the living reminderoslwyo.org/newsletter_files/jannewsletter.pdf · merry christmas and happy new...
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2014201420142014 Volume 14 Issue 1Volume 14 Issue 1Volume 14 Issue 1Volume 14 Issue 1
Caught up in Community ~ Acts 2:42 A forgiven community of faith and hope sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the world.
The Living Reminder
“Going Deeper” in 2014!
I truly believe that we are at a point in our congregation where we can,
and must, make changes that can significantly affect our future. We
sometimes look back and wonder why we are shrinking in size as a
denomination and as a congregation. It seems, at times, we look at
gathering the crowds rather than making followers of Jesus who want
to make a difference with the gifts God has given them.
I can empathize and understand the need to be concerned about finances
and having enough people to keep our congregation afloat. I also know
that in the midst of this struggle, we often tell ourselves we need to “go
deeper” but are seldom willing to personally bear the cost of what that
truly means. I don’t want to regret. I want to be able to look back and
say, “We did everything that we knew how to do to become disciples of
Jesus Christ. We did not criticize folks or our congregation. We moved
forward and tried to be more intentional in being the Church. We made
disciples that saw themselves as God’s people who were committed to
making a difference in the places God had planted them.”
In this upcoming year of life and ministry, I want to emphasize our
opportunity to “go deeper” into our faith and truly be equipped for life and
ministry. I am not only looking to our Natural Church Development Health
Team to help lead us in discerning our future mission but I am looking for
all of us find ways to commit ourselves to grow spiritually and to be more
aware of what it means to serve others!
“Going deeper” together,
Pastor Bob
Fellowship Fun 2014
January: July:
Jan 5th Epiphany Dinner Jul 20th Birthday Sunday
Jan 19th Birthday Sunday Jul 25th Mountain Mayhem
February: August:
Feb 9th Game Night Aug 17th Birthday Sunday
Feb 16th Birthday Sunday Aug 24th Carnival
March: September:
Mar 2nd Marti Grong Show Sept 7th Fall Family Fun Night
Mar 16th Birthday Sunday Sept 21 Birthday Sunday
April: October:
Apr Lent Season Oct 5th Game Night
Apr 20th Easter & Birthday Sunday Oct 19th Birthday Sunday
Oct 26th Confirmation
May: November:
May 4th Box Social Nov 8th Annual Dinner Dance
May 18th Birthday Sunday/ Graduation Celebration Nov 16th Birthday Sunday
January Greeters
5th—Gerry & Margie Thorvaldson
12th—Bob & Gloria Gustafson
19th—Greg Beecher & Joan Brust
26th—Greg Beecher & Melody
Hermel
Ushers provide a welcoming atmosphere for worshipers at
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
We appreciate those who have served during the
month of December!
Thank you!
Saint Theresa's Prayer
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love
that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this
presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Mange Takk, Thank you loyal customers! I want to Mange Takk, Thank you loyal customers! I want to Mange Takk, Thank you loyal customers! I want to Mange Takk, Thank you loyal customers! I want to thank all who made goodies, did publicity, worked at thank all who made goodies, did publicity, worked at thank all who made goodies, did publicity, worked at thank all who made goodies, did publicity, worked at the Scandinavian Bake sale, worked in the kitchen, the Scandinavian Bake sale, worked in the kitchen, the Scandinavian Bake sale, worked in the kitchen, the Scandinavian Bake sale, worked in the kitchen, took care of the money, cleaned up, etc. We had a record took care of the money, cleaned up, etc. We had a record took care of the money, cleaned up, etc. We had a record took care of the money, cleaned up, etc. We had a record sale sale sale sale ---- $2,500+! It was a lot of fun and fellowship (and $2,500+! It was a lot of fun and fellowship (and $2,500+! It was a lot of fun and fellowship (and $2,500+! It was a lot of fun and fellowship (and good PR). The Women of OSL will be able to do a lot of good PR). The Women of OSL will be able to do a lot of good PR). The Women of OSL will be able to do a lot of good PR). The Women of OSL will be able to do a lot of good things with the proceeds.good things with the proceeds.good things with the proceeds.good things with the proceeds.
Thanks, Karen BrannonThanks, Karen BrannonThanks, Karen BrannonThanks, Karen Brannon
Wild Bunch Wild Bunch Wild Bunch Wild Bunch
No meeting in January!No meeting in January!No meeting in January!No meeting in January!
See you in February, sweet ValentineSee you in February, sweet ValentineSee you in February, sweet ValentineSee you in February, sweet Valentine!!!!
Women of Our Saviour's Lutheran ChurchWomen of Our Saviour's Lutheran ChurchWomen of Our Saviour's Lutheran ChurchWomen of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
Thank you to the Women of OSL for your hard work and commitment throughout the 2013 year. You’ve been an inspiration to me through the generosity and care you provide one another!
