FEBRUARY 2025
Are you ready to test God?
Pastor Schopp
“Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no need.” – Malachi 3:6-10
There is only one place in all of Scripture where God invites us to test Him: In the matter of tithing. The reading from Malachi above is often overlooked, probably because it makes us so uncomfortable. But God’s Word is very clear, even if we don’t want it to be. When we refuse to give to the Church, we are “robbing” God, not of money but of honor and respect. He said… but we disobey.
No, God does not need money or anything else that we have. All things belong to Him already and He generously gives good things to everyone, the good and the wicked alike. But God declared that we are to return to Him the first-fruits of what we have received, not because He needs them, but because we need to give them. When we cling to our money, we are saying that we do not trust God or believe that He will take care of us. Too often we give only what we think we can “spare”, the last-fruits from the very bottom of the barrel.
Money is an idol no less than a golden statue and is perhaps even more dangerous to our spiritual health, which is why Jesus warned against it (Matt 6:24; Mark 10:23). Luther wrote that “a god” is that which we look to for every good thing. Isn’t that what we do with our money? We look to it for comfort and security and happiness. We mistakenly think that the reason we have all that we do is because we have earned it, instead of recognizing that God has blessed us with “our daily bread”.
That is why we need to tithe. Even if we had a dozen billionaires in the congregation, we would still need to tithe, each and every one of us. Yes, the primary purpose of tithing is to support God’s Church, that we may share the Gospel with others and encourage right worship of the Triune God. But there is a secondary purpose that benefits us: It strengthens our faith. To believe God’s promises is hard for us sinful creatures. How can I survive if I give 10%, 11%, 17% to the Church? Will God really do all that He says? “Put Me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no need.” (v.10)
If giving electronically will help you, then do so. If you prefer to write a check or give cash, that is fine as well. But the key is giving routinely, deliberately and proportionally. If you have been giving the same amount for 20 years, it is time for an honest reassessment. Read the text above and pray about it. Repent of your sins and receive the Absolution of Christ.
God will ensure that “there is no need” in our daily lives, just as He has for our eternal salvation. We didn’t earn our redemption; it was earned for us by Christ Jesus. Every other gift from God is by His grace as well. God grant that we come to recognize His generous hand in every aspect of our lives and put aside everything that distracts us from our confidence in Him.
Our Savior January Birthdays
1 David Hales 21 Troy Tschappat
3 Jackson Dahme 22 Caleb Siebert
3 Brian Dockter 22 Michelle Wendt
10 Addison Person 23 Marianne Klipfel
13 Leroy Neuhardt 23 Jasper Nehlich
14 Anna Hofer 24 Brenden Salfrank
14 Grace Rausch 27 Steve Grieben
Anniversary
14 Larry & Sandra Grieben
Our Savior Meetings in February:
Nursery Circle – Sun Feb 9th at 12:00 pm
Board of Elders – Thur Feb 13th at 5:15 pm
Church Council – Thur Feb 13th at 6:30 pm
Board of Education – Sun Feb 16th at 12:00 pm
Elders for February – Douglas Klipfel & Glen Rausch
Acolyte Schedule –
Feb. 2 – Rhyan Johnson & Cassie McKown
Feb. 9 – Dalton Lee & Tristan Tschappat
Feb. 16 – Ella Brick & Grace Rausch
Feb. 23 – Cashlyn Angerhoger & Caleb Siebert
Annual Reports – A reminder to the chair persons of all boards and circles: please turn in your group’s annual report for 2024 to the office or email it to
oursaviorlutheran@nvc.net as soon as possible. Thank you!
Super Bowl Subs – The youth group will be making Super Bowl subs again this year as a fundraiser. They will be 6-inch meat and cheese subs, with veggies on the side, for free-will donation. If you would like one (or more!) please sign up in the fellowship hall by Wednesday, February 5
th, and the subs can be picked up after the service on Sunday, February 9
th. If you have any questions, call Eric Johnson at 605-216-6701.
The Senior Potluck will be Tuesday, February 11
th at noon. Join us for good food and fellowship!
Saturday Bible Study – February 15
th 9:00-11:00 am at Our Savior.
The Book of Colossians: Similar in some ways to Ephesians, and yet very different, St. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians glories in the preeminence of Jesus Christ as the One who is before all things, and in Whom the fullness of the Deity dwells bodily. For Paul, however, this isn’t abstract knowledge. It applies to how we live our Christian lives in the midst of those who say that holiness consists in keeping certain human ordinances. In fact, Christ as all in all determines how we, the baptized, lead our whole lives.
