October-November 2026
The Christian on Election Day
Pastor Schopp
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Galatians 5:13-14
It is October which means that as the leaves fall, new colorful trees are popping up in people’s yards: That is, election signs. In a few weeks we will go to our respective polling places to elect various officials for local, state and federal offices. For many people, politics has become an almost religious activity, for the government has taken the place of the Triune God in their hearts. As Luther wrote about the First Commandment in the Large Catechism,
“What does it mean to have a God? Or, what is God? Answer: A god means that from which we are to expect all good and in which we are to take refuge in all distress.”
We do not treat the government as our god, but that doesn’t mean we ignore it or dishonor those who serve in it. As I mentioned last month, Christians are to honor the government (Romans 13), for it is instituted by God, even those governments that act wickedly from time to time. That does not mean that we must remain silent when those abuses take place. In our government, we not only have the ability to voice our opinion, but we also have a duty to elect those people to whom we delegate certain responsibilities. We should take this duty seriously.
Anabaptists were a group of radical reformers that popped up after Luther started his own reforms in the Church. In addition to rejecting the baptism of children, they also taught that Christians were to separate themselves from the world and could not serve in the military or participate in government. There are still people that believe this today, even if they have no ties to the descendants of the Anabaptists, the Amish, Mennonites and Hutterites. It is not sinful to participate in government, even if that government is imperfect (as they all are) and is not inherently “Christian”. Like Daniel, a godly person can still serve in a government of unbelievers. Our example may just sway others to change their minds and actions.
Citizen is one of the many vocations (callings) that we hold. Like stopping to help the victims of a traffic accident, we have an obligation to serve our neighbor by helping to steer the ship of our city, state and nation. It may be messy, but that doesn’t negate the need. Are none of the candidates people you would invite to your barbeque? That’s okay, since that’s not what you are voting for. Chose based upon your convictions and trust that God will take care of the rest. We love and serve our neighbor by voting, by serving on a jury, or even by running for office ourselves. We trust in Christ Jesus alone for our salvation, but we still respect and honor the government and those who do all those thankless jobs on our behalf.
LCMS Stewardship Newsletter
It’s in the Way that You Use It
Originally Published October 2023
Consider the humble baseball bat. It is a simple tool designed for a complex task. The batter needs a tool that can consistently deliver force to a small ball which may be thrown at over 100 miles per hour, but which might also come slanting across the plate as a slow curve. For a game like this, the founders of baseball had to redesign the old cricket bat, which is more of a flat paddle. The tool had to fit the job.
But even a specially-designed tool can be used for a different purpose. It turns out that some years ago in England, the home of cricket, baseball bats suddenly started selling like hotcakes. What were folks across the pond doing with all those baseball bats? Using them as clubs in riots!
A tool can be used, and it can be misused. It’s all in the way that you use it.
The same is true with the things of God. The Second Commandment states that we should “not misuse the name of the Lord.” In the Small Catechism, Luther goes on to tell us exactly what this misuse is, as well as the proper use:
“We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.” (SC I)
The Lord has given us His name: He has placed it upon us in Holy Baptism and He has invited us to pray to Him as our Father. In this sense, the Lord’s name is something for us to use. We should not misuse it … and we should not fail to use it. The Pharisees of old were so afraid of misusing the name of God that they decided to simply never say the name of God (YHWH, Jehovah) at all! This non-use is just as bad as misuse. The Lord gives His gifts for our use.
A Christian steward is one who is called to use all of God’s gifts for His purposes. This includes things like the Name of God, the Sacraments and the Word, and it also includes things like our family and friends, our talents and skills, our money and resources. Everything that God has given to you, He has given to you so that you may be blessed to use it for His kingdom.
It’s all in the way that you use it!
Our Savior October Birthdays
1 David Johnson (Karla) 14 Todd Salfrank
3 Sharon Deilke 16 Zachary Johnson
4 Bethany Andreasen 18 Viena Klipfel
7 Beverly Thayer 21 Katy Schaff
8 Dan Heinz 23 Jackie Hales
11 Margo Meyers 24 Isaac Nelson
12 Glen Rausch 26 Alison Andreasen
14 Joann Pomplun 28 Trina Tschappat
Anniversaries
21 Jordon & Alison Andreasen
29 Stuart & Stacey Nelson
31 Dave & Rayma Scepaniak
Our Savior Meetings in October
Elders – Sun Oct 4th at 12:30 pm
LWML – Mon Oct 5th at 3:45 pm
Church Council – Wed Oct 7th at 7:30 pm
Nursery Circle – Sun Oct 11th at 12:15 pm
RGI Meeting/Supper – Sun Oct 11th at 5:00 pm
Men’s Club Quarterly Meeting – Mon Oct 12th 7:00 pm
Board of Education – Sun Oct 18th at 12:15 pm
Voters Meeting – Sun Oct 25th at 9:30 am
The Our Savior Quarterly Voters Meeting was pushed back a few weeks to Sunday, October 25th at 9:30 am. Please attend to help conduct the business of the church.
