THE HOLY FAMILY

‘And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor before God and all the people.” Luke 2:52

The family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus is often referred to as “The Holy Family” in part because

of the holy child, Jesus. The birth of Jesus into a human family with Joseph and Mary as father and

mother reaffirms that in God’s eyes the family is holy! After all, God created family in the very begin-

ning when He gave Eve to Adam.

Christian families are holy because the members of the family are those who have received

God’s grace and holiness in Christ. Each has been baptized and has been given the Holy Spirit. Hus-

band and wife have been joined by God in holy marriage. Children are gifts from God and welcomed

into the family with love and care. Indeed, the family is the primary place where God calls us to live

out our life of faith in Him. We live, not for own sake, but by loving and serving those whom God has

placed us into relationships of love.

Joseph and Mary then become helpful and encouraging models to all Christian fathers and

mothers today. You know well the story of the visitation of the shepherds, and the coming of the wise

men. What may be less well known to many is the way that Joseph and Mary carried out their parental

responsibilities toward the newborn child of Bethlehem.

First there was the circumcision and the naming of Jesus. This was in accordance with the law.

(Luke 2:21) Then there was the redemption, the buying back of the firstborn male for He belonged to

God. (Luke 2:22) There was the training in the history of the Passover and its meaning for the children

of God. Finally, there was the journey to Jerusalem when Jesus had reached the age of 12. (Luke 2:42-

50). The Gospel of Matthew describes the hatred Herod had toward Jesus, and the threat to the life of

Jesus and every baby born in Bethlehem. Again inspired by God, Joseph takes the initiative to move

Jesus and His mother to safety in Egypt. This brief account reveals that Joseph and Mary were keenly

interested in both the spiritual and physical safety of the son that was entrusted to their care.

The heavenly Father entrusted His precious Son to the earthly care of Joseph and Mary precise-

ly so that they would see to His spiritual and physical needs. This is the primary calling with which

God entrusts Christian fathers and mothers to do for their children!

The year 2011 included several high profile news events that served as reminders of the ex-

treme vulnerability of our children. Just as Herod wanted to take the life of Jesus, so there are so many

enemies who desire nothing other than to bring harm and ruin to your children today.

You remember how the Word of God reveals that the devil, the world, and your own nature all

want to lead you to the ultimate destruction of both your faith and life. It is vitally important for you to

be aware of the myriad of temptations from the culture of today which desire to destroy the faith of

your children and every baptized child of God.

Dr Beverly Yahnke, in an article in The Lutheran Witness (October 2011; p. 29-30) offered

these comments to assist you in the parenting of your children: (continued on page 2)

From the Heart of Your Shepherd

January 2012

SAINT PAUL EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

Page 2 St. Paul Lutheran Church & School

(continued from page 1)

Children require Godly parents and grandparents who are guardians of the Truth.

“How do parents protect children from Satan’s clever use of cultural carrots’ tempting them to

misbelieve and unbelief?” Dr Yahnke, in answer to the above question, offered the following:

1. Parents are nurtured regularly by God’s Word and Holy Sacrament, equipping them for their

tasks in a culture of faith. They become “doers of the Word.”

2. Parents are informed guardians for their children, becoming aware of cultural temptations

and trends, learning how their children can be protected from harmful media and cyber-influences. It is

hard to protect against threats of which one is unaware.

3. Parents encourage their child’s natural exploration of this world, yet establish boundaries un-

apologetically. Parents also seek guidance from their pastors and other Christian parents in the communi-

ty of faith.

I would also be derelict of my duty as the called Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran congregation if I did

not also use this as opportunity to remind you of one of the primary reasons that St. Paul continues to

support a system of Lutheran schools - from our own 4K-8 program to N.E.W. Lutheran High

School...precisely so that Christian families have a place to educate their children where they can - like

the Child Jesus - grow in wisdom and stature and in favor before God and all people!

May God keep you faithful parents like Joseph and Mary and may He keep your family in the

holiness of His Son!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Grams+

P.S. On behalf of Susan and the children, the entire Grams family thanks the dear people of St.

Paul for the many cards and gifts at this Christmas time. May God grant to all of you a new year filled

with His richest blessings!

St. Paul Sunday School Program

Page 3

Five Year Old Kindergarten Class News

Our class of 11 boys and 5 girls is an awesome class.

