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Pastor's Message
Greetings, in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Thank you, Lord …
for this wonderful congregation and school, for the love of its membership, for the teamwork of its staff, for the blessing of tireless volunteers, for the growth of our life in Christ in our midst. In His name, Amen.
As we celebrate our Savior’s birth and as we ring in the New Year this month, I pray that we might all take the time to stop and consider all the things which we have received from God’s mighty hand this past year.
Each of us as members of Christ’s body in this place have been touched and blessed by His gift of faith … and also by the relationships our faiths have fostered with others in this flock. These are things you can’t quantify with numbers or see on a status report; it’s more of a “feel about the place.” And that feeling is good.
The Lord bless each of you as you live in Him.
Pastor Fausel
 Notes from the Music Director
 Dear friends in Christ,
As I begin to prepare myself for the Christmas season as music director, I tend to get caught up in a whirlwind of activities, rehearsals, extra practices, and deadlines. It is almost too much to handle at times. I want to put the world on “pause” for just a few minutes to wait while I catch my breath. I crave a few moments to myself where I can mentally catch up to my racing mind! I’m sure quite a few of you must occasionally feel the same way, right?
Oh, how appropriate it is for us to “be still and know that He is God” in times like these. While I am frantically racing around to get ready, He has things under control. When I feel that I must organize and reorganize, He’s got it all in place. When I feel the world of responsibility on my shoulder, He reminds me that He’s got it in His hands.
I also dislike very much having to wait for things. I confess that I’m very impatient when things don’t happen in a timely manner. Sitting in a waiting room at the doctor’s office is very trying for me. So is waiting for a repairman who was promised to be there between the hours of ….. yeah, right! Standing still in a traffic snarl makes me edgy. I have a hard time waiting. It seems to get worse this time of year.
We as Christians have a hard time waiting, too, with our busy lives. We become impatient very easily when we think things aren’t going according to our timetable. When will God answer my prayer?
When will church be over? (Never heard that one!) Or more importantly, when is Jesus going to come again? Our lessons during the Advent season urge us to be patient and be watchful. Perhaps this is another time when we need to stand still and realize that if God is for us, no one can be against us. God’s own time is the best of all.
As you are running around this December like me, trying to play catch up with all of your activities, take a moment to be still. Know that He is God. He will take care of your every need. Remember that coming to worship is a prime way of calming yourself and meeting with Him. It is a great preparation for dealing with the rest of your week. I hope that I will see you there!
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart.” Isaiah 40:11
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29-29
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:33-34
Scott Kamman
Director of Music
Thanksgiving Service:This year, we will be offering one service on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 23, at 7:00 PM. Come, you thankful people, come!
Chapel worship: Everyone is invited to worship with the school children each week as they gather for chapel on Wednesdays at 8:45 AM in the sanctuary.It is an excellent opportunity for midweek worship. Come and join us!
Dec. 7: Grade 4
Dec. 14: Principal Briescke
Song of the month: The children in our dayschool learn a special hymn or song of the month as part of their worship and religion class experience. For the month of December, they will be learning the song, “Jesus, Name Above All Names,” written by Naida Hearn, adapted from Matthew 1:23 and Philippians 2:5-11. In this song we experience many of the names of Jesus, our Savior and friend. Which name of Jesus means a lot to you?
Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord,
Emmanuel, God is with us, blessed Redeemer, Living Word.
Jesus, loving shepherd, vine of the branches, Son of God,
Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Lord of the universe, Light of the world.
Jesus, Way of salvation, King of kings, Lord of lords,
The Way, the Truth, and the Life, Mighty creator, My Savior and friend.
© 1974 Scripture in Song. CCLI#841158.
Answer to theNovember Quiz: The hymn that ists the following blessings: “Harvest of sown fields, Fruits of the orchard, Hay from the mown fields, Blossom and wood” is “Praise and Thanksgiving,” LSB 789.
December Quiz: Which hymn contains a prayer: “O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today”?
