A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We are an Easter people! That means we believe in and worship a God of extravagant abundance and not scarcity! Our lessons this weekend drive home that point, as we hear again the story of Jesus telling his disciples that God has plenty of blessings for everyone.

This Sunday, at the 10:30 a.m. service, we will also provide prayers and anointing for spiritual/mental/physical healing during the celebration of Holy Communion.

Sunday afternoon, the Dayton Confirmation Cluster will travel to Wittenberg University to meet with campus pastor Rachel Tune and some college students to discuss putting faith into action after confirmation.

Those of you who still have cards from the Adopt-A-College Student Program are reminded to return them to the church office ASAP!! Some colleges will be concluding for the summer in a few weeks, so the materials need to be in the mail now.

The Spiritual Journey event will resume this Friday, 10:00 p.m. at the church. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Carol Harper and some high school friends hosted a dance in our fellowship hall Saturday night. Entry fee was a canned food donation. 50 youth attended, bringing 120 cans of food and $14 – all of which has been donated to the church food pantry. Way to go, Carol!!

Tyler Maschino is working on his Boy Scout Eagle Award, and his project is to build a storage shed at the backside of the parish house chapel to house the chairs we use for our Saturday outdoor worship. Special thanks to the church Property Committee for the direction they have shared with Tyler. Cost of building materials is about $500, which he is to raise. This weekend, I invite you to bring an additional donation for Tyler's Eagle Project, so he can reach his goal. The "build" is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, with a rainout date set for May 10.

Needed – people willing to serve as ushers for the 10:30 a.m. worship service (and 9:45 a.m. service during the summer). Job description – hand out bulletins, collect the offering, direct people during communion, count heads. Age/gender requirement: none! If you would like to volunteer, respond to this email, or contact Terri Balsom in the church office. Thanks!

LOOKING AHEAD

Rebuilding Together – this annual home-rehabbing project is scheduled for Saturday, April 26. Miami Valley Lutherans will be working on two homes, and our own Terry Bruns and Doug Hammer are the house captains. Volunteers of all abilities can be utilized. Can you help? Contact the church office.

Youth Mother's Day Brunch – May 4, 11:45 a.m., in the fellowship hall. Yes, it's not really Mother's Day, but this way, you can support the youth one week, and then celebrate with your family the next. This annual event is a fundraiser for the youth mission trip to the Dominican Republic in July, where they will be working at an orphanage for a week.

I look forward to being in worship with you this weekend as we sing our praises to the God of abundance!

In Christ's peace,

Gary

Souper Bowl of Caring 2008 - The Cart Was Overflowing

At our worship services this last weekend, we collected 253 food items and $29 as part of the Super Bowl of Caring. The food and money will be donated directly to the New Hope Food Pantry. Thanks to everybody who contributed and to the people who stayed late to help report the count. Your generosity is appreciated and will be a great help to the food panty in fulfilling their mission. For the national totals, see the web site for the Souper Bowl of Caring, where groups are beginning to report what they collected.

Souper Bowl of Caring on Super Bowl Weekend

"Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat." Souper Bowl of Caring Founding Prayer

This coming weekend, those who come to worship at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring. All proceeds will go directly to the New Hope Food Pantry in Dayton. This is an annual event that started with one church in 1990 and has now grown to over 15,000 churches and civic groups nationwide. Approximately $8,26,191 worth of food and money was raised in 2007, with $826,191 of that coming from ELCA congregations. No money or food is sent to the Souper Bowl of Caring itself - all proceeds go directly a charity chosen by each participating group.

We encourage everybody attending our services this weekend to give generously. We will be collecting both food items and monetary donations.

For more information, see http://www.souperbowl.org/ and www.elca.org/hunger/resources/souperbowl.html. If you click on "Social Ministry Projects" below, you'll see more postings about the New Hope Food Pantry.

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Our worship theme this weekend, grounded in our lessons, deals with our response to God's call to obedience and servanthood. We have the opportunity to reflect on our own responses to God's call as we hear in the Gospel lesson the account of Jesus calling his first disciples to follow him. This is big stuff, and demands that we dream big!

It's here! The "Hearts for the Lord's Will" All-Congregation Birthday Celebration will be held this Sunday, January 23 11:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall. If you have forgotten to make your reservations, not to worry. The Evangelism Team says come on - just bring a covered dish to share (something other desserts, please – from the reservations, it looks like we'll have plenty of sweets!). Not only does this promise to be an exciting event, it also promises to do a great job of "setting the table" for our Annual Meeting, held the following week! We hope you will be with us. Nursery care and activities for children will be provided.

