Monthly Newsletter, Volume 52

December 2013

OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

“The Record”

Sunday Themes

“The Lifestyle of Faithful Stewards”

Dec 1st “Witnessing for Jesus”

Dec 8th “Giving Joyfully and Generously”

Dec 15th “Living as a Servant”

Dec 22nd “Building Relationships”

Mid Week Advent Services

“The Saints of the Advent”

Dec 4th St Andrew

Dec 11th St Lucia

Dec 18th St Thomas

Dec 22nd Children’s Christmas Program 4:00pm

Dec 24th Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 5:30pm

Dec 25th Christmas Day Worship 9:30am

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“The Lifestyle of Faithful Stewards” CS Lewis said, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘All right, then, have it your way.’ “As redeemed children of God, of course, we desire to belong to that first category, “Thy will be done.”

On Sundays Dec 1st, Dec 8th, Dec 15th, and Dec 22nd the theme of our worship services and our Bible studies will be the lifestyle of faithful stewards. We will learn how the Holy Spirit, working through Word and Sacrament, transforms us to be more like our Chief Steward, Jesus. Who willingly poured out His life in giving and serving, ultimately sacrificing His very life for our eternal lives.

As your pastor, I pray that each of you will take advantage of these opportunities to grow in the grace and knowledge of your Lord that you might be strengthened in faith both for eternity and for a fruitful life here on earth.

The particular themes for the four Sundays are as follows: Sunday Dec 1st, “Witnessing for Jesus” Sunday Dec 8th, “Giving Joyfully and Generously” Sunday Dec 15th, “Living as a Servant” Sunday Dec 22nd, “Building Relationships”

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Pastor Bruce Noennig Hey Men! 20th Annual Men’s Retreat at Lutheran Island Camp is just around the corner February 21st-23rd, 2014 Guest Speaker is: Mn Twins tv announcer Dick Bremer!!! His father was a LCMS pastor and Dick is an LCMS member. Dick will address “Running the Race-Fixed on Jesus. Other session topics will be: • Touching all the bases

• Running with Perseverance • Avoid getting tagged out • Running life within God’s lines

Cost is just $99 –pick up registration forms from the Ministry Action Board.

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MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2013) states hand washing is the single most important way to help prevent transmission of disease. Absences due to illness strains school and family budgets. Teacher absences require substitute teachers. Student absences due to illnesses result in parents missing work, extra childcare costs, or child neglect because they cannot afford the extra childcare. A few hand washing tips from Henry the Hand, Dr. Will Sawyer (infection prevention specialist) and the CDC:

1. Wash your hands whenever you enter your home. Germs are picked up as you are out and about at the grocery store, school, work, shopping, and gym- just think about the number of times your hands are touching objects that could have germs on them! You can’t see the germs.

2. Wash your hands before and after preparing food and prior to eating.

3. Wash your hands after caring for someone who is sick.

4. Wash your hands after using the toilet or helping a child use the toilet.

5. Wash your hands before and after treating a cut or wound.

6. Wash your hands after touching an animal or after being in contact with garbage.

7. Avoid touching the T-zone. The portals of entry for germs are the mouth, nose, and eyes. Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes to help prevent transmission of germs.

8. Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm rather than your hands. Or use a tissue and wash your hands directly afterwards.

What is the right way to wash your hands?

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. • Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the

backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. • Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy

Birthday" song from beginning to end twice. • Rinse your hands well under running water. • Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.

What about hand sanitizers?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

Remember these hand washing tips when you are gathering together for activities with others to help you stay healthy. Check out www.henrythehand.com for videos and coloring pages for children regarding hand washing. Living for Him, Collette Christoffers, parish nurse

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Pastoral Acts

Funeral Norma Bergum 11/22

Faith Krueger 11/27

Membership Changes

Released to join Christ the King: 11/7 Jayne Wallace Released by Bd of Elders: 11/18 Robyn Peterson whereabouts unknown

Baptism

GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays Events

GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays is a warm, encouraging and helpful event. Featuring video instruction and group discussion, it helps you deal with the intense pain of grief during the holiday season.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church will host GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays on Monday, December 9 from 6:30-8pm in the prayer room (follow the signs) Here’s what to expect during a Surviving the Holidays event:

• Watch a 40-minute video filled with Biblical based, practical tips on how to survive the holidays

• Hear from others in your group who are dealing with grief this holiday season

• Have the opportunity to share how grief is affecting you (if you’d like)

• Receive a personal Holiday Survival Guide

Please invite family and friends who have been a support to you to attend this event with you. Please contact Collette (701) 361-6611 with questions or check out www.griefshare.org.

LWML Monthly

Meeting December 10th

Board 1pm General Meeting

1:30pm

Maleigh Kate Cook Nov 3rd, 2013

Parents: Ryan Cook & Kylie Morton

Godparents: Evan Cook & Alison Peterson

Lois Circle will meet

December 3rd @ 1:30pm

at the home of Darlene Ziegler

2952 Eagle Dr Moorhead

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Preschool: ORCCC offers an excellent preschool program for children ages 3 and up. Our preschool is a five days a week program with two sessions available. We offer a morning group from 8:00-10:30 and an afternoon group from 12:00-2:30. We have openings available in both groups. If you or someone you know is interested please call Roger at 218-233-8270. Full Time Positions Available: Do you, or someone you know, have experience working with children? ORCCC has several full time positions available. If you enjoy working with preschool and school age children please contact Roger at 218-233-8270 or email him at orcccdirector@outlook.com. ORCCC offers competitive wages based on experience and qualifications. We also have a fantastic benefits package, paid holidays, and a Christ centered work environment. CAMPBELL’S LABELS: We are still saving Campbell’s labels. We get points for all labels for education. We collect these points until we have enough to purchase items for the center. Please ask friends and relatives to help us out as well. Some of the products that qualify are:

• Campbell’s • Prego • Goldfish crackers • Swanson • V8

CASH WISE LABELS FOR LEARNING: We are also saving Cash Wise Labels for Learning points. These are printed out with your purchase receipt. ORCCC can collect them and turn them in to get a percentage back in money we can put towards our classroom supplies. A collection envelope can be found on the bulletin board next to the ORCCC sign in desk. Roger & the CCC Staff

Young in Spirit

A group that meets monthly for those 55 or older. We always meet on the first Thursday

of the month at 10:30am. Dec 5th Christmas luncheon (Dutch) at

Moorhead Country Club. White Elephant gift exchange.

Jan 2nd Phil Felde will demonstrate the church’s new organ features

potluck to follow

Bringing Light and Hope to Others

Dec 7th – Saturday afternoon we will meet in church kitchen to make lefse with Master lefse maker Darlene Ellefson. We may make a community kettle of soup to eat when we are done. Call Darlene @ 287-6678 if you want to attend so we know how many to plan for.

The Beacon’s Life without a spouse

Dec Newsletter Articles Due Dec 19th!

The gift of generosity This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported Our Redeemer this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Simply giving forms are on the resource center in the hallway or contact Kristina in the church office for more information 218-233-7569.

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Dec Worklist Co-Chairpersons: Vivian Hartman Matt & Jane Wychor Randy & Kara Ellefson .......................................... 218-483-1412 Terry & Kari Erickson .................................................. 236-5806 Phil Felde .................................................................... 287-5476 Brittany Frueh ...................................................... 701-793-7998 Elaine Gaslin ......................................................... 701-318-0933 Nichole (Troy) Gilbertson ........................................... 979-9502 Kendall & Becky Goltz .......................................... 218-861-6362 Vivian Hartman ........................................................... 236-1985 Jerome Hasbargen ................................................ 701-367-8186 Phil & Jesse Hayes ................................................ 701-200-3781 Brock & Melissa Holum ............................................................. Donna Lauinger .......................................................... 233-2346 Jill Murack .................................................................. 232-6608 Chad & Patti Lofton .............................................. 218-790-0501 Larry & Kathi Mayer ................................................... 235-8214 David Seibel ................................................................ 233-2691 Marilyn Tinjum ........................................................... 233-6564 Beau & Bobbi Jo Tweten ...................................... 701-367-2287 Patty Welsh .......................................................... 218-303-0332 Roger & Margaret Willits ........................................... 233-7056 Carrie Wuollett ..................................................... 701-388-6245 Matt & Jane Wychor ....................................... (J) 701-371-7818 ....................................................................... (M)701-371-4654

