~ Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost ~

Transcription

1 First Avenue and Court Street Iowa City, IA Phone: Weekly Newsletter - October 13/14, 2018 ~ Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost ~ WELCOME, GARY THIES! Mission Development Counselor with the LCMS Old Missionary Gary will provide a Mission Update during all services this weekend and additional information during Sunday School/Adult Bible Class at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Hall Old Missionary Gary Thies was born on a farm in the hills of Western Iowa, where his mother and father were tenant farmers for many years. At age 18 Gary began his banking career at the Mapleton Trust & Saving Bank at Mapleton, Iowa, and stayed there for 33 years until they finally had to make him president of the bank. After many years in the banking, real estate and insurance business, the Lord called him in 1994 to full time service as the first ever deployed mission development counselor for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. His calling was to raise the level of mission awareness throughout the entire United States. Gary has traveled to 75 countries to see the Lord s Missionaries! On June 1, 1994 after having served for 11 years on the Synodical Mission Board of the LCMS and being chairman of that board for 5 years, the concept of the Lord s Mission Central was founded and it began in the basement of his home. He and his wife Maxine began to see REAL MIRACLES happen. The growth was amazing and in 2003, the old set of farm buildings and 5 acres were purchased and the rest is history. Yes, the Lord sent 103 Volunteer Staff members and none of them get paid. Thousands of people have come to see this MIRACLE, and what a JOY! Last year more than 5000 visitors came, 118 missionaries and their families, and this facility features an amazing Barn Museum with artifacts from all over the world, and also in 2017 a new CREATION THEATER was completed that features the story of the 6 th day of Creation, when God made all the animals, and you can see them come alive in the amazing presentation. Gary is NOT NORMAL, and only wants to connect with the same kind of people! After traveling to 75 countries to view the work of our dear LCMS missionaries, he has a great story to tell, and Mission Central now is the largest mission supporting agency in the entire United States of America for our LCMS, supporting the majority of all the missionaries in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Mission Central has five volunteer pilots that donate their planes and the fuel, and that s the reason Gary is here today! COFFEE AND TREATS WILL BE SERVED IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE CLASS WILL BE WITH GARY THIES IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL 1

2 PHOTOS-PHOTOS-PHOTOS Missing: Several Our Redeemer members photos in the pictorial directory!! Some of you have never had a photo in the directory and some just really need an update because there have been changes. How to fix this: Assimilation committee is taking informal photos the weekend of October 27 th and 28 th after each service in the Chapel. Come through the library to the new Chapel. We ll be there! Maybe you d like to get your photo done but will be out of town---that s okay. You can send a digital photo to Laurel with the names of everyone in the photo and if there are updates to the information in the directory, send that as well. It s best if the people in the photo are close together and the background isn t too busy but we ll try to work with anything you send in! So have the neighbor come over, take a phone photo or a couple and them to: redeemer@ourredeemer.org. See you in the directory!! Thanks CLERGY APPRECIATION Pastor Appreciation Day began with the establishment of Clergy Appreciation Month. In Timothy 1 (5:17), Paul began the concept of clergy appreciation when he stated that the elders of the church are worthy of a double honor. He reiterated this idea in 1 Thessalonians (5: 12-13) when he stated that that those who work hard among you should be held in the highest regard for their work. This idea became Clergy Appreciation Month in Shepherding God s flock can be a lonely and weary task at times. Hundreds of pastors leave the ministry each year. Both the Old and New Testaments record stories of men who felt the loneliness and weariness of ministry. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah slumped under a broom tree and longed to die. He later told God that he felt all alone in the ministry. Paul lamented in 2 Timothy 4 that no man stood with him. God eventually showed Elijah that he had 7,000 supporters, and Paul came to understand that God was with him, even when he felt deserted by men. Pastor Appreciation Month is designed to keep your pastor out from under the broom tree! An encouraged pastor is a blessing to his congregation and his family. On October 20 and 21, a basket will be available in the narthex for cards, notes of appreciation, and small gifts for Pastor Hartwig and Vicar Otterman. Cost: $12 per pie Our Redeemer Youth Pie Fundraiser Saturday, November 10 th between 11:00 am 12:30 pm Dutch Apple in the Fellowship Hall Double Crust Apple The High School Youth of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church will be selling homemade unbaked, frozen apple pies: Dutch Apple (crumb topping) and Double Crust Apple. There will also be a limited quantity of peach pies available, as supplies last. Youth Help with Pie Fundraiser Youth Families will be making the pies on Saturday, November 10 th from 8:00 am until 12:30 pm. 2 This fundraiser is for Confirmation and High School Youth (6 th 12 th grades).

