From The Pastor. Looking forward to our journey together, Pastor Bill Mann

Transcription

1 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, VA At Your Service Pastor Bill Mann Pastor Ralph Wiechmann Pastor Eric Peterson Tyson Labuhn Lindsey Kilgannon Director, Open Arms Raymond Dubert Director, Education, Family Life & Youth Jim Merkle Operations Manager Tom Deary, Church Administrator Barb Yarbrough Faith Life Encourager Nikki Deacon Fellowship & Women s Ministry nikki@oswlc.org Emily Sonstroem Minister to Youth & Young Adults Emily@oswlc.org Dan Ehlhert Church Bookkeeper Dan@oswlc.org From The Pastor Como esta? Wie Gehts? Genki desuka? How are you? Four languages, one greeting. Isn t it interesting how people the world over are so interested in health that it s the first thing they ask about when greeting someone? I suppose that s only natural because good health is often considered to be the secret to a happy life. Yes, our health is precious so it s important to take care of it by watching what we eat, exercising, and receiving regular check-ups but in doing so we dare not neglect our spiritual well-being. In fact we should be more concerned about our spiritual fitness because our souls will last forever while our body in its present form will not, no matter how well we take care of it. So, if I were to ask, How is your spiritual health? how would you answer? Do you know how to assess your spiritual fitness? If not, the current Sermon Series based on the book: THE BEST IS YET TO COME 7 Doors to Spiritual Growth is for you! This book, by author and pastor John Kieschnick, is serving as the study guide for many of our small groups. If you ve been settling for a faith that is weak and sickly, it is time to get back in shape Get healthy Get close to God Get moving through the 7 Doors to Spiritual Growth! Your faith life, your relationships and your experience with Jesus will be transformed. Join a small group and walk with us. The sermon series continues through November 23rd. Looking forward to our journey together, Pastor Bill Mann

2 E V E N T S 1st Choice Women s Health Center 20th Anniversary Fundraising Gala Celebration October 14, 6:45 9:00 pm Hilton Washington Dulles Enjoy a complementary dinner with OSW friends in support of the many life ministry services offered at the Lansdowne 1st Choice location. Special guest speaker, Eric Metaxas. Karen Cecil Karen.cecil@cox.net LCMS Life Conference 2015 January 22-24, 2015 Washington, DC If you have a passion for Sanctity of Life Ministries, come join us this January for events that will bring faith into action! Find out more at lifeconference. Karen Cecil karen.cecil@cox.net Sunday, October 5 Your family can participate in multiple ways! Help out with fundraising efforts! We are currently trying to raise $9,600 to package a minimum of 40,000 meals at the event! Look for envelopes in the Sunday bulletins to make your donation. Checks should be made out to OSW with "Stop Hunger Now" in the memo line. Volunteer! Meals will be packaged during two sessions: 9:30-10:30 and 11:00-12:00. Can't help package meals? We also need help setting up the event, unloading the truck, publicizing the event, photography, and clean up. To help, sign up online via our website: StopHungerNow/. Signup sheets are also located near the Stop Hunger Now display in the Narthex. Gwen Kennedy kennedgm@gmail.com Jessica Wessell wessjess@verizon.net OSW Praise Band 10th Anniversary Celebration Saturday October 18 at 6:00 pm In the Sanctuary 10 years ago, OSWLC began worshiping with contemporary music one Sunday per month. Over the years, we transitioned to the format we use today with a contemporary worship service every Sunday. God has blessed us on this journey and we would like to celebrate this 10 year milestone. On October 18, we will celebrate with Praise, Food and Fellowship. Starting at 6:00 pm, we will meet for dinner and fellowship in the Fellowship Hall and then continue with a time of Praise and Thanksgiving in the sanctuary. Child care will be provided. Here's how you can help: 1) Sign up for the event at the Welcome Center. 2) Bring either an appetizer or dessert to share. 3) Send us your favorite praise and worship songs that we've song over the years (please use the address below). Also, please share with us if/how the contemporary worship service/music has had a special impact on you. We hope everyone will join us for an evening of worship and celebration! Sara Carlin slcarlin90@aol.com

