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

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1 Our Saviour s Lutheran Church November, 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 CROP Hunger Walk Thank you to those who donated to or walked the Audubon County CROP Hunger Walk! Our confirmation students and the Rock Youth Group along with Congregation members participated in the walk on October 9 th and raised $ to help fight hunger in our county and around the world Workcamp OSLC workcamp leaders are planning to attend another weekend workcamp in The workcamp will be located in Rockford, Ohio and will run June 23 rd -26 th, If you are interested in attending this workcamp, please contact Sam Graeve or Tim Andersen. Thanksgiving Baskets A time to be thankful, buy a holiday dinner for a local family in need. $33 per dinner. Make checks payable to the Audubon Ministerial Association and drop off at the church office or put in the offering plated marked Thanksgiving Baskets. KIDS CHOIR OSLC has an immediate need for a Kids Choir Co-Director and/or assistant. This is a rewarding opportunity for anyone who has a love of music and children. Please contact current Co- Director Jane Weber, Pastor Doug or the church office with questions or for more information regarding this paid staff position. The choir starting date is still to be determined and is delayed contingent upon additional help being found. 1

2 Greetings from Pastor Doug, This past October 2-5, 2016, four of us from OSLC were privileged to participate in the annual LCMC International Gathering, this year held in Denver, Colorado. Dick and Judy Baker represented our congregation as voting delegates, Julie and I were there as clergy and spouse. Thank you for continuing to send us every year to represent OSLC. I am pleased to report to you that over 800 people were present from all over the world. LCMC gatherings are unique compared to all other larger church gatherings I have been a part of for about 30 years now. Lutheran Congregations In Mission For Christ is who we are plain and simple, a reality affirmed and celebrated at each of our gatherings. We are In Mission For Christ! Lutheran Congregations In Mission For Christ is not a denomination, but instead a movement of God s people following His command to Go, to Do mission. We are an association of Christian Churches with a common purpose and mission. We view the local church as the place where people in the community come to get connected to God and to one another. We celebrate the fact that everyone is wired differently, which then allows each and every one of us to serve according to our own unique God-given strengths, skills and talents. In Romans 6, St. Paul explains that those who follow Jesus receive God s grace and are freed from being burdened by their sin. In LCMC, we celebrate that freedom in Christ. We also place a great emphasis on understanding what it means to follow Jesus, then doing it. We are Great Commission people of God! We understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to ministry and mission because different communities often have different needs, backgrounds and cultures. Rather than micromanaging what they do, members have the freedom to be creative in how to do ministry and mission, working together to transform the lives of others and to fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus set forth in Matthew 28. Our #1 mission as an association of churches in the body of Christ is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, both locally and globally. We are focused on strengthening the congregations we have and planting the ones we don t have. We desire to make disciples who in turn go and make disciples. And as an association of churches we have planted 83 churches in the last 38 months! We strive to be the light of Christ to this world, not a reflection of it. We view God s Word as the #1 authority when it comes to our Christian faith and how we practice it. While we understand that science, personal experience, tradition and other factors contribute to the conversations that we have, we do not believe that they have equal influence to what is written in the Scriptures. God s Word is the priority! We believe the Lutheran Confessions to be a faithful witness to the truth of Holy Scripture and that they give us reliable principles by which to guide the continued development of this association, its ministry and mission. LCMC, Lutheran Congregations in Mission currently has 932 churches located in 17 different countries throughout the world. Over 730 of those are in the U.S. Iowa presently has 58 churches, with Elk Horn, Harlan and Adair being the closest to us. You are invited to visit lcmc.net to learn more. Thanksgiving Blessings, Pastor Doug All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 6 th is All Saints Sunday. Everyone is welcome to come forward at the end of worship to light a candle in memory of a loved one, during our service of remembrance. 2

