Special Announcements
As we approach the Lenten season, I have started singing some of my favorite Lenten hymns. These hymns have entered my heart over time and I blessed to have them as a resource for my faith journey. Here are some of them:
“Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, till all the world adore his sacred name.”
“Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you.”
“Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of the our life’s wild restless sea; day by day his sweet voice sounding, saying, ‘Christian, follow me.’”
“Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, how precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers toils and snares, I have already come.
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”
I suspect each of you have hymns that bless you and strengthen your faith. Over the centuries, Christians have found it helpful to cherish these gifts together, bear witness to the blessings of our faith and support each other in the challenges we are facing.
On February 18, we will begin our Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday worship. The season of Lent will be observed in our Sunday Faith and Life forums after worship, supporting each other by exploring questions of faith. We will discuss topics like forgiveness, loving our neighbor and
how the stories of Jesus and his disciples inform our faith life. We will discuss the blessings and challenges of following Jesus in our lives right now. We will also dedicate time to bring up topics of interest and continue reflecting on the sermon for the day.
The Lenten season is an opportunity to discover the life and calling of Jesus for all of us. I look forward to walking the journey with you.
In Christ,
Pastor Soren Flessen
Dear Redeemer’s Family,
Happy New Year!! It sure is cold and brisk this January. I hope everyone is staying warm and dealing with the weather. Be safe and careful out there!
Debby and I are finally out of our old house now and looking for our new home. We will temporarily be staying with my sister-in- law at her home in Arlington Heights. Looking forward to being closer to Danielle, Ethan and Amalia. With God’s grace and our prayers, we hope to find that new condo by May or June. Some
mixed feelings about leaving our old house after 21 years, but excited about our new journey! We have learned to put our trust with God’s plan and will.
I would like to personally thank everyone for their generosity in the special giving we had over the last 3 months to help replenish our reserve funds. God is truly alive in our congregation working together as a family we raised $11,005.00!! May we continue to be blessed and held in God’s loving embrace. I am so proud to be a member of this congregation. May we continue to thrive and carry the message of God’s love for the world. Blessings to all!
As we begin our journey towards lent and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our savior and Lord, here are some dates to remember. Ash Wednesday- Feb. 18, lent begins. Faith Forum discussion group begins Sunday, Feb. 22nd through Sunday, Feb. 29th, Palm Sunday. Meal in the Upper Room (MIUR)- Thursday April 2, which will include Good Friday Service of stripping of the altar. Finally, Easter Sunday- Resurrection Sunday, April 5. This is always a very faithful and meaningful time to the congregational family here at Redeemer’s. I encourage all to gather with us this Lenten season.
In closing, let me say that it is my honor and privilege to be your council president all these years. I have been blessed by so many loving and dear friends. With the grace of God and all our prayers I hope for continued life of this congregation.
Love, your humble servant,
Steve
Volunteering is important because it strengthens communities by providing essential support to those in need, while offering volunteers significant personal benefits like improved mental and physical health, new skills, stronger social connections, and a greater sense of purpose and life satisfaction, making it a powerful "win-win" for both givers and receivers.
According to Google AI:
For the Community:
- Provides essential services: Many non-profits and community programs couldn't operate without volunteers to help build, support, and run their initiatives.
- Builds stronger communities: It unites people with shared values, strengthens local initiatives, and helps address local needs, from environmental projects to supporting families.
- Fosters civic engagement: It encourages citizens to take an active role in improving their surroundings and becoming more empathetic community members.
For the Volunteer:
- Boosts mental & physical health: It reduces stress, combats loneliness, fights depression, improves mood, and can even lower the risk of heart disease.
- Increases self-esteem & purpose: Doing good for others provides a sense of accomplishment, pride, and meaning, boosting confidence and life satisfaction.
- Develops new skills & career opportunities: Volunteers gain valuable work experience, learn new skills (like communication, patience, resilience), and build professional networks.
- Expands social circles: It's a great way to meet new people with similar interests, build strong relationships, and connect with diverse individuals.
- Provides new experiences: Volunteering can help you explore new passions, broaden horizons, and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and life circumstances.