Christian Foundations Class begins on Tuesday, February 4 and runs through April 6, from 6:00-7:30pm. The third week of February, however, we will meet on Thursday February 20
th instead, as Pastor will be gone at the District Convention on that Tuesday.
Bible Bowl – The youth 6
th grade and up have been studying for Bible Bowl after Sunday services, until about 1:30. If you’d like to provide them with a lunch, there is a sign-up sheet on the kitchen window counter. Bible Bowl will be at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre on Saturday, March 29
th. The main topic is the Gospel of John.
In-House Congregational Bible Bowl – We plan to have an “In-House” Bible Bowl again this year sometime in March; the date is yet to be determined. Gather a team of 3 or 4 individuals and sign-up with a "team name". Even if you can't get a team together, plan to come and enjoy fellowship! If you have any questions about Bible Bowl, contact Eric Johnson at 605-216-6701.
Sunday School Bowling Party – The Board of Education will host a bowling party on Sunday, February 23
rd at 1:30-3:30 pm at the Village Bowl. Shoe and lane rental fees will be covered by the Board. Bring money for snacks if wanted.
The Mat Ladies will not be needing any plastic bags for a while. They are overflowing and don’t have any more storage space.
Coffee & Confessions – Everyone is welcome on Tuesday mornings at Our Savior at 6:30 am. We are studying the Lutheran Confessions from the Book of Concord.
Midweek Service – A short service is offered on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm at Our Savior. We use different service settings – sometimes Vespers, sometimes Responsive Prayer, etc.
Wednesday Bible Study – We are studying 1
st Samuel on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm at Our Savior (until the Lent schedule begins in March).
Midweek Lenten Services for both congregations will be combined at Our Savior beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 5
th, at 6:30 pm, preceded by a light meal beginning at 5:30 pm. There will be Communion on Ash Wednesday only. Catechism class will continue to meet at 5:00 pm, and will have time for supper between class and the service.
Vocatio Retreats at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis:
Find God’s calling and direction for your life!
April 6-8, 2025 – For college students or second-career adults who are interested in serving as a pastor, deaconess, missionary, or chaplain. Registration is free and includes lodging and meals. To register, visit csl.edu/vocatio-retreat. Registration closes March 21
st.
June 21-27, 2025 – Vocatio: High School – for 9
th through 12
th grade students to explore many aspects of the seminary, including worship and devotions, sessions with professors, and even some fun and recreation. Registration costs $200. Learn more and register at csl.edu/vocatio-high-school/
For more information, email
admit@csl.edu or call 1-800-822-9545
RGI – We are blessed! Consider the Rural Gospel Initiative (LCMS) when…allocating Thrivent Choice Dollars in 2025; Estate Planning; deciding on tax-free Qualified Charitable Contributions; or planning a tax-deductible donation. Go to
www.RuralGospel.org for more information on the RGI.
Thank you.
St. John’s Columbia
January Birthdays
2 Doris Dennert 19 Tyler Kampa
4 Ray Larson 22 Connie Rose
12 Lloyd Dennert 26 Isabelle Podoll
17 Heidi Bandt 27 Briggs Eichler
***Lighthouse Preschool/Jr. Kindergarten***
Registration for our NEW full-day Jr. Kindergarten program is now open! This new Jr. Kindergarten program is designed to help students transition for the needs and demands of a full-day Kindergarten lifestyle. We have purchased a new, faith-based, Jr. Kindergarten Classical Education curriculum, that will help students grow academically, physically, socially, and spiritually. Please note that our new program will be limited to 12 students, ages 4-5. Turning in your application and deposit in a timely manner is essential to guarantee your child a spot! Applications and information can be picked up in the narthex. Please reach out to the preschool or Jenelle Siebert if you have any questions about our new program! (215 7
th Ave SW, across the street from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Phone 605-725-1855)
Our Savior Lutheran Church
624 North Jay Street – Aberdeen, SD 57401
St. John’s Lutheran Church
23 North James Street – Columbia, SD 57433
Phone 605-225-7106, Email
oursaviorlutheran@nvc.net
www.oursaviorlutheranchurchaberdeen.com
Rev. Chad Schopp – Cell # 605-380-2545
Email: cschopp@protonmail.com
Rev. Alan Ludwig – Cell # 509-540-9083
Email: lutheranprof@gmail.com
