The High Point of Holy Week - Good Friday

As you continue to prepare for Easter celebration, the Christian faith understands that without Good Friday, there is no Easter. Here is a meditation from CPH's prayer book, -- "Treasury of Daily Prayer" editors.

Good Friday is the high point of Holy Week, but not of the Church Year--for we know that after Good Friday a day is coming when death will give way to life. If the commemoration of Good Friday was separated from Easter, we would remain in our sins, and thus, the ultimate word of Good Friday would be "you are condemned." Even as we stand at the foot of the cross and contemplate the price of our sin, we gather as children reconciled to God. In the services of Good Friday, the Church does not leave us in the darkness and shadow of death, but rather fills us with the certainty of victory over sin, death, and the devil, pointing us to the final victory that will be celebrated on Easter.

Children are Sponges - Christ in Song

Our parents, as well as educators, know that our young children are like sponges. They soak up knowledge in volumes. It is the reason why in so many instances, as much as we try not to be like our parents, we are.

This is the wonder of God's creation. One educator wrote,

"When we talk about kids soaking up knowledge “like little sponges,” we’re talking about learning by osmosis (article here). ...It should give us comfort to know that we’re not responsible for teaching our children everything they need to move out into the world … the world is taking care of much of that job itself. However, it’s also a good reminder to pay attention to the nature of our family “environment,” especially as school gets underway and formal learning moves into the spotlight."

It seems that it confirms that which we all know, our culture injects plenty of teaching into our children's development.

This is nothing new. It's not a 21st century development. Children learn through their immersion into our families, our schools, our churches. It is for this reason that Lutherans grasp the wisdom of a child's development from the gifts of creation (Educational Psychology) - those First Article gifts of creation.

More importantly, for the Church, it is important to immerse our children in the culture of the church. Most children I know, did not have to go to school to learn to speak. They didn't have to pass their "first word"test for the proud parents to celebrate.

This brings us to children in church and why it is so important that parents tough it out during those tough younger days in church. God's calls you to raise your children. Moms and dads are the ones who first immerse their children into a culture. The question is, which culture are you going to give them? Entertainment is everywhere, but the culture of the church is only found in the sacramental life. It is a culture of forgiveness.

Join us for the resurrected Christ at Our Savior.

Pr. Sell
msell@oursaviorlcs.org
tax, taxday, Taboo, praise, praiseworship, Christ, missions, best, successful, hope, k-12 fellowship springhillspca Methodist faithstreet stanthony stclaire smm goddard, stl, Saint Louis,  sorrow kindercare ed Christian.com fenton.k12 grief bluffs lapetite tiny- accredited greatschools yellowpages nurseries fenton free home sale ladue i-30  Ellisville radio kfuo.org kfuo television fox fox.com Maplewood Jefferson Nazarene heightsgarage roman Concordia fentonmo fenton-mo csl edu goddard eureka springs imperial pastor sell worry, stlbaptist oasis 636 314 oasischurcharnold twinoaks goddardschool lone elk parkdale Kirkwood commerce crossing schools chamber confessional mo.gov mo.lcms.org Arnold vandover elevationstl sunset Harrison mirley  ic international center calvary netministries  stl oakbridge elevation nra Windsor sacred heart hot topics, k12 daycare christiandaycare creativecommunications creative communicate needs, gravois 141 oak bridge Pre-school, connect preschool, Christian, childcare, infant school, Lutheran, lcms, education, fenton, valley president math science tutor park valleypark, faith faithchurch.com high ridge zion sugar connectchurchstl Baptist catholic town countrygreen park afftoncommunion confession trinity nondenominational  congregation pro-life life abortion searching counseling conservative, liberal, women, girls, men, boy scouts, girl scouts, synod, the Lutheran Church-missouri synod, mom’s day out, moms, great teachers, caring, compassion, cross, jesus, liturgy, contemporary worship, guitar, drums, passion, good Friday, funeral, dedicated, quality, killing jesus, bill o’reilly, factor, Kelly file, playoffs, blues, cardinals, st. Louis, saint, baptism, feast, supper, Lord, youth, church-fentonsummit fentoncrossing umc mccfenton discoverystl lifechurch osl stpaulfenton.org faithchurch.com lifechurch-stl srmonline fbcfenton children, cross, popular, money, $, memorial, technology, traffic, goddard, ads, google, newchurch, new, different, CW,

"I believe..." Why the creeds?

