the New WELCA Women of the ELCA VBS Kick-off Meeting Monday, January 18 7:30 pm New Men s Bible Study Breakfast meetings

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1 Kindred the Spirıt January 2016 Newsletter of Our Savior s Lutheran Church Albany, Minnesota New WELCA Women of the ELCA First Quarterly Meeting Saturday, January 23 10:00 am VBS Kick-off Meeting Monday, January 18 7:30 pm New Men s Bible Study Breakfast meetings Interested? See Pastor Steve

2 Celebrate the Child Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The Hallelujah Chorus is one of true classics of the faith. When it is done well by a large choir with an orchestra, it can t be matched as an instrument for sharing the good news. Its sheer power stirs the blood with its message of Christmas joy. It lifts our eyes to a clearer vision of the reason for the season. Unto Us A Child is Born! That is what Christmas is all about. That is the reason for the season. The rest is just window dressing and while it is important, it should never be allowed to crowd out the true meaning of Christmas. So, enjoy all the parties and shopping and cooking, but celebrate Christ. Celebrate the Child and as you do, may the joy of Christmas and the love of Christ fill your hearts to over flowing throughout this Christmas season and into the year ahead. Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year from Your Our Savior s Staff, ~ Pastor Steve, Stephanie McGuinness, Diana Brown, Mike Aronson, Kaye Schmainda, Deb and Jim Kurtz 3

3 Following Through Come January 1st, many of us will make traditional New Year s resolutions. That is the easy part. The hard part is following through. Yet, there are ways to make it easier. Perhaps the best is to find yourself an accountability partner. Take for example an exercise program. I have lost track of the times I have joined a health club with the best intentions of getting in shape. Unfortunately, it seemed every time, that good intentions were not enough. One day though that all changed. Over lunch one day, as a friend and I bemoaned our lost physical fitness and the effects of middle age, we resolved to try it one more time. I confess neither of our wives thought we would follow through, but this time was different. We were doing it 4 the Pastor s Paragraph together and we count on each other to be there. Some days that was the only thing that gets me to the gym. I don t want to let my friend down. We are allies in our battle to get in shape, which reminds of a verse in the bible. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; Ec. 4:9-10 Now in our new town, my wife Diane is my accountability partner. She keeps me going on those days when good intentions fail and your friends can do the same for you. So go ahead and make your resolutions, but don t do it alone. If you are making a resolution this year, share it with a friend, better yet make it two. Add Jesus to the equation. Ask Him to join forces with you and your friend to achieve your goals. Become accountable to each other and to God. Support one another and learn that together we are better. We are stronger and we can keep our resolutions with God s help and God s gift of friends.

4 Coming Soon! For my friends growing up it was known as Little Christmas, the day when they got to open their Christmas gifts. In the Spanish speaking world it is known as Three Kings Day (Span: el Dia de los Tres Reyes, la Fiesta de Reyes, or el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag). But in most of the western church, we call January 6th Epiphany. The term epiphany means to show or to make known" or even "to reveal. In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing reveal Jesus to the world as Lord and King. As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as King and so were the first to show or reveal Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon s blessing that this child Jesus would be a light for revelation to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few. The day is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the church in reaching others by showing Jesus as the Savior of all people. It is also a time of focusing on Christian brotherhood and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God s children. (excerpts from the Voice ) The Voice is the Internet web site of CRI/Voice, Institute, a global and ecumenical ministry dedicated to providing biblical and theological resources for growing Christians. adultforum The Adult Forum meets between services during the Sunday School Hour. This fall we looked at a study prepared by Lutheran Social services. You are invited to join in the conversation as we discuss our faith and the bible speak to other timely topics of today. 5

5 YOUTH & FAMILY ministry Mark your calendar for Febraury 14th, If you missed the Advent G.I.F.T. (Generations Growing In Faith Together) then the Valentine s Day G.I.F.T. God s Everlasting Love will be your next chance to engage with others at Our Savior s through this great multi-generational opportunity. Through the Advent G.I.F.T., we explored a wonderful way to connect with others through faith conversations. Faith Five is an easy way to start having faith conversations at home, something that can occur at the dinner table, or during the car ride to the evenings actives, or even right before bedtime. Start connecting to your loved ones through faith conversations in 5 steps. 1. Share Take turns sharing your highs and lows from the day. Adults share from your day as well! 2. Read A Bible verse or story. You can find lots of suggested 6 Diana Brown Ministry Associate verses through online devotions, or even just open the Bible and see where your finger lands! 3. Talk Using the Bible verse or story reflect on what it is saying or means to you. What do you think God is trying to teach you with this verse or story. Take turns there are no wrong answers!!! Talk about how this Bible verse story can apply to your highs or lows from the day. Sometimes you can easily find connections other days it is difficult to understand what God is trying to tell you. 4. Pray Just talk to God together. It doesn t have to sound pretty, or flow like poetry. Say what you want to say and say it to God. 5. Bless Bless each other. A simple blessing that you can offer your loved ones is to make the sign of the cross in the palm of their hand while saying NAME, you are a beloved child of God. Allow everyone to bless each other. Your Sister in Christ, Diana Recycle your aluminum cans and support the Youth & Family Ministry! Here at Our Savior s, drop off your cans in the fenced area next to the garage in the back of the parking lot. Thank you for your support!

6 Think Summer! Mark your calendars for these great summer opportunities. June 26-July 1 OSLC at Luther Crest July Sr. High Mission Trip to Kansas City, Kansas August 8-12 Vacation Bible School Summer Confirmation Camp! Calling all current 6th graders/ soon-to-be 7th graders. We are excited to announce that OSLC will be bringing the soon-to-be 7th grade confirmation students to Luther Crest bible camp this summer! The group will be a part of the Witnesses camp at Luther Crest; friendships, faith, fun, and a ton of memories to be made! During your week of Witnesses camp, we ll fill our days riding the zip line and swimming on the sandy lake shore. We ll camp underneath the stars and sing camp songs at the top of our lungs! Join us as we grow together and witness God s love and grace through creation and community! OSLC will be going to camp Sunday, June 26 to July 1, there are 16 camper spots reserved, if you are a soonto-be 7th grader and you would like to attend Luther Crest with other OSLC soon-to-be 7th graders, please let Diana Brown, OSLC Ministry Associate for Youth & Families know by February 1. You can contact her at dianabrown@albanytel.com or Vacation Bible School 2016 Join the Team! Kick-off to VBS 2016 meeting Monday, January 18 6:30pm Bring your ideas & dreams on how to make one of the greatest weeks of the summer even more full of awesome!!! All are welcome! Youth are encouraged to attend. Diana Brown 7

7 Life congregational & mission committee Thank you for your generous Christmas giving! Operation Christmas Child you brought 61 shoeboxes! These were delivered to St. Cloud for distribution to Samaritan s Purse. Christmas Giving Tree you made Christmas a little merrier for area children and seniors with 36 gift tag wishes fulfilled. These gifts were given to Albany Women of Today for distribution in our area. Planning for Please join us for the next meeting. We are starting a new year with new plans for 2016! You don t have to be on the committee, short-term projects are great! If there you have an idea for fellowship or mission for Our Savior s and would like to participate in that, please come to our next meeting: Wednesday, January 6 5:30 pm Chair: Wendy Womack Mary Adelman, Diana Brown, Lynda Hartwig, Loretta Van Heel, Kaye Schmainda, Deb Solarz. 8 You are needed today! Ways to help Rural Stearns Faith in Action: Transportation: Volunteers provide rides to people who are not able to drive, and those who have no means of transportation. Housekeeping: Volunteers clean and wash clothes for people who cannot do these things on their own. Simple Home Repair: Seniors and people with disabilities often need help with simple home repair and modification. Friendly Visiting: Volunteers visit with seniors, caregivers and other people facing difficult life situations, sharing the joys and trials of both parties. Chores: Volunteers provide services such as snow removal, yard work, chopping wood, etc. Respite Care: Volunteers can provide a much needed break to full-time caregivers by spending some time with their loved one in need. Your neighbors may need your help! Call our Volunteer Coordinator at Rural Stearns Faith in Action,

