Ministry Spotlight:
Autumn Is on the Way!
For everything there is a season, Ecclesiastes tells us, and if you’ve noticed a slight yellowish tinge on certain trees’ leaves, or an increase in squirrels’ activity, or any number of other clues, you’ll know that autumn is soon to come. No matter what the thermometer might say currently!
And autumn means things ramp up again around Our Savior’s (not that they every really slow down that much). At this point, dreams are still being dreamed and plans are still being planned, but here are some things to look forward to from OSL’s various ministry areas!
◆ Kick-Off Weekend will be September 9 and 10, the “official” start of OSL’s new program year. As usual, a line-up of fun family activities will mark Kick-Off, celebrating the great year to come.
Kick-Off Sunday also marks the return of regular worship hours: Celebrate at 8:45 and 11:00 a.m., and Festive at
11:00 a.m. Saturday Festive worship will remain at 5:00 p.m.
◆ Pr. Randy Gehring cites two specific ministries he’s especially anticipating:
◇ A weekly adult bible study on Wednesday evenings that will focus on specific books and/or themes in scripture. Pr. Randy envisions “a fellowship-based learning opportunity that includes a simple meal (maybe potluck), large-group teaching, and small-group conversation.”
◇ Icons in Transformation, a museum-quality art exhibit that will be present at OSL in October and November. This exhibit of works by the artist Ludmila Pawlowska will present unique opportunities to encounter the spirituality of traditional religious icons through contemporary art. Hosting the exhibit—which will feature 80 to 150 paintings, sculptures, installation art, and photographs of contemporary art inspired by traditional icons—will also provide numerous ways for OSL members and friends to volunteer, and it will invite the community to visit our church and become more familiar with Our Savior’s as a “church of substance.” Works will be available for purchase, with sales benefitting Ukrainian refugees.
Watch for details about each of these opportunities. And learn more about Ludmila Pawlowska and Icons in Transformation at ludmilapawlowska.se.
◆ After Labor Day, OSL’s Worship and Music Ministry kicks back into high gear. Gene LeVasseur, Director of Worship, reminds everyone that all are welcome to join in these opportunities:
◇ Joyful Noize (for kids in grades three through five), meeting on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
◇ Celebrate Band, rehearsing on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
◇ Our Savior’s Choir, rehearsing on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
◇ Bells of Our Savior’s, rehearsing on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Gene, glevasseur@oslchurch.com or 605-336-2942, ext. 40.
◆ “Quack quack, welcome back! Duck into the Library!”
Maybe you’ve already guessed that ducks will feature prominently in Kick-Off Weekend plans for the OSL Library. Why a duck? You’ll have to stop in and ask! Other reasons to stop in include a variety of activities planned for the first Wednesday evening of each month—Movie Night, Poetry Night, Story Time in Your Jammies Night, short-story discussions, and author talks. Stop by the Library often to see what’s new and what’s coming up!
◆ OSL’s Spiritual Care Ministry will see the resumption of Wednesday evening Woodshop Ministry, at 6:00, in the woodshop (well, naturally). The team will continue to meet at 8:00 on Saturday mornings, as they’ve been doing all summer. Everyone is welcome, from experienced woodworkers to newbies!
Mah-Jongg will make a return to OSL, on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., in The Gathering Place. Again, all experience levels are welcome. Same for Piece by Peace Quilting Group, Prayer Shawl Knitting Group, and the Healing Garden Team: participants are always eager to share their knowledge with new members!
Stephen Ministry, Bereavement Ministry, and Good Grief Group will continue to provide care to those who are experiencing a difficult time. Walking Wednesdays Wellness Group will resume, as will monthly Friendship Club presentations. And don’t forget the Card Recycling and Conversation with God groups!
Learn more by contacting Pr. Tim Lemme (605-336-2942, ext. 19, or tlemme@oslchurch.com) or Ben Weins, Spiritual Care Coordinator (605-336-2942, ext. 28, or bweins@oslchurch.com)
◆ Pr. Justin Kosec and Youth Director Madelynn Skajewski have been hard at work planning this fall’s Youth and Family Ministry programs. Registration for High School Youth Ministry and Confirmation (grades six through eight) are online now—be sure to sign up, if you haven’t already! The same goes for Children’s Ministry programs:
◇ Frolic (for kids from infants through age three)
◇ Storybook Bible Rotation (four-year-olds through grade three)
◇ Connect (fourth- and fifth-graders), and
◇ Wednesday RAW Faith (an at-home opportunity).
Sunday Education time is 10:00 to 10:50 a.m., beginning on September 10, on the lower level. High School Youth Group will be held on Sunday nights, from 7:00 to 9:00, in the Youth Room, starting on September 10. Confirmation classes begin on Wednesday, September 13, at 6:00 p.m., and meet weekly, in Fellowship Hall.
Visit the Youth & Family webpage for registration links!
Of course, more will be added as the program year continues—be sure to keep an eye on the OSL website and the weekly update, Coming up at OSL, for details.
Meanwhile…time to start dreaming of pumpkin spice! ◆
Images from Icons in Transformation by Ludmila Pawlowska.