*From Pastor's Thoughts
*Council Report
*Finance Report
*Treasurers Report
*Redeemer Lutheran Ladies
Pastor's Thoughts - March 2020
The prophet "Joel 2:12-14" The Message MSG Change Your Life "12 But there's also this, it's not too lake - God's personal Message! - "Come back to me and really mean it! Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins! 13-14 Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, The most patient God, extravagant in love, always and ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he'll do it now, maybe he'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust for your God!"
Let us pray: Gracious God, help me to see this holy season Lent as a time of spiritual renewal, rather than a time of deprivation. Motivate me to reach a new level of experiencing your grace. AMEN
Thoughts: This year it's difficult to pull together words and ideas for Lent. Theologians, popes, professors, Christian men and women around the world have given us the gift of their wisdom and insights from the Holy Spirit's grace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, Pope Francis (see below), Sister Theresa, and the contributors to Eternity for Today devotions. I find the devotions from Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Paul, called "God Pause: Lenten Devotional-Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" to be helpful for myself.
In the Ash Wednesday Gospel from Matthew 6 you and I are invited by our Lord to give to others (financially, spiritually, and practically) as alms; we are invited to pray (for ourselves, for our neighbours and our enemies) seeking God's guidance for our journey through Lent and listening for God's reply; and we are invited to fast from the things that take our time, hearts and spirit from God (certain foods, media, genre of reading, etc.). The 40-day journey of Lent is our time of quiet and reflection of our Lord's journey to the Cross and our own journey with Him. In my own experience, this season can be challenging, uncomfortable, humbling, blindingly revealing and somewhat overwhelming. Yet, at the end of this season, Easter is all the more wonderful and brilliantly lit by the Lord's love and redemption. After I have responded with all that I am to Jesus' invitation, I kneel at the foot of the Cross, embraced by grace, forgiveness and new life. Wherever your Lenten journey leads you, may you be showered with a blessing upon blessing. May the way be lit by the Light of Christ, the Grace of God, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ, Pastor Laurel
Do you want to Fast this Lent? 11 thoughts In the words of Pope Francis 1. Fast from hurting words…and say kind words 2. Fast from sadness…and be filled with gratitude 3. Fast from anger…and be filled with patience 4. Fast from pessimism…and be filled with hope 5. Fast from worries…and have trust in God 6. Fast from complaints…and contemplate simplicity 7. Fast from pressures…and be prayerful 8. Fast from bitterness…and fill your hearts with joy 9. Fast from selfishness…and be compassionate to others 10. Fast from grudges…and be reconciled 11. Fast from words…and be silent so you can listen
2020 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
Finance Report: January 2020 Council met on February 19th. January giving totalled $7013.00, $643.00 ahead of the budgeted amount. Thank you to all for your generous giving. Total income for January from all sources totalled at $8458.97. Expenses for the month of January were $8401.34. This leaves a profit of $57.63 for the month. February will not look as good. We had to repair one of the furnaces. The bill is $1688.96. This has used up over half of the maintenance budget for the year. We hope that we don’t have any more huge repairs this year. This bill has put our General Fund in a dire straits position. Council hopes that March will bring in the needed funds to help curb our overdraft. February 25 is Shrove Tuesday. Council hopes there will be a big turn-out and generate some of the needed funds to put us in a better position heading toward summer. Thank you to all those who have supported our Pancake Supper. In God’s Service Property/ Finance Committee Rick Norberg, Marv Hollender and Don Wrobleski
Treasurer's Report
Respectfully Submitted,
Dorothy Raynor
A weekly offering of $1558.00 is needed to meet the 2020 budget of $81,500
Samaritan House Winter Shelter
Toiletries for Men and Women:
Shampoo (Travel Size)
Deodorant
Soap
Combs/Brushes
Toothbrushes (soft bristles)
Feminine hygiene products
Cold weather wear for Men and Women:
Mutts/Gloves
Women's Underwear (Sizes M & L)
Men's Underwear (L & XL)
Socks (Good quality)
Coats
Toques
Scarves
Food:
Granola Bars
Bottled Water
Kraft Dinner (Individual serving)
Soups/Meals (with pop-off tops)
**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 a later 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 the lights on both levels of the building.)
*Coming Events*
*World Day of Prayer Friday, March 6, 7 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Russel Street & Louise Avenue.
*Lenton Luncheon services 2020: No detailed information has arrived but St. Matthews Anglican church will once again host the annual Lenton Luncheon Services. The Services will begin March 4 through April 1. More info to follow.
*PAR: The first withdrawal was January 20th. Forms are available for those that want to start PAR
Thank you to everyone who helped make the Pancake Supper a success
Redeemer Lutheran Ladies
*Ladies Meeting: March 9, 1:30 p.m. at the church. Guest speaker is Marilyn Hoffman who will speak on the Amish faith
*Quilting: Monday, March 3, 10 a.m. bring a lunch, scissors and Needles
*Bible Study: Tuesday, March 17, 1:30 p.m.
We will be taking the World Day of prayer service to Hillcrest Home on March 10, 2 p.m.
Members wishing to donate items to the Church are asked to speak to a Council prior to bringing the item(s)
Debt-reduction fundraising ideas can be put in the Suggestion Box in the Narthex
*Our Mailing Address:
Redeemer Lutheran Church
114 Ashgrove Blvd
Brandon, MB R7B 1E1
Canada
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