volume 1, issue 5 january, 2017l.b5z.net/i/u/10159209/f/january_2018.pdfbecause she has been my...

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Living Savior Lutheran Church website: livingsaviortexas.org

A � � � � �� P� � � � � B� ��

I�� T�� I��

Musical Notes

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Upcoming Events

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LWML Notes 5

Volunteer Opportunities

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Anniversaries and

Birthdays 7

Web Page 8

J a n ua ry , 2 01 7

J a nuary , 20 1 7

V o l um e 1, Iss ue 5

In Case You Are Wondering… I �� what happened to me mid-December. I wasn’t at Living Savior for most of the Sunday and mid-week worship services and did not even make it for Christmas Eve. Well, to dispel the rumors, I thought I would submit this article for the January Newsletter.

F�� , I �� -�� . Haven’t even left Tex-as since I’ve been absent. I did not go join the circus. In fact, I haven’t even seen The Greatest Showman. And I’m not lounging on some tropi-cal beach paradise while everyone is freezing here in southeast Texas. I’ve actually been in the Montgomery and Conroe area most of the time with a short trip to Frankston to spend a few days with Cheryl’s family.

S� ��’� �� . On the night of December 8th, I admitted myself to the in-patient care unit of Aspire, a lock-down, psychi-atric hospital in Conroe. I did so because earlier that evening I was no longer able to hold back 23 years of life that had been building up like a mighty reservoir behind what I thought was an unbreakable dam, but I was wrong. As the dam broke forth and the powerful force of those many experiences over the years to the present came rushing through at once, I did not explode—I im-ploded to the point that I was mentally and physi-cally exhausted. Although I never had active thoughts of hurting myself or others, I was at the point where death ideations (terminal cancer, head-on collisions, freak accidents, etc.) were frequent thoughts. Not only was I not frightful of them, I actually found some comfort in the thought that death could give some relief. While in the hospital, I was able to share these thoughts openly with people who un-derstood. And I was able to get the proper medi-cal attention I needed to get some medications that would help me think more clearly, get some rest and relax. My treatment plan includes ad-dressing the on-going depression and anxiety that have been lurking under my façade of cheerful-ness and energy for years. Probably not too un-like someone like Robin Williams or even Martin Luther, who could function at very high levels while carrying the heavy weight of depression, though I’m not nearly as gifted as either of them were.

Since my release from the hospital on December 18th, I have been attending an outpatient group therapy program at the same hospital. It includes five 45 minute group sessions each day lead by the same therapists who work in the in-patient section. Each week there is a check-in visit with the lead psychiatrist. The medications that I am taking are for depression, anxiety and mood stabilization. I’ve noticed some very specific ways in which they have helped.

I’� �� I �� , �� , �� , �� -�� . It’s just that there never seemed to be enough time to do any of those things for myself. Of course, the timing could not have been worse than entering the hospital just before Christmas, except, per-haps, just before Easter. I am so very thankful for all those who have stepped up to lead and serve during my time away, making sure that the life and ministry of Living Savior con-tinues, even without my presence. As I wrote to some of those leaders a few days ago, it’s good to know that the true central figure at our church is still Jesus and not Herr Pastor! A whole year of Pastor Appreciation Months could not make up for how all of you have accepted and rallied to-gether in prayer and support during this time of my absence. Although I have checked out of the hospital, I still have a lot to work in the coming days, weeks and months ahead. However, I hope to be back up and working again after returning from Arizona in mid-January, where Cheryl and I will spend a week in one

of the Shepherd’s Canyon Retreats there. (www.shepherdscanyonretreat.org) I am so thankful that we will be able to do this together, because she has been my constant support and love by my side through all of this.

Thanks, again, for your un-derstanding, your patience and your love. Keep pray-ing for good progress.

And a word from the Lord:

Be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged,

because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you

wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

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O��

�� G�� for each

and everyone who had a part in the

celebrations of the birth of our Sav-

ior, Jesus Christ here at Living Savior

this year. So many were ill, and cer-

tainly not up to par, but pulled

through with joyful hearts and cough

drops!

Special thanks to Lisa Dinning and the Heavenly Sounds Junior Bell Choir as they played the calls to wor-ship at services during the season, bringing smiles to all of us. Thanks also to parents and grandparents who encourage their children to partici-pate! The Childrens’ Christmas Choir also joined in telling the Christmas Story in song, and with very little practice, yet they sang from their hearts in praise to Baby Jesus so very sweetly. The Children’s Christmas Program, Mary had a Little Lamb, was well done, and smiles abounded at the message that was delivered with such enthusiasm.

