Pictures by: Kayla Donahue

Transcription

1 Pictures by: Kayla Donahue

2 First Word By: Lead Pastor, Dale Stiles "Go, and make disciples of all nations... " Matthew 28: There are many who continue to feel a great sense of hopelessness in our world today. It's an understandable feeling when we look closely at what's happening in our local, national and global world around us. We hear about the increasing changes in our climate which may or may not be entirely due to our own behaviors. We hear about on-going and escalating violence and war that is spurned on by such intense hatred, often times in the name of God. We hear about increases in drug and alcohol addictions, especially what is now being called an epidemic regarding heroin use and related fatalities. We hear continuing disrespect and name-calling from within our recent political rhetoric and have a distrust in our political landscape as a whole. We hear of too many incidents of people senselessly dying due to distracted driving. The list could go on and on and it does. We may find ourselves among the many who have a difficult time finding hope among the despair. We may be among the many who see the "glass as half empty" and can't imagine it being full again. However, the theme of this Stream calls us to not give in to that "stinkin' thinkin' " as my mom would refer to it. This theme calls us to not dwell on the apparent state of hopelessness that seems evident all around us. This theme, "Do Something!", calls us to action rooted in the promise of the resurrection that brings new life, new beginnings and new hope. Christian singer and song-writer, Matthew West, has a song by the same name, "Do Something". In the song he sings: "I woke up this morning, saw a world full of trouble now. Thought, how'd we ever get so far down, how's it gonna turn around? So I turned my eyes to Heaven, I thought, 'God, why don't you do something?' Well, I just couldn't bear the thought of people living in poverty, children sold into slavery. The thought disgusted me, so I shook my fist at Heaven and said, 'God, why don't you do something?' He said, 'I did, I created you.'" We are God's hands and feet in this world. We are God's instruments of mercy and tools of compassion in this world. We are Jesus with skin on :) This issue of The Stream will share examples of how other staff and members of Our Savior's, either themselves or people they know, have made a difference in our world by deciding to "Do Something!". This theme will hopefully challenge us all to not dwell on the apparent hopelessness that seems widely evident around us, but instead look for ways to "Do Something!" and make change happen in the world around us. There is a great website at that challenges young people especially, to "Make the World Suck Less". I think we could all be challenged by viewing this website and considering the ways we ourselves, or our group of friends or even our families could be creative and think of positive ways to "be the change" in our local schools, communities, nation and world. The website will inspire you to think of all the possibilities! Our imagination and creativity is our only limit when looking for ways to "Do Something!". West's song continues: "If not us, then who? If not me and you? Right now, it's time for us to do something. It's not enough to do nothing. It's time for us to do something." Among the examples shared in this newsletter, I would love to hear your examples examples of how you or someone you know of "being the change" in their world examples of how you or someone you know is making a difference for good (God) by "Doing Something!". There will be signs to be filled out and hung up in the gathering areas of the church depicting the many ways that we are making a difference by doing something and being the change in our world. I hope you'll participate! Together, let s be the change! Pastor Dale

3 Summer Camp! Check out our website to register or for more information! Family Camp Luther Dell Date: July 6th-10th Age: all ages! Price: see website Seeds Weekend Camp Wapo Dates: July Age: Finished 2-3rd Price: $ Full Week Camp Wapo Dates: July Age: Finished 4-6th Dates: June 26-July 1 Age: Completed 6-9th Price: $ Tim Team Camp Wapo Age: Finished 9-12th Dates: June 26-July 1 Price: $ How high is the CLC ceiling? 25 feet up! How do you work on the light fixtures or just change the light bulbs? It s very very difficult! Did it look dark in the CLC to you? Well you were right. Many light bulbs were burnt out and ballasts were in need of repair. So I hired a licensed electrical contractor with a scissors lift. The electrician: Installed 16 new 400 watt metal halide light bulbs; Replaced burnt out halogen light bulbs for the alter and stage; Replaced 46, T8 ballasts that start the 4ft florescent bulbs. The most difficult part of this project was just getting up to the light fixtures. ~Jon Burke Building Maintenance Manager 3 The Stream

