Wednesday Meals at Redeemer Resume September 6

It’s always one of the highlights of each week here at Redeemer. Amid a whole

host of ac�vi�es around Redeemer on Wednesday nights (choirs and youth ac-

�vi�es), many gather at the church to eat together at 6:00pm. A light meal for

minimal cost (to cover expenses) is offered, but more importantly, we gather

mid week in fellowship. The evenings are marked by cha)er and laughter, food

and fun.

A couple of weeks a*er we get started, the pastor plans to offer an

“enrichment” class to follow the meal. “Right now I’m thinking about a video

that Sarah got on one of her trips which features Rick Steves (you may have seen his travel shows on ETV) touring the

Luther lands in Germany. This might

be very interes�ng as we approach

the 500th anniversary of the begin-

nings of the Reforma�on.” Watch

for announcements for when this will

begin.

Hope to see you on September 6 as

we begin again with our Wednesday

ac�vi�es.

Inside-

#4him 2

Appreciation 3

Vicar Thank You 4

Leisure Timers 4

Making a Difference 7

Council Report 8

Youth 9

Crossroads Redeemer Lutheran Church

September 2017

SonUp Bible Study Begins

“I think it’s the most neglected part of our

worship,” Pastor Gary said. “I’m talking about

the Psalm we sing during our worship service.

For most of us, we get through it without a

whole lot of thought, but it is one of our scriptures for the day, just like the

other readings, and just like they do, the Psalm can speak to us.”

For a number of years, now, the SonRise Bible Study has focused on the Psalm

each week, but the study was offered at 7:15am, and many found that waaaay

too early to a)end. So, beginning on August 29, the pastor will offer a repeat

of the SonRise study a 9:30am every Tuesday. We’re calling it the SonUp Bible

Study, since the sun will be up by then (and it reminds us of the resurrec�on

as well).

This study is different from others. We will look at the psalm in a variety of

transla�ons and paraphrases, and then talk about how that psalm speaks to us

or what we discover there together. We also look at the First Reading for Sun-

day since the Psalm is intended as a commentary on that reading. We also

look at the Hymn of the Day we will use, and look for common themes.

“The best part is how this study so greatly enhances Sunday worship,” Pastor

Gary said. “We are amazed at how this o*en overlooked part of our worship

speaks to us.”

Come join us for the SonUp Bible Study each Tuesday at 9:30am.

2

Why do we do it?

For about a month now, we have been run-

ning an announcement in our Go and Serve

that our food pantry here at the church is

running low. We do that from �me to �me, invi�ng

you to bring non-perishable items to be given out to

folks in need who come by the church. We o!en give

you sugges�ons of things to bring that are most help-

ful. In addi�on, some�mes some of you provide me

with McDonald’s gi! cards ($5 for individuals, $10 for

families) so that some can get a meal. Some�mes you

provide bus passes (a very hot commodity). And

some�mes, some of you provide gi! cards for KJ’s in

case there are people who have that kind of need. I

remember one lady who came by to whom I gave one

of those cards, and she was able to get diapers for her

baby. And there are �mes, like recently, when I can

take those KJ’s cards and shop to fill our food pantry.

So it was the first Sunday when we were running that

announcement in our Go and Serve about our pantry

being a bit low. I went to teach the Sunday School

class I was

teaching

over the

summer,

and then

made my

way to the

office to get

robed for

the service.

As I moved to my desk to get my hymnal, I found 4 $25

KJ’s gi! cards.

Now I don’t know this, but I’m suspicious that some-

one on Sunday morning got to church early, saw the

announcement, and went over and got the gi! cards

to leave them on my desk. It was an amazing act of

generosity and compassion for those in need in our

community, done without fanfare or recogni�on. Why

did this person do it?

#4Him.

At least four �mes a year, we strip Sunday School

rooms bare and set them up like a

home for people who don’t have a

home, bring in meals, host eve-

nings, stay overnight, provide show-

ers, transporta�on and more

through Family Promise. Why do

we do it?

#4Him.

And then earlier this year, we wel-

comed another type of family who had no home, who

had spent 17 years in a refugee camp, and we provid-

ed materials for an apartment, we transported them

to appointments, and help them get a new beginning

in a brand new place. Why do we do it?

