December 2013 - Blessed Savior Lutheran Church

Monthly Newsletter of
BLESSED SAVIOR LUTHERAN CHURCH
2615 Shackelford Road, Florissant, MO 63031-2005 *314- 831-1300
www.blessedsavior-lcms.org * office@blessedsavior-lcms.org
+++
“Empowered by God’s Holy Word,
we joyfully share the love of Jesus with all people
through worship, teaching, fellowship, service and witnessing.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DECEMBER 2013
Dear Family of God at Blessed Savior,
I pray, as always, that this newsletter finds you safe, healthy,
faithful, and thankful -- and especially, BLESSED BY THE LORD.
1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God! And that is what we are!
Wow! What a statement! Indeed, the Father has Lavished His Love on
us in so many ways! Think of all the Blessings that God pours down on
you. Think of all the great things that are going on at Blessed Savior.
And He continues to Bless us with loving people, opportunities to serve
Him and our neighbor, and the privilege to grow in our relationship with
Him.
As we again approach the stable and the manger, we hear again the
Angel chorus remind us of the greatest Blessing. The Lord Lavished His
Love on us in sending Jesus to die that we might live. We are the
children of God, “that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be
called children of God! And that is what we are!
In Service of Jesus Christ,
Pastor Roeglin
Advent from Colossians 3:2-4
December is usually thought of as the
month of Advent. It is a time when we are to be
thinking about preparations for the coming of
Christ. The very word itself, Advent, means
coming. When taken from the Greek, parousia, its
use in Scripture almost always represents the
second coming of Christ. So as we begin to enter
into the season of Advent, it would only be fitting
for us to think about and prepare for the second
coming of Christ.
This can be a challenging task, especially as
we are busy with all the preparations that are
necessary for Christmas. Presents need to be
purchased. Decorations must be hung, and who
could forget about the Christmas tree? These are
all wonderful things that help us celebrate the birth
of our Lord Jesus, the Christ. However, if we focus
too heavily on these things, which are earthly, we
may miss the season of Advent as it passes us right
by.
The Apostle Paul writes, “Set your minds on
things that are above, not on things that are on
earth.” (Colossians 3:2) The Christmas joy and
celebration we have is in Christ, Himself, not on the
way in which we celebrate. It is important to be
around family and friends, but this is because
together we make up the body of Christ. We have
died with respect to our lives, and joined with
others in the body of Christ. “For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
(Colossians 3:3)
Christmas is an important celebration in the
Church year, but we must not overlook the season
of Advent. So as you are making preparations for
the celebration of our Lord, and spending time with
family and friends, be sure to stay focused on Jesus
and his coming again. Because, “when Christ who
is your life appears, then you also will appear with
him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4) For this is where our
real hope is placed!
Vicar David Rolf
Blessed Savior Lutheran Church
2615 Shackelford Road
Florissant, MO 63031
831-1300
(Fellowship Hall)
th
Saturday, December 7
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
In celebration of the true meaning of
Christmas, please join us for a morning of
family, fellowship and fun. With a busy
Christmas season ahead, this is a wonderful
time for all to remember Gods gift of His Son
to us. This event is open to the community,
so please feel free to bring friends, neighbors
and co-workers.
L
GHTS
Christmas Party
Sunday, December 8, 2013
@5:30 pm
Please join us for some fun, food and fellowship. If
you have any questions, please call Sandy Radford.
Shut In Baskets - Cookies & Fruit
Please have in by Dec. 8th
ACTIVITIES
 Relax and enjoy a delicious hot
breakfast: scrambled eggs, sausage,
pancakes, coffee and orange juice.
 Have your family/Individual photo
taken in the stable with baby Jesus
If you would like to donate a dozen cookies or a
few apples and pears, please sign up in
Fellowship Hall. Cookies and fruit will need to
be turned in by Sunday, December 8th. Thank
You.
 Sit beneath the starry night and hear
the story of our Saviors birth
 Kids create your own homemade Craft
and one for our shut in
 Bethlehem Bingo for adults
Sign up sheet in fellowship hall
Thank you and God’s Blessings.
Thank You!
Thank you all so much for the books, gift of scrip
cards and for the wonderful luncheon on
Reformation/ Pastor Appreciation Sunday. Your
thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated by my
family and me. God’s Blessings, Pastor, Karla and
kids.
Salem Lutheran Church
5180 Parker Rd.
Florissant, MO 63033
Immanuel Boar’s Head Christmas Festival
115 South Sixth Street
St. Charles, Missouri 63301
The Christmas Festival of the ages, the Boar’s
Head Festival, will be held at Immanuel
Lutheran Church in St. Charles, December 13th,
14th and 15th.
There will be a 7:30
performance each evening with afternoon
performances at 4:00 pm both Saturday and
Sunday. A dress rehearsal (tickets required)
will be held at 7:30 p.m. on December 12th.