3 CHALLENGE October 21 Following Late Service THIS EVENT IS EXCELLENT FOR OUTREACH! Call for more information. SIGN UP AT THE WELCOME CENTER! What is the Trivia Challenge? Trivia challenges are informal, fun competitions where eight person teams battle to see who has the greatest knowledge of trivia. How does the Trivia Challenge work? The challenge is run in rounds. During each round the host asks a series of ten questions per round. The teams discuss the answers at their table and the teams record their answers on their score sheet. At the conclusion of each of seven rounds, the sheets are collected and checked for accuracy. Meanwhile, the answers are revealed to the participants. At the conclusion of the seven rounds, total scores are added up and a traveling trophy is awarded to the winning team. What do we eat? We will begin this event with a potluck of appetizers and hors d oeuvres that can be snacked upon throughout the challenge. Invite your friends and family, form a team, and host a party! Babysitters will be provided. The buzz is.... Though Honey Sunday was October 7, 2018, you will be able to preorder your honey through October 21, as a fundraiser for Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and LWML. The LWML will, in turn, support Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch by returning all the funds raised back to them. Each 11 ounce bottle will be $10 and the bottles will be sent directly to the address(es) of your choice. Imagine investing in such a way that allows you to help support Lutheran church workers, schools, organizations and congregations while earning a great interest rate. LCEF invites you to a special, limited-time investment opportunity: a 40-month 40 th anniversary note at 4%. 4% fixed rate $500-$40,000 investment 40-month term note Limit one per tax ID New money only Applications are available on the back counter in the office, visit lcef.org/40month, or call Please send the church office names of people who have died since All Saints Day in 2017 (November) and that you would like to have recognized on November 4, along with their date of death and their relation to you. Church members that have died will also go on the list. Please have these to or redeemer@ourredeemer.org by October 29.

4 Small Group Ministry Mission Statement: To grow in grace using our spiritual gifts, through good stewardship for the benefit of the group so that the body of Christ may be built up. Upcoming Event for Small Group Ministry... CONNECTIONS SERIES: HAPPINESS October 17, 24, November 7, 14 Wednesday nights 7:00 pm 8:00 pm This series of Bible studies will by God s grace build your relationship with God and with others, just as Jesus intended. You will learn that Jesus not only understands your feelings, He relates to them. He relates to you. And He has the answers you ve been looking for. Make the connection today. Happiness Is Happy Under Pressure Happy in Turmoil Happy Forever Calling All THRIVENT Members! The Youth Committee is looking for Thrivent members. If you have insurance, an annuity, an IRA, or other investment with THRIVENT then you are a Thrivent member and we need your help! For more information about how you, as a THRIVENT member, can help the Youth, please contact Jill Kuennen at jill.kuennen@gmail.com or by phone at (319) Lutheran Family Service Whose UR? Social Media presented by a special guest speaker from Lutheran Family Service Friday, October 26 7 pm Fellowship Hall This event is open to the congregation. YOUTH PARENTS should plan to attend with their children. In the Whose UR series, the purpose is to bring a positive message for a healthy life to young people in our communities, focusing on important topics facing young people today. This Whose UR? Social Media presentation will help young people and parents recognize how the ever-present social media networks can be used in healthy ways, like reaching out to help others, but also teaches how to avoid social media dangers like bullying and inappropriate content from a Christian perspective. Do you Knit or Crochet? We could you use your skills to make a blanket for one of our graduating high school seniors. We need you to knit or crochet a twin size afghan (4 feet by 6 feet) personalized with the graduate s high school colors. We ask you to donate your time and the yarn for this project. Thanks to Thrivent Action Team funds, we also have yarn available to use. The blankets need to be completed by April 2019 for the Graduate Breakfast. We also ask that you be present for this graduation celebration which is April 7 th, There are 9 seniors in the Class of If you can help, please contact Kara Hartwig or the church office at

