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Program for the Week of January 5 – January 12, 2025
Sunday:
8:00 Divine Service
9:00 Coffee Time
9:25 Sunday School
9:25 Bible Class
10:30 Divine Service
11:30 Take Down Christmas Decorations & Lunch
6:00 Open Gym/Game Night
Monday:
Tuesday:
8:30 Circuit Pastors
5:30 Board of Trustees
6:00 Board of Elders
6:30 Board of Deacons
Wednesday:
4:45 Introductory Choir
5:15 Introductory Bell Choir
5:25 Brass
5:45 Handbell Choir
6:00 Meal
6:45 Devotion
7:00 Jr. Confirmation
7:00 Vocal Choir
Thursday:
9:00 Private Confession
10:00 Bulletin Deadline
11:00 Kettner Funeral @ Northview
Friday:
Saturday:
10:00 Anderson Visitation
11:00 Anderson Funeral
Next Sunday:
8:00 Divine Service
9:00 Coffee Time
9:25 Sunday School
9:25 Bible Study
10:30 Divine Service
1:00 Circuit Forum
6:00 Youth MSU Rock Climbing
This morning we will be taking down the Christmas decorations and putting them away for another year. All help is greatly appreciated. Lunch will be served when the work is done.
Open Gym/Game Night: Tonight at 6pm. Come in the back parking lot door and join us in the fellowship hall to play games. Bring your favorite board games.
Weekday Bible Study input requested! The pastors would like to begin a weekday Pastor led Bible Study this year. In order to best serve the congregation, we would like your input to help determine when it should be and what kinds of topics and format you would find helpful. Please share your thoughts with the pastors.
Just a reminder that after our elections in November, our Church Council still has a few open positions that need to be filled. Have you ever wondered how our church governing body worked? Or do you have thoughts and ideas that you would like to get more involved with in the church? If so, please prayerfully consider using your skills in blessing us with your knowledge and input. If you have any questions at all, please talk to Council President Dan Gahler or any other board member. Thanks for your consideration.
Cleaning out your closets after Christmas? We will be partnering with Orphan Grain Train during the month of January, as they respond to natural disasters in the U.S. Items needed: Used clothing, hats, mittens, shoes, boots, bed & bath linens, medical supplies (crutches, canes & walkers) and new rubber kitchen gloves. Tubs will be in the Narthex. Thank you!
At our January Voter’s meeting, we will be asking the congregation for nominations for MN South District positions of President, Vice President, and Board of Directors. If you plan to nominate someone besides an incumbent, please check with them first and make sure they would be willing to serve if elected. Biographical data needs to be submitted to the District by February 2, 2025. For the office of President and the office of Vice President, we are to nominate one Ordained Pastor each. For the Board of Directors, we are to nominate up to two ordained ministers, up to two commissioned ministers, and up to two lay persons. The current incumbents are: President – Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford; Vice President – Rev. Mark Loder; Board of Directors – (Ordained) Rev. J.J. Stefanic, (Commissioned) Mr. Harold “Andy” Frerich and Mr. Joel Landskroener, and (Lay) Mr. David Koosman.
Designated Fund for Concordia Classical Academy (CCA) is set up and accepting donations. Summary of this Fund – During a Bible study hour in October, Andrew Bittner gave us a presentation about the work of CCA and how we could help with the school’s ministry. This was then discussed at the November Church Council meeting with the Council recommending the creation of a dedicated fund for individual donations to CCA, and with the possibility of supplementing in order to achieve the $20,000 annual goal. This recommendation was then discussed at the November Voter’s meeting and it was clarified that the Funding was not part of the annual Church Budget – Just individuals making designated donations for CCA.
Youth Activity: Next Sunday, January 12th from 6 – 8pm. MSU Rock Climbing Wall. If you have not signed up and want to go, text Michelle (507-317-8338) we may have a few more openings. Bring your signed waiver form. Cost is $15 (assistance available if needed).
Mission Service will be on Wednesday, January 15th at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be putting together Healthcare kits. All are welcome to come and help with the projects
Dear Friends; Thank you to the ladies who have been sending me cards and have been so kind and thoughtful to me since I lost my wife. God’s blessing to you all. Your brother in Christ, William Hruby.
