From the Rector's Desk
Annual Celebration
Upcoming Opportunities for Discussion
A Helping Hand
Ladies' Tea
The Vestry
Ash Wednesday
CaLLiNG Seminar
Redeemer Kids Corner
Prayer Notes
BIRTHDAYS
1/29 Liz Hupp
2/1 Bob Sharp
2/1 Julianne Ross
SUNDAY READINGS
Amos 3:1-8
Psalm 139:1-11
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Matthew 4:12-23
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January 25, 2007
From the Rector's Desk:
I write this week from drizzly and cold Dallas, although the weather has barely touched the activities of our annual AMiA Winter Conference. It has been an excellent event, with nearly 1500 people gathered from across the Americas (US, Canada and places in Central and South America) as well as Asia, Africa and England. This is the 8th conference, and other than the first one in 2001, it’s the only conference I have not ‘worked’ in some capacity. That has enabled me this year, as a participant, to get a sense of the energy, excitement and anticipation that people bring here.
The opening night worship included a sermon from our Archbishop Kolini of Rwanda. He welcomed the 1700 worshipers (enhanced by local attenders) and also Rwanda’s House of Bishops. Every Bishop from Rwanda (except one) is here to participate and to see first hand how God is guiding and leading the Mission. What was only a handful of churches when I was ordained into the AMiA in December of 2000 now numbers 133, with about 60 additional new works in development. God is blessing, giving increase, deepening and encouraging this work of which we are a part. Several staff members from Redeemer are here, and Amanda Holm, one of our gifted worship leaders, commented that the conference has helped her to understand the Anglican Mission as a real move of God—something sovereign in our own time. I think many people catch that sense, especially with all of the global flavour of this event. I hope we will continue to live into that as fully as possible as a congregation—to step into the opportunities that God is providing, across the world and on our door step. Church of the Redeemer is an expression of the current global move of God’s spirit on Chicago’s northshore, and many people are looking to step into the stream of something vital and real---and they can discover that as we invite them into it.
I was particularly encouraged by Archbishop Kolini’s sermon on Wednesday night. He preached on the same passage of scripture that we highlighted at our Annual Celebration last Sunday:
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth. Isaiah 42:9-10
Our Archbishop challenged us that the past is over and done, and that God is releasing new things. Whatever was evil about the past we must repent of, give to God, as we step into the new things. This includes repenting of our own sin and failures. Earlier in the same passage the prophet declares that the Lord will not give his glory to anyone else, or his praise to idols. Archbishop Kolini called us to clear our lives and families of things that draw us away from God---things that we honor with time, energy and resources that really belong to the Lord. He reminded us that our children learn from what we do, and that our priorities will become theirs.
Then, according to Isaiah, as we move forward in grace and God’s provision, he is already telling us where he is leading the wonderful things that he will do. I believe this is a word with much resonance for us at Church of the Redeemer, right now, and I commend it to us.
There are also excellent teachings this week, as well as workshops on many issues relating to mission, church planting and growth, not to mention the myriad opportunities to see old friends and make new ones. Archbishop Kolini, Bishop Sandy Greene, Bishop John Rucyahana and Bishop Alexis (who visited us last January) all send their greetings to Church of the Redeemer.
We return on Saturday---thank you for your prayers.
I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday.
In His Grip,
Jay+
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
Annual Meeting & Celebration
Last Sunday’s annual gathering was an outstanding time of fellowship and celebration. We enjoyed a really great potluck meal and heard from several in our congregation, sharing what God is doing in their lives, and what they sense is happening right now at our church. Father Jay shared his vision as to how God seems to be leading us in the coming year, and what God strengthened and provided in 2007. If you were not able to be in attendance, please check with our office for materials that were distributed outlining some of these areas.
The congregation, that nominated several people to the vestry over the last month, affirmed Dan Babarik and Joann Decker to the vestry, and approved the appointment of a Graduate Student Representative, Libby Pruitt, to the vestry for a one year term. The congregation also approved new officers---Rick Bayley as Senior Warden, Jason Miller as Junior Warden, and Steve Yukel as Treasurer.
The budget was presented by Steve Yukel and accepted by the congregation (for a copy, please contact our Redeemer office).
We give thanks to God for his leading and provision, and pray for wisdom, guidance and courage as we move forward this year.
