1

C hristians are caring people. To

follow Christ means that we

seek to serve others and pray that we

have the heart of Jesus. Galatians 6:9-10 reminds us,

“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due

season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore,

as we have opportunity, let us do good to all….” But

what happens when our source of compassion seems to

run dry? When we do get weary? What do we do when

caring for others comes at the expense of caring for

ourselves. Compassion fatigue is a phrase that is used

to describe the “cost of caring.” Recently, Katy and I

found ourselves exhausted during a time of crisis for a

friend. We wanted to continue to help in the best way

possible and be present in a time of need, but we also

needed to have energy and clear minds to do so.

And that’s the first thing to remember about caring for

others: we cannot provide good care unless we are

practicing self-care. Self-care is not selfish. It’s just rec-

ognizing we are human. It is common for those who are

constantly concerned with the needs of others to wind

up neglecting their own. An apt analogy I have heard

several times speaks to this need: Airline flight attend-

ants instruct their passengers, “In the case of an emer-

gency, place your oxygen mask on first before helping

someone else.” We need to secure our own air supply

first so that we are able and ready to assist those who

need our care. Self-care allows us to “not grow weary”

as we reach out and help others.

Here are a few things that may help.

Remember that you are not God. This may seem

obvious(!) but so often it is the first commandment we

break. We want to be in control. We want to rescue and

save others. God is omnipotent; we are not. We are to

assist others, but we cannot take on the sins of the

world. Jesus already did that. We can help shoulder an-

other’s burdens, but we cannot take on the whole load

ourselves. Be aware of your limitations. Jesus grew

tired, got hungry, and needed time alone to rest and re-

flect. Certainly, we need that as well.

Set Boundaries. If someone is stuck down in a pit,

one option is to go down into the pit with them, but

that’s a terrible long-term solution! We may feel such

compassion for someone that we can over identify with

their pain and suffering. We need some distance so that

we can care for their plight, and also have the strength

to help them. A better idea is if someone is stuck in a

pit is to reach down an arm to help them out.

Eat. Sleep. Breath. In the ear ly days of my ministry

I discovered that man cannot live on coffee alone. Last-

ing energy come from eating nutritious food, restful

sleep, and times of prayer and meditation. Our care for

others is less effective if we are exhausted. It’s ok to

take a break and walk outside. Its not selfish to get the

sleep that we need. If we neglect good eating habits, we

will either grow weak or end up eating junk food. A

caring person also takes care of themselves. We all

need to make sacrifices at times, but it is important to

get back to an equilibrium as soon as possible.

I have discovered that Redeemer is a very caring

church. I don’t want any of us to grow weary of doing

good. The healthier we are, the more we can help meet

the needs of others.

Blessings in your caring,

Pastor Jon Christenson

Volume 48—Number 06 June 2018

Voice of Redeemer

Redeemer Lutheran Church

2

There are some wonderful principles in the Old Testament which apply to present-day Christians. One of these is in Deuteronomy 8:10-18. Stated in contemporary language, it says, "When you have eaten and are full, and when your cars, houses and bank accounts multiply, don't forget where it came from: Remember the Lord your God." In truth, all that we have comes from God. He determines what we will receive, whether it be money, gold, silver, houses, land, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, etc. It all belongs

to Him in the first place, and He entrusts it to us. According to David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 29, riches, honor, power,

and wealth all come from God. That's why there is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Oh, we have to do our

part. God's plan is not that we just sit around praying and reading the Bible all day long so that what we need to survive will

miraculously drop into our hands. We're not just to pray for our "daily bread," but we're also to get up each day and work for it! That's why the Apostle Paul stated clear-ly, "Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat" (2 Thes. 3:10). But in reality, the

amount of money and wealth which we receive is determined by God. According to His divine will and knowledge, He entrusts to each of us the amount which He knows will be best for us.

What should be our reaction to our financial state? Some might pray, "Dear Lord, you

must have made a mistake concerning me and my finances. Please give me more mon-ey." Others might try to circumvent God's design for their lives by trying to win the lot-tery or to obtain large sums of money through some other means. Mature Christians,

however, will realize God's infinite wisdom far surpasses their limited perspective. They will accept with a thankful spirit what God has entrusted to them and seek to honor

God by their living and by their giving.

REDEEMER IMPROVEMENTS COMING SOON!

If you recall, at our congregational meeting in January, a loan for $100,000 was unanimously

approved for various improvements needed to keep our property in good repair. The GOOD NEWS is

that the loan was approved and we now have the money to begin the projects: parking lot resurfac-

ing; new air conditioning/heating units; and paint/oil inside and out of our sanctuary.

The REALITY NEWS is we now have monthly loan payments. Payments of $1085.00 will be automati-

cally deducted every month. The council is working on ideas for increased giving to make sure we

cover these monthly payments and continue to maintain our regular budget. IDEAS WELCOME!

Expect to see much needed work on these improvements to start soon and remember:

GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER!!! Jan Lemley Pres.

3

Happy Birthday ,June Evans

Sunday, May 27—all church luncheon , we also celebrated June Evans birthday.

