News / Announcements / Upcoming Events:

Sign up now for poinsettias in memory or in honor of loved ones.  We only have 20 slots available for poinsettias this year, so sign up as soon as possible to make sure you receive a plant.  The plants are $18 each.  Make checks payable to LWML.  Click here to order your plant.  

NOTE:   Click here for the Registration Form.  All students are needed to make this play a success.  You can call the office or Ramsey Dahl at 866-5403 with questions.

The Portals of Prayer for January – March 2023 is now available in the narthex.  Feel free to pick one up the next time you’re in the building.

Did you know that Amazon will donate every time you shop when you shop thru Smile.Amazon.com ?

Every item available for purchase on www.amazon.com is also available on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com) at the same price.  You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages.  And, yes, you can still use your Prime Membership on AmazonSmile.  Plus, your shopping cart and shopping history will carry over to AmazonSmile.  For more information about the AmazonSmile program, go to http://smile.amazon.com/about.

Send Notes of Encouragement to our Adopted Concordia Seminary Student Andrew:
Our current adopted seminary student is Andrew Frerichs, who began serving his vicarage this summer at the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills in Birmingham, Alabama.  To keep up with Andrew, we will post letters from him on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Please feel free to pray for Andrew and send notes, cards and gifts to encourage him as he prepares to serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry.  Make sure to let him know you are from Beautiful Savior! 

If you would like to send a message to Andrew, call the church office or see the bulletin board for his mailing address.

We invite all new members and potential members to participate in our Discovery Class, which reviews the basic, but essential, teachings of the Bible.  This class will be held on Mondays at 6pm beginning October 17 for 6-8 weeks.  Those who have been members and would like a brief review are also welcome to attend!

Beautiful Savior is getting ready to create a new 40th Anniversary Pictorial Directory.  We need your help to make it complete!  Our directory will showcase our families, provide contact information and become a useful resource to keep us connected as the body of Christ.  By participating, you will receive a complimentary 8×10 portrait and a printed photo directory.  Please Note: This will replace our existing pictorial directory.

Upcoming photography dates include:  November 29 and 30, and December 1, 27 and 28.  Appointments are filled on a first come, first serve basis.  Click here for more information and to schedule your portrait appointment online.  

Our congregation has adopted a Concordia Seminary student, Andrew Freriches.  As part of the program, we are asked not to just pray for Andrew and send him well-wishes, but our congregation is also committed to sending a minimum of $500 during each academic year to help Andrew with his seminary expenses.

Please consider giving over and above your regular offering to support our seminary student.  If you are donating via check, please designate these funds to the Adopt-A-Student program or you may also donate to this program via our website’s giving portal.  Every dollar of support will go to “our” adopted seminarian.  Thank you for your financial support of a future church worker.

See the Bible come to life through “The Chosen” video series.  We will be watching one episode each week followed by a brief discussion.  Popcorn will be provided.  We will begin the series Sunday, October 16 at 6:30pm, in the fellowship hall.  Bring family and friends for a night of fellowship and faith.

Going South for the Winter?
Please let the church office know when you plan to leave for the winter so that you will still receive any correspondence from the church.  The church has to pay the post office 63 cents for each piece of mail returned.  You can also let the church know if you would like the e-mail version of the newsletter while you are out of town.  Thank you for keeping the church updated while you travel!

BSLC members, men and women of any age, are invited to gather on Friday mornings at 9:00 am at Randy’s University Diner, 2130 University Drive S, Fargo.  Please join us!  Everyone is welcome!  Feel free to bring a friend.

BSLC offers a Sunday School program for children ages 3 and up during the school year (Sept – May).  Sunday School meets from 9:30-10:30 am on Sunday mornings (conveniently scheduled between our two Worship Services).  If you have a child age 3 and up, sign them up for Sunday School.  Click here to print the Registration Form or you can pick one up in the Narthex at the church.  Drop off or mail the completed form to the church office or bring it with you on a Sunday morning.  If you have any questions, please contact the church office. 

Sunday School Volunteers Needed:  (Going on Now)
Sunday School wouldn’t be a success without our volunteers!  If you would like to help our Sunday School program in any way (ie: teaching, substitute teaching, being that extra set of hands in a classroom, helping with memory work, taking attendance, etc), please contact Stacy Knudson, Pastor Brian, or the church office – or stop in the office on Sunday morning to sign up.  We can always use a spare pair of hands!

Our youth praise band is in need of you!  Crossfire is for any students in grades 3-12 who love to sing and/or play an instrument.  Practices are usually on Sunday evenings from 7-8 pm.  If you have questions, call Ramsey Dahl at 866-5403 or come to the church on Sundays at 7 pm.

