What's going on at Redeemer?

HELP OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN HAITI.  There are a number of agencies that are receiving contributions to help the rescue and relief efforts in Haiti.  One way that you may help is to write checks to “The Atlantic District” and mail them to:
            The Atlantic District
            171 White Plains Road
            Bronxville, NY 10708
            Memo Line:  Haiti Earthquake

WE CONTINUE OUR PARTNERSHIP with Trinity and Redeemer.  Our flexibility with starting the Liturgy at 11AM and other issues will be navigated in accordance with this.  We thank our Lord for the opportunity to serve Him and to help our sisters and brothers throughout the area to receive, teach, celebrate and share Christ Jesus.

FASTING AS A PARISH DURING LENT.  From February 20 through March 28, we as a parish shall fast as part of our Lenten discipline.  One way that we shall do this by having only beverages for the fellowship hour following the Liturgies.  The fellowship fast will end with the Easter Breakfast on April 4 at 9AM.  As we fast from food, we may still socialize with each other as we pray for those in the world who go without food.

IT IS TIME TO CONSIDER HOW YOU WILL ENGAGE IN LENTEN DISCIPLINES.  Fasting, prayer and the giving of gifts to the poor are Lenten disciplines.
    What will you give up this year?
    How will you fast?
    What are ways that you will pray this Lent?
    How will you encourage our catechumens who are preparing for Holy Baptism?
    How will you encourage our candidates for confirmation?
    What will you do to give gifts to those who are in need?
    How will you give sacrificially so that others may enjoy the gifts of God?

MIDWEEK LENTEN LITURGIES.  Midweek Lenten Liturgies will be on Wednesdays at 12Noon and 7:30PM.  The theme will be “The Catechisms of Dr. Martin Luther.”  Our catechumens and candidates are studying these; it is an honor for us to join them in that study during Lent.

GOOD FRIDAY DRAMA.  HEARTS is doing a drama on Good Friday this year for the Liturgies based on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John.  Be sure to encourage family, friends, enemies and neighbors to come on Good Friday to hear and see how our Lord Jesus rules as King of kings on the throne of His holy cross.

LET THE CHILDREN COME.  Redeemer remembers what Jesus says in St. Matthew 18:13-16, “Let the children come.”  To make it more convenient for the little ones among us to come, Redeemer is providing backpacks filled with items that we hope will capture and hold their attention during the Liturgy.   The yellow backpacks are designated for children who are 2 and 3 years old, and the green ones are for children 4 and 5 years old.  The backpacks are located under the coat rack in the narthex.   The contents of the backpacks are to be placed back into the backpacks after the Liturgy when the backpacks are returned to the area under the coat rack.   The contents of the bags are periodically changed, so be sure to check them regularly.  Also, if there are suggestions about things that could be included in the bags, please speak with Dr. LuJuana Butts.  Thank you to Dr. LuJuana Butts for facilitating this project.

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS AND ALL SERVING IN THE WAR.

WE ARE THANKFUL to our Lord for those who have been preparing bread for our celebration of the Holy Eucharist: Narda Seoprasad, Pauline Flowers, Janet Swaby and Deaconess Rojas.

ANOINTING WITH OIL FOR HEALING.  After the Liturgies on the following days, the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands for healing will occur.
January 2-3       February 13-14              March 13-14                  April 10-11             May 1-2             June 5-6 July 3-4            August 7-8                    September 4-5 
October 2-3       November 6-7                December 4-5

ALTAR GUILD.  Help set up and clean up after the Liturgies at Redeemer.  Help prepare the Lord’s house for the liturgical celebrations.  Help wash sacred linens and vessels.  Help make sure that all supplies are set and in place for the Liturgies.  Join the Altar Guild.  If you are interested in joining, please communicate with Deaconess Rojas (dcsrojas@redeemerlutheranbronx.org or 718.324.1288 ext. 104).

8AM LITURGY ANOINTING TIMES.  Please come from 7:40AM until 7:55AM on Anointing with Oil for Healing days to receive the laying on of hands and the anointing with the Oil for Healing if you are coming to the 8AM Liturgy.  As Pastor is serving at Trinity in the Bronx and needs to leave immediately after the 8AM Liturgy, this will allow worshipers at 8AM to receive the precious gift of healing.  Be sure to adjust your schedules accordingly.

