SUNDAY READINGS

Genesis 25:19-34
Psalm 119:105-112
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

July 10, 2008

From the Rector's Desk

Some random thoughts and connections today —

SonriseI wanted to follow up the brief Sunday morning comments from Ian Smith on the VIVA conference next week in Wheaton. It was good to have Ian worship with us, as he has on several previous visits to the States (from his base in Oxford, England). Over 400 people from around the world will gather at Wheaton next week for the Cutting Edge Conference, held every three years. It will draw together those who work with children at risk, from large organizations like World Vision to local church outreaches in inner cities and neighborhoods. This is a logical place for us to be networking, given our role with Sonrise School and the children of Rwanda, and our new partnership with St. Michael's, a local church serving Sonrise children and families.

I will serve as Worship Leader and Chaplain for the conference, and I invite your prayers for that time, beginning Sunday night. For more information please visit VIVA's website, at www.viva.org

Changing subjects — I was asked by a number of folks for Thomas Merton's prayer that I used in the sermon on Abraham's call to sacrifice Isaac. Here it is:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
—Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999), p. 79

Here's one more item from a recent sermon that has been requested:

In 1972, a young Egyptian businessman named Farahat lost an $11,000 watch. He was stunned when a garbage man dressed in filthy rags found it and returned it to him. Farahat asked him why he didn't just keep the watch. The garbage man said, "My Christ told me to be honest until death." Farahat later told a reporter: "I didn't know Christ at the time, but I told [the garbage man] that I saw Christ in him. I told [him], 'Because of what you have done and your great example, I will worship the Christ you are worshiping.'"

Farahat studied the Bible and grew in his faith. Two years later he visited the garbage man's village outside Cairo, where between 15,000 and 30,000 people were living in poverty and squalor. There was no electricity or running water. Alcohol, drugs, and gambling were pervasive. Men, women, and children sifted through huge mountains of garbage, looking for something of value that could be sold for cash or traded for food. Farahat found himself reflecting on the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." He also remembered the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:13: "We have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things." It was soon thereafter that Farahat and his wife began ministering to people's spiritual and material needs. They preached the gospel throughout Egypt, and thousands of people turned to Christ.

In 1978, Farahat was ordained by the Coptic Orthodox Church and became known as Father Sama'an. Now, about 10,000 believers meet in a large cave outside the garbage village. It is the largest church of believers in the Middle East. In May of 2005, a day of prayer was held for Muslims to turn to Christ. More than 20,000 Arab Christians gathered. The event was also broadcast on a Christian satellite TV network, where millions were watching. All this, because one garbage man chose to humbly return a watch that would have made him the richest man in town.

—Jerry DeLuca, Montreal West, Canada;
source: Joel C. Rosenberg, Epicenter,
Tyndale House Publishers (2006), p. 206

May God's presence and blessing be with you this week, and I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday. We'll be looking at Jacob and Esau.

Peace and joy,

Jay


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


Saturday Women's Gathering - A Celebration of Chocolate!

Just a reminder to RSVP for our ladies' gathering on Saturday. Eugenie will be giving a fascinating talk on the history of chocolate and we will be tasting some unique chocolate as well.

When: Saturday, July 12, 2008 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: Kate Harrower's house: 1326 Meadow Lane, Deerfield (click for directions)
What: A time of chocolate tasting and fellowship for the women of Redeemer and friends. Kate Harrower will be giving a short devotional as well.

RSVP to Danielle Miller at (847) 612-5555 or dmiller@stablegroup.com. We want everyone to be able to attend so if you are having difficulty finding a sitter please contact Danielle Miller.


Redeemer Kids - Service Opportunity

As you may have noticed, our nursery is rapidly growing, and Redeemer Kids is looking for individuals who would be interested in caring for our youngest members. There are spots for volunteers who would like to serve once a month as well as availability for others who are interested in doing so occasionally. Please contact Allyson Entner for further info.




This Sunday's Coffee Hour

This week after the service we'll honor and celebrate our Office Manager, Julia Wright. Be a part of this event as we give thanks for Julia and her important contributions to our community over the last two years.



International Students Need

Bloomington Internal Student Ministries—a group that Theo Rosengren is connected with—will be bringing some students to Chicago next weekend. They need a few places, yet, for students to be housed. If you would like to offer a room (or basement, whatever) in your home July 17-20, please contact Ricki Rosengren, at rickirosie@sbcglobal.net



Stewardship

Thank you for praying for God's provision throughout the summer months, especially, and for your ongoing faithful investment in God's work.

Average offering needed each Sunday: $6,900
Offering last week: $2,307
Air conditioner funds raised: $880



Rwanda Coffee

Perhaps you remember Robert Crow, who shared his testimony with us several months ago? Robert works with Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee and was recently featured on a number of news items on Fox 5 television in Atlanta. He did a tremendous job presenting the coffee and the way reconciliation can be introduced through the work of the coffee project.

Check it out: Robert Crow on Fox 5 television in Atlanta


Prayer Notes. . .

  • for the Mission and Vision and Outreach of Church of the Redeemer
  • for our children and children around the world
  • for those in need in body, mind and spirit
  • for the VIVA conference in Wheaton next week
  • for our small groups and Bible studies