OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN’S JUNE VOICE 2020

“A Day of Rejoicing” It seems like at least a year has passed since it has beenpossible for us to gather together for worship. I havemissed all the other things too, Bible Classes, fellowshipevents etc. But worship is the heart of a congregation’s life.Worship is the most basic reason why God has called ustogether in this place. Nothing has seemed right withoutour Sundays together with one another and with Him.That’s why I was pleased when the Elders recognized thepriority of worship and made our Sunday Service the firstactivity which would resume. The gradual approachmakes sense, easing back into normalcy one careful stepat a time – continuing to allow time to pass for theuneasiness to diminish a bit more, before we take the nextstep and so forth. What this “soft opening” actually meansis that we care about one another in Christ and are willingto be patient with one another as we work our way backto normal. But worship must come first!

I know that it is a flaw in my character as a grumpy oldLutheran but I have always loved classic Gospel music, theold hymns and spirituals of days gone by. As the weekslowly passes (and I don’t know what day it is because I’velost my Sunday) the phrase which has continued to runthrough my mind is from a Gospel Song entitled “WhenWe All Get To Heaven.” It’s one of my many favorites. Thechorus goes – “When we all get to heaven, what a day ofrejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing andshout the victory!” I’ve been thinking it, humming it, andsinging it all week long. (I’ve gotten some strange looks

from folks in other cars who see this old guy all by himself just singing away in his car.) The keyphrase is “what a day of rejoicing that will be.” That’s what I am looking forward to this Sunday, aday of rejoicing. In the song, the rejoicing will be the result of seeing Jesus and bursting into praiseand celebration – “When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.” I’ll see you Sunday for theday of rejoicing so that we can sing and shout together.

Voice 2

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ:We continue this month with our look at the Lutheran Confessions by turning our attention to Article V of the Augsburg Confession,concerning the Means of Grace. Confessional Lutherans are unique in their understanding of the Means of Grace. No other branch ofChristianity attributes to the Gospel the efficacy and power which we Lutherans do. Some argue Martin Luther gave too muchimportance to the Means of Grace, holding the Church in Rome to close. But Luther taught the power of the Word not because of theinfluence of Romanism, but because Scripture itself teaches that the Means of Grace are all-important in our salvation.

Last month, we looked at justification as the doctrine on which the church stands or falls. Closely related to this is the Means of Grace.The Gospel in Word and Sacrament is the means God has given through which we receive His grace. Without it, we would not be ableto be declared justified before God.

Article V confesses the Holy Spirit works only through the means of the Gospel, and condemned those who taught otherwise: So thatwe may obtain this faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. Through the Word andSacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Spirit is given [John 20:22]. He works faith, when and where it pleases God [John 3:8],in those who hear the good news that God justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake. This happensnot through our own merits, but for Christ’s sake. Our churches condemn the Anabaptists and others who think that through theirown preparations and works the Holy Spirit comes to them without the external Word.

What is most important for us is what God has told us about the power of the Gospel in His revealed Word. The reformers taught Godprovided the Gospel and the Sacraments through which He gives the Holy Spirit, and without which the Holy Spirit does not come.

First, Scripture tells us the Gospel is powerful (Romans 1:16; Hebrews 4:12). This powerful message of the Gospel was given to us thatGod’s salvation might be known and His blessing of salvation received as Jesus told His disciples in John 17:18-21, and as Paul wrotein 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. This powerful Word which has been given by God to us is the only means through which God has promisedto work faith through the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 1:23; Ephesians 3:5-6).

Nowhere does God promise to work faith in our hearts outside of the means of Grace, i.e., Word and Sacrament. The Holy Spirit usesthe Gospel to create faith in the sinner’s heart and bring the saving work of Christ to mankind. Apart from the Gospel there can be nosalvation. Paul makes this clear when he writes: For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will theycall on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are theyto hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet ofthose who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:13-15).

There are, however, two pitfalls concerning the Means of Grace addressed by AC V. According to Zwingli and Calvin, the means ofGrace are not necessary for salvation. Zwingli said: “The Holy Spirit requires no wagon for His divine operations.” Calvin taught thesame. Because he denied universal justification, he denied that there was a means of grace for the non-elect. But Calvin also deniedthe power of the Gospel on the elect because He taught believers to seek the special call or inward illumination by the Holy Spirit apartfrom the Gospel.

This is the way the Reformed churches still view the Means of Grace today. As a result, the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supperare also stripped of their power and become no more than signs or symbols of God’s grace.

On the other hand, the Roman Catholic church, though it denies the particular grace of Calvin, also denies the power of the Gospel.Catholicism teaches that Christ has secured so much grace for us sinners, with God’s assistance they can earn salvation for themselves.According to Roman Catholicism, God infuses grace into the heart of the sinner so he can merit justification and salvation beforeGod.

In Roman Catholicism people are taught the means of grace are not the means through which God offers and brings about faith inChrist, but the means through which the sinner is infused with God’s grace and put into a position to earn salvation by his own works.As a result of this Roman teaching the number of the sacraments was enlarged (beyond those which truly offer forgiveness of sins) sothe sinner may by many sacraments earn salvation. So, the sinner is turned away from the Word to their own works for salvation.

