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Are you tired of wearing your mask since the face

covering mandate went into effect? Do you realize that

God wears masks all the time? That’s what Martin

Luther taught in his exposition of Psalm 147. Here’s

part of what he wrote, translated into English:

“What is our work in field and garden, in town and

house, in battling and in ruling, to God, but the work of

children, through which he bestows his gifts on the land,

in the house, and everywhere? Our works are God’s

masks, behind which he remains hidden, although he

does all things. If Gideon had not obeyed and gone to

battle with Midian, the Midianites would never have

been conquered, although God could, of course, have

conquered them without Gideon. He could also give you

corn and fruit without your plowing and planting, but

that is not his will; neither is it his will that your plowing

and planting should produce corn and fruit; but you

must plow and plant and say a blessing on your work

and pray: ‘Now help, O God; give us now corn and fruit,

dear Lord; for plowing and planting will not yield us

anything. It is your gift. God is the giver of all good gifts;

but you must fall to, and take the bull by the horns,

which means you must work to give God an occasion

and a mask.”

The Lord blesses us through our work and the work of

others. Medical personnel, factory workers, armed

forces, law officers, farmers, grocers, teachers, parents,

etc., etc., all serve as “masks” behind which the Lord

hides himself to care for us day after day. Remembering

that we are one of God’s “masks” gives meaning and

purpose to everything we do in our day to day lives, at

home, at church, at work, and at rest.

The one thing the Lord doesn’t mask is his smile toward

us. One of the difficulties of mask wearing, aside from

the breathing difficulties and anxious feelings its causes

some people, is the inability to share facial expressions.

We frequently use facial expressions to express our

delight or disgust. Facial expressions can give clues as

to whether we are “joking” when we make a comment

or happen to be deadly serious.

We don’t have to guess how the Lord feels about us.

We can “see” his smiling face in the person and work of

Jesus Christ. God loved us enough to send his one and

only Son into the world, so that whoever believes in his

will not perish, but have eternal life. We are reminded

of God’s smiling face every time we receive with

believing hearts the benediction of our Lord. How

precious are those words we hear at the end of most

services: “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord

make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The

Lord look on you with favor and give you peace!”

A smiling face is a shining face … and the Lord’s face is

always shining on us, even during the challenging times

of a mask mandate. God speed the day when we can all

enjoy each other’s smiling faces, mask free. Until that

time, remember that you are at peace with your smiling

God through the work of Jesus. And pray that you may

continue to be his mask of love and compassion as you

live each new day.

September 2020

VOLUME XXIII

———

ISSUE 1

God’s Masks … and Smiling Face! - By: Pastor Michael Woldt

2

Happy Birthday Seniors!

Vincent Schneider (9/3)

Lorraine Raabe (9/20)

Bev Bublitz (9/23)

Marie Janke (9/24)

Marilyn Davies (9/25)

Louise Porth (9/30)

A reminder that the daily pastor’s updates can also be listened to by

phone. Those who do not get the emails can call (262) 677-1639

and hear a pastor’s voice giving the updates. The voice update isn’t

always daily but is offered at least twice a week. Please pass this

number along to those who would like to use it.

PHONE UPDATES

Thank you to Mark Bublitz for giving his time to serve as a

sexton. Mark has recently stepped down, and all his help over

the years has truly been appreciated!

Thank you to Gerry Lahti, Ray Liesener, Myron Philipps and

Dennis Tischer for helping to spread the playground mulch!

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Dear members of David's Star Lutheran Church,

I thank God for the wonderful church family he placed and kept me in for most of my life. I also want to thank you

all for your prayers and financial support as I trained to be public minister of the Gospel at Martin Luther College. As

this new school year approaches, I am happy to say that your prayers and financial support has produced results in

my first divine call at St. Marcus Lutheran School as 7-8 Social Studies Teacher. I am very excited to start my ministry

there and I will always be thankful for the great support and love I received from being at David's Star Lutheran

church and school for childhood and teenage years. I pray that God continues you all as you teach children and

worship together in the light of the Gospel. Thank you so much!

