Sharing the Changeless Christ in a Changing World!

Transcription

1 Redeemer Good News January 2016 REDEEMER January 2016 Pastor Steve Ferber DEFENDING THE GIFT OF LIFE As we start another year, we look back on 2015 and thank God for life. God is the author of life. He is our Creator. He is our Redeemer through Jesus. We thank Him for the blessings of life. We also thank Him for the people who defend our lives: the soldiers of the United States military, who serve and fight to protect our freedom, and our very lives. inside this Issue: Redeemer Lutheran School... 2 Redeemer Neighborhood Outreach.. 3 Music & Worship Notes... 4 Lent & Easter Worship Services... 4 January 2016 Calendar... Insert Wednesday Morning Women s Bible... 5 New LifeLight Begins January LWML News... 5 Habitat for Humanity... 6 Military Service Recognition... 6 Angel Tree Update... 6 Redeemer Good News Newsletter... 7 Compassion Circle Thank You... 7 Student Ministry... 7 Redeemer Funfest Carnival... 8 Redeemer Lutheran Church & School in Wayzata, MN. Sharing the Changeless Christ in a Changing World! Many over 1 million American soldiers have died fighting for our country. We salute the soldiers who fight for us. Another battle for life rages on. This one is in the womb. Since January 22 nd, 1973, when abortion was legalized in America through the ninth month of pregnancy, over 57 million unborn babies have lost their lives. This battle for life needs soldiers who love God, love life, and are willing to serve to protect the precious gift of human life. January is Sanctity of Human Life month at Redeemer. We hold that all life, from the moment of conception to its natural end, is precious and deserving of protection. We commit to serving the Lord in the battle for life. We do that with our lips as we speak the truth for life and against death. We do it with our hands and feet as we serve the needy, especially pregnant mothers and families with children. REVEREND. One way to join the battle for life is to get involved with ministries such as New Life Family Services, the largest comprehensive pregnancy care center in Minnesota. New Life serves over 10,000 men, women, and children a year. On Wednesday, January 6 th, at our Faith & Family Night, a representative from New Life will be our guest speaker, and will also show a brief video of New Life s ministry. REFLEC TIO NSRRREFLECTIONS But the main event on January 6 th will be the diaper bundling party! For the past month, friends and members of Redeemer have been donating diapers and wipes, looking forward to the night we gather young children, youth, and adults to package the diapers, write (Reflections continued on page 3)

2 2 Redeemer Good News January 2016 REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Submitted by Linda Wiebold, School Administrator REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Hmmm I d Like to Know More! Deciding where your child will go to school is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Parents know intuitively that schools have a big impact on their children, not only academically, but socially, emotionally and spiritually. In fact, your child will spend one quarter of their waking hours in school during their educational years. At Redeemer Lutheran School, our mission is to partner with you to reinforce and build on the same Biblically based values you strive to instill in your child at home. We understand that, now more than ever, it is a battle to counter the non-christian messages that the world is sending. The only way we can do that as parents and educators is to daily plant the Word of God in them. It is a privilege to share why Redeemer Lutheran School is so unique: Our mission is to equip students for their journey on the road through this life to eternal life with God through Teachings for a LIFEtime: Learning, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence. While no school can guarantee that your child will not have disappointments, failures, peer struggles, and normal childhood and adolescent challenges, we can guarantee that as your child goes through the normal challenges of growing up: They will be guided, encouraged and challenged with Biblical principles in an atmosphere of the same grace and encouragement we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They will be surrounded by teachers and staff who are committed to pray for them every day. The Word of God that is being planted in them will not return empty. You can expect to be truly known at Redeemer not just by your name, but by your nature who you are and what gifts God has given you. You can also expect to be challenged intellectually, socially and physically in a host of ways and in a range of arenas. Finally, we expect that you will be inspired by the examples and energy of the teachers (a truly dedicated group), classmates (who become life-long friends) and an entire community of parents and church members devoted to help you utilize your Godgiven gifts to the best of your ability. As one parent stated: Redeemer has a solid core of Christian teachers. The teachers interact well with each other, and show a great love for Christ in their teaching. My son has developed not only academically, but also as a strong Christian. Redeemer was the best place I could have sent my son to prepare him for high school and life. Do you know someone that could benefit from such a loving, nurturing school? Virtually every day is a good day for a tour. Check out our website at and give Linda a call in the office at 952/ OPEN HOUSES JANUARY 12 AND FEBRUARY 11 Although every day is an open house day at Redeemer Lutheran School, we do offer two special opportunities for (RLS continued on page 3) REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Teachings for a LIFEtime: Learning Integrity Faith Excellence Linda Wiebold Staff Administrator Phone (952) ext lwiebold@redeemerwayzata.org Website school.redeemerwayzata.org Facebook Wayzata Redeemer Lutheran School SCHOOL WEBSITE: school.redeemerwayzata.org

