St. Peter News

December 2020

St. Peter Lutheran Church Deshler Lutheran School 400 E. Hebron Ave. P.O. Box 69 Deshler, NE 68340-0069 Church phone...... 402-365-4341 509 E. Hebron Ave. PO Box 340 Deshler, NE 68340-0340 Pastor e-mail ...... [email protected] School phone ...... 402-365-7858

Secretary e-mail...... [email protected] School e-mail ...... [email protected] Pastor home phone ...... 402-365-4217 Principal ...... Mr. Todd Voss (cell) 402-720-5590 Pastor cell phone ...... 402-710-6679 School Website ...... DeshlerLuth.org Church Website ...... stpeterdeshler.org

hope for this life and there is hope gone on in your life or is going on, for the life to come. If you are Jesus has a deep love for you. This dealing with health issues, financial love won’t ever change. struggles, or family brokenness, (3) Peace – The message spoken by there is hope found in Jesus. We also the heavenly host to the shepherds know there will be a day when all the that Christmas night was “Glory to horrible things of this world will be God in the highest, and on earth done away with. When Jesus returns peace, good will toward men.” and takes us to heaven, all sin, death, (Luke 2:14) People are searching for Greetings to you in the name of our pain and sadness will be gone. That peace. As they deal with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is our hope. brokenness of this sinful world, What is the best gift you could (2) Love – Many of you may be people are looking for peace. Too receive this Christmas? I’m sure an familiar with the Johnny Lee song many people try to find it in alcohol end to COVID and a return to “Looking for Love.” The chorus or drugs or in other people. They try normalcy would be near the top of begins “I’ve been looking for love in to find it in money or fame. Those everyone’s list. This has been a tough all the wrong places, looking for love things can’t give us true lasting year and with COVID hitting closer to in too many faces. . . .” There are peace. Only the Christ Child can give home for many of us recently, it has many people out in the world today us true peace. If you are struggling been a renewed fear and struggle for (and us sometimes) that are looking with cancer or marriage or family many of us. What would you like to for love in all the wrong places. We issues or concerns about finances, receive as a gift for Christmas this are trying to find love and look to Jesus. Only He can give you year? acceptance in the people of this true and lasting peace. world. But this world puts conditions As we think about gifts at Christmas, As we spend this month giving and on their love. The world will love you I want to take a moment and reflect receiving gifts, I pray that we never if you look a certain way or have on three different gifts that God has forget the greatest gift we have enough money, etc. Jesus loves us given to us wrapped up in the Christ received is the Savior, Jesus Christ. I without conditions. He loves us just child, Jesus Christ: pray that we would give this gift of as we are and as Paul said in Romans Jesus to others so that they can (1) Hope – This is one that so many 8, there is nothing that can separate experience the hope, love, and peace people have been searching for in us from God’s love. God’s gift of His that are found in Him alone. I pray 2020. In the midst of COVID, as we Son, Jesus Christ, was a gift of love that even in the midst of COVID, you see different events in our nation to the people of this world. It was a have a wonderful Christmas as we and in the world, we can be left gift that meant the ultimate show of celebrate the birth of Jesus. wondering if there is any hope at all. love and that was Christ’s death for There is hope found in Jesus. There is us on the cross. No matter what has In Jesus – The Healer of the Hurting, Pastor Brian Official Acts St. Peter Financial Sunday School 10-24-2020 ...... Wedding of Michael Finke & Update Christmas Eve Tiffany Nutsch held here, and As of November 22 (47 Sundays) officiated by Rev. Jose Flores, General Budget Program Cancelled We have decided to cancel the Trinity-Friedensau Offerings Received 253,538.81 Sunday School Christmas Eve 11-10-2020 ...... Offerings Budgeted 298,474.44 Program due to COVID-19 mandates Transfer Out of Megan Gohner Difference -44,935.63 and conditions. We know this is a

to St. Paul Lutheran, Doniphan, NE huge disappointment for kids and Missions-Nebraska District Support families but we believe it is the wise The Lutheran Hour Goal 6,327.00 thing to do. We are still planning to Received 3,195.00 Anytime at www.lutheranhour.org have a Christmas Eve service as we Difference - 3,132.00 celebrate the birth of Jesus. If you Sunday mornings: have any questions, please contact 6:30 KFAB Omaha 1110 AM Pastor Brian. 7:30 WIBW Topeka 580 AM 8:00 BOTT North Platte 107.9 FM 10:00 KRVN Lexington 880 AM

