Affirmation of Baptism
More than two dozen OSL confirmation students made their Affirmation of Baptism, an important milestone in one’s faith journey, at worship services on October 29. Congratulations to this year’s confirmands:
Kalen Appl
Ryan Berglin
Zac Carlson
Taysia Cochrun
Sara Croghan
Evelynn Ducheneaux
Claire Egland
Emily Ekstrum
Gavin Fischer
Margeaux Freese
Chantalle Galbavy
Dalton Garbers
Abigail Helgerson
Isabella Helgerson
Avarianna Hill
Bailey Horton
Triston Jansma
Alexander Johnson
Michael Johnson
Eli Olson
Meredith Peterson
Ainsley Pfitzer
Adalie Pritchett
Janessa Rud
Emma Sahly
Kaley Stevens
Samuel Whempner
Carson Woods
And thanks to the small-group mentors for their time, energy, and dedication to OSL youth!
Changes in the OSL Nursery
Amanda Bork, who has served as Nursery Supervisor for several years, recently stepped down from that position. “I started volunteering in the OSL Nursery as a middle school student,” Amanda recalls. “After a few years of volunteering, I was hired on as a Nursery staff member, and from there was promoted to Nursery Supervisor! I have loved my time with the OSL Nursery, and I have made some wonderful relationships with many of the families who walk through our door on any given Sunday! I hope to continue seeing these families around Our Savior’s.
“The nursery was and will always be near and dear to my heart,” Amanda says, “but I felt that after 15 years, it was time for me to pass my position on. I will continue to focus on my career as a teacher, making visits to different facilities with our certified therapy dog, fostering dogs, and spending time with my family! Please stay in contact and always feel free to connect with my via my personal email: Amandak.bork@gmail.com.
OSL’S new Nursery Supervisor is Nancy Heesch, a familiar face at Our Savior’s. “I have been a member of OSL since 1965,” says Nancy. “I’m married to Robert (29 years), have two children—Amanda, who lives in St. Paul, and Joshua, who is a junior at Dakota State University—and taught preschool for 23 years. I love gardening, baking, cooking, and reading.”
Thank you, Amanda, for your dedicated service to the youngest members of the OSL community; and thank you, Nancy, for stepping up to carry on that caring tradition!
Many Thanks, Elise!
On October 22, OSL bid farewell and Godspeed to Elise Hasche, Youth Director for the past five years. Elise’s last day on staff was October 31. The OSL community is grateful for Elise’s tireless devotion not only to the congregation’s middle- and high-school students but also her dedication to the worship life of Our Savior’s.
Please hold Elise and Ben in prayer as they move into this time of transition in their lives.
Youth Groups
OSL offers two youth groups, MSYG for middle-school students and Emerge for high-school students. Youth group is meant to be a safe place for students to meet, ask questions, have some snacks or donuts, play games, and get to know other students at OSL.
MSYG will meet on Sunday mornings, from 10:00 to 10:50, with Trish Syverson, beginning on September 10.
Emerge will be on Wednesday nights, from 7:00 to 8:30, with Elise, starting on September 13.
Don’t forget: if you are going on a summer trip, you earn $5 toward your fundraising goal each time you come to youth group!
Scrip and Grocery Gift Cards
Stop by the Youth Information table in The Gathering Place on Sunday mornings, from 9:30 to 10:30, and see what kind of scrip gift cards you can order. Orders placed by 2:00 p.m. Monday will be available to pick up on Thursday afternoon in the Church Office, or at the Youth Information Table on Sunday mornings. OSL Youth continue to sell Hy-Vee and Fareway gift cards as well. All proceeds help Youth Ministry.
Faith Formation Notes
The first graders’ Lord’s Prayer Milestone will be on November 5. The Milestone will be celebrated with family time at 10:00 a.m., in the Friendship Room, and lifted up afterward at the 11:00 Festive worship service. (This will be in place of your first grader’s regular Sunday School that morning.)
All rotation students (pre-K through third grade) will sing “Jesus Loves Me” at the 11:00 a.m. Festive worship service on November 11. Students in grades four through eight who learned the song are encouraged to join in.
All are welcome to the Advent Fair, on Wednesday, November 29, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This year’s fair will have crafting and food tasting for all ages to enjoy! A meal will be served in The Gathering Place.
As always, contact me with any questions or concerns: Melissa Nesdahl, Director of Faith Formation, 336-2942, ext. 17, or mnesdahl@oslchurch.com.