Adults & Groups
At OSL, we see learning as a life-long endeavor, and provide learning opportunities covering Christian faith and living, for all ages. Regularly, adult learning opportunities are available on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights,as listed below, and, occasionally, at other times.
Sunday mornings: 10:00-10:45 a.m. Nursery available for little ones, Sunday School for older children.
Wednesday evenings: 6:30-7:30 p.m.. Part of the OSL Together Wednesday night schedule with a home-cooked meal available starting at 5:00 p.m. and activities for children and youth offered throughout the evening.
Men’s Groups
Friday Morning Prayer Group: Men of any age gather early on Friday mornings for breakfast, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.
Men in Mission: Men of all ages meet on the third Saturday of the month for Bible study, coffee, and fellowship. Led by Pastor Svendsen, the group studies a book of the Bible in-depth, connecting it to current issues and everyday living.
Women’s Groups
Circles: Circles are groups of women of all ages who meet on a monthly basis. Circles operate under the Women of the ELCA and do the monthly Bible study that comes from WELCA. In addition to Bible study, circles support mission projects with time and financial resources, share in fellowship, and participate in other WELCA activities.
Working Moms: Come together with other working mothers twice a month to talk about the joys and challenges of being women who work and parent. This group meets over the noon hour the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Play and Pray: A group for moms who work or stay at home. This group meets once a month at the church. The nursery is open for children while the moms meet for Bible study, conversation, and shared parenting wisdom.
WOW (Women of Witness): Meet the second and fourth Mondays each month from 7:00-8:00 p.m.
General, Topical, and Interest Groups
Conversations with God: A group of pray-ers who meet at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday mornings in the Chapel to pray for individual and community concerns.
OSL Solos: Singles of all ages who meet throughout the year for fun, fellowship, and purpose. From gathering at the church to share a meal and watch a movie to taking a day-trip to a local museum, this group is about establishing connections and making new friends who share similar life situations.
Short Story Reader’s Group: A group that uses short stories to reflect on and discuss life and faith. There is a Monday night group and a Wednesday night group; all are welcome at either group.
Writer’s Group: Writers of all styles meet to share their writings and to encourage one another’s creativity.
Shepherd’s Groups: With seasonal signups, individuals and couples are divided into groups and take turns hosting a meal in their home, with everyone bringing a dish to share. The purpose of these groups is to meet and get to know people you have not met before while sharing a good meal.
Scrapbooking: This group offer the opportunity for members to come together with others to scrapbook, share ideas, and connect over creating fun books that help document your family’s life.
Knitters and Crocheters: This group knits prayer and baptismal shawls for Our Savior’s. They do so individually but periodically come together to share their creations and ministry.
Quilters: Turning fabric into quilts to be sent around the world is no small task, but the quilters at OSL have it down to a science. The quilters meet twice a month, cutting, pinning, sewing, tying, and fellowshipping as they go.
Bulletin Stuffers: Stuffers who are anything but stuffy! This group gathers on Friday mornings when needed, to help stuff the OSL bulletins. They get here early, work efficiently, and enjoy time for coffee, a treat or two, and good conversation.
Music Groups: Find out more about Worship and Music
Support Groups
Grief Groups: There are a few grief groups that meet at OSL, some regularly and some seasonally. Our next Mourning to Dawn Grief Series begins Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m. and continues through Nov. 3. For additional information or to register to attend the Grief Series, contact Joyce Kaatz at jkaatz@oslchurch.com.
Cancer Support: This group is for people living with cancer, people who have survived cancer, and for those who have loved ones affected by cancer. This group meets every Tuesday afternoon.
Plus One:
A ministry for families with children from babies to toddlers (up to age 3), this ministry seeks to support and connect families through the pregnancy and adoption process fromthe arrival of little ones, up to Sunday school age. The ministry includes family gatherings, individual support, and community resources.
Caring and Serving Groups
Caring Friends:
This group visits OSL members in care centers and/or their own homes.\n
Hospital Visitation: This group visits OSL members in the hospital.
Stephen Ministry:
Stephen Ministers are trained to walk with people in times of crisis or times when extra support is needed. They walk with by listening and encouraging their care receivers. Stephen Ministers meet individually with care receivers and with small groups of other Stephen Ministers for support in their ministry. www.stephenministry.org. If you would like to know more about serving as a Stephen Minister or if you are in need of receiving care from a Stephen Minister, contact Kathy Nelson or Pr. Tim Lemme at knelson@oslchurch.com or tlemme@oslchurch.com
Dinner to your Door: Like to cook? Gather with others to cook meals that are frozen and then brought out to members and friends who are in need of a prepared meal – such as a family with a new baby, a person who is recovering from surgery, or someone who has had a death in the family. Kept in the freezer at OSL, members are welcome to take a meal out to someone they know at any time. The Dinner to your Door group makes sure the freezer is stocked with good, nourishing meals that embody the care of the community.
Parish Cruiser Drivers: Getting folks who cannot drive to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, haircuts, circle meetings, or anywhere else someone might need to go, Parish Cruiser Drivers drive with a purpose, helping those who might not otherwise be able to get out, get out.
Holy Roller Driving: Driven a golf cart before? The Holy Roller drivers share a ministry of hospitality, helping folks from the parking lot to the front door of the church on Sunday mornings. It’s a job that introduces you to lots of different people and provides the opportunity for short but sometimes surprising conversation with your fellow worshippers at OSL.
Wednesday Night Servers: Otherwise known as the Kitchen Crew! Yes, this group serves food, does dishes, and may even sweep a floor or two, but they have fun while doing it. Behind the scenes is often where the best laughs are shared and the most meaningful connections made.
Offering Counters: This group comes together on Monday mornings to count the weekly offering. If you have a talent for numbers and would like to share your Monday morning coffee with others, this may be the place for you.
Go Green: Like to be intentional about how you steward both resources and waste? The Go Green group keeps its eye on ways OSL can be green in the daily happenings of the church. They also have an eye on practices that can encourage a healthy life for people and the planet, which includes a community garden on the south part of the OSL property.
Healing Garden: This is a group for those with a green thumb or for those who have a knack for pulling weeds. This group tends and cares for the healing garden, a quiet, reflective place for anyone who wants to sit for awhile in a beautiful garden.