Just Love

Just Love, an Our Saviour's working group rooted in Christ’s Love for all people, continues the ministry that Christ just loved people as he walked with communities who felt marginalized and made sure they were named, loved, and safe.  


  • Creating safe places for marginalized communities within our church walls and church family. Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
  • Committing to work for justice and peace through growth, education, advocacy, and service. Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.
  • Centering people who society has pushed to the margins. Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes pleasure in God’s people; God adorns the humble with victory.

For over 60 years, Our Saviour’s has been about one thing: Christ’s Love! Join the Just Love Team as we launch new initiatives for Our Saviour’s centered on this simple truth….Just Love by Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus Known.


What we are doing?

Just Love has multiple sub-groups working on several topics at the same time. Right now we are addressing racial diversity within Our Saviour’s and our wider community through relationships and education, exploring ways to make sure our church is inclusive and welcoming to all people, and reflect Christ’s love by advocating for people who feel marginalized. 


Coming in June: Dialogues in Faith/Just Love outdoor book discussion


Join us June 6-27 as we read and discuss "The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong" by Karen Gonzalez. Please bring a lawn chair and your willingness to grow. We will meet Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the Celebration garden (or inside in case of inclement weather). The discussion schedule is as follows: 


June 6: foreword, preface, and chapters 1 & 2

June 13: chapters 3-5

June 20: chapters 6-8

June 27: chapters 9-11.


As we continue this work, we will continue to update the congregation. If you would like to hear more or join us in this work or if you find yourself with questions, please feel free to email us at JustLove@oursaviours.com.


Just love sub-groups

Currently Just Love has three Sub-Groups: Just Love United, Love Wins, and Advocacy in Action.

  • Just love united

    John 17:22: “that they may be one as we are one”


    Mission Statement: We will continue to live out Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one” (John 17:22). We are committed to building relationships and widening the circle of people who feel loved and affirmed within our religious communities.


    We will do this by committing to:

    • Be taught and to teach.

    • Create fellowship opportunities and share each other’s stories through safe and trusting relationships.

    • Pray for one another and worship together.

    • Seek ways to work together for love and justice in our world. 


    Our Saviour's Anti-Racism Statement:

    In order for Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church to Know Jesus and Make Jesus Known, we should follow His teachings:


    “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” ~John 13:34


    As a congregation, we condemn all forms of hatred. At this moment in time for Our Saviour's, our community, and our country, we have the opportunity to strongly denounce anti-Black hatred. The pervasive and systemic violence against Black people in our community, state and country continues to be an ugly assault on our humanity and prevents us from loving others as Jesus commanded us. Jesus aspires us to be better. As a church, we have never been indifferent regarding hunger, homelessness, missions, equality… We cannot now be indifferent toward the sin of racism. We will make a difference when we play a larger role in God’s plan to end racial discrimination and violence against people of color.


    This process begins by understanding how, racially, we are broken. As a congregation, we should commit to examining the racial biases of our church and denomination and learn how to more fully “love one another” through diversity, inclusivity and anti-racist behavior and rhetoric. Growth and action are necessary as we listen, learn and love.


    We will fully embrace Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus Known when we actively confront this sin and become a part of the change that should come in our society. Prayerfully, spiritually, lovingly – we will move forward to love one another.

  • love wins

    John 13:34-35: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”


    Mission Statement: Following Jesus’ new commandment in John 13, “just as I have loved you, you should love one another,” we are committed to living as disciples in spreading Christ’s love to the world. We strive to do better in welcoming and celebrating our friends and family in the LGBTQIA+ community.

    We are on a journey of discernment with Reconciling in Christ (RIC).


    Achieving this designation includes the following public commitments:

    • Creating a new welcoming statement that names all Christ’s beloveds in the LGBTQIA+ community and commits to racial equity
    • Being open to calling LGBTQIA+ people and people of color as leaders
    •  Hosting LGBTQIA+ weddings and blessings in the sanctuary
    • Providing a meaningful financial contribution to national RIC

    We commit to continual graceful engagement, education, and exploration of how our church practices can be more supportive and affirming of all people who society has marginalized.

     

    For more information about ReconcilingWorks and RIC, please visit their website: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/

  • Advocacy in action

    Matthew 25:35-36 - “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”


    Mission Statement: Jesus’ life and ministry calls us to a life of Advocacy in Action by working for Justice and Peace in our world. 


    We are a church that is commissioned to doing this by putting words into action through:

    • Peacemaking
    • Hospitality to strangers
    • Caring for Creation
    • Amplifying the voices of those who feel unheard
    • Walking with people who feel invisible
    • Listening for ways to uplift, embrace, and celebrate all peoples’ presence in our church and world.