Looking Ahead:

- Annual Meeting - Sunday, February 3, 11:45 a.m. Catered lunch, followed by meeting to act on the proposed budget, celebrate last year's ministries, and act on a Local Benevolence proposal
- Ash Wednesday observance - February 6, 6:00 p.m. dinner; 7:00 p.m. worship (sanctuary). This will be a traditional service using the liturgy for Ash Wednesday from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, including the imposition of ashes.

The volunteers who work at the New Hope Food Pantry have expressed their gratitude to the members of LCOS for their generous support. The food and money you send does make a difference, and is greatly appreciated. Last month, they provided assistance for over 300 people, and they couldn't have done it without us. You've probably read that food pantries and food banks around the country are experiencing shortages of food. While the shelves at the New Hope Food Pantry aren't empty, they are very low. Particular needs right now are for canned fruit and fruit juices (keep in mind that people on blood pressure medication can't eat grapefruit); rice; and high-protein foods such as canned salmon and tuna, beans, prepared dinners, stews, "chunky" soups, etc. The collection point for donations is the kitchen in the parrish house.

Parting thought: the late Episcopal theologian Henri Nouwen once wrote, community is first of all a quality of the heart. It grows from spiritual knowledge that we are alive not for ourselves but for one another. Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own (see Philippians 2:4). The question, therefore, is not, "How can we make community?" but "How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?"

As we prepare to gather for worship and fellowship in our community of faith this weekend, may we come with giving hearts. See you in worship!

In Christ's peace,
Gary

A Message From Our Pastor - Advent and Christmas Events

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

This weekend is the Fourth (and last) Sunday in Advent, and our worship theme centers around the proclamation Emmanuel – God is with us. The Gospel lesson is Matthew's account of the Christmas story, with the focus on Joseph as one who trusted God and "did the right thing." As we frantically prepare for the holiday, we are reminded to trust in God, and not in our own abilities, and do what is the right thing to do – always.

During the 10:30 worship Sunday, the Joyful Noise Children's Choir will present special music prior to the Children's Moment, and the Hand Bell Choir will present music during the offering.

Weekend Activities

Friday Spiritual Journey – 10:00 p.m. in the Parish House foyer around the fire place

Saturday Adopt-A-Family Delivery – 9:30 a.m. The Social Ministry Committee is coordinating this major project that will benefit many children and adults in the Miami Valley.

Saturday Worship – 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary

Sunday Worship – 8:15 a.m. in the sanctuary
Children's Choir Rehearsals – 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School – 9:15/9:30 a.m.
Worship – 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary
Sacred Harp Singers – 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Parish House Blue Room

CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE

3:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service, with pageant, carols, and celebration of Holy Communion .

10:00 p.m. Traditional Christmas Eve Service, with candles, readings, carols, celebration of Holy Communion, and music presented by the Chancel Choir.


Special thanks to everyone who helped with the decorating in the sanctuary – it is beautiful. And special thanks to everyone who assisted in leading worship last weekend while Debby and I were in Chicago, especially Harriet Uphoff, Ginger and Dan Minneman, and Rachel Spry.

May God fill the remainder of this Advent season with hope, and bring joyous blessings to you all this Christmas!

In Christ's peace,
Gary

Thank You, and an Extended Opportunity

Thank you to worshipers who brought food with them this last weekend for the New Hope Food Pantry as part of our "Fish and Crackers" appeal. The food will go directly to people in need, and is greatly appreciated.

Pastor Gary has announced (see posting below) that this special appeal has been extended to this weekend. Please participate - let's see if we can fill the cart past overflowing!

From Our Pastor: "Eternal Peace" This Sunday Evening; Fish & Crackers Collection Extended; Spiritual Journeys; Change Your Clocks!

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

WORSHIP THEME for this weekend:
In Saturday and Sunday morning worship, our Gospel lesson is the very familiar story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus, and inviting himself into the tax collector's home. It is a story of undeserved grace(!), which is at the core of the Good News of God in Jesus. I am reminded of the old Sunday School song many of us learned about Jesus calling the little man out of the Sycamore tree. My confirmation classmates (in Brecksville, Ohio) and I had way too much fun driving our pastor around the bend as we sang our own words to that song! It was only by grace that we made it through "every-Saturday" confirmation!

ETERNAL PEACE: A SERVICE OF HOPE AND REMEMBRANCE
Led by our Chancel Choir and special musicians, we will celebrate the Festival of All Saints this Sunday night, 7:00 p.m., in our main sanctuary. Traditionally a time to give thanks and praise to God for the gift of family and friends who died during the last 12 months, our gathering on this night will also celebrate God's gift of healing our grief and the promise that we will one day be reunited with those no longer with us. I hope that you will carve out time in your weekend to gather together for this special Service of Hope and Remembrance.

