Blog entries

Go Tell It

Joan Butz — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 06:06:39 +0100

Go tell it. Such a simple command. During the 2012 Children's Christmas program, our church and neighborhood children told the simple message of Jesus' birth. We've just posted a 10-minute video of the story of Luke chapter 2 on our website homepage in the video section. Their message is told "with the faith of a child."

Their simple message reminds me of the observation of one of our newer members here at Beautiful Savior. Deb's story is short and sweet, yet impactful. You see, ...

Find a Happy Place

Daniel Radewahn — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:32:20 +0100

"Find Your Happy Place," we've all heard the phrase used in popular movies and sitcoms. As Christmas draws closer, I hear as many complaints of people and families being over-extended as I hear well-wishes. Sometimes I overhear that "I/we just don't have time for church." But we've a few friends out in the community who have a new view of this peaceful little church that has been in the Kops Park neighborhood through six...

A Message Worth Repeating ...

Joan Butz — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 01:58:14 +0100

One thing weighs heavily on the minds of many Lutherans and many Americans these days: politics. It would be a denial of reality to think that there is no difference of opinions regarding politics in our Lutheran congregations.

When we hear the term “outside,” the first thing we often think of is the outdoors. Here in Wisconsin, there’s nothing quite so refreshing as that first scent-laden blast of spring when it’s finally safe to throw open the windows and take a few deep, soul-cleansing breaths.

The early summer wafts of freshly cut grass also give us a boost. Not to be topped, the red and golden leaves of fall are broadcast against the ...

You Found Us!

Joan Butz — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:32:31 +0100

If you are reading this blog in mid-June, chances are that you came to our free hot dog giveaway at the Sentry on 92nd and Lisbon on Sunday, June 10. What a sunny afternoon we enjoyed, and it was tremendous meeting so many neighbors. Now, you've found us on our website, and we're glad you're here.

There were a few highlights to our day; for example, handing out free hot dogs, the same way that God gives each one of us forgiveness and heavenly salvation: freely. It was fun to see the ex...

Help in Trouble

Joan Butz — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:25:37 +0100

As I thought for a moment about a title for this blog, I ruled out “Got Troubles?” because the phrase “Got ‘anything’?” is overused these days.

Besides, everyone has troubles at one time or another, don’t we? A time will come when we need to ask, “Which is more important, focusing on our troubles or having help to work our way through them?”

Some of the trou...

What Are We Up To?

Joan Butz — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 01:47:51 +0100

With spring comes our desire to clean out the old and make things new, both indoors and out. In the coming weeks our Kops Park event schedule will be distributed. A natural kick-off to our neighborhood’s activities is for families and neighbors to band together for the 4th Annual Kops Park Spring Cleanup. It feels right that we continue in the tradition that our friend and advocate Kevin Hinckley made strong in our neighborhood. Perhaps it...

Loss or Gain?

Joan Butz — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 02:45:47 +0100

Lorraine, one of our older adult members here at Beautiful Savior recently lost her 63-year old daughter to emphysema. It is said that the hardest thing for a parent to bear is to bury their child, no matter what the age.

For Lorraine, it was mere days before Holy Week. Some might think that this is the saddest time of year. To make matters worse, Lorraine’s daughter actually passed from this world to the next on Lorraine’s birthday.<...

Kevin Hinckley's Crocuses Have Sprouted!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:25:23 +0100

Anyone would agree that these weeks of warmer weather are a gift. Gifts make us feel better. Look all around Kops Park neighborhood for the gifts of God's green nature. There are g...

Christians and Politics

Daniel Radewahn — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:33:17 +0100

In these times of turmoil, there appears to be a growing lack of civility. However, our merciful God tells us to love our enemies, to treat them with love and kindness. I wouldn’t necessarily call a fellow citizen who votes diff...

Our True Story About the Power of Prayer

Joan Butz — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:01:58 +0100

If you have ever had any doubts about the power of prayer, reserve your decision until you read what happened this month at Beautiful Savior … .

