DECEMBER 2025 - News & Views
A Message From Pastor Jen
THE ADVENT-URE OF ADVENT
Advent has always been my favorite season of the church year even since I was a little girl. Perhaps because blue has always been my favorite color, but also because I had a love-hate relationship with the Advent wreath as a child. It seemed to take FOREVER to light all those candles on that wreath making the countdown to Christmas Day soooooo long! 😊 However, now that I’m older, my love for the season of Advent in a world that starts decorating for Christmas weeks before Thanksgiving! Advent reminds us to slow down – to pause – to reflect.
The word Advent comes from the Latin word, “to come.” It’s the season of the church when we draw our attention to the long-awaited Messiah – the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem, but also the second Advent, which is when Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead. So, Advent is observed as a season of preparation for these two significant events. During this season, we are called to repentance, to reflect on the darkness around us and the hope that surrounds us. We are called by scripture to be watchful and expectant as we wait and prepare for our Savior.
The color of Advent is blue, the color of hope, and the color of the sunrise just before the dawn. The primary symbol of this season is of course, the Advent wreath, which originated in Germany. The advent wreath is an everlasting circle adorned with four candles for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and at the center of the wreath is the Christ Candle, symbolizing the one on whom we center our lives and who brings light into our darkness - Jesus Christ who said, “I am the light of the world.”
I encourage you to take time to slow down and reflect on Jesus during this season of Advent. Light your own advent wreath at home as a reminder that as we await our Savior on Christmas, so also, we await our Savior who promises to come again! Let us live everyday as if Christ is coming tomorrow!
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’”
Isaiah 9:6
Holiday Schedule:
Sunday, December 21 –
Breakfast Potluck at 9:15AM; Youth Christmas Pageant in Worship at 10:30AM
Wednesday, December 24 –
Christmas Eve Communion & Candlelight Worship 5:30PM
Sunday, December 28 –
Christmas Lessons and Carols in Worship
“Come and worship, come and worship; Worship Christ, the newborn King.”
IN OUR PRAYERS
Eddie Moore, Ellie Potts, Lillian Brietzke, Leroy Albrecht
Happy Wedding Anniversary
Dennis & Joyce Kucherka - 55 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 next dominoes & lunch will be Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. Lunch is served at noon; come and join us for our Christmas!
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, DECEMBER 21ST
ORDER POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS
Every year we decorate our altar area with poinsettias at Christmas. The flowers this year can be purchased by members and friends to remember special people in their lives. They will be $10.00 each.
The poinsettias will be displayed on Christmas Eve. You may pick them up after that service. Please, remove only the number of flowers you ordered.
The flowers may be ordered until Sunday, December 14th. Payment must accompany your order. Place order form with payment in the church office or give to Marsha. If you have any questions, please call the office at 830-914-2168 or e-mail: rucczuehl@yahoo.com
Redeemer’s Angel Tree
The Angel Tree will be up Sunday, November 30! Choose an “Angel” Foster Child by name from our tree. Write the name and your name on sign up list provided (so we make sure no child gets missed). Purchase NEW items as gifts that are suggested on the child’s fact sheet. Place those items in a Christmas gift bag UNWRAPPED (this enables TruLight staff to check the items), place the card ornament on the bag, and return to the church Angel Tree no later than Sunday, December 14. If you would like to volunteer to deliver the gifts that day, please let the church office know.
“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” 1 John 3:1
The 120th Annual German Christmas Candlelight Celebration
Sunday, December 14 at 5:30PM with Organ Prelude at 5PM
Margarite B. Parker Chapel, Trinity University (1 Trinity Place, SA, TX)
The Weihnachtsfeier tells the Christmas story simply and entirely in the German language through scripture, German Christmas poetry, prayers, choral and congregational singing, and instrumental music. There are no sermons. Admission is free. You may contribute to a freewill offering that will be taken up during the service (cash only).
This event is sponsored by The German Weihnachtsfeier Society of San Antonio.
*Please Note, Redeemer will not be able to have a carpool this year because of other events happening at church at the same time.
