You may even want to invite yourself to become more regular at worship and/or challenge yourself to attend a mid-week

worship service.

Please join us for 40 days of renewal, and experience the difference that Jesus’ unconditional love makes in your life.

Pastor Len Hoffmann, Interim Senior Pastor

Ta

lk

Cross A Time for Renewal The word Lent has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon

word for spring. In the northern hemisphere, Lent

usually starts near the beginning of spring. It is a

time when we anticipate new birth and new life

springing from the earth.

In our life together, Lent is a time of renewal for us, too! These 40 days enable us to reflect on

how God is at work changing us and our community of faith as we are continually changed

and made new offering Christ’s unconditional love to our world.

It is renewal that we seek. It is renewal Christ offers as we journey again to the cross and the

empty tomb. We are again brought to new life through Christ’s unconditional love for us.

So, how might we offer this unconditional love to our

neighbors? This Lenten season provides us a great

opportunity to invite a friend, a neighbor, a family

member to join us to hear the renewing message of

the good news in Jesus Christ. Why not take these

weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday (February 26) to

make a list of people you wish to invite to join you for

mid-week or weekend worship? Who might you put on

that list? How about considering colleagues at work?

How about family members or parents of young

children that you encouraged to be baptized? Might you consider a neighbor, or someone

you know – family or otherwise – who used to worship, but no longer is a worshipper?

Call Committee Update Senior Pastor Call Committee members: Emily Bork,

Becca Johnson (Recorder), T.J. Leake, Greg Peet

(Chair), Gary Randles, Pam Shaver and Phil Thompson.

Below is an update from the committee included in

the OSLC 2019 Annual Report.

Since being elected by the congregation on Oct 6th,

our committee has been hard at work. We’ve had 14

meetings including three initial candidate interviews.

We open each meeting with devotions and prayer

asking for God’s guidance as we continue the

discernment process. Here are our next steps:

• January 6th meeting to internally debrief on all

candidate interviews and confirm next steps

• Starting site visits to see candidates preach at

current call

• Schedule second interviews where appropriate

• Check references

Please continue to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us as we

discern the next Senior Pastor for OSLC.

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Coming Soon…“Lenten Drive-in Worship”

Wednesdays at 12 & 6:30 PM in The Bridge Ash Wednesday, February 26th, kicks off our Lenten journey. During

this season, we will look at various assigned readings for the season

of Lent, but we want to try out a little different way of entering into

those texts.

How about a “Lenten series at the Driven-in?!?”

Our texts for this series are:

Lent 1: Matthew 18:10-14 –

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

(March 4)

Lent 2: John 7:53-8:11 –

The Women Caught in Adultery

(March 11)

Lent 3: John 7:14-31, 37-39 –

Is This the Christ? (March 18)

Lent 4: Matthew 9:27-35 – Jesus Heals Two Blind Men and a Mute

(March 25)

Lent 5: Matthew 22:23-33 – Whose wife in heaven? (April 1)

(continued on page 6)

Page 2

Calendar

February 2020

Page 3

Worship & Music

February 2020

Deacon Marti Bein / Director of Worship & Music / marti@OSLCRockford.com

Worship and Music News for February Time after Epiphany concludes on February 23 with Transfiguration

Sunday, a festival that bridges the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle

and the Lent-Easter cycle. This festival commemorates when Jesus

Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up on a

mountain. Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was transfigured,

his face and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright. Our worship

pattern follows this festival with Ash Wednesday worship on

February 26. Ash Wednesday begins the 40 day journey toward

Easter. With a cross in ash marked on our heads, we remember that

we are dust and we will return to dust, and reminds us of the life-

giving cross that was given to us at our baptism.

Worship Matters ─ the Adult Forum series continues into February Sundays at 9:45 AM

A deeper look into the principal weekly gathering of God’s people

around Word and Sacrament.

Why we worship / Encountering God in Word and the Sacraments /

Responding to God in Prayer and Praise / Worship and the World

OSLC Concert Series

Sunday, March 8, 7:00 PM

The Beert Family String Band

Rachel Handlin, violin, Aria Beert, violin,

Michael Beert, cello

Three of Rockford’s great musicians and Lutherans, too!

