Announcements
Memorial and Endowment Fund is Converted to a “Trust”
Effective immediately the OSLC Memorial and Endowment Fund will be known as the “OSLC Memorial and Endowment Trust Fund.” As approved at two Congregational Meetings, the Trust Fund is being formally established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia with the assistance of Mike Brown of the Walker-Jones law firm. There are two reasons that The Fund was converted to a Trust: to protect what is the second largest asset of the church from loss through possible litigation, and,…
OSLC Seeks Office Administrator
Job Advertisement OSLC Office Administrator Our Saviour Lutheran Church (OSLC) is a community of worship, learning and service active in charitable and relief work, both in Fauquier County and throughout the world. OSLC is seeking a highly motivated, experienced professional to serve as Office Administrator for a bustling and prolific church office. Download full position here This position supports and coordinates ministries while serving as office receptionist and welcoming host. Under the direction of the supervising pastor, this position performs…
Martha Mae Giles Scholarship Fund for High School Seniors
Calling all youth in Grades 8-12. Accepting applications from mid-December until mid-March
Help Replenish Pastors’ Emergency Assistance Fund
As is OSLC’s tradition at the Thanksgiving Tuesday service (November 22 at 7pm), the offering is designated to the Pastors’ Emergency Assistance Fund to help those in our community who have fallen on hard times. Since the world turned upside down in 2020, almost all of the funds have been used to supply $20 gas cards to 20 needy Fauquier residents each month who come to the church and request them. Usually, the supply is exhausted within the first week…
Bring some Christmas Cheer to our Warrenton Manor neighbors
$10 GIFT CARD DONATIONS NEEDED The ECHO (Experienced Christians Helping Ourselves and Others) Ministry invites the congregation to help the senior adults living at the Warrenton Manor apartments celebrate Christmas in a simple way. In addition to hosting our usual monthly event, we want to give every apartment a $10.00 gift card, tucked into a Christmas card from our ECHO volunteers. Could you help? Please purchase gift cards from Giant, Safeway, or Walmart in the amount of $10, and bring…
We Mourn the Passing of Bill Werre
A funeral will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 11:00 am
We Mourn the Passing of Jeanne Lavonne Doenges
In the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life won for us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we remember before God our sister Jeanne. Please pray for her husband Bob, their daughters Rachael, Amanda and Eliza, and other family and loved ones. Funeral Service* Thursday, April 7 at 5:00 pm Our Saviour Lutheran Church 6194 Dumfries Road, Warrenton, VA 20187 Funeral Meal* Thursday, April 7 in the church Fellowship Hall following the service. * Request for…
We Mourn the Passing of Jim Wood
A funeral will be held on Saturday, April 2 at 11:00 am
New Drama Opportunity for YOUth
Check “Upcoming Events” for the latest on presentation dates and times! Parts Assigned THIS Weekend (3/19/22)! To enhance our worship as well as allow our youth to grow and shine, we are offering a new opportunity for youth to lead the church: a dramatic presentation of the Passion of Our Lord on April 9-10. All Youth are invited to read for speaking parts this Saturday (March 19) at 3:30 pm. Our youth will prepare a dramatic reading of the story…
Updated COVID-19 Protocols as of March 1, 2022
Due to the changes in CDC guidelines (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html) and a vastly improved local healthcare situation, we recommend the following updates in worship and building use: Worship We are adding back some congregational singing, but appropriate to the season of Lent. We will add back in offering the blood of Christ in the form of wine. The offering plates or baskets will be passed as usual. Masks Throughout the building, wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your…
2022 ELCA Youth Gathering – Canceled
Calling all youth in Grades 8-12. Registration forms will be due by January 16
Registration Open for 2022 Youth Gathering
Calling all youth in Grades 8-12. Registration forms will be due by January 16
Martha Mae Giles Scholarship Fund for High School Seniors
Calling all youth in Grades 8-12. Registration forms will be due by January 16
2021 Memorial and Endowment Fund Distribution
Calling all youth in Grades 8-12. Registration forms will be due by January 16
Continuity of Ministry Committee Conclusions Regarding Rising COVID-19 Cases
The Continuity of Ministry Committee met on Tuesday, January 4 to discuss the Omicron variant and massive spike in cases not only nationally but also in our immediate community. Our goal is to remain open while maintaining a safe space for all involved. As a result, we are strongly urge – but not mandate – the use of masks inside our building with as mush physical distancing as possible. Additionally, we will be reducing the amount of congregational singing during…
We Mourn the Passing of Judy Jones
A funeral will be held on Friday, December 17 at 11:00 am
We Mourn the Passing of Richard Baker
Visitation will be Friday, June 25 from 5-7pm. Funeral Service will be Saturday, June 26 at Noon.
