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| January 2007 Newsletter |
Greetings, in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!I pray that as you are reading this, you are taking some time to reflect on God’s greatest and most perfect Gift, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!I wish to thank all of you for your love and support this past year. Pastors are human. We have the great honor, privilege and responsibility to be messengers of God’s love and grace. And yet, there are those times in our own lives when we need not only to give, but also to receive. For all the times and ways you have cared, thank you. As we enter the New Year, 2007, let me highlight two things that you may wish to put on your brand new calendars coming up in January. First … our next New Member Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch and child care provided. I am hoping all who were scheduled for our fall class can make this one. And again, I invite anyone who’d like to once again review the basic doctrines and teachings of the Church, as well as the practices of our congregation, to come and join us. Please call the office so we can provide lunch and materials for you. Second … we will have our first Congregational Meeting of the year on Sunday, January 21 after the late service in the Gym with a pot-luck meal. We hope everyone will come and help us celebrate the ministry the Lord has given us as we move into the New Year. On that Sunday, we will also be greeting our new members and installing our newly-elected Officers, appointed Elders and Board Chairs at the late service. In Him, Pastor Fausel Spread the Word“When they [the shepherds] had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” Luke 2: 17Each school day our faculty and staff is blessed with a multitude of opportunities to “spread the word” about the saving grace of Jesus to our students and their families. What a glorious blessing this ministry of our Christian Day School is to our congregation and the children and families we serve. January begins the time of the year when we ask each of you associated with our church and school to “spread the word” to your family, friends, neighbors, and others about enrolling in school for the 2007-08 school year. We are excited to report that already 6 students who visited us at our Open House on November 12 have enrolled for next year. Our previous best in this category was two students prior to the new year. Enrollments received prior to February 15, 2007 have a reduced application fee of $100 per child. After that date the fee doubles. We are anxious to meet with any parent and child who desire more information about our school program. Please encourage them to contact the school office (426-0864) to make an appointment to visit with us. And new for 2007-08 will be our ability to care for preschool aged children from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. We are currently searching for an administrator for that program and hope to soon announce who will lead this effort. During this season of Epiphany please join with us in “spreading the word” about this special and unique ministry. Martin A. Brieschke Principal Golden OldiesOn January 15, we will have the pleasure of hearing Margaret and Andy Clark, from the local chapter of the Friendship Force, a project started by President Jimmy Carter. They will share the motto “Building Global Goodwill Through Personal Friendship”. This is achieved through the travels of goodwill ambassadors who share the lives of a host family in another country for one week. The Clark’s have traveled throughout the world as Friendship Force ambassadors. Lunch will be served at noon. Please call either Norm Kendt or Dorothy Groemling for more information.Sunday School in JanuaryThanks to THRIVENT organization for funding the children's treat bags after their service and the Bibles presented to the Third Grader's in October.Thank you all who assisted with our Sunday School Service, "Las Posadas". It is hoped that in this retelling of Jesus birth, the children were able to really focus on how things FELT the night of Jesus birth and REJOICE in the JOY of his coming. We would like to especially thank Mr. Jack Hiegel and Mr. Paul Nickel for their great help with the Sunday School service, and also the Kendt Christ Care group who assembled the children's Christmas treat bags. We are pleased to report that 91 boxes were assembled and sent to Operation Christmas Child from Our Savior Church and School. Thanks to all who participated! A Christmas "THANK YOU" brunch was held for the Sunday School teachers on December 17th. We are so BLESSED to have dedicated teachers who serve our children and our GOD in this way. All the "fill-in" teachers were much appreciated! Youth FundraiserAl Graef placed a high priority on the Youth at Our Savior and served many years on the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Youth Board. At age 78, he began water color painting and gained immense pleasure in his new hobby. To benefit the youth of today, these paintings are shared by the family of Al in his honor. Five of his paintings have been reproduced and made into beautiful note cards. These cards may be purchased at the “Youth Table.” Please help us honor Al’s memory by supporting the Youth Ministry at Our Savior through the purchase of these cards.Replicas of Our Savior have also been created by “Cat’s Meow” Village and are available for purchase for $20.00. They are only available for purchase through the Youth. Come by and visit the Our Savior Lutheran Youth Table. Your support is greatly appreciated! How Does Your Garden Grow?His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.