CONNECTIONREDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH - FEBRUARY 2022
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Connection
Redeemer Lutheran Church
February 2022
The deadline for this column ends up being our wedding anniversary,
so that is very much on my mind as I write, today. (By the way, thank
you for all the well wishes you have shared when we’ve been together
at worship). Then, too, this issue covers Valentine’s Day, so I hope
you’ll find this fitting.
Jami and are celebrating her phenomenal 32 years of patience with
me. I have seen recently on Facebook that the average marriage lasts
eight years. I’m not at all sure how true that claim is, but I’m still so
thankful for the gifts the two of us have been given in this union.
We were married on a year ending in 0, so calculating the anniversary
Pastor Chip Winter has been a piece of cake! But for those contemplating getting
Senior Pastor engaged, please don’t feel the need to wait until 2030…
One thing that comes to mind is that the traditional first anniversary
gift is paper. So, I bought tickets to Les Misérables at the Fox Theater
in St. Louis for our first anniversary. That has brought about a life-
long love of that musical!
As I’m thinking about the 32 years, I went online to see what seminal
events in history were roughly 32 years apart (not to suggest that
our wedding was a seminal event, but to gain perspective). 32 years
is longer than “The Thirty Years’ War” which took place in Europe
between 1618 and 1648. There were only 21 years between the
end of WWI and the start of WWII. The time between the end of
Civil War to the start of the 20th century was 35 years. Lest all my
comparisons regarding our marriage and time be martial, the first
man on the moon arrived there just 31 years before the year 2000.
But let’s get to the heart of things. Marriage is a gift of God early
on. Here is how Desiderius Erasmus describes it , as quoted by
Roland Bainton: “Marriage was sanctioned by Christ at Cana...It
was instituted by the Founder of the universe, for God said, ‘It is
not good for man to be alone,’ and He created Eve, not out of mud,
as in the case of Adam, but from his rib that none should be closer
and dearer than a wife...Should not marriage be honored above all
the sacraments because it was the first to be instituted, and by God
Himself? The other sacraments were established on earth, this one
in paradise, the others as a remedy, this one as fellowship in felicity.
...we live in an age when moral integrity is nowhere better exemplified
than in marriage.”
I would remind all that the use of “sacrament” above is by Erasmus
as a Roman Catholic. Still, his point is well made, and I would simply
add that marriage is the living laboratory of the Gospel. It is only
possible through the practice of the greatest gift – the continuous
reconciliation that is ours to treasure and to share through Christ
Jesus our Lord and His passion, death, and resurrection.
NEWS AND EVENTS
Hickey Baby Shower Bible Buddies Starts March 2nd
Mark your calendars! On March 5th Redeemer New partners are invited to join this group as they
Lutheran Church will be celebrating the imminent read and discuss the Bible in chronological order
arrival of Baby Girl Hickey. We will shower Pastor through the next two years. Discussions are on
Aaron and Haley with gifts to help them prepare. Wednesdays from 6:30 -7:30 a.m. via Zoom. The
Here are some important details: Saturday, March group also meets for social events on occasion.
5th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Life Center. It is being For questions, please contact Jeff Shoumaker at
requested for masks to be worn during the event. jeffs@redeemerlutheran.com or Gail Williamson at
Baby Registry will follow in announcements. This is gwilliamson@liahbee.com.
an exciting time for the Hickeys and our Redeemer
family. We hope to see you there! Congratulations to the last group of Bible Buddies
who just finished over the last three years. The
Girl’s Night Out group of eight will be celebrating their completion
on February 3rd. In addition to reading Scripture
Women of Redeemer invites you to shake off the from cover to cover, they also developed and
winter by going out to dinner on February 22 at 5:30 strengthened important Christ-centered
p.m. Come join your sisters in Christ for an evening friendships. Bible Buddies currently includes
of fun and good fellowship while enjoying a delicious Margaret Albrecht, Donna Campbell, John Marsh,
meal at Olive Garden! Each guest is responsible for Pam Marsh, Terry Rosen, Colleen Slane, Natalie
paying for their own meal. If you would like to join Williamson, and Gail Williamson. Each member is
us, please make a reservation by contacting Lynn willing to answer any questions that interested
Bivens at (309) 697-2626 or email RSVP4WOR@ parties may have in regards to this upcoming study.
gmail.com by Monday, February 21.