4 I have to admit I felt a little embarrassed and struggled when asked to write an article about ways that I have changed the world or made a difference. It sounds a little like tooting your own horn! But as I thought about it, the things we do in this world are things we are compelled to do, because of the gifts and strengths God has given us and the call He has put on our hearts. It is really God doing things through us and He is glorified by what we do. So we should be proud and happy to share what He has done through us. I am blessed that I get to live out my strengths through my job. I have the opportunity to change the world through pouring into others. I guess you could say I make a difference by being a cheerleader! My strengths are Empathy, Developer, Responsibility, Belief and Connectedness. Because of my strengths, I feel what others are feeling, and can look at things through their perspective. I see the potential in people and want to see them grow. I 4 The Stream Children Youth & Family I m a Cheerleader! By: Preschool Coordinator, Darla Goble Dates: June 8- Teddy Bear Park June 22- Washington Park July 13- Valley View Park July 27- Pioneer Park August 10-Bayport Park take ownership of things I commit to and I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe we are all part of a larger picture. I have core values and people know where I stand. All of Marya helping at YoungLives Club these things have been helpful in my work at OSLC and YoungLives. The majority of the support people I work with in ministry are volunteers. Faith Formation teachers, VBS helpers, mentors, childcare, and meal volunteers are just some of the volunteers with whom I work. The programs I work with could not happen without these people and their commitment to serving others. I have gotten to watch young people at OSLC grow through what they have learned at Times: 10-11:30am Age: birth to kindergarten Price: free! Contact: Darla Goble Faith Formation. Then, with encouragement from me and other adults around them, they see that they have the gifts to share with others. Many of our high school students have not only volunteered in the church but have helped with childcare at YoungLives camp and Club. Because of the time invested in them, they feel compelled to help others and make a difference. Through appreciating others and pointing out their gifts and giving them the opportunity to share, I have gotten to see many people serve others. God created each one of us with special gifts and talents to be used for His glory! I m glad God created me to be His cheerleader for others. What did God create you to do? Sam and Kayla at Castaway Dear Friends at Our Saviors, Thank you for the gift cards donated through the Giving Tree for our YoungLives families! The moms were so happy to receive the gift cards so they could buy gifts for their children. Thank you for how you show Christ s love to these young families! Darla and the YoungLives Group

5 Opportunities By: Elementary Coordinator, Jane Welsh What am I doing when I work in the position of Elementary and Family Coordinator at Our Savior s? I serve God through children s ministry. Pastor Dale gave each of us a song by Matthew West entitled Do Something!. After listening to the song I realized that within the children s program God is being served in several different ways. Our most basic way of serving involves teaching the children about Christianity and how to develop a relationship with God. We are so fortunate because we have 13 members of the congregation doing this each week. They are doing something that makes a difference in the lives of the children in this community. I am very grateful that I have a chance to work with them and that they are a part of the program. We are also busy this spring in Club 456, (this includes fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students) with a community service initiative for Community Thread. It is called Connect-The-Dots. We are asking for donations and putting together hygiene packs for families and individuals who are in need. Each hygiene kit includes soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and a toothbrush. The hygiene kits will go to Valley Outreach, Tubman and Canvas Health. Thank you to those who have contributed hygiene products. Each student in the children s program is encouraged to use their gifts and talents to serve God and the church community. When we are able to work together towards a common goal, and we Do Something! with deeper meaning, it allows us to grow in our faith together. Dates: August 1-5 Times: 9:00 am- 12:00pm Age: 3yrs (by June 1st) - 6th grade Price: $35 Please register as soon as possible as space is limited! Behind the scenes planning and decorating is in full swing! Please help us to transform the church into an underground adventure. Donation requests will be posted in the Gathering Area. We have an immediate need for the following items: Large appliance boxes refrigerator, washing machine, etc. Cans of Great Stuff brand spray foam insulation Christmas lights that you do NOT need back (icicle style work best but any working lights will be accepted). Dates: June 8, 15 & 22 Times: 12-4pm Age: Finished 1-5th grade Price: $20.00 Contact: Jane Welsh See our website for details Tubing and Tailgating was a great success with over 120 people joining in fun and fellowship at Green Acres! Thank you to all that volunteered, donated and attended this event! We couldn't do it without you! Blessings, CYF Team 5 The Stream

