December 2006

OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN STAFF

Our Savior Lutheran Church Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Inside this issue:

Camp & Gathering 2

Missional River LEAD 2

Finance Report 2

Healing Service 2

Scrip News 2

Janet’s Jottings 3

August Calendar 3

Dimes & Afghans 3

Sharing & Caring 4

Journey with Jesus 4

August 2018

Volume , Issue

Our Savior Lutheran Church Living Faith Center

WORSHIP WITH US EVERY SUNDAY Worship at 9:30 AM

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

MINISTERS ALL PEOPLE OF OSLC

PASTOR STEVEN HERZBERG

DEACON 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 JASON MILLIGAN

VICE PRESIDENT MEGHAN CAMPOS

TREASURER BILL MAUCK

SECRETARY VICKI DREWS

BORDER MISSIONS FRED VARNER

FELLOWSHIP JASON MILLIGAN

EVANGELISM LIZ PETERS

JANET WEST

PHYLLIS YARDLEY

LEARNING & YOUTH EDWARD LONG

PROPERTY SAM MILLIGAN

STEWARDSHIP LYNN ENGEL

STEVE HERZBERG

WORSHIP & MUSIC VICKI DREWS

KELLY VANHEE

Financial reports and minutes are available in the Narthex.

G reetings as the summer is winding down. Seems like

we were just preparing for it to start. How time flies by! And still God is consistent and con-stant as time comes and goes. God has promised to be with us from beginning until end, and then beyond. What a wonderful hope and presence we have. . . . . Our thanks to all who have kept the congregation going during these summer months – from helping with worship, to helping with camps, to helping with cleaning while the janitor is re-covering from shoulder surgery, to meeting for bible study, to gathering to quilt, etc. You are most appreciated. . . . I and fam-ily are looking forward to vaca-tion this end of July, and we will be back the first of August. Va-cations are like Sabbaths – a

time to rest and renew and re-member who is our Sustainer and Friend. . . .August is known as the month to get ready for the Fall program. One large need we have is two Sunday School teachers – part-time or full – for the Jr. High age group (confirmation) and the upper elementary age group. We are covered for the youngest age group, but are praying to God for individuals to be lifted up for the older groups. First classes are on Sept. 9th when we go to two services. Rally Sunday will be Aug. 26th with a special fel-lowship/potluck afterwards. La-bor Day weekend will still be one service only. . . . Also our thanks to so many donors for completing the over $18,000 need for the sealing of our worn out parking lot. Initiation to start

Pastor’s Notes work is scheduled for Aug. 14th if all goes well. . . . What a summer it was for the chil-dren and youth with all the camps and trips. Tonia and I hope to host a Kid’s Club swim-ming event at our house before school starts. So keep your eye open for that. . . . May God continue to bless your coming ins and going outs from this forth and forevermore.

Pastor Steve Cell 956-340-0020

Summer Sunday Potluck Sunday, August 5th at 10:30 AM

2 POTLUCKS IN AUGUST!!

Bring a dish to share.

Getting to Know You Potluck

Sunday, August 26 at 10:30 AM

WEDNESDAYS, AUGUST 1 AND 15

5:00 PM DINNER, 6:30 PM MOVIE

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS Healing: David Almquist, Duane Bagaus, Jim Birkelo, David Bour-bois, Nessa Brooks, Louise Chase, Greg Danielson, Lena Doering, Don Dunshee, Lynn En-gel, Marsha Erps, Ralland Harri-son, Bob McLaughlin, George Mergler, Jim Offerdahl, Alexa Pe-ña, Pastor Sylvia, Irma Shafer, Beth Bjork Westerhouse. Family Members: Norma Bilu-nas, Werner Doering. Friends of Congregation: Rene Anliker, Carrie Askins, Brianna Beasley, Levi Bolton, Tracy Cam-puzano, Mae Capili, George Con-very, Cristy Dee, Julie Erps, Belinda Garcia, Denise Garcia, Pat Garcia, Kali Hassebrock, Gene Haynes, MaryBeth Heikes, Donna Hiltner, Ted Hochenauer, Wes Johnson, Wyatt Kamp, Barry Kelley, Fidel Monreal, Leann Mar-tens, Mary Louise, Ann Mar-chetta, John McIntire, Heidi Meerdink, Kellie Meyers, Jeff Oby, Glenn Quizon, Lola Reslow, Michelle Roby, Alicia Rodriguez, Melissa Rodriguez, Nancy San-drock, Jean Sahm, Merle Thomp-son, Julie Traina, Valentin Family, Melody Voss, Phyllis Wells, Anne Worske, Andrew Zezulka. In military service: Justin Gar-cia, Jason Hiles, Justin Hiles, Bri-an Hovland, Logan McLaughlin, Christopher Otten, Ramiro Sand-oval, Michael Winter. For the Family and Friends of Kay McLaughlin, who passed from life through death to life eter-nal June 21.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES begin September 9th at 9:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY EVENING ADULT BIBLE STUDY will meet in the Library of the LFC at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, 22, & 29. We’ll do dinner & movie on the 1st & 15th! THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY: We usually meet in the Parish Hall at 10:00 a.m. Stay tuned for announcements.

