June 2007 Newsletter
Greetings, in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

As we enter the summer months, let me share my vision for whom God would have us be … as Our Savior.   In a “nut shell” my vision is this:  

At Our Savior people will see God, be attracted to Him and be brought to faith through the lives, words and actions of each member, each family, and the entire congregation.   

This vision is held up in view of this reality:    

“What our world often is seeing in our day is a devoted, committed Christian serving God.  But, they are not seeing God.  They comment on what we are doing, ‘Well, there’s a wonderful, dedicated committed group of people serving God.’  They, however, do not see anything happening that can only be explained in terms of the activity of God.  Why?  Because, we are not attempting anything that only God can do.

“Our world is not attracted to the Christ we serve, because they cannot see Him at work.  They see us doing things for God and say, ‘That is wonderful, but that is not my thing.’  The world is passing us by, because they do not want to get involved in what they see.  They are not having an opportunity to see God.  Let the world see God at work and He will attract people to Himself.  Let Christ be lifted up—not in words, but in life.  Let them see the difference that a living Christ makes in a life, a family, or a church; that will make a difference in how they respond.  When the world sees things happening through God’s people that cannot be explained except that God Himself has done them, then the world will be drawn to the God they see.”  (Blackaby, Experiencing God, pp.117-8, emphasis mine)

This Vision is all about OUTREACH.  It will mean getting out of our comfort zones and doing things as individuals, families and the congregation that reflect things only God can do.  

Faithfully doing so will help us align our lives individually and collectively with His Will, giving us meaning and purpose that will foster a unity that God intended for His Church.

I invite your comments.
 
In Him,
Pastor Fausel

Academic Success

This past week we received our annual Achievement Test results.  We are pleased and proud to announce that for the second year in a row all classrooms (K-8) have scored at or above the 70th percentile on the overall battery of tests.  This means that when we compare our school to all other schools in the United States who took the Stanford Achievement Test, Our Savior Lutheran School students did better than 70% of all the others.  Please thank our teachers and staff for the outstanding work they are doing.

What makes these scores even more significant is that we do not eliminate any student’s test from the overall average.  The scoring service allows a student to be “flagged” because of special learning needs.  Many schools will take advantage of that and keep those lower scoring student’s results from being included in the school average.  Our Savior Lutheran School does not.  We want to know the true picture of how well we are doing.  Including all students in the scoring gives us that picture.

As proud as we are about how well our students do academically, we are even prouder of the way they are growing spiritually and socially.  Those are harder areas to measure, yet we see our students regularly involved in setting the example “in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity”.  We thank God for allowing us to be able to educate the whole child; mind, body, and spirit and look forward to continuing to do the same with even more children next year.

In Christ,
Martin A. Brieschke, Principal

Book Club

The Book Club is currently reading "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards. Our next meeting is June 3 at the Bristol Restaurant after late church. The book for June (discussing in July) is "The Glass Castle". All ages welcome (gives added insights)! Interested?  Call Karen Osborne.

Golden Oldies

Joining together in Christian Fellowship, Education, & Recreation

At each gathering you generally will find:

Lunch at 12:00 PM
Devotions
Speakers on a variety of topics or entertainment
Brief business meeting
Usually meet the 3rd Monday ofeach month
Occasional field trips or outings

On Tuesday, June 19, we will take a field trip to Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, KY. We will travel by TARC at 10:00 AM from church.   We tour the Gardens and then travel to the Hometown Buffet on Chamberlain Lane for lunch, returning to the church at 1:00 PM.  The cost for the tour $5/person + $6/person for the bus with 2 stops = $11/person.  There is additional cost for the buffet.  Please contact Dorothy Groemling for additional information and to reserve your spot.

Camp Cedarbrook’s Picnic

There will be a picnic on June 30th at the camp. A Luau theme has been chosen. There will be grass shirts, flowered leis, palm trees, limbo contests, coconut relays. But the grand finalé will be the pig roast, with vegetable skewers, fresh fruit and coconut pies.

Summer Sunday School

Our summer program depends on volunteers to lead 3 different age groups Look for the sign up sheets by the music room soon. It is fun and easy and a great way to be involved with the children. All teaching materials are supplied. Preschool, Kindergarten and First Grade meets in the Preschool room.  Second through Sixth meets in the Library.

