MAILING SEAL

In This Issue …

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Pastor’s Corner 1-2 d l 6 L A

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D President’s Message 3 e

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Emergency Pastoral Care 3 i

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E Birthdays and Anniversaries 4 i u h

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Those Who Serve 5 S

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Remember in Prayer 6

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Our Budget and Expenses 7 d i u f V

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In Memoriam 8 n

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Lenten Soup Supper and Devotions 8 R

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New Member Orientation 9 7 U

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Monthly Calendar Center u

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Annual Meeting Results 11 c

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Short Story 11-12 h

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Looking Ahead – Holy Week 12 2

Easter Lilies Order Form 13 2 0 Mission Moment 14 0 1 1 Outreach Team 14 1 Daylight Savings Time 14 Flowers 15 5 Lessons to Study 16 Disaster Relief`` 17 Continuing Outreach 17 P L N

Worship and Discipleship 14-19 e o r U o n m

Office Information 20 n g

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MAILING SEAL MAILING SEAL Redeemer Lutheran Church of Leisure World PASTOR’S CORNER Phone: (562) 598 - 8697 FAX: (562) 598 - 8698 We are … E-mail: [email protected] Because of Jesus Christ Website: www.redeemerlutheransealbeach.com

Dear Friends:

Lent focuses our attention on the greatest event of all history -- the Good News of Jesus Christ. For the most part when Christians think of the work of Jesus Christ they think of it in terms of the forgiveness of sin. And that forgiveness is real, and complete. There is no minimizing of that. But the Gospel involves a great deal more than the forgiveness of sin. The Gospel is too great, too tremendous to be pressed into one word or one concept or one blessing. It is so tremendous and so far reaching that the New Testament itself uses many words and many concepts to convey the significance of the activity of Jesus Christ for our lives.

We are forgiven - that means all guilt is lifted -- no need for guilt feelings. We are redeemed - that means that our worth has been established. Someone wants us. We are adopted - that means that we are surrounded with the security of a family’s love. We are saved - that means we are rescued from anything that threatens to destroy us. We are reconciled - that means that there is a God who is friendly toward us. We are healed - that means that we are cured from all that makes us sick at heart.

Page 1 Page 20 Church Office Hours: 9: 00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon - Tuesdays & Thursdays. Please call and leave a message at all other times. Phone messages are checked daily.

Sunday Worship: 10:30 AM Traditional Service (Holy Communion on first and third Sundays) Bible Study: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays – Fellowship Hall Lenten Devotions and Soup Suppers: 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays during Lent – Fellowship Hall Outreach Visitation: 2:00 p.m. the 4th Tuesday of the Month Council Meeting: 2:30 p.m. the 4th Thursday of the Month Respite Care: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Church Staff Pastor: Gilbert Moore Food Donations: Mickey Costello, Carl and Jessica Keene, and George Koehm Secretary: Margo Geesing (Tuesday and Thursday mornings) Organist: Sharon Heck

Page 1 Page 20 The third through fifth Sunday of Lent all come from We are justified - that means that God’s court order has the Gospel of John. First we have the cleansing of the proclaimed us innocent. temple. We are also called to clean up the temple of Christ! We are sanctified - that means that in God’s sight we are Remember, we individually are a temple of Christ through saints “without spot or blemish.” our baptism and we collectively are the Body of Christ. We We are found - that means that there is a way out of our need to look at those “temples” we have built to honor and lostness. worship other worldly thing, people, and attitudes. We are chosen - that means that God thinks highly of us The fourth week we are reminded that we need to and we can have a high regard or ourselves. look to Christ for healing. No, I’m not saying don’t go to We are made alive - that means that God has breathed into your doctor rather to look to Christ for healing of the soul us his own love. sickness, the broken worn-down heart, the tired and weary. We are made whole - that means that the broken pieces of The fifth Sunday of Lent is a call for the universal our lives are brought together so that we can again repentance of the world. We as Christians need to lead that know the meaning of peace (wholeness). change of heart and soul. We need to live that life of We are freed - that means that any burden that would keep repentance as example to others. us from living the abundant life of hope and joy is The last Sunday in March is Palm / Passion Sunday. lifted from us. We look at Jesus’ entry in Jerusalem amidst cheering and his We are accepted - that means that perhaps the greatest need death a mere few days later amidst jeering. of our existence, acceptance, is fulfilled.

