Good morning son, what is your name?" "Tommy," the boy
The document is a newsletter from Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It includes announcements about upcoming church events in December, baptisms, weddings, new members, and a story about a woman who lost her job but received a "miracle job" after praying to God. It also contains short inspirational stories and jokes.
1. O u r S a v i o u r L u t h e r a n C h u rc h • G re e n B a y, W i s c o n s i n
Waiting Patiently
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (Vol. 12, Issue 12) December 2009
That true story is an example of more than patience,
but also anticipation, faith, determination, loyalty,
love, hope and so much more. The folks in the Old
Pastor Dave Hatch
Testament waited patiently for the Saviour to come.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” – When He arrived at Christmas, some did not believe it
Psalm 37:7a. was Him, they are still waiting for His first arrival. We
are now waiting for His second arrival when He
How good are you at waiting? Are you patient, or just comes on the day of
the opposite? Can you feel steam rolling out your ears the resurrection.
when what you anticipated, what you expected, does
not come or move fast enough? I imagine you would But right now we
agree that some things are certainly worth waiting for, are waiting to
right? And when they are, we are determined to wait celebrate the
for their arrival. anniversary of that
first arrival of the
Here is a moving true story about patience in waiting… Saviour. Are we
being patient? As
Each year on April 8th at a solemn service in Tokyo’s we seem to be
Shibuya railroad station, hundreds of dog lovers pay reminded every
respect to the loyalty and devotion of a dog named year (and we need
Hachiko (Hak-hee-ko), the faithful pet of a former that reminding), it’s
professor at Tokyo University. Back in 1923, at the not about the
age of two months, this special dog was sent to the packages, the list,
home of the professor who happened to commute to the parties,
work by train, daily. navigating the
crowded calendar.
Heartbreak struck on May 21, 1925, when the It’s about the
professor did not return home on the train because he anticipation and joy
had suffered a stroke and died at the university. of knowing our
Hachiko was eighteen months old. The next day and God has come
for the next nine years, Hachiko returned to the station down here for us. The dog in our story may be much
and waited for his beloved master before walking like those who waited their whole lives for the Master
home, alone. Nothing and no one could discourage to come. The pre-Christmas saints knew much where
Hachiko from maintaining his nightly vigil. Hachiko “His train” would come into the station… Bethlehem,
was sent to homes of relatives or friends, but he always and they knew He would be born of a virgin. The
continued to await his master, who was never to return details of that night were left to their imagination.
at the train station. It was not until he followed his
master in death, in March l934, that Hachiko failed to We know those details and thinking of them, as well
appear in his place at the railroad station. A statue of as retelling them to our children, builds patient
the patient dog sits at that railroad station to this day.* anticipation, faith, determination, loyalty, love, hope
Continued on page 2
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2. Holiday Event Official Pastor Dave
Calendar Acts Continued from
page 1
November: Baptisms and so much more.
Wed 25th Thanksgiv. Eve 7:00pm
Thur 26th Thanksgiv Day 9:00am How about this suggestion for a pre-
Elijah Gerald Damp
Christmas gift opening event at your
Born: September 1, 2009
December: house: Designate someone in the
Baptized: October 18, 2009
Son of Kenneth and Jennifer Damp
Thur 3rd Advent #1 12:15pm family to pray and another to read
7:00pm the Christmas account from Luke
James Robert Choitz
Thur 10th Advent #2 12:15pm [Luke 2: 1-20]. That will build
Born: June 22, 1998
patience around the Christmas tree!
Baptized: November 1, 2009
7:00pm
Consider having them go around the
Sun 13th Sunday School 10:45am room and share of their most
Mary Ruth Von Houten
Pagent
Born: January 2, 1962
precious Christmas memories?
Thur 17th Advent #3 12:15pm
Baptized: November 1, 2009
Some things are certainly worth
Thur 17th Live Nativity 5:30pm Weddings waiting for, right? It keeps our focus
6:00pm on the Master’s arrival, and that is
6:30pm front and center on the platform.
None
Thur 17th
7:00pm
Soup Supper 5:00pm -
Received their Crown What else are you waiting for…a
7:00pm vacation, a healing from your illness,
victory over some hardship?
