April 30, 2026

NEWS FROM OUR SAVIOR'S CHURCH

Simple things can set our day on edge. Wednesday night and Thursday morning, I had several emails from folks wondering about a suspicious email that I had sent. Thank you for your care and concern. Never will I email you asking for special favors or gift cards. Yet, these types of emails are on the rise as people or bots or something else try to lure us into believing the request is authentic. Most often the email has misspellings, language that is not in alignment with the person writing and an overall suspicious tenor.

After this interruption was resolved, it took a moment for me to recenter myself. Recalling my phone conversation with Sr. Mary Luke earlier in the morning, helped. The sisters at Our Lady of Grace Monastery are moving into the new building this week. Amid the overwhelm of packing, moving, and unpacking, there are simple tasks. The need to have food delivered while the kitchen is dismantled, moved, and set up, not to mention getting one more load of laundry washed before the machines are relocated. What supports the sisters is how they always stop for the Divine Office. Three times a day, morning, noon and evening the sisters gather in the chapel for prayer. They pray the Psalms, meditate on scripture, sing and offer prayers of intercession.

Prayer is always accessible to us. When life gets unruly, and our days blend into a mushy mess, prayer is our resting place. It is the one thing we can return to repeatedly. These next two weeks we will hear portions of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, the final conversation with his followers. He is clear on his departure and reminds them (us) that he is with them as their constant companion. He promises to provide rest and assurance when life gets difficult. The image that has floated in my mind this week is swinging in a hammock with Jesus by my side. The comfort of a companion who journeys with us, the peace of slowly rocking back and forth and the beauty of nature surrounding us. When events in your day set you on edge, may you find comfort in the Constant Companion who journeys with us. May you turn toward prayer, knowing that whatever we ask will be heard. The prayer may not be answered as or when we want, yet in the asking, we trust that our prayer is known by the one who loves us no matter what.

Blessings of Hope

Pastor Janell

she/her

Fake Emails being sent out

There’s a phishing email making the rounds right now that has gone to some of our members impersonating Pastor Janell. It might look like it’s coming from a legit source, but it’s not.

A few things to watch for:

Messages asking for passwords, codes, or personal info
Weird or unexpected links/attachments
Anything pushing you to act fast or “urgent” requests
Slightly off email addresses (misspellings, extra characters, etc.)

If you see something like this, don’t click anything, just report it to your email service provider and delete it. If you’re unsure, feel free to check in with us before responding. Any emails that come from us will end in @oursaviors.net.

As a reminder, we will never ask for favors, nor for any giftcards or financial information.

OSLC Game Day this Saturday!

Come join us for a fun and lively time playing Gospel Train dominoes. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious to learn, everyone is welcome. Expect good company, friendly competition, and plenty of laughs.

Crafty Afternoon Gathering

Let’s join together with members of the Care Team to create some beautiful greeting cards and enjoy the fellowship. Feel free to bring a friend along.

We will be using beautiful papers, stamps, glue, scissors and other crafty supplies to make greeting cards to take home, and/or share with the Care team card ministry. Some beautiful papers and other supplies have been generously donated.

Not crafty? No problem. These cards will be beginner friendly and customizable to your taste and energy level.

*Sign up on Sunday in the Narthex or Contact Susan Hook by May 10th, so we have abundant supplies for everyone.

No need to bring anything, but if you have a cutting mat, blade, scissors or your own paper cutter or double stick tape, that would be a bonus.

Date: Saturday, May, 16, 2026

Time: 1:00-3:30 pm in the Fireside Room

OSLC Congregational Meeting

Sunday, May 17, after Worship

Join us immediately after worship for the annual Congregational Meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to elect Council Members, a treasurer, elect Foundation Board Members, and approve the minutes from the Budget Meeting on September 7, 2025. Anyone may attend the meeting but only Voting Members of Our Savior's are eligible to vote.

See Me, Believe Me Book Study

The Sunday Book study is returning on April 19. We will be reading See Me, Believe Me, the updated edition by The Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers.

May 3 - Boundaries and Big Feelings: Chapters 7-9

May 10 - Do Your Own Work: Chapters 10-11

Here is a blog about the book.

Successful Women's Luncheon

Our recent Women’s Luncheon was a wonderful success, filled with connection, encouragement, and a strong sense of community.

Thank you to everyone who attended, your presence made the event truly special. We’re also deeply grateful to our volunteers whose hard work ensured everything ran smoothly.

We appreciate all who helped make this gathering so meaningful and look forward to seeing you at future events.

COMING SOON! LUTHERAN BASICS

Pastor Janell will be teaching a five-week course on Lutheran Basics. This course is designed for everyone regardless of how long you have been a Lutheran or a part of Our Savior’s. If you are unsure what it means to be a Lutheran at Our Savior’s, this course is for you. We will engage in conversation on the following topics: Reading and Interpreting the Bible, Worship, Baptism, Holy Communion, Reformation history and theology of the cross.

The course will not start before May 17, and the learning time will be no more than 75 minutes. Your help is needed to determine what day, time and location.

Here are some options:

Sundays after fellowship time at church
Weeknight Monday or Wednesday at someone’s home, at a restaurant, at a pub, or the Fireside room at church
Weeknight on Zoom.

There will be a poster in the Fireside room for folks to indicate their interest and suggested location.

Thank you from Coppers Classic

Thank you for contributing to the success of Coppers Classic 2026. one of the most essential elements of the event is ensuring we have enough bells for all our ringers to participate, and your support makes it possible.

With your help, we were able to host 43 ringers, including many who were experience a mass ringing event for the first time. Several shared how meaningful it was to be part of such a huge ensemble-it truly is a unique and memorable experience.

Thank you again for your generous support.

Sharon Ross

Is the Holy Spirit nudging you to take this opportunity?

As you are likely aware, Sallie Olson is retiring after years of service as treasurer of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She has worked diligently to move the programs fund from the Foundation to the congregation. Along with that, she has re-defined the role of treasurer to a much more simplified position.

Your church council is looking for someone to step into this simplified role of treasurer as we move forward. The treasurer position does not require accounting skills; the office manager and Carol Nordahl take care of that. The budget is put together by Carol and the finance committee; the treasurer presents it to the council and the congregation. The treasurer reviews and approves invoices, the office manager writes the checks and other council officers sign the checks. The treasurer reviews the financial reports prepared by the office manager and Carol and then summarizes the reports at council meetings.

The position of treasurer can be elected by the congregation to a 3-year term on the church council, or it can be a 1-year term as a non-voting member of the council, appointed by the council

So, if the Holy Spirit is nudging you to get a little more involved and you have an interest in the treasurer position, please talk with Pastor Janell or Ron Grewenow

Saturday, May 2

OSLC Game Day

2:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 3

Worship Service

Coffee Fellowship

See Me, Believe Me Book Study (Chapters 7-9)

10:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

Monday, May 4

DAR Meeting

Lectio Divina

9:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 5

Quilter's Group

Executive Committee

9:30 a.m.

4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 6

Hook Shepherd Group

Choir Rehearsal

1:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 10

Worship Service

Coffee Fellowship

See Me, Believe Me Book Study

(Chapters 10-11)

10:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

Hunger Fighters is requesting personal hygiene items this month. Deodorant, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, etc. is very much appreciated. Our Savior's also donated 5 pounds of perishables as of March 9!

Thank you to those who brought items in for the 24/7 Food Cupboard during this week. The need to feed our neighbors remains strong! If you’re able, please consider bringing non-perishable food items with you to service this weekend.