The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Reader

June, 2015

The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer is a community of diverse people called and guided by the Holy Spirit to

nurture with God’s love those within and beyond our congregation.

1515 Boundary Street

Newberry, SC 29108

Phone: (803) 276-2003

www. lutheranredeemer.org

Office Hours:

Mon.– Thurs: 9:00-4:30pm

12-1: Closed for Lunch

Fridays: Closed

Sunday, June 07 following 11am worship

Covered Dish Dinner

Please bring a side dish to share

We will recognize the service of Miss. Susan Jackson and Pastor Norman Deal. The last

day of work for Susan and Pastor Deal is Thursday, June 04.

A love offering is being collected for both Pastor Deal and Miss. Jackson.

On Sunday, May 03, the congregation of The Lutheran

Church of the Redeemer voted 107-4 to extend a call to

the Rev. Matthew B. Titus.

Pastor Titus has accepted the invitation and will begin on

June 15, 2015. His first Sunday is June 21, 2015.

All are invited to Pastor Titus’ Service of Installation

The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

Sunday, June 21 at 4pm

Bishop Yoos will be preaching and presiding at the Installation.

Pastor Titus will be presiding at Communion.

Following worship, all are invited to a reception in the Family Life Center.

The color of the day is green.

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From Pastor Matt Titus

Grace and peace to y’all my new sisters and brothers!

First and foremost – I wanted to say how excited and happy I am to be called to serve as your pastor at

the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer! I’m ready to do ministry with each of you in Newberry! I can’t

wait to see where the Spirit takes us as we get to proclaim Jesus to this wonderful community.

That’s the first thing you should probably know about me – I’m a ‘get to’ person. There are so many

things in life and in faith where I think we’ve been told we have to do something. We have to go to

church. We have to take communion. We have to serve our neighbor. Throughout my life and ministry

I’ve wanted to change thoughts from a ‘have to’ mentality to a ‘get to’ mentality.

We don’t have to go to worship – we get to worship. We don’t have to take communion – we get to

receive communion. We don’t have to serve – we get to serve.

We get to live out our lives of faith in thanks and praise for the gift that God has given us – Jesus,

forgiveness, life. It isn’t something we have to do; it is something we get to do. Getting to do something

is so much more fun than having to do something! I look forward to the ministry we GET to do together

at Redeemer!

What else about me though? I grew up in South Carolina (kind of – I’m a military brat so I can call a lot

of places home – though SC is where I’ve spent most of my life). I graduated from Newberry College in

2005. My wife Erin and I met while we were camp counselors at Lutheridge in Arden, NC. I graduated

from LTSS in 2011. Our first child – Ashleigh Rose – was born in 2010 and our second child – Miriam

Grace – was born in 2013. I’ve been serving a small congregation in Mason, MI – All Saints Lutheran

Church – for the past four years.

A little more personally about me? I’m your typical nerd, techy, and geek. I love Microsoft products, I

enjoy reading comic books, my biggest hobby is probably playing video games and watching sci-fi

movies and TV shows, reading about all that nerdy stuff, and I love sports. Particularly baseball and

football. My favorite teams are the Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. My favorite college teams (after

the Wolves of Newberry that is) are the Winthrop Eagles and the Gamecocks.

When I’m not out doing ministry as pastor you can probably find me doing one of the following things

around the community: running, playing disc golf at Margaret Hunter Park, relaxing with a good beer

with friends and family.

As I look to the future and look forward to the ministry we get to participate in, I keep thinking about

Moses and how he walked upon holy ground as God spoke to him through the burning bush (Exodus 3:

1-15). As he came upon that strange sight, Moses noticed that something was different about this and

how he must look at this to see what was going on. In that moment, God speaks to him and tells Moses

to remove his sandals for the ground he is standing on is holy ground.

In their conversation, God tasks Moses with serving God’s people – Moses’ people – proclaiming to

them that they are not forgotten and that the Lord has heard their cries. Moses doesn’t feel at all

equipped to do what God is asking of him. God cuts through Moses’ fear and anxiety with one simple,

yet powerful sentence: I will be with you.

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- From Pastor Matt continued

As we get to do ministry together in Newberry, there will be moments that we will turn aside and

notice the holy and wonderful sight before us. We will see the opportunity that God is calling for us

and sending us out to do and we may have fears or anxieties – especially if it is something ‘we’ve

never done before.’ Yet, the words that God spoke to Moses are the same that God speaks to us.