If you or someone you know is in need of prayer support please call

one of the following: Lois Niewoehner 701-541-2288; Cindy Sprouls 218-287-6333; Marion Eidenschink 218-287-4310; Church Office 218-233-7569

If you would like to be a part of this ministry, send your e-mail address to orlcpray@yahoo.com. Personal needs of members may be included. This ministry is separate from the Telephone

Dates for Sheltering this

year will be

Jan 19 – Jan 26th

Sign up on Ministry Action Board

TODAY!

TNT Family Christmas Event: Sunday, December 15th, 5-7:30pm. Join us for a Christmas light scavenger hunt around town followed by an appetizer potluck at church. All couples, individuals and families in their twenties and thirties are invited. Sign up on Facebook, "Our Redeemer TNT" or on the Ministry Action Board

Save the Date…looking ahead to December… Monday, Dec. 2, 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Advent is the time for preparing our hearts for Christmas. The “Advent by Candle Light” evening will focus on the real meaning of why we celebrate Christmas, contemplating why Jesus humbled himself, came down to live among us, to teach us, and triumphantly go to the cross in our stead. “Advent By Candle Light” will be an evening of festive fellowship for all women of Our Redeemer, young and old, including our school age young ladies.. It will be a time to quiet your heart with the devotional on Prophecies Fulfilled and enjoy Holiday Desserts. College students are invited to join us. Watch for more information.

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Open House Anniversary Celebration

You are invited to join Pastor Bruce and Gwen Noennig as they give thanks to God for 40 years of Life Together in Christ.

• November 23rd from 2-5pm in the Dining Hall at Our Redeemer • Program at 3:30pm • NO GIFTS PLEASE- we will be honored by the gift of your presence. • Renewal of their vows will take place in the 10:30am worship service on November 24th.

December

1 Bryce Freeman 13 Brenda Anderson 27 Jadyn Emerson 2 Amy Grandbois Julie Rohrer Bert McDonough 3 Emily Otto 14 Mike Cossette Marilyn Tinjum Jonah Paul Brendan Johnson 29 Randy Ellefson 4 Darrin Martin 15 Gavin Hruza Emberlin Gartner Virginia Rosenfeldt Patty Welsh Heather Oachs Avery Saez 16 Caleb Kazeck Lilia Otte 5 Renae Abraham Grady Stillwell 30 Giny A-Mulari 6 Samantha Neirby 18 Mike Christoffers Norma Jensen 7 DeAnn Miller 19 Shelly Brown Pam Wold Kathryn Osmondson Madelyn Janssen 31 Erin Schwanke 8 Brian Anderson Ethan Hoganson Brittany Weinzierl Carrie Wuollett Marie Longfors January

9 Adam Petersen 20 Sam Burns 1 Stu Hoganson 10 Harlan Bendickson Samantha Hinkeldey 2 Nadia Bement Jerry Mindermann 21 Anne Mayer Willis Stelter 11 Kirk Arendes 22 Allyson Kangas 3 Paul Beltz Marley Holt 23 Abbi Mayfield 4 Alicia Bement Jamie Otte 24 Kathy Kuppich Carolyn Olson Evan Sailer Milan Olson 5 Janel Beauchamp 12 Ella Thielke 26 Eileen Kangas Stacy Hancock Scott Stillwell Holly Holt

