The Messenger
The Monthly Newsletter of Blessed Savior Lutheran Church
A Message From Pastor Stanton
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22, 2023. Lent, taken from the word "to lengthen," marks not only the lengthening of days as we prepare to enter spring (isn't that a nice thought?), but is also a time of preparation and reflection as we prepare for Holy Week and the celebration of our Lord's resurrection at Easter. Considered the most solemn day of the Church Year, Ash Wednesday begins Lent. Ashes are a symbol of sorrow, mourning, grief and repentance. As we reflect on our sin and need for our Savior, we repent and look to Him in faith. As part of the Ash Wednesday service (11:00 am and 6:30 pm), we will receive the "imposition of ashes." A tradition since early church times, we will be invited forward at the end of the service to receive the sign of the cross traced on our foreheads as we hear the words of Genesis 3:19, "Dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return." This is entirely voluntary, and those who choose not to receive may depart in peace at that point.
All of our Midweek Lenten Services (11:00 am and 6:30 pm each Wednesday), will take as a theme: "Chronicles of the King." Each week we will explore how the kings of Judah are shadows of Christ, the King of kings, who sits upon the throne of David forever. We will see how the kings in Chronicles point us to Christ, who fulfills all the kingly promises that the kings of Judah were unable to realize in themselves. Join us!
Pastor Stanton
February Calendar
Serving Us in Worship
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Preschool News
What a Love!
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Who doesn’t like a good love story? Be honest, ladies, you cherish the thought of someone loving you completely and unconditionally. (Men do, too!) Men and women would love it if their significant other would pay close attention to them and describe their appearance passionately. But love is not just physical, love can be dangerous and yet life-giving at the same time. Love does sometimes hurt, but it also restores. Love is complicated yet also satisfying! And at the end of the day, love is a gift from God, who is complex, satisfying, and so much more!
God loved us so passionately that He gave a portion of Himself when He sent His Son to die on a cross. God loves us so completely that He sacrificed His only Son for our sins. Many of us denied Him and even ran from Him, but He loved us so much that He chased after us and proved His love for us. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day remember that it is not just a hallmark kind of love when it comes to God. His love is complete, never ending, life giving, satisfying, and so much more. This month also brings the beginning of Lent and here we once again see just what kind of love God has for His children. A love so strong and meaningful that He sent His only Son to die. Not just a quick and painless death, but a death on the cross. Hanging for you and for me, to clear a debt that we could never pay, never cancel. A debt that only our Savior, Jesus Christ, could pay by giving up His life so that we may live. So, if you ever have a doubt or ever feel devoid of love, just think about God’s amazing love for us. Oh, what a love!
In His Service,
Jennifer Leinss
National Lutheran Schools Week
We had fun celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week. We are grateful for the opportunity to teach, learn, and talk about Jesus every day. We don’t have to be ashamed to mention the name of Jesus, pray multiple times, have chapel services together, sing praises to God, and read from the Bible. We had many fun activities to celebrate this week including special dress days, an ice cream party, family night, and so much more! Thank you for your support!
Preschool Enrollment
Open enrollment of the 2023-2024 school year has begun! 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! You can also register using the following link https://mytads.com/a/blessedsaviorwi
Jump Rope for Heart
February is also a busy month for us. Our big focus this month is our Jump Rope for Heart Campaign. We will be giving back to those who suffer or have suffered from heart related issues. This is a community focus for us this month. We will be raising funds for the American Heart Association to raise awareness of heart disease, stroke indications, and so much more! If you would like to help out with this campaign please see Jennifer Leinss to see how you can give! We will also be studying ways that we can take care of our bodies like exercising and healthy eating since our bodies are a gift from God. http://www2.heart.org/goto/BlessedSavior
Childcare Teachers Needed:
Blessed Savior is still looking for lead childcare teachers to join its team! We are looking for fun, energetic, kid-loving, team players! Early childhood courses and experience is needed. We are looking for morning and afternoon teachers. Hours are flexible and wage is based on experience. If you or someone you know is interested, please see Director Jennifer Leinss
Sunday School
Sunday School Offering:
Second quarter Sunday school offerings will be going to support youth clubs in India. We have the opportunity along with our preschool students to participate in a global adventure through the wonderful program Gospel Adventures by Lutheran Hour Ministries. Students will get the opportunity to meet kids from India, see how they live, work, and play. Most importantly we will get to see how they love the same Jesus that we do! Offerings collected will ensure these youth clubs can continue! For more information check out https://www.gospeladventures.org/fundraising.asp. If you would like to support this cause, place your donation in an envelope marked India - Gospel Adventures!