SAVE THE DATE.  On August 7, 2010, Redeemer is invited to the wedding of Rudolph Ressmeyer and Lenore Wittrock.  More details will follow. 

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IF YOU WANT TO JOIN REDEEMER, please speak with Catechist Rosa Cruz-Molina or with Pastor Taylor.  We are thrilled to have you grow in God’s grace with us.  We meet in the chapel, next to the sanctuary.

SPANISH CLASSES ARE STARTING SOON.  Deaconess Rojas and Pastor Taylor are teaching a four week ”Introduction to Spanish” course at Redeemer.   Emphasis will be on pronunciation, diction, basic vocabulary and basic grammar.  Classes are offered free of charge since we received a grant from the Atlantic District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League to do this project.  The same class will be offered both in the day and in the evening for your convenience.  The schedule for classes is as follow: March 1 at 10AM and 7:30PM
Thank you, Deaconess Rojas, for your work on this project.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES ARE IN SESSION for those in grades 7 on Wednesday at 5PM.  Those who are not baptized, not receiving Holy Communion and not confirmed should be with us.  Those who are recently confirmed should also come to serve as sponsors.  Bring your questions to Catechist Rosa Cruz-Molina, Deaconess Rojas, Deacon Gonzalez or Pastor.

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN SESSION.  Classes are on Sundays at 9:45AM with breakfast served at 9:30AM.  Register for Sunday School and grow in the faith.  Sunday School is for people ages 3 and up…including adults!

POST CATECHUMENTE EXPERIENCE.  Dr. Butts is teaching this course for those who have completed the Catechumenate.   This course will not meet on June 6.

FRIDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY has resumed at 10AM.  Grow with us as we study 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

LIPS BIBLE STUDY.  LIPS has a Sunday afternoon Bible Study once a month after the 11AM Liturgy.  Please see the “LIPS” section of the bulletin for dates.  This class is led by Dr. LuJuana Butts. 

60 MINUTES.   This is a wonderful opportunity to grow together in the faith.  We learn about one thing for an hour period.  No preparation is needed.  It starts at 9:45AM.  Here are some dates for 60 Minutes this year:
February 21 -  “Service” (Deaconess)
March 21 - “Receives” (Deacon)
April 18 - “Teaches” (Dr. Butts)
May 2 - “Celebrates” (Dr. Bayens)
June 27 - “Shares” (parishioners from Redeemer)

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WE CONTINUE TO ENJOY FELLOWSHIP TIME after each Liturgy in the narthex (8AM Liturgy) and the undercroft (11AM Liturgy).  If you are able to assist, please speak with Pauline Flowers (8AM Liturgy) or with Samantha Hewitt (11AM Liturgy).

FELLOWSHIP DURING LENT.  We shall continue to meet for fellowship following the Liturgies on Saturdays and Sundays during the holy season of Lent.  Beverages will be available.  We are fasting from food, however, as we pray for those who go without food and as we discipline ourselves in preparation for the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection.  The “Fellowship Fast” will end with the Easter Breakfast on April 4 at 9AM.

TALENT SHOW.  Our Talent Show is on April 30 at 7:30PM. Mark your calendars now and consider what you will perform.

CONGREGATIONAL RETREAT TO CAMP KOINONIA.  We are going to Camp Koinonia on the weekend on the weekend of July 30-August 1.  Be sure to reserve the date.  To make reservations, please call Camp Koinonia at 1.800.980.CAMP.

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GET HELP WITH HOMEWORK.  If you are interested, please speak with Jeanette Van Duyne or LuJuana Butts.  Homework Help meets on Mondays and Thursdays with refreshments at 3PM and devotions at 3:45PM.  The high school component meets at 6PM.

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INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE.  Redeemer’s Instrumental Ensemble meets on Wednesdays at 6:15PM in the Wittrock Room.  The group learns music to accompany God’s People during the Liturgies.  For more information, please speak with Daniel Leguizamon.

DIVAS (DANCING IN VICTORY AND SONG).   Redeemer DIVAS will meet each Sunday following the Liturgy for rehearsals from 1PM to 3PM.  For more information, please speak with Jennifer Davis.

