Our Redeemer s Lutheran Church PO Box 440 Vol. 40 No.4 April 2017 He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!!! What are we celebrating when we celebrate Easter? It is a powerful story, a story of a man who was crucified and died for us. It is a great event in our church year, and it follows behind the great event, the incarnation. Imagine the advertising slogan! From the same God who brought you the Incarnation, Now bringing to hearts everywhere: the Resurrection. Isn t it a wonderful story, this story about Jesus? First, we have the big event of the church year, Christmas. Then we celebrate the next great event, Easter. We have other minor Holy days, but nothing compared to these 2 events. (Although Pentecost should be just as big.) Our church year is broken into seasons, with appropriate colors for each season. And when planning worship we plan great celebrations during those seasons. Then we set aside certain dates that celebrate the story of God and Jesus. Having church seasons can be spiritually healthy, it keeps the story of God moving throughout the year, but it can also be unhealthy in that it becomes a date on the calendar. I have purposely used the words story and event to talk about Easter. But we don t worship a story, we don t worship an event. We worship God, and we celebrate what God has done for us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. If we celebrate Easter as an event and make no connection to Jesus as God, then we lose so much. Then Easter becomes a one-time event, an event we do every year, like clockwork. We celebrate a person, Jesus Christ, and we celebrate what God the Father has done through Jesus, his Son. This is not a feel good story, but the truth. The truth that will set us free. If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:31-32 Jesus, by his death and resurrection, has given us a relationship with God. It is a relationship that we live in every day. Through good times, bad times, and mundane times, God, who established this relationship, comes to us and lives in us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not come to earth to just set an example, or make us feel good, Jesus came to save us from a life of sin, and save us from the eternal death, which is the result of sin. He laid down his life for us, so that we might live. He is what we celebrate, He is what we believe in. Come and celebrate the relationship that you have through Christ, our Lord.
Our Sympathy to the families of Donna Hewson, Shirley Geving and, Deb Lieswald May Jesus triumph over death and the grave help sustain you in this your time of sorrow. I would like to THANK all of you for the prayers, cards, calls & visits made during & after my recent surgery.. A special THANK YOU to Julie for setting up the Prayer Chain and to all of you who participated in it. We are so grateful for the care and concern of our entire church family. Thank you again. Leon Monke Thank you to all who helped make the Oyster Stew a success. Special THANKS to the young men of our congregation who stepped up and did a wonderful job of helping. Your efforts were greatly appreciated... Bob Thank you to everyone for the prayers, calls, cards, and food following my surgery. It is a great feeling to know so many people are concerned and care...donna SPECIAL DATES Palm Sunday--------------------------April 9 Holy week-----------------------------april 9-15 Maundy Thursday-------------------April 13 Good Friday---------------------------April 14 Easter Sunday-------------------------April 16 Administrative Professional Day--April 26 Congratulations to Owen Gabriel Rafferty and his parent Julie and Daren. Owen was baptized on March 26th. His sponsors are Corrie Urlacher & Chad Erickson. Easter Lilies will be needed to decorate the cross and the Altar on Easter Morning. If you want us to pick them up at 3rd Avenue floral they will be $12.00 each. If you wish you may purchase them yourself and let Donna know if you want it listed on the memorial list. All lilies need to be at the church by April 9th. Sing with Miss. Nancy 9:30 Sunday mornings. Kids will sing and wave palms on Palm Sunday, April 9th during 10 am service. Practice at 9:30 April 26 Last day of Church School with the Bible Camp Staff leading a sing a long and games Join us in celebration of Robert Strommen's 80th birthday on Thursdsay April 13 at the New England Senior Center from 2-5 pm. If unable to attend, sending a card would be great too! Robert Strommen 12508 60th St SW New England, ND neorlc.org
10.00 AM APRIL WORSHIP HELPERS USHERS: April 2 & 9 April 16-& 23 April 30 ALTAR GUILD: ACOLYTE: Justin Nelson Family Lee & Judy Johnson Hedy & Dolores Diana & Kitty Avery READERS: April 2 Mason Stang April 9 Renee Rettinger April 16 Judy Lee April 23 Leland Johnson April 30 Diane Wolf COMMUNION HELPERS April 2 Mason Stang April 9 Renee Rettinger April 16 Paulette, Donna, Rita April 23 Leah Rustan April 30 Diane Wolf PROJECTOR April 2 Emma April 9 Annette April 16 Emma April 23 Michael April 30 Emma COFFEE April 2 Dolores April 9 Evelyn April 16 Easter breakfast April 23 Doris April 30 Nancy April 1st April 3rd April 4th April 5th April 6th April 9th April 10th April 11th April 13th April 15th April 16th April 17th April 20th April 21st April 22 nd April 23rd April 24th April 26 th April 27th April 29th April 30th Jerald & Sandy Rafferty (A) Erin Hanson Jessica Turner Kory Doe Zoe Jung Kirk & Paulette Erickson(A) Trisha Erickson Bernadine Jorstad Richard Lutz John S. Plaggemeyer Paulette Erickson Alexis Wolfe RyLynn Stecher Ariann Doe Bob Strommen Lewellyn Rustan Tammy Lien Kyle Johnson Wade Bock Abbygail Schmidt Clara Tews Amber Lien Willis Johnson Dorothy Nielsen Jodi Olsonawski Samantha Fitterer Gerri Frank Alton Lien Kristin Neprash Miranda Wolfe Judy Dill Annette Haugen Don Rose
WELCA NEWS Bible Study: For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free Dorcas Circle: April 4 at 1:30 p.m. hosted by Bonnie B. at her home Evening Circle: Tuesday, April 4 at 7:00 Thank you to all Groups for handling the Geving funeral. Also thank you to Group III for serving the Lenten Service soup supper and to all the groups for providing bars for the all of the Lenten Service suppers. April 16 is Easter Sunday and we will be serving coffee, juice and rolls from 8:00 to 8:45. Group I Clean up; Group II prepare food and serve; Group III set up. Each group needs to provide 4 dozen rolls, 1 lb. of butter and 4 large frozen orange juices. Please remember that all women who did not work or bring food are asked to donate $5.00. Spring Badland s Gathering will be held at the Badlands Ministries at Medora on Saturday, April 29. Registration is at 9:00 a.m. The program will be provided by Home on the Range. We are asked to bring coloring books for teenagers or journal books. Registration of $15 per person will be paid by WELCA. All women are encouraged to attend. Quilting will continue into April on Monday s at 9:00 a.m. at the Church Basement. Thank you to the ladies for your diligent work on these quilts. Upcoming WELCA Meeting on Saturday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m. at the Church. Main items to be discussed will be plans for next year and election of officers. Palm Sunday is April 9th The children will process waving palms and singing. Maundy Thursday Holy communion service will be at 7:00 pm on April 13th. Easter Sunday Sunrise service will be held at Zion at 7:00 am. Our Redeemer s Festival service will be held at 9:00 am. Good Friday service will be at??? on April 14th Breakfast of rolls and juice will be served at Our Redeemer s from 8:00 to 8:45 am. Happy Spring!!!