Paul Nickel is currently seeking replacements for Heidi and Leanne who are stepping down from their superintendent positions at the end of May. Please speak to Paul regarding your interest in the position. Training and support will be provided for the position.

Trembling At God's Word

This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. –Isaiah 66:2

Do you tremble when God speaks? When was the last time you were physically affected by the reality that almighty God just spoke directly to you? John lost all physical strength when God spoke to him (Rev. 1:17); Paul fell to the ground when Christ met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:4); Moses trembled when God spoke to him (Acts 7:32); and Peter, when he realized who Jesus was, “fell at Jesus’ knees, and said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’” (Luke 5:8).

Have you lost your sense of awe that the Creator still chooses to speak to you, His creation? Do you approach the reading of God’s Word with a holy expectation, listening for the life-changing words that God has for you that day? Scripture says that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). There are things you will see and hear out of your awe and reverence for God that you will not experience in any other way.

As you study God’s Word, you may sense that God has something to say directly to you through the verses you are reading. Take a moment to consider the awesome reality that the God who spoke and created a universe is now speaking to you. If Jesus could speak and raise the dead, calm a storm, cast out demons, and heal the incurable, then what effect might a word from Him have upon your life? The possibilities should cause you to tremble! The next time you open God’s Word, do so with a sense of holy expectation.

Look forward to Experiencing God in your daily life!

Summer Sunday Morning Adult Bible Class

Beginning with this month and continuing through September 16th all adults are encouraged to attend the HEROES OF THE FAITH Bible Class that is meeting in the Fellowship Hall. Because of the comings and goings of our members during the summer months each study is designed to stand alone. That is, you will not feel lost or behind if you miss one or more weeks at a time. Pastor Fausel and Paul Nickel will be leading the study.

Here is the schedule for June:
June 3rd -- Zacchaeus
June 17th -- John Mark
June 10th -- Dorcas
June 24th -- Melchizedek

Men’s Ministry Breakfast

Pancake Breakfast  
2nd Saturday of the month

Saturday , June 9, 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Bible Study “Hope Under Construction: Insights Into the Life of Nehemiah”
led by Paul Nickel   
Join us and bring a friend!

Habitat for Humanity

Our Savior is working with Thrivent, and other Lutheran churches in the area again this year to “Raise the Roof” of a Habitat for Humanity House.  We need a financial commitment of $8,000; as well as a strong commitment of prayers, and physical laborers.  Watch the church bulletin board for dates to sign-up for work-days.  Any questions please contact Steve Lindgren.  The dates Our Savior will be working on the site will be Saturday, July 28 and Saturday, August 25.    

On June the 22 and 23 and 29 and 30 will be “Raise the Roof” weekends, when all churches are needed to provide as many workers as possible to help literally ‘raise the roof’.  On Saturday,  June 23, Our Savior will providing the meal and drinks for the workers.  

If you are unable to go the days Our Savior is assigned to work, and desire to go and help, contact Steve and he can assist you with another day.  

Childcare Project Team Update

In keeping with the Great Commission, our vision is to foster the establishment of a new outreach ministry for Our Savior Lutheran Congregation in the form of a self-supporting high quality Christian Early Childhood Development Center (for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age).  

On April 30th Martin (and Jean) Barlau the Executive Director of Open Arms visited us. With them we toured the four potential Childcare sites; which included our current campus.  Their report indicated the advantages and disadvantages of each site, without eliminating any site from the list.  Also their report was very complementary on the work already done and encouraged us to proceed with our efforts to establish an Open Arms Childcare Center as a way to “Grow the Kingdom”.

On May 1st the meeting was held with our fellow congregation interested in pursuing a “preaching station” with representatives from Our Savior, the Indiana District, and a Missional Planting Advocate representative.  The Federation representative was unable to attend.  A request was made to Our Savior to accelerate the marketing Study in order to assist our sister congregation in decision making.  Since Our Savior has not yet received congregational input on site selection; it was decided that the Market Study at this time could not be accelerated.  Members of Our Savior will be able to share their ideas during a “Town Hall Meeting” scheduled on June 13.  We will continue to work cooperatively with this group to “Grow the Kingdom”.