#4Him.

It goes on and on and on: Resurrec�ons where we

feed the homeless downtown, our Redeemer Pre-

school which reaches out in welcome to a variety of

cultures, youth mission trips, Sunday School teachers

who give of their �me and effort to prepare and lead

classes, choir members who rehearse, prac�ce and

sing, instrumentalists who offer their gi!s, people who

help with repairs or se<ng up for events or even just

providing the building for a whole host of community

mee�ngs, serving on commitees to do that work of the

church, visi�ng and calling those who are ill or who are

facing difficulty in order to express our care and con-

cern, gathering for worship. And of course, this list

just scratches the surface of all the many, many minis-

try opportuni�es we are involved in here at this

church. Why do we do it?

#4Him.

And it’s the same with our money too. We give, and

support the work of the church, with glad and gener-

ous hearts out of the abundance that God has given to

us. Why do we do it?

#4Him

Why do we do it?

Because of what he has done.

#4You.

3

9/1 Sherry Lindler

9/1 Claire Richards

9/2 Peri Baker

9/2 Emily Wessinger

9/3 Chloe Bell

9/3 Brandon Hawkins

9/6 Linda Andersen

9/6 Kay Burns

9/6 Becky Clark

9/8 Rachel Faller

9/9 Franklin Tyndall

9/10 Catherine Gleaton

9/10 Grace Shealy

9/11 Camron Bannister

9/12 English Gallery

9/12 Anne*e Lindsay

9/12 Jennifer Wells

9/13 Ray Olsen

9/14 Kelsey Redfern

9/14 Spencer Redfern

9/15 Kent Bedenbaugh

9/15 Kelly Stohs

9/16 Nancy McKinney

9/17 Amy Gilli

9/17 Jeremy Loadholdt

9/19 Carmen Plemmons

9/20 Benjamin Parker

9/22 Denise Anderson

9/22 Tess Isaacson

9/22 Phyllis Yeoman

9/23 Lucy Aus9n

9/23 Robbie

Thornton

9/24 Allison

Braun

9/24 Jane Long

9/25 Ty Yeoman

9/26 Amanda Breedlove

9/26 Thomas Ketchen

9/27 Kelsey Busch

9/27 Drew Shealy

9/27 Eva Wilbur

9/29 Jaclyn Bell

9/29 Eric Sturgeon

9/30 Mark Amundson

9/30 Eddie Honeycu*

9/30 Joe Wilkes

In Apprecia�on

Each month the Church Council recognizes and

thanks those among us who have offered themselves

to the work of the church in special ways. This month

the council appreciated:

The Intern Commi*ee who helped shepherd Vicar

Joanna: Kathy Char�er, Frank Eirten, Diane

Howell, and Dan Lowe,

Shannon Smith for her work coordina9ng and

leading our Family Promise ministry and all

the volunteers who hosted, spent the night,

cooked, laundered, drove, set up, took down

and so much more, and

Karen Manni and all those who helped serve the

congrega9onal dinner honoring Vicar Joanna.

Maybe You Didn’t No�ce….

...but the tree is down.

Maybe you’ve never no9ced the tree. On the small

strip of grass and bushes and mulch between our

parking lot and the road to the movie theater,

we’ve had a tree that was, for the most part, dead.

Over the years, many have expressed concern that

limbs—or even the tree itself — might fall on cars

that were parked underneath.

In July, the Council approved a bid to remove the

tree and ensure the safety of those using our park-

ing lot.

On August 25, the tree was removed.

4

Dear People of Redeemer,

I want to say thank you for a lot of things. First and

foremost, thank you all for making this eight month

internship a growing experience. You all opened your

hearts and homes to me, and taught me a lot about

what it means to be a community of faith and what it

is to be a pastor.

Thank you also for the party you threw me aEer church on my

last Sunday. What an honor and delight to eat together (In such

a beau9fully set fellowship hall!) and share our goodbyes. Thank

you for the most generous giEs that you gave me. I will always

be happy to share where I got my first stole, communion set, and

the many other things that the monetary giE will allow me to buy for my first pastoral call.

