God gives us both joy and sadness to feel and to own. So, cry away. Your tears are given by God to express your sadness just as much as your giggles are given by God to express your joy.

You have permission to care for yourself.

I was recently reminded that in moments of crisis and trauma, before tending to others, you must first care for yourself.

Here is what caring for yourself might look like:

• Get enough sleep
• Say “yes” to really important things, first.
• Schedule “do nothing” days before committing to events and activities
• Drink enough water and eat well - as in healthy
• Ask somebody to help you with something, everyday… even if it’s with something you can really do by yourself. God has made us to “do life” together - not apart.
• Help somebody in an ordinary way, everyday. It truly does change the way you see people and the opportunities “as you go”.

Bethany Dearborn Hiser says “taking care of ourselves is essential for our well-being as beloved children of God, allowing us to be effective and resilient, loving people instead of using those we serve to support or enhance our own sense of worth”.

You can check out Bethany’s entire article from Christianity Today, here.

You have permission to find your way back to Jesus.

Between the hot messes and ugly tears combined with all the feels, it’s easy to lose sight of Jesus.

Hi Friends!

I want to share an update regarding the Environmental Safety issues at Main Campus and how we are moving forward.

First, great news about this week’s Sunday Worship!

We plan to gather for Sunday Worship on-site at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00am and online at 8:00, and 9:30am!

Here’s what to expect Sunday:
West Bathrooms by the chapel are closed.
Public bathrooms can be found in the following locations:

• East corner of the Lobby
• Far west end of the Northwest Hallway (Offices and Preschool)
• The center of the 2nd-floor hallway

Otherwise, this Sunday will feel pretty “normal.”

• We’ll be ready to welcome you as you enter from the Parking Lot
• Our Kids Connect Team will be prepared for your kids
• Our Nursery will be waiting to love your infants and toddlers
• Pastor Matt, Gerod and the Worship Team, and I will be ready to lead you in worship
• Hospitality will be hosted after each service outside the West Entrance with donuts only, until we have access to the Fellowship Hall and Kitchen.

What's happened so far this week…

On Monday, a Professional Abatement Team (PAT)  isolated the facility areas compromised by the Environmental Safety Issues and began “cleaning the air.”

On Wednesday, the PAT began remediating the environmental hazards, removing carpet, sheetrock, and other contaminated items that cannot be cleaned over the next three days. They will also attempt to clean as many of the free-standing items located in the affected areas as possible.

After everything is cleaned, the basement will most likely be exclusively used for utility access. Furthermore, we are looking at installing groundwater control solutions to prevent future issues.

A separate and related water issue was discovered inside the wall of the West Bathrooms (by the Chapel). This specific situation also contributed significantly to the overall environmental safety of the facility. We will know more about the extent of remediation and reconstruction necessary for the West Bathrooms later this week.

Our Professional Abatement Team continues to remediate the environmental hazards in the affected areas of our Main Campus Facility.

Thanks in advance for helping make Our Savior a place where all people can belong, gather, connect, serve, and be sent to love God, love people, and live like Jesus!

Between now and Sunday, here’s how you can pray with us:

• Thanksgiving that God is in control of all things!
• God be glorified, and our community loved well through the gifts received at NovemberFest this evening at 6:30pm at oslc.com/novemberfest.
• The people you will invite to join you in worship this Sunday.
• Continued safety for the Professional Abatement Team as they remediate the affected areas.
• Thanksgiving for David Kernan of Sound Environmental Solutions Inc., assisting Nora with the remediation process (thanks, David!)
• God’s Spirit would be inviting and leading people to worship onsite and online this Sunday.
• Cary, High School Life Group Leaders, and Students who are on retreat this weekend.
• Pastor Matt as he prepares to bring God’s Word to us.
• Gerod and the Worship Team as they prepare to lead us in song and prayer.
• Shelly and the Frontlines Team as they prepare to welcome, connect with and serve people.
• Dereem and the Kids Connect Teams as they prepare to help Jesus’ youngest disciples grow in their faith.
• Theresa and the Nursery Team as they prepare to love Jesus’ youngest family members.

See you Sunday… on-site or online!

Love you!
Pastor Tim