Our Mission Sewing Group (founded 30 plus years ago by member Doris T., now 94) ladies had a recent discussion about their dwindling supplies for making quilts.

These are very special quilts that are given to a variety of groups that help those in need. Some of t...

A Year to Renew

Joan Butz — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:06:08 +0100

Typically at this time of year, we think of a year in review. It makes me smile to remember the community that we are building here in Kops Park through these family-friendly events.

~ Easter Egg Hunt

~ Auer Garden clean-up events

~ Kops Park Rummage Sale

~ Kops Park Patriotic Parade

~ Free Hot Dog Giveaways

~ National Night Out

~ Doggie Dip at Kops Park

~ Beautiful Savior Block Party

~ First Friday Paren...

Joy to the World! … Even This Year!?!

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:16:02 +0100

The story is age-old. You’ve heard bits and pieces. But the whole story – along with that joyful feeling described in so many carols – is elusive. So how can this Christmas be different, memorable?

Instead of speeding up the process, take some moments t...

Remembering Kevin (Part 3)

Joan Butz — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:33:58 +0100

Viewers keep visiting our website to join in the memories or learn new facts about our neighborhood friend and advocate, Kevin Hinckley, who died unexpectedly in October at age 53. Please feel free to post your memories of Kevin in a comment to this post. We’d also like you to share your photos of him. (S...

Remembering Kevin (Part 2)

Joan Butz — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:06:59 +0100

While we residents think of Kevin Hinckley as our own, his civic-minded heart belonged to other groups of “fans.” A few days after his unexpected death, I phoned the Lodi newspaper on a whim. You see, Kevin spoke so fondly of those he left behind in Lodi; I felt certain that people there would need to know of his passing.

Remembering Kevin

Joan Butz — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:22:22 +0100

Some friendships are lifelong, while others are but brief moments in our timeline of life. Little did we know that the latter is how it was to be when I met Kevin Hinckley, just 6 ½ months ago. Kevin Hinckley lived from October 17, 1958 to the day of his sudden death on October 21, 2011. All who knew and loved Kevin agree that he squeezed a lot of worthwhile living in between, and we are glad to have shared some days on earth with such a lover of God's g...

Doggie Dip 2011 Unleashes Fun @ Kops Park

Joan Butz — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 04:38:41 +0100

Some may say that this summer had a slow start. Blame it on the early cold weather. But we here at Milwaukee's Kops Park, just blocks east of the Menomonee River Parkway, have built something very special with each new event. Together, we've threaded a patchwork quilt of neighborhood WARMTH. That only comes with turning off the tube...

Milwaukee's Kop's Park Sponsors Annual Doggie Dip at Pool

Joan Butz — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:27:16 +0100

If you are a dog owner in Kop's Park on Milwaukee's fashionable northwest side, the coolest spot this Sunday, August 21, will be at the Kop's Park wading pool. You see, the last dip in the pool is reserved from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for our trusty four-legged chums who help protect -- and bring smiles to -- our great neighborhood. Bring a camera to capture the real meaning of "Dog Days of Summer!" (A towel might be a good idea, too.)

Just in case you owners get hungry, there will be ...

Gold Rush Gave Us a Great VBS Week with Milwaukee Neighbors

Joan Butz — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 04:25:48 +0100

Whew! What an incredible month this has been @ Beautiful Savior! The feedback from our week-long Gold Rush! Discovering the Rock of Ages has been very inspiring. Kids, you were all so excited and polite. Many grownups commented on how well-behaved you were.

Weren't the crafts, lessons, games, panning for gold and heavenly go...

We're Happy to be Part of the Kops Park Neighborhood!

Joan Butz — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 01:12:40 +0100

Happy Independence Day to our Kops Park neighbors!

As promised, here are the photos from our first annual Kops Park Patriotic Parade that was held on Wednesday, June 29. Response from neighbors was indeed red, white and true-blue! Kids had a blast being part of (as opposed to just watching) their own neighborhood parade celebrating the 235th birthday of our country. At times it looked as though the grownups were having as much fun -- or more -- than the kids; and their dogs were all we...