Many were instrumental this month and deserve our heartfelt thanks.
To: The Flanerys and the Meyers for the Lent meals this month. Thank you!
To: Jim, Deb, Daniel and Kristen Bell for Easter breakfast. It was cold and raining and they were only worried about the food. Thank you!
To: Everyone that stepped up and served during the Lent services. You are seen and appreciated. Thank you.
To: Tyler Roth and Don Newman for planning and working the Bullets and Bibles event. Everyone had a blast! Thank you.
Education News
Bible Study
The PLAN, an online Bible study tutorial is available HERE.
Wednesdays
The Confirmation ceremony is 05/04 at 7 PM.
Adult Bible Study resumes on 05/11 at 7 PM.
Sundays
Sunday School
Ages 3-Adult
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Altar Flowers
05/01 OPEN
05/08 In recognition of Howard Meyer's birthday.
05/15 In recognition of Linda Richard's birthday.
05/22 OPEN
05/29 Sandy Barsh in memory of those who've gone before us.
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A thank you to all the people who made donations in order
to decorate the church with Easter Lilly's. They were
beautiful.
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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.
May Birthdays
05/08 Howard Meyer
05/17 Brian Flanery
05/17 Susan Flanery
05/17 Carolyn Megee
05/17 Linda Richards
05/17 Aaron Stohs
05/19 Beckett Seely
05/21 Rich Lohse
05/22 Kristen Bell
05/22 Ashton Moore
05/24 Logan Burton
05/24 Porter Burton
05/25 Jean Flick
05/25 Beth Ramsey
05/26 Cheyanne Seely
05/28 Rowan Harding
The LWML Bible Study group will meet on Monday, May 9th at 7 PM. This will be the last meeting until fall.
May Anniversaries
05/14 Jeff & Debby Axmann
05/18 Andy & Jennifer Brown
05/24 Ryan & Paulette Varns
05/30 Aaron & Kelly Stohs
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...
The Royal Priesthood
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as
a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." --1 Peter 2:4-5
What does it mean to be a holy priesthood? Peter tells us that we are being built up into a spiritual household to be a holy priesthood. Since God’s Word is truth, we should ask ourselves what does it mean to be a priest?
There is a priestly office in the Old Testament. The tribe of Levi was the tribe of priests. The priests have three duties, sacrifice, prayer, and proclamation. There were those who were not Levites that served in the priestly office. They took on the priestly duties. Jesus is the fulfilment of the priestly office. He proclaims, prays, and makes the ultimate sacrifice for sin. What does it mean to be a Royal priesthood?
In the adult Bible class on Sunday mornings, we are studying “The Royal Priesthood: Identity and Mission”. Peter says that as God's redeemed people, we are to fulfill the priestly office. Don’t confuse the public ministry with the priestly office. In the New Testament those in the public ministry are not called priests. Those who are priests are those who are called by the Gospel and enlightened with the gifts. You are the priests of God, the leaders of the church are sent to equip you for ministry, or to be priests. The priestly duties are sacrifice, prayer, and proclamation.
Prayer and proclamation are easy to get your head around but what does sacrifice look like in the contemporary church?
“Because of Adam and in Adam all within the
human race die; but in Christ, the second
Adam, all live." --1 Cor. 15:22
Sacrifice makes the difference and marks all in the royal priesthood, given that identity in Baptism because of Christ’s sacrifice. Sacrifice therefore remains prominent in the New Testament, but it is differently conceived — no blood sacrifice of slaughtered beasts or grain or wine. Now the sacrifices are the “spiritual sacrifices” of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), including the living sacrifices of their bodies (Rom. 12:1), sacrificial deeds of obedience (Heb. 13:16), sacrificial donations they offer for the support of others (Phil. 4:18) and the sacrifice of thanks and praise found on their lips (Heb. 13:15).”
CTCR, The Royal Priesthood. P15
As I look at this list, I am challenged by Romans 12:1. The way we live, everything we do should be done to the glory of God. This leads us to sacrificial deed of obedience. Luther in the catechism lists as our duties to God to be thank and praise, serve and obey. The obey word sticks with many people.
Have you been looking for a way to serve but don't know how to get involved? Currently, the Council has three openings and is searching for the right person to fill the slots.
Board of Caring Chair--Plan and coordinate meals for Advent, Lent, funerals, special events and for those in need.
Facilities Board Chair--Help keep the church in tip top shape by planning and facilitating repairs and maintenance of church, community center and grounds.
If you have any questions please speak with Pastor, Janie Ott, or any other member of the council for more information.
The first COS Bibles and Bullets outing was a success. The young people were treated to a devotion, rifle safety and shooting experience. Many thanks to Tyler Roth and Don Newman for making this happen.
CHRISTIAN GROWTH
I think we all agree that it would be good to grow in our Christian life. Recently, I read some notes that I would like to share with the congregation. They were referenced to 2 Peter 3:18 (found in the NAS Bible, The Open Bible Edition, and taken from the Christian Life Study Outlines, Master Outline Number Eleven; The Abundant Life is a Mature Life). After reviewing these notes, I was challenged in my Christian growth after I realized that several characteristics in my spiritual life could be described as “baby” or “little child” stages. This article is to encourage us all, as St. Peter does in his second epistle, to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
The following notes were referenced to 2 Peter 3:18:
The Scriptures reveal four stages of spiritual growth in the Christian life:
The Baby State: (1 Cor. 3:1-4, Heb. 5:13, 1 Ptr.2:2) A baby thinks only of self; and, if denied the things desired, it will raise a rumpus. It seeks its own; its feelings are easily hurt and it is often jealous. A baby lives to be served – it never serves. It drinks milk, and cannot eat strong meat. It cries, but never sings. It tries to talk, but never makes sense. These infant characteristics are so prominent in the lives of many church members. They have been born into the family of God, but have failed to develop spiritually. They are spiritual babies – carnal Christians.
The Little Child Stage: (1 John 2:12) Some Christians grow to be little children spiritually, but stop there. Here are some of the characteristics of children: they are often untruthful, envious, and cruel. If rebuked, they become martyrs; if crossed, they are resentful and often make a scene. They are talebearers, repeating everything they hear (in adults it is called gossip). They are given to emotional outbursts, and are easily puffed up. They love praise, and will accept it from any source. They seek only the things that appeal to self. Are you a spiritual child?
The Young Man Stage: (Heb. 6:1-2, 1 John 2:13) Spiritual growth to that of a young man is not reached by many. He is strong and virile and is well able to overcome his enemy. He has a vision for the future and the faith and courage to tackle it. He is preparing for his productive years. You, too, can become a young man spiritually by doing “away with childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11), and grow.
The Father Stage: (1 John 2:13) This stage of spiritual development can be reached by all, but so few ever attain it. The spiritual father has peace with God (Rom. 5:1). He knows the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). He rejoices in his spiritual children (1 Thess. 2:19, also 1 Tim. 1:2). He has learned contentment under all circumstances (Phil. 4:11). He knows the only source of true strength (Phil. 4:13). He does not brood over the past, but looks to the future (Phil. 3:13,14). He knows that all things work together in his life for his eternal good (Rom. 8:28). He enjoys abundant life now and will enjoy it in the life to come (Eph. 2:7).
It is my hope that members of Christ our Savior continue to grow in our Christian faith as we read and study His Word, look to Him for guidance in our life’s decisions, display the obedience of faith, and serve Him through our serving and caring for others. -- Howard Meyer, Elder
The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 5th. Everyone is meeting in the Middle School auditorium at 7 PM. If you have any questions call: