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PRAY FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS God sees the collection of “Christ followers” as a single family. Wherever we live, whatever our vocation, all Christ followers are one church in God’s eyes. So we confess in the Nicene Creed “I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.” Our point, when we say those words, is that we share a faith connection with Christian sisters and brothers around the world.

Many Christians around the world suffer persecution simply because of their faith in Jesus. Sometimes the struggle comes from government policy; sometimes it comes from family members or from other religious groups. Open Doors USA estimates that over 200 million Christians currently live where their faith connection to Jesus causes personal injury, home destruction, job loss, or even death.

When these persecuted Christians are asked “How can we help you?” their number one response is, “Pray for us!” They are not asking you to end their pain; they are not asking you to change their government policy; they are simply asking you to walk with them in prayer. How can we respond to their prayer request?

1. Dedicate some time.2. Use the prayer guide below that speaks to the needs of the persecuted.3. Start praying now.

Christians in thousands of U.S. churches are praying on November 5 or 12 for their persecuted brothers and sisters. (At COS we will include such prayers in our Nov. 12 worship service.)

In This Issue

Pgs. 1 & 2

Pray For Persecuted Christians, Servers for the

Month of November

Pgs.3 & 4

Worship for shut-ins, Mission Giving Update, Fall Voter’s

Meeting, Daylight Savings Time Ends, Thanksgiving Eve

Service, Pigs in a Blanket

Fundraiser

Pgs. 5-7

LWML, Volunteer, WSCOS, Operation Christmas Child,

Elder’s Note

Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday

9am-1pm

Sunday Morning Schedule

9:15 AM Worship

10:30 AM Children’s

Sunday School

10:45 AM Adult Bible Study

Rev. George Hamilton

Pastor Emeritus

Rev. John Panning

Pastor Emeritus

Volume 13 Issue 3 November 2017

CHRIST OUR SAVIOR

LUTHERAN CHURCH GOOD NEWS FROM

CHRIST OUR SAVIOR

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PAGE 3

SERVERS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

November 5 November 19

Reader— Helen Panning Reader—Bonnie Crockford Acolyte— Kole Meschke Acolyte—Aaron Simmons Ushers—John & Esther Klug Ushers—Art & Lisa Fenrich Elders— Bruce Campbell & Brian Scheiderer Elders—Bruce Campbell & Brian Scheiderer Music—Helen Travis, Bruce Campbell & Handbells Music—Helen Travis Greeters—John & Esther Klug Greeters—Peter & Teresa Schraudt Sound—Reimink/Fenrich Sound—Reimink/Fenrich Screen— Screen— Altar—Andrea Teusink Altar—Andrea Teusink Nursery—Jacquelyn Schwark & Lauren Hilt Nursery—Jacquelyn Schwark & Lauren Hilt Refreshments— Refreshments—COS Youth Group Counters—Jean Vizithum & Doris Kendall Counters—Michele Jacoby & Ken Reimink Bulletin Helper—Bernice Wentzel Bulletin Helper—Bonnie Crockford Flowers –Terry Reimink Flowers— November 12 November 26 Reader— Rob Shinsky Reader— Acolyte— Acolyte— Ushers—Mike & Michele Jacoby Ushers—Dave & Sue Schroeder Elders—Bruce Campbell & Brian Scheiderer Elders—Bruce Campbell & Brian Scheiderer Music—Ginny Liao & Handbells Music—Cathy Roush & COS Choir Greeters—Bonnie Crockford & Karen Nunheimer Greeters – Jerry & Nelva DeBoer Sound—Reimink/Fenrich Sound—Reimink/Fenrich Screen— Screen— Altar—Andrea Teusink Altar—Andrea Teusink Nursery—Jacquelyn Schwark & Lauren Hilt Nursery –Jacquelyn Schwark & Lauren Hilt Refreshments— Refreshments— Counters—Jane Martinsen & Terry Reimink Counters—Shari Atkinson & Bonnie Crockford Bulletin Helper—Louise Rowan Bulletin Helper—Doris Kendall Flowers—Diana Mavis Flowers—

