G L E A N I N G S. Vol. 23, No. 2 Summer Erica Dreabit, editor

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1 The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer G L E A N I N G S Erica Dreabit, editor ericadreabit@gmail.com Message From the Pastor May is Mission Month! Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 Every week we gather and worship, mindful of our mission to Christ, but the month of May has unique focus on our mission of the gospel through several opportunities. 1. Sunday, May 20th is Pentecost Sunday, and we are reminded of how the Holy Spirit blew into town and changed the lives of the disciples with Mission power to connect others to Christ. Our guest preacher for the festival worship is Dr. Ted Zimmerman, former professor to the Lutheran Seminary in China. Come, celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit, and hear the great news of the Church in China. Services at Redeemer that weekend are 6 pm Saturday evening, 10:15 am Sunday morning. 2. Although Sunday, May 27th is part of the holiday weekend, Mission continues: That Sunday we will host Rev. Lesley Hand, the Director of On Eagles Wings ministry with the people of the Northwest. She will bring us continued news about the mission to children through Bible camps and programs. Redeemer has been a partner with On Eagles Wings for years. Come and hear news of our neighbors from the north. 3. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization founded by Clarence Jordan that partners with future and current homeowners to build simple, decent, and affordable housing for lowincome families. Redeemer, with Christ and St. Timothy congregations, is challenged to participate in a local site called Faith Builders with Habitat to construct a house. There are two dates we are working together: Saturday May 12th and Tuesday May 22. We need your commitment to work on this home, no experience necessary. The work day is from 8 am to 3 pm; meals, support, and tools are provided. Sign up in the narthex to commit your time and energy. The project manager will telephone you with more details. You are invited to participate in mission more fully through various ways and means! See you in church! Pastor Donna T. Deal The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 1

2 A Firsthand Experience Reverend Lesley Hand, the Executive Director and Pastor of On Eagles Wings Ministry, will be joining us at the May 27th, 10:15 a.m. worship service. On Eagles Wings is an ecumenical ministry that provides and supports Christian ministry in remote areas of northern Canada. On Eagles Wings developed in 1999 out of a need to provide Christian education, pastoral care, worship and Bible opportunities to individuals and groups in isolated regions of our neighbor to the north. Join us for an enlightening experience as Reverend Hand shares with us her insight and knowledge of the First Nation peoples. A light luncheon in Fellowship Hall will follow the 10:15 a.m. service as we meet and greet Rev. Hand. Camp Noah in Reading, PA St. Luke s Lutheran Church will be holding a Camp Noah this summer, from August 13 to 17, for child evacuees affected by Hurricane Maria. Thirty to fifty elementary school-aged children recovering from the impact of this natural disaster will be provided the opportunity to both heal and build their resiliency skills, as they participate in a variety of fun and creative activities each day. The need for this Camp Noah has resulted from a record number of evacuees from Puerto Rico relocating in Berks County, the Lehigh Valley, and the Philadelphia area. Its purpose is to help children deal with their displacement, as they wait to return home. St. Luke s Lutheran Church is working on this project with the Reading Lutheran Parish, Hispanic Center, United Way, and other Berks County churches. Food Bank The needs of those less fortunate continue throughout the summer months so please continue to bring any nonperishable food item along to worship throughout the summer. Those listed below are of greatest need; however the Lehigh County Conference of Churches Food Bank will appreciate any nonperishable item. You can place your donation in the yellow wagon in the narthex. May canned tuna, fruit, or vegetables July peanut butter & jelly June whole-grain cereal and cereal bars August mac & cheese complete kits To meet the needs of the families needing assistance, please consider purchasing the larger size quantities of these items. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 2

3 SCS Save The Dates July 30 Aug. 2 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Vacation Bible School Registration forms are included in this Gleanings and are also available in the narthex. All children are welcome! Bring a friend. Sunday, August 5 VBS children sing during worship Sunday, September 9 A.M. Rally Day Please note that the date for Blessing of the Backpacks will be in September. Summer Choir Come One, Come All! Sing with the Summer Choir! Sunday June 17 Sunday September 2 (no choir August 5) Singers of all ages are invited! Anyone who loves to sing is welcome to participate in the Summer Choir. Come when you can, as often as you can, any time you can. We will sing music that is easy to learn in just one rehearsal. Rehearsals are held in the Worship Center in the front pews near the piano. The parking lot door and the glass doors on the front porch will be opened at 9:15 a.m. Rehearsals start at 9:30 a.m., followed by Worship at 10:15 a.m. Please come! All are welcome! Safety First In order for members to access the sanctuary comfortably and conveniently, the Church Council has requested that a drop off/pick up zone be established on 19th Street, just behind the bus loading zone. A proposal was given to the Allentown Parking Authority on September 18th. The Parking Authority passed their recommendation on to the Streets Department. The final decision for this proposal will be made by the Streets Engineer. The Church Council believes that this drop off/pick up zone would increase the safety of Redeemer s members by providing a secure access to the sidewalk from their cars. This zone would be solely for dropping off or picking up passengers. No long term parking would be permitted. We look forward to adding this increased protection to our Redeemer family. The congregation will be notified if and when this zone is adopted. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 3