December 6 "Seek My Face" Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler We sometimes hear the voice before Right Now Media Spotlight we see the face that goes with it. Seek God's face where you hear “A Savior Is Born” God's Word. (Daniel) by Peter Briscoe

December 13 It's one of the most familiar stories in SERVICE "The Prophet's Paradox " human history: the birth of Jesus in a Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler lowly manger in Bethlehem. A Savior, PREPARATION The prophet Daniel illustrates how to which is Christ the Lord. Yet, how can Because of current statewide face the facts while never losing faith we prepare our hearts to celebrate mandates in regard to occupancy in how the story ends. the birth of our Savior in our frantic, and social distancing, we (Daniel: 10, 11 and 12) consumer-driven society? How do are considering different options we make sure the Christmas holiday for worship on Christmas Eve (such December 20 remains a Holy Day? In each of these as adding a second service). We "Experience God " four sessions in this video Bible are asking for your feedback: Speaker: Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler study, viewers will experience We will never fully grasp the idea of cinematic short films that capture God, but that doesn't keep us from events surrounding the birth of Jesus experiencing God's love for us in Christ. Then Pete Briscoe will open Christ. (John 1:1-18) up Scripture to bring us back to the

December 27 roots and heart of our faith in Christ. You can also download the "Welcome to the Family!" Under the current conditions, workbook for free to take notes to Guest Speaker: Rev. Dr. Anthony will your family be attending, in- (Tony) Cook enhance your study of God’s Word. person, the Christmas Eve The book of Galatians gives us a service? Please contact the glimpse inside the family of God. It If you haven’t signed up for Right church office and let us know by describes the Christian family as one Now Media, please contact Todd December 6 if your family will that stands firm in Christ's freedom, Voss or Pastor Brian and they get walks united in the Spirit, and bears you set up. This is a free resource for be attending and how many will one another's burdens in love. you with all kinds of Bible Studies to attend so we can plan (Galatians 4:4-7) encourage you in your faith. accordingly. Thank you so much. 2 Trustee Report: none Midweek Advent 2020 Christmas Pastors report: none Schedule Decorating Administrators Report:

December 2 –7:00 Committee 1. Blessed that we are still in p.m. at St. Peter school. Serving on this year’s Christmas 2. Lloyd Sommerer gave training December 9 –7:00 nd committee are 2 year head on Oct 15/16. p.m. at St. Peter members Brian & Julene Schardt and 3. Geers Act- 25 ipads from the December 16 – 7:00 Jeremy & Addisin Schardt along with Cares Act. st p.m. at St. Peter 1 year assistant members Mike & 4. Applied for the Cooper Nicole Zucker and Brody & LeAnna foundation grant for the 7th/8th Renz. grade class project for gaga pit. 5. Doing local field trips, Earth Jam, & Victory Too. Religious Christmas 6. P-T Conferences are on the 21st and 22nd of October. Cards 7. Todd is having trouble with Beginning Friday, November 27, certification, but is working through Christmas cards and napkins will be it. available for purchase in the card 8. Tables that are on the stage bookcase. need to be moved for the musical.

9. Christmas Card sales end on the Christmas Eve Time(s) Deshler Lutheran 26th of October. to be determined 10. Pastor Appreciation is on October 28. Christmas Day Service School Board 11. 1st & 2nd grade chapel is the 9:45 a.m. Friday, December 25 5th of November. Meeting Minutes 12. Veterans Program is November New Year’s Day Service 11th @ the public school. K,1,2 have 9:45 a.m. Friday, January 1 October 19, 2020 a part in the program. Attendance: Todd Voss, Scott 13. The underground sprinklers Laaker, Tyler Stengel, Dale Endorf, were winterized by Brad Cooper. Shannon LeFave, Mike Holtzen, Thank you. 2020 Nominating Kolby Finke, Pastor Francik. Old Business: Committee for Visitors: Amy Voss, Andrew Kabush A: New countertops were installed by Grant H and Tyler H. Rich Koch Election of Officers Amy Voss opened with devotion. donated his time and materials