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CHURCH COUNCIL LEADERS:

President— Mark Johnson

V. President—Rob Shinsky

Financial Sec.—Derk Teusink

Treasurer—Philip Matro

Secretary—Sue Johnson

Education—Jane Martinsen

Stewardship—Ann Campbell

Head Elder-Spiritual Welfare—

Bruce Campbell

Ministries —John Olson

Evangelism—Pat VanSlooten

Head Trustee—Rick Elushik

Missions—John Klug

Additional Elders: Art Fenrich,Tom

Nunheimer, Brian Scheiderer

Additional Trustees: John Bareman,

Ray Crockford, Ken Reimink

CHURCH WORKERS:

Admin. Assistant—Whitney Kesler

Custodian—Pat VanSlooten

Youth Director—Carol Garnsey

MISSION-GIVING UPDATE

(including “Local Benevolences”)

We joyfully respond to a resolution of the congre-

gation passed several years ago that 10% of all

“General Fund” offerings would be designated for

“Missions.” That percentage, then, is divided into

two parts; so that 7% of the total “General Fund”

offerings go for mission-work through our District

and Synod, and 3% of the total is given for “Local

Benevolences.” Recently our Elders have distributed

the Local Benevolence portions for

October as follows: One half each to:

Child Advocacy Center

And

Lakeshore Pregnancy

WORSHIP FOR SHUT-INS

“Worship for Shut-Ins” is a Lutheran television 30 minute worship service. It includes the

Propers for the day, prayers, and a LCMS pastor delivering a message that is one-on-one to the

viewer. Also included are up to four choir selections. There are no commercials or repeats. It

is shown at 11:30 A.M. on local cable channel 54 or Xfinity channel 21. This may also be

viewed on our website: www.cosholland.com by going to the “Sermons & Media” section.

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Fall Voter’s Meeting Announcement

Christ Our Savior’s fall voter’s meet-

ing is scheduled for Sunday Novem-

ber 5, 2017 at 10:30am.

Agenda items include:

Financial Review of year to date 2017

Review, and approval of 2018 Budget

Discussion of pastoral options

Attendance by all members of Christ Our

Savior is highly recommended, as your input on our

direction is both welcomed and needed as we move

forward. If you have any agenda items you would

like added please contact Mark Johnson, Council

President, or an Elder.

November 5th, 2017

THANKSGIVING EVE – A TIME TO THANK THE LORD

Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church will celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday

with worship on Wednesday evening, November 22 at 7:00 pm. The Israel-

ites in the Old Testament repeatedly told the story of their move from

Egypt to the Promised Land. Why did they repeat this story so often? One

of the big points for repetition was to REMEMBER that their survival and

success depended on gifts and blessings from God. He was their source for

life itself. We have the same dependence.

We gather together to give thanks to the Lord for all His blessings just like

the Israelites did. Mark your calendar now to build a plan for Thanksgiving

celebration.

Pigs in a Blanket Fundraiser!!!

This fundraiser is for the wires to be

grounded by our praise ensemble musical

equipment.

Get your delicious Sausage rolls,

Made by Dutch Delite Bakery.

$20.00 per Dozen.

Order-form on sign-up board in sanctuary.

Orders due November 11th. Make Checks

payable to: Christ Our Savior Lutheran

Church (stewardship on the memo line)

Pickup Dates: Saturday, Nov. 18th or Sun-

day Nov. 19th.

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LWML recycling fund raiser

Get Ready, set, recycle! Your LWML is collecting empty inkjet printer cartridges, empty laser

printer cartridges used cell phones, PDAs Palm Pilots, i-Pods, MP3 Players, laptops, notebooks,

eReaders, tablets, & iPads (include power cords) to redeem for cash. The cash will be used to

pay for expenses associated with hosting the LWML’s National Convention to be held in Lex-

ington, KY in 2021. Just bring your contributions to COS and put them in the recycling bin.

It’s easy and it’s good for the environment also. Questions about what we can recycle?

Check out the poster in the sanctuary or call Esther Klug at 269-561-2925. Your LWML thanks

you!