Financial Review for January-June, 2018

June Income Year to Date 6 months Income

Actual $16,473 Actual $148,183

Plan $17,479 Plan $157,822

Difference $ -1,006 Difference $ -9,639

June Expenses Year to Date Expenses

Actual $20,673 Actual $140,445

Plan $22,017 Plan $144,959

Difference $ -338 Difference $ -4,514

Six Months Actual vs. Plan (cash flow) Income less Expense

Difference Actual $ +7,738 Planned Difference $+12,863

Operating Funds Balance $111,604 Restricted Funds Balance $ 60,498

Usable Operating Funds $ 51,106

June income fell short of plans by $1,006. Donations were more than anticipated by $+3,660, but other income was lower by $-4,666. The year-to-date income is below esti-mates by $-9,639, about 6%. Donations are above estimates by $+3,328, thank you every-one. Other income remains the problem, lower than expected by a large 37%. Some of this is due to a lack of mission groups staying in the LFC, only one this year (we had 6 last year). Expenses are lower than expected, which is good. We remain vigilant.

Service of Healing: We all need prayers for our struggles from time to time. Sharing can help to ease the

burden. Join us Tuesday, August 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, for all in need of healing and comfort. We’ll have com-munion, laying on of hands, anointing, and prayer.

THE MISSIONAL RIVER: Leading in the Missional River Your LEAD Listening Team continues to meet. We have listened to ten different focus groups. Some of the groups were the Youth, Church leaders, Church staff, Adult Bible classes, Peacemakers, Council, and the Youth parents. Through this listening process we have learned that the congregation would like to know each other better. In response we would like to invite everyone to our "Getting To Know You" Rally Day Potluck on Sunday August 26

th after the worship service. We will be doing some fun

activities in order to learn more about each other! We are gearing up and getting ready to go out into our neighborhood to listen to nearby business, schools and neighbors. This is the next step in the Missional River process. Our LEAD Listening team members are: Pastor Steve Herzberg; Deacon Janet West; Kathy Herzberg; Kathy Salinas; Mary Lovig; Donalee VanRamshorst

SCRIP NEWS: There's a minor change to our Scrip order. I will be collecting orders on Sunday, Aug 5 and delivering them on Sunday, Aug 12. We will return to our normal order/delivery schedule in Aug/Sep. Thank you. Mary Lovig

Jottings from Janet Greetings to all, near and far. I trust you are all happy, healthy, and being refreshed by your summer activities. I am already looking for-ward to the return of our Winter Texans. I am praying for safe travel for all who are traveling this summer. After all our June activities things have slowed down a bit and we are enjoying the sunshine and the rain. The valley is very lush right now and it is great to see all the green. After the quiet time of July we begin to sense the rising excitement as we approach August. The first Sunday in August will be the last summer pot luck after worship. Regular committee meet-ings begin again, and your council will resume its business. Our parking lot will be redone, thanks to the generosity of so many peo-ple. It will be wonderful to walk across the parking lot and not stum-ble. The last Sunday in August we will have Rally Day which of course signals the beginning of Sunday school. One request is this: we are losing 3 teachers this year and need to replace them. If any-one is willing to volunteer to teach SS please let Pastor Steve or me know as soon as possible. Also on the last Sunday of August we will have another pot luck after worship service. We encourage all to stay for this meal as we celebrate getting to know each other better and Rally Day. Healing service has continued all summer long and the August service will be on the 21

st. If you or someone you know

has need of healing come join us as we meet the Holy Spirit in this meeting. God Bless and Keep you all, Deacon Janet

33

ANNIVERSARIES

2 Base & Sandy Huston

6 Steve & Liz Peters

7 Jim & Jan Offerdahl

8 Ron & Marcia Cherland

8 Roger & Shirley Johnson

12 Joe & Elayne Nelson

18 Duane & Doris Bagaus

27 Steve & Antonia Herzberg

28 Bob & Lois Thompto

29 Ralland & Lois Harrison

30 Bill & Betty Mauck

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sharing and Caring Items: 8/5: Food Staples 8/19: Neighborhood Pantry Items