FISH AND CRACKERS
In case you forgot to bring your fish (or any canned meat) and crackers last weekend, you are invited to do so this weekend – let's fill the grocery cart for our monthly delivery to the New Hope Food Pantry.

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
This Friday, November 2, 10:00 p.m., is the next Spiritual Journey gathering. We will either be in the chapel or the prayer labyrinth, depending on the temperature! You are invited to journey with others as we venture to deepen our faith.

2008 FLOWER CALENDAR IS UP!
The new year is just two months away, and you are invited to sign up to provide flowers on the altar for worship in the new year. The calendar is in the narthex: sign up on the line by your chosen date, and then complete the information page in the accompanying book. The cost is $30 per vase, and you will be billed directly by the florist.

HELP NEEDED!
We are seeking individuals, couples, and/or families to serve as USHERS and GREETERS during 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship. If you are interested in serving in either or both capacities, please contact Terri Balsom (Church Office Manager) at the church. Thank you!

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
That's right! It's time to reserve your Christmas poinsettias, which will be delivered on December 22 for our Christmas Eve services. This year, the Worship Planning Team has ordered white poinsettias to create a "sea of white" (the church color for Christmas and also the color used to symbolize peace, our church-wide theme for this year and next) to enhance worship. "Reservation Forms" begin appearing as inserts in this weekend's worship bulletin. Cost remains $7.00/plant (4-6 blooms), and you are asked to submit $ with your reservation form.

REMEMBER TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS THIS SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!
It's the best Saturday night of the year – get your extra hour of sleep, and I'll see you in worship on Sunday!

In Christ's peace,
Gary

Reformation Sunday Festival Service - October 28

If you are looking for a festival service to attend in the Dayton area on Reformation Sunday, October 28, consider worshiping with us at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior. At our 10:30 a.m. service, brass and timpani players will join with the pipe organ and the Chancel Choir (Ginger Minneman, Director) to lead the music for the day, including a festival setting of the liturgy (ELW Setting Five, which was originally LBW Setting II). This is a traditional service, with sung and chanted liturgy.

Please join us as we celebrate the Reformation not just as a historical event, but as a call for the continual renewal of the Church.

As a reminder, we are making a special appeal to collect food for the New Hope Food Pantry in conjunction with the services this weekend. There is a posting below this one that gives more details.

Special Collection for the New Hope Food Pantry - Fish and Crackers

This weekend, the Social Ministry Committee is sponsoring a special food collection for the New Hope Food Pantry. While all food items are welcome, the committee is encouraging us to bring donations of canned fish (and/or other non-perishable meats) and crackers (including saltines and packs of cheese and crackers/peanut butter and crackers). The grocery cart will once again be in the narthex for collection before and after all three worship services this weekend.

At the end of each worship service, we are sent back out into the world to serve. Contributing to the New Hope Food Pantry in an organized way is one of the many ways we seek to serve. We deliver food to the pantry every month during the year, and we've held several special collections this year. The New Hope Food Pantry is located at New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is in Dayton on Catalpa Drive. If you click the tab "Social Ministry Projects" below, you'll read about our other special collections this year and seem some pictures of the results - "Souper Bowl Sunday," "Cereal Sunday," and "Pasta Sunday." All of them have been successful. Let's see if we can fill the cart past overflowing again!

A Message From Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We have lots going on this weekend, so I'll try to make this brief but informative:

FRIDAY
Spiritual Journey – 10:00 p.m. around the fire pit in the prayer labyrinth at the church (or in the chapel if it rains)

SATURDAY
Congregational Hayride and Worship – sponsored by the Holy Terrors at JD Hooks Farm (Rt. 48 south, about 14 miles from the church, on the left at the bottom of the hill)
4:00 p.m. Hayrides ($5/person)
5:30 p.m. Bonfire started and Wiener roast
6:30 p.m. Worship around the fire

Saturday Worship in the Prayer Labyrinth – 5:30 p.m., a brief Taize' Prayer service with Holy Communion

SUNDAY
Worship and Sunday School - at the usual times: worship at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m., and Sunday School classes at 9:15 and 9:30 a.m., with Children's Choirs meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Prayers for Healing and Anointing – at the 10:30 a.m. worship service – you are invited to come forward to the altar railing during the communion celebration
Confirmation – the Dayton Confirmation Cluster meets at North Riverdale Lutheran Church, 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.

