Sunday After Christmas / January 2, 3, 2021

2nd Sunday After Christmas / January 2, 3, 2021 6th Sunday after Easter / May 8, 9, 2021

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PRESERVICE “Trinity Fanfare” | Jr. Handbells (Recorded)

WORDS OF WELCOME

OPENING HYMN “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” | CW 411

INVOCATION

M: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of

the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

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FIRST LESSON Acts 9:36-42

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was

always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and

her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when

the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him,

“Please come at once!”

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the

widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that

Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed.

Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and

seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he

called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This

became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as

his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and

punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless

ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child.

But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to

your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and

innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You

are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C: Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray.

Father of lights, every good and perfect gift comes from you. Inspire us to think

those things that are true and long for those things that are good, that we may

always make our petitions according to your gracious will; through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

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PSALM 98 (10:30) Congregation (Refrain); Cherub Choir (Verses)

Sing to the LORD a new song,*

for he has done marvelous things.

The LORD has made his salvation known*

and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered his love and his faithfulness

to the house of Israel;*

all the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Refrain

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,*

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the LORD with the harp,*

with the harp and the sound of singing.

Shout for joy before the LORD, the King.*

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples with equity.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain Refrain Tune: J. Robert Carroll. © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago, IL, www.giamusic.com.

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SECOND LESSON 1 John 4:1-11

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are

from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you

can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has

come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not

from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even

now is already in the world.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in

you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore

speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God,

and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to

us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves

has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God,

because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and

only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved

God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear

friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

VERSE OF THE DAY

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. If anyone loves me, he

will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make

our home with him. Alleluia.

ANTHEM “Pass It On” | 5K (5:00) Recorded; 7:45 (Live)

It only takes a spark to get a fire going

And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing.

That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it:

You spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding,

The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.

That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it;

You want to sing; it's fresh like spring; you want to pass it on.

(continued on next page)

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I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I've found.

You can depend on him; it matters not where you're bound.

I'll shout it from the mountaintop! I want the world to know:

The Lord of love has come to me; I want to pass it on.

ANTHEM “Love is the Gracious Gift” | Cherub Choir

9:10 (Recorded); 10:30 (Live)

1 Love is the gracious gift of your goodness;

Love is the patient fruit of your care;

Love is the gentle work of your Spirit,

Who is the source of love ev’rywhere.

2 You loved me first, Lord, sending me Jesus.

Then I responded, trusting your Son.

Now you invite me to love my neighbor,

Showing your true love to ev’ryone.

3 Love of a mother, love freely given,

Love of a father, love of a child.

On Mother’s Day we thank God for mothers.

Who teach their children of Jesus’ love.

4 Love among Christians, love in the fam’ly,

Love for the Savior, whose blood was shed,

Love and submission one to another

As unto Christ, who reigns as our head.

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GOSPEL John 15:9-17

M: The Holy Gospel according to John Chapter 15.

C: Glory be to you, O Lord!

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep

my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands

and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your

joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved

you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are

my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant

does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything

that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I

chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—

and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my

command: Love each other.

M: This is the Gospel of our Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

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HYMN OF THE DAY “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice” | CW 377

(Verses 1, 5, 6, 7, 9)

5 He spoke to his beloved Son: “’Tis time to have compassion.

Then go, bright Jewel of my crown, And bring mankind salvation.

From sin and sorrow set them free; Slay bitter death for them that they

May live with you forever.”

6 The Son obeyed his Father’s will, Was born of virgin mother,

And, God’s good pleasure to fulfill, He came to be my brother.

No garb of pomp or pow’r he wore; A servant’s form like mine he bore

To lead the devil captive.

7 To me he spoke, “Hold fast to me—I am your rock and castle.

Your ransom I myself will be; For you I strive and wrestle.

For I am yours, your friend divine, And evermore you shall be mine;

The foe shall not divide us.

9 “Now to my Father I depart, The Holy Spirit sending

And, heav’nly wisdom to impart, My help to you extending.

He will a source of comfort be, Teach you to know and follow me,

And in all truth will guide you. Text: Martin Luther, 1483–1546; tr. Richard Massie, 1800–87, alt.

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SERMON John 15:9-17

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Christian Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

M: Lord God, our maker and preserver, we praise and thank you for all that you give

us day after day.

C: We are not worthy of all the mercies you show us.

M: You have given us your precious Word to nourish our souls and to protect us from

the temptations of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature.

C: We thank you for those who teach and preach your saving truth at this place

and everywhere. Grant them a rich measure of patience, wisdom, and love.

M: Heavenly Father, we pray that you shield us from every kind of danger: sudden

catastrophe, terrors of crime, and the pain of disease. Watch over those who travel

by land, sea, and air. Keep our loved ones from whatever perils may threaten

them.

