NOVEMBER 2014

  

  

  


 "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you." Philippians 1:3-4

  

The above verse is one of my favorites because it reminds me to be thankful, especially to be thankful for all of you. It is also a reminder that thankfulness is the best way to approach any challenge in ministry. You see, when the Apostle Paul wrote these words he was writing to a church that was in conflict. But rather than jump right in to the conflict, he started with words that expressed gratitude for all the members of the church. What a great way to first think about anyone!

  

I am indeed grateful for you all. Thank you for making October a special month in my ministry. It was wonderful to receive a phone call, text message, email, card, and/or gift each day of the last month. You all are truly amazing and generous.

  

Speaking of generous, I recently had the opportunity to talk with other pastors and leaders of churches in our area about generosity. These conversations were a great blessing to me as I was able to hear about how generosity is lived in many of our churches. At one church a member gave away tomato plants and later those who nurtured them donated the tomatoes to the local food bank. Another congregation opens its doors each summer for a tutoring program that allows children to keep up on their learning. These are just two of many examples of generosity.

  

In our own congregation, we've maintained our small food pantry; our Love Ladies just sent 60 quilts to Lutheran World Relief; volunteers have provided free tutoring to local students; and much more. God has truly led us to be generous people! I am thankful for all that we are able to do as we share the love of Jesus in our world.

  

This month, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I invite you to think about your own gratitude. Is there anyone you can send a note of thanks to?

  

In Christ,

Pastor Nancy

  

In other news:

  • On November 2nd, All Saints Day, bring photos of loved ones and we light candles in remembrance. 
  • Thanksgiving celebrations, we'll have two. First, with JOLT (11/19) at 6:00pm (please RSVP by November 12) and the second will be a pie social after worship (11/23)
  • Our Saviour's Lutheran Church has invited us to participate in a Thanksgiving Worship Service on Tuesday, November 25th at 6:30pm.
  • We will be repeating our special Advent Worship series, The Waiting Room, beginning November 30th. This will also be a 5th Sunday and so we will have some special organ music. If you'd like to help with these services, please let me know.
  • I am planning a trip to Cuernavaca Mexico at the end of July, 2015 for Spanish language instruction. If you are interested in joining me on this trip please let me know.
  • Former members Margo and Richard Ray are now doing ministry in Ensenada. Margo has asked if we could collect child sized clothing and shoes for the local children. If you can donate or would like to help gather donations please let me know.
I will be volunteering at the Turkey Trot 5K in Ventura on Thanksgiving morning. Let me know if you would like to help.
Ministry of Children, Family and Youth

 

Our JOLT Thanksgiving Dinner is coming soon and you and your family are invited to join us! Please RSVP by November 12th. A sign-up sheet is available in the Narthex bulletin board and at the JOLT check-in table or you can call the church office at

(805) 983-0612.


 

   
 

Preschool and Kindergarten
 

 

 

Our Redeemer's Pumpkin Patch was great! The kids enjoyed this wonderful fall adventure where they learned about harvesting and what fall brings us.

 

Each year we use November as a thankful month. We will be talking about being thankful to God for our many blessings and learning how we can share those blessings with others less fortunate than ourselves.

 

On November 20th and 21st, each classroom will prepare a food item to share with the rest of the classes at our Thanksgiving Feast. During our Thanksgiving feast, we will talk about sharing with others, caring about others and understanding that it takes lots of people to prepare food for so many children. 

 

This is a good season to talk with your children about hunger and how some children go to bed hungry  every night. As a family you might come up with a plan to help with that sad truth. We will be collecting canned goods throughout the month of November to help fill our church food pantry designated to those in need.


 

We are collecting canned goods, dried beans, rice, cereals, pastas and all non-perishable food items. Baby food, canned & powdered milk, and disposable diapers are needed, too. If you prefer to donate cash, every dollar you donate buys seven pounds of food through Food Share resources. Make your check payable to LCOOR, with the notation "Food Drive" or "Ton of Food" and turn it in to the church/preschool office. The food collection area will be in the church Narthex, under the turkey poster, or you can use the preschool office as a collection area as well.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Amy Vega

 

 

Prevent infections through hand-washing

Hand-washing is one of the most important and easiest ways to prevent an infectious disease.

    



 

We are making Thanksgiving Dinner easier for you and your neighbors! We will be ordering pies from Marie Callender's Restaurant and Bakery to be delivered to the church for your easy pick-up!

 

We will sell the pies for $13.00 each. Place your order by Sunday, November 16 and you can pick up your pies on November 26 (the day before Thanksgiving) in the Church Narthex.

 

Order forms are available in the preschool and church office.