Our Redeemer's Church School will blaze a trail to Medora! Mrs. Belland will chaperon a bus, for an afternoon of exploring the Badlands Ministries Bible Camp, for our Church School students, grades 2nd through 6th and High School helpers. Leadership staff will take us on a tour of the camp, a hike up into the badlands and lead us in song. A pizza supper will be provided at 5:00. Bus leaves at 2pm Wednesday, May 18 from New England School. We will arrive home around 7:30 pm. Parents, please be waiting for us by 7:30pm, in the parking lot of New England School. This is a great opportunity to become familiar with the new lay out of the camp and hopefully spark your interest in attending a camp. Camperships are available for summer camp, through gifts from the men and women of Our Redeemer's Church. Contact Donna Rustan at 579-4424 for financial information....print information and return to New England School by May 3... Our child has our permission to attend Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church field trip to the Badlands Ministries Bible Camp in Medora, North Dakota Wednesday, May 18. Parent Name Cell # Emergency Contact Person Cell # Insurance Number Allergies? If so, will you send medication?
OUR REDEEMER S COUNCIL MINUTES March 8, 2017 Present: Annette, Tony, Steve, Gail, Teresa, Renee, Pastor Bruce Absent: Dorothy, Kyra, Janell, Donna Secretary Report: Minutes were approved after correcting Lenten meal from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm to 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. Pastor s Report: Pastor s surgery is scheduled for March 29 th. Marty will cover Lenten services. There is a baptism on March 19 th. Mission & Ministry: Council members decided to change Lenten meal time to 5:45 pm- 6:30 pm. Schedule is March 15 Kids; March 22 Council members serving hot dishes; March 29 Pizza, April 5 Council members serving Tacos-in-a-Bag. Church ladies will provide the bars for each service. Property: Tony reported that three contractors will be checking the church for needed repairs and giving a bid. Bid deadline is April 1 st. These three are Simons homes, D&M Roofing and All Seasons Roofing. Local individuals may also bid. Work on the parsonage will be discussed at a later time. There is funding available for air conditioning the church basement. Justin will be contacted for this project. Justin will also be contacted about the fan for the parsonage. Worship & Music: April 26 th the Bible Camp Staff are coming to lead in songs and games. On May 18 th Nancy would like to have the Fun Time at Bible Camp again. This is for the 2-6 grades. Steve volunteered to drive the bus and contact school about use of a bus. We would be responsible for the gas for the bus and pizza for children. Education: No report. Trust Fund: No report. Old Business: Teresa will ask Leon and Lyn Hewson if May 21 st would be a good time for their presentation on their trip to Honduras. There being no new business Steve made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Teresa. Closed with Lord s Prayer Respectfully Submitted, Renee Rettinger, acting secretary
April 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2 Coffee 9:00 SWN.9:30 Worship.10:00 3 Quilting 9:00 4 Dorcas 1:30 EB study 7:00 5 Wed. School & Confi. 2:00 1 2 3 4 Soup 5:30-6:30 Lenten Service Zion 5:00 6 7 8 5 6 7 OR 7:008 9 10 11 9Palm Sunday Coffee 9:00 SWN.9:30 Worship.10:00 Quilting 9:00 Wed. School & 12 13 14 Confi. 152:00 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Children Sing and process waving Palms 10 11 12 17 18 19 26 Quilting 27 9:00 28 Wed. 29 School & 30 31 16 Easter Worship Zion 7:00 am OR..9:00 am Breakfast 8:00-8:45 at OR Confi. 2:00 Council...7:00 13 7:00 pm 14 15 20 21 22 23Coffee 9:00 SWN.9:30 Worship.10:00 24 Quilting 9:00 25 26 Wed. School & Confi. 2:00 Last day 27 28 29 WELCA Spring Badland s Gathering, Badlands Ministries at Medora 30Coffee 9:00 SWN.9:30 Worship.10:00
OUR REDEEMER S LUTHERAN CHURCH - ELCA PO Box 440 New England, ND 58647 CHURCH STAFF Pastor: Bruce Peterson Secretary: Donna Rustan-Stang Organists: Julie Opdahl Susan Peterson Janitor: Laurie Monke name