Andrew Eggers David's Star Class of 2011,

Middle School Teacher at St. Marcus Lutheran School

THANK YOU’S RECEIVED

Dear David's Star Congregation:

I can't believe that I am entering my Junior year at Martin Luther College, in my studies of early childhood

education. My time at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School prepared me very well for the experience at MLC. Please

accept my sincere thank you for your continued support over the past two years, and again this upcoming year-both

from a Spiritual standpoint as well as the monetary gifts received each year thus far. With your continued

assistance, I am able to pursue my field of study in hopes of spreading the Good News of His word in the mission

God has chosen for me. My plan includes keeping the David's Star congregation updated on my continued progress

and developments. Your prayers for my mission work is highly regarded, and continue to be accepted by myself and

my family.

In His Name,

Livia Lickteig.

Dear members of David’s Star Lutheran Church,

I wanted to thank you for your support over my four years at college and continuing on to the Seminary. I

appreciate the financial support along with the prayers. The financial support helped me attend Martin Luther

College and begin my training for what I have always wanted to do, to be a pastor. It does not feel like it was that

long ago when I was attending David’s Star for grade school, so it is amazing how fast time went by and now I will

be attending the Seminary to continue my education to become a pastor. I appreciate everything this congregation

has done to make my education possible. Once again, Thank you.

Caleb Gustafson

Junior at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

4

Dear members of David’s Star,

Thank you so much for the generous monetary donation for those attending Martin Luther College this

next school year. As a college student, grants and gifts are very appreciated and helpful. In addition, it is so

encouraging to feel the support of brothers and sisters in Christ from my home congregation, whether through

words or actions.

This year I will be a sophomore at MLC, studying as a double major in Elementary and Special Education.

Some exciting opportunities for me this year include participating on the Aulic Committee (arranging informative

presentations on campus), voice and organ lessons, choir, and Forum (presents musicals and dramas on campus).

One of my favorite things to do during the week is attend Compline worship service at 10 pm on Monday nights.

Martin Luther College is my home away from home, and your gifts in the past and now are such a blessing to me

and others. Love and thoughtfulness does not go unnoticed!

In Christ,

Rebecca Loescher

THANK YOU’S RECEIVED (continued)

Dear members of David’s Star,

Thank you for your generous donations to the Congregational Partner Grant Financial Aid Program. Your donations,

along with a matching gift from MLC will help defer the costs for my education at Martin Luther College. I am so

grateful for the people of David’s Star who have partnered with our synod to help me along the way.

Gratefully yours,

Madeline Walz

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We are thankful for the nine people who plan to teach Teen and Children’s Bible Study on Sunday

mornings from 9 to 10. We are looking for five more, so we can share the teaching responsibilities in

each room, with two teachers taking turns on alternate dates. Please consider using your time and

talents with grades 1&2, grades 3&4, grades 5&6, grades 7&8, and teens as a second teacher or as a

substitute. Please contact Pastor Woldt. THANK YOU!

TEEN & CHILDREN’S BIBLE STUDY—LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

FALL BIBLE CLASSES

Beginning September 13, 2020

Saturday 5:00 pm Worship Service w/ Holy Communion. (Livestream available)

Sunday 7:45 am Worship Service w/ Holy Communion.

Sunday 10:30 am-Outdoor Worship Service. (weather permitting)

We continue to follow the mask mandate as put forth by the Governor. Indoor worship services require

sign-up. Visit www.davidsstar.org to sign-up or contact the church office at church@davidsstar.org or

262.677.2412 for assistance.

October, 2020

Saturday 5:00 pm Worship Service w/ Holy Communion. (Livestream available)

Sunday 7:45 am Worship Service w/ Holy Communion.

Sunday 9:10 am both Bible Study and Worship Service with Holy Communion.

Sunday 10:30 am Worship Service with Holy Communion.

