October-November 2025
Reformation is not just history
Pastor Schopp
And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the Lord in Jerusalem. (2 Kings 23:21-23)
The excerpt above describes the reforms ordered by King Josiah, who ruled Judah around 630 BC. During his reign, the temple in Jerusalem was repaired and the idols of the false gods removed from the sanctuary. It was during this “house cleaning” that the high priest Hilkiah found the “Book of the Law”, the books of Moses which had been neglected for so long. One of the things they found in reading the Pentateuch (the Five Books of Moses) was that they were supposed to be doing this thing called “The Passover” each year, but they didn’t know anything about it. In fact, as the account says, “
no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah” (v.22). The time of the Judges came before the kings, before Saul, David, Solomon, etc., whose stories we know well. But they had lost the knowledge of the Passover, of God’s saving acts and promises, for centuries. That is not only shocking, but heartbreaking.
The reforms of King Josiah are just one example of our continuing need to be aware of what we, the Church, are doing and how it compares to the practices of our fathers in the faith. The priests up until that point thought they were doing what they were supposed to. The people thought they had a good understanding of YHWH, the God of their ancestors. But like playing the telephone game, bits and pieces are dropped with each passing, so that over time, the message gets so distorted that it bears little resemblance to the original.
On October 26
th, I am introducing a fun celebration of the Reformation centered around a
Jeopardy!-style game show that I call “Reformation Rumble”. The point is to have fun, strengthen the bonds of fellowship with one another, and accidentally learn some stuff about the Reformation and our Lutheran heritage. Understanding why Luther and the other Reformers did what they did is important, not just from a historical point of view, but to understand that we, too, must examine our practices and doctrines continuously in light of Scripture and our shared confession of faith (the Book of Concord). It’s not just a thing for other people of another time. It is a task for all of us. We must heed the words of St. Paul to the pastor Timothy, “
By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (2 Tim 1:14) Before we can guard the deposit, we sometimes have to dust it off, the way Hilkiah and King Josiah did. To remind God’s people of the Means of Grace entrusted to His bride, the Church, and to keep the name of Christ honored among us.
New Newsletter Schedule
We are experimenting with a new schedule for the dual parish newsletter, to be published every other month instead of every month. As you can see from the attached calendar, we have all of the planned events on there out through the end of November.
The purpose is to get everyone in the habit of looking out further than the next few weeks. We (Pastor Schopp, Pastor Ludwig and Cherise) are not always being notified about things in a timely manner, which means we can’t get it in the newsletter, on the calendar, etc. It also means that the council doesn’t have time to discuss things and work on them before they become critical. This should give the various boards more time to wrap up reports and write short articles for the newsletter, keeping everyone in the loop on what has been accomplished and what is coming up in the future.
Along with this, Pastor Schopp is working with a volunteer to revamp the website. The goal is to have a “live” link to the church’s Google Calendar on the website to keep everyone up to date on services, meetings, etc. Once it is built and running, we will need help in maintaining the website. This should only require 1-2 hours per month. If you are interested in helping, let Pastor Schopp know.
Reformation Day will be observed on Sunday, October 26
th. There will be a potluck supper for both congregations at Our Savior at 5:00 pm, followed by the “Reformation Rumble” as mentioned in Pastor’s article. We hope to have many in attendance, for fun and fellowship!
A Circuit Reformation Service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Groton on Friday, October 31
st at 7:00 pm. All are welcome!
All Saints’ Day will be observed on Sunday, November 2
nd. Let us remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us with the sign of faith; for they were created by God to offer Him praise and thanksgiving forever, and He gave them new life through His Son in Holy Baptism, and nourished them in the company of His people at His Holy Table, and in His mercy has summoned them to His nearer presence so that they may continue in joyful service of Him forever. We remember – Larry Nupen, Evelyn Grieben, Raymond Schnabel, Viola Schnaidt, Ronald Hoops, Leroy Krage, Lorraine Krage, Walter Schott, Phyllis Schott, Loretta Podoll, and Lloyd Dennert.
October
Our Savior Birthdays
1 David Johnson (Karla) 16 Zachary Johnson
3 Sharon Deilke 18 Paul Haar
4 Bethany Andreasen 18 Viena Klipfel
7 Beverly Thayer 21 Katy Schaff
8 Dan Heinz 23 Jackie Hales
12 Glen Rausch 24 Isaac Nelson
14 Joann Pomplun 26 Alison Andreasen
14 Todd Salfrank 28 Trina Tschappat
Anniversaries
21 Jordon & Alison Andreasen
29 Stuart & Stacey Nelson
31 Dave & Rayma Scepaniak
Our Savior Meetings in October
LWML – Mon Oct 6th at 3:45 pm
Elders – Thur Oct 9th at 5:15 pm
Church Council – Thur Oct 9th at 6:30 pm
Voters Meeting – Sun Oct 12th at 9:30 am
Nursery Circle – Sun Oct 12th at 12:00 pm
Board of Education – Sun Oct 19th at 12:00 pm
The Quarterly Voters Meeting will be Sunday, October 12
th at 9:30 am. Please attend to help conduct the business of the church.
Elders for October – Douglas Klipfel & Glen Rausch
Acolyte Schedule:
Oct. 5 – Caleb Siebert & Aurian Tschappat
Oct. 12 – Cassie McKown & Maci Johnson
Oct. 19 – Rhyan Johnson & Grace Rausch
Oct. 26 – Ella Brick & Jaylynn Siebert
Portals of Prayer for October – December are available in the narthex.
Lutheran Witness – There are still some of the September issue of LW in the narthex, and the October issue should be arriving soon.
The Senior Potluck will be Tuesday, October 14
th at noon at Our Savior. Join us for good food and fellowship.
Meet & Greet: Find out more about programs Lutheran Family Service (LFS) offers that can help you and your family on Sunday, October 5, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 214 7
th Ave. SW, Aberdeen. We’ll also do a Q&A to get to know LFS’s brand-new Aberdeen area mental health counselor, Dreena Wertz, who is currently accepting clients with no wait. As a Registered Service Organization (RSO) of the LCMS, LFS specializes in offering Christian counseling to clients who desire it, but you don’t have to be Lutheran or Christian to receive services. Coffee and dessert will be provided. Join us in welcoming Dreena to her Aberdeen office!
Dreena Wertz
Licensed Professional Counselor
214 7
th Ave SW, Aberdeen, SD 57401
Office/Scheduling: 605-271-1081
Email: DWertz@LutheranFamilyService.org
Cancellations – There will be no Christian Foundations class on Oct. 7
th and no Wednesday evening activities on Oct. 8
th, as Pastor Schopp will be traveling back from the Fall Pastors’ Conference in Rapid City.
Saturday Bible Study – October 11
th 9:00-11:00 am at Our Savior. Everyone is welcome! The topic will be “How do I respond to . . . ?”
Our Savior Children’s Choir – The Sunday School children will sing part of the opening hymn once a month during the school year, usually on the second Sunday. (Oct. 12, Nov. 9) The children will sing some verses on their own, and the congregation will sing some verses. The bulletin will specify which verses.
Our Savior Men's Club – We will start up a men’s group again. Our goals are to have Bible studies meant to direct men how to be godly Christian men in the home and in their vocations, to assist the congregation with miscellaneous services, to host a fund raiser to support the maintenance of the church van or the youth or other financial needs that arise, and to encourage one another with wisdom and camaraderie.
Our first meeting will be
Monday, October 13th at 7:00 pm. We can discuss what works for members at our first meeting and we can be flexible, but to start out we are going to try to meet four times a year. For questions or concerns, please contact Bob Rausch via call or text at 605-380-9720, or email rausch_bob@yahoo.com.
LWML News
LWML Fall Zone Rally – Saturday, October 4, 2025
at Our Savior Lutheran Church
Hosted by St. John’s LWML
Speaker: Wanda Pritzel of Lutheran Family Service
“Sharing Comfort” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Schedule:
8:30-9:00 am – Registration & Coffee
9:00 – Opening Devotion
9:15 – Zone Business Meeting
10:00-11:30 – Speaker
11:30 – Closing Devotions
11:45 – Lunch
Our Savior LWML “Bakeless Bake Sale” will run through Sunday, October 5
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.
LWML Sunday is October 5
th. This year’s theme is “Proclaiming Christ,” which emphasizes the importance of sharing the Gospel and the message of repentance and forgiveness to all nations, a mission rooted in Jesus’ words in Luke 24:44-53.
As redeemed children of God, Lutheran Women in Mission give thanks for the opportunity to serve others as we have been served, to proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and that He came for all nations, and to respond with our mite offerings to support God’s mission. Our example has been the widow and her mites. The offering she made was observed by our Lord leading Him to share that her copper coins, her mites, were
“everything she had, all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43). May our mite offerings be blessed for our Lord’s kingdom.
LWML SD Fall Christian Life Workshop –
"Deeper Relationships. Wider Kingdom Influence"
Presenter: Rev. Billy Newell of Lord of Life Lutheran
October 18, 2025
Lord of Life Lutheran Church
2600 S Sycamore Ave, Sioux Falls, SD
Registration: 9:30–10 am
Workshop: 10 am to 3 pm
Morning offering for mites.
Noon freewill donation to help cover lunch expenses.
Kristy Ring, SD District VP of Christian Life
kmring08@gmail.com or 605-831-9295
sdlwml.org
St. John’s – Columbia
October Birthdays
1 Karen Hermans 21 Cyndy Larson
3 Arion Dart 21 Belle Rae Sieber
4 Sharon Zastrow 28 Cole Bisbee
5 Joyce Wilson 28 John Bisbee
8 Heather Underberg 30 Dominick Borge
17 Amy Patton
Anniversary
6 Alfred & Doris Larson
User List
Oct. 5 – Josh & Desa Larson
Oct. 12 – Mike & Molly Ringgenberg
Oct. 19 - Roger & Sharon Zastrow
Oct. 26 - Dean & Lori Ringgenberg
Parents of Young Adults (Our Savior AND St. John’s) – We need help with updated addresses. If you have a child who is living away from home during college or military service, or has recently moved out to live on their own, could you please give the church their address so that we can send them a newsletter to help keep them connected? The Board of Social Ministry would also like to send a care package to the college students and active-duty military members. Email addresses and phone numbers would also be helpful, as many young people prefer to communicate online or by text. (We promise not to bombard them with messages, only important communications.) You can call or email the church office with information.
Thank you for your help!
Our Savior Lutheran Church
624 North Jay Street – Aberdeen, SD 57401
St. John’s Lutheran Church
23 North James Street – Columbia, SD 57433
Phone 605-225-7106
Email
oursaviorlutheran@nvc.net
www.oursaviorlutheranchurchaberdeen.com
Rev. Chad Schopp – Cell # 605-380-2545
Email: cschopp@protonmail.com
Rev. Alan Ludwig – Cell # 509-540-9083
Email: lutheranprof@gmail.com
Secretary’s office hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
November Birthdays
1 Cassie McKown 18 Evonne Hopfinger
2 Maurine Bierman 18 Hallie McKown
4 Wally Rutschke 19 Larry Grieben
6 Avery Lee 19 Paula Grieben
6 Jacob Lee 20 Rachel Hoops
8 Trisha Rausch 22 Betty Meints
9 Ronda Flynn 23 Tyler Thone
13 Donna Erdmann 29 Patty Wiedmeier
Anniversaries
4 Brandon & Andrea Christianson
24 Bob & Trisha Rausch
Our Savior Meetings in November
LWML – Mon. Nov. 3rd at 3:45 pm
Nursery Circle – Sun. Nov. 9th at 12:00 pm
Elders – Thur. Nov. 13th at 5:15 pm
Council – Thur. Nov. 13th at 6:30 pm
Board of Education – Sun. Nov. 16th at 12:00 pm
Elders for November: Russell Brandt & Brandon Christianson
Acolyte Schedule:
Nov. 2 – Cashlyn Angerhofer & Rhian Angerhofer
Nov. 9 – Tucker Brick & Aurian Tschappat
Nov. 16 – Cassie McKown & Maci Johnson
Nov. 23 – Jaylynn Siebert & Caleb Siebert
Nov. 30 – Rhyan Johnson & Cashlyn Angerhofer
Coffee & Confessions – Join us Tuesday mornings at Our Savior at 6:30 am to learn about the Lutheran Confessions, from the Book of Concord. All are welcome!
Midweek Prayer Services – A short service is offered on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm at Our Savior, before Bible study.
Wednesday Bible Study – 6:30 pm at Our Savior. We are reading the book of Exodus. Everyone is welcome!
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 2
nd, so don’t forget to move your clocks
back one hour on Saturday night!
Saturday Bible Study – Nov. 8
th from 9:00-11:00 am at Our Savior. All are welcome! The topic will be “The Real Presence of Christ in the Old Testament”.
The Senior Potluck will fall on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11
th at noon. If this will interfere with anyone being able to attend a Veterans Day program, we could change the day to Monday or Wednesday. Call or email the office if you have any thoughts or suggestions about this. Thank you!
Thanksgiving Services:
Our Savior – Wednesday, November 26
th at 6:30 pm
St. John’s – Thursday, November 27
th at 9:00 am
We would like to have a Thanksgiving Dinner at Our Savior on Thursday at noon, open to members of both congregations, as we have in the past. We have a few members willing to apply for Thrivent Action Team funds to be used to purchase the meal, but we need someone to take charge of the organization (ordering the food from Ken’s and picking it up, setting up, etc.) If you’d be willing to handle this, please call or email the church office. If we are able to have the dinner, sign-up sheets will be placed at both churches early in November, as food must be ordered a week in advance. Thank you!
Advent – November 30
th is the first Sunday of Advent. There will be three mid-week Advent services at Our Savior (for both congregations), beginning on Wednesday, December 3
rd at 6:30 pm.
Sunday School Christmas Program Practice – The first program rehearsal will be Sunday, November 23
rd from 12:00-1:30 pm. Then starting on November 30
th, Sunday School will begin at
9:00 am instead of 9:30 to allow time for practicing the Christmas Program. This will continue through December 21
st. There will also be a dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 20
th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Christmas program will be on Sunday, December 21
st at 4:00 pm, with a potluck afterward.
LWML News
The LWML Christmas Party will be at The Flame on Thursday, December 4th at 5:00 pm. Please bring a $10-$15 gift to exchange. There will be a sign-up sheet in the narthex.
LWML Christmas Stocking Ingathering at Our Savior will be Sunday, December 7th. Christmas stockings with a verse are located in a small box on a table in the narthex. Please take one and bring it to church on December 7th and place it in the basket at the front of the church. The money will be used for missions. Anyone is welcome to participate. Thank you for your donation!
Lutheran Summer Music (LSM), the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students, is excited to announce that the 2026 summer program will return to St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, for the first time since 1994. This move marks a significant chapter for LSM, returning the program to the site of its inaugural season in 1982. St. Olaf College offers world-class music facilities that will support and expand LSM’s growing programs. Students who have completed grades 8-12 can take part in music, community, and faith. LSM is coming up June 21—July 19, 2026. The cost is $2,945 for a full session (four weeks) or $2,145 for a half session (two weeks June 21—July 3), plus an application fee. Costs include all meals, activities, instruction, and housing. Financial aid is available. LSM offers matching grants, scholarships, and can even help you fundraise in your community. Priority enrollment is open now through December 1
st. Tuition increases and spots fill through the year, so we encourage students to apply early. The final application deadline is May 1
st. For more information, go to
www.lsmacademy.org.
Call (612) 879-9555 ext. 5
Text (612) 879-9555
Email
admissions@lutheransummermusic.org
St. John’s – Columbia
November Birthdays
9 Val Eichler
10 Phyllis Yeske
11 Barb Miller
15 Mark Christianson
25 Rhory Podoll
27 Tony Bisbee
Anniversary
29 Josh & Desa Larson
Usher List:
Nov. 2 - Mic & Jen Daggett
Nov. 9 - Ray & Cyndy Larson
Nov. 16 - Karl & Val Eichler
Nov. 23 - Tony & Amanda Bisbee
Nov. 30 - Brent & Barb Miller
Circuit Youth – Save the Date! There will be a circuit youth retreat at St. Paul’s in Aberdeen on Saturday, December 6
th. Watch the November bulletins for more information.
Inclement Weather Policy – Whenever a no travel advisory is in effect, all church activities will be canceled. On weekdays, if public school has been called off due to weather, then all church activities will be canceled also. On Sundays, Pastor and the church leadership will make the determination. Check announcements at Hub City Radio or KELOLAND.com Closeline. (KELO doesn’t put church announcements on TV, so you would have to check their website.) Cancellations will also be posted on our Facebook page, and the church’s telephone greeting will be changed to tell you if the service is called off.
