
The Messenger
The Monthly Newsletter of Blessed Savior Lutheran Church
A Message from Pastor DeArmond
“O give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). The love of the Lord does endure forever because the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, is risen
from the dead, lives, and reigns for all eternity. He was crucified for our transgressions, but He is raised and lives forever for our justification. We are acceptable to God in Christ Jesus.
This is indeed something for which we give thanks. We give thanks in our prayers. We give thanks in the hymns we sing in church. We give thanks by talking about it with our friends and neighbors and teaching it to our children and grandchildren. And we give thanks by the giving of ourselves to our God because our loving God has chosen us to be his children and die on the cross for each and every one of our failings to love God and love one another.
God himself has chosen us. We are the fruits of his creation and he has and will call us
unto himself. We are blessed and give thanks because we know that we have a God who takes care of us and nurtures us. This isn’t something we cling to during the dark days of winter or the dark days of our lives, but rather daily and continually with unyielding thanksgiving.
Even so, Lord, quickly come
To Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in,
Flee from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, In Thy garner to abide:
Come with all Thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.
“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”
LSB 892 v.4
In Christ,
Pastor DeArmond
November Calendar
Serving Us in Worship
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Thanksgiving Worship
Join us as we gather around God's table to give thanks and commune together and praise Him for his generous outpouring of love and blessing!
Wednesday, November 22, 6:30pm
Please note there will be no online worship for our Thanksgiving service.
Midweek Advent Sermon Series: Name That Tune
The seasons of Advent and Christmas have some of the most beloved and popular hymns.
Many of those hymns have a rich and interesting history and their lyrics tell the greater story of
God and his love for us through Jesus Christ. During our midweek Advent worship services, we will sing and learn more about some of these beloved hymns.
How will we decide which one to focus on in any given week? Well, that’s up to you. On the
weekend of November 12th, you will receive a ballot at worship with a list of Advent and
Christmas hymns. The following weekend, the weekend of November 19th , you will need to
bring your completed ballot back to worship and the votes will be tallied to find out the three
most popular hymns.
Beginning on Wednesday, December 6th , and the two Wednesdays that follow, we will gather
for worship as we focus on the three most voted on hymns and prepare for the coming of our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Pastor DeArmond
Daylight Savings Ends
Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, Nov. 5th. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour!
Preschool News
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
His LOVE endures forever.
Psalm 136.1
Twenty-six times, yes that is correct, twenty-six times in Psalm 136 David mentions that God’s love endures forever. Psalm 136 is a song of thanksgiving written by David in which he encourages the believer to honor God always. God continues to shower His goodness and mercy upon us. David recalls a God that has protected, provided for, and pardoned him on many occasions, and he writes Psalm 136 to honor God for showing him His mercy and love over and over again.
Many of us should sing this same song every day when we think about how good and gracious God has been to us throughout the years. We can honestly praise God because His love and mercy have endured in our lives. Sure, there are many things that we could complain about, but in spite of it all God has been good to us. We have life, we can inhale and exhale – that is reason enough to be thankful. David lets us know that when we think of God’s goodness in our lives, we should give Him thanks. We should not just thank God for the important things in life or complain about the bad things, but in ALL things give God thanks and praise!
We all know David’s story and if there is anyone that should not receive God’s goodness it should have been David, right? Wrong! Despite all the bad things David did in his life, God still loved him, protected, him, provided for him, and even pardoned him. David was favored by God because God’s love and mercy endures! Just like David, God also looks past all our faults. He continues to show mercy and love toward us and does not cut us off. So also, just like David we should always give thanks! No matter where we are in life or what is going on around us, we still have reason to be thankful! Be thankful that despite everything, God’s love endures. Be thankful that God protects us, provides for us, pardons us time and time again, and most of all be thankful that His love and mercy endures FOREVER.
In His Service,
Jennifer Leinss
Full Time Childcare Teacher
Blessed Savior Lutheran Preschool is seeking a compassionate individual who is caring and loving to teach our children. This position is for the lead childcare teacher in our multi-age childcare room and is a full-time with benefits position. Early Childhood Courses 1 and 2 and experience in this field is required, along with CPR and first aid training. For a complete job description or more information please contact Jennifer Leinss at jleinss82@gmail.com.
Preschool Update
The month of October was a busy month for us. We continue to make new friends and learn new Bible stories. Our favorite part of the week is when we get together for our weekly chapel services. We had the opportunity learn about fire safety and we thank the New Berlin Fire Department for their service to this community! November has a lot in store for us as well! Our 4K classes will celebrate an original Thanksgiving and go back in time to see what the first Thanksgiving was all about. All our classes also have our first break and will have parent/teacher conferences the week of Thanksgiving.