C: Heal those who are sick, cheer those who are sad, calm those who are

distressed, and comfort all who are old and infirm.

(continued)

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M: Bless our land, our people, and those who hold offices of high trust. Keep our

government and schools upright and strong for the advancement of good

citizenship and useful vocations, that we may enjoy your gifts of peace, security,

and well-being.

C: Grant your blessing to every nation on earth. Where there are wars, may

there be peace. Where there is hatred, let it be healed. Where there is

poverty, danger, or disaster, come with your almighty power to help and

restore.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

M: We bring these requests before you in the name of Jesus our Lord, and ask you to

hear us. Take all that we have, our bodies and minds, our time and skills, our

ministries and offerings, and use them to your glory.

C: We give ourselves to you that we may serve you in whatever way is pleasing

in your sight. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the

kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

M: Almighty God, we thank you for teaching us the things you want us to believe and

do. Help us by your Holy Spirit to keep your Word in pure hearts that we may be

strengthened in faith, guided in holiness, and comforted in life and in death,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

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CLOSING HYMN “O Master of the Loving Heart” | CW 491

Dismissal of those not communing.

BENEDICTION

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another.

Serve the LORD with gladness.

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.

C: Amen.

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THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

M: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them up to the Lord.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is good and right so to do.

M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks

to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God. Therefore, with all

the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their

glorious song:

C: (spoken) Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are

full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the

name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

DISTRIBUTION

ANTHEM “Christ the Word of God Incarnate” | Jr. Handbells

(Recorded)

PRAYER

BLESSING

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SERVING IN WORSHIP

Preacher

Pastor Kurt Loescher

Organist

Kris Eggers

Choirs

Kindergarten

Cherub Choir

Jr. Handbells (Recorded)

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®

Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God

by Gary and Holly Heckendorf in honor of their 31st wedding anniversary.

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WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

OWLS EVENT - OWLS Chapter 80 would like to invite members of David's Star to attend a

presentation on The Birth of the WELS given by fellow David’s Star member, Professor Joel

Pless from Wisconsin Lutheran College. Were you baptized in a WELS church? Did you

attended a WELS grade school and possibly a WELS high school? But do you know the

history of how the WELS came to be? Please join us at 10:00 am on Tuesday, May 11 in

the church. We will have a “sub party tray lunch” in the gathering space following the

presentation; cost of $5.00 per person. You do not need to be member of OWLS to attend

the presentation or the lunch. Please call or text Bob Traska at 262/388-2399 if you plan to

attend so we can plan accordingly.

CONGREGATION INFORMATION MEETING - 9:10 am in the gymnasium on Sunday, May

16. Members of the council will present budget information, as well as recommendations

coming from Buildings & Grounds to address maintenance issues on our campus. There

will also be an opportunity to discuss this church council recommendation to the

Voters: To authorize the Board for Building and Grounds to work with the Treasurer to

obtain a loan not to exceed $350,000 at no higher than 4% interest and a term of 10 years.

The money will be used to repair/replace and re-stripe all asphalt areas on our campus. All

are welcome.

VOTER’S MEETING - Our Voter’s meeting will take place at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May

20th in the church. Our annual elections and our ministry budget for the next fiscal year

will be the focus, together with some recommendations from Building and Grounds for

some long-term maintenance projects.

ALTAR FLOWER COMMITTEE - The Altar Flower Committee is looking for volunteer(s) to

deliver flowers to our homebound and hospitalized in July. This is a minimal time

commitment. Please contact Lynet Steele for more information: [email protected] or

call 414-510-8623.

DAVID’S STAR “KICKIN’ IT WITH MOM” - All DS Moms and sons are invited to play in a

kickball game followed by a bonfire and s'mores in the church woods. Join us Friday, May

21st at 6:00 PM on the David's Star soccer field. Please bring your own water bottle. RSVP

to Jen Mueller (414) 331-5347 by May 19th.

WOMENS RETREAT—SAVE THE DATE! - The 2021 David’s Star Women’s Retreat will be

held Saturday, November 13, from 8:30—3:30. This year’s theme is “We Walk by Faith,

Not by Sight”. All women are invited. Bring a friend (or 2 or 3 or more!) Watch for more

information as the date draws closer.

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RESPONDING IN FAITH TO ABUSE - Did you know that 1 out of 4 women and 1 out of 9

men report their life was affected by relationship abuse? Want to help? David's Star, in

conjunction with other WELS churches in our area, is interested in starting a support group

for survivors. Another opportunity for education and volunteer training is taking place on

Saturday, May 15, from 8:30-3:30 at St. Paul's, Slinger. Please sign up via the link so

appropriate planning may occur. Feel free to invite others. Contact Colleen Loeffler at

[email protected] or 414-587-9295 if you’d like more information or have questions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040B4DAFAC2AA2FF2-responding

ARBOR NIGHT - Join us Monday, May 10 from 4:00 - dark. Rain date is Tuesday, May 11.

