It has often been said that, “camp changes lives.” And we believe that is true. We see it happen with our kids here at the church after they spend a week at Bible camp or get away for a weekend retreat. The most common feedback we get from confirmation kids when we ask, “What was the most significant faith-forming part of your confirmation experience?” is CAMP. And personally, if it were not for camp and working in college as a counselor at Lutheran camps, I probably would not have become a pastor. And so because we know the impact that Christian camp has on kid’s lives, we seek to not only provide, but promote as many Christian “camp” experiences as we can for the kids of Our Savior. Here’s what’s coming up this summer. Mark the dates on your calendar now, so you don’t miss out!
DAY CAMP
Our ever popular annual on-site camp here at Our Savior, with counselors from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Florida. Day Camp is a week of growing with God through faith sharing, fun, games, activities, skits, and more.
June 21-25th
Ages: 1st grade through 8th grade (as of fall of 2010)
LUTHER SPRINGS CONFIRMATION CAMP
An important week for all confirmation students. Often cited by past confirmation kids that this week was the most significant part of their entire confirmation experience. Swimming, canoeing, Bible Study, skits, games, being at a great place with out faith-filled kids and counselors.
June 27th – July 2nd
Ages: Confirmation Students
LUTHER ROCK HIGH ADVENTURE CAMP
Yes, a trip to Luther Rock is back by popular demand! High School students will ride a bus with other south Florida Lutheran kids to Luther Rock in North Carolina (with an overnight stop at Luther Springs on the way). The week at Luther Rock includes rafting, hiking, caving, ropes course, and more.
July 31 – August 7th
(Because of the extra logistics of this trip (bus ride) we need to know who is going by March 15th. Let one of the pastors know if you are interested!)
Ages: High School
LUTHER SPRINGS EXTENDED DISCOVERY WEEK
This camp week includes bussed transportation to camp as well. So you get to ride the bus with other South Florida campers and then spend a week at Luther Springs swimming, boating, canoe trips, team-building, Bible Study. Luther Springs offers a wonderful Christian experience for elementary kids first time of going away to camp.
July 31-August 7th
Ages: 3rd – 5th grade
So get on board for camp this summer!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelly
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
God’s Work Our Hands
You may have heard this theme a time or two by now (we hope you have!). We have adopted this ELCA theme for our congregation and soon we will have two new banners keeping these words before us. Also, we have taken these words on guiding theme for our Sunday School year. And in Sunday School it has been wonderful to see the ways many little hands have been doing God’s work. Here are some of the highlights.
Faith Garden: A member of the congregation walked out into the courtyard one day in September and said, “Wow, this garden looks so beautiful to me today, it’s as though it just came into bloom over night!” In a way it did. The children had just trimmed and tended the garden and filled it with new plants. We call it the Faith Garden and it is a way that the children are able to use their hands actively caring for and being a part of God’s creation. The children tend the garden on a weekly basis, watering, weeding, pruning, and tending.
Theme Song: If you know the song “The Farmer in the Dell” you could quickly catch on to the Sunday School “God’s Work Our Hands,” theme song written by Karen Diehl. Karen taught the children how to sing the song, and then several weeks later Katie Diehl Cateenwalla taught the children how to use their hands by signing the words to the song. Katie Canteenwalla is a sign language teacher in the public schools and uses her hands in doing God’s work in a very literal way.
Canned Goods: You might notice some bright orange tubs in each of the classrooms. The children decorated these bins with their handprints and have been bringing in canned goods each Sunday. The food will be given to families with children in need. They also come to Sunday School with their usual offering money and this money goes toward buying food for the same purpose.
As the year continues the children will use their hands in many more ways of doing God’s work creating centerpieces for the Thanksgiving Home Alone dinners, making communion bread, acting out the Christmas story, singing and signing, praying and serving. We are thankful for these little hands and all of the ways they are about God’s work in our midst!
