The Seeker JULY / AUGUST 2016 Rev. Anthony Stephens, Pastor

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1 Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church 56 Cleveland Drive Croton-On-Hudson, NY (914) The Seeker JULY / AUGUST 2016 Rev. Anthony Stephens, Pastor Sunday Worship Schedule Sunday School: 9:30 am Worship: 10:00 am Coffee Hour: following worship Weekday Office Schedule Office hours: 9:00 am - 12:00 Office Phone: (914) Office mail@oursaviourcroton.org Website: Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. -Matthew 7:7 Weekday Activities Choir Practice: 7:45 pm Important Websites (Fantastic new website! ) (Read LivingLutheran online!) (Sign up for the e-letter!)

2 Our Saviour Lutheran Church 56 Cleveland Drive, Croton, New York JULY / AUGUST 2016 The Seeker THE BUSINESS OF FAITH - Rev. Anthony Stephens In case you have not received and or read my and Council President John Keil s letters they are reprinted at the back of this newsletter. Perhaps the envelope bore the Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church letterhead and you systematically or a-systematically put it in a pile. I cast no judgments. At my best, I have numerous piles roughly organized along the lines of Steven Covey s famous quadrant of priorities; At my worst, I do what I want to do, or like to do, or don t do what I don t want to do, or don t do what will cause some discomfort Covey s model doesn t cover motivation merely prioritization. Even though something is important and urgent, I must be motivated to actually do it. Particularly in children, there are at least three areas to consider in motivation: hedonic pleasure (pleasure production / palliation of fear), short term reward, and long term reward. Obviously hedonic pleasure meets its own end by a feel good outcome. Scott Peck might call this instant gratification. Brain studies show that different areas process short term reward and long term reward. A person is less likely to cease a bad habit, or start a good unless they perceive a short term reward, a reward that comes sooner rather than later. Short term rewards tend to be temporary, fleeting and evanescent. All of the foregoing is not a last ditch effort to sell you on cognitive psychology, but to think about our practice of faith. Is it important? Do we deem it urgent? Is it important to maintain, but not instantly urgent? As you ponder these things, I make a plea that you do not let it slip into the not important / not urgent box (or why bother?). Faith trains to value long term reward, and does not always provide the buzz of instant gratification. Faith also provides a framework to decide what is important and what is not. Jesus noted: See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6: By the way, what is the long term reward of faith that makes its practice important? However one ponders eternity; for me it is a fact of my life, for others it is more ethereal, being rooted in the economy of God s everlastingness and love, is always going to be better than being rooted in what feels good now, and in what is transient and ultimately without value. Whatever the next few months may bring, practice your faith, bring yourself and your gifts to the Lord s house. You are needed and valued. This is important.

3 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE -John Keil As you now know, Pastor Stephens will be leaving Our Saviour effective September 1, 2016 for domestic military service. Plans are in development to hold a farewell event for him on or around August 28, so please be alert for announcements about this. To ensure continuity in our Sunday worship schedule, we ve reached out to a relief pastor who may be able to help us after September 1, and to the Synod on installing an interim pastor and identifying candidates to fill Pastor Stephens s vacancy. Please be mindful of our need for proper stewardship of the church s finances and property during this time, and consider increasing your contributions or automating them through enrollment in Simply Giving. Please also be mindful of our need for your participation and insights; we will need your support and discernment to find a pastor to help us grow in response to our current needs. Our congregation has some extraordinary strengths that may help ease our approaching transition in pastoral care, and we should all consider how we can use those strengths to best support and continue our ministry. The Congregation Council will continue to keep you informed about the process of calling Pastor Stephens s successor. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the process, or if you would like to assist us in it, please do not hesitate to contact me by at johnkeil@gmail.com, or by personally approaching me or any member of the Council. MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS -Eric Golberg The Discernment Team has created Mission and Vision Statements that the council is reviewing. We are in the last stages of writing a Core Values Statement. Note that these statements are targeted at current and potential future members. Here are the statements: Mission Statement: Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church's mission is to offer spiritual grounding and growth by connecting with God and one another. Vision Statement: Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church's vision is to provide meaningful, well-attended, active, and growing worship, education, fellowship and service opportunities COUNCIL MEMBERS Our Congregational Council members would like to keep the conversations and ideas that will move our church in the right direction going. If you have any ideas that you feel Our Saviour can benefit from, please...talk To Us!! President: John Keil Secretary: Sarah Doherty OFFICERS: Vice President: Matthew Papertsian Treasurer: Annie Andrews COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Christian Education: John Keil Property: Lee Ann Mccarthy Evangelism & Outreach: Sarah Doherty Social Ministry: Frya Barnes Finance: Eric Golberg Stewardship: John Magerlein Pastor / Parish Relations: Matthew Papertsian Worship & Music: Circle School: OPEN: Estomih Mtui Ex Officio: Jamie Hough, Financial Secretary

