Dear Members of our Beautiful Savior Family,

With Governor Evers issuing his “Safer at Home” order, we have entered another chapter in this very different time in our world’s history. The Scripture passage which continues to come to mind and is now on our church sign is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It has been disheartening (but not surprising) to see some taking the opportunity to publicly ridicule those of us who would hold on to this truth. For instance, a few weeks ago a picture was posted of Vice President Pence beginning a coronavirus task force meeting with prayer. Social media was abuzz with comments ridiculing prayer as useless or something that shouldn’t be brought into such a serious matter. Plenty of others responded with words of praise for the power of prayer and our need to come to our Lord rather than dismiss Him.

You might recall the account in Numbers 21 about the Lord sending venomous snakes among the people who had again complained about their situation, including the “detestable food” (the manna the Lord had sent). After many Israelites died, we read in verse 7, “The people came to Moses and said, ‘We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people.” The Lord’s answer was having Moses put a bronze snake upon a pole. Anyone who was bitten and looked at it would live. In John 3:14-15, Jesus refers to that and says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.”

I am not saying that COVID-19 is a punishment of the Lord. It is indeed the result of a fallen world. I am saying this is an opportunity to boldly identify with our Lord Jesus and take it to the Lord in prayer. I am inviting you during this “Safer at Home” order to set up a regular daily time for prayer specifically regarding the COVID-19 situation, asking our Lord to intervene. Ask for safety and protection for you and your loved ones, as well as all on the “front lines.” Ask that our Lord would bless the efforts of all scientists working to find a vaccine. Pray for guidance and wisdom for all authorities. Pray that people would make wise decisions with social distancing. Pray that the Lord would bless His Church and that He would be honored and glorified.

Important Items:

• Thank you for your continued generosity and for all of you who have begun online giving. I know that many of us in our Beautiful Savior family will be affected economically, so your continued support is very much appreciated.

•  Our Board of Directors will have a special meeting on Monday, March 30, at which we will finalize an action plan to handle finances and other matters including observing Holy Week and Easter, as well as the availability of the Lord’s Supper.

•  For those of you wanting the April-June edition of Portals of Prayer, you may come to the church office to pick it up. Please call in advance. If that is not possible and you would like one mailed to you or dropped off by me, please call the office (262) 542-2496.

•  If you do not have internet access and are unable to listen to our online worship services, you may wish to listen to The Lutheran Hour Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on WTMJ 620 am. Mt. Olive Lutheran in Milwaukee broadcasts their worship service at 10:00 a.m. Sunday mornings on WJYI 1340 am.

•  For those able to listen online, our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has a radio station, KFUO. Go to KFUO.org or listen on the Tunein app.

•  Our school ministry has been off for Spring Break this week and will resume online and distance learning on Monday, March 30. Please continue to keep Mrs. Wolff and our teachers and staff in your prayers. They are doing a fantastic job adapting to a unique situation.

•  If you have not been receiving emails from Beautiful Savior with the worship service link and other updates but have an email address, it is because we do not have your email address. Please email me with the information.

•  Heather Slepawic our head housekeep continues to clean and disinfect here at church so that when we resume meeting together you can be assured that all has been sanitized.

•  My cell number is (262) 309-4974 and email is pastor@bslc-lcms.org or pastor@bsl-school.org. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I am usually at church between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Mrs. Imler will be in the office on a limited basis. I am very thankful for all of her help.

Thanks for giving me the privilege of being your Pastor.

God’s peace be yours in Jesus!

– Pastor Schmidt