“Sacred News” Our Savior’s/Opdal Lutheran Parish 400 First Avenue, Sacred Heart, Minnesota 56285

Phone: 320-765-8823 Pastor Dale’s Cell: 507-995-9189 E-mail: oslcopdalparish@hcinet.net

Website: h� p://oursaviorsopdal.lutheranweb.net

October.2016

Affirmation of Baptism Events

October 2 S 3rd Graders Enrolling in Affirmation of Baptism Program:

Taya Halvorson, Keaira Morris, Connor Peterson, Katelyn

Park.

S    5th Graders Celebrate First Communion:

Alex Dirksen, McKenzie Hoff, Brenden Peterson, Trevor

Peterson, Ryan Zaragoza.

October 30 - Affirmation of Baptism

S Kody Beck S Sarah Hoff

Attention - Youth - Grades 7-12

“Wednesday Night Live” Begins October 5, 6:00 pm

at Our Savior’s

What is “Wednesday Night Live?” It is joint youth event with Rock Valley/Hawk Creek, &

First Lutheran that is held the first Wednesday of the month from 6:00-7:15 pm. WNL is for

all youth, grades 7-12. We gather for a meal, Bible study and worship! Please… come &

join us!!!

Please Come & Join the Contemporary Worship Team

Rehearsals at Our Savior’s (choir loft):

S Sunday, October 2, 11:00 am S Thursday, October 6, 7:00 pm

The following is from a 2005 devotion for Church Councils. Autumn is the time when schools at all levels begin and thought this devotion which focuses on learning - a good one for us to contemplate.

Luke 2:41-49 Now every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, Jesus stayed behind in

Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"

Curiosity is a sign of eagerness to learn that is valuable part of our life together in the church. The less helpful cousins of curiosity - nosiness and gossip - may be impossible to keep away from the family gathering but inquiring minds and spirits are a precious gift in the community.

One of the contributions of youth in the church is their insatiable desire to know more. If we see Luke’s account of Jesus staying behind in the temple through the eyes of frantic parents, it is a story of disobedience. But if we think of curiosity as a gift that compels us to learn more about God, then we can understand the honest puzzlement of a holy child who is surprised that his parents do not know that learning about God is the most important thing in his life.

As adults in the church, we can learn a lot from the curiosity of youth in the church, even when it drives one crazy. Young people have important work in the community: they question, venture outside existing boundaries, and risk punishment for the sake of new knowledge. Youth are not the future of the church; they embody the power we have now to discover the way to lead the church into the trans-formed future that God has planned for it.

Adults never stop taking lessons in curiosity from young people and never stop learning about faith. Our journey in faith is a lifelong journey of listening, learning, and spiritual growth that is grounded in the sacramental life of the church and the shared wisdom of the community. Together the children, young people, midlife members, and wise elders form a witness that informs our faith and keeps us connected to one another and to the ongoing hunger to know more about God. May this God of wonder, help you to stay open to the learning and growing in faith that you need to equip you for his work.

On-Line Bible Study “Matthew’s Gospel” Continues...

All sessions are posted on the church’s web site. On Monday, October 24, 6:30 pm, we will meet to discuss the first four sessions. If you are not hooked up to the internet and still would like to participate, let Pastor Dale know and he will get you the weekly lessons.

Coming to enjoy: Marion Mahlum, Ruby Skalbeck Serving - Brittany Hebrink, Morgan Lecy, Beth Elliot, Kelly Skalbeck

Take outs detail: Janet Dirksen, Karen Grams, Ronnie Kimpling Pie detail: Pam Hemze, JoLene Groen, Allison Hinz

General Store: Margie Flaata, Ruth Peterson, Sandy Refsland Cashier: Orville Wolf

September 21

Our Savior’s Council Notes - September 6, 2016

Pastor’s Report: - Third and fifth grades Affirmation of Baptism classes have begun. - October 2 - 1st communion for fifth graders and third graders will receive their Bibles. - Acolyte schedule will be set for grades 5-10 to include helping with communion. - October 30 - Affirmation of Baptism for two students- Sarah Hoff and Kody Beck. - Adult online Bible study will be offered this fall on Matthew’s Gospel. - Synod Fall Gathering September 25-27 in Alexandria.

Committee Reports: Education: Janet reported that their committee has been busy organizing for the Sunday School year. Rally Day will be on September 11. Teachers’ meeting will be on September 7. They have purchased gifts for the fifth graders receiving first communion.

Worship and Music: Jessica informed us there were about 60 surveys returned with good feedback for the committee. The second Sunday of the month will be a contemporary worship. MSP by Brooke Hebrink/Janet Dirksen to renew copyright license to copy music (cost is $208 per year).

Family Life and Evangelism: Brooke reported that the Harvest Festival will be held on September 21 with service groups 3 and 4 working. She had contacted the Jaycees about helping with the Ron Peterson Benefit, but everything has been taken care of.

Mission and Stewardship: Amy told us that November 12 will be the date for Food for Kids event at the community center. MSP by Janet Dirksen/Rick Shackelford for a special offering to be taken at church on October 16 and November 6 for Food for Kids.

Property and Management/Cemetery: Because of the rain - Sanders’ schedule has been delayed so they are still waiting for work to be done on the cemetery road.

A very special thank you to all who helped make the Harvest Festival another successful event this year. It takes many people to make it happen and we’re grateful for the commitment and generosity of time so many of you gave. As our Mission Statement reads, We work TOGETHER to proclaim Christ’s love in Word and Deed to all…both near and far. Through the Harvest Festival, this statement was brought to

life. Christ’s love overflowed as TOGETHER you prepared, donated, gathered, served and welcomed those both near and far. Thank you for living out God’s work through your hands.

