Our Savior Lutheran Church

Celebrating Communion Online, This Sunday

3/27/2020

I’m so excited to share with you that our elders and pastors have made the decision that beginning this Sunday, we are going to celebrate communion during all of our online services. What a moment it will be to experience the peace, presence, and power of God together in this meal - especially during this time of fear and isolation.

Here’s what I’m asking you to do.

I want you to be thinking about or even discuss with your family what it means to be holy - set apart for a specific purpose.
Think about how you’re being intentional with setting apart some bread and wine or grape juice (if that’s your preference) to be used for this specific moment during our Sunday worship.
Then, go and gather some bread and wine. You can find some around your house or you can go to the grocery store and purchase something specific. The point is to intentionally set aside some bread and wine for communion, this Sunday.
Then, have your bread and wine placed in front of you when you worship, this Sunday.
During the service, I will lead us all to “set aside” (or consecrate) this bread and wine by saying the Words of Institution, together.
For children and adults who are not receiving communion, your family members will be led to speak a blessing over you.

What an incredible experience it will be during a time when we are limited due to time and space to receive the grace of the God who is not bound by time or space through His body and blood. Indeed, Jesus is our hope, yesterday, today, and forever.

God Continues to Write His Story

3/26/2020

In this time of social isolation, the church isn’t growing weaker… it’s growing stronger.

As the State of Washington “stays home + stays healthy”, the story of Jesus’ rule and reign continues to play out in real time through His church.

Our Backpacks 4 Kids program and our Abundance Garden continue to respond to the economically disadvantaged and families in need within our local community. Both programs are both considered exempt from Monday’s Executive Order. As a result, we have created safe ways that comply with CDC recommendations for people to participate using a rotating schedule in order to provide social distancing. With your help, we will continue to place meals and basic necessities into the hands of hundreds of local community families. If you are willing to work alone and don’t mind disinfecting your work space before you leave, you can contact Tracy Schlatter at mrslatte@oslc.com to view the online schedules.

Additionally, even though our Faith in Action days are suspended until we can gather again, we continue to work closely with the Franklin Pierce School District to help provide for the needs of homeless children in our area.

Winter coats of all sizes are being purchased and collected to be given away at our August Back to School Fair. You can hang onto your purchased coats until we can gather together again or make a financial donation at oslc.com/give.

We also want to celebrate that during this time of social isolation:

A groundswell of encouragement is being shared through homemade masks, cards, notes, and care packages for those on the medical frontlines and in at-risk populations.
Our Benevolence Fund continues to assist OSLC families with food and basic living necessities during this challenging time.
This past Sunday, over 2,000 people experienced the power, presence, and love of Jesus in “real time” through our online worship services.
And so far this week, we’ve seen generations - kids, students, adults, and those Young at Heart - come together to experience Biblical community in a whole new way, online.

Church, we have the promise that by God’s grace, Jesus’ power works best in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Over these past two weeks, I have heard story after story about you living life on mission. You are having spiritual conversations with your children, parents, family members, neighbors, and friends that are helping them find their way back to Jesus. Life Groups are seeking each other out, sharing stories of your hope in Jesus, and bonding in ways we’ve never seen before. Many of you have come together to generously give your time, skills, relationships, and finances to those in need, many times beyond your means.

In these times of social isolation, Jesus’ church isn’t growing weaker… it’s growing stronger.

So, I want to say, “I’m proud of you” and “keep it up”. God is using you to write His greater story in this very moment.

It’s a story of hope in the middle of uncertainty. A story of deep community found in isolation. A story of trust in anxious times. A story of redeeming time with family, friends, and neighbors. A story of creating new spaces to connect and belong, online. A story of generosity far beyond our means. A story that future generations will tell.

A story of disciples who making disciples who love God, love people, and live like Jesus.

Love you more than you know. -pt

Three Things I've Learned in This Pandemic

3/19/2020

I believe that through challenging times, God teaches us new things about Him and ourselves right where we are. Here are three things I've learned this past week as a result of our current pandemic...