DIVINE RITE.  Rehearsals are on Fridays at 6PM.  For more information, please speak with Deacon Gonzalez.

ADULT GOSPEL CHOIR.  Rehearsals are on Saturdays at 5:30PM.  Rehearsal is canceled on December 12, May 8 and June 19.  If you are interested in joining, please see Pastor.

SENIOR CHOIR.  Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7:30PM.  For more information, please speak with Mr. Daniel Leguizamon.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR.  Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 6PM.  For more information, please speak with Mr. Daniel Leguizamon.

YOUTH CHOIR.  Rehearsals are on Fridays at 7PM.  For more information, please speak with Pastor.

TENTATIVE MUSIC SCHEDULE:
3/14—Adult Gospel (11AM)
3/21—DIVAS and Senior (11AM)
3/28—Children (11AM)
4/1—Senior (7:30PM)
4/2—DIVAS
4/3—Adult Gospel (7:30PM)
4/4—Adult Gospel (10AM), Youth (12Noon)
4/11—Senior (11AM)
4/18—Children (11AM)
4/25—Divine Rite and Senior (11AM)
5/2—Adult Gospel (11AM)
5/9—Youth (11AM)
5/13—Senior and DIVAS (7:30PM)
5/16—Senior (11AM)
5/22—Adult Gospel (7:30PM)
5/23—Divine Rite and Youth (11AM)
5/30—Children (11AM)
6/6—Youth (11AM)
6/13 DIVAS and Adult Gospel
6/20—DIVAS and Senior
6/27—Divine Rite and Children (11AM)

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LIPS BIBLE STUDY.  LIPS has a Bible Study on Sundays at 2PM.  Here are the dates for that study, led by Dr. LuJuana Butts:  February 21 (date change) March 21           May (to be determined)    June 27
The class meets in the undercoft, unless directed to meet elsewhere on the day of the class.  Please communicate with Dr. Butts if you have any questions.

LIPS LUNCHEON.  The LIPS luncheon is scheduled for March 13 at 10:30AM.  The theme is “Peace and Relaxation.”  The speaker will be Deacon Gonzalez.  More details will follow.

LWML RECYCLING FUNDRAISER PROJECT.  Do something good for the environment…and help the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League—Lutheran Women in Mission) raise funds for its 2013 LWML Convention which will be held in Pittsburgh.  It will be sponsored jointly by the 2013 Coalition LWML Districts (Atlantic, Eastern, English, New England, New Jersey, SELC).  To raise funds to cover expenses, these districts are sponsoring, “Ready, Set, Recycle!” We invite all members of our congregation to bring the following recyclable items to the undercroft.  The following are being collected:
            Empty inkjet printer cartridges, empty laser printer cartridges, used cell phones, PDAs (Palm Pilots, DVD Players, I-pods, MP3 Players, digital cameras, laptops, GPS systems (including power cords).  The LWML will collect them and redeem them for cash to pay for convention expenses.  If you have questions, please contact Janet Swaby.  Thank you.

LWML (LUTHERAN WOMEN’S MISSIONARY LEAGUE) ATLANTIC DISTRICT BIENNIAL CONVENTION.  The convention is from April 24-April 25 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center (3 Executive Blvd.) in Suffern, New York.    The Bronx/Westchester Zone and Mid-Hudson Zones are the hosts.  Registration is from 7AM to 10AM.  The event will end on Sunday at approximately 3PM  There is an ingathering of Camp Venture, a not-for-profit provider of family-like care and services to children with developmental disabilities in Rockland County (ingathering items: colored pencils, crayons, markers, paint brushes of all sizes, construction paper, glue, wiggle eyes, sequins, craft sticks, glitter).  Our own Dr. Jean Boehler is leading the music for the event.  There are also T-shirts available for the convention.  If you are interested in attending the convention, please speak with Cecile Walker.

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MEETINGS.  The following are the meeting dates for 2010:
April 10, May 1, June 5, July 3, September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4

BREAKFAST AT A DINER.  We are meeting for breakfast at the Pelham Bay Diner (Gun Hill Road and the Hutchinson River Parkway and Interstate 95).  The following are dates for this trip:  June 12                   November 20
All men are invited to join us for breakfast and fellowship.  We meet at Redeemer at 8:30AM and at the diner at 9AM.

