Assimilation
To ensure that we are connecting our members to Jesus, His word and each other; reflecting His love in word and deed.
The purpose of this group is to improve the assimilation or integration of members into the activities of the church. This
has been described as "the task of moving people from an awareness of your church to attendance at your church to active
membership in your church."
This team of people strives to accomplish its goals through various means which begins at the front doors of the Narthex.
Click on the following services to view a description in a pop-up window.
The committee typically meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Teresa Fairow
at 351-6529.
Education
This committee works closely with the Director of Youth Ministry and Director of Children's Education, overseeing all of
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church's educational ministries. These ministries include Sunday School, Midweek and Confirmation
Classes, Vacation Bible School, Adult Bible Classes, and Kids' Clubs. For more information, contact Cindy Penney at 354-1453.
Our Redeemer is always looking for qualified and capable teachers. Teachers are needed for Adult, Youth, and Children classes.
If you are interested in being a teacher, contact the church office at 338-5626.
Elders
Visit the Elders' page to
find out who the current elders are.
An elder must be dedicated to God's Word and live as an example to other members. The Elders consists of eight men elected
at the September voters meeting for two-year terms. The terms are staggered. So, new elders are added annually. Generally
each elder serves two terms, but the second is strictly voluntary. Elders assist with worship services in such ways as Holy
Communion, Scripture reading, special prayers and Baptism. Each elder is assigned a zone consisting of 40-60 member
families. Zones are determined alphabetically by last name. Elders communicate with their zone members by visits, mail,
phone calls or an occasional chat while at church. It is the elders' desire to keep in touch with member's spiritual and physical
needs.
Each elder is responsible as a prayer partner with another committee chair and concerns himself with the spiritual welfare
of the person and committee involved. Regular elder meetings are scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each
month. For more information, contact Carlin Parish at 338-7678.
Family Night
This committee seeks to place before the congregation, on a regular basis, opportunities for Bible-centered growth events
and training to assist in every aspect of family life (young couples group, parenting skills, listening skills, relationship
building, family devotion resources and so on) in order that our homes would be places of joy, encouragement and growth.
For more information, contact Lea Snedden at 319-895-0505.
Additional Film Nights could be planned during the year. Carefully read Reflections and the Beacon to learn of such
opportunities.
Human Care
Human Care is the love of God reaching out through His people, the Church, ministering compassionately to the entire
spectrum of the human being -- the spiritual, physical, emotional, social and economic. Its focus is that whatever work
is undertaken is based on the redemptive work of Jesus and endeavors to communicate Him to others as meaningfully
as possible through the help extended.
It is God's love that stimulates and sustains us in the exercise of social ministry. Social ministry is a response, not something
that we initiate or generate out of our own interests or resources. It originates outside of us. It occurs as we are confronted
and affected by others. It's God's love for us put into actions.
ANGEL TREE PROJECT: The Angels Are Coming! Members of Our Redeemer have the opportunity to participate
in serving those less fortunate through the Angel Tree Prison Ministry Project sponsored by the Human Care Committee.
Angel Tree is a program of Prison Fellowship where the children of prisoners are given Christmas gifts on behalf of the
parent since he or she is unable to do so while incarcerated.
We request the names of approximately 40 children and each is represented by two angels on the tree-one for a clothing
item and one for a toy or non-clothing item. The family will also be represented by an angel tag for one or two grocery
certificates (depending on the size of the family). Each gift should cost no more than $25. Each angel tag will identify
the first name of the child, gender, age, sizes, gift wishes and when the gifts need to be returned to the church.
Angels will be available for selection before, after and between services beginning in the Advent season.
When you select an angel(s), you will be asked to sign out the angel with your name and phone number. Angels
occasionally get lost or misplaced during the busy Holiday season, so having registering which angel you took will
help to prevent someone not getting a gift. All gifts need to be wrapped and returned to the church.
