The Messenger
The Monthly Newsletter of Blessed Savior Lutheran Church
A Message from Pastor Sander
GOOD TO KNOW THAT NOTHING MEANS NOTHING… RIGHT?
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 7:37-39
My Dear Friends!
The Bible and the daily news stand in opposite ends of the spectrum of our lives. The news says that we all are endangered due to a deadly virus. The Bible says that there is no danger whatsoever because nothing can separate us from God. The daily news places all importance and emphasis on our earthly life. The Bible places it all on eternal life.
At the beginning of a new year, a review of where we stand socially, economically, and spiritually makes sense. This is even more important following a year like 2020. Last year the world was ravaged by a pandemic like few times in history. This pandemic affected and continues to affect every country in the world. We will deal with its effects for many months, perhaps years to come.
It changed the landscape of many aspects in our lives. It made us question one another. It drove deep divisions into the strongest relationships. It destroyed many friendships and allegiances. It also affected our economy, education, health systems and more. Many businesses were broken by COVID-19. Its ugly scars will certainly be with us for years.
2,000 years ago, the Apostle Paul wrote a realistic piece to the Romans. There is nothing romantic about his letter to the Romans. He simply says: “Nothing, in all creation,” can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. That is an absolute statement. In an age in which the absolute has been pushed down and lies and half-truths advanced by many prominent leaders in our nation, it is refreshing to hear and be given the Absolute truth: NOTHING can tear us away from God!
Then Lord bless us with His abiding presence in A.D. 2021!
Yours, in Christ’s service,
Pastor Martinho Q. Sander
Serving Us in Worship
Elders
Sunday (8:00am)- Craig Butzlaff (primary) & Jim Burow (secondary)
Sunday (10:30am) - Dale Wachholz (primary) & Rick Krause (secondary)
Ushers
Sunday 8:00am - Wondisford-Team 3
Sunday 10:30am - Seefeld-Team 4
January Birthdays and Anniversaries
Preschool News
Sent to Serve - Matthew 20:28
Happy new year! The Lord has granted us yet another year! With this new year comes new opportunities. With this new year we are still called by our loving Father to do His work! What a blessing to know that even though the year changes we have a Savior that does not! Our job as His children doesn’t change either, we are to serve our fellow brother and sister in love! Jesus came not to be served, but to serve! (Matthew 20:28)
I love being a Lutheran educator, Called by my Father in heaven to spread the Good News. Part of this includes having the chance to celebrate the fact that we have Lutheran schools and these schools get to preach and teach the Word of God daily. Throughout the United States alone we have 1,950 Lutheran schools and we have 21,764 teachers that get to share their faith with their students and families. This year we will celebrate a little bit differently, but nevertheless we still get the opportunity to praise and thank God for Lutheran education!
There is a song that I like to sing and the refrain goes like this, "Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love; show us how to serve the neighbors we have from You." Jesus was and still is the perfect example of love! Jesus came to be a servant not to be served. As we walk through this life we should not feel the need to fulfill a task because it will bring us fame and fortune and everything that goes with it but rather serve our neighbor quietly and out of love.
It is a privilege and blessing to work for the Lord and as His children we are all called to do that. It might not be a teacher or preacher, it might be a cook, a banker, an athlete, a stay at home mom, etc. We are all given the task to serve one another. In Matthew 20:28, God does not limit who He calls to serve, but rather commands us to love and serve one another. He calls and equips all His children to be a loving brother or sister. If you had the opportunity to help someone, feed someone, cloth someone, bring healing to someone, etc. would you just sit by and watch someone suffer or would you be loving and help that person?
We are all a family and not sharing something means that you are keeping something from your brothers and sisters, and you rob them of the same wonderful things that you have. Let’s not be selfish but instead with reckless abandon and the full support of our Heavenly Father backing us go and serve others so that everyone may know and see that they have a loving Savior! A Savior that died to forgive them and rose to give them eternal life in heaven! Are you ready to serve?
In His Service,
Jennifer Leinss
Childcare Teachers Needed:
Blessed Savior is looking for afternoon lead childcare teachers to join its team! We are looking for fun, energetic, kid-loving, team players! Early childhood courses and experience is preferred. Hours are flexible, but we are looking at 12:00-5:30 and wage is based on experience. If you or someone you know is interested, please see Director Jennifer Leinss.
Thank You!
National Lutheran Schools Week
January holds more opportunities for us. We will be celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week January 24th-29th. It is a week for us to gather with the rest of the nation and celebrate not only being a Lutheran preschool but being a part of a bigger circle. Thank you, Blessed Savior, for the many opportunities and support you give to your preschool and for offering Lutheran education to many families.
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment of the 2021-2022 school year will begin on Monday, January 25th as we kick-off Lutheran Schools Week. We have 2K, 3K, and 4K openings and would love to add your child to our educational family. Spread the word about this wonderful preschool! If you are interested or would like more information concerning the preschool and childcare, please see Jennifer Leinss!
Proverbs Bible Study (Online)
Altar Flowers, Bulletins and Special Missions
Mission In-Gatherings
Soles for Jesus-new or used shoes
Food Pantry-non-perishable food items
Trades of Hope-empty cereal boxes
Military-cancelled stamps, coupons (can be expired), and care package items
Sunday School at Home
January 3 - The Boy Jesus at the Temple
January 10 - The Baptism of Jesus
January 17 - Jesus Changes Water into Wine
January 24 - Jesus Calms the Storm
January 31 - Jesus Feeds 5,000
Sunday school families will also work on the hymn "I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light". This can be found in the One and All Rejoice hymnal #192.
SCRIP
Youth Group
Blessed Savior Bits
Special Missions
We begin a New Year of Special Missions supporting upcoming publications of Editora Concordia Porto Alegre (Concordia Publishing House), Brazil. For the past 15 years Blessed Savior has sponsored the publications of theological books, children’s Bible Story books and daily devotional books in Portuguese. These are distributed not only in Brazil but anywhere in the world where Portuguese is spoken. The Lord bless our joint efforts to His glory and the benefit of the church!
Financial Update
General Offerings: $486,612.48
General Expenses: ($534,992.58)
($48,380.10)
Preschool Income: $165,809.60
Preschool Expenses: ($164,443.79)
$1,365.81
Other Offerings: $165,369.16
Other Expenses: ($112,657.04)
$52,712.12
Total Offerings, Less Expenses: $5,697.83
Membership
Average Weekly November Attendance: 104
Average YouTube Worship Views: 119
Official Acts
New Members:
Larry Myers
Membership Loss Due to Transfer:
Len and Denise Meyer
Matt and Amanda Gnirk, Sophia, Lucas, Liliana and Aria
Membership Loss Due to Death:
Violet Cribb
Annabelle Holme
Louise Lacey
Blessed Savior Lutheran Church
Email: blessedsavior.nb.lcms@gmail.com
Website: www.blessedsaviorwi.org
Location: 15250 West Cleveland Avenue, New Berlin, WI, USA
Phone: 262-786-6465
Facebook: facebook.com/BlessedSaviorNBWI