Vol. 93 No. 8 October 2018 THE MESSENGER’S VOICE2018/10/01 · 3 The Messenger’s Voice October 2018A Message from the Pastor Well it’s official! I’ve cut the grass (PA way)

CONTENTS

A Message

from the President. . . . . . 1

Spotlight on.......

Paul Henry. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A Message

from the Pastor. . . . . . . . . 3

Just Enough. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

HELP WANTED!!. . . . . . . . . . . 4

Worship News.. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Opportunities to

Do Something Good!!. . . . 6

Welcome Back!!. . . . . . . . . . . 6

Men’s Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

WELCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Birthdays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Thank You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Book Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Pastoral Acts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

October at a Glance. . . . . . . . 9

October Worship Team. . . . 10

October Calendar. . . . . . . . . . 11

German Fest Flyer. . . . . . . . 12

Blood Driver Flyer. . . . . . . . 13

Vol. 93 No. 8 October 2018

THE MESSENGER’SVOICE

THE GOOD NEWS FROM OUR REDEEMERA Message from the President

I grew up with church music. When I was a child, I attended St.Joseph's Academy in downtown Schenectady where, like many otherkids, I was part of the children's choir. When the school closed, the kids'choir probably ended, as I have no recollection of it after that. Over thepast 40 years, I've gravitated toward more modern music usuallyattending service with the music of my choice - frequently some guitars,a piano, and a flute. The organ was always present but not as prominent.

One of the "regular" songs we sang was "One Bread, One Body"(ELW # 496) by John Michael Talbot. We sing it now and then at OurRedeemer. It goes like this.

One bread, one body,

one Lord of all,

one cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many,

throughout the earth,

we are one body in this one Lord.

It's a beautiful song about the Eucharist and about us being thetrue body of Christ. We come together - all different - but all the same inChrist. We have different personalities, different gifts, different tastes inmusic, but we are one in Christ. We've heard this before. If we don'thave use of an arm, leg or foot, we know the difference. So it is with theChurch. We are not whole when we are not together.

I was thinking about this after our Council meeting last week. Alot of good ideas were being tossed around both for outreach and forfellowship, but much of the conversation came back to the samequestions. "Who is going to do this?" As with many small congregations,so much relies on the same people who freely give of themselves.I hope that we can grow our church family. I'm not looking for oldmembers to come back (or new members) so that they can help withactivities but rather so that they can experience what we experience eachSunday and come to know what we know. We, in turn, will bestrengthened as a church by them. We will be more complete.

Cindy ZielaskowskiCouncil President

2 The Messenger’s Voice October 2018

The Messenger's Voice is published monthly

(except for combined July/August edition)

by

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church130 S. Reynolds Street

Scotia, NY 12302

(518) 393-5031

www.OurRedeemer.cc

[email protected]

Staff: Pastor Rev. Daniel M. MayMusic Director Position OpenAdministrative Assistant Melissa JerreldNursery Director Jessica RosslerSexton Richard Tessitore

Deadline for copy: The Sunday

of the month prior to the last

Friday of the month. See church

calendar in this edition for date.

Editor reserves the right to edit

for content & space.

Large print editionavailable upon request,

call 393-5031.

Note: The “actual income” total above does not include income received from

Account # 4811 (Restricted Income Transfer) & the “actual expenses” does not

include the expenses covered by the use of those funds.

Please Note: We printed giving statements for the first half of 2018.

Several members picked theirs up over the summer,but there are still quite a few here at the church.

If you would like us to mail yours to you pleasecall/email the church office.

Spotlight on.......Paul Henry

This month, the spotlight is on our Financial Secretary, Paul Henry. Paul has been amember since 2016 but has wasted no time in becoming an active part of the congregation asan Assistant Minister during worship, a choir member and the new Financial Secretary.

Paul was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He received his BA from Penn State and MSfrom Frostburg State University (MD). We salute and thank him for his service in the Army from1966-1968. After serving, Paul spent most of his career in Information Technology as a SystemEngineer at SunGard Data Systems. Paul retired in 2014. He and his wife, Carol, relocated tothis area in 2015. They live in Charlton.

