November, 2018 Shepherd s Staff LCMC Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ

Transcription

1 Our Saviour s Lutheran Church November, 2018 Shepherd s Staff LCMC Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ OSLC address: 326 Leroy Street, Audubon, Iowa OSLC Telephone: (712) Pastor Ben s Cell #: OSLC Website: oslcauduboniowa.org OSLC oslc@iowatelecom.net Pastor Ben s oslcpastor@windstream.net 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 held at OSLC. Because of the generosity and prayers of volunteers and donors, this heart-warming free Christmas Dinner and time of fellowship has steadily grown, serving 235 people from our church and our community last year. Volunteers and dessert donations will be needed! This is a community event which welcomes & encourages volunteers from the community. Check for the sign-up sheets on the bulletin board or contact the church office. Decorate for Advent The Worship Committee will be coordinating decorating the church for Advent following worship on Sunday, November 25 th. All are welcome and encouraged to help! Caring & Sharing Thank Offering A table will be available for Caring & Sharing Thank Offering donations the evening of our Thanksgiving Eve Communion service, 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 21 st. 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 boxes of crackers such as Ritz, Wheat Thins, Saltines, etc.; 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. Please remember December is OSLC s month to donate items to Caring & Sharing and a list will be posted of items needed. What a wonderful way for us to share God s blessings with those in need! Committee Budgets Due in the church office by November 1 st Committee Reports Due in the church office by December 1 st.

2 God makes dreams come true because God has already planted dreams in your heart. As a kid, I longed to be a football player, an opera singer or a firefighter. Kind of a strange list but there you have it. I would walk around singing Handel s Messiah at the top of my lungs. My brother would say, Mom, make Ben be quiet. No, I will never be an opera singer, and it is rather obvious that God did not create me to be a professional football player. I had also given up on becoming a firefighter. But God had not. In October I was made an officer of the Audubon Fire Department Chaplain. I have the privilege of serving alongside some of the bravest people you will ever meet. Every day they report for work to offices, farms, businesses and government facilities. At a moment s notice, they abandon their paid duty stations to save someone s life. They do not look to me to run into a burning building or drive an ambulance. But I have met them at the hospital, and I will follow them to a fire. It was surprisingly emotional when I first tried on my vest that reads: CHAPLAIN. After so many years, the dream of serving with a fire department was dead, dead and gone. However, whatever God starts, he can finish. God knows how he wired you. He knows what gives you joy. He knows the calling he has on your life. Step one was yielding my will to Jesus. Step two? That is up to Jesus. It may look different from someone else. He will guide you along straight, and sometimes winding paths, to bring you to a place you have dreamed about. Maybe given up on ever reaching. God promised his exiled, hopeless, people, Surely I know the plans I have for you plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). How do we connect with these perfect plans? Two sentences later he offers us the secret, Seek me with all your heart. What dream is God seeking to fulfill in your life? Pastor Ben Unseth 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. If you are interested in baking, please contact the church office or a member of the Evangelism Committee and bring the baked cookies to the church by Monday, November 19 th at 6:00 p.m. and join us in packing the boxes. We have applied for a Thrivent Action team of $250 for cookie ingredient supplies. Contact Elayne Sinow for information on these supplies. If you have names and addresses of individuals who would appreciate these holiday treats, please provide the name/address to the church office, Pastor Ben, Elayne Sinow, Lorri Thygesen, Alice Hemmingsen, Paula Hansen, Joan Mortensen or Elaine Jorgensen. Reformation Sunday is October 28 th Celebrated on the last Sunday in October, Reformation Sunday commemorates the Protestant Reformation as well as Martin Luther, who nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, the eve of All Saints' Day. Join in the recognition of Reformation Sunday by wearing red to worship on October 28 th. 2

