PARISH VISITOR November 2014 OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

PARISH VISITOR
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Great Falls, MT
Permit No. 424
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
Seeking and Serving
November 2014
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Sunday, November 23 at 3:00 PM
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
1326 First Avenue North
Great Falls, Montana 59401
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
You are invited to attend the
installation of
Pastor Anna Merritt
A reception will follow the service.
Clergy are invited to vest
in the liturgical
color of the day.
Ω
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
November – How can that be? I remember hearing that time
went faster as a person got older, but this fast???
November – It’s the time of year we put special emphasis on
thankfulness. As Americans we are thankful for our freedom
and our privilege of voting. As Christians we are thankful for
the freedom to worship when, where and how we please. As
members of Our Savior’s we are thankful for almost 125 years
of ministry in Great Falls. We are thankful for Pastor Westby
and Pastor Jan, our interim pastors. We are thankful for our
call committee.
November – It’s time for beginning and that is exciting. On
the 17th we welcome Pastor Anna. On the 30th we welcome the
new church year with the first Sunday in Advent.
As a community of believers we may not always agree on
everything – that’s our right as individuals. As a community
of believers we are united in our belief in the Risen Christ and
that’s what matters!
I’m reminded of an email I received again recently --- We
could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are
pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are
different colors, but they all exist very nicely in the same box.
My prayer is that we, members of Our Savior’s, can all exist
very nicely in the same box – our church!
Gloria Johnson
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Our Savior’s Lutheran
CONTACT INFO
E-mail:
Church Secretary, Sally Morss [email protected]
Pastor
[email protected]
Telephone:
FAX number:
Web Site:
727-4304
727-4331
www.oslcgreatfalls.org
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
STAFF
Rev. Anna Merritt
Sally Morss
Harlan Orham
Ellen Forslund
Logan Rutten
Terry Lee
Pastor (Beginning Nov. 17)
Church Secretary
Treasurer
Worship & Music Director
Organist
Custodian
COUNCIL
Gloria Johnson
Judy Ericksen
Stacey Hansen
Mike McCoy
Fred Martens
Bob Fox
Holly Molyneaux
Sandra Vanni
Harold Spilde
Connie Tryon
Linda Lassila
Mike Kunka
453-3764
781-9614
453-1444
868-2651
268-1431
453-2989
727-6884
454-3857
761-5009
453-2508
452-0565
452-1663
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President
Vice-President
Secretary
Property & Finance
Property & Finance
Property & Finance
Worship & Music
Parish Life
Stewardship
Stewardship
Education & Youth
Public Relation &
Outreach
BLESSINGS TO ALL
WHO ARE CELEBRATING
BIRTHDAYS IN November!!
If we have missed anyone’s birthday, please call the
office and let us know.
Sophie Luoma
Michele Converse
Carol Struck
Alyssa DeShaw
Steve Childers
Wesley Urquhart
Haley Milton
Sharon Childers
Jamie Vestre
David Anderson
Helen Lower
Greg Milton
Raelynn Brown
11/01
11/02
11/04
11/05
11/06
11/07
11/09
Teagan Anderson
Odetta Arcand
Jordi Hansen
Petra Lingjerde
Larry Turville
Edie Schroeder
Duane Shumaker
Marjorie Hill
Beulah Jordan
Bob Fox
Dick Doughten
11/10
11/12
11/18
11/19
11/24
11/25
11/26
NOVEMBER SERVICE GROUP
Steve Clark & Nikki Lewis
Wayne & Debra Clark
Howard & Jolee Corey
Donna Crotty
Wende Curry
Pennie Curtis
Jan Dahle
Connie Dawson
Jerry Demarco
Alyssa & Brock DeShaw
Bob/Sue Dickenson
*Darla Dillabough
Dick/Nancy Doughten
Phil & Vicki Dunham
Jerry/Lindy Eberl
WELCA NEWS
WELCA Bible Study Leaders will meet on Tuesday, November
18 at 10:00 a.m. in the Memorial Room with Pastor Anna.