Volunteering is important because it strengthens communities by providing essential support to those in need, while offering volunteers significant personal benefits like improved mental and physical health, new skills, stronger social connections, and a greater sense of purpose and life satisfaction, making it a powerful "win-win" for both givers and receivers.
Art James
Council Vice President
Save the Date:
IN JANUARY
- Jan 1 New Year's Day
- Jan 6 The Epiphany of Our Lord
- Jan 14 Council Meeting, 7pm
- Jan 19 Martin Luther King's Birthday
- Jan 20 Book club 7pm "The Push"
IN FEBRUARY
- Feb 14 Valentine's Day
- Feb 15 The Transfiguration of Our Lord
- Feb 18 Ash Wednesday 7pm Worship in the Sanctuary
IN MARCH
- Mar 29 Palm Sunday
🥂🎉🎊🎆🎈🥂🎉🎊🎆🎈
JANUARY
BIRTHDAYS
- Jan 1 Erica Strojny
- Jan 12 Chuck Schara
- Jan 15 Robert Marquardt
- Jan 21 Amy Ogarek
- Jan 24 Mary Ann White
- Jan 24 Jeff Kanack
- Jan 27 Gina Graniczny
- Jan 31 Jennifer Kanacki
JANUARY
ANNIVERSARIES
- Jan 24 Gary & Sherri Miller
🥂🎉🎊🎆🎈🥂🎉🎊🎆🎈
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS
- Feb 7 Abigail Besowshek
- Feb 10 Dan Frawley
- Feb 11 Marilyn Fisher
- Feb 18 Jim Mueller
- Feb 20 Pam Walsh
- Feb 21 Wayne Trella
- Feb 28 Connie Martin
- Feb 28 Sue Hecht
✝️ 📖 🙏 🕊️ ✝️ 📖 🙏 🕊️
FEBRUARY
READERS
- Feb 1 Tony Ogarek
- Feb 8 Gary Rickert
- Feb 15 Deb Nowlan
- Feb 22 Dan Frawley
🥂🎉🎊🎆🎈🥂🎉🎊🎆🎈
MARCH
BIRTHDAYS
- Mar 11 Joan Coyle
- Mar 12 Diane Hein
- Mar 17 Pat Kropack
- Mar 17 Dorothy Kropack
- Mar 23 Patti Schoenbeck
- Mar 23 Tony Ogarek
- Mar 27 Jim Thrun
- Mar 31 Ray White
MARCH
ANNIVERSARIES
- Mar 18 Jim & Sophie Mueller
- Mar 19 Ray & Deb Majewski
✝️ 📖 🙏 🕊️ ✝️ 📖 🙏 🕊️
MARCH
READERS
- Mar 1 Alec Ogarek
- Mar 8 Andrew Ogarek
- Mar 15 Bob Hecht
- Mar 22 Erica Strojny
- Mar 29 Jerry Marquardt
Updated per newsletter.
Woman to Woman:
WOMAN TO WOMAN:
So, I am the type of person who can walk from one room to another and not know why I've gone there. I know I had a reason when I began my trek, but I lost it on the way. Sometimes I try backing up in hopes it might come to me.
Names! Isn't it embarrassing when you know you know but you draw a blank? I realize that our names are important to us, and we don't want to be forgotten. That's why I think name tags should be mandatory. They should be pinned on us at birth and removed after the funeral. Think of all the awkward moments that could alleviate.
Have you ever been digging through a drawer when all of a sudden you
realize you don't know what you're looking for? If anyone is watching me, I just
keep digging. I've found a lot of lost items that way.
It's disconcerting for me to dial the phone, and by the time the call connects, to find my mind has disconnected - I've forgotten whom I'm calling. Sometimes I hang up until I remember. Other times I listen in hopes I'll recognize the voice. Occasionally I've been brave and confessed to the anonymous party that I can't remember whom I dialed and hope they'll claim me. The point I'm trying to make is.....is....is
Til next time -------------nice chatting with you
Jan Strojny
Make sure you change your clocks
before going to bed on Saturday March 7!
Our hearts and prayers go out to:
The family and friends of Bill Woolard , especially, Jim Woolard and family on the passing of his brother.
