MARCH 2025 - News & Views

A Message From Pastor Jen       

Redeemer Celebrates 125 Years!

Redeemer is celebrating 125 Years this year! The yearlong celebration will begin this month in March on Sunday, the 16th, the day (March 14, 1900) when the founders first met and decided to build a church in Zuehl rather than continue driving to Cibolo. Oh if they could see the church now! I wonder if the original founders even thought about it back then how that day and that decision would change this community, change lives and help to change the world for Jesus Christ! We will recognize the founding members of the church and their ancestors who are still around today. We will give thanks to God for their faithfulness to Him 125 years ago that still impacts us today! That is only the beginning of the celebration! Let us gather together to remember and acknowledge Redeemer’s 125 Years and be part of the past, present and future of God’s mission and ministry through Redeemer United Church…

March 16 (March 14, 1900)– Founder’s Day – Cookie Reception following worship

May 11 (Mother’s Day) – 125th Anniversary Panoramic Picture of Church Members following worship

May 18 (May 20, 1900)– Congregation Voted Unanimously on the Name of the Church – acknowledge in worship

May 25 (May 29, 1952)- Remembrance of Memorial Grove – Worship in the Grove

October 12 (October 14, 1900)– 125th Anniversary Celebration – Invite former pastors to return; Appetizer and dessert reception and more!

October 26 – Harvest Festival – Recognition of 125th Anniversary – Beethoven Maennerchor German choir to come and sing and more!

Many people are at work to make every one of these occasions a special recognition in the life of our church! Come be a part of history in the making! We commemorate Redeemer’s history to grab hold of Redeemer’s future! Thanks be to God!

We are grateful to God for your lives, and we always pray for you. For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love motivates you to serve others, and how unrelenting is your hope-filled patience in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:2-3

Promises of God Continued…

I hope you’re praying through, journaling, memorizing, and just learning the promises God has made to you. When God makes a promise, God keeps it! So be encouraged by the promises of God…

21. God gives you a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26)

22. God is good (Psalm 145:9)

23. God’s love endures forever (Psalm 100:5)

24. God is sovereign (2 Samuel 7:28)

25. God’s Word is trustworthy (Psalm 19:7)

26. God is your refuge (Nahum 1:7)

27. The Lord grants favor and honor (Psalm 84:11)

28. God will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6)

29. The righteous lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10)

30. God hears your prayer (Jeremiah 29:12)

IN OUR PRAYERS    

Erica Williams, Charlie Meckel, Dorothy Zunker, Dorothy Nell, Keane Rhodes, Cleven & Betty Engelhardt, Verna Dieterich, Buster & Betty Strzelczyk, Randy Wells, Emily Haecker

IN SYMPATHY  

Family of Frank Bird

Family of Bobby Neuse

Happy Wedding Anniversary       

Caleb & Tanya Rackley – 25 years

Ron & Liz Fritz – 59 years

Rudy & Gladys Kutach – 57 years

Please continue helping us to give special recognition and to honor these wonderful mile markers.  If you know of someone going to be married 25, 40, 50 or more years, please let the Church Office know for that month’s newsletter.      

DOMINOES & LUNCH    

The senior luncheon and dominoes are back in play on March 12th! After a brief intermission, it’s time to get back together! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a domino newbie, it’s time to gather for fun, fellowship and food!   The Women’s Fellowship group will be serving Chicken Pot Pie with biscuits, beets and buttered peas. The games start at 10am and lunch is served at 12pm. We look forward to seeing everyone!

POTLUCK FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST   

Bring your favorite breakfast food to share and join in fellowship around food, faith & church family!

9:15-10:15 A.M.      

SUNDAY, MARCH 16TH     

Lent Begins:  There is Victory in the Valley!

The season of Lent is the 40 days before Easter as we walk with Jesus toward his death on the cross. It begins with Ash Wednesday, March 5. On this night, we gather in worship that includes the imposition of ashes on our foreheads in the shape of a cross, confession and repentance, prayer, God’s Word, and Holy Communion. The season is somber and marked with additional mid-week services every Wednesday during the Lenten season leading into Holy Week. 

Following Ash Wednesday, our weekly mid-week services will be held in the Social Hall with Soup and Sandwich Suppers hosted by Redeemer’s leadership and fellowship groups along with a service of the Word and teaching. This year’s mid-week Lenten topic is “Victory in the Valley!” We will take a journey through significant valleys of the Bible, engage the battles and the victories that took place there, all the while being encouraged in the Lord as we walk through our own valleys and seek God for victories in our own lives! So, join us each week!