All we have is today because Jesus already has tomorrow. In a world where we literally do not know what tomorrow will bring, the only time we have is the present moment. Kids are home from school. (Many) Adults are home from work. Jobs are changed or lost. Income changes. Worry sets in. Anxiety swells up. All the "what if's"... I'm reminded of Jesus' words, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.". God is about the present because the future is secure in Jesus' promise, "today, you'll be with me in paradise". Jesus lives in today with us right where we are because He knows He has tomorrow covered.
People are people. Last Saturday, I braved the lines at Costco (it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be!). For the most part, people were kind and polite. People are people. Everyone has a degree of fear in their hearts. I mean, who wouldn't? Everyone has a degree of uncertainty on their minds. Again, who doesn't? People are people. To be human is to feel and experience. That's how God made us. We are made in the image of God - and God is a God who feels and experiences with us. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, that Jesus is our "High Priest" who understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Unless you're Jesus, you will give into your fear and anxiety. People are people... and I am thankful Jesus gives me His grace because I'm just a person like him... a guy in need the same grace right where I am. I need the same grace as the guy who took the last two packages of TP at Costco... right in front of me.
In a way, OSLC just planted 750+ churches who love God, love people, and live like Jesus. The church (Jesus' people) has always grown and thrived when it was scattered away from the synagogues, steeples, and cathedrals. We now have neighborhood churches (where two or more are gathered together). From University Place and Enumclaw and from Kent down to Hoquiam... the gospel is planted and the church exists right where you are. Pretty incredible, isn't it? Think about it - 750 homes where God's promises found in His Word can be experienced in real and tangible ways. Online worship right where you are. Community among neighbors and family, right where you are. Simple and natural ways to serve with and among your neighbors, right where you are. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to gather in-person, again. But, in the meantime, it's pretty awesome to see how there is now a church right where you are - on almost every corner and in every neighborhood and community. My prayer is that everyone around each of these homes and families would experience the radical grace and love of Jesus in a fresh, new way through the presence of those who love God, love people, and live like Jesus right where they are.

As challenging as this pandemic is right now, God is still good. God still has this. God still has you. Keep making disciples - connecting, growing, and serving right where you are. It's what the church (you and me) have always done... it's what we always will do.

Love you more than you know. -pt

Jesus' Light Shines Brighter - Ministry Update (3.18.20)

3/17/2020

Whenever the world seems to get a little darker, Jesus’ light shines even brighter. We want you to know that long before we are an organization, we are a church family who is here for you during these difficult times.

There is no doubt that we all are impacted by the current pandemic. You may experience a change in your job. Your income may change. If you have been financially impacted by this current pandemic, we may be able to assist you with basic necessities. Please contact Sue Bratz at sue@oslc.com.

If you would www.oslc.com/give like to help provide financial assistance to OSLC members, you can give online at oslc.com/give or mail a check to our office at 4519 112th St E; Tacoma, WA 98446.

The church will continue to thrive as we love God, love people, and live like Jesus. We trust that God’s got this… and God’s got you!

Whenever the world seems to get darker, Jesus’ light shines brighter. Through our Backpacks 4 Kids program, teams continue to serve by helping provide food to hungry families in the Franklin Pierce School District in safe, different, and effective ways. To help meet immediate needs such as additional access to food, laundry supplies, and gas, we are helping provide critical resources to families through the Franklin School District. Meanwhile, many of you are stepping up right where you live - to love your neighbors well in these challenging times, especially our elderly and at-risk populations.

The church will continue to gather. And, the church will continue to thrive. This past Sunday, we estimate that well over 1,000 people worshipped with us - in real time - at oslc.com/watch. That doesn’t count the hundreds of others who worshipped on Facebook or On-Demand since Sunday morning. The church is people. When we are weak, Jesus is strong - and we will continue to thrive.

During times like this, your and your family’s relationships with Jesus and others are the most important things. Our incredible ministry team is getting creative in how we meet.

Kids - starting next week, your Sunday School Shepherds will be meeting with you and your friends online during the week.

Students - you and your friends are going to start meeting online during the week, too.

