From the Rector's Desk

Discover Redeemer

Hanging of the Greens

Weekly Time of Prayer

Stewardship Update

Redeemer Kids Corner

Redeemer Youth Ministries

Prayer Notes

Birthdays

11/22 Julie Battaglia

MINISTRY NEEDS

Set-up Team: 2-3 people to help with set-ups on Sundays and for special events. Contact Julia at the church office, (847) 681-2872.

SUNDAY READINGS

Malachi 3:13-4:2a,5-6
Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19

November 16, 2007

From the Rector's Desk:

Veteran’s Day this week reminded me of something that happened to me on an airplane several years ago, flying from Colorado Springs to Atlanta. The plane was absolutely full, with every seat taken, and we were into an early morning flight that was scheduled to last almost three hours. I’m not always conversationally inclined on planes—it depends on the person next to me, how much work (or sleep) I have to catch up on, and so on. And on this particular occasion I was avoiding everyone else by watching the inflight movie—I don’t remember the film but surely something rather vacant and pointless.

I was trying to get into the plot, or lack of it, when the young man sitting next to me—barely into his twenties—leaned over my direction and said, “I really don’t want to get a divorce”. It was so unexpected, and yet so direct and clear, that I knew I hadn’t fallen off into a fitful dream. I replied, “Excuse me….” or something lame like that, and he repeated his statement as he glanced down at the ring I always wear on my right hand, a silver ring with a simple cross. That ancient symbol communicated a deep truth to him that I sometimes forget in the midst of traffic jams, long lines and late arrivals. It struck me finally that he was reaching out in desperation to a stranger—a man next to him on the plane that wore a Christian symbol on his hand—a man that, unknown to him, happened to be a pastor—a pastor watching a stupid movie.

At that point I took off the headphones, turned his direction, and listened to his story. He was in the army, a young man married only a few months, who had already served some time away from home and was now set to be sent to Iraq. He didn’t want to go, and his young wife, unsure of this new life with a far-flung soldier, had said she wanted a divorce. The marriage meant a lot to him and he was looking for hope wherever he could find it. I talked with him for the rest of the flight, encouraged him to speak to his base Chaplain and invited him to talk further once we got back to the Springs. We spoke about faith, and especially about the way faith does connect to the deepest needs of our lives, and that it gives hope and meaning. I would like to say that I saw him again, or that he came to our church, or that I was able to have coffee with him later, but it was a one time encounter that I’m hoping made a difference. It reminded me of the pressures that families are under, particularly now, and the desperation that can hide under the surface of our lives.

It also was a powerful and present reminder that God is working in people’s lives even when we are oblivious. And if we aren’t careful, we can miss the very opportunities for Kingdom conversation and engagement that we should always be looking for as we live in our neighborhoods, work in our jobs, go to our schools, or just travel from place to place. We can get focused on ourselves, or our own lives, the inflight movie, or any other number of numbing distractions and miss the really deep and abiding work that we are privileged to be called into. And that work is the very heart of life and faith—the kind of encounter that reminds us we are breathing, and why.

The meeting was also a much needed reminder that we can trust God to open doors of connection for the work of the Spirit, if we will only keep our eyes open. It is God’s work, after all, and we can trust God to do what we can’t, if we are willing to respond.

I think about that often as we are praying about mission and witness in the North shore area of Chicago. We aren’t doing this on our own, or with our own strength and insight, but with divine purpose and power. God promised the faithful remnant rebuilding the temple that He would be with them, and encouraged them to be strong and not fear as He worked through them (Haggai chapter 2). So God strengthens us at Church of the Redeemer and increases our witness if we will just keep open to the nudgings of the Spirit, or in some cases, the not so gentle cries of the desperate.

I look forward to worshiping with you this coming Sunday. My prayers are with you as we follow the Lord with open eyes and heart.

In His Grip,
Jay+


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


Discover Redeemer

We are pleased to once again offer our 'Discover Redeemer' course for those who want to know more about our church. This was last taught in the Spring, and if you missed all or a part of it, or have joined us since then, plan on attending. We'll cover issues surrounding our own history as a congregation, our relationship with Rwanda, our worship and sacraments, and ways you can serve at Redeemer, among other interesting topics. It was well received in the Spring, so come and discover.

The class will run 4 Sundays beginning starting this Sunday at 9 a.m.






In just a few weeks we will enter the Advent season, a time of the year in the church where we await God’s arrival, and make a place for the Lord to enter anew our families and our lives.

To mark that time, we will join together as a community to decorate the church for Advent, enjoy music of the season, make advent wreaths to take home with us, and share in a light supper. This event is for all of us, regardless of age, with our Redeemer family and special guests. The 'Hanging of the Greens' will be Saturday, December 1 from 4-6 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Deerfield Rd. Set aside the date on your calendar, and invite friends and family to this warm event that can serve as an antidote to the commercialization and high-pressure of the season.

Please let Allyson Entner (allyson@redeemernorthshore.org) know by November 26 if you are planning on joining us.


Stewardship Update

In the closing weeks of the year, in order to meet our budget, we are in need of some sacrificial prayer and giving at Church of the Redeemer. This will not be measured in equal gifts, and it will not come from one person or family, but will happen as we all prayerfully and joyfully give to God’s work as an act of worship. God will provide, as we are able to hear his voice and respond.

We have very carefully controlled our expenditures this year at the church so that things would not get out of hand, and it has certainly kept the effects of our giving shortfall in check. But in order to be able to begin the New Year in a place to move forward in mission and ministry we must be able to close out 2007 'on budget'. As previously published, we are in need of $145,000 total fourth-quarter giving to finish our year on budget. So far, we have received $39,481.45.

Thank you so much, and thanks be to God, who is able to do far more than we can ask or even imagine.


Redeemer Kids Corner

You're Invited!
Redeemer Kids is hosting a Hanging of the Greens for the entire church. We hope all of you will mark your calendars and join us on Saturday, December 1 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Please respond to Allyson Entner at allyson@redeemernorthshore.org by November 26 if you are planning on joining us.


Redeemer Youth Ministries

Jr./Sr. High Laser Tag Night - Tonight!
We are having a Laser Tag outing tonight. It’s PARENTS vs. STUDENTS, we look forward to seeing if the adults can take on their kids! We are meeting at the Battaglias at 8:15 pm. Our time is scheduled for 9:00 pm at Laser Quest Arlington Heights, 644 E. Rand Rd. This event is for both Jr. and Sr. High Students. Invite your friends and your friends' parents! The price per student/adult is $14.00.

Thanksgiving Break
Due to the holidays, there will be no youth activites on Wednesday Night (11/21) and Sunday night (11/25). We do have our regularly scheduled Sunday Night program this Sunday (11/18).


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 our finances and stewardship
  • for the Anglican Church of Rwanda, its leaders and people
  • for all who serve within the context of our faith community
  • for teachers, students and staff as school, in all its various forms, resumes
  • 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