OSLC | May 2020

“To walk with Christ and neighbor, healing brokenness together.”

In this Issue... From the Pastor…………….1 Specials…..…...……….….....2 Announcements…………...3 Calendar…………….…..….…4 Prayers……………..…………..6 Celebrations………………….6 Worship Schedule………...6 Sharing Our Talents…….…7 Spiritual Practice……...…..8

The Quest Inside for Uniting Spirit (Q.I. for U.S.)

Daily Spiritual Practice: Labyrinth

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray”. Matthew 26:36

Being a Mission Center, our focus is often on the body of Christ - all the people. If our sole focus is building relationships and serv-ing others our most important relationship, our relationship with God, suffers and so do we. Oftentimes we don’t even realize it. Spiritual practices help us nurture, strengthen and deepen our relationship with God. This relationship allows us to discover, dis-cern, and decide how God is calling us to love one another. Even Jesus spent time away from his disciples to be with God in pray-er. Spending this time with God requires that we go within--and this isn’t easy. With all this time now built in for us to “be away” from each other physically, it is a great opportunity to try out different spiritual practices and see which one sticks.

One way of going within that isn’t an abstract concept is through the use of a labyrinth.

A labyrinth is a single path or unicursal tool; one path where there are no tricks or decisions to be made. Similar to the surrender involved in walking a sacred spiritual path in life, our only decision is to choose God and surrender to divine guidance.

The labyrinth invites you into a place of rest and wholeness; however, as in life, coming upon changes in direction as you go. Sometimes you think you’ve reached your goal (the center of the labyrinth) only to find yourself back at the edge of the path. At times you think you’re at the edge only to find yourself near the center. Those who stay on the path will find the center. Like faith, it is the journey itself that brings us into the heart of God.

Locally, you can walk a labyrinth at Crestwood Christian Church at 8000 A Street at the north end of the parking lot under the trees; or, Sheridan Lutheran on the corner of 70th and Old Cheney, enter off of the 70th street entrance. Another option in this time of quarantine is to print off a paper version to trace with your finger. A quick Google search with bring up a variety of op-tions. Or, you may have already printed the version included in the 4/23/20 OSLC daily email.

Whether you walk the path with your feet or trace it with your finger, both ways work equally well when seeking the benefits the labyrinth brings.

My prayer for you this month is that you spend time on the journey inward listening for and hearing God’s love.

Alissa Gunning |Spiritual Director |Our Saviours Lutheran Church, May 2020

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church 1200 S. 40th Street

Lincoln, NE 68510

402-483-4126 | osllincoln.org

Readings

“Unraveled”

May 3, 2020 Matthew 14:22-23

Peter Sinks

May 10, 2020 2 Samuel 3:7; 21:1-14

Rizpah Mourns her Sons

May 17, 2020 Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus

May 24, 2020 Exodus 5:1-2; 7:8-23

Pharaoh Hardens his Heart

May 31, 2020 Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost

Fundraising for OSLC Youth

This Month’s Opportunity: May 10

2nd Sunday of each month From 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

at BOTH Don & Millie’s locations When you order, tell the cashier you are there for Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Youth and 20% of what you spend on food & drinks will go to our OSLC Youth.

May 2020 | Tidings 1

“Unraveled”

“What happens when our world falls apart? How do we press onward when our tightly-knit plans unravel into loose threads? What do we become when our identity—or the path we're on—comes undone? What if all of this is not the end we fear it will be?

In our unraveling, sometimes life surprises us with unexpected joy, love, and hope—with a new beginning we couldn’t have imagined. Sometimes we need God to unravel us, for we long to be changed. This worship series explores 12 stories of unraveled shame, identity, fear, grief, dreams, and expectations. These are stories where God meets us in the spiraling, unraveling our plans—and us—into something new.” (Unraveled Sermon Planning Guide by A Sanctified Art)

I don’t know about you, but I feel unraveled these days. When I discovered this series, it felt right to use it as a tool for us in worship and throughout the spring and summer. Part of what has been un-raveled is our usual way to do things—things we have often taken for granted until now. Things like worship and gathering in study and fellowship; things like taking attendance and communing togeth-er; things like going to the store to browse, going to the library, going to the gym, going to a friend’s house, going to get your hair cut.

