Redeemer Lutheran Church
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Newsletter
March 2010
From Pastor Miller….
Every now and then I read a book that has true staying power. Such a book is A Long Obedience in the Same Direction written by Eugene Peterson. The chapters of his book form the rough outline for this year’s Wednesday Lenten Services. Below are some quotes from his beginning chapter.
· “One aspect of the world that I have been able to identify as harmful to Christians is the assumption that anything worthwhile can be acquired at once. Our attention spans have been conditioned by thirty-second commercials.”
· “It is not difficult in such a world to get a person interested in the message of the gospel; it is terrifically difficult to sustain the interest. Millions of people in our culture make decisions for Christ but there is a dreadful attrition rate. Many claim to have been born again, but the evidence for mature Christian discipleship is slim.”
· “Religion in our time has been captured by the tourist mindset. Religion is understood as a visit to an attractive site to be made when we have adequate leisure. For some it is a weekly jaunt to church. For others, occasional visits to special services. Some, with a bent for religious entertainment and sacred diversion, plan their lives around special events like retreats, rallies and conferences.”
· “In going against the stream of the word’s ways there are two biblical designations for people of faith…disciple says we are people who spend our lives apprenticed to our master, Jesus Christ… We do not acquire information about God but skills in faith… Pilgrim tells us we are people who spend our lives going someplace, going to God, and whose path for getting there is the way, Jesus Christ.”
PRESCHOOL NEWS
What is faith in the eyes and thoughts of a child:
© I believe it is like a tree; they are always reaching for the sky.
© It is like a story from the Bible, it teaches me the stories, and then I teach others when I go home.
© My faith is like a plant, it grows!
© It is like my house, the wind can’t blow it over, and it stands strong.
© My faith knows that Jesus is my friend and that he is always with me.
Through the eyes of children we see God’s blessings.”Blessed are the people who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord” The children will tell friends and families about their Savior and in faith is a wonderful way to share God’s word.
Thank you: We want to thank the congregation for inviting our Preschool families to share in the Valentines Dance. The families and children enjoyed the evening. This was a wonderful way for families from preschool to meet our congregational family.
Roorbach Spring Plant Sale: Watch for more information on our Spring Flower Sale in late March or early April.
Events that are happening in March:
We are having parent conferences March 1-5, educating parents about the development of their child socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
We will also be talking about community helpers, with special guests coming into the classrooms. We will celebrate green day and pajama day. Wow, this should be fun! Of course spring is around the corner so we will be watching for new beginnings. We will be waiting to hear about our Savior who died on the cross for our sins.
The Lord will bless our ministry with stories from the Bible: Women at the Well, the Easter story, and Jesus appearing to his friends. We continue to use God’s word to work with our families and children so they too can talk about their faith.
Registration: We still have openings in the M-W-F P.M. class. If you know of any families that are looking for a preschool, please tell them to call the office at 684-3989.
God’s work is present in our preschool. In January we started registration and by Feb. 5th, the morning classes were filled.
Redeemer Family Weekend—March 20 & 21
Family Game Night—March 20
On Saturday, March 20 at 6:30 pm bring your favorite board game and/or card game to Redeemer and play some games together. Also, bring your favorite snack or dessert to share!
Family Worship—March 21
On Sunday, March 21 at 9:15 am we will have a family oriented worship service for our Sunday school children. It will be part of our Sunday school that day. Parents and children should attend, learn and grow together. Hope to see you there!
Confirmation Reminder
Due to our Lenten suppers and worship services on Wednesday’s this month, there are no Wednesday confirmation classes. Wednesday classes will resume on April 7. Year 2 Confirmands do not forget to work on your Final Project! It is due on Easter Sunday, April 4. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Kolonich.
Fusion Worship—Life Together
March 7: This Is It??? Text: 1 Peter 1:3-5
March 14: How Do You Know Who I Am? Text: 1 Peter 2:9-12
March 21: How Can I Believe in a God Who Would… Text: 1 Peter 4:12-25
March 28: I Need This…and This…and This… Text: 1 Peter 4:1-6
Have you gone completely celluar? If you no longer have a land line phone, please contact the church office with your cell number. We have been having a problem reaching members via phone because they have changed to using a cell phone only.
Membership Changes
Transfer Out: Linda Rieck to Good Shepherd, Two Rivers
Removed at Own Request: Charlotte Mahnke
Received by Profession of Faith:
Corrine Eichmann
Crystal Selsing
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Soup and Sandwich Suppers
If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to attend a soup and sandwich supper before any of the Wednesday evening Lenten services. There is no cost, however a free-will offering is accepted and will be used by the group hosting the supper for their activities.
Donations of soup, sandwiches, cookies, bars, crackers, coffee, kool-aid, milk and paper products would be appreciated by any of the host groups. PLEASE sign up on the lobby bulletin board, so that enough food, etc. is on hand for each meal.
Lenten Coin Folders may be returned at anytime between now and Easter. Drop them in the box provided in the lobby. If you have coins in your folder, please use one of the envelopes provided to return you folder. The contributions received from the coin folders will be used to support our Thailand Mission Project and Haiti Relief.
Office Volunteers
Our secretary, Mary Eisenschink, is planning a warm weather vacation to St. Thomas in March so we are looking for a few volunteers to man the church office during her absence. Hours would be from 9-noon and 1-3p.m. March 9-17th. No experience necessary other than a pleasant phone voice and the ability to greet visitors with a smile. Give Mary a call if you would like to volunteer.
Annual Habitat Spring Chili Lunch and Bake Sale
Saturday, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc
Cost is $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Takeout Quarts are $6.00
Donations of pies, cakes, bars, breads, etc. would be appreciated for the bake sale. Items can be dropped off at First Lutheran on Friday, March 19 between noon – 3 p.m. and on Saturday, March 20 after 9 – 11 a.m.
Vacationing Members
Grace Lutheran, Destin, FL: hass
Wheaton Bible Church, Chicago, IL: MacDonald
Immanuel Lutheran, Glenview, IL: Beke
First Evangelical Lutheran, Red Wing, MN: MacDonald
As you travel out-of-town this winter, bring back a bulletin from the churches you attend and we’ll list your name here next month. Remember to put your name, the name of the church, city and state on the cover of the bulletin.
FUND-RAISING POLICY
The Executive Board has passed a policy that all fund raising projects will need approval by the Executive Board before they can be implemented.
This policy will help schedule fund raising on a more timely basis so that we do not have several events going at the same time. Approval will be given on a first come basis if more than one event is applied for in the same time frame.
If your group wants to sponsor any type of fund-raising project, pick up a form from the church office and return it at least six weeks before your event. The Executive Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at which time your request will be reviewed and approved or disapproved.
Reminder to all Sunday School Parents!
On the first Sunday of the month, the Sunday school choirs (Cherub & Harmony) sing as part of our Sunday morning worship service. Please make sure that your children are in attendance at these services. They work very hard throughout the month to participate and add to our worship. Both choirs will be singing again on Sunday, March 7 during the 10:30 worship service.
“How beautiful…”
…the feet of those who bring good news!” Redeemer is preparing to share the love of Jesus Christ to people across the globe! Pastor Kolonich will be leading a mission trip to Hong Kong at the end of October. This mission trip will be teaching English in a Christian high school. Tentative dates are: October 21-31, 2010. If you would like to learn more information about this mission trip opportunity, come to the Informational Meeting to be held on Sunday, March 7 immediately following the 10:30 worship