The Ladies’ Aid will be serving supper in the concession area after the work is completed.

We need all available volunteers to hep tidy up the grounds around the campus. Please

bring rakes, chain saws, skid steers. Questions? Please call/text/email Brian Lee:

[email protected] / 414-870-8090.

LADIES’ AID SPRING PLANT SALE - Groth's Country Gardens gift certificates are now

available and sold through David's Star Ladies Aid. They can be used for all your annuals,

perennials, vegetables and towards Groth's container planting class. The certificates are

$25 each. There are signup sheets and a drop box for your order and payment (cash or

checks payable to “David’s Star Ladies’ Aid”) in the gathering space following each church

service. The certificates will be sent to you. You can also purchase certificates by calling

Lois Traska at 262-375-3877 or Marlene Bell at 262-677-2248. They will deliver them to

your house or you can pick them up from their homes. The certificates will expire June

30th, 2021.

KML JOB OPENING -KML is in need of an individual to fill a part-time maintenance position.

Must possess basic electrical, plumbing, and construction skills. Flexible schedule up to 20

hours/week. Pay rate is based on experience and ability. Contact KML Business Manager,

Mr. Jody Hansen (262-677-4051 x4004; [email protected]) if interested or for more

information.

UPCOMING KML CONCERTS - Please join us in person or online (kmlhs.org/livestream) as

students from KML glorify God through music!

Jazz / Echoes Concert - Wednesday, 5/12, 6:30 PM

Percussion Concert - Saturday, 5/15, 6:30 PM

Spring Choir Concert - Saturday, 5/22, 4:30 PM (NEW TIME)

Spring Band Concert - Saturday, 5/22, 6:30 PM

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WORSHIP SURVEY - The Elders continue to review worship practices each month. We

recognize that some of the modified practices have been a welcome change, and we are

interested to learn which of those changes the membership desires to keep moving into

the future. Therefore, all members are invited to share their thoughts by completing a

Worship Survey. The survey will be shared via email in the Pastor's updates. Paper copies

of the survey can be found on a table in the gathering space. Upon completion of the

paper survey, drop it in the box on the table or send it to the church office. Thank you for

your thoughtful feedback and may God continue to bless our worship.

WORSHIP UPDATE

The elders met on April 27 and reviewed our current worship practices. Below is a

summary of that discussion:

• Masks are not required, however, we continue to appreciate members who use face

coverings in worship for the sake of others who have health concerns.

• Signup for all services will be available and encouraged through May 23.

• 30 spots have been added to the signup for the gathering space through May 23.

• The summer worship schedule begins Thursday, May 27 with service at 6:30;

Saturday at 5:00; Sunday at 7:45 and an outdoor service (weather permitting) at 9:30.

In the event of inclement weather, the 9:30 service will be moved inside.

WORSHIP CHANGES EFFECTIVE JUNE 1

• Signup will only be available and encouraged for the 7:45 service.

• Holy Communion will be celebrated on the 1st and 3rd weekends during the service

not afterwards.

• Small group communion will continue every Thursday at 6:00 pm. Signup is required

and limited to 10 people.

• Holy Communion will be offered on the 1st and 3rd weekends at 9:00 am in the

church for those that are attending the outdoor worship service at 9:30. If the

outdoor service is cancelled due to weather, Holy Communion will not be offered at

9:00 am but will be included in the 9:30 service indoors.

As always, feel free to contact an elder with any question, concern or comment:

Dan Bolha (Head Elder) (262) 353-1429 [email protected]

Joel Hinz (262) 339-2721 [email protected]

AJ Kruse (920) 645-9590 [email protected]

David Martin (414) 870-8406 [email protected]

Peter Mueller (262) 717-5403 [email protected]

Jim Siebers (262) 623-0656 [email protected]

Roger Tews (414) 218-2051 [email protected]

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OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW IN GOD’S WORD

OASIS BIBLE STUDY GROUPS - Have you heard of them? Oasis Groups are small group

Bible studies led by members of David’s Star, and overseen by Pastor Loescher. The

groups are all different in terms of age brackets, and times and places that they meet,

but they all have one thing in common—The Bible is the central focus! For more

information on the groups available, or to start-up a new group, please contact Pastor

Loescher.

SUNDAY

TEEN & CHILDREN’S BIBLE STUDY – Children and teens meet in the school classrooms

from 9:10 to 10:10am to study God’s Word. 3K will have an overview of the Bible. 4K to

8th grade will study lessons about King David, Jonah, Daniel, and Queen Esther. Teens

will discuss issues that affect every day life under the title “Organizing Our Lives With

Jesus as Our Guide.”

