A Note from Pastor Bare

“Squash a Bug a Day!”

Though we’re in the dead of winter right now, it’s not difficult remembering the height of the summer bug season. Mosquitoes, deer fly and gnats are the most notorious nuisances as they buzz and bite and bother. So if we’re outside a lot, maybe we squashed many bugs in a day. In our God-blessed use of time, it’s wise to make a goal of squashing at least one “bug” a day!

Is something bugging you? Annoying you? Bothering you? Identify one such annoyance and exterminate it. Exterminate it by actually addressing it, facing it, dealing with it. Usually it’s something we're afraid of, something we have been procrastinating about. Pray, then attack it! Usually we’ll see that God blesses our bug squashing efforts. The problem was handled. The situation was defused. The bug was squashed and no longer buzzes around our head and inside our head. The peace and quiet are refreshing!

And if you and I run out of our own bugs to squash (and even if we don’t), wouldn’t it be wonderful to ask those around us in life: “Is there something bothering you today that I can help you with?” Knowing Jesus carried our burden of sin and guilt for us to the cross, we gladly carry each other’s burdens and help squash each other's bugs.

It is a wise and loving use of our God’s gift of time throughout every season of the year and throughout every season of life.

(Final in series on “Our Use of God’s Gift of Time”)

~ Pastor J. Bare

Worship Update

Greeters for this month:

Altar Committee for this month:
Becky Schwartz

Congregational Acts

Entered Eternal Life
Betty Shields, 12/6/25
Jim Obermiller, 12/10/25

Bible Classes

Bible Classes and Sunday School resume as follows:

• Midweek Bible classes: Wednesday, January 7th, 10:00 am and 7:00 pm.

• Saturday evening/Sunday morning Bible classes: Saturday, January 10th, 7:00 pm and Sunday, January 11th, 9:00 am.

• Sunday school: January 11th, at 9:00 am.

Evangelism Commitee

New Member and Volunteer Potluck Lunch: We will be having a potluck lunch on Sunday, January 18th, after the 10:00 am service, to meet our new members and thank all of our volunteers that give their time and talents to our congregation. The meat and beverages will be supplied by the Event Group and Evangelism Committee. Look for the sign-up sheet in early January.

Looking for an easy way to serve your Lord? How about being a greeter before church services? All you need is a smile and to say “good morning” or “good evening”. You can greet as a family, as a couple, or individually. You can pick which service you’d like to greet: Saturday night or Sunday morning. We need more friendly faces and the more we have the lighter the schedule.

If you are interested in greeting, or have questions, please get in touch with Becky Behrmann by dropping a note in her mail slot in church. Also, if you are no longer able to be a greeter, please let Becky know.

Other Announcements

.Installation of the following Officers and Board members will be done during either service the weekend of January 3rd & 4th: President: Phil Lane; Secretary: Eric Merkle; Financial Officers: Kevin Peil, Dave Schwall; Elders: Ed Behrmann, Dave Broekhuizen, Luke Stehle, Mike Wingeier, Kent Wieland, Dan Jackson; Board of Education: Rusty Rothfuss, Jeff Schwall, Ryan Morley, John Schaaf, George Strieter, Jordan Strieter; Trustees: Brian Ashlock, Brent Larive, Mike Nowicki, Matt Pretzer, Dave Tennant, Kevin Merkle. Thank you to out-going officers: Isaac Schaewe, Chad Krager, Dave Lane, Greg Leaman, Jarrett Page, Greg Pergande, Jay Malenfant, Dakotah White.

Christmas Un-Decorate in church will be January 10th at 9:00 am. Maybe it’s not as exciting as decorating, but it is still important work to take down and put things away in a neat and orderly way. We need all the help we can get to do this. Please consider coming and helping out!

Call meeting: The next meeting to call for a Pastor is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14th, at 6:30 pm.

Classroom Spotlight

Watch for Mrs. Spaude and her 5th & 6th grade story in February!

School News

Boys Basketball: B-Team practices will be Mondays and Thursdays only beginning in January. Contact either Coach Greg Pergande or Coach Tim Williams with any questions.

