CONTENTS

A Message

From the President. . . . . 1-2

Flower Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A Message

From the Pastor.. . . . . . . . 3

Mental Health Minute. . . . . . . 4

E-giving in a

Dangerous World. . . . . . . 4

B.C. and A.D.,

B.C. and A.C.. . . . . . . . . . . 4

Property Committee

Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Christian Education. . . . . . . . 6

A Note About ACES. . . . . . . . 6

Outreach Efforts

ANYONE Can Do!!. . . . 6

From Our

Social Ministry Trustee. . . 6

Birthdays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Thank You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Pastoral Acts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Men’s Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

WELCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

May at a Glance. . . . . . . . . . . 9

Bottle Drive Request. . . . . . . 9

Vol. 95 No. 4 May 2020

THE MESSENGER’SVOICE

THE GOOD NEWS FROM OUR REDEEMER

A Message from the President

Spring greetings from a whole new world!

If last month some of us were worried about what thefuture would bring, this month probably finds a lot more of us farmore concerned about not just the next few months but the nextyear and, more immediately, the millions of people who havebeen sick or have lost someone they loved or have lost a job asa result of the economy shutting down.

For better or worse, tough decisions were made and thereare terrible consequences. The shutdown makes sense to mebut it's a bit easier for me because I am still employed and don'tlive alone. I think of all our brothers and sisters at OurRedeemer and beyond who are home by themselves and don'thave someone to share their concerns with or maybe they dobut they don't feel comfortable doing so. I pray for all who are inlines of hundreds long waiting for a free box of food. I think ofthose not fortunate enough to live in the US, where health careis available to most, though not necessarily the kind of care thatmost of us are accustomed to.

If we were to fast forward 50 years, what will we say toour descendants about these times? Will we be able to say thatwe tried to make a difference? There is little we can do at thispoint, but here's a few ideas how you might make a realdifference in someone's suddenly upturned life. Caring For OurOwn (at ORLC) and City Mission (to help the newly hungry orhomeless) need money. Maybe you'll be able to say that youplanted a few extra vegetable plants to donate fresh veggiesduring the long hot summer when people were still out of work. Maybe you couldn't help with money, but maybe you were ableto pick up the phone and give encouragement to those whoneeded it. Last but not least, remember to continue to supportOUR CHURCH so that it will be there when we can finally returnbut also to continue to provide the physical & emotional support

2 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

Note: The “actual income” total above does not include income received from

Account # 4811 (Restricted Income Transfer) & the “actual expenses” does not

include the expenses covered by the use of those funds.

The Messenger's Voice is published monthly

(except for combined June/July &December/January editions)

by

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church130 S. Reynolds Street

Scotia, NY 12302

(518) 393-5031

www.OurRedeemer.cc

ORLC@nycap.rr.com

Staff: Pastor Rev. Daniel M. MayMusic Director Jon BergmanAdministrative Assistant Melissa JerreldNursery Director Jessica RosslerSexton Richard Tessitore

Deadline for copy: The Sunday

of the month prior to the last

Friday of the month. See church

calendar in this edition for date.

Editor reserves the right to edit

for content & space.

Large print editionavailable upon request,

call 393-5031.

that so many have benefitted from over the years. I encourage you to faithfully consider if thereis something you can do now or in the months to come to ease the heavy burden that morepeople are going to feel as the economy slowly gets up and running.

God bless you all!Hopefully we see each other soon!

God willing!Cindy ZielaskowskiCouncil President

Spring 2020

While we are self isolating, we are looking forward to warm weather and gardening! Please consider donating annuals to brighten the church grounds. The CFOO plant sale is agreat way to support their fundraiser and donate plants for the church gardens. CFOO ordersare due May 10 and flowers for the church garden are due byth

May 24 . We always need help with the gardens. It is ath

wonderful way to volunteer and still practice social distancing. Please see Cindy Schulte or Gladys Cox for more information onour work.

3 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

A Message From the Pastor

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!!Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!!

Sure would be nice if we could shout thatat each other in the sanctuary, wouldn't it! Butwe can't. The Governor just extended the "NYPause" until May 15 . That's a Friday. If theth

date sticks, our first chance to resume worshipwill be May 17 , the Sunday before Memorialth

Day weekend. I'll be in conversation with afew folks here around the church. My originalhope had been that we would celebrate Easterthe first Sunday we are back. My concernnow is that many people might try to avoidlarge gatherings at first, so maybe doingEaster a few week later would be better. I'llsee how we can juggle the liturgical calendarto make it work for us.

