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
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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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