Here’s your weekly look at things happening at Our Savior’s.
Bishop Constanze Hagmaier
Bishop Constanze Hagmaier will be at Our Savior’s Sunday, September 29, 10:00 am in the Gathering Place to lead the congregation in a Ministry Site Study and field any questions members of the congregation may have concerning the call process
Friday, September 27, at 7:00 PM – Organist Arjan Breukhoven in Concert
Arjan Breukhoven, organist, pianist, conductor, and composer from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is going to give an organ recital on the fabulous Schlicker organ at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls on Friday, September 27, at 7:00 PM. Arjan likes to make his performances accessible to as many people as possible by playing music of a diverse nature: hymn-based improvisations, classical pieces, and popular works. His program in Sioux Falls will be no exception to this. The recital has free admission, but there will be a retiring collection to cover Arjan’s expenses. After the recital, you will have the opportunity to buy some of Arjan’s CDs. All are cordially invited!
September 22 – Creation Care Team Ministry – 10am in the Friendship Room
Emily Oyos, Outreach Coordinator for Friends of the Big Sioux River, will be at OSL on September 22 to share their organization‘s mission and activities related to monitoring and improving water quality in our community. What we do on land (even our lawns) has an impact on our water resources. The Creation Care Team Ministry is sponsoring this program at 10am in the Friendship Room.
Join your OSL friends as a volunteer at the Food to You distribution, on Thursday, September 26, at St. John American Lutheran Church. A few volunteers will be needed at 4:15 p.m., and about another 15 at 5:15. Sign up at the Welcome Center to join OSL’s wonderful group of volunteers for this event. St. John American Lutheran Church is at Western Avenue and 13th Street.
September 21 – Walk to Defeat ALS
Meet at Sertoma Park, 4500 Oxbow Ave.
Walk distance is 1 mile. Check in at 8:30, walk starts at 10:00 a.m.
Friendship Club topic for October Friendship Club will be the new vaccine recommendations. Meet in the Friendship Room at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 1.
Lunch will follow at 12 in the Gathering Place. Suggested donation $6.
Questions? Contact Pr. Tim Lemme, tlemme@oslchurch.com or 605-336-2942.
Digital bulletins are available for you to use with your mobile device, whether you worship from home or at OSL. Here are bulletins for
• Saturday evening Festive worship
• Sunday morning Festive worship
• Sunday morning Celebrate worship
View (or print) weekly worship materials at oslchurch.com
Coming back soon… Our Savior’s Communications produces a short Information Video of upcoming events, activities, and opportunities. It’s shown at the Welcome Center and on monitors in the Sanctuary and Celebrate Center before worship services. And it’s posted to the OSL website as well, so if you haven’t been by for a while, or you’d just like a closer look, find the videos here!
Things to Note…
ABC With Kristie
There will be a Book Talk with Sandra Poppenga, the author of Next Step, A Predicted Death Defeated By Love in the Library October 16 at 1:30. Sign up at the library.
There are expanded hours for the library on Wednesday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Reading Volunteers are needed for Sunday school kids between services from 10:30-10:45 a.m.
Also library volunteers for Saturday and Sunday are needed.
Good News!
The Noisy Offering for 6/30/24 amounted to $1,298 and was donated to Leif Ericson Day Camp for flood relief.
I am happy to report that the EMBE program this year was very successful. From June 3rd to August 16th Monday through Friday we had 5 different groups bussed here to OSL for lunch provided by EMBE. This is a very needed program for kids of Sioux Falls to get a well-balanced meal at least once a day, during the summer.
They served a total of 7,346 kids which is a little over 450 more than last year. We have been partners with this program for a number of years and plan to continue for next year.
We are making a difference in these kiddos lives!
Blessings,
Debbie Theis
OSL Event/Volunteer Coordinator !
Pr. Karen Young Trenne has come on board at OSL as interim lead pastor to help bridge the period of undertaking the call process for a full-time regular lead pastor. She will be formally introduced to the congregation at services on Kick-Off Weekend, September 7 and 8. Learn more, and read a greeting from Pr. Karen, on the OSL website!
A Note from Bill Reynolds
As I mentioned in the latest edition of The Intercom, I will be retiring from Our Savior’s at the end of August…which suddenly is here! For the past 14 years I’ve been Communications Director here, producing bulletins, newsletters, booklets, and other print and digital publications; managing the OSL website; creating videos, posters, banners, signs, and logos; producing Coming up at OSL and the Information Videos every week; and undertaking all kind of other creative endeavors as they occur. Now I feel the time is right to step off and see what retirement might have in store. I conclude my time at OSL on about the anniversary of the date Pr. Les Svendsen called to see if I’d be interested in coming on board here (August 24, 2010, in case you’re keeping track).