STAR TREE PROJECT: The Human Care Committee also sponsors the Star Tree project. This project provides
gloves, mittens, scarves, and other items of warmth that are donated to the Iowa City Community School District for
needy children. The schools give them to children who need these items to get them through the cold winter. When
you bring a gift, a star is added to the tree. Let's fill the tree with as many stars as we can!
PRIME TIME DINNER: Each year, the Human Care Committee hosts a Prime Time Dinner for Senior Citizens
at Our Redeemer Everyone age 60 and older is invited to enjoy this Thanksgiving type dinner. Following the dinner,
special entertainment will be provided. This year, the Prime Time Dinner will be held on Sunday, November 1 following
the late worship service.
The committee meets on a monthly basis. For more information, contact Dean Johnson at 338-1954.
Health Ministries And Parish Nurse
This ministry is a Christian service shaped by Christ's concern for all aspects of the human condition, and directed to
the service of the whole person. Health Ministries responds to the health needs of the congregation and promotes
wellness of the body, mind and spirit. The Parish Nurse is an advocate for members who are facing health challenges.
The role includes counselor, facilitator, health prevention, and referral source. Coordinated efforts include: Blood Drive
Blood Pressure and Stroke Screening CPR/ADE Certification Flu Vaccine Clinics Grief Support Hospital Discharge Planning
Services.
Members with health concerns who would like to visit with the Parish Nurse should contact Joyce Roberson at 358-9714
or leave a message at the church office at 338-5626. Office hours are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. every Friday.
Mission
The fulfilling of the Great Commission is an important segment of our church ministry. A percentage of our general budget
is given for District and Synodical missions. Plus, the congregation supports special mission endeavors such as the Johnson
Country Crisis Center, our sister church in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, Lutheran Family Services, Lutheran Hour,
and Orphan Grain Train to name a few. The Mission Committee brings in mission speakers as it seeks to inform, educate,
motivate, and involve members of the congregation regarding mission work, on a national and global level. Their work
includes mission news items and support of a specific missionary or mission field. Each year, the committee plans a mission
trip either in the United States or overseas for staff and laity. To support their endeavors, the Mission Committee organizes
fundraisers including a mission auction. PANCAKE DAY Pancake Day has been a long standing tradition at Our Redeemer.
Originally, Pancake Day supported our 511 Melrose mission effort. Last year, it supported the Johnson Country Crisis Center.
Who will Pancake Day support this year? That is yet unknown, but suffice it to say that some mission will be supported.
March 13, 2010 CONTACT For more information about the Mission Committee, contact the church office at 338-5626.
MISSION SUNDAY: On October 11, Pastor Hedtke will share his mission experiences from Thailand. Pastor
Hedtke will be preaching and leading the Sunday School hour. Listen as he engages us in the culture of and life in
Thailand through his travel logs and Gospel sharing experiences.
Outreach
This committee contacts and meets with visitors who attend one or more of our worship services. The purpose is to
answer questions, encourage more worship attendance and further involvement in activities of the Our Redeemer
congregation. The board also administers the greeter program so that members and visitors are warmly welcomed as
they come in to worship through one of the three entrances to the church building. The Outreach Committee provides
educational opportunities for people to learn how to better share their faith with anyone and everyone. It is the committee's
commission to "Go and make disciples of all nations..." For information, contact Fern Parish at 338-7678.
Properties
The Church Properties Committee is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Church, church grounds, and
parsonage. This is done through both contract and volunteer work. For more information, contact Rob Bowman at 351-2071.
Stewardship and Spiritual Gifts
As we have received many gifts from our gracious God--Time, Spiritual Gifts and Talents, Financial Resources--we are
called to be good managers of these gifts for the good of the Body of Christ. This committee encourages the members
in their life of stewardship. For more information, contact Gary Johnson at 358-8972.
Youth
This committee oversees and plans activities and fundraisers for the LYF (grades 9-12), ORKS (grades 7-8) and Jr.
ORKS (Grades 5-6). Members attend training sessions and workshops and meet monthly as scheduled. Youth Ministry
is always looking for chaperones and volunteers. Please contact the Director of Youth Ministry, Kaja Mueller at 338-5626.
