REKEYING THE BUILDING

Lutheran Church of Our Saviour GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 Pastor Katie s Corner Quick! It s Lutheran trivia time What is the Office of the Keys? A) A position you have to hold to have a key to the church B) Saint Peter s symbol in Christian art C) The power to forgive or retain sins D) The place in the administrative office where we keep extra keys If you guessed C, you re right! The Office of the Keys is the church s special authority which Christ has given to it to forgive the sins of repentant sinners or to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent. It comes from John Chapter 20 when Jesus says to the disciples, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. It is one of the charges and duties of pastoral ministry. It s true that St. Peter s sign is a set of keys, and there s also some relevance of A and D, because this month, we re beginning the process of REKEYING THE BUILDING. More information about the project is on page 5. Over the past year, the Church Council and I have decided that it s time for an update on our locks. No one remembers the last time we changed them, and without a master list of who s been issued a key over the years, it s time our building became more secure. We have a new keyholders policy as well as a process for being issued a key temporarily. Michael Scheivert, certified locksmith, is heading up the effort. We re grateful to Michael s donation of his time and resources to this project! Even as we deal with real keys around the building, let us always keep in mind the One who holds the Keys to the Kingdom, Jesus Christ, who forgives our sins, secures our salvation, and makes us new every day. Your servant, Pastor Katie July September 2018 President s Message.... 2 Stewardship Letter.... 4 Note to Keyholders.... 5 Pulla Breadmaking.... 6 Fellowship.... 8 Announcements & Upcoming Events.... 10 Calendars.... 14 Thank-You s.... 18 Children s Page.... 20 MONTHLY ATTENDANCE August 1st: 78 5th: 80 8th: 94 12th: 92 15th: 100 19th: 98 22nd: 85 26th: 97 29th: 74 Avg.: 86.2 Avg.: 91.8

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 2 A Monthly Message from our Council President: Dear Friends, September is upon us and another summer is coming to a close. September is usually a time to return to our normal schedules. Vacations are ending; students return to school; and in our workplaces, the final quarter is approaching and, consequently, the usual push toward the year s end and planning for the next year. For our church, it s not much different. Sunday School begins again. We return to our normal worship settings, and the choirs will get back to their normal schedule. For the church, the last quarter of the year is also a busy time as we close out another year and prepare for the next. There s planning for next year s budget, finding nominees to replace outgoing Council members, the final push for the fall Craft Fair, and preparing for the Advent season and the celebration of our Lord s coming to live among us. Accomplishing all the tasks we need to do toward the end of the year will require the committed support from many of our LCOS members. I urge you to help out wherever you can to support the ministries of LCOS. Scripture reminds us: Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered (Proverbs 11:25). Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ (Colossians 3:23-24). As part of our ministry to serve our local community, LCOS joins other churches of the ELCA in recognizing Sunday, September 9th as God s Work, Our Hands Sunday. There will be information available on several organizations that help the needy in our community, and I hope you will consider donating your time to help out with these worthwhile causes. Finally, I want to let everyone know that, due to my wife, Carmen s, cancer prevention treatments, I will not be able to devote the time to the Church Council that is needed during this critical period of the year. Therefore, I will be stepping down from my position as Council President. Our Vice President, Paul Dugent, has graciously accepted the call to take over as president for the remainder of 2018. It s been an honor to lead the Council for 2018, and I thank Paul, Pastor Katie, and the rest of the Council for their support. Most of all, I thank God for leading me through the year. I asked God for help time after time, and He was always there to guide me whenever I needed His strength and wisdom. In Peace, Walt Strohecker

3 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 Financial Update (through July 31, 2018)

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 4 Rooted Growing Giving The Generous Family Here is a different way to think about stewardship. It seems like stewardship drives tell you it isn t all about money, and then ask for money. Instead, I would like to offer a challenge. Let s call it the Good Deeds Challenge : 1. Recognize a good deed you could do. 2. Do it. 3. Think about how it makes you feel. 4. Thank God for that gift. There are so many tasks that would qualify. You could: mow your neighbor s lawn if you see they can t do it themselves, call a friend when you saw they weren t in church, pick up that trash somebody else thought belonged on the ground. The list could go on and on... Here is one Bible passage that can provide a little perspective: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Marty Vik and the Stewardship Team

5 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 CALLING ALL KEYHOLDERS! WE ARE CHANGING THE LOCKS! If you hold any of the ministry positions below, you are eligible to receive a new key to the church building. Receiving your key requires signing on to our new Keyholders Policy and abiding by its rules. Michael Scheivert or Kayleigh Dumont can walk you through the process and issue your new key. Please get in touch with either of them before December, when we change the locks. Ministry Positions Eligible for New Keys: Heads of Ministry Teams, including Worship & Music, Ties That Bind, Outreach, etc. Altar Guild Members Property Team Members Lawn mowing volunteers Key Administrators: Michael Scheivert (mjsrscheivert@comcast.net) Kayleigh Dumont (admin@lcosva.org / 276-4271) Please continue to reach out to the Lost Saints on our rolls. A full list is in the narthex. Any information regarding these members may be forwarded to Pastor Katie (276-4271, pastorkatie@lcosva.org).