May they all be comforted by the resurrection and the life yet to come.
Crisis Center:
We had a presentation in March by Jennifer Kanacki to educate the congregation on the Crisis Center of South Suburbia. During this time, envelopes were passed out so that members could make a donation to this worthy cause. We will be accepting donations until Easter. Please make checks out to Redeemer’s and put a comment on your envelope about the amount and write Crisis Center, so that it will be directed to them. Thank you for your support.
Domestic Violence Outreach Services
(Crisis Center for South Suburbia)
- 24-hour hotline~ 708-429-SAFE (7233)
- Live Safe Patient Advocacy
- Law Enforcement Victim Outreach
- Community Education
All services are free and confidential
WWW.crisisctr.org
OUR CURRENT SELF HELP GROUPS’ MEETINGS
- SUNDAY~ AA 7pm
- MONDAY~ AA 10:30am/ NA 7pm
- TUESDAY~ ❖
- WEDNESDAY ~AA 10:30am/ OA 7:30pm/ NA 7pm
- THURSDAY ~TOPS 5:30pm/ NA 7pm
- FRIDAY ~ SSACNA 2nd Friday/month 7:30pm
- SATURDAY~ NA 10:00am
Blessings:
God's blessings on the congregation at Redeemer's, and their families throughout the fall season!
Little Free Pantry:
Once again I will be doing Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas dinners/w stockings for the kids. The Thanksgiving event will be held on Saturday the Nov. 22nd, and the Christmas event will be held on Saturday the Dec. 20th. Rather than put a list in the newsletter, I’ll have Deb put them in the weekly bulletin. For the Christmas stockings, they will be for children from 1-12. The Dollar store is a great place to find things, or small denominations of gift cards from McDonalds or the like, are welcomed These events are so needed in the community and people count on them to make their holidays easier. I am truly blessed to be able to have the support to do these events.
Marilyn
Please continue to donate graciously!
Samaritan's Purse
LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Join us on Wednesday, February 18 at 7pm for Ash Wednesday worship
Palm Sunday, March 29, 9:30am
Thursday, April 2:
Combined Meal in the Upper Room /
Good Friday Worship 7pm
There will be NO worship on Friday, the 3rd
Sunday, April 5: 9:30am
The Resurrection of Our Lord!
Also, don’t forget our “Faith and Life Forums” held right after worship on Feb. 22, March 1, 8,15, and 22nd.
BOOK CLUB. . .
FEBRUARY
BOOK CLUB
Please inform the office for any name removals or additions. Thank you
FEBRUARY SELECTION~ “The Last Thing He Told Me” by Hannah Hall
Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.
As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.
Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they’re also building a new future—one neither of them could have anticipated.
Join us on February 23, 7pm at the home of Deb Frawley for refreshments and discussion.
📚 📙 📖 👨🏫 🎒 📙 📔 📘 🔖 📕 📖 📗
MARCH
BOOK CLUB
MARCH TBD
Help:
THRIVENT MEMBERS Please contact Deb Frawley or Marilyn Fisher to find out how you can help the Pantry and/ or church out financially!
Things To Do:
Edizon Dayao
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Edizon has performed at the senior luncheon for several years. He plays many instruments including the sax, keyboard and guitar. His music ranges from the 60s to the present.
Park Place at Central
15601 S. Central Avenue
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Doors Open 10 AM
Entertainment 11 AM
Admission $7
Oak Forest Senior Commission
Lunch & Bingo
Get your tickets at City Hall 15440 S. Central Avenue
708-687-4050
Edizon Dayao Is A Senior Luncheon Favorite! Be Sure To Get Your Tickets Today!
Please Pray for. . .
