August-September 2026
Anarchy is not godly
Pastor Schopp
1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. – Romans 13:1-4
Romans 13 contains one of the best-known passages about the Christian’s duty to obey the temporal authorities. In it, Paul is telling the congregation in Rome to obey the Roman authorities, not because they are nice to them, not because they are giving them special perks, but because governments are instituted by God. Societies can debate what governments should or should not do, but at the most basic level, governments exist to defend the weak, punish the wicked and praise the righteous.
Anarchists are those who seek to destroy all governments and authority. The word comes from Greek an- meaning “without”, and archos, meaning “ruler”. Anarchy is the state of being without government, with the implication of chaos and violence. For centuries, there have been those who propose creating a perfect society, without divisions and without the need for governments. These are usually intellectuals who have not been subject to the worst impulses of fallen man, but were sheltered by the very governments they want to destroy. In the 16th Century, Thomas More, an English statesman, wrote the book Utopia, a satirical work which critiques governments and institutions while also poking fun at the idea of a world without government. The word “utopia” is itself a pun. Derived from Greek, it has a dual meaning: It means both “good place” and “no place”. More was saying no perfect land can exist.
There is a growing movement in this country to institute some of these anarchist ideas, such as abolishing the police and prisons, as if the only thing that prevented mankind from doing this in the past was a lack of imagination. Every attempt at creating a “utopia” has ended in failure, often with horrific bloodshed, because people forget that we are fallen, sinful creatures. Without curbs on our behavior, we will always act badly. We need governments to protect us from the wickedness of others and to remind us to mind our own manners.
Less government is not a bad thing, but no government at all is right up the devil’s alley. As Christians we must not fall prey to the false promises of a perfect society here on earth, where sinners don’t sin and there are no wicked acts if we simply change definitions. We are to support our officials, not just in word, but in deed. Defend them when others slander their actions. Obey the law, as long as it does not conflict with the Word of God. Keep our elected officials, law enforcement, judges and soldiers in our prayers, that they may be protected from all harm and strengthened to fulfill their duties in a God pleasing way. We trust in the salvation won for us by Christ Jesus and know that on the last day, not only will we be raised from the dead, but we will live in the new earth where sin, death and the devil have been finally cast away. But until then, God has given us earthly governments to serve and protect us. Let us thank God for this gift and keep our officials always in our prayers.
AUGUST
Our Savior August Birthdays
1 Joyce Hermansen 12 Anna Korab
3 Ann Lee 13 Ella Christianson
4 Jan Bohling 14 Rebecca McHenry
4 Andrew Johnson 16 Simeon Andreasen
4 Stacey Nelson 17 Hudson Haar
4 Tristan Tschappat 20 Marlys Brick
8 Jody Haar 21 Cody Rausch
8 Amara Klipfel 21 Rhylan Tschappat
8 Rabecca Rohrbach 23 Jordon Andreasen
9 Carl Bulian 25 Lori Salfrank
9 Amy Johnson 27 Isaac McHenry
9 Michael Wendt 27 Jayda Siebert
10 Sharon Bain 28 Amy Scepaniak
11 Kathie Lassanske 28 Terry Small
Anniversaries
1 Todd & Lori Salfrank
5 Chad & Tami Schopp
14 Cody & Ann Lee
14 Justin & Amy Scepaniak
18 Alan & Patricia Ludwig
18 Chris & Rebecca McHenry
21 Troy & Trina Tschappat
23 Douglas & Marianne Klipfel
26 Russell & Candy Brandt
27 Glen & Sarah Rausch
Meetings at Our Savior:
Board of Elders – Sun Aug 9
th at 12:30 pm
Church Council – Wed Aug 12
th at 6:00 pm
Board of Ed & SS Staff – Sun Aug 16
th at 12:00 pm
By-Laws Review Committee – Wed Aug 19
th 6:00 pm
Catechism Info Meeting – Wed Aug 26
th at 6:00 pm
Sunday School Teachers will meet with the Board of Education on Sunday, August 16
th after the service to receive your materials.
Teacher Installation will take place during the service on Sunday, August 30
th. Classes will resume on Sunday, September 13
th at 9:30 am.
Acolyte Schedule –
Aug 2 – Caleb Siebert & Teigan McKown
Aug 9 – Maci Johnson & Cassie McKown
Aug 16 – Tucker Brick & Aurian Tschappat
Aug 23 – Rhyan Johnson & Grace Rausch
Aug 30 – Ella Brick & Jaylynn Siebert
Our Savior LWML Breakfast will be on Wednesday, August 5
th at 9:00 am at The Cornerstone (former Waffle Cone) at 201 S Main St. Please sign up in the narthex. All ladies of the church are welcome.
Men’s Club – Starting on Monday, August 10
th, the Men’s Club will have a monthly Bible study on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. We’ll play dartball afterward for anyone who wants to stay.
The men will have a work day at Our Savior on Saturday, August 22
nd at 8:00 am until early afternoon. Bring tools. Contact Bob Rausch to pick a project beforehand or just show up and we’ll put you to work.
