Greetings Redeemer’s family!

         I hope this message finds everyone doing well and enjoying their summer. We all have been waiting for this- to be able to sit outside and spend time with family and friends while sitting under the sun and relaxing. Summer is always a great time for us to be with our children and grandchildren. It keeps us young and active- sometimes very active. Seriously, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Love of family and friends is another one of God’s great gifts.  I always remain very grateful to be so blessed each day by all of them.  Living in gratitude gives each day a brighter perspective.  It allows all of us to approach each and every day with a smile and joy in our hearts and minds.  It supports empathy, it keeps you humble and strengthens humility. A grateful heart gives you what you need and lessens what you want. So, try and begin each morning of your life with the gift of gratitude.

         Everything at church is going well this summer.  As stated in Art’s message we are currently working on pricing for several projects and trying to keep up with everyday projects and repairs.  We are putting together, slowly, future repairs and projects to present to the congregation in the months to come. Stay tuned, more will be revealed!

         Please continue to have a safe and healthy summer.  Enjoy family and vacations!

With loving gratitude for all of my Redeemer’s family~~
Peace,  Steve

Greetings Redeemer's-ites

There is a lot going on around our building. First, a Thank You to Carol Schaafsma for her efforts to clean up the west side of the building. Currently there are yellow lilies (?) blooming. Also, Nancy is doing a great job of maintaining the little garden around the cross.

We have a bid outstanding to trim and pare some of our “heritage” trees particularly the large tree on the west side of the building in the parkway. Only the village is allowed to remove trees in the parkway but we can have it trimmed of dead branches. There are several other trees needing some maintenance. We used the same service about 2-3 years ago and we were happy with their work.

We also have an outstanding quote from US Water Proofing to patch foundation cracks in the north wall of the fellowship hall and around 2 pipes. They also pointed out two instances where we need to patch and re-caulk to stop water leaks, one in the boiler room and one in the classroom across from the men’s rest room downstairs.

Our front stairs need repair. Gary Rickert and Gary Miller will be doing some patch work and someone will come by to re-caulk. This is only a stop gap measure. We need to re-think how the “Face” of our church looks and that is a long term project.

And last but not least, there is the parking lot. Steve and Gary Miller and I will be doing some patching but ultimately what should happen is a complete repaving. Another big and expensive job.

I will be refreshing the mulch around the rest of the building as well as pulling weeds. We do what we can with what we have and we make do. The council thanks you all. And especially Mick for mowing the lawn. Blessings to you all.

Art James

Council Vice President


We wish we had been face to face to explain how good you guys have been to us. Life is very hard in a third world country where peace isn't guaranteed. We don't know how we would be able to give our utmost gratification. This is a true blessing! We would like the Redeemer's to know how better they have made our lives: such a great impact on our future.
May God bless each and every hand in the church.  May God bless you with health and a peaceful life!

~Elsabet and family

Vitas Healthcare

There are hospice patients in our area that would benefit greatly from your companionship & encouragement. We are currently looking for knitters, crocheters and sewers for our comfort care hospice program. Volunteers would create blankets, robes, draw string bags, prayer shawls and other needed items for hospice patients. Your volunteer time would suit your schedule and your location.

Also donations of yarn, fleece and material are also needed and welcomed!!!

Find out more about our amazing team of caring VITAS Volunteers by calling Joanna Voorhees at VITAS Healthcare of Chicagoland South,
708-781-4401

Woman to Woman

     I recently learned that when you put the two words book & club together, it is very intimidating.  I have this little movie group of 3 sometimes 4 of us and I brought up "Where the Crawdads Sing" as our next outing.  We had read the book and wanted to see how it compared to the movie.  I had also asked these same gals to come to book club when we discussed it a month ago.  Their answer was "absolutely not"!  They told me it was too daunting to answer questions like that because they just read for enjoyment.  Questions like what?

     How many of you enjoy reading and maybe even read the selections chosen for book club?  How many of you also think that we have some really deep, philosophical questions?  Boy, you couldn't be further from the truth!  We do talk about the characters but not character development.  We do touch on the plot and the prose.  But mostly, we talk!!

