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SUNDAY READINGS

Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 149
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20

September 5, 2008

From the Rector's Desk

You've probably noticed that we have a few things on the calendar this month at Church of the Redeemer that are beginning, or beginning again. These are not things to just keep us busy, or provide programmatic input to spiritual interests, but they grow out of our relationship with God and each other as we journey together. They are rooted in worship and the grand vision that Ryan preached on last Sunday from Roman's, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Therefore, I urge you..." (Romans 11:36 to 12:1). Our actions are possible only because they spring from the reality of the victorious Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being.

The church worships and it offers witness. We actually do witness in our worship each Sunday—the great story of salvation is recited during the prayers at communion—and there is a powerful value in the church offering praise and worship to God, out of which we are sent forth each week to love and serve and call people to him. But it's often hard for us to know how to follow through on sharing our faith with others. How do we talk about things of faith in a world that seems so far from spiritual concerns? Where do we start, and do we even know what we believe well enough to have helpful conversation?

AlphaBoth of these questions and others are dealt with beautifully through the Alpha Course, a ten week series that considers the basic teachings of Christianity. Church of the Redeemer will offer the Alpha Course this fall, beginning Tuesday night September 23rd, and I want to personally invite you to pray about your own connection to this opportunity. I have had association with this course for the last ten years, and endorse it heartily. It's a perfect way to make that connection with a friend or family member who has questions about faith, or who wants to grow deeper in the foundational understandings of the Christian faith. It is also a way for people new to Redeemer to make connections with others in our community as we share a meal each week, learn together and bring our own questions and struggles.

I'm taking this space this week to highlight Alpha because I think it is vital to our mission as a community. It's not the only way to share faith, certainly, but it is a very good way to move us all forward. I have personally led Alpha groups, and in each one people moved into faith in Christ and had their faith strengthened. In one, a young couple accepted Christ who would later become our Children's Pastors in the church I was serving at the time. Others grew and felt more comfortable about living their faith in an open and inviting way.

In the first chapter of John's Gospel there are two great introductions to Jesus. Andrew had become interested in Jesus because of the witness of John the Baptist. The first thing he does is to tell his brother Simon (Peter) about this fascinating character. Verse 42 states it simply: "And he brought him to Jesus". Several verses on Jesus calls Philip to follow him, who in turn invites his friend Nathanael, who provides some cynical push-back, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Again, the invitation is simple, "Come and see."

Through Alpha we are simply inviting people to meet Jesus—whether family or friends, eager or cynical. We will journey together and we will all have opportunity to consider the claims of our faith, as new life and vitality are released. Is Alpha for you? Is it for you to invite someone else to join you on the journey? Yes, it is a commitment of ten weeks, including an overnight retreat. But the testimony of the many who have encountered this course around the world invites us to see that it is life changing—worth a little investment.

Thanks for considering this opportunity, and for praying for those who will be leading and serving during this time. The leaders will be attending a training this Saturday in Lake Forest, and the course will begin September 23rd. To sign up, please contact our office, or Ricki Rosengren, or Jill Roekeman

Read more on Alpha

I look forward to worshiping with you this week. Blessings!

Jay


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


COR@9—Beginning this Sunday!

Church of the Redeemer at 9am on Sundays will bring opportunity for growth, discipleship, a deepening of commitment and connection as we follow God in our life together. There's a little bit of a play on words here--COR being the oft used abbreviation for our church, which sounds like 'core'... meaning we will be digging into some core areas of faith and values for our church at 9am.

We begin--and this is no accident--with a month to look at God's heart for children. Jesus interacted with children a lot, especially in a society that didn't value children. To say that we must become like little children to enter God's kingdom was a radical thing to say at that time, and it still is. Dr. Susan Greener will be leading this conversation with the goal of raising our congregation's awareness of how the scriptures treat the child and how children are valuable to the Lord and to us.

Specifically, we will look at seven areas that provide a wholistic Biblical framework that will take us from the dignity of children to their role in God's mission. Don't miss this unique growing opportunity.


Children's Ministry

Along with the emphasis during COR@9 our own children's ministry is implementing some new curriculum following a summer of reflection and evaluation. We are growing in our children's ministries, from Nursery through school age years, and how we minister to and with children and families is a high value for us. This is an exciting season as Children's Pastor Allyson Entner works with outstanding teachers and an advisory team to help us live out what Jesus said. You are invited to visit a class at any time, and to encourage the children at Church of the Redeemer.


Church Picnic

We will gather behind Redeemer Lutheran after the morning service next Sunday, September 14th, for food and fun! The potluck portion of the picnic will be divided up by last name as follows: A-F bring Salad for 8, G-L bring Side-dish for 8, M-Z bring Dessert for 8 (College/Graduate students are welcome to bring a dish for 4). Since we will be ordering some of the food, please RSVP before Friday, September 12th (whether coming or not coming) to the church office at (847) 681-2872 or redeemer@redeemernorthshore.org. Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chairs on which to sit, as well as your own dishware and eating utensils.

If you are able to help with organization, set-up, clean-up, etc., please contact the church office. See you there!

Note for Parents of Redeemer Youth

This week following the Sunday Morning Service, we will be having a brief parents meeting to discuss what will be happening this fall 10 minutes after coffee hour. I encourage all parents to participate!

Growing Leaders

If you are involved in leadership, at any level, at Church of the Redeemer, our next gathering is September 20th from 9-10:30 at the Evangelical Church in Highland Park. If you want to learn more about leadership, or the things we are working on, then you are invited, as well.

Coming Next Month...

Church of the Redeemer will have a rare opportunity on October 22 to screen a special film on Rwanda's work toward reconciliation. "As We Forgive" was produced and directed by Laura Waters Hinson, an AMiA worship leader who is completing graduate work in film. She won a Gold Medal in the student division of the Academy Awards, and this film is now getting a lot of 'buzz'. We'll soon have tickets available for you to invite friends, co-workers, etc to view the film and hear first-hand from the film maker.

Read more...


Stewardship

Average offering needed each week: $6900
Offering last Sunday: $5,141


Please pray for . . .

  • The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
  • Teachers, students and families as the fall gets underway
  • Our Rector, Jay, and his family
  • Our staff and their families
  • Those in need in body, mind and spirit
  • The new ministries and opportunities emerging at Church of the Redeemer