February 19, 2021

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Ash Wednesday service both in our Worship Center and online. We are officially in the season of Lent... Over the next 40 days, we will be joining with Christians around the world to journey to the cross and ultimately Jesus’ resurrection on Easter.

Speaking of Jesus' life and ministry, we're honored to introduce you to this week's Redeemer Ministry Spotlight.

Today we highlight Julie Blyckert -- also, lovingly known as 'Top Dog' to Redeemer's Comfort Dog Ministry. Jesus' light shines brightly through Julie's every action whether she is serving alongside our beloved Comfort Dog, Isaac, caring for oncology patients at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, or raising up her beautiful family.

Name?

I've been married to my wonderful husband, John, for 30 years. We have three adult children and their spouses who we also consider our children: Our son, Micah, and his wife, Alex live in L.A. Our son, Adam, and his wife, Kristin, live in Maryland. And our daughter, Amy, and her husband, Alex will soon be moving to Phoenix. No grandkids -- yet.

How long have you been a member of Redeemer?

The LCC K9 Comfort Dog ministry mission statement is to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering or in need. In other words, the ministry isn't about the cute, fluffy, purebred golden retriever. It is about using that golden retriever as a bridge to open doors for us to begin ministry. Redeemer's Comfort Dog team takes Isaac to schools, to visit shut-ins, to the Ronald McDonald House, to Cup of Cool Water, to Hospice House, and to anyone who requests a visit. We even do virtual visits with people from around the country!

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by many of my patients at the hospital. When I'm feeling like something is hard in my life, I only have to remember the things these kids have overcome and their amazing attitudes.

Romans 15:13 -- "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

The Bible calls these highs and lows -- being in the ashes of life. From the ashes, God brings beauty. He leads us back from death into life, again.

Isaiah 62 says, "God covers our head with beauty instead of ashes."

We see reminders of this everywhere in our world. For instance, the Jack Pine. The Jack Pine is like no other tree. The seeds can only be released when the resin is melted which requires intense heat, and often only a fire ravaging the forest will unlock the cone’s supply and release the seeds from within. As the resin seal is broken, the seeds drop to the ashes. Jack Pines are established only when multiple seeds germinate from the ashes. This is the cycle of life and death in nature.

He announces His REDEEMING LOVE.

My hope is that if you need to be reminded that you are a loved child of God -- reminded of your beauty -- you will be reminded regularly. The truth is God redeems me and He redeems you, as well.

Please enjoy more of my Friday message here.

~ Pastor Dave

Have you and your Screen-Ager joined us for the Tech-Wise Challenge, yet! If not, there is still time to jump in anytime over the next 40 days as we journey through the Lenten season.

Here is the link to sign-up: Tech-Wise Challenge 

If you'd like to purchase the book (although it isn't required), here is the Amazon link to the books Tech-Wise Life and Tech-Wise Family If you would like a copy but cannot afford one at this time, email Maria (mdevenport@redeemeralive.org).

Our Senior High Summer Mission Trip to Shoshone is officially confirmed for the week of June 20-25.

And our Middle School Youth will be headed to Shoshone for our annual Summer Service Week the week of August 1-5.

WHY: An opportunity to serve together as Christ-like Servant Leaders helping families in the Silver Valley who don’t have access to resources like those found in Spokane. We'll be serving outdoors in family groups -- be prepared for a ton of fun!

LOCATION: Camp Shoshone in Idaho (a sister camp of Lutherhaven)

REGISTRATION: Please register/pay ONLINE. A $50 Deposit is due at the time of registration. If you'd prefer to pay by check, make checks payable to “Redeemer Lutheran Church.” 

Scholarships are available. Contact Trisha Rountree at trountree@redeemeralive.org 

Please contact Maria with any specific questions -- mdevenport@redeemeralive.org or 509-939-4866.

Please join us for Shoshone Family Ranch Camp -- August 13-15. Doug Weinrich will be leading a group of families from Redeemer in a weekend of fun, FELLOWSHIP, and worship at Shoshone Mountain Retreat. Activities include horseback riding, river time, and a whole lot of GREAT food.

We'll be providing more details about registration next week. In the meantime, please contact Doug Weinrich with any questions -- dweinrich@redeemeralive.org.

Please join us for Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study. We are currently doing a study on Foundations in Faith. Beyond this very thought-provoking study, the fellowship is fantastic. Our next meeting will be on February 24 at 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

For those who prefer to join our Bible Study us from home, you can do so at this link: meet.google.com/czo-vmdh-qqp Please contact Doug directly with any questions at dweinrich@redeemeralive.org.

Please join us for Tuesday Night Women’s Bible Study every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in room 120/121. The group is studying Colossians using “Truthfilled” by Ruth Chou Simons. Books may be purchased at www.lifeway.com.

Please contact Kim Nelson to learn more at 509-995-7179 or cknelson01@msn.com. 

The process is simple -- sign-up either in the lobby or by calling our Church Office. Let us know who or what you’d like to commemorate, and our fabulous Church Secretary, Tamara, will handle the ordering of the arrangement. We ask for a $30 donation to cover the cost of the flowers but don’t let that stop you from celebrating something important. With your permission, we’ll highlight your special person or occasion both here in our weekly newsletter and in our Redeemer Life video.

Please call our Church Office with any questions (509-926-6363) or email sbaldwin@redeemeralive.org.

Our previous platforms are still operational, but we would encourage you to take advantage of our new and very simple online giving platform:

We also have a new text-to-give option. Simply text 509-316-3600 and follow the prompts.

As always, we'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to submit your updates, stories, questions, photos, and videos to our Director of Marketing & Communications, Susan Baldwin at sbaldwin@redeemeralive.org. If appropriate and with your permission, we'll feature them here and/or on our social media channels.