CHICKEN LEG SALE.  LEGS is having chicken leg sales.  Please support our men’s group and purchase chicken dinners. The following are dates set for these sales after the Liturgies:  July 17-18          October 2-3

WARTBURG ADULT CARE COMMUNITY TRIP.  LEGS goes to the Wartburg Adult Care Community in Mount Vernon to be with and help the residents.  The following Saturdays are reserved for these visits:
April 24               October 23
If you are interested in attending, please communicate with Lance Stephens or another member of LEGS.

THE GENLTEMEN’S BREAKFAST will be on Saturday, March 20 at 9AM.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.  The speaker for this event is the Honorable Ruben Diaz, President of the Borough of the Bronx.  We are excited that President Diaz will be able to join us.  Be sure to encourage men to be here for this event as President Diaz speaks about the economy in the Bronx.

BOWLING NIGHT.  LEGS members are going bowling on March 26.  If you are interested in going bowling, please communicate with Naresh Seoprasad (webmaster@redeemerlutheranbronx.org) or another member of LEGS.

SPRUCING UP REDEEMER.  LEGS men will be sprucing up Redeemer’s grounds on April 10 at 9AM.  Come with your clothes that you do not mind getting dirty.  Be ready to work for a solid two hours to help make the grounds look beautiful.

MOTHERS’ DAY.  LEGS members are honoring the women of our parish on Mothers’ Day weekend (May 8-9).  If you are interested in helping, please speak with a member of LEGS.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.  LEGS members are participating in a Habitat for Humanity project.  The following are dates for these trips:
May 29
September 18
We gather at Redeemer at 7:30AM.
If you are interested in participating, please communicate with Melvin Butts or another member of LEGS.

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP.  LEGS members are cleaning up our Wakefield area on the following days: July 3        September 4
We are meeting at Redeemer at 9AM and working through 11AM.  Be sure to wear your Redeemer T-shirt so that we may witness to others about Christ as we clean up the sidewalks and streets of our neighborhood.

HOSTING FELLOWSHIP AFTER THE LITURGIES.  LEGS is hosting the fellowship time after the Liturgies on the following dates:  June 12 after the 7PM Liturgy   August 29 after the 8AM and 11AM Liturgies.
If you are interested in helping, please communicate with Naresh Seoprasad (webmaster@redeemerlutheranbronx.org) or another member of LEGS.

ADVENT DINNER DANCE.  LEGS is hosting an Advent Dinner Dance on December 18, 2010.  More information will follow.  Be sure to reserve the date on your calendar.

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YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS are on Fridays at 7PM.  Please continue to pray for our youth—they are such special gifts of God.

NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING.  The National Youth Gathering of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod will be in New Orleans, Louisiana from July 17-21, 2010.  The theme is, “We Believe.”  The website for more information is: www.lcmsgathering.comg.  Begin saving money to attend this trip (you will need money for airfare, hotel and the event itself).  For more information, please contact Deacon Gonzalez or Deaconess Rojas.

GYM NIGHTS AT OUR SAVIOUR.  Here are the tentative dates for gym nights at The Lutheran Church of Our Saviour:
March 19                       April 16                         May 7                           June 4
You need a completed and up-to-date medical form on file and a permission slip for each trip with your $3.00 after you are approved by our youth leaders.  Thanks be to God for more opportunities to go to the gymnasium.

TRINITY MOVIE NIGHT.  We are watching a movie at Trinity Lutheran Church on March 12.  Be sure to get permission slips and mark your calendars.

YOUTH CHOIR CONCERT TO ASSIST RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI.  The Youth Choir Concert is on May 2 at 4PM.  The Youth Choir has decided to use funds collected during the free will offering to help our sisters and brothers in Haiti in relief efforts.

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FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT.  HEARTS is hosting a Family Movie Night on March 6 at 8PM.  Bring your family for a night of enjoyment.  Please speak with Naresh Seoprasad with any questions.  The movie to be shown is “Amazing Grace.”

GOOD FRIDAY DRAMA.  HEARTS is doing a drama on Good Friday (April 2) for the Liturgies this year based on the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John.  The first meeting will be after the 11AM Liturgy on February 28 in the Library.  Be sure to encourage family, friends, enemies and neighbors to come on Good Friday to hear and see how our Lord Jesus rules as King of kings on the throne of His holy cross.