The next WELCA Board Meeting will be held Friday, November
21 at 1:30. Please plan to attend as we will be deciding on
disbursements for 2014 as well as selecting officers for 2015.
Everyone is invited to attend. A planning meeting for the
Christmas Tea, which will be December 6, will follow the Board
Meeting.
The WELCA THANKOFFERING will be November 23. A
letter and an offering envelope will be sent out in November.
The offerings may be brought to the church that Sunday and
checks can be made payable to WELCA. The Thankoffering is a
tradition dating back to the 1800’s when Christian women
formed “mite” or “cent” societies to fund mission. When others
in the church said there was not enough money to carry out these
projects, the women believed otherwise. In cent societies, each
woman collected offerings at home. They would gather to
worship and combine their offerings and offer them up with
thanks and praise, dedicating the funds to mission. When
Women of the ELCA was formed more than 25 years ago, we
committed to continue this tradition of giving in gratitude for
blessings. Each year, in thousands of congregations,
Thankofferings are collected and sent to support the
life-changing ministries of Women of the ELCA.
Together, we do more than we could ever do apart. In gratitude
for all God has given to us, and with hope for all that is to come,
we will once again collect our Thankoffering on November 23.
The Annual WELCA Christmas Tea will be held in Lunde Hall,
December 6 at 2:00 p.m. More information will be coming as
the time draws nearer.
* name is the months coordinator
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LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF TRUCK
The Lutheran World Relief Truck will be in
the Redeemer parking lot Monday afternoon
11/24 until Wednesday morning 11/26.
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COMMUNITY DAYS 2014
Herberger's Community Days are November 14 and 15.
FISH will be selling coupon books for $5 all of which is
retained by FISH.
All of the proceeds from this sale will be matched by
Town Pump.
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
All high school students are invited to
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
on Sunday, Nov. 2 for a game night.
Meet at 7pm for Games, Prizes and Snacks!
THANK YOU!
Dear Members and Friends of Our Savior’s
I just want to say a heartfelt thanks for the outpouring
of love and well wishes on my final Sunday. It has been a
delight to be here these past eight months. I want to thank you
for the gorgeous prayer shawl. It will be a remembrance of all
the warm people that are part of Our Savior’s.
Thanks, too, for the lovely flowers and the OSLC mug.
The money will come in helpful as I see where God leads.
Blessings, Pastor Jan
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Our thanks to everyone for their kind wishes the
week-end of our October 10, 50th Wedding Anniversary at the
Sunday coffee hour.
Also, a special thank you to the Spildes for the
beautiful cake and other treats and all they did to make the
occasion more memorable.
We appreciate all of you and wish you God’s blessings
throughout this Fall and the coming Christmas Season.
Bob and Betty Fox
Change for Change
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St. Vincent De Paul is collecting Albertson stamps They
would like to earn a free set of stainless cookware, so they
may raffle it off during their February Cookbook sale. If you
have any that you are not using and donate them to St.
Vinny’s, it would be appreciated.
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took in $92.76 in the month of September
and $72.47 in October
Thank you for supporting this important program.
Thank you for not dropping in any Canadian coins.
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FUND RAISER
BOWLING FELLOWSHIP: YOU ARE INVITED
Randy Anderson, a member of our church, has been diagnosed
with multiple sclerosis. To help defray medical and
prescription bills, a fund raiser will be held on November 9 in
Lunde Hall from 11:30-2:00.
Plan to participate in an afternoon of bowling
with other Cascade County Thrivent Members
Sunday, November 9 from 2:00 PM-5:00 PM
Black Eagle Community Center
Pizza and beverages will be provided
No cost to you!
RSVP to John Metcalf at 453-2240
by Thursday 12:00 noon November 6.
A spaghetti dinner will be served along with silent auction, a
raffle, and 50/50.
Please be generous as you enjoy fellowship along with helping
Randy.
TOWN PUMP/FISH CHALLENGE 2014
If you are unable to attend and wish to help, please send your
contribution to the church designated for "Randy Anderson
Event".
