1

Volume 47—Number 9 September 2017

Voice of Redeemer

Redeemer Lutheran Church

Since my dad was a naval officer, I grew up moving every couple of years. It was

always exciting to move to a new place and anticipate new sights, experiences, and

friends. I lived in some wonderful places: Hawaii, Guam, San Diego, Virginia,

Rhode Island, Seattle, etc. As enriching as it was, it could also be difficult. Moving homes meant

starting a new life every time. Change was definitely a part of my life but I have to admit it was a

mixed blessing. It brought our family closer together and I discovered some amazing parts of the

country, but it was hard to say goodbye to new friends over and over. It’s well known that change

is hard for people. As the saying goes, “the only one who likes change is a wet baby.”

Over the past several years some people have asked why we can’t go to one worship service. There have been

some good reasons not to but it deserves thoughtful consideration. However, we want to make sure this a decision

of the entire congregation with as much input as we can get.

If we had one service at 9:30 when would Sunday School be? Would we ever sing Worship and Praise songs?

Would it inconvenience too many people? Would it unite us better as a congregation and make us stronger? As

you can see, there are several angles to view.

I encourage everyone’s input. I have talked with several members of the congregation, but I want to make sure

everyone’s thoughts and ideas are considered. I will be talking with everyone, but please feel free to call or e-mail

me at any time (979-4735 or prjon@hotmail.com).

In the interim, we will keep to the 9:30 schedule. We want to make this decision as soon as we can, but we don’t

want to rush it without adequate input. Please continue to watch the bulletin and newsletter for further infor-

mation.

In that regard, we will have our annual Rally Day (September 10) with 9:30 worship. We will have a potluck

brunch at 10:30 with an opportunity to meet teachers and an opportunity to do some intergenerational activities

and crafts. Our theme will be Reformation Rally. Come meet Martin Luther and have your picture taken with him!

Blessings,

Pastor Jon Christenson

P.S. Lutheran Social Services has been meeting with the congregations of Bakersfield since January, and we are

now ready to get significant training. The training is for loss and grief groups, but will be applicable to many

things. The training will begin soon. It’s hard to describe here, but if you are at all interested, please talk with my-

self, Jan Lemley, Judy Olson, Laura Haywood, or Linda Cohen.

2

Under the Old Testament economy, people were required to give to God because this was also the means of providing the government. A theocracy was in place then, which meant that government was actually operating under the direct authority and leadership of God Himself. Today, we are under a different economy. However, we are still required to

support the government. We may not like the way government operates. We may not agree with the policies of our governmental leaders. We may not even like the political process or the individuals involved in it. But God says that is not the issue. The issue is one of obedience. He says we are to pay our taxes to whom we "owe them" (Romans 13:7). In spite of all the ills of government, God says that governmental agencies and government leaders are His "ministers" and that they operate for our ultimate "good." So the question is not whether we agree with or even support the work and activities of our governments at the local, state and national levels. The question is one of whether or not we will obey God. You see, it's relatively easy to sing, "Oh, How I Love Jesus." It's far more dif-ficult to demonstrate our love for Him by yielding to Him in full and complete obedience, especially when His commands are ones we do not care for: like paying our taxes. If God is in charge, if Christ is Lord of our lives, then we will do what he tells us to do. As the little chorus states it so clearly, "I'll say, 'Yes,' Lord, 'Yes,' to Your will and to Your way; 'Yes,' Lord, 'Yes,' I will trust You and obey." Even when it comes to paying my taxes? Even when it comes to paying my taxes! " . . . pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God" (Matt. 22:21).

As we follow the devastation of hurricane Harvey, we cannot begin to imagine

what it must be like to live through such events. Many of us know friends or have

family living in the affected areas and are overwhelmed by a feeling of helpless-

ness. It is quite evident that the damage left by this storm will be felt for years to

come, and the costs of rebuilding will be phenomenal, not to mention the trauma

that will leave scars that will be hard to heal. We can help—we can be in constant

prayer that God will be there for everyone; and we can donate .

Every dollar that is contributed to the Lutheran Disaster fund is used 100% for the cause.

Thanks are already coming in for your prayers as prayers have been answered—friends and family are

safe—and requests for prayers continue as more and more friends and families are struggling with the

devastation of this storm.