 Contemporary Worship Teams: Singers and musicians, if you are out there, know that we are always in need of volunteers to help us out at our 11:00 AM Majestic Celebration worship services. We are especially in need of guitarists, as well as wind instrumentalists. If you would like to sing or play on a regular basis, talk to Scott (426-1130 or
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). Time commitment depends solely on you, as little or as much as you desire. We need you!
Hearing Assist Devices: Had trouble hearing well in our sanctuary? These small sound amplifying devices are available from the ushers. Please ask for them! They amplify what is going through our sound system. (These devices do not work outside the sanctuary.)
 Worship Reminders: Remember to turn the ringer of your cell phone off when entering the sanctuary! (If Someone Important needs to get your attention during worship, you’ll hear the trumpet sound.) Thank you for maintaining a worshipful atmosphere.
If you partake of the individual communion cup, please clearly hold the empty cup in front of you to help the communion assistant who is serving the common cup to see that you have already communed. Thank you.
 Have you ever arrived late for worship? Sometimes it is inevitable. However, please remember that if you do arrive late for the service, wait until the congregation begins singing a hymn, song, or piece of the liturgy before being seated. That is the appropriate and least distracting time to enter into worship. Thank you for maintaining a worshipful atmosphere! (Oh, and check your clock before next Sunday!)
Worship Notes
 What is Advent about?
It begins on the Sunday closest to Nov. 30 and lasts between 22 and 28 days, ending on Christmas Eve. Advent begins the Church Year and always includes four Sundays.
Advent means “coming.” It is the season to look forward with hope as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s first “coming” at Christmas, and as we get ready for that future day when He will come again to rule the earth. The traditional color for Advent is royal purple or blue to symbolize Christ’s royalty, our penitence, and hope. The four candles represent each week of Advent, symbolizing hope, peace, love, and joy.
In an effort to try to help us all learn about our worship life and liturgy, we offer this little “tidbit” of information each month. It can serve as a review for you, an answer to that question, “Why do we do that?”, or as a teaching tool for our children or grandchildren. Please share this with your family. Discuss it prior to worship. If there is something you would like to have answered, let me know. I’ll do my best to find out!
Looking to get involved in a musical group at Our Savior?
Adult Handbell Choir meets on Thursday evenings, 6:30 PM in the Music Room. New ringers are welcome!
Adult Choir meets on Thursday evenings, 7:30 PM in the Music Room. New singers are welcome!
Contemporary Worship Teams usually rehearse on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings in the sanctuary. Singers and musicians are always welcome!
Junior Handbell Choir meets on Monday (beginners) and Wednesday (advanced) afternoons, 3:30 – 4:30 PM in the Music Room. (For grades 4 and up)
Our Savior Lutheran School Band meets on school mornings before school. (For grades 3 and up)
Questions? Director of Music Scott Kamman can be reached at 426-1130 or by email at
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.
Monthly Liturgy Rotation for "Joyful Heritage" Services
First week:Divine Service Setting 2
Second week:Divine Service Setting 4
Third week:Divine Service Setting 5
Fourth week:Divine Service Setting 3
Fifth week:Matins or Service of Prayer and Preaching
Advent and Christmas Worship Schedule
December 6: Messiah Sing-a-long, 7:30 PM In its 22nd year, this classic Christmas event prepares us to celebrate the birth of Christ, the MESSIAH. Come and experience the music or participate in the chorus if you are a singer!
November 30, December 7, 14: Wednesday Evening Advent services, 7:00 PM
December 15: OSLS “Boar’s Head Festival,” 7:00 PM
December 24: Christmas Eve services
5:00 PM, Majestic Celebration (led by Praise Team)
7:00 PM, Joyful Heritage (led by Adult Choir and Handbells)
December 25: One Christmas Day service, 10:00 AM
December 31: New Year’s Eve service, 7:00 PM
January 1: Normal Sunday service times, 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM
Youth News!
