A Message from Pastor Tony - Perseverance - Our Savior's Lutheran Church-Beloit
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AUGUST 2021
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Beloit, WI
A Message from Pastor Tony
God. The perseverance that slowly allows athletes to
Perseverance excel is the same perseverance that slowly opens our
eyes to what is possible through faith. Jesus tells a story
Then Jesus told them a parable about their about a widow as an example of this, but he might as
need to pray always and not to lose heart. well have spoken about a teenage basketball player from
– Luke 18:1 Athens, Greece. Through perseverance, great things can
be accomplished. A widow received justice from an
unjust judge and a Greek Freak becomes the world’s best
Perseverance may be the very best reason to enjoy the player.
NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. More than any other These lessons of perseverance translate wonderfully into
league, the NBA is set up to allow excellent teams to prayer and our relationship with God. Prayer is a funny
take it up a notch and become unbeatable through a thing. We teach children to pray, and we know we should
flexible system that permits them to stack the deck with pray, and we understand that it’s important, but so many
superstars. Recent champions like the Lakers, Raptors, never get much further than that… forever playing
and Warriors were built that way. Their glory shines HORSE in the driveway. While the orange ball may be the
brightly for a time until everyone abandons ship. The same, there is a world of difference between HORSE and
Bucks were not built that way. Their cornerstones of an NBA champion. Like the big orange bouncy
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have been basketball, prayer is a tool that opens the door to so
Milwaukee teammates since 2013, Giannis starting as an much more. It is a means for relationship with God, a
18-year-old. They slogged through terrible years, until portal that is in tune with the kingdom of heaven, a
suddenly they were not so terrible… pretty good even. power sharing device through which God provides us
They reached the heights of the having the best record grace, an instrument of hope, a lens for seeing what is
in the NBA in 2019 but faced bitter playoff real, and earbuds for direction and guidance. To
disappointments. Finally, through perseverance and persevere in prayer is to grow in understanding all these
commitment, they came out as champions. It is easy to things and more. To persevere in prayer is to grow,
love this team. slowly, in wisdom about life and recognize the fact that
Jesus teaches us about perseverance, and while I’m sure every day is a chance to face the world with God.
he could have put together a magnificent basketball Rejoice always!
team, his lessons for us are grounded in the kingdom of
Pastor Tony
Welcome Statement
We welcome and encourage the full participation of all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age,
ability, appearance, or anything else that threatens to divide us. We have all been claimed as God’s children, and
all are welcome here.
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free,
there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” -Galatians 3:28
Our Mission Statement: To reflect God’s love through service to the family of God.
A Message from Pastor Jason
Youth Ministry is…
In just a month we will be embarking on a
new school year (yeah, sorry to be the
bearer of that reality) and with that comes
some exciting things happening here at
Our Savior’s with our middle and high
school youth. We will begin faith
formation classes (Confirmation) for our middle school
youth on Wednesday, September 8, and then high
school youth group gatherings on the 2nd Sunday of
each month starting on September 12. Theses two
ministries are direct ways in which we as a congregation
live into the promises we made at baptism to the youth
of our faith community to teach and accompany them
on their faith journey. I take my role in fulfilling that
promise very seriously and strive to create a safe space
where youth ministry is:
Real: Teenagers have the uncanny ability to sniff out the
least bit of inauthenticity. Our time together will be filled
with failure stories and real-life transparency. Our topics
will matter to students, be guided by students questions
and experiences, and when we gather there don't have
to be pretenses. Youth can be who they are and who
God is creating them to be without putting on a
performance.
Relational: While programs are important, there is
nothing better than time spent building relationships
with God and with one another. At FLY we’ll provide
opportunities for growing these relationships.
Relevant: One of the strongest advantages to youth
ministry is the ability to relate the timeless truths of God
to the teenage life. Being relevant doesn’t mean I’ll ever
achieve being super trendy, it simply means creating
ministry experiences that are relevant to the life of a
teenager, listening to their ideas and questions, and
moving in the direction of the gospel as it informs their
lives. Our ministry must matter to students or it no
longer exists.
Relaxed: It is the hope that when youth show up at
church, their shoulders drop as the tension is released
from their bodies. That the worries and pressures
teenage life are put aside, even if only for an hour or
two.
I am so excited to get started and see what this next
step in this journey holds.
It is always a blessing to be walking alongside you.
+Pastor Jason
Follow Us Online @ OSLCBeloit “Ministry Coordinator OSLC”
PAGE 2
A Message from our President
The Church Board met on July 8, 2021. There were three
topics that took a great deal of time and discussion.