Dorcas Circle
Superbowl Subs
Dorcas Circle will meet Monday, February 14th, in
The high school youth will be selling sub sandwiches Miller Hall at 1:00 p.m. We will plan our March 9th
after both services on February 13th. If you would Lenten Supper menu and details. We look forward
like to pre-order a sub, a sign-up sheet is available at to preparing and serving our commitment to
the Welcome Desk. Redeemer.
Subs are $6.00 each or two for $10.00. All
proceeds will benefit the high school youth, and an
anonymous donor has generously offered to match
all proceeds up to $500.
What is Your Love Language? Sixty+ Group will be gathering for pizza and a great
program featuring radio personality Roger Monroe
Ladies of all ages are welcome to join us on Friday, on Thursday, February 10th, at 11:30 in Miller Hall.
February 11th. LWGP’s General Membership Cost for pizza and a drink will be $5.00 each. Be sure
meeting will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church to sign up on the bulletin board in the office hallway
(200 Colona Avenue in Bartonville). We will begin no later than Tuesday, February 8th. We look forward
at 9:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast in to seeing many of you. Bring a friend as well! For
Bethel’s Fellowship Hall. Our featured speaker is questions, contact Ken Stoppenhagen at (309)265-
Redeemer’s own Jennifer Anders! Jennifer will share 1992.
a presentation on Love Languages, based on books
written by Gary Chapman. Radio Personality Roger Monroe
Host of “Breakfast with Roger and Friends,” starting
RSVP to Lisa Mack by Mon, Feb 7th to lisadmack14@ in 2002 with cohost Royce Elliot. Sadly, Royce died in
gmail.com or LisaDMack@comcast.net. Call or text 2013, the program continued with a festival of talk
(309) 360-2669 so that we can plan accordingly. and music along with the most comprehensive news,
weather and sports reporting unmatched by any local
Search me, O God, and know my heart. Psalm 139:23 broadcast outlets. He has served our community on
the Peoria County Board for 22 years, did stints on the
Zoning Board of Appeals, Housing Board of Appeals,
and Peoria City/County Health Department’s board.
Concordia Trivia Night LWGP was able to fulfill the wishlists of many
different departments at LHV. We bought
Do you remember the TV show called “Are You equipment for physical therapy and the Wellness
Smarter Than A 5th Grader?” Well, it’s time to put Center. A new scanner for the business office has
all those bits of trivial knowledge to the test! Help been put to use. Two CoaguCheck machines will be
support the Concert Band and Concert Choir as purchased soon.
they raise funds to participate in the Six Flags Music
Competition in May of 2022 by participating in our The next time you find yourself in the mood for
TRIVIA NIGHT FUNDRAISER. The event will be on “spring cleaning” and have gently used items that
Saturday, February 5, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the someone else may need, please remember The
Life Center. Cost is $15 per player with a maximum Church Mouse, 600 West Main, Peoria, near the
of eight (8) players per table. A silent auction will campus of Bradley University. The Church Mouse
be held. Free popcorn, soda, and babysitting are accepts donations Mon-Sat, 10:00 - 3:00 p.m.
available but teams are welcome to bring their own around the back of the building.
food as well. No alcohol. The theme for this year’s
event is “Flashback to the 80’s” so come dressed in Redeemer Library News
your favorite spandex, ripped jeans, leg warmers,
neon colors, mullets, and huge hair! A special prize Our self-service library is available to members
to the team who rocks the 80’s fashion the best. and non-members of all ages and is located in the
Register your team by scanning the QR code. lobby near the Fellowship Hall kitchen. Be sure to
check out this month’s new arrivals when you visit
the library, they are displayed on the bookcase just
inside the library door:
Parenting
• Guiding the Next Great Generation: Rethinking
How Teens Become Confident and Capable Adults
by Jonathan Catherman
• Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish: A Daily
Devotional for Adoptive and Birth Parents by
Sherrie Eldridge
The Church Mouse New Adults & College
• Becoming the Next Great Generation: Taking
Located near the campus of Bradley University, Our Place as Confident and Capable Adults by
The Church Mouse is always looking for volunteers. Jonathan Catherman
Daytime only, Mon – Sat. Women and men, we need • College 101: A Christian Survival Guide by
you! For more information, please contact Joan Concordia Publishing House
Ressler or Shirley Lewis at (309) 673-2363.
