Our Worship Matters Series begins next week! This five-session introductory course has been developed to help participants grow into a richer understanding of the foundations of Lutheran worship. With a focus on the principle gathering around word and sacrament, this course explores the foundational questions of why we gather, how we encounter God in worship, and how that encounter shapes our response in both our communities and our world. Topics include the Church Year, the Lectionary, Holy Baptism, Holy Communion, Corporate Prayer, Worship and Culture, and more.

The same lesson will be held twice a week, beginning with the Thursday meeting. Feel free to come to either session and alternate between groups!


Thursdays at 6:30PM: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16
Sundays at 5:00PM: April 21, 28, May 5, 19

There will be no meeting on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12.
The Sunday group will have its fourth session on Saturday, May 11, at 5:00PM.

Sessions will be held either in the Sanctuary/Lorenz Chapel at church or in participant homes. If you would be interested in hosting a session in your home, please contact Jennifer Doerr.

Potluck food and drinks will be offered. Please look for the sign-up sheets in the sanctuary.

Share a meal of soup, bread, and salad with OSA's Lenten group study fellowship and experience stories of modern saints in this contemplative and inspiring 5-week series.

OSA Parsonage (north entrance)
Thursdays, February 21 – March 18 6:30PM
Sundays, February 24 – March 24 5:00PM

To join a group, sign up after Sunday Service or contact the office for more information.



Week 1: Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Bonhoeffer
Thursday, February 21 @ 6:30PM
Sunday, February 24 @ 5PM

This poignant documentary traces the life of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was one of the first to speak up against Adolph Hitler throughout Hitler's rise to power. Bonhoeffer organized the Confessing Church, the only structured revolt against Hitler, and turned to his roots as a devout Christian for the strength to take a political stand for Jews everywhere.

“Why do you think there are so many references in the Bible to food and actions associated with eating and drinking?” (Feeding the Flock by Russell Chandler.)

If you spend some time thinking about why food is mentioned in the Bible, you’ll probably find yourself coming up with several answers, and perhaps those various answers will then take your thoughts in many directions. That’s exactly what happened over dinner tables this autumn when small groups from OSA gathered together for the Food & Scripture studies. We found our conversations traveling down many paths to discover the meanings of food references in the Bible.

Dear People of God

I keep trying to put some words of wisdom on paper, but my thoughts are all jumbled.  Coming back to NYC from a lovely cruise to Bermuda, my wife and I (along with millions in the tri-state area and beyond) had our lives turned upside down with SuperStorm Sandy.  We’re more fortunate than most of our neighbors as we never lost electricity.  Even now as I’m writing I hear Mayor Blumberg providing another update on recovery/repair operations:  Alleluia!  It seems as subways are returning on a limited basis.  Nature’s power has jumbled our life and it will take a long time (much like with the 2008-9 Great Recession) to put the pieces back together.  Nevertheless, as we sang on Reformation Sunday, we have the eternal Word:

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth be moved,

and though the mountains shake in the depths of the sea;

though its waters rage and foam,

and though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

Then the coming election adds to my jumbled thoughts.  Although we’re spared endless ads in this “non-battle ground” city we know this is an important election.  There is a cultural tension between communal support and individual initiative.  Sadly it seems our choice this time is between the two when it should be a celebration of both.  Our lives need creative, energetic individuals providing solutions to our problems and goals for our nation.  And we need to work together to implement them.  We must have both private and public sectors.

On November 1 we remember the saints of the church.  All Saints Day celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who make up the body of Christ. Many saints are individuals whose lives are an example for being God’s Hands doing God’s Work.  And many saints gathered others into communities to have an immense impact for good and holy life in God’s creation.  We memorialize both private and public saints

As we are pulled forward by our God into the work set for us may we celebrate the gifts each of us have been given and exercise them for the well-being of God’s creation.  Some of us are gifted to lead, motivate or guide others in our communal journey.  Some of us are gifted with skills that sustain our community in worship and service:  we sing, we bake bread for our Lord’s Meal, we tend the garden that brings delight to our neighbors, we visit the sick.  Growing as a disciple of our Lord – being pulled forward by God – means we give away our gifts so others experience the joy of receiving. 

