Redeemer Lutheran Church Newsletter May 2016

Most people know about the Christian holy days of Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. But what’s Ascension Day? In France it’s a civil holiday. In Germany it’s called Himmelfahrt (roughly translated, “heaven bound”). And yet, 8th Street will see no Ascension Day parade. Kohl’s will not be overrun by Ascension Day sales. Nowadays Jesus’ ascension is largely ignored or forgotten.

So, where did Jesus go? The New Testament says Jesus ascended to God’s right hand. It’s not a location. It’s a position of power. Having conquered your sin and death, he sits at the right hand of God as a gracious king. Risen and ascended, Jesus compassionately reigns over you and all creation in peace and mercy.

Think of Jesus’ ascension like a welcome home party. Jesus, who was born in a lonely feeding trough, died alone on the cross, and was buried in a borrowed tomb, now returns to his heavenly throne. But Jesus doesn’t return to heaven empty handed. Where Jesus goes you go.

God became man to rescue humanity and bring mankind back to God. He takes our humanity with him into heaven, scars and all. Think about that next time you have a bad day, read depressing news, or when loved ones are sick or dying. The same Jesus who suffered and died for you now sits on the throne of heaven for you. He knows your sorrows, illnesses, fears, doubts, and pain because He experienced all of them for you. By his ascension, Jesus also lives forever as your Great High Priest. He prays for you even as he lived, died, rose, and ascended for you. Jesus’ ascension is good news for you.

Jesus is not gone. His ascension brings heaven near to you in His Word and Sacraments. That’s where Jesus promises to be for you. Jesus is ascended and will return one day. Until then, he is with you always.

Please join us in worshiping our ascended King on Thursday, May 5th at 6:00 PM as we celebrate this ancient holy Christian day. There will fellowship following worship as we will join together that day with our brothers and sisters from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Two Rivers.

In Risen and Ascended Name of Jesus, Pastor DeArmond

Preschool year closing: The dream is for Redeemer Lutheran Christian 3K/4K preschool to be committed to see the children not as they are but as what they can become under the transformational love of Jesus. Our final month has arrived in the school year and we cannot believe it is here. The children have grown to be young individuals with beautiful personalities and a sincere love of Jesus. Our children enrich our experiences and remind us that in the deepest sense, we let them come to God with a simple trust, and an eagerness to grow in love. We need our children with us to complete our family of faith and to make us all that Jesus envisioned for his church. It is important for families to celebrate and share the wonderful news of Jesus love! We also want to open our door to the families from preschool who are seeking a church home for spiritual faith.

Point Beach For the past several summers Redeemer has led morning devotions, on Sundays, for those people camping or taking vacations at Point Beach just north of Two Rivers. If you would be interested in possible leading a devotion at Point Beach this summer please contact Bob Gregurich or the church office for more information.

Teacher Appreciation: May 3rd is the day to recognize teachers that do mission work with the families and the children who attend our preschool. As the director, I am privileged to serve side by side with two wonderful dedicated teachers. Penny Schneider and Jerri Rathjen have truly chosen this profession because they care about people and want to make a difference in the lives of children. Take a moment to visit the preschool and meet the teachers! Thank You: The Preschool Staff would like to thank Mrs. Densow and Mrs. Eisenschink for all the support they have given to preschool. We are also blessed to have janitors who help clean our preschool rooms. Thanks Milroy Kamke and Mike Walsh. Thanks also go to JoAnn Noffke and Stephanie Leicht who faithfully volunteer in the classroom on a weekly basis. Special thank you goes out to Pastor DeArmond and Pastor Hirssig for sharing Bible stories with the children, and most important we want to thank the congregation and families for all the support they have given preschool.

Photo Here

Graduation Day May25 and 26 is a day filled with joy and excitement for the children and their families. The children will sing their favorite songs, during the school year and will receive a certificate of attendance. Openings: There are still openings in preschool for 2016-17 school years. If you know of anyone that is looking for a Christian Preschool, please have them call the office.

Hartman’s flower: certificates of $10.00 are still available until August 30th. Preschool receives $2.00 for every certificate sold. If you are buy flowers, vegetable plants, or just something for your yard, please buy a certificate from Preschool. This is one of our largest preschool fundraiser that helps offset the cost of materials needed for Preschool. Campbell labels will be ending the fundraiser with labels. At this time if you have any saved please turn them into the preschool Campbell bin. We have received many items through this program. Thank you for supporting this program. Kwik Trip Tops: will be sent in at the end of May. If you have been saving these items, please turn them in before the last day of school (.We will continue to collect the Kwik Trip items.)

Mary Orth Retirement:

I would like to let the congregation know that I will be resigning from my position as a

teacher, after 21 years here at Redeemer Lutheran 3K and 4K preschool. It has been a joy and an honor to educate over 1300

children. God has blessed me to share the word of God with children and families. The

wealth and riches I have received from teachers, (Mrs. Schneider, Mrs. Rathjen,

Mrs. Andrastek, Gregg Walker, Bev Hamann and Kris Radke in co-working with them, has

been impressionable in my heart. Mary Eisenschink handling the accounting work,

and Mrs. Densow for all the secretarial needs. For the volunteers that help draw, cut out, and staple items together. Mrs. Noffke, Stephanie Leicht helping in the classrooms. I would like to thank my family for all their support, caring, and understanding for the

time I spent at school.

Thank you to the congregation, the board, Rev. DeArmond administrator of Preschool, for all their support to Redeemer Lutheran 3K and 4K preschool, and to me as a Director. God’s Blessings At this time the preschool Staff, families, and children would like to thank Redeemer Lutheran congregation for all the support they give preschool. It is truly a blessing to our church to have such a wonderful school. Thank you!

Egg Roll Sale The Hmong once again will be

making Egg Rolls to sell. You may pick up a order form

at the Welcome Center. All orders need to be in by

Sunday, May 15th.

Cost: $12 a dozen

Pickup: May 20 Noon-4pm

Sunday, May 15th We will honoring Pastor DeArmond on his outstanding performance while here at Redeemer. Pastor DeArmond is celebrating five years of service.

LWML

Next meeting May 10th 10am-1pm

S.W.D. Fall Retreat: September 30-Oct. 1, 2016 Where: Holiday Inn, Manitowoc

Katie Luther.....Heart of a Servant Keynote Speaker: Stephanie Hovland

Ingathering: Winter outer clothing for Jefferson Elementary School. Each year Jefferson School provides winter clothing for children in need

within Manitowoc County. Redeemer will be helping with this project, items needed

children's boots(size 1-10), coats and snow pants (size 8-16) mittens, hats, sweaters, and other winter gear.

SMELT FRY

On Tuesday, May 10th Redeemer Youth will be hosting Redeemer’s Annual Smelt Fry from 4:00-7:00 pm. Donations and volunteers are needed!

Please check the signup sheet at the Welcome Center. Proceeds benefit Redeemer Youth.

BBQ Bash Redeemer Youth will be hosting a BBQ and carnival on Sunday, June 5th from 10am-12pm. All ages are encouraged to attend. We will be providing food and

games to include the following: fishpond, cakewalk, ring toss, and other carnival games. Proceeds will benefit our youth as they travel to New Orleans

for the National Youth Gathering in July.

Shantytown Is coming soon.

We will be having our annual Shantytown on Saturday, May 7th

We will be raising money for the local men's shelter "The Haven" A signup sheet will be at the Welcome Center.

Financial Update

Coin Folders – Thanks to everyone who returned their Lenten Coin Folder, we were able to donate $650 each to Redeemer Preschool and Calvary Student Chapel in Madison. It’s not too late to return your folder. Just drop it in the box at the Welcome Center. Campbell’s will be discontinuing their “Labels for Education” program this summer. The last day for you to bring your labels to church will be June 30. Our preschool uses these labels to purchase needed equipment for the preschool. We will continue to collect Kwik Trip milk and juice caps and bag tops. Please drop these in the box provided in the children’s coat rack area. Kwik Trip Gift Cards can be purchased after worship services at the Welcome Center or from the church office. Cards are available in $10, $25, $50 or $100 amounts. Proceeds benefit the youth traveling to the National Youth Gathering this summer.

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March Year to Date

Income $31,391 $83,336

Expenses $30,793 $88,710

Summary of Income & Expenses

May 1 Judy Morvak, Neil Hopka, Tim Zinkel, Amy Hawker,

Sam Yurk, Austin Gorzelitz, Alex Delmore May 2 Sandra Gauger, Jerome Cain, Diane Newberg, Stephanie Lutz May 3 Jeff Werner, Adam Blanchard, Mau Yang May 4 Sofia Kue May 5 Nicholas Neilson May 6 Karen Stryzewski, Nicholas Meola, Landon Eichmann, Deuan Kue May 7 Tim Zabel, Bryan Boprey, Jill Stramm May 8 Brandon Luckow, Yeng Hang May 9 Steve Newberg, Louis Ney, Wendy Cayemberg, Chuck Remiker May 10 Regan Ausprung, Samuel Martell May 11 Rachel Strzyzewski, Clayton Schmidt May 12 Ken Kohlwey, Wava Grosshuesch, Michelle Foerster, Cindy Pressnell May 13 Sarah Etheridge, Khloe Berres-Honey May 14 Nolan Reinke May 15 Renee Kielsmeier, Ron McCormick, Beth Groddy, Abby Glende, Boua Fue Hang May 16 Greg Quint, Mary Hang May 17 Myrtis McCubbin, Marge Cape May 18 Hayley Kurth, Chris Ausprung, Zara Ruelle, Tou Yee Hang May 19 Frank Salzberg May 21 Brandon Elliott May 22 Bill Hilgendorf May 23 Jim Nadeau, Jason Townsend, Corey Van Sickle May 24 Julie Cain, Ron Borchardt, Richard Wenzel, Mike Gregurich, Kelly Morvak, Sue Leschke,

David Melichar, Hunter Carty May 26 Sandy Neuser May 27 Jeff Baryenbruch May 28 Noah Orth, Mary Troullier, Ryan Schaefer May 29 Aaron Hayon, Finley Larsen May 30 Karen Gass, Kyle Newberg, Maria Kraynek May 31 Jeremiah Cain, Cherilyn Salzberg

May1 Larry & Mary Eisenschink May 2 Adam & Ashley Martell May 4 Scot & Amy Eisenschink May6 Terry & Andrea Behnke May 7 Kirk & Amy Eichmann May 10 Keith & Laurie Magyar, Vernon & Lavonne Troullier May 11 Pat & Cindy Korte May 12 Dan & Renee Kielsmeier May 26 Kevin & Jessica Gomm May 28 Roland & Jean Peronto, Steve & Jane Pribek May 29 Jerome & Julie Cain

Sometimes It’s Hard to Ask for Help

We’re brought up to be strong, self-sufficient, independent people. We tend to think that if we ask for help, it is a sign of weakness. So we try to keep our struggles hidden, stuffed deep inside. However, that’s not God’s plan. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” God wants us to care for others—and allow others to care for us in our time of need.

If you’re sad or struggling inside, don’t suffer alone. Ask for help. We’ve got a team of Stephen Ministers who are ready to listen, care, encourage, pray, and help you through a tough time. (It’s confidential too!) Find out more about Stephen Ministry by talking with one of our Stephen Leaders: Lori Hirssig, Gail Terry, or Nicole Densow. Our Stephen Ministers are there to care!