God’s Work Our Hands,
Pastor Shelly
Faith Garden: A member of the congregation walked out into the courtyard one day in September and said, “Wow, this garden looks so beautiful to me today, it’s as though it just came into bloom over night!” In a way it did. The children had just trimmed and tended the garden and filled it with new plants. We call it the Faith Garden and it is a way that the children are able to use their hands actively caring for and being a part of God’s creation. The children tend the garden on a weekly basis, watering, weeding, pruning, and tending.
Theme Song: If you know the song “The Farmer in the Dell” you could quickly catch on to the Sunday School “God’s Work Our Hands,” theme song written by Karen Diehl. Karen taught the children how to sing the song, and then several weeks later Katie Diehl Cateenwalla taught the children how to use their hands by signing the words to the song. Katie Canteenwalla is a sign language teacher in the public schools and uses her hands in doing God’s work in a very literal way.
Canned Goods: You might notice some bright orange tubs in each of the classrooms. The children decorated these bins with their handprints and have been bringing in canned goods each Sunday. The food will be given to families with children in need. They also come to Sunday School with their usual offering money and this money goes toward buying food for the same purpose.
As the year continues the children will use their hands in many more ways of doing God’s work creating centerpieces for the Thanksgiving Home Alone dinners, making communion bread, acting out the Christmas story, singing and signing, praying and serving. We are thankful for these little hands and all of the ways they are about God’s work in our midst!
God’s Work Our Hands,
Pastor Shelly
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A Workshop or A Retreat? . . . How about Both!
Businesses and leadership teams and church groups often go away on retreats. In the respect that they are getting away from their usual environment they are definitely “retreating.” But in regards to a retreat from activity, work, business, meetings, etc. that is often not the case. And the content of the time together can only be described as a work retreat (which is somewhat of an oxymoron). We stumbled upon this contradiction, “a work retreat,” as we were seeking to plan some special events for the congregation. As a congregation many have expressed the desire for further prayer and visioning and conversation about where God is leading us as a congregation—what is the future of Our Savior Lutheran Church? What ministries is God calling us to grow, develop, deepen? At the same time many have expressed desire for a time of spiritual growth and formation. We started planning these two concepts as one event and realized what we were getting ourselves into seemed to contradict both purposes of work and retreat. So we separated the two and now are offering two separate events that will strengthen us in ministry and deepen our spiritual growth both individually and as a congregation.
The first event is a spiritual retreat. This is a true retreat, not a seminar or a conference, or an extended meeting. And by retreat we mean: A time for God, a time for assessing our relationship with God. We spend time with the people we cherish and respect. We spend time with God. A retreat nurtures our spiritual life in an environment away from the ordinary distractions of life. In the Scriptures, we read that Jesus would simply go off and pray. Each and every one of us needs time to do just that, and a retreat provides us with this opportunity (quoted from Our Lady of Florida Retreat Center’s web site).
If that sounds good to you keep reading! We are often more able to step back and reflect on our relationship with God when we are able to step away from the usual daily activities of our lives. And so we will head to a retreat center in Leesburg, FL for this event. It will be a 24 hour retreat filled with worship, prayer, faithful conversations, and time deepening our relationship with God. We are not joining another group for this retreat. The retreat will be by and for Our Savior members. See further details on page 5 and consider nurturing your relationship with God through a retreat.
And if you are interested in where God is calling the ministry of Our Savior . . . then mark your calendars for a January workshop on Saturday January 23, 2010. This workshop will be led by Rev. Dr. Paul Hill, an author, a pastor, a professor, who is passionate about the ministry of Jesus Christ. Pastor Hill has 35 years experience in ministry and congregational development. Many of you have met Pastor Hill and heard him on previous occasions when he has led the Youth Ministry Certification School here at Our Savior.
So retreats and workshops are two separate things. Both are good! And both are being planned for you. Sign on! And remember, we work and we rest, we workshop and retreat, all to God’s glory.
Pastor Shelly
The first event is a spiritual retreat. This is a true retreat, not a seminar or a conference, or an extended meeting. And by retreat we mean: A time for God, a time for assessing our relationship with God. We spend time with the people we cherish and respect. We spend time with God. A retreat nurtures our spiritual life in an environment away from the ordinary distractions of life. In the Scriptures, we read that Jesus would simply go off and pray. Each and every one of us needs time to do just that, and a retreat provides us with this opportunity (quoted from Our Lady of Florida Retreat Center’s web site).