Games this season:

• Tues., Jan. 6, 5:30pm, @HOME vs. Bethel

• Fri., Jan. 9, 5:30pm, @HOME vs. Lansing

• Tues., Jan. 13, 5:30pm, @HOME vs. St. Bart's

• Fri., Jan. 16, 5:30pm, @HOME vs. Hemlock

• Tues., Jan. 20, 5:30pm, AWAY vs. Tawas

• Tues., Jan. 27, 5:30pm, AWAY vs. Bethel

• Fri., Jan. 30, 5:30pm, @HOME vs. Owosso

• Sat., Jan. 31, ALL DAY, B-Team Tournament @HOME

• Tues., Feb. 3, 5:30pm, @HOME vs. St. Bart's (St. Bart's hosts)

• Fri., Feb. 6, 5:30pm, AWAY vs. Lansing

• Tues., Feb. 10, 5:30pm, @HOME vs. Trinity

MLS News

Now Hiring - Join Our Team! MLS is seeking qualified candidates for the following open positions:

Library/Study Hall Supervisor (Part-Time) to oversee daily library operations, manage circulation, and monitor student study hall attendance and conduct. The role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to work with students and staff, proficiency in Google Suite, and the ability to lift up to 25 lbs. (occasionally up to 50 lbs.)

Janitor (Nights - Part-Time) to work approximately 20 hours per week during winter sports events. Responsibilities include cleaning and stocking bathrooms, handling spills and trash, maintaining classroom and piano lab tidiness, supervising students briefly during gym cleanup, and performing other duties such as shoveling and salting sidewalks when needed. Occasional weekend work and coverage for the regular female janitor may be required. The ideal candidate is female, must have a valid driver’s license, and be able to pass a background check.

Interested individuals can see a position description and fill out an application on the MLS website.

MLS Jr. Cardinal Poms Clinic: The MLS Poms team invites girls in grades K-5 from WELS/ELS churches or schools to join the Jr. Cardinal Poms Clinic on January 25th. Participants will learn a fun routine to perform at halftime of the MLS varsity basketball game on Friday night, January 30th. Cost is $20 (includes shirt and snack; optional poms and hair bows available). Registration closes January 13th at midnight. For more details or to register, visit www.mlsem.org. Questions? Contact Michael Priebe at mdp@mlsem.org

It's already time to think about applying for the 2026-27 school year! If you have an 8th grader who wants to come to MLS next year, applications are now open! For any questions, contact us at admissions@mlsem.org or call (989) 793-1010 ext. 421. To apply, go to www.mlsem.org/apply.

Around the WELS

Good Shepherd’s Youth Group invites you to come sledding! What: devotion, sledding fun, fellowship, hot cocoa. Where: City Forest Sledding Hill, 2840 E. Monroe Rd., Midland. When: Saturday, January 10th, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Parents are welcome to stay. Questions? Contact George Kellerman: gkellermann@goodshepherdmidland.com, or 989-488-0886.

Men Alive! Rally: February 21, 2026 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bay City, 8:00 am-3:00 pm. Breakfast begins promptly at 7:15 am. Come hungry; there will be bacon (and all the other options as well!)

Registration is now open. To register:

• Go to: https://menalive-balm.org/

• Select "Click to register"

• Select "Get tickets" to go to Eventbrite.

• Click on "Get tickets"

• Add the number of tickets needed to the cart (please note that there is an Adult/Youth option)

• Follow the checkout procedure.

For those of you who are not familiar with Men Alive!, they are a gathering of men who meet to be encouraged and strengthened through the study of God's Word. Men Alive! serves the WELS Michigan District by holding an annual rally. The annual one-day rally features worship, Bible study, keynote address, presentations, good food, and fellowship. The annual rally provides an opportunity to contribute to outreach and service opportunities for men.

Church Council Notes: 11/11/25

The meeting was called to order by President Lane.
Pastor opened with a reading from Isaiah, chapter
The November minutes were read and approved.

Elder’s Report

• Finalized usher list for 2026.

• Began having talks about setting up a care committee.

• Looking into a special service for shut-ins

Evangelism Report:

• Christmas for kids had 40 children attend. A tremendous turn-out. A need for more volunteers in the future was realized.

B.A.L.M. Report

• The Living Nativity was presented at Trinity this year.

• Pastor Pankow from Trinity will officiate his final services the last weekend of December before he assumes his new call in Florida.

Board of Education Report

• Parent survey for school will be sent over Christmas break.

• One student will be leaving our school in favor of homeschooling.

• Began working on a vision plan.

• Sunday School has now reached 12 students.

Trustees’ Report

• Leaves were picked up on our campus this fall.

• One of the toilets in the girls’ restroom was repaired.

• Will begin weekly inspections of both parsonages.

Treasurer’s Report

• Year to date offerings are $27,557.88 below budget.

• Year to date total income is $15,476.17 below budget.

• Year to date spending is $23,883.58 below budget.

• Cash on hand is a little above $90,000.00.

New Business

• Our next call meeting for a Pastor will be January 14, 2026 at 6:30 pm.

• We will hold our Annual Report meeting January 25, 2026 following our church service

• The installation of officers will be held January 3 and 4, 2026 in both church services.