During the Thanksgiving season, quick before it's over, I wanted to thank all the wonderful parents, volunteers, teachers and all people who support our youth program at Our Savior. The youth are very blessed to have so many adults love them. God is good and continues to provide for all our needs. He has given our youth many adults to encourage them in their faith life. God is working through you to change lives! Thank you for taking the time to talk with the youth, encourage them and pray for them.
Here's what December looks like:
The Jr. High youth will be meeting Sunday, December 4th after late service to celebrate Christmas together! We will have a lunch, decorate the Christmas tree and exchange gifts! Please bring a gift $5 or less to exchange and another small gift or money donation for the Angel Tree collection.
Confirmation will be held on December 9th this month for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. That night we will be providing an Internet safety and security presentation for the parents and youth. The parents will meet at 7:30 in the music room and will be joined by their child at 8:00. The presentation will conclude at 8:30. Please plan on attending.
The youth are responsible for cleaning up after the Advent meals! The meals start at 5:45ish. We will start clean up at 6:50 and be upstairs for church by 7. Please plan on attending the services.
The Senior High will be having a Very Merry Christmas Party on December 18th after church. Details to come.
Have a blessed Advent season! Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bethany
Annual Cookie Wrap
Annual cookie wrap for the homebound and over 80 will be at 9:30 am on December 10th in the Fellowship Hall of our church. We need cookies and helpers. You are encouraged to bring your children to help with this fun project.
Altar Ministry Christmas Preparations
We will meet at 9:30 AM on December 10th in the Sanctuary to decorate for the Christmas Services. It will not take long if we have enough willing hands. We plan to have lunch at a nearby restaurant afterward.
LEAF
L.E.A.F is going on now. Please take a moment to read over the Lutheran Education Annual Fund you recently received in the mail and consider making a donation to this important campaign. This campaign exists to help with the rising cost of a Christian education. No amount is too small because every dollar counts towards a quality Christian education. If you are a member of Thrivant you can designate funds directly to Our Savior. If you need more information please contact Laura Frederickson at 895-7841 or Mr. Brieschke at the school office.
Resurrection Lutheran Mission Classes and Christmas Eve Service
Resurrection Lutheran Mission (4205 Gardinerview Ave)desires to serve the sister congregations of the Missouri Synod as a Lutheran community center through the use of the gymnasium and through special classes and other offerings.
On January 9, Wade Summers will begin a six-week pottery class for throwing pots; it will meet every Tuesday with practice every Thursday.On January 11, Wade will begin a six-week class for clay molding; it will meet every Thursday with practice every Tuesday. Classes meet at 7pm in Resurrections gymnasium.
Pastor Peters will offer a six-week class entitled, “Stephan, Walther, and the Beginnings of the Missouri Synod”; this class will meet on Tuesday at 7pm beginning January 9. This class will be held in the Resurrection sanctuary building. Anyone from the community or sister churches is invited.
The cost for a pottery is $200; this includes clay and tools. There is no cost for the class on Missouri Synod history; purchase of a book is optional. You may register for a clay class by calling 502-494-1942 or for the history class by calling 502-599-2522.
Resurrection will have a Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 11 PM.
Christmas Poinsettias
The last day to order your poinsettias will be Dec. 11th so don’t delay!
Light Up Cedarbrook
We invite you to join us for a spectacular evening full of family fun and holiday spirit as we “Light Up Cedarbrook” on Saturday, December 3rd beginning at 5 PM. Santa arrives around 8:30 PM by horse and carriage. With the help from all the children, Santa will illuminate Cedarbrook into a winter wonderland full of lights! For directions see posters around the church and school.
Christmas Program Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help with this year's Sunday School Christmas Program. The Christmas Program will be on Sunday, December 18th. Please contact Lisa Wilson 377-8437. Please consider helping out with the Christmas Program. Sign-up Sheet will be on the bulletin board by the front office.
