*From Pastors Thoughts
*Council Report
*Finance Report
*Treasurers Report
*Redeemer Lutheran Ladies
Pastor's Thoughts - December 2019
"This very day in David's town your Saviour was born - Christ the Lord!... Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased! Luke:2 11,14 (GNB)
This past Sunday I attended the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra “Holiday Tour” concert. Sabina Rzazade performed a solo piano piece and a vocal soloist from U of M (her home is Churchill) were guests of the WSO. It was a lovely afternoon and celebrated the Christmas season beautifully. Even though I sat with strangers, I felt the music brought a togetherness in spirit. That is how the “Hanging of the Greens” Sunday, Advent 1, feels to me. We, in the togetherness of spirit, as a congregation prepare the Sanctuary for Advent and Christmas.
Prepare for what? Be prepared to focus on the main points of the season: Love, Peace, Joy and Hope, and on the newborn Saviour of the world, the Messiah. A baby named Emmanuel, God is with us. Be prepared to share this wondrous story within your world.
A new Christmas video came out this year from Forest Hill Church, Charlotte, NC. The people awake in the morning all wrapped up in wrapping paper. The light switch pad has been wrapped. The shower has a bow. The morning meal comes in a gift box. The car keys in a gift bag. The husband’s shoes wrapped. The car is gift wrapped. The moral of this light-hearted video is “This Christmas, may you be grateful for all the gifts around you.”
When we live in gratitude for what we have, we discover that we are more open to caring for others. Quite a few people have told me that they no longer exchange gifts in their families but give to good causes. How do we choose? We can think of the people with no family or friends in their lives; those who have no electricity or clean water; no food; no shoes; and no transportation. How can we help? Our Brandon community and church communities offer many opportunities to help others (not just during Advent but throughout the year). For example, there is the Christmas meal on Christmas day; Christmas Cheer Hampers and gifts through Christmas appeal; food for Samaritan House Winter Shelter; Choices through the CLWR catalogue for others around the world.
The greatest gift of our lives is Jesus Christ, who came to us as a sweet, vulnerable, newborn. This babe came to live with us. To lead and teach us. To encourage us to return to God. To die for us and be separated from God to conquer death and fulfill the promise of the great gift of salvation. The gift doesn’t come to us wrapped in fancy paper and isn’t shiny as gold or silver. It comes wrapped with the love, hope, peace and joy of the Lord. And it shines with the light of Christ.
As you prepare your hearts throughout Advent for the coming of the babe in the manger, may you be led by the Spirit to be open to ways in which the light of Christ that shines through you can break into the darkness of someone’s life. May this be a season that shines with the light of prayer, love, joy, peace and hope. May the light of Christ shine for you throughout the season and each day of your life.
Christmas blessings to you all,
In Christ,
Pastor Laurel
2019 Elected Executive:
Chair: Heddy Mueller
Vice-Chair: Rick Norberg
Secretary: Kathy Maxon
Envelope Secretary: Sharolyn Molnar
Treasurer: Dorothy Raynor
Financial Committee: Rick Norberg, Wally Tetzlaff, Ed Podjan
Mission Committee: Kathy Maxon, Arlene Pottinger, Sharolyn Molnar
Parish Committee: Shelley Kretchman, Jerry Ewasiuk, Don Wrobleski
Message from the Chair,
As the end of the year is fast approaching us and we are looking into a new year, we need to start thinking about the three spots on our Church council that will be needing to be filled again as the term of three members will be coming to an end. I am asking that all members take the time to pray and think about possibly putting their names forward to come on the council and help to keep our Church running as smoothly as it can. As we saw with the Fall supper, if we all work together, anything is possible. We had a great turn out and we raised money to help us stay financially stable. It’s not to say that we still need to stay on top of things financially for the sake of our Church but everyone is doing their part to help keep our Church where it needs to be. There is always room for improvement but all members have come together as a united front financially and physically helping to maintain our Church.
During this Christmas season, let us give thanks for all that has happened within this last year and we look forward to another great year ahead.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020
Heddy Mueller – Chair
THIS STUDY HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY
*You are invited to journey with us as we study the National Church Council The Call to Faithfully Journey with those who are Dying: An ELCIC Resolution over a period of a few weeks.
This and other items can be found at the elcic.ca/Decisions At The End Of Life Task Force
If you do not have internet access, please let Pastor know and she can print off a copy for you.
*If Pastor Laurel's office doors are locked, please check to see if the "In a Meeting" sign is posted on the door. If it is posted, please respect it and return at another time.
*EVERYONE must take care regarding locking of doors. Both outside doors have been found unlocked and as well as the doors for the church offices. (Also, to switching off the handicap button on the front door.) (Also, turning off lights on both levels of the building.)
Finance Report November 2019
Council met on November 20th.
Our financial reports showed total Giving for the month of October 2019 at $7890.00. This is $1050.00 above the budgeted amount. We have Given a year-to-date total of $64892.53 which is $992.53 above the budgeted amount.
Expenses for the month of October totalled $8863.91 which is $435.82 above the budgeted amount. Our year-to-date total is $95131.30 which is $3642.87 above the budgeted amount. This put us at a net loss of $5263.25 for the year.
**For those who are on PAR; Council would like to inform you that Dorothy and her staff have made much progress in setting us up in the PAR program through the United Church of Canada. Application forms will now have to be signed by all those who wish to be on the new program. We are setting it up for the first withdrawal to happen on January 20, 2020.
**Please contact Sharolyn or myself (Rick) to obtain a form to be signed. We will send your application to Dorothy’s office to be forwarded to the United Church PAR administrators.
Council has set the date for our Annual General Meeting on January 26th following the Sunday service. Please plan to attend as we have much to discuss. Council will need three persons to run for Council as we have three members stepping away from Council after fulfilling their three-year term.
Submitted by your Finance Committee Rick Norberg, Ed Podjan and Wally Tetzlaff
A weekly offering of $1510.00 is needed to meet the 2019 budget of $78,500
Samaritan House Winter Shelter
Toiletries for Men & Women:
Shampoo (Travel Size)
Deodorant
Soap
Combs/Brushes
Toothbrushes(soft bristles)
Feminine hygiene products
Cold Weather Wear for Men & Women:
Mitts/Gloves
Women's Underwear (Sizes M & L)
Men's Underwear ( Sizes L & XL)
Socks (Good Quality)
Coats
Toques
Scarves
Food:
Granola Bars
Bottled Water
Kraft Dinner (Individual Serving)
Soups/Meals (with Pop-off Tops)
Redeemer Lutheran Ladies
Thanks to everyone who made our cookie sale a success
Ladies Christmas Gathering Monday, December 9, noon at the Church. It will be a potluck lunch.
Bring a $2 gift if you wish to participate in a game.
It is time to meet your secret sister.
Bible Study will resume in January
Ladies Breakfast will resume in January
Members wishing to donate items to the Church are asked to speak to a Council Member prior to bringing the item(s).
Debt-reduction fundraising ideas can be put in the Suggestion Box in the Narthex.
HANGING OF THE GREENS
First Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service
December 24, 7 pm
*Our Mailing Address
Redeemer Lutheran Church
114 Ashgrove Boulevard
Brandon, MB R7B 1E1