If that sounds good to you keep reading! We are often more able to step back and reflect on our relationship with God when we are able to step away from the usual daily activities of our lives. And so we will head to a retreat center in Leesburg, FL for this event. It will be a 24 hour retreat filled with worship, prayer, faithful conversations, and time deepening our relationship with God. We are not joining another group for this retreat. The retreat will be by and for Our Savior members. See further details on page 5 and consider nurturing your relationship with God through a retreat.
And if you are interested in where God is calling the ministry of Our Savior . . . then mark your calendars for a January workshop on Saturday January 23, 2010. This workshop will be led by Rev. Dr. Paul Hill, an author, a pastor, a professor, who is passionate about the ministry of Jesus Christ. Pastor Hill has 35 years experience in ministry and congregational development. Many of you have met Pastor Hill and heard him on previous occasions when he has led the Youth Ministry Certification School here at Our Savior.
So retreats and workshops are two separate things. Both are good! And both are being planned for you. Sign on! And remember, we work and we rest, we workshop and retreat, all to God’s glory.
Pastor Shelly
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
What is the Memorial Fund?
If you walk by the nursery and peek in the window you will notice a beautiful new large size rug depicting Jesus and his words, “Let the little children come to me.” Maybe you have sat on one of the benches out in the courtyard or outside the sanctuary. Certainly you have glanced a time or two at the stained glass windows in the church. Did you know recently the congregation increased the hours of our Youth Director, Jimmy Smith, to full-time? What do these things—a rug, benches, stained glass windows, and our youth director—all have in common? They were all gifts from the memorial fund.
What is the memorial fund? It is a special fund here at the church that is made up of gifts “in memory” or “in honor” or “in thanks” of a loved one. When someone dies and the family desires a gift to be made to the church, the gift doesn’t go into the general fund of the church; the gift goes to the memorial fund. Some families will designate a certain item or ministry to which they would like their memorial gift to go. Others only give the designation that it is
to go to further the ministry of the church. These memorial fund gifts are then used to buy needed items that go above and beyond the church budget—items that will serve the ministry of Our Savior in special ways. The items in themselves, a window, a cross, a bench, become special reminders of special loved ones. But more importantly these gifts and the items they purchase, speak of the one who has brought us each to this place, our Lord Jesus. The gifts aren’t just in memory or honor of a certain person, but more fully they are in memory or in honor of that person’s faith and what their faith in Christ meant for their life and
means even now.
And so we worship in a sanctuary surrounded by other brothers and sisters and Christ, but not only that. All throughout the church and all of the buildings, we find we are surrounded by tangible reminders—a cross, a Lectionary Bible, a Paschal candle, a bench, a window, a youth ministry and a welcoming carpet—of the faith of other brother’s and sisters, who not only live on in our memories, but live on in life with Christ.
In gratitude for all of the ways we are surrounded by
Christ’s love,
Pr. Shelly
What is the memorial fund? It is a special fund here at the church that is made up of gifts “in memory” or “in honor” or “in thanks” of a loved one. When someone dies and the family desires a gift to be made to the church, the gift doesn’t go into the general fund of the church; the gift goes to the memorial fund. Some families will designate a certain item or ministry to which they would like their memorial gift to go. Others only give the designation that it is
to go to further the ministry of the church. These memorial fund gifts are then used to buy needed items that go above and beyond the church budget—items that will serve the ministry of Our Savior in special ways. The items in themselves, a window, a cross, a bench, become special reminders of special loved ones. But more importantly these gifts and the items they purchase, speak of the one who has brought us each to this place, our Lord Jesus. The gifts aren’t just in memory or honor of a certain person, but more fully they are in memory or in honor of that person’s faith and what their faith in Christ meant for their life and
means even now.
