God called Joshua to be the leader of Israel after forty some years of guiding them through Moses. Considering all that time of anticipation, it was both an exciting era and a frightening one. In short order, they would cross the Jordan River, capture Jericho, and begin their systematic conquest of the Promised Land. On the banks of this fluid barrier, the prophet implored:

"Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." (Joshua 3:5)

In a similar way, this is an exciting and frightening time for the various entities of Our Savior Lutheran Ministries. With the completion of the Mayflower, we are witnessing the culmination of years of anticipation. In all fairness, one cannot totally compare the hardships of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness to this transformation. Yet sacrifices were made; temporary accommodations were put up and taken down (and still are), etc. Even now as we "wait" on the banks of a metaphoric Jordan River, obstacles to the destination remain in our path beyond the opposite shore.

Those challenges (such as launching Sequel, furnishing the new Ministry Center, expanding outreach initiatives, maintaining and increasing academic achievement, exceeding our financial goals, maximizing our people power, further mobilizing our volunteers, etc.) will be opportunities for us to be amazed.

We can be certain of this because it is consistent with God's activity among His people. Centuries after the occupation of the Promised Land another messenger announced:

"Look at the nations and watch - be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." (Habakkuk 1:5)

Also, according to the Gospels of the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly amazed people. In response to the disciples' astonishment, He even went so far as to say:

"I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matthew 21:21-22)

Does this mean we can simply submit our wish list to Jesus, sit back and watch it all come about? No! As did our spiritual predecessors, we present our prayerfully considered objectives to the Lord and then take action accordingly. If it means walking around the walls of Jericho seven times, we give our time. If it means pooling our treasures to build a tabernacle, we contribute our resources. If it means dividing into groups based on Spirit-given skills to build Jerusalem on Zion, then we employ our talents for the common good. And then . . .

Be Utterly Amazed!

PS+

Last month, I said that I would be sharing some of my ideas for making the Lay Governing Board more effective at its primary job of Strategic Planning. To begin with, since several of our current Critical Targets and Goals have to do with serving our community, it seems that it would be a good idea to actually talk to some leading members of that community, and to find out how they see OSLM and its mission. In particular, there are three people that the LGB ought to talk to, and I will be introducing them in this and subsequent newsletter articles.

The first outsider's point of view that we should look at is that of the wider Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, and the logical person to talk to would be the President of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District of the LCMS, Dr. Robert Newton. Some of the topics for discussion might include:

1. How does OSLM fit into the overall mission and ministry of the District?
2. How does the District use our monthly Mission offering to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to people, both here in northern California and throughout the world?
3. What kinds of new ministries could we get involved in (or start) that would better serve people in our community?
4. How does the District see OSLM? That is, in their opinion, how are we doing overall, what is it that we are doing really well, and in what areas could we improve?
5. Considering that the District headquarters are right here in Livermore, are we making enough use of the District's resources, and vice versa?
6. And lots of other questions . . . (I'm sure you can think of some; if so, don't hesitate to share them with an LGB member.)

Next month, we'll look at some other community members who could give us valuable insights into what we should be doing as a congregation. Stay tuned!

Our Savior Lutheran Ministries' theme for this year - Amazed . . . - is based on Habbakuk 1:5, "Look at the nations and watch - and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." and Joshua 3:5, "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.'"

Think about all the changes that have happened in this world or more specifically, in your life in the past 10 years! Now think about the changes that will be coming in the next 10 years - roughly the time between a 3-year old preschooler and a 13 year old eighth grader. Think about the technological advances that will happen, the medical breakthroughs, and the list goes on and on. Think about all the decisions that will need to be made about all those "advances." Now think about what a child (or you) will use as a backdrop for those decisions.

Our Savior Lutheran School's task is to provide that background for our students and parents. We are continually and constantly amazed at the world around us. But we are also amazed by the great love our Lord has for us - a love that gave us His Son, Jesus to sacrifice himself for us. And what is most amazing is that God's love never changes - even in an ever-changing world.

