2016 CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE

We had a full house on Christmas Eve for our Candlelight Worship Service! Thanks to all who came to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with us!

The congregation singing "Joy to the World" with candles.

The entrance to the church at Christmas Eve with all the luminaries.

Close up of luminaries.

Reader, Melanie Wittman, helps her daughter, Chloe, sing the carol between her readings.

2016 SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

We are proud to share the photos from the 2016 Sunday school Christmas program, #ninjachristmas! Thank you to all who participated in our annual pageant! It was very entertaining!

Cast Photo

SIENNA ROSE ST. MARY BAPTISM

Sienna Rose St. Mary was baptized at Our Savior's Lutheran Church on Sunday, October 23rd. She is the daughter of Amanda Romie and Tyler St. Mary. Sienna's baptismal sponsors are Derek and Jenny St. Mary and Jacob and Marcella Dale.

Pictured left to right: Derek St. Mary, Jenny St. Mary, Pastor Laura Gentry, Austin St. Mary, Tyler St. Mary, Sienna Rose St. Mary, Paxton St. Mary, Amanda Romie, Marcella Dale, Jacob Dale

SILENT WITNESS PROJECT

Our Savior’s will be hosting the Silent Witness Project this Sunday to mark Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. In 1990, the Silent Witness Initiative began promoting and education to support an end to domestic violence through community based exhibits. It started with a small group of volunteers in one state and grew into an international presence, with projects in all 50 states and 23 countries. Silent Witness International is the leading voice that honors the lives of domestic violence homicide victims through family support, community connections, and advocacy for change. Many men and women die each year in acts of domestic violence in the United States. Each one has a story. The project involves life-sized silhouettes of people who have died through domestic violence.

Helping Services for Northeast Iowa’s Domestic Abuse Resource Center provides safe homes and supplies for families affected by domestic violence. October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month - to spread awareness, we are collecting donations from the community to help families who have been affected by domestic violence. Please help by donating any of the following household supplies: Dish Soap, Laundry Detergent, Bathroom Cleaners, Personal Care Items (shampoo, body wash/soap, toothpaste, etc.), Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Non-Perishable Food Items. Please drop items in box provided. For more information visit www.helpingservices.org.

RICHARD BRUXVOORT COLLIGAN CONCERT

We had the distinct pleasure of welcoming musician Richard Bruxvoort Colligan to lead our worship and an informal concert following on Oct. 9. To learn more about Richard’s Psalm-based music and ministry, visit www.PsalmImmersion.com.

Richard Bruxvoot Colligan leads worship

Richard Bruxvoot Colligan performs for church members

Richard Bruxvoot Colligan performs with children

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS 2016

Our 2nd Annual Blessing of the Animals Service was held on Sunday October 2, 2016. It was a beautiful day to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and bless our pets. We thank all of you who came out to participate in our special service. An offering was taken to benefit the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa.

A short clip of an animal blessed by Pastor Laura

 Pastor Laura heads worship service

Pastor Laura blesses Cherri, a dog of the Piece family. She is held by Ardyn Pierce.

Pastor Laura with Sylvie and Ardyn piece and their Great Pyrenees puppies.

 Bentley (English Bulldog) and Porsche (Yorkie) patiently await their blessing

 Macy Vinson and her cat "Cotton"

Rick Gramlich and his dog, Duke

Roseanne Sweeney and her dog, Dolly

Cheerio gets a blessing

Daisy gets a blessing

Sylvie Pierce looks on has her new puppy, Arlo, gets a blessing.

Peggy Broadhead's dog, Maizee, get a blessing

 Mike Schweitzer and Debbie Sero had their dog "Buster" blessed

 Kristie Ringelstetter and her cat

Pastor Laura's puppy, Fuji, getting her blessing.

MAIN STREET MATTERS SCARECROW CONTEST

We have created a scarecrow for the Main Street Matters Scarecrow contest. This year's theme is scary movie monsters. Meet "GOD"zilla! We just got him installed (after he attended worship and got a blessing). Drive by and have a look. We are sponsored by Eagle’s Nest Gallery!

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CONFIRMATION CLASS PHOTOS

We are back in full swing with our Christian education program. Below are pictures of the students. Our Savior’s offers camp scholarships to young people who attend Sunday school or confirmation classes consistently throughout the year. If you know of any kids who aren’t part of a Christian class, please invite them to ours. We meet each Sunday at 10 a.m. during the school year.

The whole group at the opening session of singing in the sanctuary

The Sunshine class taught by Melanie Wittman

The Celebration class taught by Dr. Mike Schweitzer

The confirmation class taught by Pastor Laura

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALEC AND ELLICHA SEIBERT

Congratulations to Alec and Ellicha Seibert upon the birth of their bab Jennifer Hazel Seibert! Jennifer was born on 09/27/2016 at 3:54 p.m. weighing 6 lbs 3 oz, and was 19.5” long! We give God thanks for this beautiful new life.

RIVERBOAT WORSHIP 2016

On Sunday, August 28th, we held our 8th annual Riverboat Worship Service aboard a Mississippi Explorer Cruise boat. We often have baptisms but this year, we had a surprise wedding! Unbeknownst to the congregation, Samantha Rosas and Brian Creasman were planning to be wed! It was a delightful cruise.

Mr. and Mrs. Creasman with the wedding cupcakes made by Donna Reed and Sue Limbach

Juan and Rebecca Rosas (parents of the bride) with Samantha and Brian

Debbie Sero and Peggy Broadhead enjoying the deck of the boat

Brian and Samantha walking through the celebratory bubbles following their wedding

Brian and Samantha exchanging vows.

The happy couple with Samantha's family.

Megan Vinson and her sister, Macy, provided special music following the service

The beautiful wedding cupcakes

Rev. Diane Koshmeder reading scriptures

The Creasmans with Captain Bob Meyer

Gracie Vinson with a smile

Pastor Laura Gentry and the newlyweds

So many cupcakes to choose from!

The bride, Samantha, with her sister and brother

First Mate Carla Vogel