June 2014


 

 

"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Galatians 5:13-14   

  

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

  

In this month between Memorial Day and Independence Day we celebrate and give thanks for the freedom we have in this country.

Freedom, An important word. A life giving word. Maybe even a word that inspires us to dream of the future. Sometimes we think, "If I were free to do what I want, I would...." It's fun to dream. Sometimes though, we struggle with the concept. We think that freedom is found in the ability to do whatever we want, whenever we want. We think that freedom is a right for the individual.

But Paul in his letter to the Galatians wrote about a different kind of freedom. He was talking about a freedom from the regulations and traditions that hinder our ability to live fully as God has created us to live. He was talking about the gift of love and grace that we have received. A gift that removes the fear for the future so that we can freely live for today. This is not an individual freedom to do what I want but rather a freedom from worry about tomorrow. This freedom is centered in a concern for one another.

I was reminded of this the other day when I watched the movie, "The Book Thief." The setting of this movie was Nazi Germany and we see that as the war progressed the people lost more and more of their civic freedom. The story shows how as individual freedoms are peeled away, there are some who continue to find ways to live with another kind of freedom. A freedom that is found in caring for one another.

One day, a store owner is arrested for being Jewish. It is a difficult scene because most of the people are standing aside in fear. Then, the father in our story steps forward and tries to defend the store owner. He is not successful and is even injured as he is pushed to the ground. Later he laments his decision to act because he of the fear that his family (and the Jewish man they are hiding) were in increased danger. The young girl, Lisle, asks, "what did he do wrong?" To which she is told, "he reminded people of their humanity."

To be reminded of our humanity is to remember that we are all precious children of God. To be reminded of our humanity is to remember that even in the midst of fear, we can choose to love our neighbor. We do this not because we have any great power in ourselves, but rather we have received great power through that awesome love of God. We even have the power to stand up for another. That is holy freedom.

When I think about some of the issues that we face in our community and our country, I am thankful for this reminder. God has given us the power to see the humanity in one another. To recognize that we can disagree on political issues and still love one another as sisters and brothers. We can have different visions for the future and yet make the effort to dream together for a shared future. We can use our freedom to love one another, even when it is difficult. Thank you Jesus, for this wonderful freedom.

Peace and grace to you.

 

Pastor Nancy

  

 

Worship News     

Mark your calendars for June 29th, for our 5th Sunday

Organ Music Sunday.

 

 

An invitation and Summer Small Groups

Last March we receive an invitation from Lutherans Concerned to considered becoming a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Congregation. Congregations that identify this way are stating that our LGBT brothers and sisters will find welcome in our congregation. We are part of a synod that is RIC. For more information on this please visit socallutherans.com 

 

I and the council believe that this is a decision that needs to be made by the congregation. But the decision should me made with some careful thought and deliberation. You, as a member or friend of Our Redeemer are important to this process. For this reason we are hoping to gather all of us into small groups for a summer small group Bible study. The title of the six-session study is, "Love is an Orientation" and is based upon a book of the same name. Please prayerfully consider joining in a group so that we, as a community, can learn, pray, and decide.  

 

We have three groups: Sundays at 9am; Thursdays at 10am; and Thursdays at 6pm. Please contact the office for specific dates.  

 

Thinking ahead - God's Work. Our Hands 

September 7th will be another volunteer Sunday for the ELCA:

God's Work. Our Hands. We will pass out water again at the Ventura Marathon and we could use more volunteers for this. Also be thinking about other volunteer activities for the day. Make more GPS (homeless) kits? Do something in the neighborhood? Let me know your thoughts.  

 

Read below for some information from the ELCA  

  

 

What is "God's work. Our hands." Sunday?
"God's work. Our hands." Sunday is an opportunity to
celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) - one church, freed in Christ to serve
and love our neighbor. On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, the nearly 10,000 congregations of this church gather to serve
communities in ways that share the love of God with all
of God's people.

We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work. Whether it's 30,000 young people doing community
volunteer work at an ELCA Youth Gathering, the passionate volunteers of the ELCA homeless ministry network or the devoted members of our congregations who fight for peace
and justice in their communities every day, we are a church
that boldly does God's work of restoring and reconciling communities.