The choir was privileged to visit

and carol in four of our members’

family homes, sharing God’s love

through singing and scripture!

What touching moments of sharing

the joy of the Christ child with

them and even their neighbors and

extended families (even 4 genera-

tions). Thanks to the choir who

shared their talents so willingly

throughout this season.

Interestingly, this was the first time

in 15 years that both of my daugh-

ters were here over Christmas ! We

had never thought about it in that

light, since we are church worker

families and military families, and

that’s just the way it is, but when it

happened spontaneously, it was

most touching and meaningful.

(Thank you for letting me share

God’s special blessing for us.)

We will begin with the 1st Sunday in

January celebrating Epiphany and

will welcome our three special

guests who are coming to bring

gifts to honor and worship Jesus!

May we continue to do the same

throughout 2018. Wisemen still

seek and honor Him with gifts and

in service!

Looking around, there are so many

opportunities for service here at

Living Savior and in our communi-

ty. Just in the worship arena, areas

are ushering, greeting, commun-

ion preparation, altar care, ban-

ners, reading, choir, sound board,

and obviously meeting and

‘shepherding’ guests; in particular,

inviting them for coffee and good-

ies between services.

These don’t even touch

the children and youth

ministries here. So, be

open to thinking about

what God would call you

to explore in 2018 and

share that desire with the

church office or Dick

Wiese, Peter Hames,

Cheryl Bailes, or Judy

Kutach.

The season of EPIPHA-

NY –or ah ha! Sun-

days, as God’s Word

continues to be revealed

to us, continues through-

out the entire month of

January. Come expecting

to receive some new

knowledge applicable to

our lives and let the light

bulb switch on through

the Holy Spirit !

Back to CHOIR, -- we are

practicing on Wednesday

evenings in the sanctuary

at 7:00 p.m. with the ex-

ception of January 17th.

Ash Wednesday, Lent,

and Easter are just

around the corner, and

we truly need more voic-

es! Come and give it a try

before you say no.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O

LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:22

M U S I C A L N OT E S F R O M J U DY

V o lu m e 1 , I s s ue 5

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The Thursday morning Ladies' Bible study will resume on Thurs-day, January 11, with a New Year Devotion/Bible Study entitled Resolutions. We will be considering some resolutions we can make as a commitment to our Lord. On Thursday, January 18, we will begin a new study on Gala-tians. More than any other epistle, Galatians forcefully asserts that we are saved by God’s grace alone, without any works of our own. It stands like a fortress guarding the heart of the Gospel. The group meets from 10:00 to 11:00 on Thursday mornings. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact the church office or Annet Riley ([email protected] or 713-598-2556) so that we can have materials available for you. Please prayerfully consider joining us as we look to God for answers in our lives.

J�� L�� ’ L�� B��

N e wsle tte r : J anu a r y, 2 0 18

The Lunch Bunch will meet at the Old Montgomery Steakhouse on Thursday, Jan.4 at 11:30, located at 204 McCown St., Montgomery TX 77356. Join the ladies for fun, food and fellowship.

T�� M�� L�� ’ B �� S�� 10:00 �� 11:00 AM

Thanks to everyone who helped with the Advent meals. Thanks also to everyone who came to eat and support the groups providing the meals. Everyone was very generous in providing food and supporting the meals.

A�� M��

C H R I S T M A S I N H I S T O R I C M O N T G O M E R Y

MANY, MANY THANKS - Thanks to everyone who helped make Break-

fast with Santa a huge success. Breakfast was served to 140 people and 64 pictures were taken. It was a fun, exciting morning. The total amount deposit-ed for the morning was $1327.00. Thanks to Karen Seidl who received Thrivent seed money to purchase the food. In January the ladies of the LWML will meet to disperse the monies to local, national and international mission projects. Thanks also to everyone who helped with the Saturday evening church tour by providing cookies. Thanks to Shirley Wiese who provided the wassail and punch. Thanks to Dick and Shirley Wiese, Jim and Lorna Lipsey and Susie Yeager for welcoming our guests and a special thanks to our resident tour guide, Zach Yeager. Great job, Zach!

L�� D�� !!

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Y� � �� L�� I�


Friday, January 19th

Living Savior Lutheran Church

7:00pm-7:00am.

Invite a friend and RSVP to

Cheryl at [email protected]

by Wed. Jan. 17th.

