June 2022 - News & Views
A Message From Pastor Jen
Broken to Beautiful
One summer my sons and a friend of mine went to a glass fusion workshop, and there were broken pieces of glass everywhere! Buckets and bins full of shattered pieces – all scraps and leftovers from what someone else didn’t want or need and threw away. Nervous and yet excited, we came ready to create with all sorts of ideas of how we could take those broken pieces and use them to make something beautiful! It was so much fun and so creative, and the process reminded me a whole lot of our own Creator, God.
None of us is perfect. If we were, we wouldn’t be in need of a Savior. No matter who we are or where we’re from, all of us have experienced brokenness. For some people in the majority of the world, their lives are shattered to pieces already by war, poverty, persecution, oppression, human trafficking, and slavery. Not to mention the brokenness most of us all experience because of humanity’s bondage to sin - broken families, broken relationships, broken promises, shattered dreams, and more. If everyone in the world came together in one place, we’d look a lot like the millions and millions of broken pieces of glass in that glass fuser’s workshop!
What’s so awesome about our God is that He is a Master Craftsman – He’s always creating and recreating! Like the process of glass fusion, God picks up the broken pieces of our lives and puts them back together one piece at a time. It’s a painful process. Glass fusion can be a painful process. You can get hurt in the creating process. And then once the pieces are all put together into a new design, the worst part isn’t over yet. They are placed into a furnace where they are put to the test under extreme amounts of heat-1,360 degrees to be exact. This final step in the process is the most painful and the most intense, but it’s also the one that brings about the most much needed permanent transformation. Just like in our own lives, in the hands of our Master Craftsman, what emerges after intense pain and suffering from brokenness is extreme transformation – a new creation! Jesus, our Savior, is a witness to that! And that is what God, our Creator desires to do for us, to change us permanently from broken to beautiful. It is only from our brokenness that Jesus’s light can shine through us. He’s recreating you in His image and for His glory!
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
A note of THANKS from the Gold's
Our family wants to say "THANK YOU" from the bottom of our hearts for everyone who came to help us on our big moving day, June 18th! For all the youth and adults, who used their strong muscles to load and unload all our stuff from one house to our new one, to those who drove and brought trailers and vehicles, to those who made food for all the volunteers providing lunch and dinner, we say thank you! And to top it all off, you made my birthday really special with hugs, cakes, gifts, and decorations on our house! Wow! I wish I could name you all here, but there were so many! We were overwhelmed by your love and support and huge welcome into our new community! We are blessed to live and serve here at Redeemer!
Pastor Jennifer, Chris, Zachary & Zane
IN OUR PRAYERS
Debbie Babcock, Gayle Albright, Craig Luensmann, Fuzzy Wiederstein, Ruslan Jagge, Virginia Strey, Claude Mayer, Mel & Elsie Barnett, Terri Aaron, Lana Wells, Richard Ricks
Summer Girls’ Night Out at Redeemer! *For High School Girls to Ladies of all ages*
Grab your girlfriends and join us for a fun night out at Redeemer! Mark your calendars now! We will begin with fellowship and a short bible teaching from Pastor Jen that encourages women and girls, and includes lots of fun and laughter!
Friday, July 15 – Chat & Chew (Potluck Dinner) with Swap ‘Till You Drop Party 6-9pm
Bring a main dish, side dish and/or dessert to share! And go through your “stuff” and bring those things you don’t want any more but someone else might enjoy! Someone’s trash is another woman’s treasure, right?! Each item a person brings, she gets a ticket for an item of similar value. Tickets are used to “shop.” Prizes for Most Items Donated, Most Nicely Packaged, etc. will be given! Ideas for Swap items are: jewelry, lotions, scrapbook stuff, crafty stuff, homemade salsa/jam/bread, house décor, perfume, books/puzzles/games, anything a girl might like! The more you bring to swap, the more you get to shop!
*Also, if you would like to volunteer to help out with decorations, set up, & ticket distribution/sales, talk to Pastor Jen. Thank you!
School Supply Collection for Guatemala Mission
As you know, the Guatemala Mission team will be helping with a project to lay cement flooring and build cement block walls for a school in rural Guatemala. We will also be having Bible stories, games and activities with the children of the school. So that we can leave them a blessing for their continued education, each child will receive a bag of school supplies & the teachers as well for their classrooms. VBS children have collected many items already, but if you would like to help contribute, the following items are what is needed…
• Pencils
• Pencil sharpeners
• Erasers
• Metric Rulers
• Black/blue/red pens
• Pencil cases
• Permanent markers (Sharpies)
• Map Pencils
• Crayons
• Felt-tipped Markers
• Scissors for children
Thank you as always for your support of Redeemer’s Guatemala Mission! YOU are a huge part of our team as well with every act of love and support you give through the team to the people we are going to serve!
