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500 Years!

That’s a long time, so we are going to have quite a celebration at Redeemer. 500 years

ago on October 31st, 1517, Dr. Martin Luther, a German monk and professor, shared 95

theses that he thought would lead to an academic discussion. In fact, he penned them

in Latin for learned men to read and study. Due to the newly invented printing press, those theses would

be printed over and over and distributed far and wide, leading to the Protestant Reformation.

Since Jesus established the Church, she has always needed renewal and reform. We can see controver-

sies already in the book of Acts, which need to be settled by the apostles. We know that many reformers

came before Martin Luther and that in many places there were faithful and devout Christians.

One day is not enough to celebrate the 500th anniversary, so the whole month of October will be a cele-

bration of Jesus Christ and the reformers who were called by him. We will focus on reformers who came

before Luther and helped to pave the way.

On October 1, we will remember St. Francis of Assisi, who called a corrupt church and society out of her

complacency. He also rejoiced at the beauty of God’s creation, so his commemoration is a traditional

time for the blessing of animals. Bring your furry, finny, or feathery friends to worship (or afterwards)

for a time of blessing and fellowship. We will gather on the grass immediately following worship. Your

pet will also get a special tag.

October 8th we will thank God for the reformer William Tyndale. A contemporary of Luther, Tyndale

conceived the idea of translating the Bible into English. Although he never completed his project, his

translations, made directly from Greek and Hebrew, became the basis for later English versions. He was

burned at the stake in 1535.

October 15th we will remember the pioneering reform work of John Huss 100 years before Luther. A

Czech priest and well-known preacher in Prague, Huss was deeply influenced by John Wycliffe (see Oc-

tober 22). When the tide turned against calls for reform, Huss was excommunicated and expelled from

Prague. He was ultimately tried for heresy and burned aat the stake.

On October 22 we will give thanks for the life and ministry of John Wycliffe, an English philosopher, the-

ologian, pastor, and gifted preacher. He maintained that the Bible was the sole authority in matters of

doctrine, which led him to challenge the authority of the pope and to call for a reform of the Church in

England. His views were condemned and suppressed by the church.

October 29th will be Reformation Sunday, as we celebrate with great joy our freedom in the Gospel and

acknowledge the contributions of thousands of saints who have brought us to the present day. It will be a

festival day, so please invite your friends, family, and the curious, for this once in a lifetime event.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Pastor Jon Christenson

Voice of Redeemer

Volume 47—Number 10

Redeemer Lutheran Church

October 2017

2

The Steinway piano has been the instrument of choice by masters of

the keyboard for many years. Pianists such as Rubinstein, Cliburn, Horowitz, Rachmani-

noff, and Liszt knew that a skillfully crafted instrument such as the Steinway produces a

rich, wonderful sound.

Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were when Henry Steinway started the company in

1845. Two hundred craftsmen and 12,000 parts are required to produce one of these instruments. Most

crucial is the rim-bending process where 18 layers of maple are bent around an iron press to create the

shape of a Steinway grand. Five coats of lacquer are applied and hand-rubbed to give the piano its outer

glow. Each key is tested 10,000 times to ensure quality and durability.

In a similar manner, Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, are being "handcrafted." We are pressed,

formed and shaped to make us more and more like Him. We are polished until we "glow." We are tested

in the laboratory of human experience to ensure quality and durability.

One of the ways in which we are made in Christ's image concerns our giving. 1 John 3:17 (why not take

time to look it up in your Bible?) says that we demonstrate God's love when we see our brother or sister

in need and give to meet that need. In fact, the Lord Jesus said that we are to love our neighbor just as

we love ourselves, and the illustration He provided was that of the Good Samaritan.

Yes, we are to give to the Lord's work here at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Yes, we are to place a priority

in our lives on supporting this ministry financially. But let's not limit ourselves and our service for

Christ to the walls of our church. Instead, let's be alert to opportunities to demonstrate God's love to fel-

low-travelers on the road of life. When we do that, we are demonstrating to ourselves and to all who ob-

serve that we have been "handcrafted" in the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

AFRICAN MINISTRIES

Craft sales Oct. 22 & 29

REDEEMER’S NEW BELL CHOIR

REDEEMER’S (NEW) BELL CHOIR performed for the first time on

September 24, 2017 at which time the new bells were dedicated.