But that’s isn’t all that has been unraveled. We have also seen unraveled just how unjust our current system of capitalism is—the fact that the lowest paid workers are now the most essential; the fact that people who are poor and/or people of color do not have the luxury of maintaining distance and are more susceptible to getting sick; the fact that when push comes to shove, it is the common citi-zens more than our leaders who band together to help those on the frontline. The reality of normal has been unraveled before us, and we see the truth revealed—the truth that makes us squirm in guilt because we have all been a part of it.

However, the promise of resurrection is not to restore us to normal but to make us new. It is not to keep our way of life going but to give us a life worth living—a life for all people. If anything is unrav-eled during this time of physical distancing and sheltering, may it be the ways in which we have al-lowed injustice to seep into our midst. May God unravel our racism so that we might honor one an-other’s well-being as God’s beloved people. May God unravel our cynicism and lies so that we might acknowledge the uncomfortable and inconvenient truth of who and what we have become. May God unravel our busy-ness so that we might make the most of our time together in the future. May God unravel our theology so that we recognize the church as a people and not a building—a send-ing, as well as a gathering. May God unravel our identities wrapped up in vocation and citizenship and color so that we see ourselves as primarily children of God, inheritors of God’s promised life.

I pray that you are unraveled today. I pray that I am unraveled today. I pray that our homes and our cities and our farms and our countries are unraveled today—unraveled in such a way that we see the glimpses of God’s kingdom through the woven fabric of life.

Pastor Tobi White

Date May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31

Altar Flowers Laura Tegtmeier

Altar Guild N/A

FEAST Meal Provider N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Meals on Wheels Jodi & Diane Jim Wagner

May 2020 | Tidings 7

Staff Pastor: Tobi White

lincolnpastor.oslc@gmail.com / 402-304-7660

Director of Discipleship: Karrie Lickliter discipleship.oslc@gmail.com

Director of Social Ministries: Alissa Gunning outreach.oslc@gmail.com / 402-440-6791

Director of Worship, Music & Arts: Sam Eschliman wma.oslc@gmail.com

Office Manager/Bookkeeper: Laura Pester lpester.oslc@gmail.com

Director of Food & Sustainability: Lindsey Engel

Visitation Minister: Jim Germer

Assistant Organist: Jan Malone

Choir Accompanist: Lila Revesz

Sexton: Jeff Hoadley sexton.oslc@gmail.com

Nursery Attendant: Mandy Nesheim

Council Council President: Mike Rapp

mrapp@stez.org

Vice President: Judd Chatelain

Council Secretary: Patti Horstman

Council Treasurer: Jeff Barton jeffbarton52@yahoo.com

Council Property Steward: Kent Reinhard

Congregational Care Team Mission Advocate: Alice Timm

Stewardship Team Mission Advocate: Courtney Eizmann

Outreach Ministry Team Mission Advocate: OPEN

Faith Formation Team Mission Advocate: Leif Nesheim

OSL Foundation President: Gary Hein —gw.hein@gmail.com

Sharing Our Talents Altar Flower sign-up is near the front doors (cost is $29). Meals on Wheels sign-up is also near the front doors, next to the flower chart. Hospitality sign-up is distributed during the previous week’s worship. You can also sign at the office up during the week. FEAST sign-up: please contact Alissa Gunning or Lindsey Engel to serve/help with meals.

OSLC Leadership Mission Statement

“Called and compelled by our hope in Jesus Christ, we empower our community to care, learn, teach, lead, and serve.”

2 Tidings | May 2020

OSLC Food Philosophy Food is a gift of God’s grace that brings us together for the growth and nourish-

ment of body, soul, and community.

