FORGIVENESS TRAINING WORKSHOP TO BEGIN

As a Lenten opportunity for spiritual growth, Our Savior's Lutheran will be offering a 6-week forgiveness training workshop. These sessions will be held at 6:45 p.m. each Wednesday night from February 24-March 31. The meetings will last approximately an hour. The photo above was taken at the forgiveness leader training workshop held at Luther College in January. There, Pastor Laura Gentry studied with Christian psychologist, Everett Worthington.

Do you want to become a more forgiving person?

What?

A 6-session group is being formed that will help you develop a more forgiving character. In the group you will discuss what the Bible says about forgiving and you will learn a method for forgiving a particular transgression. By praying, practicing the method, reflecting on it alone and with others in the the group, you will become a more forgiving person as the Lord builds a forgiving attitude, forgiving skills, and a supportive community.

Who?

This is for people who want to learn to become a more forgiving Christian. They are willing to do this by learning and practicing a Christian method of forgiving that has been and used and studied for years by Christian psychologist, Everett Worthington.

How?

We best learn to forgiving by seeking the heart of God. As we discern God's heart, Jesus' sacrifice and the Holy Spirit's leading, we become more eager to forgive transgressions. To aid us, we learn a method of forgiving a particular transgression. Then, we apply those skills to other hurts and offenses. We learn to forgive others, and we can apply this same method to forgiving ourselves. This method works best if you work on a hurt that you have tried repeatedl to forgive. Despite your efforts, you might have granted forgiveness but the peace and the emotional experience of forgiveness has eluded you.

When?

The group will meet for six sessions on Wednesday evenings at 6:45 p.m. It is requested that you attend all sessions, or the learning experience will be incomplete.

This method, developed by Everett Worthington (pictured above) and his colleagues, has been studied and proven effective. Many thousands of people have gone through this training and have become more forgiving people—more healthy, happy and at peace with God. You are invited to attend and experience the joy of forgiveness too.

CHURCH COUNCIL PRESENTS A CHECK TO THE GIVING TREE

On January 27th, members of the church council and pastor of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing presented a check for $1,000 to Angie Coltsch for “The Giving Tree” ministry. This local outreach is administered by the Lansing United Methodist Church under Coltsch’s leadership.

They money was raised primarily through a jazz concert called "Jazzed about Christmas,"on December 20th. Tom Bourcier, our musician, performed the concert on the new baby grand piano for a large crowd. It was professionally recorded live by Brett Huus of Soundstrations studio in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

In the back row of the photo: Sharon Kiesau, Donna Reed, Chris Bolson and Judy Schild. Front row: Betty Estebo, Jan Schweitzer, Pastor Laura Gentry, Gayle Bahlmann and Angie Coltsch.

CHURCH MOURNS THE LOSS OF BEN LARSON

After the Haiti earthquake, word came initially that the Wartburg Theological Seminary students ministering there during the January term were safe.

Then, we learned that that report was wrong.

Pastors April and Judd Larson of Duluth, Minn., shared with others that their 25-year-old son Ben was dead.

When the earthquake hit, Ben Larson's wife, Renee Splichal Larson, and his cousin, Jonathan Larson, were in the same building as Ben. Renee and Jonathan "made it out, eventually found each other, then returned to St. Joseph Guest House in the attempt to rescue Ben, to no avail," Duane Larson wrote in a Jan. 14 letter to the Wartburg community.

Jonathan and Renee are being evacuated to the Dominican Republic, and "we're hoping that they will soon travel back to the United States," Duane Larson told the ELCA News Service.

Ben, Renee and Jonathan are fourth-year Wartburg seminarians certified for ordination. They traveled together to Haiti to help with the new Haiti Lutheran Church. Ben was teaching at the Pastors and Lay Leaders Theological Conference in Haiti.

"We so grieve with (Ben's) parents, April and Judd; for Renee's loss of her husband; Jonathan's loss of a dear cousin, for our loss of a beautiful friend," wrote Duane Larson. "Ben's baptismal light burned so brightly in our community and for all who came to know him. We

grieve the loss of so clear a proclamation, with eyes twinkling, of Christ's love, compassion and humor," he wrote.

