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Pastor's Message Greetings, in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
It is my joy to be sharing a special Sermon Series with the congregation during the Epiphany season this year. The series began on Sunday, January 16, and will continue until Sunday, March the 6th (with a break for National Lutheran Schools Sunday on February 27).
The Sermon Series is all about Discipleship and how we are realizing our roles as Disciples at Our Savior under the banner “All for Jesus.” To that end, I want to give special attention to the contribution to this newsletter by our Stewardship Chairman, Mike Terkula. Please take a moment and “digest” what He has to offer below. It is heart-felt … and I pray it will speak to your heart as well. Thank you.
In Him,
Pastor Fausel
Stewardship Message Having the privilege of being both a Confirmation teacher and Stewardship Chair, I found the following from Faith Aflame (paraphrased) particularly helpful in drawing the two together.
Luther thought that the chief contribution of his reforming efforts had been that men and women, young and old, had come to know the Catechism. That meant that they know how to believe, to live, to pray, to suffer, and to die. Luther's Small Catechism is a handbook for Christian living. Christian stewardship is about living the Christian life. It is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God's family, the Church, in managing all of life and life's resources for God.
Unfortunately "stewardship" has come to be defined not as living the Christian life but as giving money to the church. We need to be more precise in how we define stewardship if we are going to fully understand the richness and fullness of the term. While the commonly accepted meaning of the word (stewardship) is the one indicated above (giving money to the church), there is also wide recognition, within the Christian church, that there are other areas of life where the Christian is to exercise a 'stewardship' given by God. A part of stewardship is the responsibility for the use of time, the management and use of the world's natural resources, and of the body. Most clearly the Christian steward is a steward of the Gospel. This is the greatest treasure with which he is entrusted. It must be his concern to use all he is and has that the Christian message will be kept clear and will be sent forth freely and actively.
Luther's Catechisms provide wonderful tools for the life of the Christian steward. It actually reveals the heart of the Christian life: revealing one's sickness through the commandments, the Great Physician in the Creed, the desperate call to the pharmacy for medicine in the Lord's Prayer, and some of the medicine itself in Baptism, Confession, and the Lord's Supper. There is nothing more to the Christian life!
So as Stewards, how are we doing? Few self-applied tests of spirituality are more unerringly revealing – and perhaps also, more thoroughly humiliating – than the question, “How far am I willing to go in serving my Lord, my Church, and my neighbor, and how much actual satisfaction do I find in my Stewardship?”
As a church body, we find ourselves dealing with the neglect of the physical Church facilities. A good portion of the last congregational meeting centered on the dilemma of how to rectify previous poor stewardship pressuring us to choose certain evils: 1) Fund-raisers, which may help alleviate the short term condition while undermining the long-term generous and freewill giving of our members and disciples, and 2) Securing additional debt which robs us of other future opportunities to spread the ministry.
I believe we are have a watershed moment in our church’s life. The above concern is really a symptom of a much larger problem: True Discipleship. We should be far more interested in growing disciples than addressing things of this world that will pass away such as musical organs, leaky walls, light bulbs and the like.
To that end, the sermon series we are currently enjoying is centered on membership vs. discipleship. Stewardship is really an expression of discipleship. So if we get discipleship right, proper stewardship is a natural by-product. This series is in place of the traditional 3 sermon series on Time, Talent, and Treasure. We will have a commitment Sunday in March. Be on the lookout for a letter concerning this.
All for Jesus,
Mike Terkula
School News Enrollment Goal for 2011-12 Increased This year we will have a small graduating class of 9 students. That means that if we replace them with a kindergarten class of 24 – which appears very likely – we will easily grow by over 10 students. As of today, January 25, the enrollment for next year is approaching 90. We are well ahead of last year and almost half way to our goal of 215 for next year..
But…the real question needs to be How many are we touching with the love of Christ each and every day? Or perhaps the question could be, How many children and families is GOD sending to us to minister to? As much as I would like to take credit for increasing opportunities to minister, I know that this is really the work of our God and Father and the Holy Spirit who are working in the hearts and minds of families as they search for educational opportunities for their children. It is always surprising to me that the majority of those who are seeking ask about the religion classes and the worship events of school because they want their children to experience that.
Our joy is being able to minister to those families and share God’s love at every opportunity. And, as always, we give thanks to God for the opportunity He gives us to be in partnership with Him. February Special Events February 12: ANNUAL SKI TRIP TO PERFECT NORTH SLOPES (just outside Cincinnati). Cost varies depending on activities chosen. Paperwork should be turned in to school office no later than February 6.
