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The Mission Statement of Our Savior is:

“SEE CHRIST THROUGH US”

Our Savior Lutheran Church members, through Christ, preach, teach, listen,

learn, and live so the world sees Christ through us.

Vol. 8, Num. 37 THE MIRROR OF OUR SAVIOR January, 2020

Dear Members and Friends of Our Savior,

As we begin a new year, there are a lot of changes

we wish to make. Some make the resolution to learn a

new skill. Others want to get back to doing something

they once loved. Most of us at least think about the

possibility of losing weight or changing our eating

habits. The new year is a chance to change things

about ourselves in a positive way.

As we begin 2020, let me offer a suggestion for

you: let us all resolve to be more generous. We live in

a world where people continue to be more and more

isolated from one another. We are at the point that you

can order just about anything for delivery, even down

to your fast food and groceries. We talk to most people

through emails and texts, and spend more time looking

at screens and less at faces. As Jesus looks to the end

of the world, he tells his disciples, “And because

lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will

grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)” It’s very easy for us to

sit in judgment of those around us, and it’s more

difficult to respond with love and compassion.

I suggest this because I know your love. Thanks to

your love and support for me and for my family, I was

able to pay off my seminary loans this Christmas. You

continue to care for us in ways great and small,

through your kind words and gracious actions. I have

heard from many people outside of the congregation

who appreciate your generosity through the radio

ministry. Many members of my family have been able

to hear the word of the Lord when they have been

unable to get to their own congregations through that

ministry. So as St. Paul prayed for the Philippians, I

pray for you: “And it is my prayer that your love

may abound more and more, with knowledge and

all discernment. (Philippians 1:9)”

So how do we grow in generosity? Our good

works always find their starting point in the work of

our Savior. St. Paul to the Corinthians: “For you know

the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he

was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that

you by his poverty might become rich. (2

Corinthians 8:9)” Our Lord has been generous to us.

After all, he meets every definition of rich we would

come up with. Everything in our existence is His; he

created it. He has angels, archangels, and all the

company of heaven to sing His praises. He can create

anything He wills. He has no needs. While he could

have simply destroyed our creation after sin destroyed

its perfection, he instead chose to be generous. He

continues to provide for all our bodily needs, and he

does so more richly than we deserve. Jesus taught us to

pray, “give us this day our daily bread,” but it’s not

very often that our meals consist solely of bread. God

continues to provide us an abundance for all our

physical needs, an abundance that we can share with

those in need around us.

We also know God’s generosity extends far

beyond food and shelter. Jesus became poor for us in

more than just earthly wealth. Jesus, Lord of all, makes

himself nothing, taking the form of a servant. To

highlight that for us and for the disciples, Jesus washes

their feet. Just a few hours before his crucifixion, Jesus

bends down over the sweaty, dirty, stinking feet of his

disciples, taking the role of the lowest servant of a

household. Jesus will take even the worst of postures

in order to serve his people. And shortly after stooping

over feet, he will be stretched out on the cross, again

serving us out of his great love. Jesus’ generosity to us

includes bearing the burden and punishment of our sin.

After washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus tells them:

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed

your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I have given you an example, that you also

should do just as I have done to you. (John 13:14-

15)” Jesus’ service is an example to you to show what

he desires of his disciples. He desires that we serve one

another, even taking the lowest places, the places

below our dignity and station. If the Lord of all

creation has been so generous as to die in your place,

how can we ignore the needs of our neighbor? All

around us are opportunity to serve the needs of our

community and world. Our generosity begins when we

recognize the generous nature of our Triune God, and

do the things he has prepared for us to do. May God

give us wisdom to see and a will to do his loving work.

The Lord be with you!

Pastor Tessone

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Class

I am usually in the office Monday through

Thursday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM unless otherwise

noted on the church calendar or by the weekly events

noted in the weekly bulletin. I encourage you to

contact me when:

You are going in the hospital, I'd like to visit and

pray with you. Let me know your name, hospital,

and when you will be there. Please note: unless

you contact me, I don’t know you are hospitalized.