6 Children Youth & Family (cont.) Go and Do! By: Youth and Family Director, Chad Larson Well I think that it is safe to say spring is here which means the days of warm weather and summer break are in sight! With that said, I have to say that it has been a wonderful year so far for the Youth and Family Ministry program here at OSLC. Our youth and families have been involved in so many activities geared towards growing in their faith and building a sense of community with each other. It has been a blessing to see how excited and passionate our students have been about the ministries we have here! In Matthew chapter 28 we are given what is perhaps the greatest honor by Christ Himself. Jesus challenges us to Go and make disciples of all nations teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. The more I live life the more I understand that this is not only an honor but also a huge responsibility. Jesus is now calling us to not only believe but to do something about it. The question that remains as a result of this call is How?. How do we as followers of Christ reach out to others in effective ways to help them understand the need for God? Life is full of so many things that people can focus on. Do people really want to hear what we have to say about what we believe? In today s times there are so many different ways to communicate. We can post our thoughts or interests on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. We can , text or even actually talk to people on the phone (sounds crazy doesn t it?). If we were to communicate to others what we believe through these avenues, would it really make a difference? Although these ways of communication might be effective here and there, I wonder if this is really the best way to show others why our faith in Christ is life s most important focus. I believe that the message of this call is to, yes, tell people about the good news we have been given -of Christ in our lives- but more importantly, it is a call to communicate the gospel through our actions. I believe that people are more intrigued by how we live our lives than simply by what we say. If we live out the Good News in our lives through our actions with our family, friends, co-workers and teammates, we open up the opportunity for building relationships with others which will in turn open the door to real and meaningful conversation about our faith. So let us go and do it! When we mess up and fall, God is right there to give us the tools we need to further His kingdom in our world! Thanks be to God! Chad and Will at Winter Wipeout Dates: June 8, 15, 22, 29 & July 6 Age: Finished 6-9th grade Price: $99 Contact: Chad Larson or Kristi Hanson All 6th-9th graders are invited! Deadline to sign up is May 23rd. See our website for details. If you have any questions, please contact Chad Larson or Kristi Hanson. Introducing 3rd Monday Food & Fun! From 12:00pm-2:00pm on the 3rd Monday of the summer months we will be meeting at OSLC to eat lunch, hangout and play games! We will have the grill available so bring whatever you d like for us to cook or a regular bag lunch is fine as well. Contact Chad or Kristi with any questions! 6 The Stream