Friday, April 3, 7:00 PM

The Nielsen Chorale, Martha Bein, conductor

I Never Saw Another Butterfly Charles Davidson

Music set to poetry written by children in the Terezin

Concentration Camp

Mass of the Children John Rutter

In collaboration with West Middle School CAPA students

Sunday, April 19, 3:00 PM

Rock Valley Master Chorale

John Wahlquist, Music Director

February Worship Servers

Education

Page 4

Baptism Class

Sunday, February 2 • 9:45-10:30 AM

Join us in the back conference room as we

share with each other and learn about

baptism with the Pastor. This class is essential

preparation before baptism day. Register

online at OSLCRockford.com/baptisms or

call the church office.

Next class: April 19.

Playtown News In January, Playtown preschoolers had fun

working with the Mosaic group on a snowman

art project. Check out our snowmen on the

bulletin board near the Social Hall!

We also learned all about science, and

performed science experiments during an

in-house field trip. Special thanks to The

Discovery Center of Rockford who came to

help us do some hands-on learning.

We are starting to register new students for the 2020-2021 school year.

If you know of a family with a 3 or 4 year old, please have them call

Playtown or email to set up a tour.

Brent Stenberg Memorial Scholarship This scholarship was established in memory of Brent Stenberg, who devoted his entire life to the pursuit of music. He played

in a number of bands and toured the country playing in places as diverse as a small coffee club to the House of Blues. His

passion was stringed instruments.

The Brent Stenberg Memorial Scholarship is available to members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL who are:

1. Currently enrolled, or who will be pursuing a degree in music at an accredited four year college/university, an accredited

two year college, or other approved music educational program

2. High school youth planning to attend a Lutheran Summer Music Program

The scholarship is also available for members or friends of OSLC who have a deep passion to play the guitar and would like

to purchase one.

Scholarship amount is $500. The applicant(s) awarded this scholarship will be sent a check directly payable to the

applicant. Completed applications must include a letter of reference from someone who has first-hand knowledge of the

applicant’s musical background and/or character. Applications are available in the church office or on the OSLC website.

Letters of reference must be received for applications to be considered. Applications are due by March 31, 2020 to:

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Attention: Special Gifts Committee, 3300 Rural Street, Rockford, IL 61107

All applications will be reviewed by the Special Gifts Committee, and a final decision will be determined by April 30, 2020.

The applicant(s) will be informed of the decision by mail after this date. With questions, please contact Tracy Peck at

tpyogi@comcast.net.

Souper Bowl of Caring

February 1 & 2

Youth from across the nation are working

together to fight hunger within their communities

through the Souper Bowl of Caring. OSLC youth

will hold soup pots after each service on February 1 and 2. There will be

soup pots for each team – which team would you like to see win?

Donations to the San Francisco 49ERS’ pot will support Rock River Valley

Pantry, and likewise the Kansas City Chiefs’ pot will support Cornucopia

Food Pantry. Which will you support?

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS / ROCK RIVER VALLEY PANTRY

VS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS / CORNUCOPIA FOOD PANTRY

Who Needs God?

New Adult Ed Study

Tuesdays at 2:00 PM

Begins February 4

“Who Needs God?” is a challenging, six week

study by Andy Stanley. He challenges as only

he can and does. This is a strong, thought-

provoking series that at times even seems

controversial. This should bring out some very

interesting discussion. Be prepared!

This study runs February 4 through March 10.

mailto:tpyogi@comcast.net

Page 5

Missions

Mission of the Month: ELCA World Hunger Working with and through our congregations in the United

States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Lutheran

churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is

uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From

health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry,

community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World

Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting

sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger

and poverty.

Look for the donation envelope in your bulletin. When making

a donation, make your check payable to OSLC with ELCA

World Hunger on the memo line. Or you can give online on

the OSLC website, GIVE tab. Please select the Mission

Projects Fund and put ELCA World Hunger in the memo line.

The Mission Cabinet will seek matching funds up to $2,500.

Thank you for sharing generously.

February 2020

Mission Updates

Angel Tree (November/December)

Thank you to all our members who supported the Angel

Tree. 150 gifts were distributed to children in LSSI foster

care and another 30 gifts went to well-deserving adult

clients affiliated with MOSAIC.

Reverse Offering (December)

Our Savior’s collected 713 pounds of food, which was

delivered to Cornucopia and RRVP. Close to $500 in

monetary donations was received and distributed evenly

between the two pantries as well. Your support of this

ongoing mission is appreciated.

Rosie’s Birthday Club (January)

We graced Rosie’s Birthday Club with 40 gifts for children

who would not otherwise have a birthday celebration.

Thank you for your support of this mission.