Thanks to generous donations from our church members and

friends of Redeemer, plus the work of our director, Catherine John-

son, we are so fortunate to have this great addition to our Worship

service. Donations are still being accepted as other items are

needed for music stands, table and eventually additional bells.

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It's just a scant month until Redeemer's craft and bake sale,

Nov. 4 and 5 in the Fellowship Hall.

Woodworkers, candy makers, greeting card crafters -

you make it, we'll sell it!

We hope to generate more funds to serve our facility,

fellowship and outreach projects

by advertising the sale to the community.

This means we'll need lots of items to generate more sales.

Contributing even an item or two will help.

Please contact Laura Haywood by Sunday, Oct. 15

if you plan to participate so we can, in turn,

plan the publicity, set-up needs, etc.

A big thank you to those who have already been in touch.

(Laura's contact information:

lauraedits@aol.com,

588-1709 or 204-0305.)

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VARIOUS VERSIONS OF THE

MARTIN LUTHER ROSE and various clipart proclaiming

REFORMATION 500

5

Ms. Sheri in the teacher mode.

COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

The LSS training has started, initially focusing on end-of-life training. The goal of LSS is to help

others and grow the church. Rally Day was September 10th and Sunday School classes and

Wednesday night Bible Study have resumed.

Dedication of the new bells will be on September 24th when they will be played for the first

time. Blessing of the Animals will take place on October 1st. New members will join in Octo-

ber. Each Sunday in October will reflect on a different reformer, ending with Martin Luther

and a celebration of the Reformation. A fall bazaar is being planned - open to the public

Saturday, November 4th (craft items), and for members on Sunday, November 5th (craft items

and bake sale). Trunk or Treat is being planned for Halloween.

Lights have been installed on the exterior on the east side of the church, the air conditioner in

Fellowship Hall has been serviced, the fire extinguishers will be serviced soon, Ken is getting

estimates to deal with the dead or damaged trees, and cleaning the wood in the Sanctuary

will take place in October, followed by a work day afterwards for cleanup. A congregational

meeting will be held in October to ratify the new Constitution and vote on whether to hold

one or two services on Sundays.

Linda Cohen, Secretary

MERCY SHIPS Has been selected as our charity for the months of OCTOBER AND

NOVEMBER . Donations received prior to the end of December will

qualify for matching funds. There is information in the Narthex about

MERCY SHIPS and the work they do. Ed Saltzman will also give a brief

summary of this charity. Make your checks payable to Redeemer

with Mercy Ships notation.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

OCTOBER 8th

AFTER WORSHIP WE WILL MEET TO

DISCUSS AND VOTE ON

1. WORSHIP TIMES

2. RATIFY NEW CONSTITUTION

Please plan to attend this meeting - -

these two items are important and your

input and vote are needed!

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October 12

5:30 pm

DATES TO

REMEMBER

Sat. October 14

9 am

Monday October 9

@ 6 pm

Everyone is Welcome

WINE & DINE : is Thursday, 10/26/17 @

6:15 pm. Please watch the bulletin for more

information.

OCTOBER

ACTIVITIES

LUNCH BUNCH: is Wednesday 10/4/17 @

11am at the Black Bear Diner, 4102 Cali-

fornia Ave. Everyone is invited; please

make reservations with Judy Olson-

Peterson.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY will meet on Wednesday,

Oct. 11 from 9 am to 2 pm in the Fellowship Hall. All are

welcome to join us for knitting/crocheting prayer

shawls, blankets or quilts. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy

fellowship with friends. Lilian will provide snacks.

Pastor Jon

Russell Schonewise

Rhett Spillers

Annalisa Lipes

Margaret Niebel

Julio Gallegos

Sarah Elrod

Gary Gillespie

Lynda Champlin

Colby Christenson

Silesia Johnson

Debby Liebzeit

Shirley Rice

David Peterson

Sherry Clayton

Audrey Albritre

Jerry & Kathy McKnight 14

Rodney & Gladys Johnson 15

RUTH CIRCLE : will be Monday, Oct. 2, 6:30 pm at Jan

Lemley’s home, 9517 Hemingway Pl.. 93311. Pastor

Donella will lead our study. Everyone is invited. For

information call Jan 664-9404.

