Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Advent Starting and Other Matters

A message from our pastor:

"Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

This weekend, in worship, we enter the Season of Advent as we begin a new church year. The color of the season is blue (for hope), for it is a time in which the church looks forward to the final coming of Jesus. The Advent Wreath will be in place, as we will light the first candle.

This Sunday, at 3:00 p.m., the first Christmas Pageant rehearsal will be held at the church. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Spry.

Next weekend, Saturday (12/09) and Sunday (12/10) there is plenty happening: Saturday and Sunday in worship will be our Consecration Services as we receive “estimates of giving” ($ and time/talent) for 2007. Watch your mail for details. Sunday, after worship, we will also hold our annual ADVENTure Awaiting Celebration, which includes a silent auction, holiday craft fair, and great food prepared by our Youth. Plan to be a part of this festive day! And on Saturday, 8:30 a.m., we will put up the Chrismon trees in the sanctuary (trees only). Anyone and everyone is welcome to help erect the 4 trees.

As we begin a new church year, let’s gather in worship this weekend. It’s a great way to kick off the new year!

In Christ,
Gary

Update on New Book of Worship

The good news is that we're being told that our copies of the pew edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship should ship to us soon. That bad news is that there has been a delay in shipping the accompaniment editions of ELW. Evidently, there was a problem with the binding from the first printing of the accompaniment editions, so Augsburg Fortress had to return them to be redone. We won't begin using the pew copies until we at least obtain a copy of the accompaniment edition for the liturgy. Hopefully, it will arrive in time for the season of Ephiphany or at least for Lent.

So far, we have received donations for 170 copies of the pew edition. The congregation has purchased 450 copies, so we have a way to go. If you would like donate one or more copies in honor or memory of a friend, loved one, or anyone who has been a part of your faith journey, contact the church office. The cost is $17.50 each, because we pre-ordered. (Copies ordered today are $20.00.)

Christmas Caroling

Our children's group, the "Holy Terrors," will host Christmas caroling on Sunday, December 17. We will meet for lunch after the 10:30 AM service and leave for caroling after lunch. This event is open to everyone who wants to brighten up the holiday for some of our homebound members. There will be hot chocolate and cookes afterward. Please RSVP by Sunday, December 10 to Rachel at the church so that enough food can be purchased for the luncheon.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

About Our Church

For those of you who don't know our church, the Lutheran Church of Our Savior is located in Oakwood (Dayton), Ohio, and is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (the "ELCA"). We are a medium-sized congregation, with an average attendance of about 200 people at worship each weekend. Our Pastor is Gary Eichhorn. Ginger Minneman is our Music Director and the Director of our Chancel Choir, and Rachel Spry is our Organist and Coordinator of Family Ministeries .

We have three worship services each weekend: 5:30 PM on Saturday and 8:15 AM and 10:30 AM on Sunday. While every weekend service is a Communion service, there are distinct differences between the three services. (Click on the following link to a description of each service: Worship Descriptions.) There are many opportunities for lay people to participate in leadership of worship - choral choirs, ushers, acolytes, readers, worship and communion assistants, etc.

To read more about our church and to find driving directions, visit www.oursaviordayton.org. Visitors are always welcome.

Thanksgiving Eve Dinner and Worship; the Festival of Christ the King

A Message from Pastor Gary:

"Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

Special thanks to Harriet Uphoff for bringing the inspiring message in worship this past weekend! Our community of faith is filled with plenty of very gifted people. Thanks to all of you who so willingly share your gifts for the glory of God and the uplifting of this community!

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 22, 6:15 p.m., we will gather in the fellowship hall for our THANKSGIVING EVE SOUP DINNER. As I type this, part of the crew is downstairs in the newly completed kitchen getting things started. At 7:00 p.m., we will move upstairs to the parish house foyer for our ANNUAL THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP. This years’ theme is “Lift Up Your Hearts,” and our time together will include looking at what we think God is calling us to do with our time, talents and resources in 2007 as we give thanks for God’s blessings in life this year. I hope you can be with us. If you are traveling, may God richly bless your Thanksgiving celebration, and guide you safely back to us!