We may be loud at times but we work together as a team. One team member, Will Tuttle, is moving back to Canada. We will miss him. The following is what we like about our class room: Savannah Bailey likes math class especially when we work with shapes and pattern blocks. The field trip to Aissen Tree Farm was the best for Matthew Boeder. Lance Chervosky enjoys recess and playing on all the play ground equipment. Centers with a new theme each month is Paige Girardi best class. Lunch time is greatest time for Logan Guilette. Art class with cutting, painting and drawing is Caleb Jadin’s favorite period. Logan Kilgore loves computer class and is waiting for the new ones. Carter Last enjoys calendar time when he leads the class in counting the straws for keeping track of the number of days we have been in school. Stone Soup is Devin Novak’s favorite reading story. Grace Seering enjoys music class with Mrs. Grams. Show and Tell is the best class for Nathan Tenor. James Tilot likes free time in the morning particularly playing with the John Deere tractor. (We have only one green tractor because Mrs. Uecker only likes CaseIH.) Calendar time with all the different jobs is the best for Ava Trevor. Coloring pictures for Jesus Time is Corinna VandenAvond’s favorite part of school. Alex Wagner likes rest time! Please stop in and visit our awesome class room and see for your self how much fun it is to be in 5K at St. Paul.

ST. PAUL SCHOOL NEWS

St. Paul School Christmas Program

St. Paul School children singing for guests at our annual Bingo Christmas Gathering.

Stewardship News and Views

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Stewardship Committee. Christmas is upon us again with the rejoicing of the birth of our Savior. We will also soon be starting a New Year. Let us reflect on 2011 for our congregation and bring good things to us for 2012.

Stewardship Committee

Bonnie Salzsieder, Renette Brand, and Bonnie Lannebrecht

Page 4 St. Paul Lutheran Church & School

Quilting will begin on Tuesday, January 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church meeting

room. Bring your lunch along, coffee will be provided.

For cutting into squares we need slacks, dresses, skirts, trousers, etc. For a backing or a filler

we can use mattress pads, bedspreads, sheets, blankets and drapes. Materials shouldn’t be

stretchy. We appreciate it if the clothing is taken apart.

Ladies, please consider joinins us as we try to get many quilts made in a very short time and

could use more help.

QUILTING CALENDAR

Jan 10 Feb 07 March 06?

Jan 17 Feb 14 ̀

Jan 24 Feb 21

Jan 31 Feb 28

Christian Service Guild

THE STORY BIBLE

Your copy is available

for $20 at the

church/school office.

2nd Annual Rummage Sale

Will be held in August 2012.

Please start saving your treasures

for our second rummage sale.

Thank you.

Page 5

AUCTION Saturday, February 18, 2012

Beverly Gardens, Hwy P, Denmark

Silent Auction 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Live Auction begins at 7:00 PM FREE AUCTION ADMISSION Bob Loderbauer, Auctioneer

Bear Bench Chainsaw Carving, Autographed Clay Matthews Picture, Autographed Bart Starr Picture, Neon

MGD Sign, Autographed Ryan Braun Picture, Gas Grill, Utility Cart For Lawnmower, Patio Bench Glider,

Kids Bike, 17’ All-In-One Ladder, Craftsman Tool Set, Autographed Brett Favre Helmet, Patio Chair Gliders,

Beer Signs, Autographed Jerry Kramer & Paul Hornung Picture, Terry Redlin Print, Rigid Garage Vac, Auto-

graphed K. Harvick, Kyle Busch, & M. Kenseth Diecasts, Toys, Handmade Woodwork, Packer Items, Tools,

Kitchen Appliances, Harley Davidson 100th Anniv. Miller Mirror, Gift Certificates to Restaurants & Golf

Courses, and much, much more!

Preview booklets will be available February 4, 2012 at www.stpaullux.org

Family-Style Chicken Dinner Begins at 5:30 PM

Meal tickets must be purchased by February 10 by calling the school office at 845-2095

Cost of Meal Tickets $15.00 Adults

$10.00 Children Ages 12-6 Free Children 5 & Under

St. Paul Lutheran Church & School Page 6

Sparks Basketball Camp

for Grades 1 - 4

begins Saturday, January 7

and runs each following Saturday through

February 11th.

For information and a registration form, go to

www.newlhs.com, “Camps and Clinics”

to Sparks Basketball Camp.

