December 2006

OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN STAFF

Our Savior Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Inside this issue:

Stephen Ministry 2

Council Clips 2

Book Drive 2

HOMBRES 2

Janet’s Jottings 3

Scrip 3

April Calendar 3

Sharing & Caring 4

Piecemakers 4

Health Screenings 4

April 2016

Volume XXVI, Issue 4

Our Savior Lutheran Church Living Faith Center

WORSHIP WITH US EVERY SUNDAY Worship at 9:30 AM

Sunday School Classes at 10:45 AM

Communion will be offered on the first and third Sundays of this month.

MINISTERS ALL PEOPLE OF OSLC

PASTOR STEVEN HERZBERG

ASSOCIATE IN MINISTRY JANET WEST

OFFICE MANAGER SUE WADGYMAR

MUSIC DIRECTOR KENNETH RIVENS

PIANIST RON ACEBUCHE

BELL CHOIR DIRECTOR CONNIE LAUMANN

YOUTH DIRECTOR DAWN EVERSON

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESIDENT VICKI DREWS

VICE PRESIDENT RUDY LOSOYA

TREASURER TOM RIESTERER

SECRETARY WENDY FOWLER

BORDER MISSIONS NORM FREY

FRED VARNER

FELLOWSHIP RUDY LOSOYA

JASON MILLIGAN

OUTREACH KATHY BUSH

KATHY HERZBERG

LEARNING & YOUTH JANE EASON

EDWARD LONG

PROPERTY NORM FREY

STEWARDSHIP LYNN ENGEL

JANET WEST

WORSHIP & MUSIC VICKI DREWS

KELLY VANHEE

Financial reports and minutes are available in the Narthex.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! So we greet each other on Easter Sunday. So we will greet each oth-er throughout the 50 days of Easter. It’s not just one day to celebrate and move on, but it’s a week of weeks – seven in all. We change a great deal of our schedule and activities beginning this month of April. Most of the Winter Texans have headed back up north. We go back to one blended service at 9:30am. . . . . The first Sunday, the 3

rd, will include

confirmation for two of our youth and a First Communion for another. The 17

th will be a special Sunday as

we commission our five new Ste-phen Ministers. They have com-pleted their 50 hours of training and are ready to be connected to their care-receivers. If you feel the need or know of someone who could use this regular, caring ministry in their lives, please contact me or Les/Lynn Watkins, our Stephen Ministry Leaders. Thank you to all of them

for their faithful dedication in pre-paring for this wonderful ministry of compassionate service. And now we pray that their new gifts may be put to use in the immediate future. This is a very happy and joyous time for our congregation to have this new outreach in our midst. . . . During this month, note the collec-tion of books for a new library at the New Hope Center here in McAllen. Our congregation has provided outreach to these youth from Central America for over a year now – both with periodic events and collections, as well as my monthly leadership at a wor-ship service on the New Hope campus. . . . . Keep our Southwest Texas Synod in prayer this month as they have their annual assembly in San Mar-cus on the 29

th through May 1

st. I

will be attending with our voting members Jason Milligan and Kathy Herzberg. . . . .

Pastor’s Notes May we go forward in God’s love and service as we transition into our end of the school year schedules leading up to the summer. Pastor Steve Home phone 956-631-0273

A Word of Thanks! We appreciate the prayers from the folks at Our Savior for my recovery for my recent bout with the strokes, as the prayers have worked and I am on the mend. Marion Platte keeps me informed and I receive the church newsletter, and Sally & I read every word. Dave and Sally Askins have also been very good keeping track of my recovery including a call to the Mayo Clinic on the day I was discharged. Thank you. Glen & Sally Vissering

Tuesday, April 5 5:30pm: Meet for dinner at the Corner Bakery Cafe, 4021 North 10th St. in McAllen. 7:00pm: Come see “The Intern” in the Sanctu-

ary, where 70-year-old widower Ben Whit-taker has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site.