Congratulations to June on the big 9-0!!!

HIGHLIGHTS OF MAY’S COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 14, 2018

Summer Service starting June 3, 2018 to be held at 9:30 a.m.

Upcoming Events

Yard Sale – June 2, 2018 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

VBS – July 16-20, 2018 HERO’s theme

Lutheran Night @ Dodger Stadium – August 25, 2018 if interested contact Mary

Ellen Saldana ASAP Tickets $39 infield/$33 preferred

Coffee Hour Hosts still needed please check sign-in sheets

Still waiting on Constitution approval by Synod

Security Concerns: looking to install Wireless Cameras and new EXIT signs in Fellowship

Hall

Loan is waiting to be approved – Loan Repayment Plan ideas in the works in the form of

PLEDGE DRIVE / STEWARDSHIP

SAVE

THE

DATE

JULY

16-20

4

INTERESTED IN GOING TO A DODGER GAME?

WE CAN CARPOOL AND GO AS A GROUP

FOR LUTHERAN NIGHT—AUGUST 25

BUT WE ACT SOON TO GET SEATS TOGETHER

CONTACT MARY ELLEN SALDANA A.S.A.P.

5

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

JUNE 24th

JOIN US

AFTER

WORSHIP

June 14

5:30 pm

DATES TO

REMEMBER

Sat. June 9

Monday June 11

6 pm

Everyone is Welcome

WINE & DINE is Thursday 6/28/18

@6:15pm, LA Costa Mariscos, 10100

Stockdale Hwy. Please make reservations

with Caroline Reid.

JUNE

ACTIVITIES

LUNCH BUNCH: Everyone is invited to join

us at the Great Castle Chinese restaurant, 410 Union Ave. on Wednesday, 6/6/18 @ 11 am. Please make reservations with Judy Olson-Peterson.

QUILTING AND PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY is cancelled

for June. Please plan to join this ministry in July. You are

so welcome to join this ministry—wanted those who are

eager to knit or crochet or help with quilting. Not sure of

your skills? - we’ll help

June Evans

Arlene Lee

Bill Silveira

Mara Ziegler

Karen Musgrove

Trulaine Woken

Hannah Shellgren

Laura Haywood

McKenna Evert

Jamie Spillers

Dianne Ladd

Gladys Stilwill

Jeff Uecker

Dorothy Goff

Guy & Rachel Hairfield

George & Gladys Stilwill

Scott & Susan Perry

Robert & Arlene Hamstreet

Schuyler & Catherine

Johnson

Jack & Sherry Clayton

RUTH CIRCLE : will be on hiatus for summer. We will

resume Monday, September 3.

AFTERNOON CIRCLE is cancelled for the month of June.

Watch for information for July.

01

09

10

10

11

11

13

16

16

17

23

24

25

29

07

10

21

23

26

26

6

May 26, 2018 April 24, 2018

Area of Service

Altar Guild

Flowers

Assistant

Minister

Communion

Assistant

Reader

Head Usher

Greeter

Coffee Hour

June 3 June 10 June 17 June 24

Phyllis Elrod

Michael Jacobsen

Ice Cream Social

Following is a list of our friends who have been lifted up in prayer by our faithful Prayer Warriors.

Please know that your prayers are so very much appreciated. Thanks and Blessings to all!

Louise Hall

Caroline Reid

IN HIS SERVICE

JUNE 2018

Katy & Pastor Jon

Ken Svendsen

Jan Lemley

Ed Saltzman

John Lemley

Mary Ellen Saldana

Haywood family

Laura Haywood

Jan Lemley

NOTE: THIS SCHEDULE DOES NOT REFLECT CHANGES MADE AFTER MAY 26

Piper Brantley

Lilian Powell

Rosie Baker

Marie Nick

Brett Birkmire

Fran

Scott Allen

Sheri Hunter

Annesah Dreger

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

2525 BELLE TERRACE, P O BOX 13132-93389, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93304

Pastor: Rev. Jon Christenson ………... 832-7881 ……………. Secretary: Phyllis Elrod

E-mail address: rlcbakersfield@sbcglobal.net Web site address: www.bakersfieldlutheran.org

7

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THRUSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

2/11ansfJJUNE

1

2

3

Worship 9:30

Coffee hour 10:30

4

5

Pacifica 3 pm

6

Lunch Bunch

11 am

7

8 9

9 am—noon

10

Worship 9:30

Coffee hour 10:30

11

Worship &

Music 6 pm

12

Pacifica 3 pm

13

14 Pacifica

10:15

Council 5:30

pm

Flag Day

15

16

17

Worship 9:30

Coffee hour 10:30

Father’s Day

18 19

Pacifica 3 pm

20

21

22 23

24

Worship 9:30

Coffee hour 10:30

25 26

Pacifica 3 pm

27

28

Pacifica

10:15

Wine &

Dine 6:15

29 30

June 17

PLEASE NOTE:

STARTING JUNE 3

ONE SERVICE ONLY

9:30 AM