8 women s News WELCA Elections and Business Meeting At the November meeting, our women adopted a new WELCA constitution. This has been presented to and approved by our Synodical WELCA. At our first meeting of the new WELCA, the first order of business will be to elect our officers and our board. This meeting will be: Saturday, January 23 10:00 am OSLC Hi Hospıtality ministry Everyone is invited to practice hospitality with an Our Savior s Lutheran Church name tag of your own! Fill in your name(s), choose a clip-on tag or lanyard style tag and the office will make yours for you. Take it with you, leave it in your car or purse so it is ready to wear when you come to church. Or, leave it in the box in the Narthex. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 New Men s Bible Study! They have one in Upsala. We had one in Dassel too. Once a week, the guys got together for a Bible study. We met in a restaurant early enough so that the young guys could make it to work, and besides, the older guys said We are up anyway. So, each week we would meet to look at the upcoming Sunday s Bible lessons and talk about whatever else was on our mind. One group I was in started at 6 am. That was more for the younger guys. The other group started at 7 AM. That was more for the retired guys. Here though, is the impressive thing. These groups had staying power and they really helped us grow our faith and build our community. I would like to start one of those groups here. I am thinking 6 or 6:30 on Tuesday or a Friday. Interested? Talk to me and if we can find at least 8 guys who are committed, we will launch this thing. Pill Bottles Your empty pill bottles are needed! These will be sent to areas of the world where precious medication is given, but no containers are available to keep the medicine safe. Over-the-counter bottles are welcomed, too. Remove the labels and drop in the box in the lobby. 9

9 Albany Food Shelf The following items are needed this month at the Albany Food Shelf: Toothpaste & Shampoo or Conditioner Serving Group #1 Co-Chairs: Ruth Fauk: (320) Cheri Salzer: (320) Lisa Beuning, Dwight & Donna Christen, Karla Fauk & Family, Melissa Lashinski, Dee Nelson, Eleanor Sabrowsky, Kathy Schei, Delphine Thomas 10 Food Shelf Food Shelf Volunteers January 21, 5-7pm Bobbi Jo Schmitt Emily Evenson Erica Jungles Brandon Springer Remember...the first Sunday of every month is Food Shelf Sunday. Bring a food item donation for our local food shelf. The need is great, and with your help, people right here in our community are able to provide food on the table for their families. Donations can be dropped off in the designated bins in the Narthex. Thank you! AV TEAM Looking for new players We are looking for volunteers for our sound booth. On January 16th we will be training to two levels. The AV 1 training session will be at 9 am and run for an hour. AV 1 team members will learn how to power up our system, how to run the sound board for a regular service and basic trouble shooting. The AV 2 session will start at 10 AM. The prerequisite is the AV 1 Session. AV 2 team members will receive additional training in setting up microphones and monitors for services with special music and presentations, and intermediate trouble shooting. If you are interested talk to Pr. Steve or Al Ernst Our Savior s Church Staff Pastor: Steven Olson Ministry Associate for Youth & Families: Diana Brown Music Coordinator: Mike Aronson Parish Office Coordinator & Treasurer: Stephanie McGuinness Custodians: Jim & Deb Kurtz Church Office Hours: M: 8:30am Noon T F: 8:30am 1:00pm, 2:00pm 4:30pm

10 Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning Join ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and William B. Horne II for a live webcast on racism January 14 at 8 p.m. (CST) Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, Racism remains an enduring crisis in the United States. As Lutheran Christians, we must continue our involvement in and commitment to the important work of naming racism as a sin a violation of God s intention for humanity. Please join me for another live webcast on Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. (CST). This conversation will focus on offering a variety of perspectives on the U.S. criminal justice system. As with the previous webcast, we will continue to ground the webcast by two commitments. One is this church s proclamation of Christ and the confidence that this good news brings to set us free from the captivity of racism. The second is this church s enduring commitment to address the complexity of racism and end discrimination. Joining me once again for this conversation is host William B. Horne II, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla. Together we welcome: Judge Yolanda Tanner, an ELCA member and an associate judge for the Baltimore City Circuit Court. Leonard Duncan, an ELCA member who will share his experience of incarceration, poverty and homelessness. Duncan is a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and an ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipient. Charlene Guiliani, an ELCA member and former police sergeant. Guiliani is a student at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, and an ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipient. Through our church s social statements The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries and Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture, the ELCA collectively has expressed its calling to confront racism and advocate for justice and fairness for all people. You can access these social statements here. In addition, I have made several public statements on behalf of the church on the subject. Those statements are available here. You may read more about this Continued on Page 12 11

Continued from Page 11 webcast at www.elca.org/ webcast, where a link to the live webcast will be provided. A live stream also will be available at www.facebook.com/lutherans.