I am looking forward to this leadership role, as President of the WOSL, in the year 2014. I welcome all of the Women of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church to come join this amazing group of ladies. Our next meeting will be in February. Look for meeting info in upcoming mailings.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Kristi Desch
WOSL, President
Greeters for January
5th—Gerry & Margie Thorvaldson
12th—Bob & Gloria Gustafson
19th—Greg Beecher & Joan Brust
26th—Greg Beecher & Melody Hermel
The Women of Our Saviour’s Lutheran
Church and the Evangelism Committee
provided books about the Nativity and
served cookies and punch to the
families of the preschool children
after their Christmas program.
OSL Preschool Positions OpenOSL Preschool Positions OpenOSL Preschool Positions OpenOSL Preschool Positions Open
for Children ages 3 and 4!for Children ages 3 and 4!for Children ages 3 and 4!for Children ages 3 and 4!
Call 577577577577----4006!4006!4006!4006!
CHURCH IN SOCIETYCHURCH IN SOCIETYCHURCH IN SOCIETYCHURCH IN SOCIETY
Thanks to everyone at Our Saviour’s
for making the 2013 Adopt-a-Family
(AAF) program a success! We
provided 100 families in the Casper
community with food boxes - 50 of
these families, with approx. 110 chil-
dren, received Christmas gifts
through AAF. Your generosity and
commitment never goes unnoticed by
the individuals and/or families who
receive food boxes and gifts.
From Church In Society to all of you From Church In Society to all of you From Church In Society to all of you From Church In Society to all of you
here at OSL, "Merry Christmas and here at OSL, "Merry Christmas and here at OSL, "Merry Christmas and here at OSL, "Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!"Happy New Year!"Happy New Year!"Happy New Year!"
From the Property Board:
Alas!
The elevator is operational!
OSL’s 90th Anniversary Dinner/Dance at the Ramkota 11/16/13
OSL’s 90th Anniversary Dinner/Dance at the Ramkota 11/16/13
January Preschool NewsJanuary Preschool NewsJanuary Preschool NewsJanuary Preschool News
December was an exciting time for us. We were very busy with our December was an exciting time for us. We were very busy with our December was an exciting time for us. We were very busy with our December was an exciting time for us. We were very busy with our
Christmas activities. We would like to thank the Women of OSL for Christmas activities. We would like to thank the Women of OSL for Christmas activities. We would like to thank the Women of OSL for Christmas activities. We would like to thank the Women of OSL for
the Christmas books and Linda Robinson for reading it to us. I would the Christmas books and Linda Robinson for reading it to us. I would the Christmas books and Linda Robinson for reading it to us. I would the Christmas books and Linda Robinson for reading it to us. I would
also like to thank them for hosting our Christmas program reception. also like to thank them for hosting our Christmas program reception. also like to thank them for hosting our Christmas program reception. also like to thank them for hosting our Christmas program reception.
Our themes for January are; the New Year, Winter, Snow, Ice and we Our themes for January are; the New Year, Winter, Snow, Ice and we Our themes for January are; the New Year, Winter, Snow, Ice and we Our themes for January are; the New Year, Winter, Snow, Ice and we
will end the month with a week learning about China and Chinese will end the month with a week learning about China and Chinese will end the month with a week learning about China and Chinese will end the month with a week learning about China and Chinese
New Year. We will celebrate Chinese New Year by using chopsticks to New Year. We will celebrate Chinese New Year by using chopsticks to New Year. We will celebrate Chinese New Year by using chopsticks to New Year. We will celebrate Chinese New Year by using chopsticks to
eat our snack of rice and mandarin oranges.eat our snack of rice and mandarin oranges.eat our snack of rice and mandarin oranges.eat our snack of rice and mandarin oranges.
We are blessed to start another year with these little ones in our lives.We are blessed to start another year with these little ones in our lives.We are blessed to start another year with these little ones in our lives.We are blessed to start another year with these little ones in our lives.
In Christ, In Christ, In Christ, In Christ,
Gaynnette Bassett, Director OSL Preschool DirectorGaynnette Bassett, Director OSL Preschool DirectorGaynnette Bassett, Director OSL Preschool DirectorGaynnette Bassett, Director OSL Preschool Director
Rebecca Circle meets Thurs., Jan. 9th at 1 p.m.Rebecca Circle meets Thurs., Jan. 9th at 1 p.m.Rebecca Circle meets Thurs., Jan. 9th at 1 p.m.Rebecca Circle meets Thurs., Jan. 9th at 1 p.m.
2014 Contribution Envelopes Boxed sets of contribution envelopes are still available in the Narthex. PLEASE discard any unused 2013 envelopes as your assigned 2014 numbers are different. Using a prior year envelope number causes me considerable work to fix any posting errors. For those who give by Simply Giving or a bank drafted check, you will not have a boxed set but will be assigned a number. I will notify you of that number. If there is anyone interested in contributing through the Simply Giving program, it is easy. Just call me for the necessary information and for any other financial questions you may have. Thank you,
Kathy – Financial Secretary
Epiphany Celebration
12th Night Fellowship
Sunday, Jan. 5th, 5pm
Details forthcoming!
New Year Reflections
As I contemplate the New Year, I am again reminded that our world and all that is in it is bound in time.
I think it is certain that God has sent you and me into this world with a specific thing to do: a definite message to
deliver and/or an act of love to bestow. It hard to think in such specific terms and maybe, the “specific things”
are scattered throughout our lives in our everyday dealings. Yet in trying to follow God’s lead, we might try
following this line of thinking as we envision our lives for 2014.