Congratulations! During the first week of March, OSLC Choir Director Kenneth Rivens led his Fos-sum Middle School Boys, Girls and Mixed Choirs in a valley wide music competition, sponsored by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). Their panel of judges awarded Kenneth’s choirs a Superior rat-ing for their vocal performances and music sight reading. To be recognized as Superior in four of four competitions is a testament to Kenneth’s talents as a Director. Congratulations, Kenneth and students!

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS Healing: Katie Bratton, Lena Doering, Don Dunshee, Kathy Eck-man, Cassandra Erps, Richard Fowler, Joe Fuentes, Ruth Hei-tritter, Bud Hovren, Kimberly John-ston, Walt Knaus, Marnae Krueger, Chuck Linstedt, Joanne Martin, Kay McLaughlin, Dorothy Murphy, Rose Oldershaw, Alexa Peña, Pat Phil-lips, Elrena Schoening, Sandy Schultz, Rudy Tokkesdal, Lou Tou-can, Dylan Watkins, Phyllis Wells, Arles Winter. Family Members: Norma Bilunas, Carol Bitner, Werner Doering, Eve-lyn Lawrence, Darrell & Leona Smith. Friends of Congregation: Carrie Askins, Randy Bailey, Ange-lo Bazan, Erika Dew, Julie Erps, Denise Garcia, Mercy Garcia, Addy Haynes, Donna Hiltner, Ted Hoch-enauer, Sally Hokinson, Virginia Huston, Joy Jackson, Wyatt Kamp, Joe Keefe, Barry Kelley, Lucy McKay, Missy Krska, Kellie Meyers, Lola Reslow, Nancy Sandrock, Joshua Schwing, Karen Thompson, Valentin Treviño, Andrew Zezulka. In Military Service: Justin Garcia, Brian Hovland, Ramiro Sandoval.

Page 2

OSLC Dime Ministry The first quarter of 2016 the dimes we give benefit the Stephen Ministry, equipping Christians to care for Christians by walking with them during difficult times and crises. A ministry will be chosen by the council for the second quarter dimes. Save the dimes you re-ceive in change and bring them the last Sunday of the month.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES AT 10:45 AM in the LFC. JOURNEY TO MEXICO: Join Pastor Steve for the adult class at 10:45 am in the Sanctuary on April 3rd & 10th, reflecting on his earlier ministries. THURSDAY ADULT STUDY AT 10:00AM: Pastor Steve facilitates a weekday study, “What are they doing to Jesus?” This takes a look at what modern historians are discussing regarding the life and times of Jesus. We meet in the fellowship hall in the Sanctuary building. WEDNESDAY EVENING ADULT BIBLE STUDY meets at 6:30pm in the Library with a study of the Book of Revelation. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Council Clips for 3/8/2016 The council meeting was relatively uneventful except for the change in leadership. On the strong recommendation of our Bishop I stepped down as President of the council and then Vicki Drews was unanimously elected as the new council Presi-dent. We are confident that she will do a great job and I am now free to work more intensely in our Stephen Ministry.

We cleared up some things that did not get done at our retreat, which gives Vicki a clean slate to go forward. Of course I will continue on the council and urge all peo-ple of Our Savior to support the council in its work for the congregation.

All committees reported and all have chair-people in place. We are looking forward to an exciting year, with lots of activities for everyone.

Thanks to everyone that completed the survey that was authorized by the council. Worship and Music will use the survey results for planning fall worship and other events.

The meeting adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer. In His name, Janet West AiM

HELP US SUPPLY BOOKS FOR THE NEW HOPE LIBRARY!

We need your help. We would like to supply the New Hope Children’s Shelter with books for the youth. New books or gently used books are welcome.

Spanish Books - 3rd Grade through High School level are needed.

English Books - Young Children's Books to 2nd grade are needed

Our Savior’s Youth will make book marks and cards to go with the books. Kari Rog-ers, New Hope Community Services Manager, will make a presentation and accept the books on Sunday, APRIL 17th. A Thrivent Action Team grant has been ap-proved. Thrivent will be donating $250 to purchase books.

