Redeemer Lutheran Church

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1 Issue III Volume XII Redeemer Lutheran Church March 2016 What does the Bible/Church teach about organ donation? This question was raised by a member recently, so I thought it would make a good article. This is an issue where personal preferences can prevail the Bible does not speak to the issue directly. The Bible does remind us that as Christians our bodies are the temple (home) of the Holy Spirit and are to be treated as such. Here is what The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has concluded: In 1981, the issue of organ donation came before the convention of the Synod. The Synod observed that "through advances in medical science we are aware that at the time of death some of our organs can be transplanted to alleviate pain and suffering of afflicted human beings (Gal. 6:10)."Viewing organ donation as "an opportunity to help others out of love for Christ," the Synod "Resolved," That our pastors, teachers, and DCE's be encouraged to inform the members of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of the opportunity to sign a Universal Donor Card (which is to authorize the use of our needed organs at the time of death in order to relieve the suffering of individuals requiring organ transplants). The Synod also resolved, "That we encourage family members to become living kidney donors." (1981, Res. 8-05, "To Encourage Donation of Kidneys and Other Organs") The issue of organ donation came before the Synod as the result of an actual case where the morality of the donation of a kidney was under discussion. The Synod observed, with allusion to this situation, "Our heavenly Father has created us so that we can adequately and safely live with one kidney and can express our love and relieve the unnecessary prolonged suffering of our relative." Organ donation is a gift of life. Later this month (March 27 th ) we will celebrate the ultimate gift of life the resurrection of our Lord. Without that gift we would be lost in eternal death. So we celebrate (as the hymn says) with one accord the death and resurrection of our Lord. Happy Easter to one and all. Pastor Kevin 1

2 The next Church Council Meeting is March 14, 2016 Communion is held on 1st, 3rd & 4th Sunday Meet the second Wednesday of the month Attendance Record Jan Feb 7 52 Feb Ash Wed Feb Feb Mid week service Feb Feb Mid week service Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the conference room at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare. Serving in March Elders Tony Gilman, Dave Hohenstein, Dietrich Flesch Musicians Phil Klemp, (1st & 2nd), Tom Kujawa (3rd), Michael Deiss (4th) Altar Guild Pamela Wolfmeyer Celebrating Easter Week Palm Sunday, March 20, Traditional 9 AM service with palms and special music. Maundy Thursday, March 24, 6:30 worship with communion. Theme: The Hands of Lent: Serving Hands. A potluck will precede the service. Good Friday, March 25, 6:30. Theme: The Hands of Lent: Pierced Hands Easter, March 27, will begin with Easter breakfast at 8 AM and followed by a traditional Easter Service at 9 AM with special music. 2

3 Commitment Sunday February 14 WE LOVE CAMP OMEGA Camp Omega s Rooted * Celebrating * Growing Campaign Randy Ash, Camp Omega Campaign Director, spoke on February 14 about the Camp Omega 3.3 million dollar campaign to build an Adult/Family Retreat Center. The facility will include 25 modern guestrooms, private bathrooms, meeting space for groups of 100, breakout space for several groups using the facility at once or small group time, and built on the same grade as the dining hall. The retreat center will enable Camp Omega to expand its ministries and provide programs and retreats for generations to come. Camp Omega has successfully raised 1.1 million dollars to date. Randy related the success of Camp Omega s programming with a life changing story. He told the story of Riley who was in trouble and was ordered by the court to attend Camp Omega. His mother brought him to camp and told the camp counselor that Riley would be the worse camper they have ever known and then turned around and left. After the week at camp surrounded by the love of God among other campers and in nature, Riley said that he wanted to become a Christian. God works in marvelous ways. Redeemer s original goal was $4,000, but because of the generous advance gifts, $6,650 was raised blowing the top of the graphic fundraising thermometer, so a new challenge goal was set at $9,000. Randy Ash, Pastor Kevin, Sandy Bauer, Dick Behnke, and Sarah Haines encourage the congregation to not only meet the challenge goal, but to exceed it all the way to the heaven! Please include Camp Omega in your prayers. Submitted by Sandy Bauer 3

4 January Preschool Chatter Heidi Braun, Director/Teacher Jenifer Clemons, Paraprofessional Stephanie Lohn, Paraprofessional Although February is just a day or two shorter, it seems to fly by so much faster than the other months. Parents Night Out is already behind us. With 12 volunteers and 22 children, the evening went quite smoothly. Thank you to the church members who gave their time and energy to make it happen: Yousef Almatrok, Lois Ankrum, Elaine Ball, Lavern Fritz, Pastor Kevin Froelich, Clifton and Sharon Kjos, Sophie McQuiston, Jean Neeck, Sydne Williams, and Marvin and Pamela Wolfmeyer. Our candy bar fundraiser is getting off to a great start, and the money is already coming in. We ve got extra caramel bars this year for you caramel lovers. Don t wait too long to buy your favorites or they ll be gone! Thank you for supporting the preschool by buying and/or selling them. You may notice a new name at the top. Stephanie joined us mid-february and works with us on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She s a recent graduate of WSU and we re excited for her to share her skills and experience with us. This month we are learning about the birds we see outside our windows. You d be amazed how many different types visit the playground. The bird feeder is a busy place! During our Praise Time, we are still learning about Jesus many miracles as we continue going through the New Testament. The children look forward to Praise Time with Pastor Kevin once a week. He always has great object lessons and Bible teachings. We ll end the month with the Easter story. Although we are getting close to the end of the school year, our enrollment and attendance continue to increase. We have two new enrollments and children have added days. Our room sure is busy these days! It will be quiet the last week of March, as we will be off for spring break. 4

