Friendship Club
Friendship Club will be going to Nora, S.D., on December 12, for an old-fashioned Christmas. The group will meet at OSL for lunch at noon, then board the bus at 12:45 for a 1:00 departure. The group will be back at OSL by 4:00. Register by December 8 at the Information Center on Sundays or in the Church Office during the week. The bus ride will cost $12 All are welcome!

For more information, contact Pr. Tim Lemme, 336-2942 or tlemme@oslchurch.com.

Men of God: Combined Men’s Program Begins in December
Beginning this month, Men’s Bible Breakfast will no longer meet on the first and third Friday of each month. Instead, it will join together in fellowship and Bible study with OSL’s Lutheran Men in Mission group on the First and Third Saturday of each month, at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room. Combining these two groups will provide more opportunity for conversation around faith and life as we grow in our understanding of what it means to be Men of God in the world each day. The first meeting together will be held on December 2, at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room. Men of all ages are invited to attend this one-hour Bible study. A continental breakfast is provided by members of our group each time we gather. For more information, contact Pr. Tim Lemme, 336-2942 or tlemme@oslchurch.com.

Health Ministries
Our Savior’s has a number of ongoing health ministries that meet on a weekly or monthly basis. Feel free to join any of the following sessions. For more information, contact Michelle Anderson, Faith Community Nurse, 336-2942, ext. 48, or mianderson@oslchurch.com.

Footcare Clinic
Cost is $25 per person. Thursday, December 7, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call the Church Office, 336-2942, to schedule your appointment.

Hope for Living with
Illness or Cancer

Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in the Friendship Room. People and their families who have or are experiencing the challenge of cancer are welcome. If you cannot attend, but would like to be on our prayer and devotional mailing list, contact Michelle Anderson, Faith Community Nurse, 336-2942, ext. 48, or mianderson@oslchurch.com.

Knitting/Crocheting Ministry
Learn how to knit or crochet prayer shawls (to be given to people to remind them of God’s presence and love in their lives) and mittens and scarves (for missions).
Wednesday, December 13 and 27, 9:30 a.m., Sonshine Room.
2nd Saturday Knitters, December 9, 9:30 a.m., Sonshine Room.

Good Grief
Every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 103. Offers support to anyone dealing with loss and crisis in their lives.

Memory Care Support Group
Saturdays, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Office Conference Room. For caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, the group is a place for caregivers to share and to receive understanding and empathy. Contact Michelle Anderson, Faith Community Nurse, 336-2942, ext. 48, or mianderson@oslchurch.com.

Pickleball
OSL-sponsored Pickleball: Mondays, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, 8:00 a.m. to noon
Wednesdays and Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Thursdays, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Start the Conversation
Anyone who has seen their doctor recently likely has been asked if their Advanced Care Plan or Directives are on file in the Electronic Medical Record. All medical clinics and hospitals are seeking this information in case you experience a sudden event (like a car accident or illness) and could not make your own decisions.

It is extremely important to have a trusted friend or relative know your wishes in case they need to make decisions for you. While you are with your loved ones this holiday season, take time to Start the Conversation. Whether or not you complete the legal forms, it is important to take these first steps:
• Whom would you name as your “decision maker” or “health care agent”?
• What would you want them to know so they can carry out your wishes?

Do you need assistance in having these discussions or filling out the paperwork? Keep in mind that I am trained to assist individuals, families, and groups in this process, and have forms in my office that both Avera and Sanford utilize. If you have done this process but it has been more than ten years, or you have had changes in your health, it may be time to review and update your directives. I can help with this as well. Contact me for an appointment or invite me to speak at your social group or club. I am happy to help!

Michelle Anderson, RN, Faith Community Nurse; 336-2942, ext. 48, or mianderson@oslchurch.com.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our Savior’s Prayer Shawl Ministry reaches out to those in need with a shawl made with prayer and love, to comfort, console, and strengthen OSL’s family of faith.