I also want to use my space in thenewsletter this month to speak to those whohaven't been part of the Facebook/YouTubeworship services and messages. I haveencouraged everyone in the parish to bereaching out to others, especially those whoare older, alone, or have difficult healthsituations. What I have found is that many ofthose I was concerned about were the verysame ones calling others! How that Holy Spiritworks among God's people!

I will share that this time apart has beendifficult. I have to stop and think about whatday of the week it is. Really think. It is greatto see someone who stops by here at thechurch during the week! It happens morerarely now. I am a fairly strong introvert bynature, yet even I have missed contact withother humans.

Please know - as I have shared before -that I am available by phone if needed. Youcan call the church or my cell phone. I don'tanswer if I am in the middle of talking withsomeone else, but I will call back if you leavea message. (If you just call and hang up, Idon't call back.) I will do what I can by phone,

or we can arrange a safe distance visit ifneeded.

I am going to start making phone callsaround the parish, just so people remembermy name. If I don't get to your number soonenough, feel free to call me!

May 24 is the Sunday of Memorial Dayth

weekend. That is the first Sunday we go toone service at 10 am, with fellowship time tofollow. May 31 we have a Voter's Meetingst

scheduled after our 10 am worship service. Atthat meeting, we will vote on persons to serveon our congregation council. Please come outfor that meeting and get caught up on what wehave going on.

If you are able, please go to our Facebookpage or our YouTube page (just search“ORLC Scotia”) to see some of the worshipvideos or other posts. Call me if you havequestions or concerns to share.

You've seen the pictures, TV ads, and allthat say, "We're in this together" and"everything will be OK." It will. We know andtrust that God is still alive and well andworking in and through his people. This hasbeen a scary time, an odd time, and lookingahead it seems there will be a "new normal"as our lives resume. There will be lesshandshakes and more hand sanitizer. Moredistance when talking with others. Even moredistance with those who are coughing!

What won't change is our calling to bechildren of God here in this place. What won'tchange is God's love and grace for us hispeople. Stay strong, stay healthy, and,hopefully sometime this month, see you inchurch!

Christ is Risen!

~Pastor Dan

4 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

Mental Health Minute

I just googled "Mental Health"and clicked on the question "Whatare the 5 signs of Mental Illness?" Three of the five are: Excessive

fear, worry, or anxiety, social withdrawal,dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits. All these are happening during this pandemic! We do have worries and anxiety; we areordered into social withdrawal; and sleepingand eating habits are affected too! Thisdoesn't mean we're all going crazy. It justmeans that this is a stressful, anxious time forus all.

So, fight back! Take a walk. Call a friend. Do something relaxing, or helpful, or on thatlong "to-do" list we all have. Make clothmasks for your family or for others. Strengthen your spiritual life with prayer andScripture reading. Snack less, cook more! This time will pass for sure.

If you do fear that you are slippingemotionally or mentally, please call yourhealth care provider right away.

Blessings and peace!

E-giving in a Dangerous World

As we keep learning of new ways to staysafe in these troubled times: 6 feet socialdistancing, going to the market every otherweek, staying home; consider donatingelectronically. You can do it from the comfortof your home, you don't even have to gooutside to mail your envelope.

The church offers two methods of makingelectronic donations:

1. Tithe.ly: This option allows you to makedonations that are charged to your credit card.You can make a “one-time” donation or set uprecurring giving.

• Click on this link• You can choose to make a one-time gift

on a credit card (or)• Set up recurring giving; this requires you

to set up an account with Tithe.ly• Enter your credit card information.• Select the fund you want your donation to

go to from the drop down menu. Ourmost commonly used funds are available.

While you're on their website, you canread about Tithe.ly, the security of yourinformation, etc.

You can also link to Tithe.ly from ourchurch website: www.ourredeemer.cc andclick on the “Give” linkin the upper right handcorner.

2. Simply Giving: This option allows you tomake recurring donations on a weekly ormonthly basis that debit your bank account. To get started, you have to complete anauthorization form. Email the church office at orlc@nycap.rr.com to have the form mailed oremailed to you. Print it, fill it out and mail it tothe church. You will be required to attach acancelled check. You should see yourdonation(s) a debit on your next bankstatement. The payment processor is VancoServices. You can learn more about thecompany and how they safeguard yourinformation at www.vancopayments.com.

Paul HenryFinancial Secretary

B.C. and A.D., B.C. and A.C.

