It's easy to think all Christians believe the same doctrine, but the differences are astounding. Baptism, Communion, and free will are all examples of some of the major differences among Christian denominations. In One Christ, Many Creeds, the teachings of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and fifteen other Christian denominations are examined and compared. Students develop a deeper understanding of the similarities as well as the differences that exist between Christian denominations. This essential study prepares students of all ages to represent their Lutheran faith in light of other Christian denominations. Denominations examined: Lutherans, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Presbyterians, Christian Reformed, Anglicans/Episcopalians, Methodists, Salvation Army, Church of the Nazarene, Baptists, Mennonites, Seventh-Day Adventists, United Church of Christ, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Pentecostalism/Assemblies of God, Emerging Churches.

Meeting Day and Time: Sundays at 10:00 A.M.
Teacher: Pastor Thoma

 “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a communion in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a communion in the body of Christ?”1 Corinthians 10:16
The Koinonia Bible Study groups gather together once a month to study a particular topic. Last year, we studied topics such as Women’s Ordination, The Lord’s Supper, etc.
 Koinonia Monthly Bible Study Schedule. 1st Sunday - 20’S Koinonia, 2nd Sunday - 30’s Koinonia, 4th Sunday – 40’s and 50’s plus Koinonia. The months with a fifth Sunday, all groups meet as one group, beginning with a pot-luck dinner, with the study to be taught by Pastor Thoma.

Meeting Day and Time: Various Sundays at Various Times
Teacher: Various

“Impress these words upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 6:7)
The word of God we receive in the Divine Service goes with us, out into the world and into our everyday callings as parents and children. In this new ADULT bible study entitled “Why We Do What We Do”, we will utilize the resource Kids in the Divine Service, which is written for parents and children to read and talk about together. The purpose of this resource is to unpack the details of Lutheran Worship in a clear, simple way in order that we may understand our time in the nave a little bit better, and as Christians in general, be able to express with clarity WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO as Lutherans!

Meeting Day and Time: Sundays at 10:00 A.M.
Teacher: Mr. Tim Haller, Chairman of the Board of Elders

We are blessed to have such gifted and faithful teachers among our Day School staff here at Our Savior. Join them for this wonderful topical study which will focus on the theme of raising our children in the faith, particularly focusing on “Tweens”. As parents, it is often very difficult to teach our children math, science, and history, let alone theology. Come and learn ways that will help you become a better teacher of the faith to your children at home!

Meeting Day and Time: Sundays at 10:00 A.M.
Teacher: Mr. Larry Arnold, Mrs. Michelle Annas, Mrs. Andrea Johnson, and Mrs. Sherri Steigerwalt

The Office of Matins followed by a study on Justification.
Every Monday at 8:15 a.m. the Office of Matins is sung in the nave. This has been another wonderful opportunity for God’s people to join together to receive His gifts in holy worship. In addition, it has been the practice that we use this time to pray for all of the members of the congregation here at Our Savior, going through the entire membership roster a little bit at a time each week. Following worship, we gather for a 45-minute Bible study in which we study the Lutheran Confessions, namely, Article IV of the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Justification. The doctrine of Justification is often called the doctrine by which the Church stands or falls. In other words, being certain that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works is the paramount doctrine! Come and join us for a wonderful study of God’s grace in Jesus Christ as it is exposed in the Lutheran Confessions.

Meeting Day and Time: Mondays at 8:15 A. M.
Teacher: Pastor Thoma

We offer a “once-a-month” Parents and Twos class taught by our member, Carol Caswell. Parents and Twos is a Sunday School class for 2-year olds in which parents are invited to come and be involved to help the children learn the theme being taught. What a joy it is to gather together as parents of Christ’s littlest lambs to help them learn about their loving Shepherd, Jesus Christ! Be sure to sign up if you are interested in joining the class with your little one!

Meeting Day and Time: One Sunday a Month at 10:00 A.M.
Call the church for an up-to-date schedule
Teacher: Mrs. Carol Caswell

Join us on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6:45 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. for the Adult School of Religion, taught by Rev. Dr. Jakob Heckert. Pastor Heckert is a member of the Emeriti Faulty of Concordia University in Ann Arbor as a professor of Biblical Languages. He also serves as assistant to the pastor here at Our Savior. In the past, topics have varied (the Psalms, Isaiah, etc.) What a joy it is to be blessed which such a knowledgeable teacher! Come and join his class.

Meeting Day and Time: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the Month at 6:45 P.M.
Teacher: Reverend Doctor Jakob Heckert

Meeting at the church every Thursday afternoon from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. that our day school is in session, Lifelight involves personal study, small group fellowship and a summary lecture. Childcare will be made available if needed. (Please let us know if you need childcare prior to our first session). The first session will take place on Thursday, September 10. Call Carol Caswell at 810-632-9516 for more information or to register. All women are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Meeting Day and Time: Thursdays at 12:45 P.M.
Teacher: Various

In an effort to make things a little easier on people’s schedules, the youth are now meeting on the first Sunday of the month immediately after second service. If it is a holiday weekend, we will not meet until the second Sunday. For example, in September, we will met on the 13th due to Labor Day. Bring clothes to change into if you want to play basketball; or bring your favorite CDs, cards or board games if you prefer those activities. We will offer pizza and pop/water and we request a $3.00 donation per person to cover the cost. We will meet for 3 hours, so rides should be here by 3:30 p.m. Please join us and bring a friend!

Catechetical classes leading to Confirmation for all sixth, seventh, and eighth graders unable to attend our Christian day take place on Wednesdays, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the church. As in years past, the classes are held in conjunction with the Midweek Religious School for all third, fourth and fifth grade students not attending our parochial school.
  These catechetical classes give instruction in the basic teachings of the Christian Faith as outlined in the Small Catechism and prepare each student to affirm publicly the Baptismal gifts God has given the student. Those who are faithful in their studies and so desire are then received into our congregation as confirmed members via the Rite of Confirmation.
  Each student must acquire a copy of our new hymnal, Lutheran Service Book. Copies are $19.50. We have Bibles which students may use if they do not have their own NIV or ESV versions. The Bible, hymnal, and catechism explanation are used together as the basis for instruction. Students who own catechisms may want to use them in class and at home for memory work.
If you have any questions, please call Pastor Thoma. We look forward to working with you as we study and grow in God’s wonderful grace in Jesus. May the Lord grant us enthusiasm to hunger and thirst for His Word! 

Meeting Day and Time: Wednesdays at 6:45 P.M.
Teacher: Pastor Thoma, Tim Haller, and Various Day School Teachers

 On Sundays at 12:30 p.m. (or immediately following the 11:00 Divine Service) an adult class is offered which studies the chief doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The class typically runs for about 12-15 weeks. This is a wonderful class to join if you are considering becoming a Lutheran. Even better, you may join if you just want to take a basic, refresher course in the teachings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Call the church to find out when the present class will end and the new class session will begin.

Meeting Day and Time: Sundays at 12:30 P.M.
Teacher: Pastor Thoma