So I’m off, pleased that Our Savior’s is on steady ground again, grateful for the many friends I’ve made here, and excited to see what the future may bring—for all of us!
Bill Reynolds,
Communications Director (for another day!)
This comes from Brooke Knudson-Wiggs, first grade teacher at Susan B. Anthony Elementary School, regarding OSL’s response to the Stock the School campaign:
“Add up 131 boxes of crayons, 97 boxes of markers, 81 boxes of colored pencils, 41 boxes of Kleenex, 33 packages of Band-Aids, 29 containers of Clorox wipes, and 11 bags of candy, and you get 22 happy and hyped SBA teachers!
“You’ve given our teachers everything they need to keep their classrooms running smoothly (and maybe a little more organized than before)!
“Our teachers are now officially the happiest and most uplifted group around—seriously, other schools are going to be wondering if we get extra caffeine in our workroom! Your generosity is truly appreciated, and we are beyond grateful to have your support.
“Thank you for helping us make this school year a colorful and fun-filled adventure where students and staff feel able to soar!”
The latest edition of OSL’s publication The Intercom is online! View The Intercom as web pages or a PDF file, as you prefer. Find it and back issues here!
The Woodshop Ministry team will resume their Wednesday evening meet-ups on September 11, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. And of course the Saturday morning sessions will continue, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. All are welcome, whether you are a seasoned woodworker or a beginning craftsperson, to join the team to work on projects for the church, the community, and ourselves. And the group never forgets to take a break for coffee and treats, too! For more information contact Pr. Tim Lemme, 605-336-2942, ext. 48, or tlemme@oslchurch.com.
SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life) is a strength, balance, and fitness class offered through Sanford Health and specifically designed for adults 65+. Participants improve balance and mobility, reduce their risk of falls, and improve their quality of life while having fun meeting new people. Experienced and skillful instructors teach each class. Classes are tailored to older adults who are active and wish to maintain or increase their fitness level; chairs are available as needed. Best of all, it’s free! Classes at OSL meet on Mondays and Thursdays, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., in the Hub.
Keep an eye on the OSL calendar, at oslchurch.com/calendar, as events and activities are added! The website calendar is continuously updated, so visit it frequently.
Check out the latest edition of OSL’s Spiritual Care Ministry newsletter online. Visit here, and contact Pr. Tim Lemme (tlemme@oslchurch.com or 605-336-2942, ext. 19) or Dorene Weinstein, Spiritual Care Coordinator (605-336-2942, ext. 28, or dweinstein@oslchurch.com), to subscribe.
All are welcome to join OSL’s Knitting Group, meeting on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, in Room 102, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. The knitters craft prayer and baptismal shawls for use in the ministries of Our Savior’s.
What better way to show God’s love for everyone than to share a gift of caring and warmth? This is what happens each second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the OSL Piece by Peace Quilting area, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Quilts of various sizes are handmade and sent to local organizations that care for the homeless and underprivileged native communities in South Dakota, and around the world to places in need. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, stop by and we will find a way for you to help! Sewing and quilting skills of all levels are welcome. Come join in the laughter and fellowship in this mission work of compassion and caring for others.
Blood pressure checks are again offered at OSL, on the first weekend of the month—except in September when, because of the Labor Day weekend, it will take place on September 8, at the Volunteer Fair. Come October, checks will be available in the Spiritual Care Suite, before and after services on Saturday evening, and from 9:00 to 11:00 on Sunday morning. Volunteers are needed to assist with blood pressure check. Contact Karla Cazer, Karla Cazer, FCN Coordinator, (Karla.Cazer@sanfordhealth.org or 336-2942, ext. 18), or Julie Oien (605-212-3868).
Have you experienced a loss? Are you going through a time of grief? Could you use a little extra support? Join Pr. Tim Lemme and members of OSL’s Good Grief Group each Thursday, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., in the Friendship Room, for conversation, reflective study, and compassionate peer support. What makes this group so special is that all have experienced a loss and have learned that sometimes the best support comes from the love of those who have been there. To learn more, contact Pr. Tim Lemme (tlemme@oslchurch.com or 605-336-2942, ext. 19) or Dorene Weinstein, Spiritual Care Coordinator (605-336-2942, ext. 28, or dweinstein@oslchurch.com).
