SUNDAY READINGS

Genesis 28:10-19a
Psalm 139: 1-11, 22-23
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

July 17, 2008

Summer is moving quickly by, but our community continues to grow and be formed as we worship each week and share our lives with others. This is a good time to invite friends and family members who are spiritually disconnected to experience an encounter with the living God, as Church of the Redeemer gathers to worship and serve this Sunday.

Our Preacher on Sunday

Dr. Boaz Johnson, Chair of the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies at North Park University in Chicago, will be our preacher this week. Boaz is well known to many of our Redeemer folks, and his daughter Ruhi is working with Redeemer at Northwestern. Invite someone to come along and hear God's word through this gifted and anointed preacher.


Mark your Calendar:

On August 3rd Mt. Zion Anglican Church and members of Redeemer at Northwestern will join us in worship at 10am at our usual location, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Highland Park. The Mt. Zion Choir will share some music with us and we'll enjoy some African treats during the coffee hour following the service.

Following the coffee hour on August 10th we'll give you an update from the GAFCON event in Jerusalem. During this Forum we'll hear some personal experiences and take a look at the statement that was issued at the conclusion of the conference, and what it might mean.


Prayer for Lambeth

July 16 to August 3 is the Lambeth Conference held in Canterbury, England. Convened every ten years by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the conference usually gathers all of the Anglican bishops from around the world. However, due to the tear in the fabric of the Anglican Communion, brought about by revisionist churches in the 'West', this year's conference will not have many of the Global South leaders in attendance. In fact, our own Anglican Mission Bishops and Archbishop Kolini will not be attending. But there are some African, South American, Australian and Common Cause (from USA and Canada) bishops going, and we have been asked by our leadership to pray. Bishop Sandy Greene said in Jerusalem that the scripture that came to him was:

Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Archbishop Kolini has asked to pray for God to give protection, boldness and wisdom for the Bishops attending.



New Faces

You may be noticing the many new faces among us week to week at Redeemer. We're grateful that we have opportunity to welcome those who are seeking a new church home, the spiritually needy or just curious. I want to encourage us all to look around for those we don't recognize and welcome them. It's not easy to visit a new church, and the fear of rejection is very high. We can eliminate that barrier by our loving and open welcome to those who are new to our community.


Redeemer Kids - Service Opportunity

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 those 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.


Recap of A Celebration of Chocolate

The ladies' gathering on Saturday was a great success. Eugenie Kozlova gave us all a brief history of chocolate accompanied by a taste of that history. It was rich and delicious. Kate Harrower, who opened her home for the gathering, spoke of discovering the richness of God's character as found in His Word. The fellowship was sweet indeed.



Hunger Relief Yard Sale

The Hunger Relief Sale is coming soon! Please contact Danielle if you are planning to make a donation. We still need tables and clothes racks for the day of the sale. Let us know if you would be willing to lend these items. Please spread the news about the sale. Feel free to contact either of us if you would like a flier of the sale.

THE HUNGER RELIEF SALE
Saturday, July 26 9am-3pm
15909 W. Washington St. Gurnee

Proceeds will benefit Compassion and any unsold items will be donated to a local charity. Contact Danielle Miller at: dmiller@stablegroup.com or (847) 612-5555



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

2008 Givings shortfall at end of June: $12,000


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 those traveling during the summer months
  • for our small groups and Bible studies
  • for new people at Redeemer, and their connection here



Reflection—Christy Glick

i have never felt so great a need for leaning.
i have never felt so greatly that i could.
oh friend who walks beside,
we do not walk this path alone.

Sonrise Some of our richest moments are spent leaning. It is not that we look forward to sorrows in life; but in this world, they will inevitably come. As I learn how to lean upon you in my sorrow--my weakness or confusion--I open myself to the opportunity for God to move through you, speaking through your kindness, chiding through your honesty, being present in your presence.

To lean is not to be weak.
To lean, rather, is to ask for help. It is to expect, even to ask someone to walk beside and to trust that they will.

As I ponder what it means to seek the help of another, I am reminded of how hard it is to ask. Sometimes I fear I cannot ask.

Fear of rejection?
Independence?
Plain old pride?

Perhaps what holds us up is simply that we don't know what to ask for. Is it really possible for someone else to carry the burden that I bear? Could they ever understand? What would it look like?

Leaning looks like asking for help when I can't do what I've promised I would. It looks like answering honestly that things aren't going so well. It is asking for prayer. It means telling you my story because I need someone to listen.

This kind of leaning could mean that the greatest servants among us become worn out very quickly. The "leaned-upon" may become overburdened by the sorrows among us. But that's just it. It is the job of the entire body of believers to minister to one another; we are all to be the "leaned-upon."

We are not called to be independent. We are not called to be invincible. In addition to the difficulties of living in a fallen world, the Christian life will often lead us into suffering, the kind of suffering that convinces me we're meant to lean--into God's grace, into his provision, and often into his people.

And it all begins by telling you I feel a little wobbly.