Visitor Information

At Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, all activities flow from the knowledge that God’s love, through Jesus Christ, makes a critical difference in the lives of individuals, families, and society.

Pastoral Welcome

To our many visitors and/or those who would like more information about OSLC, we encourage you to take the time to browse the rest of our web site. We describe in detail the many ministries, programs and opportunities available here at OSLC. We invite you to visit and join us in weekend worship!

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The Mission Of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church By the power of God's love we: Welcome all people into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ and one another. Grow together in faith and understanding of God's grace. Equip each other to Make Christ Known in the world. Our vision is to be a loving community where all people discover and grow an active faith in Jesus Christ that changes lives in the world. At Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, all activities flow from the knowledge that God's love, through Jesus Christ, makes a critical difference in the lives of individuals, families, and society. This site details the many ways in which adults, children, life-long Christians and new believers come together at Our Saviour's to nurture one another in faith, and to bear the fruits of our faith to the world.

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Statement of Welcome and Affirmation

It is the power of God's love that transforms us, makes us children of God and inspires us to live as God's people in our world.

Jesus broke through barriers and brokenness in the world to reach out to all. Our Saviour's Lutheran Church believes that all people are created by God and share the same need for forgiveness, hope and healing. Even on issues where it is difficult to reach a consensus, Our Saviour's desires to reflect the love of Jesus with a welcoming spirit. Moving beyond the common distinctions of race, national origin, age, gender, physical, mental and emotional condition or capacity, political perspective, personal history, marital status, sexual orientation, economic or social situation, we seek to…"Welcome all people into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ and one another."

Our Saviour's is a member of Lutherans Concerned North America-Reconciling in Christ Program.

Our Saviour's strives to "Grow together in faith and understanding of God's grace." All people in a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ are encouraged to let God's Spirit deepen their relationship. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to grow spiritually through worship, prayer, Bible study, fellowship and service as we participate fully in the life of this congregation.

Our Saviour's also works to "Equip each other to Make Christ Known in the world." Our mission is to be ambassadors of Christ's love in the world. The life-giving work of Christ is accomplished as we discover and use the gifts that God has given us in our daily life and work.

Click here for our Congregation Constitution and Bylaws .

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What to Expect During Worship

Is everyone invited to take Communion?

All who believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ and are baptized Christians are welcome to share in Holy Communion, celebrated at every weekend service.

Are my children welcome in church?

Yes! Children are invited to join in the children’s sermon, sing the songs, say prayers, or enjoy their very own children’s bulletin. We have a Quiet Room, adjacent to our Traditional Worship Space for our youngest worshipers, who may need some personalized attention. A nursery is provided during the 9:00 and 10:30 am services.

Does Our Saviour’s have a dress code?

No, please come as you are! Most people dress for the weather, while showing respect for the occasion of worshiping the Lord.

Does Our Saviour’s have women pastors?

Yes! Women are welcome to become ordained ministers in the ELCA, and Our Saviour’s currently has three women in pastoral positions.

What is the difference between the Traditional and Contemporary Services?

Our Traditional and Contemporary services run at the same time on Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 am. See the “Worship” category for service descriptions.

Where should I park?

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church has a large parking lot adjacent to our building. You may enter the parking lot from Olive Street (enter heading south) or Dunton Avenue (enter heading east). The AT&T building directly south of our church offers their parking lot for our use during worship service hours. Enter the AT&T parking lot by turning to the west off of Arlington Heights Road, and follow the path to the back of their building.

Can I sit when everyone else is standing?

Yes, absolutely. Here at Our Saviour's, you stand "if you are able." Some members prefer to sit during these times.

Do I need to give money into the collection plate?

As a visitor, you are not asked nor expected to give anything to Our Saviour's when the baskets are passed. However, if you choose to become a regular worshipper here at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, you need to know up front that we take our response to God's blessings seriously. If you choose to become a part of our church, you will be expected to give freely, regularly, generously, and proportionately to help carry out this church's Mission and Vision as a congregation.

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Location Of Our Saviour's

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church is located at 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights, Illinois (a northwest suburb, located about 25 miles from downtown Chicago), at the intersection of Arlington Hts Rd. and Olive St. Click on our address for a location map and a layout map of our building. We have a large parking lot to the west of our building which has entrances off of Olive St. and Dunton Ave. Overflow parking is available at the Ameritech/SBC building lot just south of our building. Our phone number is 847-255-8700. Our fax is 847-255-8721.