Due to HIPAA laws, the hospitals do not contact

me or the church, nor can they disclose any

information about your condition.

You are facing any challenge and in need of the

fortification of God’s powerful Word and you

would like me to keep you in my prayers.

You are wanting to be baptized or your child.

You are planning to get married (I need to be

notified at least six months prior to the wedding

date to reserve the church and to set up times to

meet for the required pre-marriage Bible study and

Service planning).

You can reach me at the numbers listed below.

Church Office: 660-827-0226

Pastor Tessone’s Cell: 660-619-2055

Pastor Tessone’s Email: prtessoneosl@gmail.com.

Website: https://oslsedalia.net/

Join us on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/oursaviorlutheranchurch/

DESIGNATED DOOR OFFERING for January will

go towards Benevolent Care.

The following are just some of the opportunities

offered for you to be involved in Bible study with your

fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at Our Savior:

Morning Bible Study meets every Wednesday

morning at 10am, studying the Augsburg

Confession.

Adult Bible Class meets on Sunday morning at

10:15am in the Fellowship Hall and is studying the

same lessons as our Sunday School.

Men’s Evening Bible Study: This study meets on

the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the

fellowship hall. All men of the congregation are

invited to join us.

Junior Catechism meets every Wednesday from

5-6:30.

You are more than welcome and encouraged to

attend these classes. Jesus promises you: "If you

abide in my Word, you are really my disciples. Then

you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"

(John 8:31-32).

OUR ADULT INFORMATION

CLASS will begin a new class when

two or more people are interested.

This class is for those wanting to join our

congregation by adult confirmation or any member or

other persons wanting to learn about the Christian faith

as taught in Holy Scripture and Luther’s Small

Catechism.

THE YOUTH GROUP will meet after church on

Sunday, January 26th

from 11:30-1. Lunch will be

provided, and we will be gearing up for the Super

Bowl the following week. See you there!

Basketball, volleyball, drama? If you’re involved in

school activities this winter, make sure to give Pastor

Tessone a copy of your schedule or performance times

so he can come support you!

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Notice! Cost of the Radio Ministry is now $155.00 per Sunday.

NOTE: If you enjoy the Radio Ministry and would like to contribute toward sponsoring a Sunday in whole or in part (smaller donations

less than the full $155 will be gladly accepted), please leave your donation at the office or in the offering plate. Please write on check or envelope that you would like it to be designated to the Radio Ministry so it can go to the correct fund.

Thanks to those sponsoring the Radio Ministry in

January:

January 5th

– Sponsored in loving memory of Ruth

Bockelman.

January 12th

–

January 19th

–

January 26th

–

If you sign up for flowers AFTER the newsletter has been printed, please contact the church secretary or call the altar guild ladies directly to inform them of this information and also to let

them know ***where your flowers are coming from***. Please sign clearly on the line to let others know when a week is taken. The Altar Guild for the month of January will be Christy Ehlers.

January 5th

– Given to the glory of God in

thanksgiving for Betty Goldsmith’s birthday

which was on December 30th

; from her church

family.

January 12th

– Given to the glory of God by

January 19th

– Given to the glory of God by

January 26th

– Given to the glory of God by

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Acolyte Schedule January 5 9:00 AM: Eden Hoeffling and Corey Owen

January 12 9:00 AM: Rylon Curry and Kyler Lamb

January 19 9:00 AM: Montana Jonson and Isabelle Arnett

January 26 9:00 AM: Ava and Gabriel Burkhalter

Our Church Elders January 5 9:00 AM: Jerry Ehlers January 12 9:00 AM: Butch Williams January 19 9:00 AM: Steve Clarke January 26 9:00 AM: Bob Wheeler

USHERS FOR DECEMBER

January 5 9:00 AM: (5) Robert Curtis, Mark Abney, Tyler Abney,

Richard Camirand, Lloyd Heisterberg, Kenny Tatum, Don Wood

January 12 9:00 AM: (1) Steve Lamb, Steve Clarke, Joe Lollis,

Gene Perkins, Bob Wheeler January 19 9:00 AM: (1) Steve Lamb, Steve Clarke, Joe Lollis,

Gene Perkins, Bob Wheeler January 26 9:00 AM: (2) Peggy McAloose, Mason Goosen, Scott

Matz, Andrew Matz, John Meyer, Tom Moss, Robert Schlender

Audio Booth Techs for December January 5 - Michael Gertz January 12 - Andrew Matz January 19 - Dennis Mueller January 26 - Dennis Estel

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Our Faith Community

OUR SAVIOR CHOIR will have rehearsal on the

Wednesdays of the 22nd

and the 29th

at 7:00 PM for the

month of January. Please join us!

ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL NEWS: 2020 discount cards

have arrived! They are only $5 and can be used with

no limits, until 12/31/20, so check out the deals and

thank you for supporting our PTL! The cards are

available from Janice in the school office during

school hours, or from any St. Paul’s parent. Various

parents/students will also be offering them after the

9:00 service for the next three Sundays – 12/29, 1/5,

and 1/12.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Our new women’s

Bible study will be starting on Thursday, January 9th

at

6pm. We will be going through the book “Waiting” by

Sharla Fritz, which is available through cph.org or

amazon.com. Plan on joining us to see how God

continues to work and the value of waiting on the

Lord!

GAME NIGHT: The Elders are sponsoring a game

night Saturday, January 19th

at 6pm. You are welcome

to bring your favorite games and snacks, or enjoy the

offerings of others.

CARING PEOPLE NEEDED: Birthright of Sedalia

is in need of office volunteers to work 2 afternoons

each month from 12:30 to 4:30 PM. Training will be

provided. If you can help out please call the birthright

office at 660-826-9060 or Jeanette at 660-281-1405.

CHECK OUT OUR LUTHERAN RADIO

STATION KFUO at www.kfuo.org for Christian

news and music. It is also available on the App Store.

LUTHERAN PUBLIC RADIO brings you sacred

music sung by the world’s greatest choirs. You can

listen at www.lutheranpublicradio.org, or find it on the

App Store

THRIVENT MEMBERS: Don’t forget to allocate

your Choice Dollars! They can be allocated to many

different charities, including our congregation. For

more information, log on to the Thrivent website or

call a Thrivent representative for more information.

LCEF, for more than 35 years, Lutheran Church

Extension Fund has partnered with hundreds of LCMS

congregations to provide space and place for ministry.

In many cases, this partnership involved an LCEF loan

for the purchase of land or the construction of a

building. It is only because of the support of thousands

of faithful investors that LCEF has been able to

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provide this important support of LCMS ministries. If

you would like more information about how you can

help support LCEF in its partnership with

congregations, call 800-843-5233 or visit Icef.org.

The LIGHT of Christ is piercing the

darkness for Muslims and others! Many

are being baptized! People of the Book

Lutheran Outreach International (POBLO) has

missionaries in St. Louis and other cities involved on

the front lines of the spiritual battle showing the love

of Christ and sharing the Gospel. For this vital work to

continue, we have an ongoing need for funds. Please

pray and seek God to guide you in what might be your

monetary gift to help expand outreach to immigrants.

The Lutheran Heritage Foundation will add 20% to

your gift. The income from this foundation will

finance this important work in the future. You may

give online by going to POBLO.org and click on

“Give” for the online giving form. Or send your

donation to: POBLO International, 35555 Garfield

Road Suite 7 Clinton Township, MI 48035

Church Council Meeting Minutes

November 6, 2019 Attendance: Pastor Tessone, Jerry Case, Lori Hurt, Lloyd Heisterberg, Jennifer Schlender, Les Wolpers, Julie Abney, Susan Gibson, Gene Perkins The meeting was called to order and Pastor Tessone opened with devotion and prayer. Lloyd made a motion with a second by Gene to approve the minutes as read. Pastor Tessone’s Report: In October Pastor Tessone made five shut-in and communion visits. Confirmation is going well. Pastor now has seven students in confirmation class, with an 8th grader starting a year late. They looked at the close of the Commandments on 11/6/19 and they will have their first test in two weeks. They all do a good job of being respectful of one another and supporting one another. Youth group met on October 11th for the hayride at the Matz’s; it was a cold day, but everyone had a good time. They had about 20 kids and adults in attendance. Their next meeting is scheduled for November 24th. Pastor has arranged and prepared all the Sunday Services through November 10th, and has been

commenting on the yearly reading of the NT on Saturdays.

