The Redeemer Reporter Redeemer Lutheran Church, ELCA God s Work, Our Hand s 300 O Neal Road, Greer, SC 29651 The Rev. Marion Clark (cell 803-920-5731) mclark66@sc.rr.com Jon Moyer, Director of Music Ministries (cell 864-380-1017) jon.moyer@me.com Terry Jane Moore, Church Secretary (864-877-5876) redeemerlutheransec@gmail.com September 2017 PASTOR'S PONDERINGS Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the second part of a trilogy for the Quincentennial of the Reformation begun in last month's newsletter (Catholic-Lutheran Relations after 500 Years), with the third installment coming next month ( The Long Shadow of Luther ). September's piece has to do with the career of the Reformer. - Born 10 November, 1483 in Eisleben, Germany to Hans & Margarethe Luther - 1488: Enters school at Mansfield, where his father was a copper miner - 1501: Matriculates as a law student at the University of Erfurt - 1502: Bachelor of Arts; 1505: Master of Arts - 2 July, 1505: After struck in a thunderstorm, vows to become a monk - 17 July, 1505: Enters Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt - 1507: Ordained to the priesthood at the Erfurt Cathedral - 1510-1511: Sent by his abbot on a trip to Rome; returns to Wittenberg - 19 October, 1512: Doctor of Theology (Teacher of the Church) - 22 October, 1512: University of Wittenberg faculty in Biblical theology - 31 October, 1517: Ninety-five Theses (points for academic debate) mailed to his Bishop (and possibly posted on the doors of All Saints Church) - 30 May, 1518: Sent Explanations of the Ninety-five Theses to Abbot Staupitz to forward to Pope Leo X - June-July, 1518: Case against Luther opened, and he was summoned to Rome - 12-14 October, 1518: Hearing before Cardinal Cajetan in Augsburg - 4-14 July, 1519: Leipzig Disputation with papal representative John Eck - 3 January, 1521: Luther excommunicated - 16-28 April, 1521: Holy Roman Empire Diet (Parliament), Worms, Germany; "Here I stand..." Luther is condemned as a heretic and outlaw - 3 May, 1521-1 March, 1522: Luther is "kidnapped" and held in protective custody at Wartburg Castle; translates New Testament into German - 1521-1546: To continue in October as legacy, The Long Shadow of Luther God s peace, Pastor Clark+ 1
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH September Activities Choir Practice: The choir has practice each Wednesday night @ 7PM. Girl Scouts: September 7th and 21st @6:30 PM. Ladies Lunch: Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet on Tuesday, September 5th, 12 noon, at Eggs Up Grill in Greer. Please join us for this time of fellowship! Kairos Team Meeting: th @ 1:00 PM. Soup Kitchen, God s Work. Our Hands. Sunday, th @ 4:00 PM. Blue Star Mothers: th @ 3 PM. Spirit Led Renewal: th, immediately after worship. September Meetings Fellowship Committee Meeting: rd after worship service in the conference room. All are welcome to join us. Finance Committees: Monday, September 11 @ 2:00 PM. Worship & Music Committee: Wednesday, September 13th @ 6 PM. Council Meeting: th @ 11:30 AM. Property Committee Meeting: September 20th @ 6:00 PM. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES GREER COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MINISTRIES: Please collect these Fab 5 essential items for our food pantry: 16 oz. dried beans, dry cereal, spaghetti sauce, beef stew, canned meat. Current Needs: Spaghetti sauce, tomato soup, Jiffy Corn Bread mix, beef stew, canned greens (collards, spinach, etc.), 1 lb. boxes of pasta, canned tomatoes, grits, canned fruit, canned soups, canned pasta. Sharon s Closet Current Needs: *Men s clothing, all sizes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, towels and sheets, *new underwear (all sizes), *socks. *Greatest current needs Meals on Wheels for Pets: Dry cat food, dry dog food. Clients with cats or dogs are provided pet food as needed to make sure that they are not sharing their meal with their pet. God s work. Our Hands. Sunday, th. ELCA congregations will participate in God s work. Our Hands. Sunday. This annual day of service is a time to share God s love, serve local communities, and lift up neighbors in need. This year Redeemer will use the soup kitchen as our service project. We will serve salad and sandwiches @ 4:00 pm. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex. 2
