Nipper Notes

Weekly eNewsletter of Our Saviour Lutheran Church

January 9,2016

This Sunday 

OSLC Choir

 

Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 212 Sunset Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee, will offer three Holy Communion Services 8:15 traditional, 10:45 traditional and Heartsong 10:45.

 

A nursery is provided.  


All are welcome. 

   

For further information 

about OSLC, please 

visit our website at 

or join us on Facebook.
Pastor Eds 
Daily Devotional Blog

  

Click here or on the picture to go to the daily devotional.

Parents Day Out

Click here or on the picture to go to Parents Day Out.

Join Our Mailing List
Parish Calendar
OSLC Exterior Photo

FIRST SUNDAY IN CHRISTMAS

10:00 AM - Holy Communion

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30

11:00 AM - Malting Pot

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 - NEW YEAR'S DAY

Church Office closed

SATURDAY, JANUARY 2

8:00 AM - Men's Prayer Breakfast
 
"...with You I am well pleased..." (Luke 3:22)

Remember when you were young and you received a kind word from your parents?  Can you recall those moments when an adult (maybe a teacher, civic leader, coach, pastor, or neighbor) gave you a compliment?

It felt good.  It made you smile.  It made you feel good about yourself.

Last Sunday, we heard Paul tell the Ephesians that God's children were specially blessed:

3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 just as He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love.  5 He destined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-6)

There's a lot of criticism about the Church these days.  Many people are leaving because of the Church's "hypocritical ways" and by the fact that the God the Church proclaims doesn't seem all too loving.
But when I read what God says to His Son in this week's Gospel (Luke 3), and, what Paul feels about God's love for His children, someone has gotten it all wrong.

God has chosen us as His beloved; He sees us as "holy and blameless" in His eyes - all because of what His beloved Son has done for us.  Without Jesus and the cross-true-we are lost, but-with the works of Jesus Christ, in His eyes-we are holy to Him.

God pays Jesus a compliment this morning.  We don't know if it made Him smile or have a good feeling about it all, but it sure sends a message of grace to us!

As we gather this Sunday to recall the baptism of Jesus by John, let it ever be a reminder of your personal baptism, and that because of all that Jesus has done, in God's eyes, you are blameless, you are special, you are holy, you are God's beloved.

He doesn't say you are perfect in your own self; He doesn't say you will not fall from grace; He says "I love you no matter what" as you and I travel this road called life. And, if He feels this way about us, He truly will never leave us!  Think on these things this week, and remember...

God loves you and so do we!
 Pastor Jim
Jesus Is Baptized By John
Coming Up at OSLC 
 
OFFERING ENVELOPES:
 for 2016 are available in the hallway.  Please call the church office if your name has been inadvertently omitted.
 
FLOWER CHARTS:
  for the new year are posted on the bulletin board near the fellowship hall.  Cost is $35.00 per vase.  
 
TIME AND TALENT FORMS AND COMMITMENT FORMS:  
It is not too late to return these forms! Thanks!
 
"VOL FOR USHER" MONTH:
 is coming!  As we get reorganized for 2016, we need help staffing our ushers for the two traditional services.  There is a sign-up sheet in the hallway; would you please volunteer in the month of January?
 
FROM THE PARISH NURSE:  
Please take a leaf from the basket in the narthex and simply write something down that you are thankful to God for. Sign your name after your thanks to Him.  I am going to post these on my bulletin board as praise to God during the month of  November.  Just short and simple,  Ex: "God, thank you for my family and all you do for us ~Melissa".  Place the leaf back in the basket on your way out before you leave.  Thank you!
 
NURSERY HELPERS NEEDED!:
Please sign the list on the bulletin board near the nursery! 
 
PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH:

Manna House serves men who are chronically homeless and may have psychological issues and/or substance abuse problems. They house 19 men for up to 2 years. An assessment and training program helps clients find employment. Computers are needed-If you can donate one, please call Valerie Brown at 423-434-9310 (423-773-8221 cell). Tax deduction available.

Also needed:
Deodorant                           Shampoo                  Shaving Cream    Conditioner             First Aid Supplies                 Lotion
Razors                   Toothbrush/Toothpaste         Soap                  Paper cups//plates/napkins          laundry detergent               
Paper Towels                     Toilet paper                        Kleenex
Dish Detergent                 Window Cleaner              Clorox Wipes
Tilex Mildew                   Air Freshner

NEW PROJECT - CARE BAGS:  
Kathy Leonard has started a project to give care bags to women diagnosed with breast cancer. The bags include a hand-made, heart-shaped pillow, journal and pen, a cocoa butter stick, and other small items. The bags will be given to doctor's offices and the Women's Health and Imaging Center. If you would like to give a monetary donation or help in any way please call Kathy at 218-5317 or email at leonardk@jcschools.org

CARE BEAR MINISTRY:
...Love "bears" all things, I Corinthians 13:7.  Thanks to all those who have participated in providing people who are hurting physically, mentally and emotionally with a "care bear" from OSLC.  We are receiving positive feedback from those who have been recipients and their families.  As just a reminder, bears will be replenished every 3rd Sunday of each month.  If you take a bear to give to someone, please write the recipient's name on the sheets provided. This just makes sure that the same person doesn't receive multiple bears.   - Melissa Malenda, Parish Nurse
 