February 18: DONKEY BASKETBALL 7:00 pm. Come watch our faculty, staff, and PTL “saddle up” against each other in a round robin of games. The biggest challenge is just getting the donkeys to go in the direction wanted. Tickets $6 in advance, $8 at the door.
February 21: PRESIDENT’S DAY, No School
February 23: MUFFINS WITH MOM 7:00-8:15 am. Mom’s are invited to come in the morning with their children and have a muffin on us.
February 27: LUTHERAN SCHOOLS SUNDAY. Students in grades 1-5 lead worship at 8:30 am that day. Students in Preschool, Kindergarten, and grades 6-8 lead at 11:00 am
March Special Events March 4: GRANDPARENTS DAY 8:45 am – 11:45 am.
March 5: 8TH ANNUAL “TASTE OF OUR SAVIOR” & AUCTION
 Notes from the Music Director
Dear friends in Christ,
Several people have asked me why we have started ringing an early bell before 11:00 church. The answer is simple…to give people a 5-minute warning that church is beginning soon. Since we have had quite a substantial problem with punctuality at our late service, it was thought to be an answer for getting people motivated, sort of like Pavlov’s dog. You hear the bell; your reaction is to hurry to get into your place in the sanctuary. In reality, I’m not so sure it has the same effect. Perhaps it goes deeper. Being on time for worship is one of the things we should do. Everyone realizes that. Here are some thoughts that might help you see punctuality for worship in a different light.
Of course, sometimes lateness is unavoidable. Things happen over which we have no control. We experience a flat tire; there’s a wreck on the highway; the electricity went off and our alarm clock failed to function, the Sunday school lesson ran long.
Sometimes, it is just a lack of preparation on our part. Perhaps we need to set our alarm clock 15 minutes earlier; we need to find Junior’s shoes Saturday night; we need to buy gasoline for our car before Sunday. This principle of Lord’s Day practical preparation is taught to us in the Third Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” I know it is the Law. We need to hear the Law in conjunction with the Gospel. (That’s coming up.)
The usual encouragement people give about being on time for church is with illustrations about how we like to be at ball games at the beginning, watch movies and plays from their start, etc.; and the point is valid to make, that worship is more important than a ball game and movies, and we should treat the Lord with more respect. All this is true; but there is another reason why we ought to be on time, and probably many who are on time don’t appreciate it as they should.
We are all participants in worship, not spectators. If we are late to watch a ball game, it’s no big deal; but if we are the quarterback or starting third baseman, that isn’t good. The same goes for a play; come in during the second act if you are only watching, but if you have a part in it, you’d better show up early!
We are Christ’s Church, His Bride, individuals who are a part of His people, a Holy Nation. We are coming to worship as part of His congregation to gather before the throne of God. If we think it’s only the pastor or choir or Praise Team who participate, and that we are a spectator, then we are not understanding the wonderful privilege and experience that worship is to be to us. I pray that we would hold worship higher in our priorities so that it becomes more than just another thing to do--“Let’s see, I can check that off the list of things to do today.”
Please consider worship more than a spectator event. We are coming to worship our Creator. We are all privileged to be participants. We are engaged in a personal exchange of praise, confession, absolution, blessing, and most importantly, the hearing of His Word. Who wants to be late for this?!
Who would consider these holy things as ordinary and common?! Come, take your place before the throne of God. Listen for the bell! And if you are late, (here’s the Gospel!) come before Him anyway. He’s a mighty forgiving God.
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24, 25
Yours in Christ,
Scott Kamman
Director of Music
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 February, they will be learning the song, “He Will Come and Save You” a song written by Bob Fitts. It is based on Isaiah 35:3-4: “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”
Say to those who are fearful-hearted—
Do not be afraid.
The Lord your God is strong,
With His mighty arms.
When you call on His name,
He will come and save.
He will come and save you,
He will come and save you.
Say to the weary one—
Your God will surely come;
He will come and save you.
He will come and save you,
He will come and save you.
Lift up your eyes to Him;
You will arise again.
He will come and save you.
Say to those who are fearful-hearted—
Do not be afraid.
The Lord your God is strong,
With His mighty arms.
When you call on His name,
He will come and save.
He is our refuge
In the day of trouble.
He is our shelter
In the time of storm.
He is our tower
In the day of sorrow,
Our fortress
In the time of war.
CCLI Song No. 1606282
© 1995 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
Bob Fitts | Gary Sadler
For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License No. 841158
 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!
Feb. 2: D.C.E. Intern Bethany Kuhnle
Feb. 9: Guest Pastor
Feb. 16: Grade 3
Feb. 23: Grade 6 & Preschool Child Care class
Answer to the January Quiz: The hymn that paints the picture for us: “Cold on His cradle the dewdrops are shining” is “Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning.” (LSB 400)
February Quiz: Which hymn asks “Who will answer, gladly saying, ‘Here am I, send me, send me”?
