The Parish Beacon OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH AND PRESCHOOL East Court Street Iowa City, IA Phone:

Transcription

1 The Parish Beacon Volume 337 No. 11 December 2016 Dear Christian friends: Peace. Peace on Earth. The hymn Silent Night speaks of Christ sleeping in heavenly peace. Bing Crosby and David Bowie sing their popular duet Peace on Earth / The Little Drummer Boy. The poem turned carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day speaks of peace. Most Christmas cards in the mail focus on peace. Simply put, especially at this time of year, peace is popular! And let us not forget the angel who sang of peace to the shepherds. What did they say? "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!" [Luke 2:14] The peace in the New Testament is not international. There is no promise of harmony between nations. We learn in Romans 16:20 that the world will not know final rest from war until the God of peace crushes Satan. The world in which we live, the nation in which we live, is anything but peaceful. Look around. It's not simply the war against terrorism. Measure the increasing number of protests that are happening. There is little peace in the lives of men and women everywhere. The peace of Christmas is about peace with God. Jesus Christ was born so that we can be reconciled through Him. Jesus is Our Redeemer! There can be no peace without God. His intervention is essential, for sin has so marred individuals and society that strife is our constant companion. The peace of Christmas is not a mere absence of strife, but the active experience of a harmony with God that promotes total well-being regardless of circumstance. This same peace is the Peace of Christ. Forgiven we forgive. At peace with God, we offer peace. This is what is happening in the middle of our worship service before we commune together. We have just been reminded of our peace with God through the invocation, confession and absolution, law and gospel of the sermon, and we come together at peace with one another at the communion rail. We are at peace and we offer the peace of Christ to those in our sanctuary and all we encounter throughout the week. Let us always be sharing the peace of Christ! I wish each and every one of you peace and joy this Christmas the peace that only comes from following Jesus, the peace that is beyond all human understanding. Merry Christmas! Pastor Hartwig OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH AND PRESCHOOL 2301 East Court Street Iowa City, IA Phone: redeemer@ourredeemer.org 1

2 DECEMBER ACTIVITIES 1 Women s Beth Moore 7:00pm 3 GGG Iowa City Hy-Vee 1st Avenue 7:30am Cookie Walk 9:00-11:00am Christmas & Carols Service 5:30pm 4 Christmas & Carols Service 8:00am & 10:30am Sunday School 9:15am/Adult Bible 9:30am Summer Youth Trip Meeting 11:45am Board of Elders Dinner 6:00pm 5 LWML Mission Guild Board Meeting 6:45pm Education Committee 7:00pm Mission Committee 7:00pm 6 Human Care 6:00pm 7 Advent Service 1:00pm Advent Meal 5:10pm Sing-along 6:00pm Advent Service 6:10pm Midweek Classes/Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm Summer Youth Trip Meeting 8:00pm 8 Board of Directors 7:00pm 10 Men s Bible Study 8:00am Children s Program Practice-Speaking Parts 9am Children s Program Practice-All 9:45am 11 Sunday School 9:15am/Adult Bible 9:30am 12 Outreach Committee 6:30pm LWML Mission Guild Christmas 7:00pm 13 Women s Beth Moore 9:30am 14 Bible Study 11:00am Lunch Bunch 12:00pm Advent Service 1:00pm Advent Meal 5:10pm Sing-along 6:00pm/Advent Service 6:10pm Midweek Classes/Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm Properties Committee 7:00pm 15 Women s Beth Moore 16 Christmas & Cookies 6:00pm 17 Children s Program Practice-Speaking Parts 9am Children s Program Practice-All 9:45am 2 18 Worship Service w/children s Program 8:00am Sunday School 9:15am/Adult Bible 9:30am Worship Service w/children s Program 10:30am Live Nativity 4:00pm 19 Theology 101 7:00pm 21 Advent Service 1:00pm Advent Meal 5:10pm Sing-along 6:00pm Advent Service 6:10pm Midweek Classes/Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm 22 Iowa City Schools begin Christmas Break 24 Christmas Eve Family Worship 4:30pm NO 5:30pm DIVINE WORSHIP Christmas Eve Communion Worship 6:30pm Christmas Eve Communion Worship 11:30pm 25 NO 8:00am DIVINE WORSHIP Christmas Worship 9:30am One Sunday SERVICE NO 10:30am DIVINE WORSHIP NO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR ADULT CLASS 28 NO MIDWEEK CLASSES 31 New Year s Eve Worship 5:30pm Jan. 1 NO 8:00am DIVINE WORSHIP New Year s Worship 9:30am One Sunday SERVICE NO 10:30am DIVINE WORSHIP WORSHIP SCHEDULE Saturday 5:30pm Sunday 8:00am & 10:30am Communion on December 10, 11, 24, 25 Comfort-Tiers meet Thursdays at 9:00am Need more tiers anytime between 9:00 am to noon No expertise or materials required-coffee provided Choir meets Wednesdays 7:00 pm in Advent Praise Team Practice schedule varies Contact Myrl Holida myrl-holida@uiowa.edu or Louise Klopp choirdirector@ourredeemer.org

