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THE REDEEMER REPORTER

     REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH                                                                                                     The Rev. Kirk Griebel
     1054 Truman Avenue                                                                                                                                            Home - 451-5266
     Owatonna, MN 55060                                                                                                                              Church Office - 451-2720
     Web site:www.redeemerowatonna.org                                                                                                  E-mail - rlcowat@smig.net

A Congregation of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod

April, 2010

                                                    

Dear Fellow Redeemed,

   

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The resurrection of Jesus is so important that someone once asked, “What more need be said?” The answer is nothing and everything.

We don’t need to say anything more than Christ is risen. That is all we need to say because that is all we need to have complete joy and hope for eternal life. No powers of height or depth, things present or things to come can rob us of the joy and hope we have through the power of Christ’s resurrection.

What does need to be said is what Christ’s resurrection means for us which is everything. It means that because Christ rose we too shall rise from the dead. Job says triumphantly: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,” (Job 19:25-26)

It means that the death that we will someday face is not the important death. The important death has already happened in the past. Jesus’ death matters to us because he died to sin; his death paid the penalty for our sins.

It also means that our last enemy has been destroyed. We struggle with enemies on earth in various ways. Some enemies are more bothersome than others. Death, the one enemy that is always there and always wants complete victory is now destroyed.

So while there is nothing more to say than, “Christ is risen,” there is so much that we can say about what this means to us.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Pastor Griebel


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Large View      ADULT BIBLE CLASSES AT REDEEMER     

 

SUNDAYS:  Pastor Griebel leads a class during the education hour in the Social Hall. The class is currently using a Lifelight study that covers three epistles of Paul: Galations, Philippians and Colossians.

WEDNESDAY: Pastor Krause’s Wednesday morning class will resume on April 7 at 9:30 and will begin a study of prayer.

The reward for being part of our Bible studies is a deeper appreciation of our Bible-based christian faith.  New members are always welcome.

     Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend our Adult Bible Studies!

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REDEEMER HAPPENINGS...

 

EASTER BREAKFAST – the Youth will be having Easter breakfast at 7:30 a.m.  On the menu will be french toast, bacon and fresh fruit.  Hope to see you there.

 

HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP – the highway clean-up is scheduled for Monday, April 12 at 5:00 p.m. 

Everyone should meeting at Sette Sports. 

 

APRIL VOTERS MEETING – the April Voters meeting will be on Sunday, April 25. after the 9:00 a.m. worship service in the Social Hall. The main item on the agenda will be the election of officers and board members.

SPRING BIBLE SALE Concordia Publishing House is offering special discount pricing on its most popular Bibles now through May 31. These Bibles make great confirmation and graduation gifts and can be imprinted with the person’s name. See the church office for more details.

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SPECIAL REDEEMER NOTES:

- LARGE PRINT copies of the hymns we will use in worship on sundays will now be available from the ushers at each service.

- PORTALS OF PRAYER AND MY DEVOTIONS for the months of January through March are available on the register stand in the narthex.

- RIDES FOR CHURCH If you are in need of a ride to church, remember that Redeemer can provide rides to church in our church van.  If you need a ride to  church please call the church office, 451-2720.  Van drivers can provide "curb to curb" service only.  They are not able to provide assistance in getting in and out of the van.

-REDEEMER ON THE AIRWAVES Charter Communications offers a one hour broadcast of our services on Channel 8 at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.

-LUTHERAN HOUR radio broadcasts are on KDHL Sundays - Radio (920AM) at 6:00 p.m.  KJLY (93.5FM) at 6:00 p.m. or WCCO (830AM) at 6:00 a.m.To listen to the Lutheran Hour at any time or find out about other resources available from the Lutheran Hour, simply go to their web site, www.lutheranhour.org

-JOYFUL RESPONSE Joyful Response electronic offering program is a very simple way for members to give their offerings electronically instead of writing out checks.  If you need a form to sign up for Joyful Response, contact the church office.

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REDEEMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES

FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION:  We would like to say a big THANK YOU to all who helped with the Sunday School Christmas Program this year; including the children, parents, teachers, helpers, leaders, and organist. Thank you to Jan for writing the Christmas program. Thank you to the Kuchenbecker family for donating the "treat bags" for the children of the congregation. Thank you to the Fellowship committee for helping us with the "Birthday Party for Jesus" cake and refreshments. Thank you to all for your donations to the Youth Breakfast in December and the Cookie Walk. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. BVS Day Camp is scheduled for July 2010.; more details to be given at a later date.

