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Redeemer Lutheran Church

March 2016

What does the Bible/Church teach about organ donation?

This question was raised by a member recently, so I thought it would make a good article. This is an issue where personal preferences can prevail – the Bible does not speak to the issue directly. The Bi-ble does remind us that as Christians our bodies are the temple (home) of the Holy Spirit and are to be treated as such. Here is what The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod has concluded:

In 1981, the issue of organ donation came before the convention of the Synod. The Synod ob-served that "through advances in medical science we are aware that at the time of death some of our or-gans can be transplanted to alleviate pain and suffering of afflicted human beings (Gal. 6:10)."Viewing organ donation as "an opportunity to help others out of love for Christ," the Synod "Resolved,"

That our pastors, teachers, and DCE's be encouraged to inform the members of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of the opportunity to sign a Universal Donor Card (which is to authorize the use of our needed organs at the time of death in order to relieve the suffering of individuals requiring organ transplants).

The Synod also resolved,

"That we encourage family members to become living kidney donors."

(1981, Res. 8-05, "To Encourage Donation of Kidneys and Other Organs")

The issue of organ donation came before the Synod as the result of an actual case where the mo-rality of the donation of a kidney was under discussion. The Synod observed, with allusion to this situa-tion, "Our heavenly Father has created us so that we can adequately and safely live with one kidney and can express our love and relieve the unnecessary prolonged suffering of our relative."

Organ donation is a gift of life. Later this month (March 27th) we will celebrate the ultimate gift of life – the resurrection of our Lord. Without that gift we would be lost in eternal death. So we celebrate (as the hymn says) with one accord the death and resurrection of our Lord. Happy Easter to one and all.

Pastor Kevin

Issue III Volume XII

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Serving in March

Elders— Tony Gilman, Dave Hohenstein, Dietrich Flesch

Musicians— Phil Klemp, (1st & 2nd), Tom Kujawa (3rd) , Michael Deiss (4th)

Altar Guild— Pamela Wolfmeyer

Celebrating Easter Week

The next

Church Council

Meeting is March 14, 2016

Attendance Record

Jan 31—70

Feb 7—52

Feb 10—34 Ash Wed

Feb 14-56

Feb 17—38 Mid week service

Feb 21—51

Feb 24— 36 Mid week service

Communion is held on

1st, 3rd & 4th Sunday

Meet the second

Wednesday

of the month

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

meets on the first and third Wednesday

of each month in the conference room

at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare.

Palm Sunday, March 20, Traditional 9 AM service with palms and special music.

Maundy Thursday, March 24, 6:30 worship with communion. Theme: “The Hands

of Lent: Serving Hands.” A potluck will precede the service.

Good Friday, March 25, 6:30. Theme: “The Hands of Lent: Pierced Hands”

Easter, March 27, will begin with Easter breakfast at 8 AM and followed by a tradi-

tional Easter Service at 9 AM with special music.

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Commitment Sunday February 14

WE LOVE CAMP OMEGA

Camp Omega’s

“Rooted * Celebrating * Growing” Campaign

Randy Ash, Camp Omega Campaign Director, spoke on February 14 about the Camp Omega 3.3 mil-

lion dollar campaign to build an Adult/Family Retreat Center. The facility will include 25 modern guest-

rooms, private bathrooms, meeting space for groups of 100, breakout space for several groups using the facil-

ity at once or small group time, and built on the same grade as the dining hall. The retreat center will enable

Camp Omega to expand its ministries and provide programs and retreats for generations to come. Camp

Omega has successfully raised 1.1 million dollars to date.

Randy related the success of Camp Omega’s programming with a life changing story. He told the story

of Riley who was in trouble and was ordered by the court to attend Camp Omega. His mother brought him to

camp and told the camp counselor that Riley would be the worse camper they have ever known and then

turned around and left. After the week at camp surrounded by the love of God among other campers and in

nature, Riley said that he wanted to become a Christian. God works in marvelous ways.

Redeemer’s original goal was $4,000, but because of the generous advance gifts, $6,650 was raised

blowing the top of the graphic fundraising thermometer, so a new challenge goal was set at $9,000. Randy

Ash, Pastor Kevin, Sandy Bauer, Dick Behnke, and Sarah Haines encourage the congregation to not only meet

the challenge goal, but to exceed it all the way to the heaven!

Please include Camp Omega in your prayers. Submitted by Sandy Bauer

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January Preschool Chatter

Heidi Braun, Director/Teacher

Jenifer Clemons, Paraprofessional

Stephanie Lohn, Paraprofessional

Although February is just a day or two shorter, it seems to fly by so much faster than the other months. Parents’ Night Out is already behind us. With 12 volun-teers and 22 children, the evening went quite smoothly. Thank you to the church members who gave their time and energy to make it happen: Yousef Almatrok, Lois Ankrum, Elaine Ball, Lavern Fritz, Pastor Kevin Froelich, Clifton and Sharon Kjos, Sophie McQuiston, Jean Neeck, Sydne Williams, and Marvin and Pamela Wolfmeyer.

Our candy bar fundraiser is getting off to a great start, and the money is already coming in. We’ve got extra caramel bars this year for you caramel lovers. Don’t wait too long to buy your favorites or they’ll be gone! Thank you for supporting the preschool by buying and/or selling them.

You may notice a new name at the top. Stephanie joined us mid-February and works with us on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She’s a recent graduate of WSU and we’re excited for her to share her skills and experience with us.