3 October is Clergy Appreciation month and it is a great time for us to thank Pastor Doug and Julie for their ministry here at OSLC! The nursery is available for children ages four 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. S.H.A.R.E Working, Helping, Sharing Together Great food at Exceptional prices SHARE Iowa offers nutritious food packages including meats, grocery items, fresh fruits and vegetables, and even desserts. There are several packages to choose from each month and you save up to 50% of grocery store prices. See flyer on the bulletin board or go to shareiowa.com for more information or call New Opportunities at Adult Christian Education Hour schedule Meets in the chapel at 10:20 a.m. each Sunday morning October 30 th Reformation Sunday Understanding Luther and the Reformation by Rick Steves November 6 th & 13 th Luther, One Man s Faith in God Launched the Greatest Revolution of All November 20 th Diana Deist Benefit in church downstairs social room November 27 th 1 st of 3 part series The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren December 4 th Part 2 of series The Purpose of Christmas December 11 th S/S Christmas Program December 18 th Part 3 of series The Purpose of Christmas December 25 th & January 1 st No Sunday School 2017 Committee Budgets are due in the church office by November 1 st Committee Reports are due in the church office by December 1 st. Thanksgiving Eve Thank Offering A table will be available for Caring & Sharing thank offering donations at our Thanksgiving Eve Communion service, 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 23 rd. Caring & Sharing has special requests of each community church for items to be used in the Christmas boxes they provide to the families they service. OSLC members have been asked to donate boxed packaged fruit snacks and toothpaste; these items may be brought to the Thanksgiving Eve service or at any time. Nonperishable food items, paper products and monetary donations are also greatly needed. What a wonderful way this is for us to share God s blessings with those in need. We welcomed the following new members to OSLC on Sunday, October 2 nd. Bruce Christensen, Curtis Derry and Heather Runkis 3

4 Lutheran World Relief Personal Care Kits & School Kits OSLC Women of the Word will be assembling Personal Care Kits and School Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Donations of individual items or complete kits are appreciated! Lists of items needed are available on fliers located on the tables in the entryway. Please bring items to the church by November 1 st. Thank you! Benefit for Diana Deist A benefit for Diana Deist, sponsored by her friends and family, will be held at OSLC on Sunday, November 20 th following worship through 1:00 p.m. in the downstairs social room. A free-will offering brunch of Belgian waffles, sausages, fruit cups and drinks will be served. Baked goods may be donated and are appreciated for a bake sale to be held during the brunch; please price your items and leave in the downstairs social room. All are invited to enjoy this brunch to help raise funds for Diana s medical and personal expenses while undergoing cancer treatments. Upcoming Special Worship Opportunities October 30 th : Reformation Sunday. All are encouraged to wear red. November 6 th : All Saints Sunday. Votive candles will be offered towards the end of the service for all wishing to light a candle in memory of loved ones. November 23 rd : Wednesday Thanksgiving Eve Communion service, 7:00 p.m. November 30 th : Advent Supper 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Advent service, 7:00 p.m. with area church choirs December 7 th : Advent Supper 6 p.m. Wednesday Advent service, 7:00 p.m. December 11 th : Sunday School Christmas program during 9:00 a.m. Worship December 14 th : Advent Supper 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Advent service, 7:00 p.m. with BTC Praise Band December 24 th : Christmas Eve 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. services December 25 th : Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. service December 25 th : Community Christmas Dinner 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Community Christmas Day Dinner OSLC Social Room December 25 th 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Community Christmas Day Dinner is an important community outreach ministry. Because of the generosity and prayers of volunteers and donors, this heart-warming free Christmas Dinner and time of fellowship has steadily grown, serving 250 people from our church and our community last year. Volunteers and Desserts will be needed! Check for the sign up on the bulletin board or contact the church office. Kids Night Out Saturday, November 19 th from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. This is for children 3 years old through 6 th grade who are attending Sunday School or Worship at OSLC. Sign up on the bulletin board at the church or call/ the church office no later than Thursday, October 17 th to attend. 4

