Join us Sunday, September 27th for a special Service of Thanksgiving at 10:30 am, followed by a catered meal and celebration of Our Savior's from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Come sample Scandinavian sweets and savories, see old friends, and peruse a collection of church history and memorabilia. Please submit your reservation by September 23rd so we can be sure there's kringle for you!
As Our Savior's Lutheran Church celebrates its 150th Anniversary, we pause not simply to remember dates and buildings, but to give thanks for generations of faithful people who carried the Gospel forward in Council Bluffs. Historical records trace the congregation’s roots back to the 1870s, when Lutheran families gathered for worship and community on the growing western edge of Iowa.
Over the course of 150 years, countless pastors, musicians, teachers, council leaders, volunteers, and faithful members helped shape the congregation’s life. Some preached through times of growth and optimism. Others led through war, economic hardship, denominational change, and seasons of uncertainty. Yet through every era, the mission remained the same: proclaiming Christ through Word and Sacrament and serving neighbors in need.
Like many historic Lutheran congregations in the Midwest, Our Savior’s story is one of resilience and adaptation. The church has evolved across generations while remaining rooted in worship, grace, hospitality, and service. Today that legacy continues through ministries of welcome, fellowship, education, worship, and outreach in the Council Bluffs community.
Anniversaries are not only opportunities to look backward with gratitude, but also to look ahead with hope. The same Spirit that gathered the first members of this congregation in the 19th century continues to call people together today. As we celebrate 150 years of ministry, we honor the saints who came before us while also asking what God is calling Our Savior’s Lutheran Church to become in the years ahead.
For 150 years, God has remained faithful. And by grace, the story is still being written.
One of the greatest joys of a congregation is watching each new generation grow in faith. For 150 years, Our Saviors has gathered young people, families, sponsors, and teachers around God’s Word as they learn what it means to live out the promises first spoken at baptism. Imagine the first young people preparing for confirmation at Our Savior's. They were part of a new congregation, many from families who had come to this country seeking a new life while carrying their faith with them. They learned Scripture, the catechism, and the traditions of their Lutheran faith—and in doing so, helped establish a legacy that continues today. The lessons and classrooms may have changed over the years, but the heart of confirmation remains the same: God’s grace is for you, and your baptism calls you to live as Christ’s disciple.
OSL is looking for someone or a team of people who has a passion for preserving the history of OSL. After 150 years, the church has a room full of history and memories that are in need of organization. Grab a friend or two, or three, or four... and help us dive into our archives room to help organize and catalog the history of OSL.
No experience necessary but a willingness to learn how to best preserve the OSL archive materials is needed. If you are interested, please talk with Pastor Doug.