Confirmation Classes:  (Wednesdays Sept-Apr)
As a part of our education ministry, BSLC offers confirmation classes for students in seventh through ninth grades.  If you have a child in those classes, please have them join us in-person Wednesdays from 6:15 pm – 7:30 pm.  If you have any questions, please talk with Pastor Chris or Pastor Brian.

LYF for grades 6-12 meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm.  We will have a Bible study followed by a fun activity.  Please contact Pastor Brian with questions.  Hope you will join us!

The food pantry at BSLC is in need of non-perishable items: soup, canned fruit, rice or potato packets is our current need.  But, you are always welcome to drop off boxed cereal, canned soups, canned fruit, rice and pasta boxes or mixes, and spaghetti sauce.  If you are able to help with these needed items, you may drop them off in the collection container in the narthex.  Thank you so much for helping restock our shelves.

With over 500 young people in our association churches, many of them can benefit greatly from an education based here at Grace Lutheran School.  Let us take you for a tour of the school to get an idea of what Grace Lutheran is like.  We have needs based financial aid with over $100,000 available for your students to attend Grace!   Give us a call and set up a Care Visit today!   Their website is:  www.gracelutheranschoolfargo.com

Do you currently receive the newsletter in the mail and would prefer to read it in a digital format?  If so, just let the office know and we can add you to our newsletter email group.  Instead of receiving the newsletter in the mail, we would send you an email with the newsletter attached.

The newsletters are also available on our website under the “Resources” tab.  Click here to read this month’s newsletter, or any of our past newsletters.

The “Reporter” is the Official Newspaper of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.  We are posting the link to their articles regarding the war in Ukraine here:

LCMS International Mission Webpage:  War in Ukraine

 

If you are a Thrivent member and are eligible for Thrivent Choice dollars, please go to www.thrivent.com/choice or contact your representative to have your Thrivent Choice dollars designated to Beautiful Savior.  These extra donations add up and are of great assistance to our General Fund.

You can setup your designation anytime during the year.

Our Restore His House three-year capital campaign ended on December 31, 2021.  It is with great pleasure that we can announce:  We have met our $330,000 goal! ~ Praise the Lord!  We are thankful for all who have donated to the campaign so that we can continue to upgrade our facility.  Any additional donations above the goal will still go to improvements to our facility or to overages that may occur due to price increases that have occurred since our original estimates 3 years ago for the remaining project costs.   If you would like to see a complete list of Restore His House projects, they are posted in the church narthex.  Thank you for your support!

We’ve all dealt with tragedies in life. What personal trials, disasters and setbacks have you had to endure?  Were there difficult times you thought you couldn’t get through?  God gives an example of someone in a similar situation: the prophet Jeremiah, who finds hope and joy amid life’s numerous calamities, afflictions and trials.  In this study, we will be looking at the book “Overcoming Life’s Sorrows: Learning from Jeremiah.”  This tour of the book of Jeremiah shows us how to find comfort amid life’s grief and heartbreaks by pointing us to Jeremiah’s reliance on God and ultimately pointing us to Jesus, the real “man of sorrows” and the One in whom all hope and joy are found.  This study is open to both men and women.
NOTE:  Please sign up to receive a copy of the book, which costs $16.  This study meets every Tuesday at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall and can also be joined via Zoom.  (Zoom information:  Meeting ID: 878 698 0623; Passcode: 497670 )

Do you want to be more involved in the church and don’t know how to get started?  Pick up a “Volunteer Opportunity” form in the narthex.  Or click here and print it at home.  Turn the completed form in to the church office and someone will contact you.  If you have any questions, call the church office, visit with a pastor or a member of the church council.  Thank you for your time and for sharing of your talents.

Do you have a child in college?  Please leave your child’s new college address with the church office.  This will allow us to keep in contact with them as well as to notify the campus ministry so they can make contact with your child.

Prayerfully consider if you could step up and join the Altar Guild.  Our altar guild sets up communion on those Sundays, Wednesdays (during summer months) or holidays when Holy communion is celebrated.  We are looking for approximately 3-4 people who would be willing to join our group.  We are also needing a new “captain” as our current captain is stepping down after many years of serving on the committee.  The captain is responsible to line up altar guild members for a month at a time.  If you would like to join the altar guild, contact the church office or talk to Pastor Chris or Pastor Brian.

Help Stock our Little Library with Christian Books:  (Going on Now)
Beautiful Savior needs your help to stock a new community library.  Throughout September, we will be collecting new and gently used Christian books for all ages.  Beautiful Savior also will accept monetary donations for the project.  Little Library promotes neighborhood book exchanges, usually in a public bookcase.  This project will allow us to provide free books about God’s salvation in Christ Jesus. 

“Portals of Prayer” is now available on your digital device!  In addition to relevant and easy-to-read meditations, you can listen to recordings of each day’s Bible readings, devotion, and prayer.  You can also search past devotions by keyword, save your favorites, share prayers, and access seven years of “Portals of Prayer” devotions.  Available on the App Store or Google Play.  The cost is $9.99 for a 1 year subscription.

