Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
January has typically been a month where we reflect on the past and plan to make changes for the future. Many of us make New Year’s Resolutions to change some part of our lives that upon reflection we realized needed help. Allow me to take this opportunity to first of all reflect on some of what I have seen here at Blessed Savior in the last five months.
· Attendance at Bible Studies has decreased.
· Attendance at Sunday School is low.
· The fall work day was a success as many projects were accomplished!
· We welcomed three new members to our church through baptism!
· We finished an adult instruction class in November and have plans to start another class very soon!
· The Esther Society has been invigorated with new leadership and has had increased attendance at its functions!
· The Men of Blessed Savior (MOBS) also has new leadership but is struggling to see increased attendance at their meetings.
· Nearly every Sunday we have had visitors at our church!
Our offerings to the LORD do not reflect our putting Him first in our lives.
Now allow me to share with you some of my plans for change here at Blessed Savior:
Starting
on Sunday January 6th, I will hold a Bible Study in my office
beginning at 9:20. We will study the appointed readings for the next Sunday.
The purpose of this study is to prepare for the next week’s worship. Since
space is limited in my office, I will be open to providing the same study on one
week night. Please call me at the church or e-mail me at
vicar@blessedsavior-lcms.org
to let me know what evening would work best for you. I will select the evening
in which the most people can attend.
Men
of Blessed Savior (MOBS) is arranging to have a financial planner come in and
speak to our congregation/community. This speaker will help us to become better
managers of our assets which will help us to be able to bring to the Lord our
firstfruits. Look for more exciting activities from MOBS throughout this year.
As part of my vicarage requirements, I will be working with the Board of Outreach to improve the way that this church is perceived by visitors. I cannot reveal my plans until they have been approved but I can tell you that my plans include five areas that will be changed. Although the new visitor signs were not part of my plan, they have helped to change the perception of visitors already.
I am asking that you all would support these changes as we work together to strengthen our congregation and to reach out to those who do not have a church home.
God Bless,
Vicar Schultz
