Ministries
VBS Will Start Sunday, June 13!
OSLC's Vacation Bible School this summer will feature Baobab Blast, which is an open invitation to be a part of God's Great Get-Together. Set under the impressive baobab tree, kids will have the opportunity to hear the Word, be amazed at God's wildlife creations, and be a part of a supportive community.
This will be a life-changing experience for your kids as you gather together as a community and grow in faith. As the sun rises and sets on the savannah, so, too, will faith and relationships grow as kids explore connections with God, family, friends, and others around the world. Get ready to experience the most amazing community get-together under the sun.
VBS will start on Sunday, June 13, and continue through Friday, June 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. The fellowship hall will be open for families to have supper together if you want to have a place to come together for a meal.
We are still in need of class leaders, kitchen and nursery helpers to assist with VBS. Last year we had 35 children participate and this year our goal is 60. It is essential to instill in children the blessings they can receive from knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For some of these children this will be the only time they hear about Jesus during the year.
Teen role models are so important to this process and we would love for OSLC youth to sign up to be assistants for the class leaders. Sign-up sheets are in the hallway on a tripod. If you are allowed to post announcements for VBS at work and would like to do so, please contact Shane & Sharon Barger at 257-2897 and they can get one to you.
To visit the Baobab Blast web site, click here.
Cross of Grace
JULY 2010
It is a joy to be part of Cross of Grace Lutheran Church. We are growing, not very fast, but new people keep being interested in this new mission. I keep being amazed at the love, support, and interest shown to one another. The other day I commented that we “keep plodding along.” I was corrected. The person expressed joy in the progress of the mission and reminded me we are not just “plodding.”
I also keep being amazed at the presence of God and God’s support. We struggled with the location, but where we are couldn’t be better. We were concerned about the necessities for worship. All fell into place. A musician is of first priority for a good worship service. We have never gone wanting. Financially we are not strong, but we are stable. Due to the gifts of the Treasurer, John Stamm, we know where we are at all times and how well we are doing. Individual worshippers keep coming forward to suggest and provide means by which we can have fellowship, proclaim the gospel, and reach out as we say, “God’s work, our hands.”
One of those suggestions is to get together once a month for lunch at a place that has reasonable prices and where we can meet privately. The first luncheon for the “Lunch Bunch” will be at the Cranberry Thistle. It’s located on Main Street, in Jonesborough, across from the old county courthouse. We will meet on Thursday, July 8, the second Thursday of the month, at 12:00 noon. All are welcome. While this is an opportunity to invite people who might be interested in Cross of Grace, it is also an opportunity to share with other people from other denominations or some of our own Lutheran sisters and brothers.
The big event on the horizon is our entry in the Jonesborough Days Parade, which occurs on Saturday, July 3. The parade begins at 10:00 AM. We will have our logo positioned on the back of a pickup truck with many of our worshippers walking behind it with Cross of Grace tee shirts. With over 10,000 people observing the parade, it will be a great opportunity for awareness.
We hope to keep thinking of ways to proclaim the gospel.
Ed Wolff, Mission Pastor
1103 Miller Dr.
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Cell: (423) 833-8932
(423) 833-8587
Where Does OSLC Benevolence Go?
Every year, we, at OSLC, give 15% of our budget (minus the mortgage amount) to the Synod. This is called our Benevolence. We pay this budgeted amount whether we collect the full budget amount of offerings or spend the full amount.
There are always questions about how this money is used. Provided here is a breakdown that shows how the Synod puts the money to use. Note that it is not all used for administration at either the Synod level or the national level.
These numbers are based on percentages provided by the Synod and the ELCA. Please note that other moneys are given out but budget descriptions are not definitive enough for their inclusion.
Contribution to our Synod this year: $52,650
Used for:
-- Pass-through to ELCA: $25,272
-- Begin mission congregations: 2,527
-- Lutheran Social Service organizations within synod: 1,322
-- Other grants to organization including education institutions: 5,265
-- Operating Synod office, staff and commissions: 17,925
Distribution of money ($25,272) passed through to ELCA:
Used for:
-- Global Missions*: $5,115
-- Evangelism outreach: 7,929
-- Church in Society*: 2,046
* Includes some funds for World Hunger
Total given to help others worldwide (46%): $24,237