Teen Fiction
$42,000 is a big chunk of change, right? • Kingdom’s Dawn #1 by Chuck Black
• Kingdom’s Hope #2 by Chuck Black
Did you realize that LWGP is dependent upon your • Kingdom’s Edge #3 by Chuck Black
donations to The Church Mouse? Your generosity • Kingdom’s Call #4 by Chuck Black
helps us help others! LWGP was able to raise • Kingdom’s Quest #5 by Chuck Black
$42,000 in 2021, despite Covid restrictions. The • Kingdom’s Reign #6 by Chuck Black
money was divided evenly between LHV and LSSI.
LSSI uses our donations to fund their childrens’
services, both locally and statewide.
Because We Belong
WE WORSHIP
WE WITNESS
WE SERVE
Sunday School
On January 30th Sunday School will celebrate the start of a new unit with Rally Day. A new unit with
new stories! New activities! New fun! And new opportunities to learn about God’s power and love!
During Rally Day we will play games and do activities to introduce our children to some of the Bible
stories they will be learning in our new unit.
The Redemption Store will be open, and the children will have a chance to spend their Redemption
Store points that they’ve earned from attending Sunday School, learning their Bible memory verses,
bringing their Bibles each week, and doing the family activities at home.
If your family hasn’t joined us for Sunday School, now is the perfect time to start! We would love to
have your children join us, Sunday mornings at 9:30. Visit redeemerlutheran.com/sundayschool to
register your child and read more information.
Children’s Ministry Movie Night
On February 12th, children in kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to bring a blanket, pillow, and
a stuffed animal to curl up in the Green Room for a cozy movie night watching Wonder Park. Parents
are welcome to join in the fun and make it a family movie night! Snacks will be provided, and RSVPs
are appreciated to help know how many to prepare for. Contact Jennifer Anders to RSVP or with any
questions.
Special Parent Event
Redeemer’s children are blessed to have parents who model and share God’s love in their homes. This
Valentine’s Day, the Sunday School Leadership Team wants to shower our parents with love and thank
them for all they do to teach their children the faith. On February 13th, at 9:30 a.m., parents are invited
to join their children at the beginning of Sunday School to play a fun game with their children and other
Sunday School families. After the game the children will head to their Sunday School classes while
parents are treated to specialty coffees (crafted by our very own baristas) and refreshments. We have
some fun surprises planned for parents too! Come meet other Sunday School parents, relax, and be
encouraged as we thank you for all you do as you answer God’s call in leading your children.
WoW Bags
As Sunday School starts a new unit, families will receive
another WoW bag with all the materials they need to study
God’s Word at home as a family. These bags are given to
families to help strengthen the work that parents and
grandparents are doing in their families to teach the faith to
their children and grandchildren.
In this round of WoW Bags, families will receive cups and
balloons to play an exciting game as they learn about how
God caused the walls of Jericho to crumble. Families will
also build a blanket tent as they learn about the tabernacle
and how God used a tent to make a place of worship. You
will also find Bible memory verses for families to learn
together, family faith discussion questions and a special
invitation for parents.
Redeemer is sending out 40 WoW Bags, but we have
several extras. Would your family like one? If so,
register on Redeemer’s website in the Sunday School
section or contact Jennifer Anders at jennifer.anders@
redeemerlutheran.com.
MISSIONS
Tanzania Update
An amazing story of God’s faithfulness
and provision has unfolded over time in
Tanzania and Redeemer shared a part in it!
Redeemer began supporting Mwadui
in 2013, and God has blessed our
partnership in fantastic ways. In October
2019, Cheryl Kruckemeyer agreed to serve
as a missionary/ambassador/teacher
there upon the planned repatriation
of missionaries Eric and Linda Funke.
Redeemer agreed to support her along
with our support of the school. Cheryl
Left to right: Eric Scheffert, Lisa Scheffert, Cheryl Kruckemeyer, Jeff Shoumaker visited Redeemer and our confidence in
her began to grow. She was also supported
by other congregations and God
completed her funding quickly.