3 Redeemer Good News January (RLS continued from page 2) you to share our school with the people in your circle of influence: TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 4-6PM and TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 4-6PM Parents and students will be able to meet teachers and staff, and learn the real definition of "teachings for a LIFEtime. Please share this invitation to our formal open houses with anyone within your circle of influence. This past year we gained 21 new students and we d like to offer this opportunity for more students to become a part of our Redeemer family. SCHOOL CARNIVAL (FUNFEST) FRIDAY, JANUARY. 29, 5:30PM 8:00PM Our carnival/open house, called Funfest, will be held on FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 5:30-8:00 PM. It s an opportunity to bring your friends and family to have fun, and see many other church and school families. And since it s also an open house, you can take the opportunity to show the families around the school and let them see what goes on at Redeemer. We serve pizza and hot dogs, offer many fun games, and raffles. It's always a wellattended, fabulous night. REDEEMER NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH On SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, meet at Redeemer at 10:00 am, as we call on new people moving into our neighborhood. Teams of two simply welcome them and leave a small gift and information about our church and school and ask them to "come and see." Mark you calendars for the following 10:00 a.m Outreach dates: January 9 February 13 March 12 April 9 May 14 W.I.N.G.S. WEDNESDAY EVENINGS For all children ages Preschool through 5th Grade For more information or to volunteer, contact: Amy Crum amybcrum@gmail.com Paula Lindberg plindberg11@gmail.com Pastor Steve pastorferber@redeemerwayzata.org (Reflections continued from page 1) notes of encouragement, and highlight Scripture verses in gift Bibles that will be given to those who receive the diapers. Come to this special event on Wednesday, January 6 th. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a supper prepared by Jerry Isenberg. At 6 p.m. we start bundling, highlighting, and writing. The guest speaker and video follows. Brandi Perez, director of community outreach for New Life, will describe the work of the center and let us know how we can be involved in the fight for life. Happy New Year! We praise God for life through His Son Jesus. We commit to using our lips, hands, and feet to defending God s gift of life. In Christ,

