|
SUNDAY READINGS
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
Psalm 20
2 Cor 5:1-10
Mark 4:26-34
|
June 12, 2009
From the Rector's Desk
I wanted to pen a few thoughts today before we head off to Rwanda this weekend. Because of that trip, I won't be sharing in this format for the next two weeks, but I would encourage you to check in on our blog at www.redeemernorthshore.org/rwanda. We hope to be able to post to that regularly. Thanks for praying for our travels throughout the time we will be on the road, June 14-27. I'm excited to be able to announce that our financial goal for the trip has been met, and we can focus on the important relationships that we have opportunity to cultivate. Thanks for being a part of all of this.
You may notice signs in our worship that we have shifted away from the Easter season to what we call 'ordinary time'. This means that the Sundays are ordered by number, rather than by specific festivals, not that we are in a 'mundane' season. Our worship liturgy is more 'standard', we have shifted to the color green (growth and life) and we enter a six month season of walking in Jesus' footsteps, mostly in the Gospel of Mark. The other six months of our worship year are 'extraordinary', from Advent through Pentecost, thematically charged with God's promise and faithfulness in the grand story of our salvation. This twinned aspect of our church calendar, like breathing in and out, gives our worship life through the year a balance and rhythm that is observed on a variety of levels. It shapes and reflects our life and faith. But there are still those red-letter days, set aside to honor God's faithfulness through the Apostles and martyrs of the church. Yesterday (June 11) was one of those days, calling us to feast in thanksgiving for Barnabas, apostle and missionary.
We first meet him in Acts 4 selling his property for the common good of the young church, and although originally named Joseph, the apostles re-name him Barnabas (son of encouragement) for his character and actions. He was devoted to God and the church, and had the standing to have the trust of the apostles. When the newly converted Saul—notorious as the church's greatest persecutor—arrives in Jerusalem, he is met by distrust and fear (not hard to understand). It is Barnabas that takes him in hand and presents him to the apostles, convincing them of Saul's conversion and sincerity. Barnabas is the one the Jerusalem church sends to investigate reports of growing gentile conversions in Antioch, and he subsequently becomes a key figure in the missionary efforts of the early church. It is fair to say that Saul (later Paul) was Barnabas' protege as they spent an entire year evangelizing in Antioch—the place where Jesus' followers were first called "Christians".
Later, when Paul refuses to include John Mark (Barnabas' cousin) in missionary efforts because of his desertion from a previous assignment, Barnabas, the encourager, steps in. He and Paul separate; Barnabas to strengthen and help recover the missionary zeal of Mark in Cyprus, and Paul (with Silas) traveling to Syria. But this separation is not permanent, as Paul reconciles with Mark for later ministry. It is testimony to the encouraging and nurturing character of Barnabas that in later writings (such as 2 Tim 4:11) Paul expresses his deep appreciation for and need of Mark's assistance. This turnaround in recovery of vocation speaks volumes of the kind of apostle and leader Barnabas was for the early church. And if, as traditionally asserted, John Mark is the author of the second Gospel, then Barnabas preserved for the church the ministry of one that continues today to speak powerfully through his witness. We can do no better than agree with scripture when it says of Barnabas "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord".
I pray to be more like Barnabas, and for our church to be full of those who are the children of encouragement and generosity, sharing Christ with others even as we reclaim and nurture those who, like ourselves, stumble on the journey.
"Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel. Amen"
With thanksgiving,
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
COR@9—Returning this Week
When we hear talk of money in the church, it usually has to do with the topic of tithing, yet for most of us this accounts for only a small percentage of our money and possessions. It also only accounts for a small percentage of what scripture says about money. God is as concerned about how we use the money that we keep as he is with the money that we give to the church. As Richard Halverson stated "Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man's real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index to a man's true character. All through Scripture there is an intimate correlation between the development of a man's character and how he handles his money."
You are invited to join as during the 9 o'clock hour for a six-week study of a Theology of Money beginning this Sunday, June 14th.
