We enjoyed our visit from the Girl Scout Troop in Quincy, IL!

We enjoy all of our visitors, occasionally we have guests who can stay a few days.  This Girl Scout Troop that visited us were from Quincy, Illinois and they had a great time as tourists. They hiked in the park, went to Rock City, Biltmore and Gatlinburg attractions while here. They really enjoyed themselves and look forward to visiting our area again.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

About the Our Savior Lutheran Church Foundation

We can do more together – forever.

 

The purpose of the Foundation is to provide ministerial or charitable funds in addition to the limited fund the church budget provides.  As money is accumulated in the fund, it grows over the years in the future and would exist in perpetuity.  A portion of the money earned by the fund, would be given annually to local, national or worthwhile foreign causes.

Recipients have included:

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic
Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries
Sevier County Food Ministries
Senior Citizen Home Assistance Services
CASA
Mental Health Assn. of East Tennessee
Boys and Girls Club of the Smokies at Gatlinburg
Safe Harbor Advocate for Children
Safe Space
Friends in Need

The 2018 Recipient was SMARM

 

The Foundation provides an opportunity for you to contribute money that is invested in perpetuity to provide charitable funds for worthwhile organizations far in to the future.

The sources of funding may come in may different ways to the Our Savior Lutheran Church Foundation.
*Cash Gifts
*Gifts by Will
*Property
*Life Insurance
*Securities
All contributions are placed in the Foundation General Fund.

Foundation Gifts are perpetual. The capital is held in trust.  Supervision and control of funds is exercised by seven members of the OSLC Congregation. Together we can do more forever.

God’s Work through Kathy Cole of Our Savior Lutheran Church

Have you wondered where God is on the loose in the Smokies?  Open my eyes Lord! Just take a look and you will see the handiwork of God all around you.

16403041_10155028572423408_7196148174925548100_oGod is always at work in the Smokies.  One of our congregants was recently recognized by the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of the Smoky Mountains as volunteer of the year 2016 at the Kodak location!  Ms. Kathy is someone we all know very well.  This beautiful gal gives it all.   Meet Kathy Cole, OSLC Choir Director, Worship and Music committee member, Boys and Girl’s Club Volunteer, wife, family member, friend, church member, sister in Christ.

There are some people, who exemplify Christ’s call to us to love one another and Kathy is one of them.  Kathy’s love is shown through hard work, commitment and attention to the needs of others.

We are so thrilled Kathy has been recognized for her faith walk.  God is indeed at work in the life of Kathy Cole and we are most grateful to be a part of that love being shared.  May God Bless each and every child, every worker and volunteer who has been touched by God’s work through Kathy Cole at the Kodak Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Sevier County.  We give thanks for her energy and her willingness to give it all away for the benefit of others.

Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministry

 

Our Savior Lutheran Church chose Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries as a recipient  to aid in their many ministries that reach those in need in Sevier County.

Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries was founded to demonstrate the love of Christ by serving individuals and families in their moment of need.  SMARM  provides one-on-one assessments and point-of-need services such as short-term housing, utility assistance, transportation, food, and clothing.  SMARM provides organized mentoring and permanent housing resources to help families move from crisis to stability.

Working to provide housing aid, utility aid, providing clothing and food to those in need.

http://www.smarm.org.

Hot Meals for Hungry Hearts
Locations and Days Served.

Monday
Henderson Chapel Baptist Church
407 Henderson Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
5:30 – 6:30 pm

First Baptist Church Sevierville
Youth Building Court Avenue
Sevierville, TN 37862
5:00 – 5:30 pm

Tuesday
Parkway Church of God
1103 Dolly Parton Pkwy
Sevierville TN 37862
6:00 – 7:00 pm

FOURTH Wednesday
Middle Creek United Methodist Church
Lower Middle Creek Road
5:00 – 7:00 pm

Thursday
Kodak United Methodist Church
2823 Bryan Road
Kodak, TN 37764
5:00-6:– pm

Red Bank Baptist Church
1530 Old Newport Highway
Sevierville TN 37862
5:30 – 6:30 pm

2016 Our Savior Lutheran Church Foundation Gift Awarded

As 2016 came to a close, it was apparent that need was great among our community.  As our foundation directors gathered to voted on the recipient for the 2016 gifts, one recipient rose to the top of the choices quickly.  Our Savior Lutheran Church has reached out to Pi Beta Phi on many occasions, wondering how we might be God’s hands, reaching out to children and families in our community.

