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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Buenos dias y la paz de Cristo a todos! Good day and the peace of Christ to you all! Your pastor has returned from her various ventures of summer! Thank you for all your support and prayers. God's presence was evident every step of the way throughout my endeavors from my training and certification to be a Spiritual Director at Mercy Center to my sons and I going on a week long mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico, in which we helped build 3 houses in 3 days with 38 youth and adults from Immanual Lutheran Church, Los Altos. What experiences! Transformational -- both of them. In between both adventures, God arranged for me to interview for two different pastoral positions, developing a wonderful call for me and my family right here under my nose. I had very little to do with it, which only highlights the magnificence of God's engagement in our lives. I am delighted to announce that I begin working part-time on September 1st at St. Jude's the Apostle Episcopal Church in Cupertino as their Associate Pastor. And, YES, you read right -- St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Cupertino. It's right down the street from Redeemer. Since the Concordat was approved about 7 years ago, Lutherans and Episcopalians share communion with one another, and can work together in a variety of ways. I will remain an ELCA pastor through the approval of the Sierra Pacific Synod Council while serving at St. Jude's the Apostle. My call while at St. Jude's the Apostle will focus on the youth and family ministries of the congregation, pastoral care, worship leadership and preaching. I am in total awe of God’s capabilities! I had no idea something like THIS could come together so easily and so right for my family and I when we, as a congregation, began seriously broaching the subject of closing for the sake of the greater good early last winter. This arrangement matched my wildest dreams…and yet, as is so typical of God, just different enough to remind me it was GOD’S doing, not mine! For “NOTHING is impossible with God!” (refer to Lk 1:37). What does all this mean for this special community of faith we know as Redeemer Lutheran Church, spreading the gospel and serving God in Christ Jesus for the greater good 43 years as of this October?! We officially shut our doors and hand over the keys of this site to the Sierra Pacific Synod for a new mission start in Asian ministry October 14th, 2006. We do so in a big celebration with Bishop Dave Mullen at Redeemer at 3pm in which ALL are invited to come who in any way have a heart for this community of faith and have been blessed through its sanctuary of grace. Please get the news out. Our last Sunday morning worship will be September 24, 2006 at 9:30am. October 1st, I begin working full time at St. Jude’s. We will have a pet blessing that day and outdoor worship at the 10:30 worship. (They have traditional worship every Sunday from 8-9am). October 8th, I will preach as we give a special welcome to the Lutherans in our midst. I hope and pray that in this transition, you will continue to keep Redeemer and members/ friends in your prayers. This is a gracious act of love the congregation is making by officially disbanding in order to make possible something new. Members will be seeking new communities of faith to worship, be nurtured, and serve. Let us hold each other in our hearts. Please know I and others are willing to support you on this journey as you find your next church home. Local congregations are ready with open arms to receive us and the gifts we have to offer wherever we make our home. There are wonderful ELCA pastors and congregations all around us. Seek. Experiment. Listen to your heart as you do so. And, know that God goes with you. God will be very active in this next move for you as God has been with me. There is the right place for you this next step in your spiritual journey. I am certain of that. God’s speed to each and every one of you. We continue to pay the bills and function fully as a congregation through the end of September. So, keep your contributions coming you absolutely fabulous and gracious family of God. You will be a model of giving for me in the future as I proclaim the beauty of your stewardship story as you have given so much throughout the years in gratitude for God’s steadfast gracious love for you and all creation. You live the gospel in all the ways you give. Please hear again you are such precious children of God who have to offer so very much just by being who you are in the next congregation you choose to call home. Blessings upon each one of you. You have graced me with blessings innumerable to name and yet so clearly evident in who I have become. As I go forth shining in my ministry, YOU will be reflected in the light. Love and peace to you always, Your beloved pastor, Dawn Teuthorn "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:38-39 Back to the Top Back to Church Calendar |