NOVEMBER 2024 - News & Views
A Message From Pastor Jen
Say Thanks for the Ordinary
Something I’ve noticed lately…don’t overlook the wonder of the ordinary. While the extraordinary and the amazing are glorified to us in miracles, movies, the news and on TV, it’s because as people, we have become addicted to drama. The only things that get our attention are the big, catastrophic or extraordinary events.
But if you take a closer look at your everyday life and notice the people and activities in it, can you imagine if all that was taken from you in a moment? What or who would you miss? What sights, sounds and smells would you miss that you hardly even notice now? If you were to never experience that scene or person again, would you reminisce about it, wishing you could experience it one more time, remembering and realizing how beautiful it was and how familiar that sight or smell or person comforted you in your daily life?
I made a list of the ordinary things in my life that mean the world to me and gave God thanks for them, and here’s a few of what I came up with (in random and no order of importance)…
Squirrels (yes, I think they’re cute!), my goats on a walk with me, our dog, Nali’s licks of love, our dog, Ella’s snuggles, Zach’s smile and deep conversations, the way Zane wears his cap and his visions/dreams, my husband’s touch, the view from the altar when I look out at the congregation, the smell of cinnamon baking, the view from my kitchen window, the sound of worship music, the comfort of my couch during morning devotions, lightening bugs, the feel and smell of Fall, flowers, my parents’ presence which is no longer here, my sister’s phone calls, my twin brother’s stories that keep us laughing…the list could go on!
Look closely at your ordinary life, and don’t forget to express to God pure gratitude for how beautiful the ordinary really is. We can easily overlook the ordinary and take it for granted. The sun rises and sets every day, the seasons come and go every year, so let us not forget how beautiful and sensational the familiar really is!
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
~1 Thessalonians 5:18
THANK YOU
Dear Redeemer Church family,
Thank you so much for the fun Pastor appreciation gift! You always seem to know what I like-cashews, candy, snack mix & cookies, the cute goat sign, & more! Thank you to individuals who gave cards as well! I feel well-loved, appreciated & known by you!
From God’s heart & mine,
Pastor Jen
IN OUR PRAYERS
Frank Bird, Betty Jo Zunker, Glen (Cowboy) Collins, Erica Williams, Donnie Achterberg, Charlie Meckel, Pete McBearty, Dorothy Zunker, Cindy Green
IN SYMPATHY
Family of Viola Dittfurth
Happy Wedding Anniversary
Steven & Carolyn Steinmetz – 57 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, November 13, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. We will celebrate with a Thanksgiving Dinner. The Turkey & Dressing and bread will be furnished and everyone is asked to bring a favorite vegetable and/or dessert dish. Come; enjoy wonderful food and great fellowship!
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, NOVEMBER 17TH
REDEEMER FELLOWSHIP
Redeemer Fellowship will have a free will luncheon on Sunday November 10th following worship. They will be serving spaghetti. The proceeds will go towards Russell Bielke’s medical expense.
Guest Preacher on Sunday, November 17
Pastor Jen will be out on vacation so Pastor Bryce Formwalt, Director of Mission Growth for the Lutheran Churches in Mission for Christ, will serve as Redeemer’s guest preacher.
Adult Bible Study on Sunday Mornings
The adult Sunday School class is continuing our read and study through the Gospel of John on Sunday mornings led by Pastor Jennifer. Join us!
“But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” -the last verse of John 21:25
-THE CHOSEN –
Sunday Evenings at Redeemer!
Join us as we EXPERIENCE JESUS through this HIT TV Series. This is really helpful for those who don’t like to read. So, this will make the Bible come alive for you! Digging deeper into the backstories and context of the people and events of the gospels, Season One of “the #1 highest crowd-funded media project of all time” introduces you to people such as Simon Peter, Nicodemus, Mary Magdelene, Matthew, and of course, Jesus, in a way never seen before on film.
We will meet twice monthly on Sundays from 4-6 PM in the Back Social Hallto watch & discuss what we saw!
Here is the Schedule for the rest of Season 1…
Nov. 3 – The Wedding Gift – 54 min.
Nov. 17 – Indescribable Compassion – 52 min. & Invitations – 37 min.
Dec. 1 – I Am He – 59 min.
Dec. 15 – Special Christmas Episode: The Shepherd & The Messengers – 55 min.
Season 2 will be in the Spring!
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2:9
Q & A Regarding Redeemer’s Proposed Constitution
will be on Wednesday evening, November 13 at 6:30pm. Pastor Jennifer & Council will be available for discussion.