As always, a new year brings new highlights and emphases. Let me draw your attention to a few of them:

Teacher Roster - Because of additions to the staff, retirements, babies being born, and "movin' on," we will have six teachers new to OSLS this year. Following are the teachers for the upcoming year:

Kindergarten: Tonina Dobbs & Christine Townsend
Grade One: Ceres Krohn & Arlene Synder
Grade Two: Regina Juan & Rebecca Miller
Grade Three: Thelma Grassi & Karen Poppe
Grade Four: Debbie Jalanivich & Renee Neal- Joslin
Grade Five: Angela Remillard & Linda Greenhagen
Grade Six: Mickey Angerman & Lynn Dirks
Grade Seven: ?? & Sarah Handrock
Grade Eight: Forrest Adams & Jenna Weingart
Spanish: Sarah Handrock
Music & Band: Amanda Newman
Resource: Nora Zinnel
P.E. / Athletic Director: Fred Brauer
Computer: Janet Connolly
Math (Algebra): Anna Belaustegui
Math (Course 1 & 2): ??
Library: Shirley Breheny
Assistant Principal: Jayne Managan

Note: Teachers in bold print are new to OSLS this year. We are pleased to have them join the OSLS faculty. Please welcome them!

(When our new teachers are installed / dedicated to the teaching task, we will provide brief biographical information about them. As of the writing of this article, we have not filled all the teacher positions. We will keep parents informed of latest developments.)

School Uniforms - School uniforms are required at OSLS. There have been only a few minor changes from last year. Again, we strongly encourage every parent (and student) to carefully follow the guidelines. If you are unclear about any requirement, please contact the school office for clarification. Thank you for your cooperation!

School Chapel - We will again be having chapel in the sanctuary every Thursday at 8:40 a.m. (ending approximately at 9:20 a.m.). Once again we encourage everyone to attend as often as is possible. Our theme is "Amazed . . ." It is extremely uplifting to hear the children praise their Lord!

WELCOME HOME! - We are trying something new this year with regard to "Home Visits" and "visits to the classroom" prior to the start of school. We are calling it "Welcome Home." On Saturday, August 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., we are inviting parents (and their children) to visit the school. Parents will have the opportunity to visit the classrooms, to review textbooks to be used in the upcoming year, to become familiar with the classroom environment, and of course, to meet and talk with the teacher(s). Parents will also be receiving additional information which includes: handbook, band info, choir info, PE clothing, ECC, SCRIP, etc. AND everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy a Cold Stone Ice Cream Sundae!

School Hours - School hours for next year are the same as last year, namely:

• Kindergarten - We will have a gradual start for kindergarten students to assist them in their transition into full day kindergarten.
• Week One (August 29-31) - 8:30-11:30 a.m. (Doors open at 8:15 a.m.)
• Week Two - (September 4-7) 8:30 a.m. -1:15 p.m. (Doors open at 8:15 a.m.)
• Thereafter - 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. (Doors open at 8:15 a.m.)
• Grades 1-5 - 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Doors open at 8:15 a.m.)
• Grades 6-8 - 8:15 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. (Doors open at 8:00 a.m.)

Back-to-School Nights are scheduled for:

• Grades 6-8 - Tuesday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m. beginning in the Sanctuary
• Grades K-5 - Tuesday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. beginning in the Sanctuary (Preschool parents will also be invited to a preschool "Open House" earlier on this same evening.)

School Work Day - We have scheduled a work day on Saturday, August 11. We are seeking your help in getting everything "just perfect" for the start of school. We invite parents to help us wash windows, power wash sidewalks, etc. Join us any time on August 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Any help for any portion of this time is greatly appreciated! THANKS!

Classroom/Recess Aides - We are often in need of recess supervisor / classroom aides. The hours of coverage are from approximately 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. If interested in applying for any future openings, please contact Jayne Managan at 447- 2082, ext. 262.

Substitute Teachers - We are in need of increasing our available substitutes. In you are interested or know of someone who may be interested, please contact Sherry Mullins, 447-2082, ext. 226.

We begin school on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - our 33rd year! To God be the Glory! Teachers will be reporting to school in just a few short weeks! It will be an exciting year full of learning and growth where we will help our students be Amazed . . . at the wonder of God's creation. Thank you for entrusting your child(ren) to our care!