Try beginning each day by simply praying, “Lord, you want me to deliver a word of hope today. Keep me
alert to whom you might send my way and help me to be kind, attentive and helpful.” In prayer or in keeping a
prayerful attitude, we’ll discover that God has something in mind for us to do. God will, indeed, nudge us with his
grace. We pray that the Spirit will put into us a deep awareness, a sense of call to that person or situation that
may be lurking in the back of our mind. To us it may not seem powerful or significant, it may feel more like a
vague conviction that, “I am supposed to do this.” It may be, on the other hand, that God will make us uncomfort-
able until we say “yes.” God has a way of bringing “comfort to the afflicted, but afflicting the comfortable.”
God calls us in a variety of ways, as a retiree, grandparent, parent, homemaker, spouse, office worker,
rancher, executive, teen, child and list goes on and on. God chooses us for a reason. God gives us particular
gifts that are tailored to our own life situation and our uniqueness as a person. There will be, or course, other
moments in our lives when God wants something specific of us. He might want us to help a particular person or
to do a certain thing or to become involved in a cause or to be concerned about a given situation. Hopefully,
with God’s help, we will respond with a specific, eager and powerful “Yes!”
Blessings, Pastor Bob
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church-Congrega�onal Mee�ng
December 8, 2013 Minutes
[These minutes are unofficial un�l voted on by congrega�on at upcoming Annual Congrega�on Mee�ng.]
The mee�ng was called to order at 10:20 by President Bill Hunt, with a prayer.
Minutes of the Congrega�onal mee�ng of June 23rd were approved (Tina Wulf/Mary Jackson)
Addi�ons to the agenda: Gary Robinson, elevator update; Susan Burk, reading of statement regarding resigna,on of
a staff member; Bucky Walker, considera,on of changing early worship ,me.
Elec�on of Council Members: Doris Waddell was nominated for Worship (Tina, Joan McNamara) Approved.
Linda Robinson nominated for Evangelism (Susan Burk, Dawn Force) Approved.
No nomina,ons for open Stewardship posi,on, Pr. Bob says we will be addressing stewardship in the near future,
possibly with a new program.
Katrina Holman nominated for Young Adult Member (Tina, Tracy Hunt) Approved.
Approval of 2014 Budget: Gary Robinson gave overview, ques,ons included disposi,on of CLYM funds pending the
future of that program, it was pointed out that a budget allocates but does not require we spend every cent. Budg-
et approved (Rich Burk/Sheldon Sumey)
Elevator update: Gary Robinson reported that the elevator is making good progress, but there were added expenses
due to unexpected problems and circumstances during the renova,on. He asked for approval from congrega,on for
an addi,onal $10,000 for a total of $75,000. Discussion included where the funds are coming from, and Susan point-
ed out that although funds existed to pay for the elevator, those funds also pull from other urgent repairs and other
projects, and that dona,ons specifically to the elevator fund are gratefully accepted. The extra funds were ap-
proved (Tina, Janet Hilde)
Susan Burk read a statement from Council regarding the resigna,on of Kim Kelty from CLYM a?er confessing to
stealing monies from the church. (Full text of this statement is available through the church office). Bill urged the
congrega,on that if they had further ques,ons or wanted to discuss the situa,on, to please contact him, Pr. Bob, or
any member of the Execu,ve CommiAee.
Service Times: Bucky Walker asked the council to consider changing the early service ,me to 8:30 am, to allow more
,me for ac,vi,es between services such as Sunday school and Choir Prac,ce. A?er some discussion, Craig Barankie-
wicz moved to change the early service to 8:30, second by Mike Elston. More discussion included poin,ng out that
one reason of previously keeping it at nine when this subject came up was because it was difficult for those with
kids to get there early. Others pointed out that the children's sermon has been moved to later in the service to ac-
commodate late-comers, and that many families are able to get their kids to school at an earlier hour every day.
Sugges,ons were made on how to shorten the service; others said they don't want a stopwatch on the service. Tina
pointed out this is a decision that should go through the worship commiAee, and needed more congrega,onal in-
put. The voice vote was inconclusive, a count showed 20 in favor, 38 opposed, mo,on failed. It was moved to re-
mand the issue back to the Worship commiAee to discuss and gather input from the congrega,on and NCD Com-
miAee and make a recommenda,on to Council. (Susan, Katrina) Approved.
Mee�ng was adjourned at 9:50 am, with the Lord's Prayer.
Submi.ed by Susan Burk, Secretary, OSL Congrega,onal Council.
Please
Office Hours
9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.
Phone: 307-237-9087
Fax: 307-235-4768
Links:
Rocky Mtn. Synod: rmselca.org
ELCA: elca.org
OSL: oslwyo.org
STAFF
Gaynnette Bassett, PS Director\
Carolyn Deuel, Director of Music
Tammy Ellis, Church Custodian
Pastor Bob McNamara
Kathy Seth, Financial Secretary
Tina Wulf, Office Manager
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church 318 E. 6th St. Casper, WY 82601
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