ESL Dinner Mission cabinet and council members shared a soup dinner with instructors

and students from Rock Valley College’s ESL (English as a Second Language)

program on December 17. Families played bingo and Valle gift cards and

other prizes were awarded.

We are sorry the ESL classes will no longer meet at OSLC due to funding

issues. These students will be able to attend classes at other community sites,

however. We wish them well, and have expressed to the director that the

program is always welcome at OSLC. Thank you to all who helped with the

dinner and gave of your time to share conversation with the students.

Missions Cabinet

Do Day: Materials Needed Thank you for the recent cloth diaper and/or cash donations. Below is a list

of materials needed for our Do Day ministry:

For 60” x 80” Tied Quilts: bed skirts, sheets, bed pads, blankets, cotton or

flannel fabric, tablecloths, bedspreads, quilt bats, thread, and corsage/

quilters pins.

For Health Kits: nail clippers, wide-tooth combs, new adult toothbrushes,

soap bars, bath towels* (new or gently used).

For Layettes: (size NB to 24 months) undershirts, sleepers (footless), socks,

hats, sweaters/hoodies, hand towels*, receiving blankets, CLOTH diapers,

soap bars, large safety pins or diaper pins.

*These items are needed most.

News from the Green Team

Did you know??

51% of greenhouse gases (CO2 and

methane) is due to animal husbandry?

Presently 77 billion cattle on earth occupy

50% of the earth’s landmass.

6% of the world’s population consume

40% of the earth’s resources.

It takes 2500 gallons of water to produce

one pound of edible beef.

It takes 16 pounds of grain to produce

one pound of beef.

It takes 4 acres of destroyed rainforest to

produce one pound of hamburger.

The great issues of ecological justice stare

at us from our dinner plates!

The Green Team meets the first Monday

of the month at 3:30 PM.

Honduras 2020

Join a Serve Team with World Gospel Outreach

Trip Dates: July 18-25, 2020

All participants planning to be part of our serve team must confirm

no later than February 18. If interested or for more information,

contact Lisa Doll at henli@comcast.net.

mailto:henli@comcast.net

Page 6

Events

Wednesday, February 5 • 12 PM

Join us for lunch and a special program provided by Marti Bein, who will speak on “Direction to

Deacon.” Tickets $10; on sale February 1-2. Contact Myra Porthouse for details/reservations

(815.218.3995).

Active

Seniors

Lunch

February 11, 12, 18 & 19 • 1:30 PM

Do you have concerns about falling? A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program offered by

Lifescape designed to help manage falls and increase activity levels. Presented by trained staff

from 1:30-3:30 on February 11, 12, 18 & 19. Flyers/sign up sheets available at the Welcome Center.

Limited to 20 people. This is a continuation of the 4-week, eight session course that began in January.

Senior

Wellness

Program

Lenten Worship (continued from front cover)

The “drive-In” part of the series will be finding a movie clip

that best illustrates the Gospel text. As Pr. Len and Pr. Scott

try to find a good movie clip for the assigned Gospel…

what clip would you choose? Come and find out on

Wednesdays at Noon and 6:30 PM if your idea matches

with what the pastors have found. Midweek worship will

be held in The Bridge.

And what would a drive-in be without concessions? Soda,

popcorn and candy will be available at the OSLC

concession stand outside of The Bridge.

Ash Wednesday Worship

February 26

12:00 and 6:30 PM in the Worship Center

Lenten “Drive-in” Worship

Wednesdays beginning March 4

12:00 and 6:30 PM in The Bridge

Facility News

Update from the Operations Cabinet and

Safety / Security Team

Some much needed updates to the doors at entry L

(Rural Street) took place in December and January. In

December, the door hardware was replaced and a

center post was added for all 4 doors to make this entry

point more secure. Additionally, a powered handicap

access opener was installed to power the north door. In

January, the north pair of doors were connected to our

door access system which allows us to schedule this

entry and removes the need to manually unlock and

lock these doors. An intercom/camera was installed at

entry L which allows us to monitor and respond from the

office to anyone at that door during office hours.

Sign In & Sign Out The OSLC Safety/Security Team asks members and visitors

to sign in (and sign out) at the front desk during normal

business hours when in the building for activities other

than a formally scheduled meeting that appears on the

church calendar. This helps us to know who is in the

building in the event of an emergency. Member/visitor

safety is a priority, and signing in (and out) provides us

with information to communicate effectively should an

emergency occur.