Some things to reflect on during this Lenten Season: None of these concepts tells the whole story, but each is a Who are we in those different crowds we hear about part of the whole. Christ is indeed “Good News” for all our on Palm Sunday? Are we the ones crying to crucify him, or “bad situations.” Simon helping to carry the cross, or the women weeping, or his friends abandoning him, or Peter denying him, or Some of these we will be discussing in our “Dialogue from Joseph claiming him after he died. the Cross Roads” on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. in the Over the next five weeks of Lent you may want to look fellowship hall when we have devotion and soup supper at some of those basic teachings that we claim to believe but during Lent. probably haven’t really looked at in awhile. Take a look at The Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther and think about Join us, what it is you believe: Week 1: Ten Commandments; Week 2: Creed; Week 3: Lord's Prayer; Week 4: Sacrament of Holy Baptism; Week 5: Sacrament of the Altar

Page 19 Page 2 Message from Our President … Reflections on WORSHIP and DISCIPLESHIP by Margo Geesing To all Redeemer Members and Friends, “ Lent” The Church Council meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at 2:30pm. All are invited to The question comes during Lent: how can an all perfect, all good, all loving, and all knowing God be in attend any time whether you have a concern or are relationship with an imperfect, sinful, petty, limited people. just curious. The simple answer is: how can He not be. He created each and every one of us in His own image. He sent His own Son Your Friend in Christ, as a gift to us. He loves us. He is the one who initiates our Larry Norlander relationship with Him. He calls us to perfection, goodness, to love, and to know him. Lent is that perfect time for us to renew our own relationship with God. To do those things and to live the life we are call to. We are call to repent and live a life of humility, feed on the Bread of Life, testify in word and action to the life of Christ. During this Lenten Emergency Pastoral Care: Whenever you are in need of season we have the chance to realign ourselves through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. emergency pastoral care give Pastor Gil a phone call nd (562) 430-7999. Larry Norlander and Margo Geesing The first Sunday in Lent (February 22 ) we return to (our secretary) also know how to reach Pastor Gil. the first chapter of Mark. In a few brief verses we have Jesus baptized, sent into the desert to be tempted, and beginning his preaching! Jesus states, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near, repent, and believe in the good news." It’s simple and straightforward. The second Sunday of Lent we hear through the Gospel of Mark Jesus again inviting us to repent from our preconceived notions of who he is and what he wants from us. We need to accept who he actually is so we can live the mission he has planned for us, rather that what we think he should have planned.

Page 3 Page 18 DISASTER RELIEF Gifts designated to a specific response will be used in full -- 100 percent -- to help disaster survivors clean-up, rebuild and recover. Donations given “Where Needed Most” help to Happy respond immediately and effectively where it is needed most. If you give cash or check, on offering envelope write “Disaster Relief” If you give by check make it out to Redeemer Lutheran Birthday Church and placing it in the offering plate. Or if you wish you can send a check directly to: ELCA Disaster Response 39330 Treasury Center; Chicago, IL 60694-9300. Or donate online at: March Birthdays http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the- World/Disaster-Response.aspx CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS Rhonda Reed March 1 Thank you to those who have been turning in Kathy Nilsson March 2 your labels! As an ongoing service project we are collecting Helen McDowell March 14 Campbell Soup Labels to be sent to the Solheim Elizabeth Goodrow March 17 Home in Los Angeles, CA. They will send them to the Navajo Indians in Arizona. The labels are used in many ways to get needed items. Shirley Reimers March 18 The program now only requires the UPC Bar Code Label. A Edith Sessa March 18 marked canister is in the Entryway. Lavona Moore March 28 BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION Phyllis Mackey March 31 Thank you to those who have been turning in your Education Labels! Donald Stephens March 31 Box Tops go directly to the Navajo Mission. They can be found on more than a 100 different General Mills products. They do have an expiration date, so March Anniversaries be sure to turn them in with time to send them to the Mission! These labels generate points that turn into dollars! Donald and Evelyn Stephens March 19 CONTINUING FUNDRAISER AND ENVIRONMENTAL CARE Larry and Judy Norlander March 28 Thank you to those who have been turning in your used ink cartridges! We have an ongoing collection of used ink cartridges and cell phones. Please bring them with you when you come to church and place them in the box in the Conference Room!

