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.

On the 2057 anniversary of Julius Caesar’s assassination and two weeks before the commemoration of Jesus’ execution, artists from a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds have been invited to take over the sanctuary of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with art that explores who we kill today.

The opening reception 7pm, March 15th with light refreshments and live music by:
Spark and Echo
Spanish Flamenco Music by Silvio Solis
Kristen Leigh

RSVP for the reception on Facebook.

Art will be available for viewing:
Saturday (3/16) and Sunday (3/17) 1:30-4:30pm
Monday (3/18) – Wednesday (3/19) 3pm – 7pm

Featuring paintings, sculptures, installations, photography by:
Ventiko
Ari Dallas
Nicholas Burgess
Kyrstal Grant
Mikhail Poloskin
Students from El Puente
Students from Parsons
Christopher Rini
Roz Dimon
Harriet Faith
Marie Stile
Mark Hill
Ali Jacobs
Miguel A. Hernandez
And More!

December 30, 2012 – OSA Choir Hiatus
10:15 am – Sunday, Jan. 6 – Solo - EPIPHANY
            7:30 pm – Thurs., Jan. 10 – Rehearsal
10:15 am – Sunday, Jan. 13 – Sing for Worship
10:15 am – Sunday, Jan. 20 – Rehearse only – Solo
            7:30 pm – Thurs., Jan. 24 – Rehearsal
10:15 am – Sunday, Jan. 27 – Sing for Worship
10:15 am – Sunday, Feb. 3 – Rehearse only – Solo
            7:30 pm – Thurs., Feb. 7 – Rehearsal
10:15 am – Sunday, Feb. 10 – Sing for Worship – DOMINGO GORDO
10:15 am – Sunday, Feb. 17 – Rehearse only – Solo
            7:30 pm – Thurs., Feb. 21 – Rehearsal
10:15 am – Sunday, Feb. 24 – Sing for Worship
10:15 am – Sunday, Mar. 3 – Rehearse only – Solo
            7:30 pm – Thursday, Mar. 7 – Rehearsal
10:15 am – Sunday, Mar. 10 – Sing for Worship
10:15 am – Sunday, Mar. 17 – Rehearse only – Solo
            7:30 pm – Thursday, Mar. 21 – Rehearsal
10:15 am – Sunday, Mar. 24 – Sing for Worship – PALM SUNDAY
            7:30 pm – Thursday, Mar. 28 – Rehearsal - Holy Week
10:15 am – Sunday, Mar. 31 – Sing for Worship – EASTER SUNDAY 
10:15 am – Sunday, April 7 – Rehearse only – Solo
            7:30 pm – Thursday, April 11 – Rehearsal
10:15 am – Sunday, April 14 – Sing for Worship
            7:30 pm – Thursday, April 18 – Rehearsal
After April 18, rehearse on Sunday mornings only unless we develop alternate plans.
10:15 am – Sunday, April 21 – Rehearse only – Solo
10:15 am – Sunday, April 28 – Sing for Worship
10:15 am – Sunday, May 5 – Rehearse only – Solo
10:15 am – Sunday, May 12 – Sing for Worship
10:15 am – Sunday, May 19 – Sing for Worship – PENTECOST
10:15 am – Sunday, May 26 – Solo – Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Christmas to you all –  not from New York, but a little village of about 450 near Banbury in Oxfordshire, quite a change from Bennett Avenue where far more lived in the apartment building across the street!

“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

In December – which in our faith communities we call Advent – we prepare with joy (and sometimes with trepidation) to celebrate the Christ-Mass, the birth of Jesus.   We prepare in many ways:  some by heading to the stores to buy, buy and buy until exhausted; some by planning a trip home to family; some by bringing out the heirloom crèche and decorations; and some by quietly reflecting upon hopes for themselves, family, friends, and the world.

Amidst this preparation comes the Word of scripture that in a manner so common and yet so unique the Word of Hope, the Word of Joy, the Word of Family, the Word of Life has come and is even now in the world.  Jesus, born of Mary, discloses to the world that the Word has flesh and blood and through flesh and blood the world will know the depth and breadth of love.   The Word reveals to us and in us what we always have been and shows us how to live fully into our potential as children of God, born of God. God redeems what God takes on. Even more radical: what God takes on becomes part of God.

This Advent practice being a part of God:  in your frantic shopping smile at your fellow bargain hunters and cashiers; buy an extra gift for Toys 4 Tots or the food pantry at Emmaus House; when traveling home give everyone you know a greeting and hug of great warmth – they are family; when setting up that crèche,  whether heirloom or newly purchased, do so by bringing to mind what each piece represents; and when sitting quietly meditate upon how the Word brings life and meaning and joy and hope to your every moment. 

We are children of God.  God – truth, love, justice, mercy – comes alive through us!  May our Advent journey bless us as we gather on Sundays at 11:00 AM or Thursdays at 7:00 PM for worshipping our Lord.  Pausing in Advent to intentionally love God, we gain a deeper understanding of the majesty, mercy, and mystery of God. 

Pr. Bill