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 6 Making Pulla Bread!

7 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 A big thank you to Kaarina Modiri and her assistant, Jacquie Evans, for leading our young families in an afternoon making pulla bread, the traditional bread for afternoon coffee in Finland. Kaarina is a native of Finland and her pulla bread is a top seller at our annual craft fair. Thank you for sharing your gifts! Our families had a great time!

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 8

9 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 DIVORCE RECOVERY WORKSHOP

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 10 ANNOUNCEMENTS LOST & FOUND Forgotten clothing and other items have been collected and placed in a box underneath the coat rack in the narthex. Please check this box before September 15! Items not accounted for will be donated! FREE BOOKS! Pastor Katie is weeding her library and has placed books to give away on the table in the Admin Wing. Please take a look and take any books you wish! Salvation Army Meal Service LCOS has committed to serving dinner to the homeless downtown at the Salvation Army shelter on September 10, 17, and 24. We are looking for 2 volunteers each night. Sign up in the narthex on the bulletin board or by emailing admin@lcosva.org Sunday School Sunday School class for preschool through 5th grade starts on September 16. It beings at 9:15am with music time in the sanctuary and then moves to the Education Wing at 9:30 for Bible class. Sunday School class for middle schoolers (grades 6-8) also begins September 16. Meet at 9:30am in the Education Wing. As of print time, there are no plans for weekly adult education yet this fall. If you are interested in volunteering with or teaching adult education, please contact Pastor Katie.

11 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 God s Work Our Hands is SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9! Please wear your yellow God s Work Our Hands T-shirt, or any shirt that speaks of mission and service to you. Please bring an offering of fresh fruits and vegetables for the Chesterfield Food Pantry. MUSIC We are looking for singers for our Choir! On Wednesday evening, September 5, the LCOS Choir will have their first rehearsal of the season. We have a great core of singers, many of whom have sung for years, but we are always looking for newcomers! Choir meets each Wednesday during the school year from 7:00 p.m. until 8:15 or so and we sing for the service on the first and third Sundays of the month. We learn all kinds of sacred music, from spirituals and gospel tunes to traditional hymn arrangements and more classical pieces, and we'd love to have YOU! Bell Choir will also be meeting for the first time in September, on Tuesday evening, the 4th, at 7:15. Our handbell group plays on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Currently, we have a full roster of ringers but we're always looking for more! If any of you are interested in learning to play bells or picking up the bells after a time away from playing, speak to Susan at church or send her an email! If we have enough people, we could start a new ensemble. Let her know if you're interested! musicdirector@lcosva.org

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 12 OUTREACH Richmond Friends of the Homeless: The Outreach committee will continue to use the summer menu for RFOH in September (9/12/18). Outreach will supply fried chicken. Any side dishes that you might want to contribute are much appreciated (some ideas are on the sign-up sheet). If you are inclined to bring more than one dish or item, please indicate that number on the sheet. We will return to our hot casserole menu starting in October. Thank you for all you do to support this ministry! The CARITAS coordinators would like to thank everyone who donated food or volunteered to assemble lunches to make this ministry a success. This year we served 30 women, and we are happy to report most needs were met. There were many highlights throughout the week, but a personal one for us was the ability to work with our neighbors at St. Luke's. Thank you again for all your help with this program! Diane Beall & Clare

13 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 Save the Date! On Sunday, October 14, we ll be hosting Rabbi Michael Knoph of Temple Beth El in Richmond for an interfaith conversation and education hour with Pastor Katie. Watch our Announcements Page and October newsletter for more details. PROPERTY HELP NEEDED Property Work Day: Saturday, Sept. 15 @ 9:00 am We have a large property and all landscaping is done by volunteers. If you can t help September 15, would like to take on a project, and/or just spend half an hour a week/month, anything would be appreciated! Please see a list of tasks below. Entrance Edge sidewalks Pull weeds Trim crepe myrtles at bottom Cut hollies back to 2 ft (chain saw recommended) Office Entrance Thin iris & weed By Fence Weed where rocks are Shovel dirt accumulated & put in low spots Pull out trumpet vine from azaleas Trim azaleas at bottom Playground Pull or till weeds from sand Wash playground equipment Preserve wood Parking Lot Pull, round-up weeds in cracks Memorial Garden Edge sidewalks Pull weeds in flower garden Pull weeds in sidewalks Lime grass Cut back evergreen bushes Sign at Lynchester Dr. Screw down warped edges Paint Bank at Lynchester Dr. Cut down brush on bank & haul away Spray with Roundup Yard Pick up branches/sticks THE GIVING TREE PRESCHOOL We are all very excited to begin another year of school! The themes for this month are Learning About Me, Going to School, and Johnny Appleseed. Our Bible story is Creation. We still have a few openings in the three-year-old and four-year-old classes, so spread the word! Those who are interested should contact Mary Dumont (804-276 -8194, preschool@lcosva.org).

