On Sunday, November 16th, we would like to invite families to pack up and bring the items that they like to take to a football tailgate - bags, boards, a football, washers, camping chairs, a canopy, a grill, and a cooler full of hot dogs and hamburgers or whatever you would like to grill.  

After the 10:45 a.m. service, we'll meet in the parking lot and in the pavilion* to have a tailgate event and watch the Chicago Bears vs. the Minnesota Vikings game that starts at noon. You are free to have your vehicle set up to play the game as well.  

If you don’t have a grill to tailgate, we should have plenty around for sharing so that you can bring your items over to grill at someone’s set-up. Let’s have fun with this, decorate your vehicle if you want or your tailgate spot around your car. We are hoping to see kids enjoying playing games together and everybody celebrating our Family in Christ as we enjoy an afternoon of football and fun. 

 *Weather permitting, otherwise we’ll be in the Senior High Youth Room

Join Cynthia & David Holm: TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD!

Sixty Plus Group will gather for the last time in 2025 on Thursday, November 13th, at 11:30 a.m. in Miller Hall. Few of us get the opportunity to travel around the world! Cynthia and David Holm will share their 105 day trip aboard the new Cunard Queen Anne. They have photos and stories of highlights, joy, and challenges of such an exciting adventure!

Lunch will include Avanti’s gondola sandwiches. If your last name starts with A-K please bring a side dish or salad to share. If L-Z please bring a dessert. We ask for $5.00 per person to help cover the cost of food and drink. Reservations for this event need to be confirmed on Monday, November 10th! Sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the office hallway. If you have any questions, please contact Ken Stoppenhagen or Becky Auer.

We are going to have our second annual Card and Monday Night Football event on November 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the Senior High Youth Room. Pizza and drinks will be provided. We will have some TV’s set up to watch the Packers vs. Eagles while we play. Text Mark at 309-231-2995 to RSVP.

Jr High Fall Fiesta



Hey Jr High! Get ready for a night of fall fun! On Sunday, October 19th 5:30-7:30, Redeemer is hosting the Jr High Fall Fiesta and you don’t want to miss it. Jr High students from all around the Peoria area congregations are coming together for an evening packed with outdoor games, food, and fall festivities right here at Redeemer.

• We'll meet at the Pavillion.

• Dress for the weather (we’ll head inside if it rains).

• Wear shoes you can run in.

• We've got nachos and hot dogs for dinner.

• And don’t forget—bring your friends!

You won't want to miss it!

50+ Fall Festival and Potluck

Come enjoy the crisp night air and a roaring bonfire with your RLC family and friends!  We will be enjoying church-sponsored fried chicken and ribs, and a potluck.  We will meet at the RLC pavilion at 5:30 pm on Wednesday 10/15/2025.  If you will be attending and have the means to share in providing the potluck items, we ask members with last names starting with A-K to bring a side dish AND those with L-Z to bring a dessert. 

RSVP to Jeff Shoumaker or Gail Williamson.

An Open Table for Everyone Ages 19-29

Hey there!

Are you ready for an evening of great food, good vibes, and new connections? Whether you’re new in town, never been to our church or you’ve been around for a while, we want to invite you to Dinner with Strangers—our open dinner night designed just for 19-29 year olds on September 27!

No need to come with a crew or have a friend on standby—this is all about showing up, grabbing a seat, and meeting awesome people you haven’t met yet. It’s a zero-pressure, all-fun space where the only thing you need to bring is yourself (and maybe your appetite).

• Who: Anyone aged 19-29 with a pulse (zombies need not apply)

• What: Dinner with Strangers—an open, friendly dinner night

• Why: Because the best friendships start with “hello” (and maybe a shared dessert)

• How: Let Tony and Heather Grichnik know you’re coming by shooting an email to us at ajgrichnik@gmail.com. We’ll get back to ya with times, directions and such.

Come hungry for food, laughter, and the chance to connect with others who are right where you are in life. We can’t wait to see you at the table!

Questions? Reach out anytime—otherwise, see you at Dinner with Strangers!

At last, our chance to “Serve the City” with Dream Center Peoria! On Saturday morning, September 27, 2025, get out and work side by side with other great people who share a love of and respect for our community. 