There is no better time than right now to join a Life Group. More than ever do we need to connect with others, grow to be more like Jesus, and impact our neighbors with the Gospel. You can head on over to go.oslc.com/lifegroups to join one, today.

Remember that when the world seems to get darker, Jesus’ light shines even brighter. The church will continue to gather - and we will continue to thrive as we love God, love people, and live like Jesus.

Where Do You Go?

3/2/2020

I didn't have a chance to share the poll result from this past Sunday's question: Where do you first go to for wisdom? Here is where we landed:

8:00 Service
The Internet, Parents or Adult - 31.4% (tie)
The Bible - 14.3%
Friends - 11.4%

9:30 Service
The Internet - 29%
The Bible - 23.5%
Parents or Adult - 21.5%
From Within - 11.5%

11:00 Service
Parents or Adult - 31%
The Bible - 24%
The Internet - 19%

David was a young ruler in the Bible who sought wisdom. There were moments he sought the popularity of the people for wisdom. At times, He sought wisdom inside of himself. In one specific instance, David sought a greater wisdom. He writes: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7).

With access to all the information the world has to offer in the literal palm of your hand, we need people to help us make sense of "information overload". That's the challenge in our digital world, today. . . we have lots of information and not a whole lot of wisdom.

Thanks to the internet, we have one of the most knowledge-rich generations to have ever lived on earth. They need your help. We need each other's help to get beyond information and be shaped into wise people like Jesus.

Jesus did this on the cross. The thief had the information... but he needed wisdom. Jesus took his little information about a relationship with God and shaped it into wisdom. The response? Today you will be with me in paradise. Information: There is a God and there is a heaven. Wisdom: A relationship with God is possible through Jesus and heaven is a promise you can have confidence in, by faith.

What would it look like for you to do two things this week? First, seek wisdom. We don't have the the full picture of reality (who does?). Humbly, we need each other to understand the quickly changing world of information around us. Second, we give wisdom. Who are the people in your life that seem to have all the knowledge and need a spiritual mom or dad to bring meaning and understanding to it?

May we never tire of learning what this means. We have many guides, but not many fathers... so, imitate me as I imitate our collective older brother, Jesus.

Operations Director Search Update

2/27/2020

I'll be honest... director-level staff transitions are hard on me. Conceptually, they're simple and I really enjoy facilitating them. Emotionally, they're extremely taxing... at least for me. I have come to believe that churches don't "just hire" director-level staff. The aspect of ministry calling adds a unique spiritual dynamic that is deeply tied to asking the question, "what is God up to and how can we join His work (and not create our own)?". After all, our ultimate win has to do with eternal investments (and consequences!). Simply put, our win is not solely a bottom line.

As a result, I've spent many evenings praying about our Operations Director transition and placing it in God's hands, seeking His voice and leading, and silently listening for God's response.

Will you join me in doing the same over the next 40 days? It might be simply praying, God, give those who have the responsibility to seek our new Operations Director wisdom, discernment, and confidence to make well-informed, God-honoring, and wise choices when it comes to potential applicants and candidates. May we celebrate with them when we see what You are doing in us and through us, and give us the boldness to faithfully join You there.

As you pray over all of this with me, I want to update you where we are in the process, itself. Earlier this week, I shared this same information with our Board of Directors, our Elders, and our Ministry Team.

Our application deadline of March 1 (Sunday!) is quickly approaching. If God has placed anyone on your mind or heart to applying for this position, now is the time they need to submit their 1) Cover Letter; 2) Resume or CV; and 3) their Completed Employment Application (available at www.oslc.com/jobs).

Our first face-to-face Search Team Meeting will be March 4. The Search Team includes members: Jim Grant (Board of Directors), Judy Vadney (Retried HR Executive), Joe Newman (Retired Thrivent Representative), Wayne Flood (Retired Management Executive), Tracy Schlatter (Outreach and Connections Director), and myself. Our agenda will be simple: 1) Pray over OSLC and Seek God’s Wisdom and Discernment in this Search; 2) Review the Job Description (in broad strokes); and 3) Select Applicants to move into “Round Two”.