Paul and Carol have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He thanks his grandfather, Gotlieb,and his grandmother, Helene, who immigrated from Germany at the turn of the 20 century forth

his Lutheran heritage. We here at Our Redeemer thank God that we have someone like Paulas one of the leaders of our congregation.

http://www.OurRedeemer.cc


A Message from the Pastor

Well it’s official! I’ve cut the grass (PA way)on a lower level than usual, so it must be fall! I’m sorry - I mowed the lawn lower (NY way). Iwas working outside late last Monday and it wascool! I mean cold cool! The seasons arechanging, that’s for sure!

Lots of other things have changed too! We’ve gone to two worship services again. Sunday School is rolling along again. Counciland ministry teams are working on events for thecoming months and year. New things arehappening too! A search committee has formedfor a new Music Director. (If you know anyonewho plays, let me know!) Youth Group will bedoing some familiar things and some new ones,as the group changes its makeup, which it doesevery new year. Outreach events are comingthat will be FUN and different! And today (if youread this right away) we’ll join in a Blessing ofAnimals at 4 pm outside of the Church!

A few things haven’t happened this fall, andit is not unique to us here at Our Redeemer. Summer camp season has gradually beenextending over the years, and has here too. Ourattendance didn’t jump after Rally Day/WelcomeBack day, and seemed to shrink as we sent totwo services that day. Good Shepherd inGlenville had their Rally Day September 16 ;th

other congregations I know now do Rally Day inOctober. Is this a viable idea for us, or do wenot want to “cave” to what is going on in theworld around us? We had a few visitors onBring a Friend Sunday, but not as many as wecould have. I’ve also heard from a few peoplethat we should (a) stay at one service throughoutthe year, or (b) find an alternate time for worshipduring the week to accommodate all those whocan’t or don’t make Sunday mornings. Personally, I think congregations hurt theirgrowth potential by reducing the number ofworship opportunities offered. I think a weeknight service would be a great way to grow! ButI don’t want the Sunday morning crowd to decidewhat we should do for those who can’t or don’twant to come Sunday mornings. I would like tohear from them. If you are one of those and

have some ideas, call me. I’d love to talk aboutpossibilities!

When I talk with colleagues from around theUpstate New York Synod, I walk away withmixed emotions. I am sad for the state of manyof our congregations in decline and their inabilityor unwillingness to make the changes needed. I am pleased, even proud, of our stability, of ourpotential, of our attempts to reach out to thecommunity around us. I think Our Redeemeroffers opportunities for fellowship and warmwelcomes that other congregations don’t. I thinkwe see some possibilities here and arecautiously stepping forward to try them and offerthem. We have an expansive feeding ministryhere, from dollars to hot dogs! We are trying tofollow Jesus, in a world that doesn’t alwaysvalue that kind of following or service.

Our Congregation Council has been workingon some “visioning” for the future, pursuingsome goals that are serving our own folks andsome that are more focused on the community. We have a group calling themselves “ForwardThinking” that are tackling quick ideas or eventsto broaden our ministries here. Outreach istrying new things. Our Sunday Schoolrecognizes some of the changes in ourcommunity and family prioritizing time and havetried new things.

What else can we do in Jesus name? Howelse can we reach out to those who aren’t here(whether that is not here anymore or have neverbeen here)? How can you be part of thesolution? It isn’t just up to me, or theaforementioned ministry teams. Jesus claimsus as baptized children of God and calls us intoserving him by serving others. Offer up yourgifts and ideas, and let’s serve Jesus together!

Peace!

~Pastor Dan


Just Enough

English is a truly remarkable language. In2010, researchers from Harvard Universityand Google estimated that English had anestimated 1,022,000 words, and was growingby several thousand words each year. Andwhile English gets edged out by MandarinChinese as having the most people in theworld who speak the language, English is byfar and away the most widely spokenlanguage in the world, spoken on everycontinent. If you only speak one language,English is the one to speak for most people.

