Parish Scope/May 2019 MAY WORSHIP EVENTS 2019 Confirmation Students (photo courtesy of Peter Hybben) Left to right, row 1: Pastor Sarah Miller, Emma White, Hayleigh Husby, Hailey Alexander, Lexi Stokes, Morgan Reckin, Caitlyn Sorensen, Bree Cook, Anna Imsande Row 2: Allison Rigotti, Deacon Kelly Jensen, Brady Immerman, Mariyah Creaser, Ashleah Quilling, Kara Giesking, Rhyenne Fuerstenberg, Chloe Danovsky, Stephen Doran, Waylon Rogers, Pastor Heather Wigdahl Row 3: Jeff Ohvall, Treysen Witt, Breanna Grutt, Ben Seppa, Carson Buhr, Brady Thompson, Ian Sheridan, Makenna Amundson, Diane Amundson Our Savior’s Lutheran Church May Worship Events 5/5 – Last Day of Sunday School; Teacher/Confirmation Guide Recognition at 10:30 service 5/5 – Affirmation of Baptism Service at 2:00PM 5/12 – Mother’s Day; Plant Delivery 5/19 – Godspeed for Pastor Heather and family at 8:30 service; Baccalaureate at 10:30 service 5/26 – Memorial Day Weekend; Summer Worship Schedule begins: one 9 AM service
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Parish Scope/May 2019
MAY WORSHIP EVENTS
2019 Confirmation Students (photo courtesy of Peter Hybben)
Left to right, row 1: Pastor Sarah Miller, Emma White, Hayleigh Husby, Hailey Alexander,
Lexi Stokes, Morgan Reckin, Caitlyn Sorensen, Bree Cook, Anna Imsande
Growing up I never dreamed that I would be a leader in the church, especially with my previous faith background; however, a few years ago (Jan 2017) when OSL had a need, I volunteered to help and thought it would just be for the remainder of that education year. Here I am 2-1/2 years later feeling so blessed to have had the opportunity to lead the Sunday School and VBS programs here at OSL and grow in my own faith, as well as helping our youth grow in theirs. I have learned so much about myself and have made so many wonderful connections with not only the children, but also all the families here at OSL. With the above said, it is with a heavy heart that I need to inform you all that after VBS in August, I will be stepping down from my position as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Coordinator here at Our Savior’s. It was a very tough decision, but with the budget and some growing personal concerns with my own children, it is time to put my focus elsewhere. I walk away with some amazing moments shared and made with all the children and families, as a teacher, coordinator, and a leader here at OSL. The next chapter of OSL Sunday School will be directed by our Children’s Ministry Director Denise Vick, along with the help from the Pastors and Deacon. I will still be around for this summer helping with the transition while attending to VBS duties, however, I ask that families and members of the congregation really look and see in what way they can help support this amazing ministry (Sunday School) here at OSL as I believe it is a very important ministry. As I discussed during my reflection this Lenten season, we all need to practice Joyful Asceticism – so, I ask in what way can you serve these young children and help fulfill the promise we made to them during their baptism to help guide their faith journeys (whether small or big). As Paul said in his letter to the Romans (ch 12 v 6-8): We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. I look forward to finishing out the education year and VBS this summer. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. If you are interested in helping with either VBS this summer or Sunday School next year, please also feel free to contact me – we’d LOVE to use your talents. I can be reached at [email protected] or 715-308-3871. In Christ, Lexi Marsh Sunday School and VBS Coordinator Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
It is Lent. A period of reflection. Submission. It is also the three-year anniversary of two devastating earthquakes that shattered our city. And just a few days ago, a fire ravaged through one of the world’s treasured buildings, Notre Dame.
A couple of weeks ago, just as the cherry blossoms were starting to open up, I took a walk near the Kumamoto Castle. The huge, centuries-old castle suffered massive damage during the main quake and afterward the “shivers,” as Hannah called the aftershocks. I was quite impressed with how far along the reconstruction has come. The stones that had been strewn across the land “gucha-gucha” (pronounced “goo-cha goo-cha,” a Japanese word meaning something like ‘disorganized mess’), are slowly being replaced back in the foundation of the castle building. Work crews have been very carefully hoisting the huge stones into small, cramped spaces. The smallest details, colors, shapes, sizes, as well as future durability and cost, have all been taken into consideration as the specialists figure out a way to preserve the building.
Some of the
prayers of our
hearts…
We rejoice for new opportunities at the college. A new school year means new relationships, new experiences, new perspectives, each offering us a chance to be intentional about being change agents.
We pray for the leadership at Kyushu Lutheran College. As leaders look toward the future and decide how to remain financially stable and continue to attract students, we ask God to help them sustain solid relationships in the community and seek wisdom from Him.