7 Worship & Musical Notes By: Worship Coordinator and Organist, Jane Gay (Please continue to) at OSLC On Volunteer Appreciation Sunday, May 15, Day of Pentecost, we will celebrate OSLC Volunteer Ministry (a list of opportunities follows; please call the church office if yours is not listed). Many OSLC musical groups will be present at 8:00 & 10:30 Worship; it s Pentecost, so wear red and expect birthday cake for the church! Adopt-A-Highway, Audit Committee, Baptismal Towels, Card Recyclers, Caring Ministry, Children s Busy Bags/Library/Music, Christmas Program, Church Board, Coffee & Conversation, Confirmation Small Group Leaders, Counters, Donut Fundraisers, Event Volunteers, Faith Formation Teachers & Support Personnel, Feed My Starving Children, Giving Team, Inspirational Yoga, Jamaica, Kitchen Ministry, Mlafu, Mission Trip Leaders, Music Ministry: Vocal Groups/Hand Bells/Orchestra/ Vocalists & Instrumentalists, Offering Counters, Office Volunteers, Open Hands Midway, Photographers, Praise Band, Prayer Shawls, Property & Grounds, Quilters, Senior High Leaders, Sr. High Youth Group Dinner Providers, Sound Board Operators, Stream Mailers, Technology Team, Thyme for Grace, Vacation Bible School, Valley Outreach, Walk and Talk, Wednesday Night CLC take down & Snack Bar, Women s Ministry, Worship Ministry: Altar Guild/Communion Servers/Greeters/ Readers/Ushers and Youth Mentors Summer Sunday Worship *8:00 Prelude will be a Hymn Sing format with hymns suggested by the assembly! *If you are willing to sing or play a Musical Offering at 8:00 please contact Jane Gay at jane@oslcstillwater.org. Soli Deo gloria! End of Program Year Thank you! Worship Ministry Leaders & Teams-Altar Guild: Mary Artig-Hospitality (Greeters & Ushers): Don & Charlotte Schuld - Readers: Sheri Prigge Music Ministry Directors & Musicians Michael Bloem: Kingdom Choir, Liturgical Singers, Orchestra - Chad Larson: Praise Team Keith Lentz: Good News! - Marlene Lentz: JuBellate Sharon Ronning: Proclaim! By: Kingdom Choir Director, Michael Bloem Do Something...Musical It s time for us to do something. Many at Our Savior s have taken it upon themselves to make the world better, to bring people closer to God. I was recently reminded of the power of the combined forces of music and text when one member mentioned to me after the Good Friday service that the music made it the most meaningful I ve ever experienced and that the glory of Easter became that much more real. God has given us an incredible gift in the form of music to use for worship, comforting, teaching and uniting. Many in our congregation have applied the call to do something directly with music. In doing so they have made the church and our world a better place. There was a need for music sung by women only and by men only. Sharon R. and Keith L. have done something, leading Proclaim and Good News in rehearsal and worship. There was a need for cantors during Lenten worship. Don, Charlotte, Christine, Keith and Michelle did something in leading the congregation through the Holden Evening service. There have been needs for musical offerings at summer services. Numerous individuals have stepped forward to sing or play an instrument. Christmas and Easter celebrations have called for skilled instrumentalists. In the past four years alone, more than twenty people did something with their talents, playing as an orchestra to accompany our favorite hymns as well as anthems with the Kingdom Choir. There was a need for contemporary worship music. Chad, Dan, Lori, Tori & Paul along with others continue to commit countless hours to preparing music that brings the church into worship. I recently discovered that the students of UW-Eau Claire needed someone to lead worship from the piano. More importantly, I learned that Andy C. did something and now plays for them each week. These are but a few examples of members seeing a need and doing something about it. The size of the need is not important; rather, the resolve to be part of the solution is what God desires. What will you do? 7 The Stream

8 Summer Feature: Hi, my name is Sandy Kruse- Roslin and I started volunteering back in the mid 80 s. I was just out of high school and working a few jobs but was bored in between my jobs and I didn t have money so I thought why not give back as a form of payment. That is when I started teaching Sunday School. From there I became a Girl Scout leader, started volunteering at Valley Outreach, Community Thread and eventually started Relay for Life and the Snack Bar at OSLC. The best part about volunteering is all the wonderful friends I ve met along the way. I have watched my 6 year old Girl Scouts turn into amazing young ladies and the bonus was not just the kids but the parents. We had so much fun in the 10+ years. At Valley Outreach, I ve met so many wonderful clients along the way. People who lost their homes, their jobs but yet they stayed positive and appreciative along the way. I know we all feel we wish we had more, but after meeting some of these clients, I feel my cup runneth over. And the volunteers at V.O. have become some of my closest friends. I also started walking for Relay for Life with OSLC probably 10+ years ago. I ve had friends and family that were affected by cancer and I wanted to do something to fight back so I started relaying. After walking with OSLC for a couple years I joined my neighbors team Towanda Too and have been with them ever since. In 2012 I was diagnosed with cancer and it was amazing the support I received from all my volunteering friends. It s really weird how you learn, through tragedy, how may friends you have. The phone calls, the thoughts, the prayers I received truly made my journey a smoother one knowing I had so many of these people on my team. When you see me at church soliciting for funds, no need to cringe thinking there she is again. Realize I truly believe in these organizations and the good they do for our community. Next time you see me at a table at church, stop by and see how you can help. By: Sandy Kruse-Roslin 8 The Stream

