RedeemerLutheran
Church & School
1261 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA15139-1195
(412) 828-9323
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Naumann, Pastor
Newsletter
VOLUME XXVIIFEBRUARY 2007NUMBER 2
YOU AND YOUR WITNESS
LOVING CHRIST’S BODY
Love is a valuable feature of every Christian’s witness to the world. Yet, love is not always easy. Hopefully greater awareness of the part we play in the body of Christ will motivate us to love one another. For love has less to do with Valentine’s Day than it does with appreciating what we are in Christ.
Although one does not have to be married to know what love is about, scripture uses marriage as an illustration to help us understand our stewardship of Christian love, caring, compassion and mercy.
The Bible says, “Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church -- for we are members of his body” (Ephesians 5:28-30).
All of us today enjoy caring for ourselves, whether it is eating properly, exercising, treating ourselves to life’s little pleasures or just having fun. Yet as we feed and care for our own bodies, this love for ourselves should serve as an illustration of why Christ Himself loves us as He does. Being incarnate means Christ has a human body Himself. Furthermore, He became man “for us men and for our salvation” as the creed puts it.
This is a great mystery, but Christ saves humanity because we are both His bride and His own flesh.
“Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself” Ephesians 5:25-28).
The water Christ uses to cleanse us is nothing other than the sacrament of Baptism. And what made our cleansing in that way possible was nothing less than the cross on which our Redeemer was crucified for us, to take away our sins.
Christians know that the reason we love God is that He loved us first and saved us by giving Himself for us in Jesus Christ. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (ESV Romans 5:8). Christians also bear witness to what we know by what we do – including how we love.
Just as for Christians the exchange of gifts at Christmas time recalls God’s gift to us, of His Son Jesus Christ, so the giving of gifts and offerings in the Church has in mind the fact that God is the supreme giver.
The two main Laws of God - that we love Him above all things and our neighbors as ourselves - actually combine in the Christian stewardship of love. This is because when we love our neighbors in the body of Christ we are loving Christ who is the head of the body.
This is such a simple concept. Nevertheless, it is easy to put a lot of distance between loving God and loving our neighbors. Yet when these two activities are combined everybody wins. Members of the body of Christ are loved and supported as they should be and God is given the worship that He deserves.
To love God and every member of Christ’s “body” is not a neutral position one can take or leave. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus briefly says that “whoever welcomes a little child like this welcomes me”. What a welcome contribution it would make to our witness, if people saw us loving one another both within the Church and outside of it, all because of our love for God, in the Name of Jesus!
Your fellow servant of our Redeemer,
OFFICIAL ACTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS……
ATTENDANCE AT WORSHIP:
December church communed SS/BC
24th 95 N/A
31st 133 104 47
Christmas Eve: 185
Christmas Day: 75 68
January church communed SS/BC
7th 146 11966
14th 128 52
21st 11290
Total communed: 291
Avg. Sun. Attend.: 126
Funeral Services
May the Lord comfort and sustain all who mourn the death of Mr. Ken Mink who was called home with our heavenly Father on Sunday, January 7, 2007.
PRAYER CORNER
The following are those members, family and friends of Redeemer who have been in our prayers recently.
Ruth Leinhos, Rev. Emil Lavcek, Barb Mozeik, Earl Pauli, Ed Kirn, Larry Weber, Jean Louise Jones, Ken Mink,
Debbie Ezatoff (friend of Ruth Soules), Ann Gray, Carol Ritt, Beth Schlamann, Grace Hunter (friend of Ginny Humphrey), Scott Pollard (brother of Sarah Lemon).
Please continue to remember them in your prayers as we pray for their continued healing and strength.
DIRECTORY UPDATE - ADDRESS CHANGE
Driscoll Family (Dan, Karen, Chrissy, John)
242 Hannahstown Road
Cabot, PA 16023
Cell Phone Numbers:
Dan724-994-8097Karen 724-822-4067
Chrissy724-3162979John 724-816-6103
DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT?
Why not write a note or call one or more of our shut-ins…
it will make their day!
Elaine Chadwick Ed Kirn
1382 Elliott St.922 Pearl Ave.
Verona, PA 15147Springdale, PA15144
412-793-8363724-275-7192
Gene MagistriBill Ciceske
326 Coleman DriveLund Center A/L
Monroeville, PA 15146134 Marwood Rd.