This month we are learning about the birds we see outside our windows. You’d be amazed how many different types visit the playground. The bird feeder is a busy place!

During our Praise Time, we are still learning about Jesus’ many miracles as we continue going through the New Testament. The children look forward to Praise Time with Pastor Kevin once a week. He always has great object lessons and Bi-ble teachings. We’ll end the month with the Easter story.

Although we are getting close to the end of the school year, our enrollment and at-tendance continue to increase. We have two new enrollments and children have added days. Our room sure is busy these days! It will be quiet the last week of March, as we will be off for spring break.

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Submitted by Pamela Wolfmeyer

The Parents Night Out held for Redeemers Pre School on Saturday, February 6, 2016 was a big success. It

was held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Twenty children attended raging in age fro 4-9 years. Thirteen volunteers

helped with the children, fixing supper etc. The volunteers ranged from teenagers to older adults. The chil-

dren had a good time playing games, doing art projects, and watching a DVD. The volunteers enjoyed the

evening as well.

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Each year Redeemer budgets for Minnesota South District/Missouri Synod support. For 2016, the $600 budg-

eted will be divided, 60% designated to Minnesota South District and 40% designated to Missouri Synod. In-

cluded in the newsletter the Minnesota South District budget.

Also included is a listing of the mission outreach ministries supported by the district. Few people know about

the significant mission endeavors carried out by the congregations of the district right here in Minnesota. With

the districts New Church Incubator program a fresh approach brings God’s Word and Sacraments to a new

generation of disciples.

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March is “Minnesota Food Share”

Redeemer Lutheran Church will be collecting non-perishable food items for Winona Volunteer

Service during the month of March for “Minnesota Food Share.” Items desired are: peanut butter,

whole grain cereal and oatmeal, canned ham, tuna and chicken, dried beans, peas, low sodium

canned beans, brown rice and whole grain pasta, complete baking mixes such as pancake, muffin

and biscuits, 100% fruit juice, canned fruit packed in water, fresh produce, low sodium soups, low

sodium canned vegetables, herbs and spices. A barrel will be available by Wednesday March 2. Thank you.

Wellness Champion-Sandy Bauer

Concordia Health plan asked churches to name a wellness champion as an ambassador

who would help promote and encourage health and wellness among the staff. But health

and wellness is not only important to the staff, but to the congregation. I will serve in the

capacity of Wellness Champion and am committed to building a culture of health, and have

a sincere desire to make positive changes at Redeemer. Here’s to HEALTHY YOU in

2016. There is a Wellness!

Feeling Thankful and Blessed.....

Sandy Bauer

If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep; you are

richer than 75% of the world’s population.

If you have some money in the bank, some in your wallet, and a little spare change in your pocket; you

are among the wealthiest 8% of the people in the world...

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the agony of imprisonment or torture, or the horrible

pangs of starvation; you are more fortunate than over 500 million people who are alive and suffering.

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THRIVENT CHOICE

Are you an eligible Thrivent member with Choice Dollars® available to direct?

Each year, eligible Thrivent members are designated Choice Dollars based on their qualifying insurance premiums, contract values and volunteer leadership. If you’re an eligible Thrivent member with Choice Dollars available to designate, you can help strengthen our community by directing them to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Preschool.

In fact, this past year eligible Thrivent members directed $563.00 to Redeemer Church and $511 to Redeemer Pre School. Thank you to those members who participated in the Thrivent Choice® program and helped support our church’s mission by directing Choice Dollars!

Choose to make a difference by directing Choice Dollars® today. Simply visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more and find program terms and conditions.

SAVE THE DATE:

French Toast Breakfast fund raiser for VBS on Sunday, April 10, 8:30-12:30 at the American Legion.

Sign-up sheets will be out in March.

Fellowship during Easter Week

There will be a potluck dinner at 5:15 pm on Maundy

Thursday, March 24th.

Fellowship Committee will be serving a Easter Break-

fast at 8:00 am on Easter morning, March 27th.

It will be a freewill donation with the benefits going

towards the electric door fund.

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Fifth Grade Assignment

Wouldn't this be great if it was taught in every school?

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at

TV commercials and see if they could use them in 20 ways to

communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results

Submitted by Shirley Ballard

God is like. BAYER ASPIRIN

He works miracles.

God is like. COKE

He's the real thing.

God is like. HALLMARK CARDS

He cares enough to send His very best.

God is like. TIDE

He gets the stains out others leave behind. …

God is like. GENERAL ELECTRIC

He brings good things to life.

God is like. SCOTCH TAPE

You can't see Him, but you know He's there.

(Room permitting we will have more in the next issue)

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Rocky Sandcork

Administrator

253 Liberty Street

Winona, MN 55987

507-474-7799 school

507-313-3551 cell

rsandcork@hopelhs.org

www.hopelhs.org

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

Douglas J. Penning - Director

Carrie Rowell - Director

www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com

Winona, MN 507-452-3624 Fountain City, WI

115 Franklin St., Winona, MN 507-454-3120

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Redeemer Lutheran Church

1664 Kraemer Dr.

Winona, MN 55987

Phone : 507-452-3828

E-mail: pastor@redeemerlutheranwinona.org

officeasstant@redeemerlutheranwinona.org

Website: www.redeemerlutheranwinona.org

Redeemer Church ...

Welcomes you to come praise His Love for Us!

Sunday at 9 am.

The 1st ,3rd & 4th Sundays are Communion

Sundays.

Office hours are:

Mon-Thurs 9 am—1 pm

Fri 9 am— noon