3 E V E N T S Missio Dei: Bringing the Hope of Christ in a Time of Chaos Saturday, October 25th, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm At Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA Dr. Eugene Bunkowske, longtime professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne and professor of Christian Outreach at the Oswald Hoffman Institute at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, will speak on Missio Dei (The Mission of God) and address three topics: What does obedience look like when we connect Christians with Muslims? Engaging in cross-cultural outreach and disciple-making opportunities. Mobilization and multiplication of Gospel seed planters among Muslims. Panel discussion will include representatives from Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSS/NCA) and cross-cultural ministry. Sponsored by the Muslim Mission Society of Northern Virginia, this seminar will focus on the movement of God amid collision of nations and bringing the hope of Christ in time of chaos. The seminar will also include an opportunity to help support the work of Yvette Moy in Gospel outreach to Muslims through the Crescent Project ( Registration opens September 1 at Online registration is $25 per person (includes lunch) and closes October 21. After that, registration will be available through the day of the event for $30 per person. The first 20 persons to register will receive a free copy of the book, Discipling Middle Eastern Believers. Please publicize this event in your congregation using the information above as well as the attached PDF brochure. Feel free to forward this invitation to others who may be interested in attending. Men s Breakfast Saturday, October 11 at 8:00 am In the Fellowship Hall Please join us for food, fellowship, and bible study in the meeting hall downstairs Greg Lynch lynchgr@gmail.com Guitar Concert Cancelled The guitar concert scheduled for October 19 has been cancelled. Saturday, Oct. 25, 10:00 am 1:00 pm In the OSW Parking Lot Open Arms and Our Savior s Way are gearing up for our annual Fall Fest! Come join us for a day of fun and fellowship. There will be Trunk-or-Treat, Moon Bounce, live music, food, face painting and lots of other activities. Lindsey Kilgannon lindsey.kilgannon@openarms-ccdc.org Worship Assistant Training Saturday, October 4 9:00-10:30 am In the Sanctuary Come learn how you can serve the Lord in worship. For more information or to RSVP for training: Barb Yarbrough, barb@oswlc.org,

4 How to Become a Member of Our Savior s Way Lutheran Church Start by worshipping with the people of Our Savior s Way on Sundays at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00a.m. Attend a FirstConnect class to learn more about OSW and its ministries. Sunday, November, 2 12:30pm Then, attend a FaithConnect class to learn some of the basics about the Lutheran faith. Sunday, November 16, 12:30pm Or, Transfer from another Lutheran Church, by having a transfer letter sent from your former church congregation. Then, attend a FirstConnect class to learn more about OSW and its ministries. (see dates above) And then, join a Doing Life Together small group so that you might begin to connect with more people in your new church family. If you are a new Christian, please speak to one of the Pastors about the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Tyson Labuhn Crisfield Update Plus November Mission Trip Mission Trip #7 is being organized now to assist in rebuilding homes in Crisfield Md. Crisfield is the poorest town in the poorest county in Maryland. The trip is scheduled for November 2-6 and is for adults - the estimated cost is $150 per person and financial assistance is available. Fourteen new homes still need to be built and repairs on over 50 homes still need to be made in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy - the largest Atlantic Ocean hurricane on record. Our Savior's Way volunteers have worked on all eight of the new houses which are now occupied as well as many of the homes needing repairs. All skill levels are needed. Please contact us for further information on the November trip - remember you can come for the entire time or just a few days. Penny Payne paynepk@yahoo.com Bill Pfancuff wpfancuff@gmail.com Music and Memory Update Thanks to everyone who donated money and used ipods to our Music & Memory project! We collected 31 ipods and over $3,000 in cash! The concert which celebrated the program was also a huge success. There were around 100 people in attendance, including staff from Heritage Hall in Leesburg. The concert featured 19 songs performed by 22 members of the Our Savior s Way community. Loudoun Homeless Shelter Meals The calendar for sign up to provide meals at the Loudoun County Homeless Shelter for 2015 has been posted on the Social Ministry bulletin board near the coffee window. Andie Wessell SocialMinistry@oswlc.org Gwen Kennedy kennedgm@gmail.com Nametags Are Important! Please wear a nametag on Sunday morning.

5 Vine & Branches Lutheran Church First Worship Service One hundred people attended the first service of Sunday September 14th at Liberty Elementary School in South Riding. It was a glorious day as we were blessed with wonderful weather and a strong turnout, including members from our wonderful mother church, Prince of Peace, and supportive sister churches, Our Savior's Way and Good Shepherd. Pastor Dax Jordan conducted the service, and his sermon was on Forgiveness-how many times should we forgive? (Matt 18:21) Jesus said 70 times 7! Communion was served, and we worshipped God with song and prayers. This day was 5 years in the making God's plan has been fulfilled! Thanks be to God and to Prince of Peace and sister congregations for all the support you have given to planting Vine & Branches Lutheran Church. Thanksgiving Dinners for Interfaith Relief Collection begins October 19 We will kick off our collection of food for Thanksgiving Dinner meals that will be distributed through Interfaith Relief. Members of OSW and OA will collect Thanksgiving dinner items including canned vegetables, fruits, boxed instant potatoes, gravy or chicken stock, bread item (rolls, muffins, cake mix), jello, pudding, canned milk, pumpkin mix, sweet potatoes or any other regular item such as cereal, hearty soups, etc. These will be divided into bags to make complete dinners for those who might not have a dinner for which to give thanks. Watch for details on helping to assemble the dinner packages. Last year we distributed 350 bagged meals for over 4,300 lbs. of food and 286 Giant grocery gift cards for families to purchase turkeys and other perishables. One bag is designed for a family of four. If you choose to give a cash donation, please indicate Thanksgiving meals on your check and envelope. Grocery gifts cards may also be donated in denominations of $10 each. For more information, please contact Social Ministry at our new address of SocialMinistry@oswlc.org. Are You Involved in a Bible Class or Small Group? If not, now is a great time to get involved! You can find a list of small groups at doinglifetogether. Small group information can also be found on the wall across from the coffee area. There is no better way to make friends and grow in your faith!

6 Confirmation Sunday is October 26! Review classes for Confirmation Sunday will occur October 15 and 22 from 4:30-6 at OSWLC with Pastor Mann. Each Confirmand is required to write a short Statement of Faith, giving a personal testimony to your own faith in Jesus Christ and the way you live out and experience Jesus in your life. The Statement of Faith should be similar in length to The Apostles Creed (150 words). The Confirmand will read the Statement of Faith at one of the worship services. Be at church 30 minutes early so you can check in with Pastor Mann and practice using the microphone. Sign up at - OSWFaithStatement Grace Place Leader Openings Help lead/assist in our 3 rd or 5 th /6 th grade classes at 9:30 am Barb Yarbrough barb@oswlc.org Grace Place Sunday School Classrooms 9:30 am Jesus and Me: Room 11 3 year old s: Room 12 4 year old s: Room 13 Kindergarten: Room LL 1 Grade 1: Room 15 Grade 2: Room 14 Grade 3: Room LL 5 Grade 4: Room LL 6 Grade 5/6: Room LL 2 Grade 7/8 Confirmation: Great Room Grades 9-12: Youth Room College Student Contact Information We are putting together a directory of Our Savior's Way college students. The directory will be used to send care packages and notes of encouragement, as well as to contact the students to get together when they are home for breaks. Please submit the following information to Emily by October 12 if you would like your College Student to be in the directory: name, cell phone number, address they most frequently check, and mailing address. Emily Sonstroem emily@oswlc.org Visit the Website Our website ( will be seeing some changes in the coming weeks. It will still feature plenty of great information about activities and events, as well providing access to the Church Events Calendar. Simply click on Calendar at the top of the page. If you want to look at the Church Membership Directory look at the upper right hand corner and click on Members. Then click on Access ACS to get a User Name and Password. Your password will give you access to the directory. Check the church directory to make sure your personal information is correct and use the directory to contact other members of Our Savior s Way. There s even an opportunity to upload a photograph of you or your family. Thank you, web team, for keeping our web site up to date! Jesus and Me Sundays at 9:30 am Our Grace Place Jesus and Me class is for Toddlers/Two s with a parent participant. Come fellowship with other parents as you lead your child in learning and play, covering the same Bible story as the older classes, at an age appropriate level. The JAM s class meets in room 11. Barb Yarbrough barb@oswlc.org