Page 17 Page 4 THOSE WHO SERVE Please study the following at home to prepare for Sunday Worship: THIS MONTH Lessons for the First Sunday in Lent through Good Friday February 22, 2015 – First March 22, 2015 – Fifth Altar Guild Ushers Sunday in Lent Sunday in Lent Beverly Dinning Jean Ackerman Genesis 9:8-17 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Lottie Dolby Carol Costello Psalm 25:1-10 Psalm 51:1-12 Carol Costello Mickey Costello 1 Peter 3:18-22 Psalm 119:9-16 (Alternate) Julia Langevin Maria Swift Mark 1:9-15 Hebrews 5:5-10 Sylvia Makus John 12:20-33 Judy Norlander Choir March 1, 2015 – Second Beverly Anderson Sunday in Lent March 29, 2015 – Sunday of Acolyte Charles Cullimore Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 The Passion / Palm Sunday Sylvia Makus Joan Cullimore Psalm 22:23-31 Isaiah 50:4-9a Lynda Elmer Romans 4:13-25 Psalm 31:9-16 Communion Assistant John Graber Mark 8:31-38 Philippians 2:5-11 Jerry Brady Debbie Hugdahl Mark 14:1—15:47 Julia Langevin March 8, 2015 – Third Mark 15:1-47 (Alternate) Greeters Sara Lee Sunday in Lent April 2, 2015 – Maundy Shirlene Bradrick Nancy Luebben Exodus 20:1-17 Thursday Alma Zamzow Jim Pushman Psalm 19 Exodus 12:1-14 Kay Pushman 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Reader Violet Quist John 2:13-22 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Cedric Elmer Shirley Reimers John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Dolores Young March 15, 2015 – Fourth Prayer Leader Sunday in Lent April 3, 2015 – Good Friday Shirley Reimers Numbers 21:4-9 Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Psalm 22 Ephesians 2:1-10 Hebrews 10:16-25 John 3:14-21 Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 (alternate) John 18:1—19:42 Page 5 Page 16 it is for altar flowers and the date of your flowers.

Altar Flowers for March March 1st: Kathy Aldstadt to Celebrate the Birthdays of my oldest son and youngest granddaughter on March 2. March 8th: Open – No Requests March 15th: The Ovard children: Jim, Sandra, and Bill in Memory their Mother, Kathy Ovard who died one year ago today. March 22nd: Larry and Judy Norlander in Honor of their Anniversary. Ron and Linda Robertson in Honor of their granddaughter, Jocelyn Jane Thurner’s birthday. March 29th: Palms Flower Chart Directions 1. There are 2 bouquets for each Sunday. 2. Print your name and the special reason for the request on the line next to the date you would like them. 3. If there is not enough room to write your request on the chart, please leave the secretary a note in her box specifying your request. 4. The requested donation for one bouquet is $15.00; $30.00 for both. If you wish to request both bouquets, please note that on the chart. When putting your donation in an envelope, please note that Page 15 Page 6 Note from Outreach and Worship and Music Committee. Guidelines for prayer list: We are requesting all members (and friends) to please call the church office and leave a message requesting prayer regarding any illnesses, surgeries, procedures, and treatments regarding you, church members, and family members. Please also notify us when the prayers are no longer needed.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER Our Members: Shirley Anderson, Bea Bander, Doris Borsdorf, Russ Cullimore, Margaret Deaton, Patti Drumm, Liz Goodrow, Lucy Fitch, Mary Ann Haugen, Christine Hughes, Geri Lein, Nancy Luebben, Dody Lynch, Kathleen Nilsson, Ken Newsham, Lodi Nieto, Erich Obersteiner, Christine Osterberg, Lillian Smith, Nina Smith, Don Trinkle, and Martha Ziegler;

And Our Family Members and Friends: Rose Betancourt, Roman Bentley, Dave Buchanan, Caren Condon, Anna Dow, Eileen Dow, Nelly Dow, Paul Higgenbotham, Cynthia Luff, Mary Matthews, Ethan Millerick, Kenny Mize, Dona Nichols, Victor Obersteiner, Melissa Prokuda, Lori Rhodes, Nathan Rhodes, Dana Rutkowski, Lee Roy Thomas, Louise Wagner, and Sandy Young.