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 14 BIRTHDAYS Kara Johnson 9/2 Marchia Swanson 9/3 Michael Weaver 9/3 Tom Haack 9/5 Deanna Dorton 9/6 Eric Strohecker 9/6 Barbara Dowdy 9/7 Chuck Waldridge 9/7 Doug Gray 9/9 Charles Ward 9/9 Delores Harris 9/10 Dan Berdell 9/14 Bruce Jacobs 9/16 Caitlin Vik 9/16 Allyson Leininger 9/18 Aaron Aunins 9/20 Tanner Leininger 9/21 Mary Dumont 9/25 Marie Purkins 9/25 Megan Hale 9/26 Helen Bailey 9/30 ANNIVERSARIES Barbara & Page Dowdy 9/4 Ellen Stefaniak 9/4 Chuck & Brenda Waldridge 9/25 Kara & Mark Johnson 9/29 Helen & Michael Weaver 9/30 THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPT. 3 FOR LABOR DAY. Did we miss an anniversary or birthday? Please let us know! Email admin@lcosva.org or call 276-4271 OCTOBER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The deadline for our October newsletter is September 21st. Please email or call with your information. admin@lcosva.org or 276-4271.

26 September 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 10:30 AM Worship Service 1:30 PM Fellowship Retreat ("Give me liberty..." speech reenactment) 2 Food Pantry Sunday 10:30 AM Worship Service 9 10:30 AM Worship Service 16 10:30 AM Worship Service 23 10:30 AM Worship Service 30 10:30 AM Worship Service 27 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM God's Work, Our Hands (Salvation Army) 3 OFFICE CLOSED 10 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM God's Work, Our Hands (Salvation Army) 17 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM God's Work, Our Hands (Salvation Army) 24 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM God's Work, Our Hands (Salvation Army) 1 28 4 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 11 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 18 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 25 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 2 7:15 PM Bell Choir Rehearsal 29 5 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 12 9:30 AM Richmond Friends of the Homeless 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 19 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 26 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 3 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal 30 6 13 20 27 4 31 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 7 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 14 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 21 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 28 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 5 Office Closed 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM AA Meeting 1 8 15 8:30 AM Esther Circle 22 29 6 15 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 16 2-Sep COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS SEPTEMBER 2018 WORSHIP STEWARD DUTIES ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 9-Sep COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 16-Sep COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 23-Sep COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 30-Sep COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER 10:30AM SERVICE Sharon Johnson Brenda & Chuck Waldridge Earl & Ellen Shaffer Helen Weaver Sharon Leininger & Karen Watkins Sharon Johnson & Gail Kimpfler Josh Walker Abigail Ward Paul Dugent Sam & Shirley Hawthorne Bethany Nell & Marchia Swanson Cindy Vik Brenda & Chuck Waldridge Linda Dugent & Rachel Doyle Kayleigh Dumont Bryce Weaver Gail Kimpfler Diane & Maurice Beall Marchia Swanson & Kaarina Modiri Karen Watkins Jim Burnish & Rob Krasley Jules & Nancy Roinnel Stacy McCoy Liam James Bill Walker Dino Montez & Earl Shaffer Jeannette Montez & Cindy Vik Barbara Dowdy Linda Dugent & Rachel Doyle Jacquie Evans & Jeannette Montez Josh Walker Henry Weaver Jules Roinnel Brenda & Chuck Waldridge Michael Scheivert & Richmond Zehmer Stacy McCoy Jackie Casey & Diane Beall Judy Zehmer & Jane Avery Liam James If you can not be here on your assigned week it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Please notify the church office at 804-276-4271 or at admin@lcosva.org, when you have found a replacement. - Thank you. ACOLYTE Alex Wilson