1 5:00pm Dinner 6:30pm Movie

2 10:00am Class 5:30pm Worship & Music 6:30pm Learning & Youth

3

4

11th Pentecost 5 9:30am Communion 10:30am Potluck

6

7 8:30am Piecemakers 1:00pm Ladies Cards

8 6:30pm Study

9 10:00am Class

10

11

12th Pentecost 12 9:30am Worship 10:30am Coffee & Fellowship

13

14 8:30am Piecemakers 6:30pm Council

15 5:00pm Dinner 6:30pm Movie

16 10:00am Class

17

18

13th Pentecost 19 9:30am Communion 10:30am Coffee & Fellowship

20 12:00pm NEWSLET-TER DEADLINE for September

21 8:30am Piecemakers 1:00pm Ladies Cards 6:30pm Healing Svc

22 6:30pm Study

23 10:00am Class

24

25 9-10am Neighbor-hood Pantry

14th Pentecost 26 RALLY DAY 9:30am Worship 10:30am Potluck

27

28 8:30am Piecemakers

29 6:30pm Study 6:30pm Praise Team Rehearsal

30 10:00am Class

31

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS 1 Diane Patrick 3 John Christensen 4 Michelle Milligan 5 Veretta Johannsen 6 Marcia Cherland 6 Dick Rohloff 7 Donald Peterson 8 Bob McLaughlin 9 Charles Hopkins 11 James Holloway 14 Gracka Herzberg 18 Doris Bagaus 20 Enriqueta Geiszler 20 Burdell Hammel 20 Kathy Salinas 21 Marge Hopkins 23 Irma Shafer 23 Janis Sommer 27 Maynard Kreidler 28 Amy Zuniga

Dime Ministry: Our 3rd quarter dimes will help buy supplies for quilts for the Piecemakers. Save the dimes you receive in change, and bring them the last Sun-day of the month.

AFGHAN MAKERS! Help is needed in making patriot-ic red, white & blue afghans. You can use any pattern, just make them at least 32 inches by 46 inches. Our goal is to deliver them to our local veterans on Veter-ans Day, November 11.

SHOP AT AMAZON? You can help OSLC at the same time. How does AmazonSmile work? In order to browse or shop at AmazonSmile, custom-ers must first select a charitable organization. The Ama-zonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the selected organization. The link is: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/74-1903015 or visit the church website at oursaviormcallen.org and click on the Ama-zonSmile banner.

BORDER AREA MISSION MINISTRIES

CARING & SHARING: On the 1st Communion Sunday in August, the 5th, please bring FOOD STAPLES (rice, beans, canned veggies, canned fruit, etc) for Cristo Rey Lutheran Church in Las Milpas. For the monthly Neighborhood Food Pantry, a list of needed food staple items is in the Narthex. Please bring in one item in bulk or an entire bag, if you wish, on Sunday, August 19. You may also donate money and designate Food Pantry. Distribution of food bags will be on Saturday, August 25th from 9 to 10am. God’s love is spread through you, to you and from you. PIECEMAKERS Hurry back Piecemakers! We have lots of work to do to be able to provide our needy Valley children with quilts when the weather turns cold. We’re hoping to have plenty of quilts for them again this year. We need your help to fill all the requests we have. Please join us on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Come for the day or a couple of hours if you can’t come for the whole day. 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 July 19, 2018.

If you received this newsletter in error, please

contact the church office.

AUGUST 2018

Where...

God is seen,

Love is felt;

Lives are changed.

Journey with Jesus: The one who sent the disciples was on his own journey. In Mark’s gospel, there is a constant urgency that drives Jesus toward Jerusalem, a journey that would eventually take him on a lonely road that led outside the city gates to Golgotha. For that last ominous journey he carried nothing in his hand, only a cross on his shoulder. Nearly naked, ultimately nailed to that cross, welcomed by no one and abandoned by God, through his death Christ has brought us life. It was the ultimate demonstration of strength and power in weakness and vulnerability. Vulnerability is not the strong suit of most congregations. In fact, rather than vulnerability, we seek stability and security at all costs. For decades, we have wrapped our ministries around institutional stability, measuring those things that will perpetuate the institution: dollars in the coffers, bodies in the pews, programs with specific and concrete goals. Might the Crucified and Risen One be challenging us to a different kind of ministry and a different way of looking at ministry? Instead of setting up storefronts of welcome, Jesus sends his disciples out looking for people who will welcome them. What might happen if we shift the focus of congregational ministry to the places we are called to go in the community, places where we stand not from the fortress and strength of buildings and programs, but only with our cross-marked bodies and the pow-er of the Spirit? To what places might we go where people would welcome us? Where do people in our neighborhoods and communities gather that the body of Christ might be welcomed? Instead of inviting people into the life of a congre-gation, could we create places where people welcome us into their lives? David E. Fitch, in his book Faithful Presence, suggests extending the eucharistic table for the sanctuary to our dining rooms, inviting neighbors into our home for con-versation and care, embodying the real presence of Christ. Where is God at work? What might God be calling us to be or to do? Acknowledging our weakness and vulnerability, relying on divine strength and courage, trusting in a cruciform power that springs from the baptismal waters and the eucharistic table, the followers of Jesus go out to bring healing and reconciliation to a wounded and divided world.