Brown County Fair – Lutherans for Life, Lutheran Family Service, and Rural Gospel Initiative will share a booth at the Brown County Fair from August 11-16. They welcome volunteers to man the booth for any length of time, no experience necessary. St. John’s will man the booth on Thursday, Aug. 13
th; Our Savior will man the booth on Sunday, Aug. 16
th. There are sign-up sheets in the narthex at each church. (St. Paul’s is now covering Tuesday, Aug. 11
th. If you had already signed up for Tuesday and want to switch to Sunday, please talk to Glen Rausch.)
LCMS Singles Retreat - The fourth annual LCMS Lutheran Singles Retreat is being planned for
Aug. 21-23, at Camp Okoboji in Milford, Iowa. This retreat is open to all single men and women, ages 21-41. Registration is available at www.faithwinterset.org. Cost for the retreat is $100. Contact Dr. Keith Schweitzer with questions at (641) 745-5143 or
keithlcms@gmail.com.
Catechism Class Information Meeting – There will be a meeting for students in grades 5-8 and their parents at Our Savior on Wednesday, August 26
th at 6:00 pm. Pizza and pop will be provided by the Board of Education. Classes will start Wednesday, September 2
nd at 5:00 pm.
Saturday Bible Study – There will be no Saturday Bible study in August.
***Lighthouse Preschool/Jr. Kindergarten***
We still have slots for our full-day and half-day Jr. Kindergarten program for the 2026-27 school year! Our classes are open for students ages 3-5. If you or someone you know may be interested in enrolling a child, please see Jenelle Siebert with any questions or contact the preschool at 605-725-1855.
St. John’s August Birthdays
2 Mark Yeske 15 Darren Dennert
4 Dwain Buntrock 17 Barry Sieber
7 Hudson Eichler 20 Cathi Podoll
7 Jack Hieb 24 Nicole Pierson
8 Cheryl Kampa 26 Mason Podoll
10 Brent Miller 28 Kerry Hansen
Anniversaries
8 Keith & Naomi Underberg
12 Lyle & Cathi Podoll
Usher List
Aug. 2 – Mike & Molly Ringgenberg
Aug. 9 – Mic & Jen Daggett
Aug. 16 – Tony & Amanda Bisbee
Aug. 23 – Karl & Val Eichler
Aug. 30 – Brent & Barb Miller
St. John’s Voters Meeting will be Sunday, August 2
nd after the service, at 9:15 am. Please attend to help conduct the business of the church.
LCMS Family Ministry
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” August is a crazy time. Kids are going back to school, with all the activities and bustle. Parents are trying to make sure that their kids have all the things that they need to succeed in this new school year. In the midst of this time of new beginnings and transitions, it can be a challenge for a family to have meaningful connections with each other. Eating meals together can be a wonderful way to spend time together. In the midst of all the bustle and busyness, it is helpful be intentional about having time as a family where you can connect. At the beginning of each week, plan what meals you will eat together as a family. Make the most of them by having a family devotion, encouraging each other, building one another up, or having a time of prayer.
LWML FALL ZONE GATHERING:
Hosted by Trinity, Mansfield but held at St. Paul’s, Aberdeen, October 10, 2026, registration beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Morning coffee and goodies, ending by noon (no noon lunch).
Election of Zone President and Vice President (Groups from Groton, Ferney and Columbia are the nominating committee).
Vote on changes to the Standing Rules.
Speaker: Laura Bierman representing Option 1 Women’s Health Center, Brookings SD
Gifts from the Heart will be for Option 1 with suggestions posted later.
PUPPET PLACE: Our zone is to furnish workers for the Puppet Place at the State Fair on Sunday, September 6th. Trinity Mansfield is in charge this year. Please contact Bobbie Bierman or Carol Wiedebush if someone from your group is able to help.
?Hope to see you all on October 10th—or maybe on September 6th at the Puppet Place!
God Bless you all; stay cool!
?In His Service,
Bobbie Bierman
Zone LWML Secretary
LCMS Convention News
The 69
th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in Phoenix just concluded on July 23
rd. Highlights of the week included the recognition of fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Christian Church of Bolivia and Lutheran Mission–Australia, the decision to keep the current process for the election of the LCMS president, and the reconstitution of the Commission on Worship.
Final updates and stories from the convention, including some videos, are available online at reporter.lcms.org/category/convention
SEPTEMBER
Our Savior September Birthdays
1 Bob Rausch 19 Colton Fryer
4 Tom Hanson 19 Chad Petrich
8 Rhyan Johnson 21 Barbara Wickham
8 Dave Scepaniak 24 Kenneth Maas
8 Jenelle Siebert 25 Dagny Meyers
12 Nathan Thone 28 Russell Brandt
13 Aaryah Lassanske 30 Cyarrah Fryer
15 Judy Bulian 30 Chad Schopp
17 Sarah Rausch
Anniversaries
9 Berwyn & Sharon Bain
12 Steve & Paula Grieben
19 David & Karla Johnson
20 Paul & Peggy Dennert
22 Jonathan & Janean Imberi
Our Savior Meetings in September:
Elders – Sun Sept 6th at 12:30 pm
Council – Wed Sept 9th at 7:30 pm
Nursery Circle – Sun Sept 13th at 12:00 pm
LWML – Mon Sept 14th at 3:45 pm
Board of Education – Sun Sept 20th at 12:00 pm
Acolyte Schedule:
Sept 6
th – Caleb Siebert & Aurian Tschappat
Sept 13
th – Maci Johnson & Cassie McKown
Sept 20
th – Rhyan Johnson & Grace Rausch
Sept 27
th – Jaylynn Siebert & Ella Brick
Wednesdays – The fall schedule resumes on September 2
nd, with catechism class at 5:00 pm, a short prayer service at 6:00, and Bible Study at 6:30 (The Acts of the Apostles).
