Dear Friends,
As I sit to write this newsletter, the song, Give Thanks, comes to mind. For a few Sundays we sang it as we gathered the offering. It is a beautiful and simple song that reminds us to be thankful for all that God has done, and continues to do, for us.
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because he’s given
Jesus Christ his Son
(© Henry Smith, ccli song #20285)
With this song running through my head, I am thinking of my list of those for whom I am grateful. You, friends and members of Our Redeemer are high on that list.
- · I am thankful for those who serve on our church council. They are dedicated to the ongoing ministry of our congregation, while also tackling the challenge of an aging building.
- · I am thankful for our preschool staff, who have had some challenges this year and were able to pull together and improve our program ensuring that we will continue to provide grace-filled education to the children and families who participate.
- · I am thankful for everyone who worships regularly (and that is defined differently for each of us). Your presence is important, so thank you.
- · I am thankful for everyone who has been so supportive of Scott as he is undergoing treatment for lymphoma.
- · I am thankful to our worship team. Our occasional lunch meetings to talk about worship and the church are very helpful (and we need to get together again!).
- · I am thankful for those who participate in Monday’s stretch and prayer. We’re a small group of church and community members. Please join us some week.
What about you? For whom or for what are you grateful? If you can, think about sending someone a note of thanks.
In other news:
On Sunday, November 3
rd
, we will have a special All Saints worship service. For me this is special because each of us can bring photos or other mementos for our remembrance table. Then all of us will have the opportunity to light a candle (or more) in memory of a loved one. It is a very moving service and I hope you will be able to join us.
Mark your calendars for November 24
th
at 4pm for a special Thanksgiving Celebration with the churches of last spring’s Lenten Caravan. We will have a potluck after worship.
A few years ago I created a walking challenge. The idea was to encourage people to walk at least 1 mile a day, which for the average walker would take about 20 minutes. I called it the “Pastor Nancy’s Thanksgiving to Christmas Mile a Day Challenge.” This year will be the 5
th
year of this challenge. It’s amazing how time flies! In previous years I found that many people would enter the challenge but only about half would complete it. Last year I decided to use it as a fundraiser and charge an entry fee. I had about half the initial participants, but 95% of them completed the challenge. It’s amazing how we sometime respond better to things when we have to pay a little. This year the challenge will raise money for a new group that was started by a professor friend of mine (at CLU). The organization is called Runners for Public Lands and they are dedicated to learning about, protecting, and restoring the environment. Even if you don’t run that is a great mission to support. So I invite you to join my 5
th
annual challenge…it’s only $25.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Nancy
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I am so excited to share with you all about my first week in Berkeley at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. I am enrolled in the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program as a track to ordination in the ELCA. While at PLTS I met my cohort of classmates as well as other students who are starting their second and third years. Over the week while listening to lectures on the Hebrew Bible, Old Testament, Ministry, and context as well as participating in worship every morning I was reassured of my path to ministry. I have found a group of pastors and future pastors who are supporting and leading their own ministry with the hope that their church will also grow with their changing communities. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for this opportunity and a new path in ministry.
Blessings,
Teem Pastor Jade Ortiz
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Each year we use November as a thankful month. We will be talking about being thankful to God for our many blessings and learning how we can share those blessings with others less fortunate than ourselves.
On
November 21st and 22nd
, each classroom will prepare a food item to share with the rest of the classes at our Thanksgiving Feast. During our Thanksgiving Feast, we will talk about sharing with others, caring about
others and understanding that it takes lots of people to prepare food for so many children. After Friday, November 22nd our school will be closed for Thanksgiving week, November 25-29. We will be open for Vacation Care November 25, 26 and 27. Reservations & prepayment due 11/15/19.
I hope you all enjoy your family and have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Mrs. Kerry Roman
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November Worship Calendar
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November- Second Saturday Worship
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Community Action of Ventura County
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Our Redeemer Church begun a partnership with Community Action of Ventura County (CAVC). This non-profit organization has been serving low income families and the homeless since 1969. Several members have visited the CAVC campus in Oxnard. We spoke with Ninna Castellano (Director of Homeless Services) who suggested ways we can assist them in their work with low income families and the homeless population. Their day to day expenses are covered by federal, state and local funding, but everything else is provided by donations. They serve 100 to 120 clients a day, as well as low income families that need help with utilities, etc. They also partner with Food Share and distribute food once a week.