God will be with us.

God will be with us as we get to serve this community. God will be with us as we proclaim Christ to

the world. God will be with us as we venture off into new areas of ministry.

God will be with us. Christ dwells in us. The Holy Spirit guides us.

I don’t know about y’all, but I cannot wait to see where God will take us!

See y’all on the 21st of June!

PM

Dear Redeemer Members,

Motion:

Council unanimously approved the motion to accept donations from the congregation for bereavement

meals for those times when additional food is required to serve the needs of bereaved families.

Reports:

Council received reports from the Pastor, Faith Formation, Inspiring Worship, Congregation Care,

Property, and Finance.

As a means of maintaining communication with church membership, the Congregation Council unani-

mously approved on April 20 a motion to include highlights of Council meetings (unofficial until

approved by Council at the next meeting) in the monthly Redeemer Reader, beginning in May. These

highlights will include all motions approved by Council and a list of reports received. The Council

secretary will compile this information, send it to Executive Committee and the Pastor for approval or

revision, and then, once approved, will forward it to the Ministries Coordinator to insert in the next

Redeemer Reader.

Note that all official (approved) Congregation Council minutes are available for review in the church

office. If you have questions, please contact a member of Congregation Council.

Sincerely,

The 2015 Redeemer Congregation Council

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

HIGHLIGHTS, Congregation Council Meeting Church Library 7:00 p.m. May 18, 2015

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From Pastor Deal

I don’t know who coined the phrase “parting is such sweet sorrow”, but they were correct.

Parting is not always easy especially if you put your roots down quickly as I do. When asked where do

you live? I respond Newberry.

It has been a blessing to serve the people of The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Newberry.

Our time together has been short, but very meaningful to me and I hope for you also. You know when a

Pastor comes to a new congregation it takes at least a year to really get to know the people and for them

to get to know the new Pastor. You have made it easy for me to know and love you; but hard to leave.

Before I came here I was asked, “Pastor what we can do to make you feel welcome at

Redeemer?” My response was make my wife feel welcomed and I will feel welcome. You have done a

wonderful job of that and she feels it difficult to leave you all behind. Brenda and I thank you for your

loving care during our ministry together.

We wish you the best in your new ministry with Pastor Matthew and his family. They are blessed

to have you and you to have them. God will bless your ministry together. So to the people of Redeemer I

do not say good-bye, I say, see you later. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Pastor Norman

Tables and Chairs for Sale

The property committee has charged the Lutheran Men

in Mission with selling old folding tables and chairs that

are no longer being used. Some may need minor repairs.

There are 78 c hairs, 5 six-feet tables, and 3 eight-feet

tables. Cost:$2 per chair, $15 per table, or $200.00 for

all. See Matt Bowers if interested.

Zoo Passes Needed

South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth need your help again this year to collect Riverbanks Zoo

passes to use during our special needs camps over the summer. We have grown to more than 35

campers (and 40+ staff) and are now having two weeks of camp during the summer! If you are a

Riverbanks Zoo member and have extra guest passes, please consider donating them to SCLCY to

use during camp. We understand from zoo management that they are not issuing guest passes on

paper anymore unless requested. If you have paper guest passes, you can mail them or drop them off

at the synod office. If not, you can call the zoo and request paper passes. They will be mailed to you

and then you can give them to us!

Thanks for supporting SCLCY, Camp HUGG and Camp GIFT (for Camp HUGG alumni)!

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Congratulations to all Graduates!

Trista C. McRacken

Provost Academy

Plans: work for a year, then possible going to a college in Wisconsin

Cullen Thomas Binnicker

Newberry High School

Plans: Attend Trident Technical College, plans to transfer to College of Charleston to study International

Business

Andrew Lamar Senn

Mid-Carolina High School

Plans: Attend Greenville Technical College, studying Automotive Technology

Rachel Anne Franklin

Newberry Academy

Plans: Attend Newberry College

Emma Elizabeth Lindsay

Newberry Academy

Plans: Attend the College of Charleston, Major in communications

Emily Noel Franklin

Newberry College – Bachelor of Science in Biology –

will be attending Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy

Summers Elizabeth Binnicker

Clemson Honors College B.S. in Finance

Currently works in Corporate Finance with Bank of America in Charlotte

Aubrey Boyd Smith

Presbyterian College– Bachelor of Arts in History, Minor in Business Administration

Plans: Work at a Ranch in Montana for the summer

Austin Thomas Westwood

Graduated December 2014 in Engineering Graphics

Plans: Continuing with Electrical Engineering Program with

PTC and SC State

Sunday

Attendance

Sunday School

8:30 am 11am

5/03 30 No ser-vice

(10:30 am) 153

5/10 33 37 81

5/17 34 34 66

5/24 29 37 87

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Summer Choir Schedule

The Children’s Choir and Junior Choir are now on summer break!