-Totenfest in Worship – Sunday, November 24
This is the Sunday that Redeemer remembers in worship the saints who have died since last year’s Totenfest. Families of those loved ones are encouraged to come to worship and you will receive the candle that is lit during the service in your loved one’s memory.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones.” Psalm 116:15
Thanksgiving Worship & Pie Social Led by Redeemer & St. John Churches
Tuesday, November 26 at 7PM @ Redeemer United Church
Join us and invite the community to gather for worship to give God thanks at 7PM followed by a very tasty Pie Social! Everyone is encouraged to bring a pie to share along with a physical offering of a non-perishable food item for the Christian Cupboard food pantry in Seguin (see food pantry list of needs in this newsletter).
Redeemer United Church Council Meeting Minutes – Condensed September 19, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Caleb Rackley called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm. Not in attendance were Lora Pape, Diane Hunter, Jessica Kurz.
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor Jennifer gave the opening prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 2024 COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes from July 23, 2024, meeting were approved as written upon.
PASTOR’S REPORT
Pastor Jennifer presented her Pastor’s Report (see attached).
Of note:
1. Love Offering will be collected for Russell and Carol Bielke to help cover medical expenses.
2. Glen Muenchow and his band will provide special music at the Harvest Festival.
3. Music Minister Update – Once again, the position was posted in various places to try and continue this important search.
4. Audio/Visual Update - More volunteers are needed to run the equipment during services and the position pays $25 per Sunday.
5. Photo Directory - Looking to see if Tithe.ly can be used to print a Church Directory for the Congregation. This will be discussed again in January.
6. New Members - There is an opportunity for new members to join on November 10th. Our Stewardship/Hospitality Council Person, Lora Pape, will order a cake and provide punch.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
The Council reviewed the memorial fund, building fund and treasurer’s reports (attached). Russell Bielke made a motion to approve the reports, seconded by Mike Schulze. Motion carried.
Memorial Fund Report (as of 7/31/2024)
Balance of $83,774.18
Memorial Fund Report (as of 8/31/24)
Balance of $84,789.10
Building Fund Report (as of 7/31/2024)
Balance of $50,440.37
Building Fund Report (as of 8/31/2024)
Balance of $41,309.06
Treasurer’s Report (as of 7/31/2024)
General Operating Account
Checking Account - $54,594
Money Market Account - $74,665
Balance of $129,259
Treasurer’s Report (as of 8/31/2024)
General Operating Account
Checking Account - $54,796
Money Market Account - $74,712
Balance of $129,508
OTHER COUNCIL REPORTS
Board of Christian Education (BCE)
Krista Saulter presented the BCE Report
Of note:
1. September 22nd will be “Music in the Grove” and Ice Cream Social.
2. VBS will be moved to a different week this summer. It will be June 23-26 with closing on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Property & Maintenance Report
Cody Canham presented the Maintenance Report
Of note:
1. Mike Schulze made a motion to move the Pastor’s Pulpit in order to have a handrail installed so that Church Members can safely access the altar area.
2. The carpet in the Sanctuary needs to be stretched and this should be done after the Pulpit is moved.
EXISTING BUSINESS
1. Audrey Badders presented an update on the status of having the Parsonage driveway repaired. The initial cost of $500 (covered by donation) will now be $1,700 because cement has to be dug out in order to level for repair. This matter will be tabled until October.
2. Mike Schulze asked to check and make sure Redeemer is up to date on paying out all benevolences by the end of the year (Ex. Christian Cupboard). Ann Marie Lindley will make sure we are up to date on sharing benevolences.
EXISTING BUSINESS
Harvest Festival
1. Harvest Festival will be held on October 27, 2024. Help will be needed to set up on Saturday, October 26th beginning at 8:00 AM.
2. Caleb made a motion that all Council members donate $110 to the raffle. Krista requested the amount to be divided into two equal raffle items. Council agreed. Krista Saulter provided a second. Motion carried. Donations to be given to Marsha Schulze.
New Council / Pastoral Relations Committee members
1. Karen Canham to reach out to possible new Pastoral Relations members
2. Council will reach out to possible new members
3. Possible Volunteers will be presented at Congregational Meeting on October 20, 2024
Proposed Revisions to Church Constitution
An extensive amount of time was spent going line by line through the Church Constitution addressing proposed changes (see attached proposed Church Constitution changes 24 paged document with edits). These proposed changes were noted and will be presented to the Congregation for discussion at the Congregational Meeting on October 20, 2024.