Opdal: 10

Our Savior’s: 102

Average Sunday Attendance

for September

With gratitude from the Family Life Committee,

Brooke Hebrink, Tara Miller, Stephanie Peterson

Opdal Council Notes - September 7, 2016

S Dean will work on getting the bushes removed from the front of the church and fill in any rock and dirt that is displaced. S The large window in the chapel needs to be repaired/replaced due to leakage. An estimate will be needed to look at costs. S Cemetery issues: Plotting, foot stone clearing, and general clean-up is needed. The congregation should be able to handle the work. The council reviewed OSLC Cemetery Regulations and agreed that Opdal should have a policy in place also. S The future of Opdal: Pastor Dale will work on a letter or questionnaire to be sent out the parishioners in the area as to what issues they may have about not attending church or what our general mission is or should be. It was suggested that our board meet with OSLC board to discuss closure possibilities.

Food For Kidz

Saturday, November 12 Sacred Heart Community Center

Two shifts: 10:00-12:00 pm; 12:00-2:00 pm.

Sign-up sheets soon to be in the narthex.

Lunch will be served!!!

S To ALL that put time & efforts into the Harvest Festival to make it

another grand success - especially those that worked for hours preparing

meatballs: Mary Agre, Pat Ashburn, Ranee Dahl, Gretchen Eliason,

JoLene Groen, Emery Holum, Mike Kamps, Ronnie Kimpling, Mike

Mahlum, Marlys Peterson, Sharon Sietsema; also to Brooke Hebrink,

Tara Miller, & Stephanie Peterson (Family Life Committee), for all the

organizing. As always it’s a team effort - thanks for being a part of the

team!! ☺

Please Note These Special Offerings:

Sunday Morning Prayer List

When you call the church office asking that a family member or friend be added to the prayer list, we will place them on the list for four weeks. After four weeks the name will be removed.

If you wish for their name to continue on the list for another four weeks, please call or e-mail the office.

S October 9 - Noisy Can

S October 16 & November 6 - “Food for Kidz”

Our heartfelt thanks for all the love & support you have given our

family the last 4 months. Words can’t express our gratefulness for the

benefit, all who attended, the donations, the time & hard work put

forth by the Jaycees. Your kindness & generosity have eased our

journey. It truly is a blessing to be a part of this community. God’s

blessings to each of you!!!

Carol & Ron Peterson & family

S To our 2016-17 Sunday School teachers for donating their time & dedication: Janet Dirksen, Carla Hamre, Brooke Hebrink, Brittany Hebrink, Craig Hebrink, Tami Hebrink, Amber Hoff, Eric Hoff, Marie Hoff, Kiley Jordet, Nicole Morris, Jessica Thompson; substitutes - Sheree Halvorson, Ashley Peterson, Steph Peterson, Kerri Shackelford, Ashley Peterson.

“A Deal” An antique dealer from Minnesota was traveling through rural Wisconsin when he found a priceless cabinet at a flea market. He knew the cabinet would fetch thousands of dollars if he could buy it at a discount. He offered the owner $50, explaining that the only reason he was interested in the cabinet was for firewood. The owner agreed to his price and the dealer explained that he‛d come back the next day with his truck to pick up the cabinet. The next morning the dealer drove up and saw a pile of old wood next to the vendor‛s stand, “What‛s that,” he asked. “It‛s the cabinet,” the vendor said, “I felt so bad charging $50 for firewood that I decided to chop it up for you!”

“A Kind Word”

A newspaper obituary caught my eye with this statement: “Services for affable fix-it man are today.” Instead of focusing on one of the movers and shakers of society, the article told the story of a 79-year-old appliance repairman who was known for his integrity, character, and unquenchable happiness.

The president of the company for which the man had worked said, “Half of his job was to go to people’s houses and fix the appliances, and the other half was to fix people. We had a lot of people with problems who requested him by name. He was very jovial, very friendly, and always had a kind word.”

No matter what our job, perhaps the most important work we do is helping and encouraging people, especially by what we say.

The book of Proverbs speaks often of the tongue’s power to hurt or to heal. For example: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit… A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Proverbs 14:4, 23)

We represent Christ today through everything we say. What an honor it would be if we were known as happy people who have a smile and a kind word for everyone. - David McCasland -

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1

2   8:45 Opdal Worship               Our Savior’s SS      10:00 OS Worship      11:00 9th Gr. ABC      Worship Team Rehearsal

3 4 5 6 7:00 pm Contemporary         Worship Team         Rehearsal

7 8 4:30 pm Wedding of Kirsten Eliason & Justin Bjorklund

9      8:45 Opdal Worship               Our Savior’s SS      10:00 OS Worship      11:00 9th Gr. ABC

10 11 12 6:00 pm Council/          Committees Meet 7:00 pm OS Council

13 14 15

16      8:45 Opdal Worship               Our Savior’s SS      10:00 OS Worship      11:00 9th Gr. ABC

17 18 19 20 21 22

23  Holy Communion       8:45 Opdal Worship  (no SS - MEA) 10:00 OS Worship

24 6:30 pm “Matthew” Bible          Study Discussion

25 26 5:30 pm 9th Gr. ABC

27 28 29

30  Holy Communion   Affirmation of Baptism       8:45 Opdal Worship               Our Savior’s SS      10:00 OS Worship

31 5:30  pm 9th Gr. ABC

October 2016

Our Savior’s/Opdal Lutheran Parish

400 First Avenue, PO Box 159

Sacred Heart, MN 56285