*Pastor's Message
*Financial Statement
*World Day of Prayer Service
Announcements
Communion (Regular services): 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
1. Holy Week: Maundy Thurs April 1- 7:00 pm;
Good Fri April 2 - 10:00 am;
Easter Sunday, April 4 - 10:00 am.
2. Season of Easter (50 Days) - April 4 (Easter Sun. - May 23 (Pentecost)
Pastor's Newsletter Message - April 2021
(For those of you who are grammar scholars I would like to explain that I have the habit of writing sermons as I will speak them. Over time, this has become an expression of sharing my thoughts. You will find this to be true in the following. I ask for your indulgence.)
Scriptures of the first “Easter morning”: Matthew 28: 1-8, Mark 16: 1-8, Luke 24: 1-12 and John 20: 1-18
There is no more glorious story ever told than that of the resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels give different perspectives of the event but they all have the same message - Jesus has risen! In Matthew's gospel, the three Mary's who have discovered the empty tomb are reassured by the angel who declares the same words that Mary, Jesus' mother heard when the angel appeared to the young virgin with the message of a birth, "Do not be afraid."
After the days of Lent during which we were growing in faith, listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit's soft guidance and trusting in the promises of the Lord, the day finally arrives. Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. To save you; to save me; to save the world! Generation to generation; every race, colour and gender can hear the hope and love and joy of EASTER that is being shouted out to the world! Jesus Christ came to bring salvation and hope for us all. Victory over sin and death!
Sadly, in a recent video sent by a friend of mine, a diverse group of people from around the globe were interviewed regarding the bible. NOT religion, but the bible. For most, the only thing they knew was to use Jesus' name as a swear word. Isaiah, Matthew, Dorcas, Deborah, Jonah...these were just names with no depth or understanding of their story. [Such as: Have you heard of the bible? Who are these people in Jesus' story? What makes them part of God's story? Are they or the events they take part in even important? For example, why is it such a big deal that the women are the first to become the bearers of the message of the resurrection? Why is it not disciples? How does it make the message of God's love and salvation more powerful? More relevant? Does it all speak to us today? How do we continue to share the news with the world?] We are now sharing the Good News in post-Christian times.
The Good News is that Easter is the fulfillment of the story that began at Christmas. The fulfillment of the promises of the prophets and Hebrew Scriptures of the Messiah who would come as the salvation of all. Though the Church has tried throughout the ages to adapt worldly (pagan?) symbols to explain Easter (bunny rabbits, butterflies, eggs, etc.) the truth of the story has never altered or wavered. Jesus Christ died for us all and rose again.
As we celebrate the Easter season within the restrictions of the COVID pandemic, the pomp and ceremony of the season have been left behind. Though this is distressing and disappointing the journey of Holy Week (Palm/Passion Sunday, Maundy Thurs., Good Fri. and Vigil of Easter Sat.) is no less powerful. The humility of Jesus riding into Jerusalem in a parody of the parades of the Romans, the celebration of the Passover meal with the disciples, the arrest and beating of Jesus, the tortuous journey to the cross, the nails, the pain, and death. The darkness of heartbreak and grief. Doubts of hope. But we are not left in the darkness. All that happened previously has led to the blinding light of the resurrected Christ.
The Season of Easter celebrates this wondrous Good News for 50 days. (Sun. April 4 through to Sun. May 23-Pentecost). This is a story that the Church around the world continues to proclaim - the resurrection. You and I and all the believers of Christ are called to tell the story of Christ. The Holy Spirit breaths upon creation to touch all who have not yet heard the Gospel, the Good News, of Easter. Generation to Generation the story continues. To ALL people! Let our voices shout the wonderful Good News of hope and salvation - Christ is Risen! He has Risen Indeed! Hallelujah.
Blessed Easter,
Pastor Laurel
Finance Report: January February 2021
The season of Lent started on February 18th. Here is a poem, believed to be written by Pope Francis, to read for Lent.
Do you want to fast this Lent?
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from worries and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.
Redeemer Council met online on Shrove Tuesday, February 16 and Wednesday, March 17 at 7 PM. Dorothy provided the financial statements respectively for the months of January and February 2021.
Givings for the month of January fell short of budget by $1535.00. Givings recovered in February with a budget surplus of $1595.00. Council thanks those who have faithfully given to Redeemer during the pandemic lockdown. Our congregation has been able to stay solvent during this different and difficult time.
Council asked the congregation to provide financial support to our Pancake Supper even though we were unable to hold a supper this year. There was $210.00 given to this project and more funds have come in since the end of February and will be reported next month.
Our church expenses are staying on track with the budget. We received the wage subsidy in February which has put us ahead of budget by $1026.54. The wage subsidy will be available until June 2021.
Overall financially we are doing well.
Thanks Be To God
Redeemer Finance Committee
Rick Norberg Marv Hollender Don Wrobleski
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE
Have you had a chance to see the World Day of Prayer Service?
Here is the website: wicc.org
then click: one hour World Day of Prayer service
Next: Resent posts
One Hour World Day of Prayer Service
2021 Elected Executive:
Chair: Heddy Mueller
Vice-Chair: Rick Norberg
Secretary: Kathy Maxon
Envelope Secretary: Sharolyn Molnar
Treasurer: Dorothy Raynor
Financial Committee: Rick Norberg, Don Wrobleski, Marvin Hollender
Mission Committee: Kathy Maxon, Jan Cuggy, Sharolyn Molnar
Parish Committee: Shelley Kretchman, Jerry Erickson, Tyler Foster
Our mailing address is:
Redeemer Lutheran Church
114 Ashgrove Blvd
Brandon, MB R7B 1E1
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