MAILING SEAL
In This Issue …
ArticlePage
Pastor’s Corner1-2
Emergency Pastoral Care2
President’s Message3
Birthdays and Anniversaries4
Those Who Serve5
Remember in Prayer6
Our Budget and Expenses7
Offering Envelopes7
Bible Study8
Bratwurst Luncheon8
New Member Orientation9
Prayer List Updating9
Membership Forms9
“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Update10
Respite Care10
Monthly CalendarCenter
“Would You Want to Know?” Outreach Luncheon11
Maritime Shoeboxes11
Annual Meeting11
Lutheran Social Services12
Annual Pacifica Women of the ELCA Convention13
Mission Moment14
Outreach Team14
Flowers15
Lessons to Study16
Disaster Relief17
Continuing Outreach17
Worship and Discipleship18-19
Office Information20
MAILING SEALMAILING SEAL
PASTOR’S CORNER
Reformation
Dear Friends:
Each year on the last Sunday in October we at Redeemer celebrate the Reformation of the Church. What, precisely, are we celebrating? The start of a "new Church"? No. The Reformation was not the start of a new Church, but the reformation of the old Church of Christ, and the apostles. What then are we celebrating?
What we thank and praise God for on the last Sunday of October is the rediscovery of the place of Christ and His Gospel in the Church. The Good News of God's love and mercy for us in Jesus is what the Reformation is all about. Indeed, he who has ears to hear, let him hear!
The Reformation continues. The Church is always being reformed, because God's Word of Law and Gospel continues to change hearts and lives, showing people their sins and their need for the Savior, and how that Gospel impacts our world today. Let us hear that Good News and take it to heart. Let us cling to Christ, and to Christ alone. Let us rejoice in the work of Luther and the other reformers, not in a prideful way, but by way of humble repentance and prayer for personal renewal in the grace of Christ. Indeed, let us hear the Good News of Christ and then boldly share it with others.
Church Office Hours: 9: 00 a.m. to 12:00Noon - 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, andGeorge Koehm
Secretary: Margo Geesing
(Tuesday and Thursday mornings)
Organist: Sharon Heck
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In the second week’s Gospel lesson Jesus returns to the theme of what is important. When the rich man asks what to do to inherit eternal lifeJesus focuses on first the law of God – the way we live our lives. The young man is earnest, and says that he does this already. Then Jesus continues to challenge his by telling him to sell everything, give it to the poor, THEN to come and follow him. Jesus wants us all to clear the clutter out of our lives – those things that are keeping us tied down, preventing us from following him as we should.
The third week I can see Jesus just shaking his head when James and John ask to be seated at his right and left. They are still not quite getting it. So Jesus gathers them all together one more time and plainly explains to them all that it’s about SERVICE TO OTHERS, not power and authority over others, that is important.
The fourth Sunday is Reformation Sunday and we get a lesson from John that highlights the idea that true freedom comes through truth and a belief in God. The other choice for that Sunday is the story of Bartimaeus: a blind man whose faith in Jesus is such that he cries out that Jesus is the “Son of David” (dangerous because it would mean that Jesus is the rightful king). Jesus heals his blindness because of Bartimaeus’ faith in him. To Jesus this is the most important thing – faith in him and the one who sent him – not a kingship.
This month take a look at what is important in your life. Are you focused on stuff or people? Are you looking at getting ahead, having power, prestige, and position or are you looking out for others – what can I do to help? Are you nurturing your faith or your grudges? Are you ready to answer Jesus if he asks you, “Hey! Hello in there! What's so important?What you got here that's worth living for?”
The national church of which we are a member, the EvangelicalLutheranChurch in America, is already planning a big celebration for 2017, the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. The theme selected is "Freed and Renewed in Christ -- 500 Years of God's Grace in Action."
Here's a quote from Luther to ponder: “These two, promise and faith, must go hand in hand- for where there is no promise, there can be no faith, and where there is no faith, there the promise comes to naught. But faith is not always uniformly firm but is assailed at times and becomes weak; the promise, on the other hand, as the eternal Word of God, remains equally firm and sure forever and ever.”
