Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

It has been refreshing to enjoy some nice, almost

spring-like weather! I was recently downstate to

attend my son’s graduation from the Detroit Fire

Department-EMS Division. It was 70°! What a

warm day!

My thoughts immediately turned to raking the yard

to clear sticks and other debris so the grass can

grow, sitting outside to watch beautiful sunsets and

the sparkling stars in the sky, and planting a

garden, hopeful that delicious produce spring forth.

There is nothing quite like going out to the garden

to pick a sun-kissed, freshly-ripened tomato and

eating it while it is still warm.

As I write this, Easter is fast approaching. We will

rejoice at the New Life we are given through

Christ’s death and resurrection! Our time of

solemnity has ended.

We are experiencing new life in the church, as

well. We have four young people who are eagerly

awaiting to participate in First Communion

Classes. It is hoped that they will receive their First

Communion on May 12th. We have had as many as

eleven young people participate in the joint Youth

Group with First Presbyterian Church. We have

had new faces in Sunday School this year.

We hear in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “So if anyone is in

Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has

passed away; see, everything has become new!”

We rejoice and give thanks to God for the New

Life we have received in the church and in our

lives!

Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will

come again.

Peace╬

Pastor Melinda

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

The Lamplighter 321 West John Street - Newberry, Michigan 49868

Church Office Phone (906) 293-8331

Melinda VanderSys, Pastor

www.redeem-me.org May 2019

Pastor Melinda’s Office hours:

Monday: ORLC 10:00AM to 12:00PM FPC 1:00PM to 4:00PM Tuesday: FPC 9:00AM to 12:00PM ORLC 1:00PM to 5:00PM OR BY APPOINTMENT 906-293-8331 (Office) 715-212-5787 (Cell) orlcrev@att.net

Mother’s Day

May 12th

___ May Monthly ___

Mission Emphasis The two May Monthly Mission Emphases are PB&J Ministry and the Northern Great Lakes Synod. 10% of the

General Fund Offering will be divided between these two missions.

Our Redeemer has been financially supporting the PB&J Ministry sponsored by the Newberry United Methodist

Church ministry since 2013. The ministry was established to replace school lunches in the summer for local area

children. The program runs for 12 weeks during the summer. Recipient families pick up grocery bags from the

Newberry United Methodist Church on Fridays. The bags are sized for the number of children in the family.

The second “mission” is the Northern Great Lakes Synod. It is through our contributions that the work and mission

of the Synod is enhanced and supported.

Noisy Sunday offering in May supports World Hunger. Noisy Sunday is May 26th.

Thank you for your continued contributions to Our Redeemer’s Ministry and Mission.

The Stewardship Ministry

† † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †

On May 16, 1931 in Kalona, Iowa, Eldora F. Flatt was born to the late C. Jay

and Dinah Miller. Eldora was raised in an Amish family and became a

Mennonite as a child. Eldora married Alvin Flatt December 31, 1964.

Eldora and her late husband teamed up owning and operating Newberry Florist and later built Flatt's

Greenhouse in 1970 where she was acting chief financial officer of the businesses. They continued operating

the business until they sold both in 1989 and 1995 respectively. Even following her retirement in 1995, Eldora

continued to assist at the Greenhouse for several years.

Eldora was a longtime member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and assisted her husband in arranging floral

arrangements for Sunday services and special occasions. In the summer months, she would assist harvesting

vegetable and flower gardens Alvin cultivated at their residence and in the winter months she was the chief red

velvet bow maker for the Christmas wreaths, arrangements and swags for their friends.

Eldora walked on on Friday, March 29, 2019, at Helen Newberry Joy Hospital at the age of 87. Friends may

call at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on Friday May 24, 2019 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Funeral services

celebrating the life of Eldora will follow at 1:00 pm at the church with Pastor Melinda VanderSys

officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Home Cemetery in Newberry.

In addition to her parents, Eldora is preceded in death by her husband Alvin on March 12, 2019; siblings Mary

Yoder, Elnora Borntrager, Donna Biggerstaff and Veva Hershberger.

Survivors include her children John (Karen) Flatt of McMillan, Kristi Flatt of Wyoming and Keith (Diane) Flatt

of Wyoming; grandchildren Colleen (Jason) Wilson, Jonathan (Heather) Flatt and Meghan Flatt; great-

grandchildren Gavin and Carley Wilson, Madelynn and Nicholas Flatt; siblings Alvin (Maryanna) Miller and

Dale (Linda) Miller all of Kalona, Iowa; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family kindly requests that flowers are encouraged in addition to memorials directed to the Our Redeemer

Lutheran Church Youth Activity Fund in her memory.

