A Message From Pastor Jen
SOLAR ECLIPSE 2024
Signs of the End Times???
I am super excited about the solar eclipse that is going to occur in our area on Monday, April 8. We bought the glasses, and our family is making plans to witness this heavenly event together as we travel to the Texas Hill Country to experience this phenomenon in the sky.
Now, I love to experience things in the natural world that also occur in the bible. It helps to make the scriptures come alive. When Jesus was crucified on April 3, 33 AD, it says that from “about noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed” (Luke 23:44-45). Scholars disagree on whether it was a solar eclipse or a supernatural phenomenon. Nevertheless, the sky turned dark. So, it is with what it supposed to happen on April 8. Experiencing this rare opportunity just gives more insight of biblical proportion into what it felt like the day that Jesus was crucified if only for a few minutes rather than a few hours.
Some people have asked me, usually in fear, “Are these signs of the end times?” After all, the bible says among many other things, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations…when these things take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:25 & 28). Here is my response, “Do you believe that Christ will come again just as he promised?” If yes, “Do you believe and trust that Christ Jesus loves you and died for you to spend eternal life with Him?” Then there is nothing to fear. We are called to live everyday as if Christ is coming tomorrow. Because truth is, the Bible also says, “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:32-33).
As believers in Jesus, we have nothing to fear. But we are to “keep alert” and live everyday like Christ will come tomorrow. If you knew the day that Christ was going to come, what would you do differently? How would you live differently? Because the truth is, we are closer to the day of Christ’s return than we were one-hundred years ago or one-hundred days ago.
Don’t be afraid. Be full of faith! Keep awake! Be ready at all times! So that when the time comes that Christ does return, you can be among those who can faithfully take your stand and raise your head toward the heavens, “because the day of your redemption is near!”
We welcome New Members to Redeemer!
Jo Williford
Greg & DonAnn Williford
Graham, Lindsey & Joshua Williford
Derek & Ashley, Jesslyn & Henley Pawlik
IN OUR PRAYERS
Frank Bird, Brandon Strey, Leola Schultze, Donna Sagebiel, Dennis Wendel
Happy Wedding Anniversary
Jim & Gerry Rackley – 51 years
John & Verna Dieterich – 61 years
Willfloyd & Lillian Strey – 63 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, April 10, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. Invite a friend or neighbor; we are always happy to see everyone.
FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST
9:15-10:15 A.M.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024
POTLUCK
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
We will have our 1st Quarterly Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 28TH immediately following worship. Please have your reports in the church office by Tuesday, April 23RD.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
Thank you for the flower & monetary donations. Women’s Fellowship were able to place 276 flowers on the “Forgotten Graves”.
Looking forward to seeing everyone for the dominoes/Sr. Luncheon. Chicken Pot Pie with sides will be served.
Redeemer United Church Council Meeting Minutes – Condensed
February Minutes not available at this time.
PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The PRC supports a healthy relationship between the pastor & church sharing hopes, dreams, concerns, & ideas. The PRC lets the pastor know what people in the church are thinking. We encourage healthy communication with the pastor and/or a member of the PRC…
Karen Canham
Becca Casanova
Mary Jo Contreras
Charlie Luensmann
Phyllis Luensmann
Shari Moore
Eric Schulze
Mayson Schulze
Debbie Wiegand
Thank You!
THANK YOU’S to everyone who helped with all of the Holy Week and Easter Services!
And THANK YOU to Warren Lampman & all his helpers for the delicious Easter Breakfast!
Many thanks to all those who came out on Saturday, March 23rd to help with the Church Spring Work Day! We are greatly appreciative of all your hard work. Thanks again!
SUPPORT THE GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM SUNDAY, APRIL 7
A Meal & Silent Auction Fundraiser for the Guatemala team will be Sunday, April 7 after Worship. The meal is graciously hosted by Redeemer Fellowship – THANK YOU! They are preparing Enchilada Casserole, Rice and Beans. We invite the congregation to bring desserts to be available as well. The meal and desserts are by donation.
The Guatemala mission team is also hosting a Silent Auction the same day. We are asking for new and handcrafted Silent Auction donations. Can you donate? Or you can buy!
All funds raised on Sunday, April 7 will go to support sending the team to Guatemala to do mission work. If you cannot come and want to support the team anyway, any donations will be accepted.
Thank you for supporting Christ’s mandate to “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28!
