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August 2016
Our Savior’s Lutheran 305 Sixth St PO Box 277
Cleveland, MN 56017-0277
www.oursaviorsclevelandmn.com T: 507/931-1564
MISSION STATEMENT
"We at Our Savior's are called to let our light shine
as instruments of the Holy Spirit so all may know God's love."
Pastoral Letter Dear friends, grace to you and peace from God our Father and
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
These past two weeks, I have been the recipient of two
engaging conversations about the ministry at Our Savior’s through
our Transition Team Studies. The first was with members of our Faith
Formation Committee, A New Thing. The second was with members of the Worship / Music
Committee. Through these two initial meetings, I have learned about how God is providing the
means through these two ministries to tell the story of his great love for all in our faith community.
Through these two initial meetings, I am learning about the faithful members of Our Savior’s, both
the members who are participating in the ministries and those who are the recipients of their
efforts. Soon on August 7th, I will meet with our Youth and their advisors. In the weeks that follow we
will have further conversations with the remainder of our ministries. I look forward to them. I am
thankful for all of you and being a part of the ministry here at Our Savior’s during this interim time.
Once again I ask: “What is God up to here at Our Savior’s? How is God at work in our
midst? And not only for our congregation, but we may ask this question for ourselves as well.
What is our dream, our vision of the future for Our Savior’s? What ministry does God desire for
us today and into the future?” These are the questions that our members responded to during
our study and will respond to as we continue our studies in the weeks ahead. Another
question: How do we personally meet that challenge in our lives?
Perhaps the following story can help us look at what we are doing during our study time. The
story is called “A Jar of Life – A Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee”. When things in your life
seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the
mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the
class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to
Calendar of Events
Aug 1st –
Church Council Meeting
Aug 10th –
Valleyfair & Twins Outing
Aug 11th –
Gone Fishing!!!
Aug 20th –
Newsletter Deadline
Aug 24 –
A New Thing Leaders
Curriculum Meeting
Check out more dates in the
newsletter for A New Thing & Youth Activities
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fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The
professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if
the jar was full they agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into
the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The
students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from
under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space
between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar
represents your life. The golf balls are the important things in your life. Your God, your family, your
children, your health, your friends, your vocation and your favorite passions. These are things that if
everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The
pebbles are the other things that matter like your house, your car, your hobbies, your vacation
travels, pastime activities, etc. The sand is everything else – ALL the small stuff that is a part of
everyday life, which is important too. However, the professor continued, if you put the sand into
the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same is true for the pebbles. This is
the message for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have
room for the things that are important to you.
Pay close attention to those things that are critical in your life. Worship, setting aside a few
moments of sanctuary; set aside quality time with your partner, with your family, find time to play
with your children or grandchildren. Be good stewards of your body and take the time for medical
checkups. Cultivate your friendships and play another round of golf or go fishing. Remember there
will always be time to clean the house, the garage, the car and fix the disposal." Take care
of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the
students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad
you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there' s always room
for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.". Such is the story of the “Jar of Life - A Mayonnaise
Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee”.
The story is twofold. It reflects who we are. The story clearly asks each of us, “What do we
place in our priorities?” The story can also apply to our church, “What do we as members of Our
Savior’s place in our priorities of ministry?” We remember Jesus’ response to the lawyer, “Love the
Lord your God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves”. These are
Jesus’ words of his commission to us. This is why I offer the story as an illustration to help us walk
together and dream together for our future. This, my friends is why we are having conversations
together during our interim time.
God’s blessings to you in your work and in your play and in your rest.
Pastor Giese
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Preparing for Sundays
Each Sunday gives us an opportunity to worship and hear God’s Word. Preparing for Sunday gives us
an opportunity to read scripture and meditate on the promises the scriptures offer. The
next series of Sundays give us an opportunity to look at our confessions of our faith. What is the core
teaching of our faith that builds and sustains us in our journeys “Searching for Sunday” by Rachel Evans
helps us look at the different ways we are enriched through our expressions of faith. During worship we will
explore our faith in Baptism; Lord’s Supper; Confession; Confirmation; Anointing the Sick and Holy Orders.
