Church of the Redeemer Update

As we begin Holy Week on Sunday, we will process with palms into the church. If weather permits, we will gather outside in the northwest area of the parking lot. If not, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall for our procession into the Sanctuary.

Holy Week is a powerful journey that will shape our faith as we enter in and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. For people new to the cycle of the church year and liturgy itself it's hard to understand how vital this time can be, without actually experiencing it. As a friend of mine relates it: "The Agony and Ecstasy of Palm Sunday, the prayer of Holy Monday and Tuesday, the amazement at the betrayal on Spy Wednesday, the grace of the new commandment on Maundy Thursday, the fasting, exhaustion and sadness with Christ's crucifixion and entombment on Good Friday, the eager expectation and silence on Holy Saturday, and the sheer splendour, joy, brightness, wonder and feasting with the first proclamation, 'Christ is Risen!' as the Sun arises from Saturday to Sunday." I remember one year when our children were young that our family actually got a hotel room close to church so we could participate in as much as possible.

Whatever you are able or choose to live into this year in Holy Week worship, I hope you sense its value as a journey—a journey in which we are all changed through sacred encounter. God created us to experience him in a way that involves all of our being, and the march from Christ's entry to the city to the empty tomb captures us through sight, sound, taste, emotion and more. Children, especially those who are school age, can grasp much more than we sometimes think they can, especially in the participatory services of Holy Week. Share with them something of the story of Jesus' last week before your family comes to worship, and they will be able to grasp much at their level. Remember that this is not a dusty memory, but a present moment, and I call all of us to enter in, as we are able. May God truly bless our experience of him throughout next week.

To find daily readings for Holy Week, click on the following link: www.textweek.com

Learn more about Holy Week at Redeemer

Jay

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

Sunday, April 5
10 a.m.	Palm Sunday / Passion Sunday
Wednesday, April 8
12 noon	Eucharist / healing prayer
7 p.m.	Prayer service for "Spy Wednesday"
Thursday, April 9
7:30 p.m.	Maundy Thursday service
Friday, April 10
12 noon	Stations of the Cross
7:30 p.m.	Good Friday
Sunday, April 12
10 a.m.	Resurrection Sunday

All services will be at Redeemer Lutheran, except for those on Wednesday, which will be at the Evangelical Church in Highland Park. Nursery Care is available for the Sunday services, for Maundy Thursday and for Good Friday Evening.

Mark your calendars now and spread the word that our 9am hour will return for a few weeks in early May in order to encourage our families. Dr. Perry Downs, Professor of Educational Ministries at Trinity, will teach on "Parenting Teens". Perry has been at Trinity since 1976 and is known around the world as one of the key figures in Christian education. His book on Teaching for Spiritual Growth is a classic, and he has taught many of the educators now serving in positions of leadership globally.

Perry also brings deep personal experience to his insights on parenting, as he and his wife Sandy have been foster parents to more than 30 children. Plan on being with us on May 10th and 17th at 9am, and invite those you know will be encouraged by his helpful teaching on raising children, especially in the tough teen years.

Each week we include prayer requests and encouragements for us to remember as we pray each day. It's especially encouraging to share the answers to prayer. Two of those that needed jobs have found positions, and we include a note from one of those. So keep praying. God does answer prayer.

Dear Friends -

After much praying, the CFO of Fonterra North America (New Zealand based global dairy company with U.S. Headquarters in Rosemont, IL) called me this past Monday night to offer me a job. I accepted the job on the spot, signed the employment contract yesterday morning and start work on Friday, April 3rd.

After my entire group was eliminated 9 months ago and praying for the right opportunity to come along, I feel confident that this is the right one. We have had to consider relocating to anywhere in the U.S. given the worst job market since the Great Depression.

Ever since Jennifer and I began attending Church of The Redeemer in November 2008, we have been very blessed to have met so many kind people who have welcomed us into their lives. We have especially enjoyed the fellowship and for me, the men's support group that Mark Battaglia helped to start. The men of that group, and of the Church have been an added blessing to my life and I am confident that it is because of your numerous prayers was I able to land this job.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers during this ordeal and for continuing to pray for us as I transition into my new role at Fonterra.

— Frank Truong

Hello families,

Thanks for your responses regarding the date for our kids' summer event. Based on your feedback, it looks like Saturday, June 27th will work out the best. It will likely run during the early afternoon. More details will be coming, but for now please save the date!

Allyson

We continue to trust God's provision in these difficult economic times, both personally and as a congregation. Thanks be to God for his faithfulness. We're grateful for God's people who pray for this church and give generously by faith, making it possible for us to complete the first quarter of the year 'on budget'; so we rejoice in that. Thank you for your sacrificial giving to the work of God, especially as we approach Easter when we celebrate God's great sacrifice for us.

Last week's offering: $3,611

Average amount needed each week: $6,600