Tickets will be available on a first come, first
served basis starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday,
November 1. Call 636-946-2656 or come to the
Immanuel Church office. Get your tickets
early! They go fast! There is no charge for the
tickets (limit 5 per person).
Salem would like to invite our Youth
Friday, January 3, 2014, 6:00-11:00 PM
WHO: Young Adults 16 years through college
age - and your friends
WHAT: Young Adult Get-Together
WHEN: Friday, January 3, 2014, 6:00-11:00
PM
WHERE: Old Schoolhouse across from Salem
Lutheran Church, 5180 Parker Road
in Black Jack
WHY: Food (pizza, soda), Fun (games, movies,
etc.), Fellowship
HOW MUCH: Free.
SPONSORED BY: Salem Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans Congregational Advocates
RSVP: Donna 314-741-6490
Rev. Jonathan Fisk presents: BROKEN
March 15, 2014 from 9 a.m. – Noon
Cost: Free
“What happened to our kids? They were so
excited about our Lord and His church, but I
think they have lost their faith.”
Or have you been wondering what happened to
your own enthusiasm about our Lord or His
church? Wondering when the Lord will return
and bring the joy back into your worship life, or
what you can do to get that feeling back?
Rev. Jonathan Fisk, author of Broken:
7 “Christian” Rules that Every Christian
Ought to Break as often as Possible serves as
associate pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in
Naperville, Ill. He will be in St. Louis to share
with us what he calls “Counterfeit Christianity”
that has been fed to our family, friends and even
us—causing despair because it is not the real
thing. Having this identified, Rev. Fisk will
show us true Christianity and how we can be
the bearers of that truth.
Dear Members of Blessed Savior,
Thank you for your care, concern, thoughts and
prayers during my mother’s death. It was such
a terrible car accident, and so sad. We know
that she is up in heaven with Jesus, and that is
very comforting to know.
We appreciate your thoughtfulness very much.
In Christ,
Tim & Pam Taylor and Brian White
Christmas by
Candlelight…
Celebrating the Birth of Our Savior with a Night
of Carols, Songs, and God-Given Talent!
Sunday – December 15, 2013 at Blessed Savior
Lutheran Church
5:15 p.m.
Appetizers (Fellowship Hall – Please bring
an appetizer to share, or just come and
enjoy!)
Children’s Warm-Up Time (Large Sunday
School room)
6:00 p.m.
Talent Concert (Church Sanctuary)
7:00 p.m.
Or immediately following the Talent
concert…
Dinner and Dessert (Fellowship Hall) -featuring extra talent and the Gospel
message of Christmas!
DECEMBER
Wedding Anniversaries this month
12/01/01
12/12/81
12/18/99
12/31/94
12/01
12/04
12/05
12/05
12/05
12/06
12/08
12/10
12/10
12/12
12/13
12/14
12/14
12/18
12/19
12/23
12/25
12/26
12/27
12/28
12/29
12/31
Deb Hogan
Danette Blank
Nathan Lee
Jesse Martens
Holly Handwerk
Jule Mueller
James Martin
Katherine McKenna
Rich McCabe
Cynthia Weihl
Alexander Iver
Bradley Weihl
Brendan Gergen
Suzy Helmich
Renee’ Rhyne
Ed Steinbruegge
Shelby Croghan
Jesse Stamp
Jason Gruss
Tina Marciniak
David Guetersloh
Adam Woodson
12/01
12/01
12/03
12/04
12/05
12/05
12/05
12/07
12/09
12/10
12/10
12/13
12/14
12/14
12/15
12/25
12/31
12/31
Lillian Gilson
Paula Plack
Daniel Sanderson
Samuel Lukis
David Beach
Jesse Martens
Steven Rosales
Doris Hewkin
Kristen Meyer
Zachary Helmich
Michael Fishbeck
Bob Knehans
Christopher Hawn
Richard Lowrey
Kimberly Hawn
Lt. Brent Seckel
Suzanne Helmich
Katherine Wachter
Jacqueline & Vernon Peters
Diane & Volker Gruss
Norma & Gerald Michael
Jack & Betty Via
THRIVENT NEWS & NOTES
THANK YOU !
Member participation in the Choice Dollars program
since January 2013 has directed $3,653 to Blessed
Savior’s account. PLEASE continue to make your
directions in 2013 as the “set it and forget it” method is
no longer an option.
EASY ONLINE AND PHONE OPTIONS AVAILABLE
TO DIRECT CHOICE DOLLARS
1. Visit Thrivent.com and select "Get Started."
2. Talk with a representative by calling 800-8474836, say “Thrivent Choice” when prompted.
THRIVENT REPRESENTATIVE
®
TIMOTHY GERLER CFP , FIC, CLTC
314-757-7799 or email tim.gerler@thrivent.com.