CALENDAR REVIEW - October
15 - Quarterly reports due
20 - Potluck Breakfast / 3rd Quarter Congregational Meeting
22 - Newsletter articles due
26 - Harvest Festival set up beginning at 8:00 AM at Bexar Hall
ADJOURN
Meeting was adjourned at 10:45 PM.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER
November 3 – Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
- Revelation 7:9-17
- Psalm 149
- I John 3:1-3
- Matthew 5:1-12
November 10 – Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
- I Kings 17:8-16
- Psalm 146
- Hebrews 9:24-28
- Mark 12:38-44
November 17 – Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
- Daniel 12:1-3
- Psalm 16
- Hebrews 10:11-25
- Mark 13:1-13
November 24 – Totenfest
- Isaiah 51:4-6
- Psalm 93
- Revelation 1:4b-8
- Mark 13:24-37
November Birthdays
01-Bentley Wells
02-Russell Luddeke, Deborah Wiegand
04-Betty Strzelczyk
06-Terry Canham
07-Parker Missildine
09-Darren Luensmann, Gwynne Cortes
10-Sophia Sheffield
11-Cynthia Davis
13-Rebecca Guenther
14-Laura Luensmann
15-Bonnie Kunde
16-Eric Schulze, Dennis Kucherka
17-Kade Clark
18-Gladys Rowley
19-Jerald Wieters, Brent Reininger, Kaitlyn Rackley
20-DeAnne Hulett, Garrett Schulze, Zane Gold
22-Trace Weber, Whitney Niles, Tanya Rackley
23-Diana Myers, Monica Kunde
25-Sherry Bielke, Jerry Beckmann, Konner Harborth, Dorothy (Reiley) Luensmann
26-Mariann Bielke, Kellie Bielke, Michael Rosebrock, John Klein, Glen Muenchow
29-Wayne Koltermann, Phyllis Luensmann, Brody Nichols
November Wedding Anniversaries
05-Victor & Maryjo Contreras
09-Carl & Pam Griffin
11-Steven & Carolyn Steinmetz
25-Adam & Heather Lampman
26-Derek & Ashley Pawlik
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.
November 3, 2024 – Holy Communion
USHERS/GREETER – Church Council
LITURGIST – Jeanne Rawe
ACOLYTES – Matthew Sweet & Ella Maierhofer
ALTAR FLOWERS – Donna Luensmann
BULLETINS – Betty Surman
November 10, 2024 - Youth
USHERS/GREETER – Youth
LITURGISTS – Youth
ACOLYTES – Ryleigh Hulett & Reese Thayne
ALTAR FLOWERS – Carol Lilie
BULLETINS – Elsie Barnett
November 17, 2024
USHERS/GREETERS – Andrea & Jackson Missildine & Laurie Leach
LITURGIST – Justin Kurz
ACOLYTES – Parker Missildine & Finn Rackley
ALTAR FLOWERS – open
BULLETINS – Tracy & Jackie Meek
November 24, 2024 – Totenfest Sunday
USHERS/GREETERS – Justin & Jackson Kurz & Vernon Winkelmann
LITURGIST – open
ACOLYTES – Ella Maierhofer & Cade Kurz
ALTAR FLOWERS – Pawlik’s
BULLETINS – Pawlik’s
THANK YOU
To the Redeemer Family,
Thank you so much for all the prayers, cards and calls after my surgery.
God Bless,
Candace Scheibe
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.
SENIOR HIGH YOUTH
The Chosen Series is for you too!
Senior High Youth will also be watching
“The Chosen” Series on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15AM in the Youth Room!
DATES TO REMEMBER....
Sunday, November 3rd
9:15 A.M. – Traditional SS
Sunday, November 10th
9:15 A.M. – Music & Youth Sunday
Sunday, November 17th
9:15 A.M. – Traditional SS
& Potluck Breakfast
Sunday, November 24th
9:15 A.M. Mini VBS – All ages
4-8:00 P.M. – Angel Tree & Movie Night
YOUTH & FAMILIES ANGEL TREE SET UP & MOVIE NIGHT
Sunday, November 24 at 5PM
All youth and families are invited to help set up and decorate the Angel Tree! Following the decorating of the Angel Tree, we will have Pizza and those who wish may stay for a movie in the Multi-Purpose Room. Decorating begins at 5pm! Meal at 6pm. Movie to follow. Middle School and High School youth may be unaccompanied by adults, but please have an adult to accompany elementary age youth. Need parent volunteers to help! A sign-up sheet will be available at church.
New Dates for VBS next year! Mark your calendars NOW!
Next summer, VBS has been moved to 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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YOUTH SUNDAYS
2NDSUNDAY OF EACH MONTH
WE ENCOURAGE CONFIRMATION & SR. HIGH YOUTH TO HELP LEAD WORSHIP!
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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!