~ The Epiphany of Our Lord ~

Transcription

1 First Avenue and Court Street Iowa City, IA Phone: Weekly Newsletter - January 5/6, 2019 ~ The Epiphany of Our Lord ~ WHY SHOULD I TRUST THE BIBLE? January 6-March 3 Sunday Mornings (9 sessions) 9:30 am-10:15 am You have got tough questions about the Bible. Maybe you ve even heard things like, The Bible is racist. Or, The Bible has too many errors and edits. Or, The Bible is merely a mythological story like Homer s Odyssey. This book tackles accusations like those head-on. Pastor Sutton compares the Bible to writings that have been deemed more credible than the Bible, like the Book of Mormon, encyclopedias, and even Shakespeare s works. He tests the Bible using the same rigorous standards that have been used to test those other writings. He examines historical evidence, witness accounts, and translation concerns. By the end, you ll be able to better defend your faith when its very foundation is attacked. You ll get many of your tough questions answered. And you ll see that when all other texts fall, the Bible still stands as completely, undeniably trustworthy. Books available in the office for $11. January 12/13 All Services 2019 Officers, plan to be present at one of the weekend services for installation. January 6 After the 10:30 am Worship Service 9:15 am Music Preschool B 4 th Grade 5 th -8 th Grade Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday School Preschool A-4 th Grade 10:00 am Music 5 th -8 th Grades 10:15 am Sunday School/Music Ends

2 WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER WEARING MY NAME TAG? Because wearing your name tag helps others to call you by name you to be known by others the vicar to match a name with a face encourage new members to wear their name tags those who have a hard time remembering names start conversations everyone to get to know each other better to identify those who are members and those who are visiting those who think they know your name, but because you re wearing your name tag, they can be sure of it. MITTEN TREE Collecting: Hats Gloves/Mittens Boots Snow Pants Now-January 13 The Human Care Committee is again be sponsoring the Mitten Tree, collecting snow pants, boots, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens for school children who are without. Note the addition of boots and snow pants to the wish list. Please bring your contributions to the church office to place under the Mitten Tree by January 13. Contact Twyla Freeman with any questions you might have at or taf13146@ourredeemer.org. QUILTS, KITS, AND CABOODLES HELP SOMEONE IN NEED... Learn how you can make a difference. Come to the Quilts, Kits, and Caboodles Workshop on Saturday, January 12 th at 9 am to 2 pm. Place: Fellowship Hall Who: Anyone interested in volunteering or learning about mission work, or sewing for others (recommend age 10 or older). What: Making items for missions, demonstrations, displays, and brunch! Bring: any new or used material for quilting, or dark colored bath towels, nail clippers, sturdy combs for personal care kits. To help us plan numbers for brunch, please sign up at the Welcome Center. See you there! LWML and COMFORT-TIERS Midweek Classes Resume January 9! Midweek Meal at 6:00pm (Everyone welcome! Freewill offering) Midweek Classes & Choir 6:45pm Adult Class 7:00pm

3 Special Music at January 12/13 Worship Services Wisconsin based touring artist, professional singer/song-writer, and worship leader Wendysue Fluegge will be coming to Our Redeemer to lead music at all services on January 12 and 13. Wendysue has been traveling all over the United States for almost 20 years using her musical gifts to glorify God in worship services and concerts events. She has recorded CD's of traditional hymns, modern praise, and unique original songs. She writes about the triumphs and challenges of everyday life, and shares stories of conversations God has opened up for her to talk about Jesus anytime, anywhere, with anyone. Wendysue plays piano and guitar. Come be inspired in faith and warmed by fellowship! Youth Family Ski Day JOIN OUR REDEEMER KIDS-MAKE A NOISY OFFERING! Noisy offerings will be collected during the Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27 services. The children of the congregation are asked to bring their offerings that they have collected in the banks that they were given during the Immeasurably More campaign. Big kids are encouraged to throw their loose change in the buckets as well during this second offering to help the Immeasurably More receipts grow. As the banks are emptied and coins put in the bucket, it makes a clanging noise and that is why it is called the Noisy Offering. Yes, we are making a joyful noise unto the Lord! (Psalm 66:1) The congregation is invited to join us. Monday, January 21 All Day (8:00 am to 6:00 pm) We will be carpooling to Sundown. Sign up under the Blessed You Are Here sign Payment Due: Sunday, January 13 $41/person (lift, ski or snowboard rental & group lesson) $24/person (lift only)

