AUGUST 2026 - News & Views

Message From Pastor Jen          

BEAUTIFUL FEET!

How beautiful are the feet of  those who bring good news! 

Romans 10:15

Our team just returned from Guatemala – from the town of Nuevo Eden, which means New Eden. This community was very different from the Garden of Eden we read about in the Bible. Not paradise as one might imagine but still a place full of life and hope and promise and lots of MUD! From the moment we stepped off the van into Nuevo Eden, we had to cross through slippery mud from daily rain surrounded by very happy pigs, a boastful turkey Tom and curious chickens! But best of all, we were greeted by the small hands of children eager to lead us through the soggy places into the church and up to the school each day. Day in and day out, our shoes were covered in mud, so we carried it with us-whether we liked it or not-into the church and everywhere we set our feet. But dirty shoes didn’t keep us from having beautiful feet! 

While our feet did the walking, our hands did the serving, and our mouths did the talking. As we painted the school, we gleefully chatted with children and made connections with Mama’s eager to learn one another’s languages. As the men in our group bent barber poles and dug trenches, they were laying more than a foundation of metal and stone but building bridges across relationships between Americans and Kekchi. So, when the 

time came to share the good news about Jesus through skits and songs, games and crafts, preaching and teaching, worship and table fellowship, more had been shared through our hands and our feet and our hearts than from our mouths that had to be translated three ways – English to Spanish to Kekchi. Body language speaks volumes – more than words can ever fully say or comprehend – but the language of the love of Jesus transcends our lips and overflows from hearts that love, people that are present, hands that hold, and feet that are beautiful even when covered with mud!

On Sunday, August 9, the Guatemala team will share in worship stories, testimonies, teachings, songs, pictures, and more from our mission. We invite you to come and here how God is at work in Guatemala and through the people of Redeemer United Church! 

Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. The Good News is Jesus. Do you want to have beautiful feet? Share the love of Jesus wherever you go! 

IN OUR PRAYERS  

LaVerne Luensmann, Bill Luensmann, Steve Steinmetz, Alice Valle, Gloria Clark, Steve Gangawer, Dorothy Luensmann

Happy Wedding Anniversary         

Rev. Lee & Sharon Zillmann – 52 years

David & Ann Lindley – 53 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   

June & July were great months for dominoes! What a great turn out! We thank each of you for coming and joining in the fun and fellowship. Our next date is Wednesday, August 12th. Games start at 10:00 A.M. and lunch is served at 12:00 P.M. See you then!

POTLUCK FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST

Bring your favorite breakfast food to share and join in fellowship around food, faith & church family!   We will also be having Donuts for Dad!

9:15-10:15 A.M.    

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH 

NEW BERLIN SAUSAGE FESTIVAL

@ New Berlin Community Center

Sunday, September 6 

11:00 A.M. to 11:30 P.M.

Sausage Plates $15.00

Serving from 11:00 A.M. to ??

►For Raffle Tickets◄ 

►Contact Glen & Beverly Muenchow◄

210-269-4985     

SCHOOL HOUSE UPDATE:  Building A Ministry Together

With gratitude and joy, we share that the purchase of the Clemens School House was completed in mid-June and the building is now owned by Redeemer United Church. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and dedication in helping make this vision a reality.

Now the exciting work begins. Together, we have the opportunity to bring this historic building to life as a place of service, welcome, and ministry for our community. To make that possible, we are inviting gifts of both financial support and personal talents. Our campaign goal is to raise $350,000.00 to pay for the building. Pledge cards will be mailed to the congregation and friends of Redeemer during the first week of August.

The early campaign kickoff began in July, and already we have received total commitments of $180,500.00—51% of our goal. This strong beginning is a sign of what God can do through generous hearts working together. Please prayerfully consider how you can be part of this next step. Every gift, large or small, helps move us closer to an expanded ministry and a future filled with purpose.

We are also seeking people willing to share their time, skills, creativity, and experience as we prepare to open the School House. Many hands and many gifts will be needed. If you have talent in event planning, fundraising, communications, operations, building maintenance, hospitality, or other areas that could support this effort, please consider serving with us. To learn more or to offer your support, please contact a School House Committee member.

Debbie Wiegand

Schoolhouse Co-Chairperson

T-Shirt Pledge Fundraiser

Brian Cullins is raising money for the Schoolhouse by designing and selling T-shirts on Etsy. Profits from his Etsy T-shirt store will be given toward the paying down of the schoolhouse loan. 

Visit https://wearjesusclothing.com to access the Etsy page to buy Christian T-shirts to share your faith.  

Jesus Saves: Tell the world with these T-shirts

Redeemer United Church Council Meeting Minutes – Condensed  - June 16, 2026

CALL TO ORDER    

Mike Schulze called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. In attendance were Pastor Jennifer Gold, Mike Schulze, Cody Canham, Tammy Haecker, Ann Lindley, Jackie Meek, Steve Gangawer, Susan Gray, Greg Williford, Ken Friesenhahn. Missing Derek Pawlik. 

OPENING PRAYER 

Jackie Meek said the opening prayer.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM APRIL COUNCIL MEETING  

Minutes from the May 16, 2026 meeting were approved.

