Consecrated Stewards program at Christ Our Savior through the month of September was indeed a time of spiritual growth, fellowship, and commitment. Each Sunday, adults and children participated in Bible studies that emphasized the Biblical principles of stewardship, various ministries were recognized and celebrated, and individuals shared their own personal stories about their spiritual growth and stewardship journeys. In addition, several members spent hours in prayer one Saturday during a prayer vigil for increased stewardship in our church. The month of activities and spiritual growth culminated in the Consecration Sunday when members completed commitment cards and carried them to the altar during the Offering. This was followed by a celebration luncheon in the church.

At the luncheon, Linda Richards gave a financial report based on commitment results. With 43% of giving units completing Commitment Cards on Consecration Sunday, our projected giving will increase $17,398 from $241,292 to $258,689. (Giving units are counted as husbands and wives or single members of our church.) She reported that 47 giving units completed commitment cards out of a total 109 giving units. Of the 47 giving units, 34 increased their commitment a total of $17,398, a 10.6% increase when compared to the same group of 34 last year. It is hoped prayer for increased Stewardship will continue and that others will complete commitment cards and consider taking a step forward in their giving.

Congratulations and thanks to the Consecrated Stewards Leadership Team members who began learning about and planning this process in early August and have invested time and effort toward making this program a blessing for Christ Our Savior. Those on the leadership team were Rev. Andy Keltner, Pastor; Rev. Perry Sukstorf, Guest Leader; Craig Holtzen, General Chair; Mike and Amy Mulich, Events; Jodie Berve, Spiritual Growth; Jeff Axmann, Publicity; Linda Richards, Financial Secretary; Don and Linda Newman, Reservations; and Christine Fauss, Children's Ministry.  

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What you speak...matters.

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

Our Music and Theatre Group is starting to BUD! I am so excited to be a part of this group! We had our third gathering on Thursday, September 20th at 7pm. In attendance: Alex Holy, Ava Littrell, Brenden Cleary, Clara Littrell, Donica Littrell, Katie Dixon, Lindy Kalinka, Sydney Dixon, and Taylor Doman. We opened with Lindy and I singing "The Proof Of Your Love" by the group, "For KING and COUNTRY". This is Lindy's favorite song. She would like to praise with this song on September 30th, during offering at 10:30 service. After Lindy's opening, Brenden Cleary praised with a drum solo on the COS igloo cooler. It was awesome. Brenden is a freshman at LHS, and is one of our new members, along with, Katie, Sydney, and Taylor. (The attendance of the new members began with an invite, and the girls wanting to see Ava and Ellie in the skit during our August worship and praise.) After Brenden's solo, Alex praised with three songs, (One of which he wrote right after his cousin committed suicide last month.) This was a very emotional song for Him to sing, and emotional for the youth to hear. Alex is a very good songwriter, he has recently made a CD, and has given this, as a gift, to all youth members.

"For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10-11

The excitement of Our skit on "Loose Lips", in August, perked a motivation for Katie Dixon to make a music video, which we showed that evening. The video was made to the song, "Good Morning" By Mandisa. This was such a fun video to w  atch, and the youth loved it. They would like to make another music video for next month's gathering! We will show the video, "Good Morning" at the 10:30 service on September 30th.:)

We wrapped up our praise with a devotion and a game centered on "Pride". We started with a game that divided into two teams. "Defending Champions" and "The Underdogs", which the youth named, "Eastside" and "Westside". On opposite sides of a masking tape circle, Ten foot wide, with a circular igloo cooler in the middle, the teams were to shoot from the outside of the circle with ten balls each, (which was balled up scrap paper). They could not reshoot the other teams missed shot, but could reshoot their own. I told the defending champions to cheat, any way they wanted. I told the underdogs, to play by the rules. After the defending champions crossing over the line, and dumping the other teams balls out and scooping up all balls and dumping them in, after one minute, it looked as though the "Defending Champions had more points, With the Underdogs having only six points. But the "Defending Champions" in their scurry to win forgot to take score! They didn't know their score, and the team that played by the rules, the "Underdogs", Won!!! Sydney, Ava and Katie read, Mathew 2:1-18. In the scripture, it spoke of Herod's pride to be King, and how the birth of the "King of the Jews" was a threat to Herod. We talked about how our pride doesn't kill people, like Herod did, but that it can kill relationships. It can also damage or relationship with God. But if we humble ourselves before him, He will forgive us.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Our next praise and worship with the Music and Theatre Group will be Thursday, October 18th, from 7-8pm. This group is for all ages. We are working together to build our confidence through Christ and to praise God with our gifts and talents which he has given us.   Ultimately, building confidence to extend God's Kingdom. You do not have to know how to sing or act in this group. There are many other gifts and talents that are needed as well. Anyone who knows technology would be a very helpful and appreciated member to our group!!! However, you may attend to praise and just have fun with no pressure. Just Enjoy our love for Christ and each other!!!