THE CHOSEN: SERIES THREE
Series 3 of the Chosen concludes on Sunday, December 14 from 4-6PM in Back Social Hall.
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes in Season 4!
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Women’s Fellowship would like to thank everyone who supported our Country Store.
Redeemer United Church Council Meeting Minutes – Condensed - October 16, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mike Schulze called the meeting to order. In attendance were Pastor Jennifer Gold, Mike Schulze, Jessica Kurz, Steve Gangawer, Diane Hunter, Cody Canham, Lora Pape, Derek Pawlik, Audrey Badders, Tammy Haecker and Ann Lindley.
OPENING PRAYER
Derek Pawlik gave the opening prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 2025 COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes from the September 18, 2025, meeting were approved as written upon motion.
PASTOR’S REPORT
Pastor Jennifer presented her Pastor’s Report
Of note:
1. There will be a joint 2025 Thanksgiving service with St. John Lutheran Church in Marion and Christ Lutheran Elm Creek held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 7pm with a pie social afterwards. St. John’s will be hosting this year.
2. Pastor Jen proposed to begin a new search process for a Music Director, someone who will oversee music in worship, conduct adult and children’s choir, and oversee keyboardist, and will work alongside the pastor to plan special music for worship services. Piano and Organ skills preferred but not required. Yuko will continue in her role as pianist/organist.
3. Redeemer Interest/Newcomer’s Class - Sunday, November 9 following worship. Lunch will be provided. New members will be received on Sunday, November 16.
4. A Caregiver’s Support Class will be held at Redeemer on Sunday, November 30, from 9:15 – 10:15.
5. Pastor Jen will be attending the NALC Pastor’s Retreat October 21-23, 2025, and the Nicea Conference October 28-30, 2025.
6. Rev. Mark Braaten will be a guest presenter on the Book of Revelation at Redeemer in January instead of December as originally announced.
7. Pastor Jen will be out for vacation November 26-29.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Memorial Fund Report(as of 9/30/2025)
Balance of $96,961.91
Building Fund Report(as of 9/30/2025)
Balance of $41,160.78
Treasurer’s Report(as of 9/30/2025)
Checking Account - $13,870
Money Market Account - $75,320
Certificate of Deposit - $50,000
Balance of $139,190
OTHER COUNCIL REPORTS
Board of Christian Education (BCE)
Of note:
1. Harvest Festival will include two bounce houses and train rides. Youth will work the dessert table and also sell desserts in the drive-thru line.
2. Janice Gangawer and Ashley Pawlik will be leading the Christmas Pageant.
Property & Maintenance Report
Of note:
- Icemaker filters were replaced. Dust underneath ice machine needs to be cleaned.
- The large oak tree requires maintenance (trim and antifungal).
EXISTING BUSINESS
125th Anniversary
The 125thAnniversary celebration during worship on 10/12/25 was a great success! Great attendance and service, including invited guests (former pastors) and German choir, and reception after worship.
October 26 – Anniversary celebration continuation at Harvest Festival.
Harvest Festival
Harvest Festival will be held on October 26, 2025. Help will be needed to set up on Saturday, October 25thstarting at 8:00 am.
Pest Control
We currently have two pest control vendors. We will be canceling our contract with Worldwide and will move forward with Bulwark for all services (including termite).
TV in Sanctuary
Pastor Jen inquired if the TV could be moved up higher so it is more visible to all members when standing.
Parsonage Driveway
Work on the parsonage driveway is necessary to address parking and drainage issues. Work is currently estimated at $1,500 - $2,000.
Grove Pathway
Preliminary estimate of constructing a pathway in the grove and placing crushed granite in the seating area is approximately $11,000. Council will continue to explore options before making a recommendation to the congregation.
NEW BUSINESS
Non-Member Cemetery Plots
A request was made to the Council to approve the sale of two cemetery plots to non-members. This request was previously reviewed and approved by the Cemetery committee. This request was approved by Council upon motion.
Grove Road to Cemetery Fence
The road between the grove and cemetery needs reconstruction and to be extended all the way to the fence at the back of the property. The cemetery sign and fence also need repair. This will be brought to the next Congregational meeting for input.