And so we worship in a sanctuary surrounded by other brothers and sisters and Christ, but not only that. All throughout the church and all of the buildings, we find we are surrounded by tangible reminders—a cross, a Lectionary Bible, a Paschal candle, a bench, a window, a youth ministry and a welcoming carpet—of the faith of other brother’s and sisters, who not only live on in our memories, but live on in life with Christ.
In gratitude for all of the ways we are surrounded by
Christ’s love,
Pr. Shelly
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Taking Faith Home
You may have noticed a new page in the worship bulletin attached to the announcements called “Taking Faith Home” (and if you haven’t noticed, take a look!). These pages provide ideas and insights that help you take the Scripture readings, the Gospel words, and the themes of worship home with you. “Taking Faith Home” gives ideas for conversation starters that relate to the scriptures—great topics for Sunday brunch or any night’s dinner conversation.
“Taking Faith Home” also gives ideas for service, devotions, and rituals that relate to the Scripture readings from the week. Some of the ideas have been a specific prayer focus for the week (example: on the week we read about John the Baptist’s death a prayer focus was “those unjustly imprisoned”); other ideas are making a list of ways you have seen God at work in the previous week, or as a household choosing someone whom you feel needs encouragement and praying for them and planning concrete ways of encouraging them throughout the week.
“Taking Faith Home” also provides a list of daily Bible reading for the week ahead that ties into the Scripture readings from Sunday. One member of the congregation showed me that she tucks that page into her Bible and uses it to guide her daily devotions. A memory verse is provided each week. If you haven’t ever tried the spiritual practice of memorizing Scripture it can be a wonderful gift. You memorize a verse and then it becomes a theme that guides your week, or you memorize a verse and then maybe seem to forget it (this often happens to me!) and yet the verse comes back to you clear and plain in the very moment you need a word from God.
Each week “Taking Faith Home” has wonderful ideas and tools that can help us grow our faith and relationship with God. So make sure to take a look, and then take it home with you! May it be a useful aid in your devotions, prayers, and living out of God’s love in church and at home.
Together in faith,
Pastor Shelly
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sharing our Stories of Scripture: A Lenten Focus
Sharing our Stories of Scripture: A Lenten Focus
Do you remember the first Bible you were given? Do you still have it? Do you have the Bible of a family member? A Bible filled with notes or bookmarks or pressed flowers? What does the Bible you use on a regular basis look like? This year during our Lenten Midweek Services we will be asking some of these questions as our focus will be sharing stories about our Bibles and how God’s word has impacted our lives.
What is a passage of scripture that took on a special meaning for you at a certain time of your life? What is your favorite Bible verse or passage and why? Is there a Bible verse or passage you have always wrestled with? We will be asking these questions to members of the congregation in “Conversations Under the Cross” similar to how we did last year in Lent. Sharing and listening to each other’s stories is important way to reflect on our own faith and relationship with God. The whole Bible is itself a witness of other people’s stories of God’s action in their lives. We continue the witness of Scripture when we share our stories.
At each Lenten service (11:00am and 7:00pm) we will interview a different member of the congregation (don’t worry, we won’t randomly pick you out of the pews, the person will have agreed and prepared beforehand!) and ask to hear some of their stories about how the Bible has been central in their faith. If you were able to be a part of this last year you know it is a special time. One person remarked to me that they can remember a story from each person who spoke last year—the stories were so vivid and touching. Also, last year the conversation often carried over into the luncheon meal afterward or to the discussions outside of church. In other words the witness carried out into the day and lives of all those who attended.
Come and hear the witness of how God’s word is at work and active in each other’s lives!
Lenten Blessings,
Pastor Shelly
Do you remember the first Bible you were given? Do you still have it? Do you have the Bible of a family member? A Bible filled with notes or bookmarks or pressed flowers? What does the Bible you use on a regular basis look like? This year during our Lenten Midweek Services we will be asking some of these questions as our focus will be sharing stories about our Bibles and how God’s word has impacted our lives.