Serving on this year’s nominating Meeting agenda approved as helping with the plumbing in the committee for the upcoming presented. kitchen. election of officers were outgoing B: Freezer sensors have arrived and three-year-officers Don Betten, Jon September minutes approved as installed on Thursday. Peters, Doug Harms, Dale Endorf presented. C: Bottle fill is still waiting for installation and appointed members Justus Treasurer's Report: Current Harms and Mike Zucker. D: Call process guidelines-Tabled balances: General Account

$32,992.60; Hot Lunch $2,044.29; New Business: Election of officers will take place at Chapel Account $516.04; Needs A. Hot Lunch the budget and election meeting on $39,641.25; Flex CD $6,396.79; LCMS 1. USDA free meals end at the end Sunday, December 13. The list of endowment $7,268.91; Lutheran of the first semester. candidates will be made available Church Extension Fund $41,624.00 2. Payments are coming, but are Sunday, December 6. Shannon made motion to approve, delayed. seconded by Mike, motion carried.

3 1. Theme verse for the Year is celebrate! Though we are completely DLS Board Minutes, Matthew 20:28. unworthy on our own, God loved us 2. 50 students enrolled at DLS this so much that He made a way for us. Continued school year. WOW! That IS great news! A Savior is

3. Free meals program was 3. Six K students, with 4 outside the born for you and me! He is Christ the extended for the 20/21 year. association. Three transfer students, Lord. King Jesus came to save us and 4. Remote learning- All families are two of which have very little is with us today! What AMAZING eligible for meals. knowledge of Christ. news! Amidst the chaos and

5. Families are getting reimbursed uncertainty of these unusual times, OLD BUSINESS: as the money comes available. we “Fear not.” Let us focus our hearts The part-time Secretary has been a 6. Substitute cook wage is $10 per on the “good news of great joy” that blessing for the school. She has hour. is for all the people—Jesus our been kept busy with various tasks B. Restroom in 1st/2nd classroom, Savior has come for us and won the this abnormal school year. victory! What an amazing and checking into getting working. C. Budget for 2021. NEW BUSINESS: mighty God we have! May we all live 1. 1% pay raise for nurse, janitor, The 2021 Budget was presented in the TRUTH of that victory and and art teacher. 5% for teacher wage by Tyler, A 5% increase for the enjoy the peace that it provides. increases. Motion by Mike, second teachers, and a 1% increase to the by Shannon. Motion Carried. supporting Staff. Motion to approve November included many highlights 2. Motion to move $3000 back to the budget as presented by Roberta as the school year marched past the needs account by Mike, second by Laaker and Second by Rick Stengel. midpoint of second quarter. Our 7-8 Shannon. Motion Carried. A verbal vote was taken and the grade students hosted the 2020 DLS 3. Motion to approve the 2021 motion carried. Presidential Election in the gym on budget by Scott, second by Monday, November 2. Miss Werner’s Shannon. Motion Carried. Motion to adjourn the meeting was 3-4 grade students did an excellent D. DLSA Meeting November 1 @ 730 made by Shannon LeFave, and job with their classroom chapel on pm Trinity Lutheran Church. second by Linda Peters. Motion Nov. 5. The DLS K-2 students were Carried. able to participate virtually in the Community Veteran’s Day program Dates to remember: Pastor Francik closed with prayer and that is annually hosted by Deshler 11/1 DLSA Meeting 730pm Trinity- devotion. Friedensau High School. DLS students put up 11/16 Board of Ed meeting @730- Submitted by Scott Laaker record numbers in this year’s annual Tyler Stengel devotion Christmas Card Sales. Four family sales teams reached the top prize Adjournment: Motion by Mike and From the level by selling 60 or more items. seconded by Kolby. Motion carried. They were: Jenna Haller, Team

Principal’s Desk…. Zucker-Alyssa & Johnnie, Team Closing prayer by Pastor Francik. Fuller-Bailey & Kobe, and Team “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear Laaker-Colt, Cooper, Casey, & Chase. Submitted by Scott Laaker not, for behold, I bring you good Students will be enjoying an Ice news of great joy that will be for all Cream Party on Dec. 11 as a reward the people. For unto you is born this DLS Association for smashing our team goal of day in the city of David a Savior, who selling 275 items or more. As a is Christ to Lord.’” – Luke 2:10-11 Annual Meeting school body, we sold 425 items.