This weekend is the final weekend in the Church Year, celebrated as the Festival of Christ the King. We have come full circle, hearing the stories from Scripture of how God has broken into human history, and into our lives, through Jesus the Christ. Next weekend begins another new Church Year, with the season of Advent, in which we begin to retell the stories again from Scripture. If you are in town this weekend, join us for our “year-end celebration” in worship.

Let's meet in worship this weekend!

In Christ,

Gary"

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Bell Choir Special Rehearsal

The bell choir will rehearse at 9:30 AM next Sunday, November 26, and will play at the 10:30 AM service.

Thanksgiving Eve Service and Dinner

Please join us on Wednesday, November 22 at 6:00 PM for a soup supper. At 7:00 PM, we will gather around the fireplace in the foyer of the old Patterson mansion for an informal service of Thanksgiving. As always, visitors are welcome. Come share in fellowship and worship.

Children's Christmas Pageant

This year, the Children's Christmas "pageant" will be held during the 10:30 AM Communion service on the day of Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24. The pageant is Christmas Around the World by Karyl J. Garner. Rehearsals are December 3 and 10 (Sundays) at 3:00 PM; Saturday, December 16 at 9:00 AM; and Saturday, December 23 at noon (with a pizza lunch). Please contact Rachel Spry at the church by December 3 if you would like your children to participate.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Worship Notes for November 11-12

The Gospel lesson this week is Mark 12:38-44. In this reading, Jesus says:

"Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation."
In contrast, Jesus praises the poor widow who puts two small copper coins in the offering--everything she had.

The Chancel Choir's anthem on Sunday ends with a question: "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" ("Offertory" by John Ness Beck, based on Micah 6:6-8.) An interesting question, in light of the Gospel lesson for the day.

This Sunday's Organ Music

Both the prelude and postlude this Sunday are based upon the German Lutheran chorale tune Nun Danket Alle Gott (Now Thank We all Our God). The two arrangements are a study in contrasts. The first is by J.S. Bach, who set the tune in a stately form using a solo trumpet. The second is by Fred Bock, who composed his flashy arrangement in the style of Diane Bish, the organist famous for her "Joy of Music" television series, sequined clothing, and gold shoes.

Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program

The Social Ministry Committee has announced that we will sponsor 13 needy families this year-53 people in total. Watch for a Christmas tag tree in the Narthex on November 19 that will be decorated with tags for each family member. Select the person or people you would like to shop for and register your tags with Committee members who will be present at each service. Monetary gifts will be used by the Committee to purchase food and some gifts. Shopping must be completed by December 10; delivery to families will be Saturday, December 23. A dedication will occur during worship on the weekend of December 16-17. The Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program is one of several that we take part in during the year. Please continue to give generously!

2007 Flower Chart

The altar flower chart is hanging up in the narthex. It has been decided to increase the price to $30 per vase. (It's been a long time since we've increased the price--it's time to make an adjustment so that the florist can provide arrangements that are more proportional to the setting.) Please sign up for a date or dates for which you would like to sponsor a vase.

The sanctuary (eternal) candle sign up sheet for 2007 is also in the narthex. Please sign up to sponsor the candle for a month.

Christmas Eve Bulletin Covers

We will once again be using drawings by children in the congregation as our Christmas Eve bulletin covers. Drawings are to be hand drawn (NO computer graphics) and colored. Pick up a bulletin cover form in the narthex and get creative! Forms are due in the church office by December 3.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

A Message From Pastor Gary

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

"Calling all soup chefs" - we are seeking people to help make the soup for our Thanksgiving Eve Soup Dinner, which will be held at 6:15 p.m. prior to our 7:00 p.m. worship on Wednesday, November 22. Supplies will be purchased in advance and placed in the downstairs kitchen (along with the recipe) prior to cooking. If you are interested in helping, please respond email me or call the church office.

It is time again to order your Christmas Poinsettias! Watch the church bulletins for the insert. Once again, the cost is only $7.00 per plant (4-6 blooms), and can be picked up after the 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

This weekend in worship, the Foundation Board will present a brief "Temple Talk" at each service. As part of our Stewardship Emphasis, this weekend's talk will focus on the Lutheran Church of Our Savior Foundation, how it helps our ministries, and how you can help the Foundation grow.

Let's meet in worship this weekend!

In Christ,

Gary