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker...

Lutherans have always held that creeds and confessions are necessary for the well-being of the

Apostle's Creed Word Cloud

church. Just as Christ’s church and all Christians are called upon to confess their faith (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9; 1 Peter 3:15; 1 John 4:2), so must the church.

The church is called to to proclaim the pure Gospel in season and out of season. Creeds and confessions are a way you and I explain what we mean. We have individual creeds that each parent hands down to their children.

Parental Creed, "As Long as You Live under my ______."

You can finish the sentence. Parents usually sum up the creeds of their home by way of - "as long as you live under my roof." That's how we raise our children to let them know what our parental expectations are. What this house stands for. What is right and wrong. You want to do it your way and we think it's wrong, then live where you can make the rules.

The Christian church has many ways that we make clear to the children of God what we believe and what we don't believe. They are permanent "symbols" or confessions. The Apostle's Creed is one of them.

Non-denominational - No Such Thing

You might have friends and relatives who claim to go to a church that is "nondenominational." However, a non-denom church is really a church that lacks the commitment to who they say they
are. It becomes a numbers ploy.

Non-denoms are afraid to confess the teachings of Christ, or, they are simply setting up a "bait and switch" scenario, which is a great marketing tool. What is really at stake here is the integrity of the Christian faith.

When they say that they are not denominational, what they really mean is that they don't want to advertise who and what confession they abide by. They don't want to let you know that their pastors were trained in the Lutheran, Reformed or Roman Catholic teachings. At best, they are purposely generic Christians. Whatever it takes to get people in the pews for Jesus.

But who is Jesus? How does that forgiveness get to you?

Every pastor and teacher in our church body are required to subscribe to the Lutheran confessions. This is why we believe there is no such thing as a nondenominational church. Every church believes something and the question is, "what?" They are either Lutheran, Reformed, or Roman Catholic (a simple summary). The difference is in the sacraments. Does baptism forgive sins? Does the Lord's Supper forgive sins? Can the body and blood of Jesus really be in the bread and wine? YES.

For WHAT Lutherans believe - Start with Luther's Small Catechism.
Taboo, praise, praiseworship, Christ, missions, best, successful, hope, k-12 fellowship springhillspca Methodist faithstreet stanthony stclaire smm goddard, stl, Saint Louis,  sorrow kindercare ed Christian.com fenton.k12 grief bluffs lapetite tiny- accredited greatschools yellowpages nurseries fenton free home sale ladue i-30  Ellisville radio kfuo.org kfuo television fox fox.com Maplewood Jefferson Nazarene heightsgarage roman Concordia fentonmo fenton-mo csl edu goddard eureka springs imperial pastor sell worry, stlbaptist oasis 636 314 oasischurcharnold twinoaks goddardschool lone elk parkdale Kirkwood commerce crossing schools chamber confessional mo.gov mo.lcms.org Arnold vandover elevationstl sunset Harrison mirley  ic international center calvary netministries  stl oakbridge elevation nra Windsor sacred heart hot topics, k12 daycare christiandaycare creativecommunications creative communicate needs, gravois 141 oak bridge Pre-school, connect preschool, Christian, childcare, infant school, Lutheran, lcms, education, fenton, valley president math science tutor park valleypark, faith faithchurch.com high ridge zion sugar connectchurchstl Baptist catholic town countrygreen park afftoncommunion confession trinity nondenominational  congregation pro-life life abortion searching counseling conservative, liberal, women, girls, men, boy scouts, girl scouts, synod, the Lutheran Church-missouri synod, mom’s day out, moms, great teachers, caring, compassion, cross, jesus, liturgy, contemporary worship, guitar, drums, passion, good Friday, funeral, dedicated, quality, killing jesus, bill o’reilly, factor, Kelly file, playoffs, blues, cardinals, st. Louis, saint, baptism, feast, supper, Lord, youth, church-fentonsummit fentoncrossing umc mccfenton discoverystl lifechurch osl stpaulfenton.org faithchurch.com lifechurch-stl srmonline fbcfenton children, cross, popular, money, $, memorial, technology, traffic, goddard, ads, google, newchurch, new, different, CW,

Don't Forget the Mouse Races - This Saturday!