Prayer on the 9’s: For those of you who use Facebook, join Pastor Tobi for a quick devotion and prayer at 9am and 9pm on our Facebook group (access must be approved). The video is live, but you can access it any-time.

Weekly Community Conference Calls: Tuesdays at 10:15am, Alissa will be hosting a conference call for all OSLC members and guests. No agenda, just a time to share good news, update others on how you are doing, share prayer requests, or just talk. Call in to: 339-209-6205. Let us know if you have questions. Otherwise, just call in, no need to RSVP. We'd love to hear how you are doing!

Faith Partners: Are you stressed out from Covid-19? You are not alone. For a listening ear, call the church office 483-4126 or Otto 770-1974 and connect to the Faith Partners Team. We can’t offer counseling or thera-py. We’re merely friends in Christ who know how to listen and support. Conversations are confidential and anonymous.

OSLC Calling Tree: We have 30 volunteers who are making weekly calls to all of our members in order to check in, offer a listening ear, and share updates. If you are NOT receiving these calls, please contact the church. We may have a wrong number. Please thank these volunteers when they call!

Daily e-mails: During this time of distancing, we are sending out daily e-mails for inspiration, devotion, and worship. We use the Tidings newsletter subscription list, so if you are not interested in receiving these emails, please simply delete—do not unsubscribe unless you no longer want to receive the newsletter, as well. We hope these emails are a breath of fresh air each morning. To register you email address, either contact Pastor Tobi at lincolnpastor.oslc@gmail.com or complete the info at the bottom of our website: www.osllincoln.org.

Worship resources: One can access various ‘worship at home resources’ on our website at www.osllincoln.org—click on ‘Worship.’ There, you can view the weekly services and children’s messages, access a brochure called ‘Sacraments in Exile,’ and go directly to an ELCA site that has additional worship at home resources (https://blogs.elca.org/worship/. Additional music and teaching videos are also found through our YouTube channel (look for our logo and subscribe) and linked to our Facebook page.

For those who do not have internet, we send out a weekly bulletin, sermon, Taking Faith Home insert, and other resources. If you need to receive info in this way, please contact the church and let Laura know.

Bible Studies: We are currently working on arrangements for Bible Studies with both Karrie and Dan. We haven’t worked out the details, yet, but will convey information via the daily emails (Sunday morning worship & announcements) as soon as we have things sorted.

Sunday School Students: Children Worship bulletins, activity/coloring pages are being emailed out weekly. Please let Karrie know if you need hard copies delivered to you.

Are you needing something different? Something else to stay connected? Are you not receiving information or connection in a way that is meaningful to you? Please contact us and share your ideas. We’ll do what we can

to meet your needs and keep us all in community as best we can.

6 Tidings | May 2020

3—Linda Reed 4—Tilley Vech 5—Alyssa Zimmer 6—Melissa Rehm, Shirley Skrobecki 7—Jenifer Nelson 9—Jan Steinkamp, Jerry Varner 10—Ashlynn Brunke 11—Ronda Eitzmann 12—Patti Horstman 17—Lorie Scherling 18—Rylan Frost, George Haase, Ron Lechner 20—Stephanie Caudy 22—Christy Cooper, Donna Durrette 23—Laura Pester 26—Jacob Cederdahl 27—Margaret Nelson, Jake Yoder 29—Sean Erickson 30—Britt Flink 31—Alissa Gunning, Marlin Pals, Justin Reed

2—Sidney & Janet McCartney 3—Bob & Kathy Andrews 9—Doyle & Norma DeBoer 14—Allison & Matt Kuta 15—John & Pam Rallis 18—Dan & Cindy Rudolph 19—Scott & Linda Reed 21—Jim & Barbara Brewer 26—Stu & Denise Essman; Mike & Jodi Kocher 27—Max & Judy Marquart 29—Stephen Kachman & Kaathy Hanford

Discipleship Because we know we learn and grow best in faith when we do it together. And we value that growth in children

and adults of every age...