Ben's mother, the Rev. April Ulring Larson, originally from Decorah, is pastor at First Lutheran Church, Duluth, Minn., and former bishop of the ELCA La Crosse Area Synod. His father, the Rev. Judd W. Larson, is a retired ELCA pastor. Both were formerly pastors at the Old East and West Paint Creek churches in Waterville. Ben is the youngest of the 4 Larson children.

Ben was a graduate of Luther College. During his college years, he worked at Sugar Creek Bible Camp. Pastor Laura first me him there and invited him to become the church musician for Our Savior’s Lutheran in 2005. He and his friend Marcos Grano de Oro from the Dominican Republic, then led music for worship for that entire school year. Their music and worship leadership was greatly appreciated by our congregation. Some in the congregation remembered meeting Ben as a child when his parents were pastors in Waterville.

Ben's parents, the issued the following statement on Jan. 14, 2010:

As an infant Benjamin Judd Ulring Splichal Larson was wrapped in the arms of God in the waters of baptism, and from those waters, his life was an outpouring of love and joy, laughter and play, in response to God first loving Ben.

Ben’s love of God, walking in accompaniment, passionately loving others, listening and learning from those who are poor across the globe, drove his serving.

We give thanks to God for the incredible joy of knowing Ben. His laughter, playfulness, passionate heart for those who are hurting was manifest in his daily life. He delighted in the privilege of serving and knowing God, laying out his life in joy.

We are blessed by still being able to hear Ben‘s music. His father Judd says, “If you want to know Ben, go to his music.“ In his tender music remains some of the treasure that is Ben: what he believes, what he cares about, his deepest soul.

Most of the people who died in this deadly earthquake in Haiti are the poorest of the poor in this hemisphere. Ben went to Haiti to teach theology and scripture in the new Lutheran Church of Haiti; but more deeply to learn from these people loved by God. In his young death his life joins the bodies of the poor. In the Haitian rubble Ben’s life joins these dear beloved people of God: all those parents crying for their children; young widows calling out for their husbands; new orphans searching for their parents.

God have mercy on us.

"We hold Renee, April, Judd, Jonathan and all of Ben's family and friends in prayer, trusting in God's mercy and the promise of the Resurrection," said the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop. "Our prayers are with the people of Haiti, and their families and friends throughout the world."

This is a deep loss for Ben’s family and circle of friends, for the Luther College community, the Wartburg Seminary community, and indeed, the entire ELCA. News reports of Larson’s death have circulated around the country.

We at Our Savior’s feel the deep pain of this loss as well and we offer our prayers and support to those who grieve for him. Condolences may be sent to the family at the following addresses.

BEN'S WIFE:

Renee Splichal Larson

c/o Wartburg Seminary

333 Wartburg Place

PO Box 5004

Dubuque, IA 52004-5004

BEN'S PARENTS:

The Revs. Judd and April Ulring Larson

First Lutheran Church

1100 E. Superior Stree

Duluth, MN 55802

Click here to hear Ben’s music

Click here to donate to the relief effort in Haiti

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

The Situation:

On January 12 at 4:53 p.m., a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the island country of Haiti, primarily impacting its capital of Port-au-Prince and its nearly two million residents. It is believed that over three million citizens of Haiti are affected. The epicenter of the quake was centered approximately 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince. Offices, hotels, houses and shops have collapsed. Over 30 aftershocks ranging from 4.2 to 5.9 have already been recorded.

The city is without electricity and the telephone network has been overloaded with calls making it impossible to reach friends and family.

The presidential palace is in ruins and many churches have been destroyed. Hospitals that were not directly impacted by the quake are overflowing and the search for survivors is intense. Already one of the poorest countries in the world, this catastrophe will exacerbate the suffering felt by many already living with hunger and poverty.

ELCA Response:

The ELCA, through the Lutheran World Federation, is already responding to the critical needs of survivors in Haiti. Thankfully, the LWF offices and staff on the island were spared in the earthquake, making it possible for work to begin immediately. Staff there will focus their immediate efforts on issues of water safety and sanitation, assisting with medical triage, and providing emergency sheltering for the many who are now homeless. The ELCA has long-standing relationships in Haiti through several organizations and the Lutheran Church in Haiti.