Children’s & Adult Bible Study - Begins Sunday, Sept. 13 at 9:10 am.

Children’s study held in the classrooms. Adult study held in church.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study - Begins Wednesday, Sept. 2nd at

10:00 am in the church. Livesteam available.

JAM (Jesus & Me) See page 5 for more details.

Drop-off Bible Study - Friday mornings at 8:30 am. On the lawn next to

church, weather permitting. Alternate location: gathering space.

Adult Instruction Class - Begins Monday, September 14th, 6:30—7:30pm

in the gathering space. Zoom online option available.

6

JAM (Jesus and Me) is a Christ-centered program aimed at serving families with children who are not yet old

enough for Kindergarten. Children can be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, babysitter, etc.

Activities include: Bible lessons, singing, free play, craft and snack time.

Save these WEDNESDAYS on your calendar and join us!

September 2nd

September 16th

September 30th

October 14th

October 28th

November 11th

December 2nd

December 16th

Please enter through the church doors.

We begin around 8:30AM in the church gathering space.

Hope you can join us. Feel free to invite a friend!

For additional information or questions contact

Jen Mueller 414-331-5347

NOTICE OF SCHOOL NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

David’s Star Evangelical Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all

the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its

educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-

administered programs.

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Membership Report (Pastor Loescher)

Incoming: Lokensgard, Craig & Wendy (Transfer from Bethlehem, Menomonee Falls, WI)

Outgoing: Eggers, Andrew (Transfer to St. Marcus, Milwaukee, WI)

Pastor’s Report (Pastor Loescher) Pastor Woldt is enjoying time with family before the schedule begins to get

busier. Plans are forming regarding starting an in-person Bible class on Sunday with a Zoom option. Some of our

visitation is opening up with outdoor visits of assisted living members. The mask mandate may have affected our

indoor worship attendance, but a one Sunday sample isn’t an accurate assessment.

Buildings and Grounds (Brian Lee) Looking for options to reduce cost of the carpet replacement. Received quotes to just replace the carpet on the center aisle and exit to new narthex along with entrance. Depending on the type of carpet selected price ranges from $9,500 to $11,500. I also received a quote to replace the first section, one closest to outside doors, and repair the other sections with the carpet that was removed. The cost of this $1,900. I would recommend doing both but first would like to form a committee to make to make recommendation on the carpet. Finding an acceptable match to existing carpet might be an issue. Shandra Kwiatkowski agreed to help with selecting carpet options. The ceiling and tile work completed. Doors were delivered and will be installed shortly. Gravel needed for the shoulders on David’s Star Drive has been received. Work will be completed this summer. Received $2,000 from logger bringing the total to $12,000 . Clean up will start in the fall after first freeze. Received quote for $3,900 to replace two windows for the Loescher Parsonage. Will be accepting the quote. Money will come from the $8,000 budgeted for in the 2020 budget. Waiting on delivery. Will be repairing a portion of the tiles on the first floor. The tile is coming off at the 2 expansion joints. This is a trip hazard. Doing this will also expand the life of the tile for a couple of years until replacement can be planned and budgeted for. Waiting on Flooring contractor Pastor Woldt’s roof might be fixed. Will not know for sure until the next strong storm from the east. House and chimney needs tuck pointing will be getting estimates. The chimney might have to be repaired yet this budget year. Getting Quote. Leak in water supply line in hallway was fixed. Need to find a way to flush the system when school is not in operation. Board of Education (Jason Walz) Hot Lunch- At this point, there is nothing new to report, but we may have to raise prices depending on the cost of meat, milk, and other supplies. Technology- The 25 new Chromebooks should be coming soon, and then Mr. Watts will be able to get them ready for the new school year. School Choice- We have a total of 16 students enrolled in Choice. 13 students are from David’s Star and 3 are non-members (1-1st grader & 2- 8th graders). Current enrollment: 140 Students. Safety Grant- July Fiscal Report complete. Submitted the bill for the doors, so we should be seeing a check from the State for over $6,200 sometime in August. That should conclude our involvement in the Safety Grant. All grant money was used. Teresa Ahrens speech services - approved to continue to use the speech services of Teresa Aherns for the 2020-2021 school year. Her hourly rate will is $32.50. A contract was signed.

