BIRTHDAYS

2/22 Julia Wright


SUNDAY READINGS

Genesis 12:1-8
Psalm 33:12-22
Romans 4:1-17
John 3:1-17

February 15, 2008

Rwanda Connections - February 17

Join us this Sunday morning during coffee hour for a discussion on connecting further with our sponsoring Province of Rwanda. Grab a cup of Rwandan coffee and join the conversation. We'll talk about the Benefit Banquet in April, a visit from Pastor Justin around Easter time, our new relationships with St. Michael's Chapel at Sonrise School and a tentative trip this summer. All input welcome and encouraged.


Wednesday Lenten Prayer

Lent is marked by several disciples that we can take on for the forty day journey. They are prayer, penitence, self-denial (such as fasting) and almsgiving, or giving to the poor. Our Wednesday evening prayer gatherings will continue during lent with new urgency. Join us for worship and prayer that will conclude, during Lent, with the liturgy for Compline, a brief service offered at the end of the day. We meet at 7 p.m. at the Evangelical Church in Highland Park.


CaLLiNG Seminar - This Saturday

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). Boaz Johnson who brings a rich perspective and insight to the whole of the scriptures will be teaching on "What is the vision of God to our Post Modern World in the Hebrew Scriptures?"

You can register for this event via the web. The cost is $35 at the door if you register in advance and $40 at the door if you have not registered in advance (Lunch will be provided). Please feel free to invite anyone whom you know who wants to grow as Lay Leaders in the church.


Confirmation - Beginning February 24

The Church of the Redeemer is entering into a period of preparing those that desire to be confirmed in the faith by Bishop John Rucyahana during his visit with us in late April. These classes will begin Sunday, February 24 at 9 a.m., and will continue most Sundays until April 20, with confirmation on April 27. Confirmation is open to all baptized Christians that have not been previously confirmed, and who are at least 15 years of age (individual exceptions on age may be made).

This includes those coming from other traditions that wish to align more closely with Church of the Redeemer and the Anglican Church of Rwanda, as well as those baptized as infants who will now stand and publicly own their faith as maturing disciples of Jesus Christ. As theologian J.I. Packer affirms, ‘confirmation becomes a profound occasion of commitment or recommitment, and of witness to the saving work of Christ embraced by faith’. Bishop Rucyahana will lay hands on the confirmands and pray for a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and a release of their gifts and baptismal calling into the body of Christ.

For preparation we will be using JI Packer’s book “Growing in Christ”, especially the sections on the Apostles Creed and the Ten Commandments, as well as several other important discussions (ie. What is ‘Anglican’ and the role of the Sciptures in our life of faith). Commitment to reading the assigned passages and class attendance is required. We will have Packer's books available at a discount.

If you would like to enter this process of confirmation, please contact our church office, redeemer@redeemernorthshore.org or at (847) 681-2872.


Ladies' Tea - March 1

All ladies of Redeemer (Jr. High and up) are invited to the Ladies’ Tea on March 1, 3-4:30 p.m. at the Deckers’ house (2708 Hartzell, Evanston). 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. You can also sign up at the Welcome Table on Sundays.


Redeemer Kids Corner

Family Lent devotionals are available at the Redeemer Kids table as a tool for families to use as they enter into this season together. You are invited to pick one up this Sunday if you have not already done so.


Redeemer Youth Ministries

Our second Jr. High Date Day takes place next Saturday, February 23. We are reserving a couple hours where our Jr. High students are going to watch the infants in the congregation so that the parents can spend some time together. We will be providing child care from 4 to 7 p.m. Please RSVP to Ryan if you'd like to be a part of this event, and invite friends!


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