Through pasts children’s programs such as FIN, and efforts through our WELCA groups we  have continued to fill needs of families in Gatlinburg.  As the information on kids in the schools, post 2016 wildfires became known to us, it was a unanimous vote to award the gift to the Pi Beta Phi PTA who was filling and continues to fill needs of families, children directly affected by the Gatlinburg Fires.

The check was awarded to Laura Bogart, Pi Beta Phi PTA President.  Thanks to Matt Kulp, OSLC Foundation President for making the check presentation.

IMG_0009

What is a Chrismon Tree?

 

This is the Chrismon Tree that is on display at Our Savior Lutheran Church each year at Christmas.  The ornaments have been made by members who have served in the church.  This tree is special to all who view it.  When you know the symbols of a Christmon Tree the tree can tell the story of Christ.  The tree serves a special way of telling the Christmas story.

Chirstomas are often used on Christmas Trees in Churches and Christians homes. They were first made by Frances Kipps Spencer at the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, USA. She also thought of the word, Chrismon, which is a combination of Christ and monogram (meaning symbol).

Many churches and homes use the Chrismon Tree as a way of keeping God’s Message at Christmas ever present in their homes.

What is the meaning of the Nativity?

As we prepare our hearts to deliver God’s message of love at the Scenes of the Nativity we thought it would be fun to explore some of the definitions and history of the nativity.

As found on Google:

nativity-bulb-recoveredWhat is the meaning of the Nativity?

The word comes from the Latin term nativus, which means “born.” The Bible mentions the nativity of several prominent characters, but today the term is used primarily in connection with the birth of Jesus Christ.

 

Who are all the people in the nativity scene?
Nativity scenes exhibit figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Joseph. Other characters from the nativity story such as shepherds and sheep, and angels may be displayed near the manger in a barn (or cave) intended to accommodate farm animals, as described in the gospels of Luke.
Visit often to learn all about The Nativity, the Advent Season and the loving message that comes to us through Jesus Christ.

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic of Sevierville, TN

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic | 312 Prince St. | Sevierville, TN 37862

Mountain Hope Clinic is proud to be the only health care ministry in Sevier County that exclusively treats the medically uninsured.

cropped-cropped-Mountain-Hope-Logo-New-e1437502865867Since the population of Sevier County is largely based on tourism and many jobs are seasonal in nature many citizens are without medical insurance. Mountain Hope was founded to provide a medical home to those in need of our care. We provide primary medical care, limited dental care, and help patients apply for pharmaceutical assistance. We make referrals to outside medical specialists for conditions that cannot be treated on site. Many of them are willing to work out payment plans with our patients who have a limited ability to pay.

Our Mission:

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic is a community clinic which provides quality healthcare for the medically uninsured who live or work in Sevier County, Tennessee.

Our Core Values:

Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, we value:

  • all human life
  • compassionate and professional healthcare
  • community partnerships
  • financial integrity

We are committed to serve all who seek our services, without regard to age, race, sex, religious beliefs, national origin, or handicap. 990 and other documents are available upon request.**

Mary Vance is a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and we are happy to support this community ministry.

http://www.mountainhope.org

Staff

Mary_VanceMary Vance has been involved with the Clinic since its inception, starting with its development as an organization.  She was drawn to become involved because of the plight of the uninsured. She continued to volunteer on many levels including being a member of the board of directors until the spring of 2001, when she answered “her call” to become the Clinic’s first Executive Director.  Mary has a B.A. in sociology and philosophy from Bowling Green State University, a M.S. in Community Health Administration from California College of Health Sciences and held a TN license for nursing home administrator.  Mary ended her 15 year career with Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center as the leader of the three departments of Occupational Health, Employee Health and Community Health.  Her husband is retired from the National Park Service and they have two grown sons.

Sevier County Food Ministry

What We Do
Sevier County Food Ministries is a voluntary interfaith ministry founded in 1992 in downtown Sevierville to help assure that no one in Sevier County goes hungry. We are guided by the example of Christ, who understood hunger and fed the multitudes. Food and monetary donations to purchase food are contributed by caring individuals, churches, businesses, clubs, groups and many other persons and organizations.

Our mission is to feed the hungry. Our neighbors do not have to meet any qualifications to receive food, though an interview is conducted to obtain basic information and to understand their situation and identify who we are serving. Our program is an emergency food resource for persons experiencing a food shortage.

Those in need may come once a week for as long as they are experiencing difficulties. In addition to practical support, this ministry offers prayer and counsel for those who request it.

http://www.seviercountyfoodministries.org