Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church Newsletter
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Strengthen Faith, Build Hope, Share Love in Christ Our Savior
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Pastor Andy Writes...
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Pastor Andy Keltner |
Trusting God
"...Use medicine; take potions which can help you; fumigate house, yard, and street; shun persons and places where your neighbor does not need your presence or has recovered, and act like a man who wants to help put out the burning city."
What else is the epidemic but a fire which instead of consuming wood and straw devours life and body? You ought to think this way: "Very well, by God's decree the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore, I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid persons and places where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God."
https://blogs.lcms.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Plague-blogLW.pdf
This quote comes from "Whether One May Flee from A Deadly Plague: To the Reverend Doctor Johann Hess, pastor at Breslau, and to his fellow-servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Martin Luther." Luther wrote this letter in response to the plague that swept through Europe. This plague decimated Europe. It had a 60% mortality rate. Luther's advice is still valid today even though the virus we face is not as devastating as the "Black Plague" I believe Luther is telling us to make wise and prudent decisions and look for opportunities to care for our neighbors.
Luther states that we should shun persons and places where our neighbor does not need our presence. Do we need to be present in worship for our neighbor? Hebrews 11:19-25 "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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."
God calls us to worship him. The writer of Hebrews tells that we meet to encourage one another. Do we need to worship together? Yes. Is it beneficial for our neighbor if we worship together? Yes. Should we meet in worship? Yes. Should we take precautions to protect each other? Yes. Should we not meet if we are high risk? Yes. Should we stay home if we are not feeling well? Yes.
Can we meet safely? Many people think we cannot. They are basing this on the assumption that the public is not intelligent enough to meet without exposing others. Therefore, there are those in leadership that feel that worship should not happen. They see no need for worshiping together. God's Word says differently. I believe we need to take reasonable precaution to stay safe. I believe we need to make wise and prudent decisions. I also believe that we need to come together in faith and worship our God. We do this to encourage one another in the true faith. Let us trust God and serve him with gladness.
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Hey y'all,
We're super excited to have you back in church but you might want to bring a fan with you to the service because our A/C is barely running. The council wants me to tell you that it will cost about $3500 to replace the single busted unit. Because I don't feel the need to sugar coat things, I'm going to tell you that it may cost more than that. We have three units, one is D-E-A-D, one isn't running
efficiently
and one is... ok.
I'm not sure anyone has told you how tight we really run things around here but I will. (We not only robbed Peter to pay Paul but then we robbed Paul too!) Long story short, we don't have the money to replace the A/C and we have to replace at least one unit.
I'm asking for your help. Can you give a little extra to help pay for the A/C? I know we have a very generous congregation, who will do what's necessary when times are tough. Well, times were tough two months ago. Now they're bleak and really hot!
(Seriously, I can't lose anymore clothes
without it being illegal.
I'm boiling over here.)
I will put the in first $100. Who's going to match me?
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COS 2020 High School Grads
Congratulations to the 2020 graduating class.
We wish them well.
Avery Graham Tanner Lee
Lillian McDaniel--
Lily plans on attending JCCC and apply to the dental hygiene program.
Garrett Rolofson--
Garrett will be attending the University of Kansas in the fall to study Exercise Science with a minor in Business.
Drake Varns--Drake has
signed his letter of intent to play golf at Saint Mary of the Woods College in Indiana.
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June 7th Services
Church is back in session and we've missed you! But social distancing is still in effect, so things are going to look different. Precautions have to be taken and we're asking for your help. Before the first services back, please familiarize yourself with the following protocols. If everyone does their part than we can all enjoy worshiping together in a safe way.
Please note that all of these procedures will be reevaluated as time passes.
- Services will have a limited attendance number and you will be asked to sign up for specific services. (An email will be sent out with a sign-up sheet. Those without email will be called.)
- Social Distancing is a MUST - masks are optional but not a bad idea until you are seated.
- Front and side doors will be propped open until after the church service has begun.
- There will be no greeters, ushers or acolytes used.
- Bulletins will be located on the podium in the church sanctuary. Used bulletins will be not be reused. Please dispose of them in the bin in front of the podium. They will be recycled
- Members will be encouraged to use social distancing when in church. Do NOT sit in the pew directly in front or behind anyone. Please sit with your family group.
- Hymnals and attendance books have been removed for the time being.
- There will not be a children's message.
- Offering will not be taken - the offering plate will be located up front, as people go to communion, they can leave their offering.
- Communion will be similar to what is done for ashes but whole family groups, not one at a time. No usher will be used. Starting at the front rows, the members will maintain the 6 ft "social distance" and go up for communion.
- Pastor and communion assistant will sanitize their hands prior to administering communion and will minimize physical contact with congregation and Eucharist. (If you are uncomfortable with this please contact Pastor to schedule a private communion.)
- The nursery, coffee area, and basement are currently closed. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
We will continue to utilize Facebook Live to broadcast the majority of the services. (Hymns will be excluded from the stream to prevent copyright infringement.)
And yes, we will have all three services.
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Meals on Wheels Dinner and Pie Auction Update
To All Our Loyal Meals on Wheels Supporters,
Due to the present health concerns, our annual Meals on Wheels Dinner and Pie Auction has been cancelled. But your support for this vital program, is more important than ever. The number of
home-bound
senior citizens being served, in our community, has doubled.
I am asking you to consider making a flat donation this year, to help offset the larger numbers and the rising costs associated with the program.
Please send a check made out to ECKAAANP (East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging Nutrition Program)
You may mail your check to:
Beth Ramsey COS
840 Autumn Place or 5 S. 8th Street
Louisburg, KS 66053 Louisburg, KS 66053
Attn: Meals on Wheels
Any amount would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Beth Ramsey
Chairman, Meals on Wheels Committee
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
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