<![CDATA[Our Savior Lutheran Church - Pastor Tim\'s Blog]]>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:24:23 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Going Deeper Together Week 6]]>Sun, 13 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/going-deeper-together-week-6
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I’m excited for this week’s episode of the Inspiring Faith Forward podcast where we are looking at John 15:1-3. So, grab a Bible and click below to get started.

Each episode is 15-20 minutes - perfect for a morning devotion, drive to school or home, quick walk around the neighborhood, picking up the kids or grandkids, or an evening wind-down (hopefully it won’t put you asleep!).

After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step, go to oslc.com to get connected and discover ways to serve.
We’re taking next two weeks off for Easter and will be back with an entire new series of podcast episodes beginning May 4th.
]]><![CDATA[Going Deeper Together - Week 5]]>Sun, 06 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/going-deeper-together-week-5
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This week, I'm reaching back into some archived podcasts from one of the more influential people in my life, Dr. Jeff Kloha. He has shaped my gospel-centered thinking and heart for ministry. I'm excited to share with you his deep dive into John 14:1-14.

The episode is from Lectionary at Lunch and it is just over 20 minutes - perfect for a morning devotion, drive to school or home, quick walk around the neighborhood, picking up the kids or grandkids, or an evening wind-down (hopefully it won’t put you asleep!).
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After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step, go to oslc.com to get connected and discover ways to serve.

​I'm back next week with a fresh take on John 15:1-3. In the meantime, have a fantastic week loving God, loving people, and living like Jesus!
]]><![CDATA[Immanuel Campus Update - April 2025]]>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/immanuel-campus-update-april-2025Happy one-month birthday to the Immanuel Campus!

Three cheers to Cary and the campus staff, our central operations support team, and the on-the-ground leaders who have helped make the last 30 days an incredible experience.

And to you... thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and most of all, your partnership in the gospel as we love God, love people, and live like Jesus.

We are making progress toward fully launching the Puyallup campus on Sunday, September 7 (Fall Launch). There is still much to do, but here are some highlights from the last 30 days.
Our first worship service was Sunday, March 9 with 59 people attending. There has been a 109% increase in average worship attendance between pre-merger and today (22 vs 46). ​Each service has live music, communion on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, creed, prayers, invitation into next steps, and blessing.
While most preaching is "live", Cary introduced Life Group "feels" and weekly questions using video messages from Pastor Tim. While there is already a women's bible study, men's group, and quilters group that meet each week, the desire to get connected in a Life Group is "catching".
During the week, the Immanuel Learning Center serves 63 students and their families. They don't just learn their ABC's and 1-2-3's through play, they gather for family chapel times. Yes, significant adults and siblings get to join in the fun, too! We look forward to further integrating Kid Min and Parent Cue resources to further connect students and families with Jesus - not just at church or school, but at home, too.
Every school day, thr3e Coffeeshop is the place for junior high and high school students to grab a snack or drink and meet and hang with friends. We are looking forward to building on thr3e's unique and fruitful story by further fostering a culture of care and belonging.
Similar to our Backpacks 4 Kids vibe at the Tacoma Campus, the Puyallup Campus coordinates and leads a weekly tutoring program for elementary students. Because the program is supporting measurable student success, plans are being made in partnership with local schools to increase the number of students who can receive tutoring this fall.

Organizationally, our team has worked hard this month to begin aligning financial and operational systems, laying groundwork for facility and technology upgrades, and figuring out what regular office presence looks like at the campus.

Looking Forward

Here's what we are looking forward to in the next couple months as we continue moving toward Fall Launch in September:
  • Getting to better know people who live in the downtown Puyallup community.
  • Building the worship service culture (if you know a potential worship leader, send them Cary's way).
  • Launching the Spring Tutoring season after Easter
  • Cross-training barista and ministry staff at thr3e Coffee.
  • Continuing to grow preschool enrollment at Immanuel Learning Center.
  • New Member Sunday on May 18 at the Immanuel Campus' 10:30am service.
  • Building the Sunday morning kids ministry team.
  • Laying groundwork and identify leaders for fall youth and adult life groups.
  • Family preschool chapels in April, May, and June.
  • Planning pilot before/after school programs, parenting classes, and family support resources this fall.
  • A full slate of technology and facility upgrades.
  • New signage and wayfinding which will help people find their way around.
  • Preparing for the campus' fall ministry fair in tandem with the Tacoma Campus.
]]><![CDATA[Going Deeper Together - Week 4]]>Sun, 30 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/going-deeper-together-week-4
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I’m excited for this week’s episode of the Inspiring Faith Forward podcast where we are looking at John 10:11-28. So, grab a Bible and click below to get started.