AFTERNOON CIRCLE will be on Wed., October 18 @ 1:30

in the Fellowship Hall. All ladies are invited. We will be

discussing the second article of the Apostles Creed from

John 20:24-31 & Gather magazine. Judy Olson-Peterson

will lead the discussion & provide refreshments.

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05

06

08

08

15

17

19

23

23

23

24

24

25

26

29

SUNDAY

OCTOBER 1st BRING YOUR

PETS FOR A

BLESSING

AFTER WORSHIP.

COFFEE HOUR

TO FOLLOW

JOIN IN THE

FUN

OCTOBER 31

5:30

(brown bag

supper 5pm)

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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God by Martin Luther

Based on Psalm 46, Martin Luther wrote the words and composed the music

to this hymn, which became the most inspirational hymn of the Reformation,

sometimes referred to “The Battle Hymn of the Reformation”. It was the ral-

lying cry of peasants and dissidents throughout Europe and was on the lips

of Protestant armies on their way to battle. Even martyrs on their way to

death, sang this hymn. It was also sung at the National service following the

9/11 attack in New York. It has been translated into most every known lan-

guage and is today the National hymn of Germany. “A Mighty Fortress is

our God” was sung at Martin Luther’s funeral and the words of the title are

inscribed on the tomb of Martin Luther.

Martin Luther was an avid writer of hymns and complied several hymnals.

He knew the power of congregational singing and saw it as a powerful tool for

bringing people closer to God. To quote Martin Luther, who was never re-

served in speaking from his heart: “If any man despise music, as all fanatics

do, for him I have no liking; for music is a gift and grace of God, not an inven-

tion of man. Thus it drives out the devil and makes people cheerful. Then one

forgets all wrath, impurity, and other devices.”

An early printing of Luther's hymn "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our

Jan Lemley, editor

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Sept. 25, 2017 Aug.25, 2017

Area of Service

Altar Guild

Flowers

Acolyte

Assistant

Minister

Communion

Assistant

Reader

Head Usher

Greeter

Coffee Hour

October 1 October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29

Haywood family

Jan Lemley

Phyllis

Following is a list of our friends who have been lifted up in prayer by our faithful Prayer Warriors.

Please know that your prayers are so very much appreciated. Thanks and Blessings to all!

Manes family

Louise Hall

C

Congregation

Meeting

IN HIS SERVICE

October 2017

Cantrell family

Lemley family

Louise Hall

Judy Peterson

Karen

John Lemley

Karen Musgrove

Phyllis and Jan

Phyllis Elrod

Nate Olson

Karen

NOTE: THIS SCHEDULE DOES NOT REFLECT CHANGES MADE AFTER SEPT. 25

Candy

Scotty

Wild fire victims

Hurricane victims

Earthquake victims

Sheila

Cathy

Carl

Franz

Karen

David

Amy & Bill

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

2525 BELLE TERRACE, P O BOX 13132-93389, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93304

Pastor: Rev. Jon Christenson ………... 832-7881 ……………. Secretary: Phyllis Elrod

E-mail address: rlcbakersfield@sbcglobal.net Web site address: www.bakersfieldlutheran.org

Bruce Wearda

9

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THRUSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

Sunday School

8:30

Worship 9:30

Animal Blessing

Fellowship 10:30

2

Ruth Circle

6:30

3

4

Lunch Bunch

11 am

5:30 Sack

supper - 6:00

Bible study

5

6 7

8

Sunday School 8:30

Worship 9:30

Congregation

Meeting 10:30

Pastor

Appreciation Day

9

Worship &

Music 6 pm

WORK

WEEK

10

11

Prayer Shawl

& Quilting

9-2

5:30 Sack

supper - 6:00

Bible study

12

Council 5:30

13 14

9 a.m.

15

Sunday School

8:30

Worship 9:30

Fellowship 10:30

16

17

18

Afternoon

Circle 1:30 pm

5:30 Sack

supper - 6:00

Bible study

19

20

21

22

Sunday School

8:30

Worship 9:30

Fellowship 10:30

African Ministries

23 24

25

5:30 Sack

supper - 6:00

Bible study

26

Wine & dine

6:15 pm

27 28

LSS

@ Redeemer

10am

29

Sunday School

8:30

Worship 9:30

Fellowship 10:30

REFOMATION

30 31

Oct. 8th

2017

Oct. 29

Please note that Worship and

Sunday School times are subject

to change after the congregation-

al meeting on Oct. 8