The Sunday morning Adult Bible Class is studying the same lessons as the children’s Sunday School classes. Wednesday morning Bible study is studying the Augsburg Confession, the Men’s Bible Study is studying Islam, and a new Women’s Bible Study will begin in January.

Pastor Tessone serves the residents of Sylvia Thompson on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month and chapel at St. Paul’s on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.

Pastor attended the Pastor’s Conference at Trinity, Clinton on October 8th; LifeChain October 6th; Dorothy Sparks’ 90th birthday party October 6th; Clara Warner’s 1st birthday party October 13th; District Pastor’s Conference at Lake of the Ozarks October 20-22; the volleyball fun night at St. Paul’s October 24th, and the circuit Reformation service October 27th. Report of the Boards: Board of Elders: Gene gave the report. Membership report: Gene made a motion with a second by Les to accept the transfer out of Jason and Suzanne Mathis, Adilynn, and Noah to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Boonville. 1 death of Robert Lee Solomon, born 1/6/1932, died 10/25/2019 while at Comfort Care Homes, Overland Park, KS. The Elders have planned a game night for November 16 from 6:00-9:00pm. Brandon Hurt brought in the TV that the Elders ordered, it may need a different TV stand as this TV is larger. Board of Education: Julie gave the report. The Christmas program will be December 22 after the 9:00 church service and practices will start November 24th during Sunday School. Board of Trustees: Lloyd gave the report. The light poles for the parking lot are still on the list for upcoming projects. The Trustees are waiting for Dugan’s to install the new windows in the multipurpose building. They will be meeting with the insurance agent to go over his proposal next week, he has suggested the church have a written security policy and the trustees are looking into cameras still. Trash pickup has been transferred to Ditzfeld and the Trustees had a work night tonight which consisted of cleaning the utility closet. They will start on Pastor’s old office, his computer and desk will be put in storage while some books will be pitched because of water damage. Son Equity will be taking over pest control and they will spray four times a year. Board of Finance: No report Committee Reports: None Old Business: None New Business: Right now our door offerings go to three main things; Benevolent care, maintenance and repair, and seminary. Pastor is looking for new ideas

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outside of our church since we can take care of most of these within our budget for now. He’s wanting to get ideas from the congregation and will likely put together a flyer to put in the bulletin. The Radio Ministry contract is due for renewal at $155 per week and it has been decided to continue this. Soup suppers are coming up; 12/4-Elders, 12/11-Board of Ed. and Youth, 12/18-Trustees. Other Business/Announcements: Door Offerings: November, Maintenance and Repair; Fellowship opportunities in November: Game Night (11/16). Finding no further business, there was a motion by Les with a second by Susan to adjourn. This motion was passed and carried. Respectfully submitted, Lori Hurt, Secretary

THE CHURCH COUNCIL HAS DESIGNATED

THE DOOR COLLECTIONS on the first Sundays

of each month as follows:

The Benevolent Care Fund: January, April, and July;

Maintenance and Repairs: March, May and

November

Seminary Student: February, June, August, and

December;

St. Paul Lutheran School: September

Well of Hope: October

Membership Changes Since Last Report

Communicant: 400 Baptized: 540

None

ATTENDANCE REPORT

Average attendance for December 2018: 147

Average attendance for December 2019: 146

JANUARY STEWARDSHIP THOUGHTS Our God is a God who works through means. He can and has worked immediately without agency, as the Bible testifies, but primarily, on the whole and for the most part, our God works through means. He does this not only for all of our earthly needs but also for all of our spiritual needs. And He does this for our benefit. He provides for all our needs of this body and life through means. He gives us fathers and mothers to care for us when we are young. Through them, God provides house and home, food and clothing, education and training in the arts and work of this world. He gives us good government to protect us from harm and danger; He gives us faithful neighbors and good friends to help in times of need and lack. He gives us employers who trade our work for income so that we may acquire the needs of the body. He gives us brains and brawn so that we will have something to trade with those employers for that needed income. This work, which we are able to do only because of what God has provided to us, redounds to the benefit of others. And so, the cycle of God giving through means continues. He provides for all our needs of our souls. He sent His Son into the flesh to be our Savior. In that body,