First, we had a lengthy discussion about finances, the
amount to try to hold in savings as a cash reserve to
help cover the short fall in offerings through the
summer months when giving drops. The decision was to
try to maintain an amount equal to 3 months of
expenses or about $118,000. The financial reports from
May 31, 2021 showed a balance in the general savings
of $223,000. The offering number was at $147,000.,
which is 33% of the budgeted number of $450,000., in
simple numbers we would like to see 41.6% of budget
after 5 months or $187,500.. The board understands
that giving increases in the last quarter of the year, that
is why a cash reserve is important to have. Expense
numbers are $205,000. or about 43% of the budget
number of $472,000., or about 1.5% over budget. This
led to discussion about a Stewardship committee and
giving. When we laid out the plan that called Pastor
Each Monday, an email is sent out to the OSLC Jason, the board knew we would need to use cash
Prayer Chain with the names of people we are reserves until offerings increased. The board and the
lifting up in prayer for that week. If you would like congregation felt that the mission and ministry of this
have people added to the list, write their names on call was worth the cost. Now is the time we all need to
the back of the “Yellow Slip” at the beginning of prayerfully consider how we as a congregation will meet
worship. Or you can email the church at this challenge.
office@oursaviorsbeloitwi.org to inform us of
people to be included. The second topic was a motion to sing all the hymns
during the church service. Again, the board discussed
If you would like to receive the weekly Prayer Chain this at length with many good reasons for and against
list, contact the church at the above email address the motion. The board’s vote ended in a tie, as board
or give us a call. Members of the OSLC Prayer Chain president my no vote broke the tie. We will look at this
make a commitment to pray for these sisters and again next month, but for now we will only be singing
brothers in Christ throughout the week. the last hymn, based on my no vote.
The third topic was how to re-engage and encourage
families with children to return to church. Some families
are concerned for the safety of their children, where
masks are optional for those who are vaccinated and
encouraged for those who are not. I believe we all need
to take a deep breath and pray for understanding of
how the people with different views on this feel and not
Pastoral Acts just look at our own feelings. After lengthy discussion,
Baptism: Alivia Lopez, 6/27/2021 including the possibility of outdoor services to a service
where masks would be required, the board sent the
topic to the Worship, Music and Arts committee for a
recommendation. This committee will meet on July 22.
Monthly financials June 2021 June 2020 I ask for everyone to pray for your church board, these
Offerings $ 32,830.75 $ 30,079.00 are not easy discussions or decisions.
We welcome all comments and input from the
Income $ 34,146.75 $ 31,364.52
congregation. May the Son Shine on You!
Expenses $ 47,987.19 $ 44,187.60 Jon Lang,
Budget $489,010.00 $460,627.31 Board President
PAGE 3
High School Supplies for
Youth Group Birthday Bags
One of our projects for God’s work.
Our hands. Sunday (September 12)
2nd Sunday of each Month | 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm is making Birthday Bags for Caritas
Beginning September 12 Food Pantry. We are now
Each week we will begin with dinner and then have open excepting donations of boxed cake mixes, canned
time to explore what it means to live out our faith in our frosting, candles, and sprinkles to help fill our bags!
daily lives. The discussion topics and interactions will be Everyone deserves a birthday celebration, let’s rally
guided by the youth and be a time for frank and together to make 50 birthday bags for children in our
relevant mutual conversation and fellowship. community!
Confirmation Lutheran World Relief
Our middle school faith formation We are collecting items for Personal
program (Confirmation) will begin with Care Kits during the month of August.
a parent/family/youth meeting on Each kit requires:
Wednesday, September 8 beginning
• One light-weight bath size towel
with dinner at 6:00 pm with the meeting
(20" X 40" to 52" X 27")
following at 6:30 pm. All those youth and families in 7th-
• Two or three bath size bars of soap
9th grade this fall are invited to join us.
(equaling 8-9 oz. in original wrapping)
• One adult size toothbrush
Scholarship Sunday (in original packaging
Thanks to the generosity of our • One wide toothed comb
congregation, seven of our young • One metal nail clipper
adults will receive OSLC Please place supplies in the LWR BIN, located in the
scholarships for continuing Commons. We continue to collect supplies for all of the
education totaling $2,900 this kits. Thank you for you continued support.
year! The following students will be recognized and
receive their scholarship checks on Sunday, August 8,
at the 10:15 am worship service: McKenna Dodson, Worship Opportunities
Bailey Dusso, Grant Dusso, Sarah Erdmann, Jameson
Hosey, Sydney Prowse, and Maura Spain. MeKenna,
from Home
While we have returned to regular in-
Bailey, Grant, Sarah, Jameson and Maura will each
person worship at Our Saviors, you still
receive $350. Sydney will receive $800. Please
have options for worshiping from home.
congratulate these outstanding young people and wish
The 5:00 pm Saturday and 8:30 am Sunday worship
them well as they begin the fall semester of school.
services are livestreamed on our YouTube channel
“Ministry Coordinator OSLC.” You can phone in and
New Member’s Orientation listen to 8:30 am service by calling toll-free 855-216-
Sunday, August 15, after late service 7749 on any telephone. Services are also available on
Are you interested in joining Our Savior’s cable TV channel 992, Sundays at 1:00 pm and
Lutheran Church? A New Member Wednesdays at 5:00 pm, but we have been informed by
Orientation will be held after the late the station that because their person responsible for
service on Sunday, August 15. Meet putting these on TV is on paternity leave, the service
with Pastor Tony to learn more about the congregation, broadcast throughout the summer will be a rerun.
to have your questions answered, and discover how life
in a community of faith opens you up to God’s grace
and power. Please contact the church office if you would
like to be a part of this group, or email Pastor Tony at
pastortony@oursaviorsbeloitwi.org.
