Ministries > Caring >	212 Sunset Drive; Johnson City, TN; Phone (423) 282-2313

	"We will tend to the needs of all God's people at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, sharing his love through our personal contact and prayer." Tom Marshall is the Caring Ministry Council Representative.

Caring

"7:14 - Moment of Grace"

Isaiah 7:14 states: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, a virgin is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel." (which means "God with us")

Your Stephen Ministry is sponsoring a new and inviting way to celebrate the season of Advent with a moment, a minute, of prayer. During the season of Advent, we will hear stories about the coming "Emmanuel" through song and word. Our invitation, based on the numbers from the theme for Advent, is for each and every member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, to take time each day and pray, discover a moment of grace. We invite and encourage you-wherever you are-when the time is 7:14, to stop and pause for one minute. During that one minute you are asked to pray.

This prayer is a specific prayer. You are not to pray for yourself or your own family. During this one minute of prayer, you are asked to pray for someone else, that is, someone outside of your immediate family life-anyone-who may have a special need.

We want you to begin this special discipline on Sunday evening, November 28, at 7:14 p.m.-the first evening of Advent. We believe it will enrich your life; we believe it will provide an opportunity of witness (especially if you are out in public somewhere). Don't be ashamed or bashful! Just-do it! It can lead to great change in your life! Every 7:14 from that time on, through the season (and into Epiphany too please) stop and pray. Focus on someone other than yourself-what a great discipline to have! And, may God bless your prayers!

Your Stephen Ministers and Leaders,

Barbara Clemons
Carl Snyder
Fred Becklehimer
Jean Loveday
Marcia Peters
Pastor Jim Nipper

Stephen Ministry

Stephen Ministry is a high-commitment, high-rewards ministry. The rewards of being a Stephen Minister are:

The joy and satisfaction of participating in meaningful ministry and of serving Jesus.
The friendship and support of the Christian community they develop in training and supervision.
Personal growth through the training, service, and supervision.
Enhanced relationships with family, friends, co-workers and others.
Greater interpersonal relationship skills that prove valuable at work and in other activities.
Increased faith in God, dedication to Jesus, and enjoyment of their religious life.

Training classes start in January. If you are interested in learning more about Stephen Ministry at Our Saviour or would like to be a Stephen Minister, please contact any Stephen leader:

Pastor Nipper
Bonnie Koepper
Marcia Peters
Jean Loveday
Joanne Bullock

Shepherds Committee

Marilyn Proffitt is Chair of the Shepherds Committee. The Shepherds Committee will be represented by the Caring Council Representative. The primary purpose of this committee is to minister and communicate to members of the congregation especially when they are in need.

In order to achieve the objectives of this committee, focus should be on, but not limited to, the following duties and activities:

-- Maintain communication with members using the phone tree/dialer, NewSense, Bulletin Boards, and other appropriate means.

-- Stimulate and lead all members of the congregation in a concerted endeavor to reawaken the spiritually indifferent, activating and mobilizing this church to pray for renewal grounded in the inspired Word of God.

-- Encourage not only established ministries but remain open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to nurture in -reach evangelism and to deepen the spiritual life of the congregation community

-- Oversee the integration of new disciples into the community of the church using activites such as assignments of sponsors, giving them nametags, placing their photos on the bulletin board, having a New Disciples Reception regularly, baking bread for their gift bag etc.

-- Coordinate Bereavement meals for either the church or home.

-- Coordinate Angel Meals for those leaving the hospital or other homebound occasions that require help.

-- Organize teams to visit members in the hospital or homebound

Our Saviour Lutheran Church

A WARM congregation!

Caring

"7:14 - Moment of Grace"

Stephen Ministry