5 A monthly feature from the OSLC Wellness Ministry Team Take Control Your Blood Pressure About 70 percent of adults in the United States ages 65 or older have high blood pressure. Even younger people can have high blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure level is important to reduce the risk of long-term complications later in life. At least 25 percent of adults ages 65 or older are not taking their prescribed blood pressure medications as directed (may skip doses or stop taking the medication altogether). The reasons people gave for not taking their blood pressure medicine as directed vary: Not filling the prescription nearly 25 percent of new prescriptions for blood pressure medicine are never filled. No symptoms people with high blood pressure often don t have symptoms, so some may not treat a problem they don t notice. Complexity people don t know when to take which pills when they have multiple medicines. Side effects medicines may have unwanted side effects. Forgetting people forget to take their medicine or refill prescriptions on time. Cost medicine costs may be too high for some people. Some suggestions to improve taking your medications correctly include: Decreasing the frequency in which refills are needed (obtaining 90-day refills when possible). Coordinating pill refills for the same date. Taking generic medicines. Involving all healthcare team members (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, family caregivers) to ensure medicines are being taken as directed and to address concerns about side effects. Using home blood pressure monitors and easy-to-use tools (e.g. blood pressure logs and mobile apps) to track and share blood pressure readings. Filling a medplanner with a week s worth of medications at a time. Blood pressure checks are offered the third Sunday of each month after worship. WOW Sunday Morning Coffee Fundraiser The WOW (Women of the Word) are hosting the Sunday morning coffee on November 6 th as their annual fundraiser. We welcome you to join us! Thank you from Co-Presidents Carol Albertsen and Mary Kay Lewis. Morning Men s Bible Study Beginning Soon! A men s bible study led by Pastor Doug will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 3 rd and continue Thursday mornings following. The topic for discussion for the first two Thursdays will be 5 Characteristics of a Godly Man and 44 Verses to Help Become One. We will also decide on future study topics as a group. We will meet in the church downstairs social room. The coffee will be ready! Bring your Bibles! Invite others! 5

6 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 9:30 Caring & Sharing 3:00 Confirmation 3 7:00 am Men s Bible Study 4 9:30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) 5 6 All Saints Sunday 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion 10:15 Coffee, Sunday School, Sr. Choir 11:15 BTC Praise Band practice 4:00 Friendship Home Vespers 2:00 Jail Visit 7 1:15 Quilting 2:00 Staff Meeting 7:00 Stewardship Committee Meeting 8 2:00 Naomi Circle 9 3:00 Confirmation (Packing Operation Christmas Child boxes) 10 7:00 am Men s Bible Study 10:30 Friendship Home Communion 11 9:30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) 12 2:00-5:00 Social Room Reserved 13 Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship-Operation Christmas Child Blessing 10:15 Coffee, SS, Sr. Choir 5:00 Healing Service 14 1:15 Quilting 2:00 Staff Meeting 6:00 Packing Cookies for overseas Military 6:30 Building & Property Committee Meeting :00 Confirmation 7:00 Church Council Meeting 17 7:00 am Men s Bible Study 9:30 Rachel Circle 9:30 Ruth Circle 1:30 Mary Circle 7:00 Men s Dartball at First United Methodist Church 18 9:30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) Shepherd Staff newsletter deadline at noon 19 5:00-9:00 Kids Night Out 20 Christ the King Sunday 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion 10:15 Coffee, SS, Sr. Choir, Blood Pressure Checks 10:30-1:00 Benefit for Diana Deist 11:15 BTC Praise Band practice 3:30 The Rock Movie afternoon 21 2:00 Staff Meeting :00 Holy Communion Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service (Following Worship, putting up Christmass trees) :30 The Weekly Prayer Cell (Barb Christensen s) First Sunday of Advent 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship with BTC Praise Band 10:15 Coffee, Adult Sunday School, Sr. Choir, Decorating for Advent 28 1:15 Quilting 2:00 Staff Meeting :00 Confirmation 6:00 Advent Supper (served by the Stewardship Committee) 7:00 Advent Service with Community Choirs 6 7