3 Watch Reflections for information on: SERVICE OF Christmas & Carols Cookie Walk December 3 9:00-11:00am Christmas & Cookies With Dinner December 16 6:00p Live Nativity December pm Saturday, December 3 5:30pm Sunday, December 4 8:00 & 10:30 am Holiday Service Time Changes Christmas Holiday schedule NO 5:30 service Christmas & New Year s Day (Sunday) 9:30 am service ONLY Christmas Eve December 24 Family Worship 4:30 pm Communion Worship 6:30 pm Midnight Communion Worship 11:30 pm Worship December 31 5:30 pm Christmas Day Communion Worship December 25 9:30 am Sunday, January 1 9:30 am Theology 101 December 19, :00 pm Board Room CHILDREN S PROGRAM December 18 8:00 & 10:30 Services Lunch following HOLIDAY DECORATING Sunday, November 27 2:00pm Advent begins November 27 Wednesday Schedule through December 21 1:00 pm Advent Services 5:10 pm Advent Meal 6:00 pm Sing-along 6:10 pm Advent Service 7:00 pm Midweek & Choir 3

4 November 30 1:00pm Advent Service 5:10pm Advent Meal 6:00/6:10pm Sing-a-long/Advent Service December 3 9:00am LWML Cookie Walk 5:30pm Service of Christmas & Carols December 4 8:00am & 10:30am Service of Christmas & Carols December 7 1:00pm Advent Service 5:10pm Advent Meal 6:00/6:10pm Sing-a-long/Advent Service December 10 9:00am-9:45am Children s Program Practice-speaking parts 9:45am-12:00pm Children s Program Practice-everyone 5:30pm Saturday Communion Service December 11 8:00am & 10:30am Sunday Communion Service December 12 7:00pm Christmas Meeting LWML December 14 1:00pm Advent Service 5:10pm Advent Meal 6:00/6:10pm Sing-a-long/Advent Service December 16 6:00pm Christmas and Cookies December 17 5:30pm Saturday Service 9:00am-9:45am Children s Program Practice-speaking parts 9:45am-12:00pm Children s Program Practice-everyone December 18 8:00am & 10:30am Sunday Service with Children s Program 12:00pm Lunch 4:00-6:00pm Live Nativity December 21 1:00pm Advent Service 5:10pm Advent Meal 6:00/6:10pm Sing-a-long/Advent Service December 24* 4:30pm Christmas Eve Family Worship 6:30pm Christmas Eve Communion Worship 11:30pm Midnight Communion Worship December 25** 9:30am Christmas Communion Worship December 31 5:30pm New Year s Eve Worship January 1** 9:30am Sunday/Christmas Day Worship *NOTE: No 5:30 pm Saturday Service **NOTE: No 8:00 am or 10:30 am Sunday Worship Midweek Classes December 7, 14, and 21 at 7:00pm No Midweek Classes December 28 or January 4 AA Battery Donations Needed! The Children's Christmas Program is in need of AA batteries to power our battery operated candles. We will use these candles to enhance our performance of the Christmas program. Any quantity of packs are appreciated as long as they are size AA. Please bring to the church office or give to Allison Haack. Thank you! 4

5 Initial Commitment Event November 13 Children s Event Total now pledged $556, Committee Pictures by Grace Hartwig, Julie Nieland and Samantha Nelson Commitment celebration November 19/20 5