There are, however, still certain words inother languages that there are no exactEnglish translations for. One of these is theSwedish word "lagom." The best Englishtranslation would be "just enough," but thisfails to capture the reality that for manySwedes "lagom" is a way of life, whichexpresses the belief that the people who arebest adjusted to the world are those who haveneither too little nor too much.

Now at this point I suppose you are askingyourself the following question: "What doesthis have to with stewardship?" I would reply:"Everything!" After serving as head of OurRedeemer's stewardship committee for nearlya decade, I've become absolutely convincedthat it is the people who have neither too littlenor too much who make the best stewardsand givers. The people who have too littleunfortunately find it so difficult to simply makeit from day to day that they often do not havesufficient resources of either time or money togive. Nevertheless, these folks are moresympathetic than the people who have toomuch, many of whom are poor stewardsbecause they are consumed with acquiring stillmore for themselves, and believe that theynever will have enough.

If one truly believes that he or she has justenough, however, one is able to find the rightbalance in their life. This allows a person tofully live a life of gratitude for all God has done

for them, which is the wellspring of generousstewardship. My wish for our upcomingstewardship campaign isthat all of us at OurRedeemer are able to livelives of "lagom," and give allthat comes from such a life.

Fred HutchisonStewardship Trustee

HELP WANTED!!

The Outreach Committee has been busymaking plans for some new and ongoingactivities. We can always use some newmembers on the committee, which will meeton Thursday, November 1 . We'd love tost

have you join us! Read below for our newestOutreach event!

On Saturday, October 27 , from 1:00 toth

2:30 pm, the Outreach Committee will bestarting a new initiative - a Cocoa House forchildren in kindergarten through 5 grade! th

We're hoping that this will be a great way tointroduce Our Redeemer to families in theVillage of Scotia and beyond who may belooking for a church family. This is how youcan help:

• invite people you may know with youngchildren to attend; and

• bring your grade/age appropriate childrenand grandchildren!

We also need helpers on the day of theevent. Are you available to help the childrenplay games and paint pumpkins? Can youhelp serve snacks? How about just helpingmake the children feel comfortable in whatcould be a new place to them by sharingsmiles? If you are willing to do any of thesethings, please add your name to the sign upsheet in the Fellowship Hall.


The Cocoa House will meet a total of 5times this year:

• October 27th

• December 15 (making ornaments andth

Christmas "shopping")• February 10 (Valentine's Day party)th

• April 21 (Spring activities); andst

• June 23 (end of the school year fun)rd

If you have any questions, or would like tohelp with planning these events, please speakwith Pastor, Melissa or Patti Kopach.

The Outreach Committee would like toremind everyone that the Fiber Arts Ministry ismeeting again. There are a number of prayershawls completed and waiting to be delivered. They can be found on the top shelf of thecloset in the lounge upstairs. If you know ofsomeone that you would like to give a prayershawl to, please feel free to sign one out inthe small red journal on the shelf.

Save the Date ~ Sunday, December 2 nd

~ Holiday on the Avenue! We know - it's noteven October and we're already talking aboutDecember. No details to share yet but watchthis space! Next month we'll be making a bigannouncement about Our Redeemer's plansfor Holiday on the Avenue!

If you have any questionsabout the Outreach Committee orits activities, I would love to speakwith you! Let's have coffeetogether after services!

Patti Kopach,Outreach Trustee

Worship News

The Search Begins: The search committee,charged with hiring a new Music Director,includes Pastor Dan, Mary Rainey, CindyZielaskowski, Gladys Cox, David Walz & Thad

Raushi. They met September 25 to updateth

the Music Director job description. The nextstep in the process will be to send inquiries (inprint and digital media) out to the AmericanGuild of Organists (AGO), SchenectadyCounty Community College and other schoolswith music departments. We are very happyto have Anita Andersen serving as a substituteorganist through much of the fall.