WORSHIP THEME
This weekend, our lessons all deal with the need for persistence in faith, especially in our prayer life.

THANKS, JIM!
Tomorrow night, Friday, October 19, our own Jim Uphoff will be honored by the Oakwood Board of Education and the school administrators, after serving on the Oakwood School Board for more than 18 years. A dessert reception will be held at the south lawn of the Oakwood Junior High School (across from the stadium) from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. The public is invited. Jim will also be honored during halftime at the Oakwood football game.

RETURNING HOME
Tomorrow the 50 Lutherans from the Miami Valley who have been rehabbing homes in the New Orleans/Slidell, Louisiana area will be heading home. Included in the group are our own Terry Bruns, Don Hartman, and Karen Tyson. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel home.

May the Holy Spirit gather us all in worship this weekend, and may we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving for all God gives us!

In Christ's peace,
Gary

A Message from Our Pastor

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Finally – it's fall . . . praise God!

This weekend in worship, our LESSONS lift up the importance of our faith being grounded in Jesus the miracle worker, not in miracles themselves, as we hear the Old Testament story of God, through the prophet Elisha, cleansing Naaman of his leprosy, and Luke's gospel account of Jesus healing ten lepers. The Health Ministry Team will be offering free, confidential blood pressure screenings after all three worship services.

This weekend, we will also have with us in worship the Rev. Bruce Rill, who is director of church relations with our mission partner WE CARE ARTS. Bruce will present a brief temple talk, as well as be available to share information and answer questions before and after all three worship services.

This Saturday, some 50+ Lutherans from 15 Dayton Conference congregations will depart from the LCOS parking lot for the third Conference Mission Trip to Slidell, Louisiana. Two of our own member-disciples, Karen Tyson and Don Hartman, will be on the bus. The group will return on October 20. Please keep Karen, Don, and all the other Lutherans in your prayers in the coming week as they represent us in tangibly sharing God's love with our sisters and brothers in need.

WE BEEN CHALLENGED!
One of our member families has challenged our congregation to raise $5000 by December 31, and the family will match our donations dollar-for-dollar (up to $5000). This family has already donated an initial $5000 for three ministries, and will donate another $5000 when we match it. The money will be dispersed for following ministries: 20% for Lutheran World Federation; 30% for Jeremiah's Letter; and 50% for the HVAC Project (new pledged $ only). In other words, half of the money will go to ministry projects that have faces (directly assisting people beyond ourselves), and half will stay here for "bricks and mortar" (our facility). How about it – are we up to the challenge? Watch this weekly update and the posters throughout the church for updates on our progress in meeting this challenge. Remember – make checks out to Lutheran Church of Our Savior, with the notation "LCOS Challenge."

LOOKING AHEAD
+ Worship and a Hayride – Saturday, October 20, JD Hooks Farm, on Rt. 48, south of Spring Valley, on the left (about 20 minutes from Oakwood). The event, hosted by the Holy Terrors, is open to the congregation. The hayrides begin at 4:00 p.m. The bonfire and wiener roast will begin at 5:30 p.m., with worship starting around the campfire at 6:30 p.m. If you plan to attend the dinner, please contact the church office (293-1147) or respond to this email. A brief service with communion will be held at the church at 5:30 p.m. for those unable to attend worship at Hooks Farm.

+ New Member-Disciples Received – during worship on Saturday and Sunday, October 27/28, we will receive new member-disciples into our fellowship.

+ Fish and Crackers Weekend – also on the last weekend of October (27/28), the Social Ministry Committee will sponsor a special food collection for the New Hope Food Pantry. While all food items are welcome, the committee is encouraging us to bring donations of canned fish (and/or other non-perishable meats) and crackers. Start collecting now!

+ All Saints Festival Service – Sunday, November 4, 7:00 p.m., the Worship Planning Team, along with the Chancel Choir, will host a special All Saints Festival Service for the congregation and community. This will be a time to remember with thanksgiving to God those loved ones who touched our lives and are now celebrating eternal life with God.

May God richly bless you with the peace of our Lord this week. See you in worship!

Yours, in Christ's peace,
Gary

Pasta Weekend Results

Not only was the cart filled, but there was a large pile that couldn't be fit into the cart. Thanks to all who contributed! We collect food all year for the New Hope Food Pantry and also have special appeals several times a year to help them build the stockpile on their shelves. Previous similar special appeals this year included Souper Bowl Sunday and Cereal Sunday. To read more about these appeals and their tie to worship, click on "Social Ministries Projects" below.