HOT DOG SALE.  HEARTS is having a hot dog sale on April 11th after the Liturgies.  Hot dogs will be sold at $2.00 a piece.  The funds will help support HEARTS projects, especially the sending of youth to the National Youth Gathering.

WALKATHON.  HEARTS is having a walkathon on April 17.  Please support HEARTS members.  Money collected will be used to assist teenagers who are attending the National Youth Gathering of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.  Please speak with Jeanette Coulthurst Van Duyne with any questions.

TRIP TO THE CLOISTERS MUSEUM.  HEARTS is hosting a trip to the Cloisters Museum sometime in the spring.  We shall depart Redeemer at 9AM on a Saturday morning.  The exact date is still to be determined.  Please bring a bag lunch.  Please speak with Angela Winkler with any questions. More information will follow.

PARISH HOUSE PAINTING PROJECT.  HEARTS will begin the painting of the Parish House meeting room on June 26.  More information will follow as the time approaches.  If you are interested in taping, prepping and painting, please communicate with HEARTS in an e-mail: hearts@redeemerlutheranbronx.org.

JONES BEACH TRIP.  The Jones Beach trip is August 14 (new date).  Please speak with Naresh Seoprasad with any questions. More information will follow.

WE HAVE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS!  For HEARTS inquiries, please use our e-dress:
hearts@redeemerlutheranbronx.org.  To communicate your ideas about any of the activities, please send an e-mail to this address. 

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BRICKS, BRICKS, BRICKS!  Order yours today!  80 dollars.  Don’t wait around!  The new set of bricks recently ordered by people have been placed on the path. Alleluia!  Click link to access order form! -  Image File  /  PDF File

PROPERTY BOARD MEETING.  The next Property Board meeting is on December 28 at 7:30PM.  The next Property Board meeting after that is on March 22 at 7:30PM.

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SPECIAL VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY MEETING.  The Voters’ Assembly of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church voted unanimously to extend a Divine Call to Raquel A. Rojas of Orlando, Florida to be our Deaconess.  She has been completing her internship at Redeemer since July of 2009.  This latest decision goes to the Board of Assignments so that, pending the completion of her internship and any other requirements, she may be eligible to receive this Divine Call.  Let us give thanks to our Lord for Deaconess Rojas as we pray for her and as we look forward to the days ahead with hope, expectation and joy!

SOME VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY TENTATIVE MEETING DATES FOR 2010:
January 25        February 22      March 15         April 19            May 17            June 21
Voters’ Assembly meetings are conducted in the undercroft.

PLEDGE DRIVE:  Be sure to continue to contribute to our 80th Anniversary Pledge Drive.  If you have not yet made a pledge, you may.  If you have questions, please speak with Tora Cardarelli or Rosa Figueroa.

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THE WOMEN’S GUILD usually meets on the first Monday of every month at 1PM but will not meet in July and August.  Meetings will be on March 1, April 12 (April 5 is Easter Monday so we move forward one week), May 3 and June 7.  Please speak with Diana Templeton Spalinski with any questions or if you are interested in joining the Women’s Guild.

DESSERT THEATRE.  The Women’s Guild is hosting a Dessert Theatre on April 18 at 3PM.

TAG SALE.  The Women’s Guild is hosting a Tag Sale on May 16.  More information will follow.

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GENERAL NEWS

HOUSING NEEDED.  The Baltimore Lutheran School Choir will be touring New York from April 16-18, 2010, and will be in need of some housing for the evenings of April 16 and 17.  Please contact Randy Gast at Concordia College if you are able to help.  Randy can be reached at, 914-337-9300 extension 2106 or via email at randal.gast@concordia-ny.edu.

PERIODICALS.  Lutheran periodicals and other educational periodicals are available for your reading in the chapel adjacent to the nave.  The rack is located to the left of the piano and to the right of the restroom.  The periodicals can give you information about happenings in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, institutions of the Synod and other agencies.  Feel free to read them while you are here.

WE CONTINUE TO COLLECT BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION for The Lutheran School of Our Saviour in the Bronx.  If you have any, please bring them to the parish office.

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