From the Senior Pastor
LifeGroups at OSL
Our mission makes it clear: We are a people forgiven in Christ whose mission is to proclaim Christ and nurture faith that connects with everyday life.
Our beliefs and mission shape our values and our values shape how we live; one of our five core values is Community—“Because we share ‘one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all’ (Ephesians 4:5), we cherish opportunities to build up the one body of Christ through fellowship, learning, service, and worship together.”
Our strategic plan states, “Though OSL is a large congregation, we will strive to develop a strong sense of community that is rooted in wide participation in relational cell groups that, at a minimum, provide opportunities for members to experience faith and life with trusted companions.” Toward that end, a LifeGroups Ministry Team is exploring what LifeGroups could look like at Our Savior’s.
What is a LifeGroup? LifeGroups are small groups of 8 to 12 people who gather regularly to connect relationally and grow spiritually. The group decides where and when to meet, though groups that meet more frequently often report stronger connections among members. LifeGroups study together, pray together, enjoy fellowship together, and serve together. LifeGroups help us go deeper in our faith by connecting us with other believers who also want to grow in their experience of God’s amazing love through meaningful and authentic relationships.
LifeGroups also make a large congregation feel smaller and more personal. Members of LifeGroups will be able to get to know other members of Our Savior’s on a more intimate level. These relationships often lead to a stronger sense of belonging even in a congregation the size of Our Savior’s. Group members become a network of care for each other; often it is members of a group who are there for fellow group members to celebrate life milestones and to walk through the challenges that surely come.
LifeGroups are usually formed by someone who’s interested in connecting people with each other—so they’re called Connectors. Connectors invite others to be part of their group. Often it’s helpful to invite a few friends as well as several folks who are unfamiliar with others in the group. After all, it’s all about relationships!
A Typical LifeGroup Meeting. LifeGroups follow a simple agenda as a way of being intentional about the time group members share together. A typical agenda includes:
• Gather – a time of greeting one another
• Connect – a time of sharing highs and lows since the last meeting
• Pray – a time when group members pray with and for each other
• Study/Serve – a time for growing in faith and discipleship
• Reflect – a time to answer the question, “So now what?”
• Plan – a time to decide when/where the group will meet next and what it will do
• Send – a time to pray one last time and bless each other
Groups that plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes together on a regular basis will experience the benefits of growing together in faith, a sense of purpose, and mutual affection.
Coming up at OSL. All OSL members will have an opportunity to try out what being a member of a LifeGroup is like this fall, during a miniseries on the movie The Shack. For three weeks, we will focus on several key themes from the movie in all weekend worship services. LifeGroups will then meet during the week following each weekend for the purpose of further exploring each of the three themes. Discussion guides and other forms of support will be provided.
Why not consider being a part of a LifeGroup this fall at OSL? There is no doubt you will grow in your faith if you do, and OSL will continue to grow stronger as a community whose mission is to proclaim Christ and nurture faith that connects with everyday life.
For now, think it over. Talk to your friends. When September comes, you’ll receive information that will make it clear how you can sign up to be part of LifeGroup at OSL.
Pr. Randy Gehring
Summer Worship Services
(through Labor Day)
Saturday Evening
Festive Worship – 5:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Sunday Morning
Celebrate Worship – 8:45 a.m., Celebrate Center
Festive Worship – 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Celebrate Worship – 10:30 a.m., Celebrate Center
Baptisms
July 16, 2017
Stryker Jay Johnson, the son of Tyler and Krista Johnson.
Flowers
July 2, 2017
Flowers are given in celebration of Harold and Kris Breitag’s 40th wedding anniversary, by their children and grandchildren.
July 9, 2017
Flowers are given by Dave and Donna Krueger in celebration of James and Angela Krueger’s 12th wedding anniversary, on July 8.
June 28, 2017
Flowers are given in honor of Pr. Pete and Bev Petersen’s 65th wedding on June 13 by their children, Wendy (Bruce) Hasche, Alan Petersen, Sara Petersen, and Wayne (Kelly) Petersen.
Telecasts
July 2, 2017
Telecasts are sponsored in memory of Gary Nesdahl by Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl and family.
Memorials and Honoraria
June 2017
In Memory of John Bresee
Harriet Bresee
Eldon and Pauline Nelson
Irene Peterson
Don and Coryill Weeg
In Memory of Suzanne Grigg (Mother of Anne Anderson)
Karen Olson
Theology on Tap
Come and join Pr. Randy at Monk’s House of Ale Repute, 420 E. 8th St., for Theology on Tap—conversation, reflection, prayer, and Christian community—on Thursday, August 24, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
OSL Summer Blast August 16
Don’t miss the season’s last Summer Blast, on Wednesday, August 16! The theme will be “Farmer’s Market.” Food will be served starting at 5:00 p.m., with fun and games at 5:30. A simple outdoor worship service will follow, at 6:30.