Share Your Faith Story With Your OSLC Family
When we belong to the same family (OSLC), we want to hear each other’s stories. That is what we have done in past issues of the church’s monthly newsletter, The Messenger, and would like to continue as it was well received. For some of us, talking or writing about ourselves is easy. It gets harder when it is that sacred dimension, a most precious part of our lives. If your heart is willing to share but you can’t find the words,…
We Mourn the Passing of Melvin M. Giles
Visitation will be Friday, June 25 from 5-7pm. Funeral Service will be Saturday, June 26 at Noon.
Notice of Constitutional Changes for 2022
This is to advise the Congregation that there will be several changes to the OSLC Constitution for the year 2022. These changes will be introduced and voted upon at the congregational meeting on November 7, 2021 to advance them to the February 2022 meeting for a vote of final approval and inclusion in the official Constitution. The changes consist primarily of restructuring and simplifying the Constitution document itself as some of the policies (recently adopted and new) are so large…
New Weekend Schedule Begins September 11 & 12
After a year of disruption and confusion, we are excited to announce that Our Saviour will soon return to three scheduled, inperson services each weekend. However, this is not simply going back to our prepandemic way of doing things! We are taking this opportunity to shake things up a little bit. Beginning on September 11, this will be our weekend schedule: Saturday 5:30pm Contemporary Service led by Voices of Praise Sunday 8:00 am “Simple” Service 8:45am Fellowship begins 9:00am Sunday…
Disaster Relief for Our Hurley Virginia Friends
Storms on August 30, 2021 did serious damage to our longtime ministry partners in Hurley, Virginia, a rural community in the far southwest of our state. Torrential rains led to mudslides and flooding. Hundreds of people have been rendered homeless, power and fresh water have been disrupted. Key roads have been rendered impassible. After years of collaboration, we at OSLC must not abandon our friends now. We are gathering funds to send to Hurley Community Development, the local relief…
We Mourn the Passing of Margaret P. Werre
Visitation will be Friday, June 25 from 5-7pm. Funeral Service will be Saturday, June 26 at Noon.
OSLC’s Continuity of Ministry Committee: How It Works and What’s Been Done
Greetings from your Continuity of Ministry Committee, This group is comprised of our pastors and members of our church from various backgrounds such as business, education and the medical field that are volunteering to help make as much sense as possible of all the information coming our way regarding COVID-19. We are not experts in epidemiology or infectious disease, but we do listen to those who are, and we are working our hardest to represent the best interest of our…
Lenten Wednesdays by Zoom
Although we aren’t able to share Soup Suppers the way we might like, we can join our hearts and voices in prayer at 7pm each Wednesday throughout Lent. Feb 17: Ash Wednesday Feb 24: Commemoration of Elizabeth Fedde, Deaconess Mar 3: Commemoration of John & Charles Wesley Mar 10: Commemoration of Sojourner Truth & Harriet Tubman Mar 17: Commemoration of Patrick, Missionary to Ireland Mar 24: Commemoration of Oscar Romero, Bishop Join 7:00 pm Zoom Session each Wednesday in Lent…
Calendar for January 30-February 12, 2021
Please note that meeting/event may be occurring in person and/or online. Please check to confirm!