Any questions, contact Kathy Herzberg, Outreach Committee

Tuesday, April 19th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, for all in need of healing and comfort.

HOMBRES! We will

meet at John Klein’s house, 4111 N. 42nd Lane, McAllen, 651-735-

9199, on Tuesday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. Please sign up in the Narthex. All men are welcome.

This month we celebrate a joyous occasion. On April 17th seven lay people

from our congregation are being commissioned into a special ministry of care and concern as Stephen Ministers. This rite of commissioning culmi-nates a period of extensive training and preparation for caring ministry

through the Stephen Series, a program for lay caring ministry. After the commission-ing, these Stephen Ministers will be assigned to minister in our congregation and community, working with people who are experiencing such life crises as hospitali-zation, retirement, financial setback, the loss of a loved one, or any of a number of other difficulties people face in daily living. The gifted people whom God has called and equipped for this important role in our congregation as Stephen Ministers are Kathy Bush, Rudy Losoya, Mary Lovig, Marge Varner, Les Watkins, Lynne Watkins, and Janet West. We thank God for their gifts of caring and listening. Their minis-tries will greatly increase the overall ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ here at Our Savior. Please keep these people in your prayers as they carry the love of Christ to their care receivers.

Jottings from Janet Spring greetings from Our Savior. May God bless all who are traveling home this month, we ask for safe travel going home and coming back. As always we will miss our Winter Texans and be happy when you return. We have been busy and happy getting ready for Easter and that joyous celebration. We pray that you have enjoyed the Lenten meals and services as well as the 2 Easter services. Dinner and a movie continue this month on 4-5-16 with the movie “The Intern” and dinner at the Corner Bakery. In May we will see the movie “Max” and we will decide the summer schedule. The Neighborhood Pantry served 26 families and had a great time. We gave away bags of the rice/soy mixture and gave them a newly prepared sample. All declared it was good. The April pantry will be on Saturday the 23rd. If anyone wants to come and see what goes on you are more than welcome. I promise you will go home with a glad heart. The Wednesday night Bible study group will resume their study of the book of Revelation through the end of May. Then it will start again in September. Healing services continue throughout the year on the 3

rd

Tuesday of the month. All are welcome to come and pray for yourself, your loved ones, or your friends. Commissioning of the new Stephen Ministers will take place on Sunday, April 17

th. We

are very excited to have finished the beginning of our training. Please keep us all your prayers. That’s all for this time, God bless us all. Janet West, AiM

33

ANNIVERSARIES

24 Duane & Janis Sommer

BIRTHDAYS 3 Linda Fraser 3 Brandon Milligan 7 Jeannette Smith 8 Bill Cowsky 8 Zari Liljedahl 9 Sylvia Groom 10 Larry Keefe 12 Etta Mooney 13 Lois Thompto 15 Daniel Almquist 17 Frank Zezulka 19 Delores Ness 20 Ruth Casey 21 William Curll 23 Jamie Long 25 Ron Cherland 27 Hal Case 28 Leona Smith

SCRIP benefits our church and can also benefit your budg-et. When you decide how much of your income to spend on groceries, or gas, or entertainment, you can then purchase cards to match your budget. For instance, if your monthly

food budget is $400, and you shop exclusively at HEB, purchase 4 $100 HEB cards on our monthly order date. You now have one card to spend each week of the month, and you have donated $8 to your church. If your gas purchase is from Walmart, you benefit even more. Do the same as above for your budget AND you receive $0.03 off each gal of gas if purchased with your gift card. If you purchase 4 $100 Walmart cards, you have donated $10 to your church! This is only a small example of how you can benefit OSLC, stick to your budget, and even save on your gas budget. If you have questions, or need additional information, see Mary Lovig any Sunday. Next order will be placed on Sunday, April 24 and delivered on Sunday, May 1.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sharing and Caring

Items: 4/3: Shelf Milk & Cereal 4/17: Neighborhood Pantry Items

1

2

Sharing/Caring lunch at Las Milpas

2nd Sunday of Easter 3 9:30am Communion 10:45am Sunday School 10:45am Adult Class