 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). 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
Worship Notes Why is Easter so late this year? Easter is termed a movable Christian holy day because it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar like Christmas is. Easter falls at some point between late March and late April each year, following the cycle of the moon. The rule of thumb is: Easter is the first Sunday, after the first full moon, after the spring equinox. In 2011, the equinox is March 20th, but there is a full moon just before that. The NEXT full moon is April 18th, which is a Monday. So that pushes Easter out another 6 days to April 24.
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.
Adult Choir meets on Thursday evenings, 7:30 PM in the Music Room.
Contemporary Worship Teams usually rehearse on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings in the sanctuary.
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 1
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
News from the DCE-Intern Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ,
Many exciting things are happening with Our Savior youth! The youth will be attending WinterJam2011 on February 4 with bands such as Newsboys, David Crowder Band, Kutless, Francesca Battistelli, Newsong and more. Only $10 at the door. The concert is located at Freedom Hall. Everyone is welcome to join the youth for this event! We will meet at the church at 5:00. Doors open at 6:00 and concert starts at 7. Please sign up on the bulletin board outside the church office or by sending me an email (
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). We will need drivers!
Because of the concert the Jr high will not have their meeting the first Sunday of February but will continue that schedule in March.
Confirmation will have two events in February. The 11th will be a normal Friday night event with out a lock-in. The 26th will be a Baptism Retreat at the church from 9am to 3pm for grades 6th through 8th.
The senior high youth are selling Super Bowl Sub Sandwiches! Whoever the teams may be (Go Packers!) the Super Bowl experience can only be enhanced by eating a delicious sub made by our youth. Please place your order in by January 30 and pick your sub up February 6, Super Bowl Sunday!! The order forms are located in your mailbox or outside the church office. Proceeds from this sale will aid in sending our youth on future mission trips and other youth events.
Plans are in the works for the junior and senior high to do a mission trip this summer! There is a parent informational meeting on Sunday, January 30 after late service. Please plan on coming to learn more about the blessings of mission trips and the opportunities your youth will have in the future. If you plan on having your youth participate in the mission trip, you need to let me know by February 20th by giving me a $50 deposit.
God is good and he is doing great things in the youth ministry here at Our Savior. Please include in your prayers the youth and their parents that they may continue growing in their relationship with Christ Jesus.
Blessings on your month!
Bethany Kuhnle
DCE-Intern
Congregational Voter's Meeting A voter's meeting will be held on Sunday, February 13. It will start immediately following the late service in the gym once we have a quorum. Agenda:
- Vote to extend a call to Bethany Kuhnle as a D.C.E. full time
- Vote to request re-financing for physical plant repairs and the organ
No dinner is planned. The agenda will be only the two items in question.
Everyone is encouraged to attend to vote on two important issues that will help further the ministry at Our Savior.
Camp Lakeview Now Registering Summer Campers Camp Lakeview (near Seymour, IN) is currently registering campers, grades K-12, for its 2011 summer season. What a great place to have fun and learn about God at the same time! To get more information and a registration form, pick up a summer brochure on the table by the front door, visit the camp’s website at www.camplakeview.com, or call the camp office at 812-342-4815.
This summer will mark the grand opening of the new Lakeview Villages campsite, which is designed to host programs for youth in grades 5-12. This exciting expansion project will allow more kids to come to camp and will allow kids to come throughout their high school years.
Registration forms must be postmarked on or after February 1st. Last year, many programs were filled quickly, so if you would like your child to have a Christian camping experience at Camp Lakeview, get your registration ready and mail it as soon as possible!
Cry Room Update Do you have any ideas on how the cry room could be improved? David and Leah Robison are planning to update the cry room to make it safe for babies, friendly for moms, and welcoming for visitors. If you have thoughts on things you like or dislike, let us know (
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or 502-938-4766). We are not requesting donations or volunteers, just ideas. We promise we won't ask for any more help beyond your suggestions!
Emergency Preparedness and Early Responder Training Our Savior Lutheran Church will be hosting Congregational Preparedness Training (CPT) and a Lutheran Early Response Teams Training (LERT) Workshop on Saturday, February 12. These classes are not only a first for Our Savior Lutheran Church, but a first for our district.
LCMS World Relief and Human Care put together training and tools needed for a congregation to develop a plan for being prepared if a disaster hits. Lutheran Church Charities provides training for Lutheran Early Response Teams.