In anticipation of your generous gifts, ELCA Disaster Response has authorized $250,000 for immediate relief assistance in Haiti, with the possibility for an additional $500,000 as the full scope of this disaster continues to become clear. Your gifts are needed now to make this type of rapid response possible.

While volunteers, especially skilled workers, will likely be needed in the coming months, the situation on the ground is still far too chaotic – no water, no power, few roads, and very limited communication – to support volunteers traveling to the area in the immediate days.

Read the message from Bishop Hanson.

What you can do:

Please hold the people of Haiti in your prayers. You can also contribute financially on line. Just click this link.

CHRISTMAS JAZZ CONCERT RAISES FUNDS

Our Savior's Lutheran Church's worship musician, Tom Bourcier, performed a jazz concert called "Jazzed about Christmas" on December 20th. This concert raised needed funds for The Giving Tree, a Lansing outreach ministry operated through the Lansing United Methodist Church. Read more about this ministry.

A large crowd gathered for the concert of the celebrated jazz pianist, which was professionally recorded live by Brett Huus of Soundstrations studio in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Here is a video clip of Tom playing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Photos from the event:

A LAUGHING CHRISTMAS

The Sunday School Christmas Pageant, A Laughing Christmas, was presented during worship on Sunday, December 20th. A marvelously large group of 25 children were involved. They are pictured above—double click the photo to see an enlargement.

The original pageant was written by Pastor Laura Gentry. It presented the Christmas story in a joyful way with lots of laughter. Below are photos taken by Pastor and her father, Burnell Smith.

CAST & CREW

Laughing Narrators—Ellicha Gage, Kaylee Lawson, Mason Libke, Louis Nguyen, Melony Orr, Sean Peters, Nicole Vinson

Mary— Allana Pleasants

Elizabeth—Emily Rethwisch

Joseph & Adult Jesus—Caelin Peters

Donkey—Nicholas Rethwisch

Baby Jesus—Chloe Magnusson

Sheep—Eden James, Ethan Schweitzer, Jack Schweitzer,

Kai Timmerman, Zoey Timmerman

Angels—Makayla Peters, Jazmine Rathbun, Soraya, Reyes, Laurel Scott, Hallie Vinson

Wise Men—Kyle Hitchins, Lucas Kerndt, Emilio Rathbun

Writer/Director—Pastor Laura Gentry

Assistant Directors/Costumers—Susan Finley, Jamie Horkheimer, Wendy Morris, Carla Pleasants, Lisa Rethwisch, Mike Schweitzer, LaVern & Kim Timmerman

Costumers—Wendy Morris, Judy Wood

Gift Bag Makers—Chris & Daryl Bolson

Pastor prays at the Advent Wreath to begin the pageant.

The whole cast assembles for the opening number: "We Wish You a Laughing Christmas!"

The confirmation class, adorned in "laughter hats" narrate the pageant.

Zoey and Kai Timmerman are smiling sheep.

The congregation looks on as kids perform.

A very "pregnant" Mary and a very "pregnant" Elizabeth act out the scene where the unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy in his mother's womb.

Joseph, Mary, the Baby Jesus and a dancing donkey (you know, just the way it is told in the gospels!).

The Holy Family

Angels, sheep and wise men congregate around the Holy Family.

Melanie Magnusson looks on proudly as her daughter plays Baby Jesus.

Mary struggles to hold up the Baby Jesus.

The view from the balcony

The wise men follow the star to Jesus, where they offer their gifts.

The confirmation class singing their number: "Do You Hear What I Hear?"

Jesus as an adult, talking about joy.

An ensemble sings "The Jamaican Noel" during the offering.

The cast sings the final number: "Merry, Merry Christmas" written by William & Laura Gentry.

Wise Man, Emilio Rathbun, smiles for the camera.

The cast re-assembles for the post-performance photo shoot.

Donkey, Nicholas Rethwish.

The grinning sheep.

Baby Jesus, Chloe Magnusson, is still on her best behavior as more photos are taken.

The baby is laid in the manger.

Gayle & Pastor goofing around.

The cold snow outside that morning.

The assortment of Christmas cookies served at the reception following.

Melanie Magnusson with her daughter, Chloe (a.k.a. Baby Jesus).

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's pageant a laughing success! Ha ha ha!