**Completed forms along with your check can be placed in the offering plate on Sundays or turned into the church and preschool office.

 

ANNUAL FALL FOOD DRIVE

 

The Turkey is HERE!!!!

 

As in the past, we have set a goal of collecting a ton of food by Thanksgiving - that's two thousand pounds of food!  We need your support. We have met and even exceeded our goal for the past four years and we can do it again this year. It is a challenge. I am asking each of you to help us meet our goal. What if each of us donated a bag of food each week? What if each of us could donate our weight in food? Watch the turkey grow feathers, each valued at one hundred pounds, to see our weekly progress.

  

The pantry at Our Redeemer is lower than ever, and our partner, FOOD SHARE, is also facing challenges to stock enough food in order to meet the growing demands of our community. Times are very tough for many of our neighbors. Our church family has always responded generously to requests for help. Let's all work together and collect a ton (or more) of food by Thanksgiving. We are all blessed to have enough, and even enough to share. Let's all add a few items to weekly shopping lists and fill a bag or box with food every week to share with the hungry.

 

We are collecting canned goods, dried beans, rice, cereals, pastas and all non-perishable food items. Baby food, canned & powdered milk, and disposable diapers are needed, too. If you prefer to donate cash, every dollar you donate buys seven pounds of food through Food Share resources. Make your check payable to LCOOR, with the notation "Food Drive" or "Ton of Food" and put it in the offering plate. There are envelopes in the pew racks for special gifts. The food collection area will be in the Narthex, under the turkey poster.

 

Let's fill our pantry and donate a huge food offering to Food Share by Thanksgiving.  We can do this with God's help - and YOURS! 

 

  Election November 4

As a church we do not make recommendations for, or endorse candidates. It is appropriate however, to make recommendations on ballot propositions. The Lutheran Office of Public Policy-CA has made some recommendations for  your consideration. You will find them here

http://www.lutheranpublicpolicyca.org/images_2014/LOPP-CABallotProp1-pageUpdatedOct23.pdf 


 

 

 

Workforce Act Youth Employment Program focuses on youth, ages 18 - 21, who are considered low income and have barriers to employment.  They assist these youth in attaining high school diploma or high school equivalency, improving reading and mathematics, and entering into and sustaining employment. 

 
E-mail Jeffrey at  [email protected] for more information.

 

 

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

Tuesday/Thursday

3:00pm - 5:00pm 

No CARES 11/11/14 and 11/27/14

 

JOLT and Confirmation Class

Every Wednesday, 4:30pm

No JOLT 11/26/14

 

Operation LOVE

November 6,18 at 9:00am, Our Redeemer's Coffee Shop


Senior Share

November 10 + 17 at 11:45am, Sycamore Senior Village

 

Animate Faith Small Group at Pastor's House: "Jesus, The Revolution of Love" 

November 13 at 6:00pm, bring some food to share.

 

Tuesday's Bible Study

November 11 at 9:00 a.m. Contact Julie Jensen for location.

 

Men's Breakfast

November 8 at 7:30am

Tomas Cafe in Oxnard

 

Council Meeting

November 10, 7:00pm

  

 

Women's Breakfast

November 15 at 9:00 a.m.

Tomas Cafe in Oxnard

 

Preschool Chapel

November 18, 19

 

The Women's Book Club

November 25 at 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble

 

Preschool Board Meeting

November 17 at 6 p.m. 

 

  
  

Two Thanksgiving Services are coming soon and you and your family are invited to celebrate with us.

 

JOLT Thanksgiving Dinner
November 19th at 6:00pm

Location: Our Redeemer
RSVP by Nov. 12 (Narthex or JOLT check-in table)

 

Thanksgiving Worship
Our Redeemer and Our
Saviour's Lutheran Church
worship together on
November 25th at 6:30pm

Location: Our Saviour's Lutheran Church- 905 Redwood Street, Oxnard


Fun Fact:

Pastor Nancy will be running the Santa To The Sea Half Marathon on December 14, 2014. Go Pastor Nancy!

  

If you would like to sponsor her to raise money for the restoration cost of the Oxnard's Living Nativity she would be very appreciative.

  

Donations can be given to Oxnard Downtowners indicating that it's a sponsorship. 

  

Donations can be mailed to: 715 S. A Street Oxnard, CA 93030

Payable to: Friends of Old Oxnard.

  

Please let Pastor Nancy know you if you made a donation. Call the church office for any questions.



You are invited to walk with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Preschool for the 2014 Oxnard Christmas Parade on December 6th. All ages are welcome! More information will be provided soon on the meeting point and specific times.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Preschool | (805) 983-0612 | [email protected] | http://www.lcoor.org
721 Doris Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93030

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