Blue Jean Ball Benefit for TruLight127 Ministries
Wouldn’t it be great if Redeemer United Church had a table at TruLight’s Annual Benefit? Would you join Pastor Jennifer and Chris and sit at our table? Cost is $56.25 if we can get a group of 8 together or $75/person. Let me know if you’re interested by Sunday, April 14! Here is information all about it!
It is time for the 2024 BLUE JEAN BALL benefiting TruLight127 Ministries. This year’s theme is Boots & Roots. Together, we can give foster children the roots they need to flourish and the boots to walk confidently into a world filled with endless opportunities. All funds raised at this special event will support TruLight Youth Village and the infants, children, and teens in foster care who call us "home". Thank You!
5:30PM - Doors Open & Early Bird Cocktails
7:00PM - Silent Auction Begins
Followed by Dinner & Program
DATE AND TIME
Sat, April 27, 2024
6:00 PM
LOCATION
The Venue
2032 Central Plaza
New Braunfels, TX 78130
SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR APRIL
April 7 – Second Sunday of Easter
April 14 – Third Sunday of Easter
April 21 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 28 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
April Birthdays
02- Chester Jenke, Lillian Brietzke
05-Carole Cullins, Madyson Schulze, Karen Schneider
08-Luke Weber, Virginia Mott
10-Cooper Nichols
11-Lea Glass, Alma Rosebrock
12-Vangie Bielke, McKean Saulter
13-Gary Grunewald
14-Dallas Sheffield
18-Lucille Haecker
19-Betty Engelhardt
20-Emilie Weber, Ashley Pawlik
21-Rudy Kutach, Candace Scheibe
22-Joyce Schaefer
24-Kyle Wieters, Charles Meckel, Stepheny Kelso
26-Elaine Meckel
27-Mayson Schulze, Lillian Strey
28-Richard Wollney, Sr.
29-Logan Saulter, Krista Swanson, Grant Swanson
30-Verna Dieterich
April Wedding Anniversaries
02-Lea & William Glass
08-Mike & Terri Rosebrock
10-Jerry & Karen Wieters
14-Jim & Gerry Rackley
15-Douglas & Darnell Muenchow
20-Brad & Sabrina Reiley
21-Wade & Kara Maierhofer
23-Shawn & Deborah Wiegand
23-John & Verna Dieterich
26-Eric & Jennifer Schulze
26-John & Loretta Corkran
29-Willfloyd & Lillian Strey
30-Greg & DonAnne 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.
April 7, 2024 – Holy Communion USHERS/GREETER – Church Council
LITURGIST – Gail Lampman
ACOLYTES – Ali & Reese Thayne
ALTAR FLOWERS – Alma Rosebrock
BULLETINS – Gerald & Betty Kriewald
April 14, 2024 – Youth Worship
USHERS/GREETER – Youth
LITURGISTS – Youth
ACOLYTES – Kyle Sweet & Ryleigh Hulett
ALTAR FLOWERS – family of Fuzzy Wiederstein
BULLETINS – Don & Marion Denson
April 21, 2024
USHERS/GREETERS – Krysta & Karen Canham & Charlie Luensmann
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTES – Kass Pape & Parker Missildine
ALTAR FLOWERS – Debbie & Shawn Wiegand
BULLETINS – Betty Surman
April 28, 2024 – Congregational Mtg
USHERS/GREETERS – Larry & Debbie Luensmann & Kara Maierhofer
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTES – Ella Maierhofer & Dallas Sheffield
ALTAR FLOWERS – Willfloyd Strey family
BULLETINS – Strey family
DATES TO REMEMBER
April 7th
9:15 A.M. Sunday School
April 14th
9:15 A.M. Plant flowers during Sunday School
10:30 A.M. Youth Worship
April 21st
9:15 A.M. Sunday School/Potluck Breakfast
4-6:00 P.M. Campfire in the Grove with live music, hot dogs, and s’mores!
April 28th
9:15 A.M. Sunday School
Confirmation II Classes
4-6:00 P.M. @ CHURCH
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APRIL 14 – BAPTISM
APRIL 28 – COMMUNION
Vacation Bible School
June 10-13, & 16
6:00 - 8:15 P.M.
“Changemakers Lab”
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🎓Calling All Graduates!! 🎓
Email us your graduate’s name and High School/Higher Level Institution they are graduating
from by May 1st.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart!
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