Strengthen Faith, Build Hope, Share Love in Christ Our Savior 
crown of thorns bible
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.
NEWSLETTER
August 2016
Pastor Andy Writes...
Andy
Pastor Andy Keltner
Back to School

August is the month when summer winds down.  Back to school looms on the horizon.  The routine changes during the summer.  When school starts families with children begin a more ordered and structured routine.  My hope is that studying the Word of God and faithful worship in God's house will be part of the that routine.
 
Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  We are being bombarded by bad news in the media.  Our world is filled with violence and natural calamities.  This is why God encourages us to gather together in worship.  It is not something we must do it is something we can do.  We gather together to encourage one another in the hope we have as the chosen and redeemed children of God.
 
We come broken by sin.  We are forgiven.  We come struggling with our doubts.  We leave strengthened by the body and blood of Christ.  We see in the faces of those gathered the glory of Christ. We are created in the image of God.  That image is restored by God's grace. We lift one another up with the love of Christ.  This love covers a multitude of sins.
 
We gather together to encourage one another.  The writer of Hebrews tells us we are to encourage one another to love and good works.  We learn that we are to do all things to the glory of God.  We are to represent Christ in relationships with those outside the community of believers.  We are to shine the light of Christ in our sin darkened world.  We are empowered by the Word of God to stand confident in the face of evil.  We can accomplish more together than we can alone.  We can do all things through Christ who give us strength.
 
I pray that you make weekly worship and the study of God's Word part of your back to school routine.  Come and encourage one another in the name of the risen Christ.  The Day of Judgment is approaching.  Those who call upon the name of the Lord will be judged righteous.  We are clothed with the righteousness of Christ.  This is something we should celebrate and share.

Another Successful Meals on Wheels Dinner and Pie Auction
Christ our Savior hosted the fourth annual Dinner and Pie auction to raise money for Meals on Wheels on Saturday, June 9th.  The dinner was fabulous and delicious!  We have so many people to thank for making this such a success event.  We auctioned off a record 55 pies and raised $3,260.00 for Meals on Wheels.
 
Thank you goes to the following:
  • Christine Fauss for cooking all of the side dishes with assistance from Linda Newman and her grand-niece Alexa.  Thank you to Christine as well for baking several pies, one of which sold for  $200! 
  • Rick Peek for preparing the pulled pork and brisket. 
  • Don Newman and Richard Fauss for transporting food, supplies, flowers, and various other items; helping with set-up and clean-up.  Don & Richard were assisted by Garrett and Grace Rolofson. 
  • Pastor Andy and Debbie for manning the front table, greeting everyone as they arrived, selling tickets, distributing auction paddles and collecting pie sales bids. 
  • Cindy Karrow for taking photos and assisting in the kitchen or wherever you were needed. 
  • Sandy Barsh for recording all of the pies sold and the winning bid. 
  • Gwen LawRance for baking multiple pies, including the Red, White and Blue pie. 
  • The Walania family for pitching in folding the chairs and stacking them back away. 
  • Paul and Linda Richards for donating a $250 Thrivent Card to pay for food and supplies. 
  • COS members who attended and donated, as well as those who couldn't attend but donated generously before the event. 
  • Many community bakers for donating pies. 
  • Louisburg Nursery for donating flowering plants for the table decorations (as they have done every year). 
  • Ann's Floral for donating a lovely houseplant and gift basket as a door prize (as they have done every year). 
We sincerely thank and ask God to bless each and every one of you who contributed to the success of this fundraiser.
 
Beth Ramsey
 


Care Packages for the Military
brown_paper_gift.jpg
Items we've been collecting for deployed airman will continue through Sunday, August 14.  The group we have been sending packages to will be heading home the beginning of September.  Thank you so much for everything you have donated!  They truly appreciate all of you!
 
If someone has a relative, friend or acquaintance preparing to deploy and you would like to send Care Packages to them, please provide us with all of the details in the church office and we would be more than happy to do this again.
 
Thank you again for all your support!

Lutheran Witness Subscriptions
The Lutheran Witness is the flagship magazine of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.  This magazine is a monthly publication (11 issues per year) that offers Synod news, features, columns, Q&A, and more.
 
New and renewal subscriptions for The Lutheran Witness are due by August 21st.  If you currently subscribe or wish to start a new subscription, please use the envelopes in the church entry hall.  Sample copies of prior issues are also in the entry hall if you would like to "look before you subscribe".
 
National Youth Gathering







The New Orleans part of the Youth Group - Micaela Eickhoff, Garret Rolofson, Grace Rolofson, Drake Varns, Nate Walania, Gerry and I would like to say "Thank You" to the entire congregation for supporting us the past three years.  Without your help and support, we would never have had the chance to make it to New Orleans.  We did have a few hick-ups along the road to (24 hour bus ride that consisted of broken down buses, lack of air-conditioning, full toilets on the bus, broken bus doors that flew open while the bus was traveling) and from (23 hour bus ride back - pretty much the same adventure!) New Orleans. But once we were there it was amazing to be with over 25,000 other young people/leaders who shared the same faith as you.  You could feel the excitement and comradery among everyone.  They were all so friendly and we made lots of new friends from all over.  I met people from Australia, Guatemala, Hays-Kansas, Oregon, Michigan, Texas, and Alaska to name just a few.  Everyone would always ask - "Where are you from?"  "Where's that?" or say "We're so glad to see you."  We were blown away by the bible studies every morning as well as the interest centers that you could go to.  We also had a fun time in the "Fun" room as well as the booth areas were we learned about various organizations and got lots of fun "Free stuff."  The Mass events in the evening were awesome!  You could feel the excitement from everyone in the Superdome and once we all started singing - WOW!   We learned, we laughed, we sang, we prayed.  Again, it was quite an experience.  Gerry and I had a great time with the kids - learning more about them- their joy, their happiness, their hopes and dreams.  We pray that from this gathering the kids learned at least one thing new about their spiritual lives and how to be an echo of Jesus in this world.  I know personally this Gathering challenged me to differentiate between the "Joys" and "happiness" in my life, to avoid the "Me Monsters" that creep in, to forgive those around us that have injured us in any way by saying "In Christ alone, I forgive you," and stretched me in how to be an echo.   Gerry and I can't wait to go again in 2019 to Minneapolis, Minnesota-the site of the next gathering.  Again, we would like to say "Thank You" for your support and prayers.
Gerry & Michelle Eickhoff 

"YOU"th Group - Lock-In


What:
Back - to - School Youth Group Lock-In
For:
Music * Food * Fun * Games* Movie* Fellowship
Who:
Middle School-High School Students ONLY!
Invite your friends!
When:
Friday, August 5 - Saturday, August 6
Time:
9:00 pm - 7:00 am
Where:
Community Building/COS Church Basement
What we must bring:
Your favorite snack or two to share with everyone - i.e. 2 bags of chips; your favorite soft drink (Gatorade, Pepsi, etc.), or cookies.
Service ProjectNo-Sew Fleece Blankets for kids!  We will give them to either the fire department or My Father's House to give to kids in need.
Optional to bring:sleeping bag, blanket, & pillow - if you feel the need to crash at any point during the night.
To Register:Sign the poster on the bulletin board in the narthex by Sunday, July 31 letting us know if you are coming so we can plan.
For more information, please contact youth group leaders - Gerry & Michelle Eickhoff, 913-837-5276 or via email: [email protected]
 
LOCK-IN HELP NEEDED!!!
To help with this event, we need parent volunteers throughout the night in 2 hour shifts to help supervise some of our activities.  If you are willing to help, please sign up in the narthex or contact Gerry & Michelle.
 
We are also in need of some supplies for our lock-in. If you would consider letting us borrow or donate any of these supplies, please contact Gerry &/or Michelle ASAP.  
  • 2 to 3 waffle makers to borrow for breakfast
  • Paper plates (2 - 50 count)
  • drinking straws
  • Aluminum foil - 2 boxes
  • microwave popcorn (1-2 boxes)
  • popcorn seasoning
  • JELLO cups
  • Pudding cups
"YOU"th Group - Meetings

Who:
COS "YOU"th in grades 6-12 & friends/family
When:
Sunday, August 21st
Time:
Middle School-High School Students ONLY!
Invite your friends!
When:
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. (immediately following church)
Where:
Church Basement
What to bring:
Your favorite sandwich meat & cheese, (Drinks, plates, cups, bread and condiments provided) Yourself, Friends
What will we discuss:

Upcoming "Fun" events; Biscuits/Gravy breakfast Fundraisers - Monthly?; Bierocks in October; Halloween Carnival Fundraiser - Admission(can food or $1), Treat bag decoration table, Sensory (eyeballs/brains )table, decorate a cookie table, pumpkin bowling (Candy Corn), Tombstone Toss (Hersey kisses),  Fishing (Swedish fish), musical chairs (glow stick necklaces)
We will be meeting every 3rd Sunday each month during the year!
 
 Kansas District Youth Gathering 2016
Did you miss out on the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans?  Well, here is your chance to get a taste of what it's like but right here in Kansas.  If you are interested in having your son/daughter attend a Christian event like no other, then contact us immediately as we need to begin to fundraise.   You can reach us at: 913-837-5276 (leave us a message if we're not home) or at [email protected]   Let's get ready for a fun time in Wichita!
When:
November 18-20, 2016(Friday night - Sunday late morning)
Where:
Hyatt Regency, Wichita
Who attends:
Youth in grades 9-12
Speakers:
Rev. Jeffrey Meinz, Sarah Salzberg, Leon Jameson, These Guys, UnPaved, Micah Steiner
Band:
Room 211
Hotel Cost:
More information to come - Youth Group will pay
Registration Cost:
More information to come - Youth Group will pay
Meal Cost:
More information to come - Youth Group will pay

In This Issue
Pastor Andy Writes...
Meals on Wheels
Care Packages
Lutheran Witness
National Youth Gathering
"You"th Group Lock-In
"You"th Group Meetings
Kansas District Gathering
Friends for Christ
Confirmation 2016/2017
God Go With You!
Vacation Bible School
Used Gaming Systems
Altar Flowers
Education
In the Military
Anniversaries
Birthdays
Contact Info
Quick Links

  

strawberry_salad.jpg Friends for Christ  

Friends for Christ will meet Saturday, August 6th, at 6 p.m. at the home of Pastor Andy & Debbie Keltner. Salads are on the menu.  If you are reading this, you are invited.  Good food, great fellowship and a Bible Study - what are great way to spend a Saturday evening in the 'burg!

Confirmation 2016/2017
confirmation

Save the date! 

We will start confirmation on Wednesday, September 7th, at 6:00 p.m.  A tentative date for 8th grade confirmation is May 7 during the 10:30 a.m. service.  A letter with more details will be sent to our confirmation students in the next week or two.
 
God Go With You!

We wanted to wish all of our 2016 graduating Seniors best wishes and God's blessings as you get ready to begin your new adventure.  Some of you are going to college, some to the military and some to work.  We wish only the best for you!  Keep in touch!
 
Vacation Bible School

Thank you so much to Carrie Gregar, Pastor, all of the volunteers, and the kids who participated in this year's Vacation Bible School.  What a great time everyone had learning about Jesus!

(Pictures will be coming shortly.)
 
Used Gaming Systems/ Controllers/Games

Do you have an unused PlayStation 1, 2, 3; Xbox; GameCube or Wii (with controllers) sitting around the house not being used AND in good working condition?  Do you have any games for PlayStation 2, GameCube or Wii rated "E" that you don't play anymore? Then please think about donating it to our youth group!  We are looking for some of these to use for our lock-ins and get togethers with the youth!   If you have any of the above and are willing to donate it to the youth, please contact Gerry or Michelle Eickhoff at: [email protected] or 913-837-5276.
 
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Altar Flowers

8/07
Walania Family
Sam's 4th Birthday

8/14
Rich & Tricia Walania
20th Wedding Anniv

8/21
Karrow Family
Cindy Birthday

8/28
The Keltner Family

Those who have signed up for flowers have two options:
  1. You can provide you own. They must be at the church before the 8:00am service.
  2. Sandy can get them for you. (As of October 1st, I will need to begin charging $20 for flowers.)
Flowers may be taken home after the 10:30am service. Please return vases to church when flowers are done. You may contact Sandy Barsh at 837-2997 for questions or to fill an open date.
 

 

August Education

   

Wednesdays

Evening Bible Study

7:00 p.m.  

 

Sundays

Sunday School

 Ages 3-Adult

9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.  

 

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

Jim Buckman
 
Mark Edgar
 
Ray Gigliotti
 
Greg Jeffrey
 
Lindy Kalinka
 
James Keltner
 
Clara Littrell
 
Tom Moore
 
Rob Ortman
 
Kelly Streck

August Anniversaries

   8/17  Rich & Tricia Walania
8/25  Dave & Kim Nemitz

August Birthdays

8/04     Dave Nemitz
   8/04     Drake Varns
   8/06     Samuel Walania
   8/08     Alyce Sharp
   8/10     Michelle Leahy
   8/11     Angie Broyles
   8/11     Cooper McDaniel
   8/13     Huntre Graham
   8/13     Cindy Karrow
   8/14     Kyra O'Connor
   8/16     Jeff Lohse
   8/17     John Schlegel
   8/18     Jordan Brown
   8/19     William Helms
   8/20     Cole Mynsted
   8/20     Vernon Rausch
   8/21     Kathie Kirkpatrick
   8/23     Avery Graham
   8/24     Zac Brown
   8/24     Steele Smith
   8/29     David Sharp
   8/31     Marilyn Towne
 
   



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

Contact Info 
(913)837-4502

If we've missed your birthday or anniversary contact COS Office so we can update our records.