St. Luke Lutheran Church

KERYGMA Sunday Worship Opportunities Family Worship at 10:00 AM, Holy Communion will be

celebrated on the First & Third Sundays

Located Between Napoleon and Wauseon

State Route 108, Wauseon, Ohio 43567,

Ph. 419-335-9170

www.stluke-church.org

Missouri Synod

Volume 39 Issue 1, January, 2018

The KERYGMA is the official monthly newsletter of the St. Luke Lutheran Church, Wauseon, Ohio

Charlie Griffith and Martha Gebers, Editors, Donna Frank, Photographer, Debbie Wesche, Midweek School News.

Darlene Oberhaus Assistant KERYGMA Editor

The Children's Sermon Children’s Christmas Program 2017

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Happy New Year!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have

passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17

NKJV)

There always, or maybe it would be correctly stated, most always, this is

the time of year people begin to clean house. Christmas is now in the past,

past New Year resolutions are examined, new ones made. It would seem that the glitz and glitter

or the old year is swept away amid the excitement of the coming New Year! Yet for many, the

hurts and pains of the past year still seem to hang on.

St. Paul writing to the church in Corinth, wanted everyone, even us today, to understand that,

because you and I are in the faith, we are new creatures. Yes, some of the old year still goes with

us. The loss of family members, sickness/weakness in our bodies, and what haunts us the most,

those sins we committed, the hurts we caused. Yes, we have been forgiven, but …!

Lets confess together, “Heavenly Father, I still feel the pain of the hurts that I have caused,

when I did ………. said ………, didn’t do ….., didn’t say! I have not loved you with a whole and un-

divided heart, nor did I love my neighbor. For the sake of Your Beloved Son, forgive me, renew me,

set my feet upon the path of Your righteousness! Amen.

My fellow saints of God in Christ, God be with you and strengthen your hearts, for as a Called

and Ordained servant of the Word, in the Stead of, and by the Command of my Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ, I forgive you ALL OF your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + (make the

sign of the cross), and of the Holy Spirit, Amen!

Because of this your confession, you have now begun this New Year, reborn, redirected to re-

member your Baptism, and confess with St. Paul; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new

creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” “And thanks be to

God that you are! Amen.

Remember the Sainted Rev. Dr. Martin Luther’s words, “Confession has two parts. Frist, that we

confess our sins, and second, that we receive absolution, that is forgiveness, from the pastor as

from God Himself, not doubting, but firmly believing, that by it our sins are forgiven before

God in heaven!”

So in closing my dearest family and friends, because of the gift of fait to believe in Christ and His

death upon a cross for your forgiveness, you are new, this old year has gone, and you can look for-

ward to the New Year in Christ! So, please, say with me, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a

new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

From both Joyce and I, we wish you a very Happy and Blessed New Year

God’s peace

Pastor Martis

Pastor Martis

Official Acts for November

Rev. Chris Sigmon installed on November 12, 2017

3

Our MISSION OUTREACH for January is the

CPC Women's Health Resource. This charitable

Christian organization provides medical services

and counseling to women faced with an

unplanned pregnancy. The caring staff and

volunteers provide resources and alternatives to

abortion. Envelopes are on the table in the

Narthex.

How do you like leftovers? Most people don't

like yesterday's soggy pasta, overcooked steak,

or mushy vegetables. Even when leftovers are

doctored up, they're still leftovers. What does

God say about leftovers? When it comes to gifts,

He wants our firstfruits, not leftovers!

Stories are told about families who made con-

scious decisions to give their offerings to the

Lord first and then pay their monthly bills. God

blessed their first fruits, offerings given with

love and in faith.

God gave His Firstfruit, His one-and-only Son,

Jesus Christ. His death on Calvary's cross as-

sures us of life and salvation, and those gifts are

ours through His Spirit's gift of faith. Because

He gives us His best, can we offer Him our lefto-

vers? No, in faith filled response to His love, we

want to give Him our best.

What time, talent, and treasure first fruit gifts

can I offer today?

Heavenly Father, I give You thanks for the gift

of salvation that is mine through faith in Jesus.

Fill my heart with such love and praise for you

that I will willingly serve You with all that I am

and have. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOW IS THE TIME to consider running for

an office on Church Council. God has blessed

each one of us with certain talents. Ask God

how He can use YOU in service to Him here at

St. Luke. Do you think that you are not

qualified? God equips the called!

Stewardship Board

Candidates For 2018 Church Council

President – Greg Wesche; Recording Secretary

- Rodger Meyer; Treasurer Kevin Thierry;

Financial Secretary -Bruce Weirauch; Deacon -

2 Open; Trustee - 2 Open; Board of Education –

Open. Anyone who is eligible and willing to serve

on the Church Council please contact Randy Rice

or Greg Wesche.

Proverbs 3:9 states: Honor the LORD

with your wealth and with the first

fruits of all your produce.