God has done many great things through
her service. One example of His work
through her began in June 2019 when
Cheryl ventured out into the surrounding
countryside and found a few curious
children who listened to her stories from
the Bible. Soon they brought other friends
and parents to the baobab tree (the
African Tree of Life).
On July 4th 2021, Cheryl was with Maria
and Pastor Mchambe. His sermon at the
KKKT Church and here again at the tree
emphasized love for each other. During
June and July, 46 people were baptized.
God is bringing His Gospel to this very
rural area of Mwadui and changing hearts.
On November 7th, over 60 more joined
God’s family through Holy Baptism. On
November 28th, Cheryl sent this note:
“Thank you Redeemer Lutheran! We
purchased the one acre of land where our
new church will be located. Tomorrow
we break ground… The church building
will accommodate 250-300 congregants
and today we had about 100 at worship.
Everything has come together quickly, and
we hope to complete the building in the
next 45 days.”
See Cheryl sitting in the middle of this
beautiful group of new believers.
January 15, 2022: Many children and their
families came to the dedication for the new
Tree of Life chapel. They lined the streets,
cheering for the bishops and waving lovely
flowers and plants. The village is excited
about this celebration of their new church!
The ceremonial dedication of the Tree
of Life Lutheran Church was blessed by
the presence of Bishops Dr. Frederick O.
Shoo and Dr. Emmanuel Makala. They
all glorified God for His presence and
blessings. Nehemiah 2:20 is quoted on the
cornerstone.
Redeemer’s tithes, offerings and prayers
have supported both Cheryl and the
construction of the facility where a large
population of new believers now receive
God’s Word and sacraments. Thank you,
Redeemer members, for your generosity
and prayers. May God’s Kingdom there
continue to grow in faith and love for Him.
Please remember them in your prayers. To
God be the glory!
430
Tithes & Offerings YTD as of December
Actual $1,674,498 94.1%
Budget $1,780,000 December Average Attendance
Important Dates
Redeemer
February 6: Concordia Trivia Night Lutheran Church
February 10: Sixty Plus Group Event
February 11: LWGP at Bethel
February 12: Children’s Ministry Movie Night 6801 N. Allen Road
Peoria, IL 61614
February 13: Superbowl Subs 309-691-2333
February 13: Sunday School Special Parent Event
redeemerlutheran.com
February 14: Dorcas Circle
facebook.com/redeemerpeoria
February 22: WOR Girl’s Night Out
redeemerpeoria
March 2: Bible Buddies Begins
March 5: Hickey Baby Shower Sunday worship is at 8:15 a.m.
March 27: 25th Anniversary Celebration (traditional) and 10:45 a.m.
(contemporary) with Bible study hour
and Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.
Saturday evening worship is at 5:30 p.m.
The church office is open 8:30 - 4:30 M-F
Staff
Chip Winter Senior Pastor ext. 13
Submissions for Redeemer Connection are due on chip.winter@redeemerlutheran.com
the 20th of each month. Articles may be submitted
by emailing katie.lunzman@redeemerlutheran. Aaron Hickey Associate Pastor ext. 29
com or by using the Communication Request link at aaron.hickey@redeemerlutheran.com
redeemerlutheran.com. Jennifer Anders Children’s Ministry ext. 31
jennifer.anders@redeemerlutheran.com
Phyllis Call Care Ministry ext. 35
phyllis.call@redeemerlutheran.com
Johanna Harms Administrative Assistant ext. 10
johanna.harms@redeemerlutheran.com
Scott Ibe Worship and Music ext. 16
scott.ibe@redeemerlutheran.com
Katie Lunzman Communications ext. 18
katie.lunzman@redeemerlutheran.com
Angie Phillips Care Ministry ext. 30
angela.phillips@redeemerlutheran.com
Louisa Pummill Early Learning Center ext. 28
louisa.pummill@redeemerlutheran.com
Jeff Schlatter Building, Grounds & Facility Use ext. 25
jeff.schlatter@redeemerlutheran.com
Jeff Shoumaker Missions/Small Groups ext. 14
jeff.shoumaker@redeemerlutheran.com
Sue Skahill Early Learning Center ext. 15
sue.skahill@redeemerlutheran.com
Jamie Wisely Business/HR Manager ext. 11
jamie.wisely@redeemerlutheran.com
Ron Miller Visitation Pastor
Tara Barker Nursery Coordinator 309-453-8764
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