If you have not prepared food or worked as a volunteer in the past, please consider doing so. Join us, and YOU can be a part of this community ministry and God s work. Our Hands. Sunday. COUNCIL NEWS by Bill Freiberg, President Spirit Led Renewal Will be led by Pastor Ginny Aebischer (Office of the Bishop, SC Synod, ELCA) on Sunday,, immediately after the service. It be from 11:30 AM 2:30 PM and will include: Covered dish meal Time for one another to be in community Break into small groups and discuss what we believe God wants for Redeemer Child care will be provided On the day of the Spirit led time of renewal congregational event, we will gather for worship, followed by lunch, and the event itself. The event takes approximately 90 minutes depending on the questions and conversations around the tables. We will get people started on the meal, and, after about 30 minutes, we will begin the event as people finish their meal and desserts. The event itself includes some Bible reflections around the tables, description of how the call process works with time for questions and answers, reflections and conversations about Redeemer s mission and ministry, hopes, dreams, and prayer. The synod has a number of questions to ask and will ask people to share in their table groups. This information is to provide the synod and congregation council leaders feedback needed to move forward. After the event is over, we will collect all the sheets and give them to council for collating and dissemination to the congregation, synod and call committee. Call Committee TBD You are encouraged to review the Synod s Call Manual. The document is available for downloading from the SC Synod, ELCA website. Link to the document is listed below: http://scsynod.com/download/a-spirit-led-time-of-renewal/?wpdmdl=865 The next council meeting is SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th, at 11:30 AM (Immediately following the service). FELLOWSHIP NEWS by Debbie Cole, Chairperson th, immediately after the service, there will be a covered dish meal for the Spirit Led Renewal event. 3
FINANCE NEWS by Del King, Treasurer A Financial Update During a congregational meeting earlier this year, questions were raised by members concerning contributions that had been designated for specific purposes but appeared to be unaccounted for in the church s financial statements. A diligent effort has been underway throughout the year by numerous officers of the church council and members of the audit committee to resolve this issue. Over 8000 transactions dating back to 2013 were examined for accuracy in dollar amount, payee, and account number. Additionally, internal audits for the calendar years 2015 and 2016 were conducted to ensure accuracy and proper accountability. Throughout this exhaustive effort, no irregularities were identified. What was found is that certain accounting entries were misclassified in our accounting system resulting in inaccurate financial reports. At a very high level, accounting software deals with debits and credits in accounts such as Asset, Liability, Equity, Revenue, and Expense. If an expense to be paid is incorrectly entered into the wrong account, it will be paid, however it will not be reflected as an expense on the financial statements. This error was not the fault of any one person, but rather a culmination of several factors such as; We had a significant turnover of Treasurers within a 4 year period. This resulted in a loss of continuity and accounting knowledge was lost. We were using accounting software designed for a profit based business and it was manipulated in an attempt to make it fit a non-profit organization. We did not have the knowledge of a qualified accountant to guide us in the correct accounting for a non-profit organization and recognize weakness in our accounting process. As a result of these findings we have made significant changes in our accounting procedures that will remedy these shortcomings and prevent them from reoccurring in the future. These changes include; Changing our accounting environment to a non-profit model. Proper training in entering financial transactions in our accounting software. Using the services of a qualified accountant to guide us through correct accounting procedures and reviewing accounting data for accuracy. Duplicate tracking of special accounts such as memorials to ensure accountability. Posting monthly financial reports in the church and including them in the minutes of monthly council meetings. We are confident these changes will have a positive impact on financial reporting and restore 4
