Discovering Christ’s community through building relationships MARCH 2019

Lent: A Time of Renewal.

Lent is the springtime of the church. It begins on Ash Wednesday (March 6) and culminates with Holy Week and Easter (April 21). It is a season to find new life with Christ, with new focus for daily living. The Lenten journey at Redeemer’s Lutheran will include wonderful opportunities to be together, build community and discover a renewed relationship with God.

Our theme will be Prayer for all seasons. By uncovering Bible stories and having new worship experiences, we will learn to think about prayer as simply being with God in all seasons of life. Prayer includes our busy times and quiet times, our sadness and our joy.

Sundays during Worship: You will be invited to place some your prayers on the cross of Jesus. Each Sunday we will create our own Prayers of the People during worship.

Sundays after Worship: I will lead a Bible study in the lower level, including the 45+5 program. This study will focus on different experiences

of prayer in the Bible and in our lives. It will be a time of telling stories, asking questions and trying out new types of prayer. It will also be a time of growing our relationships and building a stronger community.

Wednesday evenings: A 6 pm soup supper will be followed by a simple worship opportunity in the sanctuary. Peaceful music and a dramatization of Mary’s life with Jesus will invite us to reflect on our own life with Jesus. It will be very informal and include a brief response time in place of a sermon. I hope this will be a calming and inspiring part of your week.

Lenten project: Caring for those who are hungry. Later in this newsletter Art James invites us to participate in a powerful hunger-relief project. You are invited to express your care for the world through our partnership with ELCA World Hunger Appeal. This will include “noisy offering,” take-home jars and Wednesday evening contributions.

I hope and trust that the upcoming six weeks of Lent will be a time of renewal for us, a Springtime for our faith. Every day, in every season, God is present and cares for you.

Pastor Soren Flessen

This is a monthly newsletterOf Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Oak Forest, Il

708-687-2432

rlcreflections@yahoo.comwww.redeemerchurchoakforest.org.STAFFSupply Pstr Soren FlessenOffice Admin. Deb FrawleyMusic Coord. – Jan StrojnyPianist/Organ– Amy Ogarek

Sunday School Director-Linda McHugh

President- Steve NowlanVice President- Art James

We are an official PADS site on Saturday nights

from Oct through April

First let me say thank you to the Redeemer’s congregation for allowing me to pursue the ministries that I believe God has called me and our congregation into; the SSPADS homeless shelter, our drop-in center for PADS guests two days a week and providing supervision to those individuals who have court ordered community service hours to fulfill. Thank you

It is my belief that we are all called into advocacy for someone or something, depending on what it is in this world that we are passionate about. At Redeemer’s that seems to be hunger and food in general. With our connection to Together We Cope’s food pantry, Redeemer’s Free Pantry and PADS dinner and shelter on Saturdays, we are doing much to feed our neighbors.

There are other neighbors who need our help. During lent, the ELCA has a “40 Days of Giving” initiative to address worldwide hunger. There will be stories in the Sunday bulletin that explain where help is needed and what you can do to participate and help while on your Lenten journey.

This is just one example of Christian Advocacy, there are many more. We are called to care for our neighbor and all of creation. As Luther says;” Now that my salvation is assured, I have only to concern myself with that which is good and salutary for my neighbor”. That can mean working for criminal justice reform; visiting veterans or the aged/infirm; being a “Big Brother or Sister”; all types of women’s issues; the high rate of suicides among both veterans and teens; helping with community dinners at local churches, volunteering at hospitals or focusing on environmental issues, the list goes on.

Everyone that I know here at Redeemer’s is passionate about a cause and I believe that God calls us to address these causes. There are many ways to help but the first step is to connect to our community and those who are already busy doing God’s work. I urge you to make that call and ask how it is that you might help.

I am asking that each of us find something (or one more thing ) to be actively involved in as part of your Lenten sacrifice and part of your faith journey. The rewards are many and you may even get a little something out of the work yourself.

Respectfully Art JamesCouncil Vice President

Please plan to attend our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 10 immediately following worship. We will adopt the 2018 Book of Reports, which will available on March 3 for you to review. Coffee Hour will be hosted by the Church Council following the meeting.

YOU are invited to join us downstairs right after worship for a

Lenten bible study starting March 10.

Light refreshments will be served.

Wednesdays during Lent: March 13, 20, 27 April 3, 10Meal & Worship 6pm

Sunday, April 14: Palm Sunday 9:30am

Thursday, April 18: Meal in the Upper Room 7pm

Friday, April 19: Good Friday Worship 7pm

Sunday, April 21: 9:30amThe Resurrection of Our Lord!

Our friend Larry Watkins would love to hear from Redeemer’s! If you are so inclined, please write to Larry at:Lawrence Watkins20170610056P.O. Box 089002 DIV2-D3-CC-46 Chicago, Illinois 60608 

Thank you in advance for all who will be making our Midweek dinners. There is a lot of thought and preparation, so we appreciate your commitment.

Thank you to the Women’s group for providing our coffee hours. It gives us a chance for fellowship and enjoyment of all that is prepared.

Thank you to all who contributed to the Annual Report. You make my job easier.

