October 2016
Redeemer
Lutheran News
October will bring a change. A change in weather,
more cold brisk mornings, frost, and perhaps even a few
flakes of snow. The change in leaves will be evident as
well as the cool night air. Many of us admire the red,
orange, and yellow leaves on the foliage before those
same leaves fall to the ground. Yes, October brings
great change to the world around us, for those of us
living in a climate that actually has four seasons.
But October also brings another great change for
those come out of the Protestant tradition. For it was in
October that Luther hung the 95 Theses on doors of
Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The posting of
his “protests” over the sale of indulgences, sparked a
monumental change in the life of the Church.
Luther’s 95 Theses were hung on the church doors
on October 31, in 1517, the day before All Saints’ Day,
one of the Festival Days in the church year, when the
church remembered the newly departed dead and the
martyrs of old. At that time in the church, the Roman
Church taught that many souls of those who died
needed to be purified in Purgatory, before they could
enter heaven. In addition, it was taught that living
people here on earth could act on behalf of those whose
souls were in purgatory, by buying a papal (issued by
the pope) indulgence, that would set free from
purgatory the soul of their dead loved one. The
purchase of an indulgence was just one way those living
on earth could help those in purgatory. You could also
www.redeemerlutheran-cs.org
Church Office email: redeemercos@comcast.net
Pastor Widger email: pastorwidger@comcast.net
light candles and pray for the dead before a
relic of one of the martyrs, or pay to have a
private mass said by the priest for the dead.
These are just a couple of examples of what
could be done, to relieve the soul suffering
purification in purgatory.
Luther, from his study of the Bible, began
to question, the official churches teaching on
purgatory, and the sale of indulgences, and the
value of making pilgrimages to light candles
on behalf of the dead. He had come to believe
that the main teaching of the Bible was that the
forgiveness of sins was earned by Jesus Christ
on the cross once for all people. And that His
forgiveness was then applied to each person as
they trusted Jesus’ work and merit on their
behalf. This God, that the church proclaims, is
a God of grace. Humanity is right with God, not on the
basis of what we do, but we are “counted righteous” by
grace through faith, for the sake of Christ. Forgiveness
could not be bought with a piece of paper, nor earned
by viewing some dead saint’s bones, all of these things
took people’s eyes away from the most important
thing, Jesus Christ.
This emphasis on Christ alone, changed the world.
We today in the Protestant church are heirs of this
tradition, and yet we sometimes fail to live out what
we believe. We let our focus in church drift away from
Christ, to other things. The budget of the church, the
lack of printed bulletins in worship, the Lutheran
aerobics of standing up and sitting down repeatedly
when we come to church. More sinisterly we think that
we need to do something to earn our salvation, that
Jesus did some good for us, but now we need to do
something to kind of complete His work. We turn the
focus from Christ to ourselves and what we do or don’t
do.
Perhaps it’s time for Reformation to continue in
our lives, as we focus on Jesus and His work for us and
for the world. May we as a congregation, fix our eyes
on Jesus the Author and Perfect of our faith, Who for
the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it’s
shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God.
Yes, October is a month of change, from the
weather and the leaves, but more importantly we
celebrate the change that took place when the church
began to focus on the grace of God, displayed in Jesus.
May it be so today.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Widger
October 2016
Council Concerns
Redeemer Lutheran Church
Church Council
September 13, 2016
Caring Through Christ
Board of Stewardship:
 A Taco Bar will be provided by Redeemer on September
19th to the TwoCor boys and staff members. Pastor Kirkeide
will provide sopaipillas.
 The stewardship fair will be held on three Sundays,
September 18, September 25 and October 2, 2016
 Pastor Widger will discuss stewardship on the same three
Sundays.
Josh Arbogast called the meeting at 7:01 PM and opened the Unfinished Business: None
meeting with prayer.
New Business:
There were no deletions or additions to the agenda.
 Josh will put together a Nominating Committee by next
month’s meeting. Pastor Widger and Josh Arbogast will be
Our Blessings:
on the committee and will seek out others who may be
interested
 For the sealing and painting of the lines on the parking lot
 For the Sunday School start-up and volunteer teachers for  Health Insurance rates for all employees went up
approximately 4% for next calendar year. Family coverage
Sunday School
will cost $1,694.00 a month and Self and Spouse coverage
will cost $1,269.00 a month
The minutes for August 9, 2016 were approved as written.
