SPOTLIGHT ON Our Savior’s Lutheran

For 138 years, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has stood as a pillar in the Stanley community. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church believes in the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and declares Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They teach that the Gospel is the Power of God for the Salvation of all who believe. Their teachings are based on the Bible first, the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord and then the Apostle’s, Nicene and Athanasian creeds. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is blessed with an interactive congregation. During worship on Sundays, many talented parishioners offer solos and duets. The entire congregation lifts their voices in praise singing popular hymns to the accompaniment of their beautiful pipe organ.

Pastor Kenneth Schmidt is the current Pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, concurrently serving part time at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss. He graduated from Owen-Withee schools before going on to study at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2004. From there, Pastor Schmidt went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in Children, Youth and Family Ministry in 2008. Beginning in 2006 until 2012, he served at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls as a youth minister, and while there he returned to the Luther Seminary where he received a Master of Divinity degree in 2014. Pastor Schmidt was ordained at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Stanley in 2015, where he has been serving for the past eight years. For Pastor Schmidt, his congregation makes his job easy. “I love serving as Pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, because they are such a warm, hospitable, and inclusive congregation.” He continues, ”They are excited about Jesus and want to share the love of Jesus with everyone possible in our congregation, community and world.” Growing up in Curtiss, WI, Pastor Schmidt is well aware of the charm of small town life. Now living in Stanley with his wife, Sarah, and four children, he explains what makes the people of Stanley so special. “I love how our community comes together when we need each other the most. I grew up in a small town, so I always appreciated the compassion, care and commitment that community members have for one another.” The congregation not only opens their hearts but also their doors, as they allow many community members to use their buildings. The Stanley Community Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4H are just a few of the community groups that meet there. The Stanley-Boyd Area Food Pantry is also housed at the Church with food distribution on the first Thursday of each month. Many events are offered in the area throughout the year, including a Children’s Christmas program, an annual Harvest Dinner, and Lenten Soup suppers. There are also many events for the children, such as, Vacation Bible School and a Rally Sunday to start off the next year of Sunday School in September. Get your appetites ready for the Pancake Supper they host on February 22nd from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has a caring heart for their congregation that pours out into the community as Pastor Ken Schmidt mentions, “Everyone is welcome to any of our ministries or services anytime. We love our community and want everyone to experience the Love of Christ.”

If you would like to attend a service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, services are at 10:30 am on Sundays and 7:00 pm on Wednesdays. A weekly online service is also available on Facebook and on YouTube Sundays at 9:00 am. Sunday School for children 3 years to 5th grade is available Sundays at 9:30 am. Youth group for grades 6th through 12th is held on Wednesdays at 5:00 pm with Confirmation for 6th to 8th grade immediately following at 6:00 pm. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church hosts adult Bible Studies at 10:00 am on Tuesdays. The Church quilting group meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:30 am.

For more information on Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the services they offer, you can call their office at 715-644-3665 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm or email them at [email protected] com You can also visit their website at oslutheran.com or follow them on Facebook at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church-Stanley.

Since 1885, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church located at 147 E. 4th Avenue, has opened their doors to the Stanley Community. Submitted Photo.

Pastor Ken Schmidt and his family shine brightly at the Christmas Eve service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Submitted Photo.