None
Mon 21st Trinity School 6:30pm
Program Membership Changes Something else? Consider not only
Thur 24th Christmas Eve 3:30 pm praying for an answer to that
request, but praying for patience as
Praise
IN: Nathan and Christina
you wait.
Thur 24th Christmas Eve 5:30pm
Scholz and children, Grace
and Bailey, transfer from
Traditional 7:30pm God bless your Christmas, it will be
Pilgrim Lutheran, Green Bay,
Fri 25th Christmas Day 10:00am here so very soon!
WI (LCMS)
Service Colsen Wilbur, minor son of
Thur 31st New Year’s 6:00pm *http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/
Kristen Wilbur, Transfer from
Eve Service dog-best-friend1.htm
St. John’s Lutheran, Little
Suamico, WI (ELCA)
Sunday services times are:
7:45am Traditional
Our Saviour Lutheran Church Senior Pastor David H. Hatch
9:15am Praise
Lutheran Church (920) 465-8118
10:45am Traditional (except
Missouri Synod dave@oslc-gb.org
December 13)
Associate Pastor Greg Hovland
120 S. Henry Street
(920) 544-3614
Green Bay, WI 54302
Sunday School meets and the
greg@oslc-gb.org
(920) 468-4065 Church Office Michelle Burhite
Nursery is open
(920) 468-4065
during the 9:15am
Vol. 12, No. 12, December 2009 The info@oslc-gb.org
service (except
Voice (permit No. 59) is published Preschool Director Christina Scholz
monthly by Our Saviour Lutheran
November 29 and
Church. All rights reserved. No
(920) 468-4065
December 27).
portion of this publication may be christina@oslc-gb.org
reproduced without permission. Our Saviour Web www.oslc-gb.org
2
3. A True Story GOT NEWS? – Adeline, your Roving
of Faith
Reporter is on the hunt for the latest scoop!
Call: 468-2061, E-mail: akg12525@att.net
Adeline Grieser
My daughter, Cathy, worked for a bank in Staples, Why had this happened when we knew she had done
Minnesota for over 20 years. She had risen to junior nothing wrong? We prayed and prayed for God to do
vice-president. One morning in May 2008, the FDIC something. From August to Christmas 2008 she
walked into the bank and closed it down – because of struggled to keep working. Depression set it but we
illegal transactions that the owners had done. The talked on the phone and we prayed and prayed to
bank was for sale. Another bank in North Dakota God. Christmas Eve was horrible. Wal-Mart was a
purchased it in June 2008 and fired a number of madhouse of last minute shoppers and, when I
employees – Cathy included. Unbelievably, they called her, she cried. She was so tired and getting
assembled a number of bank employees, told them more and more depressed. I begged the Good Lord
she was being fired due to “circumstances” and was to help her. Now – for the Miracle! We still call it
to “pack up and get out”. She did as she was told. (I her Miracle Job.
won’t get into the range of emotions we experienced
but I’m sure you understand.) The City of Staples was hiring an office assistant and
weeks before Cathy sent her resume. One day the
Next, they refused unemployment. Remember, this first week of January she received a call asking her
was at the beginning of our current Depression. We to come into City Hall for an interview. She went –
had taught both girls, Jeanne and Cathy, to be good and came home stunned! They said she was perfect
Christians and I knew she was honest and truthful and for the job. Could she start right away – like next
innocent. We prayed something good would happen. week? Only 4 miles from home, pay almost double,
She hired a lawyer but the State of Minnesota sided terrific benefits and something like ten paid
with the new employer. No unemployment. She holidays! She called and we cried again this time
applied everywhere – no luck. Nothing. with joy! Our prayers had come true! God listened.
God tested. God knew she was true and honest and
Finally, she was forced to take a job at Wal-Mart in a she got her Miracle Job!
town seventeen miles from home. The pay? Eight [Often we don’t get the answers to prayer when we
dollars an hour, no benefits. Work hours never the want them or how we want them. In those times we
same – one day 8am to 3pm; next day 4-10; next day simply walk by faith knowing that somehow, some
noon until 6pm. Hard work standing on her 57-year- way, God will get us through His way. Some have
old feet all day cashiering and packing bags. We said that God always answers one of three
continued to pray. We asked God for an answer. miraculous ways, “Yes”, “No” or “Wait”.]