17 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 OCTOBER 2018 WORSHIP STEWARD DUTIES 7-Oct COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 14-Oct COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 21-Oct COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER ACOLYTE 28-Oct COORDINATOR USHERS GREETERS ASSISTING MINISTER POURING CHALICE COMMON CUP CRUCIFER 10:30AM SERVICE Sharon Johnson Anne & Jack Frost Kaarina Modiri & Delores Harris Michael Scheivert Jeannette Montez & Karen Watkins Linda Dugent & Sharon Leininger Josh Walker Bryce Weaver Gail Kimpfler Diane & Maurice Beall Sam & Shirley Hawthorne Bill Walker Jane Avery & Jackie Casey Jules & Nancy Roinnel Liam James Alex Wilson Michael Scheivert Earl Shaffer & Frank Watkins Dee & John Plaschko Cindy Vik Brenda & Chuck Waldridge Judy Zehmer & Sharon Johnson Stacy McCoy Henry Weaver Paul Dugent Don Harmon & Jim Burnish Marchia Swanson & Bethany Nell Barbara Dowdy Mary Dumont & Jacquie Evans Rachel Doyle & Kaarina Modiri Kayleigh Dumont If you can not be here on your assigned week it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Please notify the church office at 804-276-4271 or at admin@lcosva.org, when you have found a replacement. - Thank you. ACOLYTE Abigail Ward

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 18 Thank You THANKS THIS MONTH GO TO... Barbara Dowdy, for subbing in the office for Kayleigh last month... Walt & Carmen Strohecker, for bringing Salvation Army to our attention... Karen Watkins, for diligently making sure our Child Protection Policy is followed as we begin Sunday School... & Marty Vik & the Stewardship Team, for heading up the Synod s ForwardingFaith campaign at LCOS. Thank you, all! Richmond Friends of the Homeless The Outreach Ministry served 100 Richmond Friends of the Homeless on July 11, 2018 and 85 on August 8, 2018. Those who prepared casseroles were: Margie Aunins, Jane Avery, Diane Beall, Kayleigh Dumont, Jacquie Evans, Diane Fleming, Clare Haack, Barbara Harlowe, Delores Harris, Shirley Hawthorne, Cindy Huston, Gail Kimpfler, Kaarina Modiri, Betty Rickmond, Jules Roinnel, Angie Seay, Robin Scheivert, & Megan Shannon. Those who helped serve were: Ed & Margie Aunins, Jane Avery, Jacquie Evans, Diane Fleming, Shirley Hawthorne, Gail Kimpfler, Betty Rickmond, & Jules Roinnel. Thank you to all who prepare casseroles and serve each month. We always serve RFOH the second Wednesday of each month and welcome new helpers all the time! We could not provide this ministry without your support. IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS: Alice, Bill, Adrienne, Carmen, Tonie, Wilbur, Jeff, Herbert, Sylvia, Christa, Cyndi, Sadie, Chellé, Sandy, Nancy, Wanda, Charles, Helen, Ruth, Rachel, and Cindy. To members and attendees of Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, We cannot express adequately our gratitude and thanks for all you have done to ease our pain the cards, phone calls, visits, prayers, plus much more, starting with Nancy s yearlong sickness, her subsequent back surgery, and lastly, the loss of our son. The memorial service in his honor was so well done and the reception after was unbelievable. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and may God bless our church. Love, Nancy, Joe, Matt, Susan, & Alison Partridge

19 GOOD TIDINGS Vol. 18 No. 9 Heartfelt Thanks to My Church Family Where do I begin.... I begin with thank you for your love, your support, your help, your cards on my nightstand by my bed, your precious goodie bags, your phone calls; giving your time to be with me at a treatment; being willing to go grocery shopping for me; coming up to me and saying let me know if you need help ; Pastor Katie s visits with beautiful prayer; your smiles, knowing you are there for both Walt and me and taking over our church duties for the time being; your faith, your positivity; but most amazing of all your LOVE! I will never forget this time in my life where so many are surrounding me with prayer, hope, and love. Love is the greatest. Three things will last forever: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). We are blessed with our LCOS church family. Your great gift to others is love! One more thing comes to mind: the future of LCOS. Our church family is energizing with faith in and outside the church! I am excited! Remembering Pastor Katie s sermon this past Sunday, August 26 th : Abide ( remain ) in Christ. Commitments and following through. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:4-7). For now, Walt and I are stepping back from our church duties this fall. We are focusing on my preventive treatments and looking forward to when I am healed and renewed! It has been a privilege to be on the Church Council. Thank you for having faith in me to be a part of Council. I have learned much about the nucleus of a church and what requires the church to flourish. What does 2019 hold Walt and I back in the SWING of things with our church family! Walt and I have amazing plans and ideas on how to serve our Lord and LCOS! In God s peace, blessings, and love, Carmen Strohecker

Vol. 18 No. 9 GOOD TIDINGS 20 James 1:17-18 17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. ( 17 Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars. God does not change like their shifting shadows. 18 God decided to give us life through the word of truth. He wanted us to be the most important of all the things he made. )