Monday, February 17 • 11:30 AM

Location: Wesley Willows Town Center

Our own Randy Larson will speak about the “how and why” of tutoring support that OSLC offers

local schools. $10 lunch fee payable at the door. Reservations strongly suggested; please

contact Lou Larson to sign up or for more information (norske277@charter.net).

ROMEOS

(Retired Men’s

Luncheon)

Monday, February 17 • 6:30 PM

All are welcome to join us in the Conference Room for discussion on our next read:

“The Christmas Train” by David Baldacci.

When a disillusioned journalist is banned from flying for a year because of an air rage incident,

he's forced to travel by train from Washington to LA for Christmas. Along the way he meets a host

of unusual fellow travelers and rediscovers people's essential goodness.

Book Club

Wednesdays in Lent: Join us for soup

and bread lunch (and did we mention

the yummy treats?) after Noon worship.

Page 7

Among Us

Prayers and Blessings (as received through January 15)

We lifted up in Prayer:

Alice Bein, Gert Breidigam, Fred Bruning, Gary Campbell, Bob Carlson,

Steve Carlson, Diana Cullen, Dale & Connie Gustafson, Ted Johnson,

Briana Kelly, John & Sally Koepsell, Jean Kramer, Sue Lindblom, Robert

Nelson, Pr. Loren & Roberta Nielsen, Julie Peet, Marlon Pool, Jeff Schneider,

Eila Streed, Ron Thorson, Emily Tropp, Denise Wessman

We prayed for families and friends of OSLC:

Mayra Arroyo, Bill & Leah Baskin, Phyllis Booker, Jeff & Myrisa Brown,

Kaitlyn Bruning, Jennifer Gibson, Shelton Hightower, Mike Jennings, Kelly

Knudson, Patti Kolbo, Jasmine Loendorf, Clare M., Joan N., Gerlann

Nelson, Gil Niesen, Bruce Peterson, Shawn Porthouse, Elijah Richards, Eva

Sherbondy, Natalie Spencer, Davold Walker

We celebrated Baptisms:

Bowen William Collett, son of Justin & Jessica Collett

Sean Henry Shukis, son of David Shukis & Michelle Henry

We celebrated Marriages:

Justin & Brooke (Iversen) Kamp

We offered sympathy:

Kris Gustafson, Ruth (Orr) Panzica, Roger Stavn, Michael Wallen

We prayed for peace in our world and protection for

those in service to our country:

