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Tuesday, September 25th, 2012 |
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Dear Church,
I have just finished going through the questions you submitted on Sunday morning following my sermon entitled "Fear Factor." For a people whom I painted as perhaps afraid to ask God questions, you astounded me! The questions (there were well over 200 of them!) were thoughtful and humbling for me to read. They were filled with emotion, curiosity, faith, doubt, confession, frustration, and hope.
Linda hasn't seen them yet (she and Dawn have been attending The Bishop's Theological Conference in Wisconsin since Sunday), but I know that when she sees them she will have the same overwhelming sense of awe over the amazing people we serve at Our Savior's. But the question I have been left with is this: What now? We cannot receive a response like this and then move on to next week! There is a sermon series in these little blue pages, or a Lenten theme, or a bible study outline...something!
But my immediate feedback to you is threefold:
A. God loves us SO much! A recurring theme in the questions had to do with our feelings of guilt, and unworthiness, and failure. There is a disconnect, I think, between acknowledging God's forgiveness, and forgiving ourselves. I expect the answer has something to do with "who defines us?" God's love...or the world's criticism?
B. Our love for others never ends. So many of the questions touched this nerve: Are the loved ones who have died okay in heaven? It strikes me as an enormous expression of faith: "I know they are with you, God, I just need to know they're okay!"
C. Human Suffering. The overwhelming tone of the questions had to do with sin and suffering in the world. Children's deaths, 'Why do bad things happen to good people?', how come we can't get along in this world...thus...war and conflict? For me, Job comes to mind. His story is heartbreaking, yet in the end, his faith remains. He never gets answers...like we seldom get answers..but still we feel compelled to turn to God.
Well, a longer message than I had planned to write on this beautiful autumn Tuesday, but just evidence of how touched I am by your insightful questions. And by the way, one question I was pleased that was never submitted was this one: "God, why in the world did you send Steve and Linda to be our pastors?"
See you in Church!
Pastor Steve
PS - I'll be posting some additional comments on our blog, The Talking Pew. Please go to our website at www.oslcstillwater.org and click on that link.
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 | Worship & Music this Week
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Wednesday, September 26th - The Story...People of Faith
"All in the Family" by Pastor Steve Molin
Text: Genesis 37:1-28
5:00 pm Community dinner (suggested donation $3/person)
Menu: Sandwich bar, salad, cottage cheese, fruit, dessert
5:30-6 pm Worship together in the Community Life Center
6-6:30 pm Faith Formation for ALL ages
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Sunday, September 30th - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
"The Other Guys" by Pastor Steve Molin
Text: Mark 9:38-50
8:00 am Worship + Holy Communion
9:15 am Worship + Holy Communion
10:30 am "The Edge" Contemporary Worship + Holy Communion
Special Music: KINGSmen (8:00 & 9:15 services)
Family FaithMarker: "Prayer" for 4 yr olds
Childcare available at all services.
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| Announcements |
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Join us on Wednesdays!
The Story: People of Faith - Their Story and Our Story
The Bible tells a story, a simple, yet not so simple story about God's family and God's desire to live in harmony with all that God has created. Each week we will be introduced to a new character from the Bible and learn how their story is our story. On September 26, we meet Joseph and his brothers.
Gi-normous (or not) Pumpkin Party on September 30th
After the 10:30 service, we will salute the ORANGE once again! Please have your pumpkins at church by 10 am for weighing. Awards for many categories. If you have grown a pumpkin outside of OSLC official seeds, bring them for exhibition & our pleasure! Fall treats & beverages will be served.
Revised "Love and Logic" class begins October 1st
A newly revised parenting program that provides practical tools and techniques to help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children and help them prepare their kids for the real world. Classes start October 1st. Online registration is available under "stay in the loop" at www.oslcstillwater.org.
Community Night at the Movies on October 12th
We will join together at church for a movie night that includes popcorn and lemonade. Footie pajamas, stuffed animals, and blankets are all welcome.
Movie & Fellowship Night on October 13th
All adults (single, married, parents and non-parents) are invited to view "Courageous". The movie tells the story about four policemen who face danger on the job each day but find that at the end of the day, being a father was more of a challenge. We will be meeting in the homes of our small group members. To help plan for numbers, please RSVP to Luke and Barb Schlosser at 651-439-8432 or barbieschlosser@yahoo.com.