We are going to collect and donate the following items:
- October: Breakfast (cereal, milk, fruit bowls and spoons)
- November: Sock month, men and women's socks
- December: Beanies, for adults and children. We will also do Christmas cookies and a new book for the children
They also take donations of clothes, which they give away. They don't sell them. Whatever is donated, we will be able to deliver.
If you would like more information regarding Community Action of Ventura County, they have a web site. Also feel free to ask me any questions. We are very excited about being able to work with this organization and help care for the least among us.
Thank you,
Linda Lefler
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Operation L.O.V.E. Update
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the Operation LOVE quilts were sent with Lutheran World Relief, a ministry of US Lutherans, serving communities living in poverty overseas. Thank you to our volunteers who made this possible.
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Thanksgiving to Christmas Challenge
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Faith, Food and Fellowship
November 9, 2019 at 8:00am
Join the men of Our Redeemer and others on the
2nd Saturday of each month at Tomas Cafe at 8:00am.
Tomas Cafe is located at 622 South "A" Street in Oxnard
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The October council meeting will be held on
November 11, 2019 at 7pm
@ Our Redeemer
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Notice of Annual Budget Meeting
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Members of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer:
Please note your calendar for the
Annual Budget Meeting
on
November 17, 2019
following worship. You will be acting on the Proposed Budget for 2020.
The Proposed Budget will be placed in your Church Mail Box on November 3
rd
. Please review this material in advance as it will greatly help to facilitate discussions and questions. There will be an opportunity for you to bring your questions and concerns to council members prior to the budget meeting on
November 9
th
following worship.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will be present to lead and guide us to do the will of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Arlin Scott
Council President
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This month's meetings:
November 7
November 14
November 19
9 a.m. in the Coffee Room
The quilting group "Operation LOVE" at Our Redeemer has been creating quilts for the Lutheran World Relief quilt ministry for many years. About 60 quilts are sent annually to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to those in need around the world.
Anyone interested in participating in this ongoing project is encouraged to join the group at any time. Sewing/quilting experience is not essential since there are many different ways to give assistance as needed.
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Trunk-or-treat and Silent Auction 2019
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This year's Trunk or treat was a huge success! We had 10 cars for the children to stop and take pictures and go "trunk-or-treating"
Thank you to all our amazing volunteers! this wouldn't of been possible without you!
A special thank you goes out to Port Hueneme Police Department who came out and passed out ice cream to everyone!
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Gentle Stretches, Mobility and Prayer
If you need a bit of relaxation think about joining Pastor Nancy and others every Monday in November(
No stretch & Prayer 11/11
) at Our Redeemer at 5:00pm for Stretch & prayer. Please Bring a towel or yoga mat.
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On All Saints' Day, we remember all our beloved dead. Worship will be on
Sunday, November 3 at 10:30am.
You are invited to bring in photos of your deceased loved ones. Photos will be displayed in a special remembrance table.
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If you would like to be added to our birthday list, please let us know so that we can add you. You can let us know by replying to this e-mail or calling the church office at (805) 983-0612.
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November Altar Guild:
Helen Jackson & Sami Gutierrez
Team Members:
Julie Jensen, Sami Gutierrez, Gail Tenbus
Carol Peterson, Linda Lefler, Helen Jackson
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A flower calendar is available in the narthex bulletin board. You may sign up for the Sunday of your choice.
There is an information sheet available with flower suggestions and ordering information as well.
If you have been thinking about signing up to provide a floral arrangement for the altar, but need some direction, here are some guidelines:
First, choose an available week on the Flower Chart located in the narthex and sign your name and phone number.
Then, you have two options:
*You can do the foot-work yourself by contracting your favorite florist, or you can bring a potted plant or a flower arrangement from your own garden, or...
*You can have Bernardo's Flowers deliver an arrangement to the church for that Sunday. Simply call the church office at 983-0612 and let the Secretary know if you would like the office make the arrangements. Make the check out to "LCOOR" and put it in an envelope marked "FLOWERS." Bernardo's Flowers will deliver the arrangement to the church office on Friday.
For questions, call Michael at 805-983-0612 or ask any Altar Guild team member.
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- Help with worship... if you want to assist the pastor or read or serve communion please call Robin Tribbitt, 805-654-8252
- Like to sew? Our Love Ladies make quilts for Lutheran World Relief twice a month. Join them in the coffee shop on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of the month at 9:00am.
- To volunteer to bring refreshments on the Sunday of your choice, please sign your name on the snack calendar that is posted on the narthex bulletin board or call the church office at 805-983-0612.
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Want to pick-up your box of veggies at Our Redeemer?
Click on the link below...
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