You will always be my internship congrega9on, you will always be in my prayers and in my heart. I spoke about what

you have provided for me as a future pastor; a safe place to learn and grow and prac9ce. You may ask, “But what did

you learn, Vicar?”… I have learned that loving God’s people is the highest calling, and you have all shown me that.

You’ve shown me how a congrega9on can live and work in God’s kingdom, all while loving your neighbor, the outcast,

and each other.

Thank you, 9mes a million.

Peace is with us all,

Vicar Joanna

Leisure Timers Resume Ac�vi�es

It's that 9me! Leisure

Timers will resume ac9vi-

9es for 2017-18. We'll

begin with a covered dish

luncheon on Thursday,

September 21 at noon in

our fellowship hall. We'll

go over our schedule then.

All of our seniors/re9rees are invited and encouraged to

come and enjoy good food(baked or bought doesn't

ma*er) and friends. If you haven't been before, do come

see if you may like it. Our luncheons are on the third Thurs-

days of each month, September - May. We have programs

at some of them. Also, for those who wish, we have fun

and interes9ng day trips around SC, usually one a month.

We love our new, comfortable bus! See you in September!

If you have any ques9ons about Leisure Timers, call me,

Cathy Stu*s, at 772-7289, e-mail me at

cgstu*s@bellsouth.net, or see me at church.

Fresh Expressions is Back!

Our first Fresh Expres-

sions aEer our summer

break will be Sunday,

September 17th

at 5:30.

Guess who will be com-

ing to do our reflec9on? Daniel Locke! We are very

excited to welcome Daniel back to Redeemer while he

is in the call process for his first call. We are so excited

to have Fresh Expressions back and that Daniel can be

with us! Come and join for a wonderful fresh expres-

sion of worship!

Calling all Redeemer’s

College Students! We will be having a Bible Study for YOU Sunday, Sep-

tember 10th from 6:00-

8:00pm here at Redeem-

er. We will start off with a

home cooked meal and

then con9nue with the

Animate Bible Study se-

ries. Come for food, fel-

lowship, and engaging in conversa9ons regarding faith,

the world, and how we fit into it all.

5

Organ? Or Piano?Recently I’ve been asked, “Why do you play some things on the

organ and some on the piano?” Great ques9on! It’s one of

those things I never thought about explaining, but it’s worth a few minutes

to learn about. So here goes—

In tradi9onal orchestral music (and lots of other styles as well), the compos-

er will clearly indicate what instrument should be used. Imagine what chaos

would erupt in the symphony orchestra if each player got to decide which

part he or she wanted to play? Composers can be quite exact about that.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case in church music. Now there are 9mes when a piece of music will state clearly

which should be used, the piano or the organ. But oEen the composer gives us the nebulous direc9on “keyboard”. To

quote Charlie Brown, “ARGH!” And no hymn in our hymnal overtly tells us which to use.

So, here’s what guides me in making that decision.

There is, let’s call it, a piano-style of wri9ng which frequently features a flowing

bass line. The piano, with its “sustaining” pedal (that’s the one on the right) allows this

flowing pa*ern to sound connected and smooth and, well, sustained. The organ has no

such pedal and such a pa*ern tends to sound choppy and rough when played on the

organ. “Healer of our Every Ill”, “Blest Are They”, and “You Are Mine” are classic exam-

ples of this.

Also, piano wri9ng frequently features series of chords that use the range of the instru-

ment. This is pre*y much impossible to do on the organ. “We Are Called” uses these

big chords. “Leaning on the Everlas9ng Arms” also fits into this category, especially if it’s

played in the tradi9onal gospel-style. In fact, let’s face it, nearly ALL gospel music is first

and foremost piano music. The organ is there for support and color.

The organist can tackle either of these styles on the organ, but it requires a lot of

adjustments and compromises, and in my opinion, frequently the original intent of the

music seems to suffer from such modifica9ons.

Also, the piano has a percussive quality. This quality can be a real asset to the

choir in certain anthems, and the piano helps them in ways the organ cannot.