4 Mission Ministry 21 Goats for ELCA World Hunger Mission Ministries would like to say THANK YOU for your generosity and cooperation to make our Buck a Goat Lenten Project a huge success. We are able to purchase 21 goats for ELCA World Hunger by collecting $ Goats are excellent animals, surviving in some of the world s harshest environments (rocky terrain, drought-prone areas), and requiring only small areas of land. Goats provide fresh milk for daily nutrition and can help transform a community and give hope for the future. A project well done, Redeemer Family. Outreach Ministry Garden update Work on our community garden continues. Our first plot was taken on as a project by our neighborhood Girl Scout troop. Their plot has started and we look forward to seeing it progress throughout the year. We are still working with the neighborhood to seek more interest in the use of our space. Opportunities to help Want to get involved, but only have a limited amount of time to offer? Outreach has two opportunities that just may meet your lifestyle. First, we need a volunteer to manage our online calendar. If you are familiar with Google calendar, this may be the opportunity for you. Second, we have a need for someone to upload and organize our online photo gallery. For this, it would help if you have some familiarity with Shutterfly. If either of these opportunities sound like something that interest you, see Bob Dreabit or bdreabit@gmail.com Yard Sale Fundraiser There has been a discussion in Church Council regarding a yard sale as a revenue maker for the church. Vaughn Shappell and Craig Long have agreed to look into this further, and feel that a fall sale would be the best. If you currently have items such as housewares, tools, collectibles, etc. that you no longer need, see either of them in church or contact them as shown below to indicate your desire to provide items for or help with this sale. All proceeds will be placed in the church general fund for use as determined by Church Council. Craig Long, , chief41@ptd.net Vaughn Shappell, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 4

5 A Note from the Council President By all accounts, 2018 was supposed to be a relatively uneventful year, with no major anniversaries or special occasions to celebrate. The big news for 2018 was going to be about our experiment in benevolence funding. As you may recall from our congregational meeting, we agreed to fund our benevolences from our envelope collections. Early reports from the first quarter suggest we are on track to meet our 2018 targets. How exciting! Thanks to all for your help in making this effort successful. Of course it wasn t long after our meeting that the true excitement began, as we experienced the now well-known issue with our heating system. Some minor damage was done to our boiler room and sanctuary and for a few exciting weeks, we were forced to rethink our worship services. I applaud our congregation on its adaptiveness. While our building healed, our church showed signs of strength. For a number of weeks the Fellowship Hall was transformed to make a very warm and inviting worship space - largely due to the many great people who filled the room. This moment revealed many glimpses into the collective strength of our community. I am certainly grateful for the many well wishes, continued donations, and prayers which helped us through this challenging time. Having noted that, were it not for the extreme efforts of our staff and ministry support, we would not have been so successful in making it through this most recent crisis. We are a fortunate congregation to have the support and leadership of these dedicated individuals. On behalf of the congregation, I thank them all greatly. While we were able to make it through this leg of the journey with their support, looking to the future we will need the help and guidance of even more individuals. In that spirit, as we head into the warm months of summer, I ask that you all ask yourselves what Redeemer means to you. There will be opportunities to volunteer your time and your talents. We can always use the help. Furthermore, if you have thoughts on how we can improve as a church, now is a great time to step up and let your voice be known. We will certainly continue to need the backing of everyone through your prayers and financial support in the months ahead. Still, we will also need more volunteers, as well as new leaders, to help us take on the challenges that are we all know are right around the corner. After all, it s 2018 just another eventful year here at Redeemer. I think I should just start getting used to typing that eventful year. I suppose it beats a boring year. Of course we could probably all go for one of those too. Lastly, I want to wish everyone in the congregation a safe and healthy summer season. We will be busy around the church and I look forward to seeing you all there. Enjoy! Bob The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 5

6 God s Work, Our Hands Our Ministry Continues It was a match made in heaven when Redeemer adopted Mrs. Chaiko s Kindergarten class at Muhlenberg Elementary School two years ago! That partnership expanded to all three Kindergarten classes this year. Our congregation provided school supply kits for 75 children, donated books for Dr. Seuss Day, and supported the teachers with six classroom volunteers who have been assisting in the classrooms each week. The teachers and Mr. Sizemore, the principal, are truly appreciative of our support and the children are always eager to work with the church ladies. As the school year approaches, we will continue our outreach ministry to all three classes. And so, with your support, we will prepare school kits for 75 Kindergarten children on Rally Day, Sunday, September 9! Throughout the summer we will collect the following items for the school kits. If you would like to make a contribution, you can place your donation in the collection box in the narthex. Erasers Elmer s Glue Sticks 12 count boxes of colored pencils Beginning reader books Please note: crayons, scissors and pencils have already been donated for this year Some additional day-to-day classroom items the teachers would also appreciate are: Additional glue sticks for the classroom Boxes of tissues and wipes Pump bottles of hand sanitizer Napkins Any assistance you can provide to achieve our goal would be greatly appreciated. If you prefer to contribute funds toward the purchase of the school supplies, please make your check payable to Redeemer and indicate school supplies on the memo line or use a brown pew envelope and indicate your envelope number. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Richards, Cyndy Hillegass, Darcie Wolf, Dottie Dilliard, Debbie Stewart or Lois Eisenhard. May we be a blessing as we have been blessed! The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 6