A BLESSED BIRTHDAY TO YOU FROM YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST

AT OUR REDEEMER

12/1 Dennis & Mary Beth Miller 12/18 Jay & Brandy Rodine 12/17 Kevin & Allyson Boe 12/29 Chris & Betsy Armour 12/17 Bill & Lori Lymburner 12/30 Paul & Sonja Beltz 12/30 Dan & Holly Holt

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November 1 Brandon, Skyler & Cody Hintzen 2 Brock & Melissa Holum 3 Bob, Sue, Stephanie, Derek, Brendan & Kyle Johnson 4 Steve & Theresa Kadrie 5 Jake, Stacy, Emma & Drew Hancock 6 Renae Abraham & Samantha Hinkeldey 7 Dan Felde 8 Lee, Chelsea, Michael, Aran & Emberlin Gartner 9 Olga Gregor 10 Zach, Brooke & Tayler Hanson 11 Phil & Jesse Hayes 12 Katie Hoganson 13 Norma Jensen 14 Jeff & Sheryl Jones 15 Harold & Barbara Kaste 16 Shane, Rebecca, Felicity & Kaeden Koenig & Emily Otto 17 Edde Kuehl 18 Kathy Lampela 19 Delores Fluto 20 Marilyn Forness 21 Cindy & Amy Grandbois 22 Vivian Hartman 23 Randy Hintzen 24 Brett, Elizabeth, Madelyn, Abigail & Julianne Janssen 25 Edna Kalsow 26 Dan, Holly, Evan, Tatum & Marley Holt 27 Vi Johnson 28 Bryan, Jerilyn, Shawn & Caleb Kazeck 29 Cheryl Kuehl 30 Chad, Memory & Ally Cota 31 Elaine Gaslin January 1 John & Cenora Grivno 2 Jan & Susan Hartwick 3 Kelly, Mary, Andie, Elise & Owen Janke 4 Milford & Jan Kandt

Gracious & Loving Father, You have created each of us, and have given us this great gift of life. Help us to treasure each moment, the happy ones and the sad ones, the healthy ones and the weak ones. When our lives are running smoothly, help us to turn to You in thanksgiving and praise. When our lives are in turmoil, help us turn to You for comfort and strength. By Your Word, assure us of Your loving presence in our daily lives. Keep us ever mindful of Your loving promise to always be with us. We pray now for these fellow members of Our Redeemer:

From Business Manager Cindy Sprouls

Quilting will begin again Jan 8th

All bills are paid to current and the average balance in the checking account is at $3,000.00. Several final Glory to God expenses remain to be paid and the commitments to this campaign continue to come in as expected. As of October 31st, just over $7,000.00 has been received designated for heating repairs. Thank you for the continued gifts that support the missions and operations of Our Redeemer. Cindy Sprouls, Business Manager

We have a lot of quilt tops that are ready to tie thanks to everyone who faithfully sewed this summer. Our quilts were well received. The quilts auctioned off at Lutheran Island Camp sold for $160.00 and $105.00. I have not received an amount for the quilts sold at Boys Ranch. Six quilts were given to the Moorhead Habitat Family on Nov 18th. The children were so happy! Many were also sent to World Relief. We are in need of thread, top flat sheets and any large pieces of fabric. If you have any of these supplies to donate please leave them in the quilting room. Thank You!

Hats, Mittens & Scarves! All the hats and mittens went with the mission group to Canada this summer. We would love to send more with them this year. We have a lot of yarn and some patterns for you. You may pick up the yarn in the quilting room.

Please call Sonja Beltz at 236-1876 with any questions.

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Quarterly Voter’s Meeting Dec 8th, 2013 After the 10:30am service we will enjoy a meal cooked by Dennis Nicewander. (The contractor who helped remodel our kitchen) So…no potluck!!! Just come eat and enjoy!

