“REDEEMER REPORTER” FEBRUARY 2019

LOOKING AHEAD TO LENT

On Wednesday, March 6, we begin the Season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday service. Two services will be held on Ash Wednesday, 12 noon and 7:00 PM. Both services will offer Holy Communion, and the imposition of ashes. The other remaining Lenten services will be held at 12 noon and 7:00 PM. Our theme this year is the “A Lent to Remember.” The key word will be remember. Each week we’ll focus on something God remembers or something God causes us to remember. There’s a big difference between God’s remembering and our remembering. When we remember something, too often it’s like one person saying, “You forgot my birthday” and another replying, “No. I remembered your birthday. I just didn’t do anything about it.” When God remembers, He does something about it. God remembers and acts graciously toward us. When God causes us to remember something, He also causes us to do something. He causes us to believe. He causes us to receive, by faith, His gracious gifts. By the time this Lenten season is over, our prayer is that the power of God’s Word will cause us to remember the way God remembers, with action.

THE WEEKLY THEMES AND TEXTS ARE: Ash Wednesday, March 6 “Remember Dust” Psalm 103:13-14

Lent 2 – March 13 “Remember Wondrous Works” Psalm 111:4

Lent 3 – March 20 “Remember Jesus’ Words” Luke 22:61-62

Lent 4 – March 27 “Remember the Covenant” Psalm 105:8

Lent 5 – April 3 “Remember Sins No More” Jeremiah 31:34

Lent 6 – April 10 “Remember Steadfast Love” Psalm 98:3

Maundy Thursday – April 18 “Remembrance of Me” 1Corinthians 11:23-26

Good Friday – April 19 - 12 PM “Remember Me” Luke 23:39-43

Good Friday – April 19 – 7 PM Tenebrae Service

Easter – April 20 & April 21 “Remember Jesus Risen” 2Timothy 2:8, 11

HARTMAN MEMORIAL EUCHRE CARD PARTY

March 16, 2019 2 – 4 PM

Save the date March 16th for the Hartman Memorial

Euchre Card Party. See you in the Mission Hall from

2- 4 PM to raise money for Worship Anew. Last year we

raised $900.00 and had almost thirty card players present. We hope to see

you this year.

PASTOR AKERS’ FEBRUARY MESSAGE TO THE CONGREGATION

Antonio Banderas is a movie actor. Younger

generations may know him as the voice of

Puss in the Shrek and Puss In Boots movies. In

short, Antonio Banderas is a big-name star.

Perhaps that's why Banderas wasn't surprised

several years back at the reception he received

when he landed at Budapest’s International

Airport. The media covering the event says he

was rushed by dozens of girls, as he made his

way from the terminal to a waiting car.

I imagine that kind of attention must be

incredibly flattering. I’m sure that, in this

particular instance, it must have been quite

humbling.

That’s because after Mr. Banderas got to his

car and managed to catch his breath, he

noticed that his wallet had been stolen. One of

those attractive, flattering young ladies took

his billfold. They were at the airport not to

support him but to steal from him.

The devil works in much the same way,

doesn’t he? He comes to us and flatters us; he

butters us up and sweet talks us. He says and

does whatever is necessary to make us trust

him, accept him and let down our guard.

Then, when we least expect it, when we feel

quite comfortable, BAM!, he does the

unexpected. He robs from us; he betrays us;

he undermines us; he ruins us. As Jesus said,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and

destroy.”

It’s a hard lesson and one that was learned by

almost every person in the Bible. Indeed, every

hero of faith did well as long as he trusted the

Lord. It’s when he started to believe and trust

the devil’s lies that he ran into trouble.

That’s what happened to Adam and Eve, to

Samson, to King Saul and to many others. It’s

a story the Bible tells often so that people

should learn from the mistakes of others. We

ought to learn, but we don’t.

In contrast to the thief, we have the Savior, the

Good Shepherd. He’s the One who gave His life

for the sheep. He’s the One who sacrificed

Himself, so we might have live eternally.

Given an option between the two, it would

seem to be a no-brainer as to whom we should

follow. Still, as many have found out, the

devil’s attention can be pretty flattering, but

it’s also humbling and deadly.