11 Continued from Page 11 webcast at webcast, where a link to the live webcast will be provided. A live stream also will be available at If you would like to submit a question to be considered during the live webcast, please send it to livinglutheran@elca.org and provide your name and your congregation s name, city and state. Join me for this important conversation. God s peace, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Sign Up for Worship Ministry Follow this link: tinyurl.com/ksqm7qd and you can sign up. You can also find this link on the website under the Worship menu tab. You can also still sign up in the Narthex. Worship Ministry opportunities include: Readers, Ushers, Communion Assistants, and Acolytes. Looking for spiritual refreshment? Devotion writers are Luther Seminary alumni/ae. Go to Women of OSLC give to Eagles Healing Nest On December 3, the Women of OSLC presented a check for $ from the proceeds of the Craft Sale to the Eagles Healing Nest program in Sauk Centre. This residential program supports veterans with PTSD and chemical abuse issues with their recovery and reentry into society. If you would like more information, visit 12

Revelation 21:5 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

12 Prayer Box January 2016 A New Year in Jesus Christ But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then He said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. Revelation 21:5 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for Him. Psalm 98:1 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Col. 3:9-10 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... 1 Peter 1:3 Dear Jesus, You are awesome in glory and majestic in power. Today begins a new year for me. Thank You for Your promise that You re preparing a place for me. Thank You for sealing me with Your Spirit. Prepare my heart for my reunion with You at the foot of Your eternal throne. Awake my soul morning by morning to meet with You and fix my heart on Your Word. Give me an obedient heart. Infuse me with the fullness of Your Holy Spirit power and use me as Your vessel. Revive me when I am weary. Strengthen me from within to walk in the plans You have for me, even when it s hard. Enable me to trust You in all things. Show me Your ways and move my heart to walk in them. In the Name of Jesus, AMEN. 13

13 Readers: Please remember to help with the Lord s Supper, too. Ushers: Please make sure you count the number of people at worship and record that number on the Worship Attendance form located at the guest book desk inside the cabinet. 14 Sunday 3 9:00am need help Erin Juhl need help Mary Adelman need help need help need help Sunday 10 8:00am Jolene Lobitz Erin Juhl Joel Bengston Family Jolene Lobitz, Kathy Schei need help Marsha Winter 10:30am Barb Fischer Dylan Fischer Jim & Deb Kurtz Barb Fischer, Kyle Evenson Erica Jungles Patty Leyk Sunday 17 8:00am Janelle Erin Juhl Dwight & Donna Janelle Boeckermann, Boeckermann need help Christian Joel Bengston, Jolene Lobitz 10:30am Cheri Salzer Dylan Fischer Ed & McKayla Cheri Salzer, Angie Aronson Erica Jungles Feia & Family Anders Amdahl Sunday 24 8:00am Kathy Hildreth Erin Juhl Howard & Jan Koglin Kathy Hildreth, Pat Johnson need help Mary Adelman 10:30am Al Amdahl Dylan Fischer Lisa Halvorson Al Amdahl, Anders Amdahl Erica Jungles & Family Kyle Evenson Sunday 31 8:00am Matthew Rafteseth need help Jordan & Kim Matthew Rafteseth need help Hahn & Family Evie Fischer, Jolene Lobitz 10:30am Anna Sundet Dylan Fischer Paul Fauk & Family Judy Madsen, Ron Madsen Erica Jungles Angie Aronson Readers Acolytes Ushers Lord s Supper

14 Sunday Worship: 8:00 and 10:30 am 9:15 Education Hour Pastor: Steven Olson Ministry Associate for Youth & Families: Diana Brown Music Coordinator: Mike Aronson Parish Office Coordinator & Treasurer: Stephanie McGuinness Custodians: Jim & Deb Kurtz Church Office Hours: M: 8:30am Noon T F: 8:30am 1:00pm, 2:00pm 4:30pm (320) oursaviors@albanytel.com Lake Avenue P.O. Box 670 Albany, MN Vol. 22, No. 1 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. POSTAGE PAID NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PERMIT #2 ALBANY, MN 56307

Enjoy the rich blessings of August!

Kindred the Spirıt August 2015 Newsletter of Our Savior s Lutheran Church Albany, Minnesota Enjoy the rich blessings of August! Sunday, August 9th Farewell social for Pastor Cook after 9:00 worship Welcoming