Dear Redeemer’sWhat a gift you’ve given! Thank you for your recent gift of $375 to ELCA ministries through ELCA Good Gifts.Your Good Gift is a very good gift, indeed. With resources like seedlings and seminary courses, vaccinations and vegetable gardens, Bibles and blankets, you’re equipping God’s people- around the world and around the corner- with what they need to live abundant lives. Thank you for your support of the vital ministries that we do together- and for your very good gift.

In God’s abundant grace, Christina Jackson-Skelton -Executive Director, Mission Advancement

Here we are in the Lenten season. Most of us are familiar with the tradition of giving something up for Lent. I used to do that but then on Easter I would gorge myself with what I had been depriving myself of. So what did I learn through this- Nothing! See, here’s the thing. You should give up something that will make you reflect on how to be a better person. Giving up bread might help me lose a few pounds but when I go back to eating it on Easter, the pounds could creep back and I have gained nothing.

This year concentrate on improving yourself. Reflect and meditate on what in your character could use some help. Or maybe give of a talent that you have rather than give up something. This year tell yourself that you will strengthen your faith journey and attend church each Sunday during Lent and how about adding in Wednesday services?

This year come on Wednesdays at 6p.m. for a soup supper and fellowship. Then head on upstairs for an informal service at 7p.m. Each week we will sit in a circle and sing some songs and we will be visited by Mary, the mother of Jesus. Imagine the story she will have to tell. We’ll listen to scripture and especially, we’ll pray.

The theme of prayer will extend to Sundays. Perhaps, you have a concern which the whole congregation will pray for or maybe you have something personal for the Pastor’s eyes only. We will learn of different ways to pray. Light a candle and take your burdens to the cross.

Lent will culminate with the meal in the upper room and the most special service will be on Good Friday. I know it means coming out two nights in a row, but trust me, Good Friday is the one that will leave you with the most impact.

Come to Redeemer’s during Lent. Come and give yourself to Christ. Give burdens to him and he will take them to the cross.Til next month-------------nice chatting with youJan Strojny

Thrivent- CONGRATULATIONS! Since 2010, over $414 million has been distributed to thousands of churches, schools, and other nonprofits just like yours through Thrivent Choice®. Through this program, eligible members can make an impact by recommending where Thrivent donates its charitable outreach dollars each year.We are excited to share, Redeemer’s Lutheran Church received $811 in charitable outreach funding in 2018. If you or a family member have a Thrivent product and do not know what Thrivent Choice is or how to be part of an Action Team, please see Dan or Deb Frawley. These are ways to positively help our church and community!

TOGETHER WE COPE HELPING HANDS IN 2019: In the month of March we will be collecting White & Brown rice and all seasoned mixes for our April 1st target date. These items are brought weekly to the food pantry at Together We Cope. Any and all items are welcomed anytime… with the focus being the item of the month. Let’s fill up our Food Baskets in the narthex! Thank you

PLEASE PRAY FOR:Rich Larson; Leni Shander; Doug Vansickle; Johnny Ferrari; John & Samantha Ferrari; Daryl Teeter; Jim Workman; Steven Flannery; Jan Strojny; Roy Angel; Jerry Twyman; Patti Savage; Asia; Don Bennett; Avery Hawker; Carol Schaafsma; Wayne Stephens; Liza Weaver; Larry Watkins; Jacob Munoz; Janet Taft; Ryan Dove; Dave Darby; Roy Larocco; Tom Henderson; for wisdom, peace and justice to prevail in God’s world; for prejudice & racism to end in our nation & world; for the poor and the hungry, especially Elsabet, her family and those affected in Ethiopia; the unemployed and the underemployed; the homeless, the marginalized; for our earth and healing of our environment; for the safety of all children who face violence, danger and hostile environments; for our nation.

“The Light between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman

"After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day's journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby's cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a "gift from God," and against Tom's judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When

she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them."

Please join us on Monday, April 1, at 7pm at the home ofDeb Frawley for conversation and refreshments.

A Stroke Doesn’t Have to Happen! Protect your health by finding out your risk of having a stroke by participating in the Life Line Screening that will be at Redeemer’s Lutheran Church on Friday, April 26, 2019. Through ultrasound screenings, we evaluate the carotid arteries for the buildup of fatty plaque which is the leading cause of stroke. Register online and receive a $10 discount at http://www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircleor call 1-800-640-6307 or text the word circle to 797979.

READER COMMUNION ASSIST3 Steve Nowlan Deb Nowlan10 Tony Ogarek Alec Ogarek17 Linda McHugh Dorothy Kropack24 Traci Stephens Mike Stephens31 Kathy Meckel Art James

USHERS FOR MARCH: Gary Schoenbeck; Ray Majewski; Jay Kropack; Alec Ogarek

1 Steven Schoenbeck 18 Jim & Sophie Mueller

12 Diane Hein 19 Ray & Deb Majewski

14 Joshua Carver

17 Pat Kropack

Dorothy Kropack

23 Patti Schoenbeck

Tony Ogarek

27 Jim Thrun

31 Ray White

Altar flowers are given by

3 Women’s Group for RLC blessings10 The Stephens in loving memory of Wayne & Joyce Ishler.17 Jim & Sophie Mueller for blessings received and in loving thanksgiving for a wonderful family!

24 The Strojny’s in Welcoming Spring!31 Still Available

March 9 Don’t forget to CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS