|
Strengthen Faith, Build Hope, Share Love in Christ Our Savior
|
Christ Our Savior
Lutheran Church
ANDY KELTNER, PASTOR
5 South 8th Street
Louisburg, KS 66053
|
|
Christmas Season Special Service Schedule
| December 9th |
Sunday |
11:30 a.m. |
Annual Voter's Meeting |
| December 5th |
Wednesday |
5:30 & 7:00 p.m. |
Advent Dinner / Service |
| December 12th |
Wednesday |
5:30 & 7:00 p.m. |
Advent Dinner / Service |
| December 16th |
Sunday |
7:00 p.m. |
Children's CHRISTmas Program |
| December 19th |
Wednesday |
5:30 & 7:00 p.m. |
Advent Dinner / Service |
| December 24th |
Monday |
7:00 & 11:00 p.m. |
CHRISTmas Eve Services (11:00 p.m. will be the candlelight service) |
| December 25th |
Tuesday |
10:00 a.m. only |
CHRISTmas Day Service |
Confirmation Classes will not meet in December. Classes resume January 9th.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pastor Andy Writes...
 |
| Pastor Andy Keltner |
Meeting Together
My cousin, Kenny Dean Keltner, died in Panama City, Florida, the same time Hurricane Michael hit the city. He died from complications of an illness, not directly from the Hurricane. When I heard that he died I was sad. The last time I was in Florida I did not make much of an effort to get together with him. One of the greatest things about this time of year is that families make an effort to meet together.
Christmas traditions are usually centered around family. The previous churches I served were over one-hundred years old. They were the mother churches for many families. I always loved the Christmas worship services because I got the opportunity to meet members' families. It is awesome when I get to meet someone who has been on our prayer list. I hear some Pastors complain about "Christmas and Easter Christians". I wish people were in worship every Sunday, but I really enjoy seeing people I haven't seen for awhile and reconnecting with them anytime of the year. We have extra services during the Christmas season to provide opportunities for families to meet together around the Word and Sacrament.
God desires that we meet together in worship. We meet together to encourage one another in the faith we share. In Hebrews chapter, 10: 24-25 it is written. "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."
When I was young, I used to question family gatherings. I had other things that I would rather be about. Meeting with grandparents, aunts, and uncles was not a great way to spend my day out of school. It was fun to get together with my cousins but usually someone got in trouble or hurt, and it was often me, so I was not fond of family gatherings. Meeting together seemed like a bother.
Looking back, I am sad because many of those who met together are no longer alive to meet with. Scripture tells us that with grey hairs comes wisdom. I hope I have gained wisdom. I am worried that wisdom is lacking in many families. The busyness of our life gets in the way of opportunities to meet together. We should celebrate our opportunities to meet together.
I pray that as you gather together as family and extended family during the Christmas season, you take opportunity to share the hope you have in Christ. I pray that you make the Word and Sacrament ministry of the church part of your family gathering. God wants us to meet together. He wants us to encourage one another in the true faith.
Have a blessed Christmas season. Resist the habit of not meeting together. I look forward to seeing you and your family in worship this season. When you come, make sure to introduce your family. It is a joy when I can meet your families and extended families. If you are traveling, travel safe. God will be with you where-ever you go. Do not be reluctant to go to worship as a family. This is a precious gift you can share. God sent his Son. The best way to acknowledge this gift is to respond in worship and praise.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Pastor and Debbie Keltner
|
|
Join us for great food and fellowship as we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth
The Christmas season is right around the corner. We have a variety of delicious dinners planned before the Wednesday night Advent Services this year. Below is the schedule and what will be served.
Chili with hot dogs, cornbread and desserts
December 12th
Pulled pork, side dishes and desserts
December 19th
Soups, Salads and desserts
Everyone is welcome! Great food and amazing fellowship! Meals begin at 5:30 followed by church service at 7:00 pm. Thank you so much to the Christine Fauss, Paul Richards, the Meals on Wheels group, and the Youth Group for all of these meals! If you have any questions, please
contact Christine Fauss at
aunttine01
@gmail.com or 913-645-4003.
|
|
Join us for the Children's Christmas Program
The Children are busy preparing for their Christmas Program. The program will be held on Sunday evening, December 16th at 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend!
It's not too late for you child to participate! Practices take place on Sunday mornings in the Sanctuary at the beginning of Sunday School. Hope to see you there!
|
|
End of the Year Financial News
We want to thank everyone for their generous support in 2018.
It is crazy to think that we are almost at the end of 2018. It has been a wild ride!
This is a reminder that the church financial books will be closing on December 31st for bills to be paid and contributions. Please remember Christ Our Savior in your Christmas giving. Any offering or extra contributions received by December 31st will appear on your final financial statement for 2018. Seek advice from a financial or tax professional about how your contributions affect your tax liability for 2018.
If you make purchases from Amazon this season, please consider using smile.amazon.com and designating Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Louisburg, KS as the charity that will benefit. Amazon makes a quarterly contribution directly to the church based on the purchases made through Amazon Smile.
Our current financial status is:
Checking
Savings
Youth Group
We will present the 2019 budget at the December 9th voters meeting after the 10:30 am service. This is your opportunity to see how the anticipated offerings are allocated for next year. If you would like a copy of the proposed budget in advance, there will be copies available near the entrance to the church or by asking at the church office. We want you to be informed!
Please consider signing up for electronic giving for 2019. It helps ensure a steady flow of income to pay the monthly obligations that we have for electricity, water, salaries, insurance, phone, maintenance, alarm monitoring, etc.
Thanks and have a blessed Christmas season and Happy New Year.
Your Church Council
|
|
It's time to decorate the Church
Each year, volunteers from our congregation work to make the Sanctuary and Church beautiful for Christmas. They put up two very large Christmas Trees, decorate them, and put other decorations throughout the church.
This year, decorating will take place on Monday evening, December 10th, at 7:00 p.m.
Please consider taking time out of your day on the 16th to help. C
ontact Sandy Barsh at 837-2997 or 913-548-9588 if you are able to help.
|
|
"From the Heart" Angel Tree coming soon!
Christ Our Savior will participate again in Angel Tree - adopting local families and providing Christmas gifts. This is just one way of sharing Christ's love with others. Please watch for a display in the narthex and more information in the weekly bulletin, special emails and Facebook. Questions? Contact Cindy Karrow, this year's coordinator, at 913-269-1935 or ckarrow813@gmail.com.
|
|
Order Your Poinsettias
Each year, members of the congregation purchase Poinsettias to adorn the altar during the week of Christmas. You may begin purchasing your Poinsettias for this year now through December 19th. Poinsettias will be $8.00 each.
There will be a display in the narthex of the church with envelopes. Please make checks payable to Sandy Barsh. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy at 837-2997.
Poinsettias can be taken home after the CHRISTmas Day Service on December 25th.
Thank you!
|
|
Christ Our Savior's Care Team
Did you know Christ Our Savior has a Care team? We have a group of individuals who make meals for people when they have a new baby, meals for someone during a time of need, food for funerals, help serve food during a funeral luncheon, and any other time someone needs help. We are looking for more people to join our team. Speaking from personal experience, this is an amazing help and takes something off someone's plate when they need it the most. It's a great way to show Christ's love for one another! Hope you can join our team! If you are interested, please contact Gloria at office@christoursaviorlouisburg.com or 913-522-0367.
If you are someone going through a difficult time and need help, please contact Pastor or Gloria at the email or number listed above and we will get someone to help.
|
|
Come Hungry for Biscuits & Gravy!
| What: |
Come on down for our monthly "All you can eat" Biscuits & Gravy, eggs, hash browns, cinnamon rolls with fruit, coffee and juice.
|
| Cost: |
Suggested $5 donation
|
| For: |
Help the Youth Group raise funds for District & National Gatherings
|
| When: |
Sunday, December 2nd
|
| Time: |
Between church services (9-10:00)
|
| Where: |
COS Basement
|
| Youth: |
We are asking youth to bring- 1 can of biscuits (already baked please!) along with milk or juice. We are also asking that you be in the basement at 8:30 a.m. to help prep, cook, serve the meal and clean-up.
|
|
|
"You"th Group Lunch and Laser Tag Event
| Who: |
COS "YOU"th in grades 6-12 & family |
| Date: |
Sunday, December 9th
|
| Time: |
11:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
| Where: |
Lunch at Pie 5 (119th and Strang Line Road) & Laser Tag at Main Event (11950 S, N Kansas City Rd) |
| What to bring: |
Yourself & your family. |
| Details: |
Vote on our new t-shirt design; discuss our next FUN event in January and our next fundraiser for Minneapolis!
|
Please contact Gerry & Michelle Eickhoff at gmicough@hotmail.com or text Michelle at 913-302-5282 if you are planning on attending
|
|
Youth Group Casserole and Bake Sale to be held December 16th
Each participating youth is to make a casserole or two (oven-ready) and bring it on Sunday, December 16. We will be selling the casseroles between services and after 2nd service. Please provide name of casserole and directions for cooking your casserole (i.e. - oven temperature and time for cooking). Also provide a thank you for the purchase! We will sell each casserole for $15. The more casseroles we have, the more money we can add towards the next National Youth Gathering in 2019 or summer camps.
We will also be selling items like cinnamon rolls, and breads along with the casseroles. If you would like to do this in addition to the casserole to help us out, we would welcome it.
Thank you for your help!
Gerry & Michelle
|
|
2019 National Youth Gathering
July 11-15, 2019
Minneapolis, Minnesota
We are a go for the National Gathering in 2019! They have received our registration and approved us but there is still room for you! If you are interested in attending, please contact Gerry &/or Michelle Eickhoff ASAP.
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