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our Lord Jesus Christ lived the life that God demands of us all – a life we have failed to live because of our sins – and, in that body, He made payment for those sins on the cross, once and for all. God delivers this forgiveness through the means of His Word and Sacraments. He calls pastors to proclaim, in His stead and by His command, that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. Through these same pastors, God Himself claims us as His own in Holy Baptism, placing His own name on us in water and Word, igniting faith by the gift of the Holy Spirit. And He gives us His life-giving body and blood to nourish us in this same faith until the end. Our God is a God who works through means. This is true also of stewardship. This is what St. Paul wrote in Philippians: “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:18–19). The gift St. Paul received from the Philippian church is a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. They gave to God. God provided for St. Paul through the Philippians. And the God who loves both Paul and the Philippians will supply their every need according to the riches in Christ Jesus. Our God is a God who works through means. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in [Jesus Christ],” St. Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 1:20. This is true also of you. Trust in the God who provides for all that we need in body and soul through means. And not only will you find His “yes” to you, but others will find it, too, through you. “But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you – see that you excel in this act of grace also” (2 Cor. 8:7).

MILITARY LIST: Evan Bise, Lauren Blakely (Granddaughter of Jerry Blakely), Lois Christinsen, David Desmond, Holly (Friedly) Diaz, Nick Fine, Blake Gerke, Don Griffis, Luke Harrison (family friend of Tessones),

Shane Harvey, John Larson, Joshua Longenecker, Justin McCoy, Justin Ryun, Chris Shudy, Casey Schlender, Dalton Trimnal, Zack Wagenknecht (Robert & Terri Brines nephew), and Matthew Yokely.

PLEASE PRAY FOR (HIGHLIGHTED names are new additions/changes Edna Atherton (now at Raytown nursing home) Diane Bauer, Jamie Brandt (Lung Transplant), Jim Clarke (Nephew of Steve & Jill Clarke, diagnosed with Leukemia), Kayla Dawson (Donna Cline’s cousin diagnosed with breast cancer), Charles Froeschle (at Veterans Home in Warrensburg), Nik Geotz, Karen Gerken (recovering at home), Wilma Gertz, Doris Goalder (Cancer), Harvey Goalder (in therapy at Bothwell for hip replacement after breaking in a fall), Steve Goldsmith (in remission), Arthur Hagen (recovering at home), Jessie Hagen (recovering from sinus surgery), Joshua Harms (friend of Donna Cline’s), Georgiann Harsch, Sharon Heinaman, Barbara Hewitt, Alena Hoeffling, Eden Hoeffling, John Husong (Recovering from surgery), Iverne Johnson, Orin Kaden (undergoing treatment for cancer), Allen Kehde (friend of Beverly Dillon recovering from a head injury), Rev. Chris Kellogg (undergoing chemo), Esther Kostis, Bart Kuhns (friend of Donna Cline who has throat cancer) Matthew Kurz, Timothy Kurz, Dixon Larimore (considered Cancer free, praise the Lord), Melinda McAloose (sister in-law of Peggy McAloose), Katherine Mullins (having heart problems), Emilia Nance (born 13 weeks early to Courtney Kaiser-Nance, in NICU), Randy Noyes (friend of Steve Clarke with stage 4 cancer), Delores O’Neal, Tiffany Persinger, Brittany Ross (has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer again), Lyle Puffe (Elisabeth Tessone’s grandfather, undergoing treatment for cancer), Patricia Rieckhoff (heart problems), Gabe Russell, Vicki Schafer, Rev. Robert Schermback (Pr. Kellogg’s friend with cancer and other serious health issues), Art Schlender (at Villa Marie Nursing Home in Jefferson City with advanced stages of Alzheimer’s), Chris Shull (recovering at home from complication from the flu), Bill Shurp (diagnosed with cancer), Bill Smith, Janet Smith (sister-in-law of Wayne & Sherry Goosen with breast cancer), Dorothy Sparks, Robert Sydow (rehab at a California hospital), Bill Talbott (cancer treatments), Hank and Ruth Theesfield, Bruce Tieman (Arleen Miesner’s nephew undergoing an extensive process to try and correct his blindness), Walter Von Holten, Helen Walter (recovering at home from heart problems) Mary West (undergoing treatment for cancer), Devon Wolf, and Kaizler Wood (leukemia), IN NURSING FACILITIES: Cedarhurst, Sedalia: Arleen Miesner (recovering from having a pacemaker put in), and Orin Kaden