A Message From Our Pastor - "Pasta Weekend"; Saturday October 20 Worship - Two Services, Including One Off-Site

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The rain that is presently falling is truly a blessing. Earlier this week, I attended the Southern Ohio Synod's annual "rostered leaders conference" at Deer Creek State Park, and it was so dry and hot that I did not even unload my fishing gear from the trunk of my car!

This weekend, our worship theme is based upon Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus, lifting up the importance of our faith in God being lived out in the ways we serve others. Thus, it is not mere coincidence that this weekend has been dubbed "PASTA WEEKEND," sponsored by the Social Ministry Committee. You are invited and encouraged to bring food donations of pasta and sauce for the New Hope Food Pantry. All kinds will be accepted - dried pasta; canned pasta; cans and jars of sauce; macaroni and cheese; etc. In an email I received yesterday, one of our members reported to me that both Krogers and Cub Foods currently have sales on both pasta, sauces, and canned ravioli. So, bring your food donations to worship this weekend, and let's fill the shelves of the New Hope Food Pantry! (Click on "Social Ministry Projects" below for more posts about this project and similar projects in the last year - "Cereal Sunday" and "Souper Bowl Sunday.")

Looking Ahead:

On Saturday, October 20, a special worship service will be held at the JDHooks Farm (on Rt. 48, south of Centerville, toward Lebanon) in conjunction with the Holy Terrors hayride, bonfire, and wiener roast. The hayrides begin at 4:00 p.m.; the bonfire and wiener roast will begin at 5:30 p.m., and worship will be held around the bonfire. You are welcome to come for the entire afternoon, just worship, or worship and a hotdog! ON OCTOBER 20, THE REGULAR SATURDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE WILL BE HELD ON SITE AT LUTHERAN CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR - THIS IS A CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS.

As God is blessing our part of creation with rain, may the Lord bless you with all that will nourish your life.

In Christ's peace,
Gary

"Pasta Sunday" - September 30

No, "Pasta Sunday" isn't some newly-designated feast day on the liturgical calendar. It does, however, relate to the call to action contained in the lesson for the day. In the second lesson, we hear:

"As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, and ready to share . . . ." 1 Timothy 6:18-19

Sharing is what "Pasta Sunday" is all about. Food banks and food pantries receive their largest volume of donations during the holiday season of Thanksgiving through New Years. That's why we solicit donations for the New Hope Food Pantry all year long, rather than concentrating all of our efforts during the holidays. On September 30 (and the 29th, for those attending on Saturday), we're making a special appeal to help restock the food pantry with donations of pasta and sauce of all types. The pantry will welcome any kind of dry pasta, prepared sauces, packaged pasta dishes, and canned ready-to-heat pastry entrees: spaghetti, sauce in cans or jars, noodles, canned ravioli, macaroni and cheese, etc.

When we had "Cereal Sunday" several months ago, the response was excellent - the grocery cart was overflowing. Let's see if we can beat that this time. (Click on "Social Ministry Projects" for other posts about similar collections.)

Doing some quick calculations, if each person who attended a service on September 29-30 donated four or five portions of pasta and sauce - for example, a 12 oz box of spaghetti and a can of sauce each - we'd have a thousand portions. That would surely help the New Hope Food Pantry replenish stocks before seasonal donations start coming in during the late fall and early winter.

We Filled the Cart!

Thanks to those who brought cereal to worship this weekend for the New Hope Food Pantry.

Bring Cereal to Church This Weekend

The Social Ministry Committee is asking that everyone bring breakfast cereal when you come to worship on May 5 and 6 to stock the shelves of the New Hope Food Pantry. Add a box (or more) to the grocery cart in the narthex. Any kind you'd like to share will be welcome. Hot cereals like oatmeal or grits; cold cereals – flakes, puffs or whatever shapes you like. Any and all kinds will help feed those who are hungry.

We had a great response on "Super Bowl Sunday." Let's fill the cart again! Remember: "Where charity and love are, God is there." (See the posting above entitled "Ubi caritas . . . .")

For more information about the work of our Social Ministry Committee click here.

A Super "Souper Bowl" Response

Thanks to those of you who brought cans of soup to worship this weekend as part of the "Souper Bowl." The soup will be donated to the New Hope Food Pantry, the food pantry that our congregation supports through the year.

"Souper Bowl"

A message from our Pastor:

Just a quick reminder to bring one or more cans of hearty soup with you to worship this weekend for our SOUPER BOWL celebration. Place your cans in the grocery cart "parked" in the narthex. All food items collected will be delivered to the New Hope Food Pantry, housed at New Hope Lutheran Church, in northwest Dayton.

In Christ,

Gary