Lord, help us to recognize and reject the thief

who comes only to kill and destroy. At the

same time, draw us closer to our Savior who

gave His life, so we might have everlasting life.

In His Name we pray. Amen.

Pastor Akers

Pastor Akers

FEBRUARY’S FEATURED BOOKS FROM THE CHURCH LIBRARY!

(Jesus said) “The thief

comes only to steal and

kill and destroy. I came

that they may have life

and have it abundantly.”

John 10:10.

Loving Your Friend Through Cancer by Marissa Henley

“Our friend’s cancer diagnosis provides an opportunity for us to … share the love of Christ by being His hands and feet and entering into their suffering. … It is a

journey worth taking, and this book is an excellent travel guide.” Brian Holt, president

and CEO, Hope Cancer Resources.

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble

The 1st in the Sunset Cove Series. With flashbacks swimming just beneath her

consciousness and a murderer threatening her safety, Claire Dellamare’s very life depends on

unscrambling her past … even if her family refuses to acknowledge it. Someone – maybe

everyone – is hiding something from Claire, and

it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light.

FOR FEBRUARY 2019 A WORD FROM WESS

GOSSIPING THE GOSPEL

4

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.£

5

You shall love the LORD your God with all your

heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6

And these words that I command you today shall

be on your heart. 7

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit

in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8

You shall

bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9

You shall write

them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV)

The referenced verses were given to the Israelites on how to instruct their children and household. I

think it is a good method of spreading the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ to all those

around us.

After my church had ended doing a formal Evangelism Explosion program, I would still make calls

on those that visited our church. This was not because of my great spiritual calling but mainly

because of a retired pastor, Doc, that was not able to drive at night. (My bride said I never learned

“No” was a complete sentence.) The time spent in going from house to house was some of the best

Christian mentoring I have received. Our conservation and watching this man of God gave me a

guide for life I did not realize at the time.

One of his odd sayings was we need to be “gossiping the Gospel”. He had taken the method given

in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and used it in every facet of his life. Whether you started talking to Doc about

the Indians, Browns or fishing, somehow the conversation would be interlaced with the Grace of

God. That was his idea of “gossiping the Gospel”. The Good News was always a part of whatever he

did. He would preach the Good News of Jesus Christ even when he was not in the pulpit.

There is a need to share the Good News of the gospel with everyone if I truly love them as I am

instructed by Jesus (John 15:12). I have found that just coming up to someone and hitting them

with the Gospel’s Good News does not work very well. We are told in the Holy Bible that men will be

offended by the name of Jesus and that is true in our world today. But when you build a relationship,

even during a short conversation, the barriers start to soften. I have had to remind myself in the

past that there is no scorecard to be filled with those I lead to Christ but I am to go in love for

others.

May we never forget that only through the moving of the Holy Spirit can anyone’s heart be opened to

receive the Grace of the Cross, so never stop praying for those you may have the opportunity to

touch. I know that in this life my calluses on my knees will never fade as long as I have family and

friends that do not know Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.

Wess Mechler

Wess Mechler

PHD (Passed Having Doubts)

Looking for you in Worship. Jesus is Alive!

ESV® - The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles,

a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

LCOR / RLS ROOM CHART MH - Mission Hall Misc. - Miscellaneous Rooms

FH - Fellowship Hall S - Sanctuary

CL - Church Library SCR - School Conference Room

CR - Choir Room MR - Mother’s Room

AER - Adult Ed Room PRA - Per Room Availability

Senior Pastor: Rev. William S. Allison,

Home Phone: 457-0346

Associate Pastor: Rev. Barry A. Akers,

Home Phone: 457-5539

R.L.S Principal: Ruth Lavrenz, 450-5219

Business Manager: Jerry Kraase

Church Secretary: Bev Beahrs

School Secretary: Michelle Werich

Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer

Redeemer Lutheran School

705 Southway Boulevard East

Kokomo, Indiana 46902

Church Office: (765) 453-0969

School Office: (765) 864-6466

Church Fax: (765) 864-6470

Website: http://lcorkokomo.org/

E-Mail: LCOR@RedeemerKokomo.org

“REDEEMER REPORTER” DEADLINE IS

THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EACH

MONTH. PLEASE CONTACT BEV BEAHRS

AT THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR MORE

INFORMATION.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FEBRUARY SENIORS

