October 2006 Newsletter

The Bridge is Out!

Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior , Jesus Christ!

I opened the paper this past month and read about how the City of Louisville has spent something like twice as much as it took to originally build the I-65 bridge over the Ohio to not yet have it painted!!  The City has spent something like 20+ million dollars on painting … with nothing much to show for it.
That made me think of our dilemma … as I’ve said before … with no Youth Director … the Bridge is out!

Well, we’ve had a committee of hard working folks working the better part of a year on this issue.  And they’ve come to the point of making a recommendation.  They made that recommendation to Council in September.  And that recommendation will come before the congregation at our November Congregational Meeting.

In very simple terms … the recommendation is to add to our staff.  And in very simple terms, that means adding expense to our budget.  

Which brings us back to the City’s painting fiasco; look at all the money spent with nothing to show for it.  What’s sad for us is to look at the number of children no longer active here at Our Savior who were Confirmed during the years we didn’t have the Youth position filled.  You can really see a difference. What is harder to see and measure [but it’s there] is the effect this “vacancy” has had on parents, especially those parents who have been trying to keep these children involved in the life of the congregation through their volunteer efforts.  

The point is: the “cost” to the congregation of this “vacancy” has been more than what it would have taken to fill it.  

In Him,    
Pastor Fausel

News from our School

The school year is in full swing.  October is filled with activity as we come together in fellowship and support of our school ministry.  Members of Our Savior Lutheran Church are invited and welcomed to attend the “Fall Festival” on October 21 from 1:00-4:00 pm in the afternoon.  Join with our school families as we play games – including the ever popular inflatables, face painting, food and fellowship on the school grounds.

Later that week the annual “Book Fair” opens on Wednesday afternoon, October 25, and evening through noon on Friday.  This is a great opportunity to purchase books for that favorite grandchild, niece, or nephew at a reasonable price while supporting our own school library.

Our faculty will be hard at work October 25 through October 27 as they meet with the parents of each student and share progress through the first quarter of the school year.
Activity is wonderful.  It gives us a sense of fellowship, togetherness, and satisfaction to see our school and church families working and playing together.  But our real sense of togetherness comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Through His death and resurrection, we are joined together with Him as brothers and sisters in faith, and we know assuredly that we will be together for eternity.

What a great blessing it is to be able to share that good news with all to whom we have the privilege of ministering.

In Christ,
Martin A. Brieschke, Principal

Golden Oldies

Joining together in Christian Fellowship, Education, & Recreation
At each gathering you generally will find:
1.    Lunch at 12:00 PM
2.    Devotions
3.    Speakers on a variety of topics or entertainment
4.    Brief business meeting
5.    Usually meet the 3rd Monday of each month
Occasional field trips or outings

Upcoming Event

Looking for a pleasant way to spend a fall day?  Then stop by October 16, for the Golden Oldies luncheon program featuring singing by Collette Delaney Barney.  A talented vocalist, Collette has performed in the Stephen Foster Story and numerous Derby Dinner Playhouse musical productions. Currently, she has the female lead in Brigadoon at Derby Dinner Playhouse. 
  
Lunch will be served at noon.  Please call either Norm Kendt or Dorothy Groemling for more information.

Sunday School in October

Remember to bring your singing voices to sing at the 11:00 service.
Also, remember those offerings for our mission. Jose in Quito, Ecuador will be thankful for your gifts!

3rd Grade Bible Presentation - On Reformation Sunday, October 29th, the tradition continues with our 4th grade students handing out Bibles to our 3rd grade students.

Don't forget to keep your eyes open for those fun items to put in your Operation Christmas Child shoebox.

Leanne and Heidi

Senior High Youth Event

The next event will be held September 24, from 5 - 6;30 PM in the church.  Bring a friend and join us for music, games, snacks, and Bible study.  For more information, contact David or Leah Robison or Mark or Pat Otten.

Ship Wrecked Faith!

Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. --1 Timothy 1:19
When you raise sail and head for the high seas, you need to know three things: (1) Your destination. (2) Your course. (3) Your current location. The destination is easy: It’s where you want to go. The course is determined by nautical charts, graphs, and compass. You study the charts and determine that you must sail at 120 degrees for 6 miles, then at 270 degrees for 4 miles until you see your port.

But knowing where you are at all times can be tricky. High seas, strong crosswinds, no visible landmarks, and fog can make you think you’re on the right course when you really aren’t. One sailor left Milwaukee under overcast skies to sail east across Lake Michigan to Grand Haven. After a couple of hours, apparently trusting his own sense of direction and not a compass, he spotted a port--Milwaukee! He had sailed in a large circle without knowing it.

And a powerboater, leaving Milwaukee and heading straight east, ended up about 60 miles north of his destination because he didn’t take into account the combined push of the wind and waves. Imagine his surprise when he thought he was entering the Muskegon harbor but discovered it was Frankfort.
As followers of Jesus Christ, what keeps us on course? How can we know we have not been blown off course by our spiritual foe or popular opinion? By “holding on to faith and a good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:19). Our faith is kept strong by the Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship. We maintain a good conscience by doing what God says is right, and by listening to the Holy Spirit’s warning bells of danger.

Paul mentioned two men, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who were not diligent in obeying Jesus. As a result, they “shipwrecked their faith,” straying off course and slamming into the rocky shore of doubt and disbelief.

To avoid shipwreck, let us sail on in faith and holiness, relying on the strength and wisdom of our Captain, until we arrive safely Home. Participate in one of our opportunities for Bible study. The experience will help you keep on course!

TO AVOID SHIPWRECK, READ THE CHART AND TRUST THE COMPASS

ADULT BIBLE CLASS OPPORTUNITIES

Sunday Morning 9:45 AM Bible Classes
1. THE LUTHERAN DIFFERENCE: BAPTISM – Fellowship Hall – Pastor Fausel
2. EXODUS – Scout Room – Kyle Lohmeyer
3. MAKING CHILDREN MIND WITHOUT LOSING YOURS – Martin Brieschke – School Library
4. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS – Faculty Lounge – Caron Fausel
5. THE COVENANT MARRIAGE – 7th Grade Classroom – Paul Nickel

Tuesday Morning 10:15 AM Class —MATTHEW – Fellowship Hall – Paul Nickel
Monday Evening 6:30 PM – Melissa Nelson – Faculty Lounge WOMEN’S BIBLE CLASS—Beth Moore’s DANIEL

Thursday Morning 8:30 AM – Paul Nickel – Fellowship Hall WOMEN’S BIBLE CLASS
INTENTIONAL CHOICES: Discovering Contentment In Stressful Times

Friday Morning 9:30 AM – Paul Nickel – Fellowship Hall WOMEN’S BIBLE CLASS—Beth Moore’s DANIEL

Our Savior Music “Notes”  - Looking to Get Involved

Adult Handbell Choir meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM in the choir room.  

Adult Choir  meets on Thursday evenings from 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM in the music room.  

Contemporary Worship Teams still graciously welcome any musician who is interested in using his or her talent to help us in our contemporary worship.  Time commitment depends solely on you, as little or as much as you desire.  We are in need of singers and instrumentalists, especially those of you talented in bass or guitar.  Practices usually are on Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Junior Handbell Choir meets on Wednesday afternoons, 3:30 – 4:30 PM in the Music Room.  (For grades 4 and up).

Our Savior Lutheran School Band will be starting up on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8 – 8:45 AM.  (For grades 3-5).

Questions?  Contact Scott Kamman.

Hymn 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 October, they will be learning the hymn, “There Is a Name I Love to Hear,” written by Frederick Whitfield.  The tune is a 19th century American melody.

    There is a name I love to hear,                       O how I love Jesus,
    I love to sing its worth;                    O how I love Jesus,
    It sounds like music in my ear,                O how I love Jesus,
    The sweetest name on earth.                Because He first loved me!