3 South Africa Mission Adventure You are invited to prayerfully consider joining the OSLC mission team traveling and serving in South Africa January 24 th through February 5 th of Mission team members participate in Optical Outreaches, Shoe Distribution, Days for Girls Distribution, serving Meals from the Heartland, planting or harvesting crops, worshipping at both of the churches, one being a LCMC congregation, and a host of other service projects mostly directed toward the children. You stay at the Leroy Blessman Lodge of Dreams and have the opportunity to go on a game safari. There are a few handouts regarding the mission opportunity on the entryway table. You are also welcome to contact any of previous team members with further questions: Norma Nielsen, Dan Smith, Nancy Sand, Jolene Burns, Diana Deist, Danielle and Curtis Derry. South Africa PREPARE YOUR SWEET TOOTH On Sunday, December 16 th, before and after worship, the South Africa Mission Team is having a bake sale. There will be Ethnic (Danish) baked goods as well as a variety of other goodies. Mark your calendar! Support your Mission Team! Personal Care Kits OSLC Women of Faith are assembling Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Donations of individual items or complete kits are appreciated! List of items needed are available on fliers located on the tables in the entryway. Please bring items to the church by November 4 th! Women of Faith Coffee Hour Fundraiser On Sunday, November 4 th, Our Saviour s Women of Faith will have their annual fundraiser during the fellowship coffee hour. The Women of Faith support missions and local mission projects in our church and our community throughout the year. 3 Congratulations and God s Blessings to Aaron & Kenzie (Krauel) Nissen Married at OSLC on September 29 th Pumpkin Painting Family Fun Day Join us on Sunday, October 28 th at 3:00 p.m. at Nate & Sara Vorm s shop for snacks, hot chocolate, fellowship and to paint pumpkins. Sign up no later than Thursday, October 25 th to reserve a pumpkin to paint. Sign up on the bulletin board by the water fountain or by contacting the church office! If you don t get signed up by the deadline, please bring your own pumpkin and join in the fun! Sunday School Christmas Program The Preschool through 6 th Grade Sunday School Christmas program will be held during 9:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, December 16 th. A special coffee will follow worship and there will be no Sunday School that day. Christmas program rehearsals will be held during the Sunday School hour on December 2 nd & 9 th.

4 National Adoption Month November is National Adoption Month, a time to honor families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need. For Lutheran Services in Iowa it is a time to celebrate the families we support through Foster Care and Adoption, and to raise awareness for the hundreds of Iowa children in need of a safe, loving home. In 30 counties in western Iowa, LSI Foster Care and Adoption recruits, licenses, and supports foster and adoptive families to ensure every Iowa child grows up in a safe, stable environment. According to the most recent federal data, more than 100,000 children in the U.S. are waiting to be adopted from foster care, and thousands of teens age out of foster care every year without a permanent family. To learn more about supporting Iowa children in foster care, visit LSIowa.org/Foster, or contact Deb Whitford, LSI director of philanthropy and church relations, at Deborah.Whitford@LSIowa.org or Learn more at and This past summer, several local Audubon county churches have teamed up and started a foster care closet, supplying local foster children with blankets, necessities, clothes, and backpacks filled with things such as water bottles/toys/school supplies/blankets. Some children may show up with only the clothes they are wearing to their new foster home, and depending on the time of day, foster families may need to travel out of town to get clothes and necessities. This closet has provided several families with basic immediate needs and comfort items in the last two months. If you would like to donate financially to this foster care pantry, or find out more information, contact Pam in the church office! 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 18 th year, our Sunday School kids, Confirmation students and OSLC members are collecting and packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Last year OSLC packed 131 Christmas shoeboxes! Please bring donated items to the church by Sunday, November 4 th. Confirmation students and their mentors will be packing boxes November 7 th. Questions? Contact OSLC coordinators 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, mild bar soap (in plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. Other: t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries). 4

5 Smile Part 2 You can keep your teeth for your lifetime. Here are some things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth and strong teeth. Tips for adults to keep the beautiful smile God gave them. Drink fluoridated water if possible and brush with fluoride toothpaste. Practice good oral hygiene. Brush teeth thoroughly and floss to remove dental plaque. Visit your dentist on a regular basis, even if you have no natural teeth or have dentures. Do not use any tobacco products. If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit. Limit alcoholic drinks. If you have diabetes, work to maintain control of the disease. This will decrease risk for other complications, including gum disease. If your medication causes dry mouth, ask your doctor for a different medication that may not cause this condition. If dry mouth cannot be avoided, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, and avoid tobacco products and alcohol. Specific products are available to help with dry mouth. See your doctor or a dentist if you have sudden changes in taste and smell LCMC Annual Gathering Steve and I would like to thank the council and congregation for giving us the opportunity to attend the Eighteenth Annual LCMC Annual Gathering in Des Moines. There were 793 in attendance including 474 delegates, 275 church members, 22 seminarians, 11 guests, and 11 members of the LCMC staff and Board of Trustees. The event kicked off Sunday evening with dinner followed by an opening worship service led by LCMC Service Coordinator Mark Vander Tuig. The theme of the convention was Growing Up. Jo Kinnard led morning prayer and Bible study each day focused on Ephesians 4. She serves on the ministry team at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Monticello, MN, as Associate Pastor for Adult Spiritual Growth Congregational Care, and Community Outreach Ministries. Our keynote speakers were Kent Hunter, founder of Church Doctor Ministries, and Tracee Swank, co-leader of Church Doctor Ministries. The three keynote topics were Finding Them, Training Them, and Sending Them. We all have spiritual gifts, given to us by God. We need to use our spiritual gifts to help train and disciple others, and in turn they can go repeat the process. When we focus on making disciples, the church will explode with growth! Throughout the four day event we took part in table discussions, breakout sessions, and had the chance to connect with dozens of the mission and ministry vendors present. The business meeting lasted a total of 8 minutes. Jeff Wold was elected treasurer at large. Monday night all the districts met individually after supper. We met the officers and board members of our Heartland District. Tuesday night we attended a concert given by Ashley Corryn. As a worship leader at heart, her passion is to lead others into personal encounters with God. The event concluded on Wednesday with a closing worship service led by Perry Fruhling, LCMC s Coordinator for Pastoral Ministry. As volunteers, there was great participation from OSLC. Next years convention will be in Omaha, NE. We need to remember we are all missionaries! Our baptism is our ordination! Steve and Raydene Mathisen 5