MUTUAL MINISTRY:
invites you to contact members of the Mutual Ministry Committee with comments, supportive or critical, related to our staff.  These comments will be kept confidential within the committee.
The OSLC Prayer List
Praying Hands

Members: 
Gary Shealy; Jennifer Estep; Burleigh Witham; Peg Pickens; Barbara Diehl; Tom Loveday; Erin Rice; Janet Ecklund; John Stafford; Anne Godsey; Kay Scheurer; John Paul Neas; Barbara Willis; Betty Marshall; Josiah Flint; Pat Tomita; Irene Ackley; Pat Keffer; Carl and Brenda Snyder; Truman Billings; Bob and Lucy Terry; Phoebe Sand; Mary King; Willie Weems; Janice Knipp; Mary Ostermeyer; Jennifer Stafford; Wendi Garrison; Lori Markstrom; Debbie Garrison

Family Members and Friends:  
Alice Sulkowski; Jason Rakel; Carey Outen; Jessica Jernigan; Sharon Neuhaus; Lou Fox Baskette; Haskel Sykes; Reese and Virginia Creasy; Rev. Willis Bowers; Scarlett Garman and parents; Josh Nunn;  Ann Carter; Bruce and Betsy Shine; Glenn Nutter; Mark Mullinex; Laura Coppinger; Howard Parsons; Brian and Jen Milliken; Linda Linden; Bonita Martin; Kyle Lively; Taylor Miller; Jim Ackley; Barbara Noe; Rosalina White; Preston Burke; Kyle Cannon; Dee Carter; Robin Barnett

Military Service - Members:
Nick Harris (Air Force; Salt Lake City, UT).

Military Service -
Friends and family:
Nick Hodge (Air Force) friend of the Flints; Chase Estep (Marines) brother of Clint Estep, Kevin Philipps (Army) friend of the Wolfs; Matthew Sibenaller (Army, Afghanistan) godson of Ed Wolff;David Guck (Marines, King's Bay, GA) friend of the Wolfs; Adam Beier(Fort Benning, GA) nephew of Carolynn Bailey
Resolve to Eat These 10 Healthy Foods Often in 2016!

If you are in need of a New Year's resolution, here is an option that could potentially help you to become healthier if you are not alr eady taking advantage of these wonderful sources of nutrition. These 10 foods are some of the healthiest because they meet at least three of the following criteria:

Excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients;

High in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds such as vitamins A, E, and beta
carotene;    
       
May help to reduce the risk of heart disease and other health conditions;

Low in calorie density, meaning you get a larger portion size with fewer calories;

Are readily available.

Almonds are packed with nutrients - fiber, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and calcium.  Almonds have more calcium than any other nut. Also one serving of almonds provides half of your body's Recommended Dietary Allowance of vitamin E. Like all nuts, almonds are good for your heart.

Apples are an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Apples can push the production of the "memory chemical" acetylcholine. Apples are also a good source of vitamin C which serves to protect the body's connective tissue from damage.

Blueberries, along with cranberries, are a rich source of phytonutrients - a group of compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. These plant compounds may also improve short-term memory and promote healthy aging.

Broccoli - the champion of green vegetables -  is a great source of calcium, potassium, folate, fiber and phytonutrients. It also gets the award for being a great source of vitamins A and C.

Red beans - including small red beans and dark red kidney beans - are good sources of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and thiamin. They are also an excellent low-fat, low-calorie source of protein and dietary fiber and contain phytonutrients.

Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, a type of fat that makes your blood less likely to form clots that may cause heart attacks. Omega-3s may also protect against irregular heartbeats, lower triglyceride levels and blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.  Salmon is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and is a good source of protein.

Spinach is an excellent source of riboflavin, vitamin B-6, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamins A and C and folate. The plant compounds in spinach may help keep your hair and skin healthy and boost your immune system.

Sweet potato, full of beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A in your body when eaten, may help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of some cancers. Sweet potatoes are also good sources of fiber, vitamins B-6, C and E, folate and potassium. Sweets are fat-free and relatively low in calories - one small sweet potato has just 54 calories. Of course, that is without the butter, brown sugar and nuts!

Vegetable juice is an easy way to include vegetables in your diet because it has most of the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients found in the original vegetables. Juices that include tomatoes are good sources of lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce the risk of heart attack, prostate cancer and possibly other types of cancer. Be sure to choose the low-sodium varieties.

Wheat germ, the center of a grain of wheat, does for humans what it does for the new wheat sprout.  This small part of the wheat seed is a highly concentrated source of nutrients including niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. It also contains protein, fiber and some fat.

What better way to start the New Year than with a resolve to be healthier.  Include these good foods in your daily diet and you will reap the benefits.  Stay well as you look forward to a healthy 2016! 

Reference: mayoclinic.org, 2016.

Connie Pearson, RN, MN
Chair, Health Ministries Task Force 

Thought for the Month

                                                                              
 

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)


 

The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis


 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.


Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is error, truth;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love. 
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in self-forgetting that we find;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life.
 

Amen.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Flowers

 
in the chancel today are given to the glory of God by
Carmen and Mary Jane Paulson in honor of granddaughter Sophie's 13th birthday.

Families of the Week                             
                                                
                                                          
       
 
 
 
                                                     
                                                                 Mary Ostermeyer
                                                                 Kevin and Linda Schutt


 

Our Purpose
Make disciples, and grow in grace.

Our Vision
We love God and neighbor, so that all people will be disciples.