The Life of Jesus on Display

Transcription

1 Spring 2017

2 The Life of Jesus on Display by Pastor Bill Wangelin Our building tells the story of God s salvation through some amazing works of art. Our Wednesday morning Senior Bible Study has been examining the faceted glass windows, looking at the Biblical accounts they represent, and unpacking the details hidden in pieces of glass and rays of light. The windows, installed in our former campus on Holmes road from , were incorporated into our current facility in In addition to our sanctuary, they can be found in our chapel, entry way, board room, and school commons. They tell the story of God s salvation, from Adam and Eve, through the Old Testament, to Jesus and the launch of the Christian church. The center windows in the shape of a cross tell the life of Jesus and are the focal point of our worship. In many ways, our building demonstrates what we do as the people of God. 1 Peter 2:5 says that we, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house. The individual pieces of glass mean nothing and look like nothing by themselves. And yet when they are arranged by the artist, and the light shines through, they tell of God s mighty deeds. We are like the pieces of glass, arranged by God into a body of believers, and illuminated by His light. And just like our building tells the story of God s salvation, each of us tells the story of God s love in both subtle and obvious ways. The life of Jesus is on display in you! May many more continue to see the works of God on display in our lives at Our Savior as we learn, live and share Christ. In Joyful Service to Jesus, Pastor Bill Wangelin <><

3 Exodus Remembered by Vicar Andy Hatesohl Do this in remembrance of me. These are the final words Pastor speaks before we participate in the Lord s Supper on Sunday morning. Remembering is an important part of being a follower of Jesus. We remember Jesus crucifixion, death, and resurrection. We remember our adoption into God s family through baptism into Christ. We remember our favorite verses from the Bible. We remember how Jesus promised to never leave us nor forsake us. As part of our Lenten and Holy Week meditation this year, Our Savior will remember God s greatest act of salvation in the Old Testament--the Exodus of His people Israel from Egypt--with a Passover Seder meal. The meal, Exodus Remembered, will be held on Palm Sunday, April 9 th, between services. Since God first rescued His people out of Egypt, the Passover meal has celebrated how God passed over His people in the final plague in Egypt, enabling the Israelites to leave in freedom. Though the plague brought death, the Seder meal celebrates the life that God gave and continues to His people. The meal is interactive, with food, drink, song, and other elements that teach entire families about the Exodus from Egypt. It s a lot of fun, and I hope you can join us! In the end, this meal is about helping us remember Jesus, too. God passes-over and forgives our sin because we too have a Passover Lamb, Jesus, whose blood covers us. Just as God freed His people in the Old Testament from physical slavery by the waters of the Red Sea, we, the new people of God, are freed from spiritual slavery to sin and death by the waters of baptism. But that s not all. Jesus held a Passover meal with His disciples too, 2000 years ago. But it ended with a twist. The bread and wine of His Passover meal were not bread and wine alone, but also His very body and blood given for the forgiveness and life of the world. Come, join us for Exodus Remembered on April 9 th between services, and remember God s story of salvation, both old and new, for you. Panther Camp 2017 at Our Savior by Windy Carroll, Early Childhood Director We are excited to offer Panther Camp, a summer day camp, here at Our Savior again this summer! Panther Camp is open to all area children aged 3 to 13 years old and offers three separate age groups, daily themed activities (indoor & outdoor), exciting events and even field trips for our older campers. New themes each week keep campers of all ages engaged and interested for a summer full of fun and excitement! For more information about Panther Camp or to register your camper, please visit panthercamp.weebly.com. Questions can be directed to Windy Carroll, Panther Camp Director, at wcarroll@oursaviorlansing.org. Registration will be open in early March!

4 Family Life Resource: Marriage by Dave Wright, Family Life Director All too often young couples bring very different unspoken expectations into marriage. These expectations come from different backgrounds, traditions, and experiences in their own families while growing up. Without communicating these expectations with each other early on in the marriage - or even during the engagement - many husband and wife relationships can become strained with the marriage suffering greatly because of it. Christian relationship experts Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott bring a wealth of experience, wisdom, and common sense as they explore seven questions couples need to ask before and after they are married. These seven questions are answered and discussed with candor and humor in the book and accompanying DVD called Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts. "Whether single or dating, in a committed relationship, contemplating marriage, or already ensconced in one, this book will help you learn the skills you'll need for a lasting and happy life together - before unhappiness sets in." ~ Les and Leslie Parrott Stop by the family life office at the church if you would like to explore this book and video series as a couple. We'll be happy to loan it to you! In it you will discover: Healthy expectations of marriage A realistic concept of love A positive attitude and outlook toward life The ability to communicate your feelings An understanding and acceptance of gender differences The ability to make decisions and settle arguments A common spiritual foundation and goal Michigan Theological Conference February 11, 2017 Lutheran Schools Week and Animals in Art! Mrs. Hanson, our art teacher, reads a book on animals prior to students working on an animal drawing.

