Our Savior Lutheran Church and School

Flags being thrown up in the air. Instruments being played throughout the whole service. Snacks! The Gospel! Worship! A “no-cleanup corner.” And of course, families with even the youngest worshippers being able to worship together.

If you’ve not experienced our Connect Service, my initial hope is that you would check it out. It takes place on the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month at 10:00ish AM in the Commons. So what is the Connect service? What takes place at Connect? How does Connect strive to engage even our youngest worshippers? Let’s take a look!

Coming out of COVID, many families with young children were the demographic that took awhile to make their way back to worship, for a litany of reasons: online worship was easier, it takes a lot to get several children and adults ready to go to church, kids can’t sit still for an hour, they’ll be loud, etc. All valid reasons, but as we know, there is nothing like the real thing.

At Connect, we are trying to remove as many barriers as possible for families who want to be in worship.

So what does a normal Connect service look like?

Right around 10, we start with an opening song. We understand for young families getting anywhere on time can be a struggle. During the song, our youngest worshippers are invited to come forward, grab a flag or an instrument, and make a joyful noise to the Lord!

After the opening song, we have a moment of confession and absolution and a time of visual faith. The unique way that we do that is through stations. We give time where families can head to the stations together to do a station based on the scripture readings for the day.

A few examples: When we were focusing on a scripture reading from the prophet Isaiah last year, all worshippers got to make a scroll, write on it, and take it home. When we talked about the paralyzed man being healed and lowered down through a roof by his friends, we made popsicle stick mats to remind us of God’s love. We’ve made cards that worshippers can take home or leave and we distribute to shut-ins, the food bank, etc. We’ve written sins on a whiteboard and are reminded that Jesus forgives us as we wipe them away.

After the stations comes the reading for the day, where kids can come up front and sit on the rug and hear the scripture reading for the day. Then comes the message, similar to what would take place in the 8:30 and 10:30 services in the sanctuary, but adjusted and changed a little for the Connect service and space.

After the message we have time to celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the 2^nd Sunday of the month along with a prayer station where all worshippers can fill out a prayer request that will be prayed for at the service. We’ve prayed for all kinds of things! We’ve prayed for families, those having surgery, those traveling, kittens, dogs, friends, ducks, and the list goes on and on! It is a joy to show that nothing is too ‘silly’ to pray about. God wants us to pray, and we pray!

We then end the service with a blessing, a song to lead us into the week, and we reset the Commons for school on Monday morning.

Phew. That’s a lot there! And for the most part that service is around 50-60 minutes. Throughout the whole service children are invited to get up, move around, grab a snack, play on the nugget couch, play with magnatiles, dance, express their worship, and have fun!

Our Connect service is meant to be a place where families can worship together, not have to worry about noise, and can worship as freely as they need to! This service is an opportunity for those who might not feel comfortable in the Sanctuary, those who haven’t been to worship in a while, or those who are looking to get back into worship in a new stage of life. It is truly a worship service, a time to receive the gifts God gives to us, and an opportunity for the whole family to be engaged.

Here’s a few comments that families have made about Connect:

“The activity stations were kid friendly and felt right in number, service still felt fulfilling as worship for an adult and fun for the kids.”

“I like all of the interactive stations and my boys love the snacks”

“We attended just because we were curious to check it out, but realized it was a good fit for our family.”

“We enjoy and really appreciate having this option for us and the kids to hear the word and worship together.”

You can hear what other people say, but the best way to experience Connect, is to join us. It is an informal, laid-back, worship service where families can connect with each other, and families can connect with God. Check it out, invite a friend. Invite a family. Invite someone you know who would love this service.

Try it out! Give it a shot! We would love to have you!

Pastor Chris <><

The Lutheran Church is historically known as “the singing church” This is due to the emphasis placed on music and congregation singing by Martin Luther and the Wittenberg Reformation. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the first collections of Lutheran hymns published in 1524. In the month of October, we will sing a song from these collections each Sunday at our traditional service.

The first edition of the “hymnal” was really a lose collection of eight songs that were written by various authors and already sung in the church at Wittenberg. The title was Songs and Psalms of Praise according to the pure word of God from the Holy Scriptures written by various highly educated people to sing in the churches, as is already the practice in Wittenberg. It was printed in early 1524 in Nuremberg, Germany.

