February 26, 2021

We may have had snow earlier this week but springtime is in the air! All you have to do is visit the Redeemer Church Office and you can feel a burst of energy that only sunshine, and the knowledge that we're on a Lenten journey to Easter can bring!

Today's newsletter is filled with opportunities for you to get involved in a wide mix of Redeemer ministries. Redeemer's ministries are YOUR ministries. We encourage you to ask questions. Visit one of our many Bible Studies. Or even start a small group or ministry of your own. Together we are carrying out Redeemer's mission -- living out the Word and healing ministry of Jesus.

Speaking of living out our mission, please mark your calendars for March 7 -- next Sunday -- when we will officially celebrate how God worked through Redeemer (YOU) during our “A Home for Christmas” project. I promise you don’t want to miss it! The Castillo’s will be joining us for both Worship services AND Daniel has created a very special video to commemorate the celebration. Again, please join us for Worship on March 7 at either 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. in person or online.

Perhaps, one of the most beloved (and humble) ministry leaders here at Redeemer is Marcia Tracht. Marcia leads with the compassion, love and selflessness of Jesus. She has a tireless spirit that both inspires and lifts others up to serve alongside her. While her ministries touch people of all ages and backgrounds, her mission remains constant -- to serve others as Jesus served.

For all of these reasons, Marcia is this week's Redeemer Ministry Spotlight.

Name?

I've been married to Mark the Adventure Man for 50.5 years! Together we have two children and three grandchildren.

How long have you been a member of Redeemer?

Redeemer's Piecemakers Quilting Ministry is a fabulous group of servant-hearted women who exemplify Jesus' love in action. We are currently inviting women to join our group. Quilts are made and given to people within our community and worldwide. If you can sharpen scissors, cut with scissors, tie a knot, tape a box, iron fabric, sew with a machine, thread a needle, or make coffee and a sandwich -- this ministry is for you. Seriously, please give me a call to learn more -- (509)993-9205.

Redeemer's Celebration of Life Hospitality is another servant-hearted ministry where we have the opportunity to share compassion and love with those seeking peace in Christ. If you'd like to be a part of this ministry, we prepare and serve food at receptions following funerals.

Redeemer's Easter Brunch is always a highlight of the year. This ministry brings together Redeemer members of all ages on a day when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Together we prepare Easter Brunch for the whole congregation and the many guests who visit Redeemer for Easter Worship. Beyond preparing the food, we serve the food and of course, clean-up afterward. The annual event requires volunteers galore. If you LOVE fellowship and a tasty meal -- this ministry is for you! (Note, this activity will likely look different this year but stay tuned as I'm sure we'll find the yeses in Easter!)

Redeemer's Christmas/Advent Ministries bring the people of Redeemer and members of our community together like no other time of year. Every year the generosity of our members, exceeds my every expectation. I welcome you to join me on our 2021 Advent Mission. We start planning in the fall so please feel free to connect with me early. Again you can reach me directly at (509)993-9205. Specific elements of our Christmas Ministry include:

Who inspires you?

John 3:16-17 -- "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

My favorite verse on Sundays this year is Judges 5:3 --

“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!

    I, even I, will sing to the Lord;

    I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song."

When is Sunday School starting again? Will we have in person VBS? What is Easter going to look like at Redeemer this year?

The fact is -- I don't have the answers.

If I did have the answers, I'd also be able to look into the future to confirm whether or not Gonzaga is going to the National Championships and if they are going to win!

I sure hope the answer is YES on both accounts but none of us has the answers today.

So where am I going with this -- the Post-pandemic Church.

The majority of questions the ministry team and I receive today relate to what Redeemer is going to look like as a post-pandemic church. For this reason, the staff is currently studying a book written by Bob Whitesel, titled "Growing the Post-pandemic Church."

In the book, the author encourages church leadership to rethink how we do church. Holding onto Biblical foundations while expanding and rethinking opportunities for worship, discipleship and outreach.

It has been both enlightening and reaffirming for the staff as we've discovered Redeemer is already living out many of the predictions outlined in the book. When the pandemic first hit, as a staff, we agreed we would intentionally look for the 'YESES.' Focusing on what we CAN do rather than what we can't do. To do this, we had to reaffirm our priorities.

For instance, as we look forward to being a post-pandemic church, you can guarantee our focus will be on relationships. It is one of Redeemer's core values. I believe the Gospel travels on the platform of relationships.

There will be creativity. A lot of creativity as we continue living out our mission and finding the YESES.

And we will never lose sight that Redeemer's ministries belong to the people. To you! We're counting on you to link arms with us to deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the community. Our community relationships with the people of the Ponderosa and the Spokane Valley are so important. Our hope is that the Ponderosa neighborhood and the Valley are healthier because Redeemer is here.

And most importantly as we chart our path as a post-pandemic church, we do so walking in step with Jesus. He is leading us every step of the way and we TRUST He has awesome plans for Redeemer in the days, months and years ahead.

On March 7, we'll launch a Sermon Series on the Post-pandemic Church. During this series we'll explore what Redeemer is going to look like during the post-pandemic era. And specifically, how we are going to keep our mission front and center -- living out the Word and healing ministry of Jesus to the people around us.

Please enjoy more of my Friday message here.

~ Pastor Dave Does A Home For Christmas Mean to YOU?

You will find all of the information you need to Register under the School Tab on our website at this link.

To arrange a tour of our school, please contact Erica Barton, Redeemer's Director of Early Childhood Educations at 926-6363 or ebarton@redeemeralive.org

When young people reach the age of 10 years old or are in the 5th grade, we invite them to participate in the instruction process leading to the Rite of First Communion. This instruction is also for those who are older, up through 12th grade, but have not taken their First Communion. 

We will be holding our two-night First Communion instruction on Tuesday, March 16 and Thursday,

March 18 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. via Zoom.

The Rite of First Communion will be celebrated on Sunday, March 21 at BOTH the 8:30am or 10:30am services. You may register for this class by calling the church office at 509-926-6363. You can also email at frontdesk@redeemeralive.org.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” -- John 6:51

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.

Registration is officially open on our website. You can both register and pay online at this link. We have options for every family size and camping preference whether you prefer staying in the lodge, a tent, or an RV.

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. 

In Luke 11, Jesus says, "Woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”

In 2 Corinthians 9:7, without mentioning tithing, Paul teaches us how we should give, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 

I don’t think so! Why? Because you are showing your love of God, and know that your gifts and offerings are being used to benefit others and support the mission of Redeemer -- Living out the Word and healing ministry of Jesus.

The next time you give an offering or gift to Redeemer, ask yourself—Why am I doing this? I think you will be surprised and happy with your answer.

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.

If you'd like to share your gifts in support of Redeemer Lutheran Church's ministries, you can do so online at this link or via any of the options listed in the image below.