--2 Peter 1:3Remember that science project in elementary school? First you put your seeds in the refrigerator and observed their dormant stage. Next you put them in soil on the windowsill and excitedly watched them sprout. Then you transplanted them to a garden spot outside to watch them grow and blossom. But after you got them transplanted, you sort of forgot about them. You didn't water them very often. You let the weeds grow up all around them. Pretty soon you could hardly find them under the jungle that was choking them out. By harvest time, there were only a few scraggly little beans on your plants. You got started okay, but along the way you let the bad overtake the good. In a similar way, when God transplanted Israel from Egypt to the beautiful, fertile land of Canaan, He promised to come for the nation if they would do their part. But they failed in their responsibility as caretakers. The result? "When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad?" (Isaiah 5:4 ). The problem, of course, was that the nation didn't stay close to God. And their rebellion caused them to miss out on His promised blessings. God has planted a similar seed in every believer's life. Through His Holy Spirit, He has "given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). Why then do we sometimes yield the rotten fruit of disobedience, rather than the fresh fruit of the Spirit? We are the problem. We refuse to take in the nourishment He offers, choosing instead to ingest the values of the world around us and fulfill our own selfish desires. The Bible is not just a book; it is God's source of instruction to us. And church is not just a reason to get up early on Sunday; it is God's source of encouragement for His own. There is a new Bible Study class beginning this month. Challenge yourself this New Year to attend a Bible class where you can hear God’s Word for you, but were you can also discuss what you hear. The Lord has great plans for you. Yield to Him and you will have the makings of a year filled with good fruit! TO HARVEST GOOD FRUIT, PLANT SEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. ADULT BIBLE CLASS OPPORTUNITIESSunday Morning 9:45 AM Bible Classes 1. THE LUTHERAN DIFFERENCE: BAPTISM – Fellowship Hall – Pastor Fausel Tuesday Morning 10:15 AM Class Monday Evening (6:30 PM – Melissa Nelson – Faculty Lounge)/Friday Morning (9:30 AM – Paul Nickel – Fellowship Hall) CHANGE IN SCHEDULESALL activities scheduled in the Fellowship Hall or rooms adjacent, scheduled from December 26 through January 5 have been CANCELLED by the church office. The Fellowship Hall floor is scheduled during that time to be refinished and new carpet to be placed. Due to the process of refinishing the floor it is imperative that traffic is stopped so that the finish seals properly; as well for the concern for the members, as the smell of the products used to finish the floor is very strong and can be irritating. If your meeting has been cancelled and it is important that you meet, please contact the church office and another location will attempted to be found for your meeting. Thank you for your understanding during this time of refurbishment.New Member Class January 20th, 9 AM - 3 PMOn January 20, from 9 AM to 3 PM, Pastor Fausel will be conducting a workshop for all who wish to become members of Our Savior in the Scout/LWML Room. Lunch and childcare (if necessary) will be provided. Please sign-up in the church office as soon as possible so adequate materials can be prepared. Thank You. Pastor Fausel.SMILE—Your Family Photograph Is NeededThe Our Savior Church family has arranged for a new church pictorial directory to be done by Olan Mills. The dates for pictures to be taken are December 27, 28, 29, 2006 and January 5, 2007 from 3 PM to 9:30 PM and January 6, 2007 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Each family will receive a free 8 x 10 picture and a directory. Should you have any questions please contact Debbie Wolter.SCHOOL FAMILIESAn Olan Mills representative will also be contacting you to see if you would be interested in having your family’s picture taken. Your picture will not appear in the directory, but you are welcome to participate in this wonderful opportunity of a family portrait.OSLS School EnrollmentWe will begin accepting applications for the 2007-2008 academic year on January 2, 2007. Those interested in finding out more about our Savior’s Preschool, Kindergarten, elementary, or Middle School programs are encouraged to contact the school office at 426-0864 for an enrollment packet. We encourage all to “Come & See” the quality Christian education programs available. God has blessed Our Savior Lutheran School with a dedicated faculty and staff supportive school families and a first rate curriculum. We are fully accredited by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and by the National Lutheran School Accreditation. We invite you to be a part of the best-kept secret in Louisville. Applications received on or before February 15 require a $100/ child application fee. After February 15, the application fee is $ 200/child.The Stewardship Corner Courtesy of Thrivent Financial for LutheransOutright monetary gifts are the most common and simplest method of giving. Each time you place a check or cash in the offering at church, you exercise this method of giving If the donor itemizes deductions on his or her federal income tax return the donor should keep a receipt of the donation to support donation to support a deduction, especially if a cask gift is made.Men’s MinistryPancake Breakfast2nd Saturday of the month SATURDAY , January 13th 8:00 – 9:30 AM Bible Study “Hope Under Construction: Insights Into the Life of Nehemiah” Join