412-373-0208Cabot, PA 16023
Audrey O’LearyEarl Pauli
c/o St. Margaret Seneca Place148 Marwood Rd. 5360 Saltsburg Rd; Rm. 234DApt. 1223
Verona, PA 15147Cabot, PA 16023
FEBRUARYCELEBRATIONS…
Happy birthday to all who are celebrating their birthdays in February and congratulations to you who are observing weddinganniversaries in February. Pleaseinform the office of any omissionsor mistakes of birthdays oranniversaries. New members, pleaseinform the office of your birthday,anniversary, etc. Thank you!
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
5thLaura Adams, Brigette Bouchat
6thHeidi Shoop
9thAshley Bajack
10thGlena Melick, Sally Johnson,
Mike Bajack
11thAnthony Simboli
14thJohn Zern, Darlene Barker
21stMark Galecki, Debra Terhune*
24thKelly Hackwelder*
29thMegan King
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
29thRobert & Janine Boehmer (1992)
*Denotes our Day School personnel who are non-members
Lutheran Service Book Presentation
There will be a luncheon on February 11, 2007 after worship services. After the luncheon, Pastor Naumann will give a presentation about the Lutheran Service Book. Mark your calendar, and plan to attend.
FEBRUARY BIBLE READINGS . . .
The goal of the “Daily Lectionary” is not to read through the entire Bible each year. Rather, two readings of 15-35 verses each are provided for each day, one from the Old Testament, the other from the New Testament. Under this arrangement, nearly all of the New Testament and approximately 1/3 of the Old Testament are read each year.
1stLuke 2:29-32; Exodus 1-316th Psalm 73; Leviticus 4-6
2ndPsalm 59; Exodus 4-617th Psalm 74; Leviticus 7-9
3rdPsalm 60; Exodus 7-918th Psalm 75; Leviticus 10-12
4thPsalm 61;Exodus 10-1219th Psalm 76; Leviticus 13-15
5thPsalm 62; Exodus 13-15 20th Psalm 77; Leviticus 16-18
6thPsalm 63; Exodus 16-1821st Psalm 78; Leviticus 19-21
7thPsalm 64; Exodus 19-2122ndPsalm 79; Leviticus 22-24
8thPsalm 65; Exodus 22-2423rdPsalm 80; Leviticus 25-27
9thPsalm 66; Exodus 25-2724thPsalm 81; Numbers 1-3
10thPsalm 67; Exodus 28-3025thPsalm 82; Numbers 4-6
11th Psalm 68; Exodus 31-3326thPsalm 83; Numbers 7-9
12th Psalm 69; Exodus 34-3627th Psalm 84; Numbers 10-12
13thPsalm 70; Exodus 37-3828th Luke2:29-32; Numbers 13-15
14thPsalm 71; Exodus 39-40
15thPsalm 72; Leviticus 1-3
Serving Our Lord During February…
USHER & DEACON SCHEDULE
Sun., Feb. 4thKen Sprouse, Jason Weber
Rob Wilshire, John Zern
Deacon: Larry Weber
Sun., Feb. 11thKen Beckwith, Peter Bodnar
Charlie Buttgereit, Ray Dinkfelt
Deacon: Bob Auger
Sun., Feb. 18thFred Feidt, Don Mink
Jim Ostrosky, Chris Pauli
Deacon: Clair Beckwith
Wed., Feb 21stKen Sprouse, Jason Weber
(Ash Wed)Rob Wilshire, John Zern
(7:00 pm)Deacon: Fred Bodnar
Sun., Feb. 25thKen Beckwith, Peter Bodnar
Charlie Buttgereit, Ray Dinkfelt
Deacon: Dan Driscoll
CANTOR SCHEDULE
Sun.,Feb. 4th - Bill NelsonSun., Feb. 18th- Eric ToftWed., Feb. 21st- Bill Nelson
SOUND OPERATOR SCHEDULE
Sun., Feb. 4thJeff Meier Sun., Feb. 11thJim OstroskySun., Feb. 18thKaren Toft(7:00pm)Wed., Feb. 21stDan Driscoll Sun., Feb. 25thJeff Meier
GREETER SCHEDULE
Sun., Feb. 4th - Narthex:Imogene King
Vestibule:Karen Ostrosky
Alternate:Bob & Paulette Reddinger
Sun., Feb. 11th Narthex:Linda SprouseVestibule:Ruth Anthony
Alternate:Fred & June Bodnar
Sun., Feb. 18th Narthex:Dan & Karen Driscoll
Vestibule:Imogene King
Alternate:Karen Ostrosky
Wed., Feb. 21st Narthex:Bob & Paulette Reddinger
(Ash Wed.) Vestibule:Linda Sprouse
( 7:00 pm) Alternate:Ruth Anthony
Sun., Feb. 25th Narthex:Fred & June Bodnar
Vestibule:Dan & Karen Driscoll
Alternate:Imogene King
NURSERY SCHEDULE
Sun., Feb. 4th- Susan PuglieseSun., Feb. 11th - Gail SmoulderSun., Feb. 18th - Karen ToftSun., Feb. 25th- Diane Auvil
Youth Group News:
The youth group will be attending the “Higher Things” youth conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 24th – 27th. We will also be stopping at Chicago on July 23rd and 28th. The cost of the conference is $275 per youth/adult attending, plus traveling expenses.