"Influence the Generations" conference on October 19th
Who will bless the children? Who will listen to the young hearts? Who will encourage with stories of God's faithfulness those who need them most? In today's church, both young and older adults often feel marginalized and devalued. It's time to come together to Influence the Generations! Dawn is looking for 4-8 adults of all ages to attend a one-day conference in Lake Elmo on October 19 to learn more about generations teaching and learning together. The cost is $25 and includes lunch, snacks, and conference materials. For more information, contact Dawn at dawn@oslcstillwater.org.
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| Adult Faith Formation & Opportunities for Service
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Hear the sermon and join the conversation!
Check out the conversation on The Talking Pew! Click here
Stillwater Cares for Kids needs YOU! Be part of our growing partnership with Lily Lake Elementary by being a caring adult in the life of a child who needs a little extra help in school. Tutoring takes place on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 am, training provided, flexible schedule. For more details, contact Martha Kline at mkline@usfamily.net or Pastor Linda at linda@oslcstillwater.org.
Cruise the St Croix River on October 7th
The Guatemala Task Force of the Saint Paul Area Synod will be hosting a fund raiser for the Lutheran Church in Guatemala. Tickets are $100 for one or $150 for two and can be purchased by contacting Becky Maier.
A Day for Making Comfort on October 13th
Join women from all around St. Paul and spend the day in service and fellowship completing as much "warmth" as is possible to make in one day. Completed comforters go to individuals and families both locally and internationally. There are jobs for all skill levels. Come to Our Savior's any time between 9 am - 3 pm for as long as you can stay. Bring a sandwich for lunch. Beverages and snacks will be provided.
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| Early Childhood/Children & Family Ministry News
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Parents: If your child is taking part in faith formation and you have not registered them yet, please do so as soon as possible at www.oslcstillwater.org. This is important for communication and planning purposes. Thank you!
Openings available in our Families First classes! LADC believes very strongly that the parent is the first and most important teacher! "Our Families First" is a weekly child/parent program that gives parents the opportunity to enjoy classroom activities with their child, in addition to meeting with a Parent Facilitator for a parenting class. During the parent meeting, teachers provide class time with the children, in a schedule similar to ECFE (early-childhood family education). Discussion subjects cover a variety of topics, including faith formation in the home, behavior management, parenting styles and more! Contact Dawn Alitz for more information.
Upcoming Family FaithMarkers September 30 - "Prayer" for 4 yr olds
October 7 - "The Lord's Prayer" for 5 yr olds/Kindergarteners
October 22 - "The Bible" for 3rd graders
Watch the mail for your invitation. Complete FaithMarker schedule on our website under Ministries/Children Youth and Family/Family FaithMarkers. |
| Youth & Family Ministry News
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Parents: If your youth is taking part in faith formation, confirmation, or youth groups and you have not registered them yet, please do so as soon as possible at www.oslcstillwater.org. This is important for communication and planning purposes. Thank you!
MEA Getaway on October 18-21!
Jr. and Sr. High Youth will head to Camp Castaway for a crazy fun weekend! There are only 20 spots available for the weekend so make sure to sign up on the youth board or with Chad if you want to go! Information is provided outside the youth room about the weekend.
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| Help Wanted
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Valley Outreach Food Shelf
OSLC will be staffing the food shelf October 1st, 3rd and 5th. Volunteers are needed for a 3 hour shift to assist clients with their food needs and stocking shelves. Please consider this opportunity to help. A sign-up sheet is located on the Welcome Desk. The food shelf is located at 1911 Curve Crest Blvd. W. next to the Gazette. Questions? Please contact Chris Peterson at 439-8445 or cap217@aol.com.
Would you like to be part of our e-mail prayer chain?
Members of this prayer chain receive requests for prayers and commit to respond to them promptly and confidentially. To be included in this group, send an email to tomnyman88@me.com.
Provide meals for a family in need!
Join others in the community to provide meals for the Sobczak family as they recover from the accident involving two of their children. Sign up for meals on our website www.oslcstillwater.org (under Serving Others/Volunteer Opportunities) or go directly to Meal Train Click Here. Thank you!
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To view all programs and events scheduled at Our Saviors, please visit our website: www.oslcstillwater.org
 Use the Calendar link on the homepage to access the church calendar.
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(ELCA), 1616 W. Olive St., Stillwater, MN 55082.
For more information, go to www.oslcstillwater.org Phone: 651-439-5704. If you would like to be removed from this mailing, please contact us at: info@oslcstillwater.org
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