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Special Needs

Our Saviour's addresses the special needs of its members and visitors. The building is handicapped accessible. We have handicap parking right outside the entrance to the main worship space. Entrances to both of the worship spaces are at the same level as the parking lot, with no ramps or steps. We have handicapped accessible washrooms located near the main worship space. Hearing enhancement units and large print bulletins are available for our worship services. Our main worship space seats 500 and our north worship space seats 200.

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Photo Tour

Click here for a photo tour of Our Saviours' facilities. It will open in a new browser window.

Click here for a photo tour of Our Saviours' Main Worship Space Stained Glass Windows. It will open in a new browser window.

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New Member Classes

Are you interested in joining Our Saviour’s? We offer quarterly New Member Classes. If it is your desire to unite in membership at Our Saviour’s and to share our ministry here, or if you would like to come and learn more about Our Saviour’s and make your choice sometime later, please call Cheryl Boncher in the church office at 847-255-8700 ext. 223, or email

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Calendar of Events

Calendar, Updated March 3, 2010	PDF format

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What's New

Following is a summary of upcoming events of note. See the Parish Memo for full details.

• Listen to Recent Sunday Sermons. Click here for a list.

  
  

• Link to Prayer Page.

  
  

• Click here for the February 21, 2010 Annual Congregational Meeting 2010 Summary.

  
  

• God's Work, Our Hands Short Video. Several members of OSLC offer how they are doing God's work. Click here for a Quicktime movie (.mov file, 21mb, time 4:50).

  
  

• Click here for a photo tour of Our Saviours' PADS site. It will open in a new browser window.

  PADS started a new season on Saturday, October 3. Have you noticed the PADS sign up sheets on the bulletin board in the north narthex? Don’t walk by without signing up to help out on Saturday nights. We need you, especially on second and third shifts during the winter months! The training schedule is posted on the Journeys website at www.padstohope.org. Returning volunteers who want a refresher course can also attend to learn more about Journeys purpose and structure, how to interact with the homeless and general volunteer opportunities at PADS sites and the Hope Center.

  
  

• Worship Wednesdays in Lent, 7:15 to 8:00 p.m. you are invited to worship here as community. We will meditate on the disciples request of Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Worship is for all ages using the beautiful Holden Evening Prayer service.

  
  

• Wednesday Fellowship Meals during Lent at 6:30 p.m. Lent is a great season to slow down life and let your relationship with God grow new roots. In fact “lent” is an old English word meaning “spring time”. For our spiritual ancestors, it was a time for plowing fields, fasting and cleansing the heart. Echoes of those themes will are still alive in the church today. This Lent we are offering a new fellowship opportunity on Wednesday evenings before the midweek services. Everyone is welcome to join us for a simple meal in the fellowship hall. These fellowship meals will take place beginning Wednesday February 24, which is the second week of Lent and continue for five weeks, ending Wednesday, March 24. A free-will offering will be taken to defray costs. Please sign up ahead of time so we know for how many to plan.

  
  

• OSLC Organic Food Delivery. Eat local, be healthy, be green As children of God we are called to eat justly, with respect for other human beings, the earth, and our own bodies. One way we can increase the ways we do this is to eat more locally grown food. To make this easier there is now a delivery of organic, local food made to Our Saviour's every other week from a business called Fresh Picks that supports local farmers. That means participants began eating organic Beets, Red Savoy Cabbage, White Mushrooms, Celery, Cucumber, Red Peppers, Cauliflower, and Leeks from Fresh Picks Boxes. Other produce and eggs, meat and cheese were also delivered. Deliveries are every other week. March dates are March 12 and 26. You place your order online on Tuesday and choose from a wide variety of organic produce, dairy, meats. Fresh Picks delivers your order to the church on Friday afternoon and you come by to pick it up between 5:00 & 6:00 p.m. WeÕre hoping by the time of summer's bounty we'll have enough people signed on that we can order by the case, split it up and save money in the spirit of a real "food co-op". Anyone is welcome to join us. Contact Kathleen Morkert for more details. Read more about Fresh Picks and why eating local food is good for you and for the planet at: www.freshpicks.com.

