MAY HEALTH MATTERS

One of my favorite things to do is to transform  our yard from the brown, dingy lifeless plot of winter to a colorful array of flowers, vegetables and rich green lawn.  It’s a labor intensive project, and I don’t have much of a green thumb, but there’s really nothing more satisfying than digging and planting God’s rich soil, and watching the miracle of life emerge.  We are reminded once again of God’s power and of his command to all of us to be stewards of the land.  Yes, He gave us quite a responsibility, didn’t He?  But do you know what?  He also gave us a wonderful gift in that responsibility…….being a part of making the earth beautiful.

So where am I heading with all of this gardening talk?  I’m planting a seed!  I’m suggesting that you give gardening a try this year.   Plant a flower or a shrub to start, something colorful, that doesn’t need much care.  I guarantee that you will be hooked!  Next year you may even decide to add another plant, maybe one that will bloom year after year.  You know, if everyone planted just one flower this spring, imagine the summer rainbow of colors we could have.  In addition, (you knew there would be a health message here somewhere, didn’t you) gardening is a very healthy activity.  It improves your cardiovascular function, your muscle tone, and even your mental health.  It  is even better than aerobic exercise for burning those extra calories.

Here’s your challenge.  Plant a flower, tree, or shrub.  Care for it, and when it is at its best, bring me a picture of it.  We will display all of the pictures this fall.  We’ll let the congregation vote for their favorite plant, and the winner will receive a small prize.  Anyone,  young or old may enter this little challenge, so if your children would like to enter, they are welcome to do so.

Have a glorious and life-filled spring and summer, and please join me in helping to make God’s earth explode with color!!!

You  may have been a part of, or may have heard about  the Chocolate Boutique.  It was truly a wonderful  experience, one we hope to share with you again next year.  I want you to know that this was, by no means the result of just one person’s work.  I want to express my gratitude to all who worked so diligently to make this event successful.  Thanks to Kathy Grant, who managed the logistics, led one of the break-out sessions, and did the grocery shopping, and who also encouraged me to stay positive.  Thanks to the large group leaders, Jeni Bohls, Jennifer Collins, and Mary Lou Norris who prepared and led their prospective sessions with enthusiasm, and spirituality.  Thanks to Myra Karsjens for teaching all of us how to make those beautiful greeting cards.  Thanks to Cindy Dahl for her delicious small group chocolate break!!  Thanks to Pastor Emily for leading the worship sessions. Thanks to Kristie Pope, who took care of the registration table.  These ladies were also the members of the  planning team.  Many of them provided their own materials for their specific presentation which helped to keep costs down.  We are also thankful  for Sandi Schnetter ,  Phyllis Miller, and Sue Bennett, who helped Myra in designing  and making the cards; for Sarah Grant who helped Kristie with the registration, for Martha Koch, Barb Berner, and Nancy Nielsen who helped Liz in the kitchen, and for all of you who attended, and helped to make our day a blessing!

On a personal note, I want you to know just how much you have all touched our family with your prayers, hugs, food, cards and memorials at the time of my mother’s death.  You have been so supportive over the years as she slowly declined, and at the end.  I have always known just how loving and caring this congregation is, and once again you have affirmed this.  Life has changed for me, once again, but I know that in God’s masterful plan, life for Mom is more wonderful and beautiful than ever before.

Thank you for caring-- Betty, Cary, Eric & Nicole, Jeff & Rachel, Henry &  Lucy

Until Next Time

Betty

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Announcement blooper of the month!!!

"NEXT SUNDAY is next Sunday." 

But what does it really mean!!!

That would be correct, philosophically.  Maybe it means we are always looking for the next week to be the week we do all the things we said we would do.  Or maybe it means that for the people who wake up on Sunday and say they will go next Sunday.that next Sunday IS finally that next Sunday.  In which case, you better tell the people to make more bread and get more wine, cuz we will be packed!!!!!!!!

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For all of the women of Our Saviour’s and their friends!!!

