Redeemer's Quilting Ministry

If you're interested in contributing your time, talent and passion to a group that is truly making small differences on a global scale, then join us as we touch the lives of people in need around the world.

For years now, a small but dedicated group of dynamic women have met at Redeemer to commit themselves to the Church's Quilting Ministry. Even if you are already aware of "The Quilters" and the impact our quilts have had throughout the world, that is only a small part of our story. There are
many personal benefits associated with this amazing group. Through years of laughter - and sometimes tears - we have truly become a tight knit community of friends who have truly grown to love one another in deep and meaningful ways. And, by remaining active, our own physical and mental well being is
improved through work and fellowship... and sometimes, we even get to express ourselves creatively through the quilt-making process.

Though we can never be sure that we are doing what God wants us to do, nothing is more personally satisfying than to do little things that make a big difference in improving the lives of others... and oh, and by the way, there's always great food prepared by member quilters for our monthly potluck luncheon. Just imagine the lifetime of great recipes available in this single setting.

But, if this ministry is to continue, there is something that we need- and that's YOU. We're looking for women - or men - to join us in this huge and meaningful undertaking. No matter what your skill level, we
welcome your talents. Give yourself a chance to experience the joy of working on a worthy cause in a truly fun setting.

Contact Telephone Numbers:
Jean Iverson 770-498-5280
Jenny Borchers 770-478-2844
Marie Akin 770-942-6840

Send Me? | Devotion by Pastor Tim Smith

Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple.  6:2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 6:3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." 6:4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke.        6:5 And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" 6:6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 6:7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"

All of the biblical prophets have a call story.  What’s interesting is that for most of them, the call “sticks” despite their excuses and protests.  Moses claims to have a speech impediment but God tells him his brother Aaron can with the public speaking but that Moses still is going.  Jeremiah claims that he’s much too young (“only a boy”), but God rebukes him and says “Do not say ‘I’m only a boy.’ You’ll do what I tell you to do!’”  We all remember Jonah’s dramatic story, how only after he ended up on the beach as fish vomit did he finally give in to God’s call for him to go to Nineveh.

Isaiah is different, as we’ll see in this coming Sunday’s Old Testament lesson.  His call includes a deep vision including the heavenly throne and the terrifying Seraphim.  Isaiah assumes that he is toast in the presence of such awe and majesty and reverence, the very presence of God.  Perhaps he’s right, left to his own devices, but as the old truism goes, “God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called.”  

To see the Lord of hosts was equated, in ancient Israel’s way of thinking, with death, yet the very Seraph (angelic being) that has frightened Isaiah comes to him and purifies his mouth with one of the live coals from the heavenly altar.  Once this happens, Isaiah’s “Woe is me” turns to “Here I am; send me!”  

Not one of us is worthy to proclaim God or to serve God, yet God calls us in our unworthiness and daily purifies us as we remember our baptism, as we read and hear God’s word, and as we are fed with the bread of life from God’s altar.  Isaiah isn’t compelled, but his overwhelming experience of God’s majesty and grace lead him to respond by volunteering.  “Send me!”  

Our world is hurting.  It seems that everyone is out for himself or herself.  God’s will revealed of old seems archaic and irrelevant to the ways of the world.  Rather than despair at this fact, we might discern that it’s a great time to be the church!  The world needs now more than ever to hear the call of God through regular, ordinary, unworthy people who have glimpsed the divine among us.  Somebody needs to step up, not so much into the pulpit as out into the world.  I wonder whom God might be calling?

PRAYER:  Gracious God, I want to pray, “Send somebody.  Send her.  Send him. “  When I think about Isaiah and the other prophets who didn’t feel worthy, I can’t help but wonder.  Could you be calling me?  Send me, Lord, to speak and to act in ways that I can’t yet imagine, as your servant.  Use, me, Lord, as your hands and feet and voice this very day.  Amen.

Good enough for Hallmark? | Devotion by Pastor Brian Goke

This past week, I purchased a greeting card for my son who was just confirmed. The week before, I purchased a Mother’s Day card. The week before that, I purchased a birthday card. It seems like not too long ago, I purchased an Easter card and before that a Valentine’s Day card. Next week, I’ll purchase a graduation card. Before too long, I’ll be buying a Father’s Day card and shortly thereafter a wedding anniversary card. With all of these purchases, it almost makes me want to invest in Hallmark stock! This time of year we are all running to the store at the last minute to buy a card for that “special someone”, but don’t forget all those other “Hallmark Holidays” like Grandparents Day, Children’s Day (as if emptying your wallet on their birthday wasn’t enough!), Secretary’s Day, Boss’s Day, and even Pastor Appreciation Day (hint: it’s in October). It seems like there is a Hallmark card out there for about everything… or is there?

This Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost. In Acts 2, we read “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came sounds like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” Now, you’d think a greeting card giant would be all over this holiday. Remember, “holiday” comes to us from “holy day”, which would imply some kind of religious observance is involved. Yet, I’ve looked high and low and I haven’t been able to locate a Hallmark card for this most holy day of the Christian church. This was a big event in the life of the church – in fact, a third of our Trinitarian God shows up in a powerful way… yet where are the Hallmark cards? We’ve got all the makings of a wild party – fire, wind, exotic languages, the birth of the church – all the stuff that makes for a memorable event. So where are the Hallmark cards that say, “Hope you get fired up this Pentecost” or “Congratulations on your new language” or “Wind and flames to you”? I’ve scoured the stores and the Internet and I still can’t find one of these cards.

So has Pentecost simply been passed over in favor of all the other holidays that make such nice, cute and clever Hallmark cards? I think so. But when you think about it, Pentecost in Acts 2 was such a chaotic event that when it occurred, we read “All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’” (v.12) Two thousand years later, Pentecost continues to “amaze and perplex”. This Sunday we will gather again to consider, “what does this mean”?  And I’m certain the answers to this question will vary from person to person because whenever God comes to us in our daily circumstances, we are always invited to ask the question, “what does this mean?” That’s great practical Christian theology! As you are moving through your daily challenges, frustrations, anxieties, and even mundane activities, you are invited - again and again - to look to God and ask, “what does this mean?” – not as a way to discover nice, cute and clever answers; but rather as a way to acknowledge your loving Savior’s peaceful presence in the midst of your chaos. And you don’t need a card for that.

My Life as a Busdriver by Bob Peppel

I joined Redeemer 10 years ago and was a very happy parishioner, worshipping regularly and enjoying my Sunday School class.  Then, one day 2 years later, 2 lovely ladies with a malevolent gleam in their eyes backed me into a corner and assured me that I would like to be a bus driver.  Being a coward and in fear of my life, I said yes.  On the other hand, I don’t know of many men with the courage to stand up to  Amy and Jannean when they are on a mission.  Thus began my relationship with Lutheran Towers. 

There are some residents who do not have cars and are dependent on others for their transportation needs and one of their primary needs is shopping for groceries since there are no grocery stores within convenient walking distance of the Towers.  Twice a week the Towers provides bus service to the Kroger and Publix supermarkets at Ansley Mall.  Larry, Tom, and I share most of the driving duties with me primarily a Thursday driver with Tom and Larry taking care of Fridays and the Thursdays that I can’t drive, we each average about 3 days a month.

It has been a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of the residents and become a part of their lives.  The spry young lady of 94 who never missed a trip, the lady who always dressed impeccably and never went out without a hat, the man with encyclopedic knowledge of the movies, a fellow Vietnam Veteran, the one who thinks I don’t know they’re buying wine, and the history writer,  just to name a few.  They are so appreciative of the mobility we provide.  Every year at the Christmas party the bus drivers always receive a standing ovation when we are introduced.  That show of gratitude makes it all worthwhile.

SO WHAT? | Devotion by Pastor Tim Smith

Since the rite of Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) will be celebrated at this coming Sunday’s 11 a.m. worship, I thought I would share with you a couple of “in your own words” Psalms.  See if you can guess what Psalms are being paraphrased below:

6^th GRADE:

The Lord is my leader; he takes care of us.

He calms us and keeps us safe, non-violent.

He forgives our sins and keeps us out of trouble.

Even though we sin, he’s powerful in a comforting way.

He tells us to treat others the way we want to be treated.

He helps us work stuff out.

We are children of God and will have eternal life in heaven.

                                ********

7^th GRADE:

Even though you cannot see him, he is there.

Our God is there to help us.

He keeps you up even when you are down.

He keeps his believers safe.

He protects you and comforts you.

Harm will not come to you both day and night.

He will protect your heart.

From your earth life to your heaven life, he will protect you

To Infinity and Beyond!

Did you figure out which Psalms you were reading?  The first is Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”), and the second is a personal favorite of mine, Psalm 121 (“I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where is my help to come?”)