9 Do Something! One day as we were driving to our daughter s lacrosse game, we decided to stop at our local Starbucks for a coffee. As I was pulling into the drive-thru line, someone pulled right in front of me and got in line ahead of me. I don t remember exactly what I said, but I m sure it wasn t very nice. After all, shouldn t she have known we were in a hurry to get to the game?? As we pulled up to pay for our drinks, the server said Your order was paid for by the car in front of you. I asked the server if they knew who we were, or if they were just randomly paying for our drinks as a nice gesture. She assured me that the driver did not know who we were. I was shocked! Tears came to my eyes immediately. My mind was racing, and my thoughts drifted from Why would she do something like that? to What if everyone in the world had that kind of mentality? The world would be such a better place! I decided to pay it forward and pay for the order of the car behind us. This experience made me realize that, although being on the receiving end of that random act of kindness felt wonderful, it didn t compare to the feeling of paying it forward and doing it for someone else. I now realize that doing something doesn t have to be a major thing. You don t have to quit your job and become a missionary in Africa. You don t have to open a soup kitchen or a food shelf. Just taking time every day to pay it forward and making a difference in one person s life can have a ripple effect and make a big difference in the world. We have been a part of the Our Savior s family for over 18 years. During that time, we have seen a lot of changes, both good and bad. We are committed to our church family, so leaving has never been an option. In times of discernment, I always ask myself the question What is one thing I can do to make Our Savior s a better place to worship? I have responded to that question by teaching Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School, serving on the Building Committee to expand our church building, helping with the church website, and most recently serving on the church board. I don t think of this time as work, I think of it as paying it forward. This is our family we can all pay it forward to make our church home as warm and inviting as our personal home. By: Shelly Hill 9 The Stream

10 Adult Education at Our Savior s May 2016 A Study of the book, The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity by Eric Elnes. The Phoenix Affirmations were recently developed by a group of Clergy in Phoenix, AZ. They felt the public face of Christianity that now pervades our society does not reflect the way most Christians view and practice their religion. The Affirmations express a more traditional, inclusive, and expansive role for Christianity. The Affirmations say that, as Jesus teaches us, our Christian love should be expressed in three ways: by loving God, neighbor, and self. Of the twelve Affirmations, we will look closely at four of them during our Adult Education Hour throughout the month of May. Sunday, May 1 Affirmation 1. Affirming Diversity of Paths to God Christian love of God includes walking fully in the path of Jesus, without denying the legitimacy of other paths God may provide humanity. Sunday, May 8 Affirmation 2. Practicing Disciplines of the Spirit Christian love of God includes listening for God s Word which comes through daily prayer and meditation, through studying the ancient testimonies which we call Scripture, and through attending to God s present activity in the world. Sunday, May 15 Affirmation 5. Embracing diverse individuals and groups Christian love of neighbors includes engaging people authentically, as Jesus did, treating all as creations made in God s very image, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, nationality, or economic class. Sunday, May 22 Affirmation 9. Affirming We are Loved, Valued, and Accepted Christian love of ourselves includes basing our lives on the faith that, in Christ, all things are made new, and that we, and all people, are loved beyond our wildest imagination for eternity. Adult Education meets on Sunday mornings from 9:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. in the Family Room. Adult Education will not be offered during the Summer months. 10 The Stream