Here is the schedule….

March 5 – Ash Wednesday – Victory in the Valleys – Bible Verses about Valleys and How God brings Victory in the Valleys of our Own Lives

Worship 7pm in the sanctuary

Remaining Wednesdays in Lent – Meal is 6:30pm, Worship at 7pm – all in Social Hall

March 12 – Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37) – Ezekiel’s prophecy of restoration

March 19 - NO LENT SUPPER/WORSHIP – due to Pastor Jen being out for Spring Break

March 26 – Valley of Eshkol (Numbers 13 & 14) – Moses’ spies scouted the Promised Land

April 2 – Valley of Elah (1Samuel 17) – where David fought Goliath

April 9 – Valley of Death (Psalm 23) – where God comforts us in our own valleys

Holy Week Begins…

April 13 – Palm Sunday – Kidron Valley – Jesus crosses through on Palm Sunday

April 17 – Maundy Thursday (Revelation 16) - Jezreel Valley, also known as Valley of Megiddo – Battle of Megiddo also known as Battle of Armageddon is fought – Worship in Sanctuary 7pm

April 18 – Good Friday – Gehenna or Hinnom Valley – place that has become theological synonym for Hell – Worship in Sanctuary 7pm   

The Chosen Series 2 is Showing at Redeemer this month…

► Sunday, March 9 @ 4:00 P.M. 

► Sunday, March 30 @ 4:00 P.M.  

Spring Church Work-Day!

Can you lend a hand? The Church Council is inviting members and volunteers to help with the Spring Church work-day scheduled for Saturday March 15th at 8 a.m. to approximately 12 p.m. 

Volunteers are needed to assist inside/outside of the church as well as on the church grounds. 

Redeemer United Church Council Meeting Minutes – Condensed  

January Minutes not available at this time.

We welcome New Members to Redeemer!

Ken, Geri & Patrick Friesenhahn

Randy Friesenhahn, Lindsay King & Adalynne Land

Tammy Friesenhahn

Todd, Rebekah, Avery & Reid Nelson

Michael, Kayla, Kyle & Matthew Sweet

Yuko & Athena Taylor

SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR MARCH  

March 2 – Transfiguration Sunday

• Deuteronomy 34:1-12
• Psalm 99
• Hebrews 3:1-6
• Luke 9:28-36

March 5 – Ash Wednesday

• Joel 2:12-19
• Psalm 51:1-13
• II Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
• Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

March 9 – First Sunday in Lent

• Deuteronomy 26:1-11
• Psalm 91:1-13
• Romans 10:8b-13
• Luke 4:1-13

March 16 – Second Sunday in Lent 

• Jeremiah 26:8-15
• Psalm 4
• Philippians 3:17—4:1
• Luke 13:31-35

March 23 – Third Sunday in Lent

• Ezekiel 33:7-20
• Psalm 85
• I Corinthians 10:1-13
• Luke 13:1-9

March 30 – Fourth Sunday in Lent

• Isaiah 12:1-6
• Psalm 32
• II Corinthians 5:16-21
• Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

March Birthdays   

01-Shelly Grunewald
03-LaVerne Luensmann
05-Larry Luensmann, Lindsey Williford
06-Ronald Ullrich
07-Carol Bielke
09-Morgan Mulanax, Scarlett Kunde, Donna Luensmann
11-Anna Dell Luensmann, Sharon Ullrich, Eddie   Moore

12-Loraine Luensmann, Gail Damerau
13-Karen Canham, Laurie Leach
16-Becca Casanova, Embry Guenther
19-Harry Voigt
21-Becky Robertson, Josh Guenther, Greg   Williford
22-Steve Gangawer
24-Kade Pape
25-Gloria Clark, Richard Chaplin
27-Cade Kurz
28-Dorothy Luensmann, Kathy Wiederstein, Colby Schulze
31-Butch Kunde

March Wedding Anniversaries   

04-Caleb & Tanya Rackley
05-Glen & Beverly Muenchow
07-Ronald & Liz Fritz
12-Josh & Becky Guenther
13-Duane & Melissa Kutach
14-Kelly & Diana Weber
16-Rudy & Gladys Kutach
22-Ronnie & Deanne Hulett, Jr.
24-Gene & Sherry Bielke
24-Michael & Kayla Sweet 

25-Leslie & Ethan Barela 

29-Leroy & Carol Reininger
30-Leroy & Vicki Lassere

MEMBERS IN SERVICE  

ATTENTION Ushers and Greeters:  Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the Church Service.  (Two of the Ushers will hand out bulletins and the other one will be greeter.)  