We also remember those confined at home, in hospitals, or in nursing homes. And, always pray for peace.

Page 15 Page 6 OUR BUDGET AND EXPENSES Global Mission Call Income and Expense Statement for the Month Ending ~~ January 31, 2015 Our next Mission Moment will be on Sunday, March th Actual Budget Variance 29 . On the last Sunday of Operating Income $11,808.00 $9,855.00 $1,953.00 each month we take a moment Operating Expenses $11,137.39 $9,855.00 ($1,282.39) to reflect on our call to serve Variance $670.51 $0.00 $670.51 all of God’s people.

The Outreach Team meets on the 4th Tuesday of each Income and Expense Statement month in the Conference Room at 2:00 p.m. for the 2015 Year to January 31, 2015 This month we will meet on March 24th. Actual Budget Variance Operating Income $11,808.00 $9,855.00 $1,953.00 “Whatever you do for the least of Operating Expenses $11,137.39 $9,855.00 ($1,282.39) my brothers and sisters, you do for Variance $670.51 $0.00 $670.51 me.” (Matthew 25:40) We are Calling All People who like to Offering Envelopes are available on the stand in talk, visit, go out, talk about our church, the narthex of the church. Take as many and be with people: the Outreach Team always has room envelopes as you think you may need. Please for new members to join. It is easy work also remember your pledge. By preparing your but very necessary. Many hands make envelope ahead of time at home, that way you will not be light work! Try it, you may find that this caught short of your offering and can maintain your is your call from God! pledge. Please put your name on the envelopes that you use. Thank You! Don’t forget – Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8th!

Page 7 Page 14 Do remember to move you clock AHEAD 1 hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night!

Page 7 Page 14 In Memoriam Easter Lilies Please pray for the family and friends of Beautiful lily plants will adorn the Sanctuary area of our church on Easter morning. You may reserve one or more plants to be designated in honor or Bert Lein memory of a loved one. Place this form with your May 2, 1927 to February 5, 2015 check, payable to Redeemer Lutheran Church, or cash in an offering envelope and place the envelope in the offering or in the church office. Indicate “Easter Lily” on your check and on the offering envelope. This is due by Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015 to be included in the Easter Lily List. Cost per plant is $8.00 May he rest in the peace of Christ

Your Name:

Number of Lilies ordered: X $8.00 each = [amount enclosed]

Phone Number:

(circle one) In Honor of or In Memory of

(circle one) In Honor of or In Memory of Lenten Soup Suppers and Devotions

We will have our annual Soup Supper Devotions on Wednesdays, 4:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall again (circle one) In Honor of or In Memory of featuring soup, dialogues, and singing of Lenten hymns. (circle one) In Honor of or In Memory of The dates are: February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, and March 25.

Page 13 Page 8 BIBLE STUDY We are continuing our Bible Study Sunday Worship Service. A light at 10:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. luncheon will follow. We are studying the book of Genesis. It lasts one hour and will be under the direction of Pastor Lynda Elmer. This may be an opportunity to draw closer to God as we journey through the Lenten Season. Come join in! Bring your Bible and a friend! If you don’t have a Bible or it is too heavy to bring there are ones you may borrow on the shelves.

New Member Orientation New Member Orientation will be on Thursday, March 19 at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room. If you are interested in joining the church as a registered member, please see Pastor or come to the orientation meeting.

New Member Welcome New members will be welcomed on Sunday, March 29 at the Palm

Page 9 Page 12 They dismounted, picked up the donkey and carried it down the road. Down the road a piece from there our trio met a couple of men traveling together. When the parties had passed, one of the men turned to the other and said, “Did you ever see two fools carrying a donkey before?” How to please everyone? Don’t even try! Just try to please God. “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ,” (Gal. 1:10).

Maundy Thursday will be April 2. We will be having our Holy Communion and Foot Washing Service on that day at 4:00 p.m.