WOW! Thank you to everyone that Good news! We all love to hear good November 1, 2020 supported this event. We are very news. Despite what we are led to thankful to have held and Tyler Stengel opened the meeting believe through social media, news participated in all these educational with 30 members present. outlets, and rising COVID statistics, experiences. we have much good news to Pastor Flores opened with devotion. celebrate--today! In fact, as we head The largest project completed during Todd Voss gave the Administrator’s into the Advent and CHRISTmas the month of November was the 5-8 report. season, we are reminded that we Fall Musical performance of Not Your have the very BEST NEWS to Average Joe! on November 20. Not 4 the soundboard and Mr. LeFave for for God's endless blessings From the his cameo appearance as Papa Jake. celebration and the celebration of Good stuff! the Greatest Gift ever given, our Principal’s Desk, Savior Jesus. It warmed my heart to I’m sure the last four weeks of first hear the different blessings from our Continued…. semester will go quickly and they Heavenly Father that brought Your Average Joe! is the Biblical story may be some challenges ahead. comfort to these kids. of Joseph told with a 50’s twist. The However, God is good. We are story and message of Joseph is currently on an extended Words that Bring Comfort by the 5th Thanksgiving Break and look forward & 6th Graders: amazing and extensive. Thus, there was a lot of action to pack into one to returning to school on Monday, Good job! $100 Summer Break! musical. The music, action, and most November 30. The junior high girls’ I forgive you. Jesus Garden importantly the message was basketball season will wrap up and "The storm is over now." outstanding! Attendance was limited the boys will get started. The 7-8 Jesus is with you. God's Word to only household members and, for grade class chapel is scheduled for P.E. Gummi Bears I love you. safety precaution, the musical was Dec. 17. Supper's Ready! Family Pets performed in facial masks. Four of You make me happy. Peace our students were unable to And, the BEST NEWS of all is that Happiness Safe Mom participate in the musical, which was over two thousand years ago the How are you? a “downer for the diner,” and lead to promised Messiah was born in a some last minute shifting of roles. humble stable, lived a perfect life, I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 paid the tremendous price for the "Praise be to the God and Father of Yet, God blessed it all! Our viewing cost of all our sins on a brutal our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of audience had no idea that we were Roman cross, and rose again compassion and the God of all missing four performers as the other victorious—for us! WOW! May we all comfort, who comforts us in all our students filled in the gaps. Shamlynn be filled with great joy from this troubles, so that we can comfort those Francik did a great job on setting up good news! in any trouble with the comfort we and running a live-stream onto the ourselves receive from God." In Christ, DLS Facebook page. It is still posted, so I encourage you to check it out. Todd Voss, Principal As God fills our lives with blessings At the time of this article, it had been Deshler Lutheran School may we be a blessing to others. viewed 575 times. God is so good! Merry Christmas!!

Sent to Serve, I would also again like to say “Thank DLS Fifth & Sixth <>< Mrs. Amy Voss You!” to everyone who was a part of Grade our new sound system in the gym. This upgrade was funded by FOS Christmas blessings to each of you DLS Families to through the 2019 Biennial DLS from the 5th and 6th grade School Auction. Steve Harms and classroom! Pray for Each Week Harvey Weideman did an outstanding job of helping us build a It's been an interesting quarter and a in December system that would meet all our half here at DLS. Quarantine and December 3 needs and limit our cost. We can’t Zoom are everyday terms now! We (K) Ryker and (1st) Wyatt; Troy & say “Thank You!” to all of you had as many as eight on Zoom and Hannah Kane and Kylee enough! The truth is we could not eight in the classroom, but praise the and have handled all the action and Lord that was only one day!! We (3rd) Jaydin and (4th) Haylyn sound challenges of Not Your finished out November with only two Mackey; Danielle & Konrad Russ Average Joe with the old sound joining us on Zoom. December 10 system. The new system worked st th th great, except for one situation when The kids' journal entry on Friday was (1 ) Maddyn, (5 ) Barrett, (8 ) Reese; we changing batteries on my mic "words that bring you comfort.” I Tyler & Krista Harms and Brextin wanted to include some of their because it went dead (Goodness December 17 responses in this newsletter. I feel it's Todd!). I’d also like to thank Pastor (5th) Dean; Will & Sarah Baden and a good way to join the Thanksgiving Brian for being our Master-Mixer on Lucy and Caitlyn 5 Deshler Lutheran School