  
  

• Click here for a Holy Week 2010 Schedule . It will open in a new browser window.

  
  

• You may want to join the Facebook Group, "Our Saviour's Lutheran Church"! As of this writing, Our Saviour's Facebook Group has 110 members, young and not-as-young, male, female, all friends and fans of the ministry we do here at church. These members also enjoy a Friday update each week with a quick and easy reminder of what's going on at church each weekend. OSLC Facebook members also can participate in discussions, post photos, or get to know each other better, perhaps, "electronically" first, then through some meaningful face to face connections later on. Here is how to join the Our Saviours Group on Facebook: First, you'll need to be a member of Facebook. It's easy to join. Go to www.facebook.com and set up your profile. When you're ready, type "Our Saviour's Lutheran Church" (remember the "u" in Saviour's and the apostrophe) in the Search bar. You will find other churches with the same name, so be sure you join OSLC from Arlington Heights, Illinois. On the right hand side of the page, you'll see "Join Group" next to our icon. Click there, and that's all there is to it! We feel hopeful that this will be a new way of connecting and communicating to our members in the future.

  
  

• Click here for a photos from the Service Week Picnic in October 2009. It will open in a new browser window.

  
  

• Click here for a photos from the Womens Christmas Lunch in December 2009. It will open in a new browser window.

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Administration & Staff

Pastoral Staff

See Church Staff section below. Click here for photos of our staff.

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Pastor on Call

If you, or someone in your family, need a hospital visit from a pastor, please contact Our Saviour’s at 847-255-8700 during office hours and the Pastor On Call will be notified right away. After hours, the Pastor On Call is carrying a pager to aid us in responding to needs. When you call 847-255-8700 and leave a message on the “Pastor On Call” voicemail, ext. 300, the pager is automatically called.

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Church Office Hours

Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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Church Staff

Click here to meet Our Senior Pastor! .

Click staff name below to send an e-mail.

If you do not have an email program, click here for an email form to send a message to a member of the staff at OSLC.

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Organizational Chart

Our Saviours has a new Senior Pastor, Daniel Hoeger, who will be joining our staff on May 1, 2009. Until he arrives, Ken Olsen is serving as the interim Senior Pastor. Other assistant pastors include Gail Heidtke, Susan Rippert and Trish Baik.

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Finance and Stewardship

Simply Giving
	Simply Giving® is an automated giving program designed to help you conveniently and consistently contribute to Our Saviour's. Through Simply Giving®, your gifts are made through a pre-authorized withdrawal from your bank account. You determine the frequency and amount of your automatic gift—weekly, semi-monthly or monthly—the option is yours. There is no cost to you or Our Saviour's. Click the logo to go to the Simply Giving® page at Thrivent Lutheran Financial Services. Print and complete the form and return it to Our Saviour's.

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Stewardship

Click here for the 2009 Stewardship Info and Commitment Form

Click here for the Current Financial News

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Celebrating Missions and Ministries

Ministry Highlights Articles

• Caring Ministry
• Children's Ministry
• Social Ministry
• Worship Ministry
• Youth Ministry

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Annual Report

Click here for the 2009 Annual Report (702kb)

Click for February 15, 2009 Annual Meeting Summary.

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Memorial & Special Gifts

Click here for the Memorial and Special Gift List

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Mission Endowment Fund

Click here for the Mission Endowment Fund

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Heritage Society

The Heritage Society will have as members those who have decided to make a gift to Our Saviours in their will or other estate planning document. Click here for the Heritage Society

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Church History

Our Saviour's has been ministering to the people of Arlington Heights and the northwest suburbs of Chicago since 1955. Click here for a brief history with photos of our church and its leaders. Our baptized membership as of November 1, 2006 is 2495 and confirmed membership is 1878; average weekly worship attendance for 2006 is 737.

In 2004-2005, Our Saviours celebrated its 50th Anniversary. The congregation looks forward to its next 50 years.

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Opportunities for Sharing your Time and Talents at OSLC

Click here for the Opportunities for Ministry

Click here for the Opportunities for Ministry Form

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Quick Link to Ministries at Our Saviours

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Google Search

Click here to use our search engine on the OSLC web pages to quickly find what you are looking for.

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Contact Us

Click here for an email form to send a message to a staff member at Our Saviour's.

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