God Bless,

Donica

cell(816)258-1503

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Sharon Garfield - Because Sharon's cancer came back & has spread, on Sept. 8 she called to say she felt she had to resign, "to be fair" to Grace. Sharon has truly been the face of Grace!! She has been the Exec. Dir. of Grace United Community Ministries (GUCM) since our founding in 8/04, previously served as ordained Methodist Pastor of Grace United Church since 1990, & has remained volunteer pastor to her congregation since 2005. Her Calling has been obvious to all - totally dedicated to the urban poor, "the least of these." We are keeping her on staff as a Consultant, and I am trying to contact supportive churches to let them know what is going on. GUCM is blessed that our ministries are excellent, programs are continuing, staff is dedicated and loyal. Sharon's job has been too big for any one person, so it will be split between GUCM and the Church. We are searching for a part-time Acting Exec. Dir. to serve 3-6 months and focus on marketing/fundraising. Then we hope to find a permanent Exec. Dir. Our grant writer has applied, and already today our first outside person has indicated interest. We have 4 recommended nonprofit headhunters. Please continue to pray for Sharon and for Grace.

God's Timing! - At our monthly Board meeting three days after Sharon resigned, I was able to tell our Board that Lori Theus and I had spent two hours writing checks and had caught up ALL our bills -- for the first time since February! We had just received manna from heaven, several large and totally unexpected gifts, in addition to receiving some much anticipated donations. We also just received a $5,000 grant to buy our third old-model small bus or large passenger van.

Food Pantry - Our Food Pantry at Grace is extremely low!! We serve several thousand -- open 4 days/week, 4 hours /day. For the first time I can recall, there was a day when they closed for lack of food. Our next Harvesters shipment is not until Oct. 18. Anything will be appreciated. Toilet paper is NEVER even stocked!

"Reach Out" Event for Homeless - Sat., October 27 - Winter Clothes Needed! Jeans, underwear, & men's shoes are ALWAYS especially needed, year-round, but we will need to stock up on sweaters, coats, heavier clothes.   Anyone with questions, please call.

Constant Contact - Thanks to the example set by Jodi Berve last Christmas, I hope to have our FIRST eNewsletter out soon. (Recall the outpouring by COS of urgently needed toys for Grace within days?!) Grace's huge weakness has been communication, marketing, fundraising. We are working at building our database of those interested in Grace, and many of you have visited and helped us. Topics for this first edition will be Sharon - United Way (Grace qualified in 2011, so hopefully we're not too late reminding folks!) - After-School Tutors urgently needed - Oct. Reach Out - Christmas Needs!! If you'd like to be on our eNewsletter list, please give me your email address!

Holiday Needs - Should anyone want to donate cash, we know we are going to need to buy a LOT of turkeys and chickens for Thanksgiving meals prepared at home. We will again need many Christmas toys this year, though unlike last year, we will get some from Toys for Tots too. Not as fun to give, but always desperately needed is underwear - for men, women, & kids. (Several churches have a "Down Under" tree for Grace.) Teresa Schlegel has already crocheted her 100 beautiful scarves - THANK YOU!! Caps and mittens also needed, plus blankets and winter clothes.

BE AN INFORMED VOTER ON NOV. 6

Christians have a special responsibility to be informed voters and to support those who represent our values - at local, state, and national levels. God has always blessed our nation, and many have sacrificed to preserve our heritage and freedoms. Please VOTE Nov. 6.

Bob Kirkpatrick (837-5804)     

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