3

RELAY FOR LIFE

REDEEMER’S MIGHTY FORTRESS TEAM BUNCO FUNDRAISER

SATURDAY—SEPTEMBER 16 4 pm—Fellowship Hall

$10.00 to play—all proceeds go to the Relay for Life American Cancer Society

Join us for good fun—good food–

good fellowship and great prizes! Please sign up in the Narthex

or call 664-9404 Redeemer Lutheran Church

2525 Belle Terrace

ATTENTION PEOPLE OF REDEEMER! IT IS BACK TO SUNDAY SCHOOL TIME!

SUNDAY SCHOOL WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH 12TH GRADE.

Please drop this in the offertory or contact Sheri Hunter at sheri.h@sbcglobal.net , 661-203-3243, or

Bruce Wearda at brucewearda@gmail.com, 661-665-9503 if you are interested in teaching (and what

grade) and/or if you have students you wish to attend.

Be sure to include their contact information and what grade in school.

I would like to teach:_____________________________________________________________________

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________ Email:_______________________________________________

I have a student(s) interested in Sunday School

Name:______________________________________________________ Grade: ____________________

Phone: _____________________________Email:______________________________________________

4

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

2525 BELLE TERRACE, P O BOX 13132-93389, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93304

Pastor: Rev. Jon Christenson ………... 832-7881 ……………. Secretary: Phyllis Elrod

E-mail address: rlcbakersfield@sbcglobal.net Web site address: www.bakersfieldlutheran.org

AREA OF SERVICE Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24

Altar Guild Becky Grove & Lacey Almeide

Flowers Albritre family Phyllis Elrod Judy Peterson Rosie Baker

Acolyte

Assistant Minister Jan Lemley

Communion Assistant Laura Haywood

Lector Ken Svendsen Judy Peterson Gladys Stilwill Michael Jacobson

Greeter Karen Musgrove

Coffee Hour Mary Ellen Pot-luck Jan & Karen Judy Peterson

Head Usher Mark Benson

Please know that your prayers are so very much appreciated.

Thanks and Blessings to all!

SCHEDULE DOES NOT REFLECT CHANGES MADE AFTER AUG. 28

Jackie

Kevin & Family

Mike & family

Mike’s team

Michele & family

Mel

Caroline

Julie

Jordan

Kyle

Pastor Erin

Robert

R.L.

Chico’s family

Mike

Carol

Victims of

Harvey

August Prayer Requests

IN HIS SERVICE COUNCIL MEETING

AUGUST 23, 2017

Pastor advised VBS went well with

an average of 20-22 children daily.

Rally Day is set for September 10th

(activities for all @ 8:30 with a

Reformation theme), Worship @

9:30 and potluck following. Indi-

vidual classes begin the following

week; additional teachers are still

needed. Upcoming events being

considered include a Relay for Life

Bunco Fundraiser, an Oktoberfest,

a Fall Bazaar and Bake Sale, and

joint events with Emmanuel.

A Stewardship Drive is planned in

the fall. The Mercy Ships drive will

be in October/November so that

money can be turned in by De-

cember 31st to take advantage of

matching funds. The Council’s

constitutional limit on spending

without congregational approval

was revised so that instead of a

dollar limit the cap be no more

than 2 ½% of the annual budget.

A light will be installed on the east

side of the church for added secu-

rity. Cleaning and oiling the wood

beams and ceiling in the sanctu-

ary will be scheduled for October,

with October’s work day focusing

on cleanup afterwards.

Linda Cohen, Secretary

Thank You! Dear Pastor and fellow members,

Phil and I wish to thank you all for the service, reception and beautiful bouquet given to us at our installation as members to Redeemer.

We are so happy here as members. We are truly blessed. Thank you again.

Sincerely

Phil and Carla Johnson

5

Pictured from far left; Jillian

Hunter, Alex Hunter, Pastor Jon,

Darynne Coomer, and Maia

Olson (her back is to us), as

their back-packs are blessed

on Sunday, August 13 -prior to

the beginning on school.

Below are the back-packs and

other school supplies that were

collected for Evergreen School

students, also Blessed by

Pastor Jon on Aug. 13.

