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...
| | Pastor Andy Keltner | |
God and Money
No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.
"You cannot serve God and money." --Luke 16:13
"A checkbook is a theological document; it will tell you who and what you worship." --Billy Graham
"People go through three conversions: their head, their heart and their pocketbook, unfortunately, not all at the same time." --Martin Luther (1483-1546)
"I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, and the like is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them." --C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), English author and scholar
"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands that I still possess." --Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Christian stewardship is not an option it is a way of life. God is the giver of all good gifts. He gives us our time talent and resources. The question we have to ask does our check book and calendar reflect our worship of the giver of all good gifts.
"Remember the Sabbath by keeping Holy" says that we need rest. True rest comes when we spend time with our God. Do we have time for our God?
As we walk through Consecrated Stewards this month, it is not all about money. Stewardship is about how we live in relationship to our God. Those who first followed Christ found a value and purpose for life that they could find nowhere else. They were willing to forsake everything and follow Christ. God used them to change the world. When we look for purpose and value for our lives it can truly be found in serving our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ gives value and purpose. We are a permanent part of his eternal Kingdom. God will bless those who follow him and serve him.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." --Matthew 6:33
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Confirmation 2020
| | Confirmation during Covid looks different. Masks and Zoom are making class possible. | |
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The Worship Word--
| | Council President, Janie Ott | |
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1
As fall has started to arrive, with the very slight changing of the leaves and the cooler weather, it has been amazing to see God's beauty come through. In the Covid-Crazy-world we continue to live in, it is nice to see fall come to be. I was reading and came across the Bible verse above. It spoke to me so strongly. It is a verse I think of often in the fall, but this time when I read it, I thought about Covid. Covid is a season we are going through. There is a purpose under heaven. It is hard to imagine why we need to go through this, but we do, and it is God's plan.
We can't think of all the negatives, we need to focus on the beauty of fall.
- The Louisburg Cider Mill is likely planning how to work through the challenges of physical distancing and mask wearing. Yet fall is not fall without warm apple cider and an apple cider donut. (Seriously, that is a slice of heaven on earth.) We need to find a way to enjoy all the beauties of fall, despite Covid.
- High school, college, and pro football are back. The fans are limited but the games are being played and we can enjoy our Kansas City Chiefs even though Covid has created challenges. Changes were necessary for the game to continue. Again, another perk of fall, I can't imagine fall without football (and most importantly football food)!!
- All the fall crafts and pumpkin decorating can provide lots of family fun over the next few weeks. Fall is a wonderful time to come together as a family and create new family traditions while being home. Covid has brought families back together, there are so many fun fall things that can bring new energy to our family lives.
God does not work on our timeline, we need to be patient and have faith in his timeline. We need to learn the lesson he is teaching us. It is ALL under control. Decorate a pumpkin while sipping apple cider, have grandkids over to decorate for fall, enjoy the season and all the beauty it holds for us. Fall is a gift from God, and he wants us to enjoy it and share it's beauty.
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
-1 Thessalonians 5:18
Blessings!
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Youth Zoom?
If you are confirmed and under twenty years of age would you invest thirty minutes a week to talk about what the Bible says? If there was a Zoom meeting on Wednesday from 7:30 to 8pm that would address questions and concerns you have with the answers coming from Scripture would you participate? Here is my proposal.
- First, if this sounds worthwhile then send me an email at pastorandy4@yahoo.com. If I get four or more emails expressing an interest, then I will set up a Zoom meeting. When you send your email, you can also submit a question, concern, or topic you would like to discuss. When the meeting is set up you will get and email invitation.
- Second, no parents UNLESS accompanied by a teen. Parents can attend but only if accompanied by a teen.
- Third, you cannot talk about anyone in the group you can only talk to everyone in the group. Also, you cannot talk about anyone outside the group unless it is to request a prayer. You are brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Fourth, you can talk about anything that is in the Bible. Any disagreements will be arbitrated by what the Bible says. There are some amazing things in the Bible.
- Fifth, you need to make a commitment to be faithful in your participation. If you must miss a week then tell the group and we will pray for you. Also you are encouraged to invite your friends to participate in the meeting.
Finally, 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Everything we do will be done to the glory of God.
Send me an email if you are interested. This is something you can invest in. This is not for your parents this is for you. Come grow in your relationship to Christ.
Pastor Andy
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Youth Gathering 2020
LCMS Kansas District High School Youth Gathering 2020 The Basics:
- Registration for the KDYG opens on September 15!
- KDYG will be a ONE DAY ALL DIGITAL EVENT this year. This includes live-streamed speaker sessions as well as interaction with the band.
- There will be ONE registration fee of $25 per person. This registration fee includes programming and technology costs.
- T-shirts must be ordered and paid for separately by each group directly from the t-shirt company using the link provided on the Kansas District KDYG page.
- Youth in grades 9-12 are invited to participate.
There's more information on the KDYG page, if you are interested. We would need a parent to coordinate. If you are that parent, please contact Becca in the office for all of the registration materials.
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The Financial
In our continued effort to bring awareness and transparency to our church finances we want to share with you the following:
- The COS council is working on the 2021 budget we ask for your prayers to help us navigate through the budget and make sound decisions for our church. Also, if you have a topic that needs to be considered in the budget please reach out to us or attend the next council meeting.
- We want to streamline the emails for COS Finance. The following address will ensure we receive your email. finance@christoursaviorlouisburg.com . Our personal gmail accounts sort various emails to junk and we never want to miss your emails. We want to hear from you and be of service to you.
- We are continuing our efforts to recruit a Treasure to the council; we would like a volunteer. If this speaks to you and you feel called to serve in this capacity, please contact Janie Ott.
- In the table below please see our finances. Please review and please consider the church's financial health as we navigate through Covid. We have several ways to give. We want giving to be easy for you.
Month | Offerings | Expenses | Difference | August |
16,159
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16,926
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-766
| July | 16,394 | 20,834 | -4440 | June | 29,624 | 18,863 | 10,763 | Y2D Total |
169,804
| 134,879 | 5307 |
We are grateful for all our financial gifts; without them our church couldn't operate and serve our church and our community. We also understand the challenges related to the pandemic on each of our church members. The smallest gifts are just as great as the largest. Most of all thank you for being the amazing church that we are, God has richly blessed us.
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