This Saturday come on out and have a great time! 

It is our second annual OSL Mouse Races to raise funds to continue OSL's important work to help you raise your children in the Christ's forgiveness.

• Doors open at 6pm
• 
  
• Racing starts at 7:30pm.
• 
  
• Advance purchase is $25/person or $175/table of 8. $30/person at the door. 
• 
  
• Price includes dinner, beer, wine, soda, water and snacks. 
• 
  
• You can sponsor a race for $100. 

To make a reservation, call/text Shari Riebold at 314-221-6450 or email sriebolds@gmail.com  

All proceeds support Our Savior Lutheran Church and Christian Academy.

Taboo, praise, praiseworship, Christ, missions, best, successful, hope, k-12 fellowship springhillspca Methodist faithstreet stanthony stclaire smm goddard, stl, Saint Louis,  sorrow kindercare ed Christian.com fenton.k12 grief bluffs lapetite tiny- accredited greatschools yellowpages nurseries fenton free home sale ladue i-30  Ellisville radio kfuo.org kfuo television fox fox.com Maplewood Jefferson Nazarene heightsgarage roman Concordia fentonmo fenton-mo csl edu goddard eureka springs imperial pastor sell worry, stlbaptist oasis 636 314 oasischurcharnold twinoaks goddardschool lone elk parkdale Kirkwood commerce crossing schools chamber confessional mo.gov mo.lcms.org Arnold vandover elevationstl sunset Harrison mirley  ic international center calvary netministries  stl oakbridge elevation nra Windsor sacred heart hot topics, k12 daycare christiandaycare creativecommunications creative communicate needs, gravois 141 oak bridge Pre-school, connect preschool, Christian, childcare, infant school, Lutheran, lcms, education, fenton, valley president math science tutor park valleypark, faith faithchurch.com high ridge zion sugar connectchurchstl Baptist catholic town countrygreen park afftoncommunion confession trinity nondenominational  congregation pro-life life abortion searching counseling conservative, liberal, women, girls, men, boy scouts, girl scouts, synod, the Lutheran Church-missouri synod, mom’s day out, moms, great teachers, caring, compassion, cross, jesus, liturgy, contemporary worship, guitar, drums, passion, good Friday, funeral, dedicated, quality, killing jesus, bill o’reilly, factor, 

Evangelism, Missions, Outreach - OSL's Place in the World

Family, Forgiveness, and the Altar: Easter is Over! I'm Tired

Easter is tiring. Well, for us families on earth. As children of God who eagerly await Christ's return, the holidays wear us down. We try to do our best and keep everyone happy, but sometimes, it is impossible. Sometimes arguments take place between moms and dads; brothers and sisters; families and step-families. Frankly, it is impossible to keep everyone happy - life in a sinful world.

A Forgiven Family is A Peaceful Family

But that's ok! Certainly, I'm not saying we are not sinning. If we play that game, then we don't need the forgiveness that Christ earned for us Good Friday. Whether it is Easter or Christmas or whenever, families on earth sin. It's easy to blame the step-mother or step-father for family problems. Even worse to blame fellow step-children, because then we don't have a chance to be family. Forgiveness in Christ is the only way a family can calm down and enjoy each other.

However, the reason why OSL has church services and funds a grade school (1.5m) and builds classrooms and churches is so the forgiveness that each family so desperately needs is on 141 in Fenton every week in the Sacrament of the altar. The mercy of God never ends. Forgiveness gushes out of our church and school doors and flows into your home.

So, don't forget to invite your family and friends to join us at OSL. We have a great school. A great church. Great music. A great faculty. A great pre-school. A great elementary school.