Us and Bring a Friend Notes from the Music DirectorDear friends in Christ,As we begin another new year, many of us will be trying to keep New Year’s resolutions. I used to be really good at keeping mine...at least for a couple of weeks. I’d begin to exercise fastidiously. I’d stop buying sweets (well, except for chocolate...). I’d try to keep in touch with my family and friends. The past few years, though, I really haven’t tried very hard because I know that I cannot continue to accomplish my high expectations of myself forever. It is really easy to get caught up in all the festivities and resolutions of a new year, but we really need to remember our Lord Jesus in our New Year’s Resolutions. We need Him to begin the new year, to continue each day, to help us carry out our good intentions. Even when the festive first few days of this new year 2007 blend back into normal days and we fall short of what we had resolved to do, we remember that Jesus forgives us our shortcomings and is there for us, every day. He will be with us throughout this new year, making each day more meaningful and helping us to follow Him. We should resolve to do our best to serve Him in every way we can -- by giving of our TIME, our TALENTS, and our TREASURES. There are so many ways to serve! We all can easily find something that we can resolve to do this year--for OUR Savior! So, get on that exercise bike, give away that box of chocolates, and pull out that stationery if you wish, but don’t forget to include Jesus in your new year 2007. See you in worship! So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 Yours in Christ, Scott Kamman Director of Music ChristCare: 10 Reasons Why We Need ChristCare Group Ministry at Our Savior ChurchReason 1: ChristCare Groups will invite and challenge each of us to become more actively involved with our Lord and with one another.Reason 2: ChristCare Groups will provide a sense of Christian community for people in and around our congregation. Reason 3: ChristCare Groups will provide a place where each member of our congregation will “fit in” and feel comfortable. Reason 4: ChristCare Groups will keep our members involved and active in the church and will cut down on “back door” losses. Reason 5: ChristCare Groups will be an ideal starting point for many people who don’t have a church home. We can comfortably invite neighbors and friends from our community to join. Reason 6: ChristCare Groups will give each of us a sense of acceptance and the knowledge that we need not struggle alone through life’s difficulties. Reason 7: ChristCare Groups will increase our response to people during life’s ups and downs. People will not become disillusioned because “nobody cared.” Reason 8: ChristCare Groups will lead individuals to discover their gifts and talents, and will provide a place to begin developing and using those blessings. Reason 9: ChristCare Groups will equip people to live their faith in daily life. Reason 10: ChristCare Groups will encourage us to be caring Christians ChristCare Small Group Leaders are currently in the middle of their 52 hours of training. ChristCare Groups will be forming after Easter this year. Watch for your opportunities to find out more about this Christ-centered, caring ministry. Executive Director Sought at Camp CedarbrookLois Lutz, has served faithfully as the Executive Director for Camp Cedarbrook, has decided to step down effective January 1, 2007. Camp Cedarbrook, located near Lanesville, IN, is owned by the Lutheran Laymen’s League. There are many church related activities that take place at the camp. The Camp’s Board of Trustees is searching for a new Executive Director. The Executive Director is a compensated, part-time position responsible for handling reservations, creating publicity, developing fund-raising strategies and organizing fund-raising events at the camp. Additional duties are listed in a more specific job description that is available from Greg Walts, Camp Treasurer. It is preferred that the Executive Director be a member of an LCMS congregation. Those interested in applying please contact Greg Walts at 812-923-8803.This Month’s Worship Notes: What is Epiphany about?Epiphany Day is January 6. The length of the season depends on the date of Easter. Epiphany lasts until the start of Lent and could have from four to nine Sundays depending on the time of Easter.Epiphany means, “to show or make known.” It was first observed as a feast commemorating Jesus’ baptism. In the fourth century, it became a celebration of Christ being made known to the Gentiles, beginning with the Wise men. The traditional color for Epiphany is green, though white is used to show light and purity on the Sundays commemorating the Baptism and Transfiguration of Jesus. Scrap Booking EventJanuary 5, at 6 PM a group of ladies will be gathering in the Fellowship Hall to work on their Scrap Book projects. Everyone who is interested in joining them are invited. Just bring your supplies and a snack to share and a beverage to drink. This is open to beginners and experts as each person works at their own pace and own their own projects. This is a great way to get together for some wonderful Christian fellowship while working on those projects that you never seem to have time to get to. Call Karen Ranzau with questions.Narthex Mail BoxesEach family is assigned a mailbox in which information is placed from the church and school to the congregational members about activities, agendas and minutes from meetings, financial statements, and other materials. The boxes are to be emptied regularly and are not meant to be a storage place for crayons, books, and toys. Recently, a continual problem of the names on the mailboxes being removed and shuffled out of alphabetical sequence has occurred. This created extra work on the staff to re-organize the names and replace the names that are completely missing. The church office has replaced over 25 of missing names; however, if your name is missing, please contact the church office. Special attention by all adults to this potential matter would be appreciated when children are around the area. Thank you.Hearing Assist DevicesHad 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.)Stewardship, Are You In?