5 Why I love serving in a Lutheran School! by Kate Miller, 3rd Grade Teacher Last summer, after having taught in public schools for eight years, I felt called to accept a job at Our Savior Lutheran, Lansing. Principal Matt Couser then shared with me a piece written by his mother-in-law and former OSL teacher, Miriam Sohn. In it, Miriam reflected in positive ways on her long and fruitful Lutheran school teaching career. Little did I know at the time that, through Miriam, my third grade students and I were to be given the opportunity to live out our faith in a very real way. And this is why I love serving in a Lutheran school. Miriam was living with ALS (or Lou Gehrig s disease). One day during morning circle, I asked the class how we might help our former teacher. Many of their siblings had had Mrs. Sohn as a teacher and they would see her and her loving husband at church on Sundays. Immediately, the eyes of my eight and nine-year-olds lit up and Christ-filled ideas poured out. Eagerly, they sought to raise awareness of this debilitating disease that was diminishing Mrs. Sohn s physical strength each day. We also prayed daily for Mrs. Sohn and sent her cards and videos throughout the fall. When we learned that Miriam was in her final days, my students wished her a good time in heaven and saw it as simply moving on to a better place a bit sooner than the rest of us. The trusting, loving reactions of my third graders were an example to me. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:4). My students still reference Mrs. Sohn during our study of God s word. Their walk with Christ is real and it brings me so much joy. I love serving in a Lutheran school because I can openly approach each day asking, What is God up to today and how can he use me? It means being able to respond naturally and unabashedly to all that he has done for us in dying on the cross. It means working alongside others who also desire to further God s kingdom each day. It means taking difficult situations among colleagues or students to Jesus feet. It means playing football with my third graders, coaching middle school basketball, tackling tough questions at a middle school retreat and being entrusted to further relationships in Christ with our sister church in Middelburg, South Africa this summer. It means closing my eyes during chapel to listen to the beautiful chorus of childrens praises flood the sanctuary - an ethereal experience. It means laughing, crying and growing with brothers and sisters in Christ. It does not mean secluding ourselves or shying away from the tough questions of this world. Miriam Sohn served in Lutheran schools for 33 years; this is my first. I am thankful for her example and for the way God used her final days to help me quickly understand my new role. Serving in a Lutheran school means including the Maker of everything in everything we do. What could be more important? Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 15 9:30am Saturday, April Our Savior Check out all kinds of trucks at this fun new event, sponsored by PTL! Details coming soon! More information on how you can help coming soon to the church lobby!

6 Athletic Spotlight at Our Savior Lutheran School by Principal Matthew Couser & Athletic Director Mark Konieczny Our Savior Lutheran School believes athletic activities are an important tool in teaching students to make use of their God-given talents and skills. Many thanks to our athletic director, coaches, parent volunteers, and student athletes who have been closely involved with the Christ-centered athletic opportunities at Our Savior. #GoPanthers #ToGodBeTheGlory Beyond individual and team athletic accomplishments in various sport seasons, we celebrate the accomplishments of the following teams: Varsity & JV Girls Basketball Fall & Winter Seasons, 4th-7th Graders, Coaches Julie Conway, Nick Smith, Jennifer Smith, Kate Miller & Bob Abbott Our Savior Lutheran-Grand Rapids JV Tournament Champions JV Boys Basketball Winter Season, 5th & 6th Grade Boys, Coach Matthew Couser, Coach Mark Koniezcny Our Savior Lutheran-Grand Rapids Tournament Champions Cross Country Fall Season, 4th-8th Grade, Coach Rachael Engelbrecht, Coach Kylie Allen, Coach Ryan Cummins Lutheran School State Qualifiers: The Our Savior Team Lutheran School National Qualifiers: Austin Smelker, Andrew Koniezcny, Evy Cummins, Abby Grocki PeeWee Basketball Involved thirty 3 rd -5 th Graders on three Our Savior teams, Coach Danbrook, Coach Milbrook, Coach N. Smith, Coach J. Smith, Coach Barrett, Coach Goucher Up Next: The Our Savior Track Team begins practice in April for spring local, regional, and state meets. God bless our runners! Mission: Possible! But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. ~ Matthew 19:26

7 Spring Bible Study Opportunities Women s Bible Study Sunday Mornings, 9:30am-10:30am In this "crazy busy" society filled with too many commitments, too much stuff, and too much stress, let's sit at Jesus' feet and receive the love and encouragement that only our perfect God can give us. The Exodus Sunday Mornings, 9:30am-10:30am You are invited to join the Adult Bible Class as we go through the Exodus account in the Bible. Tapestry Fridays, 10am-11am, beginning March 10th Join this womens bible study as they dive into God s word each week. Men of Courage Bible Study & Breakfast 1st & 3rd Friday each month, 6:30am Men are welcome to come and enjoy some scripture, discussion, and breakfast together. Meets at Mike s Village Restaurant in Dimondale. Christ Connections Sunday Mornings, 9:30am-10:30am Children are invited to gather each week to have fun and learn about how much Jesus loves us all! To set up your electronic contributions... Go to OurSaviorLansing.org and click on GALS (Growing and Loving Servants) Women s Bible Study 1st & 3rd Monday each month, 6:45pm Join us as we dig deeper into God's word and grow together in our faith and walk with our Savior. Senior Bible Study Wednesdays, 10:30am Join us for fellowship at 10:30am and Bible study beginning at 11am as we learn more about the stained glass windows in Our Savior.

8 Spring Events at Our Savior March 1 Ash Wednesday Auction 12 New Member Sunday April 15 Easter Egg Hunt 16 Easter Sunday 26 Academic Fair 28 Confirmation Lock-In 29 Touch-A-Truck Event 30 Friendship Sunday May 7 Confirmation Sunday 18 Early Childhood & Kindergarten Open House TBD Panther Classic Golf Outing Learn Live Share Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2017 Our Savior Lutheran Church and School 7910 E. St. Joe Hwy, Lansing, MI Church Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 4:00pm School Office Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 4:00pm Worship Times Sunday: 8:00am & 10:45am Hmong Worship Sunday: 10:45am Our Savior Lutheran Church and School 7910 E. St. Joe Hwy Lansing, MI NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE PERMIT NO. 3