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We are in need of counters! There are

several people who are willing to train you.

It generally takes about half an hour and it

is preferred to have it done after worship.

Other arrangements can be made as well.

Two people are required to count so you

don’t have to do this alone. If you are able

to assist, please sign the “God’s Disciples” sign up sheet or

contact a Church Council member.

Thank you for your important role in our Ministry!

Are you or someone in your

family graduating this year?

If so, please contact the

church office or Pastor

Melinda. We would like to recognize you

during Worship in May/June.

We have received the 2019 Schedule for Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp! Details are in the narthex and

on the bulletin board.

Please pray for those gathered in Escanaba for the Northern Great Lakes Synod Assembly which will be held May 16-18, 2019. No one volunteered to attend as a voting member. Pastor Melinda will attend as a clergy voting member.

ORLC News Notes

Crafters for Charity have changed their meeting date and time to the first Thursday of each month at 5:00pm. The next crafting night will be Thursday, May 2nd, at 5:00pm. All are welcome!

* * * * *

In an effort to eliminate making phone calls and leaving messages, there are sign up sheets posted in the hallway for Readers/Communion Assistants, Greeters, Ushers, Counters and Altar Guild. PLEASE feel free to sign up for an individual Sunday or a month. We greatly appreciate your assistance in our Services!

* * * * *

Please note the fee to rent Olson Hall is $50.00/event.

The form to rent the hall may be downloaded on the church’s website (www.redeem-me.org) or by contacting the church secretary.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is a

member congregation of the Northern

Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America.

To find out more information on the

work our Synod and the ELCA do as

God’s Church, please check out their web-

sites.

NGLS website: nglsynod.org

ELCA website: elca.org

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Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings in the name of our Redeemer and great Physician! May is a month full of activities and celebrations. There are First Communions and graduations, Mother’s Day, and National Nurses Week. During this very busy month, I would like to share with you some information about Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke. Healthy for Good (http://www.heart.org/healthyforgood) is a movement encouraging Americans to lead healthier lives. This is about taking small steps each day to make a big difference tomorrow. You can tackle several behaviors at once or take one at a time - but no matter where you start, the American Heart Association, your family, and church family can be there to cheer you on every step of the way. FOUR KEY CONCEPTS GROUND THE MOVEMENT EAT SMART: True nourishment involves making overall healthier eating choices each day. ADD COLOR: All forms of color count, just look at your plate and add some color whether, fruit veggies. Adding even one serving of color, each day is a great way to start building a healthier you. MOVE MORE: our bodies were built to move so they need daily activity to be healthy. Working out doesn’t have to take over your life - you can start by adding a few short burst of activity daily. BE WELL: For ultimate whole-body health, your mind and body need rest, reset, and recharge. Stress management, and quality sleep are just a few ideas for you to think about. FACTS ABOUT HEALTH LIVING 1. Poor diet is the #1 health problem in the United States. 2. Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and veggies is directly linked to a longer, healthier life. Remember 5 a

day and all the colors of the rainbow. 3. Being physically active improves length and quality of life. Just add 25 minutes of brisk walking a day can

add up to 7 years to your life. 4. Our mental health and physical health are linked. Seven to ten hours of sleep per night for adults is

generally recommended. 5. Avoid tobacco in all its forms to improve heart and brain health. Enough said.... I have added a separate page that will give additional information plus websites to help you develop your plan and goals. If there is any assistance I can help you with please call me at 906-420-3389. Wishing all a Happy Mother’s Day. In the Spirit of Health, Lynn

Parish Nurse NOTES May 2019

The Church Council did not meet in April. All Ministry reports will be held until after the Council has

reviewed them.

The next Council meeting will be held on May 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. Please note the change in date.

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Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Church Council

Youth Group News The Joint Youth Group from ORLC and FPC met on Sunday, April 14th, to enjoy some activities and Subway

sandwiches. They talked about upcoming events and activities. The youth are planning to see the movie

“Breakthrough” on Sunday, May 19th, at 2:00 p.m.

All youth in 7th—12th grades are invited to participate!