The members of the youth group are offering to do household jobs for congregation members in exchange for a donation towards their conference cost. Anyone interested in having snow shoveled, a room cleaned, boxes lifted, or whatever else you may need help with, please contact Linda Hagey.
The Youth Group will also be sponsoring a “Sweetheart Breakfast” on Saturday, February 10 from 9:00 to 10:30 am. A free will offering will be used to help offset the costs of the conference also. All youth members are asked to be at the church on Friday evening at 7 pm to set up for the breakfast.
WORK NIGHT SCHEDULED
The Trustees have scheduled a work-night for FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2007 AT 6:30 PM to complete some painting and ceiling tile installation in the new classroom and bathroom areas. Everyone is welcome to come out and assist. Many hands make the work lighter!!
THE WEIGHT OF A SNOWFLAKE
A squirrel once asked a bird to tell him how much a snowflake weighed.
“Why, a snowflake doesn’t weight anything,” the bird replied. Then the squirrel told this story.
“I was sitting in a tree when it began to snow,” he said. “Just for fun, I counted the snowflakes as they settled on the twigs and needles of a single branch. The number reached exactly 6,834. When the next snowflake fell—the next weightless snowflake, as you say—the branch broke off.”
The bird thought about this for a minute. “If something as light as a single snowflake can snap a twig,” he declared, “perhaps the combined weight of people working together in a church can also make a difference.”
WOMAN k WOMAN
Mark your calendars now for the W+W Spring Retreat:
April 27-28, 2007. We will leave the school at 6pm on Friday, April 27 and return to the school at 8pm on Saturday, April 28. The price of the retreat will be $58 per person. This includes lunch and dinner on Saturday and overnight accommodations, including linens and towels.
This year’s theme for discussion sessions will be the “Song of Solomon”. Registration forms will be available at the beginning of February. If you have any questions, please see Deaconess Cheryl Naumann.
Topics for February include:
February 2: Caring for Ourselves as We Care for Others
February 9: Share A Good Book (bring a book and tell us why you liked it)
February 16: A look at Christian Poetry
February 23: Do Hell and the Devil really exist?
All women are invited to attend W+W sessions held every Friday at 9:15 am and 12:30pm.
Deaconess Cheryl Naumann
Cell: 412-983-6122 Home 412-826-8833
Church/School 412-828-9323
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
To the choirs (both Sr. and Handbell), all the soloists and the visitors and students from out of town who participated in making the 2006 Christmas music very special and outstanding….We say “thanks” for your participation! We will have some CD’s available closer to spring with the Christmas music recorded if anyone is interested.
Many thanks to Amy Kapp for directing the Choir in January. Great job, Amy, and God Bless You!
The duet on January 14 by Sarah Lemon and Dorothy Naumann was the subject of conversation among everyone. What beautiful voices God has given Sarah and Dorothy. The entire congregation was in awe. Thank you both and please volunteer to sing often!
The “Grab ‘n Go” lunch was very successful. You generously donated $375.10 and $233 had been donated previously to the “Sitting Pretty” chair fund. With this $610 we are well underway towards buying 100/120 chairs for the fellowship hall. The music committee will be meeting this month to discuss which chairs would be best for our purpose.
The sanctuary piano was tuned in December and the school piano was tuned in January. A repair was necessary on the organ, and this was completed in January.
Betty is looking for someone to be “guest choir director” in February and May. Want to give it a try? Choose one of those months and see Betty.
Would You Like to Learn To Play the Bells?
Here is your opportunity! On Wednesday, Feb. 7 & 14, Cheryl will be conducting a “Bell Choir Workshop” to help new “ringers” become acquainted with the joy of ringing bells in the Bell Choir. We’ll meet together for the workshop from 6:15 – 7:00 pm on those two evenings, AND all those who would like to play bells for the Ash Wednesday Service on Feb. 21 will then rehearse from 7:00-7:30 pm.
Once Lent begins on Feb. 21, the Bell Choir will still continue to meet every Wednesday from 6:15 – 6:45 pm and will then play at the 7:00 pm Lenten worship services.
