As our congregation grows larger, the need for intimate community becomes greater, and so we have a Small Group Ministry. A small group is a regularly scheduled gathering of three to twelve people whose chief purpose is to experience Christian community through conversations, through study relevant to daily living, through caring and support for one another, and through prayer. These groups are of various ages, topics and meeting times. Some of these small groups meet weekly, bi-monthly or monthly. We currently have 14 small groups meeting with over 200 people sharing the word of God and the love and support of one another.
Current Fall 2007 Small Group Offerings (as of 9/1/2007):
Walk With Me
Do you like to walk and talk? We will meet for exercise and discussions on faith topics. We walk together outdoors (weather permitting) or indoors at the Stillwater Area High School. We have a short duration prayer, and then discuss questions on our walk. If you love to walk contact Sue Hedlund by phoning her at 651-430-3900 or e-mail her at SKHSpeed@aol.com. The meeting dates and time are Monday’s 5:30 to 6:30 AM beginning October 1, 2007. Group members should bring their walking shoes.
Seniors on Saturdays
We are a group for those who are 55+. Senior discussions along with a Saturday morning lunch probably at Joseph’s, church, etc. The book is “No Wrinkles on the Soul,” by Richard L. Morgan. Contact Pastor Keith Lentz at 651-275-0815 or e-mail him at Klentlot@aol.com. The meetings will be on Saturdays at 10:00 AM. beginning at the end of September. The location of the meetings will be at various places. The group members should bring their Bibles and appetites with them. Please join us!
Married Couples
Group #1 - Barb and Luke’s group covers Bible study and marriage enrichment. Everything we do is Bible-based. We use a DVD and have discussion time - all hoping to encourage each other with scripture and shared experiences. The book has not been chosen yet. To contact Luke & Barb Schlosser call 651-439-8432 or e-mail Barb at barbieschlosser@aol.com. We will meet monthly beginning in September. The meeting locations are rotated between the group member’s homes.
Group #2 (“Speaking my language?”) - We will begin a new group this year and will be studying “The Five Love Languages,” by Gary Chapman through Video, discussion, and the Bible. After the first book we will continue with other books relating to marriage enrichment. This will be a casual group that will meet to focus on growing our relationship with our spouse. If you are interested in joining us please contact Jon or Shelly Hill at 651-430-0747 or e-mail Shelly at shelly@frontporchdesign.com. We would like to possibly begin the end of September 2007.
Group #3 (1+1=3) - Do you want to have a God filled marriage? Would you like to communicate better and more intentionally with your spouse? Then please join us, Dave and Cheryl Schindler we will begin a Lutheran Marriage Encounter (LME) “Love Circle” beginning in January. The prerequisite to this marriage group is that attendance is required at a LME Marriage Encounter Weekend or that you are already a LME encountered couple. To register for the Brooklyn Center weekend of November 16th-18th or the Duluth Weekend, October 26th-28th. Please call Pete and Phyllis at 763-561-1575. If you have questions or would like to view a video please call Cheryl or Dave at 651-439-7058 or e-mail them at cherylaschindler@aol.com.
Just for MOMS
Group #1: All young Moms are welcome! We will be meeting at OSLC on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday mornings beginning on September 26th, 2007. We will be doing a study on, “Why Women Believe.” Nursery will be available. If you’re interested please call Nancy Jones at 651-291-7611.
Group #2: Apples of Gold by Betty Huizenga
Would you love to hear how other women have worked through the issues of marriage, raising children, making a warm, loving home, and living a life of Joy and purpose? The 6 week Bible study called Apples of Gold brings Generations together of seasoned moms and younger moms to encourage the hearts of women, to help draw closer to Christ, and to serve others with a joyful heart. The Bible study is based on Titus 2:3-5, which tells seasoned women to teach and train younger women. The evening consists of food demonstrations, eating dinner together, and one of the 6 weekly Bible Studies. There is no childcare, making this a great opportunity for Dads to have the kids all to themselves. We will begin Thursday evenings 6-8:30 PM from October 4th - November 8th. Contact Nancy Robertson at 651-430-2006.
GIFTS – the joy of serving God
Have you ever wondered what your God Given Gifts were? Join me on Monday’s at 7:00 PM. beginning on September 24th through November 12th. (Not meeting 10/15) Come and discern what your gifts are and how to use them to grow deeper in your faith and in relationships with others. Sign-up by Cheryl’s door, call 651-439-5704 X 24 or E-mail her at cherylaschindler@aol.com if you are interested.
Liberty Café Book Club
The members of this women’s book club are mostly made up of moms with school age children. We read nonfiction Christian books and have group discussions. We read a different book approximately every 12 weeks and have 6 gatherings. The name of our first book is “Facing Your Giants.” The author is Max Lucado. The group leaders are Candis Braatz and Cindy Beck. Please contact Candis at 651-439-6054 or e-mail her at Candisbraatz@aol.com. We will be meeting every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month beginning September 12th, 2007. We will meet at the Liberty Café in the Liberty homes development. The group members should bring their books with them.
Give Us This Day
Join us for a 6-8 week study. Our small group is a Lutheran proposal for ending world hunger. The book is “Give Us This Day,” the author is Craig Hessan. We will meet Wednesday’s at 1:00 PM and will begin on September 19th, 2007 . We may meet weekly or every other week. The meetings will be held at Boutwell’s Landing in Betty’s home. Contact Betty Rem at 651-275-3518.
Sermon on the Mount
Tom and Jody Harms will continue on with their book group. They have been studying “The Sermon on the Mount.” They currently are meeting on the last Thursday of the month. Please contact them if you are interested in joining their group. Contact Tom or Jody at 651-430-2594 or e-mail Jody at joharms@comcast.net.