Now, on the other hand some music is idioma9cally for the organ. Rich, big

chords that tend to remain in the tonal midrange just sound richer and fuller on the or-

gan. “A Mighty Fortress”—do I need to say more? And think about “O God Our Help in

Ages Past” and “The Church’s One Founda9on”. These hymns are just more majes9c on the organ. And I suspect the

composers of these hymns had that sound in mind when they penned these classic hymns.

The organ also has the ability to lead congrega9onal singing like no other instrument. With its ability to “ring the

raEers” the organ is unparalleled in accompanying congrega9onal singing.

The organ has so many more sounds, or colors. Nearly each of those tabs at the top of the keyboard give a

different sound and tone color. Organ composers exploit this resource. When a piece of music needs this approach, the

piano is a poor subs9tute.

And last of all, a big confession: I am primarily a pianist. I’m much more comfortable on the piano. Because of

my training I can some9mes be more expressive on the piano. So there’s that!

Hope all this helps a bit.

Jim

6

Nayeli No�ces

I have been in the Sunday school rooms plenty of 9mes! I go back

there during the school year for Wednesday night youth gather-

ings and to help mom clean up during the week back there all the

9me, but I had never seen the rooms look like they did when I

was back there this month.

We joke all the 9me about people sleeping at the church because they’re

here so much, but there were actually people sleeping at the church! I would

bet my favorite rope bone on it. The rooms were set up like bedrooms and

the youth room was made to be like a living room. It was amazing and I al-

most wasn’t sure where I was.

My mom and dad were the overnight hosts for Family Promise on the Sun-

day night of Redeemer’s host week and they brought me along. When I

walked in, I really wasn’t sure what was going on or who these new people

were but it was so much fun! The two young girls played with me for hours, they threw the ball, chased me, and I

chased them. Their moms sat and watched and laughed as we played. They would also sit and pet me and let me lay

in their laps while we rested from all our running, it was so wonderful!

What I later learned from listening to my mom was that these families do not have a house like us, so the church was

their house for a week. These families move every week to a different church as they get back on their feet and can

live in a house by themselves. Redeemer wants the families to feel as at home as possible while they’re with us and so

all of y’all work so hard to make sure the rooms feel like bedrooms and are welcoming and homey. Bow-WOW! That’s

amazing! That is so much work and I just have to say, for any who have never met or interacted with a family directly,

they recognize the work that goes into it all and they were all smiles! It’s easy to say it was because a dog was playing

with them, but I know I was just an added bonus. Staying at Redeemer in those rooms with you all as volunteers is

what really makes them smile!

Sole Hope –

Dona�ons Needed

This summer, our youth

who par9cipated in Grace

Works learned about an

organiza9on called Sole Hope and they told Sarah, “we

could do this at Redeemer!” Is there anything be*er

than youth geTng involved in service and then wan9ng

to bring it back to their church to share? Well that’s what

happened.

Sole Hope is an organiza9on that takes denim and starts

the process of the discarded denim becoming shoes. We

are able to help here in the US begin the process that is

then completed in Uganda or another partnering country

for people who are in need of shoes. Later this year we

will be invi9ng you to a Shoe Party but right now we just

need to start collec9ng the denim.

So as the weather turns cooler and you’re going through

your drawers, if you have any denim that you’re looking

for a place to give it to, think about dona9ng it to Sole

Hope. There will be a box in the small fellowship area.

Sunday October 1st at 5:00pm

7

Gree�ngs from Lutheran

Campus Ministry! As I am wri9ng this- the students are arriving on campus

and preparing to start their fall semester. The Lutheran

Campus Ministry in Columbia serves USC, Columbia Col-

lege and Midlands Tech. The first Sunday of the Fall- the

Campus Ministry Board a*ends worship, meets the stu-

dents, and provides the meal. I enjoy this 9me of worship

and fellowship- mee9ng new students and renewing old

friendships. There is always a lot of excitement as the stu-

dents plan the many oppor-

tuni9es with Campus Minis-

try. There are service pro-

jects, Bible studies, retreats,

Young Adult Conferences,

leadership opportuni9es,

Spring Break trips, tailga9ng,

and opportuni9es to just

hang out together. Our stu-

dents enjoy a very close

community. At large colleges and universi9es, it is encour-

aged that students get involved in small groups. For al-

most a 100 years, there has been a Lutheran presence on

the campus of USC. This vital ministry is so important dur-

ing this 9me as young adults are con9nually developing

their faith.