Calendar for January 16-29, 2021
Please note that meeting/event may be occurring in person and/or online. Please check to confirm! (Click image of calendar below to be taken to downloadable/printable PDF.)
Calendar for January 23-February 5, 2021
Please note that meeting/event may be occurring in person and/or online. Please check to confirm!
COVID Vaccine Survey for Age 65+ and/or 16-64 with Underlying Medical Condition
We are sharing this information as it was provided by the Population Health Coordinator of our regional Rappahannock Rapidan Health District, part of the Virginia Department of Health. Governor Northam identified which essential workers will be receiving the vaccine in Phase 1B and Phase 1C. When Phase 1B is launched, it will include frontline essential workers, such K-12 teachers and staff, grocery store workers, migrant farmworkers, corrections facility employees and people who are incarcerated, and those working or living in…
Calendar for January 9-22, 2021
Alert–read for IMMEDIATE changes in worship and small-group activities! Due to the increased risk of infection from the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Continuity of Ministry Committee, in consultation with the pastors and music leaders, have made the following changes to our worship services from now until at least January 17, 2021: Saturday services are on hiatus from through 1/17/2021 Sunday services will be offered ONLY on Facebook livestream (with video posted to the website at some later date) through 1/18/2021 All…
Calendar for December 12-27
Please note that meeting/event may be occurring in person and/or online. Please check to confirm! (Click image of calendar below to be taken to downloadable/printable PDF.) Click image of calendar below to be taken to downloadable/printable PDF.
In-Person Services Temporarily ON HOLD
December 18, 2020 Due to the increased risk of infection from the covid-19 coronavirus, the Continuity of Ministry Committee, in consultation with the pastors and music leaders, have made the following changes to our worship services from now until at least January 17, 2021: Saturday services are on hiatus from December 19 (this weekend) through January 17, 2021 Sunday services will be offered ONLY on Facebook livestream (with video posted to the website at some later date) from December 20…
Calendar for December 19, 2020 – January 3, 2021
Alert–read for IMMEDIATE changes in worship and small-group activities! Due to the increased risk of infection from the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Continuity of Ministry Committee, in consultation with the pastors and music leaders, have made the following changes to our worship services from now until at least January 17, 2021: Click here for information on Christmas eve and day services Saturday services are on hiatus from 12/19 (this weekend) through 1/17/2021 Sunday services will be offered ONLY on Facebook livestream…
Calendar for December 26, 2020 – January 10, 2021
Alert–read for IMMEDIATE changes in worship and small-group activities! Due to the increased risk of infection from the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Continuity of Ministry Committee, in consultation with the pastors and music leaders, have made the following changes to our worship services from now until at least January 17, 2021: Saturday services are on hiatus from through 1/17/2021 Sunday services will be offered ONLY on Facebook livestream (with video posted to the website at some later date) through 1/18/2021 All…
Christmas Message from Presiding Biship Elizabeth Eaton
(click HERE for printable pdf) Precisely in our distress, in our dislocation, the Lord shows up. Emmanuel—God with us—makes his home in the very places we find foreign or isolating. The room was spare and dimly lit. We sat on folding chairs in a circle—young Honduran women and some of us from the ELCA. We had come to Honduras to observe the work of AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrant Minors with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities). This is the ELCA’s strategy to…
Calendar for December 5-20
Please note that meeting/event may be occurring in person and/or online. Please check to confirm! (Click image of calendar below to be taken to downloadable/printable PDF.)
FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT: End-of-Year Giving
To those who make a special year end donation, these must be deposited in our bank by December 31. While the office will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s (more on that in next week’s news e-blast), Sandy Benfit will check the mailbox periodically that week and make an in-person deposit at PNC Bank on December 31. If you have questions, email Sandy Benfit. If it is easier for you, this donation can also be made online.
FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT: 2021 Offering Envelopes
Pick Yours Up at Church Now! 2021 Offering Envelopes are now available for pick from tables in the church narthex. There is also a sign-up sheet for anyone who wants an offering box who does not see a box with their name on it. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Benfit.