Elders (Dan Bolha) - Discussion regarding worship when it gets cold outside. There is communion on Thursday for those choosing to attend the 9:30am service on Sunday.

Old Business - Ministry Fair—Considering virtual fair. New Business - A motion was made and seconded to compensate Mrs. Gustafson through August 31st and then her pension and housing allowance going forward, and compensate Beth Weed at $143/day starting August 1st. Motion carried.

COUNCIL CAPSULE - AUGUST MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

8

Treasurer Report (Josh Boeldt) -

2020 July Operating Budget Financial Update - Praise God from whom all blessings flow! The total offerings for

July were 8.1% lower than the budgeted offerings, with a total of $57,876. The total income for the month was

21% lower than budget but is 5.7% higher for the year to date. The actual expenses for July were 11.2% lower

than the budgeted amount for the month (mostly due to paying pension liabilities in June while they were

budgeted for July) and are 2.4% lower than budget for the year to date. The overall fund balance at the end of

July shows a surplus of $6,964.

2020 July Ministries Beyond our Congregation Financial Update - The remittances in July for the WELS mission

were 6% lower than budgeted, while the KMLHS operating mission remittances were 1.6% higher than budget.

The KML Joyful Noise remittances were 17% higher than the amount budgeted for. The total amount remitted

for all missions was about 4.2% lower than the amount budgeted for July and 6.0% lower for the year to date.

2020 July Building/Dedicated Fund Update - The mortgage loan balance at the end of July is $725,244. The

council’s objective is to maintain a $100,000 cushion in the building fund debt account—our balance at

7/31/20 was $32,886. This balance is down about 13.4% from last month.

KML INSTALLATION SERVICE

Join us via livestream (www.kmlhs.org/stream) on Friday,

September 4, at 7:40 AM as we offer our praise to God for allowing

KML to begin the 47th year of instructing our youth in the truth of

God’s Word. New faculty member, Mrs. Jamie Bruckschen, will be

installed during the service.

WELS Commission on Discipleship has started offering

devotions developed for the entire family to use. The

devotions will coincide with the previous Sunday’s Bible

readings. Each devotion is complete with a set of questions

for different age groups, a prayer, and hymn verses that can

be sung or spoken. Downloadable printable versions are also

available. Visit www.wels.net. The devotions can be found

under the “Serving You” tab .

NEW FAMILY DEVOTIONS

COUNCIL CAPSULE - AUGUST MEETING HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

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LWMS 2021 PRAYER CALENDAR

WELS TASTE AND SEE The Taste and See event may be over, but the website (welstasteandsee.com) will remain

up for one year! Among other things on the website, you can find devotions and presentations. Under the

activities tab you can find recipes from around the world, and activities children’s activities and much more.

Check it out!

Attention, all LWMS mission-minded women! Because the LWMS convention was only online this year, in

partnership with the WELS Mission Office, you saw some major changes in how you participated. One item that

is traditionally available at our annual conventions is the LWMS Prayer Calendar. The theme of the joint event

was “Taste and See,” which combined the LWMS convention and the WELS Taste of Missions. This theme

relates perfectly to the 2021 LWMS Prayer Calendar and comes alive on each page. Read how volunteers who

have a taste for missions and adventure have traveled to various home and world missions, and see how they

have shared the life-saving gospel message with 12 missions that have participated in the WELS Mission

Journeys program. As always, the back pages of the calendar provide the contact information for home and

world missionaries.