 Budget for next year will be discussed at next month’s
Pastor’s Report:
meeting.
Salaries and benefits will follow district
Pastor provided the Soul Accounting Report for August. We
guidelines. The District has recommended a $250.00 cost of
have 220 baptized and 204 communicant members.
living raise. JD will put together budget figures using last
year’s figures.
 Attendance averaged 70.5 per Sunday and 127 took
communion during the month.
 The AED and first aid supplies have been purchased by Josh
Arbogast and will be here for the usher training to be held
 We had one funeral for Jim Rendleman who is not a
September 25th and October 23rd.
member.
nd
 The next Council meeting will be held Sunday, October
 Pastor will be gone the 2 Sunday of October
16th after the Sunday school classes have adjourned.
(Approximately 11:30 AM)
Board of Elders:
 The board discussed the topic of older adult ministries.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57PM. Pastor Widger ended the
 Gena and Craig Holbeck will lead the music for the church’s meeting with a prayer.
contemporary services.
Submitted by
Treasurer’s Report:
 The profit and loss for August 2016 is as follows:
 Income
$26,069.60
 Expenses
$24,204.98
Council Secretary
 Net Income
$ 1,864.62
 Designated Funds for the current month are $48,158.69
Karen Porsch,
Financial Secretary: No r epor t given
Board of Parish Education:
 The annual Sunday school kick off was held September 11,
2016.
Board of Trustees:
 Three facility requests were approved.

All properties are rented and up to date
 The trustees have contracted with a company to provide new
sign inserts for the signs located in the front of the church
and the sign on the corner of Wahsatch and Monroe. On
September 26, 2016 masonry repair will be made on the two
signs as needed.
 The Trustees contracted with a company to fill cracks, coat
and restripe the parking lot.
 On October 1, 2016 there will be a short work day at the
church to install permanent “No Parking Signs”.
Address Changes
Jeff Tuft
Christina, Curtis, Michael
1527 16th St.
Oroville, CA 95965
Women’s Events
October 2016
DORCAS SOCIETY /
LUTHERAN WOMEN’S
MISSIONARY LEAGUE
We will have our Annual Bake
Sale on Sunday, November 20th
after church.
Just an early
reminder to our wonderful church
bakers. We appreciate all of you
that donate to our sale to raise
funds that will benefit Redeemer
and the community. Mark your
calendars and encourage everyone
to bake, and buy for this fun
event.
Thank You to our Sponsors
Roland & Kathy Obering
In memory of their parents
Your support of Redeemer’s
newsletter does not go unnoticed!
The Altar Guild
The next meeting is
Saturday, October 1st
at 10:00AM
In the Heart Room.
Proud to be an American
Sunday, November 6th
Potluck right after Bible Class,
sign up sheet by the kitchen.
We hope to see you there!
Wear your red, white and blue!
Fun and games – prizes!
Americana
Cuisine
October 2016
12th
Arline Granberg
24th
Lorraine Darneal
15th
Patricia Lemke
26th
Marcene Dewberry
Elaine Kirkeide
17th
Leanne Burgess
18th
Sandy Deye
6th
Timothy Dorris
23rd
Natalia Davis
Robert Dewberry
CHOIR REHEARSALS will begin
on Thursday, October 6th, at
7PM
Please give some
consideration
to
joining
us
because we would love to add
your voices to ours. In addition to
our singing, we have a "generous
helping of fun and laughter.”
Handbell Practice will
begin on Thursday,
October 6th at 5:45PM.
Please join us!
ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY
And the commemoration of the
Faithful Departed
will be held on
Sunday, November 6th, 2016.
Please contact the Church Office if
you would like the
name(s) of family,
friends, or loved ones
included in this year’s
list.
31st
Mark Barnes Jr.
(If your birthday in not listed
please contact the Church
Office to update your record.)
27th
Lorraine Mueller
29th
Cathy Chappell
Sarah Snowden
30th
Shirley Bauer
Pastor Appreciation Sunday – October 16
We appreciate you
and your family, Pastor Widger!
October
is
Pastor
Appreciation Month. The
Church Council is inviting
members of Redeemer to a
coffee-hour reception to
honor Pastor and his family
after worship on Sunday,
October 16. Stop by for
coffee and refreshments and
let the Widgers know how
blessed we are to have them
in our midst. We’ll have a
basket available for cards and notes. There will be
Sunday School that morning.