Pr. Sell

OSL Fenton

Taboo, Christ, missions, best, successful, hope, k-12 fellowship springhillspca Methodist faithstreet stanthony stclaire smm goddard sorrow kindercare ed Christian.com fenton.k12 grief bluffs lapetite tiny- accredited greatschools yellowpages nurseries fenton free home sale ladue i-30  Ellisville radio kfuo.org kfuo television fox fox.com Maplewood Jefferson Nazarene heightsgarage roman Concordia fentonmo fenton-mo csl edu goddard eureka springs imperial pastor sell worry, stlbaptist oasis 636 314 oasischurcharnold twinoaks goddardschool lone elk parkdale Kirkwood commerce crossing schools chamber confessional mo.gov mo.lcms.org Arnold vandover elevationstl sunset Harrison mirley  ic international center calvary netministries  stl oakbridge elevation nra Windsor sacred heart hot topics, k12 daycare christiandaycare creativecommunications creative communicate needs, gravois 141 oak bridge Pre-school, connect preschool, Christian, childcare, infant school, Lutheran, lcms, education, fenton, valley president math science tutor park valleypark, faith faithchurch.com high ridge zion sugar connectchurchstl Baptist catholic town countrygreen park afftoncommunion confession trinity nondenominational  congregation pro-life life abortion searching counseling conservative, liberal, women, girls, men, boy scouts, girl scouts, synod, the Lutheran Church-missouri synod, mom’s day out, moms, great teachers, caring, compassion, cross, jesus, liturgy, contemporary worship, guitar, drums, passion, good Friday, funeral, dedicated, quality, killing jesus, bill o’reilly, factor, Kelly file, playoffs, blues, cardinals, st. Louis, saint, baptism, feast, supper, Lord, youth, church-fentonsummit fentoncrossing umc mccfenton discoverystl lifechurch osl stpaulfenton.org faithchurch.com lifechurch-stl srmonline fbcfenton children, cross, popular, money, $, memorial, technology, traffic, goddard, ads, google,PPPr. Sell

Taboo, Christ, missions, best, successful, hope, k-12 fellowship springhillspca Methodist faithstreet stanthony stclaire smm goddard sorrow kindercare ed Christian.com fenton.k12 grief bluffs lapetite tiny- accredited greatschools yellowpages nurseries fenton free home sale ladue i-30  Ellisville radio kfuo.org kfuo television fox fox.com Maplewood Jefferson Nazarene heightsgarage roman Concordia fentonmo fenton-mo csl edu goddard eureka springs imperial pastor sell worry, stlbaptist oasis 636 314 oasischurcharnold twinoaks goddardschool lone elk parkdale Kirkwood commerce crossing schools chamber confessional mo.gov mo.lcms.org Arnold vandover elevationstl sunset Harrison mirley  ic international center calvary netministries  stl oakbridge elevation nra Windsor sacred heart hot topics, k12 daycare christiandaycare creativecommunications creative communicate needs, gravois 141 oak bridge Pre-school, connect preschool, Christian, childcare, infant school, Lutheran, lcms, education, fenton, valley president math science tutor park valleypark, faith faithchurch.com high ridge zion sugar connectchurchstl Baptist catholic town countrygreen park afftoncommunion confession trinity nondenominational  congregation pro-life life abortion searching counseling conservative, liberal, women, girls, men, boy scouts, girl scouts, synod, the Lutheran Church-missouri synod, mom’s day out, moms, great teachers, caring, compassion, cross, jesus, liturgy, contemporary worship, guitar, drums, passion, good Friday, funeral, dedicated, quality, killing jesus, bill o’reilly, factor, Kelly file, playoffs, blues, cardinals, st. Louis, saint, baptism, feast, supper, Lord, youth, church-fentonsummit fentoncrossing umc mccfenton discoverystl lifechurch osl stpaulfenton.org faithchurch.com lifechurch-stl srmonline fbcfenton children, cross, popular, money, $, memorial, technology, traffic, goddard, ads, google,PPPr. Sell

P

P

Vigil - Waiting - Can't Sleep - Risen?

Easter Vigil Light as the Faithful Wait, Ponder, Meditate.
Will the LIGHT arise from the darkness?

