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Dear Church,
Once again, I was made sick to my stomach. Twelve people killed, scores more injured so the death tally may not be final. How does one make sense of the senselessness that unfolded early last Friday morning at a movie theatre? Oklahoma City, Columbine, Virginia Tech, and now Aurora has entered into our vocabulary of violence.
I recall one Sunday morning years ago, while visiting the now-defunct Crystal Cathedral in California, a guest speaker was sharing his story of struggle, and he began to cry. After a few moments, Pastor Robert Schuller walked over and put his arm around the speaker, and Schuller's eyes were also filled with tears. Schuller then announced, "Sir, in this church, no one weeps alone." It brings me to the meaning of the word compassion, which means "to suffer with."
It is impossible to know what grieving members feel in the aftermath of the Aurora shootings. But in our own way, we can "suffer with" them with our thoughts of empathy. We can lift them up to God in prayer, asking that healing will come, though it won't be soon. We can pray for safety for future victims that may have a similar experience in this crazy, hurtful world of ours.
And we can hug our children. We can tell those we love how we feel. We can reach out to neighbors, our family and our friends and offer our kindness in any way possible. And then we can utter the words of John Bradford, 16th century pastor, who said, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
See you in Church,
Pastor Steve
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 | The Talking Pew
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 Hear the sermon and join the conversation!
"It's About Time" Listen to or read the sermon from July 22nd by Pastor Steve Molin. Click hereShare with us on The Talking Pew. Click here
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| Worship & Music this Week
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Sunday, July 29th - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost "Letters to Our Children" by Pastor Steve Molin Text: Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 8:00 am Worship + Holy Communion
9:30 am Worship + Holy Communion Special Music: Women's Group (8:00 service) Childcare is available at all services.
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| Announcements |
|  | Deadline for the next issue of The Stream is August 1st
Please submit any items for the Fall issue of The Stream to the church office or email them to publish@oslcstillwater.org. Thank you!
New Early Childhood Coordinator at OSLC!
We welcome Darla Goble as our new Early Childhood Coordinator! Darla is a long-time member of Our Savior's and will be working with our families with young children. We are excited to have her on staff!
Discover the benefits of Yoga devotion
A new eight week session of yoga will begin at 9 am on Saturdays from September 15 - November 3. We need at least 10 prepaid participants. Cost is $55.00. Payment can be addressed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church and placed in the drop box by the welcome desk or church office before September 4. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your own mat. If you have any questions, contact Laurie Grau, Parish Nurse at laurie@oslcstillwater.org.
Help support YoungLives
The YoungLives teen mom group will be going on a summer retreat with their babies at Castaway from August 20-23. A registry at Target lists all of the needs we have for items to be donated for the retreat. Our registry is under first name Stillwater and last name YoungLives. Please bring donated items to the Young Life building or call Darla at 651-308-8641 for pick up by August 10. Thank you for your support. Our young moms say the retreat is the best week of their lives!
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| Adult Faith Formation & Opportunities for Service
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Bible Study in the Park on August 9th
The second Bible study in the Park will be held Thursday, August 9th, at 9:30 am in Valley View Park. All women are welcome for this learning and growing opportunity. Pastor Linda will lead us in "Encounters with Christ" from John 4 and Luke 24. A continental breakfast will be served. Offering for the day will go to the Lutheran World Relief Malaria project.
Kurdish Women Presenting Stories and Music on August 16th
Men, women and children are invited to this year's Salad Supper for an extra special time with 5 young women from Turkey who will entertain with their music. These young women have received scholarships from the oldest Lutheran Mission - Lutheran Mideast Development - and LMD is bringing them to the Twin Cities so they can share their stories. Information about each of these women and about LMD can be found on the display in the gathering area. Bring a friend and a salad on August 16th at 6:00 p.m. at Our Savior's. Beverages and dessert will be provided. You are also welcome to come just for the program which begins at 6:45. A free will offering will be taken and will go to LMD.
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| Early Childhood/Children & Family Ministry News
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Volunteers Needed for Sky VBS on July 30th and August 3rd
Sky VBS needs adults for the following:
- Picnic Lunch Team (prep & clean-up) on Friday 8/3, 11am-1pm
- VBS Take-Down Team on Friday 8/3, 12:30-4:00pm
To sign up, please contact Dawn at dawn@oslcstillwater.org
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| Youth & Family Ministry News
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Confirmation Small Group Leaders Needed!We are now looking for confirmation small group leaders for our 2012-13 year. If have been a leader before or if you are new, please contact Chad by email at chad@oslcstillwater.org or by cell phone at 425-281-8315 if you are interested in leading this year. We want you to use your gifts in our program! "Chill Time" Snack Bar coming this fall!Just an FYI to all youth and families who are here on Wednesday nights, between 6:30 pm and 7 pm our new snack bar will be open in the kitchen area. Items on the menu include root beer floats, ice cream sundaes, candy bars, granola bars, and much more. Each item will cost a small amount but nothing huge. Popcorn will be free. If there are any adults who would be interested in volunteering to work the snack bar please let Chad know asap! Summer Stretch-Thank You!A big thank you to all the drivers and chaperones who helped out during summer stretch! We are so grateful for your time and ministry. A special thank you to Cheryl McCoy for her leadership and time as she participated in all of our activities! Summer Stretch was a huge success this year and we couldn't have done it without our amazing youth and our amazing adults!
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| Help Wanted
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| | Help build a home with Habitat for Humanity!
Our Savior's is again working with several other churches in the St. Croix Valley to assist with building a home for a family in need through Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. We are scheduled to work the weeks of August 6 and August 13 on a project near Woodbury. Work days are from about 8:30 to 4:00 on weekdays. You can volunteer for as many days as you care to work. No equipment or special skills are necessary. You will be provided all you need at the site. It is a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet some great people, and help those in need. If you are interested, please contact Dave Schad at cdurtschi@comcast.net, 651-407-6397.
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| For more information ...
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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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Newsletter published by Our Savior's Lutheran Church  | | Follow us! |
(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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