History, of course, is divided by the yearsB.C. (“before Christ”) and the years A.D.(“Anno Domini,” Latin for year of our Lord). The Christian monk who devised this systemin the 6 century intended to have the year 1th

A.D. correspond to the birth of Jesus. Indoing this, it was clear that Jesus’ birth was

5 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

seen as the most essential event in humanhistory, dividing all that happened before fromall that would occur thereafter. (Alas, themonk’s chronology was a bit off. The mostreliable historical benchmark for the birth ofJesus is the death of Herod the Great in 4B.C., and we know from Chapter 2 of theGospel of Matthew that Jesus was born beforeHerod died. So it appears that Jesus wasborn no later than 4 B.C., and perhaps acouple years before that date.)

It occurred to me that just as we refer toevents that happened in B.C. or A.D., we mayalso start thinking of life B.C. (“beforeCoronavirus”) and life A.C. (“afterCoronavirus”). No doubt about it, theCoronavirus has had a major impact on all ofus. The place where I work has had itsregular business totally disrupted by the virus,causing me to wonder whether I will still beemployed. Since I’m retirement age anyway,this is something I can take in stride in anycase. But this unforeseen turn of events in myown life has made me acutely aware of themillions of people in this country who have losttheir employment and are NOT in a position totake it in stride. And it’s likely that many of thejobs lost to the virus may never come back.

All of this has made me extremelysensitive to the financial stress many peopleface in these difficult and uncertain times. How is one supposed to write aboutstewardship in the midst of this? While I donot pretend to have any perfect answers, letme give you some thoughts. First, let’sremember that even a small offering that’ssincerely given and sacrificial means a greatdeal to God. See Luke 21:1-4. Let’s alsoremember that, whatever our circumstances,we give to show our love for God and toexpress our thanks for the gift of eternal lifeGod has given us through the life, death andresurrection of Jesus. We also give, ofcourse, to support our church and advanceour ministries here at Our Redeemer. Weshould also remember that the Coronavirus is

not the first challenge Our Redeemer hasfaced in its 95-year history, and the churchhas always, through the faithfulness of themembers of the congregation, met thesechallenges.

It is this history of faithful stewardship thatgives me confidence that Our Redeemer willovercome the challenge posed by theCoronavirus. So please do whatever you canto help Our Redeemer weather the currentcrisis, whether you use Simply Giving, Tithe.ly,or prefer the “old school” method of mailing inyour offering envelopes. Remember that OurRedeemer was here before the Coronavirus(B.C.), and we will be here after theCoronavirus as well (A.C.)

Fred HutchisonStewardship Trustee

Property Committee Updates

Wooden hanger donations needed....

The closet and coat rack were recentlyreorganized. To provide sturdy hangers forcoats, we could use more wooden hangers. Ifyou are able to donate any, please let ChuckCox or Cindy Schulte know. We appreciateyour help! Wooden Hangers Only.

Storage areas....

Many of the storage areas throughout thechurch have been cleaned out. They havebeen reorganized and now meet therequirements of the fire safety inspection. More work has to be completed, but if youneed to store items at church, please checkwith the church office orProperty Committee so wecan keep things organizedand safe.

Chuck CoxProperty Trustee

6 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

Christian Education

Pastor Dan conducted a Sunday School"Holy Week" lesson and shared it onYouTube. Here’s the link in case you missedit:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgzh0cj1Mt0&t=1s

Doris Hering, our Sunday School SpecialProject Coordinator sent information to allstudents regarding Holy Week. Pastor Danconducted a Confirmation Class lesson viaZoom on the Book of Revelation. AllConfirmation students attended and wereengaged in this lesson. Classes for SundaySchool and Confirmation students will resumewhen we continue with in-person gatherings.

Dott SkompEducation Trustee

A Note About ACES

As a result of my accident and surgeryand all the disruptions caused by Covid-19,ACES (our Adult Christian Education Series)has not held a class since February 10 . If weth

are able to resume our in-person services inMay while we still have two services (which Irealize is uncertain at this point) ACES will beheld between services, and we will completethe topic of “The ELCA as a SanctuaryChurch.” Otherwise, we will convene again inSeptember. Please feel free to contact me ifyou have any thoughts on new topics. Thankyou for your interest, and I hope and prayeveryone stays safe and healthy!

Fred Hutchison

Outreach EffortsANYONE Can Do!!