4 6:30pm Sharing & Caring 7:30pm Tai Chi

5 8:30am Piecemakers 1:00pm Ladies Cards 5:30pm Dinner & Movie

6 6:30pm Revelation Class

7 10:00am Adult Class 5:30pm Worship & Music 6:30pm Learn/Youth 7:30pm Praise Team

8

9

3rd Sunday of Easter 10 9:30am Worship 10:45am Sunday School 10:45am Adult Class

11 7:30pm Tai Chi

12 Lifeline Health Screening LFC 8:30am Piecemakers 6:30pm Council

13 6:30pm Revelation Class

14 10:00am Adult Class 7:30pm Praise Team

15

16

4th Sunday of Easter 17 9:30am Communion 10:45am Sunday School 10:45am Adult Class 10:45am LOST Event

18 12:00pm NEWSLET-TER DEADLINE 7:30pm Tai Chi

19 8:30am Piecemakers 1:30pm Ladies Cards 6:30pm HOMBRES 6:30pm Healing Svc

20 6:30pm Revelation Class

21 10:00am Adult Class 7:30pm Praise Team

22

23 9-10am Pantry

5th Sunday of Easter 24 9:30am Worship 10:45am Sunday School 10:45am Adult Class

25 7:30pm Tai Chi

26 8:30am Piecemakers

27 6:30pm Revelation Class

28 10:00am Adult Class 7:30pm Praise Team

29 /—Synod—

30 —Assembly—San Marcos to 5/1

April

BORDER AREA MISSION MINISTRIES

THE CARING & SHARING GROUP We are distributing at least 25 bags of food & supplies each month at Our Savior’s Neighborhood Food Pantry. Please come to our meetings on the first Monday of each month at 6:30pm. For April 3, please bring SHELF STABLE MILK & CEREAL. For the monthly Neighborhood Food Pantry, a list of needed items is in the Narthex. Please bring in one item in bulk or an entire bag, if you wish, on Sunday, April 17. You may also do-nate money and designate Food Pantry. Distribution of food bags will be on April 23 from 9:00 to 10:00am. HYGIENE KITS FOR THE HOMELESS AND OTHERS: Please save your travel size soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, and toothpaste. We use these year round for our various ministries. Thank you. Just place items on the dona-tions table. Sharing & Caring would like also to thank H.E.B. for their generous gift for supplies for the hygiene kits. God’s love is spread through you, to you and from you.

PIECEMAKERS There are a few Piecemakers still here working. Quite a few have left or are planning to soon even though they were told no one could leave this year. It is wonderful though to have Classroom C back in use and we have tried to make up for the time we were shut down for repairs. All in all, we are good and still welcome anyone to “come when you can, leave when you must.” Summer Piecemakers, we need you now. Winter Piecemakers, hurry back. We miss you all when you’re not here. We meet on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Come join us for quilting & fellowship, and bring your lunch. God’s Work, Our Hands

Our Savior Lutheran Church

1105 West Fern Ave

McAllen, TX 78501

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

PERMIT #65

Phone: 956-631-6121

Email: oslcelca@aol.com

www.oursaviormcallen.org

Need to send a fax? Call the office.

DATED MATERIAL

This newsletter was taken to the Post Office on March 24, 2016.

If you received this newsletter in error, please

contact the church office. Do you know how to recognize the warning signs of a stroke? If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the below symptoms, call 911 right away. It is important to seek medical treatment immediately. Sudden Numbness Difficulty Speaking Severe Dizziness Loss of Coordination Sudden Loss of Vision Sudden Intense Headache Brief Loss of Consciousness Protect your health by finding out your risk of having a stroke by participating in the Life Line Screening that will

be at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Through ultrasound we evaluate the carotid arteries for the buildup of fatty plaque, which is the leading cause of stroke. Register today for the Stroke, Vascular & Heart Rhythm package, which in-cludes four screenings: carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and atrial fibrillation. In order to

register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners.

APRIL 2016

Where...

God is seen,

Love is felt;

Lives are changed.