The Savior's Sermon: You Are...So Be
 Imagine a beautiful guitar, carefully crafted out of the finest mahogany and steel strings. Now imagine that fine instrument is never played. It is placed atop a bookshelf and never touched. It just collects dust. Tragic, right? What a thing is finds fulfillment when that thing does what it was made to do. Of what use is a guitar that makes no music? What would be the point of turning on a lamp and then throwing a heavy blanket over it. It might still be a lamp, but it provides no light. (It only serves as a fire hazard!) Form and function are intimately connected.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that the same is true of discipleship. He wants us to see that being a disciple and acting as a disciple are intimately connected. When God called us to faith, he declared that we were something new: light, salt, his children. Jesus now encourages us to be what God says we are, so that God might bless the world through us. As Jesus speaks to us, he means to mold our will to his own.
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Prayer Requests
Please keep the following in your prayers:
- Jeff Theimer, who is recovering from a pacemaker procedure.
- Brian Werth, who continues to wait for a kidney transplant.
- Lois Little, who is recovering from shoulder replacement surgery.
- Pastor Wagner, as he deliberates the divine call to serve at Resurrection & Life, Rochester, MN
- Mr. BJ Witte, as he deliberates the divine call to serve at St. Matthew, Spokane, WA
- Our Congregation and the pastor to whom we will extend a divine call to serve as associate pastor at Riverview this Tuesday
February Newsletter
Click here to read the February "Riverview Report." Find ministry updates and encouragement, as well as important information about upcoming ministries and events.
Next Divine Call Meeting
Our next pastoral divine call meeting will be February 7 at 7:30 pm. All members are encouraged to attend.
Ministry Recruitment Sunday
 "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest fields." That was Jesus' encouragement for his disciples, as he also sent them out to carry out mission work. The need for workers in the church (pastors, teachers, staff ministers, missionaries) is great (hundreds of vacancies throughout the synod). Riverview is blessed to have six of our members currently preparing for ministry at Martin Luther College or Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. But more workers are needed. This Sunday, February 5, Pastor Evan Chartrand from Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, WI, will be our guest preacher at Riverview for a special Ministry Recruitment Sunday. He will also be presenting information about our worker training system during the bible study hour. Join us. And be sure to encourage members (young or old) who might have the gifts for ministry to be here as well!
Cards for Missionaries
For Valentine's Day, the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society is asking you to share your care and prayers by sending a card to one of our missionaries. After services on February 5th and 19th, the LWMS ladies will be in entryway with cards already addressed to our missionaries. All you need to do is pick up a card or two or more and send them to the missionary on the card. A little short note in the card means a lot to them. Our missionaries and their families really appreciate hearing from everyone knowing they are in your thoughts and prayers.
 Barb Arndt - 40th Anniversary in Ministry
On Sunday, February 12, we will celebrate God's blessings upon 40 years in the teaching ministry for Miss Barb Arndt. Special services will be held at 8:00 and 10:30 am. A meal and program will follow the late service in the Activity Center. Sign up to attend the meal in the entryway or by calling the school office.
Thank You
The amount of love and support this congregation has shown to my family over the last month overwhelms my heart. I can't thank you enough for the meals and visits, phone calls and cards, helping to take care of Kylee and the gracious monetary gifts we have received and above all, your prayers! Being a member of the Riverview family and the Christian love that surrounds us is such a blessing. To God Be the Glory. Jeff Theimer
Interested in Bible Basics?
Pastor Wagner is working on scheduling a new Bible Basics class. Are you looking for a refresher? Do you have an unchurched friend you would like to invite? Help him find a time that works for you. Click here for information and to share your interest and availability.
School Choice Window IS OPEN!
Riverview will again be participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program in 2023-24. Students new to RLS may apply for grades 4K-8. Current RLS students not already participating in the program may apply for 4K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade. Those currently participating in the program will still need to fill out the application online each year to verify residency. New applicants will need to prove income AND residency. See attachment for income qualification numbers.
RLS is currently in the budgeting process and the number of choice students is a big part of that process. Please fill out the application as soon as possible so the administration can plan for next year. The application is available at dpi.wi.gov/choice until April 20th. (IMPORTANT HINT: If applying for a student who is not already participating, DO NOT file your 2022 taxes until you have double checked some numbers.)
Please contact Mr. Zimmermann or Mrs. Krueger with questions or if you’d like assistance with the application process. Invite friends and neighbors to check out our school too. Encourage them to call or the school office or visit rlsappleton.org/inquire to schedule a visit.
Worship Volunteers Needed
We are in need of Worship Volunteers! Greeters, altar guild assistants, ushers, powerpoint assistants, and livestream assistants are needed every week for both services. If this is something your family is available to help with please email Jo Theimer at church@riverviewlutheran.org or by calling the church office 920-733-3728. We will then get you set up for training and instructions. Thank you!
Community Volunteer Opportunities
Outagamie County is looking for volunteers for family interaction supervisors, drivers, and legal guardians. Click here to read the position descriptions. More information can also be found at www.hhsvolunteers.org or by emailing hhsvolunteers@outagamie.org.
JULIETS Update
Due to the lack of attendance, we will no longer be meeting the last Tuesday of the month for breakfast.