The Senior Choir and Redeemer Ringers will continue rehearsing through June 17.

Special music performances will be scheduled for worship services during the summer

months. Watch for announcements for the beginning of the new season and consider

joining our music ministry.

Intergenerational Sunday School Event

Sunday, June 07 at 10am

Youth Hall

Join us for snacks, a lesson, and our

activity! We will put together hygiene kits

to help support our Women of the ELCA

project. The funds for this activity come

from a Thrivent Action Team grant.

Combined Class Children’s

Summer Sunday School

June 14– August

Pre-school Classroom or Youth

Hall

Older children and youth are encour-

aged to come be helpers.

Vacation Bible School Monday June 22– Thursday, June 25, 2015

at Central UMC

Supper at 5:30pm, Activities from 6pm-7:30pm

Registration Forms are located in the narthex. Please return forms to the church

office or let Amanda Richardson know you wish to register. Group Leaders are

needed! If interested, contact Vicki Hamm at Central UMC.

Congratulations to Morgan

Harshaw!. After completing

First Communion

instruction, Morgan

received her First

Communion on Sunday, May

10.

Congratulations to

Matthew David Cole.

Matthew was

confirmed on

Sunday, May 24.

Calling all loose keys!

During your spring

cleaning, if you come

across any church keys

you no longer need,

please turn them back

into the office!

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Youth and Family Beach Trip

Sunday, June 28– Thursday, July 02, 2015

Coastal Retreat Center, Isle of Palms.

Total Cost: $150.00 (due by June 21)

May 17th– Non– Refundable $75.00 deposit due.

All ages are invited. Adults are welcome to join

us as well! Children fifth grade and younger

should have an adult with them.

Treasurer’s report for April 2015

To meet the monthly Ministry Spending Plan we need: $27,667.00

For Apr. – Income was $26,036.24

For Apr. – General expenses were $15,764.62

For Apr. – Debt retirement for GIG Fund: $ 2,114.07

For Apr. – Income was more the expenses by: $8,157.55

YTD Income is: $78,973.42

YTD General Expenses were: $70,386.49

YTD Debt retirement GIG Fund: $8,596.93

YTD Income was less then expenses by: ($9.67)

HELPING HANDS NEEDED

On June 7 we will be honoring Susan Jackson and

Pastor Deal at a luncheon following the 11:00

worship service.

Come help us set-up for the luncheon on

Saturday, June 06 at 10am.

Following the luncheon on Sunday, we will need

assistance in cleaning up. All helping hands are

needed.

Thank you – Congregational Care

Wedding Anniversaries

June 01– Doggett and Christie

Whitaker

June 03– Slade and Amanda

Richardson

June 05– Frank and Frances Williams

June 05– Jeremy and Stacy Tyson

June 07– Tony and Margaret

Chapman, Sr.

June 11– Robert and Carol

Montgomery

June 11– Andy and Sandy Senn

June 13– Warren and Fae Cousins

June 15– Allen and Robin Vance

June 16– John and Carolyn

Hammond, Sr.

June 16– Stan and Linda Renwick

June 17– Jerry and Harriett

Haltiwanger

June 18– Benji and Deedee Westwood

June 30– James and Janet Long

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Bereavement Meal Ministry

A very important ministry in the life of our congregation is in need of your help.

Redeemer's Bereavement Meal Groups are currently being revised and additional group

members are needed, both male and female. The church furnishes the meat and group

members prepare or purchase various designated menu items to provide a meal for fami-

lies at the time of a member's death. Each group is designed to prepare food for 25-30

immediate family members. Occasionally, for large families, more than one group must

be activated. Help is also needed to serve and cleanup following meals. And, of course,

there's no way to predict how often each group will be called upon to serve.

I have been participating in this Redeemer ministry for more than 30 years and have

found it to be sincerely appreciated by the families we have served through the years.