Matching funds have been applied for through
Thrivent Financial.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are fortunate that Town Pump has selected FISH as one of
the “ Be A Friend, Helping Those In Need “ food bank program fundraising campaigns.
Town Pump will “MATCH” up to $15,000.00 contributed
between September 1 and November 30. What a wonderful
way for FISH to raise $30,000.00 in support of our feeding
program!!
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN
CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT
September 2014
Beginning Balance
Deposits
September
Disbursements
Transfers
Ending Balance
YEAR TO DATE
-9,093.88 Beginning Balance
0
11,760.87 Income YTD
130,728.94
15,926.56 Withdrawals YTD
143,988.51
0 Transfers YTD
0
-13,259.57 Ending Balance
-13,259.57
“A checkbook is a theological document;
it will tell you who and what you worship.”
Billy Graham
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If you would be willing to help FISH reach this goal, please
send your donation to FISH, P.O. Box 662, Great Falls Mt.
59403
FISH Board of Directors
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5 Reasons We’ll Be Wearing Name Tags Every
Sunday Starting November 23rd
In John 10:3, Jesus describes the Good Shepherd as one that
“…calls his own sheep by name….” That not a random fact…
names are important for identifying the story of how God is
at work in your life.
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Helpful to Pastor Anna – seeing people’s names and faces
boosts recall.
It’s an Invitation to Talk - . Our hope is that when people
come to church that they connect with the community …
the goal is to get people talking to each other!
It’s a Service Opportunity – Perhaps you’d like to help
distribute them as people enter for worship.
Guest/Member Oriented - It’s critically important that we
help our people with this first step of getting to know each
other.
It’s Not about You … Name tags by definition are about
the other people around us and not ourselves.
HAS AN OSLC SON OR DAUGHTER GONE OFF TO
COLLEGE? WE WANT TO REMEMBER THEM
AT CHRISTMASTIME!!
Last year with your help the Public Relations and Outreach
Committee sent gifts and goodies along with the festival
worship schedule to 25 students throughout the United States.
It has been a tradition to remember them with Christmas Care
Packages. The box of cheer is sent just before semester
finals. Therefore, in November a basket will be placed in the
narthex to collect contributions. A list of suggested items will
be posted. The committee thanks you in advance for assisting
us in this project.
We want to keep in contact with the young adults of Our
Savior's. If you have forgotten to provide the name and address
in September, please call or e-mail Sally soon at 727-4304 or
[email protected] with the current address.
If you would like to assist the Public Relations and
Outreach Committee members in distributing the
name tags, please contact Audrey Parkinson,
727-6434. It is hoped that everyone will take the
tags home (perhaps keep them in their purse or
car) and remember to wear them the following
Sundays. This method will lessen congestion in the
narthex. If we have missed someone, PLEASE let us
know and we will have one ready for you the next
Sunday.
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Give thanks always
Full many a blessing wears the guise
of worry or of trouble;
Far-seeing is the soul, and wise,
who knows the mask is double.
But he who has the faith and strength
to thank his God for sorrow
Has found a joy without alloy
to gladden every morrow.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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YOUNG AT HEART
Join this daytime fellowship group on Veteran’s Day, Nov.
17th, for a timely program by Joyce Ranum and Connie
Dawson on the Barry Beach conviction, appeal, and current
situation. This man’s trial and attempts for pardon, parole, or
clemency has caught the imagination and sympathy of
justice-minded individuals all over the country. What can you
do now to help?? Find out at Young at Heart, noon, Lunde
Hall, 3rd Monday of the month. Bring a dish to share and
your own table service.
Our “SHOWER” for Family Promise and Opening Doors ( an
aftercare program for folks released from jail or prison) will
be FEBRUARY……watch those garage and other sales for
bedding, towels, bedroom accessories, dishes, silverware,
alarm clocks, other household items. We don’t often get to
showers these days, so it will be a lot of fun to party together
while helping these worthwhile programs.
