Summer is always a time of great change. These changes may only last a few months until we get back into our regular routines, but summer is often a time to reset and refocus before we get back to our regularly scheduled lives.

If you’re reading this one major change for all of us this summer is that I will be joining the Blessed Savior family as your new pastor along with my wife Courtney. As I sit writing this, surrounded by boxes, it is clear that change is coming very soon. While leaving Manitowoc has been difficult as we say goodbye to so many people we’ve come to know and love over the last twelve years we are so excited to see what God has planned for all of us at Blessed Savior. Before we all get a chance to know one another over the coming months and years I’ll share with you a little bit about myself.

I was born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana. After graduation from high school, I enrolled at

Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. Not only was I blessed to receive a wonderful

education at Concordia, but I was also in Wind Symphony and played on the men’s tennis team. While in the Wind Symphony I had the opportunity to tour all over the United States, and for three weeks in China.

While in college I met my wife Courtney who was born and raised in Eagle River,

Wisconsin. We were married in Eagle River in the summer of 2009 right before I began my

vicarage. Not only will I be starting my work at Blessed Savior this summer, but Courtney will be starting her new role as the principal of Marcy Elementary School in the Hamilton School

District.

After graduating from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis I was called to be the associate

pastor at Redeemer Lutheran in Manitowoc and then as the senior pastor three years later.

During our time in Manitowoc, we made lots of wonderful friends, but perhaps no greater

friend than our almost nine year old Wheaten Terrier, Auggie!

When we are able Courtney and I love to travel, be it some place close to home or some

place where we need to dig out our passports. We are not only excited to be joining the Blessed Savior Family, but moving to the Milwaukee area where we can catch a few Cubs games at American Family Field! If you’re worried that I’m also a Bears fan then, yes, you should be worried!

Despite any differences we may have in sports allegiances or any other changes we may

encounter, we have a God who unifies us. We have a God who loves us, and a God who never

changes or changes his mind about us despite any changes we may experience. I can’t wait to get to know you and see what God has in store for us a Blessed Savior.

In Christ,

Pastor Zachary DeArmond

And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

We just wrapped up another successful school year! Graduation is a bittersweet day for me. It means that the classes we just got to know and have been with for the last 9 months are moving on. My new favorite book to read to our graduating class is “Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know.” It is written by Melissa Kruger and is like the famous book written by Dr. Seuss. Why do I read this book? It has wonderful illustrations and talks about children being whoever they want to be when they grow up. They might grow up to be a doctor, a teacher, a zookeeper, a pilot, and the list goes on, it even addresses the love and sadness you will feel, the successes and failures, all around this is an excellent book, but what I love most about this book is the added Christian ending! It goes on to say, “my dream of all dreams…I pray you love Jesus with all of your heart.” The ending of the book goes on to talk about being made by God, how much God loves you, how faithful He is, and so on. So, talk with Him, walk with Him, follow Jesus because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

As adults too often we forget these simple messages found in this children’s book. Life can be busy, hectic, sad, happy, and the list goes on, BUT there is always a BUT – Jesus is there for all of it. Jesus guides every moment in life. We are His children and no matter what, He is there for us! Jesus loved us so much He couldn’t bare the thought of living without us in eternity, so He came to earth, died for our sins, took care of sin, death, and the devil. He rose to give us eternal life in heaven! Surely, we aren’t left to do this on our own! We only have our students at Blessed Savior for a short time and you can guarantee that each child has on repeat heard this message – Jesus died to forgive you and rose to give you eternal life in heaven. This book along with their graduation Bible are the biggest messages that these kids could walk away with!

The world is going to do its part to discourage loving and trusting in God, but the seed of faith has been planted and now we pray the Holy Spirit takes that seed and makes it grow all their life long. So that when they are grown and are doctors, farmers, vets, etc., they can share with the world the saving Gospel message of Jesus’ love! The closing line in the above-mentioned book reads like this, “and, whatever you do, wherever you start, I pray you love Jesus with all of your heart.” Friends, this is not only my prayer for my students as they graduate and leave, but it is my prayer for you as well. I pray that no matter what life throws at you, you remember these two things: 1. Jesus is with you always 2. Jesus loves you so very much. Hold onto these truths and share them with reckless abandon that all the world may know Jesus! To God be the glory!

In His Service,

Jennifer Leinss

Our SSS program will be a weekly video series that you as a family can catch when it is convenient for you! Join Jaime and Jennifer weekly as they take a closer look at the 23rd Psalm. We hope that you will join us!

For our second quarter missions, our Special Mission offering will support Orphan Grain Train. Orphan Grain Train is a 501c3 Nonprofit Christian volunteer network that shares personal and material resources with needy people in America and around the world. Grain Train volunteers gather donations of clothing, medical supplies, food, Christian literature, and other aid to meet real needs. The Orphan Grain Train movement is a loving response to Jesus Christ’s example as a servant and His love for us. The following link is Orphan Grain Train's wish list. Please take a look! https://ogtrain.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/05-2022-OGT-Wish-List-REV-2.pdf