*Pastor's Message
*Note from Council
*Financial Statement
Announcements
Communion (Regular services): 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
Pastor's Newsletter Message - August 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. I ask for your indulgence.)
Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Reflection: It’s easy to get caught up worrying about the future. But as this verse reminds us, it’s important to focus on the here and now. Take life day-by-day.)
Sisters and brothers in Christ,
Firstly: I wish send out my thanks for your prayers, phone calls, cards, email, and gifts of food and service. Summer has flown by. It feels as though I missed it. The good news is that the prayers have brought ongoing healing and recovery (physio). God bless you for your care and support.
Now we turn our sight to the fall. As in any other year, council is making plans for the future of Redeemer. Our hopes are set on returning to worship in the Sanctuary this September 26th. It will be wonderful to gather in person once more. It will not be "like it used to be before" we are following the guidelines of health and safety. But how awesome it will be to gather as a faith community with our voices and spirits lifted up as offerings of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.
Creator God knows us well. God's people worry - though we are told not to. Live each day in the present and serve the Lord. But we catch ourselves worrying...about money, family, health, homes, COVID, [you can add your own worries to the list]. It can become overwhelming. These past 18 months have helped hone our worrying skills. But throughout the scriptures we are told not to worry. And we are encouraged to continue to trust and have faith in our Lord who holds the future.
As we move forward in our plans for returning to worship in the sanctuary and we consider ways of safe gatherings in worship (ie. communion distribution), may these words in Matthew bring us the encouragement and hope in the future. Our trust and faith in God's leadership during Covid has been challenged but never lost.
Pastor Laurel
A note from Redeemer Lutheran Council
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Council met on-line for our meeting on Wednesday August 18th.
Our discussion included when to reopen Redeemer for Sunday services, meetings, Sunday school and other gatherings.
Manitoba Health lifted restrictions on August 7th to Code Yellow. In the official order from The Public Health Act it is written in ORDER 16 that churches can hold indoor services. Attendance shall not exceed 150 persons or 50% of the capacity of the premises, whichever is greater. Social distancing of at least two meters. Masking is recommended but not mandatory.
After much discussion, Council recommends reopening for our first church service to be on Sunday September 26th 2021 at 10AM, provided the Covid situation stays the same or improves. We chose later in September so we could monitor what happens when school and university resume classes.
Redeemer Lutheran Council
Finance Report July August 2021
This report will summarize June and July. Council met on August 18th on-line. We did not meet in July. Dorothy provided the financial reports for June and July.
For the month of June:
Envelope Giving and PAR $5240.00. Surplus over budget $325.00
Total Income from all sources $8742.02. Surplus over budget $1797.18
Total Expenses $9935.92. Surplus under budget $2594.67
for the month of July:
Envelope Giving and PAR $5810.00. Deficit under budget $2805.00
Total Income from all sources $6831.12. Deficit under budget $3266.72
Total Expenses $6637.03. Surplus under budget $2218.56
YTD to the end of July:
Envelope Giving and PAR $38920.00. Deficit under budget $3985.00
Total Income $50437.14. Deficit under budget $4773.66
Total Expense $50741.85. Surplus under budget $14323.89
Net Income to the end of July $14695.29
Redeemer has received government grants from the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada totaling $24188.56.
Council thanks all those whom have given regularly to help us stay on track with our budget during our extended lock down due to Covid. We look forward to resuming regular Sunday services at Redeemer beginning
September 26th and we plan to run the Zoom services for the next few months until life finds us a normal again.
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