*Pastor's Message
*Financial Statement
Pastor's Newsletter Message - JUNE 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.)
Romans 15:4 - “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
Psalm 119: 105 KJV - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
It is challenging to once again be in lockdown. Many Manitobans, including many of you, had cautious plans for the summer: going to the lake for a day or a longer vacation; staying at a cabin at a lake; BBQ's with family and friends; perhaps visits on the deck or driveway (meeting all the social distancing guidelines); AND being able to gather in small groups for worship. Maybe on the church lawn. For me this lockdown is akin to hope being squashed - yet again. Yet, God's Word opened up for me the above-noted Romans and Isaiah verses - most significantly the words "HOPE" and "LIGHT".
The word hope is used often by St. Paul in the book of Romans. That realization connected me to the scent in the movie "Pollyanna" when she speaks of the number of glad texts in the scriptures (800 in the bible her father told her). That led me to seek the "hope" texts". I don't know the exact number but that isn't the important point. HOPE is the point. The continued reference to hope in God's word comforts us, guides us, leads us and nourishes us in HOPE.
One choir in which I sang performed a piece based on Psalm 119: 105 entitled "Thy word is a lamp onto my feet, and a light onto my path." I am not sure of the composer but I do remember it began on a very, VERY, high note. Our choir director began each practice with a devotion (from the musicians' point of view). For this particular piece, she spoke of life having dark or unclear paths during different periods. This particular verse in Ps. 119 encourages us in our hope. The light of the Word enlightens our faith journey with the brightness of shining hope. When I envision the "light on my path" it is always as a radiant gleam of God's love and grace that walk side by side with hope.
In this season of light, with long days and short nights, I invite you to take a moment to envision the "light" onto your feet. Dwell in its brilliance, warm your spirits in its blaze, and see the hope of the Lord in the wonder of God's holy word. Imagine that light creating a path for you to follow. Lift your hands, heart, voice and mind in praise to the luminescence of God. May hope be our light in these times and throughout our lives.
In Christ,
Pastor Laurel
Finance Report April 2021
PSALM 98: verse 1
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
For He has done marvellous things;
Council met on May 19th. Dorothy provided the financial records for April. Giving for the month of April was $7815.00. This is $700.00 ahead of budget. Total Income from all sources for April was $9231.07 Which is $583.23 ahead of budget.
The Total Giving in 2021 is at $23360.00, which is $100.00 ahead of budget.
Total Income from all sources is $28967.88. This is $1103.40 behind budget. Council thanks those who give regularly.
Expenses for the month of April were $6079.23. This is $2227.36 ahead of budget and includes a Wage Subsidy of $1815.36.
Total Expenses for 2021 to date are $27962.03 and include a Wage Subsidy of $3738.24. This is $7396.94 ahead of budget. The Federal Wage Subsidy is finished in June.
Redeemer also has received $10000.00 from the Province of Manitoba through the Manitoba Bridge Relief Fund.
Redeemer Lutheran Net Profit to the end of April sits at $11005.85. Thanks Be To God.
Property Finance Committee
Rick Norberg Marv Hollender Don Wrobleski
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