Come, join us! As we move into moreestablished schedules of the fall, please checkto see what opportunities are open for you toserve on Sunday mornings. We are veryhappy to train new people. Many of thelessons we hear Sunday after Sunday arewrapped around the idea of service. Jesuswas the best servant of all. There is a certainsatisfaction in aiding in worship....it’s thatfeeling that you gave a little of yourself to bringsomeone closer to God. We always needushers, communion assistants, counters, etc.

Speaking of worship....don’t forgetto WEAR RED on ReformationSunday, October 28 , the dayth

Martin Luther brought forth awhole new way of viewing the church. Weknow that Luther changed not only the churchbut the world with his new thoughts. Just aswe should do in our time with our new ideas.

A Learning Opportunity: The Rev. LynnCarman Bodden, Interim Pastor, Coach, andConsultant will be offering a workshop at OurRedeemer for deacons and interested peopleon November 10 (9 am - 3 pm). There willth

be a $15.00 fee payable to the DeaconAdvisory Committee to cover the cost of lunch.The workshop will be on "Ministry inTransition: A Few Tools for Understanding.” Please see Pastor Dan or Janice Walz withquestions.

Janice WalzWorship & Music Trustee


Opportunities toDo Something Good!!

Social MinistryProject DayJuly 2018

Sometimes, something is so much funand so successful that it has to be repeated. So it was for our FIRST Social Ministry ProjectDay at Our Redeemer. We had nine womenattend. Three of the women were “seriousquilters” who brought their sewing machines. We gathered together and cut out hearts forfuture stuffing, put layers together for onequilt, cut squares for another quilt and just hadfun learning from each other. A simpleluncheon was served. Janice Walz, whocoordinated the event, was "scolded" formaking the event only last two hours.

Our SECOND Social Ministry Project Daywill be Saturday, October 6 (10 am - 2 pm)th

with a brief pause for lunch in the middle. Allare invited to attend, even if you are not aquilter. We will have fabric to cut into squares,squares to be made into a design, and pillowsto stuff. Special Note: For those who want tohelp the people flooded out as a result ofHurricane Florence, sending a quilt or fleeceblanket might be just the thing! Anyquestions, contact Janice Walz.

Salvation Army Soup Kitchen - Weserve lunch on Friday, October 19 . See theth

sign up sheets on the bulletin board forcooking, deboning and serving dates if youwould like to help out.

Bethesda Sandwich Making will be onSunday, October 14 (between services). th

Thanks to our volunteer sandwich makers andthe volunteers who deliver the sandwiches toBethesda House on Monday mornings. Anyquestions, please call Mary Rainey.

Concerned for the Hungry is calling forvolunteers for their Thanksgiving Project tosort, pack and deliver Thanksgiving foodboxes to needy families in SchenectadyCounty. Sign-ups for families in need of abasket will take place in the school gym at St.John’s (Eastern Ave.) on:

Friday, Oct. 26 (5 - 8 pm),Saturday, Oct. 27 (10 am - 4 pm) &th

Sunday, Oct. 28 (1 - 4 pm)th

Contact Mary Rainey or look for theinformation posters hanging in the FellowshipHall.

Scotia- Glenville and SiCM Food Pantrydonations are always welcome. Drop them off in the designated bins located in theFellowship Hall.

DID YOU KNOW?The SiCM Food Pantry would love those

extra calendars we receive but cannot use. They are handed out during the intakeprocess, and some guests even come inspecifically looking for calendars. Pleaseplace your extras in the SICM food basket inthe Fellowship Hall, and we will deliver themfor you.

The SiCM Food Pantry is also in need ofempty bottles (ex. plastic 20 oz. soda bottles,or other small bottles/containers) that can beused to make dish detergent go further. Theyuse the bottles to "break down" detergent sothey can provide it to more families. Thelabels do not need to be removed. Pleasedrop those donations in the food basket in theFellowship Hall as well.

Karen SmithSocial Ministry Trustee

Welcome Back!!