The first eight hymns were written by Martin Luther and Paul Speratus working in collaboration. Of the original eight, three are in our current Lutheran Service Book: Salvation Unto Us Has Come (LSB 555), Dear Christians One and All, Rejoice (LSB 556), and From Depths of Woe, I Cry to Thee (LSB 607).

The collection was so popular, that by the end of the year, a second edition was published, called the Erfurt Enchiridion (Handbook), which may be considered the first proper hymnal in the Lutheran Church. It was published in Erfurt in 1524 and had twenty-six songs, which included the original eight published earlier that year. Of the twenty-six, eighteen were written by Martin Luther. Other composers were Paul Speratus, Justus Jonas, Elisabeth Cruciger, and one by Jan Hus. While these songs could be sung in the churches, the handbook was intended for home use and other occasions. People were to sing these songs everywhere. Sixteen of these songs were included in the first English hymnal printed in London in 1555. Congregational singing continued to spread as the Lutheran Reformation advanced. Today we take singing in church for granted.

Thirteen songs from the Erfurt Edition are included in our Lutheran Service Book today. In addition to the three listed above, we still sing: Savior of the Nations Come (LSB 332), We Praise You, Jesus, at Your Birth (LSB 382), The Only Son from Heaven (LSB 402), Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands (LSB 458), Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord (LSB 497), Come Holy Ghost Creator Blest (LSB 498), These are the Holy Ten Commandments (LSB 518), O Lord, We Praise Thee (LSB 617), Jesus Christ our Blessed Savior (LSB 627), In the Very Midst of Life (LSB 755).

In Colossians 3:16 it says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” The Lutheran Reformation truly took this verse to heart. In the spirit of the Old Testament Psalms, they put faith and music together. They taught the people and praised God simultaneously. How amazing that we sing so many of these hymns to this day! We continue our tradition of being “the singing church” as we lift our voices in praise to God, teaching the faith, and singing the Gospel.

In the month of October, we will sing the following songs that are marking their 500th anniversary of publication.

October 6 – Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord (LSB 497)

October 13 – Salvation Unto Us Has Come (LSB 555)

October 20 – Dear Christians One and All Rejoice (LSB 556)

October 27 – O Lord We Praise Thee (LSB 617)

Lutherans #LoveLansing at the Lugnuts

Over 545 Lutherans from 11 LCMS congregations in the Greater Lansing area descended on Jackson Field in downtown Lansing on August 3, 2024. They gathered an hour before the game on the Tailgate Terrace for a stadium buffet and fellowship. There was as much food given as received, however, as the Lutherans brought food donations to the stadium to donate to the Greater Lansing Food Bank. The combination of fellowship, generosity, and being a presence in the community was the vision for the “circuit convocation” – a gathering of the circuit churches every three years. Tickets to the event, which included the all-you-can-eat buffet, were subsidized by the LCMS Michigan District and Church Extension Fund.

“It was great to see so many of us from the area Lutheran congregations enjoying a beautiful evening at the ballpark together. The venue allowed us to be together but also right in the midst of our community at the same time. These are the people we are trying to reach with the Gospel,” said Pastor Bill Wangelin of Our Savior Lansing.

Pastor Jim Pearl of St. John, St. John’s, commended, “God blessed us with a wonderful evening filled with fellowship, fun, and the opportunity to bless the community through donations to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.”

There were other groups noticeably present at the game, such as political campaigns and the Knights of Columbus. A group of nuns in their habits ate next to the “Welcome to Lutheran Night” sign. The people in the stands reflected the diversity of the area. It placed our LCMS churches in the context of the community to which we are sent. While the Lugnuts couldn’t pull off a win, the beautiful evening ended with a great fireworks display, lighting up the city skyline and the state capitol.

A few of the congregations annually go to the Lugnuts as a church event. Now that the circuit churches were drawn into this experience together, the pastors and lay leaders are talking about how to coordinate this event next year. We may not have the grant from CEF and the Michigan District or the Tailgate Terrace, but we could still bring the Food Bank donations and enjoy an evening together next year surrounded by the community we are called to serve.

By Pastor Wangelin <><

Onyx is the name of our ministry dog at Our Savior Lutheran. God created certain animals to have a special effect on human beings, and dogs can bring comfort, joy, calm, and companionship to children and adults alike. When they see Onyx, children and adults smile, laugh, are comforted, and become more gentle and compassionate. These animals can bring out the best in us. We are so blessed to have Onyx as a part of the ministry team and student support services at OSL.