Our mission trip is July 23-30! Our team will be providing prayer itineraries so you can pray for us each day, but in the meantime be praying for the preparations of our hearts and the hearts of the Guatemalan people we will be serving.
Team members are: Pastor Jen & Zane Gold, Gerry Metzger, Jackson Missildine, Jim & Gerry Rackley, Kaitlyn Rackley, Troy Meckel, Mike & Mady Schulze, and Grace Spell (our missionary leader).
Happy Wedding Anniversary
Gerald & Betty Kriewald – 56 years
Vernon & Jennifer Winkelmann - 56 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.
Redeemer’s Wish List Item
We will periodically post items here that are on Redeemer’s Wish List. If you would like to support that item(s), please let Pastor Jen or someone on Council know. Thank you!
This month – A permanent new basketball goal
Situated at the edge of our parking lot, the basket goal has been around Redeemer for years for our youth to enjoy! But the temporary ones don’t last or get slam-dunked and knocked over by our strong youth or the wind! It’s a place youth love to hang out and play together! Thank you!
DOMINOES & LUNCH
Please mark your summer calendar; we will have dominoes on July 13 and August 10. Come and enjoy the cool air, good friends, and good food. Games start at 10:00 A.M. and lunch is served at 12:00 P.M.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR JULY
July 3 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
• II Kings 5:1-14
• Galatians 6:1-10
• Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
July 10 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
• Amos 7:7-17
• Colossians 1:1-14
• Luke 10:25-37
July 17 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
• Amos 8:1-12
• Colossians 1:15-28
• Luke 10:38-42
July 24 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
• Hosea 1:2-10
• Colossians 2:6-15
• Luke 11:1-13
July 31 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
• Psalm 111
• Colossians 3:1-11
• Luke 12:13-21
Redeemer United Church Council Meeting Minutes – Condensed May 24, 2022
• Caleb Rackley called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. Pastor Jen opened the meeting with a prayer.
• Pastor's Report: Pastor Jen updated the council on the many things happening at Redeemer, including the upcoming Confirmation Sunday on June 5, the ongoing new member classes, the upcoming new member ceremony and reception on June 12, the upcoming VBS program which will be held June 13-16, and the upcoming Guatemala mission trip in July.
• The council discussed and approved the purchase and/or updating of appropriate copyright licensing, which is more important than ever due to the church streaming church services.
• The council discussed a council position vacated by Jed Wells who had to resign due to unforeseen work commitments. Anyone interested in serving should contact Pastor Jen or Caleb.
• Treasurer's Report (Carrie James): Current balance of $100,174
• Memorial Fund Report (Diane Hunter): Current balance of $105,753.44
• Building Fund Report (Steve Gangawer): Current balance of $58,747.38
• Council continued discussing items which still needed to be completed in the Sunday School Wing, including installing new ceiling tiles in back area and back social hall, removing window a/c units and wall a/c units, installing new blinds, re-painting, modernizing the restrooms, repairing sheetrock issues in the hallways and entryway, and adding additional lighting as necessary. Carrie James, Lora Pape and Krista Saulter agreed to serve as a subcommittee to propose a Sunday School Wing renovation plan by the July council meeting. Pastor Jen will serve as an ad hoc member of the subcommittee as well.
• Council continued discussing additional maintenance items around the church which need to be completed.
• Council discussed and approved the creation of a "property maintenance committee" consisting of people who routinely assist with property maintenance, including Doug Muenchow (council-person in charge of building & maintenance), Steve Gangawer (council-person in charge of building fund) and Bruce Badders. Council also discussed and approved an operational safety policy requiring at least two persons to be present when performing potentially dangerous work (i.e., work requiring use of a ladder, electrical work, etc.).
• Council reviewed current index of memorial funds and discussed potential projects for appropriate use of such funds.
• Council discussed and approved categorizing future memorial fund designations into five general accounts which will be managed by council: care & upkeep of Redeemer's sanctuary & buildings; beautification of Redeemer's outdoor grounds; Redeemer's worship & music ministry; Redeemer's education & youth ministries; and Redeemer's general memorial fund.
• Council discussed plans for Harvest Festival, to be held on October 23, 2022.
• Meeting adjourned.