OSLC Community Calls: Tuesdays at 10:15am, Alissa will be hosting a conference call for all OSLC members and guests. No agenda, just a time to share good news, update others on how you are doing, share prayer requests, or just talk. Call in to: 339-209-6205. Email or call Alissa if you have questions.

Bible Studies: Stay in touch with the Bible study focus sent out via e-mail. Additional opportunities will be shared, as available.

Vacation Bible School At this point, we do still plan to pro-vide VBS in June. Watch for updates if that date needs to shift to a later date. Rainforest Explorers: Jesus Leads the Way; June 22-June 26; 8:30a.m.-12:00p.m. Students Kindergarten through 5th grade. *Early registrants (students AND volun-teers) will receive a prize!* Early registration prizes for stu-dents will take place May 17 & 24 and June 7 & 14; June 14 will also include a drawing for early volunteer registrants.

Worship in the coming months If you’ve already read our council president’s letter included in this publication, you know that we will not be going back to normal for quite some time. In the meantime, we will continue to provide worship from a distance: online, audio and blogpost sermons, as well as hard copies of the service, announcements, sermons, and inspiration mailed to those without internet.

We are also discussing how we might offer some sort of ‘parking lot’ service during the summer—perhaps in the eve-nings to address the heat. We will keep you posted on the details as we sort them out.

Events & Notices Because we believe in relationships, opportunities to

bless one another, and grow together…

Prayer Share As part of the ‘Unraveled’ series, we are col-lecting your prayer requests (will not be made public unless specifically requested). These prayers will be written on fabric and woven into our Unraveled Tapestry each week. Please share your requests by calling the church or by contacting Pas-tor Tobi.

Coffee Hour In an effort to create fellowship opportunities, we are going to try to host a ‘coffee hour’ each Sunday at 10am. To participate, either call in to the conference call num-ber (339-209-6205) or join the online meeting: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/outreachoslc For additional assistance connecting to the meeting text 'Call Me' to the Dial-In number above and you will be called into the conference. Message and data rates may apply.

Faith Partners: Faith Partners is a group dedicated to sup-porting and offering resources for those struggling with addic-tion--whether it's your own addiction or that of someone you care about. If you need someone to talk to, please contact the church and ask for a Faith Partner to call you. We'll be in touch.

Quarterly Congregational Meeting Due to the circum-stances, we are discussing a different approach for holding a congregational meeting. Each active member will receive a letter in the mail with additional details for what we are dis-

cussing and a mail-in ballot to address any necessary votes. We will try to offer a platform available to EVERYONE so that we can enter into discussion, as needed. It may not be a smooth process, but we will do our best to honor the circum-stances and the needs going forward.

OSL Foundation Memorial Commemorations As we ap-proach Memorial Day, you are encouraged to make a donation to the OSL Foundation in memory or in honor of someone. Unless otherwise stated, your name and those that you are honoring/memorializing will be noted in next month’s Tidings newsletter. Please make your checks to OSL Foundation and send them to the church with a note regarding the specifics of the memorial.

The OSL Foundation is an endowment organization tasked with distributing funds to ministries within and beyond Our Saviour’s that do not fall within the planned general budget. We have supported the Lutheran Center Building Project, Freed for Life Banquet, Faith Partners Ministry, Sounds Like Love and Mission Trips, and various other large and small min-istries that serve locally and globally.

Because we know that it takes a whole community to make a difference in the world...

Good Samaritan Fund If you or someone you know is in need of some financial assistance, please contact Alissa (outreach.oslc@gmail.com or 402-440-6791). These are hard times, and we are here to help.

Outdoor Work—Anyone interested in spreading mulch is welcome to come over and put a dent in our mulch pile at the church. It can be put in the parking lot islands and around the bushes/trees surrounding the parking lot.