Playing the bells is as easy as counting and flicking your wrist when it’s your turn to play! Come and give it a try!!
MARRIED COUPLES CLUB
Redeemer’s Married Couples Club met on January 16 with the newly elected officers and chair people presiding:
President – Betty Harvat
V.Pres – Marilyn Honsperger
Secretary – Eunice Meier
Treasurer – Bill Cummings
Archives Committee:
Chaired by Butch & Jeanne Buttgereit
Concern for Others Committee: All active members
Membership Committee: - Jeff & Eunice Meier
Sick Committee: - Catherine Beckwith
Social Committee – Barbara Cummings
Program Committee Chairlady – Marilyn Honsperger
Our calendar for 2007 is as follows:
FebruaryNo Meeting or Social Event
MarchNo Meeting or Social Event
April Annual Banquet – watch church bulletins
for date and location
MayCovered Dish Dinner and Work Project
JuneHelp with Strawberry Festival
JulyNo Meeting or Social Event
AugustPicnic – date and location tba
SeptemberNo Meeting or Social Event
OctoberWine & Cheese Party – date &location tba
NovemberMeeting – elect officers for 2008;
Plan December Congregational Christmas
Party
December 8, 2007 Congregational Covered Dish
Dinner Christmas Party
January ’08 Meeting – Coins collected during 2007
will be rolled for treasury.
All regular meetings are held in the church fellowship hall on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome at our meetings and social events.
Please keep this schedule handy and consider participating during the year.
Redeemer Lutheran Church
2007 Lenten Series – Our Suffering Savior
Wednesday, February 21 – 7:00 pm
Ash Wednesday: Who has Believed? (Isaiah 53:1)
Wednesday, February 28 – 7:00 pm
Lent 2: Appearances Can be Deceiving
(Isaiah 52:14; 52:23)
Wednesday, March 7 – 7:00 pm
Lent 3: By His Wounds We Are Healed
(Isaiah 53:4-5)
Wednesday, March 14 – 7:00 pm
Lent 4: Stray Sheep (Isaiah 53:6)
Wednesday, March 21 – 7:00 pm
Lent 5: Knowing When to Keep Quiet (Isaiah 53:7)
Wednesday, March 28 – 7:00 pm
Lent 6: Is There No Justice? (Isaiah 53:8)
Thursday, April 5 –7:00 pm
Maundy Thursday: Bloodbath (Isaiah 52:15)
Friday, April 6 – 10:30 am and 7:00 pm
Good Friday: A Rich Burial (Isaiah 53:9)
Sunday, April 8 – 7:30 am
Easter Sunrise Service
He is Risen Indeed! (1 Corinthians 15)
Sunday, April 8 – 10:45 am
Easter Festival Worship
Satisfaction Guaranteed (Isaiah 53:10-11)
SCHOOL NEWS
TO REDEEMER
We extend a warm welcome to the Mann family on joining the roster of Redeemer.
UPDATES:
Looking forward:
Feb. 14th Class Parties
Feb. 19th No School
Feb. 21st Ash Wednesday
7:00 pm Worship Service
ATTENTION ALL LADIES
The step-aerobic class has been going full swing. Classes are held in the Fellowship Hall on Monday evenings - 7:00 – 8:00 pm. In addition to the cardio workout, we also work on our inner and outer thighs, abdominals, do some light weight upper-body toning and strengthening and finish with some cool down stretching. Bring a step, a mat or heavy towel and light hand weights (no more than 3 lbs. to start). Even if you don’t have a step or weights, come out anyway. Some of the exercises can be done without them. So grab your sneakers and your workout clothes and join us for an hour that is good for your health!!
During the winter season – Use your good judgment on whether to venture out for class.
MISSIONS
January’s chapel offering will be shared with The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind and The Lutheran Blind Mission, St. Louis.
For Your Information
St. Matthew Lutheran Church’s auction tobenefit St.MatthewChristianAcademy’s Student Assistance Fund is scheduled for February 17, 2007 at FirstEvangelicalChurch in Sharpsburg. Mark your calendars now to attend. They are also seeking donations of items to be auctioned. Please call to make a donation or for additional information: St.MatthewChristianAcademy 412-321-6662 or Jenny Pearson 412-216-5279 or email to .
Lenten Soup & Salad Dinners
Our school will be hosting the Lenten “Soup & Salad Dinner” from 5:45 – 6:45 each Wednesday during Lent, starting on Ash Wednesday, February 21. A “free-will” donation is requested, which will benefit our school. If you would like to help out by making soup or providing a dessert, please contact Gail Holzer.