APRIL 2025 - News & Views
A Message From Pastor Jen
Rejected to Redeemed!
For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep and will sort them out. As shepherds sort out their flocks when they are among scattered sheep, so I will sort out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered … I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them… I will feed them… I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep…says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strays, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak…”
~ Ezekiel 34:11-16
Just over a month ago, God gifted us with two more baby goats at only a day old. The twin boys were found abandoned in the pasture (a third one dead) by the nanny who gave them birth. Had it not been for the caretakers of these goats who scooped them up and tried to get their mama to take them, they would have died or been food for the wild. After being penned up with their mama, she only rejected them further by pushing them away and hurting them. It was obviously apparent that these “kids” were rejected by the one who was supposed to love them and care for them.
But as God would have it, these twin boys were brought to a new “mama,” – a shepherd of sheep and goats (as I like to call myself) who would love them and care for them, feed them and show them how much they are loved – they’re no longer rejects – they’ve been redeemed – saved by someone who loves them and has given them names – River and Asher, which means “fortunate” or “blessed.”
I tell you this story, because this is who our Heavenly Father is – who Jesus is – a loving shepherd who cares for His children. Even when we’re rejected by people who were supposed to love us and care for us and provide for us, God doesn’t abandon us. Even when we’re lost and left to die, our Heavenly Father sees us and rescues us, gives us a second chance at life, and nurtures and cares for us and provides for us because He loves us! He sent a Savior to redeem our lives
from the grave, to rescue us from sin and rejection, and to show us what true unconditional love is. That’s the kind of Savior we have!
I tell these new baby goats every day when I bottle feed them, “You two are the luckiest little goats! You are not rejected but rescued, redeemed, and very blessed because you are very loved by a shepherd who knows you by name!” River and Asher are a daily reminder to me that we have a Shepherd – a Savior Jesus Christ - who loves us very much that He died to save us, redeem us, and even knows us by name!
God Keeps His Promises!
The promises of God are what keep us rooted and encouraged in our faith. Read these, memorize them, let them sink deeply into your heart and mind. Allow God to transform you – to change you through the promises God has made to you…
31. The Lord is near (Psalm 145:18)
32. God will give you comfort (Psalm 23:4)
33. God’s love fills the earth (Psalm 119:64)
34. God will forgive you (1 John 1:9)
35. God will come near to you (James 4:8)
36. You are set free (John 8:36)
37. God will meet your needs (Philippians 4:19)
38. God works for your good (Romans 8:28)
39. God’s peace will guard you (Philippians 4:7)
40. God gives good gifts (Matthew 7:11)
IN OUR PRAYERS
Betty Engelhardt, Randy Wells, Yoshiko Miyasaka, Judi Bullington, Eddie Moore, John Brogdon
IN SYMPATHY
Family of Cleven Engelhardt
Family of Alice Markle
Mid-Week Lenten Worship “Victory in the Valley” and Holy Week Worship:
*Wednesday meal is at 6:30PM;
Worship 7PM in Social Hall
Wednesday, April 2 – Valley of Elah
(1 Samuel 17) – where David fought Goliath
Wednesday, April 9 – Valley of Death
(Psalm 23) – where God comforts us in our own valleys
Holy Week
Sunday, April 13 – Palm Sunday Worship (Kidron Valley) 10:30AM with Palm Procession by children/youth; Adult Choir will sing; & Easter Egg Hunt for children following Worship; Bring your Easter Basket!
April 17 – Maundy Thursday (Jezreel Valley, also known as Valley of Megiddo – Battle of Megiddo also known as Battle of Armageddon is fought) – Worship with Holy Communion in Sanctuary 7pm
April 18 – Good Friday (Gehenna or Hinnom Valley – place that has become theological synonym for Hell) - Worship 7PM in Sanctuary
Easter Sunday, April 20 –
Sunrise Easter Worship - 7:30 AM Outside in the Grove
Easter Breakfast – 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM Social Hall
Easter Worship - 10:30 AM Sanctuary
*Both services include the tradition of "Flowering the Cross" and Holy Communion
*Families are invited to bring fresh flowers for the traditional flowering of the cross*
Happy Wedding Anniversary
Jim & Gerry Rackley – 52 years
John & Verna Dieterich – 62 years
Willfloyd & Lillian Strey – 64 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
Get ready: Our next luncheon is —
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Games at 10:00 A.M.
Lunch will be served at 12 noon
Women’s Fellowship will be serving spaghetti with garlic bread and sides.
Hope to see everyone on the 9th!
EASTER LILIES
This year we are going to decorate our altar area again with Easter Lilies on Easter Sunday. The flowers this year can be purchased by members and friends to remember or honor special people in their lives.