Spending Time is an Art – Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a time for everything, and a season for The time God gives us is ours to spend – we
every activity under heaven.” determine how to use it. As long as you are alive,
your time – 24-hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400
Where does the time go? We have so many plans, so seconds a day will be spent. It is your decision how
many good intentions that we never follow-up on. to spend it.
The piano lessons we never got around to; the
knitted sweater with no sleeves; a copy of History of Take the time to listen to your children. Play a board
The World gathering dust; are all things we meant to game with the kids – more productive than playing
do but never seem to get time to accomplish. More the piano. Read a fun book before bedtime – let the
importantly, the children in our family who wait for history book gather dust. Rekindle your life! Use
attention and we’re too busy to stop and give them your time wisely – but leave time to laugh.
the attention they deserve.
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8. New Signage
Have you seen the new signage at church? A memorial gift
Peanuts Anyone?
A minister was visiting an elderly lady from the
has made those directional signs possible. Part of the congregation. As they talked, he nibbled on a bowl of
signage project includes a new plaque remembering those peanuts standing on the coffee table. They visited, he
who donated the chairs that line the back wall in the nibbled. They visited and he continued to chew until he
Narthex, but we are missing a few names. Those we know finally realized that the bowl was empty. Embarrassed, he
include: Jim and Nancy Jossie, Dave Johnson and Marcia
said, “I truly apologize, Martha, I just meant to nibble and
Heise, Tim and Julie Richter and family, Walter and Joan
Juhnke, Jim and Yvonne Zimonick, Steve and Roxanne here I’ve eaten your entire bowl of peanuts.” “Oh, that’s
Siekmann (in memory of John and Beverly Barnum), okay,” Martha said with a toothless grin, “Ever since I lost
all my teeth all I do is suck the chocolate off them anyway.”
Pearly Gates
Sandra and Wayne Gehrke, and Judi and Gene Kuehl. If
you also donated for those chairs, or know someone who
Annual Voters’
did, please contact the office as soon as possible.
Meeting
Donald appeared before the Pearly Gates. St. Peter greeted
him and said, “Before you step in, tell me one thing
you’ve done of particular merit.” “Well,” Donald sighed,
“One day I came across a bunch of tough guys who were
Please plan to attend the 2009 Annual Voters’ Meeting to threatening a young woman. I told them to leave her
be held on Sunday, December 6 at 10:00 am. All confirmed
alone, but they wouldn’t listen. So I stepped up and
members of Our Saviour are encouraged to attend. If you
are not yet a voting member, you may become one at this smacked the biggest one on the head, kicked him in the
meeting. The two issues to be discussed at this meeting are shins and punched his nose. I threw him on the ground
the Election of Officers/Board Chairs and the Annual and said, ‘Leave her alone, or you’ll answer to me.’ St.
Budget. A copy of the proposed 2010 budget can be found Peter was mightily impressed. “When did this happen?”
at the Welcome Center. Positions on the ballot include Don sighed again, “About twenty seconds ago.” It sure is
President-Elect and Secretary to the President as well as nice we don’t get to Heaven by our good works, no one
Chairs for Elders, Education, Youth, Fellowship and would arrive! Thanks, Lord, for paying the way!
Keep Your Cool
Stewardship boards. The President-Elect position is a 3-year
commitment and Stewardship is a 1-year commitment; all
others are a 2-year commitment. Anyone interested in being
on the ballot for any of these positions (Elders must be male), In the supermarket a man was pushing a cart containing a
Annual Cookie Sale
please call Robin Williams immediately at (920) 713-8550. bellowing, screaming baby. The gentleman kept repeating,
“Don’t scream, Albert. Albert, don’t get excited, Albert,
don’t yell. Albert, keep calm. Albert, keep cool.” A woman
Bake or buy…or BOTH! The Annual Cookie Bake is coming down the aisle said sympathetically, “You are to be
scheduled for Sunday, December 13. This event will be commended for trying to sooth your grandson, Albert.”
held in the gym from 7:00am until noon…or until we run The man looked at her over his glasses and said, “Madam,
out of cookies! Please plan to bake 2-4 dozen (or more) of I’m Albert.” Let’s pray for patience!
