Strengthen Faith, Build Hope, Share Love in Christ Our Savior 
Christ Our Savior
Lutheran Church
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ANDY KELTNER, PASTOR 
5 South 8th Street
Louisburg, KS 66053
 (913)837-4502
[email protected]


Worship 8 a.m. 10:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. 
Sunday School 9:15a.m.-10:15a.m.
Save the Dates!

Christ Our Savior has two very important dates on the calendar in January. Our Ten Year Anniversary is January 9, 2015.  We will celebrate this milestone on Sunday, January 11th. Plan to attend one of the morning services and celebrate during the fellowship hour from 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

 

Sunday, January 25, 2015 will be Consecrated Stewards Sunday. Look for more announcements and mail containing information about this very important event - making our financial pledges for the year.

NEWSLETTER
January 2015
Consecrated, Lord, To Thee
Consecration Sunday is January 25

Many of you know the stewardship hymn that says "Take my life and let it be, Consecrated, Lord. To Thee." That hymn reminds us that all of life is an act of stewardship in response to God's grace in Jesus Christ. This year our Consecrated Stewards emphasis expands in scope to help us establish a program of year-round, whole-life stewardship in our congregation.

 

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee helps grow people; not just contribute to the working of the church. The call to commitment is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give in joyful response to God's grace, rather than on the need of the church to receive. It is not based on the budgetary needs of the church, but on the desire to have each person grow in discipleship.

 

As has been the case in the past, the encouragement to commitment on Consecration Sunday takes place within the context of the morning worship service. Our Guest Leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, and then ask our attendees and members to respond to God's leading through a financial commitment that represents a step forward in grace-motivated giving.

 

Every attendee and member who completes a CS Response Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We also urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card. Consecrated, Lord, to Thee works with people where they are and when they are ready. Members make their commitments as a confidential act of worship.

 

We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship and the spiritual growth opportunities leading up to that date. Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in our "Consecrated, Lord, to Thee" events.

Pastor Andy Writes...
Andy
Pastor Andy Keltner

A Spiritual Problem

 

I believe that God richly and daily provides for all that I need in this life.  I found this in Scripture.  It is also explained in the Small Catechism the First Article of the Creed and the Fourth Petition of the Lord's Prayer.   There are enough resources available in this church and this community that we should never have financial or leadership challenges.  God has richly and daily provided for all our needs. Saying this, every year we struggle with setting a budget and finding leaders.  It is not that God has not provided more than enough for his churches to accomplish his purpose.  It is that his children do not know how to share.  It is that his children have a lack of faith.  It is that his children have a misplaced sense of priorities.  Our churches do not have a giving problem they have a spiritual problem.  I believe this is a great truth.

 

As churches we focus programs on fixing financial problems.  We develop methods for training leaders.  Sometimes these work but they do not fix the underlying spiritual problem.  What does it mean that we have spiritual problem?  It means we do not trust God in all aspects of our life.  It means we do not put God first in our lives.  It means we do not read, mark, learn and inwardly digest his Word.  It means we do not love and forgive as we have been loved and forgiven.  These Spiritual problems affect our relationships, finances and our personal well-being.  Relationships disintegrate because we fail to share God's unconditional love and forgiveness.  We have financial problems because we do not give our first fruits to God. Instead of serving God and our neighbor we build bigger barns.  We have no peace because we fail to trust in the promise of God who is strong to save and will not abandon his precious children.  Stress related illnesses are impacting people of every age, even children.

 

Spiritual problems will always impact us.  They are a consequence of sin.  There is care and treatment for Spiritual problems.  God's Spirit comes to us through means He has provided.  We call these the means of Grace.   The means of grace are Word and Sacrament.  The way to mitigate the damage done by Spiritual problems is to read and study the Word, to remember your Baptism daily and take the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar.

 

Sunday worship has value as you are encouraged by one another and as you encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.  We gather together around the Word and Sacrament.  God sends his Spirit and addresses our spiritual problem.  We embrace God's forgiveness.   We should daily repent and study the Bible in our personal and family devotions.  We should be engaged in the study of God's word with fellow believers.  We take the resources God has given us and we serve others.  We look for opportunities to honor our God as we share the gifts he has first given us.   We share His love.  We forgive as we have been forgiven. We live lives that honor Christ and extend His kingdom.

  

The church does not have financial problems. We have a spiritual problem.  We do not give our first fruits to God.  We do not have relationship problems.  We have a spiritual problem.  We do not love others as we have been loved.  We do not forgive as we have been forgiven.   The church does not have a leadership problem.  We have a spiritual problem.  We do not use our gifts for the service of others. We are more concerned with ourselves than serving God.  God's Word is big enough to solve our spiritual problems. Trust Him.  Study and share His truth found in the Scripture.  Serve the Lord with gladness.
Children's Christmas Program - a huge success!
Thank you so much to the children, parents, and Lisa Albright for an amazing Children's Christmas Program.  Shannon Murray wrote "Love our little country church.  The reason for the season, the Children's Christmas program is such a blessing."

Sandy Barsh says Thank You!

I would like to thank all the people who bought poinsettias. They always look so pretty.

 

Thank you for all the help I got putting up the Christmas trees (Rick, Robyn and Elizabeth MacClymont, Cindy Karrow, Don and Linda Newman, Bob and Kathy Kirkpatrick, Pastor Andy, and Bob Rolofson). Without our faithful workers we couldn't have gotten it done.

 

Also, Thank you to the volunteers that came and helped at the food pantry (Don Newman, Linda Richards, Pat Walker, Pastor Andy, Joe Gregar, Kathy & Bob Richards).  We also had 12 people from the community who helped as well. We were able to help 53 households with a total of 182 people!  December is always one of the most active months for the food pantry so we really needed all the help we got. Thank You again for all your help.

 

Sandy Barsh

 

Thank You from Cindy Karrow

A BIG thank you to everyone who served meals during Advent - the proceeds went to support Meals on Wheels. Thanks to Christine and Richard Fauss, Don and Linda Newman, Beth Ramsey, Bob and Kathy Richards, The Murphy family - Bill Sharon, Shea and Aidan, Gwen LawRance, and Paul and Linda Richards. Everyone worked hard to make this a meaningful fellowship event.

 

Thanks!  Cindy Karrow 

(P.S. - Lent begins with Ash Wednesday February 18th!)


Thank you for sharing God's Love!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in From the Heart's Adopt a Family.  We were able to provide gifts for two different families who had five children each.  What a blessing it is to share God's love with those in need!

Christmas Craft Show
Hand made treasures, jewelry, Pampered Chef, Stampin' up, delicious goodies, hot chocolate and apple cider, etc. were on display for shoppers at the first Christmas Craft Show put on by the Craft Group.  Below are a few pictures from the event.  Watch the church website in January for more pictures.

 
In This Issue
Pastor Andy Writes...
Children's Christmas Program
Sandy Barsh says Thank you!
Advent Dinners
From the Heart
Christmas Craft Show
Friends for Christ
Thank You!
LWML
Altar Flowers
Education
Official Acts
In the Military
Anniversaries
Birthdays
Contact Info
Quick Links

  

mini-pizza-spatula.jpg Friends for Christ  

Friends For Christ will meet Saturday, January 10th (instead of January 3rd) at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Pastor Andy and Debbie Keltner. The menu is pizza or salad and Gwen LawRance has desserts covered. While we are together, we will be celebrating a very special birthday! Please let Debbie know if you plan to attend and what kind of pizza or salad you will be bringing.

Good food, great fellowship and a Bible study. If you've never been - January is a great time to start something new!

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Thank You
Thank you so much to Teresa Schlegel. Teresa volunteers her time to read the Bible lessons for every Sunday, all the prayers that are planned for each of the services, etc. to determine music that we should sing. She also works to schedule people to sing on Sunday mornings.  We truly appreciate your time and effots to make our services such a blessing! 

Thank you to Beth Ramsey!  Beth volunteered to clean the Community Center and she does an amazing job!  It is so wonderful to walk in and see it looking amazing and smelling so wonderful.  Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
LWML Logo
Lutheran Women's Missionary League

Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) regular meeting will be held Monday, January 12, at 7:00 pm in the church basement. There will be a Bible study and a short business meeting.

If you have any questions, Please contact Sandy Barsh at 837-2997 or Linda Newman, 837-5116.

 

If the weather is bad we will not have a meeting.
 

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flower-bouquet.jpg
Altar Flowers

 

1/04   Open
1/11   Open
1/18   Open
1/25   The Walania Family

Sign up for flowers in the narthex or call Sandy Barsh at 837-2997.

   

Bring flowers to church before the 8:00 a.m. service or contact Sandy Barsh to provide the flowers for $15 (checks payable to Sandy Barsh).  Flowers can be taken home after the 2nd service. Vases should be returned to church.

 

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MONTH Education

   

Wednesdays

Confirmation Class

6:00 p.m. 


 
Evening Bible Study

7:15 p.m.  

 

Sundays

Sunday School

 Ages 3-Adult

9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.  

 

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Official Acts  

  

Memorial Service
Larry Lynn
December 12, 2014

Change of Address
Homer Kalinka
25805 S. Rodier Road
Freeman, MO 64746

 

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In the Military
 
Military members and friends of our congregation include: 

 

Jim Buckman

 

Mark Edgar

(stationed in Africa)

 

Ray Gigliotti

 

Greg Jeffrey

 

Lindy Kalinka

 

James Keltner

 

Clara Littrell

 

Rob Ortman

 

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January Anniversaries


1/20/2007  Shawn & Emily Helms

 

 

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January Birthdays

 

1/9      Mike Mulich

1/10    Aidan Murphy

1/11    Kathy Cone

1/12    Courtisa Sharp

1/12    Torry Turney

1/13    Alan Paegelow

1/15    Mindy Bell

1/15    Pat Walker

1/17    Bob Kirkpatrick Jr.

1/17    Stephanie Lohse

1/18    Billy Weissend

1/19    Jamee Gigliotti

1/19    McKenna Maaske

1/21    Bill Carlson

1/21    Amanda Gregar

1/22    Adelyn Moore

1/22    Kathy Richards

1/26    Jeannie Aguayo

1/27    Reagan Varns

1/27    Rich Walania

1/28    James Keltner Jr.

1/31    Elizabeth MacClymont

   

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Christ Our Savior Newsletter is published monthly and produced in  email and print versions.

Contact Info 
Gloria Rolofson
newsletter@ christoursaviorlouisburg.com  
(913)837-4502

If we've missed your birthday or anniversary contact COS Office so we can update our records. 
(913)837-4502
office@ christoursaviorlouisburg.com