Kwik Trip Scrip Special
For the month of February only, Kwik Trip has increased the rebate percentage for their Scrip cards. If you prepay for cards by 10:00 am each Monday in February, Mrs. Diersen will order them at that time and have them ready later that week. With this special deal, you earn a 10% rebate instead of the usual 5% on gas cards and 20% instead of the usual 15% on grocery only cards. Orders for this deal MUST be pre-ordered and prepaid. You can place orders by stopping in the office on Sundays or during the week, emailing Mrs. Diersen at accountant@riverviewlutheran.org, or calling 920-733-3728. The ABSOLUTE last day to order for this special deal is Monday, February 27 by 10:00 am.
AppleValley Food Pantry
The February 2023 collection for the pantry will be held on Saturday, February 11. Items needed by the pantry are: boxed potato sides, canned chicken, canned mandarins and pears, 1 lb bags plain rice and 14 oz boxes instant rice, 16 oz peanut butter, helper meals, pancake mix & syrup and bath tissue, facial tissue and paper towels.
Serving this Weekend
- Worship Accompanist - Peter Wolfgramm
- Livestream -
8:00 Service
- Greeters - Wundrow & Lehmann Families
- Powerpoint Assistant - Liam Kelley
- Ushers - Rob Glasel, Dave Spielbauer, Andy Selle, Carter Selle, Jon Stege, Wayne Somers
10:30 Service
- Greeters - Dumke & Brooks Families
- Powerpoint Assistant - Seth Brooks
- Ushers - Todd Behm, Janet Behm, Janell Bartels, Warren Bartels, Sophie Behm, Brian Miller
Worship Links:
Worship Times: Sundays 8:00 am (with livestream), 10:30 am
Fox Valley Lutheran High School Notes
- The FVL Annual Report is now available. Click here to see how God is blessing our ministry.
- The February President's Report is now online. Click here to view it.
- FVL Musicfest 2023 will be held Sunday, 2/5, from 1-4:30 PM. Admission is free for all. Join us to enjoy music, fellowship, and homemade desserts. A generous donor has made it possible for a matching fund of $5,400 to be set up for the event. Event donations will go toward replacing 25-year-old tuxedo jackets for the band and for performance risers. Find out more at fvlhs.org/fvl-musicfest.
- VEX Experience volunteers are needed. FVL hosts its annual VEX Experience on Saturday, 2/11. FVL will host 160+ teams from elementary through high school from around the state. Interested in volunteering? Sign up at fvlhs.org/vex. Contact Nathan Nolte (nnolte@fvlhs.org) if you have any questions.
- The Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) offers families the opportunity to have their FVL tuition fully funded. The application period for WPCP and for FVL's Tuition Assistance Program runs from February 1-April 20. Visit fvlhs.org/tuition-help for details. Email Admissions Director Joe Blum (jblum@fvlhs.org) or Executive Assistant Heather Knoll (hknoll@fvlhs.org) with questions.
- Incoming freshmen and new students for the 2023-24 school year are eligible to apply for the Ladies Guild Memorial Scholarship. The application window runs from February 1-April 20. Details are on the website (fvlhs.org/lg-mem-scholarship).
- FVL's Open House is Monday, 2/20, from 6-8 PM. Families are invited for our once-a-year Activities Fair, tours, and a presentation. Check online at fvlhs.org/open-house for info and registration.
- FVL 8th Grade Course Scheduling 2/21 - Families who missed the fall scheduling nights should go to fvlhs.org/enroll and complete the online enrollment application. Then you will receive an email with instructions for scheduling classes. Questions? Contact Freshman Guidance Counselor Laura Gucinski (lgucinski@fvlhs.org.
- Spring and Summer Youth Camps Registration Open- Go to fvlhs.org/youth-sports for info on upcoming youth sports opportunities.
- FVL is holding a Summer Job Fair for FVL students on Thursday 3/2. Interested local businesses are invited to attend. Information and registration at fvlhs.org/job-fair.
- The FVL Theatre will perform Anastasia: The Musical on March 3 & 4 at 6:30 PM, and March 5 at 2:00 PM. Visit fvlhs.org/anastasia for more info and a link to buy tickets. Reserved seating tickets are available online. You can also purchase tickets at the box office. The cost is $14 per seat (plus a convenience fee).
- Register for the FoxFest Dinner Auction on Friday, 4/14! Join us at the Appleton Paper Valley for an evening of friends and fun supporting FVL's Tuition Assistance Program. The RSVP deadline is March 31. Visit fvlhs.org/foxfest for more info and to register.
Area WELS News
- Praise Him Concert You are invited to the annual Praise Him concert at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (129 S. Mason Street, Appleton) on Saturday, February 4th at 1:00 pm. Join area WELS choirs as they come together to sing praises to our Savior!
- It's time to register for the 2023 Oshkosh Men of His Word Conference: MAN UP: in a man down world. It will be Saturday, February 18, 2023, 7:15 AM – 3:30 PM, at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center, 1 N. Main Street in Oshkosh, WI. The day includes a keynote from Pastor Dan Solofra (CrossWalk Lutheran Church in Laveen, Arizona), your choice of sixteen heart-hitting, soul-searching sessions based on God’s Word, continental breakfast and buffet lunch, and worship led by Koine. Spend the day growing and bonding with Christian brothers. Find more information and register at www.menofhisword.org
- Save the date! The WELS United annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 7th at 7:00 pm at Martin Luther, Neenah.
- The Otter Lake OWLS (Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors) of Bethlehem, invites you to join us for our March 16th speaker at 2:00 in the fellowship hall of our Church at 752 E. Grandview. Nathan Dahm from the Outagamie sheriff's department will talk with us about keeping safe and local fraud scams. Questions to Peg Boettcher pgboet1@gmail.com.
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