Each episode is 15-20 minutes - perfect for a morning devotion, drive to school or home, quick walk around the neighborhood, picking up the kids or grandkids, or an evening wind-down (hopefully it won’t put you asleep!).
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After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step, go to oslc.com to get connected and discover ways to serve.

]]><![CDATA[Going Deeper Together - Week 3]]>Sun, 23 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/going-deeper-together-week-3
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​I’m excited for this week’s episode of the Inspiring Faith Forward podcast where we are looking at John 10:7-10. So, grab a Bible and click below to get started.

Each episode is 15-20 minutes - perfect for a morning devotion, drive to school or home, quick walk around the neighborhood, picking up the kids or grandkids, or an evening wind-down (hopefully it won’t put you asleep!).

After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step, go to oslc.com to get connected and discover ways to serve.

]]><![CDATA[Going Deeper Together - Week 2]]>Sun, 16 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/going-deeper-together-week-2
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I’m excited for this week’s episode of the Inspiring Faith Forward podcast where we are looking at John 11:17-44. So, grab a Bible and click below to get started.

Each episode is 15-20 minutes - perfect for a morning devotion, drive to school or home, quick walk around the neighborhood, picking up the kids or grandkids, or an evening wind-down (hopefully it won’t put you asleep!).

After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step, go to oslc.com to get connected and discover ways to serve.​
]]><![CDATA[Going Deeper Together - Week 1]]>Sun, 09 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/going-deeper-together-week-1
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I’m excited for the next season of the Inspiring Faith Forward podcast. Together, we’ll dig deeper into each week’s sermon scripture. I’ll also share bonus application content.

That’s why I’m calling this series of podcasts Growing Deeper Together.

This week, we’ll look at John 6:25-35. So, grab a Bible and click below to get started.

Each episode is 15-20 minutes - perfect for a morning devotion, drive to school or home, quick walk around the neighborhood, picking up the kids or grandkids, or an evening wind-down (hopefully it won’t put you asleep!).

After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step, go to oslc.com to get connected and discover ways to serve.
]]><![CDATA[Designed for More - Week 7]]>Sun, 02 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/designed-for-more-week-7
I hope you’ve enjoyed the last six weeks of podcasts. I’ve been praying that the Holy Spirit has been stirring in your heart to take your next step to live out your God-given calling.

Perhaps something you’ve heard, read or thought inspired you to think and feel differently about God, yourself, or others. If so, I’d love to hear about it. Could you drop me a note  Here? 

I’m taking this week off to prepare for our next series of podcasts. Starting next week (March 9), we will dive deep into each week’s sermon scripture. I’ll discuss the original language and historical context and share bonus practical applications. You will not want to miss these.​
]]><![CDATA[Designed for More - Episode 6]]>Sun, 23 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/designed-for-more-episode-6
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I hope you enjoy this week’s podcast with my guest, Travis Guse. We talk about his calling, his strengths, like lifting weights, how self-care is not selfish, and wrestling with the question, “Who needs what I have to offer?” I can’t wait for you to listen.

After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step and discover your God-given calling, go to oslc.com/design where you can find resources, or contact someone to start your conversation.
]]><![CDATA[Designed for More - Episode 5]]>Sun, 16 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMThttps://oslc.com/blog/designed-for-more-episode-5
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This week, I am cross-sharing a podcast featuring our own Gerod Bass from February 28, 2023.

Mike Von Behren (Northwest District President) and Gerod discuss the arts and having and "open door policy" for a church building serve as a bridge into the community. We get to hear how Gerod's gifts and talents led to launching Mustard Seed Theatre after the 2016 fire and digs into what the calling to discipleship looks like when you cross boundaries to share the love of Christ.
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After listening, if you were inspired to take the next step and discover your God-given calling, go to oslc.com/design. You can find a group or contact someone to start your conversation.
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