11 Health and Caring Ministries By: Parish Nurse, Becky Hulden If you love me.feed my lambs, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. On the third Sunday of Easter, we read from the twenty-first chapter of the Gospel of John, an account of the disciples encountering Jesus after his resurrection. The disciples have been fishing all night without anything to show for it. A man on the shore yells to them and tells them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. And of course, they catch SO many fish (153 to be exact) that they can t pull the net into the boat. That man is Jesus, oddly unfamiliar to them. Many things happen in this story and all of them could be mined for meanings and nuances. But this story leads up to Jesus asking Peter three times, Peter, do you love me? Each time Peter says Yes, Yes, of course, I love you, and finally hurt and exasperated, Peter says, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you! Jesus answers to Peter s declarations of love are, Feed my lambs, Take care of my sheep, and Feed my sheep. In this dialogue, Jesus is saying, If you love me, take care of my people. In other words. Do something! Now, I know people.and some of us are great at loving Jesus, but not so good at serving others. Then on the other hand, some of us are great at serving others, but not so good at loving Jesus. In the story from John 21, Jesus invites us to do both; to love Him and to serve others. When you hear the exhortation to Do Something! ; what do you hear? Do you feel compelled to deepen your relationship with Jesus? Do you want to find new ways to love Jesus? Do you want to widen your understanding of Jesus and his ministry? Do you want to jump up and start saving others? Do you want to end homelessness in the St. Croix Valley? Do you want to make sure that none of God s children are lonely, depressed, hungry, abandoned, thirsty, naked, or imprisoned? How will you respond to Jesus challenge to love me and take care of my sheep? Our Savior s is a Christian community, the Body of Christ. Our mission statement reads, Grounded in Faith, Gathered in Love, and Sent with a Purpose So that others may gain the Kingdom. Where do you hear your calling in that mission? Please reflect on how God is calling you. Please consider how you will respond to the exhortation, Do Something! Blessings on your reflecting and your doing! One of my top 5 Strengths per the Cliffton's Strengths Finders is "Activator." So this Stream's theme of "Do Something" is not a foreign or intimidating concept to me. As such, I was called to the Mission and Outreach Committee, OSLC's Chief Ministry of "Do!" Although our budget has more downs than ups in recent years, the M&O committee has gone to work, putting OSLC offerings to work in our local community (Valley Outreach and Young Life), region (Lutheran Social Services), and across the globe (Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Mideast Development). Our DOING isn't just sitting in the OSLC Family Room talking about where to disburse grants, but the M&O Committee is a chief motivator for members to get physically involved with being the hands and feet of Christ. For instance, building a Habitat for Humanity home with the St. Croix Coalition of Churches in July 2015 and bringing a 110 member brigade to the Mano Amiga Community meal packing event in November As long as Matthew 25:35-56 ("For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat...") serves as the guiding verse for the M&O committee, OSLC members can be assured that "DOING" good in the Community in Christ's name will be central to its mission. Ray Valley Mission and Outreach Chair 11 The Stream

12 Grounded in Faith The women s Bible Study in the Park will be happening on July 5 and August 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Valley View Park. There will be a continental breakfast, and the Bible Study will be The Heart of the Matter. The July study - Seeking God - is from Jeremiah 29:14. The August study - The Ministry of Reconciliation - is based on 2 Corinthians 5: Repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation are healing words, Angela Shannon writes. We hear these words spoken from our pulpits, in our hymns and various places throughout our churches. Yet we see conflict in our society and the ways in which we harm each other. We are about to enter an election year where the politics are as shrill and mean as ever. All women of Our Savior s are invited to be a part of this study. Watch the bulletin and e-blast for more information. Our Savior s Lutheran Church provides many opportunities for readers. Our Book of the Month Club meets the last Monday of each month, September through April at 1:00 p.m. in the Family Room. A variety of genres are included in the book selection i.e. best sellers, historical fiction, classics, Biblical fiction. A copy of the book is available for checkout with discussion questions provided. During the summer months of June, July, and August, Book Chats are held at the Stillwater Public Library at 1:00 p.m. on the last Monday of those months. We either meet inside near the Margaret Rivers Room or on the rooftop veranda. At that time, readers bring titles to share and a lively discussion ensues. A compilation of the list is available in the library area. Our church has a Little Free Library near the circle area at the front of church. Of course, it is designed to look like a church! It offers a way to share good reads with all ages as well as to support literacy. You are welcome to take a book, read it, and return it to any Little Free Library anywhere in the world (including the many sites throughout the St. Croix Valley area). We are proud to have joined the network of over 36,000 Little Free Libraries that are found in almost every place on earth! Our church library is well stocked with a diverse collection of books. A simple check out card is provided for your convenience. We are always looking for new additions to both our library collection and our Little Free Library. If you have some books that need a new home, bag them up, indicate they are for our library, and our library committee will find the best location for them. 12 The Stream

