Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

Here’s a quick round-up of some of the recent events involving members of our congregation:

Wild Game Feed!

On September 17, 2022, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church hosted a Wild Game Feed to benefit the Rev. Travis Loeslie family after a major disability struck Rev. Travis at age 37. On the menu was lamb chislic, venison meatballs, rocky mountain oysters, venison chili, and a baked potato bar. Fun, food, and fellowship were served!

LWML rolls on

LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) has resumed meeting this Fall! On September 13, 2022, the Evening LWML group got together and worked on Christmas ornaments. On September 15, 2022, the Ebenezer LWML group met for an afternoon bible study. If you’re looking for an opportunity for faithful study and warm fellowship, contact the church office for more details on the next available times and dates.

Kids 4 Christ is back!

On August 27, 2022, Kids 4 Christ (K4C) had a fun kick-off event at church to begin the 2022-2023 schedule! K4C meets on most 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month at 5:45 pm-7:30 pm (dinner served at 5:50 pm) from September to May. All kids are welcome! Contact the church office for more details, and to confirm dates.

Fellowship and fun at the gun range

On August 23, 2022, the Guys Garage Men’s Club went to the Crooks Gun Club for a Trap Shooting Night. All in attendance had a great (and safe) time shooting guns and spending time together.

Pool Party!

On August 4, 2022, several members from Our Redeemer went to Kuehn Park for a fun time at the pool with pizza, fun, and fellowship. Those in attendance really had a splashing good time!

Higher Things Conference in Bozeman, Montana

From July 19-July 22, 2022, Our Redeemer sent a group of young adults to Bozeman, Montana, for the Higher Things conference, focusing on developing a deeper understanding of our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year’s theme was “For You”, based on 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, “BROTHERS, I AM MAKING KNOWN TO YOU THE GOSPEL THAT I PREACHED TO YOU, THAT YOU RECEIVED, IN WHICH YOU STAND, AND THROUGH WHICH YOU ARE SAVED.”

Fellowship and fun at the gun range

On May 10, 2022, the Guys Garage Men’s Club went to The Alliance (The South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance) and had a great (and safe) time shooting guns and spending time together.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

On April 17, 2022, we celebrated Easter and Jesus’ victory over death when He rose from the grave!
We had worship, fellowship, and fun as we heard the Word of God in service, enjoyed a meal hosted by the Youth Group, and the younger children had an egg hunt. We gladly state and sing, “Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!”

Palm Sunday!

On April 10, 2022, we kicked off Holy Week by celebrating Palm Sunday and remembering Jesus entrance into Jerusalem. During the 8:00 AM service, we had a processional of all ages with palm branches, horns, and singing. At the 10:30 service, the children had a processional, and sang a song during the service. We also had special performances during both services by the Brass Choir and Handbell Choir!

Mardi Gras Celebration

On February 27, 2022, we had a Mardi Gras Celebration. Between special food, creating masks, playing trivia, musical chairs, and a pinata, it was quite an event! Lots of fun and fellowship was had!

Painting the Fellowship Hall

In February 2022, volunteers cleaned up the lower-level Fellowship Hall and painted the walls. It was a fun event, and makes a commonly used space in our church look nicer. Thank you to all who helped!

Christ is born!

On December 24 and 25, 2021, our Christmas Eve and Day services were a great celebration of the birth of Jesus! We had a special performance from our Brass Choir and candlelight at our Christmas Eve service.

As is written in Isaiah 9, verse 6:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Wassail!

On December 22, 2021, we had our annual Christmas Wassail event, featuring music, a Christmas Program from our Sunday School, and a hymn sing-along intermixed with a meal of traditional wassail (cider), hors d’oeuvres (appetizers) and sweets (desserts). The evening was full of fun and entertainment!

Hockey, fun, and fellowship

On December 18, 2021, our church family had a great time at the Sioux Falls Stampede’s Ugly Sweater Night!

Preparing for the Advent season

On November 28, 2021, we began the Advent season, and our church sanctuary has been decorated for the season!

What is Advent? (from https://www.lhm.org/advent/)
The church divides the year into different seasons that emphasize the life of Christ and the life of the church. Beginning on Sunday, November 28, 2021, we will enter the season of the church year called Advent. Advent is the season of preparation and anticipation leading up to Christmas, and continuing to Epiphany January 6, 2022.

Advent, then, is a time for us to repent and believe. Knowing that Jesus was born to forgive our sins, we repent (admit our failures to God) and believe that we are forgiven because of the death and resurrection of Jesus on our behalf. Also, knowing that Jesus is coming back, we repent and believe that when He returns, He will give us eternal life.

Confirmation on Reformation Day

On October 31, 2021, we celebrated Reformation Day with Colton Consoer and Kyana Ross completing the Rite of Confirmation. Our entire congregation is proud of both of them, and looks forward to their ongoing growth and development in their faith!

Also, our Children’s Choir sang. Enjoy some special footage below!

Chapel at Sioux Falls Lutheran School

On October 13, 2021, Pastor Drevlow led chapel at Sioux Falls Lutheran School.
The kids received a great message and enjoyed some music time with Pastor as well!
(The full chapel is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcBwkZGiWVA)

Birthday Potluck

On October 10, 2021, we had a potluck and celebrated the birthday of Laura and Pastor Drevlow (both October 10).
Lots of fun and fellowship were had by all!

Welcome our new Deaconess, Amanda Korthase!

On August 8, 2021, Amanda Korthase was formally commissioned and installed as the Deaconess at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church!

VBS (Vacation Bible School)

On July 24, 2021, Our Redeemer hosted a one-day VBS (Vacation Bible School) event. Around 40-50 kids were in attendance, and had a great time learning about God, singing, and doing some fun activities!

Higher Things, Fargo, ND

From June 29-July 2, 2021, Our Redeemer sent a group of young adults to Fargo, North Dakota, for the Higher Things conference, focusing on developing a deeper understanding of our faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year’s theme was “Forgiven”, based on John 20:23, “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven.”

LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missonary League) Convention, Lexington, KY

From June 24-27, 2021, members from Our Redeemer (and other Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod churches) met together to focus on Jesus, our salvation, and service to others. The 2021 convention was in Lexington, Kentucky, under the theme “Running the Race … Looking to Jesus”, based on Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God”

Camp Minneboji at Camp Okoboji, IA

From June 20-26, 2021, many kids (and adults) from Our Redeemer went to Camp Minneboji in Iowa, spending a beautiful week getting a little closer to nature and a lot closer to God. This year’s theme was “Washed”, based on Titus 3:5-6, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior”

Mortgage Burning Celebration

On Sunday, May 23, 2021, we celebrated paying off the mortgage on our new addition to the church building by burning a copy of the mortgage paperwork. On behalf of the LCEF (Lutheran Church Extension Fund), Randy Gayken presented Our Redeemer with a plaque to commemorate this event. Praise God!

The Ladies Luncheon

On Saturday, May 8, 2021, right before Mother’s Day, the men of Our Redeemer hosted a salad luncheon to celebrate the ladies of the congregation.

The Great Carboard Boat Race

On Saturday, May 8, 2021, members of the Our Redeemer Youth Group built boats out of cardboard and duct tape.

Their time was 46 seconds, earning them 3rd place out of 8 teams. They were racing against 2 teams when they raced, and they beat both of those teams.