When you're in bed tossing and turning, trying to go to sleep, you make the big mistake and start watching the light of your clock. You force yourself - no - you command yourself to fall asleep. But you don't. Your commandment doesn't work on you.

You open one eye... and look at the clock. Really! Only 2 minutes went by?

When we are waiting for something, especially when children are waiting for something, time seems to go by very,   v e r y...

s  l  o  w  l  y...

In the midst of our frustration when trying to fall asleep, the harder we try, the worse it gets.

Our lives are like that. The harder we try to get ahead, the further we fall behind.

When we think that our lives really depend upon our work, it drives us closer to Christ and His work of salvation. That's because in this sinful world, the harder we work, the further we fall from Christ.

Lamb's Blood on House Door

In our eternal world, faith in Christ's work grants us the perseverance to endure... especially when we don't want to... It is Christ's work and the forgiveness that flows from Calvary's sacrifice that endures.

So we wait for the victory. We are like the children of Israel, trusting the blood on the doorpost at Passover. Waiting, just listening to be sure.

Death passed over! The blood saved us. Even though we damned Jesus.

Beloved in the Lord, on this most holy night, in which Our Lord Jesus passed over from death into life, we are gathered here in vigil and in prayer. This is the Passover of the Lord in which, by hearing His Word and celebrating His Sacraments, we share in His victory over death. Amen.

The Day God Died

It is an awful thing to say. To hear. To ponder.

God Died!

But if you can't say it, believe it, trust it...  you have no salvation. Then Christianity isn't your religion. It reveals your sinfulness. It really is impossible for you to grasp this. No one should ever say God is dead. But on Good Friday, he was. We can't explain it. We can't prove it and a believer wouldn't want to insult God by proving it by human standards.

The beauty of Christianity is the eternal mystery that Jesus is God. Many men can be Jesus, but there is only one Jesus who is God. But He died. We ponder how could God let this happen? But that's the point. God, the man Jesus passively suffered for everything we do wrong, think wrong, and work so hard to live by. Yet sin permeates our lives. 

We try to excuse our foolishness, our tiredness, our lack of support for Christ's work. But Jesus knows that. 

That is why God became a man.

By His conception, His time in the womb, His birth, life and obedience, even in death, He took the place of every person whoever lived. God punished Him for our sin. Don't think too hard on it. You will lose your faith because you will conclude, "It's ridiculous, how could God kill God." There is the mystery, the gift that we receive. It is where time meets eternity. Where sin is punished. Where hell is endured. Where "it is finished!"

But this is the essence - the focus - the salvation that God gives. The way we receive it is through His Word. Through baptism. Through the Lord's Supper. They are what we take to the world to save other sinners who are desperate, hurt, in pain, and know by creation that they are the guilty ones. Jesus was God. How can He be punished for my sin. Still, "There has to be something more than my own life."

There is, the Lamb of God rose from the dead. As was said by His tomb... "He is not here."

The miracle of a God that died is the same miraculous nature that God called you to believe and gives you your belief. You trust because God gives you trust. You know that Jesus is God because God gives that to you. Because of this mystery, you are forgiven. You are saved. You are holy. You will endure what Christ did. Amen, Amen, yeah it is true.

Community as God Gives - Communion of Saints - Maundy Thursday

Our Savior Lutheran Church and Christian Academy

Maundy Thursday Services:  2:30 & 7

From Pastor Scott Murray

The children of God come to the altar to receive the inheritance that has been bequeathed to them in the last will and testament of the eternal Son of God. No more enriching experience can be had than to receive with the mouth the most precious gifts of Christ's body and blood.  

Christ Himself has invited us children so generously: 

"At that time Jesus declared, 'I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light'" (Mt 11:25-30). 

We are His children by an adoption of grace and as such He has asked us to come to Him and find rest for our souls. That is what is happening in the great communion. Here we are united with Him, His body and blood, and one another. 

That's a lot of communion!

