May 2016

The Lutheran Church
of the Redeemer
Music Notes
1915 S. New Hope Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-865-6152
It’s May and, at Redeemer, that means Strawberry Festival.
The date is Sunday, May 22, 4:00pm.
May 2016
Rev. Dr. Richard Graf
Interim Pastor
Early Worship 8:15 a.m.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
Beginning May 29:
one worship service at 9:30 a.m.
e-mail
redeemerchurch@bellsouth.net
Nostalgia
website
www.redeemergastonia.org
Songs of Faith and 1960s Television Tunes
Our mission is to welcome people in,
to help all grow in faith and in
God’s gracious gifts and abilities,
so that we may be sent out to care for others
in our families, our congregation,
our neighborhoods, and in the world,
sharing the Good News in Christ’s name.
Join us as we worship with choral/handbell arrangements of
Redeemer’s favorite hymns and then as we have fun singing
theme songs from some iconic 1960s television shows. Your
heart will be touched, and you will be transported back in time.
I guarantee some of you will want to sing along!
Events this Month
See you Sunday with a smile on my face
and a song in my heart,
May 1 & 8
May 1
May 1
May 22
May 26
May 29
First Communion Class
Acolyte/Crucifer Training
Middle School Dinner
Strawberry Festival
Deriter Club Trip
Summer schedule begins
See inside for more!
Dawn Broom
Director of Music Ministries
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A PAGE FROM PASTOR GRAF'S NOTEBOOK:
"WHO OR WHAT OR WHERE
IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?"
Sunday, May 15, is the Festival
of Pentecost. It is a feast day
of the universal Church which
commemorates the descent of
the HOLY SPIRIT upon the
followers of Apostles. It occurs
fifty days after Christ's
resurrection (Easter). It is
sometimes called "Whitsunday"
because it used to be a day for
baptisms, and those baptized
wore white garments that
Sunday. It is referred to as the
"birthday of the Church." On that Sunday the color
of the day is red to symbolize the miracle of the
"fiery tongues" spoken of in the 2nd chapter of
Acts. Sometimes trumpets are blown to recall the
"sound of a mighty rushing wind" mentioned in
that chapter. Along with Christmas, when we
celebrate the love of God come to earth in human
form, and Easter, when we celebrate Christ's
victory over death, Pentecost is the celebration of
the HOLY SPIRIT's arrival and continuing presence
with us.
We have a pretty clear idea of God as "our Father
in heaven." We know the wonderful story of Jesus,
our Savior, who we say is "at the right hand of
God." But who or what or especially where is the
HOLY SPIRIT?
WHO is the HOLY SPIRIT? He is God. He is the
informing spirit of God, the comforting presence of
God, the encouraging assurance of God, and the
ever-ready power of God. He is God among
us. The HOLY SPIRIT is not a "WHAT," but rather a
"WHO," so we never talk about "it," but always
about "him." As Jesus was God in human flesh, so
the HOLY SPIRIT is God without the restrictions of
the flesh. He is not limited by time or space or
age. And that tells us WHERE he is: simply put, he
is everywhere. He is God with us, within us and
among us. He is in the Church, and also anywhere
we may be. If we need strength to meet
challenges, he is with us. If we need help in times
of trouble, he is there to help. If we need answers
to vital questions, he is constantly available. His
promise is Jesus' promise of abundant life now,
and life with him forever.
Do you see? The HOLY SPIRIT is the most
marvelous, valuable, wonderful companion we
have while sojourning on this earth. On May 15,
this week, today, right this minute, celebrate with
awe and thanksgiving God's HOLY SPIRIT. He is
God's greatest gift to his Church, to us all... to
you!
Live it up!
PG
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Pastor Graf will offer First Communion Classes for
children ages 5 and older on two consecutive
Sundays – May 1 and May 8. The classes will be held
in the sanctuary at 9:15 a.m. and are for children who
do not currently receive Holy Communion. A parent
(preferably both parents) or guardian is required to
attend with their child.
Worship Assistants
A training will be held in the
sanctuary on Sunday, May 1,
for anyone interested in
serving as an acolyte or
crucifer. Please stay after the
10:30 service. Anyone
interested in serving as a lector or assisting minister
who would like to have training, see Brad Alexander
or notify the church office and we will arrange a
training.
___________________________________________
Our summer worship schedule
begins on Memorial Day weekend, May 29. We will have one
worship service at 9:30 a.m.
through September 4 (Labor
Day weekend).
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___________________________________________
The Lutheran Men in Mission
will hold their monthly
breakfast meeting on Sunday,
May 15, at 7:15 a.m.