ADULT BIBLE STUDY - Adults are invited to join one of the pastors at 9:10 am in the

concessions area of the school. This study is also available via Livestream.

WEDNESDAY

JAM (JESUS AND ME) - Join Jen Mueller at 8:30 am in the gathering space for Bible

lessons, singing, free play, craft and snack time. Moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas or

caregivers bring little ones not old enough yet for Kindergarten to enjoy spiritually

enriching fun time together. Save these dates and join us: May 12, 26. Please enter

through the church doors. Feel free to invite a friend!

ADULT BIBLE STUDY - At 10 am in the church, the pastors take turns leading an adult

study that works through the books of the Bible. Join us in person, or via Livestream.

THURSDAY

LADIES MORNING BIBLE STUDY- Women Nurturing Women meets on the first and third

Thursdays of the month in the gathering space at 10:00 am. All women of the

congregation are invited to attend. This class is also available via Zoom. Contact Jeanie

Martin ([email protected]) for a Zoom invitation.

FRIDAY

BIBLE CHAT - Join Pastor Loescher from 8:30 - 9:00 am in the gathering space for an

informal discussion about his morning devotional thoughts. All are welcome! Stop by

after dropping off children for school, or just drop in. Feel free to come and go as you

need to.

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LAST WEEKS OFFERINGS

David’s Star Operating: $12,898.95

David’s Star Debt Retire: $2,408.35

KMLHS Operating: $938.85

WELS Missions: $1,692.35

THIS WEEK AT DAVID’S STAR

Saturday (5/8) 5:00 pm Worship Service w/ Communion

Sunday (5/9) Happy Mother’s Day!

7:45 am Worship Service w/ Communion

9:10 am Worship Service w/ Communion

9:10 am Children’s & Adult Bible Studies

10:30 am Worship Service w/ Communion

Tuesday (5/11) 10:00 am OWLS Presentation (Church)

7:00 pm Council Meeting

Wednesday (5/12) 8:30 am JAM! (Gathering Space)

10:00 am Bible Study (Church)

Thursday (5/13) Ascension (No Small Group Communion)

3:45 pm Worship Service w/ Communion

6:30 pm Worship Service w/ Communion

Friday (5/14) 8:30 am Bible Chat (Gathering Space)

Saturday (5/15) 5:00 pm Worship Service w/ Communion

Sunday (5/16) 7:45 am Worship Service w/ Communion

9:10 am Worship Service w/ Communion

9:10 am Children’s Bible Study - No adult Bible Study

9:10 am Congregation Information Meeting (Gym)

10:30 am Worship Service w/ Communion

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ATTENDANCE (May 1, 2)

Worship via Livestream: 90

In-Person Worship: 378

SEXTONS USHERS

Sat. (5/8) 5:00 pm Ray Liesener Team 8 - Guy Maciejewski, Capt.

Sun. (5/9) 7:45 am Bill & Cody Bublitz Team 9

9:10 am Karl Lickteig Team 1 - Myron Philipps, Capt.

10:30 am Steve Bintz Team 2 - Glenn Rusch, Capt.

Wed. (5/13) 3:45 pm Ray Liesener Team 3 - John Wolfgram, Capt.

6:30 pm Bill & Cody Bublitz Team 4 - Randy Kison, Capt.

Sat. (5/15) 5:00 pm Hartwig/Maney Team 5

Sun. (5/16) 7:45 am Gerry Lahti Team 6 - Gerry Lahti, Capt.

9:10 am Jeff Munn Team 7 - Al Guhl, Capt.

10:30 am Guy Maciejewski Team 8 - Guy Maciejewski, Capt.

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_____________________________________________________________________________________ Welcome to David’s Star Evangelical Lutheran Church

David’s Star congregation has existed since 1843 to serve people with a

message more important than any other: Jesus Christ, crucified and risen

for the salvation of all. To our friends who know us, we renew our

welcome; to the first time visitor, we extend our sincere greeting; to those

who seek a church home, we offer fellowship with the living Savior.

School

Principal

TIMOTHY GUSTAFSON

[email protected]

School Secretary

CRISSY NADER

[email protected]

Church

Pastoral Staff

PASTOR MICHAEL WOLDT

Associate Pastor

262.377.1019

[email protected]

PASTOR KURT LOESCHER

Associate Pastor

262.677.0919

[email protected]

Church Secretary

JENNIFER MILLER

[email protected]

David’s Star Evangelical Lutheran Church

2740 David’s Star Drive, Jackson, WI 53037

Ph. 262.677.2412 / www.davidsstar.org