Song of the Month:
SAVE THE DATE:
We excitedly welcome back in-person VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL! Set to blast-off June 19th-23rd from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Join us as we climb aboard the Space Station Salvation and learn more about Jesus and His great big love! Watch for more information to come on how you can volunteer and help make this event a success!
Bible Study Opportunities
Sunday Mornings at 9:15am: A Longer Look at the Lessons
Tuesday Mornings at 6:30am: The Gospel of John
Tuesday Ladies at 9:00am: Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story
Women's Home Bible Study on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:30pm: LWML Bible Studies
Wednesday Evening at 7:00pm: Hebrews
Thursday Morning Bible Study: Gospel of Mark
Men's Bible Study on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 8:30am: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
Quarterly Missions
For the first quarter of 2023, our Special Mission Offering will support Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW). LBW works to ensure that all people throughout the world who are blind or visually impaired will have access to the Good News of salvation, by providing Bibles, pamphlets, and other materials in Braille, Specialized Large Print, and Audio Christian materials. To sponsor Special Missions, please sign up on the bulletin board.
SOUPer Bowl
P.A.C.K.S and Potluck
All are invited to join us for a snack-style potluck on Tuesday, February 21st at 6pm. We will have the opportunity to hear from Jeff Van Biever of Acts 1:8 Ministry on we can use Planned Acts of Christian Kindness (P.A.C.K.S) to reach others with the message of the Gospel. He'll also share with us the work they are doing to bring clean water to Africa through the building of wells. Please sign up on the bulletin board, or by calling the church office, if you plan to attend. We also encourage you to bring your favorite snack, dip, or a dish to share.
Wish List Item
We would love to purchase a set of Concordia Commentaries for Blessed Savior to use-whether for individual use, for Bible Study leaders, and eventually for our new Pastor. Each Commentary costs $65, and there are currently 44 books available. If you would be interested in helping us purchase these Commentaries, please make a check to Blessed Savior and indicate on the memo line, or on the pew envelope, that it is for the Concordia Commentary. If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office.
Young at Heart
Save the dates for some of our upcoming events:
March 2-Mitchell Park Domes
March 30-Les Paul Presentation (please note the date change due to Easter)
May 4- A Day of Service
Confirmation Retreat and Youth Group
Youth Group- on Sunday, February 26th from 6-8pm, all 6th-12th graders are invited to a battle-a Nerf battle! Bring your own Nerf guns and darts as we battle for a coveted prize...bragging rights!
Partners in Prayer
In the Community
Open House
Steeple View Christian Senior Community invites you to attend an Open House on Sunday, February 26th from 12noon-2pm, or on Friday, March 10th from 2-4pm. Steeple View offers a variety of apartment sizes to fit your lifestyle!
If you can't make the Open House, but would like more information, please call 414-525-5500 or email at info@steepleview.org
Valentine's Day Glow Dance Party
Tech Safety
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Brookfield is hosting a workshop on keeping kids safe online on Tuesday, February 7th at 6:30pm. The Brookfield Police Department will be presenting this parent-only event, which is geared for parents of kids in grades 3rd-8th, however all are invited!
Financial Update
2022 YTD
General offerings: $495,412
General Expenses: $447,868
Net: $ 47,544
(Designated: formerly other)
Designated income: $99,222
Designated expenditures: $83,184
Net: $16,038
Net for General and designated is: $63,582
Preschool income: $260,018
Preschool expenses: $248,413
Net: $11,605
Membership
Average Weekly December Attendance: 220
Average YouTube Worship Views:72
Official Acts
New Members:
Membership Loss Due to Transfer: Daniel and Carol Schneider
Membership Loss Due to Death: Grace Kahl
Alice Wrensch
Vice Chairman - Donald Kazel
Secretary - Pat Hurlbut
Treasurer - Laura Schmitz
Board and Committees:
Altar Guild - Janet Steinhaus
Education - Terry Ratayczak
Elders - Sean Malone
Evangelism - BobbieJo Koski
Stewardship - Laurie Cataldo
Trustees - Matt Birr
Endowment Committee - Jason Herried
Greeter Coordinator -
Lay Reader Coordinator -
Carla Herried
Personnel Committee - Donald Kazel
Women's Ministries - Joy Ward
Worship Schedule
The Sunday services will be at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. with our educational hour in between at 9:15 a.m.
The Thursday evening service will remain at 7:00 p.m.
Holy Communion
2nd & 4th Sundays (Thursdays)
Pastor Stanton,
Vacancy Pastor
Jaime Greene, DCE
Jennifer Leinss,
Preschool Administrator
Kim Woller, Music Director
Julie Luetzow
Teaching Staff:
Jennifer Otto
Laura Kidd
Angela Heisler
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
Twitter: @BlessedSaviorWI