The perversion of the doctrine of the Means of Grace will ultimately lead to a perversion of the doctrine of justification. Maintainingthe true doctrine of the Means of Grace is of utmost importance to preserve the true Christian faith. Without it, we cannot be saved;through it, we are brought to faith and receive God’s grace in Christ!

In Christ’s Service and Yours,Pastor Krieg

Voice 3

Our Savior Lutheran SchoolCongratulations to our 8th Grade Graduates!

Camer on Bennett Granger Bering-J ames Colin BoylesEmily Cezeaux Blak e Crabtr e e H annah Fisher

Sophia H ernandez A ndrew L ewis Tiras M cNealSeth Nitzsche H annah P ampell Carson P ayne

J oanna Savoie Mitchell Stephens Naomi WaiserBenjamin Witt

Class Verse: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Valedictorian:Granger Bering - James

Salutatorian:Naomi Waiser

Honor Student:Mitchell Stephens

Class Colors: Purple and Gold

Class Flower: Cempoalxochitl

Class Song: Jesus Loves Me

Voice 4

Congratulations,Graduates of 2020!

Emily Cherington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutheran High NorthCum Laude; Cheerleader - 4 years; Student Council - 2 years; Class VicePresident - 2 years; Band - 4 years; Drum Major - 3 years; Track - 2 years;Student Mentor - Senior Year; Citizenship Award - Freshman Year; StudentLife Award - Senior Year; John Philip Sousa Award for Outstanding MusicalContributions - Senior Year; Spring Musical - 4 years; Emily will attendConcordia University in Chicago where she auditioned and recieved aschloarship to play French Horn in CUC’s Symphonic Wind Symphony. Shewill pursue a degree in Lutheran Education.

Seth Eifert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutheran High NorthHe plans to go to Lipscomb in the fall and major in marketing.

Cassidy Nichole Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Klein Oak High SchoolAs a member of National Honor Society, National English Honor Society,and Mu Alpha Theta, she will graduate in the top 13% of her class. Cassidywas a varsity letterman on the National Champion Klein Oak StruttersDance Team and was recognized as a regional and state finalist with theTechnology Student Association. Cassidy volunteered numerouscommunity service hours as a member of the Legacy League serviceorganization. With the acceptance of an academic scholarship, Cassidyplans to attend the University of Oklahoma in the Fall.

Reagan Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blinn Nursing School(Ethelene Marshall's granddaughter) She currently has a BS in Kinesiologyfrom Texas A&M, Class of 2016, and has been accepted at UTMB to gether BSN online while working. She was hired by CHI St Joseph’s Hospitalin Bryan/College Station where she plans to live. Her wish is to ultimatelywork in the ER.

Madison Lehr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutheran High NorthMagna Cum Laude; National Honor Society; Student Life Award; FallDrama Award; She will be attending University of Texas Concordia in thefall majoring in Graphic Design.

Elena Martens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutheran High North

Andrea Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . Western Governor’s UniversityBachelor of Arts in Special Education & Elementary Education; Planningto take a teaching position at College Park High School in The Woodlands.

Madeline Paige Stephens . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutheran High NorthSumma Cum Laude; President’s Award for Educational Excellence;Principal’s Award; National Honor Society; Basketball Academic All-State;Basketball 1st Team All-State; Basketball 1st Team All-District; Basketball,Volleyball, Soccer, Softball, Choir, Yearbook & Model UN; Will attend eitherUniversity of Dallas or Concordia Texas in the fall to study business andplay basketball.

Tabitha Shiloh Waiser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutheran High NorthValedictorian; Summa Cum Laude 4.25 GPA; Pro Deo Et Schola Award;Optimist Scholarship; Greater Heights Scholarship; future plans: attendingUniversity of Houston in preparation to go into medical field.

Voice 5

Confirmation Class of 2020:As Lutherans, we believe that young disciples arebest formed in the home, through catechesisfrom the parents who not only teach but modelthe life of a Christian for their children.Certainly the church plays a role, but that roleshould be walking alongside the parents, “toequip the saints” (Eph. 4:12).

With that being said, these thirteen children arecandidates to be confirmed in the Christianfaith, on June 14, 2020. Through the rite ofConfirmation, these newly catechized Christianswill confess the faith given to them in Baptism.The confirmands, with you and the churchtriumphant, will celebrate the reception of theLord’s Word among them, and together will bewelcomed to the Lord’s Table.

Please keep the confirmands in your prayers, asConfirmation is not some sort of “Christian Graduation.”These young Christians will continue to be attacked by thedevil, the world, and their own sinful flesh. We pray that theymay continue to live in their Baptism, a life of daily contritionand repentance. It is my hope that Confirmation is simplythe continuation of their life in Christ in the Church and thatthey continue joining in worship and Bible study that theymay be built up and “equipped for every good work” (2 Tim.3:17).