Church Development Partners (CDP) will work with us to help us identify the very best potential and affordable Childcare sites.  Greg Beste from CDP will come to Our Savior in June and conduct a two-day assessment workshop. The first purpose of the workshop is to help us develop a clear picture of the availability of the properties and where the Market Study should be conducted. Secondly, the workshop will help determine where Our Savior should be placed on CDP’s schedule to assist with property acquisition. Also while Greg is here, he will meet with church leaders and personally look and evaluate the potential sites identified for Childcare sites.  Greg will also conduct a Town Hall Meeting.

This “Town Hall” meeting is at Our Savior, on June 13th, at 7 PM.  All members are urged to attend this meeting to become better informed about childcare, ask questions, give and receive feedback on the Childcare Project and learn how CDP can help us.

The Indiana District has assigned its Architectural advisor Don Amt, to evaluate our current campus for the feasibility of adding a Childcare Center to the property. We have sent him a copy of our site plans and building plans; and he is in the process of evaluating the plans.  We anticipate an on-site visit from him shortly.

The Team is attempting to move the project along as fast as possible, but wants to ensure we thoroughly do the upfront “homework” necessary for success and are following God’s will for us. We estimate that the Market Study will not be conducted until next fall. The congregation’s prayers are requested to help Our Savior determine the Lord’s will.

A ChristCare Update

The last Sunday of May marked a mile stone for ChristCare Ministry at Our Savior. We were able to give God thanks and praise for Norm Kendt and his 10 years of service as a ChristCare Leader! He has truly gone above and beyond in his service as a Leader. We ask for a two year commitment from everyone who is a part of leadership in this ministry. Norm has continued to serve even when the structured support became dysfunctional. That is truly a powerful witness to the value of ChristCare Ministry in Norm’s life and the lives of the participants in his group many of whom have been a part of this group from the beginning. Thank You Lord for Norm!

Our ChristCare Groups are now meeting on a regular basis! We give God praise for His wonderful and marvelous work! In fact one group has already reached its limit of participants. ChristCare groups are limited to twelve. Not just because Jesus had twelve disciples, but research has shown that if a group consists of more than twelve the quality of care and communication within the group diminishes greatly. In our past experience with ChristCare some groups had more that the twelve and we found this to be true. The really great news is that two people have already expressed a desire to be a part of our next Leaders Training beginning in September! We did not ask them; we did not beg them; they stepped up! God is truly at work!

We encourage you to contact the ChristCare Group Leaders listed below to find out more information about their group. Visit a group and experience what a group is like. We’re sure you will want to return.

Meet Our ChristCare Groups! For information about when and where these groups meet, please contact the leader.

Seniors Sharing Our Faith
Focus:  All Seniors
Leader:  Norm Kendt
Phone: 254-1612
       
Single Seniors for Women
Focus:  Single Senior Women
Leader:  Emily Hayes
Phone: 253-5541

C2P2 – ChristCare’s Proud Parents
Focus:  Parents of Elem./Mid. School Children
Leader:  Scott Kamman
Phone: 254-1308

Soul Food
Focus:   Anyone interested in in-depth Bible study
Leader:  Mark and Pat Otten
Phone:  244-5903
Meets every other Sunday

YALL - Young Adult Lutheran Life
Focus:  Young Adults
Leader:  David & Leah Robison
Phone: 938-4766
Meets every Thursday, 7:30 - 9:00, at 1505 Cadence Ct

Your ChristCare Equipper Team
Charles and Marsha Puckett, 473-1691
Paul Nickel, 426-1130

Our Savior Music “Notes”

Lutheran Service Book:  Praise God!!  Many thanks to those of you who have helped purchase new Lutheran Service Books for Our Savior.   They were dedicated to the glory of God on April 22.  We are so very blessed by this instrument of praise by which we magnify God’s holy name!  Soli Deo Gloria!  If you would still like to order a copy for your own personal or family use, contact the church office.  