First & Second Grade

6 the race. Thank goodness He is in charge! Thank you all so DLS Kindergarten much for your continued prayers and support! Oh, how we enjoy our Star Student weeks in Kindergarten! In Christ, It's so fun getting to know each other better as each child Rachel Werner, 3rd and 4th grade teacher may bring their favorite toys, baby pictures, clothes worn as a baby, and even read their favorite books to us!

Pictured from Left: Haylyn Mackey, Phinn Harms, Gavin Endorf, Jaydin Mackey, and Scarlett Holtzen

Here Evan reads to Isabella, Ryker, Jentry, Chase, Jenna and me. We have much to be thankful for!

Sent to Serve! Mrs. Reinke and our Kindergarten Friends

DLS Third & Fourth Grade Hello from the 3rd and 4th grade classroom! Election Day at Deshler Lutheran School We have had some pretty busy weeks and are SO thankful to still be in school! One of our big events was that we were able to lead chapel. We talked about the armor of God and how God has equipped us with everything we need. Even though there are only 6 3rd and 4th graders, they did a great job getting the message out there that we have a wonderfully awesome God! We also have been talking about the election and were able to vote as a school for our next president. It has been very interesting to hear who the kids would vote for and why they would vote for him. Some of the students had some interesting ideas and reasons for one candidate over another. Overall, though, we discussed that God will provide and prevail no matter the outcome of

7 Mary Loontjer ...... 3 DLS 5-8 Musical Neil Bohling ...... 4

Brett Finke ...... 4

Lakin Schardt ...... 4

Matthew Sasse ...... 1 Douglas Schardt ...... 7

Jenscena Hansen ...... 3 Evan Endorf ...... 9

Myron Poppe ...... 4 Austyn Lindenmuth ...... 9

Colleen Hansen ...... 5 Colleen Kruse ...... 11 Autumn Osterhoudt ...... 6 Colleen Hansen ...... 12 Peggy Sorge ...... 6 Jadelyn Calkins ...... 15 Lainey Vieselmeyer ...... 8 Myron Poppe ...... 16

Anita Harms ...... 14 Jenscena Hansen ...... 17

Roger Roskilly ...... 14 Nancy Lueders...... 17

Douglas Grupe ...... 17 Joston Wassom ...... 19

Robin Sedlachek ...... 17 William Larkins ...... 23

Jayne Roskilly ...... 20 Logan Schmidt ...... 27

Barrett Harms ...... 24 John Noojin ...... 29

Jason Poppe ...... 24 Paula Voss ...... 30

Madison Sasse ...... 24 Julian Voss ...... 30

Logan Schmidt ...... 25

Harvey Weideman ...... 26 Audra Capek ...... 27

Dale Hoops ...... 27 Marvin & Sharon

Kristine Miesner ...... 27 Baden ...... December 2 53 years Steavan Sedlachek ...... 28 Douglas & Naomi Don Betten ...... 29 Grupe ...... December 3 55 years Nicholas Houtwed ...... 29 Don & Brenda Gina Scollin ...... 29 Betten ...... December 7 13 years Shelby Farnstrom ...... 30 Dave & Helen Alesha Vieselmeyer ...... 30 Watson ...... December 10

43 years Gerald & Cindy Baptism Birthdays Sasse...... December 25

25 years Gregory & Janice Hornbostel ...... December 26 51 years Larry Lueders...... 1 Larry & Rose Plock ...... December 28 Creed Renz...... 1 29 years 8