 

In November our Lord’s disciples gathered around his Word and Meal at Our Saviour’s Atonement are invited to fill out and return to church a Commitment Card indicating their support of his ministry through OSA in the year ahead.   During this time of pastoral transition your financial support is vitally important.  Please consider growing your giving by one percent of your income.  Gathering each disciple’s gifts into communal ministry will enable OSA to provide a strong foundation for new ministry with your next pastor.

Sovereign of the universe, your first covenant of mercy was with every living creature. When your beloved Son came among us, the waters of the river welcomed him, the heavens opened to greet his arrival, the animals of the wilderness drew near as his companions. With all the world's people, may we who are washed into new life through baptism seek the way of your new creation, the way of justice and care, mercy and peace, being your hands doing your work; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.   (ELW)

In the Name of our Lord

Pr. Bill Eggers, Coverage Pastor

As the year draws to a close the Church Council went on retreat to Koinonia Camp in Highland Lake NY.

Koinonia is a place to experience joy, peace, beauty, the richness of faith-filled community and a chance to discover life anew. Grounded in the Lutheran understanding of Christian faith, Koinonia is a center for spiritual renewal and leadership development, providing retreats, camps and conferences for families, youth, adults and church groups.

The council used the weekend to rest and recharge, pray and grow in spirituality and even test drive the new Adult Ed curriculum. 

Two days spent hiking in the woods, playing on the farm, eating in community and quietly reading scripture in our rooms allowed the council to gain a new understanding of our role in the church, our ministry as leaders and perhaps most importantly getting to know each other better.


Jenn Doerr ran the spiritual side of the retreat, leading us in song and study. Brent Ness directed our Adult Ed session and even managed to sneak some council business into the weekend. Rev. Bob Wollenburg led the Sunday Service at Koninonia which was well attended by the entire community at the retreat center.


The council thanks everyone for allowing us to recharge and have a great weekend.

Dear Members and friends of OSA,

The OSA Call Committee met Sunday, October 28, after worship to discuss the four candidates for the office of pastor.  After an hour of conversation and prayerful thought, the committee decided not to recommend any of the four. 

The Committee wishes you to know that it spent careful time considering the needs of OSA and the gifts of the candidates. From the beginning the ministry site profile (MSP) guided our decisions.  The MSP, as you know, was itself carefully constructed with input from you.  It was, and is, the “organizing principle” as we read the candidates’ profiles, interviewed, and listened to them. 

The Committee stayed in touch via email and telephone, traveled to other churches to hear two of the candidates preach, and with honesty and forthright discussion weighed the pros and cons of each candidate.  In the end, the decision was that each candidate had strengths but none had the combination of skills, based on the MSP that would serve OSA best.  None of the candidates, although all were highly qualified and are excellent pastors, entirely met the expectations that you/we established. 

When the candidates were informed of the Committee’s decision, each was gracious and thankful for the opportunity to be considered. 

The next step is to await further candidates from the Metropolitan New York Synod office, our Bishop and his staff.  The Synod was informed the following Tuesday after the Committee’s decisions.  The Synod office has informed us that they are immediately working to give us the next slate of candidates.

The Call Committee requests that you remain patient during the process, even as we ourselves seek to do the same.  Although we wish the Holy Spirit would reveal to us quickly who our next pastor will be, we believe that everything happens in God’s good time.  OSA has an excellent coverage pastor in Rev. William Eggers, dedicated lay leadership, and a host of committed members to see us through this transition. 

God bless you all! 

-- The OSA Call Committee

Bob Wollenburg, Chair

A month spent in England would not be complete without a stop at the Lawless family compound.  I was in London to write, to experience the culture, the Olympics, and of course, a home cooked meal from Lois Ann.  My class and I were staying in London, so finding the time and the energy to take the 45 minute train ride to Banbury was hard, but well worth it. 

    Aboard the train I told them stories about Domingo Gordo, Christmas, and the amazing garden Lois Ann had built.  Cassie and Joanna, my travel mates, are Agnostic and Conservative Jewish History majors (respectively) – so I knew they would have plenty to talk to Barrie about.  We met them at the train station, the couple just as bright and warm as always, I no longer felt like a stranger in a foreign country.