Our mission is to share God’s love with all people.

September 2019

Sunday Worship

At

8:30 a.m.

And

10:30 a.m.

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer 51 Wilmington

Island Road Savannah, GA

31410

912-897-1133 redeemersav.org

A faith that is not freely chosen is not faith and will not lead to enduring change. A faith that is manipulated in others or is extorted from them does not witness to or affirm Christ. It denies him…The point is to learn how to share our own faith and expe-rience of God with others and to re-ceive their sharing of their faith and experience of God with us.

Anthony B. Robinson Transforming Congregational

Culture, p. 89 We kicked off our 20 in 5 Faith De-velopment Program on August 4; just one month ago we piloted a new and exciting ministry that God will use to grow us more and more into the faith given to us in our baptism. What is exciting about this initiative is that it was designed by you – the faithful of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. We have begun the “countdown” for the next five years. Our growth will be measured by our individual and congregational activity in our lives in Jesus Christ. Can you remember a time where you were more excited than right now to be part of some-thing innovative, something big, something unique? This is growth. Over the next few months we will begin to develop the ministries that you requested on the “blue sheets,” your 20 in 5 individual covenants. More than 40 people submitted their sheets, and more will come in over time as more and more people wor-ship here. The life of the congrega-tion also will grow. You can plan to

see more people at fellowship events, committee meetings, and Bible stud-ies. This is growth. Now is the time to share your faith with your friends and neighbors. Be inviting; call to ask that co-worker about worshipping with us. Ask that neighbor about becoming involved in the life of the congregation. It’s been one month and already the power of Christ is working through you in 20 in 5. There is a surge of confidence of the Holy Spirit happening here. This is growth. To God be the Glory for all God has done, Pastor Steve

See you on Saturday, September 7!

Second Sunday Brunch returns September 8 Yes, we’ve missed it all summer, but we’re all delighted to know that Sec-ond Sunday Brunch will return on Sunday, Sept. 8, between the 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. services. This is a great opportunity to visit with folks from the “other” service and to enjoy the wonderful meals provided by Debbie Reid and her helpers. See you there!

Pastor’s Message

The Redeemer

Record

See you at Re-Store on September 7! On Saturday, Sept. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., members of Redeemer will gather at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore for our annual God’s Work, Our Hands (GWOH) project. The ReStore is located at 701

Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., between Gwinnett and West Hall Streets. Our work this year will involve putting together cabi-nets to be installed in a future Habitat home. Mark your calendars and plan to join your fellow parishion-ers as we gather to witness and serve at this valuable community effort. Since 2013, thousands of ELCA congregations have participated in this dedicated day of service, gathering to serve communities in ways that share the love of God with all of God’s people. The event has quickly become an anticipated way to be “church together” and “church for the sake of the world.” GWOH ser-vice activities offer an opportunity for us to explore one of our most basic convictions as Lutherans:

All of life in Jesus Christ – every act of ser-vice, in every daily calling, in every corner of life – flows freely from a living, daring confi-dence in God’s grace.

“God’s work. Our hands” Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America (ELCA) – one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. Let’s do this together!

Women of Redeemer meet Sept. 10

During their September meeting, the Women of Re-deemer will be decorating stationary cards with thumbprint art. If you don't want to get painted fin-gers, there will be regular cards you can choose from and write a quick note to family, church family or someone you haven't talked to in a while. Coconut French toast will be served as a meal or dessert! If the thought of writing a heartfelt note is overwhelm-ing, don't worry! We will be able to help. Sometimes just a simple "thinking of you" (or a funny card with a joke) will bring a huge smile to the recipients face! Please join us for the evening, ladies!

Cottage Meetings in September prepare us for next congregational meeting So that we can be prepared for the September 29 con-gregational meeting, the Church Council has asked that members sign up to attend cottage meetings throughout the month. There will be signup sheets in the narthex, and a the meetings will take place at a variety of times and locations (see page 5). There are three points of discussion for the meetings:

1. Change in mission statement. 2. Revising secretarial position to administrative position to provide additional support for Pastor. Can this person be a member of the congrega tion? 3. Pastor’s position changing from “full time” to “part time,” which reduces his scheduled work week from 6 to 5 days.

Meetings will be about one hour in length. Each meet-ing will have a council member attending to answer questions. The discussion at these meetings will better propare us to vote on the issues to be decided at the September 29 congregational meeting. Please plan to attend.