• Free will donation will be received for our “Good Samaritan Fund.” • Following the meal will be our Quarterly Voter’s meeting at which the agenda will

include: Acting on proposed budgets for the church and for CCC Election of officers Acting on a proposal for additional staffing

Mid-Week Advent Services Our Redeemer will again offer special advent services as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. These services will begin Dec 4th and each worship service will begin at 7:30pm. The theme for Advent will be “The Saints of the Advent.” That theme suggests a different type of message which will permit us to learn from the lives of three saints as they prepare for Jesus’ coming. Dec 4th St Andrew From his example we learn it is ok to remain in the background. “He must increase and I must decrease.” Dec 11th St Lucia A saint we rarely have heard of, but there is much to learn from her example as she suffered a Martyr’s death in Italy, in 303AD under the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. Dec 18th St Thomas (also known as the Twin) While we know him as “doubting Thomas”, what we tend not to remember is that it was Thomas who said, “Let us also go that we may die with Him.” Thomas wanted to be like Jesus! Our services will be informal and will take on the form of a chapel service. While the worship will be shorter in duration, don’t dismiss being with your Savior and your brothers and sisters in Christ in this special time of preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ. You will be blessed.

Heating System Cost should be around $60-65,000. Early response’s to the letter sent out by the church Council has generated $12,500. Great Start!!!

We have taken out a loan from LCEF (Lutheran Church Extension Fund) to cover the cost of the Heating System and the pledges yet to come in for “Glory to God”

*As challenges come our way God continues to work in and through His People to enable them to respond to those challenges in ways that Glorify God and also strengthen His People!

What An Awesome God We Have!

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 8:00A Worship/Holy Comm 9:15A Sunday School/ Bible Study/Spec Ed 10:30A Worship/Holy Comm 11:45A College Lunch 12:00P Decorate the church 6:00P Good News Class

2 5:30P Dartball 6:30P Advent by Candlelight

3 9:30A Senior Bible Study 1:00P Staff Meeting 5:00P Prayer Warriors 7:00P Connect

4 5:30P Advent Dinner 6:00P Cross Training/ Confirmation /Bible Study 6:15P Choir Rehearsal 7:30P Advent Worship

5 6:30A Men’s Bible Breakfast 10:30A Young in Spirit

6 Pastors’ Day Off 6:00P Scrapbooking 6:30P GriefShare

7 9:00A Scrapbooking 9:00A Children’s Christmas Worship Rehearsal (gr 4-8) Beacon’s lefse making 7:00P Sr High Sardines Night

8 8:00A Worship 9:15A Sunday School/ Bible Study/Spec Ed 10:30A Worship 12:00P Cong Dinner 12:30P Voters Meeting 4:30P Staff Christmas Party 6:00P Good News Class

9 6:30P Griefshare 7:00P Board of Trustees,

Education, Servant Ministry

10 9:00A Staff Meeting 9:30A Senior Bible Study 1:00P LWML Board Meeting 1:30P LWML 5:00P Prayer Warriors 7:00P Connect

11 5:30P Advent Dinner 6:00P Cross Training/ Confirmation /Bible Study 6:15P Choir Rehearsal 7:30P Advent Worship

12 6:30A Men’s Bible Breakfast 7:00P Women’s Small Group

Circuit Pastors Meet in Fergus Falls

13 Pastors’ Day Off 6:30P Dianna’s Angels 7:00P Jr High Friday Fun Night

14 9:00A Children’s Christmas Worship Rehearsal (All)

15 8:00A Worship/Holy Comm 9:15A Sunday School/ Bible Study/Spec Ed Blood Pressure checks 10:30A Worship /Holy Comm 11:45A College Lunch 5:00P TNT Family Christmas Event 6:00P Good News Class

16 2:30P Eventide

17 9:30A Senior Bible Study 1:00P Staff Meeting 1:00P LWML Board Meeting 1:30P LWML Meeting 3:30P Riverpointe 5:00P Prayer Warriors 7:00P Connect