members confidence that all donations are properly accounted for and dispersed for their intended purpose. In God s grace, Del King, Treasurer Below you will find the bank balance, expenses and contributions, for the 1st & 2nd quarter. Also a graph of the financial health of the congregation. Bank Balance Expenses Contributions Jan. $11,129.66 $15,845.72 $14,242.35 Feb. $19,126.18 $12,795.00 $16,416.71 March $22,154.74 $13,792.13 $16,045.07 April $22,456.61 $14,802.51 $16,576.75 May $24,965.16 $13,884.00 $12,605.73 June $23,074.82 $12,950.20 $13,711.50 July $22,346.59 $12,778.59 $13,674.00 5
September 2017 If you have meetings or events coming up, please mark them o Remember if you are unable to serve, please find a re Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 27 10am Holy Communion 28 29 30 7 pm Choir Practice 31 3 9:00 am Sunday School 10am Holy Communion 11:30 am Fellowship Committee Meeting 4 Labor Day 5 12pm Ladies Lunch 6 7 pm Choir Practice 7 6:30 pm Girl S 10 9am Sunday School 10am Holy Communion 2pm Kairos #26 Team 4 pm Soup Kitchen God s Work. Our Hands Sunday 17 9 am Sunday School 10am Holy Communion 11:30am Council 3 pm Blue Star Mothers 11 2 pm Finance and Stewardship meeting 12 13 6 pm Worship & Music committee meeting 7 pm Choir Practice 18 19 20 6 pm Property Committee Meeting 7 pm Choir Practice 14 21 6:30 pm Girl S 24 10am Holy Communion 11:30am Spirit Led Time of Renewal Lutheran Men/WELCA will not meet. 25 26 27 7 pm Choir Practice 28 6
n the calendar in the secretary's office. Thanks! placement to take your place. Friday Saturday 1 2 couts couts 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30 Ushers: Greeters: Lay Assistants: Lectors: Acolytes: Crucifer: Altar Guild: Flowers: Counters: Nursery: Phil Rhoads and Wade Tate Michael and Kay Bauer Fred Brandt and Debbie Cole Tom Cole and Chris Eason Tom Cole and Aaron Cornwell Peggy Cornwell and Chris Eason Michael and Kay Bauer Fred Brandt and Debbie Cole Kyle Henderson Sonny Lybrand Phil Rhoads Michael Bauer Linda Jenkins Del King Doug Logan Missy Logan Marilyn Perschall Kyle Henderson & Open Betty Skaug Martha Hammond Mel & Linda Jenkins Michael and Sarah Smith David and Edith Henderson Linda Jenkins and Del King Jerry Robbins and Cindy Martin Michael Smith and Missy Logan Chris Eason and Bill Freiberg Michael and Brantlee Lybrand Michael Smith and Ron Perschall Kaci Cotter and Susan Knoch Janet Howell and Sarah Perschall 7
STEWARDSHIP NEWS by Terry Jane Moore, Co-Chair with Pam Lewis The stewardship committee met in August for their first planning meeting. Plans are underway for the stewardship dinner to be held November 5th. Please watch your bulletins and the October newsletter for more information. Pastor Ted s Charity Golf Tournament We are invited to put together a team for Pastor Ted s Holiday Food Basket Golf Fundraiser. Local Lutheran churches come together to generate funds for holiday food baskets that are delivered to families between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The primary sponsor is Thrivent Financial. The location is Bonnie Brae Country Club on Sunday, th, with a shotgun start at 1 PM. Cost of $50 per player includes 18 holes, cart, range balls, bottled water and snacks. Detailed information and signup sheets are on the table in the narthex, or contact Marque Kilpatrick at (864) 386-0340 (marquek53@gmail.com) or Al Wiermeir at (864) 525-9152 (allen.weirmeir@charter.net). BLUE STAR MOTHER S NEWS by Missy Logan This is a "new list of what is needed for troops deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. It touches one s heart as to what they enjoy. We will pack again in the fall. Please take kids, neighbors and friends along shopping to appreciate what these troops don't have and how boring food can become in a foreign, hot, dry country away from home! Please put items in the bin in the narthex, and thank you!! Oatmeal