ATTENTION GRADUATES:
If you are planning on attending Wittenberg University, an
ELCA college, your may be eligible for a scholarship. They
are offering scholarships from $500 to $80,000 ($20,000.00)
per year. For further information contact Wittenberg's Office
of Admission (877) 206-0332 or by email at:
[email protected].
FAITH IN ACTION AS WE GIFT SHOP---ELCA Good
Gifts and Fair Trade Products
On Bread for the World Sunday, we prayed for the hungry
and the poor. Now we can take action as we shop for the
holidays. Purchase for family Fair Trade Coffee, Chocolate
Bars, and/or Hot Spicy Cocoa Mix. Warm their tummies with
love. LOVED ONES WHO HAVE EVERYTHING? Or who
go out and BUY WHATEVER THEY NEED? How about an
ELCA Good Gift? A pig for $30 produces piglets, fertilizer,
and meat. A goat for $50 provides milk and young’ens to
share with the community. Malaria nets for $10 each give
health and a future for a family. Honeybees, chicks, water
purification tablets, vaccinations, school fees and supplies.
The options are endless and how much these gifts would be
appreciated!
ELCA Catalogues will be in the narthex starting Nov. 1st.
Help yourself and return when you are finished with it. Or go
to www. ELCA.org/goodgifts to order online. Fair Trade
products will be for sale after church the 1st and 3rd Sundays
in November and December.
Make this holiday season a testament of your faith and
compassion for others. It is soooo easy and you will feel
sooooo good.
You may also call Marillyn Thomas at 453-1737,
with any questions.
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LOVE DAY-QUILT SUNDAY
It is November again and the Love Day Ladies will be
setting out the quilts and kits to be blessed before shipment
overseas to Lutheran World Relief. The ladies will put the
quilts and kits out for display on Friday, Nov 14th at
10.00am. They will be blessed during the following Sunday
service. Packing all for shipping is scheduled for Monday,
Nov 16th in the afternoon beginning at 1:00. All who can help
will be welcomed on either day.
An offering envelope will be in the pew pockets on that
Sunday for donations to help offset the cost of shipping the
items and for more supplies for the coming year's
work. Transportation to get the quilts to the St Paul warehouse
is provided by a local trucking company. A portion of
the offering will be sent to LWR to defray some of the cost of
shipping overseas.
Also, two men with a pick up will be needed again to take
the packed boxes to the Lutheran World Relief shipping van in
Redeemer's parking lot on November 23rd or 24th.
To volunteer or ask questions call Pat Bueling at 453-0647.
BETTER COMMUNICATIONS MEET COLTER MCCARTY, TECHNOLOGY GURU
7 p.m., November 18th - Memorial Room
"The Montana Synod has a new tech guy--Colter McCarty
whose job is two-fold: (1) to help the Montana Synod office
improve and (2) enhance our tech capabilities, and to help the
congregations and ministries of the Montana Synod, as well.
Our goal is to have a synod that is capable of being in
communication with one another in a variety of ways-all so
that we can more effectively serve God and neighbor. This
includes helping every congregation get and use high-speed
internet, and have the capacity to livestream events and
programs.
We are not trying to change anybody's worship space or
worship style. We are trying to work on greater
communication and greater interdependence.
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Because of your generosity, we have received
plenty of notebooks for the Cascade County
Detention Center.
Thank you for your participation!
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Please consider helping out with the ushering and greeting
during the upcoming Christmas services on
December 24 and 25.
Contact Sally at 727-4304 or Kerrie Ramstead. Thank you!
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Colter is available to congregations to help you with what you
want to accomplish technologically. He can advise, consult
and refer. We have a special grant for 18 months, and want to
make the best use of Colter's time and expertise." (Extracted
from the MT Synod Staff page www.montanasynod.org/
staff.html.)
You are invited to attend a meeting with Colter on Thursday
evening, November 18th at 7:00 in the Memorial Room. We
will discuss what our technology goals will be and a plan to
meet those goals. Feel free to invite anyone else you think may
be interested!
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