December Greeters
December Ushers Sunday Services
12/01 E – Jan Hawkins
L – Dave McDermott
12/01 E – Team #1
L – Team #2
12/08 E – Dale & Eileen Montonye
L – Mary Bremer
12/15 E – Nikki Shea
L – Don & Ruth Woodson
12/22 E – Debbie Haynes
L – Ben Hilderbrand
12/29 E – Mike & Donna Kroehnke
L – Sandy Radford
December Elder Greeter
12/08 E – Team #3
L - Team #2
12/15 E – Team #1
L – Team #2
12/22 E – Team #1
L - Team #4
12/29 E – Team # 1
L – Team #4
December Acolytes
12/01 E – Ray Ehrhard
L – Ray Radford
12/01 E – Renee Rhyne
L – Zach Croghan
12/08 E – Jim Steinbruegge
L – Dennis Henneman
12/08 E – Zach Helmich
L – Zach Roeglin
12/15 E –Gary Pohlmann
L – Terry Bossaller
12/15 E –Maria Koop
L – Brendan Gergen
12/22 E – Mike Kroehnke
L – Dave McDermott
12/22 E – Renee Rhyne
L – Zach Croghan
12/29 E – Ray Ehrhard
L – Ray Radford
12/29 E – Zach Helmich
L – Zach Roeglin
Advent
12/04 E – Team #3
L – Team #4
12/11 E- Team #3
L – Team #4
12/18 E – Team #3
L – Team #4
Christmas Eve
12/24
12/25
12/31
7p.m. & 11 p.m.
9 a.m.
7 p.m.
Team #3, 2
Team #1, 2
Team #1, 2
December 2013
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
8 & 10:30 AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
WITH HOLY
COMMUNION
2
6:30 PM ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
(MCKENNA)
3
4
10 AM SUNSHINE
CLUB
4:30 & 7 PM
ADVENT SERVICE
5:30 PM DINNER
5
TROOP #2558
6
PASTOR & VICAR
DAY WITH FAMILY
7 7:00 AM MOBS BIBLE
8 8 & 10:30 AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
MITE BOX
12 PM VOTER’S
12 PM YOUTH
5:30 LIGHTS
9 9AM WINKEL
10
6:30 PM MOBS
11
9:30 AM ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
4:30 & 7 PM
ADVENT SERVICE
5:30 PM DINNER
12
7 PM ELDERS
13
PASTOR & VICAR
DAY WITH FAMILY
6 PM DRESS
REHEARSAL
14
7:00 AM MOBS
BIBLE STUDY @
DENNY’S
6:00 PM WORSHIP
SERVICE
15 8 & 10:30 AM
16
6:30 PM ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
(MCKENNA)
TROOP #3774
SHUT IN
17
18
9:30 AM ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
4:30 & 7 PM
ADVENT SERVICE
5:30 PM DINNER
19
7 PM CHRISTIAN
ED
20
PASTOR & VICAR
DAY WITH FAMILY
21 7:00 AM MOBS
22
23
6:30 PM ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
(MCKENNA)
24
7 PM & 11 PM
CHRISTMAS EVE
WORSHIP SERV.
WITH HOLY COMM
OFFICE CLOSED
25
9 AM CHRISTMAS
DAY WITH HOLY
COMMUNION
OFFICE CLOSED
26
6 PM OUTREACH
7 PM BD. OF
DIRECTORS
27
PASTOR & VICAR
DAY WITH FAMILY
28 7:00 AM MOBS
29
30
6:30 PM ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
(MCKENNA)
31
7 PM NEW YEAR’S
EVE WORSHIP
SERVICE WITH
HOLY COMMUNION
1
NEW YEAR’S DAY
OFFICE CLOSED
2
3
PASTOR & VICAR
DAY WITH FAMILY
4
7 AM MOBS BIBLE
STUDY @ DENNY’S
6 PM WORSHIP
SERVICE W/HOLY
COMMUNION
WORSHIP SERVICE
W/HOLY COMM.
12 PM STEWARDSHIP
5:15 APPETIZERS
6:00 CONCERT
7:00 DINNER
8 & 10:30 AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
8 & 10:30 AM
WORSHIP SERVICE
6:30 PM ADULT
BIBLE STUDY
(MCKENNA)
7 PM BD. OF
PROPERTY
TROOP #3774
SHUT IN
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE
TROOP #2558
SHUT IN
DECEMBER 15TH - FINAL ORDERS FOR POINSETTIA’S
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & BLESSED NEW YEAR!
STUDY @ DENNY’S
9;30 AM BREAKFAST IN
BETHLEHEM
12 PM F.HALL (IVER)
6:00 PM WORSHIP
SERVICE
BIBLE STUDY @
DENNY’S
LIGHTS
6:00 PM WORSHIP
SERVICE W/ HOLY
COMMUNION
BIBLE STUDY @
DENNY’S
6 PM WORSHIP
SERVICE