When one congregation or a group of congregations
gather for service in their local communities, they are
the church in that place, taking care of that part of
God's vineyard. But this is all work that we do
together. When one congregation works to feed
people who are hungry, that is also the entire church
coming together, says ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
  

  

     

 

 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

 

 
 
WHEN: August 4-8, 2014
 
TIME: 1- 4pm 
 

WHERE:  Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Preschool

 
PRICE: $20- t-shirt included (sibling discount available)

 

AGE: Children must be 4 years old or older. Children 12 years or older will have a leadership role.

 

REGISTRATION: Forms will be available as of Thursday, June 5 at the preschool and church office. 

 

PLEASE if you are interested in volunteering, call the church office at (805) 983-0612 or e-mail Jade Ortiz at ministerofcfy@gmail.com. 


*In collaboration with All Saints' Episcopal Church and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.

 

 

Preschool and Kindergarten by Amy Vega
 

 

The school year is drawing to a close and I can't believe how fast it has gone by! It seems like just yesterday we were greeting our new classes and looking forward to the fun we would have. 

 

I wish to express my thanks to our teachers, staff, parents, pastor and church members for a wonderful year. It has been my pleasure to  work with you. This is truly a special place and I am proud to be a part of it. On behalf of the staff, we wish you all a safe and happy summer! 

 

Ceremonies for the graduating class of 2014 will be held on June 5 and 6. The  children have been working hard all year long  and are excited to be able to share what  they have learned. The ceremonies will take place in the church sanctuary. You are welcome to join us on these days.


 

GRADUATION SCHEDULE

� Kindergarten: June 5, 12:00pm.

          Doors open at 11:30am for parents.

 

 

Tuesday and Thursday Morning Students: June 5, 10:00am.
           Doors open at 9:30am for parents.

 

 

All Afternoon Students: June 5, 1:30pm.
           Doors open at 1:00pm for parents.

 

 

Monday, Wednesday and Friday Students: June 6, 10:00am.
           Doors open at 9:30am for parents.

 

 

 

 

 Have a wonderful month,

Amy Vega 

 

 

 

Save the Date

  

Our Specially Called and Annual Budget meetings will take place on Sunday, June 8
, immediately following our 10:30am bilingual worship service. We look forward to your participation in this important work of our congregation.
The specially called portion of the meeting will be to vote on a change in our bylaws. This change will allow greater flexibility in scheduling our Annual Meeting. The proposed change appears below.

Bylaws: Section VI, Meetings of the Congregation. 

Item A currently reads: The annual meeting shall be held on the fourth Sunday in August after worship.


Proposed change to Item A is: The annual meeting shall be held no later than the fourth Sunday in August.
 

 

Veterans' Claims Workshop

 
  
Monthly Events

Worship/ Misa

Every Sunday at 10:30am in English / Cada domingo En espa�ol a las 12:30pm

 

Worship Warm-up

Every Sunday at 9am

 

Singing Warm-up

Every Sunday at 10am

 

Prayer Team

Every Monday at 6:30pm

  

CARES Tutoring

Every Tuesday/Thursday at 3:00pm. Last day of CARES is June 3

 

JOLT and Confirmation Class

Every Wednesday, 4:30pm  

JOLT Resumes in September 2014 

 

Operation LOVE

June 5 + 17 at 9:00am

Our Redeemer's Coffee Shop

Senior Share

June 9 + 23 at 12:00pm

Sycamore Senior Village

 

Council Meeting

June 9 at 7 p.m.

 

Tuesday's Bible Study

June 10 at 9:00 a.m.

 

The Women's Bible Study 

June 14 at 9:30 a.m

Parish Hall, Our Redeemer

 

Men's Breakfast

June 14, 7:30am

Tomas Cafe in Oxnard

 

Women's Breakfast

June 21 at 9:00 a.m.

Tomas Cafe in Oxnard

 

Preschool Chapel

No Chapel in June

Resumes in September 2014

 

Preschool Board Meeting

June 23 at  6 p.m. 

 

The Women's Book Club

June 24 at 7 p.m, Barnes & Noble

 

  
  
Fun Fact

June 26 + 27
Fun Fact:
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Preschool will provide overnight hospitality for 25 men and women from the  Bresee Foundation while they are out on a bike trip to Los Angeles through Ventura County.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Preschool | (805) 983-0612 | office@ourredeemeroxnard.org | http://www.lcoor.org
721 Doris Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93030

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