PASTOR’S REPORT       

Worship

Audio Visual

Organ Repair & Tune Up

Guatemala Mission Team

LCMC Texas Annual Gathering

LCMC National Annual Gathering

Spiritual Journey through Spain

Community Bible Camp at Slumber Falls

Maintenance Recommendation

Vacation Time  

FINANCIAL REPORTS 

Memorial Fund Report(as of 5/31/2026) 

Balance of $99,571.71

Building Fund Report(as of 5/31/2026) 

Balance of $41,146.46 

Treasurer’s Report(as of 5/31/2026) 

Checking Account - $18,632.00 

Money Market Account - $77,673.00 

Certificate of Deposit - $50,000.00 

Balance of $146,305.00

OTHER COUNCIL REPORTS

Board of Christian Education (BCE)   

Vacation Bible School – June 22-25 & 28

Property & Maintenance Report     

Automatic Light Switch in Men’s Restroom

EXISTING BUSINESS  

School House Purchase  

Harvest Festival 

NEW BUSINESS  

Vacation Bible School 

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned. 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR AUGUST    

August 2 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

• Isaiah 55:1-5
• Psalm 136:1-9
• Romans 9:1-5
• Matthew 14:13-21

August 9 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

• Job 38:4-18
• Psalm 18:1-6
• Romans 10:5-17
• Matthew 14:22-33

August 16 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

• Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
• Psalm 67
• Romans 11:1-2a,      13-15, 28-32
• Matthew      15:21-28

August 23–Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

• Isaiah 51:1-6
• Psalm 138
• Romans 11:33—12:8
• Matthew      16:13-20

August 30–Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

• Jeremiah 15:12-21
• Psalm 26
• Romans 12:9-21
• Matthew      16:21-28
• 
  

August Birthdays    

01-John Corkran, Kathy Praesel
05-Grayson Maierhofer, Eileen Schneider
07-Mike Friesenhahn, Michael Niles
09-Randall Reinhard
11-Amber Niles
12-Colt Canham, Diane Hunter, Chris Gold
13-Shawn Wiegand, Carrie James, Reid Nelson
14-David Myers
15-Charlie Luensmann
17-Jesslyn Pawlik
18-Carolyn Steinmetz, Graham Williford
19-Victor Contreras
22-Carl Griffin
23-Leroy Albrecht, Vernon Winkelmann, Geri Friesenhahn
24-Dana Reininger, Reba Wiedner, Rebekah Nelson
25-Michael Sweet
26-Audrey Badders, Randy Friesenhahn
28-Melissa Kutach
30-Debbie Luensmann, Ross Luensmann, Faye Titus
31-Pam Griffin

August Wedding Anniversaries       

03-Rev. Lee & Sharon Zillmann
04-Gene & Virginia Mott
05-Warren & Gail Lampman
10-Matthew & Brianna Fulghum
10-Karl & Sondra Harborth
11-David & Ann Lindley
16-William & Tameria Lindley
20-Ronald & Donna Torbet
28-Mike & Marsha Schulze
30-Brent & Dana Reininger
31-Russell & Lana Luddeke
31-Michael & Halla Nickel
31-Brad & Audrey McDougal
31-Mark & Jill Sievers

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.     

August 2, 2026 – Holy Communion

USHERS/GREETERS – Church Council

LITURGIST – Troy Meckel

ACOLYTE – Youth

ALTAR FLOWERS – Laurie Leach & family

SIDE TABLE FLOWERS – Family of Willie Strey

BULLETINS – Betty Surman

August 9, 2026 

USHERS/GREETER – Jerry & Karen Wieters & Vernon Winkelmann 

LITURGIST – Guatemala Mission Team

ACOLYTE – Youth

ALTAR FLOWERS – Pam & Carl Griffin

BULLETINS – Ellie Potts

August 16, 2026 

USHERS/GREETER – Jeff, Aron & Ali Thayne

LITURGIST – Jeanne Rawe

ACOLYTE – Youth

ALTAR FLOWERS – Pawlik family

BULLETINS – Elsie Barnett

August 23, 2026 

USHERS/GREETER – Warren & Gail Lampman & Jennifer Swanson

LITURGIST – Madyson Schulze

ACOLYTE – Youth

ALTAR FLOWERS – Family of Sinton & Helen
 Lampman

BULLETINS – Family of Fuzzy Wiederstein

August 30, 2026

USHERS/GREETER – Virginia Mott, David Lindley & Diane Hunter

LITURGIST – open

ACOLYTE – Youth

ALTAR FLOWERS – Mark & Jill Sievers

BULLETINS – Gloria Clark & 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.       

Summer Bible Day Camp at Slumber Falls!

August 3rd-5th from 9:30AM – 2:30PM eight of our kids from Redeemer plus Pastor Jennifer, Joyce Kucherka and Janice Gangawer (adult volunteers) will enjoy classic day camp activities through games, crafts, songs, Bible stories, Gaga ball, swimming, and a low ropes course all while discovering Jesus' love and light. Thank you to St. Paul Lutheran Church, New Braunfels for inviting our children to be part of this fun and meaningful experience at Slumber Falls Camp!

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ADULT BIBLE STUDY

We will resume class on Sunday, September 13 from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. 

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BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS

Sunday, August 23 

We invite all youth to bring backpacks to church that  day for a special blessing in worship!

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

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

~Matthew 19:14~