Part of the Lock-in will be going to play miniature golf so bring some

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Mites - Sunday, January 7, is Mite Sun-day. Please remember to bring your mite box. If you don't have a mite box, you can still help support LWML mission projects. Just drop your donation in the big mite box next Sunday. Mission Grant - The mission grant recipient for January is Current Missionary Need - LCMS International Mission. They w ill receive $100,000. With fervent, sustained support of LCMS mission projects, Mission Central, located in Mapleton, Iowa, seeks to serve as an avenue for continued support for missionaries throughout the world to pro-claim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This grant would provide for a variety of necessary mis-sionary resources such as orientation and training, language training, transportation to and in the country of service and on fur-lough, various types of insurance, housing, medical care, utilities, and education of mis-sionary children, to name a few. Dime Stocking Project - Thanks to every-one who participated in the Dime Stocking Project. A total of $96.40 was collected. This money will be used for the mission projects in January. We will be doing the project again this year. If you don't have a stocking, a baggie or a jar will do. In January one dime is added to the stocking or container. In February two dimes are added. Each month the number of dimes increases until twelve dimes are added in December. Watch for a reminder in the bulletin each month.


School Kits - The LWML con-tinues to collect for school kits. We have 50 school kits boxed and ready to be sent to Luther-an World Relief at Easter. We need 70-page notebooks, rul-ers and blunt scissors to com-plete the rest of our kits. Each kit includes 4 notebooks so we can always use extra note-books.

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If you enjoy working with sound equipment and computers, we have an opportunity for you. Please consider volunteering to help out in this important ministry.

Contact Mark Dinning for more information.

Living Savior is still looking for a part-time nursery worker to staff our nursery on Sunday mornings and once a month on Wednesday evenings.

The Candidate must be 18 years old and submit to a background check and will be trained in CPR and First Aid.

If you or someone you know is interested in this position please contact Cheryl Bailes ai @ ivin avi r xa . r

Audio Visual Assistant

Nursery Worker

Training will be pro-

vided and is not dif-

ficult.

The initial prepara-

tions for both set-

ting up and taking

down does not require

more than 15 minutes on

average.

Please consider joining

us as we serve the Lord

at His altar.

Contact Dawn Dunagan

at [email protected] OR

316.644.8290

Altar Guild Assistant

Seeking women who are

willing to serve the

Lord and Living Sav-

ior by taking care of

altar preparations

for worship at the

10:45 service.

V o lu m e 1 , I s s ue 5

Church Meals Ministry

From time to time we have members who are ill, recov-

ering from surgery or are just unable to prepare a

meal for themselves. We would like to compile a list

of as many people as possible who are willing to make

an occaisional meal as the need arises. The more that

sign up, the eaiser it will be for everyone.

Please consider signing up and contact Velma

Powell at 936-597-6299.

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MISSED CHURCH? Thanks to Mark Dinning, videos of Pastor Bailes preaching his latest sermon are available for your viewing. Visit your website, click on the button labeled “Media” at the bottom right of the home page. The most recent newsletters and sermon videos are posted for you! Now, even if you miss, you can still stay current!

Gary Mattfeld 1/1

Eric Yeager 1/2

Peggy Heintschel 1/3

Kim Howze 1/4

Kenneth Sample 1/5

Tyler Angerhofer 1/6

JoAnn Mattfeld 1/6

David Schuette 1/13

Mary Cheatham 1/15

Joice Fangmann 1/17

Brilee Busse 1/18

Zachary Yeager 1/22

Shirley Burg 1/23

Wayne Hollis 1/25

Kevin Bautz 1/26

Darlene Brown 1/26

Earl McCaleb 1/26

Wendy Sanders 1/26 Lori Vahrenkamp 1/26

Leslie Schroeder 1/27

Carol Bartel 1/29

Darrell Schoppa 1/29

Lorna Lipsey 1/31

Richard & Shirley Wiese 1/1

Frank & Judy Kutach 1/17

Kenneth & Marget Sample 1/29

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309 Pond Street Montgomery, Texas 77356

Phone: 936-597-8013 Email Office: [email protected] Email News : [email protected]

L�� S�� L�� C��

To print the latest version of LSLC’s calendar,

logon to the church website at livingsaviortexas.org

Select the Calendar tab

Select the + icon and click on Print

C� ��

To view the Member Directory option:

logon to livingsaviortexas.org, then select the Members

tab.

select the Member Directory option.

When prompted, enter your email account as an ID and

supply your password.

Forget your password ? No problem - click the Forgot

Password link. This will send a message to your email ac-

count which allows you to enter a new password.

M � � �� O ��

volume 1, issue 5 january, 2017l.b5z.net/i/u/10159209/f/january_2018.pdfbecause she has been my...

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