Volunteer!

Looking for Extra Helpers for

our Altar, Bulletin Folders, and

Bible Readers. There will be

sign-up sheets on the bulletin

board in the sanctuary. You

can serve the Lord in many

ways here at COS. If you have

any Questions on what the du-

ties entail~contact Whitney

Kesler in the Church Office.

616-738-0100

WSCOS

The next meeting of the WSCOS (Women

Serving Christ Our Savior) is November 13th

from 7:00-8:30. Women, please join us for

fellowship, devotions, and projects.

Also mark your calendar for December

11th. WSCOS will be hosting a cookie ex-

change. We ask that everyone who partici-

pates to bring in 5 baker dozen cookies--5

dozen for the exchange, 5 cookies for eating,

packing plates of cookies to share with oth-

ers.

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HELP OUT WITH OPERATION CHRISTMAS SHOEBOX

DONATIONS:

Check board for items that are still needed. Please bring

them to the church by November 5.

INVENTORY THE ITEMS:

November 2nd from 1-4 pm. Items brought in November 5th will be invento-

ried on November 9th.

SORT ITEMS:

In preparation for packing shoeboxes, we will sort and assign appropriate

age group on November 9th from 1-4. We will place them on back tables for

assembly line packing.

PACK SHOEBOXES:

We will pack the boxes on Sunday, November 12th right after service.

CHECK BOXES:

We will check boxes to see that they have a variety of items and are age

appropriate. We will do this on November 13 as a part of WSCOS evening

meeting, devotions, and activities and complete this on November 16th

from 1-4.

DONATE:

Money to pay for the shipping to the various children who will receive the

boxes. It costs $9.00 per box. Put this in the box/basket on the food table

on October 29th or place the money in an envelope designated for shoe-

boxes. If you want a tax deduction, please write a check or put your offer-

ing number on the envelope.

PRAY:

Pray for the children who receive the boxes that they will be blessed by the

gift and response to the message of Jesus Christ.

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Head Elder’s Note

Dear Members and Friends of Christ our Savior Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Christian life continues at our church. Let us count our blessings: new member class, preaching of God's Word, worship and communion services, adult video series, confirmation class, music ministries by choir, bells and instrumental groups, visitation teams (volunteers calling on home bound), Stephen's ministers continue to meet with care receivers, youth group meets by-weekly, nursery staffed by Hope college ladies, fellowship after church (volunteers providing snacks), Sunday School with teachers for primary and middle school children, Bible classes meet (men on Saturday, women on Thursday) and Tuesday and Thursday ses-sions, prayer ministry continues with many answers from God, council meeting with all in one accord (unity), new visitors and guests still come to worship with us, all our bills are paid with surplus in banking accounts for "emergency" or building repairs, etc. We have much to thank the LORD for and to praise His Name continually.

Join with me and recite these Psalms for encouragement. Psalms 46-47.

"46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the

earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;3 Though the waters

roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with swelling. Selah.

4 There is a river, the streams which shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of

the most High.5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right ear-

ly. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.7 The Lord of

hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations He has made in the earth. 9 He makes wars to

cease unto the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; He burns the chariot in

the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the

earth. 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

47 O clap your hands, all you people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 2 For the Lord most high is

terrific ; He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under

our feet. 4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises:

sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing praises with understand-

ing. 8 God reigns over the heathen: God sits upon the throne of His holiness. 9 The princes of the people

are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto

God: He is greatly exalted.

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You Heavenly Father, Creator of all

things, for helping us at this time at COS. Let us praise You for all the blessings You have given us. Help us

come together, LORD encouraging one another. Give us peace, unity and concord. Guide us and give us

wisdom as we plan for the future. Let us wait on You with patience as You prepare us for a new pastor. We

give You all the glory and pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

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CHRIST OUR SAVIOR

LUTHERAN CHURCH

3151 North 120th Avenue

Holland, MI 49424

Phone 616-738-0100

Website: www.cosholland.com

Proclaim God’s Kingdom

Grow Disciples

Love One Another