Acolyte Schedule:
Oct. 4 – Caleb Siebert & Aurian Tschappat
Oct. 11 – Maci Johnson & Abby Rausch
Oct. 18 – Rhyan Johnson & Addison Person
Oct. 25 – Grace Rausch & Jaylynn Siebert
Portals of Prayer for October – December are available in the narthex.
Lutheran Witness – The October issue of LW is available in the narthex.
The SD District LCMS Newsletter can be viewed or printed from the website sddlcms.org, under the News & Events tab.
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. 11, Nov. 8). The children will sing some verses on their own, and the congregation will sing some verses. The bulletin will specify which verses.
The Senior Potluck will be on Tuesday, October 13th at noon at Our Savior. Join us for good food and fellowship.
Cancellations – There will be no Christian Foundations class on Oct. 13th and no Wednesday evening activities on Oct. 14th, as Pastor Schopp will be on his way back from the Fall Pastors’ Conference in Rapid City.
Saturday Bible Study – October 17th, 9:30-11:30 am at Our Savior. Everyone is welcome! The topic will be “For All the Saints”: a biblical and Lutheran view of saints.
Sunday School Rollerskating – The Board of Education will host a fun get-together for all Sunday School kids at SkateAway on October 25th from 2:00-4:30 pm. All skate rental fees will be covered by the Board of Education. Snacks will not be provided but kids are encouraged to bring money for the concession stand and arcade games.
A Circuit Reformation Service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church on Sunday, October 25th at 2:00 pm. All are welcome! Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher, SD District President, will be the guest preacher.
St. John’s 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
Usher List
Oct. 4 – Ray & Cyndy Larson
Oct. 11 – Dean & Lorie Ringgenberg
Oct. 18 – Mic & Jen Daggett
Oct. 25 – Mike & Molly Ringgenberg
St. John’s Quarterly Voters Meeting will be Sunday, October 18th at 9:15 am.
LWML News
LWML Sunday is October 4th. This year’s theme continues a four-year cycle focusing on the LWML Mission Statement — As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. For Lutheran Women in Mission Sunday 2026, we focus on Supporting Missions.
Christ Jesus our Lord asks us to be wise stewards of His good gifts. St. Paul, while proclaiming the Gospel, was also concerned for those who suffered. There were so many mission efforts taking place. As believers today, we also are eager to follow the example of Christ and aid those in need. The Spirit of God places that eagerness to serve upon our hearts. We can’t be everywhere to aid the missions, firsthand, that are set before us. The Lord does allow us to support those efforts that go forth in His name. May the Lord grant to us supportive hearts.
Our Savior LWML “Bakeless Bake Sale” will run through Sunday, October 4th. 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 Fall Zone Gathering – Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 214 7th Ave SW, Aberdeen. Hosted by Trinity Mansfield LWML.
Schedule:
9:00 am – Registration, Coffee & Goodies
9:30 am – Opening Devotion
Meeting – Election of officers & standing rules changes
Guest Speaker: Laura Bierman, representing Option 1 Women’s Health Center
Closing Devotion
Finishing by Noon (no lunch)
Gifts from the Heart – Items for Option 1 Women’s Health Center: baby/toddler books, feeding supplies, diapers (newborn to size 6, larger sizes preferred), and Walmart gift cards for larger items as needed (such as strollers, car seats, high-chairs)
Men’s Club News
Men's club met on Saturday, August 22nd for a work day at Our Savior. We had about a dozen motivated men with tools and were able to knock quite a bit out. Here's the list of what we got done:
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Removed bulletin board in the main entry for repaint
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Fixed multiple exterior outlets
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Installed new lock and TP holder on men's basement bathroom
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Built new trash can holders
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Removed trees growing behind AC units
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Picked up trash
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Repaired exterior lights
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Cleaned up dead branches on the ground and in trees
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Removed old skateboard sign
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Replaced worn out exhaust louvers
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Caulked and repaired south gutters
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Cleaned off the dead branches and leaves from the roof
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Caulked windows to brick in the office and kitchen
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Replaced 30 to 40 bulbs throughout the church and repaired several lights
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Got the lights that shine on the steeple cross repaired and replaced the timer that controls them
LWML fed the crew and a good time was had by all!