6 October 29, 2016 Photos courtesy of Benita Carney, Allison Haack, and Kelli Kucera October 30 6

7 Stephen Ministry By Marcia Hulse We care, Christ cures. God sent us to help one another. Stephen Ministry is one way God provides that care. You have been hearing and reading about Stephen Ministry, and you realized that you do have the gifts, and the desire necessary to be a Stephen Minister, and you may even have felt God s tap on your shoulder. But you still aren t sure I can t be a Stephen Minister! Maybe you haven t said this aloud, but you may have spoken it to yourself in the mirror or at least thought it. Often when a challenge shows up, the I can t phrase is bound to be nearby. Take this opportunity to pray to the Lord and seek his guidance. Nothing is too large or too small to take it to our Lord in prayer. Stephen Ministry training is thorough and practical. The goal of training is to prepare Stephen Ministers for whatever they might encounter when working with care receivers. When you learn that as a caregiver, God is the Cure-giver, you are freed from worry and false expectations. Demands on yourself to get results are silenced. This may be just the ministry God has prepared for you. As you work through your own life problems, your experience of finding God s help and care in your own struggles is some of the best preparation you ll ever receive for caring for others during their tough times. Stephen Ministers are not problem solvers; they are problem bearers. A Stephen Minister s job is to walk beside another person as that person works through his or her struggles. The Stephen Minister brings stability, prayer, and Christ s love to the care receiver s situation. Stephen Ministry training will equip you, and our congregation will support you, so that you can show God s mercy, care, and compassion to another who is working through life s difficulties. In order to expand Our Redeemer Lutheran Church s ministry of care, we are planning our next training class for Stephen Ministry. You can pick up an application form in the church office. Fill it out and return it to Pastor Hartwig. BAPTISMS THIS WEEK Take advantage of this opportunity to share the love that God has given you. You ll find that being a Stephen Minister is not only helpful to others but also a wonderful opportunity for you to grow in faith and develop stronger relational skills. For more information contact a Stephen Leader. The leaders are Pastor Hartwig, Bill Benson, Kathy Schweer, Marcia Hulse and Kevin Sellers. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (I Corinthians 3:6) Isaac Newton Kurth Jonathan Leibniz Kurth Sunday, November 27, 2016 Parents Jeremiah Daniel Kurth Raquel W. Kurth-Cuba Sponsors Ann & Brandon Harvey (Isaac) Augusto Cuba, Diana Kurth (Jonathan) 7

8 Treasurer s Report: October ended with total income of $65, with expenses of $62, giving a cash flow of $2, Year to date income $535, with expenses of $553, giving a negative cash flow of $(18,071.28). Normal November/December finances should make budget come out even, if not slightly ahead. At-Large Reports: Flu Clinic well attended in October Prime Time Dinner had largest attendance yet Angel Tree will be put out Thanksgiving evening (42 children which is larger than normal) Mitten/Scarf Tree will start around Christmas New Member Brunch held in October Properties: Yard clean-up held 30+ volunteers Overheating in Sanctuary caused by pneumatic issue which has been repaired Snow plow for parking lot has been lined up. Nothing has been lined up for snow on sidewalks so will get a sign-up sheet out. Vicar Wolfgram preached in Williamsburg November Kaja Mueller: Trunk or Treat had 100+ kids and 34 trunks Christmas Program will be held in 8:00 and 10:30 services, not after 10:30 service Preschool has 24 kids total T/Th remains full with openings on M/W/F. No DHS citations this year. Denise Holida: Midweek class will be on the stained glass in the sanctuary. Young Adults are doing A Man Named Martin DVD. Reviewed 2017 Budget as worked on by Board of Elders, Pastor Hartwig, and Alan Cross. Income is to remain steady not projecting increase because of capital campaign. Expenses will also remain steady. Projecting to end the year with a $53 surplus. KUDOS Our Redeemer s Board of Directors recognizes CLEAN-UP CREW (Spear-headed by Harold Scheer) for the yardwork completed on church grounds, parsonage, and vicarage by many volunteer the morning of November 5. CRAIG DAVIS for many updates needed in the preschool plus installation of shelving. BOARD OF ELDERS for the extensive amount of time and effort given when working on staffing and budgeting so budget can be balanced Thank you all! VOTERS MEETING November 20 Most of the proposed budget line items are to remain flat and a flat Contribution Income is assumed because of the capital campaign. Preschool Income is projected to increase based upon larger enrollment. Total expenses are approximately $22,000 greater in 2017 than This is attributed to increased maintenance and repair for additional property, 512 mortgage, and spring confirmation trip (totaling approximately $23,000). The proposed budget passed and copies are available in the church office. If there is excess cash at the end of 2016, it will be used for additional missions and maintenance. 8