and raisin cookies (NOT chocolate chip or M&M cookies - the chocolate melts and everything is a mess) - preferably homemade but good store-bought is OK. Also the iced oatmeal cookies are good and don't melt, peanut butter cookies, sugar or molasses cookies. Floss pickers - a bag of the bow-shaped teeth floss with a toothpick end. Slim Jims or similar individual-packaged beef/pork sticks Instant soup in a cup - Cup O' Soup Snack crackers - not saltines, but things like Trisket, Chickn-in-a-Bisket, Ritz, Wheat Thins, etc. Cereal - Frosted Flakes, Trix, Cheerios, Nut N Honey, Honeycomb - preferably the small boxes that come in 6- and 8-packs Cans or small individual sleeves of mixed nuts, honey-roasted peanuts, almonds, pistachios, macadamias or sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Packets of Carnation Instant Breakfast Small cans of bean dip or cheese dip for crackers - Frito-Lay makes good stuff Bottles of El Tapatio hot sauce, Tony Cachere's seasoning, and the packets of taco seasoning for meat or chicken. 8
A large roll of 'gaffer's tape' - it's like duct tape but is fabric instead and comes in many colors - black, green, and tan are the best colors - everyone uses black for sure. You can google 'gaffer's tape' to find many suppliers. MATTE FINISH ONLY - no glossy or vinyl shiny stuff! Zinc oxide cream from Walgreens, CVS, or Rite-Aid - tubes only, nothing in jars Dried banana chips, freeze-dried strawberries, freeze-died blueberries, dried apple slices, dried apricots - Trader Joe's has the best ones. Need to be in RESEALABLE bags. small bags of trail mix (raisins, peanuts, dates, coconut flakes, etc. - NO CHOCOLATE CHIPS!) 5 hour energy drinks in the small containers Granola bars (nothing with chocolate! - melty mess) Unrefrigerated dry salami - pre-cut in bags or entire salamis or pepperonis - these are not in the refrigerated section of stores Good quality tins of sardines, smoked oysters, baby clams Small packets of Gatorade mix (everybody likes the original lemon-lime green/yellow stuff) Trader Joe's chewy fruit tapes - individual packets of various fruits and berries dried and rolled into sheets and cut into strips. Usually by the checkout stations - Any flavor - strawberry, apricot, blueberry, and grape are popular. Good quality and heat stable. Lots of energy. More information and more suggestions, like downtime activities, personal items and snacks can be found on the web site (https://www.veteransunited.com/network/whatdeployed-troops-really-want-in-their-care-packages/ You can also read comments from veterans and others. Check it out! LADIES BIBLE STUDY Attention Ladies! Our next Bible study will begin on Thursday September 14th. We will meet from 6:30 until 8:30 pm. This is an eleven week course. We will be studying Here and Now...There and Then. a lecture series on Revelation by Beth Moore. The workbooks are $9.00 payable to Carolyn Colussey. A sign up sheet is in the narthex. Ladies, if you have not attended one of our Bible studies, please consider this. We are blessed to have Carolyn lead the study. Feel free to invite other ladies from the community, other churches and friends to join us at the time of study. Communion Class for Elementary Youth Begins All elementary age youth are invited to join a special Communion Instruction Class that will be held in six sessions from 9:00-9:45 on the last Sunday of each month, October - May. 9
If you have a child who would like to start receiving Holy Communion or does already, attending this class is great way to learn more about what communion means. The class will cover basic elements of Holy Communion and Luther's Small Catechism, including the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed, Baptism and Confession. See Sarah Perschall with questions. Schedule of Sundays: October 29, January 28, February 25, March 25 and April 29. (There is a break in Nov and Dec for holidays and youth Christmas program). Wade Scharff Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on 0th, at Woodfin Ridge Golf Course. Southeastern Children s Home works with the Scharff family during this event. Proceeds from this event enable young people to finish school, learn independent living skills, and get the preparation needed to enter the world of adulthood. For