The July Door opens to folks saying, "Oh my.....we have just passed the hundredth day of Coronavirus outbreak, AKA, "Lockdown", AKA, "Solitude". Henri Nouwen, a spiritual director said, "Solitude is the "furnace of transformation." He further says that the place of struggle is the place of retreat. Ultimately, however (when understood rightly), it is the place of freedom. Those in solitude can journey from terror to freedom.

One hundred and some days ago, we were called to the place to try, as best we can, to make a life. Many folks know that this is not a vacation - and we have been afraid. We have no readily available spiritual director to guide us, nor do we have a former journey like this to guide us. This is new!

If you're waiting for the good news, you found it. We are not alone. God is where we are, not in an idea setting where we would rather be. God is with us where we don't want to be. It is in the very midst of this struggle of being alone, being distanced from others, where we reach inward and discover that we can't do this alone. Yes, we need communication. There, that's better. We say, "I can do this. All I need is to talk to someone each day." That only runs so far, though. There are still the deep seated roots of who each of us are; the moments and segments of our lives no one else knows about (or probably don't care about).

This is where and when God comes to us. When we are finally humbled by the solitude of the desert; when we can no longer believe we can do this alone; when we are faced with our limitations; when we are no longer our own hero, the wall comes to meet us. God meets us at that wall, peels us off of, and away from, that structure, and says, "I am here with you."

These moments of grace are pure. These graces are unconditional. They are abounding. When you find them, enjoy them with gusto! There is no other grace as evident and powerful than when it is least expected. Our creating and redeeming and surprising God is saying over and over again, "I love you. You are mine. Your are good." Lean right into it, and see what God does next!

May I hold the door for you?

Pastor Housewright

Note: more than just a couple of these thoughts came from Lucila Crena, a doctoral student in theology, ethics, and culture at the University of Virginia. We thank her tremendously!

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We thought it would be interesting if we kept in touch with each other, through articles sent in to Pastor Grant and the church office. These articles could communicate how we are doing and what we are doing through this Coronavirus pandemic. If anyone would like to contribute something, please do! You can email your article to: nancyandgrant@sbcglobal.net">nancyandgrant@sbcglobal.net or to elcr@att.net">elcr@att.net
We will include it in next month’s mini fold.

The first article is from Mimi Chance:

“The ‘Pain’ demic of 2020”

Having spent quite a bit of time on my own lately, I imagine I’m more used to being alone now, so being committed to the house has not been too bad for me, but I do miss my friends at church. Being in solitude now has given me time to reflect on my life as it’s been – learned a lot. Some I could have done differently, but all in all, I’ve made it to 90 and a lot to tell.

One thing I would like to say, I would have been lost without a church home and God’s constant rearing. I was the youngest of four, but was the one always wanting to know more about God and feeling his protection and company.

I always asked my friends if I could go to church with them. Although I went as a child on my own, there was always a need to know more and still is, that I will always have my needs and beliefs to keep me going day to day and the common Word that will always persist.

I pray for unity with all peoples with the same goals being shared.

I miss the routine and schedules and the friends I’ve bonded with and hope we can overcome all the hurt and anger that has been occurring, and a lot of it is like a game we played as a child, “follow the leader”, but most in our world of plenty shouldn’t be. I don’t feel how anyone is being left out of anything, and respect etc. is something to be earned, “Momma” said.

I feel a part of something so wonderful and grows with age, and we’re blessed with a very wonderful and caring Pastor and wife. Just continue to love one another as God meant. Look what he gave you! Embrace it!

Love to all,

Mimi Chance

We love you, too, Mimi! Thank you for writing an article for us this month!

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3D196372-64BF-4186-8173-9B90D3B04F94

5 Gia Cantu

8 Robin Work

9 Danielle Work

13 Ron Huebner

14 Anaya Grace Peguero

17 Theresa Natividad

19 Nancy Housewright

22 Andrea Saenz

24 Patricia Delgado

We have no July anniversaries on file.

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Melvin and Thelma Schulte

Delaney South Shore Retirement Community

2605 Marina Bay Drive

League City, TX 77573

Hospitalized & recovering:

Madeleine Campbell

Redeemer Prayer List

The Family of Debbie Adams, Judy Adams, Monica Allen, Jessica Anselment, Laurie Aubin, Mariah Bell, Kenneth Bishop, Patsy Maureen Blair, Deborah Bostwick, Bill Chambles,

Mimi Chance, Edna Cole, Maria Aurelia Cordova, Israel Cruz, Lucille Dailey-Metcalf,

Casey A.K. Davis IV, Thomas Davis, Bobbie Dean, Parker Dixon, Lance Dromgoole,

Antonio Duarte, Mary Duron, Rocky Espinosa, The Family of Jose Owen Flores, Jesus Garza, William Giddens, Manny Gonzalez, Monica Gonzales, The Family of Ruthie Goolsby,