And I know from personal experience that it has been such a blessing to know that my

church family was there with food for the body and food for the spirit when I needed

them! Please prayerfully consider participating in this Redeemer ministry that allows

family members to gather to support and comfort each other while sharing a delicious

meal during a most trying, difficult time. Contact Janet Long (276-6855 ), Anne

Caughman (276-4836 ) or the church office (276-2003) if you are willing and interested

in joining this supportive Christian ministry.

In Christ's Love,

Cathy H. Turner

Bereavement Meals Task Force

Refreshment Schedule

Finance Committee: July 5, 12, 19, 25

Community Compassion: September 6. 13, 20, 27

Faith Formation: October 4, 11, 18, 25

Congregational Care: December 6, 13, 20, 27

Refreshments are needed June 7, 14, 21, 28 – August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – November 1, 8, 15, 22,

29. Individuals, families, and Sunday School classes are invited to consider participating in this min-

istry that not only provides nourishment, but also fellowship. Refreshments are to be simple. A

suggested menu is mini-donuts/donut holes, goldfish, juice, and coffee. If you are interested in serv-

ing, please contact the church office or Anne Caughman.

Please prayerfully consider participating in this special ministry.

Thank you – Congregation Care Committee

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2015 Officers

President: Matt Bowers Vice-President: B L Brown Treasurer: Tommy Fellers

Projects: John Hammond Committee of 100: Johnny Lindsay Yard Schedule: Ben Bowers

The next Redeemer LMM meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 09 at 7pm in the

Family Life Center. Johnny Lindsay is the head chef.

WELCA NEWS

No Bible Study during the months of June and July

SC WELCA Convention – June 12 and 13 at

St. Stephen’s Lutheran in Lexington.

The theme for the convention is “Be Thou My Vision.” The Reverend Jackie Utley, from

Ascension Lutheran, Columbia, is the keynote speaker.

Children’s Hygiene Kits due June 07

SC WELCA Project items are still being collected. Redeemer’s WELCA selected to do the

Children’s Hygiene Kits. In the narthex you will find a container and gallon bags. Please

place your items in the gallon bags. Items for each kit should include: a comb, hairbrush,

toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, wash cloth, hand-towel, and deodorant.

Dear Lutheran Church of the Redeemer,

In April of 2011, I started my journey working with you. I remember standing outside the church

on Palm Sunday, wondering what God would do in this place, and through me in the next few months,

which then developed into years. I have loved hearing your stories, getting to know your families, and

learning about your community. I have also seen what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do

through each of you. It is evident that you truly care about your church, about your community, and

about your faith, so continue to actively seek out ways in which you can live and grow!

Years ago, when I attended orientation for the Young Adults in Global Missions Program, we

sang Canticle of the Turning, (ELW 723) a hymn that quickly has become my favorite over the years.

The second stanza begins with “Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me, and

your mercy will last from the depths of the past to end of the age to be.” It is not just me , or the pastor,

or volunteers that God works in, and through. It is each and every one of us, as in our baptism we all

become part of the community of faith, all become part of the call to live and serve God’s mission to a

broken world in need. Remember that even though the world continues to turn, continues to scare us at

times, and continues to hurt; God’s love and mercy remain faithful.

- Your Ministries Coordinator, Susan Jackson

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Prayers for the Sick Redeemer Members: Carol Wessinger, Helen Smith, Anna Lea Gordon,

Robert E. Summer, Jr., Miriam Willingham, Austin Longshore and his Unit,

Bobby Lominack, Ed Haltiwanger, Steve Sligh

Extended Parish Family: Camille-Griffin Women’s Prison Ministry; Vernon Koon, cousin of Debra

Metts; Beth Nelson, daughter-in-law of Gloria Nelson; Dot George, mother of Becky Everett; Ruth

Hook, grandmother of Jessica Bowers; Kent and Mary Beth Richardson, cousins of Debra Metts;

Mackie Haltiwanger Satterfield, sister of Ed Haltiwanger; Lucien DeBacker, father of Jeff DeBacker;

Cecil McRacken, father-in-law of Lloan McRacken; Mahalia Schumpert, friend of Deedee Westwood;

Robert Johnson, brother-in-law of Ernest Shealy; Bobby Metts, friend of congregation; Elaine Smith

