'But I
[Jesus] say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those
who persecute
you, so that you may be children of your Father in
heaven; for he makes
his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and send rain
on the
righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those
who love you,
what reward to you have?" Matthew 5.44-46
On this day after
Valentine's Day, these words really
expand our notion of love. Jesus stretches us, puts the
shovel to our
hard hearts, challenges us to love as God loves. You
won't find God
discriminating against certain people, Jesus says. But
with
indiscriminate love, God sends his sunshine and rain
upon all, whether
good or bad.
And on the cross, as he suffered unto death, Jesus
backed up his words
with the ultimate work of love: forgiving his enemies,
showing the
power of love to conquer even the hardest heart. To us,
children of
the heavenly Father, he says: 'Love your enemies and
pray for them.'
Is there something we don't understand about that?
MICHAEL
ANDERSON:
Michael, age 27, died at home this
past Sunday at
12:15pm, surrounded by his family. Michael had asked that
there be no
memorial service for him, and his family is honoring that
request. But
this coming Sunday, Feb. 20, the family will be placing
photos and
mementos of Michael's life on the big oak table here at
church. There
will also be a book in which the congregation is invited
to write a few
memories and thoughts.
Please make every effort to be here on Sunday as together
we embrace
the Andersons, surround them with love and support, and
participate in
this special memory of Michael, a baptized and confirmed
child of our
heavenly Father. We are all family in Christ. See you
Sunday.
PLEASE
REMEMBER that
after worship ends,
we want to provide time and room for those people
with canes, walkers,
and wheelchairs to exit the sanctuary first. Feel
free to offer your
help to them. If you must leave in a hurry, please
use the side aisles
as you exit.
PASTOR JOEL'S
ADULT SUNDAY CLASS: We continue
our ongoing
topic, "Practicing Our Faith", with a discussion of
'Forgiveness'. Please join us in the Commons Room
for this guided discussion
class based on powerful Christian ways of living
out our faith in the
world. We meet from 8:50 - 9:45am. Coffee and
refreshments are
available.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Lorene
Bartell is
our liaison. Please talk with her if you want to attend the
Habitat
dinner and auction
here in Salem on Feb. 26. As in past years, Redeemer is
donating a
basket for auction. This year's basket will feature 'An
Italian
Dinner', and if you would like to contribute some item or a
check
towards purchase of items for this basket, please see
Lorene.
ALL OFFICER POSITIONS WILL
BE VACANT
at the time of our Budget and
Election
Congregational Meeting on June 26. A nominating committee
has begun
work on finding candidates for these positions: President,
Vice
President (currently vacant), Treasurer, and recording
Secretary
(currently vacant). After many terms of
service, both our Treasurer (Etta Mae Hitchcock) and
President (Paul
Schutz) are moving on to other areas of service. So please
begin to
think and pray for candidates to fill all these offices.
DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE HELP: If you or
someone
you know needs help, please talk with Jonet
Schutz, our Faith
Community Health
Minister; or with me. We have materials provided by the
Mid Valley Women's Crisis Center here in Salem. 'Living
Free from
Violence', 'A Child's Safety Plan', 'Being a Mom through
Crisis',
'Sexual Assault Facts', are among the pamphlets available
for your
asking.
NEEDED:
PEOPLE TO HELP COUNT OFFERINGS:
If you can help count Sunday offerings right after
worship, please talk with Pat Haneberg.
NEW DIRECTORY BEING
PRODUCED:
Cathe, our office secretary,
will be publishing a
new church directory
this month. Please check your current entry,
and if you have any
changes, be sure to contact Cathe with those
changes by February 20.
Thanks!
DATES
AND EVENTS TO NOTE ~
Saturday, Feb 26......Habitat
for Humanity
Banquet and Auction (see above)
Sunday, Feb. 27........Blood Pressure Clinic after
worship
Sunday,
Feb.
27........Nominating Committee meets
after worship
Wednesday,
March 9......Ash Wednesday:
Lent begins
Sunday,
March
13..........Daylight
Savings Time begins
Saturday, March 19........6pm, Redeemer Pie
Social
Sunday,
April
24............Easter
**Please see the weekly
bulletin and master
calendar for a complete listing of dates and
events.
~ In 2011,
Redeemer
celebrates our 50th
anniversary as a congregation. A special Anniversary
planning
committee is being
formed. If you are interested in participating, please
talk with Fred
Gargiulo or Paul Schutz.
