Health Screenings Were a Success
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Avera and Sanford Heart and Vascular Screenings at OSL on June 8 and 9. Both days’ schedules were quickly filled, with very few cancelations.
If you were unable to undergo a screening at OSL, you may contact the health organizations to set up an appointment with them: Avera Planet Heart, 1-877-282-8372; Sanford Health 312-2150.
A Summer Recent Loss Series
Caring Ministries will offer a Summer Recent Loss Series on Tuesday evenings, June 27 through July 25 (skipping July 4), from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel. Michelle Anderson, RN, FCN, will facilitate the educational series that allows for time to share and support one another on our grief journeys. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. Questions? No registration is required. Contact Michelle, 336-2942,
ext. 28, or mianderson@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. Wednesday, June 7, 9:00 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).
Wednesdays, July 12 and 26, 9:30 a.m., Sonshine Rm.
2nd Saturday Knitters, July 8, 9:30 a.m., Sonshine Rm.
Good Grief
Every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in Room 103. Offers support to anyone dealing with loss and crisis in their lives.
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.
Memory Care Support Group
Saturdays, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Friendship Room or Chapel. 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.
Dogs Have Their Day at Friendship Club
Mary Jo Jaqua, Director Emeritus of Therapy Dogs International Chapter 200, provided the program for the May 16 meeting of Friendship Club. Pictured from left are Ann Smith with Roxie, a collie; Carol Everetts with Dickens, a golden retriever; Debbie Hanson with Tully, an all-All American (mixed breed); and Mary Jo Jaqua with Spirit, a German shepherd.
Friendship Club will take a short summer vacation and return in September. Watch for details!
Yoga, Mindfulness, and Centering Prayer
All are welcome to experience Yoga, Mindfulness, and Centering Prayer, meeting every other Saturday, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., in the Labyrinth Room. Allison Houg leads this group, which costs $5 per class. Remaining classes for the summer will meet on June 3, June 17, July 1, July 15, and July 29. All ages and abilities are welcome!
Summertime and the Livin’ Is Easy…or Is It?, by Joan Bacon
“Summertime and the livin’ is easy”—so says George Gershwin’s classic song, “Summertime.” Summertime means long lazy days so welcome after snow-shoveling season; it means real tomatoes replacing those tasteless substitutes bred for shipping. Our hungry eyes feast on green leaves and bright flowers. Neighbors emerge from house-caves to socialize. Lawnmowers hum; children play; birds serenade us.
Summertime means family reunions. This summer, my mother’s family will descend upon tiny Dayton, Iowa. Her parents begat 12 children, all of whom begat more children. Now 100 strong, this family ranges from Alaska to Costa Rica and Massachusetts to California. There will be remembrances of those who passed away, introductions of new members birthed or grafted in, and re-introductions to layers of cousins once removed, twice removed, and yes, a few we wish we could remove altogether!
Ah, family—that reservoir of our richest joys, deepest sorrows, and most complex dynamics. Family—where, sometimes, the livin’ is not easy, even in summertime. Grief, loneliness, alienation, and difficult life situations know no season and often make the livin’ downright hard. Fortunately, God provides us with a second family—our church family. If the livin’ is hard for you this summer, 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). They will help you to connect with a Stephen Minister who will hear your personal story, walk with you, and offer confidential Christian support in any season.
All Anew: Ready or Not (Part 2), by Tami Skorczewski
Bible Study. Whenever God does a new thing, it happens in, through, and with people who live on the margins. With whom is God asking you to align yourself? In whose corner are you being called to stand?
Kathy Nelson will be leading a weekly summer Bible study for women this month on Thursdays, July 13 through July 27, at 5:30 P.M., in the Office Conference Room. Bring your supper if you wish. Written by Kelly Fryer, the three-part study, from Gather magazine, is free; download it from Gather’s website (gathermagazine.org), or you will find copies of the magazine available for checkout in the OSL Library. RSVP to Kathy, nelson1107@alliancecom.net, or Stella in the Church Office, 336-2942.
Unit Wide Mission Project 2017. Thirty-nine Comfort Bags were delivered to Sanford Oncology in June. Leah Circle made 15 bags as
part of their mission work, and 24 additional Comfort Bags were assembled at the June Summer Blast. These additional bags were made possible by funds and donations from the Valentine’s Day Sweets Sale, Rejoice Circle, WELCA board, Caring Ministries, Family Dental, and a Thrivent grant.
Circles’ Mission Projects. Each circle has its own Mission Project, in addition to supporting the Unit Wide Mission Project. Here’s what they’ve reported for the first half of the year:
Anna – Children’s Inn
Hope – Child’s Voice; 18 Hygiene Kits
Leah – 15 Comfort Bags
Patience – Crisis Fund and Gospel Mission
Peace – Food for the Hungry
Rachel – Family Connection
Rejoice – Comfort Bags
Women of Faith – Community Outreach in memory of Joel Cook
WELCA Tenth Triennial. OSL WELCA will be sending two board members—President Tami Skorczewski and Co-Advisor Lori Tendler—to the Triennial Conference, to be held July 13 through 16, in Minneapolis.
Happy Fourth of July! “May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” —Peter Marshall