I hope that this fall we will be able to explore this through a book study opportunity.
May the Holy Spirit bless us as we study and worship.
Pastor G
August 7 Pentecost 12 Confirmation: “The Church welcomes us”
(Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
August 14 Pentecost 13 Anointing the Sick: “The Church anoints us”
(James 5:13-16)
August 21 Pentecost 14 Holy Orders: “The Church tells us we are commissioned”
(1 Peter 2:9-10)
August 28 Pentecost 15 “The Church’s One Foundation”
(Matthew 16:16-18 & 1 Corinthians 3:10-11)
Pastoral Care
A reminder to all members: Hospitals do not contact the pastor or church office of hospitalization due
to the privacy information of the patient. If you, a family member or neighbor is hospitalized and desire
pastoral care, please contact me through Sandy / church office (931-1564) or through my cell phone (507-
380-1176). This is also true for all Health Care facilities. I/we also are asking assistance in determining
members of our congregation who may be home bound, in Assistant Living facilities or in Health Care
facilities. The privacy laws are also in effect for these circumstances as well. Please let me know through
Sandy/office or my cell phone so that I may provide pastoral care.
Thank you.
Pastor G
Mentor Program for Faith Formation Confirmation
Thank you to members of Our Savior’s who have volunteered to be mentors for our 9th grade
confirmation class. We have a great list of members for our confirmands to consider.
Thank you.
Pastor G
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A New Thing for Adults – Bible Study and Book Study
A New Thing for Adults was thrown out as a name for our adult bible study opportunities. I thought,
why not, especially when we want to connect our Faith Formation opportunities with both our youth and our
adults. So my friends, here is a new identity and a connection with our Wednesday “A New Thing” events.
FYI - I am planning to continue our Wednesday morning Bible Study which explores our coming
Sunday scripture lessons. Time to be announced.
Wednesday evening following our worship service (which is still being planned) at 7-8:00, I am
planning to begin with a book study called: “Searching for Sunday”, by Rachel Evans. It coincides with our
current Sunday morning worship themes. The book available on e-bay is 7.99. I will order the books and you
can reimburse me. I will have a sign-up sheet available the latter part of August.
Pastor G
Confirmation Students and Parents
9th Grade: Students and Parents and prospective Mentors. I am planning to meet with you in the latter part
of August. The meeting will be to connect our students and mentors together for our initial meeting, hand out
schedule and material for our mentors.
7th & 8th Grade: Students and Parents, I am planning to meet with you on September 14th, during our Rally
Wednesday event. We will visit and walk through our year together. During the meeting we will talk about
the proposed schedule and curriculum. Please mark your calendar.
5th Grade Pre-Communion Class: Students and Parents, I am planning to meet with you on September 14th
during our Rally Wednesday event. During the meeting we will talk about the proposed schedule and
curriculum. Please mark your calendar.
Acolytes: We do not have any scheduled acolytes for August. Each Sunday morning, I will ask for a
volunteer to light our candles during our opening hymn. Thanks for serving this past confirmation year and
now next month. Come Rally Wednesday, I will provide a calendar sign-up sheet through Christmas.
Pastor G
Newsletter Mailings
Dear members and friends of Our Savior’s
At our recent council meeting we discussed the expense of our monthly newsletters. The cost for our
bulk mailing permit is $217.00 a year and we average a cost of $40 – 50.00 per month for mailing our letters.
For the bulk rate we must have a minimum of 200 mailings. In addition to this cost we have the paper,
printing ink and our secretary’s time. Since electronic opportunities give us an excellent tool for outreach, we
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have made a decision beginning in October, to no longer send our newsletter via mail. We are prepared to
offer the following options for receiving our newsletter.