4 NEW COFFEE HOUR CLEAN-UP As stewards of God's creation we try to conserve resources and leave little impact on our struggling environment. Yet, in doing so we don't need to make things harder on ourselves. That is why we have a heavy-duty dishwasher in the Parish Hall. It helps us conserve water and make coffee hour clean-up a light task. Any dishes and utensils merely need to be wiped/scraped clean over a garbage pail before being placed in the dishwasher. Please do not rinse at the sink. Likewise, used coffee mugs merely need to be emptied and placed in the dishwasher. Please do not rinse at the sink. The ONLY thing that requires rinsing are plastic juice cups. After they are rinsed, they may be placed in one of the blue recycle bins. Easy rules, easy to follow...some other rules of our faith are much harder!! Let's take it easy and clean easy! DONATE YOUR OLD CELL PHONES FOR A GREAT CAUSE! Do you have a used/old cellphone to donate for development in Sierra Leone? Skilled workers in Sierra Leone, i.e., mechanics, handymen, small service providers, etc. are in dire need of reliable cellphones to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their businesses. In the developing world, cellphones are increasingly the main means of communication (land lines are non -existent), but good reliable phones are expensive and unafforable for many low wage skilled workers. Kunmi Johnson, a member of OSL, is collecting used cellphones to distribute in Sierra Leone to persons in need of good devices. Specifically, the major need is for GSM phones, i.e., phones from AT&T or T-Mobile carriers; and preferably smartphones that work on wifi networks. In light of the upcoming tag sale at OSL, he is willing to make a small financial donation to the chuch in lieu of these items. If you can help, please drop off items with Melanie or Lee Ann. Thank you! Kunmi Johnson

5 CAVE QUEST VBS August 22-26, 2016! 9:00 AM 12:00 PM at Our Saviour Lutheran Church 56 Cleveland Drive Croton, New York VBS Director: Lindsay Gilbert (860) Enclosed with this newsletter is the registration form for this year s Vacation Bible School. Children from age 4 through 6th grade are welcome as campers to enjoy faith and fun from 9:00 AM 12:00 PM each day. Don t have kids? Share the registration form with a friend or neighbor s child! Your child does not have to be a member of any of our churches to join in the VBS fun! Adults and older youth (aged 12+ by August 1, 2016) are needed as group leaders and program area assistants if you can volunteer, please fill out a registration form and mark it Youth Leader Volunteer. We are so appreciative of all the help the congregation gives us supplying snack, volunteering, praying for the children. If you can give a few hours that week, let us know! Everyone is also welcome to come and celebrate with us on Friday night, August 26th for our annual VBS pot-luck. Our theme this year is Cave Quest: Following Jesus, The Light of the World! There will be spirit-filled music, energetic games, interesting experiments, fun-filled crafts and bible stories brought to life! We hope that you and / or your children will join us this summer! REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED! Registration for campers is $75 per child. Adjustments are available for multiple siblings or financial hardship - please speak with a VBS Coordinator. For more information, call Lindsay Gilbert, the VBS Director at (860) or call Our Saviour s Church Office at (914) Applications are due by August 15, Please also let the VBS Director know if you are interested in being a parish coordinator. The Croton parishes that need coordinators are: Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Asbury United Methodist Church, St. Augustine s Episcopal Church and Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church. Coordinators of the parishes will meet with the VBS Director a few times over the course of the spring and summer ask questions and relay VBS related information to their parishes. Coordinators must be an adult that attends the parish they are communicating with. Thank you! We look forward to seeing you this summer! Tag! It s A Sale! July 23 from 9am-4pm Only weeks to go before the great OSLC summer tag sale. Bring your best bric-a-brac, formerly cherished tchotchkes, objet d art, antiques, heirlooms and, if all else fails, your knick-knacks, that you believe to be marketable for the common good and building up of esprit de corps that our tag sales bring. No clothes or shoes, please! Such treasures can be stowed in the area under the parish hall next the 3s classroom. The tag sale will be held on July 23, 2016 from 9am to 4pm at OSLC. is again on point and will welcome your merchandise, your support and your aid in making this a great sale.

