<span style="color: #2ea3f2; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b> Magnify the Lord!<br>Chorus-pondence from Gene LeVasseur</b></span><br>OSL’s Advent and Christmas theme this year is “Magnify,” and the Worship and Arts teams at Our Savior’s are working hard to “Magnify the Lord” (as usual!). In order to “Magnify the Lord” we need to get closer, spend time with, and pay attention to God. The musicians and technicians who come in during the week for rehearsals have time to ponder, as Mary did, God’s Word. What a joy it is to be serving Our Savior’s while we are growing in our faith and magnifying the Lord!<!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><br><br><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->The Festive choirs are preparing a medley of songs with dramatic reflections of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Gabriel, to be presented in Festive worship on December 10. Combining the biblical texts that refer to these four and how they point us to Jesus has been a rewarding experience. The heart of this presentation is Mary’s song of praise in Luke 1:46–55, which is often called <i>Magnificat</i>. Thousands of composers have set this text or parts of this text to music. For me, it is a song of hope and blessed assurance that God is with us, in all ways and always. Again, this will be on December 10. <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><br><br><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->OSL’s <i>really </i>great Wednesday and Sunday school children will present “Really, Really, Really Good News” on December 17, at the 8:45 Celebrate and 11:00 Festive worship services. Melissa Nesdahl, OSL’s <i>really </i>awesome Director of Faith Formation, and I are leading the <i>really </i>super-talented children. With so many worldly distractions to the “Really Good News”—<i>Jesus Christ is born</i>—this script and music is really good for the children (and the adults); they are rehearsing for the <i>really </i>big Christmas musical and learning the true meaning of Christmas while they do it. It’s a fun way for the children to “Magnify the Lord.” <i>Really! </i>Check it out on December 17.
Midweek Advent worship services will be on Wednesdays, December 6, 13, and 20, in the Celebrate Center, from 6:40 to7:15 p.m. Wednesday School is from 6:00 to 7:15, and this worship time will allow the classes to check in and then gather with the congregation to “Magnify the Lord” in worship. Wreaths are a wonderful Christmas symbol and we will worship around the wreath in the Celebrate Center. Yes, actually in the round! These services will be a wonderful time to slow down, get closer to God, spend time with God, and pay attention to God. <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><br><br><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Here’s some more “Really, Really, Really Good News”: Our Savior’s will be hosting three Lutheran College/University Choir Concerts this winter. On December 1, 2, and 3 we will host Augustana University’s Vespers. On Saturday, February 3, we will host Gustavus Adolphus College Choir for a 7:00 p.m. concert. On Saturday, February 10, we will host Nordic Choir from Luther College for a 7:00 p.m. concert. <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><br><br><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Our Savior’s is responsible for providing housing for both the Gustavus and Luther student musicians. Please consider hosting two or more students, taking them to your home after the concert, providing a bed for them to spend the night, and bringing them back to OSL the next morning. I’ve done this many times and every time it’s been a joy and a blessing for every family that opens their hearts and homes to these young people. Prayerfully consider this wonderful opportunity, and God bless you and your families. <!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --><br><br><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] --> “SING” cerely, <br><!-- [et_pb_line_break_holder] -->Gene