1) We have members who are receiving via e-mail. If you are also willing to receive the newsletter
via e-mail, please send your name and e-mail address to [email protected] by September
20th. We will add your name to our current list.
2) We have up-dated our church website. We have added several new links for information, including
our new page for our monthly newsletter link. You may for either the e-mail or website, simply read it
online, download or print it off for your convenience. Our website address is:
www.oursaviorsclevelandmn.com.
3) We will have limited printed copies available in our church narthex. They will be available by the
first Sunday of each month. If you want a hard copy mailed to you, please call Sandy at our church office,
507-931-1564.
Thank you.
On behalf of the church council
Pastor G
Our Savior’s Church website
Within the past few weeks, Chris Thomas, Jayden Thompson and I have been working on our church
website. We have up-dated and added new pages/links which tell our faith story. The website is a new way
of outreach to our members and our community in our immediate vicinity. It also provides an opportunity for
members and former members to remain connected who have moved to other communities near and far.
Within the website are information links and devotional links for your convenience.
Thanks Chris and Jayden. Visit us at www.oursaviorsclevelandmn.com
Pastor G
Transition Team Studies
Our Worship Committee, A New Thing Committee have completed their study. Our Youth will be
meeting on August 7th for their conversations. Come September I am going to schedule study meetings for
Building and Grounds, Church History, Evangelism and Stewardship Ministries. If you would like to join us
in any of these conversations, please let me know. After these are completed, we will offer a couple of
general conversation meetings for all members to participate. One will be offered in the morning and one in
the evening. After this, the Transition Team begins its work to summarize our conversations and prepare our
Ministry Site Profile. My friends, we are on our way. Thanks to those who have participated thus far.
Pastor G
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Council Minutes (attachment in email)
Council Minutes 060616.pdf
VBS/Kids’ Retreat
Thank you to all who helped with the planning, preparation and fun that was had at our 1st
Annual Kids’ Retreat. The youth (and us adults) had lots of fun playing games, hanging out and
talking, walking through the woods and finding fun things on the scavenger hunt along with the
“Amazing Race”. We are already looking for the 2017 date and planning for next year’s event
Below is just one of many pictures that was taken that day.
Important News
EVENTS INFORMATION –
We have received information about group pricing for Twins tickets and Valley Fair. If you
are interested in attending a game or spending a day with a group from OSL, please
contact Brandi Zishka Rossow at 507-340-6918 or [email protected] – See flyers attached
in the email.
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SOMETHING NEW –
Last month was our first edition with our youth activity page. Check out the page and have
your child(rent) take a peek and see what they know, use their Bible for assistance. Once
they find it, have them contact Lynn Pohlman for a surprise.
UPCOMING DATES FOR A NEW THING & YOUTH ACTIVITIES –
MARK YOUR CALENDARS – MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW
Sep 14th Rally Wednesday
Sep 28th 1st night of ANT (A New Thing)
Oct 19th NO class (MEA)
Oct 26th Trick or Treat for the Cleveland Food Shelf * All age Youth Event* no class service
event
Nov 23rd ANT meets, worship at School
Dec 18th Christmas program
Dec 21st & 28th School Break/ Possible Church lock-in
April 26th last day, church cleanup, pizza party, games
Youth Events
July 27th 9th grade Confirmation meeting with PG, parents, and kids, 6:30pm-7:30pm
August 7th 9th grade -12th grade pizza party meeting with PG and Kids only, 6pm-7pm
Aug 10 Valleyfair/Twins game Both if we have the interest
Aug 11 Fishing with Elders
Oct? Haunted Hayride
Nov 6th 1st Communion Acknowledgement
What is your Faith Story?
When it’s not easy
Sometimes it is not easy to share our faith with others. It may feel uncomfortable or even pushy so we just ignore the opportunity God has placed before us. When you find yourself reluctant, use Paul’s advice to the Colossians as your personal three-part prayer to jump start a bold and confident invitation, beckoning others to a relationship with Christ: “At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, . . . so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should” (Colossians 4:3–4). This excerpt is from “This is My Story” by Diane Monroe that ran in the November 2011 issue of Gather magazine.
