Many were instrumental this month and deserve our heartfelt thanks.
To: Janie Ott and Sue Flanery for your continued service to this congregation and the church. We look forward to another 3 years on the Council. Thank you!
To: Beth Ramsey, Sandy Barsh, the Axmanns, Stacy Grove, and the Burton children for all of the extra you did to make the Advent dinners so successful. Thank you!
To: Everyone that attended the Advent dinners and services. It was a pleasure worshiping with you. Thank you.
To: Pastor Andy and Debbie Keltner, Becca, Logan and Porter Burton, and Don and Linda Newman for decorating the church for Christmas. Those 12' trees are a beast! Thank you!
To: Ellen Madrid, Keith and Donna Erwin, Jean Flick,
Howard and Sharon Meyers,
Don and Linda Newman,
Tim and Janie Ott,
Paul and Linda Richards, and Heidi Wolf for buying poinsettias this year. They always add such beauty to the church. Thank you!
Altar Flowers
01/02 In memory of Adelene Richards
01/09 In celebration of Nadine Wells' 93rd birthday!
01/16 OPEN
01/23 In celebration of Sandy Barsh's daughters and grand daughters' birthdays.
01/30 In memory of POB
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Those who have signed up for flowers have two options:
You can provide your own. They must be at the church before the 8 AM service.
Sandy can get them for you for $20. (Make checks payable to Sandy Barsh.)
Flowers may be taken home after the 10:30 AM service. Please return vases to the church when flowers are done. You may contact Sandy Barsh at 913-548-9588 for questions or to fill and open date.
January Birthdays
01/09 Nadine Wells
01/10 Aidan Murphy
01/12 Donna Erwin
01/12 Courtisa Sharp
01/15 Mindy Bell
01/15 Pat Walker
01/17 Stephanie Lohse
01/17 Mack Newell
01/17 Grace Owen
01/21 Andy Brown
01/21 Bill Carlson
01/21 Amanda Gregar
01/22 Nora Moore
01/27 Reagan Varns
01/27 Rich Walania
01/28 James Keltner Jr.
01/31 Elizabeth MacClymonnt
January Anniversaries
01/20 Shawn & Emily Helms
In the Military
Military members and friends of our congregation include:
Colin Alexander
Dylan Ash
Jim Buckman
Garret Cline
Mark Edgar
Maurissa Glick
Megan Honeywell
Jeremy Howard
Zac Howard
Freddy Hurt
Greg Jeffrey
Tyler Jordan
James Keltner
Tom Moore
Danny Myers
Austin Nicholes
Rob O'Bannon
Garrett Rausch
Lindsey Rausch
Allison Walania
D.J. Weaver
Worship: 8 AM, 10:30 AM
& 7 PM
Sunday school at 9:15 AM.
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
10 AM- 2 PM
Please contact us if we missed your birthday or anniversary so we can update our records.
Christ Our Savior newsletter is published monthly and produced in email and print versions.
Pastor Andy Writes...
What? So What?
Now What?
This is a protocol adopted by organizations to deal with all kinds of challenges. It can be used to move forward from a catastrophic event, it can be used to solve a technical problem, or it can be used for enhancing relationships.
What? This the fact phase. What are the known truths? It is important to evaluate the data. It is important to know the facts. Here are facts that are important for us to know and remember.
God created the world and all that is in it.
God made us in His image.
We sin.
God loves us.
God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
God hates sin.
God is a jealous God.
God sent His Son to save us from our sin.
Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus is our Savior.
These and many other facts are revealed to us in Scripture. The Bible is the revealed Word of God. The Bible is the sole rule and norm for all we do. These are the facts.
So what? This addresses the consequences or effect these facts have on our lives.
We are created in the image of God.
We are sinners who are saved by grace.
We are precious and loved.
God has done everything for our salvation.
We have purpose.
We have value.
We are the beloved of God.
We are named and known by the God who creates.
We are a people of God.
We are precious holy and dearly loved.
We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God.