Steven Anderson / Jacob Blair / Kyle Brees / Ryan Brees / Jeremy Buttram /

Tristan Davenport / Ben Everette / Xander Gehrke / Scott Hlavin / Dylan

Kaltenbrun / Brandon Morgan / Jerry Newman / Quenten Pal / Matt Perry /

Tyler Pillmore / Alex Rickard / Nicholas Rinaldi / Jake Thorn / Charlie Van

Galder / Austin Wagner / Kayla Wells / Christopher Winters /

Rev. Rachel Zarnke

February Birthdays

1: Steve Aarli 2: Ben Bathje, Raquel Rhoads, Tracy Wallin 4: Lynn Kinney,

Madison Rundquist 5: Callan Kryder, Doug McDuff, Leah Ports 6: Nancy

Booker, Timothy Seiter, Wendy Stolberg 7: Thomas Wells, Wayne

Wiedenhoeft 8: Jack Bathje, Bob Batutis, Ken Swanson 9: Kathy Geissler

10: Pat DeWitt, Elizabeth Keaton, Steve Larsen, Susan Pixler 11: Erica

Johnsen, Sandra Schmeltzer 12: Randy Larson, Donna Linhart, Isaiah

Moorhous 13: Lisa Nielsen, Bailey Peck, Deacon Phelps, Teana Rhoads,

Brian Vraney, Vanessa Vraney 14: Dorothy Hopp, David Olson 15: Patrick

Suddarth 16: Loren Nielsen 17: Lee Larsen, Seth Weinrich

19: Larry Barnhart 20: Owen Sager, Robin Winters 21: Lois

Bruning, Jane Purin, Larry Slater 22: Kelly Petersen, Kelly

Winters 23: Kathy Bach, Gert Breidigam, Samantha

Yarolimek 24: Landon Buelow, Linda Palm, Taylor Williams,

Aaron Winters 26: Shirley Lawson, Ida Reinhold 27: Susan

Lewandowski, Arnold Meier, Elizabeth Schilli, Doris Sturm

28: Barbara Ekstrom, Bill Kobler

February Anniversaries

7: Joe & Kristin Turek 9: John & Kimberly McKenzie 10: Jerome & Paula

Mais 12: Erwin & Bonnie Konrad 14: Harold & Kandis Boomer, David &

Donna Homuth 16: Dick & Carol Knowles, Harry & Doris Sturm 20: John &

Sharon Dempster, Donald & Joanne Peterson 21: Ryan & Sarah Smith

27: William & Linda Palm

Prayer Quilt Ministry This OSLC ministry lets us share our love,

support and encouragement as we lift one

another in prayer. Located

at the Welcome Center,

the prayer quilt(s) includes

strings of yarn for anyone to

tie a knot as they pray for

the named person and a

place to add your name to

the list of prayers sent to God.

If you know of someone that would benefit

from this ministry, please connect with

Cyndi@OSLCRockford.com.

Financial Update Summary information:

Year-To-Date Actual through Dec 31, 2019

Total Contributions $ 942,525

Total Expenses $ 964,422

Net Income (Loss) $ (21,897)

Average Weekly Attendance: 299

Portico (Main Entrance) Update Portico pledge and contribution information

as of Dec 31, 2019:

Pledges $ 129,990

Contributors 58

Contributions $ 153,640

Estate Gift Funds $ 50,000

Special Gifts Funds $ 5,840

Total Giving $ 209,480

Contributors 80

Total Spent $ 8,262

Account Balance $ 201,218

February 2020

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Rockford, IL

Permit No. 2645

In This Is sue Pastor’s Corner 1

Lenten Worship 1

Calendar 2

Worship & Music 3

Worship Servers 3

Children/Youth Ministry 4

Scholarship Information 4

Mission of the Month 5

Do Day Requests 5

Events 6

Active Seniors Lunch 6

Operations News 6

Among Us 7

Prayer Quilt Ministry 7

Submissions for the March issue of CrossTalk must be submitted by Monday, February 10

for consideration. Please send your articles to katie@OSLCRockford.com.

3300 Rural Street

Rockford, IL 61107-3540

815.399.0531

www.OSLCRockford.com

Weekly Worship Schedule:

Saturdays at 5 PM

Sundays at 8:30 AM

Sundays at 10:45 AM

(Praise Ensemble Led)

Staff

Interim Sr. Pastor - Rev. Dr. Len Hoffmann

Associate Pastor - Rev. Scott Stolberg

Worship & Music Director - Dc. Marti Bein

Connections Ministry Dir. - Cyndi Hlavin

Business Coordinator - Elizabeth Brinkley

Communication Coord. - Katie Belinson

Bookkeeper - Jenni Ripplinger

Assistant Coordinator - Angela McNally

Admin. Asst./Receptionist - Sheryl Gray

Keyboardist/Organist - Kristen Nelson

Handbell Choir Dir. - Lorie Parker-Weinrich

Playtown Preschool Dir. - Amy McCormick

Council (as of January 22, 2020)

President - Jeff Schneider

Vice President - Mike Booker

Caring & Fellowship - Sheryl Jecklin

Education - Renee Guse, Trevor Johnsen

Evangelism - Ted Johnson

Finance - Diane Hielsberg

Missions - Lisa Doll

Operations - Keith Shaver

Personnel - Jim Stenberg

Worship & Music - Eric Baeverstad

At Large - Shawn Artlip

At Large - Kim Randles

Connect with Council

Do you have a comment or question for

Council? Feel free to send an email to

President@OSLCRockford.com. Your

feedback and inquiries are welcome.

Book of the Month

“The Great Alone”

by Kristin Hannah

ALASKA 1974. The Allbrights are a family

in crisis. They are alone, living off the grid

in a harsh and unforgiving wilderness.

Ernt Allbright has come home from the

Vietnam War a changed and volatile

man, and has made the impulsive

decision to move his wife and daughter

north to America’s last true frontier. There

the family learns the truth about the

wilderness that lives in both man and

nature.

Please stop by the OSLC library to check

out a copy of this book.

Lenten Devotionals

Wondrous Love A Lenten devotional

book will be available

at the Welcome Center

starting February 9. It

will contain readings

from the gospel of

Matthew with 46 entries,

one for each day from

Ash Wednesday to Easter. Each reading

is accompanied by a photo, a quote

to ponder, a reflection, and a prayer.

A limited number of large print editions

will also be available. Please connect

with Cyndi or Sheryl in the office with any

questions.