Place your order by calling (414.321.6212) or emailing (centraloffice@lwms.org) the Central Office. Remember

that the calendars make great gifts for called workers, friends, relatives, and your Befriend A Mission

assignments. The more calendars purchased, the cheaper the postage, so plan ahead!One of the best things to

do on January 1, 2021, is to hang up your new WELS Mission Journeys LWMS Prayer Calendar!

10

PARISH NURSE NEWS

PARISH NURSE NEWS

October 3 9-noon

Bethlehem Luth. Church

N108W14290 Bel Aire Ln

Germantown, WI

Register Now!

https://tinyurl.com/yyfhrswo

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August, 2020

Back in March of this year, the conventional wisdom was that Covid-19 would spread through Zambia and

Malawi like a brushfire. That didn’t happen. Zambia reported its first official case in late March and in Malawi it

was early April. As it stands today Malawi has officially recorded around 4,300 cases and Zambia about 5,500.

While the disease was slow to start in both countries the rate of infection has definitely picked up in the last

weeks. The Zambian government was quick to take action when the virus was first spreading. On a trip to Lusaka

in late February I filled in a health form and had my temperature taken as I entered the immigration hall. In the

Shibuyunji District where our clinic at Mwemebzhi is located, government health officers began teaching about

Coronavirus in the villages in February/March. At our clinic we started requiring our staff to wear masks, gloves

and face masks, we limited the number of people entering the clinic building, set up a hand washing station

outside and disinfected all the supplies and parcels that were delivered to the clinic. We had cloth masks made

up and distributed them to our staff. We required Alisad Banda, our administrator, to work from home and to

disinfect our vehicle every time he used it. On his drive to the clinic, he discovered that the government had set

up a testing station where the driver’s temperature was checked, and the vehicle was disinfected. So far there

has only been one case of Covid-19 in the Shibuyunji district and none so far at our clinic. In Lusaka, minibuses

which are the main form of public transport, were required to carry fewer passengers, disinfect regularly, and

keep windows open. Stores and businesses set up handwashing stations for customers and the number of people

entering stores was limited. In Malawi, the government was slower to act. There were anecdotal stories of

government officials laughing off the virus – referring to it as a white man’s disease. By mid-March, Lutheran

Mobile Clinic nurses began teaching about Covid-19 to our patients but when we spoke to government health

officers working at the district health center, we discovered they had received little to no training at all. By mid-

March, businesses required handwashing before entry and today nearly all require facemasks to enter. The

government attempted a lockdown in April, but almost immediately an injunction stopped the lockdown. The

injunction was brought because many people live on the money they make that day, they have little or no

savings and it was feared that a lockdown would lead to starvation among the country’s poorer population.

Outdoor markets remain open but people are required to wear face masks. Our Malawian staff tell us that they

are well health wise, but some are affected spiritually as they are unable to go to church. Few if any Malawian

churches use Facebook or YouTube to live broadcast or record services. Some services are broadcast by radio.

Schools are closed and there has been a significant increase in teen pregnancy. While fuel and food are available,

many businesses have closed because only essential goods are being imported. As a result, unemployment has

risen in a country that does not have an unemployment support system. A lot of health care professionals have

contracted the disease because of a lack of PPE and poor training. Many private and Non-Governmental

Organization clinics have closed. The good news for the Villages we serve is that our Government Health

Surveillance Assistants have continued to provide under five vaccinations at our clinic sites. We ask that you

continue to pray for our Lutheran congregations of Zambia and Malawi, that they will be spared from the terrible

effects of this disease, and that God brings an end to this pandemic. We have been working on plans as to how

we can safely reopen our clinics and are anxious to return to Malawi to continue the Lord’s work.

Gary Evans,

Clinic Administrator To learn more about CAMM or how you can get involved contact

Linda Liesener at cammcontact@charter.net or 262.677.3844

CENTRAL AFRICA MEDICAL MISSION - MALAWI

12

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

8:30 AM JAM!