We currently have three applicants to consider. I anticipate at least two more applicants. We have several other applicants who have only partially applied (most of them submitted their Cover Letter and Resume/CV, but no Employment Application). They have been encouraged to complete and submit the application prior to March 1 to be fully considered. The Search Team may choose to reach out to individuals they feel might be good candidates to have pre-consideration conversations on or around March 3rd’s meeting.

I believe transparency is extremely important for this position. As a result, here is a bird's-eye overview of our process:

Round One: Applicants submit their Cover Letter, Resume/CV, and Employment Application for consideration. We have solicited potential applicants from within OSLC; the Church’s Network; the Cascade Christian School Alumni, Concordia Academy Alumni, and Concordia University Alumni Networks; as well as indeed.com (with very tight parameters).

Round Two: Selected Applicants are contacted and are invited to complete assessments in finance, strengths-based leadership, and team dynamics. After they complete the assessments, they will receive additional coaching by one of our OSLC coaches. Coaches will share a summary with the Search Team to review prior to our next meeting.

Round Three: The Search Team will review the candidates based on the assessments and coaching summary and select up to two candidates to spend time with staff, Sue Bratz, and our Directors Team. The two candidates will also complete formal interviews with the Search Team.

The Search Team may choose to offer a time for interested Congregation Members to meet him or her, too.

Decision Making: From the two candidates, the Search Team will decide by general consensus which one to recommend to the Board of Directors for consideration and approval at a late March/early April meeting (this could be a special meeting with this being the only agenda item).

The Search Team may also choose to at this point (or at any point) to re-start the process if we need to solicit a new pool of applicants.

Final Approval: The final approval of the hire is a formal Board recommendation to the congregation and a Congregational Vote at the June 14th Annual Meeting

Thank you for your ongoing support of the incredible ministry that we share. As we move into a very engaged 40 days (complete with Lent/Easter), please keep your church, your staff, your leaders, and this search process in your prayers. You can specifically pray for wisdom, discernment, unity, and clarity to see where God is leading and the faithful spirit to follow Him. As a always, you can reach out to me at pastortim@oslc.com with any questions.

Love you more than you know.

What is Lent?

2/21/2020

According to Wikipedia, the roots of the word is a shortened form of the Old English word lencten, meaning "spring season". However beyond marking physical time, for followers of Jesus, Lent is a spiritual marker of time that welcomes the 40 day journey toward the pinnacle of the gospel message.

If you grew up in the church, you may have heard of or experienced Lent traditions such as giving something up, special worship services, devotions and prayer, deeper reflection, or fasting. Growing up outside of Detroit, we had a fairly large Polish community where they would eat Paczkis, on the day before Lent began. Culturally, we know that day as "Fat Tuesday" where we indulge ourselves because we know what's about to happen.

As a follower of Jesus, Lent is an important part of living like Jesus. It a time that reminds me that I am not Jesus... though, I strive to be like Him. I am reminded of my temptations in light of Jesus' victory... my brokenness in the middle of Jesus' wholeness... my unsteadiness and unfaithfulness - even when Jesus is steady and faithful.

This Lent, I'm (personally) choosing to reflect on Jesus' justice, equity, peace, and humility in the middle of my personal and our culture's self-centeredness. It's so easy to make everything in life about me. From family meal times to work challenges; from cultural tensions to little comments that come and go. I need to be reminded that life is not about me... it's about Jesus.

It's Jesus' justice on the cross that levels the playing field so acceptance for all can be ushered into real life.

It's Jesus' equity in his suffering with the criminals that shows me that indeed, there is no distinction (unless we're talking about God and everything else).

It's Jesus' peace I find in the words, "It is finished" when He gives up His spirit.

It's Jesus' humility when He comes back to life and doesn't say, "I told you so", but rather invites me and whoever else chooses to follow Him to change the world to make life a little more like heaven on earth.

Will you join me in creating space for this important time. Worship. Reflect. Check out our daily online devotions. It can be habit forming. I pray that it will change your heart to be more like Jesus.

Love you more than you know.