Sharon Timmerman Graves, Tamara Handerson, Steve Helmke, Priscilla Hilmers, Sue Hill, Fran Hington, Michael Holm, Olga Holten, Jon Johansen, Alex Kavlaski,

The Family of Eddie League, Josh Leamons, Donna Leonard, Martha Limon, Maria M. Lopez,

Tanzy Lopez, Nathan Maldonado, Cynthia Martinez, Pat Maxwell, The Family of Gene Mayes,

Cris McFarland, Christopher Mendoza, Phil Miller, Wallace Montalvo, Sally Musachea,

Veronica Natividad, Guadalupe Ordaz, Rosa Ortiz, Bonnie Pierson, Erin Pereira, Olivia Pereira,

Harry Podszus, Esther Maurine Roberts, Cesar Rodriguez, Norma Saenz, Richard Salias,

Melvin & Thelma Schulte, Margot Noelle Sharp, Evan Smith, Roy Soraiz, Pamela Swafford,

Larry Stormer, David Taylor, Rosie Tello, Laura Thac, Rosie Trevino, Julius Trotter,

Jyme Tyson, Carlos Villagomez, Raul Villagomez, Bonnie Walker, Oliver Walkup,

Dorothy White, Hudson Wiggins, Jimmie Wilkins, Terry & Jerry Wilkins, Nannette Zertuche.

CBBB7F68-1877-4C5B-A591-0C973F78CDD1

May 2020 Fold

17BFB52E-E21D-43F0-B876-70A428CA5B56

May “Our Fold” mini-newsletter

Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

In light of the current circumstances with the Coronavirus,

Our newsletter will not be sent in its usual format.

The important information that you might need in the month of May

will be in this mailing.

Please note

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, all events are cancelled through the end of May.

This includes Worship, Sunday Morning Small Group Bible Study, Young at Heart,

Altar Guild, Martha/Dorcas, Men’s Breakfast, Council Meetings

We will be mailing and emailing our bulletins for worship.

Sermon & music videos will be sent through email.

Coronavirus Synod Guidelines

The three bishops of Texas and Louisiana sent out a notice revealing a three-phase plan to gather again for worship. We were told that until the following criteria is met, we will not be able to enter Phase One, "which allows churches, arenas, movie theatres, et al, may reopen, but observe strict social distancing protocols". (There is more to Phase One but, for now, that is the gist for you and me for the present moment.)

--- 14 days of declining symptoms

--- 14 days of declining cases

--- Hospitals able to treat all patients without crises care

--- Robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing

"Texas and Louisiana have not yet seen 14 days of declining cases.”

"Once a community has seen 14 days of declining cases, and hospitals are not overloaded, churches may begin to meet in person, though we will need to practice extreme hygiene and social distancing. The fellowship hall/gathering space should remain closed. We will provide recommendations for social distancing at church, along with some liturgical recommendations for the first Sunday back."

Our office manager wipes everything down on those days she and I meet (Tuesdays and Wednesdays presently). We practice social distancing. If Nancy and I go up there to do a video, we wipe everything down, also.

The time will come to meet again. When that time comes, we have a lot of work to do, preparing our Sanctuary for safe distancing. We will need to wipe down after each service. Things will require cooperation from all of us, and working together to make this possible. Communion will be different. Everything will be different. But our God remains the same. Our church mission remains the same. Acceptance is the key to making this happen.

Meanwhile, stay safe and healthy! Be patient. Be wise.

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AT THE DOOR

The May door opens:

to how we can continue to keep faith and hope

when these two brilliant gifts from God

might not be readily apparent and/or at least visible.

A couple of weeks ago, I was cruising the TV channels -- maybe something will catch my eye. I happened across another Noah's Ark movie; one I hadn't seen before, dated 2015, starring David Threlfall. At the point where I tuned in, Noah was sitting on a rock at the edge of his land when an angel of God appeared to Noah and told him that God wanted him to build the ark. I know you are well aware of the story; about how he became the laughing stock of the surrounding community. A boat in the desert - yeah, right!

Even though there have been a number of films about Noah, what caught me was this: even when there was no proof that God had sent the messenger/angel, he kept hold. Even though there was not one shred of proof that God made a promise, he held on. His family refused to help him with the construction. His wife, too, was beginning to doubt his sanity. She asked him, "when do you expect it to rain?" His reply, "all I know is that when the ark is completed it will rain. That's what I believe."

When she went back to their sons and instructed them to help their father complete his work, they asked why. She said, "He believes in God, and I believe in him, because I love him." The ark was completed. Noah stared into the heavens and yelled, "Okay God. I have done what you have asked me to do. Now it's your turn!" Nothing. You know the rest of the story. Of course, it rained. It's all based on the gift of faith and accepting that gift.