We pray for our recent graduates – that they not be overwhelmed in their transition to full time employment and the stress of setting out on their own. We also pray for our brand new freshman class – that each student find deep meaning in their studies and the activities in which they choose to engage. May those who decide to join our chapel committee find a special connection to a friend or faculty member who can point them toward Jesus.
The model of the castle and stone wall (bottom) is what existed before the earthquake. While it may be hard to see, in the picture posted on the wall behind the model, you can see where the wall collapsed and only a single column of stones remained to hold up the castle turret. Several weeks after the earthquake, the column of stones collapsed, but by then measures had been taken to stabilize that corner of the castle. If you are able to zoom in on the picture in Microsoft Word, the difference is much more recognizable.
As Christians, we look forward to Easter, that big church festival that usually brings us joy, if not for the wonderful music at church, then certainly for the chocolate Easter candy that we enjoy. Resurrection is such a difficult concept to explain to Japanese non-Christians. It makes no sense to them. Why should they believe such a story? And even if they do believe that it happened, so what? Why is Easter so central to our Christian faith? Tough questions. Any pastors out there wanna shoot me a quick email as to how to respond?
One way I like to present the resurrection is by talking about the castle reconstruction. When that castle, which is sort of the “pride and joy” of Kumamoto, was decimated, while we could all see the exterior damage, it was the interior damage to what was unseen that really endangered the castle’s future.
Like that, we humans also experience things in our lives that cause us to be damaged in some way. Maybe we are damaged by things that are the result of some poor choice we made, or maybe we had no control over a situation but were harmed by it nonetheless. Sometimes the damage is visible, and sometimes it remains hidden, or stowed away, eating away at our souls. Maybe the damage we incur causes us to bring harm or darkness to others. Also, like buildings, once there is a little damage in us, the small injuries can become larger, making the pain even worse, unless and until we are able to do some reconstruction. Reconstruction, like the resurrection, offers us the opportunity to start over.
When Christ died on the cross, He was in full submission to God the Father. He offered Himself to be fully committed to a painful death. Our sinfulness puts on a path toward pain and death as well. But the Good News – the GREAT news – is that Jesus overcame that death. He was resurrected, reconstructed into Wholeness with God.
Putting our faith in the resurrection means we are willing to submit to whatever God needs us to do in order to be offered His full forgiveness, and as such, we are reconstructed over and over again, moment by moment, day by day. What we all need to be continually reminded of is that just like the castle can’t rebuild itself, neither can humans reconstruct themselves. Intervention is required. The right tools, materials, and workers, friends, family, and teachers all
contribute to the reconstruction process. We can help one another ‘be reconstructed’ when we are involved in the lives of others, being a source of light and hope.
NOTICE: The OSW Women Board meeting is at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 6th!
Habitat Home Preservation Program
Need some repairs to the exterior of your house or know someone that does? The Chippewa Valley
Habitat For Humanity and the Menomonie Lions Club have partnered in Habitat’s Home
Preservation Program. Examples of repair work include painting, landscaping, weatherization and
minor repair services. The goal is to preserve homes and revitalize neighborhoods, helping families
have a well-maintained and safe place to call their home.
Homeowners may contact Habitat at 715.833.8933 or email [email protected] for more information.
A huge thank you to all of our choirs, directors, musicians and vocalists who gave of their time and
talents during the Lenten season! What a wonderful way to contribute to worship.
We are in need of musicians and vocalists of ALL ages for summer worship! Please contact Michaela if
interested.
New Opportunity – Quilt at Home!!
Enjoy sewing but can’t be at church on Monday mornings to help the Women in Action (aka Monday Morning
Quilters)? Through a Thrivent Action grant we have put together kits (containing 48 fabric squares) that can
be taken home, sewn together and returned. Then the Women In Action will take it from there!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Lenten Soup Suppers a Success.
Thanks to the Youth who were there each week helping to serve - great group of kids.
Special thanks to the Soup Makers, Sweet Treat Makers and everyone who so generously provided bread, milk, juice, butter, crackers and assisted serving and cleaning up.
Special Thanks to the OSW for their continued ministry providing these gifts to OSL.
500 Card Party – Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6 PM.
Beyond the main temple area, before heading up the final leg of the mountain, there was a small cemetery where graves dating back to 700 A.D. dotted the landscape. This modest gravestone appeared to have a few tenants, perhaps a family grave. I kind of like cemeteries. They are generally quite peaceful places.
As my friend and I quietly walked through this cemetery, I considered that none of these people ever would have heard of Jesus. No Christian missionary set foot in Japan until almost 1000 years after these people were buried. I don’t know the theology of salvation for those who haven’t been exposed to the gospel, but I like to think that even though Jesus hadn’t been introduced to Japan while these people were living that perhaps He walked within and among them, unrecognized as the Prince of Peace. I meditated on how blessed I am to know Him.