FINANCE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENT: Staff Christmas Gifts
If there was ever a year the staff might need uplifting, this is it! We are collecting for a monetary gift to all our staff – Pastors, Administrative Assistant, Musicians, and Sexton to be presented before Christmas. Collections will continue through Sunday, December 20 in order to be given out Wednesday, December 23. For in-person giving, please mark your donation as Staff Christmas Gift. For online giving, please select “Staff Christmas Gifts” from the Select Fund drop-down menu on our donate…
Christmas for Warrenton Manor Senior Angels
Echo and Social Ministry are making Christmas plans to adopt all the seniors living at Warrenton Manor (low income housing). If you would like to help out, we are collecting monetary donations and Thrivent Grant money to put together a small gift for each resident. Please donate online (select “Warrenton Manor Sr. Angels” from the Select Fund drop-down menu) or if you are dropping off a check, write ‘Sr Angels’ in the memo line by 3pm on Wednesday, December 16. For…
Calendar for November 28 – December 13
Please note that meeting/event may be occurring in person and/or online. Please check to confirm! (Click image of calendar below to be taken to downloadable/printable PDF.)
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) 2020
Help us spread the Good News and great joy to children in need around the world! We are so excited to continue packing Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoeboxes this year. With the pandemic, the need has never been greater. OCC blesses children around the world with gift-filled shoeboxes that become opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The boxes contain items like toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items, and clothing. The boxes are shipped to over 100 counties…
News Update for Saturday, May 30 – Friday, June 5
Weekly Worship for Saturday, May 30 & Sunday, May 31 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Come to 10:00 am Worship on Sunday, June 14! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, or the seats of your cars to worship TOGETHER live! We will broadcast the service through speakers onto the property, through our new FM radio transmitter, and on Facebook live. Can’t wait to see you all! Receive the Body of Christ Starting June 2, the pastors will…
News Update for Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, August 2
Weekly Worship for Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Come Worship Together Back Inside! Our Saviour is thrilled to have you join us back inside for Saturday services at 5:30 pm and Sunday services at 10:00 am. Please click the “Read More” button below to get all the details including how to reserve your spot, which will better enable to keep all who wish to worship together in person safe.…
News Update for Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 26
Headlines: Death Announcements Drive-In Movie Night at OSLC Welcome the Guest Pastors Calendar Weekly Worship for Saturday, July 18 & Sunday, July 19 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Come Worship Together Back Inside! Our Saviour is thrilled to have you join us back inside for Saturday services at 5:30 pm and Sunday services at 10:00 am. Please click the “Read More” button below to get all the details including how to reserve your spot, which will…
News Update for Saturday, July 11 – Sunday, July 19
Weekly Worship for Saturday, July 11 & Sunday, July 12 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Come Worship Together Back Inside! Our Saviour is thrilled to have you join us back inside for Saturday services at 5:30 pm and Sunday services at 10:00 am. Please click the “Read More” button below to get all the details including how to reserve your spot, which will better enable to keep all who wish to worship together in person safe.…
News Update for Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 12
Weekly Worship for Saturday, July 4 & Sunday, July 5 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Worship is back in da house! Our Saviour is thrilled to have you join us back inside for Saturday services at 5:30 pm and Sunday services at 10:00 am. Please click the “Read More” button below to get all the details including how to reserve your spot, which will better enable to keep all who wish to worship together in person…
News Update for Saturday, June 27 – Friday, July 3
Weekly Worship for Saturday, June 27 & Sunday, June 28 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Worship is back in da house! Our Saviour is thrilled to have you join us in worship back inside starting this Sunday, June 28 at 10:00 am. And the joy continues on the following weekend when both Saturday evening (5:30 pm) and Sunday morning (10:00 am) services will be celebrated inside once again. For those who prefer to stay safer at…
