doug and other church leaders from OSLC at this national LCMC conference. Blessman Ministries - OSLC Eye Glass Case Outreach - June 2016 You are invited to help us bring hundreds of eye glass cases to South Africa when our team of missionaries arrives in June of There are simple patterns available on a table in the entryway if your would like to help brighten the lives of thousands of children and adults who receive eye glasses as part of the Blessman Ministry outreach in South Africa. Thank you for your prayers and commitment to this vital partnership in global mission! Questions? Contact the church office. 4

5 Wellness Tip A monthly feature from the OSLC Wellness Ministry Team February Wellness Tip If you have been shopping recently you have probably noticed the stores are gearing up for Valentine s Day. Heart shaped candy and gift items are there to be purchased and given to those you love on February 14 th. Heart disease statistics are eye opening. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, killing over 370,000 people a year. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined. February is a good time to examine your own heart. Do you take care of your heart? What are your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers? Is your weight normal for your height? Do you limit your salt intake and eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables on a daily basis? Do you exercise on a regular basis? Do you smoke or someone in your household smoke? If you take blood pressure medicine, is your blood pressure well controlled? All of these factors contribute to you having a healthy heart and ones you have control over. Let us have strong and healthy hearts so we can be like Hannah when praying to the Lord in 1 Samuel. My heart exults in the Lord; and my strength is exalted in the Lord. Kids Choir and Confirmation families: please note that youth who stay after choir and confirmation on Wednesdays to play in the gym or outside are unsupervised. Choir directors stay until 3:45 p.m. to ensure choir members have been picked up or are on their way home. The church doors are usually locked at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Thank You. OSLC Christian Education Resources DVD & Study Booklets FOLLOWORSHIP taught by Pastor Fritz Trost Eight Faith Lessons taught at OSLC September November 2015 Equipping, Empowering and Encouraging Authentic Discipleship BONHOEFFER The Life and Writings of Dietrich Bonheoffer hosted by Eric Metaxas Four Faith Lessons for your life journey REFORMATION ROOTS The Church History Series hosted by Kevin Dragseth Twelve Faith Lessons This series brings to life the stories and struggles of the Reformation that still impact us today THE PATH TO THE CROSS taught by Ray Vander Laan Five Faith Lessons from That The World May Know - Focus On The Family not a fan taught by Kyle Idleman Six Faith Lessons inviting us to consider whether You are a fan or a follower of Jesus? gods at war taught by Kyle Idleman Six Faith Lessons addressing The battle for your heart that will define your life Please contact Pastor Doug if you would like to use these resources. 5

6 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2:00 Staff Meeting 2 3 9:30 Caring & Sharing 2:30 Kids Choir 3:00 Confirmation 4 5 9:30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) 6 Pastor Doug gone 2 nd -5 th 7 Transfiguration of our Lord 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion Installation of Council and WOW Officers 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, SS 11:15 Worship Committee Meeting 11:15 BTC Praise Band practice 2:00 Audubon County Pastoral Jail Visit 8 1:15 Quilting 2:00 Staff Meeting 6:30 Building Committee 9 2:00 Naomi Circle 10 2:30 Kids Choir 7:00 Ash Wednesday Worship 11 10:30 Friendship Home Communion 12 9:30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) Shepherd Staff newsletter deadline at noon First Sunday in Lent 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship Baptism 10:15 Coffee, Sunday School, Sr. Choir 10:45-3:30 Social Room reserved 11:15 Education Committee 4:00 Clover Kids 15 2:00 Staff Meeting 16 6:30 Lenten Breakfast at Our Saviour s Lutheran Church 17 5:00-6:455 Aebelskiver Supper 7:00 Lenten Worship 8:00 Church Council Meeting 18 9:30 Rachel Circle 9:30 Ruth Circle 1:30 Mary Circle 19 9:30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) 20 5:00-9:00 Kids Night Out 21 Second Sunday in Lent 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion 10:15 Coffee, Sunday School, Senior Choir, Blood Pressure Checks 11:15 BTC Praise Band practice 5:00 Healing Service 22 1:15 Quilting 2:00 Staff Meeting 23 6:30 Lenten Breakfast at United Methodist Church 24 2:30 Kids Choir 6:00 (serving 6:00-6:30) Lenten Supper 7:00 Lenten Worship :30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) Third Sunday in Lent 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship with BTC Praise Band Church Music Sunday 10:15 Coffee, Sunday School, Sr. Choir 3:30 Exira Vespers 29 2:00 Staff Meeting 6 7

