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SUNDAY READINGS
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Peter 1: 16-21
Mark 9:2-9
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February 20, 2009
Ash Wednesday
Next week we enter Lent, a season of preparation, self-reflection and penitence that dates to the early years of the Christian church. Lent mirrors the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness prior to his ministry, and it is preparation in our lives for the joy of resurrection and new life, several weeks away.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent—a day of fasting and prayer, marked by solemn worship with the imposition of ashes in the sign of the cross. This is a powerful reminder of our mortality and frailty as we hear the words "remember you are but dust, and to dust you shall return".
Church of the Redeemer will observe two services for Ash Wednesday next week: 12noon at the EC Church in Highland Park, and 7:30pm at Redeemer Lutheran. Let us join together in worship as we begin the Lenten journey to the cross and the empty tomb.
Worship this Sunday
As a sign of penitence during Lent, it is customary to drop the usual 'alleluias' in our worship liturgy. This Sunday will be the last 'Alleluia' until we hear the comforting and stirring affirmations of Easter "Alleluia, He is Risen". So don't miss our worship this week as we go up the Mount of Transfiguration and witness Christ in his glory, to which we will respond, "Alleluia, Alleluia!"
Road to Rwanda
This week in our Vestry meeting we took another step closer to visiting our sister church in Rwanda this summer. Our leadership has affirmed the need for this visit to St. Michaels and planning is underway. Our initial visit will be a small team of just 3 or 4 people, but this is a trip that includes everyone in the congregation and is an extension of our whole church.
At this point several things are needed:
— Those with some international experience to help coordinate efforts on the congregational side of things (communication, travel, preparation, etc). Please talk to Brocki at our office if you can help with this.
— Contributions for travel expenses. This has not been included in the budget so we need to raise additional funds. Those going will be contributing some of their own funds to the expenses, and we all have an opportunity to participate, as well. Earmark checks for Rwanda travel.
— Please pray—this will only be an effective visit if it is bathed in the prayer of God's people.
Alpha
Several Alpha groups are launching soon, and we need people to help. Specifically we're looking for those who can prepare meals for the groups, either for Sunday noon or Tuesday evening. The meal is an integral part of the Alpha design and important to building relationships as people explore the Christian faith. If you would like to assist please contact Ricki Rosengren at rickirosie[a]sbcglobal.net.
AMiA Winter Conference—Out on a Limb
Amanda Holm, Redeemer Worship Pastor
To some people, the thought of spending four entire days talking, thinking, practically breathing "church" might not sound particularly appealing. But for me, the recent Anglican Mission in the Americas Winter Conference was one of the most renewing, invigorating, and just plain fun experiences I have had in a long time.
One of the things I love dearly about AMiA is its missional focus. The theme of this year's conference, held at the end of last month in Greensboro, N.C., was "Growing Out on a Limb," drawing on the imagery of vine and branches that Jesus uses in John 15. Speakers and workshops at the conference challenged us to go beyond our "safe zones" of ministry and out to the rougher, less comfortable places where God is already working.
For example, Todd Hunter, formerly a church planter with Vineyard Ministries and now heading up emerging AMiA church plants on the West Coast, reminded us that God works out on the edge. "The Kingdom of God is a secular reality"! Remember how much time Jesus spent hanging out with broken, messy people? Hearing Todd Hunter, I felt excited to go out on that edge, however messy and non-"churchy" it may be, to help people realize that yes, there IS hope and meaning in this broken world!
Another speaker, Margaret Feinberg, looked closely at those now in their 20s and 30s (like me!), pointing out some of the differences between this generation and the previous generation. For example, did you know that the biggest struggle expressed by people my age is loneliness? That people are getting married later? That Facebook isn't going away any time soon? That most young people would love to build genuine connections with older generations? These are things the church needs to understand so that we can effectively reach this new generation. As I listened, overwhelming passion rose up in me, and I said yes, YES, I want to reach out to my peers, to walk alongside those who are hurting and show them that in Christ there is true community!