(Jesus & Me)

(Gathering Space)

10:00 AM Bible

Study (Church;

Livestream

Available)

3

6:00 PM Small

Group Communion

(Sign-up Required)

4

8:30 AM Drop-Off

Bible Study

(Church Lawn,

Weather

Permitting; alt.

Gathering Space

w/ Masks)

5

5:00 PM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #2

6

7:45 AM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #5

9:30 AM Outdoor

Worship Service

#6 (Weather

Permitting)

7

LABOR DAY

8:00 AM Walking

Group (Weather

Permitting)

8 9

10:00 AM Bible

Study (Church;

Livestream

Available)

10

6:00 PM Small

Group Communion

(Sign-up Required)

7:00 PM Ladies'

Aid (Gathering

Space)

11

8:30 AM Drop-Off

Bible Study

(Church Lawn,

Weather

Permitting; alt.

Gathering Space

w/ Masks)

12

5:00 PM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #7

13

7:45 AM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #8

9:10 AM

Children's & Adult

Bible Study

10:30 AM Outdoor

Worship Service

#9 (Weather

Permitting)

14

8:00 AM Walking

Group (Weather

Permitting)

6:30 PM Adult

Instruction Class

(Gathering Space;

Zoom Available)

15

7:00 PM Council

Meeting

(Gathering Space)

16

8:30 AM JAM!

(Jesus & Me)

(Gathering Space)

10:00 AM Bible

Study (Church;

Livestream

Available)

17

6:00 PM Small

Group Communion

(Sign-up Required)

18

8:30 AM Drop-Off

Bible Study

(Church Lawn,

Weather

Permitting; alt.

Gathering Space

w/ Masks)

19

5:00 PM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #1

20

7:45 AM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #3

9:10 AM

Children's & Adult

Bible Study

10:30 AM Outdoor

Worship Service

#2 (Weather

Permitting)

21

8:00 AM Walking

Group (Weather

Permitting)

6:30 PM Adult

Instruction Class

(Gathering Space;

Zoom Available)

22 23

10:00 AM Bible

Study (Church;

Livestream

Available)

6:30 PM Board of

Education Meeting

(8th Grade Room)

24

6:00 PM Small

Group Communion

(Sign-up Required)

25

8:30 AM Drop-Off

Bible Study

(Church Lawn,

Weather

Permitting; alt.

Gathering Space

w/ Masks)

26

5:00 PM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #5

27

7:45 AM Worship

Service w/ Holy

Communion #4

9:10 AM

Children's & Adult

Bible Study

10:30 AM Outdoor

Worship Service

#6 (Weather

Permitting)

28

8:00 AM Walking

Group (Weather

Permitting)

6:30 PM Adult

Instruction Class

(Gathering Space;

Zoom Available)

29

6:30 PM Elders

Meeting

(Gathering Space)

30

8:30 AM JAM!

(Jesus & Me)

(Gathering Space)

10:00 AM Bible

Study (Church;

Livestream

Available)

12345 West Main St., An 13

Pastor Kurt W. Loescher

Pastor Michael A. Woldt

Worship Schedule

Please visit our website

www.davidsstar.org for updates.

Also Available

David’s Star Lutheran School

K3 Preschool - Grade 8

Principal: Mr. Timothy Gustafson

school@davisstar.org

David’s Star Evangelical Lutheran Church 2740 David’s Star Drive

Jackson, WI 53037

(262) 677-2412 www.davidsstar.org

Mission Statement David’s Star Evangelical Lutheran Church

This congregation shall strive to proclaim the Law and Gospel; to lead sinners to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus for life and salvation; to strengthen believers in faith and sanctification through the Means of Grace; to equip believers as disciples, stewards, and witnesses for sharing the Gospel of Jesus with our fellowmen. The continuing purpose of this congregation, as a group of Christians, and ultimate objective, is to serve all people in God’s world with his Gospel. All members of this congregation shall strive to proclaim the joys of Christian life and to witness for Christ to the best of their individual abilities. (1 John 5:1-10)

A Publication of David’s Star Evangelical Lutheran Church