5 Do you keep in touch with friends and family through Facebook? Are your friends and family the ONLY ones who are checking out your posts? Come hear Kari Smith from Lutheran Family Services share how we can keep ourselves safe online. Join us on Monday, October 15. LWR Packing 6:00 pm General Meeting 7:00pm Devotions: Kathy Schweer Hostesses: Tiffany Roiseland Laurel Sellers LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF KITS School kits are particularly in need of: 70-sheet notebooks of wide or college ruled paper, approximately 8x10 ½ ; no loose leaf paper. (Another 70 are needed to complete kits) Ballpoint pens (no gel) Personal Care Kits are also needing items: One light-weight bath-sized towel (between 20 x40 and 52 x27 ), dark color preferred Two bath-size bars soap in original wrappings, any brand (4-5oz) One adult sized toothbrush in wrapping or from multipacks with each in a business sized envelope One sturdy comb One metal nail clippers Drop your items into the blue bins in the downstairs hallway across from the kitchen door. COMFORT-TIER NEWS There are two new bins for fabric donations for the quilters along the east wall of the Fellowship Hall. Please DO NOT put them in the room behind the kitchen. The Comfort-tiers can still use more hands on for tying quilts. Meanwhile a few quilts have been distributed from the Giving Chair and, as an example, if you know a family that has been put out of their home and lost bed linens, when their house is covered again and they are moving back into it, feel free to take enough quilts for each family member. We have more made up and ready. Call Carol Schuldt at and leave a message and I shall get back to you. KITCHEN NEEDS: Decaf coffee 5

6 The Gospel of Mark Mark's style is rapid, energetic, and concise. He emphasizes the deeds of the Lord more than His words, evidenced by the fact that he records nineteen miracles, but only four parables. On Saturday, November 3 starting at 6:30 pm you will hear a dramatic oral presentation by Concordia Seminary presenters of this gospel. Mark has colorful details in his gospel that the others do not. For example, he mentions the way Jesus looked at the disciples, how He was angry, and how He walked ahead on the road to Jerusalem. Mark's gospel is essentially Peter's reminiscences, which account for the personal details, the action, and the eyewitness effect of the book. Invite all to join us and you on the evening that should not be missed. For decades, scholars have increasingly placed The Gospel of Mark in an oral context, believing it to be a written document intended to be read aloud to a gathered audience. Concordia Seminary s dramatic presentation of The Gospel of Mark is not simply a recitation of the text, nor is it a play based upon it. Instead, you will hear the text of Mark come alive as never before in an interpretation of the way in which it might have impacted those who first received it. Coming to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Saturday, November 3 6:30 9:00 pm Free and open to the public Presenters Rev. Dr. James Voelz Professor, Exegetical Theology Concordia Seminary Mark 1:1 1:8 Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer President Concordia Seminary Mark 1:9 4:34 Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler Lutheran Hour Speaker Mark 4:35 8:26 Rev. Dr. Kent Burreson Associate Professor, Systematic Theology Concordia Seminary Mark 8:27 10:52 Rev. Dr. Ron Rall Pastor St. Timothy Lutheran Church, St. Louis Mark 11:1 13:37 Rev. Dr. David Schmitt Professor, Practical Theology Concordia Seminary Mark 14:1 16:8 801 SEMINARY PLACE ST. LOUIS, MO

