BIRTHDAYS

3/2 Susan Greener
3/2 Zach Vroom


SUNDAY READINGS

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-13, 28-38

February 28, 2008

From the Rector's Desk - On Fasting

I had a pastor many years ago who would often quip, “It’s too late to fast and pray, so we’d better pray fast!” His tongue-in-cheek jibe was a good natured swipe at our ambivalence toward the discipline of fasting, or our avoidance of it altogether. The season of Lent is often described as a ‘forty day fast’—not that we fast for the entire period, but that it is a time particularly set aside for acts of self-denial, in reflection of Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness at the start of his ministry.

I didn’t grow up in a church that emphasized fasting—abstaining from food and drink (not that there was much drink). In fact, I can’t remember ever hearing it talked about separate from preparation for a medical exam. Yet the Bible is full of references to its importance, and the church’s story includes it as a prominent feature of spiritual formation and fellowship with God. This is especially true of the early church which simply expected to fast and to pray, along with other celebrations of the new life of Christ.

Last week in this column I opened the subject of prayer, knowing that I could say very little about it compared to its depth and richness. The same is true this week as I speak of fasting, even as we continue our journey through Lent, moving closer to the Lord’s suffering, death, burial and resurrection.

The Bible says much about the discipline of fasting; in fact it seems to assume that we will fast, even as we participate in prayer, meditate on scripture, worship, serve etc. Moses fasted, as did Jesus, and so did the early church. Jews fasted on Monday and Thursday, so Christians differentiated themselves by fasting on Wednesday—the day Christ was betrayed, and Friday—the day the Lord was crucified. These observances, which involved total avoidance of food and drink during daylight hours, eventually developed by the early fourth century into the preparatory season of Lent. Fasting was still observed throughout the year, but the time leading up to Holy Week and Easter was particularly appropriate for this practice. For centuries the observance of various fasts in the church was obligatory and strictly defined, but perhaps in reaction to this, for the last 150 years or so, fasting has been largely neglected in most of the church.

It’s not the refusal of food itself (or other things) that is our focus in fasting, but in coming to understand that we are not dependent upon these things for our meaning and worth—that can only come from God. Skipping a meal because we’re busy or to lose weight is also not a picture of biblical fasting. When we fast we give the time to God—in prayer or in service. It is also not helpful to pursue fasting and other spiritual disciplines with a legalistic and rigid spirit, but to offer one’s self to the passionate pursuit of God through prayer and self-denial, while reflecting God’s joy to others.

If you’re looking for some places to begin, let me suggest the following, even as I confess that fasting is not something I am particularly good at, though I believe I am moving forward in and through it.

--find one meal to miss, and give the time to God in prayer, or in serving others;

--fast from something that is a part of your diet, even as you offer the journey and self-denial to God. People do this in relationship to caffeine, sugar, alcohol, chocolate, etc.—things that can also be consumed in thanksgiving to God but often get the better of us.

--in terms of time, one can also fast from television, from the internet, from too much time on the phone—anything that warps our sense of value and keeps our lives from being balanced in God’s presence. Replace this with godly reading, or time in spiritual friendships.

Overall it is important to remember that the goal of fasting, and other spiritual acts, is to draw us to the Lord and the Lord’s people, to restore our sense of being the ‘beloved of God’, and to help us regain the place of our joy and completeness in Him. To pursue this with grudging obligation, or to try to manipulate God into a certain response, or out of a sense of self-loathing, is not a healthy picture of the discipline of fasting.

For more on fasting, check out the following links:

Richard Foster on fasting: http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/foster_3114.htm
http://www.new-life.net/fasting.htm
http://www.spirithome.com/fasting.html
(please note that this does not constitute an endorsement of these websites)

May God grow us through fasting, prayer, repentance and service to others in this season as we wait on Him.

Blessings!
Jay+


The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org


Helping out at Redeemer

The Children's ministry is in need of volunteers for the following:
- Nursery volunteers during the 9 a.m. hour for the month of March. This is a one time commitment. Please contact Allyson Entner at allyson@redeemernorthshore.org if you are interested.
- Painters or decoraters who would be interested in working on preparing some space for our Sunday morning children's ministry. For futher details or to offer a hand, please contact Allyson Entner at allyson@redeemernorthshore.org.

Transportation from/to Northfield
Liz Hupp had surgery on her ankle recently. She would love to come to various church events, but can't drive herself. If you are available to help out by driving her to and from Sunday mornings, Wednesday gatherings, and other events, please contact Julia at julia@redeemernorthshore.org.


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.


International Prayer

A number of churches have been asked to pray for the situation in Russia, particularly in a period prior to the next election. March 2 has been set aside as that day to pray, and we would encourage people from Church of the Redeemer to pray for that nation, even as we are praying for our own national election process.

Reports are that the evangelical church, especially, has been under growing pressure, and is often portrayed as a cult, with missionaries consistently labeled as ‘spies’. Leaders of the evangelical church in Russia are requesting prayer for their nation, their church, and for outreach programs such as Alpha.


Confirmation

The process toward confirmation has officially begun at Church of the Redeemer, with classes continuing each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Last week Father Jay began the journey with a discussion of the place of confirmation in the life of the Christian and at Redeemer, looking at Scriptural and historical foundations for the ‘laying on of hands’. This week Jason Miller and Eric Speece will facilitate discussion around the Apostle’s Creed. If you would like to be confirmed in late April by Bishop Rucyahana, you can still join the process this week.



Ladies' Tea - March 1

It's not too late to RSVP! 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.


Growing Leaders - March 8

Our next Growing Leaders takes place on Saturday morning, March 8 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Evangelical Church in Highland Park. We will be continue our conversations on welcome and outreach. If you help in leading a ministry or you serve on the vestry then this time is for you!


Redeemer Kids Corner

We are in need of Nursery volunteers during the 9 a.m. hour for the month of March. This is a one time commitment. Please contact Allyson Entner at allyson@redeemernorthshore.org if you are interested.

Redeemer Kids is looking for painters or decoraters who would be interested in working on preparing some space for our Sunday morning children's ministry. For futher details or to offer a hand, please contact Allyson Entner at allyson@redeemernorthshore.org.


Redeemer Youth Ministries

I just want everyone to know that the Jr. High Date day went absolutely wonderful! Thank you to those families who participated. I think you would have
been proud to see what a wonder job the Jr. High students did with the younger children.

We are have another broom ball outing on Friday, March 7. I look forward to seeing Mr. Battaglia show us his broom ball skills again!!!


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 growth and journey in this season of Lent
  • for those who need jobs and provision
  • to enrich and expand our life of prayer