Onyx is a Gemstone

Onyx is in the Old Testament

You won’t find Onyx the ministry dog in the Bible, but you will find onyx the gemstone. While mentioned in several passages of Scripture, a significant place is in the book of Exodus and the building of the Tabernacle at the base of Mt. Sinai. Onyx was featured in the garments of the high priest. In Exodus 28:9 we read, “You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel.” These two onyx stones were set in gold filigree and acted like shoulder pads on the special vest of the high priest. Onyx appeared again in the ephod, or the gold chest plate that the high priest wore with twelve precious stones set in the front. The twelve stones represented the twelve tribes of Israel. Onyx was one of the stones mounted into the ephod. These priestly vestments and the use of onyx remind us how beautiful God is and how special it is to worship Him.

Onyx in the New Testament

At the end of the book of Revelation, we read of the new heavens and the new earth. When Jesus comes again, He will make all things new. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away. In Revelation chapter 21, we read about the heavenly Jerusalem coming down from heaven, the home of righteousness. This heavenly city is described as having streets of gold, gates made of pearl, and foundations decorated with twelve kinds of precious stones. The twelve foundations had on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The previous stones on the foundation included jasper, sapphire, emerald, etc. One of them is onyx (in some translations it is sardonyx, a type of red onyx). The precious stones of the heavenly Jerusalem signify how beautiful and wonderful heaven will be in the loving presence of our Savior.

A Work in Progress

Raw onyx looks like a plain, simple rock. It looks like nothing special. It is rough and unattractive. But the 

qualities are in there. An artisan knows how to bring out the best of this stone through a process of cutting, tumbling, polishing, and even etching and engraving. The result is beautiful and stunning. It shines and sparkles with reflective light. It is revealed as the valuable treasure it is.

We may feel sometimes like we are the raw onyx, nothing special, plain, rough around the edges, and worthless. But we are a treasure to God! God knows what we can be. He sees the potential and treasures us already in Christ. As a divine craftsman, God works on us in the process of sanctification, chipping away the rough edges, polishing, placing us in a setting, and creating something beautiful to reflect His light and glory. It may be a painful process at times. But God is careful and able to work good in all things, with the end result in mind.

In 1 John 3:2 it says, “Beloved we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.”

God treasures us now as beloved children, but He is still working in our hearts and lives. We are a work in progress. Only when Jesus comes again, in the heavenly Jerusalem, will we see the finished product of what God is making us to be. We will shine like stars in the sky, like precious gems. We will be like Jesus, and reflect the radiant glory of God.

The name onyx reminds us of how beautiful it is to worship God, and that heaven is our home. We are a work in progress, as the Lord does His good work in our lives to bring out the best in us to His glory.

by Pastor Chris Deneen

I’ll Have a Blue Christmas, this year and each year.

This year, here at Our Savior, we are having a special service during Advent, a Blue Christmas service.
For many people, the holiday seasons are bright, they are filled with joy, they are holly and jolly, filled with gatherings, laughter, and moments that will make memories for a lifetime.

For many others, the holiday season isn’t always bright. It isn’t filled with joy, but with struggle. It isn’t filled with laughter, but tears. It isn’t filled with moments that will make memories for a lifetime, but it is a season that is left with just the memories of years that were holly and jolly. For many, this holiday season, is going to be blue.

That is where our Blue Christmas service comes in. This service is meant for those who are struggling this Christmas season. For some, it may be that they lost a loved one this year, in recent years, or at anytime and the grief weighs heavier during the holiday season. For others, it may be that they lost a job and aren’t sure what the next few days, weeks, or months may look like. For others, it may be that their holiday season has been turned completely upside down for whatever reason. For others, it may be a season where they feel alone. There are many reasons why someone might be having a blue Christmas.

I had never personally heard about a Blue Christmas service, until last year, the holiday season of 2022. About a week before Thanksgiving, I got a phone call from my Aunt. I had actually woken up to about 40 missed calls from my dad and my aunt. And then about 3:40 or so in the morning, I answered the phone. My mother had gone to be with Jesus. My mom had health concerns in the past, a major stroke in 2018, but for the most part she was doing well. It was an absolute shock. I, writing this today, can tell you that news changed everything for me. That day I got the phone call, I was originally scheduled to take my oldest daughter, Ida, to a Christmas play in Midland, MI with her “grammy,” my mom. That changed that day. It was the week before Thanksgiving, where I was scheduled to preach on Thanksgiving Eve, and at chapel at our school. That changed that day. We were still figuring out Thanksgiving plans. That all changed when we went from preparing a meal on Thanksgiving, to a funeral the day before Thanksgiving. Then I had to think about how, after Thanksgiving, the world would shift to the bright lights, the twinkling stars, the joyous season of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas. But for me, in the winter of 2022, I had something change: my mom, now celebrating the great celebration with Jesus, would no longer be at our Christmas, and for me, my Christmas was looking and feeling blue.

