The Living Reminder God's Purpose for Our Saviour's Lutheran Church is to joyfully share God's love with all. Volume 19 Issue 1 January 2019 Dear Friends, Happy New Year and Blessed Epiphany to you all, It s late December, and as I sit in the church office on a Saturday morning to write this letter to you, I am noticing children, youth, and adults arriving at Our Saviours for a fun time of play, learning, fellowship and service. It s called Luther Kids Saturday. The front door has opened every few minutes as another family arrives for the event. Then, out of nowhere, the door opens all by itself! Is it just our powerful Casper wind holding the door open, or is it actually God getting our attention? I think it s both of these things and more! It s early January, and as I sit in the church office to put the finishing touches on this letter to you, I see adults, both those new to the church and those with a life-long active membership. The front door is still opening, I m not sure when, but it s opening more and more. Thank you all for your participation of any kind in the family of Our Saviour s Lutheran Church. God is so good to us, and as we notice God more and more in the faces of people around us, the blessings of the New Year are revealed. Thank you very much for the delightful Christmas witness and service offered in Casper by this Congregation during 2018! As I reflect upon all that has happened since I arrived here April 1, it seems like the Easter miracle of Jesus resurrection is pushing us forward and turning our eyes above and beyond this beautiful property at 618 East 6 th Street. The Worship and the Studies have been inspiring. In our Sunday and Holy Day services I am noticing a growing passion for God that brings an excitement about the future of Our Saviour s Lutheran Church. Now, our new members from November, our current and incoming Council Members, and the visitors who are showing up more and more often give us reason to wonder, How will Christ reveal Himself this Epiphany Season? News flash, the door opened again and Atchley Reed came into our community. As she serves as our new Administrative Assistant, let her know who you are and what your ministry is. If you are very new in our congregation, just say, I m new. We will all strive to serve you from the heart. With all my heart, I pray for your blessing and your spiritual growth. Let s be here in expectation January 6 for Epiphany Sunday, January 13 for our Baptism Festival, and all through the frosty days of January and February. Truly, this church has many open doors! Let s walk in. God bless you, Pastor Jo Ann Neal
Annual Reports are due January 24 to the front office at office@oslwyo.org. If you need samples from previous years please feel free to contact Atchley at the front office and she can get you a sample copy. Office Closed Monday January 21, 2019 Pastor s vacation days are Feb. 12-16, 2019 Food Distribution Sunday January 20, 2019 9:30am to 11:30 am Quarterly Council Meeting January 28, 2019 7:00 to 9:00 pm JANUARY GREETERS 6th: Russell Hayward & Jerry Lyons 13th: Ray & Tina Wulf 20th: Rose Fry & Larry Pawlowski 27th: Dennis Gries & John Jorgenson Lectionary Text Studies* Wednesday Mornings 10:30 am in Conference Room w/pastor Jo Ann *To explore each week s upcoming Sunday lessons.
Contribution Envelopes are ready. When you begin to use these please discard all old ones as your new number will not be the same. If you do not find a box of envelopes with your name on it, please contact Kathy Seth in the office at 237-9087 or email her at finances@oslwyo.org. The Women s afternoon Bible study group will meet on Wednesday, January 9 at 1:15 pm. We will be studying Meetings with Jesus from the John. All OSL women are invited to join us. If you have any Questions you can call Barb Martinson at (307)267-1808. Please note date change: Noisy offering Sunday January 20 2019
The Library is now open and available for anyone who is interested in checking out books. There will be a sign in and out sheet available. The women s breakfast group will meet January 8, 2019 7: 00 am The Cheese Barrel Restaurant Our Saviour s Lutheran Preschool Child Care Center Check out our Website at casperoslpreschool.com
NOTE OF THANKS Thanks to everyone who helped decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas. Thank you for the gifts of new ribbon, bows, poinsettias, and the setting up of all of the other decorations especially the big trees! miscellaneous items Welcome New Members Janice Kalasinsky, Dan Casebolt, Leigh Van Tassel and daughter Hannah, Pat Leimback, and Bucky Smart. Welcome New and Continuing Council Members: President Kim Hatlestad; Vice President Calvin Whited; Treasurer Lance Neiberger; Secretary Berta Hartford; Member at Large Randy Sides; Christian Ed Co-Chairs Connie Arnold, Cynthia Sides; Property Bob Whited; Fellowship Chair Craig Barankiewicz; Evangelism Chair Barbara Peryam; Preschool Chair Valerie Maiers; Church in Society Co Chairs Ralph Stanley, Sonja Leimback; Stewardship Chair Heide Sides; Worship Co-Chairs Susan Burk, Nancy Waters; Youth Chair Lynsey Sides; Youth Shepherds Travis Sides, PJ Sides; Young Adult TJ McLaughlin, and Youth Michael Stanley. Thanking and encouraging Outgoing Council Members: President Bill Hunt; Vice President Dave Branson; Treasurer Gary Robinson; Fellowship Co-Chairs Cheryl Wrasper, Helen Byrd; Evangelism Chair Linda Robinson, and the outgoing 2018 Preschool Board Members: Peggy Sun; Chair Claire Venn Betsy Galles, and Parent Representative Katie Caldwell who continues on the preschool board. Annual Congregational Meeting February 24, 2019 immediately following worship with annual reports and election of Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly Voting Members, 1 male and 1 female. The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, will preach at Our Saviour s in Casper Sunday March 24. The 2019 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly, Be Transformed, in Albuquerque, NM from May 3-5. Confirmation Classes resume January 9th: Spiritual Life and the Bible Interested in serving dinner at Wyoming Rescue Mission in 2019? Call the church office at 307-237-9087 or ask any Council Member.