DODY BAIRD RUTH LUECKE DIANE ANDERSON DORIS TEMME JUDY WEHMEYER Feb. 1 Feb. 3 Feb. 10 Feb. 11 Feb. 14

BARB GILLILAND HELEN GULLION SHARON REDMAN SALLY SCHINDEL

Feb. 20 Feb. 23 Feb. 26 Feb. 28

LUTHERAN WOMEN IN SERVICE - BIRTHDAY PARTY AT KOKOMO RESCUE MISSION

Please pray for these people during their birthday month of February:

George – 13th, Jay – 15th, Brian – 25th

RLS 4TH GRADE CLASS FEBRUARY NEWS

Greetings from the fourth grade class!

We just finished celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week the last week of January. We had a great time participating in the dress-up days and so many fun activities! Some favorites were wearing wild and weird outfits, getting cozy in our PJs, competing in Bible trivia with our chapel families, and getting down at the school dance! We love our school and the opportunity to learn about Jesus! Thank you to the congregation for your continued support!

February is a very busy month for fourth graders. We are currently doing a novel study over the book, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. This funny story is about Peter, a fourth grader, and his overbearing

younger brother, Fudge, who is constantly making trouble for everyone. We are also working hard in math with our study of fractions, decimals, and how they are related. Tile math is a favorite fourth grade activity that is run by Mrs. Seaman and a team of volunteers from LCOR. During tile math, students work on basic math skills while completing cards and moving through the program at their own pace. We are looking forward to a class Valentine’s Day party and a well-deserved day off on Presidents’ Day! Also, we will wrap up the month by leading chapel on February 27th.

God’s richest blessings to you!

Mrs. Grecu and the fourth grade class

NEW ADULT BIBLE CLASS:

Christian Vocation – the Lutheran Difference meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in

Mission Hall led by Pastor Akers. Christians are pressed to limit the role of faith in their

life. We can express our faith in worship, but often see little connection between faith and

our work life. What’s missing is an understanding of vocation, or calling. God provides

each Christian with gifts and circumstances that define a station in life. The purpose of

this station is to serve our neighbors and play a part in God’s providential care for

humanity. This means that even work with low worldly status is something God calls us to

do. The life-changing implications of this perspective are the focus of our Bible study.

FEBRUARY 2019

SCHEDULES

DATE SAT. SUN. SUN.

ACOLYTES 5:30 PM 8:15 AM 10:45 AM

2/3 Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed

9/10 " " "

16/17 " " "

23/24 " " "

DEACONS Tom Manship Bob Frey Roger Davis

Bob Hoch Steve Sewell

USHERS Brian Denta Phil Leininger Mark Laubenstein

Dave Gaylor Evan Bagley Terry Gotshall

Sky Townsend Bob Frey Al Harvath

Robert Martin Hugh Hunkeler

Rufus Howard Ken Sipe

Kevin Klepfer Pete Laubenstein

Erin Klepfer Roger Davis

Lori Seaman

Kelly McPike

CONTEMPORARY READERS

3 Cora & Suzanne Dunkin

17 Debbie & Kyle Street

GREETERS Gene Miller Caroline Howard Mark & Suzanne Dunkin

NURSERY

3 Mindy Conner

10 Cora Dunkin

17 Jessie Hornstein

24 Julie Satterfield

DATE TELLERS

4 Ellen Benziger, Nancy Trout, Ross Morkal

11 Vivian Heronemus, Betty Fahling, Sharon Morkal

18 Teddi Heinzman, Sue Allison, Jane Brubaker

25 Marjie Sullivan, Judy Newbold, Jama Youngdale

DATE SANCTUARY STEWARDS COLOR

3 Susie Yeakley & Marie Harvath Green

10 Marietta Adelsen & Caroline Howard Green

17 Ellen Benziger & Teddi Heinzman Green

24 Kitty Davis & Amy Shrack Green

Online Calendar:

http://www.lcorkokomo.org/calendar