Thank you for allowing me to share my Faith Story in our last issue. If you would be willing to share
your Faith Story, please let me know. It can be whatever you feel like sharing.
Lynn Pohlman
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Acolytes: August - Volunteers needed
September – Volunteers needed
Altar Guild: August – Joanna Starner
Kay Wendelschafer
September – Alice Ely & Corrinne Ely
Communion Servers: August – Ginger McCabe
September – Ben Olsen
Greeters: August – 7th & 14th –
Leo & Sandra Koppelman
August – 21st & 28th –
Doris Borchardt
September – Darren & Corrinne Ely
Dennis & Anne Hiller
Head Ushers: August – Sandra Koppelman
September – Mark Consoer
Dave Wendelschafer
Readers:
August 7th, 14th & 21st – Greg Davis
August 28th - Steve Biehn
September – Cindy Flowers
1st – Blake Stocker
2nd – Brandi Grandow
3rd – Angie Glassel, Andi Lassiter
4th – Spencer Davies, Brooke Thomas
5th – Lucas Baker, Brian Block
6th – Kelci Broas, Scott Lassiter
7th – Abby Perron
9th – Billy Meyer
10th – Austin Nemec, Laura Smith
13th – Joan Eppmeyer
14th – Sandy Bateman, Preston Goettlicher
15th – Shelly Miller
16th – Brady Meyer
17th – Helene Bluhm, Darren Ely
18th – Jesse Bateman, Heather Ziegler
20th – Todd Jordan, Vicky Seely
21st – Peyton Goettlicher
22nd – Russ Christensen
23rd – Tonja Baker, Giavanna Lynch, Kerragyn Lynch
24th – Eddie Taylor
25th – Karen Johnson, Loren Johnson, Tiffany McCabe
26th – Alice Ely
27th – Heidi Ladlie, Abby McCabe
28th – Susan Eppmeyer
29th – Julie Bluhm, Sean Kehoe
31st – Scott Ziebarth
2nd – Peter & Abby McCabe 15th – David & Katie Wolf
Darrick & Tiffany Stocker 16th – Tim & Sheila Schafer
4th – Leonard & Sandy Seitz 20th – Dave & JoAnn Voss
8th – Pat & Maria Ferguson 23rd – Mike & Julie Bluhm
10th – Mark & Mandy Jacoby Chuck & Raquel Maxfield
11th – Dean & Mary Koppelman 25th – Loren & Karen Johnson
13th – Kevin & Camilla Biehn 27th – Clayton & Nancy Block
14th – Mike & Lynn Pohlman Jeff & Cindy Thom
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PAGE
1. How many books are in the New Testament?
2. What man wrote at least 14 books of the New Testament?
3. Who baptized Jesus?
4. Finish this line from the Lord’s Prayer:
“Give us this day our ____ ____...”
5. For how many days was Jesus tempted in the wilderness?
6. Which two brothers were the first of Jesus’ disciples?
7. Who was the man that came to Jesus at night and asked how an old man could be
born again?
8. Jesus touched and cured a man with what contagious skin disease?
9. What man did Jesus raise from the dead, four days after he died?
11. Who was Bartimaeus?
12. Where was Jesus’ hometown in which his teachings were rejected?
13. Who went up the mountain to pray with Jesus when he was transfigure
Bring the Answers to Lynn for a fun surprise
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Daily Grace from Women of the ELCA
Gifts are you
Discovering who we are includes discovering our spiritual gifts. Each one is given gifts by the Holy Spirit, gifts that shape who we are and how we operate in the
body of Christ. These gifts are part of your DNA. Spiritual gifts are as unique to you as your fingerprints and dental records.