FISHES & LOAVES FOOD PANTRY
Households served in
July: 444
Total # of person served in
July: 959
Households served in August: 357
Total # of person served in
August: 791
October 2016
From the Board of Stewardship. . .
Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. If you believe this gospel, if you stand
upon it, and cling to it, you are saved. Trust in this is the dividing line. It defines, either
positively or negatively, all men. It separates and divides Cain from Abel, Job from his socalled friends, Abraham from Abimelech, Isaac from Ishmael, Jacob from Esau, David from
Saul, Daniel from Belshazzar, Joseph from Herod, Lazarus from the rich man, and the tax
collector from the Pharisee. What defines men is not whether they are good or bad, but
whether or not they believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
The problem with man is his heart. Our hearts are fallen and predisposed to think that we
can impress God. We think that if we do all the right things God will rewards us, and we
will escape evil. We think that God will be impressed with our gifts, that our prosperity and
goodness is evidence that God loves us or that it should motivate God to love us.
But we know better because God has blessed us with the faith of Abel, Job, and Abraham.
We know that God's grace in Christ saves us, not our works.
We know that God is not impressed with our giving. He is not impressed when we give him
that which is already his. God doesn’t benefit from our giving and He doesn’t need it. But
our neighbor does need it. And God delights in us growing more and more like Him. He
blesses us, and He invites us to bless one another with our giving: so that the Gospel may be
proclaimed, so that the poor may be fed, so that all God's work through the Church may be
done.
So consider God's priorities in comparison to your own. And be honest. Reevaluate where
you are and where God has called you to be. Look into your own bank statement. Would
any accountant think that the Church was your priority? He would see a spreadsheet filled
with where your money actually goes: into house and clothing and cars, into eating out and
beauty supplies and entertainment. Indeed, much of it wasted on frivolous things. But would
he find great percentages going to the church? Figure up the percentage. Put it in relation to
the proportion of your income. What percentage of your income do you give for the mission
of the church: the preaching and teaching, the baptizing and communing, the help for the
weak and poor brothers of Christ? Is it even enough for a deduction when you file your
income taxes? The widow gave all she had and thought nothing of it. She was glad to do it.
The rich man gave what to him was meaningless, trifle amount and desired a plaque in his
honor. Why is it that the less we give the prouder we are and the more credit we expect?
All your works, even your monetary gifts, done in faith please God now for Christ's sake.
No matter how great or small, frequent or infrequent. They are all washed and cleansed by
grace through faith on account of Christ. Whatever you do from faith in God pleases him for
the sake of the Son. So reevaluate your generosity in the light of the grace of Christ. Freely
you have received, freely give.
REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
2221 N. Wahsatch Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO. 80907
D E CE M BE R
Nonprofit
U.S. Postage
Paid
Colo. Spgs, CO
Permit No. 74
2 01 4
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
October 2016
(719) 633-7661
FAX: (719) 633-2127
THE LUTHERAN HOUR
The local Lutheran Hour can be heard Sunday mornings on,
KOA (850 AM) at 6:00 AM, KRLN (1400 AM) at 8:00AM
DATE: October 2, 2016
SPEAKER: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
TEXT: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
TITLE: "The Only Way to Live: By Faith!”
God cares about you, listens to you, and answers your difficult
questions with grace and compassion.
DATE: October 9, 2016
SPEAKER: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
TEXT: Luke 17:11-19
TITLE: "Lord, Give Me What I Need — Give Me Faith!”
You don't have to settle for what the world hands you. You can live
by faith in the Son of God who heals, forgives, and restores.
DATE: October 16, 2016
SPEAKER: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
TEXT: 2 Timothy 3:16
TITLE: "Know This Word — Your Life Depends on It”
The Bible provides a strategy for survival in an uncertain world. It can
break hearts of stone and replace them with living hearts open to
God's truth.
DATE: October 23, 2016
SPEAKER: Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:6-8
TITLE: "Running the Race of Faith”
Because Christ has already won the victory for us, our race of faith is
worth the struggle of the run.
DATE: October 30, 2016
TEXT: Luke 12:19-21
TITLE: "The Best Bequest”
SPEAKER EMERITUS: Rev. Dr. Ken Klaus
A legacy of faith is the best bequest, giving the gift of Jesus to those
who come after you.