FEAST Meals: We’ll need meals served again once we recon-vene, so please be ready to sign up with Lindsey at foodminis-try.oslc@gmail.com as soon as things get back to normal. You’ll want to sign up immediately, as available dates will go quickly. We pray for our FEAST partners who are unable to access our worship services or the comfort of the Church dur-ing these times. Alissa is sending a group letter weekly along with a copy of Pastor's sermon, and writing individual letters to our current members. Thanks to the coordination with NDCS, we are able to remain in contact with our Feast part-ners during this time.

Join the 75,000 Mask-Making Challenge through Luther-an World Relief LWR has challenged the people of God to make masks for those who don’t otherwise have access to masks. We know many of you are making masks for people right here, and if you choose to continue that, great! If you would like to donate your skills to LWR, please visit this site: https://lwr.org/masks.

Thank you! To Imogene Matejka, Shirley Rogers, Cindy Hu-mann, Janet Leick, and Mary Barton for sewing and providing face masks for our congregation. Your hard work and generosi-ty is much appreciated.

Thank you! To our staff and caring callers for continuing to connect regularly with our congregation members and partici-pants. Your calls, cards, and letters have been invaluable to all of us.

May 2020 | Tidings 3

Announcements…

In our church family prayers, we remember:

Because we, the Body of Christ, carry each other through trials, struggles, and celebrations...

Those Ill: Gretchen Zwetzig, Diana Grabarkewitz, Bob Furstenau, Addie Scripter, Rod Hernandez, Michele France, Cindy Bartlett, Linda Reed, Vic-toria Heaton, Nancy Davis, Dennis, Jordan Hein, Darla Mae Stewart, Kathy Bratt, Ronin Baumgartner, Robert Knight, Marlene Schafer, Jody McDon-ald, Marvin Hayes, Nicky Herner, Peter Njau, Tracy Littledog, Kolby, Rachel Rainforth, Mary & Nancy Haberstich, Meko Fanniel, Jim Sassman, Les Kol-man, Demetrius Gatson, Anna Jane Crawford

Homebound: Betty Alm, Cooper Dennis, Leora Engel, Mark Foster, Sandee Fruhling, Darlene Harms, Darlene Johnson, Eloise Landgren, Max-ine Magwire, Naomi Maske, Wayne Mumford, Jenifer Nelson, Margaret Nelson, Carol Rosenlof, Gene Staberg, Dorothy Wise, Shari Zinnecker

First Responders & Military Personnel: Coty Surrounded, Jonah Lux, Erin Kocher, Phil Kocher, Tollie Yoder

Our partners in Mission: Lincoln Area Cluster Churches; Kimangaro Par-ish in Tanzania

Grieving: Family and friends at the death of Dennis Davis; Bob & Sue Hedrick at the death of their son, Jackson; Meko Fanniel at the death of her brother, Frank Stanley; Karla & Brian Johnson and family at the death of her mother, Barb Weis; Tammy & Tom Hanson at the death of her mother, Marlene Schafer

Justice & Peace: For those sheltering ‘in place;’ for healthcare workers, teachers, and ministry leaders; for those infected with COVID-19; for those who are lonely and unable to see friends and family; for all impact-ed by the virus and its life complications.

To Our Wonderful Volunteers:

As we navigate through these uncertain times, we at Ran-dolph Elementary want to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your precious gift of time and pray-ers for our staff and families. So many of you keep us in your prayers and know that we feel that strength and encour-agement. Many of you donate your time to help us with our backpack program. Our families are able to put food on the table because of your generosity. Others of you are able to come to our building and do one on one time with stu-dents. The smiles you put on their faces is priceless. Sever-al of you work with our fifth graders doing a book club. They are so excited to see you and they know that you are giving them an opportunity to read a great book.

On behalf of the Randolph staff, I want you all to know that your presence in our lives and our student's lives is very ap-preciated. We could not do our job without great volun-teers and friends from the community. We are extremely lucky. Please stay healthy and safe.