Winter Conference gave me renewed confidence and joy in the fact that although the world may be rapidly changing in ways that often frighten us, God is anything but stumped. He is moving and working — sometimes in the places we least expect him to be! God might be working in the life of that barista you see everyday at Starbucks. The Spirit might be tugging at the heart of your business partner. That neighbor you've casually greeted every Saturday morning for years? That kid at school with all the weird piercings? God might be working in them too. Do we see them? Do we try to come alongside them, listen, and understand? Do we seek for where God is working or just expect Him to conform to our expectations?
The people around us are hungry for what genuine, vigorous, real Christian faith can provide. I'm not exactly a gifted evangelist — but I do care about people. And I do like conversation. While I may not have actually gone out into the streets preaching about how awesome Jesus is (yet), the Spirit used Winter Conference to instill in me the beginnings of a new boldness — a boldness to go out and relate with the people around me, engaging with them in their real questions and concerns, intentionally seeking out where the Lord has been working before I even arrive on the scene so that in some way, however small, I may be used by the Lord to draw other people closer and closer to Him.
May all of us at Church of the Redeemer be continually renewed by the Spirit in our passion for the Lord so that we may have eyes to see His kingdom work in our midst and jump in whole-heartedly!
FaithSteps—Reflections from the Journey
Dear Redeemer,
We are still enjoying the thriving plant Redeemer sent us during Bill's knee surgery and its many complications. Like us, every once in a while, the plant droops but given some water it perks up. Redeemer faith community was the water given to us over and over again in 2008. We won't give names because you know who you are and God knows each one by name. Our blessings were many... prayers and more prayers, rides, meals, cards, (especially the one from Redeemer Kids), calls and visits (especially by Pastor Jay). During 2008 prayers were also said for my sister Julie and her husband. Joe passed on peacefully in December. We celebrated his life — then, two days later we (as a family of 15) celebrated the birth of Jesus. Our prayer of thanks is that all will know the babe of Bethlehem as their crucified and risen Savior as did our dear Joe. Redeemer faith community truly made a difference in our lives and extended to our family. Many thanks.
Love,
Bill and Marie Ekvall
Send your own notes to redeemer[a]redeemernorthshore.org
Ideas for Discipleship at Redeemer
Beginning in prayer, we will gather on Saturday, Feburary 28 for a 'brainstorming session' to consider the tapestry of ways Redeemer can be engaged in discipleship. This is an open session for anyone who wants to contribute to our thinking about these vital topics. More details to follow.
If you want to be sure you get the details, please contact Jason Miller by email or at 847-274-5532. If you already emailed Jason, you're on the list for more info.
Jason will continue to ask for your contributions of book titles and resources that might prove helpful to others in our community who desire to grow deeper in Christ. Thank you to those who have already responded with helpful suggestions!
Stewardship Update
How do we live as faithful stewards in the midst of tough financial times? As those who trust the provision of God we make decisions to live more simply and authentically, and we live in sensitivity to the needs of others. As we pray and give we are making a witness to ourselves and the world about the nature of God's provision. Randy Alcorn, who has written several books on biblical stewardship, says that how we respond to these times is actually part of our call to evangelize.
"For one thing, in tough times Christian charity is needed all the more. For another, the testimony of that giving is even more profound. Giving in tough times tells the world that it is God's providence, not a large checking account, that is the source of our sustenance and security."
We may be tempted to hold on more tightly to what we have, but our giving proclaims what we believe, and it helps to lessen the hold that things have on us, even as it breaks our fear over what will happen in the economy. As a community of faith let's continue to seek God's provision and give openly to that Kingdom work in our midst. Thank you for your faithful and consistent stewardship at Church of the Redeemer.
Average offering needed each week: $6,500
Last week's offering: $ 6,378
Notes...
— Thanksgiving for Mark Battaglia's new job.
— Continued prayer for others seeking employment, and those in need in body, mind and spirit (Sallie, Rem, Helen, John,...)
— Growing Leaders, Saturday March 7th at 9am, at EC Highland Park
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- God's provision and will in these days
- Our Redeemer staff and other leaders
- The Marchands, especially praises for God's help in the successful delivery of a baby boy
- Alpha, outreach and other ministries at Redeemer
- Mike Niebauer and Redeemer-Northwestern, Rev. Agnes and St. Michaels in Rwanda, and Deacon Lalo and Redentor
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