I will always carry the memories that I have of Christmases past with my mom. But there is no longer the opportunity to make new memories. At a meeting of area Lutheran churches, I found out that a sister congregation, Martin Luther Chapel on MSU’s campus, was having a Blue Christmas service. 

I had no idea what it would look like. I had no real idea what to expect, but I went. And brothers and sisters, as sure as you are reading this blog post,

I am so glad I went.

In the long, dreary, dark days of the winter in Michigan, when days are dark longer than they are bright, where we often can go days or weeks without seeing the sun, where the darkest day of the year resides just days before Christmas, I am so glad I went.

Because what I experienced was this:

A raw, emotional, worship service, centered on the hope and joy of Jesus. Was it a dark day when I went? Absolutely, both metaphorically and literally. Was I having a blue Christmas? Absolutely.

But.

I was able to receive the word of God. I was able to know that I was not alone in my grief. I was able to, in the midst of a dark, dreary, blue Christmas, see the hope and light of Jesus that shines brighter than even the darkest of nights. I was able to hear and be reminded of this truth: My mom is with Jesus. That doesn’t turn the blue Christmas to bright and cheery, but it brings that glimmer of hope in the midst of the darkness.

That doesn’t mean that I won’t still grieve during the holiday season. That doesn’t mean I won’t get choked up almost every time I hear “Silent Night.” But it makes those dark, dreary nights and days and months seem a little less dark as the focus gets pointed back to the Light of the world. The Light who shatters the darkness, who shines within our lives, and who shines through others. No matter how blue or dark your Christmas may be, there is a light, there is THE light, who shines amidst the darkness. I pray that you can experience the light in the darkness at our Blue Christmas service on December 20^th at 7 pm.

To answer a few questions that you may have:

Q: Who is invited to the Blue Christmas service? Is it only for people who have lost a loved one?

A: All are invited to join us. We are having this service especially for those people who are struggling with any kind of grief this Christmas season. We invite those who are struggling with addiction, depression or anxiety to join us. We invite those who mourn the loss of loved ones. We invite those who are lonely. We invite those who are battling illness or disease. We invite those who feel completely overwhelmed this holiday season. We invite those who are affected by war, whether they lost loved ones or know those who are near war-torn areas.

Q: Is this only for members of Our Savior?

A: No. If you are reading this, you are invited. And you are invited to invite someone you know that would be blessed by this service. This is a service meant to bring the hope and joy of Jesus to anyone who is struggling with any kind of hardships this Christmas season.

Q: What should I expect?

A: We will have a worship service, that gives adequate time to meditate and focus on the word of God. We will also have a time during the service where you may light a candle to bring your prayer before God. After the service, our Stephen ministers, trained, confidential, Christian listeners, will be willing to listen and pray with you. There will also be a time following the service for our service of healing, a time to be anointed with oil and prayed over. We will also have some light refreshments after the service, for a time of community.

Q: Is there a way for ongoing care from Stephen Ministers?

A: Absolutely. Our Stephen ministers are ready and willing to be that listening ear as you go through a hard time or season of life, through struggles, whatever that may be. They have extensive training and are ready to care for you. We pray that our Stephen ministers would be an extension of the love of Christ. If you are interested in meeting with a Stephen minister, and being paired up with one, you can contact our Church office, and our administrative assistant, Sue Sundstrom, will work with you on that confidential pairing.

Tre Ora (The Three Hours)

God
Psalm 33:18 –“The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His everlasting love.”

Prayer Starter: Lord God, Heavenly Father, Your heart was broken when You had to send Your Son, Jesus, to the cross for the sins for which  I, and all the world, deserved judgment. May my heart be broken as well, Father, for the things which break Your heart.”

The Seven Last Words on the Cross

Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 24:43 – “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

John 19:26-27 –“Dear woman, here is your son.  Here is your mother.”

Matthew 27:46 –“My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?.”

John 19:36 – “I am thirsty.”

Luke 23:46 – “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

John 19:30 – “It is finished.”