7 Sunday School for youth will NOT be held on November 27 th (Thanksgiving weekend). Adult Sunday School will be held. Mark your calendars! The Preschool through 6 th Grade Sunday School Christmas program will be held during 9:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, Dec. 11 th. A special coffee will follow worship and there will be no Sunday School that day. Rehearsals will be held during the Sunday School hour on November 20 th & December 4 th. Cookies for the Holidays for Military Personnel Deployed Overseas The Evangelism Committee is inviting anyone who may be interested in helping bake cookies for military personnel who will be deployed overseas during the upcoming holidays. Please bring the baked cookies to the church by Monday, November 14 th at 6:00 p.m. and join us in packing the boxes. We have a generous donor who will cover the cost of shipping the boxes to those serving in our Armed Forces stationed in locations other than the United States. This is an opportunity for anyone who loves to bake to show appreciation to those deployed overseas. If you have names and addresses of individuals who would appreciate these holidays treats, please provide the name to the church office, Pastor Doug, Elayne Sinow, Lorri Thygesen or Alice Hemmingsen. USHERS Dave Albers, Captain Randy Blohm, Richard Hemmingsen Curtis Frederiksen, Jerry Kelly Jason Smith, Jeff Edwards David Madsen, Gary Englin TAXI DRIVER 6 & 13- Dave Albers 20 & 27- ALTAR GUILD Janice Hemmingsen Jolene Burns Shelby Jensen VIDEO OPERATORS 6- Dave Madsen 13- Jeff Albertsen 20- Roger Larsen 27- Ken Burns ACOLYTES 6- Javyn Bladt & Derek Porsch 13- Kobie Otten & Hannah Thygesen 20- Jamison Steckler & Tyler Rugaard 23- Ariea Soll & Tyler Rugaard 27- Grace Slater & Gavin Smith 30- Cody Budd & Katelyn Nielsen 8 PROJECTION SYSTEM 6- Bob Weber, David Graeve, Tyler Riebhoff 13- Raydene Mathisen Julie Opp 30- Shannon Jensen SOUND OPERATORS 6- Bob Weber, David Graeve, Tyler Riebhoff 13- Curtis Derry, Logan Nielsen 20- Curtis Frederiksen Brandon Toft 30- Jane Weber NURSERY 6- Ann Guild 13- Sharon Winterboer 20- Melissa Starmer 27- Alice Hemmingsen PRAYER PARTNERS 6- Lee Nielsen & Barb Christensen 13- Lee Nielsen & Julie Opp 20- Dan Smith & Barb Christensen 27- Dan Smith & Julie Opp JUNIOR HIGH SS ADULT VOLUNTEER 6- Brad Slater 13- Kendra Bladt 20- Mary Jo Burger

8 THE ROCK YOUTH GROUP (7 th Grade-12 th Grade) The Rock had a busy, fun and productive October! Crop Walk Update: Thank you to the parents, confirmation kids, and church members that walked, raised money and supported the Crop Walk. We had a beautiful day for the walk! Our church raised $589.97, thank you! Okoboji Mission Weekend: The Rock traveled to Okoboji October 14 th for our mission weekend with 13 youth members! The Rock Leaders want everyone to know we are blessed with hard working kids, and we were greatly appreciated by the staff at Okoboji Camp. We arrived Friday night to unpack, and rest for our work day. Saturday we spent four hours preparing the cabins for winter, cleaning out wood scraps from their work shed, clearing and sorting areas around the work shed of metals, trash, and wood. We moved old stoves, dishwashers, large poles. Our kids were fantastic, they worked together and made us proud! So when the work day was done they enjoyed some canoeing, and games by the fire pit. We were blessed with a great weekend! Thank you to all of the parents that shared your youth with us! The Rock Leaders couldn t have been more proud and the church should be proud of how they represented Our Saviour s Lutheran Church! Upcoming Activities Movie afternoon: November 20 th at OSLC, at 3:30 p.m., followed by pizza and devotion. Christmas Caroling: December 11 th meeting at OSLC at 2:00 p.m. End of Year Celebration: Watch for information on a Rock End of Year Celebration! Ignite Youth Leadership Conference: If you are interested in attending the Ignite Youth Leadership Conference that we participated in last March, the date is set for March 10 th -11 th, 2017! Early bird registration saves us $$ and is due the end of January, so check your calendar and holler at a Rock Leader so we can sign you up! The Rock Youth Group Leaders: Sara Slater ( ) Tracie Christensen ( ) Nate Vorm ( ) Facebook: The Rock OSLC OSLC website: oslcauduboniowa.org The Rock therockaudubon@gmail.com Operation Christmas Child Every year, Operation Christmas Child delivers millions of shoebox gifts to children around the world. Shining the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children affected by war, poverty, disease and natural disaster, shoebox gifts are fueled by the power of prayer, bringing Good News and Great Joy to the ends of the earth! For the 16 th year, our Sunday School kids, Confirmation students and OSLC members are collecting and packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Last year 125 boxes were delivered from our church! Please bring donated items to the church by Sunday, November 6 th. Confirmation students and their mentors will be packing boxes on November 9 th. Questions, contact the church office, Norma Nielsen, Danielle Derry or Elaine Jorgensen. Gift suggestions (new items only please) School Supplies: Pens, pencils/sharpeners, crayons/markers, stamps/ink pads, writing pads/paper, solar calculators, coloring/picture books, etc. Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yo s, jump ropes, small Etch-A-Sketch, slinky, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), etc. Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. Other: hard candy & lollipops, mints, gum (please put all candy in ziplock bags), t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries). 9