Please Update Your Information:
Do we have your current phone number, email and mailing address?  If you have moved, got rid of your old phone number or have a new email address, please let us know. 

On that topic, we have been informed that cableone.net email addresses will no longer work after June 9th.  If you would like to continue to receive emails from Beautiful Savior, please let us know your new email address so it can be updated in our system.  
If you go to the lake for the summer, please let the church office know.  Newsletters are not forwarded, and the church is charged $.62 each time one comes back.  By letting the office know, a newsletter can be emailed to you each month until you return home.  Thanks!

We hope you will join us in-person for worship to hear the Word and receive the Sacraments.  However, if you are unable to attend in-person, our services are available online on our YouTube channel.  If you have a Smart TV or casting device, you can also watch them on your TV.

Note: For those needing closed captioning… YouTube’s closed captioning [cc] feature is not available to turn on until approx. 24 hours after the live stream has ended.

Our YouTube channel is located at:  www.youtube.com/channel/UC7L0AwnEaGMsmCosZUn-6jQ

Our bulletins are available at:  www.beautifulsaviorfargo.com/bulletins

   Beautiful Savior now has live audio and video during worship services available in the fellowship hall.  If you have not been coming to church out of concern the sanctuary might be “too full”, the fellowship hall is another option for worship at the church.  See photo to the right of what the screen looks like during a worship service.  (Click on the picture to enlarge it.) 

The church confesses to Christ, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).  The church is encouraged to “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16).  Psalm 1 teaches us to meditate on God’s Word day and night.  It is our great opportunity and joy to read and study God’s Word.  One beneficial practice is to memorize the Scriptures and, in so doing, to meditate on it.

The LCMS invites everyone to join together memorizing a verse each week.  Click here for this month’s verses.

In addition to various correspondence, we email our bulletin and announcements each week to all our members.  If you are not receiving them, please let us know and we will get you on our email list. 

Call (701) 293-1047 or email office@bslcfargo.org to be added to our email list.

Did you know Beautiful Savior has a Facebook page?  In addition to our website, it’s a great place to see what’s going on at our church.  It gives you a direct link to sermons when they have been posted and also reminds you when events are coming up.  Go to our Facebook page and click “Follow” so our posts come thru on your Facebook feed:  Click here to go to our Facebook page.

Do we have your current phone number and address?  If you have moved, dropped your landline, have a new phone number or move to the lakes for the summer, please let the church office know.  You can inform us of the changes by calling, emailing or leaving a note in the office with the new information. Thank you.

Want to listen to the most current sermon – or one from the past 2 years?  Just go under the “Worship” tab and choose “Past Sermons”.  Scroll down to the sermon you’d like to listen to, make sure your volume is on, and enjoy! 

Beautiful Savior sermons are also available as a podcast on iTunes.  You can listen to one of our posted sermons while at the lake, on a road trip or even while you’re on your exercise machine.  Go to the iTunes app, and search for “Beautiful Savior Fargo” and click on “Subscribe”. 

Note:  Look for the podcast with the picture of our stain glass window at the front of our church.

Are you thinking about where you or your  children may go for college?  Consider one of our LCMS universities.  Grants are available to assist youth and adults who wish to begin or continue their education from an LCMS university or seminary.  Applications are available in the church office.

We are in need of individuals to help serve on a properties committee.  If you would be interested in serving on this committee, please contact Scott Persoon, Denise Doeling, Pastor Chris, Pastor Brian or any member of the Church Council.

Our “Restore His House” 3 year capital campaign ended on December 31, 2021. And we are thrilled to announce:  “We have met our $330,000 goal!    As was reported at the June 2018 voters’ meeting, our building is in need of a number of repairs and updates that are a normal part of taking care of a property as it ages.  Our goal for these projects is $300,000 over the years 2018-2021 to meet these building needs.  In addition, we will donate 10% to Grace Lutheran School during that same time frame for a total campaign goal of $330,000.  You can see a complete list of projects of the campaign on the display in the Narthex.

Do you have a heart for people?  Do you have an hour a week to help?  Would you like to use your God-given talents for the glory of God and benefit of a congregation member?  Then becoming a Stephen Minister may be for you!

Stephen Ministers are not pastors or counselors, they simply listen and support individuals, in times of trial and need.

Stephen Ministers typically meet with a care receiver for one hour each week.  Training sessions are on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm.  If you are interested in becoming a Stephen Minister or have questions about Stephen Ministry, please visit with Pastor Chris.  All those who want to serve as Stephen Ministers must fill out an application which can be picked up from the church office. 