18 5:30P Advent Dinner 6:00P Cross Training/ Confirmation/ Bible Study 6:00P Christmas Caroling 7:30P Advent Worship

19 6:30A Men’s Bible Breakfast 6:30P CCC Christmas Program

NEWSLETTER

ARTICLES DUE

20 Pastors’ Day Off

21 9:00A Children’s Christmas Worship Rehearsal (All)

22 8:00A Worship 9:15A Sunday School/ Bible Study/Spec Ed 10:30A Worship 4:00P Children’s Christmas Program

23

24 Christmas Eve 5:30P Candlelight Worship

25 Christmas Day CCC & Church Office Closed 9:30A Worship/Holy Comm 10:30A Neirby Wedding Rehearsal

26 6:30A Men’s Bible Breakfast 4:30P Neirby/Beam Wedding

27 Pastors’ Day Off

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29 8:00A Worship 9:15A Bible Study 10:30A Worship

30 6:30P GriefShare 7:00P Church Council (if needed)

31 New Year’s Eve 5:30P Worship/Holy Comm

1 New Year’s Day CCC & Church Office Closed

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3 Pastors’ Day Off 4

DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH MOORHEAD

SCHEDULE Dec 1st 8:00A Darlene Larson (CP), Jan Kandt, & Jane Arendes 10:30A Wayne & Betty Settergren (CP), Mike & Val Cossette Dec 8th 8:00A Paul Beltz (CP), Al & Darlene Ziegler 10:30A Darlene Ellefson, Lenore Becker (CP), Olga Gregor Dec 15th 8:00A Brian & Joan Muehler, Lois Birkeland (CP) 10:30A Don & Vi Sannes, Jon & Erin Bach (CP) Dec 22nd 8:00A Ed & Clarene Butenhoff, Glenn & Carole Borchers (CP) 10:30A Richie & Laura Noreen, Bill & Lori Lymburner (CP) Dec 24th 5:30P Jamie & Kristina Otte and Family Dec 25th 9:30A Mil & Jan Kandt Dec 29th 8:00A Carolyn Lichtsinn (CP), Lee & Jean Nygaard 10:30A Russ & Pat Carter (CP), Barb Hintzen, Tracy Nelson

SCHEDULE Dec 1st 8:00A Milford Kandt 10:30A Busse’s Dec 8th 8:00A Puffe’s 10:30A Darlene Tysdal Dec 15th 8:00A Nundahl’s 10:30A Moen’s Dec 22nd 8:00A Muehler’s 10:30A Gary Euren Dec 29th 8:00A Milford Kandt 10:30A Burns’

Steward Builders A newsletter to help you grow as a steward.

The purpose of this newsletter is to share God’s Word so that our members will better understand who we are to be and what we are to do in the light of the Scriptures. It is our hope that this monthly publication will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord and as a Christian steward.

Witnessing for Jesus

Elizabeth Elliot, missionary and writer, experienced firsthand the sustaining love of God. On January 6, 1956, her husband, Jim flew into the jungle of Ecuador with pilot Nate Saint and three other missionaries to make contact with a small tribe called the Aucas. They set up a camp on a beach by the river and waited up for an opportunity to meet these primitive people and share the Gospel with them. They established contact and seemed to gain the trust of the Aucas, but two days later the natives speared all five men to death. How did the families of these missionaries react? Were they filled with hatred and revenge? Did they lose faith in God as their shield and defender? No! They continued to look for opportunities to reach out to the Aucas. Two years later, Elizabeth Elliott and her young daughter Valerie, along with Rachel Saint, the sister of Nate Saint, went into the jungles of Ecuador to begin the work of evangelizing the Aucas. Two of the Aucas who participated in the killing of the missionaries later became leaders in the Auca Christian Church. A few years later, during a visit with their Aunt Rachel, Kathy and Steven, the children of Nate and Marjorie Saint, were baptized