4 4 Redeemer Good News January 2016 MUSIC & WORSHIP NOTES Dan Oie, Director of Music and Worship CHRISTMAS MUSICAL THANKS Paul the Apostle writes words of encouragement that bring unity to the believers: So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:6) It takes effort, time, and work to make musical praise, but through your efforts, we are lifted and the words and ministry of Jesus Christ are demonstrated to all people. This past month we witnessed a flurry of activity and outreach through our singers and instrumentalists. In worship we heard a choir of 45 singers, a chamber orchestra, a JoySound worship band, Sunday School children, and cello, harp and violin solos. In Redeemer School we heard our band and voices of angels performing Angel Alert plus Redeemer School Sonshine Singers. Through WINGS we wished Jesus a Happy Birthday and visited our next-door neighbors, Meridian Manor. ASH WEDNESDAY February 10 WEDNESDAYS IN LENT PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP March 20 MAUNDY THURSDAY March 24 GOOD FRIDAY March 25 Thank you, Redeemer, for investing your musical efforts to Wayzata and people nearby. Thanks for inviting them to worship. Thanks for sharing this beautiful worship sanctuary to bring people into God s presence. Thank you for the many personal expressions of appreciation. NEW YEAR S OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC AND WORSHIP Begin the New Year of 2016 by jumping in to one of our musical groups: Soli Deo Choir begins Thursday, January 14 at 7 p.m. Sings for worship twice a month Redeemer Handbells begins Wednesday, January 13, at 6:30 p.m. Plays monthly for worship LENT AND EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES 7:00 pm 5:00 pm 5:30 pm 6:00 pm 8:15/10:45 am 6:30 pm 7:00 pm Worship with Holy Communion Songs, Word, and Prayer Supper WINGS and Adult Classes Children and Palms Seder Meal Good Friday Worship-Choir & Strings JoySound Worship Band a rotation of singers, guitar players, drummers and instruments. Contact Dan Oie to participate at doie@redeemerwayzata.org or phone #209. BLESSINGS GOSPEL TRIO AT REDEEMER JANUARY 10 The Blessings Gospel Trio is a family group consisting of two brothers, Bob and Tim, and their uncle Jerry. They have been performing together at churches and festivals since Their music is a blend of folk, southern gospel, and bluegrass sounds that emphasize the Gospel message with clear vocals using threepart harmonies. The trio has seven recordings available and their music can be heard regularly on the VCY radio network. One of the Blessings Trio earmarks is a collection of original songs written by Jerry Johnson. We will hear a few of their original songs in both the 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. Worship services on Sunday, January 10. Tim and Jerry Johnson reside in Plymouth, while brother Bob lives in Wisconsin. EASTER SUNDAY March 27 9:00/10:30 am Easter Festival Worship

5 Redeemer Good News January WEDNESDAY MORNING WOMEN S BIBLE STUDY Wednesday Morning Women's Bible will start a new book on January 6th entitled "Forgiveness: Making Peace with the Past. Forgiveness is a door. It's the way to peace and joy. But it's a small door, and it can't be entered without stooping...or kneeling. When we hurt the people we love, how do we go about restoring the relationship? When we suffer LWML NEWS KNIT? AND/OR CROCHET? Once again our ongoing mission project for January through March will be Preemie Baby Caps. Visit our display table for ideas for caps and for instructions for knitting or crocheting. This year something new has been added as yarn is available, too. Contact Anna at MITES COLLECTION A special Thank You to Redeemer children who collected mites for missions, following the LWML Sunday distribution of mite boxes. On Loyalty Sunday they brought the pain of betrayal, injury or rejection from someone else, how do we deal with the anger and resentment we feel? This study will help us find some answers. You are invited to join us in 2016 on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 am in the Gathering Room. For more information, please contact Linda Krantz at or Mary Sund at Anna Gerber & Sallie Koenig their mites to church and gave them to LWML for mission grants. All people... men, women and children are encouraged to save their extra coins to be donated for mission grants. You may learn about mites/grants online at Mite boxes are available through the church office. NEXT GATHERING Our next gathering will be on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Redeemer in the conference room. All women are invited to join us for Bible, fellowship and organization of mission work. Serve the Lord with Gladness Psalm 100:2 NEW LIFELIGHT STUDY BEGINS JANUARY 14 A new LifeLight Bible of the Old Testament books of Jeremiah and Lamentations will begin on THURSDAY, JANUARY 14TH. You are invited to study the Bible with us each Thursday for nine weeks from 9:30-11:30 am in the small conference room off the long hallway beneath the Sanctuary. Everyone is welcome. guides ($10) will be available in the office. Contact Judymae Bowers ( ) or Eva McAtee ( ) if you need more information. Redeemer Good News is a monthly newsletter for members and friends of Redeemer Lutheran Church & School in Wayzata. Newsletter articles are due the third Thursday of the month. Submit articles, news, and event items to Stacy Klone at sklone@redeemerwayzata.org. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