7 What do you do after a death? One of the most difficult things we do in life is face the death of a loved one. There are few resources available to guide us through this traumatic event. Here are some ways to find direction when all seems impossible: 1. Notify others: if you are at home when this occurs, telephone your doctor or hospice nurse. Telephone family members, friends, employers. See if there is anyone in your circle who needs immediate assistance. 2. Telephone your funeral director; these are professionals who will take care of your loved one, and provide important advice and care. 3. See to your assets: property, bank, funds, valuables, cars. Keep a list. 4. Notify your lawyer concerning the will and other vital documents. 5. Call your church office; talk to your pastor about services for your loved one, and for prayer and consolation. 6. You will need copies of the death certificate for legal purposes, and always ask for the maximum amount. The funeral director will help you procure these documents. 7. Find passwords/account numbers associated with your loved one. You will need to close online accounts, s, and cell phone lines. 8. Don t be hesitant to find grief support groups affiliated with hospitals and organizations. These are helpful for teamwork and assistance. 9. Please continue to worship: church family can be unlimited with care, emotional care and a sense of belonging with all seems lost. Need Pastoral Care? Please help Redeemer provide timely pastoral care by informing the church office if you or another member of the congregation goes into the hospital or if you have any other pastoral care needs (in-home visit, spiritual counsel, baptism, funeral, wedding). You can reach the church office at or redeemer1@rcn.com. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 7

8 Shut-In Birthdays May 5/22: Glenda McNelis, Fellowship Villa Room 329B, 3020 Fellowship Drive, Whitehall, PA June 6/7: Nancy Long, Fellowship Community Courtyard #58, 3000 Fellowship Dr., Whitehall, PA July 7/29: Alton Kuhns, Phoebe Miller Bldg. Rm. 110, 1925 W. Turner St., Allentown, PA August 8/18: John Saylor, 1901 W Linden St, Apt. 408, Allentown, PA /24: William Zotter, Whitehall Manor, C-75, th St., Whitehall, PA Dear Redeemer Family, Thank You Letter My wife Millie and I wish to thank all of you who have extended yourselves to us in fellowship and friendship during this difficult time in our lives. We thank you for your prayers, cards, visits and offers to help. We appreciate your caring more than words can adequately express! My recovery has been slow but I do hope to see you at worship in the near future. Sincerely, Dennis Friend The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 8

9 Dingbat Puzzles Dingbat Puzzles are the say-what-you-see rebus puzzle. They are often well known phrases or sayings, everyday objects or titles. See how many you can figure out! VBS Outreach Help Us Help the Homeless For many years, Redeemer s Vacation Bible School has supported the Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown. Last year, the shelter assisted 96 families, which included 206 children. During the week of July 30 - August 2, our VBS children will once again be invited to support this ministry. The offering money collected will help with the purchase of school uniforms for the children at the shelter. Cleaning supplies and personal care items to support the families will also be collected. If you would like to support this endeavor, you can place your donation in the box in the narthex labeled VBS - Sixth Street Shelter anytime during June and July. Clorox Wipes dish soap garbage bags all-purpose cleaner Comet cleanser Dove soap kid s Tylenol Neosporin If you would prefer to make a monetary donation toward the school uniforms, please indicate 6th St. Shelter on your check or envelope. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 9

10 Welcome to Vacation Bible School at Redeemer Lutheran Church Who: Children Preschool thru Grade 6 When: Mon. July 30 th Thurs. August 2 nd Batten down the hatches and climb aboard as we discover that Jesus rescues us through life s storms. When we are lonely, when we worry, struggle or feel powerless, Jesus rescues! Each evening will begin and conclude in Room 8. The daily schedule will include Bible Discovery (storytelling), Imagination Station, Ship Rec Games, Castaway Sing and Play, KidVid Cinema and Tropical Treats. Bring a friend! ALL children are welcome! Pre-registration is requested. Please return the registration form at the end of this Gleanings (a separate form for each child attending) to the narthex or the church office by Sunday, July 22. Children must be picked up by an adult (18 years or older). If you have any questions, please call the church office at VBS Coordinators, Cyndy Hillegass, Dottie Dilliard, Mary Richards Explore More Online Redeemer s website: redeemerallentown.org Redeemer s Facebook: facebook.com/redeemerallentown Redeemer s Instagram: instagram.com/19stredeemer ELCA website: elca.org NE PA Synod website: godslove.org The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA redeemer1@rcn.com 10

11 The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 822 N. 19th St, Allentown, PA