more information, please see the letter and sign up form on the bulletin board in the fellow ship hall. IMPORTANT NEWS... Redeemer s Live Nativity Is Back! A twenty-five year tradition beloved by Redeemer Church and the Greer community will be revived this year under the direction of Wade and Barbara Tate, two of the originators in the 1980s. The outdoor Living Nativity in late December is a major production. With less than four months to go, it is imperative that those who are interested in set-up/construction, cast, costumes, support, etc. sign up on the poster in the narthex just as soon as possible. Thanks for your help in bringing back this Christmas gift to our friends and neighbors! WELCA Ladies The ladies will be collecting personal hygiene items for the boys at Southeastern Children s Home in Duncan during the month of September. There is a poster in the narthex to choose what items you would like to donate. Service at Lutheridge Oct 8 Join us for outdoor worship at the peaceful Lakeside Lodge at Lutheridge in Arden, NC, on Sunday, October 8, at 11:00 am. There will be a brief 10:00 am service here at Redeemer for those who do not plan to make the trip. Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothes for this wonderful experience as we worship in the beauty of God s creation. A potluck lunch will be served after the service, please bring a picnic lunch and a drink to share. You may stay for awhile and fish, hike around the lake or just enjoy a fall afternoon in the mountains. A playground is also located near the pavilion. 10
Directions: Take Hwy 290 north to Hwy 25. Travel for 18 miles to I-26 west towards Asheville. Take Exit 40 Arden/Asheville airport exit and turn right at top of ramp. Turn right at the intersection with Hwy 25 and in a short distance you will see the entrance to Lutheridge on the right. Continue straight for a little while and the lake is ahead on the right. The lodge and parking are located on the right. Plan to leave the Greer area no later than 10:00 to make it to service in time. Trunk or Treat and Hot Dog Supper Sunday, Oct. 29 Everyone is invited to enjoy a fun evening of hot dogs, fellowship and trunk or treating, beginning at 5:30 pm. The hot dog supper will be served at 5:30, followed by trunk-ortreating. Costumes are encouraged for all! Families can decorate their trunks and hand out candy or treats to the children. Everyone will enjoy hot dogs and chips provided by the Fellowship Committee. We will stage from the picnic shelter so back up with your trunks facing the shelter and in case of rain we'll move to tables inside the shelter. Invite your neighbors and friends to this fun event! PASTORAL NEEDS If you are in the hospital or have other pastoral needs, you may contact Pastor Clark @ 803-920-5731 or call the church office at 864-877-5876. Please leave a message if there is no answer. Call PASTOR MARIA MILLER @ 864-325-6449 if there is an urgent pastoral need, and Pastor Clark is not in town. October 7th Blessing of the Animals @ 3:00 pm October 8th - Lutheridge @ 11:00 am October 29th - Trunk-n-Treat - Hot Dogs @ 5:30 pm November 2-5 Kairos #26 at Tyger River November 5th - Stewardship Dinner 11
Join Us! Christian Education Children s Sunday School - All ages @ 9:00 am. Last Sunday of the month Communion Classes for elementary youth. Adult Sunday School - Adults meet in the conference room @ 9:00 am. Ladies Bible Study - Thursday evening @ 6:30, beginning September 14th. September Birthdays 01 Missy Logan 03 LuAnn Freiberg 10 Brantlee Lybrand 15 Grey Garland 16 Michael Chamberlain 17 Kirsten Glickman 20 Eric Merrell 25 Thomas Cole 25 Lisa Garland 25 Kyle Henderson 27 Lydia Hammond 27 Michael Lybrand 28 David Yearwood YOU are special! If your birthday is missing, please contact the Church Office or email Terry Jane Moore at redeemerlutheransec@gmail.com. Thank you to all the volunteers that serve! Redeemer is blessed by your faithfulness. Please submit articles for October newsletter by October 10th. Place articles and corrections in the basket next to the Church Office or email Terry Jane Moore at redeemerlutheransec@gmail.com Date Attendance in Worship Contributions August August 6 68 $4,518.00 August 13 77 $4,699.00 August 20 74 $2,115.00 August 27 72 $1,492.00 12