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SUNDAY READINGS
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35
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September 11, 2008
From the Rector's Desk
Lately we have been reminded as a congregation of the teachings on the gifts in the body of Christ. This has come up in the portions of Romans that make up our Sunday lectionary readings, and we're further informed on this by St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 12). We each have gifts, placed in us by the Holy Spirit, that are designed to allow the church to be what it is called to be—as we offer them and allow them to be in use. This is true for everyone who calls on the Name of Christ. Baptism calls those gifts forward and the body (community) will be stunted if they are not in play.
Chosen from among us are those who lead and serve in particular ways. This is true of those ordained to specific offices (bishops, priests and deacons) and those who serve as staff at Church of the Redeemer. They are not those who are tasked with 'doing' the work of the church, but of helping us all to be equipped, ready and willing to take up our place in God's family. For instance, our Children's Pastor, Allyson Entner, is not on staff to exclusively do the work of ministry with children, but to help us all minister to and with children as a community. Our staff members are both leaders and servants, entrusted with pastoring us into effective wholistic ministry, as teachers and models. Wayne Cordero deals with this extensively in his book, "Doing Church as a Team". He underscores the notion that the church staff do not do all the work, but help to create an environment in which we all discover and come to use our gifts. "Doing church as a team isn't one person doing a hundred things. It's a hundred people doing one thing each—each doing what they do best. Not only is this possible, but it is how God created us."
This week I am grateful to introduce several new staff members. These are people that God has raised up for specific roles as servant leaders.
 Brocki Murphy has been appointed to serve as our Office Administrator. You may have already met Brocki, her husband Todd and children Jack and Annabelle. Brocki has been a stay-at-home mom for the last 5 years. Before that she worked at the Chicago law firm of Quarles and Brady, supervising all of their support staff, providing human resource leadership and executive administration. She also planned major events, including a Field Museum Gala that handled over 800 guests. Brocki also worked as an Executive Assistant with Aon in Chicago prior to her time with the law firm.
Brocki graduated from the Goodman School of Drama at Depaul University, and worked for a while professionally as an actor, including stints in television.
Her husband Todd, now an administrator and teacher at Northwestern University, pastored an Anglican church in Florida, so Brocki has the experience of having been a pastor's wife, involved in ministries and churches as a volunteer for years.
Chris Marchand has joined our staff as a worship leader, to serve alongside Amanda Holm. Chris is a gifted musician, singer and songwriter. A graduate of Eureka College, he completed a masters degree in Theological Studies in May at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, and has now begun a second masters, combining theology, music, worship and the arts. Chris is married to Elisa, and they are expecting their first child. Chris is passionate about worship, and helping us all become true worshipers of God.
Please welcome these servants as they step into their roles here at Church of the Redeemer, and give thanks to God with me for the provision that they are to us. I'm always amazed that God raises up people for specific times and ministries that are particularly suited, through passion and experience, to step into the needed areas.
By the way—please plan on joining us for the picnic after worship this Sunday. It's a way to build community and appreciation for each other, and just have some fun. There are many new faces at Redeemer, and we don't want people to feel 'new' for very long. I look forward to celebrating with you on Sunday.
Blessings!
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
Alpha
The Alpha course begins soon, so plan on participating, and inviting a friend. The celebration dinner will be Tuesday September 23rd at the home of Ricki Rosengren. The introductory session is a good way for you to see if Alpha is for you—so plan on coming. The environment for the course is non-threatening, so people can bring their questions and objections as they work through barriers to faith, or just come to learn more about Christianity. It would also be a good way, if you are new to Redeemer, to meet other people and connect with a group.
For more information, call or email our church office, or the coordinators, Ricki Rosengren and Jill Roekeman.
COR@9 Continues...
Church of the Redeemer at 9am on Sundays brings opportunity for growth, discipleship, a deepening of commitment and connection as we follow God in our life together. As we started last week we had to set up additional chairs for the many who came to learn and grow.
This month we 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 is 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.
Coming in the months ahead for COR@9:
October: Dr. Graham Cole
November: Discover Redeemer
Church Picnic
We will gather behind Redeemer Lutheran after the morning service this 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!
Kid's thoughts on worship
Recently during our children's ministry time, our kids created paintings that conveyed their thoughts on worship. I wanted to share a few of the images that were depicted in these works. When asked what they painted, responses included, "music", "reading the Bible", "the bread", "the cup of salvation", "the cross," and "singing"—just to name a few. Please feel free to stop by the children's worship area to view a few of these masterpieces!
— Allyson
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...
Academy Award Winning Film: As We Forgive
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: $5,824
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- Teachers, students and families as the fall gets underway
- Alpha, the leaders, and those God is calling to participate
- 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
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