7 Lutheran Family Service Building Healthy Families: October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Pay attention to signs of domestic violence among your friends, including bruises, isolation, and having to ask permission to do things or go places. Also know that women are at greatest risk of being killed by their violent partner when they file for divorce, obtain a protection order, or take other steps to end the relationship. Here s how to help someone you know who is in a dangerous relationship: let them know you care and are ready to listen, help them make an appointment with an LFS counselor and give them the number of the Iowa Victim Service Call Center, available 24/7: Lutheran Family Service Learn more at LFSiowa.org NEW ITEMS IN THE CARD SHOP! Thank you for your generous support of our LWML card shop sale. We now will have the space for the new stock to be displayed. Besides the regular choices there will be Thanksgiving cards available also. And soon Christmas!!! Keep checking for new arrivals. Time to Sign Up for your tickets to the Cedar Rapids Follies is now CEDAR RAPIDS FOLLIES An Our Redeemer group will attend this year s production of Planes Trains and Automobiles at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 31. Tickets went on sale September 1. In order to enjoy the early bird discount of $5 per person, Bob Lentfer anticipates ordering in late October. If you are interested in attending, please contact Bob Lentfer at soon. Thank you! The month of October is your chance to TP The Crisis Center! Toilet paper donations are always welcomed at the food bank, but they often have very little to give away. 7

8 PRIME TIME DINNER Sunday, November 4 after 10:30 am service The Prime Time Dinner, is for anyone in the congregation age 60 and older. The dinner is hosted by the Human Care Committee. Chef Steve Rudin will be preparing his usual great meal. Great entertainment to follow with our own Glorine Berry and her brass musical friends. We will recognize those who had/or have significant (75, 80, 85, 90 etc. ) birthdays in It is not necessary to RSVP, just come and enjoy!! If you have never attended, do so. You ll have a good time!! Listen to Worldwide KFUO AM850, your radio station for practical Lutheran talk, daily Bible and Confession studies, daily worship opportunities, and current issues from a Lutheran worldview. All programs are archived at KFUO.org for 24/7 on-demand listening. You can also find our programming wherever you get your podcasts! Have a question or comment? Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This week on KFUO AM850, hear chapel sermons now archived on our website and on demand on your favorite podcast app, continue studying the book of Job on Thy Strong Word (weekdays at 11:00 a.m.), and hear about faithfully bearing crosses from Julia Habrecht and Deaconess Pamela Boehle-Silva, authors in the new book He Restores My Soul, on The Coffee Hour (10/16 & 10/18 at 9:15 a.m.). Find your favorite programs on demand at kfuo.org or wherever you get your podcasts! 8

9 Preschool Newsletter October 8-12, 2018 Director/Teacher, Kaja Mueller Assistants, Sheena White M/W/F, Sara Cross T/TH Preschool Phone: CIRCLE TIME We Take Turns song Who gets to talk Letter B Isaac is born Spell first name Mat Man Shapes Colors READING CENTER Pumpkins All about me books This Week LIGHT TABLE X-rays of sea shells Color mixing Circle counters light can go through ARTS & CRAFTS Cutting a pumpkin Free style SCIENCE CENTER Pumpkins Gourds Magnifying glass Shells SENSORY TABLE Corn kernels Animals Construction trucks Measuring cups TEACHER TIME Letter Bb Self-portrait Bb (To Ninety-Nine Bottles) Bubba s best buddy was Bingo the Bear. Bubba was Bingo s best friend. They both lived together on Blueberry Lane, picking big berries in sun and in rain. October Snack Prayer Thank you for the world so sweet, Thank you for the food we eat. Thank you for the birds that sing. Thank you, God, for everything. Amen. Question for a kid At what age is a person an adult? Why do you think so? All The Leaves Are Falling All the leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down. All the leaves are falling down, it is fall. Take a rake and rake them up, rake them up, rake them up. Take a rake and rake it up, it is fall. Make a pile and jump right in, jump right in, jump right in. Make a pile and jump right in, it is fall. 9