Bulletin Cost: $10.00.  Please drop off your payment in the church office or place in the offering plate with notation for bulletins.           

March 2, 2025 – Holy Communion   

USHERS/GREETER – Church Council

LITURGIST – Beverly Muenchow

ACOLYTES – Cade Kurz & Reese Thayne
ALTAR FLOWERS – open

BULLETINS – Glen & Beverly Muenchow

March 9, 2025 – Youth Sunday

USHERS/GREETER – Youth

LITURGISTS – Youth 

ACOLYTES – Matthew Sweet & Ryleigh Hulett

ALTAR FLOWERS – open

BULLETINS – open

March 16, 2025

USHERS/GREETERS – Troy & Elaine Meckel & Charlie Luensmann

LITURGIST – Jeanne Rawe

ACOLYTES – Finn Rackley & Ella Maierhofer

ALTAR FLOWERS – Women’s Fellowship

BULLETINS – Women’s Fellowship

March 23, 2025

USHERS/GREETERS – Marshall & Barbara Strey & Pam Griffin

LITURGIST – Gail Lampman

ACOLYTES – Parker Missildine & Cade Kurz

ALTAR FLOWERS – family of Alton & Irma Rawe

BULLETINS – Betty Surman

March 30, 2025

USHERS/GREETER – Krysta Canham, Karen Canham & Loretta Corkran

LITURGISTS – Karl Harborth

ACOLYTES – Ryleigh Hulett & Reese Thayne

ALTAR FLOWERS – Karl & Sondra Harborth 

BULLETINS – Karl & Sondra Harborth

Have An Interest in Audio/Visual?

We are looking for at least 1 or more individuals to be trained on the camera and/or sound board and laptop/screen to run for worship services. This is a minimal paid position per Sunday after training is complete. Talk to someone at the sound board or Pastor Jennifer if you are interested in serving this way.

Seeking Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers are people who are trained and authorized to take communion to our homebound/shut in members of the church on a monthly basis. The church provides you with a communion kit and resources for leading a simple service. Pastor Jennifer is looking for a couple or a pair of people who would be available and interested in serving as Eucharistic Ministers. 

COLLECTION OF NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS FOR FOOD PANTRY

Some suggested donations needed…

Canned tuna Canned Chicken

Potted meat Mac & Cheese

Spaghetti sauce Pasta

Cereal Toiletries

Canned fruit Cleaning Supplies 

Canned corn Juice

Canned vegetables Powdered Milk

Peanut butter Applesauce

Donations are always being received and can be placed in our storage room along the office hallway.

Medical Supplies Available Upon Request

We have some medical supplies that were donated to the church for others to have – a walker, sliding board for transferring people, waist belts, cane, large & small pill organizers, bath wipes, bath seat, grab bar (with suction cups), Epsom salt, portable toilet liners and masks.

We know how hard and expensive these items can be in caring for a loved one. If you have a need, see if we have what you’re looking for. 

Also, if you have donations that others can use, bring them to church. Unfortunately, we cannot store large items like hospital beds, but we can take wheelchairs, walkers, canes, items mentioned above that are in good condition.

DATES TO REMEMBER....      

Sunday, March 2   

9:15 A.M. – Traditional SS

Sunday, March 9 

9:15 A.M. – Music 

10:30 A.M. – Youth Sunday

Sunday, March 16 

HAPPY SPRING BREAK

9:15 A.M. – No Sunday School

& Potluck Breakfast

Sunday, March 23 

9:15 A.M. – Traditional SS

Sunday, March 30 

9:15 A.M. – Mini VBS  

Mark your calendars NOW!

Vacation Bible School - June 23-26 & 29. 

Trek with us for on the ultimate Alaskan adventure, “True North” where we learn to trust Jesus is this wild world!

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 2ND SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH WE ENCOURAGE 

CONFIRMATION I & SR. HIGH YOUTH

TO HELP LEAD WORSHIP!

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Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them,

For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

~Matthew 19:14~ 

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