ROOTED IN FAITH
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, organized in 1897, has its roots in the Norwegian immigrant community on the Iron Range. Services were held in halls, vacant buildings and other churches until property was purchased in 1900 at the corner of 3rd Ave. and 3rd St. in Virginia. A church building was constructed and put into use in 1903.
In the late 1950s more space was needed, and ground was broken at our current site in 1960. In 1961, the congregation moved into the new building, and used the social hall and educational wing for services until the sanctuary was built in 1968.
While some remnants of Norwegian culture still remain, Our Savior’s welcomes people of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds and enjoys exploring the richness that diversity brings. We wholeheartedly embrace our ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson’s statement, “We finally meet one another not in our agreements or disagreements, but at the foot of the cross, where God is faithful, where Christ is present with us, and where, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are one in Christ.”
Worship
Worship is vital to the life of any Christian congregation.
At OSLC, members work closely together to provide a rich worship experience. Service teams assume responsibility for weekly tasks such as altar care, communion and ushering. Children and young people are welcomed as leaders and participants in the worship services. Guest ministers and special dramatic readings provide other opportunities for member participation.
Our sanctuary is handicapped accessible. If you feel your child needs to take a break for a few minutes during the service, we have a nursery if you desire to use in our west wing. But we do invite families with babies and young children to our service-children are important to us and should be welcomed to worship along side of us!
Services are broadcast on local radio-KRBT 1340 AM and 104.9 FM at 9:30am and on cable TV stations during the week (Sunday’s service is aired the following Thursday for a week on various channels, see the sidebar for details).
We welcome you to accompany us as we gather to worship Jesus Christ as Lord!
Music at OSLC
Musical expression of faith is a cornerstone of Lutheran tradition.
Worship services at Our Savior’s are primarily traditional but our congregation is blessed to have many talented musicians! Drums and guitar, violin and brass instruments enhance worship for special services. Our choir loft is home to a beautiful 17 rank Jaeckel pipe organ. We have many talented singers and a church choir that has performed for Christmas and special services.
GROWING IN CHRIST
Continuing education is a vital component to growing our faith in Christ. Our Savior’s has a long history of lifting up faith education for all ages.
For children and young people
- Confirmation on Wednesdays at 6:30
- Sunday School for grade-school children
- Children’s Message during Worship
- We have had a Faith Finders Early School Release Program on Wednesdays 2pm-5pm (on hold since covid)
For adults
- Adult forums and Bible studies are offered throughout the year
- A Men’s Coffee & Devotion group meets Wednesday mornings at 7:30am (currently at Tini Square Deli) and a Women’s Bible Study meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesday at 1pm in our Fireside Room.
- Prayer meetings are held twice a month (the 2nd & 4th Thursday at 10 am in our sanctuary)
- We are also blessed to have a well stocked library
REACHING TO SERVE
Our Savior’s is committed to “Reaching to Serve” the needs of its members and neighbors. Through a wide array of ministries, Our Savior’s serves as Jesus’ “hands and feet” in this world. Internationally, we serve with Mission Jamaica, and in Honduras through our Synod Companions Program, as well as sending quilts to every corner of the world through Lutheran World Relief – over 300 quilts a year go out of our church, as well as countless backpacks loaded with school supplies, personal hygiene kits and baby kits.
Our congregation serves locally by giving time and gifts to Quad Cities Food Shelf, Salvation Army, two local shelter/transition homes, Lutheran Social Services, United Way, and Ruby’s Pantry. We also keep our doors open for several support groups to have a place to call “home” during the week – approximately 20 area groups currently meet here and we are happy to invite them in as family.
We welcome you to accompany us in this faith journey of Reaching to Serve!