Organ refurbishment:  Our Savior has recently been blessed with a memorial to help refurbish our Reuter pipe organ.  Praise the Lord!  We look forward to maintaining and updating this exemplary instrument of worship soon.

Worship Reminder:  Please remember to turn the ringer of your cell phone off when entering the sanctuary! Thank you for maintaining a worshipful atmosphere.

Answer to the May quiz:  The song that petitions “My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad, the honors of Thy name”  is “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” (LSB 528).

June quiz:  Which song beckons, “Little children, come to Me, For My kingdom is of these.  Life and love I have to give, Mercy for your sin”?

Contemporary Worship Teams:  Singers and musicians, if you are out there, know that we are still in need of volunteers to help us out at our 11:00 AM Majestic Celebration worship services.  We are in special need of a keyboard leader and guitarists, as well as wind instrumentalists and vocalists.  If you would like to sing or play on a regular basis, talk to Scott (426-1130).  Time commitment depends solely on you, as little or as much as you desire.  Summer is a great time to hop in and get your feet wet….give it a try!

Hearing Assist devices:  Had trouble hearing well in our sanctuary?  These small sound amplifying devices are available from the ushers.  Please ask for them!  They amplify what is going through our sound system.  If you would like to purchase your own personal set of earphones for use with the church sound system, please contact the church office.  (These devices do not work outside the sanctuary.)  

Worship Notes!  In an effort to try to help us all learn about our worship life and liturgy, we offer this little “tidbit” of information each month.  It can serve as a review for you, an answer to that question, “Why do we do that?”, or as a teaching tool for our children or grandchildren.  Please share this with your family.  Discuss it prior to worship.  If there is something you would like to have answered, let me know.  I’ll do my best to find out!  Check out this month’s edition of “Worship Notes!”

This Month's Worship Notes

The Blessing spoken at the end of the service is the Aaronic benediction, the blessing God first gave to Aaron and the other priests to speak to the people of Israel (Numbers 6:23-27).  The blessing is God’s promise that Christ will go with us as we leave the church and return to the world to serve Him.

Monthly rotation of hymnal liturgies  for “Joyful Heritage” services for Pentecost Season, 2007:

First week:    Divine Service Setting 1
Second week:    Divine Service Setting 4
Third week:    Divine Service Setting 5
Fourth week:    Divine Service Setting 3
Fifth week:        Matins

Scrap Booking  Group  

June 1 at 6 PM  a group of ladies will be gathering in the Fellowship Hall to work on their Scrap Book projects.  Anyone interested is  invited to join in the fun.  Just bring your supplies and a snack to share and a beverage to drink.  This is open to beginners and experts as each person works at their own pace and own their own projects.  This is a great way to get together for some wonderful Christian fellowship.   Take this opportunity to give your spouse some one-on-one time with the children and enjoy an evening of relaxing creativity. Call Karen Ranzau with questions.

From the Music Director

Dear friends in Christ,

Here we are at the threshold of summer vacation.  School activities have come to an end, and we teachers begin to inventory all of our supplies on our shelves and in our closets.  In my counting and listing, I have discovered some things that I had forgotten about, tucked away in the recesses of my closet, things that will be very helpful next school year.  I’ve also seen some things I’ve used a lot this year and smile as I put them away for a while, thankful that they helped me in my task.

I began to think about all of the blessings that God has given me here in my ministry.  Wouldn’t it be great to take an inventory of all the talents, blessings, and positives that our church has?  During times of budget crunch, our thoughts are more often on negative things:  what we don’t have or can’t get, what we must do without.  It is helpful to remember all of the positives at times like these, to focus on the things we do have!  Count your blessings.  Many other churches and schools only dream of having the things we have.

I can only begin to inventory, but here’s a meager start:  We have an exceptional staff!  The vacancies that have occurred in recent times have been filled relatively easily and quickly.  What a blessing!  How many churches or schools endure a pastoral vacancy or synodical teacher opening for long periods of time?!  I thank God for all of our called workers and their many talents.  We also have many other talented staff people who help our church and school to run smoothly.  What a blessing!