“Put an extra five in the plate at church.”“YOUTH: Share Our Joy!” Recently, I was traveling down the road and passed a church with a message on their sign board — STEWARDSHIP, “ARE YOU IN?" Message received, LOUD and CLEAR! How many ways can you say the word Stewardship? How many indeed! Impossible to say! Be a good friend, a good neighbor, a good parent, a good child, a good member? Smiling — Laughing — Sharing — Supportive — Praying — Participating? What about caring? Take an interest in visiting someone in poor health. Be supportive of a friend’s struggling financial difficulties. Have pride in your own personal home, neighborhood, and your church. Be and active member in your church or a local organization. Are you in? Are you a good Steward? Ask yourself — What have I done for someone else? So many ways to BE IN? At Our Savior, The YOUTH ARE IN!! Your response to the 2007 Youth Commitment Pledge was incredible- - to date >$30,000 has been pledged by the members (and this is just 2 weeks into the campaign). Just because many of you have said — I’M IN! THANK YOU for being “IN”, but you cannot quit just yet. Somewhere, someone needs your assistance, your love, and most of YOUR PRAYERS. If you were unable to attend Our Savior on Stewardship Sunday (November 19) you can still be “IN” for our 2007 Stewardship Pledge. Commitment pledge cards are available in the church office, just ask for one. Choose your STEWARDSHIP AVENUE and let everyone know—Stewardship? YES, I AM IN! God’s Peace to all, Larry Ashley, Stewardship, 2007 Our Savior Music “Notes”Thanks to our musicians and singers! A big THANK YOU to all of you who helped in “Carols by Candlelight” in any way. We appreciate your kindness, prayers, and support! Also, many thanks to those who helped to make our Advent and Christmas services so special. To the choirs, praise teams, instrumentalists, organists, handbell ringers, and soloists: Thank you and to God be the glory!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! January 3~ D.C.E. Paul Nickel January 8 (Monday) ~ Camp Lakeview guys January 17~Principal Martin Brieschke January 24~ Scott Kamman January 31~Rev. Jerry Munz, Peace Lutheran, Indianapolis, Deaf Ministry Lutheran Service Book: Congregation members are invited and encouraged to help Our Savior acquire the new Lutheran Service Book for worship by purchasing copies of the new hymnal for our pews. This can also be done in conjunction with a memorial or in honor of a loved one or family member. The cost is $20 (that includes shipping and handling). Order forms are available on the display poster in the narthex. Please turn in your order to the church office with checks made payable to Our Savior Lutheran Church. You have until the end of January to do so!! A challenge “match” has been brought forward by a congregation member for up to 100 hymnals. Members may also special order a personal copy of the hymnal for home use or as gifts for confirmation, graduation, or other special events. Special engraving is available at an extra cost. Answer to the December quiz: The hymn that states, “This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing” is “What Child Is This.” (LW 61) January quiz: Which hymn reminds us “The light has shined on them who long in shades of death have been”? Lutheran Service Book: Congregation members are invited and encouraged to help Our Savior acquire the new Lutheran Service Book for worship by purchasing copies of the new hymnal for our pews. This can also be done in conjunction with a memorial or in honor of a loved one or family member. The cost is $20 (that includes shipping and handling). Order forms are available on the display poster in the narthex. Please turn in your order to the church office with checks made payable to Our Savior Lutheran Church. You have until the end of January to do so!! A challenge “match” has been brought forward by a congregation member for up to 100 hymnals. Members may also special order a personal copy of the hymnal for home use or as gifts for confirmation, graduation, or other special events. Special engraving is available at an extra cost. Answer to the December quiz: The hymn that states, “This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing” is “What Child Is This.” (LW 61) January quiz: Which hymn reminds us “The light has shined on them who long in shades of death have been”? End Times Bible Study InvitationHopefully, as you look back at 2006 you asked yourself “When will Jesus return”? There were great times and not-so-great times this past year. We look at the “signs of the times” and we say to ourselves “surely Jesus is coming soon.” There’s much discussion these days about the return of Jesus Christ because of the war in Iraq, the world economy, the way the Christian church has been in the last few years, the emphasis from other church denominations through media preaching many sermons on this topic and other things that have triggered the minds of society.
Now’s the time that if you have never or rarely invited a friend or family member to a Bible Study, this is the one to bring them to … especially those that are not Lutheran. For any further questions … Contact Dan Broxterman. |