Council Nominations
The following Council members will be going off in 2026: Lora Pape, Audrey Badders, Diane Hunter and Jessica Kurz. Though Mike Schulze and Steve Ganagwer’s terms are both technically up, they have offered to remain on Council for another year.
Nominations will be submitted at the November 2, 2025, Congregational meeting for consideration for appointment to Council.
CALENDAR REVIEW
1. Sunday, October 19, 2025-Potluck Breakfast 9:15 am
2.Sunday, October 26, 2025-Harvest Festival
3.Sunday, November 2, 2025-3rd Quarterly Congregational Meeting
4.Sunday, November 23, 2025-Totenfest & Angel Tree Event
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR DECEMBER
December 7 – Second Sunday of Advent
- Isaiah 11:1-10
- Psalm 72:1-7
- Romans 15:4-13
- Matthew 3:1-12
December 14 – Third Sunday of Advent
- Isaiah 35:1-10
- Psalm 146
- James 5:7-11
- Matthew 11:2-15
December 21 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Isaiah 7:10-17
- Psalm 24
- Romans 1:1-7
- Matthew 1:18-25
December 24 – Christmas Eve
- Isaiah 7:10-14
- Psalm 110:1-4
- I John 4:7-16
- Matthew 1:18-25
December 25 – Christmas Day
- Isaiah 52:7-10
- Psalm 2
- Hebrews 1:1-6 (7-12)
- John 1:1-14 (15-18)
December 28 – First Sunday after Christmas
- Isaiah 63:7-14
- Psalm 111
- Galatians 4:4-7
- Matthew 2:13-23
December Birthdays
02-Sutton Davis
03-Jackson Missildine, Kelly Weber
04-Justin Schmidt
05-Christine Voigt
10-Reide Reininger, Leroy Lassere, Patrick Friesenhahn
11-ReyAnne Schmidt, Ellie Potts
13-Judith Bullington
14-Douglas Clark, Leena Loyola, Justin Reininger
16-Cody Canham
19-Krista Saulter
20-Kyle Sweet
21-Kara Maierhofer
26-Doris Reynolds
27-Garrett Corkran
December Wedding Anniversaries
02-Justin & Nichole Reininger
10-Jeff & Aron Thayne
20-Harold & Linda Sinclair
21-Richard & Susan Gray
26-Dennis & Joyce Kucherka
31-Eddie & Shari Moore
31-Graham & Lindsey Williford
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.
December 7, 2025 – Holy Communion
USHERS/GREETER – Church Council
LITURGIST – Troy Meckel
ACOLYTES – Ryleigh Hulett & Ella Maierhofer
ALTAR FLOWERS – Betty Surman
BULLETINS – Ellie Potts
December 14, 2025
USHERS/GREETER – Horace & Laura Luensmann & Patti Dilworth
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTES – Cade Kurz & Breelynn Fennell-Leach
ALTAR FLOWERS – Friesenhahn family
BULLETINS – Ullrich family
December 21, 2025 – Christmas Pageant
USHERS/GREETERS – Youth
LITURGISTS – Youth
BULLETINS – Elsie Barnett
December 24, 2025 – Christmas Eve
USHERS/GREETER – Church Council
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTES – Reese Thayne & Finn Rackley
ALTAR FLOWERS – Poinsettias
BULLETINS – open
December 28, 2025
USHERS/GREETERS – Church Council
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTES – Church Council
ALTAR FLOWERS – Charlie Luensmann & family
BULLETINS – Charlie Luensmann & family
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER....
Sunday, December 7th
9:15 A.M. – Sunday School / Pageant Practice
4-6:00 P.M. – Confirmation II
Sunday, December 14th
9:15 A.M. – Sunday School / Pageant Practice
12:00 P.M. – TAG Time
Sunday, December 21st
9:15 A.M. – Sunday School / Potluck Breakfast
10:30 A.M. – Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 28th
No Sunday School
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Confirmation II Class
Meets on Sunday, December 7 - 4-6 PM
Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 21 @ 10:30 A.M.
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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Blessings in the New Year!!!