You are invited to a Teddy Bear Picnic for women of all ages on Wednesday, May 14th at 6:30pm. The menu is sloppy joes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato salad or chips, relishes and a make your own sundae bar. Tickets will be sold after each service on May 4 and 11th or at the door. Please talk to Nancy Nielsen for more information

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Save the Date!!!
Power Lab—Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power
July 6-10, 2008
Our Saviour’s/St. Paul Lutheran Church
Family Potluck and Program
July 11, 2008

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Band Fest VBS Float

Our Saviour’s and St. Paul Lutheran Church will be hosting a VBS float in the Band Fest Parade on Saturday, May 24th.

If you would like to help put the float together or hand out flyers promoting our joint Vacation Bible School, Power Lab, please call the church office for information about the float.

WALKERS are needed to on the Band Fest Day—children and adults—so call the office NOW to volunteer!!

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HELP WANTED

Do you have a burning desire to work with children Preschool age through our brand new 5th graders? Are you free for one or more evenings the week of July 6th-11th? Are you interested in learning more about Jesus’ Miraculous Power??? Then I have just the volunteer opportunity for you!!! Power Lab, our Vacation Bible School program for this year, will be held jointly with St. Paul Lutheran Church at St. Paul Lutheran Church, from 5-8PM, each evening from July 6th through July 10th. A Special Church Family picnic and program will be held on Friday, July 11th at St. Paul. A lot of help is needed to make our VBS program “Spectacular!” Call the church office to volunteer!!
 

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LIBRARY NEWS

New Books Added -- Because of your continued generosity, many new Easter books have been added for children’s use throughout the year.  There are also new books in the Adult Christian Fiction and Devotional section.  Thank you for your gifts to the library.

Donations requested -- In an effort to add to that part of the children’s section that contains CD’s, VCR tapes, and DVD’s; we are asking for donations of new or gently used ones that have a Christian message or theme.  These can include music, biblical stories, animation, or real life.  Please drop any donations off in the black crate in the library.   Again, thank you for making the library such a success!
 

From the mouths of Babes…

An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, "How do you expect to get into Heaven?"
    The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll just run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, 'For Heaven's sake, Jimmy, come in or stay out!'"

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Minnesota Twins

Baseball Trip

  The Minnesota Twins play the New York Yankees on Saturday, May 31st at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.  We would LOVE to have a caravan of Our Saviour’s people and their family and friends travel up to see the 6:10pm game.  If we can get 25 or more people to go, we will get a group discount on tickets.  Sign up sheets are in the fellowship hall so sign up today and be part of the fun!!!

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Motorcycle Fun Run

Please join Jim Collins for a motorcycle ride to Pilot Knob state park on Sunday, June 8th at 2 PM.  We are going to start at East Park and ride the scenic route up to Forest City.  If you haven’t had the chance to ride the “River Road,” I think you’ll find it fun and picturesque.
 
Feel free to invite your friends!  Classic Cars are welcome too.  Call Jim at 425-9021 with any questions.
 

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MAY 18TH—Sunday School Last Day Activities!!!!
The Last day of Sunday School for the 2007-2008 year is Sunday, May 18th. On that day the kids will be spending their Bible Bucks. The Bible Buck prizes will be downstairs in the Conference Room on Display and each group of kids will get an opportunity to make their purchases. We will also have a craft in the art room; puppet fun in the Drama Room and a movie in the AV room for the kids to enjoy.
We will also have the kids sing in church on that day as a way of thanking the congregation for their support of our program!

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Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

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From the Mouths of Babes-Part 2!

A father took his five-year-old son to several baseball games where The Star-Spangled Banner was sung before the start of each game. Then the father and son attended a church on a Sunday shortly before Independence Day. The congregation sang The Star-Spangled Banner, and after everyone sat down, the little boy suddenly yelled out, "PLAY BALL!!!"

A mother took her three-year-old daughter to church for the first time.  The church lights were lowered, and then the choir came down the aisle, carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little one started singing in a loud voice, "Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."

A little girl became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on and on. Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?"