9 We have the privilege to teach 3-5 year olds about letters, numbers, rhyming, and their Savior, Jesus Christ. Enroll TODAY There are discounts for being a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, if you have multiple children in our preschool, or if you refer a new family who enrolls. Please see Kaja Mueller for more information. REGISTER TODAY! Contact preschool@ourredeemer.org or Photos courtesy of Kaja Mueller & Kate Ramsey Hy-Vee visit, mixing yogurt and pumpkin dip We have the van! Delivered in time to celebrate our anniversary dinner out! Thanks to the kindness and generosity of many of you, this was possible without a loan. When Jesus blessed the 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish, he multiplied them to feed 5,000 and there were 12 baskets of leftovers picked up. So God has blessed us and multiplied our resources. The "extras" will be used to purchase front hooks on the power chair to secure it in the van, an extended warranty on both the van and the conversion system and a back-up camera. God is good! He provides in His way and His timing! Thanks for being part of His plan. Sue & Pastor Gebel 9

10 Sunday, November 20th 5:30pm Dear family at Our Redeemer, It was a privilege to worship with you again recently, celebrating the beautiful facility you have, and inviting God's blessing as you move forward. I was sad to be in weak voice, but grateful for Pastor's strong tenor tones to carry us through the halls! Upon returning home, I tested positive for the strep throat I suspected, and have been on antibiotic the past week, healing nicely. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring home a medicinal pie from the youth bake sale! Photos by Kara Hartwig Regardless, the temporary silence was another opportunity for growth and reliance on our Jesus, who gives us voice and breath in the first place! Special thanks to Pastor for the partnership, Laurel and Kevin Sellers for hosting me and bulletin/tech assistance, and all the congregation the kindness, concern, hospitality and generosity shown. Stay BOLD as you share the gospel in your families and community! Until next we meet, I remain eternally secured and continually vocal, Wendysue Fluegge 10

11 Thanks to all our volunteers! Pictures courtesy of Brenda Johnson Eric and Jennifer Kooker Arlan & Marlene Thompson Rob and Linda West Tom and Cory Strumpel John and Sarah Robinson Henry and Linda Diggelmann Dave and Brenda Johnson Bill Benson Daris Honemann Denise Johnson Larry Gorman Richard Gienapp Kathy Folkmann Harold Scheer Kevin Kaufman Dave Yansky Pam Folkmann-Huss Dave Fruendt Aaron Mueller Steve Scott Betty Redeker Thanks for the cookies, Marilyn Albright! 11

12 LWML FALL ZONE RALLY October 29, 2016 R E g I S t R A t I O n Speaker Rev. Brent Hartwig Honoring outgoing president Cheryl Killham (center) with table topper by Ruth Langehough (right) Cheryll Davisson, ORLC LWML president (left) Pictures by Ruth Langehough and Cheryll Davisson Decorating with Disney Friday preparations 12 Kitchen crew at work

13 Youth Participate in many aspects of all services November 5 & 6 Techies Greeters Ushers Ushers Praise Team Photos by Lonne Loney Narrators Skit Members 13

14 IDW Youth Gathering November 18 th 20 th Banquet with comedian David Dean Last mass event TRUST STAND IN THE PRESENT 7 high school youth 3 adult chaperones Held at the Embassy Suites in Des Moines Attended Mass Event with 300 Iowa and Nebraska high school youth Heard the message that In Christ Alone, we re Still Standing: Despite our past In the present Into the future For now we really live, since you are standing after a hard day, still standing in Christ alone. 1 Thessalonians 3:8 Pictures courtesy of Art Schwarting. Cookies courtesy of Denise Schwarting. Bedtime devotional with chocolate chip cookies. 14