5 Submitted by Pamela Wolfmeyer The Parents Night Out held for Redeemers Pre School on Saturday, February 6, 2016 was a big success. It was held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Twenty children attended raging in age fro 4-9 years. Thirteen volunteers helped with the children, fixing supper etc. The volunteers ranged from teenagers to older adults. The children had a good time playing games, doing art projects, and watching a DVD. The volunteers enjoyed the evening as well. 5

6 Each year Redeemer budgets for Minnesota South District/Missouri Synod support. For 2016, the $600 budgeted will be divided, 60% designated to Minnesota South District and 40% designated to Missouri Synod. Included in the newsletter the Minnesota South District budget. Also included is a listing of the mission outreach ministries supported by the district. Few people know about the significant mission endeavors carried out by the congregations of the district right here in Minnesota. With the districts New Church Incubator program a fresh approach brings God s Word and Sacraments to a new generation of disciples. 6

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8 Wellness Champion-Sandy Bauer Concordia Health plan asked churches to name a wellness champion as an ambassador who would help promote and encourage health and wellness among the staff. But health and wellness is not only important to the staff, but to the congregation. I will serve in the capacity of Wellness Champion and am committed to building a culture of health, and have a sincere desire to make positive changes at Redeemer. Here s to HEALTHY YOU in There is a Wellness! Feeling Thankful and Blessed... Sandy Bauer If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep; you are richer than 75% of the world s population. If you have some money in the bank, some in your wallet, and a little spare change in your pocket; you are among the wealthiest 8% of the people in the world... If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of imprisonment or torture, or the horrible pangs of starvation; you are more fortunate than over 500 million people who are alive and suffering. March is Minnesota Food Share Redeemer Lutheran Church will be collecting non-perishable food items for Winona Volunteer Service during the month of March for Minnesota Food Share. Items desired are: peanut butter, whole grain cereal and oatmeal, canned ham, tuna and chicken, dried beans, peas, low sodium canned beans, brown rice and whole grain pasta, complete baking mixes such as pancake, muffin and biscuits, 100% fruit juice, canned fruit packed in water, fresh produce, low sodium soups, low sodium canned vegetables, herbs and spices. A barrel will be available by Wednesday March 2. Thank you. 8

9 THRIVENT CHOICE Are you an eligible Thrivent member with Choice Dollars available to direct? Each year, eligible Thrivent members are designated Choice Dollars based on their qualifying insurance premiums, contract values and volunteer leadership. If you re an eligible Thrivent member with Choice Dollars available to designate, you can help strengthen our community by directing them to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Preschool. In fact, this past year eligible Thrivent members directed $ to Redeemer Church and $511 to Redeemer Pre School. Thank you to those members who participated in the Thrivent Choice program and helped support our church s mission by directing Choice Dollars! Choose to make a difference by directing Choice Dollars today. Simply visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more and find program terms and conditions. Fellowship during Easter Week There will be a potluck dinner at 5:15 pm on Maundy Thursday, March 24th. Fellowship Committee will be serving a Easter Breakfast at 8:00 am on Easter morning, March 27th. It will be a freewill donation with the benefits going towards the electric door fund. SAVE THE DATE: French Toast Breakfast fund raiser for VBS on Sunday, April 10, 8:30-12:30 at the American Legion. Sign-up sheets will be out in March. 9

10 Fifth Grade Assignment Wouldn't this be great if it was taught in every school? A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in 20 ways to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results Submitted by Shirley Ballard God is like. BAYER ASPIRIN He works miracles. God is like. COKE He's the real thing. God is like. HALLMARK CARDS He cares enough to send His very best. God is like. TIDE He gets the stains out others leave behind. God is like. GENERAL ELECTRIC He brings good things to life. God is like. SCOTCH TAPE You can't see Him, but you know He's there. (Room permitting we will have more in the next issue) 10

11 Winona, MN Fountain City, WI Douglas J. Penning - Director Carrie Rowell - Director Rocky Sandcork Administrator 253 Liberty Street Winona, MN school cell rsandcork@hopelhs.org Franklin St., Winona, MN PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS 11

12 Redeemer Lutheran Church 1664 Kraemer Dr. Winona, MN Phone : pastor@redeemerlutheranwinona.org officeasstant@redeemerlutheranwinona.org Website: Redeemer Church... Welcomes you to come praise His Love for Us! Sunday at 9 am. The 1st,3rd & 4th Sundays are Communion Sundays. Office hours are: Mon-Thurs 9 am 1 pm Fri 9 am noon 12