July Birthdays
01-Darryl Schneider
02-Cleven Engelhardt
03-Ron Fritz, Brad Reiley, Karson Kelso
04-Arlene Kunde, Breelyn Fennell-Leach, Reese Thayne, Nicole Reininger
05-Linda Sinclair, Leroy Reininger
06-Doris Muenchow
07-Lisa Friesenhahn, Aaron Lampman, Neil Klein
08-Marsha Schulze
09-Janice Gangawer, Carson Manning
11-Eric Franklin
12-Kyle Leach, Barbara Schneider
14-Carolyn Cohu
15-Dorothy Zunker, Kass Pape
16-Lana Luddeke, Kayleigh Dilworth, Joshua Schneider
17-Russell Reinhard
18-Mel Barnett
19-Marjorie Luensmann
21-Hailey Leach, Kaystin Clark
22-Lora Pape, William Reagan Glass, Jackson Kurz
23-Ronald Torbet
24-Sawyer Davis
26-Ryleigh Hulett, Kylie Reininger, Kelsie Reininger
29-Jimmy Damerau
30-Justin Kurz
31-Patricia Sheffield, David Muenchow
July Wedding Anniversaries
02-Russell & Becky Reinhard
05-Vernon & Jennifer Winkelmann
07-Randall & Emily Reinhard
07-Tracy & Jackie Meek
11-Chad & Jennifer Swanson
16-Gary & Shelly Grunewald
19-Terry & Karen Canham
21-David & Diana Myers
26-Doug & Kade Clark
30-Gerald & Betty Kriewald
31-Donald & Patti Dilworth
FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST 9:15-10:15 A.M.
SUNDAY, JULY 3 HOST: CHURCH COUNCIL
SUNDAY, JULY 17 HOST – PLEASE SIGN UP SUNDAY,
JULY 31 POTLUCK
GERMANIA ANNUAL SUPPER
Germania Bowling Society will hold their annual supper on Saturday and Sunday, July 9 & 10 The cost per plate is $12.00.
Serving Times:
• Drive Thru – Sunday –11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
• Inside – Saturday – 4:00-8:00 P.M.
Sunday – 11:00 A.M.- ???
As always, Germania Bowling Society thanks you for your support!
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.
July 3, 2022 – Holy Communion
USHERS/GREETER – Church Council
LITURGIST – Justin Kurz
ACOLYTE – Jackson Kurz
ALTAR FLOWERS – Pam & Carl Griffin
BULLETINS – Russell & Becky Reinhard
July 10, 2022 - Youth
USHERS/GREETER – Youth
LITURGIST – Youth
ACOLYTE – Reide Reininger
ALTAR FLOWERS – open
BULLETINS – open
July 17, 2022
USHERS/GREETER – Jimmy & Candace Scheibe & Kara Maierhofer
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTE – Grayson Maierhofer
ALTAR FLOWERS – open
BULLETINS – open
July 24, 2022
USHERS/GREETERS – Patti, Kayleigh & Ashton Dilworth
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTE – Ali Thayne
ALTAR FLOWERS – Fuzzy & Kathy Wiederstein
BULLETINS – open
July 31, 2022
USHERS/GREETERS – Russell & Lana Luddeke & Justin Kurz
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTE – Kass Pape
ALTAR FLOWERS – open
BULLETINS – open
MIDDLE SCHOOL & SENIOR HIGH YOUTH EVENT AT TRULIGHT FOSTER HOME
Wednesday, July 13 from 6:30-8:30pm
Calling all Middle School and Senior High Youth, grab your friends and let’s go hang out with the youth at the TruLight Foster home here in Marion!
Sports, Spa, and Sundaes is our theme!
For the girls who want, bring your nail polishes, and let’s paint some fingernails and toes! We may make something “spa-like” to go along with our time with the girls.
Guys (& girls too) can bring basket balls and footballs or we’ll play some fun tag relay games!
Then all of us together will feast on a Sundae buffet with ice cream and all types of sauces and sprinkles to cool us off in this heat!
We’ll meet up at the church at 6:15 (eat before you come) and car pool over together to TruLight. I NEED an RSVP so I know how many youth and adults are coming from Redeemer. Parents and siblings are welcome to come along and join us!
*If you would like to donate sundae toppings or money for ice cream please let Pastor Jen know.
Please RSVP by Sunday, July 10 to Pastor Jennifer at pastorruc@yahoo.com. Thank you!
►THANK YOU ◄
The Board of Christian Education would like to express our gratitude for making Vacation Bible School a success this year. Thank you to the congregation for inviting and bringing your family members and friends to attend. Thanks to all the groups and individuals for volunteering their time by decorating and lending items to decorate, providing food, serving as activity and group leaders, manning the Marketplace, and providing other talents. We are so thankful and certainly could not have pulled this off without you, especially with our largest group of kids yet. We are truly blessed.
Many blessings,
The BCE
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:14
HAVE A BLESSED FOURTH OF JULY!