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

FISH DAYS 2016

We had a wonderful time at this year's Fish Days of Lansing. Our congregation created a float for the parade on Sunday afternoon. We also participated in the ecumenical worship service that morning.

We would like to thank all the people who helped with the float, especially Mike Schweitzer for building the big fish and the paper mache fish, John Schild for letting us use his trailer, Gus Gustafson for driving the float, Mary Schweitzer for hosting brunch for those working on the float, and all the children and adults who painted the fish and waves. We are so proud to have been a part of the parade with our message of God's love.

The whole float

Pastor Diane Koschmeder and Mary Schweitzer "fishing" aboard the float.

Ryan Benson "catching" Melanie Wittman with one of the fishing poles. 

Megan and Macy Vinson and Ethan and Jack Schweitzer walking in the parade.

Zoey Timmerman and a grumpy fish.

Mike Schweitzer reading at the Fish Days worship service.

Debbi Sero with Buster her dog, Andrea Vinson, Gracie Vinson, Izzy and Leona Hammell, Zoey Timmerman and Chloe Magnusson aboard the float.

Andrea Vinson with the lettering she did along the waves.

The whole group and the new banner that was carried in the parade.

The worshiper on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning's musician.

Pastor Laura Gentry walking in the parade.

Pastor Smith of the UMC at the worship service.

Fish Days worship in the tent.

A PENTECOST CELEBRATION

On Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2016, Our Savior's Lutheran Church celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit with special music and drama—thus, bringing the story to life.

The theme of the service was "YES!" It urged worshipers to say yes to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. To that end, there was an original song of yes led by it's creator, Celia Farran of Arizona, who was the guest musician for the service. We also had leadership by nationally known comedian and Methodist minister, the Reverend Jane Voigts, who shared a message of how the Holy Spirit called her and she said: "YES!"

Below are action shots from the Spirit-filled Pentecost service. 

worshipers heading into church

a dramatization "slide-show" of the Pentecost story performed by a number actors

Pastor Laura Gentry and guest Pastor Jane Voigts reading the Pentecost text

Celia leading music

much humor was shared in the telling of the Pentecost story

Pastor Jane leading the children in a special rendition of "I'm Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing"

Pastor Jane encouraging the children to follow the Spirit

Then "Spirit-filled" dancers (Rick Gramlich pictured here) danced in at the end

Happy worshippers doing actions along with the children

Holy Communion

Pastors Laura and Jane

Pastor Jane led the Great Thanksgiving liturgy with improvisation and input from the congregation

As these pictures show, the service was a joyful celebration from start to finish. 

Come, Holy Spirit! We say YES!

HEDEMAN BAPTISMS

On Sunday, April 10 Carszn Johnathan and Jazlee-Jo Jacquelynn, the two children of Josh and Courtney Hedeman of Waukon, were baptized at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lansing. Carszn's baptismal sponsor is his aunt, Lindsey Hedeman. Jazlee-Jo's sponsor is her aunt, Jordyn Alberts. Pictured left to right are Carszn Hedeman, Lindsey Hedeman, Pastor Laura Gentry, Jazlee-Jo Hedeman, Josh Hedeman and Courtney Hedeman.