At the present time, and for theforeseeable future, all Outreach activities havebeen put on hold until such time as GovernorCuomo announces a re-opening ofbusinesses, congregations, and life in general. As we anxiously await the time when we canbe together again, continue to perform acts ofoutreach: call someone who might be lonely,contribute to your local food pantry, check onyour neighbors, run errands for the elderly, puta rainbow in your window or on your door, bekind to strangers, and continue to practicesocial distancing when you do have to go out. Blessings and peace from all the members ofthe Outreach Committee. We hope to seeeveryone soon!

Patti KopachOutreach Trustee

From Our Social Ministry Trustee

Time flies when you're in quarantine…..Sonot true! If anything, it seems much longerthan a month since the last Messenger’sVoice came out. Are the days dragging on? Are you twiddling your thumbs? Bored? Notsure what you can do? Well, as Lutherans,we're really good at FOOD ministries and justbecause there's a V-I-R-U-S lurking, it doesn'tmean that Our Redeemer isn't still fulfilling ourSocial Ministry obligations.

KEEP CALM and READ ON to seewhat's on the calendar for May.

We're STILL delivering sandwich supplies toBETHESDA HOUSE - ESSENTIAL

We're STILL serving lunch at theSALVATION ARMY SOUP KITCHEN - ESSENTIAL

We're STILL collecting food andother items for both the

SICM AND S-G FOOD PANTRIES - ESSENTIAL

7 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

CROP Walk: Great and excitingnews for everyone on the status ofthe CROP Walk. We will Walk On! This year's CROP Walk will be a"Virtual One". To practice socialdistancing, we've set up an online account.This will allow you and others to join our teamand/or donate online. Donating online isquick, easy, and user- friendly. Click Here Fleece Day Update: Throughout the month ofApril, Janice Walz prepared several fleeceblankets to be tied for this annual event whichwas to be held April 26 . Due to socialth

distancing protocols, we were forced to cancelthe “in-person” event, but Janice publicizedthat the blankets could be picked up at thechurch and tied at home. This newsletter willbe printed before that date, so please contactJanice to see if there are any more blanketsthat need tying!! She will letyou know the procedures tofinish the blanket and return itto church. Bethesda House: We will continue to deliversupplies to make the sandwiches in May aswe did in April. Every now and then, we maybe short a person to help deliver the suppliesto Bethesda House. This only happens oncea month. If you have been wondering howGod may be calling you to SERVE and youlike to run errands, maybe this is your 'thing'!Who knows! Please contact Mary Rainey ifyou feel you would like to help in this way oranother. Salvation Army Soup Kitchen: Our date toserve is Friday, May 8 . We are planning toth

provide "brown-bag" lunches, like what wemade in March. We will need a small team tomake sandwiches and assemble lunches. Ifyou can help sometime during the week ofMay 3 , please contact BA, Warren or Ron.rd

Thanks for your ongoing support.

SiCM Food Pantry: If you or someone youknow are in need, please steer yourself orthem the to the pantry located at 839 AlbanyStreet, Schenectady. The pantry is openMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridayfrom 9-11:30. If you have time now and wantto help, please call SiCM at 518-346-4445. CFOO Annual Plant Sale: We are in fullswing. Pleases don't forget that the deadlineto place an order is May 10 (Mother’s Day). th

If you need an order form, see the separateattachment in the emailed version of thenewsletter or call the church office to have acopy mailed to you. Please send your orderform and payment to the office or contactKaren Smith or Mary Rainey if you have anyquestions or need any assistance. We'll keepeveryone posted on the plant availability andthe date of delivery. We have tentativelyplanned to have the orders ready for pick-upon Sunday, May 17 . Please don't forget toth

include you contact information on your formso that we can reach you by phone or email. All proceeds benefit the Caring For Our Own(CFOO) ministry.

A new need and opportunity for ministry!

There have been many people affectedby this virus, including those who have lostincome. Right now, as you read this, a groupof people are looking into providing food forfamilies in need. This would be a small scaleeffort, perhaps an uncooked “meal in a bag”kind of thing. Social Ministry, CFOO, andOutreach are joining forces to investigate this. If you would like to be part of this, contact me ASAP.

Karen SmithSocial Ministry Trustee

8 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

Birthdays

5/02 Olivia Dion5/02 Michael Schettine5/04 Susan Duchnycz5/04 Terri Phillips5/06 Roger Minch5/08 Matthew Cristiano5/08 Janice Seefeld5/10 Dave Hahn5/13 Charles Rainey5/15 Darlene Robinson5/20 Kim Meyer5/22 Cindy Jennings5/23 Betsy Meyer5/24 Gregg DeBraccio5/25 Audrey Chouffi5/28 Thomas Stecher5/29 Anne Schettine5/29 Karen Smith

Thank You

The Joan Nicole PrinceHome thanks us for thefinancial gift in the amount of$75.00 through our BudgetedBenevolences program.