Our Saviour s Lutheran Church December 2, 2018 Congregational Meeting Minutes GOD S PURPOSE FOR OUR SAVIOUR S LUTHERAN CHURCH IS TO JOYFULLY SHARE GOD S LOVE WITH ALL. Call to Order President Bill Hunt called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. Opening Prayer Pastor Jo Ann opened the meeting with prayer. Approval of the Minutes of the February 25, 2018 Congregational Meeting Barb Peryam and Rich Burk moved and seconded approval of the minutes of the February 25, 2018 congregation meeting. Approved. Approval of the 2019 Budget Lance presented the proposed 2019 budget to the congregation. Worship, Christian Ed, and Youth Ministry teams received an increase. Connie Arnold and Bucky Walker moved and seconded approval of the 2019 Budget. Approved. Nominations of the Congregational Council President Connie Arnold nominated Dave Branson. He declined. This position was passed. Vice President Bob Whited nominated Calvin Whited, Susan Burk seconded the nomination. Bob affirmed that Calvin would accept nomination to this position. Approved. Treasurer Gunars Hvastkos and Shelden Sumey moved and seconded the nomination of Lance Neiberger. Approved. Preschool Valerie Maiers was nominated by Rich Burk and seconded by Lily Patton for this position. Approved. Fellowship John Hilde and Barb Peryam nominated and seconded Craig Barankiewicz. Approved. Evangelism Connie Arnold nominated Lily Patton. She declined. Sherry Hatlestad and Cheryl Wrasper nominated and seconded Barb Peryam. Approved. Property Lynsey Sides nominated Bob Whited. Judy Sumey seconded the motion. Approved. Stewardship Janet Hilde nominated Lynsey Sides. She declined. This position was passed. Youth Ministry Lynsey Sides will be the voting member on council. Worship Tina Wulf and Kathy Eason moved and seconded Susan Burk and Nancy Watters. Approved. They will share one vote on council between them. Youth Representative Connie Arnold moved and Janet Hilde seconded Michael Stanley. Barb Peryam nominated Emily Williams. She declined. Michael Stanley was approved. Gunars expressed that OSL needs to support our youth to make it more exciting for them. Bill responded that the 2019 budget increased funding for youth programs. Berta thanked Bill for the outstanding job he has done as our congregation president and stated that he is not going to serve another term. OSL needs a leader. Pastor Jo Ann stated she was thankful for all who agreed to serve on council and that if the positions of president and stewardship are not voted on today; it will be up to council to fill them. President - John Hilde nominated Rich Burk for the office of president. Rich declined. Barb Peryam nominated Susan Burk. She declined. Connie Arnold nominated Steve Urhammer. He declined. Michael Stanley nominated Tina Wulf. She declined. Kim Hatlestad nominated herself. Lynsey Sides seconded the motion. The motion passed. Stewardship - Lynsey nominated and Cheryl Wrasper seconded Heide Sides for Stewardship. Approved. Bill Hunt read the names of the newly elected Executive Committee and Council. Announcements Cheryl encouraged everyone to volunteer to bring soups and breads for the Advent Suppers. There is a sign-up sheet. Bill announced a new Parish Administrator has been hired. Atchley Reed will be starting soon. Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, from the church-wide ELCA office, will be coming to visit OSL in March. Everyone was invited to join in decorating for Christmas immediately after adjournment. Adjourn with the Lord s Prayer Bill led the congregation in closing with Our Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted, Berta Hartford
Our Saviour s Lutheran Church 318 E. 6th St. Casper, WY 82601 Please STAFF: Carolyn Deuel, Dir. of Music artcorewy@aol.com Tammy Ellis and Sara Whited Custodians Pastor Jo Ann Neal pastor@oslwyo.org Atchley Reed, Administrative Asst. office@oslwyo.org Kathy Seth, Financial Secretary finances@oslwyo.org Dianna Webb, Preschool Director director@oslwyo.org OFFICE HOURS: 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p. m. Phone: 307-237-9087 Fax: 307-235-4768 LINKS: OSL: oslwyo.org Rocky Mtn. Synod: rmselca.org ELCA: elca.org facebook.com/osl.casper Please be sure to check out the January Newsletter. Please let us know if you have news, stories, or articles for the monthly newsletter: office@oslwyo.org. Newsletter deadlines will never be earlier than the 20th of the month. You cannot go wrong if you shoot for the 20th! Watch for the new church directory coming to you soon.