PAGE 4
Lutheran’s on Vacation Bible School
Sign up to be part of the OSLC God’s
the Move Team Olympic Games on August 3 & 5
Presents a trip this fall to and 10 & 12 from 6:00-7:30 pm. We are planning to
Colorado Springs for 9 days/8 do an outside VBS at OSLC in the evening. We will have
nights. We will be on travelling an opening worship followed by a rotation of activities
September 18-26, 2021. Total and then a closing ceremony with a take home snack.
cost is $869.00 and includes the motorcoach, lodgings, Fill out the registration form on our website: https://
14 meals and various sights. Come and join us and enjoy oursaviorsbeloitwi.org/.
the fun times we have as well as building friendship with
others on the trip. If you have any questions or would Tuesday, August 3
like to sign up, please call Jean Lincoln at 608-346-0370 Opening Ceremony with the Battle of Jericho
after 3:00 pm. Flyers can be found in the Commons by
the phone. Thursday, August 5
Track & Field Night with David & Goliath
Support OSLC Youth! Tuesday, August 10
NEED A NEW MASK? Why not Soccer & Gymnastics Night with
purchase a custom cloth OSLC mask Daniel & the Lion’s Den
to wear both here at church and when
you are out around Beloit and beyond. Thursday, August 12
The cost is $5.00 per mask and all proceeds benefit Water Sports Night with Jonah & the Whale
our high school youth and their trip to the 2022
ELCA Youth Gathering next summer. To purchase a
mask contact the church office or see Pastor Jason. Thrivent Action
Teams Needed
WELCA Do you own a Thrivent financial
At a recent WELCA Board meeting, product? Did you know that you
which was attended by Pastor Tony, can write two "action teams" a year, earning up to $500
it was decided to go ahead with the for your favorite charity or project? It's easy! Let Valerie
planning for the Fall Harvest Dusso (office@oursaviorsbeloitwi.org) know if you'd like
Festival the first weekend in November. We will be to help. We have several upcoming projects which could
contacting program chairs as well as those who worked benefit from your support!
on the various committees to confirm their willingness
to participate this year. The Household Sale, Jewelry/
Purse Sale, Craft and Bake sale will take place, as well as Choir Rehearsal
the raffle and the luncheon. Choir rehearsals are planned to resume on
Thursday, September 30. New singers
As usual we will be looking for household items, jewelry are always welcome! Full vaccination is
and craft items. So keep the festival in mind as you advised. We will make adjustments to
clean your closets, drawers and donate old household rehearse safely and begin singing for
items and jewelry and purses you no longer need. services as soon as possible. Watch for further updates
We will resume our regular WELCA Board Meeting on in the September Messenger or contact Cheryl Licary at
Thursday, August 19 at 5:00 pm, looking forward to any service, or by email: cheryl@oursaviorsbeloitwi.org.
seeing everyone.
Special thanks to all of the cantors who have helped
provide music for recordings and services over the past
Altar Flowers many months!
To sponsor Altar Flowers please write your
name next to the date on the sign up sheet in
the Commons, take an Altar Flower envelope,
and return the completed envelope with
payment. The cost to sponsor flowers is $50
per week.
PAGE 5
Autumn Bible Study…
Coming in September
“I Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills”
A Study of the Songs of Ascent
Pastor Tony’s Autumn Bible Study will look at
Psalms 120-134, the “Songs of Ascent” used
in ancient Israel for pilgrimage journeys. As
we journey through life and face many
obstacles on the road, these psalms ground
us in our true source of hope and guide us SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
to dwell in communion with God.
Coming out of the pandemic, we are excited
More information will be coming later this to participate in the ELCA’s National Day of
month. Classes will be in-person on Sunday Service once again: “God’s Work, Our
mornings beginning in mid-September. Hands.” A bulletin board has been setup in
the Commons that will contain details on
the various opportunities to serve. From
card making to outdoor work there will be
projects that seek to help community
organizations such as Project 16:49 and
Caritas.
God’s work can be done with the hands of
all God’s children of all ages and all physical
abilities. Contact Pastor Tony or Valerie in
the office if you have a project idea you
would like to help lead. Together, we are
reflecting God’s love through service to the
family of God.
PAGE 6
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Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Beloit, WI
PERMIT
749 Bluff Street, Beloit WI 53511 NO. 167
Phone: (608) 362-0716
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Worship with Us.
Saturday - 5 :00 pm
Sunday - 8:30 am | 10:15 am TO:
Our Staff:
Pr. Tony Dusso Senior Pastor
Pr. Jason Poole-Xiong Associate Pastor
Valerie Dusso Administrative Assistant
Kelly Erdmann Financial Secretary
Cheryl Licary Organist & Choir Director
Natasha Reed Housekeeper
Amy Smith Children’s Ministry Coordinator
John Smith Custodian
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