MAGNUSSON CONCERT LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY

Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing will be releasing the album "Gather at the River" at a concert on Sunday, November 15th at 2:00 p.m. The community is invited to attend this free event, which will be held at the church located at 480 Diagonal Street, a block north of Main Street at 5th in Lansing.

"Gather at the River" contains 20 old favorite hymns of faith played on piano by Horace Magnusson.  At age 90, this is his first professional recording.

Hory’s vibrant style of music was developed over the years by playing in various dance bands throughout the region. As a lifelong citizen of Lansing and longtime member of Our Savior’s, he has shared his musical gifts by singing in the choir and periodically playing piano and organ for worship. He also volunteers to play piano each week for the residents of Thornton Manor in Lansing. Indeed, Hory’s music is beloved by many in Allamakee County and beyond.

This full-length album was recorded by Grammy Award winning sound engineer, Brett Huus, at Sound Strations Recording Studio in LaCrosse, Wisconsin on August 6th. Not only was the first time Hory had been in a recording studio, but it was also the first time he'd played a baby grand piano. Nevertheless, he performed brilliantly. 

The art work on the album’s packaging, created by Pastor Laura Gentry, features the Missisippi River at Lansing, including the Blackhawk Bridge. This is fitting since it is truly a Lansing album.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church decided to embark upon the unique project of producing a studio album in order to preserve and share the talents of Hory Magnusson with a wider audience. In addition, it celebrates the rich musical tradition of the Christian faith. The ultimate goal is for this album to uplift and inspire all who hear it.

 

The concert on November 15th will officially release the album. Hory will play a selection of songs from the project. Following his performance, CDs will be available for a suggested donation of $5 each. At this time, concert-goers will have the opportunity to obtain Hory’s signature on their CDs while a celebratory reception is held.

Please help us get the word out about this concert. Invite all your friends and neighbors.

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATION

On All Saints Sunday, Our Savior's held a celebration service, which began by worshipers lighting candles in honor and memory of beloved saints.

Don and Donna Thran's grandson, Mason, played a duet of "When the Saints Go Marching In" with Tom Bourcier. Everyone was grateful he shared his musical talents with the congregation.

Pastor reminded the congregation of how we are all saints by virtue of our baptism. To drive this point home, she had everyone pose with their face in the special "be a saint" painting she had made. We invite you to view this video for all the saint portraits. The music on the video is by Hory Magnusson and is featured on his new recording "Gather at the River."

LAUGHTER CLUB HALLOWEEN PARTY '09

The Lansing Laughter Club enjoyed a Halloween costume party on Wednesday, October 28. Pictured above are the laughers in their funny attire. Back row: Rick Gramlich, Mike, Wendy Morris, Gary Jones, Janet McMillan, Front row: Pastor Laura, Phyllis, Grace Zigelmaier, Sheryl Karns, On floor: Riley Gage. Photo taken by Ellicha Gage.

REFORMATION CELEBRATION: QUILTS, NEW MEMBERS, CLOWNING & MORE

Our Savior's Lutheran celebrated Reformation Sunday on October 25th with a number of special events in worship.

During the sermon, Pastor Laura and Louis Nguyen gave a clown ministry performance to shed new light on the doctrine of justification by grace. Notice that Pastor's clown wig is the liturgical color of the day. She is pictured below struggling with the "X" mark on her, which represents sin.

Then, Louis as the Christ figure approached.

He took the "X" of sin and went to the cross with it.

The Sunday was also the day to dedicate the 10 quilts, which had been made by the Women of the ELCA quilters. These were blessed by the children and will be sent to Lutheran World Relief next week. From there, they will be shipped around the world to refugees and others in need. Pictured below are these beautiful quilts.

Lori Anne Reyes and her children: Melony, Louis, Soraya, and Eden Junior were received as new members of the congregation. 

Here are some additional photos from Reformation Sunday, taken during and after Sunday school. Louis was still wearing his clown costume.

Emilio Rathbun

Ethan Schweitzer and Kai Timmerman

Cameron Lawson

Since Pastor had forgotten the new member flower vase for Lori, she delivered it to their home later in the afternoon.

WOMEN OF THE ELCA FALL MEETING

Our Savior's Lutheran Women of the ELCA group held their fall meeting on Wednesday, October 21. Here are some highlights from that meeting.

President, Kim Timmerman, conducted the meeting.

Mary Schweitzer gave devotions as well as the minutes and treasurer's report.

Grace Ziegelmaier gave the Mission Action report. In it, she explained that the health kits to be sent to Lutheran World Relief would be made by herself and Lee Bjerke.  Here is is pictured showing how the health kits are wrapped in towels.