Congratulations to the winners

from the Youth Group’s Spring

Raffle……

Kid’s Easter Baskets: Larry Obey (2), Briana Derusha,

Joey Diem, Barbara Miller (2), Teresa Gaberdiel,

Grace Obey (2), Sharon Brown, Ken Darr and Carol

Anderson

Spring Plants: Larry Miller, Jan Maier, Penny Obey

and Jim Waybrant

Easter Lilies: Bruce Dake and Carole Foster

Book Baskets: Mary Nutkins and Art Kanne

Cookie Basket: Tina Brown

Baking Basket: Barb Pentland

Fishing Basket: Larry Obey

Chocolate Lover’s Basket: PJ & Nikki Costa and

Family

The Youth Group raised $411.00 towards their

activities!

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Wrap Up Time!

The Sunday School students will be going to

MacDonald’s on Sunday, May 5th. The last day

for Sunday School will be on May 19th.

We thank Penny Obey and Bob Moody for their

dedication to our Sunday School students this

year!

Enjoy your summer!

Pastor Melinda

If you have anything to submit for the monthly

Lamplighter, please email it to Pastor Melinda at

orlcrev@att.net by the third Friday of each

month.

Thank you!

FREE

COMMUNITY MEALS

will resume on

September 28, 2019

We thank you for your generous

support to the Utilities Fund! There

is enough in the Fund for this

heating season!!! We encourage you

to designate your contributions to

the General Fund.

Again, thank you for your support!

Is 9am on a Sunday morning too early?

Please feel free to worship at First

Presbyterian Church, our neighbors two

blocks away!

Worship begins at 11am with fellowship following.

Please put your offering in an envelope, mark ORLC on it, and

place it in their offering plate. It will be returned to ORLC for the

ministry and mission here!

Special thanks are extended to…

All who assist in Worship:

Readers, Holy Communion

Assistants, Greeters, Counters,

Altar Guild and Media Sound.

Your help is MUCH appreciated!

Going out of town? On vacation?

Or just want the ease of giving?

Please remember you may

contribute to the church

electronically by going to the

church’s website

(www.redeem-me.org) and click

on the myEoffering button.

If you need assistance, please feel

free to contact Paul Gaberdiel.

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BIRTHDAYS

1—Molly Tervo

1—Cindy Hellerstedt

3—James Mattson

9—Addison Schroeder

10—Mike Kalnbach

10—Collin Alexander

10—Franklin Uhlbeck

11—Derek Miller

11—Joshua Rovenko

13—Sean Dayton

13—Brian Ronquist

14—Donna Revord

15—Stan Ronquist

16—Joshua Rivard

BIRTHDAYS

17—Kaylen Clark

20—Erica Hilliard

24—Mya Tervo

24—Keith Rovenko

25—Steven Lane

27—Eliott Gordon

27—Dustin Gaberdiel

28—Dalliss Egert

29—Our Redeemer

Lutheran Church

29—Pete Miller

31—Tammy Salter

31—Erik Rocker

31—Jennie Snyder

Memorial Day—May 27th

For more information on Support Groups, please visit www.hnjh.org

Diabetic Support Group—May 3

Alzheimer’s Support Group—May 20

Parkinson’s Support Group—May 27

For now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers

appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of

the turtle-dove is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Pastor Melinda VanderSys * Cell (715) 212-5787 * Office Hours Mon. 10am-12pm; Tues. 1pm-5pm

or by appointment * orlcrev@att.net

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3:00pm First

Communion Class

3 4

9am-2pm Spring

Clean Fling (setup at

7:30am)

5:00pm Crafters

5 Third Sunday of Easter

9:00am Worship

Fellowship following Worship

10:15am Sunday School

6 7

4:00pm Christian Ed

8 9

3:00pm First

Communion Class

5:30pm

Social/Outreach

6:00pm Church

Council

10 11

12 Fourth Sunday of Easter

Mother’s Day

9:00am Worship

Fellowship following Worship

10:15am Sunday School

13 14

4:00pm Finance

4:30pm Stewardship

5:30pm Worship &

Music

15

5:00pm Mutual

Ministry at ORLC

16

5:00pm Community

Meal at FPC

Synod Assembly…….

17

Newsletter Deadline

to Pastor

In Escanaba………….

18

…………………..

19 Fifth Sunday of Easter 20 21 22 23 24 25

9:00am Worship

Fellowship following Worship

10:15am Sunday School-Last Day

26 Sixth Sunday of Easter

27 28 29 30 31

9:00am Worship

Fellowship following Worship

Memorial

Day

The Ascension of Our

Lord

Council

President:

DJ Obey

Parish Nurse:

Lynn Kihm, RN

(906) 420-3389

May 2019 Church Secretary: Kim Anderson

orlcsec@yahoo.com

(906) 293-8331

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

Newberry, Michigan

www.redeem-me.org