My friends, God offers faith and hope every day. We awake - there it is. What shall we do? I can truly suggest what not to do. We live in times of more uncertainty than we have ever imagined. We have lived many weeks and many mornings wondering what the news reports are going to broadcast. When will the data curve straighten out? When will it end? Will there be enough groceries?

God sent the angel to Noah, assuring him that God's word is true. Please know, each of us, that God just might be sending you to another soul to reassure that all will come out good and pure. It's not what we want. Rather, it's what God wants. Remember, too, that it's not what happens to us; it's we do about what happens to us.

Keep faith - keep hope. Be that angel to at least one person today. Tomorrow? Well.....let tomorrow come and start again. You are loved!!

Can I hold the door for you?

Pastor Housewright

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S GRADUATES!

Tyson MacKenzie - Clearbrook High School

Trini Saldivar - Pasadena High School

Danielle Work – Houston Baptist University School of Nursing

Sewardship

A STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE

As we continue to find ourselves in completely unchartered territory regarding Covid-19 (one Redeemer member coined, The Twilight Zone), we are still connected through the working of the Holy Spirit, AKA, "Friend". This Friend calls us stewards of care; the need to continue to make good use of your financial resources. It has surely dawned on all of you that not being able to worship translates to a much lower income for Redeemer. You are, therefore, thanked tremendously for sending your financial gifts to the church. By all reports you have done so very, very well in this endeavor. Thank you! Thank you! As of the writing of this to you, we are right at the door of finalizing online giving. Please stay tuned to how this will be made available to you.

Stay safe, muster a smile, stay faithful!

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Phone number change: Bennie Saldivar: 832-594-1577

May Birthdays

1 Bridget McCain

3 Roger Regner

9 Tyson MacKenzie

12 Eric Conover

13 Bernice Goodwin

18 Erica Saldivar

21 Brianna Luna

24 Seth Duron

25 Jacob Garza

May Anniversaries

5/17/97 Ben & Irene Duron

5/18/57 Melvin & Thelma Schulte

5/21/77 John & Kathy Brister

5/27/06 Shannon & Bridget McCain

5/27/78 Maurice & Ruth Reynolds

Financial Report

Donations/April 2020

Envelopes $6,671.00

Lenten Offering $250.00

Palm Sunday Offering $40.00

Maundy Thursday Offering $30.00

Good Friday Offering $30.00

Easter Offering $190.00

Building Donation $1,600.00

_________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL FUND $8,811.00

Maintenance Fund $10,490.00

Lutheran Women $20.00

_________________________________________________________________________________

APRIL TOTAL (with Roof Donations) $19,321.00

Needed weekly $3,275.11

Average (4 weeks) $2,202.75

-$1,072.36

26D94F99-58EC-4745-9579-EC65A217F315 REDEEMER’S PRAYER LIST

The Family of Debbie Adams, Judy Adams, Monica Allen, Laurie Aubin, Mariah Bell,

Patsy Maureen Blair, Deborah Bostwick, Bill Chambles, Mimi Chance, Edna Cole,

Maria Aurelia Cordova, Israel Cruz, Lucille Dailey-Metcalf, Thomas Davis, Bobbie Dean,

Parker Dixon, Lance Dromgoole, Antonio Duarte, Mary Duron, Rocky Espinosa,

The Family of Jose Owen Flores, William Giddens, Manny Gonzalez, Monica Gonzales,

Ruthie Goolsby, Sharon Timmerman Graves, Tamara Handerson, Steve Helmke,

Priscilla Hilmers, Sue Hill, Fran Hington, Michael Holm, Olga Holten, Jon Johansen,

Alex Kavlaski, Eddie League, Josh Leamons, Donna Leonard, Martha Limon, Maria M. Lopez, Nathan Maldonado, Cynthia Martinez, Pat Maxwell, Gene Mayes, Cris McFarland,

Christopher Mendoza, Phil Miller, Wallace Montalvo, Sally Musachea, Veronica Natividad, Guadalupe Ordaz, Bonnie Pierson, Erin Pereira, Olivia Pereira, Bettye Pipes,

Harry Podszus, Esther Maurine Roberts, Cesar Rodriguez, Norma Saenz, Richard Salias,

Melvin & Thelma Schulte, Margot Noelle Sharp, Evan Smith, Roy Soraiz, Pamela Swafford,

Larry Stormer, David Taylor, Rosie Tello, Laura Thac, Rosie Trevino, Julius Trotter,

Jyme Tyson, Carlos Villagomez, Raul Villagomez, Bonnie Walker, Oliver Walkup,

Dorothy White, Hudson Wiggins, Jimmie Wilkins, Terry & Jerry Wilkins.

If you have any changes to be made to our prayer list, or names you’d like to add,

please call or text Pastor Grant at 713-305-7133.

Thank you

-----------------------------------------

December 09, 2023

WORSHIP TIMES10:30 Sunday Morning

About Redeemer Lutheran

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