Give to Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund

The La Crosse Area Synod has this information for Haiti relief, also designated as a memorial for Ben Larson by his parents and wife. Thrivent members can have a $1 match for each $2 gift through the Thrivent website. Checks can also be sent through the synod office, with a notation in the memo line for “Haiti.”

• From the ELCA: ELCA website or call 800-638-3522
• From LWR (Lutheran World Relief) : On the LWR website, or by mailing a check or money order to: Lutheran World Relief Haiti Earthquake Relief, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832

Ben Larson’s Memorial Service was held at Luther College this past Friday. There is no La Crosse memorial planned. We grieve greatly for our friends and our Church which lost a tremendous voice and future pastor. Our former bishop’s family has released this statement:

“As an infant Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson was wrapped in the arms of God in the waters of baptism, and from those waters, his life was an outpouring of love and joy, laughter and play, in response to God first loving Ben. Ben’s love of God, walking in accompaniment, passionately loving others, listening and learning from those who are poor across the globe, drove his serving. We give thanks to God for the incredible joy of knowing Ben. His laughter, playfulness, passionate heart for those who are hurting was manifest in his daily life. He delighted in the privilege of serving and knowing God, laying out his life in joy.

We are blessed by still being able to hear Ben‘s music. His father Judd says, ‘If you want to know Ben, go to his music.’ In his tender music remains some of the treasure that is Ben: what he believes, what he cares about, his deepest soul. Most of the people who died in this deadly earthquake in Haiti are the poorest of the poor in this hemisphere. Ben went to Haiti to teach theology and scripture in the new Lutheran Church of Haiti; but more deeply to learn from these people loved by God. In his young death his life joins the bodies of the poor. In the Haitian rubble Ben’s life joins these dear beloved people of God: all those parents crying for their children; young widows calling out for their husbands; new orphans searching for their parents. God have mercy on us.”

Contact information for the Larsons is as follows:

6030 E Superior St #308
Duluth MN 55804-2567

RIC Sunday is January 31st

Along with many other RIC congregations across the nation, on Sunday, January 31st we will be reaffirming our commitment as a Reconciling In Christ Congregation.

With a big thank you to Pastor Mark, Pastor Libby Howe (who is the Assistant to the Bishop in our synod and an OSLC member) will be speaking to us on this special day. We will also have a couple of “temple talks” about the positive effects of RIC and OSLC. Also, we may be learning a new song or two. Please mark this date on your calendars and plan on attending this inspirational Sunday!

Dorcas Christmas Party on December 2nd

Join us at 6:30 pm on Wednesday for a meal, fellowship and gift exchange. Please bring a gift ($5 price range) for our exchange.

Order a Christmas Poinsettia by December 1st

Christmas is just around the corner and it is time to order poinsettias for our Christmas worship services. If you wish to order a plant, please fill out the poinsettia order form and return it to the Church office with a check made payable to “Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.” The deadline for ordering is Tuesday, December 1st.

Any questions, please contact the Church office. Thank you!

Sponsor-A-Meal is a Perfect Holiday Gift Idea

Christmas is coming!

Are there relatives or friends on your holiday list that are impossible to buy for? Why not “Sponsor-A-Meal” for Come For Supper? With this gift, you are expressing the love and appreciation towards that special relative/friend while at the same time giving the same gift of love/appreciation towards someone you don’t even know. What could make a better gift?

When you “Sponsor A Meal”, you will receive a professional-grade linen card with the name of the recipient (In Honor of – or- In Memory of) and sponsor level printed on the inside of the card along with a matching envelope. Here are the different levels you can sponsor a meal:

$10.00 Beverage
$25.00 Appetizer
$50.00 Soup de Jour
$100.00 Main Entree
$250.00 Creme Rue Le
$500.00 Celebration Feast

There is a table set up by the fellowship hall showing the different levels available along with a sample of the gift card you will be able to give. You may purchase your “Sponsor-A-Meal” gifts from Nance Klapper, Gretchen Crary, Rod Tisthammer or the church office. They will also be able to answer any questions about the Sponsor-A-Meal program. Thank You!

OSLC Men’s Group Meets on November 14th

OSLC Men’s Group will meet Saturday, November 14 from 8:30-10:30 am. We will meet in the choir room for coffee and discussion including planning for our December activity. Coffee and cookies will be provided.

For further information, please contact Mikel Hampel.

November’s Book Club Selection: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Our Savior’s November Book Club selection is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

Hosseini’s compassionate storytelling and his sense of personal and national tragedy are woven into this tale of two women that is weighted equally with despair and grave hope. This is a riveting story—an in-depth exploration of Afghan society in the three decades of anti-Soviet jihad, civil war and Taliban cruelty.

Please let Sandra Hansen know if you would like to purchase a book for $12. Copies are also available at the public library. All are welcome to join us in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, November 30th at 6:30 to talk about this eye-opening, and sometimes jaw-dropping story.

Two Our Savior’s Members Chosen for Peru Delegation

Our next delegation to our companion synod in Peru has been chosen, and two of the seven synod members come from our congregation!

Congratulations, Andy Stutesman and Dan Lintin. You will serve us well, and have many stories and opportunities to share with us after your return next year. We lift you up on your selections!

Boy Scouts Meatball Supper on October 24th

Boy Scout Troop 13 will be having its annual Supper on October 24th, 2009. Tickets will be available on October 11th during Coffee Fellowship. Boy Scouts are serving that day.

Save the date!

Sunday School/Confirmation Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for Our Savior’s Sunday School and Confirmation. Pick up a registration form on the first day of class, or download a registration form here.

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