6 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost All Saints Sunday 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion/All Saints Processional 10:15 Coffee (Women of Faith Coffee), Sunday School, Sr. Choir 11:15 Worship Committee Meeting 11:15 BTC Praise Band practice 3:30 Exira Vespers 7:00 High School Bible Study 5 9:00 Staff Meeting 7:00 Stewardship Committee Meeting 6 7:00 Men s Bible Study 9:00 Women s Bible Study 7 9:30 Caring & Sharing 2:30 Kids Choir 3:00 Confirmation (Packing Operation Christmas Child Boxes) 8 10:30 Friendship Home Communion Shepherd Staff newsletter deadline at noon 9 5:30 Wedding Rehearsal 10 4:00 Wedding of Kara Christensen & Cooper DeBoer Daylight Saving Time 11 Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship-Operation Christmas Child Child Blessing/Consecration Sunday 10:15 Coffee, Sunday School, Sr. Choir 11:15 Education Committee Meeting 7:00 High School Bible Study 12 9:00 Staff Meeting 1:15 Quilting 13 7:00 Men s Bible Study 9:00 Women s Bible Study 2:00 Naomi Circle Bible Study 14 2:30 Kids Choir 3:00 Confirmation 7:00 Church Council Meeting 15 9:30 Ruth Circle Bible Study Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost 8:30 Prayer Power 9:00 Holy Communion-Staff Appreciation 10:15 Coffee, Sunday School, Sr. Choir, Blood Pressure Checks 11:15 BTC Praise Band practice 3:00 The Rock Youth Group activity 7:00 High School Bible Study 19 9:00 Staff Meeting 6:00 Packing Cookies for Military deployed overseas 20 9:00 Women s Bible Study 21 7:00 Thanksgiving Eve Holy Communion Worship 22 Church closed Christ the King Sunday 8:15 Prayer Power 9:00 Worship with BTC Praise Band 10:15 Coffee, Sr. Choir, Decorate for Advent 7:00 High School Bible Study 26 9:00 Staff Meeting 1:15 Quilting 27 7:00 Men s Bible Study 9:00 Women s Bible Study 28 2:30 Kids Choir 3:00 Confirmation

7 Thanksgiving Baskets-A Time To Be Thankful! Each basket costs $33 and has all the Thanksgiving fixings for a Thanksgiving Turkey dinner for six. With your help, the Audubon Area Ministerial Association, in cooperation with New Opportunities, will be distributing 35 Thanksgiving baskets to local families in need of assistance. If you would like to provide a Thanksgiving basket, please make checks payable to the Audubon Ministerial Association and place in the offering plate marked Thanksgiving Baskets or drop off at the church office. CROP Hunger Walk Thank you to those who donated and raised money for the Audubon County CROP Hunger Walk! The weather didn t cooperate, but we gathered in Albert the Bull shelter house for prayer and Our Saviour s raised $929 to help fight hunger in our county and around the world. USHERS Dick Baker, Captain Dan Smith Randy Kelly Arch Andersen Craig Jensen Dave LaFoy Greg Baier TAXI DRIVER Dick Baker ALTAR GUILD Janice Hemmingsen Jolene Burns Shelby Jensen ACOLYTES 4- Amalie Lansman Carson Vorm 11- Madison Doonan Jordan Porsch 18- Ashlyn Pruitt Ava Slater Morgan Smith Mattie Nielsen PROJECTION SYSTEM Raydene Mathisen 18- Shannon Jensen VIDEO OPERATORS 4- Frank Olsen 11- Dave Madsen 18- Jeff Albertsen 25- Roger Larsen SOUND OPERATORS 4- Curtis Derry & Logan Nielsen 11- Brandon Toft 18- Krystal Albertsen Patrick Hamilton JUNIOR HIGH SS PARENT 4- Krystal Albertsen 11- Christy Konkler 18- Jennifer Bauer NURSERY 4- Melissa Starmer 11- Sharon Winterboer 18- Betsy Smith 25- Mary Jo Burger/Caydee Tibbets 8

