MAILING SEAL
In This Issue …
Article Page
Pastor’s Corner 1-2
Emergency Pastoral Care 2
President’s Message 3
Birthdays and Anniversaries 4
Those Who Serve 5
Remember in Prayer 6
Our Budget and Expenses 7
Offering Envelopes 7
Bible Study 8
Choir News 8
Monthly Calendar Center
Bargain Basement 9
“God’s Work. Our Hands.” 9
Mission Moment 10
Outreach Team 10
Flowers 11
Lessons to Study 12
Disaster Relief 13
Continuing Outreach 13
Worship and Discipleship 14-15
Office Information 16
MAILING SEAL MAILING SEAL
PASTOR’S CORNER
“Strength for Tough Times”
Dear Friends,
These are “tough times” for most of us. We are living at a time in our lives where we have constant losses. We as a congregation are so often reminded of this as we lose friends to death, or they move away to other facilities. And not only are we losing friends and family members, but we also lose our good health. It’s true, Betty Davis had it right: “getting old is not for sissies.”
When life gets tough, we need something more solid to cling to than feelings and emotions. I think Luther had it right when he said, “In time of trial we should rest not on our feelings but on the Word of God.” In it there is help for every need.
The best we can do is cling to the promises of God. God will always meet us there. When it comes to power, nothing can match the power of God’s Word. It replaces negative attitudes. It gives attitudes that have attitude.
Here are some words to take with you in “tough times.” Hold them and they will hold you. “By this I will know that God is for me” (Psalm 56:9). “If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9). “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). And I am sure you have some favorites that have sustained you over the years.
Church Office Hours: 9: 00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon - Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please call and leave a message at all other times. Phone messages are checked daily.
Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Traditional Service
(Holy Communion on first and third Sundays)
Bible Study: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays – Fellowship Hall
Outreach Visitation: 2:00 p.m. the 4th Tuesday of the Month – Conference Room
Council Meeting: 2:30 p.m. the 4th Thursday of the Month – Conference Room
Respite Care: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Church Staff
Pastor: Gilbert Moore
Food Donations: Mickey Costello, Carl and Jessica Keene, and George Koehm
Secretary: Margo Geesing
(Tuesday and Thursday mornings)
Organist: Sharon Heck
Page 1 Page 16
September Gospel lessons in about two sentences. First Sunday: as usual in Mark’s Gospel, encounters with women usually signify turning points in Jesus’ ministry. In this case it marks the beginning of his ministry to the Gentiles. Second Sunday: Peter is the first human to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus connects discipleship and the cross. Third Sunday: Jesus is counter-cultural by reminding us that greatness for him isn’t defined by prestige, power, and money but by servanthood. Fourth Sunday: it’s a “did I stutter?” moment when Jesus reminds his disciples that it’s all about service and sacrifice, and yes, this means you too!
After all that reading I am having you do this month, I am still going to have you reflect on what you get out of it all. What are you being called by God to hurry up about? What are you running towards? And more importantly, why? Are your encounters with others a chance for your ministry to expand? Are you acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah, or is he a pretty good guy that said and did some cool things? How are you defining your own life’s success, by the world’s view or by Jesus’? Is Jesus having a stuttering moment in your life – “I’m too [fill in the blank] he cannot still mean me when he talks about service and sacrifice? By the way, on that last one – he’s still means you, too!
The Word is powerful, eternal, imperishable. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Luke 21:33). Nothing on earth can do more for us than the Word that testifies of Jesus, our Savior.
I have pastor friends who question how I can be a pastor in a congregation where people are constantly dying and/or losing their health. My answer to them is “What better place to be than where I can minister in “tough times” with the Word.”
God bless,
PS: If all goes well Lavona and I will be in Reno a couple of weekends this month to attend the Balloon Races (our grandson Aaron pilots "Sushi") and the National Air Races; and of course visiting our family.
Emergency Pastoral Care: Whenever you are in need of emergency pastoral care give Pastor Gil a phone call (562) 430-7999. Larry Norlander and Margo Geesing (our secretary) also know how to reach Pastor Gil.
Page 15 Page 2
Message from Our President …
Greetings to My Redeemer Friends,
This month the Finance Committee and Council will begin working on the budget for 2016. All members are welcome to attend and speak at any meeting. I welcome your comments/concerns.