We have had a great return to SundaySchool and ACES is back in full swing!! Weare very excited to welcome a new student toSunday School and look forward to what the


year brings!! Parents - If you haven't alreadydone so, please remember to complete aregistration form when you pick up yourchildren. It is imperative that we have yourupdated contact information and emergencyinformation.

Sadly, I also want to share that DaleMicalizzi will no longer be teaching ouryoungest students. Dale has been a SundaySchool teacher at both Our Saviour and OurRedeemer for 30 years and has beenengaged in every aspect of the programming. In addition, Dale was instrumental in donatingthe playground equipment to Our Redeemer inmemory of her son, Justin. Thank you, Dale,for your boundless energy and dedication toour students. You will be missed terribly. Ifanyone is interested in serving as a SundaySchool teacher, please let me know asap.

Aimee PachuckiEducation Trustee

Men’s Group

We would like to thank Frank and NancyNovak for hosting our September meeting. We had good food and good fellowship!! Ournext meeting will be at Mike Mehigan's houseon October 11 . The study will be Spiritualth

Life (Be Holy because I am holey.) 1 Peter1:13-2:3 (page 1689).

Just a reminder that the Christmas Dinnerwill be on Friday, December 14 at the Turfth

Tavern, so mark your calendars! I will need ahead count by November meeting.

All men 18 and older from Our Redeemerare welcomed to join us. You are also invitedto bring a friend.

If you have any questions about the Men'sGroup or how to get involved, please contactme. Chuck Cox

WELCA

Women of the Evangelical Lutheran ChurchOur Redeemer Unit News

Tuesday, October 9 (6:30 - 8:00 pm) inth

the Fellowship Hall - a gathering with tea andgoodies to welcome any new participantsfollowed by a faith and life discussion alongwith a business meeting which will outline theupcoming WELCA Hudson-Mohawk andFoothills Conference Retreat taking placeFriday, November 2 (evening) throughnd

Saturday, November 3 (mid-afternoon). rd

The event will include viewing the musicalmovie "The Greatest Showman" Friday nightand continuing the “Circus” theme withSaturday's program covering the Trinity, moviethemes that fit our faith life and other socialissues that are timely. The registration formsare on the WELCA bulletin board. See MaryRainey with questions but plan on this costfriendly overnight retreat with three meals forjust $88.00! If you want to attend Saturdayonly, it is $40.00, but please watch the moviebefore you come.

Tuesday, November 6 : Election Dayth

Bake Sale from morning ‘til evening or we aresold out! This is our only fundraiser for theyear which helps fund WELCA projects andscholarships. Please check out the sign upsheet on the church bulletin board to help usbake or sell on Election Day.

Please mark your calendars for future WELCAmeetings:• Tuesday, November 13 (6:30 pm)th

• Saturday, December 1 (9 - 11 am)st

Women’s Breakfast to celebrate Advent

Any questions, please contact ourleadership team; Gladys Cox, LindaDeBraccio or Mary Rainey.


Birthdays

10/03 Patti Kopach10/08 Cindy Weatherwax10/09 Joseph Flanders10/15 Emily Mehigan10/15 Kayla Mehigan10/16 Joseph Bellomo10/16 Debra Jablonski10/17 Guy Bassi10/17 Christine McKenna10/18 Ryan O'Connor10/18 Anita Walther10/22 Lauren Mehigan10/23 Keith McKenna10/23 Renny Tallman10/24 Sandye Friedman10/25 Cindy Holman10/29 Alex DeBraccio10/29 Dorothy Skomp

Thank You

We received thanks from:

SICM for our generous foodand monetary donationstotaling $383.32 for themonths of May, June, July &August.

Scotia-Glenville FoodPantry for our generous foodand monetary donationstotaling $289.99 in April, May& June.

Book Club

Veronica May will host thenext Book Club meeting at 7pm on Friday, November 16 . th

The selection for Novemberis A Tree Grows In Brooklynby Betty Smith. This choicecomes from the PBS "GreatAmerican Read" list of 100books. PBS is airing a seriesabout books and America'slove of reading and invitingeveryone to vote for theirfavorite title from the list. Thelist contains a wide variety ofbooks. The project hopes toencourage and celebrate theways reading brings ustogether.