The Really Bad Girls of the Bible
If you’re a male, don’t let the title dissuade you. In this best seller book, Liz Curtis Higgs breathes new life into ancient stories depicting ten of the most infamous women in scriptural history from Jezebel to Bathsheba. In this cutting-edge and biblical sound book she accompanies each biblical woman’s story with an identical comparison story that has happened many times today. Since this book was published in 1973, this book has helped thousands of women and men experience God’s grace anew by learning about these biblical sisters. At the end of each chapter, Liz has listed a number of thought provoking and great discussion questions for the reader to ponder and writes in a most refreshing and humorous manner. Lloyd Ratkovich and Cheryl Schindler will be teaming up for this study which appeals to both men and women. We will meet in two separate sessions. The dates of the first session will be October 28th, November 11th, 18th, and December 2nd, 2007. We will pick up again in the New Year on January the 6th, meet again on January 20th, February 3rd, and finish on February 10th. We will meet at CVS (2300 W Orleans St. Sundays from 7:00 - 8:30 PM). Please contact Lloyd 651-275-5353 or e-mail him at lratkovich@boutwellslanding.com or Cheryl at 651-439-7058 or e-mail her at cherylaschindler@aol.com Each couple or person is required to buy the book. The cost is $11.00 and is payable to the leaders the first night of class.
30 Something’s… and 40 something’s…
The 30’s and 40 Something’s are currently meeting quarterly. If you’ve got an idea contact Cheryl and we’ll see if we can make it happen. Watch the Lamp and bulletins. We’d love to hear from you and have you join us! This is a great way for new members to get connected.
Angels in Our Midst
Do angels have wings and fly? Do they protect us from accidents? Will we become angels? Misconceptions about angels abound. This study guide will show you what the Bible really says about God’s angels and about the fallen angels. Come and discover the wonderful ministry angels have in our lives. This study will go for 8 sessions. We’ll be meeting at Dunn Brothers and will begin on Wednesday, September 12th and go through November 14th, 2007. We will meet from 6:58 PM. – 8:00 PM. (No meeting 10/31/07) The price of the book is $7.00. Please contact Lori VanDerBosch 651-439-2242 or e-mail her at lvanderbosch@bayportbank.com
Making Choices
Carol Whitcomb and Maxine Enfield will be leading a small group made up of mostly adult women. We will be studying “Jesus Parables about Making Choices.” The author is James W. Moore. You can sign up by contacting either Maxine at 651-430-1776 or calling Carol at 651-770-3971. Maxine’s e-mail address is maxenfie@tc.umn.edu. We will be meeting 6 weeks beginning on October 3rd on Wednesdays at 9:15 AM. We will meet in the Youth Room at OSLC.
Tough Questions
We’d like all OSLC young adults (new high school graduates aged 18 through 25 years) to join us in discussing the book series, “Tough Questions.” The authors are Garry Poole and Judson Poling. Tim and Melissa Clarke will be the discussion leaders. In these times where’s God? We will meet monthly and the time and location will be determined by the group. Please contact them by phone at 651-491-3099 or e-mail them at melissaclarke@edinarealty.com.
Early Morning GUYS
Looking for a deeper relationship with Christ and some support along the way?
Group #1: The Thursday morning guys just began a new study (“Being God’s Man… by walking a new path.”) on July 12th from 6:00 - 6:45 AM. If you’re interested please contact John Rock at 651-747-0311 or Luke Schlosser at 651-439-8432.
Group #2: Of course if food and communication are two of your favorite passions why not join Pastor Steve and meet the Friday Guys at Joseph’s Restaurant on Friday mornings at 6:30 PM. Low key fun and conversations. Please contact Pastor Steve with any questions. 651-439-5704 X14 or e-mail him at stevemolin@hotmail.com.
Circles
Circles meet monthly at various times and locations. Bible study, fellowship and service take place at circle gatherings. New members are always invited to any circle at Our Savior's. Times and locations follow:
Deb/Naomi meets in homes the 2nd Thursday evening of the month.
Contact Donna Peterson at 651-439-5903.
Hannah meets in homes at 9:30 a.m. the 1st Tuesday of each month.
Contact Becky Maier at 651-439-4459.
Lydia meets in homes the 1st Thursday evening of the month.
Contact Andrea Rock at 651-275-0528.
Martha meets at church on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m.
Contact Jean Gearhart at 651-439-1381.
Ruth meets in homes the 2nd Friday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
Contact Jean Stenseng at 651-439-5913 or Barb Louden at 651-644-7240.
Sarah meets in homes the 2nd Thursday afternoon of the month.
Contact Donna Carlson at 651-351-5052.
The Quilters
The quilters are a very special group at Our Savior's who put their hearts and hands into making quilts for those in need. In the past they have donated hundreds of quilts to Lutheran World Relief, to the WIC program, Union Gospel Mission and to the Life Care Center. They also present quilts to all of the graduating seniors and newly baptized infants at Our Savior's. Three quilting groups meet at the church:
Every Thursday - 9:00 a.m.
Every Wednesday - 7:00 p.m.
One Monday and Tuesday each month.
Contact: Audrey Reed at 651-430-2744 or Valerie Kubal at 651-998-3973 for more information.
Card Recycling
The card recyclers meet at the church on the last Tuesday of the month. The women cut and paste recycled greeting cards to form new, beautiful cards which are then sold in the narthex. Money raised is made available for women to attend conventions and retreats.
All are invited! Please contact the person listed next to the Small Group you’re interested in. If the group is full contact the leader and ask them to consider leading another group when the first session concludes.
If you’re interested in leading a Small Group or have an idea for a Small Group please contact Cheryl Schindler by
E-mail at cherylaschindler@aol.com or call her at 651-439-5704 x 24. Join in the combustion of God’s Love!
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