From the Rector's Desk
Ash Wednesday
Ladies' Tea
CaLLiNG Seminar
Redeemer Kids Corner
Redeemer Youth Ministries
Prayer Notes
BIRTHDAYS
2/5 David & John Hupp
2/8 Judy Busch
2/9 Nancy Mitchell
2/9 Marie Ekvall
SUNDAY READINGS
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 99
Philippians 3:7-14
Matthew 17:1-9
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February 2, 2008
From the Rector's Desk:
I've been thinking a lot lately about ways in which my life is—or isn't—connecting with the important themes of Epiphany. As Christ was revealed in the Magi's Star, in John's baptism, in Andrew's testimony to his brother Simon, in Jesus' invitation to the fishermen, and in transfiguration on the mountain (the scripture for this coming Sunday) there is a dance of declaration and display. Sometimes we are told, sometimes shown. That is, perhaps, another picture of word and sacrament, that must be opened and led by the power of the Holy Spirit. And as we open ourselves to manifesting Christ to others, the Holy Spirit will lead us into ways of telling and showing the glory of the Lord, in ways that are authentic to our personality and situation.
This was brought home to me in the last week through two 'spiritual conversations' that opened between me and strangers. One was a driver who took me from my hotel in Dallas last Saturday to the airport, and the other was at the check-out lane in a grocery near home. I didn't 'push' them a certain direction, or insert spiritual questions awkwardly into the topic just to ‘get the ball rolling'. Instead, what was otherwise light banter headed into the spiritual realm, and I was aware that I was not the one leading. Let me tell you about one of them.
My young driver was from North India. When he learned I had been at a church conference in Dallas he wanted to know if he could ask a question about Jesus. I had been going on about the weather...the grassy knoll...Dallas' airport...the kind of things we talk about to pass the time with local people we don't know and won't likely see again. His question dramatically changed the direction of our conversation, and I realized that I had not really been listening as carefully as I could have been. He asked an interesting question: “Was Jesus really born on the 25th of December, or not?” It seemed to be important to him, and I explained that the date had been chosen many hundreds of years ago, and that no, Jesus probably wasn't born on December 25. But it led us into a conversation on the meaning of Christmas—much more important than its date—and then to the meaning of Easter, another Christian observance he had heard about. This conversation was very natural, not forced, and I listened as he talked about the holy writings of his Sikh faith. I affirmed the value of those things, then added, from my own belief, that Jesus came to bring us all to God. There was nothing forced about the conversation, but I did have a clear sense that the Holy Spirit was in the moment, drawing this man. I encouraged him to continue to ask those questions, and to look for others to guide him, and I offered God's blessing.
This was an unusual conversation, and I'm not naturally forward in such things, especially with strangers. But the beauty of it is that I don't have to be, and neither do you. Epiphany—the display and declaration of the Lord—is the work of the Spirit, not of technique or prowess. And as we are open to what God is doing around us we may be called into places of rich spiritual discovery and revelation. Jesus invited people into conversation with him—life and journey, literally. He didn't flex his muscles, clench his jaw and provoke a confrontation (except, at times, with religious leaders). Full of the Holy Spirit, he offered himself—a living sacrament.
 Rick Richardson, Professor of Evangelism at Wheaton College says that we are not salespeople in sharing the Gospel, but travel guides. Most of us don't feel confident to ‘make the pitch' and ‘close the deal', if that's ever appropriate, anyway. We're not sure we understand the product that well, sometimes, or we're concerned that we won't be able to deal with objections. But all of us are comfortable sharing where we have been, and the things we enjoy, and the difference it has made. We can talk about the beauty of Chicago's lakeshore without full knowledge of Burnham's great plan, or how skyscrapers are designed and built. Those things certainly are important, but we don't need a degree in civil engineering before we can talk about how much we love the place.
So as we become people of Epiphany, let's look for the work of the Holy Spirit in opening relationships with others, especially those we can know well. Then as we are open to stepping naturally into spiritual conversations, God can declare and display his glory through humble means---namely, us.
I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday, the final Sunday before Lent.
Blessings!
Jay+
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
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.
Tuesday Morning Prayer
Andrew and Bethany Burns are having morning prayer at their apartment on Trinity's campus (2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield, Apt E8) every Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. All are welcome. Please contact Andrew or Bethany with any questions, at (847) 317-6969, or at andrewwburns@yahoo.com
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.
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
This Saturday is the "Avoiding the Millstone: A Preventative Program for Sexual Misconduct" training for all children and youth volunteers. We will meet at the church offices from 9:00- 12:00. Refreshments will be provided.
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
Redeemer Youth Ministries
Jr. High Broomball Tournament - Tomorrow
Saturday, February 2, we meet at the Centennial Ice Rink in Wilmette at 8:40 p.m. for a broomball tournament. All Jr. Highers are welcome, bring friends! Cost is $10/person.
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 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
- for our need to live Epiphany, even as we approach Lent
- for those who need jobs and provision
- to enrich and expand our life of prayer
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