Which Service?
your favorite Christmas cookies, bars, etc. and bring them
to Our Saviour on Saturday, December 12 between 7:00am
- 11:00am. Please help us to make this year’s sale even
better than last year’s. Questions can be directed to Connie One Sunday morning the pastor noticed a small boy staring
We Give Thanks
Haase at 469-0264. Our success is based on your help. at the large plaque hanging in the church foyer. Covered
with names and small American flags it was very
impressive. The boy had been staring at the plaque for a
long time, so the pastor walked up and said quietly, “Good
A small blurb requesting an 8 HP snowblower was placed
in the Announcement Sheet for two Sundays and it gained Morning, Alex.” “Good Morning, Pastor Dave.” replied
a huge response. The task of clearing sidewalks of snow Alex. He pointed to the plaque “What is this?” “Well, son,
will now be safer and easier because of the generous it’s a memorial to all the men and women who have died in
donation of a new Poulan® Pro Snow Thrower. We send the service.” The boy gulped, looked up at Pastor Dave and
out a huge Thank You from the Trustees of Our Saviour. whispered, “Which one – early service or Praise Service?”
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9. DECEMBER 2009
Church
1 2 3 4 6
Calendar
7:00am Bible Study 3:30pm Youth Night 11:00am Bad Girls Bible 9:00am Christmas
9:00am Bible Study 6:00pm Praise Band Study Program
12:15pm Advent/Brown Practice,
6:30pm Cub Scouts 6:00pm Confirmation
Bag Worship
6:30pm Financial 6:00pm Bad Girls Sanctuary
12:45pm Staff Meeting
Peace Univ. Bible Study 3:30pm Trinity B-Ball 6:00pm Youth
7:00pm Choir 7:00pm P&F 7:00pm Advent Worship Movie
Meeting 7:55 pm Evangelism Night
6 7 8 9 10 Communion 11 12
11:00am Bad Girls Bible
7:45am Trad. Worship 5:30pm Youth Board 7:00am Bible Study 3:30pm Youth Night Study 5:00pm Fish Fry 7:00am Cookie
9:15am Praise Worship 9:00am Bible Study 5:30pm Praise Band 12:15pm Advent/Brown Drop Off
10:00am Annual Voter’s 6:30pm Financial 6:00pm Confirmation Bag Worship (until 11am)
9:30am Adult Confirm. Peace Unv. 6:00pm QPR-Suicide 12:45pm Staff Meeting 9:00am Christmas
10:45am Trad. Worship 7:00pm Choir Prevention 3:30pm Trinity B-Ball Program
7:00pm Advent Worship Practice,
w/Nathan Watt 7:00pm Church 6:00pm Bad Girls 7:55 pm Evangelism Sanctuary
Commissioning Council Bible Study
12:00pm Gym Rental
2:00pm Gym Rental
13 Communion 14 15 16 17 18 19
7:00am Cookie Sale - 7:00am Bible Study 3:30pm Youth Night 12:15pm Advent/Brown
Gym (until noon) 9:00am Bible Study 6:00pm Praise Band Bag Worship
7:45am Trad. Worship 6:30pm Financial 6:00pm Confirmation 12:45pm Staff Meeting
5:00pm Soup Supper,
9:15am Praise Worship Peace Unv. (Live Nativity Fellowship Hall
w/Adult Confirm. 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal) 5:30pm Live Nativity
10:45am Children’s (every ½ hour until 7pm)
Christmas Prog. Last Day of T-TH Last Day of MWF 6:30 pm Preschool Fam.
2:00pm Gym Rental Preschool Preschool Night
20 21 22 23 24 Communion 25 Communion 26
7:45am Trad. Worship 6:30pm Trinity 7:00am Bible Study 6:00pm Praise Band 3:30pm Praise Worship 10:00amTrad.