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!  

    October 4    Pastor Fausel        October 11    Grades 3 & 6
    October 18    D.C.E. Paul Nickel    October 25    Grade 7

Answer to the September quiz:  The hymn that encourages us to “Lift high his royal banner; It must not suffer loss” is “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” (LW 305)

October quiz:  Which hymn states, “Lord, may your body and your blood be for my soul the highest good”?

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.  If you would like to purchase your own personal set of earphones for use with the church sound system, please contact the church office.  (These devices do not work outside the sanctuary.)  

Worship Notes!  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!  Check out this month’s edition of “Worship Notes!”

Luther’s Coat of Arms is a cross within a heart, resting on a rose representing Christ, surrounded by a gold circle.  The cross in the heart signifies that faith in Christ crucified within our heart saves us.  The heart is on a white rose to show that faith gives peace and joy.  The rose is on a sky-blue background to show that our joy now is a small taste of the future joy of heaven.  The gold circle indicates that joy in heaven is endless and more precious than gold.

ChirstCare Story:  Prayer, Witness, Care

Here is a true account of a ChristCare Group in action from Connections, a Stephen Ministries ChristCare Newsletter.  It gives us a vision for ChristCare Ministry here at Our Savior.

“God worked through my ChristCare Group to help me survive my heart attack,” said Margaret Sandeen. She and her husband Chuck are ChristCare Group Leaders at St. Matthew Lutheran church in Walled Lake Michigan.

In March of 1997 Margaret and Chuck were getting ready to go out to dinner with two other couples from their ChristCare Group. “As I bent over to tie my shoe,” Margaret said, “I suddenly had difficulty breathing, and my arms and chest hurt. I thought it was an asthma attack, but when my inhalers didn’t help, we knew it was something more serious.”

Their dinner partners became caregivers and met them at the local emergency center. Doctors quickly determined that Margaret had suffered a heart attack and transferred her to a hospital 20 miles away. While Margaret and Chuck left in the ambulance for the hospital, one of the other couples called Rev. Dennis Heiden, a pastor and Equipper at St. Matthew, and two other couples from the ChristCare Group. Then they followed Chuck and Margaret to the hospital.

Just about the entire ChristCare Group converged at the hospital. “We encircled Margaret’s bed and prayed aloud,” said Chuck.

Everyone returned to the waiting room as the doctors and nurses cared for Margaret. When Pastor Heiden arrived, he was overwhelmed by the crowd. “This is the first time in my life that a ChristCare Group has beaten me to the hospital,” he said.

As they waited, they again prayed together for Margaret and for the medical personnel who were caring for her. “We did a lot of praying that night,” said Sherra Sewell, a member of the group. Chuck said, “I remember back when I was the only one in our group who would pray aloud, and here everyone was praying. ChristCare helped our members gain the openness and ability to pray aloud.”

Around midnight, they received word that Margaret was stable and that the prognosis for her recovery was good. Before leaving, the group members made plans to care for Chuck while Margaret was in the hospital. “For two weeks group members delivered supper to me every evening at 5:00 sharp,” Chuck said.

The Sandeens’ daughters also belong to ChristCare Groups at St. Matthew. Members of their groups helped them with child care and meals during their mother’s hospitalization and recovery.

“I ended up needing surgery, and members of our group visited us at the hospital every day,” said Margaret. “On the day of the surgery, they stayed all day. One of the nurses said, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this!’ What a witness this gave to the hospital staff.”

Pastor Heiden isn’t too surprised to see this type of caring coming out of ChristCare Groups. “More than 300 individuals are involved in our ChristCare Groups. These groups have created a greater sense of belonging for members in our large church.”

Chuck isn’t surprised either. “In our group we know that it only takes one phone call, and everyone will be there for us. We share a closeness that I’ve never experienced outside my own family. I thank God daily for our ChristCare Group. We’re here to help one another through all of life’s experiences.”