Now is the time to plan for your fall schedule - September is just around the corner! As you make plans for your family, please prayerfully consider giving a bit of your time to the music ministry at Our Savior. God blesses us with so many different kinds of music; it is especially wonderful that we can use the gift of worship to give our praise back to God! At the same time, we our blessed as we make music together and are a blessing to those who worship with us.

Musical opportunities abound at Our Savior for people of all ages; as you look through these possibilities, feel free to give Christa Even a call at 447-1246, ext. 231 for more information on any group.

• To find out about choirs for young people in 1st through 8th grade, please click here.
  For information on student handbell groups that meet after school, click here.
• Youth Ensemble (High School choir)
  Rehearsals on Sundays, time to be announced.
  First Rehearsal: TBA
  Sing for worship services about once a month.
• Our Savior Choir (Adults, Young Adults)
  Rehearsals on Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
  First Rehearsal: September 6
  Sing for worship services three times a month.
• Women's Ensemble
  Rehearsals on Wednesdays from 9:00-9:50 in the music room.
  Sing for worship services about once a month.
  First Rehearsal: September 5
• Our Savior Ringers (High School through adult)
  Rehearsals on Mondays, 7:00-8:15 p.m.
  First Rehearsal: September 10
  Play for worship services about once a month.
• Handbell Small Ensembles (High school through adult)
  Rehearsals set by each group - call Christa Even (447-1246, x. 231) if interested. Play for worship as often as desired.
• Brass Ensemble
  Rehearsals several Tuesdays or Wednesdays each month.
  Call Christa Even if you have not played with us before and would like to join!
• Guitar, Bass, Percussion & Keyboard Players, Singers
  Join us at 9:00 a.m. the Saturday before the 3rd Sunday of each month as we prepare for our worship service using this instrumentation. We'd love to have some additional players.
• Sequel Rehearsals: Guitar, Bass, Percussion & Keyboard Players, Singers
  Several groups rehearse for our 11:30 a.m. Sunday Sequel worship services. If you would like to get involved, call Amanda Newman at 447-1246, ext. 263 for rehearsal times.
• Other Intstrumentalists
  Call Christa Even (447- 1246, ext. 231) if you would like to add your music to a worship service.

• Blood Pressure Monitoring will be offered in the Family Room after the 9 a.m. worship service on the first and third Sundays of each month.
• Pinochle Club - This group meets on the second Tuesday evening of the month. Everyone is invited to come out for a game of cards on Tuesday, August 14, from 7 - 9 p.m. in Room 18. Come and join in the fun!
• The Christian Reading Club of Our Savior meets on a monthly basis (during the school year) to share insights and reactions to a monthly reading assignment. The book to read over the summer is Think Like Jesus, by George Barna, ISBN #1-59145-019-5. This book is available at www.amazon.com. We'll meet for our discussion time on Tuesday, September 18, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Room 8. Call Steve Christopher at 447-1246 ext. 228 for more information.

Upcoming Event

Mark your calendar now for the 8th Annual Oktoberfest and Golf Tournament, Sunday, October 7!

C.L.I.M.B. (High School Youth): Join us for a retreat at the Handrocks' cabin at Clear Lake August 17-19. The cost is $30, which will cover food and gas for the boats. Please RSVP to Timothy by August 12. There will be three days of swimming, enjoying the hot tub, kayaking, tubing, eating good food, connecting with friends, and spending time with God. The more, the merrier!

F.I.S.H. (Junior High Youth): August 8 and 22 are nights to have fun in the gym at Our Savior from 7-8:30 p.m. Come and hang out with friends, play a game, and have time with God. Bring your friends for a great time!

Oktoberfest and Golf Tournament is coming soon! October 7 will be the Eighth Annual Oktoberfest and Golf Tournament. To sign up to play in the tournament or to volunteer to help at the Oktoberfest, contact Timothy Potthoff at 447-1246, ext. 261.

Effective immediately, Our Savior Lutheran Ministries has a new phone number if you need urgent spiritual care during non-office hours: 925-447-9001.

The installation of the shotcrete for the seismic retrofit is complete. Footings have been poured for the columns supporting the second floor and the new ground floor slab should be poured by the time you read this. Much of the new structural steel is in place. Also, the Charles R. Winery has taken the four wooden doors off our hands - they will make good use of them.

