Men in Missions
Men in Missions – This group of men meets once a month to learn about service projects in the church and beyond that they can become involved in. It is part mentor-ship and part service, resulting in service to others.
UPCOMING: Lent and Easter Information
OMG is the trio of three ELCA Churches in the Virginia & Mt. Iron area that are sharing services and events ~ Our Savior’s Lutheran, Messiah Lutheran, and Gethsemane Lutheran churches have teamed up to provide the following services for you to attend during Lent. We hope you find it convenient to come worship with us!
OMG Lenten and Holy Week Services & Events
OMG Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner @ Gethsemane Lutheran: Address: Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 901 4th St S, Virginia, MN. Time: 5-7pm This Dinner is Open to everyone! A freewill offering will be taken to benefit Quad Cities Food Shelf – funds collected are matched by Minnesota Food Share!
Ash Wednesday Services –With Holy Communion & Ashes:
March 6th: 12:00pm, and 6pm Soup Dinner, followed by 6:45pm Worship. At Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia.
Wednesday Lent Soup Dinner & Worship with Communion
Each week will host a 6:oopm Meal & 6:45 Worship March 13 – Gethsemane Lutheran (address above)
March 20 – Our Savior’s Lutheran, 1111 8th St. South, Virginia
March 27 – Our Savior’s Lutheran
April 3 – Messiah, 8590 Enterprise Drive, Mountain Iron
April 10 – Messiah Lutheran
Holy Week Services& Events
April 18th Maundy Thursday: There will be 2 Seder Meals at Messiah Lutheran- Confirmation students on April 17th, and an RSVP event Apr. 18th, with a Foot Washing service. Call the church for details or to reserve a seat for the Seder Meal.
April 19 Good Friday Services: 12:00pm & 6:30 pm Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Virginia.
Easter Services: 9:00 & 10:45am Gethsemane Lutheran 9:30 Our Savior’s Lutheran and 10:00 Messiah Lutheran
Men In Mission
A bunch of guys gettin’ together for great food and God-talk — that’s Men in Mission. Guest speakers, Bible studies and breakfast are all on the menu one Saturday each month. Get your weekend off to a great start — mingle with the Men in Mission
Learning about the church’s work in India
OSLC’s Missions Ministry Team was pleased to sponsor an evening with the Rev. Dr.’s Neeraj (man) and Nijhar (lady) Ekka and their four children: Maani (12-daughter), Urbas (9-son), Puna (7-son) and Jhumpa (4-daughter). Jhumpa was well named, at least in the English meaning of her name, as she thoroughly entertained everyone with her constant motion!
The Ekkas are currently in the states where Nijhar just completed her doctorate in Literacy. They will return to Ranchi, India in August. They are working as partners with the World Mission Prayer League.
Pastors Neeraj and Nijhar provide vision and leadership for the partnership between the World Mission Prayer League and the North Western Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church, India. The Ekkas gave leadership to develop and continue to serve at Navin Doman (the first Christian convert in that area in the 1800’s) Theological College in Ranchi, India. The college is used to train pastors, evangelists and missionaries for holistic ministry; to host religious conferences, exchange students, foreign visitors, and mission trips; and to equip youth, women and lay leaders for witness and transformation in communities.
They were also instrumental in starting an after school program in that area of Ranchi. Many of the children and most of the women in that area are illiterate. Pr. Nijhar will have special emphasis with her ministry in the area of literacy.
OSLC’s connection to the Ekkas came as a result of deep friendship with the Rev. Melinda Melhus (former member of OSLC) and Gail Wieman (current member). AiM Brenda Tibbetts, Virginia Nelson and Bob Bjorum have also known the Ekkas for quite a few years, as the Ekkas have presented at Luther Seminary for Life Long Learning classes.
An enjoyable evening was had by everyone. We enjoyed great food, fellowship, a PowerPoint presentation featuring many fascinating photos, and visiting with Neeraj, Nijhar and the children.
Special thanks to the Missions Ministry Team for hosting this wonderful evening.