7 A heartfelt thank you to those who helped with the Christmas Community Dinner by working, providing food, making a donation, attending, or remembering the dinner in your prayers. Because of your time and generosity, we were able to share fellowship and a Christmas meal with approximately 250 people from our church and our community. Installation of all council members and WOW officers will be held on February 7 th during 9:00 a.m. worship. OSLC Aebelskiver Supper Wednesday, February 17 th from 5:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Please note there is now a drop-off slot in the wall by the church office for your convenience to use when the church office is closed. The Wednesday Advent services are recorded on DVD s and may be checked out from the Church Office. USHERS Lyle Hansen, Captain Kurt Nelson Bill Moore Dean Lauritsen Mitchell Nelsen Todd Nelsen Chip Hansen Randy Nelsen TAXI DRIVER 7- Todd Nelsen 14- Randy Nelsen 21- Randy Nelsen 28- Randy Nelsen ALTAR GUILD Caroline Boeck Joyce Taggart VIDEO OPERATORS 7- Jeff Albertsen 14- Ken Burns 21- Brian Jensen 28- Dan Jorgensen SOUND OPERATORS 7- Curtis Frederiksen Tim Morgan Bob Weber David Graeve Tyler Riebhoff ACOLYTES 7- Jackson Jensen Katelyn Nielsen 10- Layne Borkowski Derek Porsch 14- Mallory Riebhoff Amy Burns 17- Melissa Deist Madison Vorm 21- Jackson Jensen Javyn Bladt 24- Johanna Sauers Chloe Andersen 28- Jacob Sauers Kobie Otten NURSERY 7- Ann Guild Sharon Winterboer 21- Holly Kjergaard 28- PROJECTION SYSTEM Sara Vorm Bob Weber David Graeve Tyler Riebhoff PRAYER PARTNERS 7- Lee Nielsen Barb Christensen 14- Julie Opp Lee Nielsen 21- Barb Christensen Dan Smith 28- Julie Opp Dan Smith

8 THE ROCK YOUTH GROUP (7 th Grade-12 th Grade) The Rock has kicked off the New Year with some fun activities for the kids! The Rock will be going to Winter Jam in Council Bluffs on January 21 st where we will see 11 Contemporary Christian bands. Because of other community events and the bitter cold, the Rock had to cancel the Dodgeball Tournament this year. We are looking forward to February Souper Bowl and Subs! We will have order forms for your soup or sub in the church January 24 th -31 st and you can pick up your sub February 7 th after worship. So order an easy dinner and help support the Rock all at once! We will be contacting Rock kids to help us prepare the food, so be watching your s and texts Rock members! The Rock is also having a movie/game afternoon February 28 th, from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Come enjoy some relaxation and fellowship with friends! The Rock leaders want to thank the kids that come and enjoy activities with us and the parents and community that help support them, we are off to a great year! The Rock Youth Group Leaders: Sara Slater ( ), Tracie Christensen ( ), Nate Vorm ( ), Mary Jo Burger ( ) Facebook: The Rock OSLC OSLC website: oslcauduboniowa.org The Rock therockaudubon@gmail.com Healing Service The Healing Service is usually held the second Sunday of the month. There will be a date change for the months of February, March, April & May and the Healing Service will be held on the third Sunday of the month, meeting in the chapel at 5:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Sunday Nursery The nursery is available for children ages three years and younger during Sunday worship services September through May. Nursery volunteers are needed! Contact the church office or a Worship Committee member to volunteer. The Chapel serves as the location for this important ministry. New Altar Paraments Thank you to those who have so generously donated to replace our current deteriorating paraments. If you would like to financially sponsor a portion of or an additional set of paraments as a gift to the church, please contact Altar Guild Chair Janice Hemmingsen ( ) or the church office. We are now receiving donations for replacing the Lenten Altar Paraments which are on order. 9