News Update for Saturday, June 20 – Friday, June 26
Weekly Worship for Saturday, June 20 & Sunday, June 21 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, It went so well the 1st time, we’re doing it again! Our Saviour is excited to hold our 2nd live in-person worship on Sunday, June 21 at 10:00 am — Father’s Day — rain or shine! The worship service will take place outside of Our Saviour’s building on the lawn and parking lot. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, or you…
News Update for Saturday, June 13 – Friday, June 19
Weekly Worship for Saturday, June 13 & Sunday, June 14 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Worship Together Live & In-person Our Saviour is excited to hold the first live in-person worship since early March on Sunday, June 14 at 10:00 am — rain or shine! The worship service will take place outside of Our Saviour’s building on the lawn and parking lot. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets, or you can stay in the safety…
News Update for Saturday, June 6 – Friday, June 12
Weekly Worship for Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7 To be taken to our Worship & Sermons page, Come to 10:00 am Worship on Sunday, June 14! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, or the seats of your cars to worship TOGETHER live! We will broadcast the service through speakers onto the property, through our new FM radio transmitter, and on Facebook live. Can’t wait to see you all! Receive the Body of Christ Pastors Michael and Terri have begun…
News Update for Saturday, May 23 – Friday, May 29
Weekly Worship for Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24 God truly does provide! Our Saviour is blessed to be able to offer a “Virtual Church” experience during COVID-19. This is a way for us to come together in worship while remaining safe and healthy at home. And starting this week, there will be a Saturday evening contemporary service (with Voices of Praise!) in addition to Sunday morning service. Saturday 5:30 pm Contemporary Service Virtual Saturday Potluck (Zoom, 6:30 pm) After service,…
News Update for Saturday, May 16 – Friday, May 22
Big News Coming This Weekend – Stay Tuned! Please look for an email, webpage update and Facebook post over the weekend. We are proud to announce some exciting news about services, small groups and fellowship. OSLC is expanding your opportunities to connect. Of course, like any good teaser, we aren’t going to spill it all just yet. One spoiler, though … So you aren’t disappointed, while we would love to have everyone back in the sanctuary, we won’t be announcing in-person services…
News Update for Friday, May 8 – Thursday, May 14
Fauquier County Food Distribution Coalition Needs Your Help Our Saviour is asking for help in providing non-perishable food for Fauquier County Food Distribution Coalition’s quickly approaching Food Giveaway. Hardships caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic have made the need for assistance greater than ever! Please consider donating to this very worthy cause. Non-perishable food (see list of most-needed items below) should be dropped off in the narthex at Our Saviour by Wednesday, May 13. Days & hours to do so are Tuesday-Friday between 9:30…
We Mourn the Passing of Laurice Maher
January 5, 1951 – April 26, 2020 Laurice Elizabeth Maher, age 69, a resident of Warrenton, VA and formerly of Long Island, NY entered the Kingdom Eternal on Sunday, April 26. She had a hard battle with ALS, which finally took her. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends. A retired teacher, Laurice and her son Michael joined Our Saviour in the fall of 2015. Laurice was an avid worshiper and, for as long as she was able, active in…
News Update for Friday, May 1 — Thursday, May 7
We’re So Happy FCCC Is Here to Help! Our Saviour continues to be delighted that we partnered with Fauquier Community Child Care (FCCC) to provide day care for children of essential personnel. This critical need created by COVID-19 presents our church with the opportunity to demonstrate God’s Work, Our Hands! If you know of any essential personnel needing child care, send them to us and our long-time partner FCCC. See this Fauquier Now article for more information: Weekly Worship for…
We Mourn the Passing of Arlen Wayne Ingman
October 13, 1932 – April 24, 2020 Arlen Wayne Ingman, age 87, a resident of Warrenton, VA entered the Kingdom Eternal on Friday, April 24. He and his family moved from upstate New York to Virginia in 1972. Nicknamed “Swede”, he was Lutheran through and through. Arlen was an active member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church since joining in 1973. Among other things, he served as an usher and was a part of the Site Committee when Our Saviour moved from Broadview…
News Update for Friday, April 24 — Thursday, April 30