Watch our services on YouTube, livestreamed, or view later at your convenience. Access from our website www.oslcmankato.org or from YouTube (www.youtube.com), search for our channel, oslcmankato.
Anyone interested in placing flowers for our worship services in January, please contact Gretchen Zellmer, 507-317-2904 or Missy Schultz, 507-514-2553.
Prayer Shawl: If you, or someone you know, may find comfort in a Prayer Shawl, please call Marcella B. Eilders, 507-317-4127.
Ladies: 2024 December eNews for You. Go to https://mnslwml.org/newsletters.
Found in Mission Center: Orphan Grain Train latest news from Dec. 19, One Voice Public Policy: Christian Citizenship, greetings and thanks from Missionary Gloria Sauck, March for Life Posters, e-News for the ladies and the January District e-News. January “Pray for Us” Calendar, and The January 2025 Bible Translator news.
From the Stewardship Committee: Luke 2:40 – “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.” At Christmas God became man. And as a man, Jesus grew up and increased in strength and wisdom. We are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to grow in His image. The power for this growth comes from receiving the grace of Jesus in His Word and Sacraments. How is the Lord calling you to grow this year?
Main Street Living airs each Sunday at 9am on WFTC Channel 29/9-2. This week’s This is the Life episode, “The Other Wiseman” – Another Magi, making his journey to the Christ child encounters others and shows kindness along the way. The worship service begins at 9:30am with Rev. Larry Harvala from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, who will present a message titled “In the Father’s House” based on Luke 2:49. For more information or to watch the program, go to www.mainstreetliving.com and select the “Twin Cities” tab.
Expert Guests, Expansive Topics, Extolling Christ… Issues, Etc. is a podcast and radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s topics include: The Promises of God, The Top Biblical Archeological Discoveries of 2024, Eastern Orthodoxy, the Book of Lamentations and more. You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.
Young Woman Representatives (ages 22-40) wanted to go to the Omaha LWML Convention. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. Application at www.mnslwml.org. Call Trudy Wiechmann for details as soon as possible.
The Martin Luther Jr/Sr High School PTL is hosting an information seminar “Gen Z Mental Health Strategies for Parents, Adults, and the Gen Z’er” led b Kathleen von Kampen, MA, LMFT, LMHP, DCE Gracepoint Ministries Therapist and Professor of Psychology at Concordia University, NE on Wednesday, January 15 at 7pm. It is free and open to the public. Babysitting will be provided with prior reservation by calling 507-436-5249 by January 10th.
2025, MCCL March for LIFE will be on January 22 at the Minnesota State Capitol. From 12:00 – 12:30 will be a March around Capitol mall (south side of the building), from 12:30 – 1pm will be a program on the Capitol steps with speakers and music. Before the March, the Minnesota South District and Concordia University, St. Paul will host a Life Chapel Service at 10:30am, at Graebner Memorial Chapel, 1259 Carroll Ave, St. Paul. The Lutherans for Life news is in Life Date for you, also available at www.lifenews.com.
Public Policy Advocacy: Learn more about issues concerning life (including abortion and physician-assisted suicide), marriage, family, sexuality, parental choice in education, and religious freedom. Go to https://www.mnsdistrict.org/public-policy to read the new blog, “Christian Citizenship: Balancing Humility and Bold Action”, and for resources to navigate social issues.
Camp Omega Summer Camp, registration begins January 1st. Go to: https://campomega.org/summercamp/ for information and to register. Early registration discount for registrations received and paid by March 1st.
Winter Quarterly for you is in the Narthex. The Winter Theme is “Tell Your Story”. Come and hear, all you who fear God: Let me tell you what He has done for me. Psalm 66:16 NIV
Save: The Convention insert.
Read: All information you need for the Growing in God’s grace. 2 Peter 3:18 The 41st Biennial LWML Convention will be held on June 26-29, 2025 Omaha, Nebraska.
New: the winter Women on a Mission (WOM) is in the Narthex.
S.A.G.E.S. – Saints Alive Growing Ever Serving. SAVE the date: SAGES Gathering will be held on May 5th & 6th, 2025 at Country Inn & Suites, Mankato.