9 Online Giving To donate online, go to the OSLC website and click on the online giving tab located at the upper right hand corner of the webpage. Questions, contact Pam Steckler at or or Dan Madsen at or Thank you for your generous support! The Tuckpointing Project has been paid in full! Out of consideration for those who may find it harder to walk during inclement weather, please leave the parking spaces closest to our entrances open for those who need them. Also, please leave the parking spaces to the east of the alley open for our brothers and sisters in Christ at the First Presbyterian Church. Seek God for the City Lenten devotionals will be available on Sunday, February 7 th or by stopping by the church office to pick up during office hours. Children s Messages Children s Messages are a wonderful way for our kids to be a part of the worship service and are offered the second and fourth Sundays of the month. If you could provide a Children s Message, please talk to Pastor Doug or sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board. Resource materials are provided Upcoming Events and Worship Opportunities January 24 th : 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Annual Congregational Meeting & lunch to follow Wednesday, February 10 th : Ash Wednesday Worship at 7:00 p.m. (Lent begins) February 17 th : 5:00-6:45 p.m. Aebelskiver Supper February 28 th : 9:00 a.m. Music Sunday Wednesday Lent Suppers and Worship: February 17 th, February 24 th, March 2 nd, 9 th, 16 th March 6 th : First Communion March 20 th : Palm Sunday Holy Week Services: March 24 th & 25 th March 27 th : Easter Breakfast & Easter Sunday April 10 th -12 th : LCMC Leadership Event in Altoona, Iowa April 24 th : Confirmation Sunday May 1 st : Sunday School End of Year Celebration May 15 th : Senior Breakfast & Recognition June 9 th -21 st : South Africa Mission Trip June 24 th -26 th : Workcamp in Murray, IA July: Vacation Bible School (Date to be announced) August 28 th : Praise in the Park September 11 th : Rally Sunday October 2 nd -5 th : LCMC Annual Gathering in Denver, CO October 9 th : Consecration Sunday November 6 th : All Saints Sunday with All Saints Altar Professional November 23 rd : Thanksgiving Eve Worship November 30 th, December 7 th, 14 th : Advent Services December 24 th /25 th : Christmas Eve/Day Worship with Community Christmas Dinner 10

10 CHURCH WEBSITE oslcauduboniowa.org The church website is updated on a regular basis and is a great source for information on dates and times of worship services, events, activities, Bible studies, etc. Also, OSLC now has facebook, search Our Saviour s Lutheran Church on your facebook account. Check it out!! Current and past monthly Shepherd Staff newsletters are available on the church website. If Worship or Sunday School is cancelled due to bad weather it will be announced on KSOM 96.5 FM or KJAN 1220 AM and posted on their websites. Please use your best judgement as worship will only be cancelled when city streets are impassable. Neither Confirmation nor Kids Choir will be held if school is cancelled or let out early on a Wednesday for bad weather. Kids Night Out Saturday, February 20 th For children attending Sunday School or Kids Choir at OSLC, ages 3-6 th Grade! February Sponsored Altar Flowers 7 th (sponsorship available) 14 th, 21 st, 28 th -Lent, no altar flowers Stewardship Square Regular offerings 12/20 $11, /27 $13, /03 $10, /10 $7, /17 $2, Weekly Worship Attendance 12/ / /24 (5:30 p.m.) /24 (10:00 p.m.) 55 12/ / / / / December 16 Loose Offering to Bethany Farm: $ Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Loose Offering to OSLC Camp Program: $1, January 3rd loose offering to Stork s Nest: $30.00 Needed Weekly to meet budget $6, If you have any questions regarding the OSLC financial report, you are welcome to contact our Office Manager Pam Steckler or our Council 11