9:15am Praise Worship Christmas 9:00am Bible Study 5:30pm Trad. Worship Worship
10:45am Trad. Worship Program, 11:30am Trinity Early 7:30pm Trad. Worship
2:00pm Gym Rental Sanctuary Dismissal
6:30pm Board of 7:00pm Choir Christmas Day
Christmas Eve
Education Office Closed at Noon Office Closed
27 Communion 28 29 30 31 Communion
7:45am Trad. Worship 7:30pm Trinity 7:00am Bible Study 8:00am Gym Rental 6:00pm New Year’s
9:15am Praise Worship School 8:00am Gym Rental 6:00pm Praise Band Eve Worship
10:45am Trad. Worship Board
Joy to the World
No Sunday School
Nursery Closed
9
5
11. Holiday Annual Voters’
Evangelism Efforts Meeting is
December 6th
e·van·gel·ism (ĭ-vān'jə-lĭz'əm) n. Zealous preaching
and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary
work (dictionary.com). The annual voters’ meeting starts at 10:00am
on Sunday December 6th. A preliminary
As Christmas draws near, evangelism efforts increase meeting agenda and the proposed 2010 budget
because we have such a great message to bring to the is available from the ushers after services and
world…the Christ-child was born for everyone! The will be posted on the bulletin board across
OSLC Evangelism committee asks for your help to from the church office. You will also be able
bring this Christmas message to local nursing home to review on line at www.oslc-gb.org.
residents and underprivileged area teens. Below is a snapshot of the proposed 2010
budget compared to the budget for 2009:
Want to help bring a smile to a Bornemann Nursing Chairs for the following boards:
Home resident? The list of names and suggested gifts
can be found on the Narthex counter. Write your Receipts 2010 2009
name next to the gift item(s) you will purchase for the Proposed Annual
resident(s). These gifts should be WRAPPED. Please Budget Budget
also affix a gift tag (the ‘from’ can be noted or left Unified Budget
Receipts $555,388 $548,380
blank/anonymous).
Rental Income $44,737 $36,947
Fundraisers $46,200 $39,400
Want to encourage a teen? A list of possible gift Preschool $36,841 $48,275
items can be found in the Narthex. Please write your Total Receipts $683,166 $673,002
name next to the type of gift you intend to purchase.
Items should be brought to the church UNWRAPPED. Operating Expenses
Wages & Benefits
Items purchased for both of the Evangelism efforts - Church $221,835 $215,107
should be returned to the designated area of the coat Salaries - Preschool $31,570 $43,750
room no later than Sunday, December 13. Education $15,125 $17,340
Trustees $108,540 $115,840
Live Nativity Returns
Administration $17,900 $16,110
Worship / Music $4,391 $4,335
Fellowship $19,500 $13,700
A holiday tradition, the Live Nativity, is back for Stewardship $1,165 $1,150
another year. Several years ago, Christmas Nativity Altar Guild $650 $450
figurines were stolen from the outdoor display at Our Youth Programs $5,650 $2,550
Saviour Lutheran Church. Following the theft, Evangelism $2,589 $2,550
members of Our Saviour turned their disappointment Missions $66,993 $60,839
Mortgage Payments $155,321 $155,321
into a creative outreach. They replaced the missing
To Reserves $31,937 $23,960
figurines with live characters acting as shepherds, Total Budgeted
wisemen, baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Live animals Expenses $683,166 $673,002
will join us as church members present the Live
Nativity again this year. There will be four Voters will also be asked to elect candidates to
presentations, with narration and song, taking place fill the following positions: President-Elect,
on Thursday, December 17th at 5:30, 6:00, 6:30 and Secretary to the President and chairs for the
7:00pm. The public is welcome. A soup supper will following boards: Education, Elders, Fellowship,
be served in the Fellowship Hall from 5:00-7:00pm. Stewardship and Youth.
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12. Our Saviour Lutheran Church
Non-Profit Organization
120 S. Henry St. U.S. Postage Paid
Green Bay, WI 54302 Permit #59
(920) 468-4065 Green Bay, WI
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Confirmation Brighten Up Church
for the Holidays
Orders for Red or White poinsettia
plants are being taken until
Sunday, December 13. The cost
per plant is $10.
If you wish to order a plant, please sign up
in the Narthex; write in your name and the ‘in
memory of’ section, too.
Back Row: Pastor David Hatch, Blake Rutherford,
Andrew Lee, Brandon Guns, Kody Van Sistine, Tyler Envelopes for your donation can be
Chamberlain, Pastor Greg Hovland placed in an envelope located by
the sign up sheets. Please make
Middle Row: Emily Lee, Mariah McDaniel, Mallory
sure to indicate your name and
Biebel, Ryan Vlies, Michael Hoffman
envelope number on the
Front Row: Lauren Sipple, Amber Peters, Sylvia envelope. Any questions, please
Kirchman, Nickolas Treadway, Jacob Guenther call the office at 468-4065.