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
Fern Schara, Pat Kropack, Diana Carr, Mike & Traci Stephens, Lottie White, Pete & Debbie Animagi, Gus Scott, Joanne, John, Ryder Conrad, Carole, Tom DeLeeuw, Noah Coyle, Kevin, Nick, Percy, Tommie, Steve S, Ralph, Virginia Drogula, Carol Burge, Bev, Silvia Magana, Howard Doyle, Chris McAuliff, Mike, Bob Graniczny, Kris Neumann, Kristen Richardson, Kim Wisnewski, Gary Miller, Russ; Amber, Tim Dragoon, Jim Mueller, Ralph Mueller, Sommer Trella, Jennifer J, Courtney Flynn, Blake Murphy, Scott & Brandy, Phil Peloquin, Hayley Jeralowicz, Cheryl, Matt Kuh, Joan Coyle, Greg, Dave Dau, Steve Kryl, Brett, Billy Mueller, Laura Beschowek, Wayne Kaleziak, Eric Nehmzow, Tim Anthony, John Tondini, Marie Burge.
🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏
Please inform the office for any name removals or additions. Thank you
Please remember to donate food, money and other resources to your local organizations who are supplying those in need.
Also, don’t forget-- to help Marilyn in supplying her pantry. Any large donations, please put in bag and leave by the back door, or contact Marilyn at 708-687-2432 and she can meet up with you. Monetary donations are always accepted and can be sent to church. If you are sending a check, please make it out to Marilyn Fisher.
Kind Words
Dear Redeemer’s Lutheran Church,
Thank you for your gift of $300 to help individuals and families escape homelessness this Spring season. As you know, we sheltered in place and followed CDC and State government guidance in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Your support helped us pivot services to keep homeless individuals and families safe at local hotels, as all congregate shelters closed, while continuing to provide essential lifesaving services. Thank You!
Sincerely,
Rohit D’Souza,
Philanthropy Manager, PADS
I pray this letter finds you and your congregation hopeful and enjoying the waning weeks of summer during these unprecedented times. As always, thank you for your generous support of the ELCA, the synod, and our shared ministry. The impact that our congregations have in the world is truly amazing! I am proud to be a part of this effort and look forward to working with all of you in finding new, faithful ways to continue this inspiring work of Kingdom Building.
Many blessings of thanks!
Heather Haynes,
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
Dear Redeemer’s Lutheran Church
Thanks be to God for YOU! Your support through your benevolence and other giving is a blessing.
Please keep Bishop Curry and the MCS staff and all congregations of the synod in your prayers as we continue to press through this new way of being.
In Christ, Heather Haynes (Executive Assistant to the Bishop)
To the Redeemer's Family!
Connie Martin
TRIPLE BERRY CRISP
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ c. fresh blackberries
- 1 ½ c. fresh raspberries
- 1 ½ c. fresh blueberries
- ¼ c. sugar
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- 2 c. rolled oats
- 1 ½ c. packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ c cold butter, cubed
👩🏻🍳🍴🍽️🍛🥗😋🍕🥤🍔👨🏻🍳👩🏻🍳🍴🍽️🍛🥗😋🍕🥤🍔👨🏻🍳
- preheat oven to 350
- Gently toss together all the berries, and white sugar in a large bowl; set aside.
- Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate large bowl.
- Cut in butter with 2 knives or a pastry blender until crumble mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press ½ of the crumble into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan.
- Cover with berry mixture. Sprinkle remaining crumble over berries.
- Bake in the preheated oven until fruit is bubbly and the top is golden brown. 30-40 minutes.
- Serve with whipped cream. Enjoy!
The Redeemer's website is maintained by Jerry Marquardt
New to Redeemer's? Here are some common questions
You’ll find everything from jeans to casual clothes to business suits at our worship experiences. At Redeener's, we don't care about what you look like or what you wear. We want you to be comfortable.
If you are visiting us for the first time, we will not ask you to stand up or ask you to give money. Many people want to check out a church and “be anonymous” for a while. That's ok by us!
It can be a intimidating visiting a church for the first time. So we will do our best to welcome you. We are dedicated to making sure you feel right at home. We'll answer any questions you have and make sure you get a hot cup of coffee and know exactly where to go.
When you get here, just head straight upstairs (or take the elevator) to our narthex to sign in! Your family is in good hands!
Giving is entirely up to you. If this is your first visit, we don't want you to feel any obligation to give. You are our honored guest. Also, if you start attending regularly, you'll only be expected to give what you feel you should.