by Auca Christians at the same spot in the river where their father had been speared to death! (The Goal of the Gospel by Philip Bickel and Robert Nordlie) Elizabeth and Rachel courageously carried on the mission work that Jim and Nate began and for which they gave their lives. May God grant us the passion to spread the Gospel. As we witness to others, we know that Jesus will always be with us as we obey His Great Commission. When you die, God won’t ask: 1. God won’t ask what kind of car you drove: He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation. 2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house: He’ll ask how many people you welcomed into your home. 3. God won’t ask about the clothes you had in your closet: He’ll ask how many you helped to clothe. 4. God won’t ask what your highest salary was: He’ll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5. God won’t ask what your job title was: He’ll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

Let your light shine

The Bible says, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16). The question we have to ask is, "How clearly and how brightly are we reflecting Christ in our lives?" There are lots of things that diminish our reflections. Willful disobedience to God's will, unconfessed sin in our lives, grudges and anger, grief, and guilt diminish and tarnish our reflections. God designed us to be reflections of Him. What is happening in our lives, in our hearts, in our minds, and in our actions affects the brightness of the reflections.

God wants us to be His light, so others will be drawn not to us, but to Jesus, the “light of the world” (John 8:12). The depth of our own relationships with God matters a lot when it comes to letting His light shine! Through that relationship, these words from Paul begin to come to life: "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His

likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18).” We busy ourselves with a lot of activities, things that are important to us, and rightly so. We are going to be investing our time and energy in many things, yet each of us needs to ask, “How much am I investing in the lives of others?”

Do you know someone who is struggling in his faith or has no relationship at all with Jesus? One of the most valuable things you could do is to strengthen your relationship with Christ and strengthen your relationship with that person. Ask God to give you a heart of compassion for that person and to help you be a reflection of Jesus that can turn him toward Jesus. Of all the things we could invest ourselves in, of all the things we could exchange our time or energy for, there is nothing more valuable than investing in people to help them know Jesus Christ. It's an investment that lasts forever. When we reflect God's light to others, we live out the Great Commission.

Blessings on your Stewardship Journey!

OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH 1000 14TH STREET SOUTH MOORHEAD, MN 56560-3762 Phone: 218-233-7569 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church LCMS 1000 14th St S Moorhead, MN 56560 Phone: (218) 233-7569 Fax: (218) 233-7729 Email: orlcmoorhead@gmail.com Website: www.ourredeemermoorhead.org Servant, Ministers & Missionaries Every Member Bruce Noennig Sr. Pastor Phone 701-388-4740 pastornoennig@gmail.com George Krueger Visitation Pastor Phone 476-0589 Emily Sagissor D.C.E. – Youth Ministry Phone 701-866-4025 emilydce@gmail.com Collette Christoffers Parish Nurse Home Phone 218-233-2443 Collette56560@yahoo.com Cindy Sprouls Business Manager Kristina Otte Parish Worker Gwen Bolster Special Education Director Eileen Kangas Sunday School Superintendent Wayne Settergren Congregation Chairman Christian Children’s Center 218-233-8270 Roger Seibert, Director orcccdirector@outlook.com Grace Lutheran School 701-232-7747 Jean Syverson, Principal Missionaries Rev. David & Rachel Baker Rev. Mark Peske

Worship Service Moorhead on Cable TV, Channel 99 Wednesdays 8:00 PM Fargo on Cable TV, Channel 99 Sundays 9:30 AM Lutheran Island Camp www.islandcamp.org

Sign up for the church newsletter via email! Send an email to orlcmoorhead@gmail.com with a subject line: Add me to the church e-newsletter. You may also opt to discontinue receipt of the newsletter entirely & obtain your church information from the church website www.ourredeemermoorhead.org or via other notifications such as the bulletin or picking up a copy of the newsletter when you’re at church. To request this option, send an email to the same address above indicating to discontinue sending the newsletter. Thanks to those who have elected to discontinue the paper newsletter being delivered through the mail.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Moorhead, MN Permit No. 361