13 Re Sent with a Purpose From June 9-16 Corinne Colburn, Becky Maier and Kate Maier will travel to Guatemala representing Our Savior s. They will be guests of the Lutheran Church in Guatemala, known as ILAG (Iglesia Luterana Augustina de Guatemala). The Saint Paul Area Synod has a companion relationship with ILAG much like the better known relationship it has with Tanzania. The first stop will be at the Lutheran Center in Guatemala City where staff there will give some orientation to the trip, and then the group will travel north to a community on the border of Mexico known as Israel. The Lutheran community there will welcome its visitors and relationships will begin to form, recognizing that we are all gifted by God to do God s work. Through companionship in global Lutheran community, we exchange gifts of time, hospitality, patience, and understanding that are vital for God s mission. Our Savior s will grow with their hospitality and they will grow by our presence. It is our hope that the members of Our Savior s will be a part of this trip by helping supply a hostess gift for the 32 women of the Israel community. Some items that will be needed for that gift are combs (they don t need to be large combs), deodorant (a regular size), hand cream ( oz. size), bar of soap (regular size), hair ties, compact size mirrors, toothpaste (a medium size) and toothbrush (in a single package). Look for a box in the gathering area to collect these items. Your prayers will also be an important part of this trip. The group will keep you informed while they are traveling and hope that you will be a part of the trip as well. Also, on Sunday, May 22, at 6:00 p.m. there will be a Guatemala Gala at the Southview Country Club in West Saint Paul. Pastor Karen Castillo from Guatemala will be there to share current information about ILAG and there will be a silent and live auction. If you would like to attend with Corinne, Becky and Kate let one of them, or the church office, know and a reservation will be made for you. Gratitude - a feeling of appreciation or thanks. It seems we spend much of our days being stressed - running from one thing to another. Research tells us that developing a life of gratitude can help us live longer, happier lives. It is important for us to cultivate a sense of gratitude rather than focusing on the negative - write a thank you note to someone, count your blessings every day, and PRAY, remembering to thank God for your blessings. Many of us have a gratitude container in which we drop a coin when we are thankful. It helps us remember. If you don t have a gratitude container you can create one for yourself. Put it where you see it every day to remind yourself. Psalm 136:1 says Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever Did you know that every 30 minutes a child or teen dies or is injured from a gun? Rachel s Day is observed by the women of Our Savior s every year on the first Sunday of May with a single white rose on the altar. It is a time set aside to mourn the loss of our children and to renounce the forces of violence and fear that plague our nation. It is based on Jeremiah 31:15-17 wherein Rachel grieved for her children. Verse 15 says the Lord says, A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of bitter weeping. Rachel is crying for her children; they are gone, and she refuses to be comforted. Please join women throughout the country today to pray for the children! 13 The Stream