We will be using Randy Alcorn's book Money, Possessions and Eternity as a guide in an examination of what God has said about our stewardship of the money and possessions in our care, and the impact of our use of them from the perspective of eternity.
There is no requirement to read the book, only a desire to learn more about God's perspective on this important topic.
For more information, visit: http://www.epm.org/books/money_possessions_and_eternityDetail.php
Journey to Rwanda
Finally, after months of preparation, we will embark upon our Redeemer team visit to St. Michael's in Musanze, Rwanda, this Sunday. We will also spend time at Sonrise School and hope to offer our presence in solidarity as Rwandans observe the 15th anniversary of the genocide that plunged their small nation into terror.
Our Rector, Jay, will be traveling with Jason Miller and filmmaker Mark Rosengren. They will serve as ambassadors from our church to St. Michael's and will help to re-establish a ministry of presence in Rwanda that we have not had for several years.
The best way to stay up on the latest information is through our blog,
www.redeemernorthshore.org/rwanda
Here are some last minute reminders:
Pray...
Please continue to pray using the prayer card available and however the Holy Spirit leads. Add to your prayers the pastor of St. Michael's, Rev. Agnes Kamashara, and the Business Manager of Sonrise School, Marjorie Negesa. Marjorie will be our host and will be traveling with us from Kigali (the capital city) to Ruhengeri.
Please pray for safe travel, good connections (London, Nairobi) and rest along the way.
The team (Jay, Jason and Mark) depart Sunday from O'Hare.
Give...
Thanks to your generosity and the involvement of people well beyond the confines of Redeemer, we have met our published goal of $9,000. Thanks be to God! It has been a joy for us to watch many people get involved at different levels to participate in this visit. Again, thank you for responding to this opportunity in God's Kingdom.
We hope to be back on Sunday the 28th to give an initial first-hand report of our experiences.
June Party in the Park—Highwood
Redeemer kids would like to invite the entire Church of the Redeemer family to Party in the Park. It will be held during the afternoon of Saturday, June 27 at Everts Park in Highwood.
Please join us for fellowship, lunch, storytelling, games, crafts, and lots of fun! There will be a special interactive and engaging opportunity to enter into some major events in the life and ministry of Jesus, so bring along some friends and jump in!
This is a major outreach event for our church this summer and a great opportunity to get involved. We are looking for those who would love to use their creative abilities to assist with crafts, music, decorating, storytelling or acting, taking photos, or planning the lunch. Please contact Allyson Entner at allysonentner [at] yahoo.com if you would like to be a part of planning this exciting summer event!
Stewardship at Redeemer
Thank you for your faithfulness in giving that has made it possible for us to be on track with our budget as we enter the summer. Thanks be to God! As people travel over the next few months we often see a drop in tithes and offerings, so thank you for continuing to follow God's direction in your stewardship of what God has given. If you know you will be away you can always mail your offering to Church of the Redeemer, 1713 Green Bay Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035.
Offering last week: $4,736
Offering needed each week: $6,600
Newcomer Lunch
Newcomers to Church of the Redeemer are invited to lunch on June 14 to get to know others in the community and to learn more about the church and opportunities to be involved in its work. If you are new to Redeemer and are interested in becoming more fully integrated into the life of the church, please join us after worship for a light lunch and conversation. Please RSVP to Matthew Andris at (312) 208-9897 or at matthewandris [at] gmail.com.
Welcome Amelie Sophia!
Congratulations to Bethany and Andrew Burns on the birth of their daughter, Amelie Sophia. Born on June 11 at 8:53 am, she weighed 8lbs 12 oz. and was 21.5 inches long.
Everyone is doing well.
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- Prayers of thanksgiving for God's faithfulness
- Healing, especially for Sallie Vroom and Rem Henry
- St. Michael's in Rwanda and Sonrise School, and our team visit
- Our family outreach in Highwood, June 27th
- Prayer, Discipleship and Outreach through Redeemer
|
