Pastor Jill Speaks...

Thanksgiving is a time for family gatherings, holiday meals and offering thanks. On Thanksgiving Day we gather with relatives and friends to watch holiday parades, football games and enjoy a festive meal consisting of turkey, dressing, deviled eggs and homemade pumpkin pie. On this day we offer thanks for the gift of family, relatives and friends; for the harvest and the resources of this land; and for the many and various ways that God has blessed us.

For the people of OSLC this month provides a variety of opportunities for us to gather, celebrate and give thanks. Mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, November 9 (clean up and outside work day), Sunday, November 10 (informal worship service and dinner on the grounds), Sunday, November 24 (The Festival of Christ the King and the 3rd birthday of OSLC) and Wednesday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Eve Service of Word and Sacrament).

In these days of gathering, celebrating and thanksgiving, I invite you to prayerfully consider ways that you might use the gifts that God has given you to build up the ministry of OSLC. As you may already know, the work of our present Congregational Council is coming to an end. We are currently formulating a budget and drafting the annual report. The proposed budget and annual report will be available prior to our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, December 8. At this meeting, in addition to offering thanks to God and celebrating the mission and ministry of OSLC, we will approve the budget for the upcoming year, elect four people to serve on the council and a new treasurer. Newly elected persons will fill the positions that Susan Denault, Andy Hatchell, Keri Cavanaugh, Peggy Young and Teresa Maness are currently holding.

At our last council meeting, Sharyn Hille (Chairperson), Susan Denault and Clifford Senegal were appointed to serve on the Nominating Committee. Pray for Sharyn, Susan and Clifford as they consider the needs of the church and the gifts and talents of our members. Pray that God might give them the spirit of discernment, that they may invite those persons whom God is calling into leadership positions within the church to stand for election. Pray for yourself and one other, that God might open our hearts and make us receptive to his call.

“Mercifully Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us - our selves, our time and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen” - Lutheran Book of Worship

In Christ,