Our quarterly meeting will be Monday, October 12th at 7:00 pm, and we’ll have Bible study on Monday, November 9th at 7:00 pm. We are reading the book Man Up! by Rev. Jeffrey Hemmer. For questions or concerns, please contact Bob Rausch via call or text at 605-380-9720, or email rausch_bob@yahoo.com.
Our Savior November Birthdays
2 Maurine Bierman 13 Donna Erdmann
6 Avery Lee 18 Evonne Hopfinger
6 Jacob Lee 19 Larry Grieben
7 Reese Meyers 19 Paula Grieben
8 Trisha Rausch 22 Betty Meints
9 Ronda Flynn 23 Tyler Thone
Anniversaries
4 Brandon & Andrea Christianson
24 Bob & Trisha Rausch
Our Savior Meetings in November
LWML – Mon. Nov. 2nd at 3:45 pm
Nursery Circle – Sun. Nov. 8th at 12:15 pm
Elders – Sun. Nov. 8th at 12:30 pm
Men’s Club Bible Study – Mon. Nov. 9th at 7:00 pm
Council – Wed. Nov. 11th at 7:30 pm
Board of Education – Sun. Nov. 15th at 12:15 pm
By-Laws Review Committee – Sun. Nov. 22 at 2:00 pm
Acolyte Schedule:
Nov. 1 – Caleb Siebert & Aurian Tschappat
Nov. 8 – Maci Johnson & Ella Brick
Nov. 15 – Rhyan Johnson & Abby Rausch
Nov. 22 – Jaylynn Siebert & Addison Person
Nov. 29 – Caleb Siebert & Aurian Tschappat
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 Acts. Everyone is welcome!
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 1 st, so don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour on Saturday night!
All Saints’ Day is Sunday, November 1 st. 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 – Alfred Larson, Kathy Wendt, Patty Wiedmeier, Leroy Neuhardt, Dwight Buntrock, Wally Rutschke, Phyllis Lassanske, Dean Buntrock, Dorothy Maas, Betty Zundel, Brad Wilson, Vernon Korab.
Reformation Rumble – On Sunday, November 1 st there will be a potluck at 5:00 pm at Our Savior for both congregations, followed by a Jeopardy!-style game called “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 hope to have many in attendance, for fun and fellowship!
The Senior Potluck will be at Our Savior on Tuesday, November 10 th at noon.
Saturday Bible Study – Nov. 14 th from 9:30-11:30 am at Our Savior. All are welcome! The topic will be “Meditation: A Christian Approach”.
Thanksgiving Services:
Our Savior – Wednesday, November 25 th at 6:30 pm St. John’s – Thursday, November 26 th at 9:00 am
There will be a Thanksgiving Dinner at Our Savior on Thursday at noon, open to members of both congregations, as we have in the past. We need a few members willing to apply for Thrivent Action Team funds to be used for purchasing the meal, and 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. Sign-up sheets for the dinner will be placed at both churches early in November, as food must be ordered a week in advance. Thank you!
Sunday School Christmas Program Practice – From November 29 th through December 20 th, Sunday School will begin at 9:00 am instead of 9:30 to allow time for practicing the Christmas Program. There will also be a dress rehearsal on Saturday, December 19 th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Christmas program will be on Sunday, December 20 th at 4:00 pm, with a potluck afterward.
Advent – November 29 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 2 nd at 6:30 pm.
Circuit Youth – Save the Date! There will be a circuit youth retreat at St. Paul’s in Aberdeen on Saturday, December 5 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.
Lutheran Family Service – 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. Dreena Wertz is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works out of an office at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. To schedule an appointment, call 605-271-1081 or email DWertz@LutheranFamilyService.org. To find out more about services that LFS provides, visit their website at www.lutheranfamilyservice.org, or email info@lutheranfamilyservice.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
Our Savior Lutheran Church
624 North Jay Street – Aberdeen, SD 57401
St. John’s Lutheran Church
23 North James Street – Columbia, SD 57433
Dual Parish Office: 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 # 605-846-7365
Email: lutheranprof@gmail.com
Secretary’s office hours: Mon-Fri 9am – 2pm
Click on the calendar tab on the website to see the October and November Calendars.
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