A Blessed Thanksgiving
The staff and students of Blessed Savior wish you a most blessed Thanksgiving and thank you for your continued support of this wonderful program in which the Gospel is shared daily! Blessed Thanksgiving!
Preschool Fall Fundraiser:
Our fall fundraiser has kicked off and we will be selling through November 10th. Products include cards, gift wrap, kitchen items, and food. Funds raised will be put toward an outdoor education area. More information can be found on the bulletin board in the hallway or by contacting the office. Items will be delivered in time for the holidays!
Children's Ministry
Cram The Cubbies:
Our lower level has a shelving unit filled with lots of cubby holes. For the month of November, we are challenging our Sunday school students to cram those cubby holes with non-perishable food items. All food items will be donated to the Bethany Lutheran Food Pantry. Last year in combination with the preschool and church we were able to donate 2,000 pounds of food! Not only were people fed, but they also heard and saw the love of God in action from their brothers and sister in the community.
Sunday School Offering
Sunday School is collecting sporting equipment for LUMIN (Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative Inc.) Schools in the greater Milwaukee area. We encourage you to bring in NEW: soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, playground balls, hula hoops, and jump ropes! All items collected will be distributed throughout all 7 LUMIN schools.
Operation Christmas Child
Empty boxes and idea lists are now available. All boxes are due back by November 5th and can be placed above the mailbox cubbies. Happy stuffing as you share the love of Jesus all over the world! Head to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ for more information!
We are looking for volunteers willing to deliver our boxes during National Collection Week (Nov. 13th-17th) If you are able and willing to help with such a task please contact Jaime or Jennifer.
Women's Ministry
To Whom Honor is Due
On Veterans Day, we honor men and women who’ve served and sacrificed in one of America’s armed services.
On November 11, 1918, America and her allies signed a truce with German leaders, ending World War I. In 1919, President Wilson decided the United States should remember with gratitude the end of that war and honor military members by marking Armistice Day, or “truce” day. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, honoring veterans of every era.
Veterans Day highlights our country’s quest for peace, justice and freedom throughout the world. Followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, pray for unity among all nations and for the day when “nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4, NIV).
Every year we hope to make this a more enjoyable experience; so we will have tables available in Oswald Hall to display memorabilia should you choose to share. Our speaker this year will be Carol Flannery from Lutheran Counseling and Family Services(LCFS). The topic will be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); what it is and its affects, recognizing those suffering from PTSD and how can we minister to those struggling with PTSD. There will be a Free Will offering for the ministry of LCFS should you choose. We would also in an effort to defray the costs of the evening, offer the opportunity for you to "sponsor" a table in honor of a family member who served or in appreciation of all who have served.
Men's Ministry
Blessed Savior Care and Share Program
Do you know there is a Care and Share Team at Blessed Savior?
If you could use a meal, a special visit, or prayers, please let the Care and Share Team know by contacting us at the email below or feel free to contact the Church office and they will pass your need to our team. We would love to be there for you during sickness, celebrations, or just when you need a smile.
If you are looking for an opportunity to spread God’s love among the Blessed Savior Church Family through Care and Share, let us know by contacting us through the email address below. Team members are contacted to serve only a few times a year in a capacity you are most comfortable with. Team members may bake, cook or purchase items. We could also use drivers to deliver the items prepared by others. We look forward to having you join us!
Current Members: Thank you for your generous service to the Blessed Savior Family this year! We hope you will continue your service throughout this year and in the future.
Contact Care and Share: careandshare134@gmail.com
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Quarterly Missions
Our fourth quarter Special Mission Offerings will support Bethany Lutheran Church and Food Pantry. Bethany Lutheran is located at 2031 N. 38th St. in Milwaukee. Bethany has been serving God's people since 1893! Their mission is to be a beacon of light reaching out into the neighborhood with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Some of their mission work includes distributing clothing and blankets to the homeless, making and serving food to the hungry and maintaining a food pantry. Food collected by Blessed Savior already is delivered several times a year to Bethany to help maintain the food pantry. Besides continuing to collect food, our fourth quarter Special Mission Offerings will also go to Bethany for help with these mission projects! To God be the glory!
Young at Heart
On Thursday, November 2nd at 11am we will break out the dotters and enjoy the fun of BINGO! Following our games, we'll head over to Bushy's in Muskego for lunch. Please sign up on the bulletin board if you plan to attend.
And save the date for some of our future events:
December 7- Harmony Singers and Christmas Party
January 4- Movie Day!
February 1- Preschool Fun
Youth Group
All youth in grades 6-12 should plan to join us for Youth Group on November 5th and 19th from 6-8pm.
On the 5th we'll "celebrate" time change and how early it gets dark with a flashlight and glow stick party. All our games will be in the dark-please bring a flashlight for the evening. Glow sticks will be provided.
