As members of the body of Christ in this place and time, we are a welcoming congregation of people who gather to be shaped by God’s Word and Sacrament, with the purpose of living out God’s love in our community and world. We hope you will join us!
Featured Event
Join us for “Praise and Worship” on Saturday, May 23 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm – a partnership between New Creation Church and Our Savior Lutheran Church as a fundraiser for Rihalo Christian School in Burkina Faso.
10:00 am Worship
We welcome you to worship this Sunday!
On Sunday, May 17, Pr. Olaf is the presider, and Pr. Kristin-Luana is the preacher.
Here is Sunday’s Sermon News:
Image Credit: Vaughan, Joanna. Ascension, 2007, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56521
Ascension Sunday: What’s your Orientation?
Just before Jesus ascends into heaven, he says to his disciples: “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46b-47).
The focus on repentance and forgiveness at the end of Jesus’ ministry brings us back to the very moment when it started. John, Jesus’ cousin, established the ministry of baptism in repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Eerdmans Bible Dictionary defines repentance as “a complete change of orientation involving a judgment upon the past and a deliberate redirection for the future.”
This turning around is, according to the biblical prophetic tradition, a turning back towards God. We all seek salvation in all kinds of things: in money, in people, in food and drink, in power and success. But salvation can only be found in God. And so, we need to reorient ourselves towards God every day anew. How do we do that?
Come and find out this Sunday at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front St. S., in Issaquah and on YouTube.
– Pr. Kristin-Luana
Click the “Worship With Us Live” logo above to worship online with us, and click the buttons below to view the bulletin and the hymns and follow along.
Worshipping online? Let us know!
If you regularly worship with us here on YouTube on Sundays, please let Cynthia know at office@oslcissaquah.org or 425-392-4169.
Norwegian Treats at Coffee Fellowship on Sunday, May 17
To honor Norway’s Syttende Mai (National Day/Constitution Day) that’s celebrated each May 17, come enjoy special Norwegian food offered at Coffee Fellowship on Sunday. Hope you can join the festive celebration after worship!
Line Dancing with Renata Continues on Mondays in May
You’re invited to have fun and get moving at Zuzla Line Dancing with Renata on Mondays at 11:00 a.m. in Anderson Hall. Classes are $10 per class or pay what you can.
Visioning Group Meetings
Here are the dates and times for the next meeting of these Visioning Groups:
- RIC Group: Monday, May 18, 6:30 p.m. in the Education Room
- Life of Faith Group: Wednesday, May 20, 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Education Room
Seeking $25 Safeway Gift Cards for OSLC’s Benevolence Fund
Due to the rising costs of essential items, a tough job market, and reduced social service funding, lately many people have come to OSLC seeking help to afford their basic needs. I’ve met dynamic, resilient people who are living in their car, staying in a shelter, seeking permanent housing, applying for jobs, trying to move past setbacks, recovering from health issues, and/or fleeing domestic violence. It takes hard work, faith, and persistence to jump through the hoops to attain services and try to get back on their feet. I offer a caring welcome, listening, gift cards, and local resource lists so they feel valued.
Because gas prices are spiking, most people request gift cards for gas. With the Safeway gas station right up the hill in the Highlands, Safeway gift cards are in high demand since they can be used for gas or food. OSLC’s Benevolence Fund is nearly out of $25 Safeway gift cards. If you could donate $25 Safeway gift cards, that would be much appreciated. Please put them in the offering basket during worship or bring them to Cynthia in the church office. I’ll make sure they go to community members in need. Thanks for your generosity and support.
Wednesday AA Meetings – 6:00 p.m.
A new Alcoholics Anonymous meeting has startied up at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Education Room. There will be childcare available in the Children’s Classroom next door.
Pastors’ Upcoming Schedule
Pr. Kristin-Luana will take a few days off from Thursday, May 21-Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day). She’ll return to work on Tuesday, May 26. Pr. Olaf will be working during that time.
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Blood Drive on Thursday, May 28
To sign up to donate blood on Thursday, May 28 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue, use the button below.
NW WA Synod Gathering in Lynnwood on Saturday, May 30 – Registration closes on Monday, May 18
You are invited join other members of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA to celebrate, learn, and connect around the theme of generosity. On Saturday, May 30, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., we will gather at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood AND the new Lynnwood Neighborhood Center. There will be worship with Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee, give thanks for Synod VP Kay Edgerton who is concluding her term this summer, and hear from keyenote speaker Rev. Tim Brown, ELCA Director for Congregational Stewardship. After lunch, there will be afternoon workshops, and then a sending service to close the day. All are welcome to register—lay members and rostered leaders. There are so many wonderful workshop options, you will want to bring a group from your ministry site to capture as many of the offerings as you can!