Safe Inc. of Schenectadythanks us for the financial giftin the amount of $125.00through our BudgetedBenevolences program.

We recently received adeposit from

Thrivent Choicetotaling $248.00!

We would like tothank the following

individuals for directingtheir Choice Dollars

to our church.

Cindy HolmanBetsy Meyer

Ron & Shari PucciJohn Beatty

Pastoral Acts

Alta Adams was laid to restat Viewland Cemetery inRotterdam on April 6, 2020. A memorial service will beheld at a later date when it isconvenient for the family.

A committal service for IdaShambo was held atOneonta Plains Cemetery onApril 24, 2020.

Men’s Group

Our May 14 meeting will beth

hosted by Paul Henry at 1017Gideon Terrace in Charlton. Our study will be:

Worrying About God's Will(Don't worry)Matthew 6:19-34 (page 1335)

All men 18 and older fromOur Redeemer are welcometo join us. You are alsoinvited to bring a friend. Ifyou have any questionsabout the Men's Group orhow to get involved, pleasecontact me. Chuck Cox

WELCA

Hopefully, WELCA willbe meeting at church onTuesday, May 5 . It will beth

so nice to see everyoneagain and catch up. Everyone is welcome to joinus at 7 pm where we share alittle food, a lot of faith andalways some fun!

Linda DeBraccioMary Rainey

9 The Messenger’s Voice May 2020

Meetings/Events Outside of the Church

May 8 Salvation Army Soup Kitchen

May 14 Men’s Group Meeting 7 pm (Host: Paul Henry)

OngoingBible Study ~ Wednesdays; 11:30 am

On hiatus

Evening Bible Study ~ Wednesdays; 7 pmMay 6 & 13 (via Zoom)th th

ACES ~ Sundays; 10 amOn hiatus

Choir Rehearsal ~ Wednesdays; 7 pmOn hiatus

May at a GlanceMeetings at the Church

May 5 WELCA Meeting; 7 pmMay 7 Outreach Committee Meeting; 6:30 pmMay 19 Council Meeting; 7 pmMay 21 Property Committee Meeting; 7 pmMay 29 Messenger’s Voice mailing; 11:00 am

Events/Special Services at ChurchMay Celebration Sunday (TBD)May 17 Craft Fellowship; 10 am

CFOO Plant Sale Order Pick-UpMay 24 Switch to Summer Worship Schedule

(Single service at 10 am.)May 31 Day of Pentecost (Wear RED!!)

Voter’s Meeting 11 am

DeadlinesMay 5 Council Meeting Reports DueMay 10 CFOO Plant Sale Orders DueMay 24 June/July Messenger’s Voice Deadline

Bottle Drive Request

Do you shop in Glenville? Creating Change Redemption Center is conveniently located nextto Subway and across the street from Market 32/Price Chopper. Please consider taking your cansand bottles directly to the redemption center. The staff is very helpful and you do not have to waitfor them to count your returns. Just let them know the total should be donated to Our Redeemer. We will continue to accept donations at church, but appreciate your help with returning directlyto Creating Change. Here’s a helpful message from the staff at Creating Change:

We will be open with slightly modified hours:Tuesday - Friday (9-4)Saturday (9-2:30)

We will continue to use our modified operating procedure with customers remaining in the parkinglot while we retrieve and count the bottles in our facility. This is a bit more labor intensive on ourpart so to keep our service as speedy as possible there are a few things that you can do to help.

1. Make sure that bags are free of liquid and garbage. (requirement)2. Bring back glass and aluminum in full original boxes. (suggestion)3. Separate glass, plastic, and aluminum. (suggestion)

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. These hours will remain in effect until further notice. Be safe everyone.

DATED MATERIAL - DO NOT DELAY

Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church103 S. Reynolds Street, Scotia, NY 12302-1723

E-Mail- ORLC@nycap.rr.comhttp://www.ourredeemer.cc

(518) 393-5031 Fax (518) 393-2527

As for me and my house,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TheMessenger’s

Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

we will serve the Lord.Joshua 24:15

Happy

Memorial Day

If we are able to resume

in-person worship....

we will begin our

Summer Worship Schedule

Sunday, May 24 .th

A LARGE PRINT EDITION OF THIS NEWSLETTER ISAVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Current Resident Or