God grant you that continued renewal of faith.
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.
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Message from Our President …
Greetings to My Redeemer Friends,
In November we will be holding one of our two required annual congregational meetings. The purpose of this meeting will be to approve the 2016 budget and to elect members to four Church Council positions. Redeemer has a total of twelve Council members with 1/3 (four) up for election or re-election each year. A Council member’s term is for three years. A Council member may serve not more than two consecutive terms (six years). The Church Council elects the Church officers whose terms are one year. A Church officer may serve not more than two consecutive terms.
As you can see, the intent of Redeemer’s Constitution is to have new people rotating in to the decision making process while maintaining a level of continuity. The Nominating Committee is working on finding people willing to serve. Please pray for God’s guidance to accept a nomination to serve on the Church Council. We are counting on Christ, and Christ is counting on us.
Your Friend In Christ,
Larry Norlander
Reflections on WORSHIP
and DISCIPLESHIP by Margo Geesing
“Hey! Hello in there! Hey! What's so important?
What you got here that's worth living for?”
Miracle Max from The Princess Bride
1987 saw the movie The Princess Bride come out. It’s a wonderful love story that includes, as the Grandfather states, “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, True Love, miracles...” About two thirds of the way through the movie, after the male hero dies, his friends take him to Miracle Max to see if they can get a miracle to bring him back to life. The question Miracle Max asks Westley is, “Hey! Hello in there! Hey! What's so important? What you got here that's worth living for?” Westley’s answer is, “True Love.” Miracle Max continues with the statement, “True Love is the greatest thing in the world …” In the Gospel lessons from Mark for the month of October Jesus is again traveling hither and yond. He starts out in Capernaum and goes into the district of Judea and across the Jordan. He asks the same question of his followers (and those who want to become his followers), “what’s so important to you?”
The first week Jesus says that intimate relationships are important. The gift of another person who will stand by you as friend, companion, helpmate, and lover is part of God’s plan for us and that that person should not be put aside just because we tire of them, or it’s too much work to continue the relationship. He emphasizes that there is a difference between man’s laws and God’s laws. He continues with the importance of children. They are not things or commodities or something we possess. Rather they are to be treasured and brought to him; that we can learn from them.
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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 RedeemerLutheranChurch 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, IL60694-9300. Or donate online at:
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
October Birthdays
Judy NorlanderOctober9
Nina SmithOctober24
Helen HughesOctober30
Larry NorlanderOctober31
October Anniversaries
Charles and Shirley HollandOctober2
Carl and Jessica KeeneOctober13
George and Verna BeckerOctober18
Russ and Joan CullimoreOctober21
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THOSE WHO SERVE
THIS MONTH
Please study the following at home to prepare for Sunday Worship:
Lessons forthe 19thSunday after Pentecostthrough the 24thSunday afterPentecost
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Altar Guild
Beverly Dinning
Lottie Dolby
Carol Costello
Julia Langevin
Sylvia Makus
Acolyte
Sylvia Makus
Communion Assistant
Larry Norlander
Greeters
Pam Smithson
Linda Wilson
Reader
Terry Durham
Prayer Leader
Jerry Brady
Ushers
Shirlene Bradrick
Carol Kelley
Edith Sessa
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 this month!
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 – Reformation Sunday
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36
October 25, 2015 – 22nd Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126
Hebrews 7:23-28
Mark 10:46-52
November 1, 2015 – All Saints Day
Isaiah 25:6-9
Wisdom 3:1-9 (Alternate)
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6
John 11:32-44
November 1, 2015 – 23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Psalm 119:1-8
Hebrews 9:11-14
Mark 12:28-34
November 8, 2015 – 24th Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 17:8-16
Psalm 146
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44
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Altar Flowers for October
October4th:
Jean Ackerman in Loving Memory of My Husband, Stan.
October 11th:
Carmen Leslie in Honor of My Family.