6 6 Redeemer Good News January 2016 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Thanks to those of you who supported the Flapjack Fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity held at the Applebee's Plymouth location this past November. Our goal of raising $1000 was successful! ANGEL TREE UPDATE Greetings! Have you noticed the tree adorned with angels in the lobby? Each angel tag represented a child whose parent is currently imprisoned, leaving the child with one parent or - most often - in the care of another guardian. From the child's perspective, life has turned upside-down. Many of them must move from their home, phones are disconnected, and needs go unmet as the guardian attempts to provide for the family. For several years, Redeemer has participated in The Angel Tree program, providing a special gift and a Bible to such children, sharing with them the Light that still shines in the darkness of these challenging times. This year, we were led to impact children who live in remote areas of the state, where no one volunteers to cover. Rather than deliver gifts directly to the families, we shipped most Hank Radintz of them. This was made possible by your donations, chapel offerings, a Thrivent grant, and by Paul Englemann, owner of the Wayzata UPS store. He and his team carefully packed each gift in cartons he donated free of charge, and shipped them at a substantial discount. Please bless him sometime with a 'thank you' as you make shipments from his store! Thank you to all who shopped for these 42 children and wrapped the gifts in a glittering array of papers and bows - it was obvious that love and care went into this. Having spoken with the caregivers on the phone, we know that these gifts will mean so much. One child will be receiving snow pants and a coat; another disabled child will receive musical toys that will be helpful for his therapy; many are receiving toys that they secretly wished for but would never expect to receive in their tough circumstances. All are receiving Bibles - the gift that will impact them the most. Please remember these children in your prayers, that God will work through these gifts this Christmas! MILITARY SERVICE RECOGNITION Join your fellow Redeemer members in recognizing and praying for those who serve in the military. Do you have a family member or close friend currently serving? Submit a picture (preferably in uniform) with service information; i.e., name, rank, branch of service and where stationed, to the church office. These will be posted on a bulletin board at church.

7 Redeemer Good News January REDEEMER GOOD NEWS NEWSLETTER We have received numerous favorable responses to the ed copies of our Good News newsletter the last two months. So many in fact, that starting January 1, 2016, our Good News newsletters will be ed to those with an active on file instead of mailing it no more waiting for it to arrive from bulk mail. Printed copies will also be available just outside the church office in the clear acrylic holder on the wall behind the reception desk for all to pick up. We are also happy to mail a copy to anyone that requests one to be sent to their home. If you wish to have a copy mailed to your home, please pick up a Newsletter address form from the lobby and complete and leave with Stacy Klone in the church office. THANK YOU! The Compassion Circle would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all who contributed so generously by baking extra cookies to share. We appreciate your time and effort in supporting this outreach project. Thank you also to the students of Redeemer for the beautiful Christmas cards that were included in the cookie packs. Because of all of you, our annual cookie pack was a huge success. STUDENT MINISTRY Joe Lomando, Student Ministry Director Happy New Year from our Student Ministry Department! If you have any pictures taken during any of our student ministry events over the past year, please submit them to me via at jlomando@redeemerwayzata.org. I am working on a Student Ministry bulletin board and a Facebook page and need your photos. January 6:00-7:30 pm Thanks! January 6:00-7:30 pm January 2016 Schedule January 6:00-7:30 pm Student Ministry Director January 6:00-7:30 pm