8 The Rock November News (7 th -12 th grade): Thank you to our Rock Climbers joining us at Climb Iowa September 30 th, we had a great day! We cheered each other on and watched The Rock members overcome a little fear and reach new heights! We had a fantastic day!!! The laughs and fun times shared were worth the sore arms the next day, we hope! October 3 rd, The Rock had 35 youth and adult leaders join together with other youth in the community for the movie God Bless the Broken Road at the Rose Theater. Thank you to the community member who sponsored all the youth in Audubon to attend this faith inspiring movie! Thank you CROP Walk participants! We had a snowy day, but you all showed up with donations and we joined in prayer! OSLC had a total of $929 to donate to CROP Walk. Thank you!! November 18 th : The Rock wants to show how thankful we are, so come and help us with a project we want to implement! NOTE TIME CHANGE, we originally were going to meet at 1:00 p.m., but we are changing the time to 3:00 p.m. the 18 th and then we want to take you bowling! December 9 th 2:00 p.m., Christmas Caroling!! This is such an enjoyable outing! So plan on sharing some seasonal cheer with church members and coming back to the church for some hot chocolate and goodies! Looking ahead: Put on your calendar WINTER JAM January 24 th! Looks like a great line up of artists including NewsBoys United! We usually leave school around 3:00 p.m., get to Council Bluffs and have to wait in line for tickets. We have to bundle up, but it is part of the fun! Then enjoy the concert and get home late, usually close to 12:30 a.m. Please let a Rock Leader know if you are interested so we can plan rides for everyone! The Rock leaders want you to know we are blessed to share time with you! If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions please reach out to one of the leaders! See you soon! The Rock Youth Group Leaders: Tracie C. ( ), Sara S. ( ), Nate V. ( ) Facebook: The Rock OSLC OSLC website: oslcauduboniowa.org The Rock therockaudubon@gmail.com All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 4 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. Salvation Army Bell Ringing Campaign Volunteers are needed to help with the Audubon County Bell Ringing Campaign which will be from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Saturdays from November 24 th -December 15 th at Audubon Food Land. All funds raised stay within Audubon County for use by its residents. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tiffany at the Audubon Sheriff s Department, Volunteers are needed for either 2 or 4 hour shifts to ring the bell! 9

9 Upcoming Special Worship Opportunities Oct. 28: Reformation Sunday. All are encouraged to wear red Nov. 4: 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. Nov. 11: Consecration Sunday & Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Blessing during worship Nov. 21: Wednesday Thanksgiving Eve Holy Communion service, 7:00 p.m. Dec. 5: Wednesday Advent service, 7:00 p.m. with area church choirs/advent Supper 6:00 p.m. Dec. 12: Wednesday Advent service, 7:00 p.m./advent Supper 6:00 p.m. Dec. 16: Sunday School Christmas program during 9:00 a.m. worship Dec. 19: Wednesday Advent service, 7:00 p.m. with BTC Praise Band/Advent Supper 6:00 p.m. Dec. 24: Christmas Eve 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. worship services Dec. 25: Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. worship service Dec. 25: Community Christmas Dinner 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. 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, Our Saviour s Lutheran Church has facebook (search Our Saviour s Lutheran Church) & Instagram (search oslcaudu- bon). 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. Sunday School will not be held on November 25 th (Thanksgiving weekend). OSLC members, please refrain from parking east of the alleys during worship in order to leave parking spaces for our brothers and sisters in Christ at First Presbyterian Church. November Men s Bible Study Join us Tuesdays, November 6 th, 13 th & 27 th at 7:00 a.m. in the downstairs social room! Invite a friend, and join us! All men, all ages are welcome! Questions, talk to Pastor Ben or the church office. 10

10 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. Sunday Morning Prayer Time Every Sunday morning in the alcove following worship, prayer partners are available to pray with you. Come with your prayer needs, and let us join together in prayer! Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 Update on Boiler Fund Project The boiler is completed! Thank you for all your support and your generous donations! Western Iowa Christian Radio Stations Carroll REAL FM Adel KIHS 88.5 FM Alternative Christian Rock Des Moines LIFE FM Christian Rock Des Moines Pulse FM Christian Rock Omaha KCRO 660 AM Christian Teaching/Talk Radio Omaha The Fish FM Alternative Christian Rock SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 63 The Message Christian Pop & Rock Stewardship Square Regular offerings 09/30 $4, /07 $7, /14 $4, /21 $3, Weekly Worship Attendance 09/ / / / Needed Weekly to meet budget $7, If you have any questions regarding the OSLC financial report, you are welcome to contact our Office Manager Pam Steckler or our Council Treasurer Brandon Toft. 11