No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit… The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ St John 3.5,8

Water…wind…Spirit. Jesus was a master at using natural imagery to convey wisdom and truth. God wired our brains to be attentive to nature, its beauty, power, and mystery. Jesus pointed Nicodemus to nature in order to teach him spiritual truth. In this season of Lent, we experience the mystery of emerging life in the natural world. Birds mate, plants push through the warming soil, the sun lengthens its daily arc across the sky. And God invites us to be renewed, reborn, and attentive to the growth of our souls, where his Spirit dwells in love and grace.

MIDWEEK LENTEN VESPERS starts this week, with worship at 7pm, preceded by our beloved Soup and Bread Suppers at 6pm. This evening is offered as an oasis to you in the midst of your busy week. Come, be fed, then join your brothers and sisters in Christ as we sing the beautiful Holden Evening Prayer.

FOOD DRIVE is currently underway, climaxing on Sunday, March 2. Please note the “10 Most Wanted Foods” posters around church, then bring these or other needed food items to church. We hope to top 700 pounds, and all of it will go to Marion Polk Food Share to help feed the poor and hungry families in our area.

JESUS AND THE GOSPELS, my Sunday adult class, continues to explore deeper dimensions of how the gospels came to be written. Currently we are viewing lectures about the gospel of John. Get some coffee and join us in the Commons Room at 8:50am for DVD and discussion.

LOVING RELATIONSHIPS WORKSHOP: We were blessed with wonderful participation and many great ideas at our NCD workshop this past Saturday. Please watch for more updates from our NCD Team as fresh ideas are developed into strategies for Redeemer to strengthen our minimum factor, Loving Relationships.

PRAYER COMMITMENT REMINDER: Please “gird up your loins”, as the old King James version of the Bible puts it, and continue to pray lovingly and daily for one another. This week: page 3, column 1 in your directory: names of French – Gatke. Also, please include those healing from surgeries: Marie Kosta, Janis Peterson, Phil Hochspier, Albert Spegel, Grace Lowe.

EASTER CHANGE: Our Sunrise Service on Easter morning, March 23, will be moved to 7:30am this year because of two factors: first, Daylight Savings Time changing from the 1^st Sunday of April to March 9; and second, the early date of Easter coupled with the change in DST.

PIE SOCIAL: If anyone would like to help organize this special fundraising event, please contact the church office. Normally held in March, this year it will be held after Easter, most likely in April.

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VALENTINE’S DAY: This yearly celebration of love reminds us of Jesus’ words, “Love one another as I have loved you.” May the Spirit lead us to deeper love for each other here at Redeemer, love that is incarnate in action. Have a wonderful day showing love for that special person in your life!

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We Wish You God's Peace and Blessing

Sandy Cooper, Secretary
Redeemer Lutheran Church
503-393-7121
4663 Lancaster Drive. NE
Salem, OR 97305
office@redeemer-lcms.org