What is a passage of scripture that took on a special meaning for you at a certain time of your life? What is your favorite Bible verse or passage and why? Is there a Bible verse or passage you have always wrestled with? We will be asking these questions to members of the congregation in “Conversations Under the Cross” similar to how we did last year in Lent. Sharing and listening to each other’s stories is important way to reflect on our own faith and relationship with God. The whole Bible is itself a witness of other people’s stories of God’s action in their lives. We continue the witness of Scripture when we share our stories.
At each Lenten service (11:00am and 7:00pm) we will interview a different member of the congregation (don’t worry, we won’t randomly pick you out of the pews, the person will have agreed and prepared beforehand!) and ask to hear some of their stories about how the Bible has been central in their faith. If you were able to be a part of this last year you know it is a special time. One person remarked to me that they can remember a story from each person who spoke last year—the stories were so vivid and touching. Also, last year the conversation often carried over into the luncheon meal afterward or to the discussions outside of church. In other words the witness carried out into the day and lives of all those who attended.
Come and hear the witness of how God’s word is at work and active in each other’s lives!
Lenten Blessings,
Pastor Shelly
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Welcome at the Lord’s Table
When do children first take Holy Communion here at Our Savior? There is no set age or grade. It is when parents feel their children are ready. When a child has shown interest in the meal and learning what it’s about. And when the parents feel their child is able to grasp the biblical meaning behind the Lord’s Supper and that the meal is about the gift of receiving Christ. Though having said we encourage first communion at an age when children have an ability to learn what the meal is about, it is significant that children from a very early age come up for communion and seem to sense that something special is happing. Even though young children and infants are not yet taking the bread and wine, most parents will pick up their children from the nursery and bring them into worship for communion. They receive a blessing as we are all gathered around the table. You see young children at the table often with either an eager curiosity or quiet wonder and the sense that this is something special.
Each year we hold First Communion classes for children who are interested in taking their First Communion and their parents. We meet for three Sundays (see dates at right!) and we learn about the Lord’s Supper from a biblical perspective—the meal’s set in the Old Testament (the Passover) and that the Passover meal one night became Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. We also talk about the many other times that Jesus revealed himself as God’s Son in the breaking of the bread. Then we talk about some of the practical aspects of receiving the bread and wine. What are the different ways that we receive communion at Our Savior? Intinction and a common cup, individual glasses, wafers or bread, gathered around the table, or coming forward in a continuous fashion. In all of these different ways we see that this is a meal, a special meal. A meal in which we receive gifts from God, bread and wine that actually are Christ himself given for us for forgiveness and for nourishing us and filling us with his strength and presence.
Martin Luther often emphasized that the most important words Jesus spoke at the Lord’s Supper and the most important words we hear at the Lord’s table are the words “for you.” Jesus said, “This my body, given for you . . . this is my blood poured out for you.” In those words we are reminded that all Christ did, his life and death and resurrection were for us. We look forward in the month ahead to more young people joining us in the Lord’s Supper and hearing the words “for you,” and knowing that the gifts of God are there for them and for all of us week after week after week.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelly
Each year we hold First Communion classes for children who are interested in taking their First Communion and their parents. We meet for three Sundays (see dates at right!) and we learn about the Lord’s Supper from a biblical perspective—the meal’s set in the Old Testament (the Passover) and that the Passover meal one night became Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. We also talk about the many other times that Jesus revealed himself as God’s Son in the breaking of the bread. Then we talk about some of the practical aspects of receiving the bread and wine. What are the different ways that we receive communion at Our Savior? Intinction and a common cup, individual glasses, wafers or bread, gathered around the table, or coming forward in a continuous fashion. In all of these different ways we see that this is a meal, a special meal. A meal in which we receive gifts from God, bread and wine that actually are Christ himself given for us for forgiveness and for nourishing us and filling us with his strength and presence.
Martin Luther often emphasized that the most important words Jesus spoke at the Lord’s Supper and the most important words we hear at the Lord’s table are the words “for you.” Jesus said, “This my body, given for you . . . this is my blood poured out for you.” In those words we are reminded that all Christ did, his life and death and resurrection were for us. We look forward in the month ahead to more young people joining us in the Lord’s Supper and hearing the words “for you,” and knowing that the gifts of God are there for them and for all of us week after week after week.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Shelly
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