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WELCA will be going to dinner at a
local restaurant in place of their
regular monthly meeting. Any
ladies who would like to join us,
meet at the church at 6:30 p.m. on
Monday, May 9.
The WELCA members wish to thank everyone in the
congregation who supported their April Book & Bake
Sale. The results exceeded all expectations and we
more than doubled our goal, raising $1,400! All
proceeds will go towards the purchase of a freezer
which the women will be using to stock with food to
assist congregation members in times of illness and
need.
All leftover books can still be purchased – come by
the church on Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to
12 p.m. $5 a bag!
___________________________________________
The Deriters will be going to the Theatre of Charlotte on
Thursday, May 26, to see the comedy “The Adams
Family.” We will be leaving the church at 6:30 p.m.
$20 for the tickets is due by May 1 – give to Dennis or
Sharon Whitney.
___________________________________________
Family Promise Week is May 29 through June 4. On a
quarterly basis we assist All Saints Episcopal Church
with this ministry to homeless families by providing
meals and overnight hosts. For more information on
how you may help, contact Marguerite Taylor at 704867-2653.
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
The deadline for the June/July edition of
the church newsletter is Monday, May 23.
___________________________________________
We express our sympathy and love to the following
congregation members who have lost loved ones
since the last newsletter was published:
the family of Steve Garrison, who died on March 25;
he was the uncle of Joanna Pressley and brother-inlaw of Bob Morris
Jane Bridges on the death of her uncle, Robert
Bradshaw, who died March 30
Kay Blough whose brother-in-law, Paul Blough, died
April 18
Johnny Davidson on the death of his brother, Samuel
Martin Davidson Sr., who died April 21
___________________________________________
We hope that everyone is making
plans to be with us throughout the
month of October as we celebrate
the 50th anniversary of our
founding. There will be special
events on each Sunday of October
with the main celebration on
October 23 when Bishop Tim
Smith of the NC Synod will be
with us. Please remember that we
are collecting pictures and/or memorabilia for video
and print presentation. If you have any that we may
use, contact Joanna Pressley at 704-867-7423, Brent
Messer at 704-853-2454, or you may contact the
church office.
___________________________________________
We are pleased to announce that Pastor Richard Graf
will continue his ministry here at Redeemer Church
until a call is made to a ministerial candidate and the
call is approved by our Church Council and then voted
upon by our congregation. PG’s original contract was
to have ended the last day of May. His situation has
changed and he was able to make an extended
commitment to our church for which we are truly
thankful.
___________________________________________
BIRTHDAYS
3 Sylvia Moore
8 Serena Johns
11 Emily Miller
12 Brent Messer
13 Gail Broussard,
Sharia Isenhour
15 Tainy Cheney
10:30 SERVICE
19 Steve Mack
20 Joy York
24 Anita Painter
26 Kay Rhyne
27 Faith Waelz
30 Ronnie Payne
ANNIVERSARIES
2 Jack & Emily Finley
14 Don & Mary Doctor
26 Bill & Rochelle Leneave
28 Chuck & Lynn Lifford
31 Ed & Annette Cross
Altar Flowers
1st Jack & Emily Finley
All other Sundays in May are available – to place
flowers, sign the flower chart on the bulletin
board at the church or call the church office.
8:15 SERVICE
ACOLYTE
Brad Alexander
ALTAR GUILD
Joanna Pressley
USHERS
Tainy Cheney, Ed Twist
LECTORS
1 Mark Painter
22 Bob Morris
8 Brian Johnson
29 (9:30am)
15 Brad Alexander
ASSISTING MINISTERS
1 Brad Alexander 22 Brock Smith
8 Mark Painter
29 (9:30am)
15 B.J. Waelz
AUDIO/VISUAL
Ed Twist
ACOLYTE & CRUCIFER
1 A-Vicky Wachendorf C-Brent Messer
8 A-Barb Boesen
C-Jan Henson
15 A-Justin Wachendorf C-Mark Painter
22 A-Brock Smith
C-Brad Alexander
ALTAR GUILD
Joanna Pressley, Libby Jenkins
USHERS
George Rogers (HU), Effie Rogers
Mike Sigmon, Dennis Whitney
LECTORS
1 Sabrina Messer
8 Jeff Morrison
15 Betty Cloninger
22 Lynn Lifford
ASSISTING MINISTERS
1 Lynn Glover
8 Heather Kaiser
15 Barb Boesen
22 Ami Morrison
AUDIO/VISUAL
Sabrina Messer
9:30 SERVICE BEGINNING
MAY 29
Lector
Assisting Minister
Acolyte
Crucifer
Vicky Wachendorf
Jan Henson
Amber Lightsey
Barb Boesen
Ushers, Altar Guild, Audio/Visual on May
29 same as 10:30 schedule
Family Promise Wk.