10 Birth 5 th Grade Children s Coordinator Marnie Schrader mvschrader@icloud.com (319) Trunk-ortreat & potluck October 28 th 4:00-5:00 pm Trunk-or-Treating 5:00-5:30 pm Potluck Candy Donations Education Office Trunk-or-Treater Sign-up Welcome Center Donations for Shelter House: gloves, hats, mittens & boots. Kid s Club happenings October 10 Class October 17 Class & Birthday Celebrations October 24 Legacy Point trip October 31 Halloween No class Snack Signup in the welcome Center BACK TO THE MANGER CHRISTMAS PROGRAM DECEMBER 16 TH 8:00 & 10:30 SERVICES In a variety of time periods, the children learn that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our hearts, souls, mind and strength, as well as loving our neighbor as ourselves. The time machine they discover in the church basement takes them back to the 70 s, 80 s, 50 s, 40 s, and eventually, the birth of Christ! Join us for this scripture based, incredibly fun musical for Christmas! Practices will begin October 14 th during Sunday School music time (9:15 for K-8 th ) in the music room. Contact Allison alliehaack@gmail.com or AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 21 ST DURING THE SUNDAY SCHOOL HOUR. MORE INFORMATION WILL BE GIVEN DURING PRACTICE ON OCTOBER 14 TH. ANNOUNCEMENT: 3 RD GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL BE JOINING 4 TH GRADE IN ROOM

11 6 th 12 th Grade Youth Coordinator Kara Hartwig (319) Confirmation (6 th 8 th Grade) Wednesday, October 17 th at 6:45 pm 6 th Grade Small Group Unit 1: God s Grace to His People in Ancient Times Prior to Moses death, Joshua is appointed successor to Moses to lead God s people. Moses speaks a farewell address to the Israelites and reminds them again how God had cared for them in the wilderness, even when they had been rebellious and unfaithful. MEMORY DUE: Deuteronomy 6:4-5 EXAM: Weds, November 7 th 7 th Grade Small Group The Ten Commandments: 3 rd and 4 th God wants us to gladly attend worship and study His Word. God also wants us to obey and honor our parents. 8 th Grade Lecture Office of the Keys (Forgiving sins) This term refers to Christ giving us, the Christians here on earth, the authority to forgive repentant sinners and to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. John 20:23 High School Rehearsals for Youth Worship Weekend October 27 th 28 th Confirmation and High School Youth will be helping with all three worship services. Youth need to sign up to help serve at Youth Worship. Confirmation Youth: Greeters and ushers High School Youth: Youth Praise Team member (sing or play an instrument), Bible lesson readers, or skit actors REHEARSAL DATES for High School Youth: Sun, Oct. 14 th from 12 pm 3 pm, includes lunch Weds, Oct. 17 th from 6:45 pm 8:00 pm Sun, Oct. 21 st (following Trivia Challenge) from 2:00 pm 5:00 pm Weds, Oct. 24 th from 6:45 pm 8:00 pm Sat, Oct. 27 th from 3:00 pm 5:00 pm (then stay for Saturday pm) Sun, Oct. 28 th starting at 7:00 am (then stay for Sunday worship services) Sign up information coming soon for Confirmation Youth. 7 th & 8 th Grade Fall Confirmation Retreat WHEN: 6:30 pm on Friday, October 26 th Saturday, October 27 th at 8:00 am WHERE: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church COST: Free, thanks to Thrivent! Parents, please plan to attend the guest speaker presentation, which will end around 8 pm. Registration will be due by October 21 st. Youth Trivia Challenge Teams Sign up at the Welcome Center on the Trivia Challenge sheet. Table #3 High School Youth or Table #4 Confirmation Youth 11 Confirmation Students can earn points for participating in the Christmas Program. To earn Confirmation Points, a student must attend practices for the Christmas Program during Sunday School every Sunday in October, November and December plus Saturday rehearsals in December. Information will be given out and practice begins Sunday, October 14 th during Sunday School. For those interested in speaking roles and vocal solos, auditions will be on Sunday, October 21 st during the Sunday School hour.

12 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 Sara Cross, Preschool Assistant (preschool) Sarah Ghabel, Bookkeeper Kara Hartwig, Youth Coordinator 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) 2018 Board of Elders Bill Benson Vaughn Davisson Jim Eick Skip Kempnich Eric Kooker Val Penney 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 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. 12