Grace also reported that the Women of the ELCA had donated $25.00 and a number of "country store" items to the Sugar Creek Bible Camp Quilt Auction. The group has received a thank you from the camp regarding this benevolence. Over $23,000 was raised at that event. A donation was also given to the Camp EWALU Quilt Auction but no information has yet been received from that camp about how that event went.

At this time, the Women of the ELCA have decided not to do group quilting because the tables are now needed by the Sunday school. If individuals would still like to make quilts for donation to Lutheran World Relief, they can obtain batting from the supply currently being stored at Gayle Bahlmann's house. Hopefully, a number of quilts will still be made. The quilts that will be sent this fall are going to be displayed during worship this Sunday, October 25th.

The Annual Bake Sale was discussed. It will be held on November 20th from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Kerndt Brothers Community Center in Lansing. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will match the funds raised, which will also include money raised throughout the year at coffee hour. It was decided that this year, there will also be soup and hot sandwiches served in addition to baked goods and country store items. An advertising campaign was planned, which will include a newspaper ad, a free public service announcement on cable and announcements will be sent to other churches. Grace Ziegelmaier and Donna Thran will do the phone calling in order to get members to bring baked goods.

It was decided that the Women of the ELCA Christmas party will be held at Mary Schweitzer's home on Wednesday, December 16th at 6:45 p.m. Donna Reed will do devotions and Gayle will be in charge of fun games.

The women decided to make a donation of $100 to Helping Hands, a local agency that provides a variety of services to people in the community.

They also made a decision to donate to ELCA World Hunger in the form of their Good Gifts catalog. Through the "God's Global Barnyard" option, the women of Our Savior's will be giving a goat, 2 pigs and 10 chicks to families in need in various places in the world. At present, half of the world's population (about 3 billion) is going hungry. These gifts to the hungry are sustainable in that they will help families feed themselves for a long time to come. In making this gift, the women hope to inspire others in our church and community to do the same. The objective of the Good Gifts catalog is to get people to consider making such donations in lieu of gifts. This is a great holiday idea. To find out more information, click the link above. 

Then the evening's hostess, Betty Estebo, served refreshments.

Here are some of the ladies enjoying the pumpkin bars and other treats.

Mary Schweitzer, Lee Bjerke & Pastor Laura

PASTOR APPRECIATION SUNDAY

Our Savior's Lutheran celebrated Pastor Appreciation Sunday by presenting Pastor Laura Gentry with the bouquet pictured above as well as a figurine representing happiness. Pastor Laura wishes to express her gratefulness.

OBITUARY FOR MORRIS SCHELLHAMMER

Morris R. Schellhammer, 87, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, October 9, 2009, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 13th, at 11:00 AM at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Laura Gentry officiating. Burial will be held in Lansing Ridge Cemetery, rural Lansing, IA. Friends may call from 4:00 - 7:00 PM Monday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Morris Ralph Schellhammer was born July 30, 1922 on his parent's farm in Center Township rural Lansing, IA, the son of George and Minnie (Uren) Schellhammer. He was baptized and confirmed at Churchtown Presbyterian Church in rural Lansing and attended Churchtown School. Morris went to work for farmers in the Churchtown area and helped at home after his mother died when he was 13 years old. On December 25, 1941 he married Rose-Mary Fulghum in Decorah, IA. They farmed together in Jefferson Township for over forty years. He also did electrical work with Leo Klocke for many years. Rose-Mary died in 1990. On November 12, 1994 he married Dilles Martens Sess at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing.

Morris was a past member at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon and was a member at Our Savior Lutheran Church since he has been married to Dilles. He enjoyed working with horses on the farm as well as raising and breaking riding horses. Morris also enjoyed taking trips to visit family in Minnesota and Montana, fishing, deer hunting, playing cards especially euchre and five hundred.

Survivors include his wife, Dilles of Waukon; 2 sons, Owen (Rosalette) Schellhammer of Strawberry Point, IA and Gary (Colleen) Schellhammer of Waukon; 2 step-children, Joan (Larry) White and Jim (Melissa) Sess both of Harpers Ferry, IA; 4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Glenn (Margaret) Schellhammer of Ames, IA; 3 sisters, Marian (Thomas) Reppe of Winnifred, MT, Elsie Meyer of Manchester, IA and Lila Weipert of McGregor, IA; and a siter-in-law, Mary Schellhammer of Milwaukee, WI. He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Rose Mary and a brother, Ernest Schellhammer.