4 Attach voided check here 2019 Financial Planning with Our Redeemer Thanks to all who have helped balance the 2018 budget and have pledged their 2019 support. A couple of things to help the process along the way: 2019 offering envelopes are on the tables in the narthex. Pick up yours today. If you would like to just have your donation come directly from a bank account see Sarah Ghabel or fill out the form below and turn it in to the church office. College Care Packages On Wednesday, January 23, the youth will be preparing College Care Packages. If you know or have a student in college who would like to receive a package, please send their name and college address to Kara at or youthcoordinator@ourredeemer.org. ACH DONATIONS I authorize Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Vanco Services, LLC to automatically withdraw contributions from my account. I have attached a voided check. This authority will remain in effect until I give reasonable notification to terminate the authorization to bookkeeper@ourredeemer.org or by mail to: Bookkeeper Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 2301 E Court St Iowa City, IA Signed Date Frequency of Donations: Semi-monthly (1 st & 15 th ) Monthly on the 1 st Monthly on the 15 th Donation Amount per withdrawal: General Fund Building/Debt Retirement $ $ Return this form to the church office or give to Sarah Ghabel.

5 BASICS OF THE FAITH February 8/9, 2019 Friday 7 9 pm Saturday 9:30 3:30 pm Appropriately titled, this course begins a six unit examination of the basics of the Christian faith. Taken from the Bible and as understood by the Lutheran Church, we will explore the role of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The revelation of God through the Bible and the role of the catechism will be discussed first. The Biblical message of Law and Gospel will be detailed. Finally, we will end with discussing the victorious and sanctified life of the Christian. Let the office know if you are interested in attending, either as a review or in preparation for becoming a member of Our Redeemer. Building Healthy Families: Have you experienced the grief and loss of infertility? Or do you have parenting experience and room in your heart and home for one more child? Would you prayerfully consider adopting a child, possibly one who exists today as a waiting frozen embryo, or one who is waiting in foster care, in need of a forever family? Adoption builds a family through love that transcends genetics, biology and culture. To learn more about embryo adoption, visit Lutheran Family Service Learn more at LFSiowa.org Thank You for all the special Advent, Christmas and New Year s Eve services Thank you, Pastors Hartwig and Lemke, and Vicar Otterman, for planning the worship services, leading us in worship, and sharing God s Word through your sermons. Thank you, Louise and all the musicians (groups and individuals), for sharing your talents with all the special music throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons. Thank you, Allison, your assistants, and the children for sharing the Christmas good news in the children s Christmas program. Thank you, Kevin and all those who helped with the technology for the services. Thank you, Laurel, for all the special worship bulletins, Christmas and Carols invitation cards, and all the other things you do that we don t even realize. Thank you to all the ushers, acolytes, greeters and readers. Thank you to Julie and all those who helped with the beautiful decorations. Thank you to everyone who had any part in providing the opportunities to prepare for and celebrate our Savior s birth. Thanks be to God for sending Jesus to be our Savior! Outreach Committee

6 Birth 5 th Grade Children s Coordinator Marnie Schrader mvschrader@icloud.com (319) Bible Verse Memory Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Noisy Offering January 26/27 Kid s Club happenings January 9-Trials of Job January 16 Daniel in the Lions den January 23 Service Project January 30 Jonah 8 TIPS FOR FAMILY DEVOTIONS 1. Intentionally schedule time. 2. Be realistic. 3. Plan the time together. 4. Be flexible. 5. Give yourself Grace. 6. Be creative and keep it fun. 7. Focus on the Bible. 8. Reinforce it in daily activities. Delanee Williams, Kids Ministry 101 at Kidsminitry.lifeway.com Sunday School News 9:15 Opening 9:30 Sunday School January 6 Welcome back to Sunday School! This semester will focus on the New Testament. We will begin with the Birth of John.