Stewardship Kickoff Dinner and Congregational Meeting planned for Sunday, September 29 September 29 will be a fifth Sunday, a day when the congregation normally worships at 9:30 a.m. and gath-ers for a potluck after the service. On the 29th, we’ll have a change in that plan. Immediately following the service, we will move into a congregational meeting. Because we’ve had cottage meeting discussions, the votes during this meeting should proceed smoothly. After the meeting, we will move into the social hall for the Stewardship Kickoff Dinner, with food pro-vided by the Stewardship Committee. Every member of the church and every visitor is welcome to enjoy the dinner.

There will be a guest speaker on the topic of steward-ship, and each giving unit will receive a 2020 pledge card to complete. Those who have already planned their giving may turn their pledge card in on that day.

Please mark your calendars and plan to be part of this congregational event!

Rally Day!

Women of Redeemer First Meeting

August 13, 2019

Good times were had by all!

Gerken and Goodling Scholarships awarded Aug. 4 On August 4, Redeemer awarded scholarships in the amount of $750 to the following five members: John Brassard; Jaycie Drinnon; Kimberly Woods; Lauren Groover; and Ben Tellefsen. The Gerken and Goodling Scholarships are endow-ments from former members that are added to each year by the congregation. The Gerken and Goodling Scholarships each receive ½ percent of our annual giving. At the beginning of the new school year, the interest from these scholarships is awarded to Re-deemer’s deserving college students to help support their educational needs. Congratulations to these young members, and best wishes for a great school year!

Wish these folks a Happy September Birthday! 9/3 John Brassard 9/6 Heidi Wagstaff 9/9 Annie Day 9/11 Maggie Tellefsen 9/12 Peyton Coursey 9/13 Karen Jerald 9/14 Sydney Cutten 9/14 Justin Janzen 9/18 Richard Bolt 9/21 Greg Fowler 9/22 Steve Williams 9/26 Carol Fowler Nancy Goll

Redeemer’s Colorful Windows As a relatively new member of Redeemer, I found myself asking during each worship service about the colorful windows that decorate the walls of our sanc-tuary: Were they a gift? What is the meaning of each window? Jane Gobin, a longtime member, loaned me information that describes each window and the meaning behind the images and colors. I suspected this would be good information for all members, so here we go:

Our windows are made of faceted glass, an adaptation of traditional stained glass. Instead of using thin piec-

es of colored glass and assembling them with strips of lead, the craftsman cuts the pieces of glass from 1” thick slabs and shapes them to the size and form re-

quired by the design.

After the pieces have been faceted (chipped) to create a jewel-like effect, they are laid into a form and liquid epoxy resin is poured between them.

Finally, to create an interesting texture an aggregate

of crushed stone is imbedded in both the interior and exterior surfaces of the epoxy matrix. After the epoxy resin is cured, a solid panel is formed.

Window 1 is found on the left side of the altar. It was made in a simple abstract design that uses the same colors found in the symbolic windows.

Window 2 is on the left side of the altar near the steps. It depicts the beauty of God’s creation as recorded in the first chapter of Genesis, including the sun, the moon, the stars, and the earth (a half-globe).

Window 3 is paired with window 2 and depicts creation through a tree and flowers, and the animal kingdom by the fish, birds, and a rabbit.

Window 4 is

inspired by God’s covenant with Noah. God spared Noah and his family, and He assured Noah that he would never again destroy the world by another flood. The window portrays the Ark on the waves of the flood. It is a symbol of God’s mercy, reassuring us that God’s ultimate design is salvation, not destruction. Read Genesis 9:13-15

Window 5 People were unable to redeem themselves and God had to come to their rescue. He selected the people of Israel as his chosen people. Their mission would be to maintain and spread the faith in the one true and living God. In Abraham, the divine plan of salvation took its First concrete form. Abraham received the promise that his descen- dants would be as numerous as the stars, and that he would be the father of a great nation. The stars in the upper half are symbolic of that promise. The one bright star refers to the Redeemer, to be born from his people. Although Abraham was to be the father of a great nation, his wife, Sarah, remained child-less until they were both very old. When their son, Isaac, was born, the life of the child was demanded by God. Obedi-ent to the commandment of the Lord, Abraham was will-ing to sacrifice his son on the mountain, symbolized here by the altar and smoke. In the last moment, after Abraham had shown his absolute faith and obedience, Abraham became the father of all believers.

Sign up for a cottage meeting on the lists in the Narthex.

Wed., Sept. 4, 2:45 p.m. Church Library Fri., Sept. 6, 6 p.m. 129 Peters Quay Mon., Sept. 9, 11 a.m. Church Library Sat., Sept. 14, 6 Moss Court Sun., Sept. 15, 9:45 a.m. Church Li-brary