I have enjoyed serving on the board for the past five years

(a year and an half as chairperson). My terms will expire

next year and also I am planning to be more involved on

the state level of Campus Ministry. The board is com-

prised of members from area congrega9ons. Redeemer

has had many serving through the years. If you are inter-

ested in serving or would like more informa9on about this

ministry - please contact me.

Thank you for your support!

Paul Aus9n

You Make a Difference

Here’s an arcle that was included in a

recent edion of The Kingstree News

about the most recent truck of donaons

we sent to Williamsburg County.

Hopewell Senior Day Care

Center gives back to Wil-

liamsburg County

Hopewell Senior Day Care Center

along with Pastor McNeil Evans,

Jr., St. John African Methodist

Episcopal Church of the

Georgetown District and Pastor

Lockwood of St. Mary African

Methodist Episcopal Church of the

Kingstree District provided the

opportunity on August 5, to help

children, seniors, and low-income

families in Williamsburg County. Families were blessed

with clothing, school supplies, toys, kitchenware, com-

forters, ma*resses, box springs, appliances, and furni-

ture. Residents of Williamsburg County whom received

new mobile homes were able to receive household items

that were very much needed to help re-establish their

lives, so they could go back to living in a comfortable en-

vironment. The truck was sent from Redeemer Lutheran

Church of Columbia, where Pastor Gary Loadholdt is the

pastor. Pastor Brad Bellah of Shepherd of the Sea Luther-

an Church of Garden City and South Strand Helping Hand

helps with weekly supplies of clothing, food, furniture,

appliances, and household supplies. Families who are in

need may call DoTe Evans; Keesha Smith or Jawana Wil-

liams.

Memorials Received

July 18, 2017 – August 22, 2017

In Memory of:

Robert Render (Pat Crosby’s brother)

Martha Allison

Hilda Harrison Render (Pat Crosby’s sister-in-law)

Martha Allison

John Flanagan (Don & Theresa Courtney’s son-in-law)

Charlo*e Brooks

Ray & Be*y Olsen

Earl & Linda Wells

Martha Allison

Mike & Barbara Parker

Caleb Metz

Carolina Coliseum staff

Sherry Lindler

Susan Morris

Charlo*e Brooks

Jay & Helen Ep9ng

Robin Shellite

Jackie James

Earl & Linda Wells

Dr. & Mrs. Shelley Griffin

Patricia Ashe (Faith Thomas’ mother)

Connie Davis

Nicholas Evans (Cindy Peek’s brother)

8

By the Numbers

Attendance 168 182 187

Council Approves New

Phone System It was becoming more and more of a problem.

The phone system at the church has been

showing its age with some aspects not working

at all (sorry Preschool), and replacement parts almost

impossible to get. AEer much research by the church

staff and the finance commi*ee, the Council approved a

recommenda9on for a new system to be installed. “Not

only will it do all the things we need,” Pastor Gary said,

“but also it can be serviced by our tech guy if there is

ever a problem.”

The mee9ng began as the Council reviewed the minutes

from the last mee9ng and for a special mee9ng called in

early August to approve roof repair over the choir room.

The roof over that area was about 50 years old, and in

significant need of replacement. Council had approved a

bid of $13,000 for this work to be done.

Pastor Gary and Sarah presented their reports. A re-

quest for an addi9onal $500 for the LIFT ministry to pro-

vide for needed sign language interpreta9on was ap-

proved.

Kurt Braun, treasurer, apprised the Council of our finan-

cial status, poin9ng out that our giving is between

$23,000 and $24,000 behind this point last year. Connie

Davis shared that the Fall Stewardship Campaign begins

on September 10 and wlll conclude on October 1.

We have a sec9on of playground fencing that doesn’t

meet safety codes, and bids will be secured to move the

fence and to put one to divide the playground so equip-

ment is used by children of the proper age.

Sarah will soon be ready for

a call to be a Deacon, so the

Council is crea9ng a com-

mi*ee to explore Redeem-

er’s needs and Sarah’s job

descrip9on in discerning

whether Redeemer will

offer her a call to serve.