8 8 Redeemer Good News January Wayzata Blvd. West Wayzata, MN The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Dated Material Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Wayzata, Minnesota Permit No. 15 Office Numbers: (952) or (952) Pastor Steve Ferber Joe Lomando, Student Ministry Director Dan Oie, Director of Music Ministry Linda Wiebold, Staff Administrator Stacy Klone, Office Administrator/Volunteer Coordinator Steve Swanlund, Finance Assistant We invite you to worship with us! SUNDAY WORSHIP & PRAISE: 8:15 am and 10:45 am, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION-All Ages: 9:30 am REDEEMER FUNFEST CARNIVAL MARK YOUR CALENDARS We ll be hosting our annual Funfest on Friday, January 29 from 5:30-8 p.m. If you have never experienced the Redeemer Funfest, this event cannot be missed! This is a great evening of fun, friends and fellowship. The evening will include many games (like the cake walk, crazy hair, teacher s pet, treasure chest, pop bottle ring toss, plus many other carnival games), inflatables, prizes and food. We ll have meal deals, so plan to come for dinner! If you are interested in helping to plan this FUN event, please contact either Kim Kallerup (Kimberly.kallerup@bestbuy.com) or Kerry Swanson (ker.swanson@mchsi.com). We will plan to meet as a group either the week of Christmas break or the week after. 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2

9 Redeemer Good News January TH SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY 8:15am Worship-HC 9:30am Bible all ages 10:45am Worship-HC 24 3RD SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY 8:15am Worship 9:30am Bible all ages 10:45am Worship 25 9:00am AA Gathering Room 7:00pm AA Gathering Room :45am Chapel 10:00am Women s Bible 5:30pm F&F Dinner 6:00pm WINGS/Gathering/ Adult Bible 6:30pm Handbells Practice 28 8:20am Mom s in Prayer 9:30am LifeLight Bible 5:30pm JoySound Practice 7:00pm Soli Deo Choir 29 5:30pm Funfest 30 7:00am Men s Bible 17 2ND SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY 8:15am Worship-HC 9:30am Bible all ages 10:45am Worship-HC 18 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY NO SCHOOL 9:00am AA Gathering Room 7:00pm AA Gathering Room 19 7:00pm Craft group 20 8:45am Chapel 10:00am Women s Bible 5:30pm F&F Dinner 6:00pm WINGS/Gathering/ Adult Bible 6:30pm Handbells Practice NEWSLETTER ARTICLES DUE 21 8:20am Mom s in Prayer 9:30am LifeLight Bible 5:30pm JoySound Practice 7:00pm Soli Deo Choir 22 6:30pm Open Gym 23 7:00am Men s Bible 10 THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD/1ST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY 8:15am Worship 9:30am Bible all ages 10:45am Worship 11 9:00am AA Gathering Room 7:00pm AA Gathering Room 12 10:00am LWML 4:00pm School Open House 13 8:45am Chapel 10:00am Women s Bible 5:30pm F&F Dinner 6:00pm WINGS/Gathering/ Adult Bible 6:30pm Handbells Practice 14 8:20am Mom s in Prayer 9:30am LifeLight Bible 5:30pm JoySound Practice 7:00pm Soli Deo Choir 15 7:30am Breakfast Buddies 6:30pm Open Gym 16 7:00am Men s Bible 9:00am New Member Class 3 2ND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS 8:15am Worship-HC 9:30am Bible all ages 10:45am Worship-HC 9:00am AA Gathering Room 1:00pm Compassion Circle 7:00pm AA Gathering Room SCHOOL RESUMES THE EPIPHANY 8:45am Chapel 10:00am Women s Bible 5:30pm F&F Dinner 6:00pm WINGS/Gathering/ Adult Bible 6:30pm Handbells 7 8:20am Mom s in Prayer 6:00pm Elders meeting 7:00pm MMLG meeting 8 9 6:30pm Open Gym 7:00am Men s Bible 10:00am JoySound Practice 10:00am 30 Greet- Neighborhood Outreach Visits 1 CIRCUMCISION AND NAME OF JESUS NO SCHOOL 2 7:00am Men s Bible 4:00pm JoySound Practice Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Please check your weekly bulletin. Calendar dates are subject to change.