This Sunday at 11 a.m. the 8^th-grade confirmands will have studied and pondered and will each respond to the “So what?” question at this pivotal point in their Christian journey.  “What do your confirmation, your church, your faith mean to you and why?”  How would you answer that question?  What does your Christian faith mean to you, in your own words?  In 45 seconds or less?  Not for some theological journal, but from the heart?

Let’s put it another way.  If Christian faith were illegal, would anyone be able to garner enough evidence to convict you based on your words and actions?  God clearly does all of the saving work here, but our life of discipleship is all about our choices, our words, our deeds, our witness.  Lutherans have always called the first part, God’s work, justification.  The second part, our work, is sanctification.  We continue throughout our life to become who God has claimed, gifted, and commissioned us to be! 

PRAYER:

   Gracious God, we have learned much and experienced much of your presence in our lives.  Now what?  Help us to be the precious, gifted, loved, and commissioned people that you have made us to be.  Help us to be bold in our faith and to live our faith.  In the name of Christ, Amen.  

My Experience with Hands Across the Bridge by Ellie Feibish

In the early 1990’s when I first became a member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer I was asked to join a new outreach group called Hands Across the Bridge.  The church volunteers who made up this group had two purposes.  First, to provide transportation for Lutheran Towers residents who had doctors’ appointments, etc.  Second, to host quarterly social events for the residents.  I was asked to help with the social events.

            

It has been my privilege throughout the years to enjoy this wonderful opportunity of warm fellowship and friendship with the Lutheran Towers residents who always make our volunteers feel so very welcome.  Our very special team of volunteers normally hosts a coffee/brunch in October, a Soup and Sandwich luncheon in February, and a Salad luncheon in May.  Donations from circles and Redeemer Church also make it possible for those Towers residents who for one reason or another are alone on Thanksgiving Day to have a special Thanksgiving meal with turkey and the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day.

            

Our volunteers are the best – always giving so willingly and generously of their time and delicious home-cooked food for the luncheons.  Jeanne Merritt, one of the founding members of Hands Across the Bridge is still a very vital and active member of our group.

            

On Friday, May 18^th at noon we will serve a salad luncheon at the Towers.  Come join us – would love to see you there.

Devotion by Pastor Mary Peters

You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another—John 15:16-17

For the Sundays after Easter, from Easter day through Pentecost, we are singing the first verse of Rise, O Church, like Christ Arisen (#548 ELW) as our post-communion hymn.  This first stanza is:

Rise, O church, like Christ arisen,

                from this meal of love and grace;

                may we through such love envision

                whose we are, and whose, our praise.

                Alleluia, alleluia:

                God, the wonder of our days.

Each time we receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, the body and blood of Jesus Christ we remember whose we are and whose our praise.

Whose we are? Doesn’t that sound a bit strange? Our culture fosters the notion that we are independent beings ultimately responsible to self alone. We hear and use phrases like “my life”, “my choice” and “my rights”.  Yet, in his final teaching to his disciples, Jesus says “You did not choose me, but I chose you.”  We belong to Christ not because of a personal decision we thought might be in our best interest.  We belong to Christ because Christ has chosen us in his great love for us. The reason for the choice has nothing to do with our goodness, productivity or any credential we might offer.  We are chosen simply because of God’s nature. In Jesus we see that God not only claims us as God’s creation, but also reclaims us in redemption.  Our lives are not our own.  We belong to God. 

The independent, self-made, self-reliant person might balk at belonging to someone, even God.  Yet there is great freedom in such a divine belonging.  The faithfulness of God’s love assures us of an identity that never changes no matter our circumstances.    

It’s not unusual for me to hear elders express, “I don’t know why I am still living; I can’t do the things I used to do.  Those in mid-life with careers and families bemoan being “nothing more than a collection of tasks”.  Some folks even continue to carry the secret doubt that they are just not good enough to be loved by God, (as if they could ever be good enough). But it’s not about us.  It’s about God.   God’s love and faithfulness assure us of a lasting identity beyond what we do.  It is only through God’s love shown to us in Christ that we can begin to envision being chosen and precious to God. 

The vastness of God’s love for all of us and the particularity of God’s love for each of us remains a wonder. The commandment to love may seem an impossible assignment.   Yet, grounded in the love beyond our human understanding we find our true identity as children of God and the source of love for others. 

Prayer: Holy God, when I only know worth base on effort or when I doubt my goodness remind me that none is worthy or good enough, but in your love you claim me as your own.  Fill my heart with assurance, gratitude and praise. May I reflect your love toward others in my life.    Amen