15 Packing Personal Care Kits & Baby Kits NOVEMBER MISSION PAYMENT Iowa District East $4, UIHC Chaplain Fund Hospice of Iowa City LCMS World Mission Iowa Peace Officer Ministry TOTAL $5, Member Contributions Lutherans for Life $ Transforming Campus Ministry $

16 BIBLE WORDGAMES Reprinted with permission Solution on page 17 Baptisms Maya Kathryn Warden (NM) Adelyn Sky Reid (NM) Isaac Newton Kurth (NM) Jonathan Leibniz Kurth (NM) Removed Garret & Rebecca Hulse Sarah Minor Thomas & Barbara Pronk Sofia Warden Marriage Chris Fehr (NM) & Heather Greene

17 Solution to number 12 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings ~Psalms 61:3-4 N.I.V. November 12 Youth Fundraiser 175 pies made from scratch Pictures courtesy of Karyl Bohnsack 17

18 November 30; December 7, 14, 21 Advent Meal at 5:10 pm Sing-a-long/Advent Service at 6:00/6:10pm Confirmation/High School Midweek at 7:00 pm New Confirmation Resources: Catechism Flashcards 6th 12th Graders 4 4 December SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT Coffee Hour Hosted by 9 th & 10 th Grade Families Summer Youth Trip meeting 8 th 12 th Graders & Parents 8:45 am 11:45 am 7 Advent Meal Hosted by Confirmation Families Meal starts at 5:10 pm 7 Summer Youth Trip meeting 8 th 12 th Graders & Parents 8:00 pm There are 8 sets of flashcards available for students to check out. The flashcards cover The 10 Commandments, The Apostles Creed, Holy Baptism, The Sacrament of the Altar, Confession and Absolution, and The Office of the Keys. Students can borrow a set of flashcards from Christmas Program practice Confirmation Youth Christmas Program practice Confirmation Youth Christmas Program Confirmation Youth Set up for Live Nativity High School Youth 9 am Speaking Parts only 9:45 am All 9 am Speaking Parts only 9:45 am All 8:00 am & 10:30 am 3 4 pm 18 Live Nativity High School Youth 4 6 pm Kara or their Small Group leader. Thank you to Laurel Sellers and Tammy Bower for creating Catechism Flashcards for our 7 th and 8 th grade Confirmation students to use! 18 Christmas Party High School Youth 25 Merry Christmas! Christ is Born! 6 7 pm 18

19 OUR REDEEMER OFFICE DIRECTORY Office: Fax: Website: Preschool: Prayer Chain: or Special Announcements Line: STAFF & PHONE NO. STAFF & PHONE NO. Brent Hartwig, Senior Pastor (church) (home) Kaja Mueller, Director of Christian Ed (church) (cell) Kaja Mueller, Preschool Director Kate Ramsey, Assistant (preschool) (church) Andrew Wolfgram, Vicar (church) Sarah Ghabel, Bookkeeper (church) Kara Hartwig, Youth Coordinator (church) Denise Holida Director of Small Group Ministry (church) (cell) Louise Klopp, Director of Choirs (church) Marilyn Paetz, Organist (home) Kate Ramsey, Preschool Assistant Kevin Sellers Director of Technology (church) (cell) Laurel Sellers, Office Coordinator (church) 2016 Board of Elders Bill Benson Vaughn Davisson Jim Eick Myrl Holida (Chair) Skip Kempnich Val Penney Denny Schrader Arlan Thompson Marty Wenck Board of Directors President Steven Scott Vice President Alan Meyer Secretary Jennifer Kooker Treasurer Alan Cross Board of Elders Myrl Holida Properties Rob Bowman At Large Dave Johnson 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. 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. 19

20 A Special Some-One Luke2:4-20, Matthew 1:18-2:12 Not every boy-child s birth Has angels filling the sky, Nor shepherds come to seek The manger where He did lie, Or wise men from the East Following a star in the sky. He came, a gift from God To all mankind, to save us. He showed us how to live For our God and others thus He died on the cross for All our sins instead of us. So, we celebrate with joy This birthday of our dear Lord! With grateful hearts we sing For He is truly adored! He s our true Savior, King, Redeemer, Shepherd and LORD! ~Carol Schuldt 20