9 LCMC ANNUAL GATHERING 2016 Dick and I would like to thank Our Saviour s for allowing us to attend the gathering in Denver, Colorado as delegates with Pastor Doug and Julie on October 2 nd -5 th. This year s theme was Back to the Future: First Century Principles for the Twenty First Century. As the world changes around us, we need what Christ revealed to us through His death and resurrection. There were 806 registered attendees. Each morning started with worship by various praise teams and enlightening bible study led by Rev. Jaine Rew-Werling. The first key-note speaker was Dr. Ed Stetzer. He is a very dynamic and engaging speaker, pastor, author, and teacher. These are only a few of his many talents and ministries. His main focus was engaging God s people to use our God given talents and gifts to be on ministry to establish God s mission to His glory. By nature of our new life in Christ, we have all received gifts to serve others. Ministry and mission take place outside of the church building, not inside. Don t be on a mission and not remember why you are there. The other key-note speaker was Dr. Mark Granquist. He s currently associate professor of the History of Christianity at Luther Seminary. He also has served as pastor, editor and author. His focus was on uses and misuses of history. The book of Acts shows how God s plan unfolds; God working through history through the Holy Spirit. Trouble comes when we try to link current events with God s plan. Dr. Jim Blessman was the speaker for International Focus. Other pastors, including Pastor Jonathan and missionaries also spoke on their ministries. There was opportunity to attend many breakout sessions on Monday and Tuesday. Rev. Keith Menter of Elk Horn Lutheran Church spoke on Inspiring Hope in a Season of Decline. Our service project on Tuesday evening was assembling health care packets consisting of a towel, comb, toothbrush, nail clippers, and 2 bars of soap. We were able to assemble around 8,000 packets for distribution all over the world. On the business side of the gathering, a new logo was revealed for LCMC. A very positive response was given. LCMC is divided into 7 geographic regions for purpose of electing members of the Board of Trustees only. Once the election is complete, the geographic region is dissolved. Iowa was in Area 6 and delegates elected one trustee for a three year term. Trustees can either be a pastor or church member. There were many vendors present. Projects, ministries and associations were represented. I especially had an interesting conversation with a representative from The Chosen People during meal time. The Jewish experience has always held my interest. His reflection on the journey and moment he came to know Jesus as the Messiah was an emotional and powerful one. I picked up the book Isaiah 53 Explained by Dr. Mitch Glaser. I will place in church library when I finish reading it. The next LCMC gathering will be October 8 th -11 th, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We met new friends, enriched our minds, and strengthened our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and our need for mission to spread this faith to those in need of hearing it and experiencing it by our service. Thanks be to God, Judy Baker Christmas Caroling The Confirmation students, mentors and congregation will be going Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 11 th at 2:00 p.m. Bring some goodies to share (if you have some), join us for some Christmas Caroling and then fellowship in the downstairs social room! Hot apple cider and hot chocolate will be provided. 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 Current and past monthly Shepherd Staff newsletters are available on the church website. Please note there is now a drop-off mail slot in the wall by the church office for your convenience to use when the church office is closed. Daily Devotionals The November/December The Upper Room and Men of Integrity devotionals are available in the entryway and on the card table at the back of the sanctuary. Each The Upper Room devotional has an OSLC member s name or family written in for whom you are asked to remember in your prayers. We invite you to pick up these resources for your personal devotions. 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 the church office at or oslc@iowatelecom.net. Children s Messages Children s Messages are a wonderful way for our kids to a part of the worship service and are offered the second and fourth Sundays of each month. If you could provide a Children s Message, please talk to Pastor Doug or sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board. 6-Steve & Raydene Mathisen 13-Bob & Jane Weber & family 20-Terry & Marla Sunberg November Altar Flowers 23-Ken & Jolene Burns 27-Cindy Vokt & family Stewardship Square Regular offerings 09/25 $4, /02 $7, /09 $5, /16 $6, /23 $3, Weekly Worship Attendance 09/ / / / / October 2 nd loose offering to Bethany Farm: $40.00 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 Treasurer Matt Heller. 11