The Easter Lilies will be displayed on Easter morning, April 20th. You may pick them up after that service. Please, remove only the number of flowers you ordered.
The flowers may be ordered until Sunday, April 6th. They will be $10 each. Payment must accompany your order. Place the 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 United Church Council Meeting Minutes – Condensed
February Minutes not available at this time.
Fundraiser Meal for Youth going to Camp Eagle – Sunday, April 6
Redeemer Fellowship is hosting a fundraiser meal following worship to help support Redeemer’s Youth group who are going to Camp Eagle this summer in July. We have 8 youth and 2 adults going to camp. The cost is $529/camper (adults and youth included). Your donation for this meal will lower that cost and enable our youth to grow closer in their relationship with Jesus!
On the menu: Chicken Spaghetti, green beans and carrots!
Camp Youth and Redeemer Fellowship will provide desserts. However, donations of desserts are always welcome!
As always, Thank You for your generous support of our youth!
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
We will have our 1st Quarterly Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 27th immediately following worship. Please have your reports in the church office by Tuesday, April 23rd.
Redeemer’s 125th Anniversary Upcoming Events (Mark your calendar!)–
Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day) - Panoramic Photo following the service.
Spread the word to all members! Panoramic photos will be available to purchase that day. Cost is to be determined.
Sunday, May 18 – Day Congregation Voted on Name of the Church – acknowledged in worship
Sunday, May 25 – Worship in the Grove & Remembrance of the Memorial Grove
Sunday, October 12 – 125th Anniversary Celebration in Worship and Reception to follow
Sunday, October 26 – Recognition of 125th Anniversary at Harvest Festival
This anniversary year for Redeemer, let us look “…to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…!” Hebrews 12:2
SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR APRIL
April 6 – Fifth Sunday in Lent
- Isaiah 43:16-21
- Psalm 126
- Philippians 3:8-14
- Luke 20:9-20
April 13 – Palm Sunday
- Deuteronomy 32:36-39
- Psalm 118:19-29
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Luke 22:1—23:56
April 17 – Maundy Thursday
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
- Psalm 116:12-19
- Hebrews 10:15-25
- Luke 22:7-20
April 18 – Good Friday
- Isaiah 52:13—53:12
- Psalm 22
- Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
- John 18:1—19:42
April 20 – Easter Sunrise
- Job 19:23-27
- Psalm 118:15-29
- I Corinthians 15:51-57
- John 20:1-18
April 20 – Easter Day
- Isaiah 65:17-25
- Psalm 16
- I Corinthians 15:19-26
- Luke 24:1-12
April 27 – Second Sunday of Easter
- Acts 5:12-20
- Psalm 148
- Revelation 1:4-18
- John 20:19-31
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
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
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 6, 2025 – Holy Communion
USHERS/GREETER – Church Council
LITURGIST – Jeanne Rawe
ACOLYTES – Cade Kurz & Matthew Sweet
ALTAR FLOWERS – Jerry & Karen Wieters
BULLETINS – Betty Surman
April 13, 2025 – Youth Sunday – Palm Sunday
USHERS/GREETER – Youth
LITURGISTS – Youth
ACOLYTES – Ryleigh Hulett & Finn Rackley
ALTAR FLOWERS – Family of Fuzzy Wiederstein
BULLETINS – Gerald & Betty Kriewald
April 17 & 18, 2025 –
Maundy Thursday & Good Friday
USHERS/GREETERS – Church Council
April 20, 2025 – Easter 7:30 AM - Communion
USHERS/GREETERS – Church Council
ALTAR FLOWERS – Easter Lilies
April 20, 2025 – Easter 10:30 AM-Communion
USHERS/GREETERS – Church Council
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTES – Reese Thayne & Parker Missildine
ALTAR FLOWERS – Easter Lilies
BULLETINS – open
April 27, 2025
USHERS/GREETERS – Larry & Debbie Luensmann & Kara Maierhofer
LITURGIST – Gail Lampman
ACOLYTES – Ella Maierhofer & Finn Rackley
ALTAR FLOWERS – Strey family
BULLETINS – Gloria Clark
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, April 6
9:15 A.M. – Traditional SS - Plant Flowers
Sunday, April 13
9:15 A.M. – Music
10:30 A.M. – Youth Sunday – Palm Sunday
Easter Egg Hunt
Sunday, April 20
NO Sunday School
Easter/Flowering of Cross
Sunday, April 27
9:15 A.M. – Traditional SS
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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Calling All Graduates!!
Email us your graduate’s name and High School/Higher Level Institution they are graduating from by May 4th.
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He is not here - He is Risen!
Happy Easter!