Upcoming Opportunities for Discussion
Over the next few weeks there will be some opportunity for direct discussion and feedback on a number of ministry areas at Redeemer. If you are interested and believe God may be leading you to serve in a particular place, or you want to join the journey of discovery, get a cup of coffee and find the ‘leader’.
This Sunday — conversation around the culture of ‘Welcome’, Jeff Calhoun
Feb. 10 — Small Groups, Sallie Vroom
Feb 17 — Growing connections with Rwanda,Mark Battaglia
A Helping Hand
We are collecting household items for the Harrowers, a family that has just arrived from Australia. Scott will be studying at Trinity, and is joined by his wife, Kate, and their three children. We've split items up by last name, and you can bring donations to church on Sunday, Julie Battaglia will be collecting them.
A - M = spices/flour/sugar/basic kitchen items
N - Z = cleaning supplies/laundry soap/paper goods
We will also be coordinating furniture donations, as they have a rental house to furnish. If you have any items you'd like to pass on, please contact the church office at (847) 681-2872.
Ladies' Tea
Mark your calendar for the Ladies’ Tea on March 1, 3-4:30 p.m. at the Deckers’ house (2708 Hartzell, Evanston). All ladies, Jr. High and up, are invited. Our time will including a tea taste testing and presentation on tea by Laura Speece. Please RSVP to Danielle Miller at (847) 612-5555 or dmiller@stablegroup.com, or by calling the church office at (847) 681-2872.
The Vestry
Sometimes I field questions about the vestry, so let me attempt to clarify the vestry’s role. The Vestry—nominated and chosen by the congregation—serves as a vital leadership group in our church. They have the responsibility for financial health and accountability, and they serve as an important ‘council of advice’ for the Rector in the congregation’s life and ministry (as in Proverbs 15:22, Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.) They are leaders in the life of our community, and are positioned to strengthen the voice of the congregation, as God often speaks to his people through his people. That is why we list the vestry in the bulletin each week, and I encourage you to get to know them and share with them your own stories of how God is using Redeemer, as well as your insights into our common life and mission. Please pray for the staff and vestry of our Church that we might be led by God and carefully discern his voice.
-Fr. Jay
Ash Wednesday - February 6
 Lent begins this year in early February, with Ash Wednesday falling on February 6. We will have two services on Ash Wednesday: at noon at the EC Church in Highland Park, and at 7:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran. Ash Wednesday calls upon us to turn from our sin, turn to God in penitence, and enter into a holy season of Lent, as we look toward our observance of Christ's Suffering, Death and Resurrection.
Our solemn observances of Ash Wednesday will include imposition of ashes. Please invite those who may be new to this season to attend with you.
CaLLiNG Seminar - February 16
The next CaLLiNG Seminar takes place on February 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Faith Christian Reformed Church (1070 S. Prospect Av., Elmhurst IL 60126). Mark your calendars!
Redeemer Kids Corner
February Schedule for Redeemer Kids (3 year olds- 5th graders)
3rd- Children's Liturgy- Victoria Albanese and Judy Bayley
10th- Symbols of Lent- Catherine Kerson and Melissa Ross
17th- Children's Liturgy- Bill Gorman and Libby Pruitt
24th- Worship through Artistic Expression- Joshua Beckett and Caitlin Greener
A reminder to all Redeemer Kids volunteers- Nursery through 5th Grade
Avoiding the Millstone: a Preventative Program for Avoiding Sexual Misconduct, will be held Saturday morning, February 2, from 9:00-12:00. This is a mandatory training from AMiA, so please plan to attend.
Prayer Notes. . .
- for the Mission and Vision and Outreach of Church of the Redeemer
- for our Rector, Fr. Jay, and his family
- for Bishop Sandy and Gigi Greene
- for our staff and their families
- for our leadership (Vestry, ministry leaders)
- for thanksgiving over the Lord's provision in stewardship at year's end
- for our annual meeting
- for all who suffer illness, hardship and discouragement
- for this season of waiting and anticipating God's action and vision at Redeemer
- for the Anglican Church of Rwanda, its leaders and people
- for all who serve within the context of our faith community
- that we would faithfully reach out to the spiritually disconnected and hurting, and bring them into fellowship
- for other congregations in relationship to us
- to enrich and expand our life of prayer
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