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SUNDAY READINGS
Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Psalm 66
1 Acts 8:26-40
John 14:15-21
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May 7, 2009
From the Rector's Desk
This has been a full and rich week at Church of the Redeemer. I'm grateful for all that God is doing among us, and wanted to give a little reflection on these things.
— Last Monday night was a glorious event as our Ryan Hofacre was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons. Most of those in attendance had not been to an Anglican ordination service before, and in fact there had not been an ordination at Redeemer for a number of years. Bishop Sandy Greene laid hands on Ryan as members of the congregation lifted up spontaneous prayers of encouragement and dedication, including a powerful prayer from Ryan's Mom. It was great to worship with our Redeemer Family, Ryan's family and many special guests and friends as Ryan takes the next step in his journey of following God's call.
Some have asked how long it will be before he is ordained as a priest (presbyter). There is some variance, but it is generally from six months to a year. In my earlier comments on Anglican ordination and terminology you'll note that everyone serves as a deacon on their way to priesthood, but there are those ordained for a lifetime of service in the deaconate. Ryan will serve as a deacon until his next level of ordination in the Anglican Mission.
— Spring was in full bloom Saturday as people gathered at La Hacienda in Freeport for our Alpha retreat. Those from several of our Alpha groups met to share time together, relax, and also to grow in the life of the Holy Spirit. We watched several engaging video presentations from Nicky Gumbel (the lead presenter of Alpha) then entered into a time of prayer ministry. Many needs were met as the Holy Spirit brought fullness, refreshing, healing, peace, etc.—gifts that were needed and brought by the Good Shepherd of our souls. It was a privilege for me as pastor to pray as part of a team for others, but also to receive prayer. Please consider being a part of the next Alpha course when it comes around, or go forward for prayer as part of our Sunday morning worship. When we seek God and his good gifts he is there to meet us. I want to offer special thanks to Ricki Rosengren for hosting and for Amanda Holm for offering worship and prayer at the retreat.
— When God moves we don't always know what it will be, but we know that we can trust what he is doing. God often opens doors of ministry and asks us to step through them. I recently announced that Ryan, as part of following God's call, will be planting a new church in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. This is something that has been on Ryan's heart and mind from the time before he joined our staff, but the vision for it was emerging and the time wasn't quite right. He and others now sense that time is at hand and he will be going later this year to get that work underway.
It has also been announced that as part of developing her gifts and qualifications as a counselor, Allyson Enter will be taking up a full-time internship in counseling later this summer and will no longer be able to lead our children's ministry. We are grateful for her 4+ years serving our church, and that she and James will continue to be a part of our Redeemer community. Please pray that God will guide us as we identify those who will receive the torch of leadership from these gifted servants and help us to grow in our ministry to children and students.
I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as we honor college and seminary graduates with special guest Dr. Perry Downs.
In Christ's peace,
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
Parenting Teens — COR@9
Spread the word that our 9am hour will return for a couple of weeks beginning this Sunday 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.
Note: this is not just for parents, but for the whole church as we nurture the families and young people at Redeemer and in our communities.
Journey to Rwanda
We continue to move closer to the important trip that Redeemer will make this summer (June 14-27) to visit our sister church in Rwanda, St. Michael's, and Sonrise School. Our Rector, Jay, will be traveling with Jason Miller and Mark Rosengren on behalf of all of us, even as they are laying the groundwork for a larger Redeemer trip next year. Jay will be speaking at St. Michael's on June 21st sharing greetings from Church of the Redeemer. We also hope to present a plaque and a photo of our entire congregation to celebrate the ongoing and renewing relationship. Mark is a filmmaker who will be capturing the people and places to help all of us know a greater connection with our sponsoring Province and the people there.
Here's how you can participate:
Pray
You can sign up for a specific time to pray during the journey, and prayer cards will be distributed to all who would like them. Stay tuned for details to come.
Celebrate
Come to Newport Coffee in Bannockburn on May 30th from 6-9 for a special time of Rwandan coffee and live music. You'll have opportunity to record a video greeting to be sent along with our team, and you can contribute financially as you are able. This is open to the entire community, so bring some friends with you.
Give
For us to physically go to Rwanda will speak volumes to the people there about our intention to be in relationship over time. This is the 15th anniversary of the genocide, so it is an important time to stand with them. It is not cheap to go, but it is the only way to communicate the value of this partnership, and also to receive what they have for us. Your specific gift to this work, over and above your usual tithe, is a gift directly to that relationship and the work of encouragement in the Gospel. Thank you . You can make a check out to Church of the Redeemer, and list "Rwanda Trip" in the designation line.
Total cost for team: $9,000
Received thus far: $4,400
Any funds received in surplus will go towards future Rwandan visits for Redeemer.
Stewardship at Redeemer
Thank you for your faithful giving to Kingdom work through Church of the Redeemer. God is blessing in many ways, providing employment, new life and other provision as we pray together as His people. In the Easter season, as we celebrate the glorious Resurrection, we respond in the giving of our lives to God, in renewed commitment and devotion. May God continue to provide the resources for all He is calling us to, as we openly respond out of gratitude.
Offering last week: $3,644
Offering needed each week: $6,600
Notes...
— May 9th, 9am will be our next gathering of Growing Leaders at the EC Church Highland Park
— May 9th, Youth Retreat in the City. Contact rhofacre [at] yahoo.com for more info
— Like to help with our Sonrise Benefit Banquet in October? People are needed soon, so attend a brief meeting to learn more on May 31st following worship. Contact Michele.p.becker [at] comcast.net
— Do you know of a person graduating from high school, college or graduate school? Please contact our office as we will be honoring these graduates: College and grad school on this Sunday, May 10th and high school graduates on June 7th.
— June 14th — Newcomers luncheon
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- Prayers of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness
- Our graduates
- Sallie Vroom, Mark Sershon, Liz Jones, Eric Rosengren and all who need healing
- St. Michael's in Rwanda and Sonrise School
- Prayer, Discipleship and Outreach through Redeemer
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