Labor Day – Monday, September 7
th the church office will be closed, and the Mat Ladies will
not meet.
Senior Noon Potlucks resume on September 8
th at Our Savior and will continue on the second Tuesday of each month through May. Join us for good food and fellowship.
Saturday Bible Study – Sept. 12
th 9:30-11:30 am at Our Savior. The topic will be announced later.
Sunday School resumes September 13
th at 9:30 am. To kick off the year, the Board of Education will provide ice cream sundaes during opening time.
Nursery Circle will resume their meetings on the second Sunday of each month after the service, starting September 13
th.
Blood Drive – Help save a life! Vitalant Blood Services will be at Our Savior on Tuesday, Sept. 15
th from 2:00-6:00 pm. To schedule your donation, contact Russell Brandt at 605-715-5225, or go to vitalant.org.
Men’s Club will work together on a roofing project on Saturday, September 19
th starting at 7:00 am at 621 S. 10
th St. Bring tools, water and food for yourself.
Spaghetti Supper – The Men’s Club will host a spaghetti supper for members of St. John’s and Our Savior (in the fellowship hall at Our Savior) on Sunday, September 20
th at 5:00-7:00 pm.
Christian Foundations Class – The Fall 2026 session begins on Tuesday, September 22
nd at 6:00-7:30 pm at Our Savior. This is the adult education class that Pastor Schopp teaches twice a year (Fall and Spring). It is a ten-week class on the basics of the Christian faith. Not only is it a good class for those who are unchurched or new to the Lutheran church, it is also a good refresher
for all of our members. Books are provided, but please let Pastor or the office know if you plan to attend so that we will have enough materials.
Coffee & Confessions – Join us Tuesday mornings at 6:30 am at Our Savior to learn about the Lutheran Confessions, from the Book of Concord. All are welcome!
The Our Savior LWML “Bakeless Bake Sale” will run from September 1
st through October 4
th. There is a container in the narthex at Our Savior for monetary donations. Thank you to everyone for your generosity in helping with our mission fundraiser.
Ink cartridges and cell phones – Please bring your used printer ink cartridges and cell phones to church. They can be recycled so as not to harm the environment, and raise money for LWML mission projects as well. There is a box for them in the narthex. Thank you!
Home and Hospital Visits – If you would like Pastor to visit you at home, and bring communion, please let Pastor or the church office know. Also, if you are having surgery or are hospitalized and would like Pastor to visit and/or include you on the prayer list, please let us know.
Greeters are needed at Our Savior to welcome people at the entrance of the sanctuary for about 10 minutes prior to the Sunday services. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex.
Grocery Receipts & Labels – Receipts from Ken’s and Kessler’s will be collected again from September through May so they can be turned in for cash. Place receipts in the container in the narthex.
We can only turn in receipts from the current school year, so no old receipts, please. (Just an FYI – we receive a percentage of the grocery sales only; not for gas, gift cards, lottery tickets, alcohol, or cigarettes.)
We also collect Best Choice labels. Best Choice products can be found at Ken’s. Save the UPC (bar code) including the words “Best Choice” above it, and place them in the same container as the receipts.
Vocatio: Retreat - October 4-7, 2026
Vocatio: Retreat is a three-day retreat at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, held in the spring and fall for college students and second-career men and women that offers an opportunity to rest in God's Word and learn more about the path to full-time service as a pastor, deaconess, missionary, or chaplain.
During
Vocatio: Retreat, you will devote time to prayer and the study of God’s Word, and engage in sessions that focus on the spiritual and personal aspects of the decision-making process of becoming a seminarian, as well as learn about academic courses, field education, vicarages/deaconess internships, financial aid, housing, and the enrollment process. This event is free.
Registration deadline: Sept. 13, 2026
Visit
https://csl.edu/admissions/visit/vocatio-retreat/ for more information and to register.
Questions? Email admit@csl.edu or call 800-822-9545.
St. John’s September Birthdays
5 Molly Ringgenberg 21 Dustin Buntrock
8 Lorie Ringgenberg 25 Andrew Buntrock
12 Erin Wolter 30 Larry Vietmeier
17 Amanda Bisbee
Anniversaries
2 Mic & Jen Daggett
18 Karl & Val Eichler
21 Brent & Barb Miller
26 Eric & Karen Hermans
St. John’s Usher List
Sept. 6 Josh & Desa Larson
Sept. 13 Lyle & Cathi Podoll
Sept. 20 John Bisbee & Lucas Daggett
Sept. 27 Roger & Sharon Zastrow