So, here’s what to do:

• Sign up…through September 14th on the RLC Group sign-up sheet near the Redeemer Welcome Center or online at Dream Center Peoria | Serve the City if you want to be independent

• After sign-up, watch for Midweek Newsletter updates and email updates as the date approaches 

• A “Serve the City” t-shirt is required for security, so wear an old one if you have it, or we can purchase one for you for $10 (also on the sign-up sheet)

• We will plan to meet at the RLC parking lot at 7:15 am on event day, then go together to our work destination. Details to come.

• Pray…for a beautiful day, many hands for quick work, and a blessing on our community

There are multiple work locations in the city and many ways to serve. Once registration is complete, Dream Center will divvy up the chores, and we will update you.

If you have any other concerns or questions, contact:

Linda Holcomb of the RLC Missions Board

Cell phone/text 309-648-7818

Lmholcomb54@gmail.com

Brought to you by the RLC Missions Board

When: Thursday, Sept 18th @ 5:30 pm or after

Details: Car show and games at 5:30, dinner to follow. Announcements at 6:00.

Where: Redeemer Pavillion

Please come enjoy a great night of connecting with your Church family of men, enjoying amazing food with a hog from Raber's, playing some bags, and seeing some amazing cars! See you soon!

Please RSVP to the RLC Connect invite or text Jason Bloms at 309-643-4054.

Please join us on Thursday, September 11th at 11:30 a.m. in Miller Hall as we welcome DCE Scott Treptow! 

Scott is currently completing his DCE internship at Redeemer Lutheran Church as part of his studies at Concordia University Chicago. He has a heart for sharing the love of Jesus with others and is excited to bring that passion to Redeemer! Scott recently married his wife Amanda Treptow who works at Concordia Lutheran School as a teacher. In his free time, Scott loves to play the guitar, go disc golfing and play a variety of board games.

Fried chicken and drinks will be provided for $5.00 pp. Our hosts this month are Dave and Becky Auer. If your last name begins with A-K, please bring a side dish and a dessert if L-Z. Sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the office hallway.

Any questions, please contact Ken Stoppenhagen at (309)265-1992 or Becky Auer at (309)370-5169. Hope to see you and bring a friend!

This year’s Redeemer Youth Ministry Golf Outing will be held at Sunset Hills Golf Course in Pekin on Saturday, August 23rd. 7:00 am registration, 7:30 am start time. The deadline to register is August 13.

Download a form (or pick one up at the Welcome Center) to sign up or be a hole sponsor.

Please reach out to Jessica Schuch at jhschuch@gmail.com with questions.

We have our annual Axe Throwing Event coming up on Thursday, August 21st, at 6:00 pm at Industry Brewing. This is a fun night of learning how to throw axes and having some friendly team competitions, while enjoying some good appetizers and drinks. We would love to see you at this event, if you have never done this, I know you will enjoy it, so come out to participate or just come to socialize with your church family of men. See you guys soon.

Please by texting (309) 643-4054.

Come and enjoy good music, good food, and good fellowship at the Mackinaw Valley Winery with the 50+ group. We will be meeting there at 6 PM, on Saturday, 7/26/25.  There is a five dollar fee per person collected on your entry into the parking lot.  We have reserve seating so we can see the band very well. Please bring an appetizer or a dessert to share along with your serving utensil. Water, soft drinks, wine, and pizzas are available for purchase. Drinks are not allowed in from outside the premises. If you have any questions or wish to reserve your spot, please contact Jeff Shoumaker or Gail Williamson.

All of the youth headed to New Orleans for the Youth Gathering are invited to kick things off with water party at Redeemer! Join us for grilling out, water balloon fights, Slip and Slide Kickball, and other water games. Bring your water blasters and all of your paperwork for the youth gathering to turn in. Not able to attend the Youth Gathering? No worries! We'd love for you to still come soak up some fun!

Join us for our annual night out at the Chiefs Game at 6:00 p.m. on June 26th. Food and soft drinks will be provided. Cost is $20.00. We are looking forward to getting everyone together again to enjoy a great evening at the Ball Park. We'll be sitting behind home plate - bring your fathers and/or sons! See you there!

RSVP Mark Briggs (22mbriggs@gmail.com or text 309-231-2995)

Save the Date!

Race on over to Redeemer for our Annual Picnic on June 1st! Join us at 11:45 for some car themed fun!

• Pulled pork, hot dogs, and drinks

• Bounce houses

• Car show (bring your classic or cool car!)