October 18th:
Edith Sessa in Memory of Loved Ones.
Phyllis Mackey in Memory of My Wedding Anniversary.
October 25th:
Violet Quist in Memory of Ralph Quist.
Flower Chart Directions
- There are 2 bouquets for each Sunday.
- Print your name and the special reason for the request on the line next to the date you would like them.
- 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.
- 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:Shirley Anderson, Bea Bander, Russ Cullimore, Margaret Deaton, Patti Drumm, Bob Edwards, Lucy Fitch, 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: Rose Betancourt, Roman Bentley, Dave Buchanan, Julie Carlson, Rich Carlson, Caren Condon, Roxann Davis, Anna Dow, Eileen Dow, Nelly Dow, Chantay Freeland, Paul Higgenbotham, Bob Hockel, Cynthia Luff, Mary Matthews, Leslie McNeal, Karen Merkel, Ethan Millerick, 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.
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OUR BUDGETAND EXPENSES
Income and Expense Statement
for the Month Ending
August31, 2015
ActualBudgetVariance
Operating Income$9,967.25$9,855.00$112.25
Operating Expenses$9,079.84$9,855.00$775.16
Variance$887.41$0.00$887.41
Income and Expense Statement
for the 2015 Year to
August 31, 2015
ActualBudgetVariance
Operating Income$81,843.81$78,840.00$3,103.81
Operating Expenses$84,002.74$78,840.00-$5,162.74
Variance-$2,058.93 $0.00-$2,058.93
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!
Global Mission Call ~~
Our next Mission Moment will be on Sunday, October25th. In September, Flo presented the topic the Middle East/Europe Refugee crisis on September 27. Donations can be sent at any time to the ELCA disaster fund for this crisis. On the last Sunday of each month we take a moment to reflect on our call to serve all of God’s people.
The Outreach Team meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Conference Room at 2:00 p.m.
This month we will meet on
October27th.
“Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me.”
(Matthew 25:40)
We are Calling All People who like to talk, visit, go out, talk about our church, and be with people: the Outreach Team always has room for new members to join. It is easy work but very necessary. Many hands make light work! Try it, you may find that this is your call from God!
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Annual Pacifica Women of the ELCA
Convention and Gathering
The annual convention is November 6-8, 2015 at the Ontario Airport Hotel in Ontario. The theme is “God’s Spa – Refresing, Revitalizing, and Restoring Your Soul”. Registration deadline is October 18, 2015. Registration forms can be found on the Conference Room table.
Make checks payable to: Pacifica Women of the ELCA
Mail to: Jo Ann Longerbone
4678 Coconino Way, San Diego, Ca 92117
If you have any convention questions, please contact: Karen Ronchetti, SWO Vice President & Convention Chair
(714) 654-8919 OR e-mail:
A little request for our convention. . .We are asking all congregations to help us and bring: 2 dozen cookies to share (your favorites recipe) for our hospitality room.
Love gifts for:
SafeHouse (Thousand Palms & Riverside) and Option House (San Bernardino)
Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Twin Sheets and/or sets, blankets, hygiene products, Bath Soap, Shampoo, Laundry Soap, Lysol Wipes, Soft Soap Hand Soap, Napkins, Gift Cards (Target), laundry bags, hangers, slippers.
Bible Study
We are continuing our Bible Study in Octoberat 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. In the month of October we are exploring the parables of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew 25:31-46 and Luke 10:25-37; 12:13-21; 15:1-32; 16:1-13. The question we are exploring is how they are still relevant to our lives today. It lasts one hour and will be under the direction of Pastor Lynda Elmer. Bring your Bible and a friend! If you don’t have a Bible or it is too heavy to bring there are ones you may borrow on the shelves.
Bratwurst Luncheon
This year we will be having our annual bratwurst luncheon after our Reformation Worship Service on Sunday, October 25th. Everyone is invited to join us for a time of celebration, food, and fellowship! We will also be celebrating all those members who had birthdays in the month of October! We will be taking a freewill offering to cover the cost of the luncheon.