On the 19th we'll have our annual Thanksgiving celebration! We'll enjoy a dinner before heading to the grocery store with 2 $250 gift cards from Thrivent. The team who purchases the most food with their card wins! (The best news is that everyone wins, because our food pantries will greatly benefit from the donation of food!)
Racine Kringles
If you are interested in purchasing Kringles, please see one of the youth at the table in the hallway between services, or fill out the order form on the bulletin board. Kringles are $11 each and come in a variety of flavors. They will be on sale throughout November, and will be available to be picked up on Monday, December 18th.
From Your Church Council
Dear Friends,
" DEPART FROM ME FOR I AM A SINFUL MAN "
We know these words from Peter, who after a night of fishing and nothing to show to for it grudgingly obeys our Savior and casts his net to the other side of the boat and brings in so many fish, they had to have help.
Last November, council came to you with an aggressive budget based on giving history from the previous year. As we went through the year, we had several large repairs that could no longer be “patched” but needed to be fixed. There was much angst at the meeting over the decision to move forward and “bite the bullet”. The concerns were legitimate as the repairs definitely blew up the budget we put before you. We agreed as a council to put out an appeal in the July Messenger to you and see what happens. Generally, my response to the council is as long as I can explain and show where and for what the money is used for, I will gladly take the heat and questions from those concerned. Unlike Peter, I don’t do this grudgingly, but at the same time there was a certain level of high anxiety.
That being said, Our God is faithful!! At our August council meeting, it was discovered that we had individuals who stepped up and committed to covering the repair costs. I cannot tell you how truly overwhelmingly humbling that is and then later in August receive a phone call from another member wishing to make another amazing gift! It should leave all of us in absolute awe of what a mighty God we serve! So once again on behalf of your Church council, a truly heartfelt and humble “Thank you”.
I would also like to let everyone know that year’s budget meeting will be held in the sanctuary following the 10:30 service Sunday, November 19th.
Love to all in Christ,
Tom Wartick
Chairman
It is time to take The Challenge
Everyone has a place in our church!!
We need to respond to God's love by reaching out to others by sharing the gifts that God blesses us with. We have not updated our Time and Talent data in quite some time. lf everyone in our Church Family takes 'The Challenge' and signs up for at least one new item we would be so blessed.
Please fill out the attached Time and Talent sheet and drop it into the box in the Narthex marked 'Time, Talent and Treasures.' This would help us contact you when the opportunities arise.
Thank you and Blessings, The Stewardship Board
Joan Hammill, Anita Burow and Laurie Cataldo
Raise Right
Raise Right (formerly known as SCRIP) gift cards are now available for purchase in person on Sunday mornings!
Raise Right cards are a fundraiser of the Board of Education where you purchase gift cards at face value, and we get a small percentage of the cost back as an organization. There is no additional cost to you, and the cards spend just like cash at the stores. The Board of Education then uses the profits to help provide additional tuition assistance to families who need it, and to purchase educational items that are outside of our budget.
If you are interested in purchasing gift cards, please stop by the table in the hallway between services. At this time, we accept cash and check (made out to Blessed Savior). If you would like a larger selection of available cards, or if you are unable to be here on Sunday mornings, please fill out the attached order form and mail it and your payment to the church office.
Financial Update
2023 - through September
General offerings: $365,142.18
General Expenses: $381,305.56
Net: -$16,163.38
Designated income: $189,499.67
Designated expenditures: $74,303.45
Net: $115,196.22
Preschool income: $224,479.80
Preschool expenses: $194,958.98
Net: $29,520.82
Membership
Average Weekly September Attendance: 195
Average YouTube Worship Views: 50
Average Weekly Regency Attendance: 23
Official Acts
New Members: Kyle Tuler
Membership Loss Due to Transfer:
Membership Loss Due to Death:
Vice Chairman -
Steve Hammill
Secretary - Pat Mundstock
Treasurer - Don Kazel
Board and Committees:
Altar Guild - Janet Steinhaus
Education - Terry Ratayczak
Elders - Jeff Driessen
Evangelism - BobbieJo Koski
Stewardship -
Joan Hammill/Anita Burow
Trustees - Matt Birr
Endowment Committee - Jason Herried
Greeter Coordinator - Karen Diener
Lay Reader Coordinator -
Carla Herried
Personnel Committee - Steve Hammill
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 at 7:00 p.m.
Holy Communion
2nd & 4th Sundays (Thursdays)
Pastor DeArmond
Jaime Greene, DCE
Jennifer Leinss,
Preschool Administrator
Kim Woller, Music Director
Julie Luetzow
Teaching Staff:
Kate Dodge
Jenny Otto
Sara Sandgren
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