Story, sister of Frances S. Abrams and niece of Mathilde Smith; Chip Turner, friend of Johnny and

Kathy Lindsay; Martyn Cavanaugh, husband of Verna Cavanaugh; Mark Lyon, friend of Jessica Drae-

ger; Jody Lukac and Family, friends of Jeremy and Stacy Tyson; Grayson Bowser, friend of Jessica

Draeger.; Carolyn Matthews, sister of Rose Edwards and friend to many; Hal Kohn, father of Carol

Montgomery; Barbara Bowman– Thomas, friend of Jessica Draeger; James Conley, brother of June

Seymour; Patricia Stiles and Reese Bordette, daughter and grand-daughter of Willene Shealy; Arnold

Perry, father of Lloan McRacken; Barbara Sitton, friend of Polly Davis; Marjorie Green, mother of

John Green; Robin Duncan, former member of the congregation.

6/01 Philip Roy Singley

6/01 Beth Hipp

6/02 Cathy Cannady

6/02 Tracy Setzler

6/04 Mathilde Smith

6/04 Gayle Lindley

6/07 John Hammond, Sr.

6/07 Robert Earl Willingham

6/08 Charlie Altman

6/08 June Lominack

6/12 Weston Vance

6/13 Anne Haltiwanger Hallman

6/13 Lauryn Smith

6/13 Steven Senn

6/15 Roy Mills, Jr.

6/15 Frances Williams

6/16 Nelda Jay

6/17 Ryan Lindsay

6/17 Emma Chapman

6/18 Stan Renwick

6/19 Debra Southerland

6/20 Walker Setzler

6/23 Townsend Wessinger

6/23 Jeremy White

6/23 Becky Miller

6/23 Trista McRacken

6/25 Carolyn Cromer

6/25 Jessica Wheeler

6/26 Elizabeth Long

6/28 J. W. Leavell

6/29 Georgette Livingston

6/29 Ronald Smith, Jr.

6/29 Taylor Newell

6/30 Susan Thomasson

6/30 Robin Vance

Happy Birthday!

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Duties June 07 June 14 June 21 June 28

8:30 am

Communion

Prep

Janet Long Janet Long Janet Long Janet Long

11:00 am

Communion

Prep

Harriett Guy Kathy Dennis Helen Fellers Christie Whitaker

8:30 am

Lect/Comm.

Asst

Jerry Haltiwang-

er Johnny Lindsay

Claire

Grosshuesch Kathy Riggin

11:00 am

Lect/Comm.

Asst

George Franklin June Lominack Beth Singletary Chelsea Ellisor

11:00 am

Greeters

Acolytes A.C. Cary Madeleine Long Philip Livingston Steven Senn

Crucifer Jordan Cary Adam Westwood Grace Lindsay Drew Senn

Refresh-

ments

Unlock

Church Tony Chapman Tony Chapman Tony Chapman Tony Chapman

Lock

Church Tommy Fellers Walter Jacobs Matt Bowers

5th Sun: Walter

Jacobs

Usher

830am James Long James Long James Long James Long

Usher

11am

Bryan Derrick,

Beth Singletary,

Jerry

Haltiwanger,

Ronnie Dickert

Bryan Derrick,

Beth Singletary,

Jerry

Haltiwanger,

Ronnie Dickert

Bryan Derrick,

Beth Singletary,

Jerry

Haltiwanger,

Ronnie Dickert

Bryan Derrick,

Beth Singletary,

Jerry

Haltiwanger,

Ronnie Dickert

Flowers Clint and Paula

Harshaw

Kathy and Von Den-

nis Redeemer LMM James and Janet Long

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The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

1515 Boundary Street

Newberry, South Carolina 29108

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 114 NEWBERRY, SC

Please notify the church office with address

changes and if you wish to no longer

receive the Reader.

Return Service Requested

The Redeemer Directory

Administrative Assistant

lutheranredeemer@bellsouth.net

Gayle D. Lindley, Handbell Director,

Children’s Choir Director and Senior

Choir Director

redeemermusic@bellsouth.net

Huger P. Caughman, Jr., Organist and

Junior Choir Director

8:30am Musician

Lloan McCracken

All Members:

Ministers in Worship and Daily Life

Jeffrey Truscott, Missionary—Japan

The next Redeemer Reader deadline is

Thursday, June 18, 2015. Please send any

submissions to lutheranredeemer@bellsouth.net