Now what? We can reject God’s gift of love, or we can embrace and celebrate all the gifts He gives. We can rely on His mercy and serve Him. We have received gifts to use to glorify God and praise His name. We can live lives that glorify God. All our lives are lived in response to the precious gift of salvation that God has given.
Here is another.
What? We have a lot of young families, children, and teens. We have a small Sunday School and no youth group.
So what? Activities for youth and children are an attractional aspect for a congregation. Children in Sunday school are introduced to the Bible. This is something that is supported in the Christian home. Youth find a support group for their Christian life through youth group. They have servant opportunities and are introduced to adult leadership in the congregation.
Now what? This is the challenge. How do we get young people to commit to weekly Bible study? We have had leaders and teachers. Parents want Sunday school and youth group, but they are unwilling to commit to bringing their children to activities and weekly study. One challenge the church faces in 2022 is to address this disconnect.
Every time we are challenged as a congregation we must go back and remember the facts.
We are God’s redeemed and chosen children.
We live our lives in response to God’s grace, revealed to us in Scripture.
Jesus, the Son of God, is our Savior.
We face challenges as church and as children of the light.
We live in a sin darkened world.
Our hope, our confidence, our joy, and our peace is grounded in Christ alone.
Jesus is the answer.
The Worship Word
The start of a new year gives one time to reflect on the previous year and plan for the next. When we think about our church, we need to ask ourselves how I can “plug in to help”. How we support our church is different for each of us. Giving of our time, or our resources and growing our faith are all ways we support church and give the gift of personal growth to ourselves. I am reminded of Proverbs 12:24,25
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
-Proverbs 12:24,25
Attending a Bible study or starting a Bible study might be one way we “plug in”. Taking a seat on the council or supporting the church financially are just a few to mention. The list can be very long. I know that our elders, Pastor, and myself are always open for a conversation to help you explore how to help you “plug in”.
As you start the new year consider the changes you want to make, consider your faith journey, and carve out time for it.
10 Things God wants you to remember
I will give you rest.
I will strengthen you.
I will answer you.
I believe in you.
I will bless you.
I am for you.
I will not fail you.
I will provide for you.
I will be with you.
I love you.
(author unknown)
What I know through my own journey, when I make the effort, God helps me be successful. We are never alone; we always have a helper.
Blessings!
Installation of Officers will be held on Sunday, January 9th.
All council member need to attend services that day.
Thank You's From the Keltners!
As we begin the new year there are many people that we should thank for the work they do behind the scenes:
Debby Axmann - provides the beautiful Power Points for each Sunday morning service.
Heidi Wolf - makes sure "Facebook Live" happens each week.
Ellie Wolf - playing piano.
Sandy Barsh - makes sure the Altar is ready each week - flowers, candles, and communion ware.
Joe Gregar and Glenn Pooler - mow the lawn and keep the grounds looking nice.
Carrie Gregar - pushes the buttons on the keyboard for the evening service.
Paul and Linda Richards - pre service preparations for the 8 a.m. service.
Mindy Bell, Grace Walania, and Courtney Flanery for teaching Sunday School
The Church Council - for their dedication in taking care of the business aspect of the church.
Poinsettia Care
If you purchased a poinsettia, please remember to take them home with you after the Christmas day service.
Here are a few tips to keep your poinsettia in tip top shape all winter long.
Poinsettias need temperatures maintained between 55 and 75 degrees. Don't let them sit in your car too long! Temperature swings either direction will cause wilting.
Once home, poinsettias like bright but indirect sunlight to be happy. Light can make all the difference here, people.
Watering is another sticking point. Don't. Overwater. A. Poinsettia. Only water when the soil feels dry and remove the foil covering or poke holes in it to prevent root rot.
Do this and your poinsettia can remain beautiful and colorful all winter long. For tips to get the plant to rebloom check out Better Homes and Gardens.
*And it's a misnomer that Poinsettias are poisonous to people and animals. They're not but they can cause stomach upset and sometimes a skin rash. So if you'd like to avoid that, always keep poinsettias out of the reach of children and pets.