     If you like to read, try new snack recipes, gossip (oops! did I really say that?) enjoy fellowship, then you should come and join us.  Without naming any names, one gal used to rate the book on whether she finished it or not.  One gal can find a reference to the south and her time spent in the service.  One gal is sure to cry if there's an animal involved in the story.  One gal seems to find most books we've picked lately to be depressing.  We all have our comments and we all go off course answering the questions that the publisher gives to us.  Sometimes we spend more time chatting about ourselves than the book.  But either way, it's always a good time.

     Perhaps you don't like to drive at night.  We've got that covered too!!  We have the east party bus and the west party bus and we always have room for one more.  So, what do you say?  Will you consider coming at least once?  Check out the book for this month listed in this newsletter.  Debbie is a great hostess and always has something unique at the snack table.  We'd love to see you.

‘Til next month----------------
nice chatting with you,
Jan Strojny

The South Suburban Crisis Center is an ongoing project for the Women’s Group. During these trying times, women and children need help more than ever. Please keep them in your prayers.

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

Redeemer’s Little Free Pantry

is sponsoring a village wide school supply/backpack drive thru August 7th. This will be for children in need in the community.

Please drop off supplies in the box at the top of the inside stairs.

As always, thanks for your continued support of the pantry!

Marilyn

WOMEN’S GROUP NEWS

Happy HOT Summer!

After the outside service on August 7th, a light breakfast will be provided by the Women’s Group.

Christmas in September~

The ladies in the Women’s Group have been hard at work on crafts. A craft show is scheduled for September 11th, Cash and checks only, please.

The monies from the craft show will be put towards a Christmas gift for the South Suburban Crisis Center.

Thank you all for your support!

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.

Please Pray for:

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Fern Schara, Dolores Sheputis, Shirley Aggen & family, Devin Rininger, Jim Lillie, Mary, Bob Graniczny, Amber Calhoun, Gus Scott, Joanne, Eddie McDermott, John & Charlotte, Ryder Conrad, Melissa Richards, Erica Stotts, Cassie Attwood, Walt, Sondra, Cory, Megan, Dylan Cummens, Pete & Debbie Animagi, Susan Zarenga, Betty Geneser, Tom Stormer, Ken Fiore, Lisa Weaver, Barbara Cella, Jeff Franks, Ken, Tom, Kelly, Chris Nieft, Curt Byrom, Theo, Carol Schara, Cindy, Carole, Donna Carver, Tom DeLeeuw, Mary Gunderson, Noah Coyle, Althea. Ron Dohm, Tammy & John, Kevin.

God's blessings on Wayne and Trella as they make a move to Arizona

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)

  • Connie Martin & Jan Strojny for the wonderful goodies in the May Day bags
  • All who participated in the Thrivent sponsored Canned Good Drive
  • All who participated in the PET food drive
  • All who attended the 5th Anniversary celebration
  • Nicky V’s Hot Dogs
  • Nancy Ulloa, Carol Schaafsma, and Winnie French for providing/ planting flowers (real & artificial) around the church
  • Those who contributed to the geranium/ flower fund
  • Mick Strojny for maintaining the church lawns year after year
  • Gary Rickert and any other “church mice” who take care of things that we don’t even notice
  • Linda McHugh for bringing Christian education to our young people

SOMEONE’S IN THE KITCHEN WITH ~ Jan Strojny
PINEAPPLE WHITE CHOCOLATE BARS

CRUST:

2 cups salted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp
4 cups flour

TOPPING:

12, 25-ounce jar pineapple ice cream topping
12-ounce bag white chocolate chips
preheat oven to 325degrees

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick baking spray.  Mix the above crust ingredients (easier if done with electric mixer.)  Measure out 1 cup of dough and put in plastic bag and then in fridge.  Press the rest of the dough into the prepared pan and up the sides half-inch. Bake your bottom crust at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.  Take out of oven (don't turn oven off) and place on stovetop for 15 minutes.

After crust has cooled, take the lid off the pineapple topping and put jar in microwave and heat on HIGH for 15 to 20 seconds.  Cool 1 minute then pour over your crust.  Smooth out to edges.  Sprinkle chips over pineapple topping.  Take the remaining dough from fridge  and crumble over the pineapple/chips.  Return to oven and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crumbles on top are a light golden brown.

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.