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Strengthen Faith, Build Hope, Share Love in Christ Our Savior
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Christ Our Savior
Lutheran Church
ANDY KELTNER, PASTOR
5 South 8th Street
Louisburg, KS 66053
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Lent is a time to prepare for Easter. Our Lord's resurrection was the antidote to His Passion and death, which was the way God chose to rescue us from our fallen sinful condition. Thus Lent is a time to be penitent as we review our own sinfulness as well as the fact that "we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment" (Small Catechism, Meaning of the Fifth Petition).
This Lenten season we are using psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, focusing always on the cross of Christ for our salvation from all that would separate us from God's love. The psalms are the seven Penitential Psalms (a name given to Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143 already in the sixth century AD) and the Passion Psalm, Psalm 22. Luther's lectures on these psalms comprised the first work he himself published. The hymns and spiritual songs will come from various countries. They enable us to proclaim God's love with insight gained from our brothers and sisters in Christ in those traditions.
2015 Lenten Schedule
Ash Wednesday ~ February 18th
What It Is to Be Penitent
February 25 ~ Blessed Are the Penitent
March 4 ~ The Disposition of the Penitent
March 11 ~ The Penitent Prays for a Purified Heart
March 18 ~ The Afflicted Penitent Hopes in the Eternal Lord
March 25 ~ The Penitent Waits Patiently on the Lord
Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Service at 7:00 p.m.
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Pastor is starting a new Adult Bible Study on Sunday, February 22nd.
February 18th is Ash Wednesday. This marks the beginning of the six week season of Lent. Historically in the church Lent is a time of repentance and reflection. Those who were new to Christianity were instructed in the basic teachings of the church in order that they would be ready to partake in the Sacrament of the Altar on Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Instruction included the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and understanding of the Sacramental ministry of the church. After the third century the Apostles Creed became a summary treatment of creation, redemption and sanctification. The creed presents the reality of the Triune God we worship.
This year on February 22 we will begin on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:15 a study of the basic teachings of the church. This study will follow a curriculum developed by Lutheran Hour Ministries entitled "God Connects". It is a twelve session study with video explanations and power point presentations. This study will cover the basic teachings of the church. Some of you will find this a great review of things you already knew. I have watched the videos for this study. They help me see the teaching from a different perspective. Those of you who have never been through a formal confirmation class in the church will experience the Biblical foundation for our Lutheran way of worship. The goal, as in any study of God's Word, is that you will grow spiritually.
This study will start during the Lenten season in order that you might have opportunity to repent and reflect on what it means to be a precious and redeemed child of God. We cannot grow in our faith unless we are grounded in the Word of God. The Bible studies are well done and have an online component that you can review the lessons on your personal computer.
I would encourage all of you to attend this Study on Sunday mornings. Regular worship and study of God's Word is our reasonable service to God. I am convinced that all of the problems we face as a congregation, in our families and our lives are addressed in God's Word. God's Word gives answers to life's greatest questions. In God's word we find guidelines for how we are to interact with our neighbors and our world. I would expect every member of this congregation to come and see what it means to be a Christian in a Lutheran congregation. Plan to attend the God connects Bible Study beginning on February 22 at 9:15.
Thanks I will see you there,
Pastor Keltner
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Pastor Andy Writes...
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Pastor Andy Keltner
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Explain Things
in the Kindest Way
"The church has an eighth commandment problem". I had a friend of mine tell me this about a local church. As I thought about this I realized the validity of this statement. It is valid not only for the local congregation but also for the church at large.
The eighth commandment according to the numbering from the first century church is: "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." The explanation from Luther's Catechism 1529 is: What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him and explain everything in the kindest way." What does this mean for our church?
St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:12 we should strive for gifts that build up the body of Christ. What we say about our church and our brothers and sisters in Christ should be consistent with the Eighth Commandment. We should defend our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should speak well of our church. When things are not going according to our expectations we should explain things in the kindest way. We are called and equipped to build up the church.
Matthew 18:15-20 says that if we have a grievance against our brother we should go to them one on one and talk to them. It is human nature to have conflict. How we deal with this conflict is a reflection of our relationship with Christ. When I take my grievance into the public arena I am breaking the eighth commandment. I might not be telling lies but I might be damaging my neighbors' reputation and I am certainly not explaining things in the kindest way.
An insidious trick in arid regions to destroy your enemies is to poison their wells. Water is the basis for survival. By poisoning the well you rob your adversary of life giving water and you destroy their will to fight. Conflict is inevitable in the church. Enemies are optional. When we take our grievances into the public arena we make enemies. When we slander and attack the reputation of our church we poison the well. The proclamation of the Word of God is life giving water to those who are parched. Satan uses our disregard of the eighth commandment to poison the well of life giving water which is Christ's Body the church.
The way to deal with an eighth commandment problem is to repent. Confess your sin to God. Receive God's forgiveness. Then strive with the power of God's Spirit to amend you sinful lives. Look at your conversations. When you speak about your Church how do your words defend, and speak well of the church? As the events of the day unfold and you interact with your brothers and sisters in Christ are you talking to them or about them? It is important that we put the best construction on things and explain thing in the kindest way. Do not let Satan use you as an enemy of the church. Do not poison the well of life giving water. Do not be part of the eighth commandment problem. Explain things in the kindest way.
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Christ Our Savior celebrates our Ten Year Anniversary!
The basement of Christ Our Savior was all abuzz on Sunday, January 11th. Members of Christ Our Savior gathered for a delicious breakfast after the 8:00 a.m. church service to celebrate our ten year Anniversary. The breakfast had something for everyone including an amazing fruit bowl, breakfast casseroles, cinnamon rolls, biscuits & gravy, etc. Thank you so much to Christine and Richard Fauss for all of their efforts organizing this event. Also, thank you to Cindy Karrow for all of the communication related to this event and for helping Christine and Richard.
      
Watch the website for more pictures!
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Thank You from Christine Fauss
 Christine Fauss would like to thank Teresa Schlegel, Tricia Walania, Beth Ramsey, Linda Newman, Elizabeth and Robin MacClymont, Sandy Barsh, Paul Richards, and Gloria Rolofson for providing food to enjoy at our Ten Year Anniversary celebration. The meal was amazing! Thank you also to everyone who helped set-up and clean-up. Your time and efforts were greatly appreciated! Thank you again!
Christine
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Youth Group Caroling Party
The youth group along with family and friends (a group of about 18) on Sunday, December 21 hosted a potluck luncheon Christmas party after church in the basement. Following the wonderful food, we had a white elephant gift exchange where we learned what a pomelo was?! Then off to the nursing homes to go caroling. First, we went to Vintage Park then to Louisburg Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. It was great cheering up so many and seeing them smile and sing with us! We had a great time!
Youth Group Ice Skating at The Park
The youth group along with family and friends (a group of about 21) went on Sunday, January 18 to enjoy some delicious burgers, fries and onion rings at Burger Fi at The Park by Town Center Plaza. Then we walked to the ice rink and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of ice skating in 60 degree weather in January - who would think of that?! Those on the ice enjoyed a game of ice tag and those sitting out enjoyed soaking up the sun's rays! What a glorious day!
          
Youth Group to Winter Jam
OK - we've been busy this month! We're off again! This time to Winter Jam (a group of about 11) went on Sunday, January 25 to enjoy some great Christian music and inspirational speakers. Once we made our way through the crowds and security, found some seats together - we listened to 10 different Christian artists. It was something for everyone. We think Nate Walania enjoyed it the most!!!
 
Watch the website for even more photos for all these fun Youth events!
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Family Movie Nights & 20 Somethings Group
Beginning February 7th at 6:00 p.m., Bethany will begin hosting Family Movie Night at their Stilwell location (199th & Mission). Their plan is to host Family Movie Night on the first Saturday of every month. They will have popcorn, drinks, and admission is FREE.
Bethany Stilwell is also starting a 20 Something's Group (If you're in College or in your twenties). They will be meeting on the fourth Friday of every month at Starbucks on 135th and Blackbob in Olahe beginning at 7:00 p.m.
If you have any questions or need more information about either of these events, please contact Kate Meadows at (765) 491-1202.
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Mark your calendars for Kindergarten Screening
 Do you have a child who will be attending Kindergarten in the 2015/2016 school year? Kindergarten Screening will be held Thursday, April 16, 2015 and Friday, April 17, 2015 at Rockville Elementary. All children who reside in Louisburg and will be five years of age on or before August 31, 2015 will be eligible to enroll in Kindergarten next year. You can call the Rockville Elementary office (837-1970) or stop by the school to pick up an enrollment form. All students must attend screening in order to be placed for next year. Back to top |
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