In Christ’s Service and Yours,

Pastor Krieg

Liam Neal ArriMagdalena Diane Agnes Baughman

Cameron Jo BennettColin Robert BoylesEmily Lauren CezeauxBlake Allen CrabtreeScarlett Grace Heefner

Hannah Marie PampellCarson Matthew PayneJoanna Reese Savoie

Mitchell Anderson StephensNaomi Noelle WaiserBenjamin August Witt

Voice 6

After reviewing the latest updates from the Stateof Texas regarding COVID-19 safetyprecautions and with great regret, the Board

of Parish Education has decided to cancel OSL VBS forSummer 2020.

While there are precautionary measures that somekid’s Summer day camps and other VBS programs maytake to safely open this Summer, the unique nature ofour family-based and community-oriented VBS posesspecial challenges and risks to attendees and thenumerous volunteers needed to put on the program.

Accordingly, we do not believe we can put on thequality of programwe strive to holdeach Summer. Wepray that God maykeep everyone safeand bring a swiftconclusion to thepandemic we areenduring.

Memorials &Honorariums:

The following were given to the glory of God to Forward Faithfully,unless otherwise noted, in loving memory of...

Mildred Holeman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mary DupreeRay Hobratsch

Walter Schramm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dixie Hahn

Lillie Stovall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dixie Hahn

HONORARIUMS:

Dominican Republic Fritsche Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Norman & Debbie AdamsLaura Boyd

Wokoma Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Laura Boyd

Need Masks?I have made lots of masks and have them for sale. If you wouldlike some let me know.

Adult masks are $5.00

Small ones for kids are $4.00

Call me: 281-851-0176 (cell) 713-686-4601 (home)

Come to our front doorand I will have themsorted to color and size.

2118 Althea Dr, 77018

Sandi Hall

Voice 7

01 Christyana Boyles

Jody Cook

Lance Gerard

Zoe Holman

Ryan Lucas

Ethan Waiser

Cindy Wright

02 Aidan Arri

Ashlyn Lowery

03 Debbie Davis

Jennifer Krieg

Connie Kunkel

Mary Menzel

04 Jeanene Lunsford

Abigail White

Bob Wottrich

05 Sherry Jones

John Savoie

06 Kris Carr

Christian Guevara

Kaitlyn Lehr

Michaela Vasquez

07 Bruce Blake

08 Steve Zorn

09 Victoria Simon

10 Clementine Bender

Caitlin Copeland

Emily Copeland

Norman Krieg

Jude Morgan

11 Stephen Eifert

Sarah Morrissey

Ellie Peterson

12 David Hempy

Pat Wottrich

13 Madeline Stephens

14 Zechariah Bocchetto

Marion Gerard

Shane Zorn

15 Stella Halbert

Terri Langdon

16 John Copeland

Sara Posluszny

Kaitlyn Savitt

Jacquelyn Vasquez

17 Greg Gobrogge

Mark Schneider

18 Kourtney Garcia

Trinity Schneider

19 Kevin Dodson

Christopher Farver

Stacie Mensik

Mike Noack

20 Karen Schmidt

21 Kimberly Renevier

22 Joan Bach

Jeff Blackmar

Isabella Cochran

Carson Payne

Evan Wood

Tyler Wood

23 LeeAnn Nichols

Ayrton Payne

Sean Wilburn

Channing Wood

24 Alan Fritsche

John Heefner

Shae Lawder

25 Paul Crabtree IV

Seth Eifert

Pat Gavin

26 Jennifer Mayer

Morgan Mushinski

Tina Otter

Angie Stall

27 Stacy Cherington

Daniel Homfeld

John Lierbo

Vickie Nitsch

Christian Posluszny

28 Harper Long

Lillian Naskrent

Sarah White

29 Mark Christensen

Bob Fash

30 Mark Dacus

Aaron Graham

Britni Marburger

Diane White

Birthdays in June

ChurchStaff

DirectoryDr Laurence L White, Senior Pastor

paswhite@osl.cc

Rev Kelly Krieg, Assistant Pastorkkrieg@osl.cc

Jeff Armstrong, Minister of Musicjeffarm@oslschool.org

Lance Gerard, Principallgerard@oslschool.org

Debbie Lazarine, Office Managerdlazarine@osl.cc

Barbara Mushinski, Publicistbarbara@osl.cc

Lauren Boyles, Office Assistantlboyles@osl.cc

Christy McKinzie, Accountantchristymcknz@sbcglobal.net

Cheryl Straker, School Secretarycheryl@oslschool.org

Lynette Cherington, ECE Directorlynette@oslschool.org

Worship Sundays at 9:30amBible Classes at 8:15 & 10:45am

Church: 713-290-9087Fax: 713-290-0224Web: www.OSL.cc

5000 W Tidwell Rd, Houston, TX 77091

School: 713-290-8277School Fax: 713-290-0850

Church Office Hours:

8:00 am-5:00 pm, Mon-Fri

Our Savior LutheranChurch & School5000 W. Tidwell Rd.Houston TX 77091-4633

Serving Families for Jesus Christ

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**Article entry deadline is June 15 for July’s issue**