7 6 th 12 th Grade Youth Coordinator Kara Hartwig (319) Confirmation Wednesday, January 9 CONFIRMATION CLASSES RESUME 6:00 pm Midweek Meal Midweek Meal Crew: 7th Grade 6:45 pm Confirmation Classes 6 th Grade Small Group Old Testament Prophets 7 th Grade Small Group The Lord s Prayer Intro, 1 st and 2 nd Petitions 8 th Grade Lecture The Apostle s Creed the 2 nd Article Jesus Christ, both God and man CONFIRMATION VERSE DUE: Weds, January 9 MEASUREMENTS FOR CONFIRMATION ROBES: Weds, January 16 (during class) High School Midweek Schedule All high school youth & their friends are welcome January 9 Midweek 6:45 pm in the Youth Room January 16 Digitized session 6:45 pm in the Youth Room PARENTS of any age youth are invited January 23 College Care Packages Packing 6:45 pm in the Fellowship Hall PARENTS INVITED... All Youth Parents are invited to join the High School Youth for a special study starting in January, called... Digitized: Spiritual Implications of Technology Confirmation Winter Retreat Friday, February 1 Saturday, February 2 Location will be a local area hotel For all 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th Grade Confirmation students PARENTS: We need several parents to chaperone this overnight event. Parents attend free. Kara at youthcoordinator@ourredeemer.org to register as a chaperone. Registration form & payment DUE: Weds, January 23 Starting on Wednesday, January 16 th at 6:45 pm in the Youth Room. The study has 7 sessions ending March 13, excluding January 23 and March 6.

8 OUR REDEEMER OFFICE DIRECTORY Office: Fax: Website: Preschool: Prayer Chain: or Special Announcements Line: STAFF & PHONE NO. STAFF & PHONE NO. Brent Hartwig, Senior Pastor (home) Kaja Mueller, Preschool Director (preschool) Joshua Otterman, Vicar Sarah Ghabel, Bookkeeper Sara Cross, Preschool Assistant Kara Hartwig, Youth Coordinator (preschool) Denise Holida, Adult Coordinator (cell) Louise Klopp, Director of Choirs Marilyn Paetz, Organist (home) Marnie Schrader, Children s Coordinator childrensministry@ourredeemer.org (cell) Kevin Sellers Director of Technology technology@ourredeemer.org (cell) Laurel Sellers, Office Coordinator redeemer@ourredeemer.org Sheena White, Preschool Assistant preschoolassistant@ourredeemer.org (preschool) 2019 Board of Elders Dave Bohnsack Vaughn Davisson Jim Eick Ryan Haack Skip Kempnich Eric Kooker Denny Schrader Arlan Thompson (Chair) Marty Wenck Board of Directors President Alan Meyer Vice President Myrl Holida Secretary Jennifer Kooker Treasurer Larry Freeman Board of Elders Arlan Thompson Properties Dave Johnson At Large Jeff Kucera Barb Schanbacher Kevin Roiseland DEADLINES Reflections (printed weekly): Information must be submitted (written, typed, ed or faxed) each Wednesday by 5:00 pm Beacon Newsletter & Church Activities Calendar (printed monthly): Information must be submitted (written, typed, ed or faxed) by noon on the 20 th of each month. TELEVISION ~ RADIO Our Redeemer Worship Service on Public Access TV Channel 18 every Wednesday at 4:00 pm. The Lutheran Hour Television Ministries talk show On Main Street is shown on Public Access Television Channel 18 on Thursdays at 1:30 pm and Sundays at 10:00 pm. Lutheran Hour Ministries on Radio WMT 600 AM Radio on Sunday mornings at 6:30 am, and KXEL 1540 AM Radio on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. For more information on Lutheran Hour Ministries go to VOLUNTEER BACKGROUND SCREENING Our Redeemer Lutheran Church has been in ministry with children and youth for almost 55 years. Our insurance carrier, Church Mutual, strongly encourages us to promote the safest and most secure environment possible by screening all employees and volunteers, both new and existing, especially those who interact with children. Performing background checks will provide safeguards and peace of mind to our staff, volunteers, parents, youth and children. Additional details will be forthcoming as we put this screening process in motion.