Pastor Gary reported that

the dead tree between us

and the shopping center

had been removed.

Janet Boatwright informed

Council that she and Jim

will host a new member

gathering for those who

have recently joined the

church to meet the Council

members and the church

staff to be be*er acclimat-

ed to the church.

There was some discussion

of Redeemer’s Christmas

Eve plans.

The Council also began dis-

cussion of Redeemer’s ma-

ternity leave policy. When

the personnel policy was

created, it inadvertently

neglected to include a ma-

ternity leave policy. Coun-

cil is discussing issues as a

policy is created.

• New phone system

approved

• 50 year old roof

section replaced

($13,000)

• Giving behind last

year at this point

• Bids to relocate

fencing sought

• Call/job descrip-

tion committee

created

• Dead tree hazard

removed

• New member gath-

ering scheduled

• Maternity leave

policy creation un-

derway

July July July

YTD 2017 YTD 2016 YTD 2015

Total income 313,136 336,632 312,838

Total expenses 327,073 324,636 326,074

Income less expense (13,937)$ 11,996$ (13,236)$

Balance on mortgage loan 289,523$ 351,366$ 437,486$

Unrestricted cash balance 7/31/17 8,732$

September 2017 Worship Leaders

September 3

Acolyte Usher Team

Crucifer Kenny Newmyer

Communion

Assistants

Lynne and Varner

Richards

Lector Lynne Richards

Nursery Nan Loadholdt

Altar Flowers Any and Ben Gfell

Worship

Assistant

Martha Shealey

September 10

Acolyte Usher Team

Crucifer Zakary Thomas

Worship

Assistant

Janet Boatwright

Lector Evelyn Abel

Nursery Julie Crooks

Altar Flowers Rion and Charlo*e Cobb

Communion

Assistants

Jayson and Kayla Aude*e

September 17

Acolyte Usher Team

Crucifer Bre* Bernthal

Communion

Assistants

Diane Howell and

HeTe Cross

Worship

Assistant

Kathy Harrell

Lector Ray Olsen

Nursery Shannon Smith

Altar Flowers HeTe and Lane Cross

September 24

Acolyte Usher Team

Crucifer Andie Lowe

Worship

Assistant

Kathy Char9er

Lector Stephanie Cowan

Nursery Lillian Faller

Altar Flowers Sam and Lisa Mathias

Communion

Assistant

Julie Pell and

Kathy Harrell

September

Altar Guild

Coordinator

Team 6

Barbara Martens

Usher Team Team 3

Bill Harmon

9

We’re Back!

It’s September, school is in session, and our youth calendar is

back to being full! Thanks for coming out to Rally Day to help

us kick it off so check out what’s coming up! Remember that friends are al-

ways welcome at youth events!

September 6th

– Wednesdays Are

Back!

Our children’s choir will meet before

dinner. Dinner is at 6pm. And from

6:30-7:30 our middle and high

schoolers will gather for their weekly

*me! We are so excited that we are

back to Wednesday night fun!

September 10th

– LIFT is Here!

This will be our first ever LIFT and ALL families

are invited! This ministry is for all children and

youth, birth through 12th

grade, AND their par-

ents, grandparents or guardians (whoever brings

them to church). This is our kick-off event from 11:30-2:00. Join us! You won’t want to

miss it!

September 15-17th

– Monarchs and Son’s Rays Fall Retreat

Our middle and high school youth are headed to Isle of

Palms for their annual Fall Retreat. Forms are on the

youth board and are due by

Wednesday, September 6th

.

.

September 24th

– It’s a Pizza!

Our Monarchs and Son’s Rays are invited

to come make pizzas with us! Joe

Leonardi is a pizza expert and will be

leading us through making our very own

pizzas. There will be awards for the crea-

*vity you put into your pizzas!

Looking Forward: Make sure you know the forms for the Na*onal Youth

Gathering (high school) are due October 1st

and the Marty Party is October

22nd

(middle and high school).

Summer Flashback: Bridge Building

Summer flashback: Knoxville

Summer Flashback: Sunday School

Summer Flashback: Knoxville

Summer Flashback: Knoxville