Schedule begins:
one service at
9:30am
29 Summer
Girl Scouts 2-4pm
Strawberry
Festival 5pm
R.O.O.M. 9:30am
22 Speaker from
Girl Scouts 2-4pm
50th Anniv. Mtg.
11:45am
15 LMM 7:15am
Mother’s Day
Class 9:15am
8 First Communion
Middle School
Youth Meeting 6pm
Girl Scouts 2-4pm
Acolyte/Crucifer
Training 11:45am
Class 9:15am
1 First Communion
Sun
30
newsletter deadline
7pm
23 Church Council
16
9 WELCA 6:30pm
2
Mon
Wed
9am
31 Dirty Hands
9am
24 Dirty Hands
9am
17 Dirty Hands
9am
10 Dirty Hands
7pm
25 Chancel Choir
Chancel Choir 7pm
18 Ringers 6pm
Chancel Choir 7pm
11 Ringers 6pm
Chancel Choir 7pm
3 Dirty Hands 9am 4 Ringers 6pm
Tues
Trip 6:30pm
26 Deriter Club
19
12
5 Musical
Munchkins 9am
Thurs
27
20
13
6
Fri
REDEEMER’S CALENDAR FOR MAY
10am
28 Seamers
FH setup 12-3pm
Rosemary &
Thyme 10am
9am-12pm
21 Choir reh.
14 Seamers 10am
7
Sat
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___________________________________________
Two of our members are graduating:
Finance Report
(through March 31, 2016)
Alexis Christina Brogden
from Highland School of
Technology on June 11;
Alexis will be attending
Wingate University.
Madalyn Olivia Twist
from The University of NC at Wilmington in May with a
BS Degree in Social Work and a minor in Psychology;
Madalyn was accepted into the UNC-Charlotte
Advanced Standing Social Work Master Degree
Program which she begins in May.
We also congratulate Cody Bridges, son of Jane
Bridges, who graduates May 14 from Belmont Abbey
College.
$63,131
$53,301
$ 9,830
actual general fund contributions
actual general fund expenses
amount actual contributions are
MORE than expenses
Year-to-date Contributions
to Capital Campaign
$5,665
Year-to-date Contributions
to Debt Reduction
$2,985
Debt owed to Park Sterling Bank
(as of April 28, 2016)
$180,643
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___________________________________________
Please use Elaine Labott’s physical address rather
than her post office box. Her address is 2537-D
Cherbough Way, Gastonia, NC 28056.
New Roof – We are accepting donations to offset the
expense of the recently completed roofing project. If
you would like to make a contribution, please use the
pew envelopes at the church and write “roofing
project” on the memo line of your check. Thank you!
___________________________________________
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Please remember our homebound members with your
visits, cards, and prayers.
Helen Bowen
1102 Kensington Ave.
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-864-3549
Mary Harmon
2020 Helen Drive
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-867-9665
Giles Setzer
c/o Covenant Village
1351 Robinwood Rd.
Apt. B107
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-865-9288
Betty Bolin
c/o Morningside of Gastonia
2755 Union Road
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-810-0111
Joy York
2007 Redbud Drive
Gastonia, NC 28054
704-865-5186
___________________________________________
COMING THIS SUMMER!
Vacation Bible School
June 8-11 at Redeemer
Agapé Day Camp
July 17-22 at Holy Trinity
Watch for more details!
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Pajama Jam Success! We made about 30 toiletry bags and collected lots of stuffed animals and
pajamas for The Shelter! We also talked about how the Shelter helps women and children in
need! We prayed for the families they will serve and prayed over donated items! It was a great
evening for everyone!!!
We are excited to welcome Cassie from R.O.O.M. We are looking forward to learning about this
amazing orphanage outreach Ministry in Honduras and how our youth and our church family can
become partners in this mission outreach. She will be here on May 22nd to talk with ALL
Sunday School Classes!
Middle School Youth will have their meeting on May 1st at 6 p.m. Bring a friend! We will be
attending a concert.
Musical Munchkins will meet on May 5th for their last class of Spring Semester. Summer
Semester will begin June 7th. Full schedule will be posted soon.
Youth will be in final preparation for the mission trip to Clarksville, Georgia. We will leave June
17th!
~B.J. Waelz
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
May 8
Blessed is the Mother . . . .
who can hold onto her children while letting them go;
who puts a tranquil home ahead of an immaculate house;
who knows a kind act will be remembered longer than an easy word;
who really believes that prayer changes things;
whose faith in the future sweetens the present;
whose bible never needs dusting;
whose sense of humor is alive and well.
See inside for more details
on the May “happenings”
at Redeemer Lutheran Church !