We will be collecting school

supplies and/or $$ for

Evergreen School through

September.

IS THE WORD THE COUNCIL HAS FOR YOU FAITHFUL

REDEEMER MEMBERS. WHENEVER WE PUT OUT A

REQUEST FOR HELP, YOU NEVER FAIL TO COME

THROUGH. YOUR LOVING KINDNESS IS ALWAYS SO

VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, WHETHER IT BE FOR THE

MEXICAN ORPHANAGE, WORLD HUNGER, LOCAL

ORGANIZATIONS, EVERGREEN SCHOOL, MERCY

SHIPS—OR WHATEVER….YOU NEVER LET US DOWN.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAY THAT

GOD WILL BLESS YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS.

Your Congregation Council

6

Again I will share with you a couple of the quoted “50 Things” that appear in the Living

Lutheran magazine each month—the following are from the August edition.

“We know that Martin Luther considered justification by grace through faith the most important teaching of

Christian faith—the one by which everything else we say and believe is judged (Luther’s Works, Vol. 21, page

59). But what we need to remember is that salvation is not something yet to come; justification is already com-

plete (LW, Vol. 34, pages 152-153).”

“Every baptized Lutheran is a “born-again Christian.” And since that’s who we are, Luther said we are to start

living that way—living our baptisms (Book of Concord, pages 359-360).”

Again I urge you to either go online or look for a copy of Living Lutheran in our library to read all of these most

interesting “things” about Luther that we haven’t heard before.

HELP WANTED

One of the most rewarding things about attending

Redeemer Lutheran Church - other than Pastor

Jon's sermons, of course - is the fellowship we en-

joy with each other. Whether it's a meal to com-

memorate an important church anniversary, or join-

ing together to help others in need, we strengthen

our faith and our bonds with each other through acts of fellowship. Redeemer's Fellowship Committee is

in need of members who can help make this happen, whether through organizing and planning events,

preparing food, set-up and cleanup, or publicity/communications. Please consider offering your time and

talents, to whatever extent you can, to keep our connections with each other strong.

Contact Pastor Jon, Jan Lemley, or any church council member if you are interested. Thank you!

ELCA WORLD HUNGER Nearly 800 million people – 1 in 9 people in our world today – are hungry. As mem-

bers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we are called to respond. Working with our neigh-

bors in the United States and in more than 60 countries around the world, we start by listening and learning

about how we can accompany them to help break the cycle of hunger and poverty – for good. From water

wells to animal husbandry, microloans to health clinics, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger support innovative

solutions that get at the root causes of hunger. And they don’t stop there. We engage Lutherans in advocacy

and hunger education to act and speak in ways that can make a difference. In 2017, our goal is to raise $24

million to support the work of our worldwide network of companion churches and partners in the fight to end

hunger. We rely on your gifts. ELCA World Hunger is funded solely by gifts from ELCA members and congrega-

tions like yours. Thank you for making this work possible through learning, action, prayer and giving

PBS to air 'Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World' On Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. EDT, PBS gives the Reformation television exposure when it airs “Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World.” This one-time, nationwide showing is a great reason for congregations and communities to gather together and explore Luther’s lasting impact on Christiani-ty. The film is also available for private showings for those unable to watch that evening. Check your lo-cal PBS listings for specific air times. Learn more about the film at NewLutherMovie.com/ELCA.

REFORMATION 500 50 THINGS THAT LUTHER TAUGHT THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW Jan

Lemley,

editor

7

Sept. 14 @ 5:30 pm

DATES TO

REMEMBER

Saturday

Sept. 9– 9am

Worship & Music— Monday, Sept.

11@ 6 pm Everyone is Welcome

WINE & DINE : is Thursday, Sept. 28/17 at 6:15 pm, @

India Bistro, 3939 Ming Avenue. Please make reserva-

tions with Linda Cohen.

SEPTEMBER

ACTIVITIES

LUNCH BUNCH: is Wednesday 9/6/17 @ Chalet Basque,

200 Oak St. Everyone is welcome to attend; please make

reservations with Judy Olson-Peterson

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY is Wednesday 9/13/17 from 9am-2pm

in the Fellowship Hall. Help us knit, crochet, cut, sew, or tie shawls &

quilts for the sick & victims of natural disasters or just come to visit.