• Giant bubble wand

• Tropical Sno

• Mingo (Musical bingo - identify songs with a car/transportation theme)

Volunteer are needed to help make this a successful event! Sign up here to help out.

Calling all 50+ Redeemer Members!

Slide on in to Double A’s Restaurant on Wednesday, May 21st, at 6:00 pm to enjoy good food, fun, and fellowship! A few appetizers will be sponsored by leadership. Feel free to purchase and enjoy your choice of food and beverages.

There will be a few mixer games and some prizes! Come and join your fellow Redeemer Church friends and make some new friends!

Please RSVP to Jeff Shoumaker jeff.shoumaker@redeemerlutheran.com or Gail Williamson gwilliamson@liahbee.com by May 18.

Redeemer Men: Join us for some breakfast and fishing on May 10th. Click here for the location. Contact Brian Loyd (309-256-8092) or Mark Briggs (309-231-2995)

Come and join us on Thursday, May 8th, at 11:30 in the Pavilion for our final gathering until Fall. If weather becomes an issue, we will gather in Miller Hall. Our special musical host will be our own Joe Couri, sharing his gifts of music and song with us! 

We will provide a picnic box lunch and drinks. You don’t need to bring anything but yourself this month but we are asking for $10.00 to help cover costs. When you sign up you will be asked to choose your sandwich preference and also prepay for lunch by check or cash. All of this information will be shown on the sign up sheet. Registrations must be in Monday, May 5th, by noon. Sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the office hallway. 

Any questions, please contact Becky Auer at (309)370-5169 or Ken Stoppenhagen at (309)265-1992. 

It is with great pleasure that we have been able to reschedule Pastor Michael Mohr, President of the Central Illinois District of LCMS as our speaker in March! Please join us on Thursday, Match 13th, at 11:30 a.m. in Miller Hall. President Mohr will bring us up to date on the work of CID and the part we play in that. 

What is the CID? The LCMS Central Illinois District (CID) is comprised of 148 congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), spanning over 50 counties in Central Illinois. The purpose of the LCMS Central Illinois District as a corporate body, is to respond to the Great Com mission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt. 28) which is “to make disciples of all nations.”

The luncheon main dish of fried chicken and drinks will be provided for $5.00 per person. If your last name begins with A-K, please bring a dessert to share, and a side dish if L-Z. Sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board in the office hallway. Any questions, please contact Ken Stoppenhagen at (309)265-1992 . Hope to see you and bring a friend!

Let’s make the most of winter together before we gallop into the warmth of spring! Join us on Friday, March 7th at 6:00 p.m. in Miller Hall for a night of great food and southern hospitality. We'll serve delicious pulled pork BBQ on buns with yummy sides to enjoy. If you’d like, bring a dessert to share!

Feel free to dress in your cowboy hats, boots, and plaid – whatever gets you in the spirit! And don’t be surprised if you hear a little country music, enjoy a game or two, and see a video featuring a horses.

We’re thrilled to welcome our special guest, Megan Sundeen, the Executive Director and Equine Specialist of Sundance for Soldiers (SoS). Megan will share how SoS uses horses to support soldiers with PTSD and at-risk youth/adults dealing with disabilities and mental health challenges. We are suggesting a $10 donation, which will go directly to Sundance for Soldiers.

Please RSVP by texting or calling Jeff Shou at (309) 657-1722, or by emailing jeff.shoumaker@redeemerlutheran.com. Please also let us know if you plan to bring a dessert. It’s time to enjoy a fun evening with new friends, old friends, and some good ol’ country vibes!

Lent midweek services begin March 5th. Meals will be served at 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Services are at 12:15 and 6:00 p.m.

Date:  Thursday Feb 27, 2025 

Time:  6:00 pm to 8:00 pm 

Where:  Landmark Bowling Alley 

Cost:  $10 includes 2 games and shoes

RSVP:  RLC Connect Invite or text to 309-643-4054

We will enjoy some good Pizza, Wings, and Popcorn while we bowl to see who will take home the coveted Redeemer Bowling Pin

Jr. High Nerf Night
All 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited for the ultimate Nerf showdown at Trinity! 

Contact Jennifer Anders with questions.

The couples Valentines Dinner will be on Friday, February 14, at 6:30 at Alexander’s Steakhouse.  For reservations, please call or text Ron & Pat Jackson at 309-253-3251 or email at rpkajaxon@comcast.net. 

Join us at 6:00 p.m. in the Green Room.