Registration Info: Cost will be $40/person—includes the full program and lunch.
For more information and to register, click the button below. Registration closes at noon on Monday, May 18.
Preparing for OSLC’s Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 28
Due Date for Committee Reports: Monday, June 1
Committee chairs and church leaders need to submit their reports on or before Monday, June 1 for Cynthia to complete and print the Annual Report so it’s ready for Sunday, June 14. The congregation needs two Sundays—June 14 and 21—to review it before the Annual Meeting. Also, if you’ve taken photos of your committee or church events in the last year, please submit those as well. Please email your report (and photos) to Cynthia at office@oslcissaquah.org.
Annual Congregational Meeting: Sunday, June 28
Join us on Sunday, June 28 in Anderson Hall immediately following worship as we set the church’s course for next year. Agenda items include voting on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Mission & Ministry Operating Budget and discussing mission priorities. Your attendance is important, and we hope to see you there!
Skills for Disagreeing Better Workshop on Saturday, June 6 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue
Would you like to learn how to disagree better? How to explore where we differ, and how to recognize what we share across the gap of political views? Then please join us at this FREE workshop conducted by Braver Angels. We will learn and practice skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding. We encourage you to invite those from your circle with different views. This workshop is about sharing experiences and finding common ground, not about debate or persuasion. All viewpoints are welcome. We hope you’ll join us!
Eastside Pride Event on Sunday, June 7
You’re invited to the Eastside Pride Event at the Issaquah Library on Sunday, June 7 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. It’s hosted by Spirit of Peace UCC and Faith United Methodist Church. There will be giveaways of Pride flags, stickers, and snacks, along with activities such as face painting, music, coloring pages, and bubble makers to share joy and love with the community.
Book for OSLC Fall Study Is on Sale!
This fall, Pr. Kristin-Luana will facilitate a 12:00 p.m. study of the book Tending the Wild Garden: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit by Eugenia Anne Gamble. This book is currently on sale (35% off!) at pcusastore.com. You can buy your copy via the button below. More information about the book study will be forthcoming.
ELCC Webpage
Do you know that the Eastside Lutheran Church Community (ELCC) has a webpage? You can find it here: https://www.eastsidelutherancgdc.org/ And, even better, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you can sign up for their newsletter! There are many interesting events there. Have a look!
Youth Events
Summer Mission Trip—Lantern Hill, Mexico
June 26-July 2, 2026, Cost: $700 per person plus airfare and other accommodations (additional hotels, shuttles, etc.); Who can come: All ages, an intergenerational mission trip!
This is not your normal mission trip. You, as a participant, will be part of the leadership and planning of this trip, using your gifts and talents to help shape what we do over the course of our time with the wonderful people of Lantern Hill. The main goal of this trip is to learn and grow in relationship with the people of Lantern Hill, not to come and “fix” their problems. During the course of the trip, you could help to prep a meal in the kitchen, tutor a student, play games or soccer with the kids, help build, or whatever you and our team decides in partnership with the people of Lantern Hill! While you are there you will experience the people, the community, the food, and the hospitality of the Lantern Hill Community.
For any questions, email Doug Johnson at doug@salc.church or doug@shlc.org.
Sunday, May 17
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship Hour (Anderson Hall)
Monday, May 18
11:00 a.m. Line Dancing with Renata Class (Anderson Hall)
3:00 p.m. Companions Bible Study (Online)
6:30 p.m. RIC Group Visioning Meeting (Education Room)
Tuesday, May 19
7:00 p.m. Executive Committee (Online)
Wednesday, May 20
2:00 p.m. Life of Faith Visioning Group (Education Room)
Thursday, May 21
9:30 a.m. Mission Quilters (Anderson Hall)
1:00 p.m. Community Meal Prep (Kitchen)
7:00 p.m. Finance Committee (Online)
Saturday, May 23
7:00 p.m. Praise and Worship Fundraiser for Rihalo Christian School (OSLC and New Creation Church partnership) (Sanctuary)
Sunday, May 24
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship Hour (Anderson Hall)
Emergency Pastoral Care
For emergency pastoral care, please contact Pr. Olaf Baumann at 360-912-1830 or Pr.O@oslcissaquah.org, or Pr. Kristin-Luana Baumann at 360-912-1245 or Pr.KL@oslcissaquah.org.