Stewardship

Soon you will be receiving you 2005 sealed pledge card for comparison with your 3rd Qtr Giving update for 2006. For the last 3 years, our Stewardship Giving has be on the rise and it is all because of your continuing generosity!

Take the time to look at your 2005 pledge (for 2006) - THINK ABOUT HOW FORTUNATE YOU HAVE BEEN IN ACCEPTING THE MANY, MANY BLESSINGS FROM GOD! Share this joy with your family members. Show and Tell these Blessings with your Friends and Neighbors! As in 2005, Stewardship Sunday (Nov ?) will allow you and your family to once again bring to the altar your 2006 pledge card for 2007.

Take a good look at your available group(s) within Our Savior --- JOIN IN NOW!!

Continued BLESSINGS to all of you and ------THANK YOU!!

“A Message from the Music Director”

Dear friends in Christ,

I’m sure that you, like me, have recently relived the great despair brought on by the September 11 tragedy in our country.  We’ve also been bombarded by the tragic new of the Comair plane near Lexington.  The news media has reminded us of these tragic days again and again, and our hearts ache to see so many innocent people suffering or mourning for their loved ones.  I paged through several articles and looked at web pages dedicated to those people who died.  Sadly, I stared at the lists of names and their pictures as if I knew them.  I decided to look for comfort, so I paged through my Bible and hymnal for some reassuring words.  Of course, there are many passages and hymns that speak to this occasion, but I found this infrequently used hymn written by Martin Luther that helped me speak a prayer to God.  I pray that it might help you also.

In the very midst of life Death has us surrounded.
When shall we a helper find, Hear his coming sounded?
For you, our Lord, we’re waiting.
We sorrow that we left your path, Doing what deserves your wrath.
Holy, most righteous God!  Holy, most mighty God!
Holy and most merciful Savior!  Forever our Lord!
Keep us from despairing In the bitter pain of death.
Have mercy, O Lord!

Through the midst of hells of fear  Our transgressions drive us.
Who will help us to escape, Shield us, and revive us?
Lord, you alone, our Savior.
Your shed blood our salvation won; Sin, death, hell are now undone.
Holy, most righteous God!  Holy, most mighty God!
Holy and most merciful Savior!  Forever our Lord!
Give us grace abounding; Keep us, keep us in the faith.
    Have mercy, O Lord!                                     Lutheran Worship, Hymn 265.  Text © 1978 Concordia Publishing House.  Used by permission.
“Yet as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” 1 Samuel 20:3

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13

Yours in Christ,
Scott Kamman

Lutheran Service Book Hymnal Information

 The Commission on Worship and Concordia Publishing House have scheduled more than 270 Lutheran Service Book introductory workshops in the U.S. and Canada for the fall of 2006.  Each workshop will be three hours in length and will be held from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM.  Our Savior has been chosen as the site for all LCMS churches in Kentucky on October 21!  

Cost for the workshop is $20 per person.  This includes:
instructional sessions with the presenter and the musician who will lead the participants in singing the LSB guide
a copy of the pew edition
sample copies of other LSB editions, which will be on hand for browsing
Registrations for the workshop can be accepted both online, with credit card payment (http://lsb.cph.org), and via regular mail, with payment by check.  See Scott Kamman for a registration form if you are interested.

A committee is being formed to study the new Lutheran Service Book and its possibilities for Our Savior Lutheran Church.  If you’d care to be a member of that committee, please contact Scott Kamman.  Registration forms are available outside the church office.  The deadline for registration is OCTOBER 11.  

Important facts to know: There cannot be sharing of materials at the workshop.
Check made payable to: ( 2 OPTIONS)
1.  Commission on Worship:  LSB Workshop, Commission on Worship, 1333 South Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122
2.  Online registration & payment @  http://lsb.cph.org
 

Copyright 2006-2010, Our Savior Lutheran Church