14 The Stream Health and Caring Ministries OSLC News Partners in Ministry Como Zoo Field trip -Monday, May 9th No School Monday, May 30 Graduation and picnics Wednesday, June 1 Graduation and picnics Thursday, June 2 (am childcare/no childcare in pm for toddlers or preschool) Closed Friday, June 3 Summer programming begins Monday, June 6th* *Registration for Summer WOW or 2016/2017 school year is online at Lake Area Discovery Center - Minneapolis Christian Preschools Lake Area Discovery Center is a high-quality, NAEYC accredited Christian-based preschool program serving families at 12 locations across the Twin Cities. Thank you to Our Savior s Lutheran Church for your partnership on projects with Community Thread throughout the year! Community Thread appreciates your ongoing support. In 2015, 100 Summer Stretch volunteers contributed 307 service hours that benefitted 8 homeowners throughout Washington County. This volunteer time helped older adults remain safely and independently in their homes as part of Community Thread s Chore Services. One homeowner, Joan, remarked, So many little and big jobs that I worked on daily were done in two hours. I could have worked all month and not finished all the tasks the youth group did! Our Savior s Lutheran Church members also sponsor families through Holiday Hope annually. In 2015, the congregation supported 8 local individuals in need. A number of congregation members also participate as individual volunteers through our community events. To learn more about how to get involved with Community Thread, visit or call ACTIVATE CHEERLEADER DISCIPLES GIVE GOOD GRACE HELP SHARE SMILE SOMETHING VOLUNTEER 14 The Stream

15 Bulletin Board Our Savior s Lutheran Church 1616 West Olive Street Stillwater, MN Phone: Fax: office@oslcstillwater.org Web: Staff Phone Ext. Come shop on May 21st at Our Savior s Lutheran Church! If you have items you d like to donate, they can be delivered to the church May All of the proceeds from the Rummage Sale will go directly towards the Sr. High Mission Trip to Los Angeles, CA. Questions? Please contact Chad Larson. Pastor Dale Stiles Lead Pastor ext. 14 dale@oslcstillwater.org Darla Goble, Early ext. 32 Childhood & Family Coordinator darla@oslcstillwater.org Jane Welsh ext. 33 Elementary &Family Coordinator welsh@oslcstillwater.org Chad Larson ext. 15 Youth & Family Director chad@oslcstillwater.org Kathy Newton, Office Admin ext. 10 info@oslcstillwater.org Kristi Hanson, Comm. & Youth & Family Min. Asst. ext. 11 publish@oslcstillwater.org When: second Tuesday of the month at 10:30-11:30 Where: At Our Savior s in rooms 7-9 What: Spend time in fellowship with other women Bring any craft you are working on and supplies. We are looking forward to this great time to be together! Bring a friend! Contact Darla with any questions! Darla@oslcstillwater.org or ext 32. No childcare is available at this time, feel free to bring preschoolers if they will be able to entertain themselves in the room while we meet. Alicia Bauer, Accountant ext. 18 finance@oslcstillwater.org Becky Hulden, Parish Nurse ext. 24 becky@oslcstillwater.org Jon Burke & Gillo Madho Maintenance ext. 20 Shannon Goldstein ext. 25 LADC Site Director shannongoldstein@ladcfamilies.org Sue Ortman, Kitchen Coordinator Jane Gay, Worship Coordinator & Organist worship@oslcstillwater.org Michael Bloem Kingdom Choir/Orchestra Director michael@oslcstillwater.org Marlene Lentz, Bell Choir Director klentzlot@aol.com For a color copy, check out our website! the_stream.aspx childcare@oslcstillwater.org the_stream.aspx 15 The Stream

16 Return Service Requested 1616 W. Olive St., Stillwater, MN The Stream Worship Schedule Starting May 29th Sundays 8:00 AM Traditional Worship 9:30 AM Blended Worship Communion 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays The Stream Summer 2016 A publication of Our Savior s Lutheran Church, Stillwater, Minnesota www. oslcstillwater.org Wednesday Worship Our Last service on May 25th We will resume worship on September 14th Grounded in faith, Gathered in love, and Sent with a purpose, So that others may gain the Kingdom. Like Us! Follow Us! Do Something!