Also, please consider serving on the Church Council. This is the group that, with God's help, conducts the business of Redeemer. Nominations will be sought in the fall. We will be having a congregational meeting in November. At this meeting we will be electing 4 Council members and voting on the 2016 budget. We would also like to elect Redeemer's representatives to the Pacifica Synod Assembly in the spring.
Thank you to everyone who volunteers in any capacity here at Redeemer. Your time and talents are vital.
Your Friend In Christ,
Larry Norlander
Reflections on WORSHIP
and DISCIPLESHIP by Margo Geesing
“On the Go with Jesus”
We are coming out of the mini-discourse from John chapter 6 (which you all read, right?) and moving back into the Gospel of Mark. We are on a fast run through a record of Jesus’ teachings, healings, challenges, and exorcising as he is running to Jerusalem and the cross. Remember waaaaay back in December’s article I wrote that the Gospel of Mark is all about going? “Mark tends to be all about action – what’s happening and where are we going.” (Yes, I had to look up exactly when I wrote that but I did remember writing it!). This fall’s Gospel readings are a great example of that. We read through Mark from chapter 7 to chapter 10 in September and October. Yes, I am going to suggest that you read these chapters in full so you can get the whole scope of what Jesus is doing. A chapter a week, that’s all I ask! These chapters are very dense on movement: “Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.” (Mk. 7:24); “Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.” (Mk. 7:31); “…he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.” (Mk. 8:10); “Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.” (Mk. 8:13); “They came to Bethsaida…” (Mk. 8:22); “Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi.” (Mk. 8:27); “They left that place and passed through Galilee.” (Mk. 9:30); “They came to Capernaum.” (Mk. 9:33) just in September! [You can take a look at the map on the next page to see this movement.]
And while we are at it, during September we also read most of the letter of James! It’s a general letter to all Christians on how to act like a Christian. He reminds us that when we have real faith, we cannot help but to act on it. He is very practical in his advice on common things such as anger and quarreling, showing favoritism, controlling the tongue, boasting, patience, and prayer. Yes, take a read through it!
Page 3 Page 14
DISASTER RELIEF
Gifts designated to a specific response will be used in full -- 100 percent -- to help disaster survivors clean-up, rebuild and recover. Donations given “Where Needed Most” help to respond immediately and effectively where it is needed most. If you give cash or check, on offering envelope write “Disaster Relief” If you give by check make it out to Redeemer Lutheran Church and placing it in the offering plate. Or if you wish you can send a check directly to: ELCA Disaster Response 39330 Treasury Center; Chicago, IL 60694-9300. Or donate online at: http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response.aspx
CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS
Thank you to those who have been turning in your labels!
As an ongoing service project we are collecting Campbell Soup Labels to be sent to the Solheim Home in Los Angeles, CA. They will send them to the Navajo Indians in Arizona. The labels are used in many ways to get needed items. The program now only requires the UPC Bar Code Label. A marked canister is in the Entryway.
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
Thank you to those who have been turning in your Education Labels!
Box Tops go directly to the Navajo Mission. They can be found on more than a 100 different General Mills products. They do have an expiration date, so be sure to turn them in with time to send them to the Mission! These labels generate points that turn into dollars!
CONTINUING FUNDRAISER AND ENVIRONMENTAL CARE
Thank you to those who have been turning in your used ink cartridges!
We have an ongoing collection of used ink cartridges and cell phones. Please bring them with you when you come to church and place them in the box in the Conference Room!
Happy
Birthday
September Birthdays
Maria Swift September 2
Leslie Arrington September 5
Jann Shaffer September 5
Gil Moore September 17
Winston Eakin September 19
Margo Geesing September 24
Shirley Holland September 25
Sylvia Makus September 26
Lottie Dolby September 27
June Lowensen September 27
Kathy Aldstadt September 29
September Anniversaries
Page 13 Page 4
THOSE WHO SERVE
THIS MONTH
Please study the following at home to prepare for Sunday Worship:
Lessons for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost through the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Page 5 Page 12
Altar Guild
Beverly Dinning
Lottie Dolby
Carol Costello
Julia Langevin
Sylvia Makus
Judy Norlander
Acolyte
Carmen Leslie
Communion Assistant
Jerry Brady
Greeters
Berny Gerard
Edith Sessa
Reader
Alma Zamzow
Prayer Leader
Shirley Reimers
Ushers
Jean Ackerman
George Koehm
Phyllis Mackey
Maria Swift
Choir
Beverly Anderson
Charles Cullimore
Joan Cullimore
Lynda Elmer
John Graber
Debbie Hugdahl
Julia Langevin
Sara Lee
Jim Pushman
Kay Pushman
Violet Quist
Shirley Reimers
You could add your voice to our choir in September!