Vicki Fasnacht, Executive Secretary

Did you receive your stimulus check? Perhaps you did

and think, “I’m doing okay and didn’t NEED the extra

money.” If that’s the case, please consider donating

your extra: to OSLC, to the Good Samaritan Fund, to an-

other non-profit organization. These ministries are in

place to help those less fortunate and those in need.

Let’s ‘walk with Christ and neighbor and heal broken-

ness together.’

May 2020—Tentative Daily E-mail Schedule

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

April 26 Worship—Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7 (Sarah Laughs) Including link to video Children’s Mes-sage

April 27 ‘Unraveled’ Devotional Art—Sarah Laughs: Unexpected Joy & Surprise

April 28 Virtual Liturgy by ‘The Work of the People’—“The Welcoming Prayer”

April 29 Visio Divina—Sarah Laughs

April 30 Spiritual Practice on being the church apart: Alissa

1 Poem from the Painted Prayer-book

2 Bible Focus from ‘The Work of the People’—”Grateful: Table Memory”

3 ‘Unraveled’ Worship—Matthew 14:22-23 (Peter Sinks) Including link to video Children’s Mes-sage

4 ‘Unraveled’ Devotional Art—Peter Sinks: Unraveled by Uncertainty

5 Virtual Liturgy by ‘The Work of the People’—”The Lord’s Prayer”

6 Visio Divina—Peter Sinks

7 Spiritual Practice on being the church apart: Alissa

8 Poem from the Painted Prayer-book 10:00a.m. Staff Meeting 7:00p.m. Oversight Team Meeting

9 Bible Focus from ‘The Work of the People’—TBD

10 ‘Unraveled’ Worship—2 Samuel 3:7; 21:1-14 (Rizpah Mourns her Sons) Including link to video Children’s Mes-sage

11 ‘Unraveled’ Devotional Art—Rizpah Mourns her Sons: Public Grief that Inspires Action

12 Virtual Liturgy by ‘the Work of the Peo-ple’—”Serenity Prayer”

13 Visio Divina—Rizpah Mourns her Sons

14 Spiritual Practice on being the church apart: Alissa

15 Poem from the Painted Prayer-book

16 Bible Focus from ‘The Work of the People’—TBD

17 ‘Unraveled’ Worship—Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus) Including link to video Children’s Mes-sage

18 ‘Unraveled’ Devotional Art—Zacchaeus the Tax Collector: Radical Unraveling of Vocation

19 Visual Liturgy by ‘The Work of the Peo-ple’— “The Merton Prayer”

20 Visio Divina—Zacchaeus the Tax Collec-tor

21 Spiritual Practice on being church apart: Alissa

22 Poem from the Painted Prayer-book 10:00a.m. Staff Meeting

23 Bible Focus by ‘The Work of the People’— “TBD”

24 ‘Unraveled’ Worship—Exodus 5:1-2; 7:8-23 (Pharaoh Hardens His Heart) Including link to video Children’s Mes-sage

25 ‘Unraveled’ Devotional Art—Pharaoh Hardens His Heart: When Humans Unravel God’s Plans for Justice

26 Visual Liturgy by ‘The Work of the Peo-ple’— “Prayer of St. Francis”

27 Visio Divina—Pharaoh Hardens his Heart

28 Spiritual practice on being church apart: Alissa

29 Poem from the Painted Prayer-book

30 Bible Focus by ‘The Work of the People’— “TBD”

31 Worship—Acts 2:1-21 (Pentecost) Including link to video Children’s Mes-sage

June 1 Devotional Art—TBD

June 2 Visual Liturgy by ‘The Work of the Peo-ple’— “Breathe”

June 3 TBD

June 4 Spiritual practice on being church apart: Alissa

June 5 Poem from the Painted Prayer-book

June 6 Bible Focus by ‘The Work of the People’— “TBD”