The shawl is a tangible reminder of God’s promise to always be with us. They are called prayer shawls because the making of the shawl is a spiritual practice for the crafter. A prayer is said as the shawl is begun and then many prayers are added with the stitches. Each shawl is a blend of prayers, talents, gifts, and grace. Shawls are knitted or crocheted in various patterns. They are freely given with no strings attached. They are not for sale. They are gifts of love. Recipients may be known or unknown to the crafter.

Our Savior’s has two Prayer Shawl Ministry Groups: one meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, the other meets on the second Saturday of the month; each group meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Sonshine Room. If you wish to participate in this ministry but cannot attend these meetings, instructions for prayer shawls and pocket shawls are located at the Information Center and via oslchurch.com/ministry/adults.

Opportunity to Learn, Opportunity to Serve, Opportunity to Heal
The next Stephen Ministry class will begin in January. With God’s help, we will train a sufficient number of Stephen Ministers to meet the needs of OSL members and friends who are going through a period of crisis— loss of a loved one, chronic illness, unemployment, divorce, and other life difficulties. A Stephen Minister’s care consists of reflective listening and the use of Christian resources. A Stephen Minister is not a counselor; he or she is trained to listen and empathize, not to tell people what to do.

Stephen Ministers normally meet with their care partners for about an hour a week. They work under the direction of trained Stephen Leaders with the support of the pastor. Stephen Ministers and Stephen Leaders meet twice monthly for peer supervision in which they support and encourage one another and hold one another accountable for their ministry.

Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry: those receiving care can be sure that their identity and what goes on in the caring relationship will remain private.

If you would like to share your gifts for compassionate listening to and journeying with others, or if you know someone who could benefit from the care and encouragement of a Stephen Minister, or if you yourself feel you could use the Christian help of an OSL Stephen Minister, talk with Pr. Tim Lemme (336-2942, ext. 19, or tlemme@oslchurch.com); Deb Harlan, Caring Ministries Director (336-2942, ext. 48, or dharlan@oslchurch.com); or Michelle Anderson, Faith Family Nurse (336-2942, ext. 28, or mianderson@oslchurch.com.).

—Deb Harlan

OSL Woodshop Ministry
The OSL woodshop team meets every Wednesday evening, from 6:00 to 8:00, and again on Saturday mornings, from 8:00 to noon, to work on various projects for Our Savior’s and its members. The team’s main project is to build Faith Chests to give to newly baptized children, but there is always a variety of other woodworking projects for OSL, too.

You don’t have to be a skilled carpenter or woodworker to be part of the woodshop team—and you don’t need to be a man, either: Woodshop Ministry is for women as well as men! All you need is a willingness to learn and a willing heart to serve. And yes, the team always takes time for coffee, fellowship, and fun!

For more information on how you can be part of OSL’s Woodshop Ministry team, contact Pr. Tim Lemme, 336-2942, ext. 19, or tlemme@oslchurch.com, or just show up at one of the scheduled work times and visit with crew members in the shop, which is located in the southwest corner of the lower level.

Some Extra Help
Caring Ministries staff and volunteers frequently encounter folks from the OSL congregation who need a little extra help. They often come to us with their needs, and we do our best to connect them with others who can help them. The tasks may be as simple as changing a light bulb, getting a few groceries, or putting a load of laundry in the washer or dryer—easy for most of us, but for some of our members these tasks become overwhelmingly difficult.

Sometimes the help is temporary, for a few weeks, until a family member can resume helping. Sometimes it’s long-term. (When there’s a need for a more permanent, paid caregiver, OSL makes referrals to local agencies who provide these professional caregivers.)

Caring Ministries staff would love to be able to connect willing OSL members with those who could use a helping hand. If you would like to learn more about these opportunities to love and serve—or if you yourself are in need of a helping hand—contact Pr. Tim Lemme (336-2942, ext. 19, or tlemme@oslchurch.com); Deb Harlan, Caring Ministries Director (336-2942, ext. 48, or dharlan@oslchurch.com); or Michelle Anderson, Faith Family Nurse (336-2942, ext. 28, or mianderson@oslchurch.com).

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