Blessing of the Manger Scenes
 The C2P2 ChristCare group would like to invite the congregation to participate in a new Advent ritual, the Blessing of the Manger Scenes. On the second Sunday in Advent (December 4), Our Savior families are invited to bring their manger scenes to church and set them up in the church narthex area. The church will be open on Saturday, December 3 until noon, or families may set theirs up prior to early service on Sunday, December 4. Tables will be provided. Each family will then fill out an information card to be placed by their nativity scene, including their name, where they got the scene, and perhaps why it is special to their family. The congregation will be invited to view the manger scenes before and after services. There will be a special blessing by Pastor at the end of each service. Families may then take their manger scene home to begin the preparation for Advent and Christmas after late service viewing. Questions? Ask Scott or Becky Kamman.
Our Savior Family Christmas Tree
Does your family have an ornament on our lobby Christmas tree? If you do not, here’s a reminder to bring one in. It can be an ornament that is a symbol of your family, or a simple ornament with your family name, just for decoration. Make sure you put your family name on the ornament, if it is not there already, and drop it off in the church office. It will be hung when the tree is put up in early December. Then, check out the tree and see if you can find your name amidst the hundreds of other names of members, past and present.
Boar's Head Festival
You are cordially invited to “The Boar’s Head Festival” a colorful ceremonial celebration of Christmas traditions since the Middle Ages  presented by the lords and ladies of the Hosanna and Gloria Choirs of Our Savior Lutheran School
Thursday, December 15, 7:00pm Our Savior Lutheran Church Sanctuary
plus special performances by the waits of the Alleluia Choir as well as the Royal Tonechime and Handbell Choirs and the Regal Band of Our Savior musicians Free will offering. “Ideo Gloria in excelsis Deo!”
Greeters Needed
Needed: Families or individuals who would like to become greeters on Sunday. You would spend approximately one Sunday a month welcoming people to Our Savior’s services. You would always be scheduled for the service you attend and would only have to arrive about 20 minutes before the service begins. If interested please contact the church office at 426-1130 or e-mail
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Thank you.
Golden Oldies
Our next meeting will be at noon on Monday, December 19th at church. Chip Davidson, a member of Our Savior, will present a program entitled “Hubble Telescope and the Star of Bethlehem”. This is a timely Christmas topic and should be very interesting. Chip is an educator and works with the University of Louisville in their department of Physics and Astronomy on the “Shared Skies” program.
Lunch will be a potluck with the meat provided. Please sign up on the poster in the Fellowship Hall to bring salad, potatoes/rice, vegetables or dessert for eight to ten people. If you can’t sign up on the poster, please call Don in the church office at 426-1130 and he will be glad to add your name and type of food you are bringing to the list. This would be an excellent opportunity to practice Christian outreach and invite a friend or neighbor to come with you and enjoy the food, the fellowship and an excellent program! Questions may be directed to Bill Haller at 426-7755.
Everyone over 55 (members and non-members) is invited to participate in Golden Oldies. Our purpose is to provide Christian Fellowship, Education, and Recreation opportunities. The group generally meets on the 3rd Monday of the month. At each gathering attendees will find:
- Lunch at 12pm (Noon)
- Devotions
- Speakers or programs on a variety of topics or entertainment
- Brief Business Meeting
- Occasional field trips or outings
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, January 16th, 2012: Pat Day - “My Life and How I Found Christ”
For questions or additional information contact Norm Kendt (254-1612) or Bill Haller (426-7755)
Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed
Starting in November drivers for Meals on Wheels are needed. Call Caroline Wesley at 244-6761 if interested.
Louisville City Saver Book
Save on pizza, ice cream, fine and casual dining, Bats games, Louisville Zoo, Science Center, All about Kids and much, much more…
Great gift for the holidays! Only $20, available in the church office.
Aluminum Recycling
Help make a difference by recycling your aluminum at school! Save up your cans or any aluminum and bring them to the blue and gold trailer parked in the West parking lot. Our cub scouts will be recycling them for both community service and fundraising.
Monthly Calendar
View the complete December calendar.
Something missing? Email information to
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and it will be posted.
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