To ALL Friends of N.E.W. Lutheran High School

N.E.W. Lutheran High School is having its first Citrus Sale! Purchasing fruit is not only a great way to keep your friends and family healthy, it will also help benefit our school and its’ students. This year, there will be sweet, juicy Florida Red grapefruit and delicious California navel oranges to purchase. The fruit will be the freshest available, arriving in time for your pick-up only a few days after it is picked and packed.

PRICES ARE:

Grapefruit: $40.00 for 40# (full case of 48) $20.00 for 20# (half case of 24)

Oranges: $40.00 for 40# (full case of 44) $20.00 for 20# (half case of 22)

Fruit may be ordered from any student at N.E.W. Lutheran between now and Friday, January 27th. Orders may be placed by calling the N.E.W. High School office at 469-6810 or by going online – www.newlhs.com, click on the blue ‘donate’ button and enter your order in the ‘other’ section.

The fruit is to be picked up at N.E.W. Lutheran High School on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00am – 1:00pm. If some customers are unable to pick up their fruit on this day, you may want to offer to deliver to them in order to obtain their order. When you first take their order, ask the customer to write this date on their calendars. We will take care of sending each person a reminder of the pick-up day/time.

We are asking customers to pay in advance with their check dated FOR: February 11, 2012. Please let them know checks will not be deposited/cashed UNTIL this date. Our pick up process will go much faster by having everyone pre-pay.

Page 7

Lakeshore Lutherans for Life

Pancake-Porkie Brunch

January 22, 2012

2012 FLOWER GUILD SCHEDULE

January—Arlene Gruetzmacher

February – Nola Duescher

March—Janet Last

April/Easter—Candy Krohn

May/Planter—Darlene Kudick

June—Arlene Gruetzmacher

July—Nola Duescher

August—Janet last

September—Candy Krohn

October/Harvest Home—Arlene Gruetzmacher

November—Darlene Kudick

December/Christmas—Nola Duescher

Page 8 St. Paul Lutheran Church & School

MEMORIALS AND DONATIONS

$10 in memory of Marcella Pilgrim AV/Video Fund

From Jean & Martin Zeitler

CHURCH BROCHURES: are available

in the Narthex from the Stewardship

Committee. If you know of a business

that would be willing to help us

advertise and make our information

available to the public, please take and

post them.

DVD OF CHURCH SERVICE

Anyone wishing to receive a DVD of our Church Service,

call the church office . One of our volunteers will deliver

it to you.

BAY BUS is hosting a motorcoach tour to Branson, MO. In November 2012. Tour will include

transportation, hotels, some meals, and 8-10 Christmas Shows, along with a night time tour kof

lights. Bay Bus will donate $50.00 per person from this tour to St. Paul! For example: fill one bus

with 50 people and St. Paul would receive a check for $2,500.00 from Bay Bus. For more details

see Mike Gaedtke.

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St. Paul Faculty/Staff Contact Info Pastor: Daniel Grams revgrams1@mac.com Cell Phone (920) 883-9523 4K Teacher: Tiffany Dart tdart@stpaullux.org 4K Teacher: Beth Budnik bbudnik@stpaullux.org 5K Teacher: Sue Uecker suecker@stpaullux.org 1st & 2nd Grade: Heidi Schneider hschneider@stpaullux.org 3-4-5th Grade: Ruth Bernau rbernau@stpaullux.org 6th, 7th & 8th Grade: Sarah Shin sshin@stpaullux.org School Secretary: Kathy Kinnard kkinnard@stpaullux.org Church Secretary: Bonnie Kratz bkratz@stpaullux.org For Funerals: Tina Peterson 863-5137 Arlene Gruetzmacher 845-5048

Church Office 920-845-2095

Fax: 920-845-9075

N4118 Cty Rd AB Luxemburg WI 54217

W E ’ RE O N T HE W EB ! W WW .STPAULLU X . ORG

Newsletter deadline is the 15th of the month.

RIDE TO CHURCH? Anyone in need of transportation to

and from church, please notify the church office.

“And he took them in his arms and blessed them…” (Mark 10:16 ESV).

Jesus loves children. In fact, Jesus loves children the world over so much that He died and rose again to take away

their sins. This is really Good News every child in every country needs to hear! How many countries can you think

of? Be sure to pray for the children in these countries (and in all of the other ones too!).