September 6, 2015 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 35:4-7
Psalm 146
James 2:1-17
Mark 7:24-37
September 13, 2015 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 116:1-9
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38
September 20, 2015 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 11:18-20
OR Wisdom 1:16—2:1, 12-22
Psalm 54
James 3:13—4:3, 7-8
Mark 9:30-37
September 27, 2015 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
October 4, 2015 – 19th Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 8
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16
October 11, 2015 – 20th Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
Psalm 90:12-17
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31
October 18, 2015 – 21st Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 53:4-12
Psalm 91:9-16
Hebrews 5:1-10
Mark 10:35-45
October 25, 2015 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 10:46-52
Page 5 Page 12
Altar Flowers for September
September 6th:
Jann Shaffer in Memory of My Father, Francis Shaffer.
September 13th:
Anita Smart in Memory of Loved Ones.
September 20th:
Richard Stiitz in Memory of Aileen Garcia.
September 27th:
Dena Anderson in Memory of Jim Anderson.
Ronnie Powell in Memory of Loved Ones.
Flower Chart Directions
1. There are 2 bouquets for each Sunday.
2. Print your name and the special reason for the request on the line next to the date you would like them.
3. If there is not enough room to write your request on the chart, please leave the secretary a note in her box specifying your request.
4. The requested donation for one bouquet is $15.00; $30.00 for both. If you wish to request both bouquets, please note that on the chart.
When putting your donation in an envelope, please note that it is for altar flowers and the date of your flowers.
Note from Outreach and Worship and Music Committee. Guidelines for prayer list: We are requesting all members (and friends) to please call the church office and leave a message requesting prayer regarding any illnesses, surgeries, procedures, and treatments regarding you, church members, and family members. Please also notify us when the prayers are no longer needed.
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Our Members: Dena Anderson, Shirley Anderson, Bea Bander, Russ Cullimore, Margaret Deaton, Patti Drumm, Lucy Fitch, Mary Ann Haugen, Christine Hughes, Geri Lein, Nancy Luebben, Dody Lynch, Glenn Massingill, Helen McDowell, Kathleen Nilsson, Ken Newsham, Lodi Nieto, Erich Obersteiner, Christine Osterberg, Lillian Smith, Nina Smith, Don Stephens, Richard Stiitz, and Martha Ziegler;
And Our Family Members and Friends: Shawn Arrington, Rose Betancourt, Roman Bentley, Dave Buchanan, Julie Carlson, Rich Carlson, Caren Condon, Roxann Davis, Anna Dow, Eileen Dow, Nelly Dow, Chantay Freeland, Paul Higgenbotham, Cynthia Luff, Mary Matthews, Leslie McNeal, Karen Merkel, Ethan Millerick, Heidi Mitchell, Kenny Mize, Bill Montague, Chuck Nieto, Joe Nieto, Victor Obersteiner, Lori Rhodes, Nathan Rhodes, Lee Roy Thomas, Bob Terwilliger, Louise Wagner, June Welton, and Sandy Young.
We also remember those confined at home, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. And, always pray for peace.
Page 11 Page 6
OUR BUDGET AND EXPENSES
Income and Expense Statement
for the Month Ending
July 31, 2015
Actual Budget Variance
Operating Income $8,365.00 $9,855.00 -$1,490.00
Operating Expenses $14,203.35 $9,855.00 -$4,348.35
Variance -$5,838.35 $0.00 -$5,838.35
Income and Expense Statement
for the 2015 Year to
July 31, 2015
Actual Budget Variance
Operating Income $71,976.56 $68,985.00 $2,991.56
Operating Expenses $74,922.90 $68,985.00 -$5,937.90
Variance $2,946.34 $0.00 $2,946.34
Offering Envelopes are available on the stand in the narthex of the church. Take as many envelopes as you think you may need. Please also remember your pledge. By preparing your envelope ahead of time at home, that way you will not be caught short of your offering and can maintain your pledge. Please put your name on the envelopes that you use. Thank You!