The ND District has adopted a new voluntary model for funding the missions of the District.  Every baptized member of the Body of Christ in your congregation, from the baptized baby to the oldest member is involved. This funding model is based on the belief that “there is power and strength in many giving a little.”  Loving our neighbor includes caring for their spiritual well-being. The need exists for God’s people to come together in support of missions that are bearing kingdom fruit. In addition to each congregation’s regular giving to the District, the 1-1-1 funds stay in the District and support District missions. God’s generosity is not lacking! Where the Word of God is taught, and the Sacraments are administered according to their institution by Christ, there are ample resources to do this ministry. A special collection box and brochure with more information is located in the narthex.

The evangelism committee is looking for families or individuals to mentor new members.  If you think you would be interested in helping, please email tim.deitemeyer@hotmail.com.  Thanks.

Main Street Living North is a Lutheran Television Program that is endorsed by the LCMS.  MSLN broadcasts each Sunday at 9:00 am, followed by “This Is Your Life” program at 9:30 am on TV station KVRR.  MSLN is also broadcast on WDAY Xtra with “This Is Your Life” program at 10 am followed by the “Main Street Living” worship service. 

The program is financially supported through donations given by the viewers and congregations of the viewing area.  The sermons and songs are video’d in advance and are then used in a future broadcast of the program.  The choir is composed of members of the local churches – you do not have to be part of our choir in order to participate.  If you would like more information about MSLN or want to watch this week’s broadcast, go to: mainstreetliving.com/north.  Once there, you can watch the current week’s broadcast with the links at the bottom of the screen.  Or you can access previous broadcasts from prior months by using the drop-down menu at the top of the screen and choosing “Watch Main Street Living” under the “Main Street Living” tab at the top of the screen.  Or use this link:  mainstreetliving.com/north/blog/category/schedule.  (Depending on your web browser, the drop down menu might show as a set of 3 lines at the top of the page.  If so, just click on the 3 lines to access the drop-down menu.)

To donate:  Financial Support checks may be sent to “Main Street Living North”, 821  5th Ave. S., Fargo, ND  58103.  You can also donate by credit card or a Paypal account at: www.mainstreetliving.com/north.  Thank you and God’s blessing in Christ!

Do you have a family member in the military?  The LWML would like their address so that they can send cards of encouragement to them.  Please leave their address on the church office desk or email them to the church.  Thank you.

We are looking for Group Fellowship Captains…  Don’t let “captain” intimidate you.  Ask a friend to do it with you and make it a co-captain position.  

What does a captain do?  Our “captains” make phone calls or e-mail members to line up treats for Sundays, to help set up or clean up for special services and funerals.  A captain is responsible for one month at a time.  There are 8 captains in all that rotate the schedule. 

If you have additional questions, feel free to visit with Mary Seiffert who would be more than happy to give you more details.  You can also leave your name in the office and Mary can call you.  Thanks for stepping up!

Please help to keep the sanctuary pews and chairs clean by not bringing food or beverages in the sanctuary.  If something should happen to get spilled, please clean up after yourself.  Thank you for helping us keep the Lord’s House clean and looking nice.

If you have a concern or joy and would like our prayer warriors to pray for you or others, please e-mail the office, and your prayer will be sent out on the e-mail chain.  Also please e-mail updates to the office or the pastors so it can be shared with our prayer warriors.  Please let the church office know by Wednesday if you have joys or concerns to put in our weekly announcements.  The petitions will run weekly until you ask to have them removed from the list.  Our church members appreciate the chance to pray for our special needs and joys.  Prayer is powerful. 

Have you ever wondered if you could be an usher or greeter on Sunday mornings? Have you thought you might enjoy singing with the choir or playing in the praise band? Do you have a gift for prayer, sewing, gardening, working with children or teens, or planning activities? These are just some of the ways you can contribute your gifts and talents at Beautiful Savior. For a more complete list of opportunities, take a look under the “Get Involved” tab of this website.  Or if you would like to learn more about any of these or want to know how you can serve our congregation, please visit with Claudia Schroeder or any member of the Church Council. 

1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

Mark your calendar now for our annual Advent Fun Shop.  This fun family event of Christmas crafting for preschoolers through fifth-graders will be on Saturday, Dec 10 from 1-3pm.  The cost is $3 per child, and an adult should accompany the children, especially younger ones.  Each family is also asked to bring a dozen cookies for a cookie exchange.  Click here for the Registration Form.  If you have any questions, visit with Pastor Brian or Stacy Knudson.

Step back in time to experience the wonder of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.  Crosspointe Lutheran Church and Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church will sponsor a live nativity on Sunday, Dec 18 from 2:30-5:30 pm, in the Hartl Building at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Ave. W., West Fargo.  The event will include a Bethlehem market with various activities and refreshments for kids of all ages.  This is a free event.  Take a break from the hustle and bustle of a commercial Christmas and remember the true significance and joy of a Savior born for you! 

Volunteers are needed for the event. Please see Pastor Chris or Pastor Brian for more information.