We have a wonderful campus, a magnificent inspirational sanctuary, a beautiful organ and many other instruments, a hi-tech sound system, a beneficial computer system, a peaceful prayer garden, a bustling school facility, a music room, a full size gymnasium with bleacher seats, a full service cafeteria, wonderful playground equipment, an extensive library, and on and on and on!  Not many other churches or schools can claim as many blessings!  But those are just the physical things.

To me, though, the most important blessing to inventory is the people here at Our Savior…the many people who volunteer their time and use their talents, who joy in helping others, who sing their hearts out in worship, who volunteer to play their instruments or sing, who tend to the altar or the flower gardens, who say kind words of encouragement, those who give without asking, who pray without ceasing, who lead groups enthusiastically, who eagerly study God’s Word, who guide our youth, who produce the Braille books, and the list goes on and on and on.  What a plethora of blessings that we sometimes forget about or overlook.  Wow!  

Can you add to my inventory?  I’m sure you can.  Stop and say a prayer, thanking God for all the wonderful blessings the Father has given to us!

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! … Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you…For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  Psalm 84:1, 4, 11

Yours in Christ,
Scott Kamman

High School Youth Event!

Yes, we are still going strong and we hope to see you at the next events!  Sunday June 24, at the church (time to be determined, so watch the  bulletin and your mailboxes).  If you have questions about what we typically do, ask Julia, Chapin, James, Andrea, Shelley, Belle, or Caroline.  June 24th we are having a water extravaganza.  BYOWW (bring your own water weapon)!  We hope to see you all there!  For questions or rides, call the Robison’s, 938-4766 or the Otten’s 244-5903.

Visit with Pastor May

Pastor Dan May will do a presentation on the preparation for the delegates for the synodical convention on June 3rd at 3 PM.  Anyone is invited to attend this meeting in the Fellowship Hall.  

Money Counters Needed

Additional people are needed to work in the area of counting the offering money.  Current members need to step down from the position and new people are needed to take over the task. Anyone interested in helping to count the offering should contact the church office, 426-1130.  Free on-the-job training is provided.  Counting occurs on Mondays mornings.  Please prayerfully consider if you could assist in this area of service.

Quest for the Truth

We’d Love To Take You And Your Children On Our Quest for Truth This Summer!

Our Quest for Truth Vacation Bible School needs great volunteers and we’re hoping you will help.

Help kids find the real truth about Jesus by serving as a VBS volunteer.

Our VBS will be held July 16 – 20 from 9:00 AM to Noon.

We provide all the resources you need, as well as Quest for Truth volunteer training.

We also need for you to pre-register your children. Any child from potty trained three-year-olds through those who have completed fifth grade are invited to attend. You will find a copy of the registration form as a part of this newsletter and more are available at the Welcome Center at church. Invite the children of your neighbors and friends.

Registration forms can be turned in at the church office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tracy Hannon, our VBS Director.  Thanks for taking time to pray for our 2007 VBS and consider your part in it.

Promise and Future Reward

In 1986, you could have purchased 476 shares of Microsoft stock for $10,000!  Your investment today would be worth approximately $3,500.000!

If the opportunity had presented itself, would you have invested in Microsoft in 1986?  Don't be too quick to say, "Of Course!"  Remember, all you would have received for your hard earned cash would be a piece of paper representing the PROMISE of an unseen FUTURE REWARD.

Faced with this choice, most of us would have spent our money on things that offered more immediate gratification, like clothing, a vacation, or a new car.  To purchase Microsoft stock in 1986 would have required a long-term perspective and considerable faith in Bill Gates.

INVESTING in the KINGDOM of GOD also requires a long-term perspective - and ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE.  And it requires FAITH. We must attach our hearts to the promises of God, not to the things of this world. God is infinitely more reliable and HIS REWARDS and PROMISES are infinitely greater.  Our kingdom investments are ETERNAL!  They neither
Diminish or end.  God sends them on ahead for us, so we can enjoy them forever.

Giving more does not mean ending up with less.  To the wealthy young man Jesus said, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor and "you will have treasure in heaven."

On the day of your death, the "Treasure in Heaven" amount will be the most important figure on your financial statement.

STEWARDSHIP -- Faith, Hope and Love   "He who promised is faithful". Hebrews 10.23
 

Copyright 2006-2011, Our Savior Lutheran Church