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An Exercise of Our Faith

Comparative Statistics for November 2016-2017

Worship Attendance Sunday School Tithes & Offerings Communion

Sunday 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017

1 75 65 27 19 $2,429.25 $2,443.00 57 52

2 74 80 27 25 $2,328.75 $2,273.00

3 64 58 23 22 $2,188.00 $1,604.00 43 45

4 73 79 28 28 $2,882.81 $4,839.00

Total 286 282 105 94 $9,828.81 $11,159.00 100 97

Avg 72 71 26 24 $2,457.20 $2,789.75

Fund Monthly Offerings

Home $ 6,919.00

Mission Budget $ 684.00

Building $ 326.00

Reserve $ 163.00

Total November 2017 $ 8,092.00

Budgeted Giving January thru November 2017

Receipts 2017 Budget,

11 months Fund

Home Budgeted $ 83,079.00 $ 108,829.05

Mission Budgeted $ 800.05 $ 1541.63

Reserve $ 3,985.75

Total YTD $ 95,864.80 $ 119,370.68

All Giving January Thru November 2017

Fund Receipts 2017 Budget,

11 months

Mission, includes Special $84,830.87 $108,829.05

Reserve $11,624.98 $10,541.63

Total YTD $3,985.75

All Giving January Thru November 2017 $100,441.60 $119,370.68

Non-budget Giving November 2017

Home Sunday School $ 14.00

Mission $ 110.00 Church Worker Scholarship

Building Window Fund $ 500.00

Morning Meditations

1/1 -1/7 Rev. Jeff Corder St. John, Stryker

1/8 - 1/15 Rev. Lee Genter Lutheran Home society,

Napoleon

1/15 -1/21 Rev. Donald Luhring St. John, Defiance

1/22 - 1/28 Rev. Dale Kern Retired Archbold

1/29 - 2/4 Rev. Eric Moquin St. John, Sherwood

January Flowers

7 - Cross

14 - Open

21 - Open

28 - Open

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The Ladies Advent Christmas party was

enjoyed greatly by all who attended. The

Advent Wreath theme was carried out in the

appetizers, decorations and skit. Thank you

so very much for this special evening. Acco-

lades to the committee Donna Frank, Ar-

dyth Gearig and Darlene Oberhaus. Special

thanks also to Paulajean Drewes who

played the piano for our music portions and

thanks to Mandy Frank who participated in

the skit with the committee. The poinsettia

table decorations were given out as door

prizes. Jeanie Oberhaus

LaDonna, Esther, Mina, Chelisa, Katie and Mandy, Janet, Eunice, Joyce Martis, Jeanie, Paula-

jean, Joann, Nancy and Dorothy Pollock, Pauline, Launita, Mary and Debbie Paulajean, Donna,

Ardyth, Darlene and Mandy

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Preparing for church work

Madalyn Short

Velma Gerken

Kathryn Garbers

Ruth Weirauch

Ann Rabe

Mike Ferguson

Kay Ann Hallock

Larry Ripke

Pray For Good Health

January Birthdays Kimberly Jones, January 2

Robin Weirauch, January 3

Marvin Badenhop, January 4

Nathan Weirauch, January 4

Crystal Ward, January 5

Elda Dehnbostel, January 6

Bernard Yackee, January 7

Ashley Rabe, January 8

Chris Diemer, January 9

Marcella Badenhop, January 10

Shane Frontz, January 10

Martha Gebers, January 12

Denise Bostelman, January 13

Carolann Oestreich January 15

Marilyn Sunderman, January 17

Beverly Saneholtz, January 18

Brian Young, January 19

Owen Gebers, January 21

Penny Lane, January 25

Lisa Bostelman, January 27

Brian Saneholtz, January 27

Donald Gearig, January 28

Sean Stinner, January 28

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Acolyte Schedule

January 2018 Acolytes

7 – Lucy Jones

14 – Eliza Jones and Ada Griffith

21 - Mitchell Griffith

28 – Macee Ripke and Vivian Gebers

SERVING THE LORD ON SUNDAY MORNINGS

Mina, Nov 19, Anneka and Vivian, Nov 26

Eliza, Lucy and Mitch at the Advent Wreath,

Dec 3, Ada, Kylie and Eliza, Dec 10, Vivian and

Ada, Dec 10

Mitch Griffith was the

acolyte and Eliza and

Vivian were readers at

the Advent Wreath

Sunday December 7th.

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Fifty feminine care kits were assembled and

packed to be taken on the next missionary trip.

DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS!

Paulajean, Ann, Vickie, Anneka and Eric, Anneka, Carissa, Macee, Mina and Greydon, and Greg,

Rhonda and LaDonna

January Baby Shower for the CPC Women's Health Resources,

(Community Pregnancy Center). Will divide between Napoleon and Wauseon. Collection box will be in back of church after

New Year.

Wauseon/Napoleon CPC Needs:

Baby wash, shampoo, lotion, wipes

Diapers size 4,5, and 6,

Winter sleepers size NB to 24 mo. boys and girls

Winter clothes size NB to 24 mo. onesies 6-9 month

Socks NB to 24 mo.

Toddler dishes, sippy cups, outlet safety plugs, infant toys Jeanie Schlueter

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