CPT registration opens at 8:30 am with class from 9am to noon. Lunch will be served at noon. LERT registration opens at noon with class from 1pm to 4pm. Training for both classes will be provided by Lutheran Church Charities. For more information, contact Tricia Major (
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, 502-265-0111), or visit the Lutheran Church Charities website.
Young Family ChristCare Looking to join a ChristCare group? The YTK ChristCare group, let by David and Leah Robison, has a place for you! We meet the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Raess' house (3504 Barbour Pl Circle, 40241). Childcare is provided in the basement of the Raess' house. Let us know if you plan to visit a meeting so we can make sure we have enough babysitters. For more information, contact David Robison (
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, 502-938-4766).
DOT: Bravo's Italian Restaurant Last month we did get the New Year off to a great start with friends, fun and fellowship. There were lots of new folks, seemed everyone had a good time.
On February 19 at 6:00 PM we will be dining at Bravo's Itailian Restaurant located at 206 Bullitt Lane (behind the Kohl's store at Oxmoor). Since we had such a great crowd last month, Bravo's is providing a wonderful room large enough to accomodate as many as 50 folks.
This is one of the restaurants AGAIN supporting our Annual Taste of Our Savior 2011. This is our way of showing our appreciation for their continued support to our school. Hope you will join us.
This is a very informal gathering that allows an opportunity to meet some new folks, have some good food and fellowship. If you have questions, please contact me, Billie Detroy, at 905-4834 or e-mail
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.
Facebook Event Page
Golden Oldies Our next meeting will be at noon on Monday, February 21st, at church. The meal will be complete potluck. Please sign up on the poster in the Fellowship Hall to bring dessert, vegetables, potatoes or a meat dish for eight people. The program will be about “Leadership Louisville” and will be presented Christine [Doughty] Johnson, a member of our church years ago. Bring a friend. Questions maybe directed to Bill Haller at 426-7755.
Host a Foreign Exchange Student Looking for something new and exciting?! Consider hosting a high school foreign exchange student next year for a semester-or even the entire year. You may choose to host a 16-18 year-old from 25 different countries. There is no fee for the program. You simply provide room, board and transportation. Students will come with insurance and spending money. If you are interested, please call Sally Crespo at 477-1972 for details.
"Neighbor Map" Updated  The C2P2 ChristCare group has been busy updating the "Are You My Neighbor?" map in the Fellowship Hall. All church AND SCHOOL families' names have been placed on the map at this time. If you notice that your name is missing or that you are in the wrong place, kindly share that information with Scott Kamman or Doug Netherton, and we will correct it. Members are encouraged to use the map to be aware of who lives near to them and to reach out to those people, especially in times of need.
Thrivent: Life Insurance Most people greet each new day as though they are guaranteed at least one more tomorrow. Unfortunately, this wishful thinking isn’t grounded in reality. Death is a certainty that catches up with all people.
Intellectually, people understand the importance of life insurance protection. Unfortunately, acting on that understanding is a journey too few Americans have traveled. A 2008 survey of 1,003 American adults by Mathew Greenwald & Associates for New York Life Insurance Company found that Americans have less than half (49 percent) of the life insurance protection they need to achieve their own stated financial goals for their families. "The Life Insurance Gap" survey also found that just 20 percent of respondents have enough life insurance to meet their self-reported needs.
A major hurdle in purchasing life insurance is knowing “How much?” Some tout a one-size-fits-all response, basing their recommendation on a certain multiple such as “five times one’s income.” Unfortunately, the real answer is unique to each individual. Age, health, number of dependents, ability of dependents to provide for themselves, debt, assets accumulated, the need for education funding, business ownership and charitable intentions are some of the many issues that influence a person’s insurance needs.
Another issue in assessing life insurance needs is considering one’s potential future income earned during an entire career, often called human life value. This calculation may likely provide the greatest protection for one’s family. Many insurers offer free, Web-based tools that can help to provide an idea of the amount of life insurance coverage needed.
By evaluating life insurance needs one may also discover changes in life circumstances that may make coverage more affordable. For example, positive changes in health or health habits (e.g., quitting smoking or improving control of diabetes) may reduce life insurance premiums. Also, ever-changing product features may allow greater coverage at a reduced cost. Or, perhaps a major debt has been retired, reducing the need for life insurance coverage.
Life insurance is a topic that most people would like to avoid. Still, few other products offer the comfort in securing the financial future for loved ones. • NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY • NOT GUARANTEED BY THRIVENT FINANCIAL BANK • MAY LOSE VALUE Robert Ranzau, FIC, is a Financial Associate with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Louisville. He can be reached at 502 403-1097. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. This column was prepared by Thrivent Financial for use by this representative.
For additional important disclosure information, please visit thrivent.com/disclosures
Monthly Calendar View the complete February calendar.
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