Star of BethlehemStar of BethlehemStar of BethlehemStar of Bethlehem 3700 S. Casper Dr. New Berlin, WI (262)786-2900

www.starofbethlehem.org

Our Mission As a family of believers united in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the members of Star of

Bethlehem Congregation are committed, with the help of the Holy Spirit and directed by God’s Word, to glorify God by

– SERVING

The Triune God through regular worship and faithful use of the Sacraments.

– TEACHING

God’s Word to people of all ages so they can continually grow in faith.

– ACKNOWLEDGING

That God’s grace is the only means of saving

sinners and God’s Word is the only source of

Truth. –

REACHING Out with our diverse

gifts to bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus

Christ. –

SUPPORTING One another in daily living – empowered by the freedom God’s forgiveness brings.

NNooww TThhaannkk WWee AAllll OOuurr GGoodd One of the most-loved Christian hymns of

all time is the one entitled Now Thank We All Our God. The hymns origin and author are uncertain. However, the hymn appeared in a book of hymns published by Martin Rinckart already in 1636. It was titled “Grace” or “Tisch-Gebetlein,” which means a “short table-prayer. Several stories surrounding its origin have proved false.

The English translation of this hymn was by Katherine Winkworth in the year 1858. The tune was probably composed by Johann Cruger in the year 1648, and was thought to be used to celebrate the Peace of Westphalia, in December 1648, which put an end to the Thirty Years’ War.

We, still today, use this beautiful hymn of praise and thanksgiving and its melody to express our thanks to our gracious God for all of His blessings for our bodies and souls.

Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, In whom His world rejoices; Who from our mother’s arms Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still us ours today.

The first stanza encourages us to thank our God with everything we can; heart, hands and voices. It describes well our weekly Worship Services. Our creator God not only made this world, but He has also made us very wonderfully, and cared for us marvelously from our mother’s arms to the present day. Not a day goes by where He has not provided His gifts of grace for body and soul.

Oh, may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace And guide us when perplexed And free us from all ills In this world and the next.

We desperately need God’s presence everyday. His abundant blessings have accompanied us throughout our earthly days. His gracious

forgiveness provides joy to our hearts. His soothing peace puts guilty consciences at rest. His Word and Sacraments keep us close to Him. His precious promises bring

relief to the most troublesome times. And the best is still to come – freedom from all ills in this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given The Son and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven: The one eternal God. Whom earth and heaven adore! For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore!

Offering thankful worship each week and daily praise to our Triune God is called “thanksliving.” Who or what could keep us away from gathering with God’s people, our real family, on Thanksgiving Day? That will be just a little taste of heaven, and the thanksgiving worship that will be ours to enjoy with saints and angels in heaven forever!

Please join us for Thanksgiving Services on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 6:30 p.m., or on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 9:30 a.m.

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Our stewardship emphasis throughout the month of October continues with an every member encouragement to one another. We hope you have enjoyed the special Services and our focus on the weekly topics of “Worship Attendance,” “Bible Study,” “Stewardship,” and “Outreach.” Now you are being asked to either host or visit another Star of Bethlehem individual or family during the month of November. Those who serve as hosts or visitors have been randomly assigned, at times keeping in mind family situations or geographical area. But not always is that the case. Those who open their homes for these visits around the kitchen table or a living room setting are asked to provide something to drink. Those who visit are asked to bring a dessert to share and the printed materials for the presentation, which can be picked up any time after October 25th. Not always convenient and certainly not always comfortable, you are strongly encouraged to please get together with your fellow members of our Star of Bethlehem family to read through the information together. The purpose is to build and strengthen our ties with one another, so that we can together better be about the work that God has given us to do. We can do that far better together than we could possibly hope to accomplish alone. May God bless your meetings and grant you an enjoyable time together. Please try to establish contact with one another A. S. A. P. to schedule a date and time for the presentation. May the Lord be with us as we strive to live “All 4 ONE…and One 2 Another!”

MMyy VVooccaattiioonn IInn CChhrriisstt Join us for Sunday morning Adult Bible Class. Our present topic

is entitled “My Vocation in Christ,” a study of the various hats many of us wear everyday and don’t see as opportunities to serve Christ. Join us for the final four weeks of this topic with Sunday’s portion being “Sometimes God Sends Me a Cross within My Vocation.” Come early for coffee and donuts. Class begins as close to 9:20 as possible. See you on Sunday!

RReeffoorrmmaattiioonn SSeerrvviicceess We will observe the Festival of Reformation on Sunday and

Monday, Nov. 2 and 3. The young people of Star of Bethlehem will assist in conducting our Worship Services that weekend. We hope you can join us. Please also invite family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to also come and celebrate the Festival with us. Join us as we observe that day when Martin Luther began the Reformation by nailing the 95 these on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany on Oct. 31, 1517. Throughout our lifetime, for most from the day of our Baptism, we have been privileged to know that we are saved, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, and Sola Scriptura (by faith, grace and through the Scriptures alone.)

Please invite your friends, relatives, associates and neighbors to join us for Thanksgiving Services. Two Services will be conducted; on Wednesday night, Nov. 26, at 6:30 p.m., and on Thursday morning, Nov. 27, at 9:30 a.m. Special music by instruments and our choirs will enhance our worship. Please join us, as we give thanks to the Lord for His continued blessings throughout another year, and to seek His gracious provisions for our future needs of body and soul.

““YYeeaarr ooff JJuubbiilleeee”” Special Worship Services and the Adult

Bible Class, beginning on Sunday, Nov. 23, will focus on the Synod’s Year of Jubilee thank-offering, a special collection to help remove our Synod’s indebtedness so that more of our mission offerings can go toward home missions, world missions and our worker training schools. This program was authorized by last summer’s Synod Convention, which was faced with the possibility of cutting back in mission work and closing one of our worker training schools. After prayerful consideration, the convention voted to move forward with missions and retain our synodical system of worker training schools as they presently exist. Our Services for the last 2 weeks of November and the first 2 weeks of December will focus on the “Year of Jubilee” theme. As the program evolves, members will have an opportunity to contribute a gift or make an ongoing financial commitment for this offering which will conclude at this summer’s convention in July.

CCoonnggrraattuullaattiioonnss!! Kristen Carow was elected as Homecoming Queen recently

at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Congratulations on

being chosen for this honor by your peers!

AAAAAAAArrrrrrrreeeeeeeeaaaaaaaa RRRRRRRReeeeeeeeffffffffoooooooorrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaattttttttiiiiiiiioooooooonnnnnnnn SSSSSSSSeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrvvvvvvvviiiiiiiicccccccceeeeeeee All of you are

invited to attend the Area Reformation Service on Sunday, November 2, at 4:00 p.m. at Wisconsin

Lutheran High School. The Service will be held

in the auditorium. President Paul Wendland of our Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary faculty will be the Guest Speaker. Koine and a Children’s Choir will provide special music to enhance the Service. Following the Service a light lunch will be provided by the Milwaukee Chapter of the WELS Kingdom Workers, who will be sharing information about important mission opportunities in our area throughout the meal. You are all invited to attend the Service and the supper to follow.

BBAASSKKEETTBBAALLLL SSEEAASSOONN:: FFOORR OOUURR MMEENN’’SS

aanndd YYOOUUTTHH TTEEAAMMSS A sign-up sheet

is posted on the bulletin board for our youth who desire to participate in the Sunday afternoon Youth Basketball League. Young men who are not on any high school basketball team are invited to participate.

Any men, who are out of high school and older, are invited to participate in our Star Men’s Basketball League on Sunday afternoons and evenings here at Star of Bethlehem. The men’s league consists of 2 divisions, a more competitive one and a less competitive one. If you would like to participate on one of our Star teams this year, please speak with Pastor Gawrisch. Both leagues are scheduled to begin on Sunday, December 7. Schedules for both leagues will soon be posted on the church bulletin board. Both men and youth divide participation costs among team members.

Good luck to this year’s teams. Last year’s men finished as State Lutheran Champs, and will be trying to defend their title. The State Tournament for both men and youth is the 2nd weekend in March.

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BBiibbllee SSttuuddiieess New opportunities for

Bible study will be available for women on Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. and for men on Friday mornings at 6:20 a.m. Both groups will be studying the topic: “Our Christian Response to Blessings and Challenges” the first course which will be led by Pastor Nitz. All men and women are encouraged to consider participating in your respective groups. The classes will be taught here at church.

SSttaarr

SSeenniioorrss Our Seniors will get

together for a meeting on Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. A barbecue sandwich supper will be served. Please bring a side dish or dessert if you want to. Eating utensils, drinks, sandwiches and chips will be provided. A video presentation entitled “Opening the Door for Luther” will be shown after the meal. All senior members, 55 and over, as well as spouses and guests are invited to attend.

Next month, our meeting will be a little earlier in the month due to Thanksgiving. Our meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m. Our topic will be: “How Can I Serve My Lord in My Senior Years?” presented by Pastor Gawrisch. Marty’s Pizza will be served before the presentation at 6:00 p.m.