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Circumcision and

Naming of Jesus

Office Closed for New

Year’s Day

2 6pm – Women’s Bible

Study

3

Pastor Tessone’s

Day Off

4

5 2nd

Sunday after

Christmas

9:00 AM—Communion

Service

(Door Collection –

The Benevolent Care

Fund)

10:15 AM—Sunday School

& Bible Classes

6 The Epiphany 9:00 AM—Quilting

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10:15 AM – Sylvia

Thompson

Service

6:30 PM – Men’s

Evening Bible

Study

8 10:00 AM – Bible Study

5:00 PM - Confirmation

6:00 PM – Helping

Hands

7:00 PM – Boards Meet

8:00 PM – Council Meeting

9 6pm – Women’s Bible Study

10

Pastor Tessone’s

Day Off

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12 1st Sunday after the

Epiphany 9:00 AM—Worship

Service

10:15 AM—Sunday School

& Bible Classes

13 9:00 AM—Quilting

14

15 10:00 AM – Bible Study

5:00 PM - Confirmation

7:00 PM – Elders’

Meeting

16

6pm – Women’s Bible

Study

17

Pastor Tessone’s

Day Off

Newsletter Articles

Due

18 Confession of

St Peter,

Apostle

6pm – Game

Night

19 2nd

Sunday after the

Epiphany 9:00 AM—Communion

Service

10:15 AM—Sunday School

& Bible Classes

11:30 AM – Potluck

12:15 PM – Voter’s

Meeting

20 9:00 AM – Quilting

21 10:15 AM – Sylvia

Thompson

Service

22 10:00 AM – Bible Study

5:00 PM - Confirmation

23 6pm – Women’s Bible

Study

24 Pastor Tessone’s

Day Off

25 Conversion of

St Paul,

Apostle

26 3rd

Sunday after the

Epiphany 9:00 AM—Worship

Service

10:15 AM—Sunday School

& Bible Classes

27 9:00 AM – Quilting

28

29

10:00 AM – Bible Study

5:00 PM - Confirmation

30 6pm – Women’s Bible

Study

31 Pastor Tessone’s

Day Off

January 2020

2014

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Sedalia,

Missouri

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

David Goalder Jim & Leah Ritzo Leah Ritzo

2

Kelli & Caleb

Campbell

3

Ava Burkhalter

Eddie Foster

Addison Harvey

4

Chuck Matz

5

6 Ashley Camirand

Skylar Hogan

7

8

9

10 Marilyn Bogard

Zach Wiegel

11

Michael Gertz

12

13

14 Foster Harvey

Rozlynn Wiegel

15 Tanner Young

16 Gary & Donna Coulter

Megan Coulter

Mark & Jill Haney

Rylee Wiegel

17 Randy Griffis

18

Debbie Joy

Gary Schnakenberg

19 Kennedy Woolery

20

21

22

23 Christi Bergman

Jamie Dehan

Lois Gray

24

25 JoAnn Schlender

26

Tim Knoernschild

Walter Von Holten

27 Sharee Norfleet

28 Bill Albin

29 Mark Bressie

Krista Dicks

George Schnakenberg

Gail Walter

30 Wyatt Foster

Ryan Kreisel

31 Mark Abney

Hannah Henderson

Anthony Wilkinson