6 THE CROTON VILLAGE VBS 56 Cleveland Drive Croton on Hudson, N.Y (914) Vacation Bible School Registration Form August 22-26, 2016 Student Information Last Name First Name Middle Initial Nickname Church Affiliation Grade in September Birth date Parent/Guardian Information 1. Name 2. Name Address City State Zip Address City State Zip Home Phone Address Other Numbers (work, cell, beeper) Other Number (work, cell, beeper) Emergency Information 1. Name 2. Name Relationship Phone Relationship Phone Medical Information Doctor Phone Any Allergies (if so what are they?) Medical Conditions (please explain) Any medications (for what?) Please share anything else you feel we should know about your child (continue on the back): Camper Registration Fee: $75 Youth volunteer (NO FEE for youth volunteers aged 12+)

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11 JULY SUNDAY SERVANTS July 3 Greeters&Ushers: Barbara Henninger & Frya Barnes Lori Esteves May Beth Soucy John Magerlein Mark Esteves Lori Esteves July 10 Greeters&Ushers: Mary Beth Soucy & Karen Kuchnicki Eric Golberg Karen Magerlein Ken Gabrielsen Philip Stephens Karen Magerlein & Sue Orts July 17 Greeters&Ushers: John Magerlein & Chuck Cooper Matilda Weekes-Johnson Karen Magerlein Frya Barnes Andrew Stephens Dianne Carroll & Melanie Mueller July 24 Greeters&Ushers: Lois Leonard &Eric Golberg Lori Esteves Ken Gabrielsen Sue Orts Mark Esteves Keil Family & Gail and Steven Millar July 31 Greeters&Ushers: Laura Keil & Dianna Carroll Matilda Weekes-Johnson Chuck Cooper Philip Stephens Karen Polacek LECTIONARY READINGS 7/3 Isaiah 66:10-14 Galatians 6:7-16 7/10 Deuteronomy 30:9-14 Colossians 1:1-4 7/17 Genesis 18:1-10a Colossians 1: /24 Genesis 18:20-32 Colossians 2:6-15 7/31 Eccles 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 Colossians 3:1-11 8/7 Genesis 15:1-6 Hebrews 11:1-3, /14 Jeremiah 23:23-29 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 8/21 Isaiah 58:9b-14 Hebrews 12:18-29 AUGUST SUNDAY SERVANTS August 7 Greeters&Ushers: Linda & Conrad Grauer Matilda Weekes-Johnson Kirsten Berger Lori Esteves Bob Riekert Andrew Stephens Karen Kuchnicki & Amy Gardiner August 14 Greeters&Ushers: Marilyn Dreyer & Barbara Henninger Lori Esteves Eric Golberg Karen Magerlein Frya Barnes Mark Esteves Linda & Conrad Grauer August 21 Greeters&Ushers: Frya Barnes & Karen Kuchnicki Marilyn Dreyer Jeanne Spacek John Magerlein Philip Stephens Mikiko Golberg August 28 Greeters&Ushers: MaryBeth Soucy & Chuck Cooper Matilda Weekes-Johnson John Magerlein Jeanne Spacek Ken Gabrielsen Andrew Stephens Lois Leonard & Frya Barnes September 4 Greeters&Ushers: John Magerlein & Laura Keil Lori Esteves Eric Golberg Mark Esteves Mikiko Golberg & Karen Polacek September 11 Greeters&Ushers: Eric Golberg & Dianne Carroll MaryBeth Soucy TBD Chuck Cooper Philip Stephens Keil Family 8/28 Proverbs 25:6-7 Hebrews 13:1-8, /4 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Philemon /11 Exodus 32: Tim 1:12-17

12 JULY 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY KEY: HB Happy Birthday HA Happy Anniversary Seventh Pentecost HB Cal Henninger 10 Eighth Pentecost g HB Christine Stabile HB Hilda DeSousa 17 Ninth Pentecost TAG SALE 9am-4pm HB Christine Gabrielsen HB Barbara Henninger 24 Tenth Pentecost 25 HA John & Melanie Mueller 26 HB Christopher Orts HB Marie Golberg HB Leon Johnson 29 HB Danielle Mueller Eleventh Pentecost HB Owen Doherty

13 AUGUST 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY HB John Magerlein HB Sue Gabrielsen Twelfth Pentecost Sunday School 9:15am Thirteenth Pentecost 21 Sunday School 9:15am Fourteenth Pentecost 22 HB Mark Esteves HA Ken & LeeAnn Gabrielsen Sunday School 9:15am VBS 9am-12non VBS 9am-12non HB Evelyn Gardiner HB Matthew Grosso VBS 9am-12non VBS 9am-12non HB Joseph Mueller VBS 9am-12non Bar-b-Que 6:00pm HB Sue Orts 28 Fifteenth Pentecost Sunday School 9:15am HB Andrew Stephens HB Philip Stephens 29 HB Meagan Carroll HA Tom & Amy Gardiner 30 31