7 UNITE Sunday Nights, 6:30 8:00 pm In the Great Room Oct 5 Youth Worship Night Oct 12 Small Groups Oct 19 Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Oct 26 Small Groups Youth Board Meeting October 12, 12:30 pm In the Library Workcamp Meeting October 19, 4:30 pm In the Great Room This meeting is for all registered Workcamp participants and their parents. MS October Fun Event At Corn Maze in the Plains Monday, October 13 (Columbus Day) 9:00 am - 1:00 pm $10 per person Bring a sack lunch and water bottle Come join us for this fun fall event while we enjoy the day off of school. Meet at OSWLC to drive down to the maze. We ll be back around 1:00 pm. Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing On October 19, UNITE will be putting together the shoeboxes of items to donate to Operation Christmas child. This can't happen unless we receive donated items to go in the shoeboxes. We ask the following age groups to bring certain items: Freshman Girls: Toys such as dolls, toy trucks, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, etc. Freshman boys: School Supplies such as pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons or markers, solar calculators, etc. Upper-Classmen Boys: Hygiene Items such as toothbrush, mild bar soap, comb, washcloth, etc. Upper-Classmen Girls: Other items such as t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc. Try to spend about $1 per item donated, and make sure they are small enough to fit in a shoebox along with several other items. We especially ask the high schoolers to contribute these items, but we also ask the congregation for donations of these items or a $7 contribution to pay for the shipping of a box. Checks can be made out to Samaritan's purse, with a note on the memo line that the donation is for Operation Christmas Child. Turn these items in to Emily Sonstroem by October 19. Baltimore Youth Quake Middle School Youth Conference January 9-11, 2015 A transformational youth conference for grades 6-9 where lives will be renewed and faith will become real The early bird deadline for the annual middle school youth conference held in the suburbs of Baltimore is October 12. Sign up by then to save $15 on the total cost of the trip. Download the Registration Form for more information at OSWLC2015QuakeForm Ray Dubert raymond@oswlc.org Emily Sonstroem emily@oswlc.org

8 Maintaining and Improving Our Facilities As all homeowners know, buying a house that we expect to use for many years is only a first step. Paying for it is a second step and an often underestimated but important third step is maintaining and improving that house so that it will continue to serve its purpose and maintain its value. Our situation at OSWLC is somewhat similar. During the past 16 years, we have committed nearly $14 million to buy the land and build the beautiful building that we now enjoy. We are busily paying for them and now face the challenges of maintaining and improving our facilities. As expected, larger facilities and expanded activities add costs and that is certainly the case for OSWLC. Our cost for utilities (electricity, gas, water & sewer, telephone, trash) grew from $27,000 in before moving into our new building to $100,000 this past year. Insurance costs increased more than 7-fold during the same period. Building and grounds maintenance expenditures grew from $24,000 in 2007 to $75,000 this past year and, frankly, we have been falling behind on maintenance and upkeep. As our facilities age, we must deal with both capital replacement and capital improvement issues. In the case of capital replacement; i.e., replacement of major systems (such as heating and air conditioning) or major components (such as replacing the roof) which involves hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Voters Assembly agreed in August 2011 to begin setting aside $5,000 per month in a Capital Replacement Fund that will be available when the inevitable need arises. Even though we have occupied our newest building for only six years, we have begun to face the need for major capital improvements. During year, we paid $259,000 to fix one major problem; that is, installing a large dehumidifier to remove excess moisture buildup during the summer months which, if not addressed, could have resulted in mold and other problems. During this past year we made important improvements in the playground at a cost of over $25,000. Most recently, we have added to our audio-visual systems and significantly upgraded the Great Room. Each of these improvements greatly enhanced the functionality of our facility. The budget for the new Fiscal Year that started on September 1, includes $50,000 for capital improvement. This is not enough to do everything, but can help us get started on the most important priorities. Over the next several years, as funds are available, capital improvements will include upgrades to the audio-visual system, security improvements, upgrades to the organ, exterior improvements (like moving the dumpsters away from the prayer garden), and other facility improvements. Through your continued stewardship we can ensure that our church buildings continue to contribute to our mission and maintain their value. Offering Statements If you would like to see your offering statement, please Pat Opal patopal@aol.com.