Bring a sack lunch—Karen will furnish snacks.

Erica Dommer

Nate Olson

Scott Petty

Rong Nemeschy

Jenny Martinez

Rick Schroeder

Maiai Johnson

John Lemley

Rosie Baker

Ernie & Audrey Albitre

Gary & Jan Gillespie

Mark & Anne Benson

Robert & Kathy Hairfield

Shawn & Sheri Hunter

AFTERNOON CIRCLE is Wednesday 9/20/17 @1:30pm in the Fellow-

ship Hall. All ladies are invited. We will begin a study of The

Apostle's Creed from Philippians 2, Evangelical Lutheran Worship

page 1162, & Gather magazine. This study was written for the

500th anniversary of the Reformation this year. Judy Olson-

Peterson will lead the study & provide refreshments.

RUTH CIRCLE will begin Monday, Sept. 4 @6:30. We will meet at

Caroline Reid’s home , 11708 April Ann, 93312, with Pastor Donel-

la leading our Bible study this year. Please bring your favorite

Psalm for our first lesson. Everyone is welcome. Questions, call

Jan –664-9404 or Caroline, 619-5738.

03

03

05

16

20

24

26

27

29

03

05

10

13

27

PLEASE NOTE

BEGINNING

SEPTEMBER 4th

NEW OFFICE HOURS

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

8:00AM—4:00PM

TUESDAY, THURSDAY

AND FRIDAY

8:00 AM– 12:30 PM

NOVEMBER 4-5

SAVE THE DATE

CONTACT

LAURA HAYWOOD

FOR MORE INFO

TIME TO START CRAFTING!

FUNDRAISER

RELAY FOR LIFE

SEPT. 16—4 PM

SUNDAY 9/10

RALLY DAY REFORMATION

THEME

WORSHIP 9:30

FOLLOWED BY A

POTLUCK

SIGN-UP IN NARTHEX

8

The paneling and ceiling in the sanctuary are needing some TLC and Ken

is going to be accepting volunteers to help with this project the second

week in October. We will be renting scaffolding so that dusting and oiling

of the wood can be done. There will be more information as to specifics,

later, but please keep this in mind when planning for October activities, so

that we can get as many helpers as possible to accomplish this job.

MAJOR CLEANING PROJECT

CALLING ALL BAKERS AND CRAFTERS

Redeemer is planning a fall bazaar and bake-sale for the first weekend in November . This

will be a two-day affair (Saturday and after worship Sunday) and publicized city-wide.

Crafters, it’s time to get going on your special craft items so that we can provide a wide

variety of items for the sale. Bakers are needed as well—plan ahead.

We will need a lot of help to have a successful event. Please contact Laura Haywood

for any questions and give her information as to what you plan to contribute.

Laura has offered to help organize this effort.

PLAN AHEAD!!!

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, October 21st. 4 pm

Emmanuel and Redeemer will join in and evening of a light

dinner and Martin Luther movie. Watch for more

information in bulletins and newsletter in October,

9

2

1

3

Worship 9:30

Coffee hour 10:30

4

Ruth Circle

6:30 pm

5 7

6

Lunch Bunch 11

8

LSS training @

Emmanuel

5:30-8:30

9

LSS training @

Emmanuel

10:30 am to 1:30

Work Day 9-12

11 6 pm

Worship & Music

10

Worship 9:30

Activities for all

Reformation theme

Potluck following

14

Pacifica 10:15

Council 5:30

13

Prayer Shawl &

Quilting 9—2 pm

5:30 sack supper

6 pm Bible Study

12

17

Sunday School 8:30

Worship 9:30

Coffee Hour 10:30

18 19 20

Afternoon Circle

1 pm

5:30 sack supper

6 pm Bible Study

21

2

LSS training

23

LSS training

25 27

5:30 sack supper

6 pm Bible Study

24

Sunday School 8:30

Worship 9:30

Coffee Hour 10:30

Rosewood 3:30

28

Pacifica 10:15

Wine & Dine 6:15

26 30

LSS training

29

LSS training

September 10

15

LSS training

16

LSS training

BUNCO FUND-

RAISER 4 PM