I can’t believe that another month

has already passed. It seems like I just wrote one of these columns, and here it is, time to write it again. The month of October has kept me busy so far, as you might have guessed. I am once again in the middle of preparing a new sermon. This month I also did numerous visits to shut-ins and hospital visits. I have been helping out with Chapel Services and Linden Grove Services on Wednesday mornings. I have been continuing to do liturgy almost every Sunday. I also attended a Pastor’s Conference with Pastor Gawrisch on September 30th and October 1st. At the end of September I gave a devotion to start off the Senior’s Meeting. We have done a little switching with Bible Classes. I was doing the Teen Bible Class up until October 5th. On October 12th Pastor Gawrisch started teaching Adult Bible Study and Pastor Nitz went from Adult Bible Study to Teen Bible Study. So now in between services I have been filling in for Pastor Gawrisch’s Bible Information Class that he has been doing in between services. Once again, I have been attending most meetings. I continue to teach the 7th grade Conformation class on Tuesday and Thursday Mornings! On Monday the 27th I will be teaching Public School Conformation class for Pastor Gawrisch.

Many of you have already asked how the teen outing went. We had a total of twelve kids participate in kickball/dodge ball. While it was a good turnout, we hope that we can get even more teens next time!

Some of you may ask yourself, “What exactly is Vicar year?” This year that I am blessed to spend here at Star is part of my education. Vicar year is the third out of four years of Seminary education and it is year number seven out of eight years of total college education. It has truly been a blessing to be here at Star learning and helping out. I look forward to the blessings and challenges the Lord places before for me for the rest of the time I am here.

News from Wisconsin Lutheran High School Wisconsin Lutheran High School will be holding its annual Open House on

Sunday, Nov. 9, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. You can meet teachers, tour the school, enjoy student presentations, and learn how academic excellence and Christian values can make a difference in your child’s life. All are welcome to attend.

Wisconsin Lutheran High School’s annual Fruit Sale is underway. The order deadline is November 12. You may place an order online at www.Fruit.Order.com. Type in the code 138078. Otherwise you are welcome to place an order by calling 414-453-4567.

The play Pride and Prejudice will be presented at Wisco on Nov. 7

th-9

th. Friday and Saturday’s

performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s show begins at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children.

The WLHS annual Veteran’s Day observance will begin with a breakfast buffet at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria followed by the Chapel Service in the main gym at 8:30 a.m. Please contact Nancy at 414-453-4567 ext. 2013 for reservations by Nov. 5th. All present and past military personnel are invited to enjoy a day in your honor at WLHS.

FFrroomm BBlluueebbeerrrriieess ttoo YYoogguurrtt:: 12 Super Foods For Super Health

The final installments of a 12-part series on “Super Foods” from ENVIRONMENTAL NUTRITION

Submitted by Susan Abel, BSN, RN, Parish Nurse

Super Food #11: Sardines

This is our top fish pick for their exceptional omega-3 fatty acids, which decrease blood clotting, prevent heart

arrhythmias, and combat inflammation – all heart bonuses—plus they may boost mood and brain functions. They’re low in

mercury, making them safe to eat three to four times a week. But watch out for canned sardines packed in salty sauces.

Super Food #12: Yogurt

Though you may not live to 120, as commercials once playfully suggested, yogurt does have confirmed health benefits. An excellent source of protein (as much as 13 grams per 8 ounces) and calcium (450 milligrams), this cultured milk product is famed for its friendly bacteria, collectively called “probiotics,” which promote good digestion and boost immunity. A yogurt a day may also be good for your waistline; recent research links dairy food to reduced body fat.

GGIIRRLL PPIIOONNEEEERRSS

“Sewing” is the next presentation for our Lutheran Girl Pioneers on

Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

We invite/encourage you to consider donating blood on

Monday, November 10, between 2:30 & 7:00 p.m.

at Star of Bethlehem.

WELS BARGAIN CENTER

The store located at 5005 W. Howard now sells gently used furniture. All proceeds from sales go to help fund the Wisconsin Lutheran Student Center, Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries, the Milwaukee Federation of WELS Churches Inc., Wisconsin Lutheran High School, Wisconsin Lutheran College, and other ministries in the Milwaukee area. Donated furniture items are welcomed. The Bargain Center is open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Volunteer helpers are always appreciated!

MMEEEETT TTHHEE

AARRTTIISSTT!! The Corner Bazaar is the place to see

a local artist in action on Nov. 15, Nov. 29, and Dec. 6. from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The store is located at 76

th and Greenfield Ave.

in West Allis, and supports the ministry of the Milwaukee Federation of WELS Churches, Inc.

AAtttteennttiioonn!!

PPaarreennttss!! HHSSAA PPaarreenntt NNiigghhtt

Wednesday, November 5th, 6:30 p.m.

Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Bauer present “Love and Logic,” a nationally acclaimed parenting program designed to teach actions and consequences in a loving manner. This is a very popular class that thousands of parents every year pay a lot of money to attend. We are very blessed to have this opportunity right here at Star… for free!

An extension of the “Love and Logic” program will take place on January 14th, 21st, and 28th, with different modules being taught each of the four evenings.

� Babysitters will be available at Star

� A quiet homework room will be available as well

� While the program is targeted toward parents of children preschool through 4th grade, anyone is welcome to attend, including grandparents and caregivers.