9 Consecration Sunday Is Coming November 16 As the leaders of OSWLC reflected on this past year of growth, two things in the area of stewardship became apparent. The first was that God has continued to bless us with an increase in attendance over the past year. The second was that the percentage of giving by our membership has decreased. Therefore this year s Fall Stewardship emphasis will not be about simply paying bills, but rather it will address the ways in which each member of OSWLC can: Spiritually grow in their relationship with God. Actively participate in our church s mission and ministry, through a percentage based income contributions. Gain a better understanding of the biblical idea of stewardship through which God continues to grow the mission and ministry of OSWLC. OSWLC has witnessed God s rich blessing through the significant giving of time, talents, and treasures which have been contributed by many people in our congregation over the past 20 years. In preparation for our fall stewardship campaign in 2014, Our Savior s Way Lutheran Church is using the a new Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year. This new Consecration Sunday campaign is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. And it encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, What percentage of my income is God calling me to give? Sunday, November 16, 2014 is Consecration Sunday. During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we will be asking the congregation to make their financial commitments to our church s ministries in this community and around the world. It is our prayer that every person completes an Estimate of Giving Card during our morning worship on Consecration Sunday. Even if you do not feel completing a card, we hope that you will participate in our Consecration Sunday. In order to remind and encourage your participation, a team of people has voluntarily given of their time and talents in order to make this day a success. Please make every effort to stay informed, inspired, and committed to attend Consecration Sunday worship on November 16. Thank you in advance for your faithful participation in our Consecration Sunday program. Tyson Labuhn tyson@oswlc.org OSW Piano Fund Our goal is to raise $40,000 for a new piano in the sanctuary. At present we have over $12,000 in the piano fund. Please consider a donation! There are 88 keys on a piano you can buy a key for $455. So far we have 16 keys covered by our piano fund. A donation of any size is appreciated. To donate, please write a check to OSWLC with "piano fund" in the memo line, then place it in an offering plate or mail it to the church. If you wish to dedicate your donation in memory of someone, please attach a note to your check. Sally Mann salmann55@aol.com

10 Social Ministry Is Working Hard in Our Local Community Social Ministries at OSW has been very active this summer. Donations were sent to several different organizations that we support in the total amount of $7,700 including Loudoun Homeless Shelter, Interfaith Relief, Lutheran Social Services Nations Capital, Lutheran Malaria Initiative, Good Shepherd Alliance and Loudoun Cares. Snacks, bottled water and quick fix meals were delivered to Loudoun Free Clinic by Parish Nursing for the volunteer staff at the clinic. Panera Bread is also delivered to them weekly for distribution to the clients. In a joint effort with our Missions team, extra nonperishable food items that were collected this summer were shared with the residents of Crisfield, MD. Recent requests from the Loudoun Homeless Shelter provided cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and trash bags. The Transitional Housing Section of the shelter was supplied with large sizes of toiletries and feminine hygiene products as the sample sizes we collect are used in the Drop-In Shelter and the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter and are easier for residents to carry. Kid-friendly food and snack items were donated through the VBS program for the two schools in which we will support through Backpack Buddies program once a month. Loudoun County Public Schools projects that approximately 12,500 students will need assistance this school year. For information about how you can get involved, please contact SocialMinistry@oswlc.org. Your Urgent Help is Needed We are looking for some small group or large family, or some group of people with the willingness to help those in need. Each month Our Savior s Way, Cooking With Spirit Small Group has committed to coordinating and providing a meal for residents of the Wingler House Senior Living Center. We are looking for volunteer groups to fill the remaining slots from to September 2015 to provide the meal for these very deserving seniors. The meals are provided and served the last Sunday of the month. This is a great opportunity for The Small Groups of the Church, Youth and Scouting Groups and families who are looking for a way to help in the community. The volunteer groups are responsible for the Planning, Cooking and Serving of the meals. On average we have been serving 40 people a month. Because a majority of the residents are on a fixed income and rely on the meals on wheels program, we always cook for 50 to 60 so that they can take food back to their rooms to carry them over until their checks post to their accounts. Cooking With Spirit will provide the mix for Lemonade, plastic drinking cups for both cold and hot drinks, plates, desert plates and bowls, eating utensils and Napkins. To start, all you need to do is signup on the Wingler House Meals Calendar in the coffee area bulletin board, then start planning your meal. Put on your apron and get ready for a very enjoyable experience. Smaller children are ALWAYS welcome. If you have any questions or need planning your meal, please contact Gene Griffe (703) ggriffe50@verizon.net

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12 43115 Waxpool Road, Ashburn, VA Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Dulles, VA Permit No. 751 Return Service Requested - Dated Material - Do Not Delay Sunday Service Times 8:00am Traditional 9:30am Traditional First and Third Sundays of the Month 9:30am Contemporary Second and Fourth Sundays of the Month (Alternating on the Fifth Sunday of the Month) 11:00am Contemporary Sunday School and Adult Classes at 9:30am Holy Communion is celebrated at all Sunday morning worship services. A nursery is available on Sunday mornings from 7:45am-12:00pm. Communication Submissions Please use our online web form for all requests for publication (bulletin, mid-week , newsletter). Hover over the Members tab and choose Submit an Article/Event or go to Please don t hesitate to contact the Communications Team with any questions or suggestions. The Communications Team communications@oswlc.org Waxpool Road, Ashburn, VA