Many were instrumental this month and deserve our heartfelt thanks.
To: Jeff Axmann for keeping this office running. Thank you for the new monitor.
To: Everyone that planned, cooked or attended the Fifth Sunday Breakfast. It was so much fun! Thank you.
To: Don Newman for stepping up and into the VP position on the council. Thank you!
Education News
Wednesdays
Confirmation at 6 PM
Adult Bible Study at 7 PM.
Sunday School at 9:15 AM
Altar Flowers
02/05 Sandy Barsh for all of the February birthdays!
02/12 Happy Valentine's Day from the Hibbards!
02/19 OPEN
02/26 OPEN
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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.
February Birthdays
02/02 Matt Brown
02/02 Stacey Cline
02/03 Debby Axmann
02/04 Keith Pritzel
02/07 Steve Sweyko
02/08 Aiden Moreau
02/10 Grace Walania
02/11 Christian Eickhoff
02/11 DJ Pooler
02/12 Madeline McDaniel
02/16 Daniel Bell
02/18 Harvey Lightner
02/19 Wayne Carlson
02/20 Carolyn Hoskins
02/24 Mable Graham
02/24 Ben Sweyko
02/25 Michael Allen
02/26 Tim Ott
02/28 Tyler Stewart
February Anniversaries
02/14 Chris & Gail Brown
02/22 Randy & Tricia Rausch
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...
"A Thousand Points of Light"
I received a letter from the president of the United States. It was 1991. The letter came from George H. W. Bush congratulating me on being one of the Thousand Points of Light in our nation. The county extension agent nominated me because we had worked together to organize a local volunteer fire department.
President Bush talked about the brilliant diversity of our nation “like a thousand points of light spread like stars throughout our nation”. Later after his presidency Bush championed the Thousand Points of Light Foundation. He encouraged Americans to get off the bench and get in the game. “Nobody is interested in those who sit around and whine. Get in and try something. Give something back, be of service.”
This message that President Bush delivered to the nation is applicable to the community of believers in the church. In the explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles Creed we learn that we are called by the gospel and enlightened with gifts. By God’s grace we have been called into the Kingdom of God. We have been equipped with spiritual gifts to serve in this Kingdom. There is a brilliant diversity of gifts. As we use the gifts God gives, we work together as the Body of Christ. “Nobody is interested in those who sit around and whine. Get in and try something. Give something back, be of service.”
After almost forty years as a Pastor one of the common laments in the church is we do not have enough volunteers. This seems to be an age-old problem in the Kingdom of God.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'"
--Matthew 9:36-38
This does not excuse us from serving but it should encourage us as we look for ways to serve God in the Kingdom.
Living as members of the body of Christ is about service. Not just in the worship on Sunday but it is so much more. Every day we have opportunities to shine the light of Christ in our sin darkened world. A thousand points of light spread like stars is the quote from George H. W. Bush. When I listen to President Bush’s words, I am reminded of what Paul writes,
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights(stars) in the world, holding fast to the word of life,”.
--Phillipians 2:14-16a
We are children of God. We are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. We are children of the light. Through acts of loving service we shine the light of Christ.
I am often asked, “Pastor what can I do.” Bush said it in a powerful way, “Get in and try something.” Opportunities abound in our community and church for service. If you see a need not being met and it is something you feel strongly about, maybe God is calling you to be the one who starts the ministry.
There are existing ministries that have gone dormant because of a lack of participation. Get involved. We are always looking for ushers, greeters, acolytes, soundboard operators, teachers, counters, and leaders in the church. There are plenty of opportunities. Imagine the light that would shine in our community with a thousand points reflecting the light of Christ.
Get in and try something.
Give something back.
Be of service.
Parking Lot Project
The church parking lot needs repair. There is a unique opportunity for the congregation to receive matching funds for this project from the Kansas District LCMS. A generous gift from the Charles and Vivian Herren Fund has been made to the Kansas District to be used for brick-and-mortar projects. The District board decided to use these funds for congregational matching fund grants.
The stipulation is that funds raised should be for a specific project during a specific time frame. That is why we are taking donations and pledges for the parking lot project. The total cost to repair both parking lots will be around sixty thousand dollars. The goal is to raise at least thirty-thousand dollars and apply for matching funds from the District.
We ask you to pray about this and if you can make a gift above your regular tithe, we solicit your support. There are pledge cards available if you want to make a monthly gift. If you can support this project, please make your donation, and mark it for the Parking Lot Fund. If you have any questions about this project please contact the Pastor, the Elders, or a church council member.
“First Things First”
"I have held many things in my hand, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands that I still possess.” --Martin Luther
You’ve probably heard the saying, “First things first”. There’s a lot of Biblical truth in those words. Consider this: There are more than 500 verses in the Bible concerning prayer and nearly 500 verses about faith, but there are more than 2000 verses on the subject of money and possessions. (Jesus also talked about money in nearly half of His parables.)
Putting God first requires faith. It means giving to God before you see if you’re going to have enough. By tithing we’re saying “God, I recognized You first”. I’m putting You first in my life, and I trust You to take care of the rest of the things in my life. That’s why tithing is so important. It is acknowledging that God is first.
The first portion of our money given to God is like coming to church on the first day of the week. It’s a way of giving the Lord the first of your time! As God’s people we need to give the first part of our week to Jesus. The New Testament church met on Sundays because they were celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. They gave the first of their time to God in worship.
In Exodus 23:19 we read,
“The very first of the first fruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.”
Notice Scripture designates “the house of the Lord” as the proper place to give first fruits. It doesn’t say give to television evangelists or media ministries (although it is ok after giving to the house of the Lord) but the Bible clearly says first fruits go first into the House of the Lord.
Another proverb that I love is Proverbs 3:9-10,
”Honor the Lord with your wealth, and with the first fruits of all your harvest; so that your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with fresh wine”
(That’s the part I like.) (Just checking to see if you were still following me.)
So, tithing to the Lord’s house involves honoring the Lord with our possessions, our first fruits and allowing Him to bless us. There are so many blessings that go along with tithing, but it is the principle of putting God first that initiates the blessings God is waiting to give us.
In His Service,
Sue Flanery
The February Council Meeting/Book Club is on Tuesday, February 7th at 7 PM.