As many of you know, wehave been collecting usedstamps for years and years. The program that we alwayssent them to no longer exists. Audrey Chouffi is on amission to find anotherprogram that we can sendthem to. For now, we aresuspending our collectionuntil further notice.

Pastoral Acts

A grave side service forNancy Beth Weston

Thackrah was held onSeptember 8, 2018 at

Albany Rural Cemetery.

A funeral service forJohn P. Smith, Jr. was held

on September 16, 2018.A grave side service was

held the next day atZion Lutheran Cemetery.

The family of John Smithwish to thank all those whohelped out and joined usduring the celebration ofdad’s life held at the churchon Sunday, September 16 . th

Dad's Home!


Meetings/Events Outside of the ChurchOct 11 Men’s Group Meeting ~ 7 pm (Hosted by Mike Mehigan)

Oct 19 Salvation Army Soup Kitchen

OngoingBible Study ~ Wednesdays; 11:30 am

October 3 , 17 & 31 rd th st

Evening Bible Study ~ 7 pmOctober 10 , 17 & 30th th th

ACES ~ Sundays; Between ServicesOctober 7 , 14 & 28th th th

October at a GlanceMeetings at the ChurchOct 2 Finance Committee Meeting ~ 6:30 pmOct 4 Worship & Music Committee Meeting; 7 pmOct 8 Banner Review Meeting ~ 9:30 amOct 9 WELCA Meeting ~ 6:30 pm

Elder’s Meeting ~ 7 pmOct 16 Council Meeting ~ 7 pmOct 18 Property Committee Meeting ~ 7 pm

Fellowship Committee Meeting ~ 7 pmOct 26 Messenger’s Voice mailing ~ 11:30 am

Events/Special Services at ChurchOct 3 & 4 Defensive Driving Course ~ (6 - 9 pm)Oct 6 Social Ministry Project Day ~ (10 am - 2 pm)Oct 14 Bethesda Sandwich Making ~ 10 amOct 21 German Fest ~ 11:30 am - 3:30 pmOct 27 Halloween Cocoa House ~ (1:00 - 2:30 pm)Oct 28 Reformation Sunday ~ WEAR RED!!

DeadlinesOct 1 Council Meeting Reports DueOct 21 October Messenger’s Voice Deadline

Enjoy Discounted Shopping and Support Fostering Futures NY!

Boscov's will once again host their popular Friends Helping Friends day on Tuesday, October16 . The event benefits area non-profit organizations, and Fostering Futures NY (FFNY) isth

happy to be among this year's beneficiaries. Everyone who purchases a $5 Friends HelpingFriends pass receives a 25% discount shopping pass for purchases made only on Tuesday,October 16 , at all Boscov's locations. In addition, ticket purchasers are eligible to win prizesth

including shopping sprees and more. All of the funds from ticket sales go directly to supportFFNY. If you are interested in purchasing tickets, contact: Meredith Osta at:

[email protected] x210

Included in this newsletter are full page flyers for our German Fest, being held October 21 andst

our Blood Drive, taking place November 3 . Please help us promote those events by displayingrd

the flyers in a public place. They will be available to share as events on our Facebook page aswell, so watch for those soon!! Thank you!!

mailto:[email protected]

DATED MATERIAL - DO NOT DELAY

Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church103 S. Reynolds Street, Scotia, NY 12302-1723

E-Mail- [email protected]://www.ourredeemer.cc

(518) 393-5031 Fax (518) 393-2527

As for me and my house,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TheMessenger’s

Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

we will serve the Lord.Joshua 24:15 Worship Services

9 & 11 am

A LARGE PRINT EDITION OF THIS NEWSLETTER ISAVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Current Resident Or

Documents

Vol. 93 No. 8 October 2018 THE MESSENGER’S VOICE2018/10/01 · 3 The Messenger’s Voice October 2018A Message from the Pastor Well it’s official! I’ve cut the grass (PA way)