*November Newsletter
*Pastor's Message
*Financial Statement
Announcements:
Communion (Regular services): 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
All Saints Sunday - November 7
If you would like to have your Saints names on a PowerPoint list next Sunday,
let pastor, Jeremy or Evelyn know
HANGING OF THE GREENS
Congregation in-house worship will begin November 28th with the Hanging of the Greens Service; masks are mandatory; hand sanitizer will be at the entrance; sanitizer wipes will be at each pew for sanitizing at the end of the Service; Collection Plate will be placed close to the entrance; no singing or handshakes, etc.
ELECTIONS
Elections for new Church council members:
Council wishes to announce 4 new church council members are needed
Outgoing are Heddy, Rick, Jerry and Don; elections
Pastor's Newsletter Message - November 2021
SCRIPTURES:
* Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
* Romans 5:1-2: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Grace and peace to you all,
First of all: I referred to gratitude journals last month. Did anyone begin such a journal? If so, how are you finding the experience? Has it become a habit? A part of your life? Has it changed how you see and react to the world around you? I encourage you to continue with the practice and reflect on its impact on your faith journey.
November 2021: Reformation and All Saints Sundays are important events within the faith. Martin Luther and the other Reformers, both prior to and after 1517, brought about dramatic change. So many times theology, religion, church, etc. are considered to be static and stationary. What is, IS! Yet, as we follow the faith from the time of Christ through to today, we learn that change is the lifeblood of the church (as in the world Church).
Jesus himself was bringing reformation to the people by calling for them to repent, turn back to God. He was calling them to live their true relationship with God as God's people. The disciples continued Jesus' call as they shared the Gospel and the story of Jesus. Other saints lifted up the teachings to share them with others. Salvation and new life..."I love to tell the story."
Throughout the ages and onto today the understanding of faith, our relationship with God, with our own self and with others continues to be studied. It may take decades to bring about change but change comes. The past 100 years, at least, have encountered ongoing theological theories/studies/insights...I think the theological textbooks are barely printed and they are out of date. For example, the Queer Theologie(S) course I audited last spring hardly touched the surface of the various "modern" theologies of the past 60 years: women in the church, LGBTQ2S+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and Two-Spirit). and much more. (i.e. At the beginning of the 20th Century women had no voice, no vote and no personhood under the laws of this country.) This is only one specific example of the countless branches of study that impact the lives of the Church (the world church) and its people.
We see, therefore, that the Church is neither static nor stationary. The Saints of the church have continued through the ages to study, teach, preach and educate the reform of Jesus - Love....the greatest commandment. It is sadly true that the people of faith are not perfect nor sinless. Canada's ongoing healing through Truth and Reconciliation is a testament to this. Martin Luther and the other Reformers were not without sin and errors of their time. But the scriptures tell us of God's love, It is "by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
WOW! That is as much as an amazing revelation to us today as it was to Martin Luther all those five hundred plus years ago. It is a truth that does not disappear nor diminish over time. It is new and real for each of us every day. It is new and real for those who encounter it for the first time. It is new and real each time you and I encounter it.
"A Mighty Fortress is our God!" and "Amazing Grace!"
Now, THAT is a gratitude entry!
In Christ, Pastor Laurel
Finance Report: October 2021
Council met online for our October 20th meeting. Dorothy provided the financial statements for the month of September.
Total Givings for the month of September was $5655.00.
Total Income from all sources was $6456.07
Total Expenses for the month of September were $7617.45
Net Income for September was a deficit of $1161.38
Total Givings YTD is $48730.00
Total Income from all sources YTD are $61889.33
Total Expenses YTD are $66418.83
Net Income for 2021 to date is a deficit of $4529.50
Government Grants received YTD $15000.00
Net Income $10470.50
Council wishes to thank those whom have contributed to the Virtual Fall Supper and to our financial commitment to the Winter Shelter.
Council discussed the election of new council members. We would like you to consider joining council for a three-year term. There are four vacancies to fill this year at our next AGM. Jesus is calling.
In God’s Service
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: Arlene Pottinger, Jerry Erickson, Tyler Foster
Our mailing Address:
Redeemer Lutheran Church
114 Ashgrove Blvd
Brandon, MB R7B 1E1