Redeemer Lutheran
Church & School
1261 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA15139-1195
(412) 828-9323
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Naumann, Pastor
Newsletter
VOLUME XXVIOCTOBER 2006NUMBER 9
YOU AND YOUR WITNESS -
“GOD’S LANGUAGE SKILLS”
Several kinds of domestic animals are able to recognize a familiar voice and distinguish that voice from other human voices and react. They were made that way. Citing the example of sheep, Jesus noted, “they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice…My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:5, 27).
As you witness to people you will soon pick up on the fact that many non-Christians live by the assumption that God has not spoken clearly enough to make it possible for them to recognize, let alone chose correctly, from among the countless competing voices claiming to be the true God within all the world’s religions.
Yet it is profoundly insulting to God to give up on His language skills. With the discovery of DNA modern science now knows that language and information were created for the most basic living functions. Amino acids in living things don't organize themselves, but follow the orders given by means of genetic information.
Scientist and Author Dean Kenyon formerly thought in terms of mindless forces of attraction driving amino acids to form protean shapes constructed into the tiny machines we see functioning within living cells. He and all other scientists have now renounced "Chemical Predestination" and now know that the many various types of amino acids are like letters of the alphabet. Their sequences determine communication. Astoundingly, it would take many large volumes to contain that information used by even the simplest one-celled living thing.
An “information-rich system” such as we see in living things suggests both language and the Intelligence that is responsible for language. The evidence literally “speaks for itself”!
Yet many an un-believer implies that God doesn’t have the language skills or the interest in human beings to get a clear message to us.
It would be out-of-character for the same Creator who gave communication skills to microbes, to leave human beings, the most complex objects in the universe and His crowning achievement, to fumble about with the cerebral “wiring” to contemplate Him. God has given us reliable information about Himself! It is consistent with the character of God that He has made His voice clear and distinctive, without being so overwhelming as to be irresistible.
There is nothing wrong with people comparing world religions, but if they make an honest appraisal of all the choices, they will see that Christianity is unique. Historically based, rather than myth-based; objectively true, rather than lost in subjectivism; biblical truth stands out from the rest as clearly as one should expect it to.
Jesus Christ is clearly unique on the religious horizon. As you witness, it is easy to argue that there is no-one like Him. Of all the deities people worship, only the biblical God stoops to save His creation at His own expense so that He can offer eternal life as a free gift. The only One Who is God-in-the-flesh, only Christ has a resurrection that is a fact of history. Apart from Him there is no savior.
Your fellow servant of our Redeemer,
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6.14).
OFFICIAL ACTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS……
ATTENDANCE AT WORSHIP:
August church communed SS/BC
20th 131 116 N/A
27th 117 N/A
September church communed SS/BC
3rd 136 116 N/A
10th 125 N/A
17th 140 116 N/A
Total communed: 348
Avg. Sun. Attend.: 130 N/A
NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED:
Keith & Rita Whitmer
1003 Royal Court
Cheswick, PA 15024
OCTOBER BIBLE READINGS . . .
The goal of the “Daily Lectionary” is not to read through the entire Bible each year. Rather, two readings of 15-35 verses each are provided for each day, one from the Old Testament, the other from the New Testament. Under this arrangement, nearly all of the New Testament and approximately 1/3 of the Old Testament are read each year.
1 stJonah 2:2-9; Jeremiah 32-3416th Psalm 119:73-80; Ezekiel 19-21
2ndPsalm 114; Jeremiah 35-3717th Psalm 119:81-88;Ezekiel 22-24
3rdPsalm 115; Jeremiah 38-4018th Psalm 119:89-96; Ezekiel 25-27
4thPsalm 116; Jeremiah 41-43 19th Psalm 119:97-104; Ezekiel 28-30
5thPsalm 117; Jeremiah 44-47 20th Psalm 119:105-112; Ezekiel 31-33
6thPsalm 118; Jeremiah 48-50 21st Psalm 119:113-120; Ezekiel 34-36
7thPsalm 119:1-8; Jeremiah 51-5222ndPsalm 119:121-128; Ezekiel 37-39
8thPsalm 119:9-16; Lament. 1-2 23rdPsalm 119:129-136; Ezekiel 40-42
9thPsalm 119:17-24; Lament. 3-524thPsalm 119:137-144;Ezekiel 43-45
10thPsalm 119:25-32; Ezekiel 1-325thPsalm 119:145-152; Ezekiel 46-48
11th Psalm 119:33-40; Ezekiel 4-626thPsalm 119:153-160; Daniel 1-3
12th Psalm 119:41-48;Ezekiel 7-927thPsalm 119:161-168; Daniel 4-6
13thPsalm 119:49-56; Ezekiel 10-12 28th Psalm 119:169-176; Daniel 7-9
14thPsalm 119:57-64; Ezekiel 13-1529th Psalm 120;Daniel 10-12
15thPsalm 119:65-72; Ezekiel 16-1830thPsalm 121; Hosea 1-4
31st Jonah 2:2-9; Hosea 5-7
OCTOBERCELEBRATIONS…
Happy birthday to all who are celebrating their birthdays in October and congratulations to you who are observing wedding anniversaries in October. Pleaseinform the office of any omissionsor mistakes of birthdays oranniversaries. New members, pleaseinform the office of your birthday,anniversary, etc. Thank you!
OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
1stNancy Doman
7thEleanor Faulstick, Virginia Humphrey
9thLinda Sprouse, Jonnie Grimenstein,
Andrew Equels, Mark Mozeik
10thJean Springer, Fred Bodnar
13thLarry Weber
14thBarbara Shook
17thMargaret Pauli
20thNancy Simboli, Sharen Weldon*
24thKen Mink
25thSteven Carlberg, Nancy Lobaugh, Barb Mozeik
26thHarold Adams
28thLisa Ruppel, Oren Grimenstein
30thKaren Ostrosky, Pat Bier
31stDavid Dickerhoff
OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES
9thJohn & Betty Zern (1971)
10thJoe & Joan Timko (1987)
17thEric & Karen Toft (1987)
Adam & Sarah Dougal (1998)
18thBob & Paulette Reddinger (2003)
20thJames & Robyn Anthony (1990)
23rdRobert & Muriel Auger (1954)
*Denotes our Day School personnel who are non-members
LWML
There will be an Okterberfest – Sauerkraut/Pork Dinner on Saturday, October 14th. Everyone is welcome – please let Linda Sprouse know of your intentions to attend as soon as possible. A free-will offering will be collected at the dinner.
There will be socializing (starting at 3:30, with dinner at 4:30) and a Handbell Solo at 5:30. Plan to stay and hear the performance by Sue Garton. Sue is a member of AGEHR, the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, and has been a soloist and teacher at many local area and national events. Her presentations include a wide variety of sacred, secular and classical selections that delight the eye, as well as the ear. Our next LWML Breakfast meeting will be October 28 at 9:30 am. Remember, every woman of Redeemer is a member so please join us for our meeting.
Serving Our Lord During September. . .
USHER & DEACON SCHEDULE
Sun., Oct. 1st Ken Sprouse, Jason Weber
Rob Wilshire, John Zern
Deacon: Bob Auger
Sun., Oct. 8thKen Beckwith, Peter Bodnar
Charlie Buttgereit, Ray Dinkfelt
Deacon: Claire Beckwith
Sun., Oct. 15th Fred Feidt, Don Mink
Jim Ostrosky, Chris Pauli
Deacon: Fred Bodnar
Sun., Oct. 22nd Ken Sprouse, Jason Weber
Rob Wilshire, John Zern
Deacon: Dan Driscoll
Sun., Oct. 29thKen Beckwith, Peter Bodnar
Charlie Buttgereit, Ray Dinkfelt
Deacon: Bob Holzer
NURSERY SCHEDULE
Sun., Oct. 1st- Diane AuvilSun., Oct. 8th - Pat FeidtSun., Oct. 15th -Susan PuglieseSun., Oct. 22nd- Gail SmoulderSun., Oct. 29th- Karen Toft
CANTOR SCHEDULE
Sun., Oct. 1st- Bob BeitleSun., Oct. 15th - Bill NelsonSun., Oct. 29th- Eric Toft
SOUND OPERATOR SCHEDULE
Sun., Oct. 1stJeff MeierSun., Oct.8th Jim Ostrosky Sun., Oct. 15thKaren Toft Sun., Oct. 22ndDan Driscoll Sun., Oct. 29thJeff Meier
GREETER SCHEDULE
Sun., Oct. 1st - Narthex:Fred & June Bodnar
Vestibule:Dan & Karen Driscoll
Alternate:Imogene King
Sun., Oct.8th Narthex:Karen Ostrosky
Vestibule:Bob & Paulette Reddinger
Alternate:Linda Sprouse
Sun., Oct. 15th Narthex:Ruth Anthony
Vestibule:Fred & June Bodnar
Alternate:Dan & Karen Driscoll
Sun., Oct. 22nd- Narthex:Imogene King
Vestibule:Karen Ostrosky
Alternate:Bob & Paulette Reddinger
Sun., Oct. 29th- Narthex: Linda Spouse
Vestibule:Ruth Anthony
Alternate:Fred & June Bodnar
Married Couples Club
What’s Going On At Married Couples Club?
Tuesday, October 17 at 7:30 pm, a short business meeting, after which Cheryl Naumann will talk to us about the role of the Deaconesses in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. We’ll close the evening with light refreshments and social hour.
Friday, October 27, at 7:00 pm, there will be a Wine & Cheese Party at Bill and Barb Cummings’ home. Attendees are asked to bring their favorite beverage (does not have to be wine) and some finger food (snacks – does not have to be cheese). EVERYONE is welcome!! We urge everyone to be a participatant in Married Couples Club’s activities.
ORGAN/MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Bob Beitle will be our guest choir director in October. We urge all Senior Choir members to attend rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm and try to sing at worship services. Let’s have 100% attendance this year and give our support to each other.Our November guest choir director will be Karen Driscoll.
Invitations are always open for new choir members. Won’t you join the Senior Choir??
The Handbells will ring on Reformation Sunday, October 29, under the direction of Cheryl Naumann. As of this writing, we have just six (6) ringers and we should have at least nine (9). Please consider rehearsing in the Handbell choir. Watch the Sunday bulletin for rehearsal date, but probably on Wednesday evening, October 18 and October 25, at 6:30 pm.
YOUTH GROUP
The Youth Group is off to a good start this year. We welcome our new youth group members, John Doman, Adam Smoulder, Jake Simon, Kelsey Bajack and Matthew Gauger. (Anyone in catechism class is welcome in the Youth Group)
We are planning a fall/ winter retreat. To help the youth with the cost of a retreat, they will be having a bake sale after church on October 1. All youth members are asked to bring 2 dozen baked goods for the sale.
Our missions coordinator, Rachel Marietti, is currently in search of a way to donate our time, talents and treasures. If you are aware of any such causes please see Rachel or youth leader, Linda Hagey.
WOMAN k WOMAN
All women of RedeemerLutheranChurch and their female friends are welcome to attend Woman to Woman. Two groups are held every Friday – in the morning from 9:15 – 10:30 am, and in the afternoon from 12:30 – 1:45 pm.
Topics for October:
Oct. 6Women of the Bible: Rahab
Oct. 13No Woman to Woman (No School today)
Oct. 20Women of the Bible: Miriam
Oct. 26Women of the Bible: Rachel and Leah
Chapel & Chat
Please note that the times for Chapel and Chat on Wednesdays are changed.
Chapel – 9:30 am
Chat – After Chapel until 11:30 am
The “Chat Room” (which is the library) is also open before chapel.
CHRISTIAN ART SHOW
The 31st Annual Christian Art Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 4 & 5, at CalvaryLutheranChurch in Murrysville. This unique show offers area Christian artists the opportunity to use their God-given talents to express their faith and witness to the Christian life and to share it with others. Pre-registration deadline is Monday, October 23rd. Entry forms are available in the church office.
I asked for Strength…
And God gave me Difficulties to make me strong
I asked for Wisdom…
And God gave me Problems to solve
I asked for Prosperity…
And God gave me Brain & Brawn to work
I asked for Courage…
And God gave me Danger to overcome
I asked for Love…
And God gave me Troubled people to help
I asked for Favors…
And God gave me Opportunities
I received nothing I wanted…
I received everything I needed!
PRAYER LIST
The following are those members, family and friends of Redeemer who have been in our prayers recently.
Earl Pauli, Ed Kirn, Jean Louise Jones, Ken Mink, Debbie Ezatoff (friend of Ruth Soules), Wayne Felter (brother-in-law of Fred Bodnar), Dorothy Larson, Ann Gray, Carol Ritt, Beth Schlamann, Carmella Cronin (mother of Cheryl Schmidt), Grace Hunter (friend of Ginny Humphrey)
UPDATES: Mr. Earl Paul is improving in health. He has recently been moved to the Lund facility at Concordia. Margaret is happy that Earl is now closer to home, and she can visit whenever she wants. The family thanks everyone who has prayed and sent cards and expressions of encouragement for Earl’s recovery. Please continue to keep him in your prayers as he continues to regain his strength.
We offer our Praises to God that Carmella Cronin is free of cancer.
DO YOU HAVE A MOMENT?
Why not write a note or call one or more of our shut-ins…
it will make their day!
Elaine Chadwick Ed Kirn
1382 Elliott St.922 Pearl Ave.
Verona, PA 15147Springdale, PA15144
412-793-8363724-275-7192
Dorothy LarsonGene Magistri
513 Veronica Drive326 Coleman Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15235Monroeville, PA15146
412-371-0142412-373-0208
Audrey O’LearyEarl Pauli
c/o St. Margaret Seneca Place148 Marwood Rd. 5360 Saltsburg Rd; Rm. 234DApt. 1223
Verona, PA 15147Cabot, PA 16023
BillCiceske
LundCenter A/L
134 Marwood Rd.
Cabot, PA 16023
TO REDEEMER
We extend a warm welcome to the following new families :
CecereDeLucaJackson
MichaelsPronioRenaldi
SmithVanWyk
We have already had several new births within our school families. We offer our congratulations to:
The Boychuk family on the birth of their baby girl Ridglee Carroll, this past August. Big brother Jackson is in the Kindergarten class.
The Bair family on the adoption of Tierney Anastasia, who was brought home in August to excited brothers, Connor and Kieran Bair (2nd Grade and Preschool 3’s).
The Miller family on the birth of Matthew Wayne, born September 12. Big brother Geoffrey is in the 5th grade.
Field Tripto enrich Bible Study.
On Tuesday, September 12th, the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes at RedeemerSchool were going to visit the Rodef Shalom Biblical Botanical Garden located on 5th Avenue in Pittsburgh; but unfortunately, the trip was rained out and will be rescheduled.
The Biblical garden, which covers one-third of an acre, features more than 100 temperate and tropical plants referenced in the Bible. Markers identify the plants and provide a Bible verse for where they are found in the Bible, such as the vine grapes, papyrus, date palms and olive plant—found in Genesis 8:11 when “the dove came…and lo in her mouth was an olive leaf.” The garden also includes plants with Biblical names including Lily of the Nile, canna, Moses in the Cradle, Joseph’s Coat and Aaron’s Rod, which have colorful varieties of leaves and flowers.
Instead of going to the garden, the students completed work sheets and drew a picture of their favorite Biblical plant. Please look for their pictures on one of the downstairs bulletin boards!!
Cheryl Naumann – 7th & 8th grade Bible Study Teacher
Linda Hagey – 6th grade Bible Study Teacher
Looking forward:
September 27-28 School Pictures
October 6 Spaghetti Dinner(sponsored by
the School Board and school families)
Forms were sent home mid September for this event. All families are asked to donate a small item towards the dinner to help offset the cost. A free-will offering is collected at the dinner, and it goes directly back to the children in the form of the “extras” that we are able to do for them.
October 7th Spelling Bee
@ St. Luke’s / Cabot
October 12-13th No School
November 5 Ladies Luncheon
(sponsored by the Volunteer/Service Committee)
The luncheon will be held at the Oakmont Country Club this year. Our theme this year is “Black and White”. Please invite your family and friends, and if you have enough people to fill a table of 8, we will be happy to reserve a table in your name. Tickets will be $25.
The volunteers are working hard at gathering and creating those beautiful baskets to be auctioned off – so plan to attend, wear your favorite black and/or white outfit, and have an afternoon of fun while you support the school.
If you would like to donate a basket to be auctioned off – or a monetary donation for a basket to be made - please see Jean Wilshire as soon as possible.
ANNUAL FUND
We will kick-off the annual fund this month with letters being mailed to families and friends of our school. Last year, we had a goal of $25,000 to be used to finish the downstairs classroom and bathrooms, which were needed to accommodate increased enrollment. This year, we are striving for our goal of $20,000, to be used for several items:
- Provide each classroom with projectors to be used as teaching aids
- Purchase a new phone system providing a phone in every room for safety and efficient communication. (The current system is obsolete.)
- Supplement operating costs, keeping tuition reasonable.
If you would like to make a contribution to the Annual Fund, it would be greatly appreciated. You may either place it in the offering plate during worship service, marked “Annual Fund”, or leave it with the school office staff within the next few weeks.
The Music Department is still in need of three guitars and three keyboards. If you have one sitting at home collecting dust and would like to donate it to the school, please deliver it to the school office with your name. You will receive a tax credit receipt for your donation.
Lamb Pen Pals
We are pleased to announce that every preschooler has a pen-pal within the congregation. Thank you to everyone who participates in this mission project. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to welcome your lamb to our school, and remember to pray for them and their family throughout the year.
“What to Save to Help
RedeemerLutheranSchool”
The Campbell’s Labels for Education program – There has been a slight change in the program this year. You are asked to save the UPC codes (not the front portion of the label) or the lids from the list of eligible products.
The Box Tops for Education program – Each box top symbol that you collect for the eligible products list is worth ten cents for our school.