Check out our news highlights reel! Results of April 22 Congregational Meeting: Resounding Approval! At a special meeting of the congregation, Our Saviour Lutheran Church used the quite-unusual format of a Zoom Poll (plus message and phone call), to vote in favor of applying for a loan made available through the CARES Act. For more info, read the motion put forth by the Finance Committee and Council. Many thanks to Bonnie McQuillan, Tom Bartkiewicz, Bob & Betsy Springman, Sandy Benfit, Rod…
News Update for Friday, April 17 — Thursday, April 23
Congregational Meeting on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 pm As announced last Friday, Council has called a special meeting of the congregation for the purpose of considering application for a Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection loan. Click here to be taken to this event for more information and how to “attend” this virtual meeting. Your voice and vote matter! Weekly Worship for Sunday, April 19, 2020 To keep our members and neighbors safe, Our Saviour is not holding in-person worship services…
Remote Meetings and Virtual Coffee Hour – Using Zoom
In order to facilitate remote committee meetings and the weekly virtual coffee hour, OSLC has chosen Zoom, an online meeting application (app). This allows a “Host” to schedule a meeting and then for “attendees” to join your call. Those who would like to participate in events conducted on Zoom, will need to download the Zoom app on their computer, smart phone, or tablet. Zoom provides the ability to use your computer or mobile device’s camera, microphone and speaker to provide…
News for the Week of April 5th – Holy Week
Weekly Worship for Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 To keep our members and neighbors safe, Our Saviour is not holding in-person worship services for the time being. But we WILL worship. And we CAN stay connected as a community of faith through our website, phone, email, social media and other technologies. We all miss being together in person and look forward to the day we can resume normal activities safely. Our Saviour is excited to offer a “Virtual Church” experience…
2019 Year in Review Video
Since we can’t see Tom’s great work in the Narthex, we thought we would put a little music with it and post. A great way to see old friends and remember some good times. 2020 will certainly be different but our faith will see us through. Photography courtesy of Tom Bartkiewicz Sand-dollar.com and Royalty free music courtesy of bensound.com
News for the Week of March 29, 2020
Weekly Worship for Sunday March 29, 2020 To keep our members and neighbors safe, Our Saviour is not holding in-person worship services for the time being. But we WILL worship. And we CAN stay connected as a community of faith through our website, phone, email, social media and other technologies. We all miss being together in person and look forward to the day we can resume normal activities safely. Our Saviour is excited to offer a “Virtual Church” experience again…
OSLC Adapts to Coronavirus Restrictions
Updates as of Friday, March 20, 2020 Trying to communicate effectively in this crisis has been like hitting a moving target. We are trying to keep everyone informed, provide pastoral and worship services and plan the way forward—all at the same time. We ask for your prayers, your patience, and your support. Remote Worship Our Saviour is excited to offer a “Virtual Church” experience this weekend. This is a way for us to come together in worship while remaining safe…
OSLC Coronavirus Response
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows in our region, OSLC is responding in faith with caution, but without panic. Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment for worship and spiritual community. Please keep an eye on the church Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/oslcwarrenton/) for the most current information. Worship from Home This weekend’s sermon is available for online viewing via Facebook Live. A Facebook account is not required to watch. Follow this link to find our page: https://www.facebook.com/oslcwarrenton/ Live Videos…
OSLC Adopts 2020 Constitution
On February 23rd, an updated version of the OSLC Constitution was adopted at a congregational meeting. You can read the constitution as well as the marked-up draft on the OSLC Constitution page of this website.
Lutheran World Relief Quilt Ministry
Welcome to a new year of Quilt-making for Lutheran World Relief! The first Quilting work sessions of the New Year will be on Saturday, January 12 (9am-noon) and Tuesday, January 15 (12:30-3pm). As always, please extend an open invitation welcoming others to be a part of our Ministry. On Saturday, January 12, before we begin assembling new Quilts, we’ll gather together @ 9:00am for a light breakfast (fruit and muffins, coffee/tea/juice) and a brief orientation/planning session. Please RSVP to phyllis.herrington@gmail.com or amutterer@gmail.com.…