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SAGES GATHERING

Rejoice in the Lord Always” is the theme of the upcoming SAGES gathering May 3 & 4 in Mankato. SAGES is the name of our District ministry to Older Adults. The gathering will feature worship, Bible study, physical and vocal exercises and entertainment. Dr. Rich Bimler will be the featured speaker.

For more information contact the church office.

CAMP OMEGA AND THE STATE FAIR

The Chinatown, MN restaurant at the Minnesota State Fair provides much-needed funding to Camp Omega our District’s premier outdoor ministry facility. Volunteers are being recruited to work at the restaurant during this year’s State Fair which runs August 26-Sept. 6.

Volunteers work a 7-8 hour shift and also receive a free admission ticket to the Fair on the day that they work. The shifts are scheduled so that volunteers can spend time enjoying the Fair either before or after their shift. Free Fair parking is available at one of several parking lots that shuttle fairgoers to and from the Fair.  If you would like to volunteer for a shift at Chinatown, MN please contact Pastor Griebel.  NOTE: You don’t have to like Chinese food to work at the restaurant!

FAMILY EMERGENCIES

Be prepared with LCEF.  Given uncertain interest rates and employment challenges around the glove, family emergency funds are more important than ever.  LCEF'S Family Emergency Account is an opportunity to set aside funds for the unexpected and unplanned expense, while earning competitive rates of interest and supporting the Church.  For current rates, click on lcef.org or call 1-800-THE LCEF (1-800-843-5233) for more information.

 

DUE TO PRIVACY REGULATIONS:

Hospitals and other health care facilities do not provide churches with information about members who are under their care.  Redeemer does not get a call from the hospital when members of the congregation are admitted.  The only way Pastor Griebel can find out about a hospitalization is if he is contacted by the patient or a family member at 451-2720 or 451-5266.

SIGN UP FOR ALTAR FLOWERS

Would you like to provide flowers to beautify our altar for worship on a Sunday morning? If you do, simply sign your name on the 2008 Flower Chart located on a bulletin board next to the office. If you are giving the flowers in memory of a loved one, or because of a wedding/anniversary or birthday, you may indicate that on the chart and we will share that information in the bulletin. Once you sign up, place a check for $19.00, made out to Redeemer Lutheran Church, in a special envelope marked “Altar Flowers”. Take it to the church office or place it in the offering plate. If you wish to have a special arrangement, contact the church office.

HOW TO SURVIVE THE FLU SEASON

Wash your hands, don't touch your face with your hands.  If washing your hands is not possible use hand sanitizer.  Have a container of disinfecting wipes handy.  If you are sick, stay home.  Get a flue shot.  For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

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HOLY WEEK & EASTER WORSHIP-

Thursday, April 1,

6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday worship with Holy Communion and First Communion.

Friday, April 2,

6:30 p.m. Good Friday worship with Stripping of the Altar.

Sunday, April 4,

6:30 a.m. Easter sunrise service with communion

7:30 a.m. to 8:30.- Youth breakfast

9:00 a.m. Easter worship with communion.

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WHAT’S THE SYNOD’S POSITION ON…?

Ever wondered what the official position of our denomination, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, is on a particular issue or issues? Now you can find out in a new book in our church library by our synodical president, Dr. Jerry Kieschnick entitled This We Believe. The book covers over 50 topics with about 2-3 pages per topic.

 

KICKOFF WITH K.I.D.S.

LCEF’s K.I.D.S. Stamp program is a family opportunity to help children learn how to support the Church and learn the first steps of investing before they get into unmanageable debt as young adults.  Kickoff a K.I.D.S. program at your church/school, contact lcef.org or call 1-800-THE LCEF (1-800-843-5233) for more information.  “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

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Receive Redeemer's Newsletter Online!

We now have the capability of sending Redeemer's entire monthly newsletter by email. 

If you would like to sign up to receive your church newsletter on line simply email the church at rlcowat@smig.net. The church will not give your email address to anyone else and will not send you any junk mail. 

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MAINTAIN YOUR BRAIN –

Helpful hints from the Alzheimer’s Association

 

1.  Eat Healthy:

 

2.  Stay Active

 

3.  Maintain Relationships

 

4.  Rest

 

5.  Relax

 

6.  Communicate with your Doctor

 

7.  Access Help