Pr. Sell

msell@oursaviorlcs.org

Taboo, Christ, missions, best, successful, hope, k-12 fellowship springhillspca Methodist faithstreet stanthony stclaire smm goddard sorrow kindercare ed Christian.com fenton.k12 grief bluffs lapetite tiny- accredited greatschools yellowpages nurseries fenton free home sale ladue i-30  Ellisville radio kfuo.org kfuo television fox fox.com Maplewood Jefferson Nazarene heightsgarage roman Concordia fentonmo fenton-mo csl edu goddard eureka springs imperial pastor sell worry, stlbaptist oasis 636 314 oasischurcharnold twinoaks goddardschool lone elk parkdale Kirkwood commerce crossing schools chamber confessional mo.gov mo.lcms.org Arnold vandover elevationstl sunset Harrison mirley  ic international center calvary netministries  stl oakbridge elevation nra Windsor sacred heart hot topics, k12 daycare christiandaycare creativecommunications creative communicate needs, gravois 141 oak bridge Pre-school, connect preschool, Christian, childcare, infant school, Lutheran, lcms, education, fenton, valley president math science tutor park valleypark, faith faithchurch.com high ridge zion sugar connectchurchstl Baptist catholic town countrygreen park afftoncommunion confession trinity nondenominational  congregation pro-life life abortion searching counseling conservative, liberal, women, girls, men, boy scouts, girl scouts, synod, the Lutheran Church-missouri synod, mom’s day out, moms, great teachers, caring, compassion, cross, jesus, liturgy, contemporary worship, guitar, drums, passion, good Friday, funeral, dedicated, quality, killing jesus, bill o’reilly, factor, Kelly file, playoffs, blues, cardinals, st. Louis, saint, baptism, feast, supper, Lord, youth, church-fentonsummit fentoncrossing umc mccfenton discoverystl lifechurch osl stpaulfenton.org faithchurch.com lifechurch-stl srmonline fbcfenton children, cross, popular, money, $, memorial, technology, traffic, goddard, ads, google,

Great Confirmation and Palm Sunday at Our Savior Fenton - Congrats!

Confirmation At OSL was Beautiful - 11 Confirmed

The church was packed and the children were blessed as the long years of studying brought them to the Lord's Holy Table. There, they joined in with other members of OSL in the holy feast of salvation. The music was beautiful and the singing was heavenly, since, of course, the angels, archangels and all the company of heaven were there. We confirmed 11 children. The parents, grandparents, God-parents and families were beaming.  

OSL's 2015 Confirmands. They also partook of the resurrected body and blood of Jesus for the first time.

The children confirmed what they have been learning since their baptisms. Christ and mercy is what will strengthen them and carry them through the rest of their lives. It was their first time feasting with the saints in heaven along with the believers on earth. The altar is where God promises to meet them, week after week. For these children, the most important thing in their lives is now to get the Holy Feast every Sunday.

Children did a Great Job of Singing

OSL's children from Sunday School, our congregation, our academy and the confirmands all did a great job proclaiming our Lord's work of salvation in hymns, songs, and prayer. Thanks Sue and Holly for all of the work you've done with our Sunday School. You are crucial in preparing all of our future confirmands.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make Palm Sunday such a special day, but especially because Christ was preparing Himself for His death. 

Pr. Sell

Taboo, Christ, missions, best, successful, hope, k-12 fellowship springhillspca Methodist faithstreet stanthony stclaire smm goddard sorrow kindercare ed Christian.com fenton.k12 grief bluffs lapetite tiny- accredited greatschools yellowpages nurseries fenton free home sale ladue i-30  Ellisville radio kfuo.org kfuo television fox fox.com Maplewood Jefferson Nazarene heightsgarage roman Concordia fentonmo fenton-mo csl edu goddard eureka springs imperial pastor sell worry, stlbaptist oasis 636 314 oasischurcharnold twinoaks goddardschool lone elk parkdale Kirkwood commerce crossing schools chamber confessional mo.gov mo.lcms.org Arnold vandover elevationstl sunset Harrison mirley  ic international center calvary netministries  stl oakbridge elevation nra Windsor sacred heart hot topics, k12 daycare christiandaycare creativecommunications creative communicate needs, gravois 141 oak bridge Pre-school, connect preschool, Christian, childcare, infant school, Lutheran, lcms, education, fenton, valley president math science tutor park