Please offer your prayers that God will continue blessing us with good weather and a safe operation.

Please click here for the Financial Report for June and also the Fiscal Year End Report.

The mission pledge is current and all expenses have been paid.

General Giving for June was down 19% from budget. We were also DOWN 6.6% for the fiscal year.

In comparing this fiscal budget year to last fiscal budget year, there is a significant increase in expenses even though we were better than the budget plan by 3.3%. These items include the following unplanned or under-planned expenses: Pastor's salary, a full-time music teacher, two new higher salaried replacement teachers, moving expenses, purchase of the Elston Street parsonage, increased taxes and insurance, three teachers that we paid out in June, and increase photocopier expense. This was balanced against income being 13.6% under budget due to fewer students than projected and general giving short 6.6% to expectations.

Balances in our checking and savings accounts total $297,628 which includes $12,975 in the Building Up - Reaching Out fund. The Church's portion of the mortgage as well as architectural fees are being paid out of this fund. Monthly pledges needed to make the mortgage payment are $22,000. In June, we received $21,368; however, funds normally set aside for this account were contributed to the Thrivent GivingPlus campaign in the additional amount of $85 for a total of $21,453. We're right on target.

The Thrivent GivingPlus program has generated $110,715 for the benefit of the Ministry Center. This includes $33,859 matching funds received from Thrivent through June.

A national home-building alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity is helping Habitat chapters in the Bay Area expand our home building capacities. In 2007, three homes will be built in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

Since 1991, Thrivent Builds Homes has construced more than 500 homes, raised more than $25 million and contributed more than 1.4 million volunteer hours. Thrivent Financial has not only become the largest sponsor in Habitat history, but also has successfully mobilized its Lutheran membership to volunteer and contribute to Habitat affiliates all around the country. Mt. Diablo Habitat constructed the first East Bay Thrivent home in Antiioch in 2006.

Habitat East Bay's 2007 Thrivent Builds home kicked- off during the Earth Day Build-A-Thon when the Lutheran community teamed up to build a Thrivent sponsored house. Sixty percent of the volunteer hours on the Thrivent Builds house at the Build-A-Thon were contributed by Lutherans.

Members from Christ the King Lutheran Church, Epiphany Lutheran Church of San Leandro, First Lutheran Church of Concord, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Fremont, Our Savior Lutheran Ministries of Livermore, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Fremont, Resurrrection Lutheran Church of Dublin, Trinity Lutheran Church of Pleasanton, and University Lutheran Chapel pounded nails alongside Sonnie Dae and her family, the excited future owners of the new home.

Our Savior Lutheran Ministries is a Christian Community--

• Rooted in Grace
• Growing in Faith
• Serving with Joy

Worship Schedule

• Sunday Worship and Communion: 9:00 a.m.
• Sunday School for all ages: 10:30 a.m.
• Sequel Workshop: 11:30 a.m.

Critical Targets and Goals

To accomplish our mission and ministry here at Our Savior:

• STAFFING LEVEL: The staff of OSLM (both professional and volunteer) has the size, the combination of skills, and the organizational structure that are needed to achieve the Desired Outcomes.
• REFRESHING THE VISION: The Stewards understand the Vision and Mission of OSLM, and they are actively engaged in defining and carrying out the Mission.
• NUMERICAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH: OSLM is experiencing continual year-by-year growth in (1) communicant membership, (2) worship attendance, and (3) number of people engaged in ministry activities.
• HOME AND FOREIGN OUTREACH: The staff and the Stewards of OSLM are carrying out a variety of mission activities here in the Livermore area, in the northern California region, and in foreign countries.
• PHYSICAL PLANT: The physical facilities of OSLM, both on and off the main campus, are being used effectively to achieve the Desired Outcomes.
• MINISTRY TO YOUNG ADULTS: The number of active communicant members in the 18-40 age group is growing year-by-year. OSLM is carrying out a variety of ministries aimed at the different sub-groups within this age group, including un-churched families of OSLS students.

Mission Statement

Our Savior Lutheran Ministries' Mission is to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) by:

• Proclaiming salvation through God's grace in word and song;
• Building Christian relationships;
• Caring for the people of the community; and
• Equipping God's people for Life in Christ.