Redeemer will again host the Good Friday Community Service on Friday, April 3. It goes from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday is April 5th. We will be having our Holy Communion Service at 10:30 a.m. Please join us! You are most welcome to invite family, friends, and neighbors to this blessed celebration.

Page 9 Page 12 Annual Meeting Results (continued Page 12) Our Annual Meeting (Part 2) was held Sunday, February 15, 2015. Reports were presented. Additional copies of the Annual Report are on the table in the Conference Room. Cedric and Lynda Elmer will be our representatives to the Pacifica Synod Annual Meeting on May 28 – 30, 2015 at the Riverside Convention Center. We can always use alternates. If you are interested, please see Larry Norlander (Council President). The church pays for the delegate’s registration to the meeting. All other expenses (travel, housing, meals) are the delegate’s.

How to Please Everyone A man and his grandson went on a journey, walking and leading a donkey. Soon they met a man who said, “How foolish for you to be walking. One of you should be riding the donkey.” So the man put his grandson on the animal. The next traveler they met frowned and said accusingly, “How dreadful for a strong, young boy to be riding while an old man walks.” With that, the boy climbed off the donkey and his grandfather climbed on. The next person down the road, however, said, “I just can’t believe that a grown man would ride and make a poor little boy walk.” So the man pulled the boy back aboard and off they rode on the donkey together. That is, until they met the next fellow who screamed, “I never saw anything so cruel in all my life. Two intelligent human beings riding on the poor little scrawny donkey.” Page 11 Page 10 Pacifica Women of the ELCA Present: “Thanking God for Your Servant Heart”

Matthew 25:23 “Well done, good and faithful servant” Saturday, March 7, 2015 Registration with breakfast opens at 8:30 a.m. Program 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (includes lunch) at Redeemer Lutheran Church of Leisure World Cost: $25.00 postmarked by 2/28/15 $30.00 postmarked after 2/28/15 YOU NEED TO MAKE RESERVATIONS!! {for more information please speak to Violet Quist} To make reservations make checks payable to: Pacifica Women of the ELCA and mail with registration form to: Jo Ann Longerborne 4678 Coconino Way San Diego, CA 92117 Phone: (858) 274-0483 *********************************************************** Please Print Clearly (or affix an address label)

Name: Address & City: Telephone: email: Church: Church City: Page 11 Page 10 2015

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10:30 am Holy 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 10:30 a.m. – Bible Class 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Communion Service Office Hours 4:00 p.m. – Lenten Office Hours WELCA Spring Coffee Fellowship 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - Devotion and Soup 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - Gathering Respite Care Supper Respite Care

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 (Daylight Savings Begins 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 10:30 a.m. – Bible Class 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. move 1 hour ahead) Office Hours 4:00 p.m. – Lenten Office Hours 10:30 am Worship 4:00 p.m. – Interfaith Devotion and Soup 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - Service Council Supper Respite Care Food Ingathering 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - Coffee Fellowship Respite Care 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10:30 am Holy ST. PATRICK’S DAY 10:30 a.m. – Bible Class 10:00 a.m. – New Communion Service 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 4:00 p.m. – Lenten Member’s Orientation Coffee Fellowship Office Hours Devotion and Soup 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - Supper Office Hours Respite Care 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - NEWSLETTER Respite Care ARTICLES & THOSE WHO SERVE DUE 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 10:30 am Worship 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 10:30 a.m. – Bible Class 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Service Office Hours 4:00 p.m. – Lenten Office Hours Coffee Fellowship 2:00 p.m. – Outreach Devotion and Soup 2:30 p.m. – Council Visitation Supper Meeting 2:30 p.m. – Finance 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - Committee Meeting Respite Care 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - Respite Care NEWSLETTER PRINTED 29 30 31 April 1 April 2 April 3 PALM SUNDAY 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Maundy Thursday Good Friday Service – 10:30 am Worship Office Hours Service – 4:00 p.m. 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Service 9:30 am to 3:30 pm - New Members Received Respite Care Mission Moment NEWSLETTER Birthdays and MAILED Anniversaries Celebrated at New Member’s Welcome Luncheon

Center