We have been part of God’s plan from the beginning. God is designer and creator of all of life, and to understand where we fit in the process, we must
start from the beginning. We must realize what makes us who we are and just how intricate and complex God has made each of us. Discover your spiritual gifts.
This message was adapted from the Women of the ELCA resource, “Gifts for you: Opening your spiritual gifts,” by Valora K Starr, which can be downloaded for free at welca.org. Today is the 10th Sunday after Pentecost. The readings are Genesis 18:20-32; Hosea 1:2-10 (semi continuous); Psalm 138; Psalm 85 (semi continuous); Colossians 2:6-15 [16-19]; Luke 11:1-13.
Saying goodbye and ritual
Saying goodbye is part of life, and some goodbyes are more challenging than others. Just as we are culturally uncomfortable with the idea of death, we are uneasy with goodbyes and try to ignore them or look for easy ways out of them.
However, the intentional marking of the end of something—and the beginning of another thing—can be a real source of healing and hope for everyone involved.
Facing and naming the emotions of saying goodbye and asking for God’s help with this can be work that congregations can help families address.
Death and resurrection, endings and beginnings, goodbyes and hellos . . . these are not unfamiliar to us as Christians. We have resources for navigating these often difficult transitions together, whether it be a breakup, the end of employment, moving away, divorce or dying. When we mark leave-taking with rituals, we provide space for healing, hope and community support. How have you experienced God in times of transition and saying goodbye? This message was adapted from “Faith Reflections: Rituals for saying (and meaning) goodbye” by Anne Edison-Albright in Cafe, May 2016.
Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; Whoever finds one has found a treasure.
Faithful friends are beyond price; No amount can balance their worth.
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; And those who fear the Lord will find them.
Ecclesiasticus 6:14-16
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Resources
Café – Is a monthly online magazine for young adult women - www.boldcafe.org
Daily Grace – Receive daily devotionals to your smartphone via Women of the ELCA’s Daily
Grace app.
Living Lutheran (FKA The Lutheran Magazine) - www.livinglutheran.org
SEMN Synod Calendar – www.semnsynod.org/news-and-events/calendar
Women of the ELCA – www.womenoftheelca.org
Contact Information
Interim Pastor Gerry Giese 507/380-1176 [email protected]
Secretary, Sandy Bateman 507/931-1564 [email protected]
Newsletter, Lynn Pohlman 507/779-6188 [email protected]
A New Thing Contact/Committee Leader,
Brandi Zishka Rossow 507/340-6918 [email protected]
Treasurer, Brian Block 507/560-0051 [email protected]
2016 Council Member Information
Randy Biehn, President 507/317-6552 [email protected]
Mark Consoer 507/995-8144 [email protected]
Louise Goede 507/931-4809 [email protected]
Ginger McCabe, Secretary 763/350-4970 [email protected]
Ben Olsen 507/351-7098 [email protected]
Julie Plafcan 612/246-3662 [email protected]
Mike Pohlman, Vice President 507/302-8358 [email protected]
Building of the Transition Team
A New Thing, Carrie Mueller 507/560-0351 [email protected]
Choir, Ginny Grabow 507/304-0667 [email protected]
Church Council, Mike Pohlman 507/302-8358 [email protected]
Youth, Brandi Zishka Rossow 507/340-6918 [email protected]
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August 2016 Our Savior’s
Lutheran
305 Sixth St
PO Box 277
Cleveland,
MN 56017
Church Office
Phone:
507/931-1564
Pastor Giese
507/380-1176
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6
6:30pm
Church
Council
Meeting
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
12th Pentecost
9am Worship &
Communion
10am
Fellowship
6pm Youth
Study
Gone Fishing!!!
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
13th Pentecost
9am Worship
10am
Fellowship
Newsletter
Deadline
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
14th Pentecost
9am Worship &
Communion
1oam
Fellowship
6pm A New
Thing Leaders
Meeting
28 29 30 31
15th Pentecost
9am Worship
10am
Fellowship