A Matter of Balance, the award-winning program designed to manage falls and increase activity levels, meets at OSL on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., in the Friendship Room. This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls, and is intended for anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength; anyone who has fallen in the past; and anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns. The program is free, but registration is required: Contact Karla Cazer, Faith Community Nurse, 605-339-7295; 605-336-2942, ext 18; kcazer@oslchurch.com.
The OSL Gym is open for pickleball on Thursdays and Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants are asked to contribute $2 per visit for heat, lights, and upkeep of the floor.Opportunities to Help
Soon Our Savior’s Augustana University and University of Sioux Falls neighbors will be returning to class. And that means OSL’s Campus Cupboard will be reopening soon! You are invited to help restock the shelves with items to help students get by when their dining halls are unavailable (such as during school holidays). You’ll find the Campus Cupboard shopping list on the OSL website. Thank you for helping OSL’s student neighbors!
Join your OSL friends as a volunteer at the
Food to You distribution, on Thursday, September 26, at St. John American Lutheran Church. A few volunteers will be needed at 4:15 p.m., and about another 15 at 5:15. Sign up at the Welcome Center to join OSL’s wonderful group of volunteers for this event. St. John American Lutheran Church is at Western Avenue and 13th Street.
Augustanna University is looking for Friendship Families! The Friendship Family makes a commitment to befriend a new international student, provide opportunities to have home-cooked meals, and/or participate in various cultural or community activities throughout the year. Friendship families do not provide lodging—just support and a “home” away from campus! Interested? Visit Augie’s Friendship Family page, or email Madeline Trosvig, Faith Formation Coordinator, mtrosvig@oslchurch.com, for more info.
One of the greatest gifts we can give to anyone is the gift of our time. A listening ear, a phone call, a quick note can be a source of comfort and a bright spot in someone’s day. OSL’s Caring Friends are volunteers who reach out monthly to OSL members residing in care facilities in the Sioux Falls area. This ministry program was created as an opportunity to minister to those who can no longer participate in worship and fellowship opportunities at OSL, to make them feel connected, and a vital part of their church family. Through phone calls, mail, visits, and prayer, Caring Friends reach out with the Love of Christ to those who often find themselves alone or disconnected. This outreach is an essential part of Our Savior’s mission to connect faith to everyday life. If you would like to participate in this ministry, contact Pr. Tim Lemme (tlemme@oslchurch.com or 605-336-2942, ext. 19) or Dorene Weinstein, Spiritual Care Coordinator (605-336-2942, ext. 28, or dweinstein@oslchurch.com).OSL supports the Food to You Mobile Food Pantry by donating various food items to help local families in need, and helping with food distributions. The item for September is hearty soup; for October, it will be cereal. Always appreciated are toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant for Hygiene Packs. Place your donations in the marked bins near The Gathering Place kitchen. 
There are always opportunities for Kitchen Crew Volunteers! Call the Church Office, 605-336-2942, or stop in the kitchen on a Wednesday evening. 
Stephen Ministers have received special training to provide confidential, one-to-one, Christian care to hurting people. They meet weekly with their care partners to listen, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the person needs care. It’s free, and it’s a powerful way you can help a hurting friend. To learn more, contact Pr. Tim Lemme (605-336-2942, ext. 19, or tlemme@oslchurch.com) or Dorene Weinstein, Spiritual Care Coordinator (605-336-2942, ext. 28, or dweinstein@oslchurch.com).
Have you tried OSL’s text giving option? It’s a quick, convenient way to help support OSL’s mission! Just text sharing to 73256 and follow the short instructions to make a gift to Our Savior’s. Thank you for your continued support!
Credits: Photo of closed sign by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash. Friendship Club image by SCY from Pixabay. Information Video background by Monsieur Sylvain via Pexels. Photo of man holding iPhone by Youssef Sarhan on Unsplash; background image by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash. Calendar Flip 600 by Muddy River Media via YouTube. Video of woman knitting by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels. Photo of blood pressure check by CDC on Unsplash. Photo of crying woman by Jeremy Wong on Unsplash. Photo of pickleball equipment by Ben Hershey on Unsplash. Photo of friends by Harli Marten on Unsplash. Stephen Ministry background photo by Clément Falize on Unsplash. Photo of woman texting from a video by Blue Bird from Pexels.
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