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SUNDAY READINGS
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Mark 7:24-37
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September 4, 2009
COR@9—The Story of Jesus through Matthew
This Sunday we have a great opportunity before us as a whole church to step into a life giving study that will continue until next summer. The Story of Jesus through Matthew is an in-depth engagement with Matthew's Gospel to be taught by a team of teachers led and mentored by Dana Harris, Instructor in New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dana will teach the first session this Sunday morning, Sept. 6th, at 9am.
Much of the conceptual work around this opportunity has been led by Amanda Holm, Redeemer's Pastor for Worship and Congregational Care, who offers some of the thinking behind this journey we will take together:
"Having grown up in the Christian church, I am fully aware that Bible Studies are a dime-a-dozen. I've read the gospels multiple times and heard many sermons on gospel passages, so the events recorded in the gospel of Matthew are very familiar to me. I'm not expecting to discover some new 'event' in the life of Jesus through an ongoing, consecutive study of Matthew. So why am I so excited about this year's COR@9?
"I'm excited because I know that this study of Matthew is about more than, 'what happened in Jesus' life,' because the book of Matthew is more than just a random string of events and teachings. Every story, every teaching recorded in Matthew falls where it does for a reason. 'Why did Jesus say these words at this time?' 'Why is this story in this spot in this gospel?' 'And what does that mean for our understanding of who Jesus is?' 'And how does the Old Testament fit into all this anyway?' As we explore questions like these, we'll come to see that the gospel is richer and deeper in meaning than we knew, full of the Spirit and of life, not just full of information.
"So, I'm excited when I think about COR@9, because to me, it's not just another Bible Study: it's a chance to discover that a story—one that is both familiar and perplexing—is more powerful, challenging, and full of meaning than I knew. And that discovery, by God's grace, can transform us."
Join us for our opening session this Sunday at 9am. Coffee and treats will be on hand. If you are away this week, then join as you are able, and plan on being a part of this great and encouraging journey. For more information contact Amanda Holm at zaholm at gmail.com
Read Professor Harris' bio
Alpha
Two of our values at Church of the Redeemer are "Telling the Story" and "Reaching Out". Alpha is a way to enter more fully into both, as we tell and learn the story of God's salvation in Jesus and we reach out to those who have not really heard it before. It is a growing and vital part of our redemptive and discipleship ministry as a church. We have offered several Alpha opportunities over the last year, and we hope to continue to call people to life in Jesus through Alpha.
This fall our Alpha course will be hosted by the Thomas family in Kenilworth, and will begin with an introductory dinner on Sunday evening, September 13th. Please pick up an invitation at the welcome table as you reach out to those who would find encouragement and hope as they encounter faith through Alpha. The course is also a great discipleship series for those who are already Christians but would like to know more about the foundations of our faith.
For more information please contact Ricki Rosengren, rickirosie at sbcglobal.net
Visit the Alpha website
Discover Redeemer
Have you ever wondered why we do what we do in our worship? Perhaps you want to connect more deeply at Redeemer or desire to learn more of our relationship with Rwanda? Come to our Discover Redeemer course to learn more about our church and how God might be calling you to be a part of things here.
We'll be offering this series beginning September 20th following our fellowship time after worship. We'll serve a light lunch and explore these topics together for a few Sundays.
We'll talk about our worship, our core beliefs, our hopes and dreams and how you can connect. To join in please contact Brocki at our church office, redeemer at redeemernorthshore.org
Expressing our Gifts
We all have God-given gifts that are to be set free in the church so that we might all be encouraged and strengthened. It's one of the principles so important to a healthy and vibrant community. Sometimes we need a little help to discover these gifts, or just a handle to grab onto to get started. Church of the Redeemer currently needs people to serve in the following areas of our ministry:
— Coffee Ambassador
— Set-up team
— teachers for children's ministry
— hospitality
— bread bakers for communion
— sound team
— those with graphic design skill
For more information contact our office, redeemer at redeemernorthshore.org
Stewardship at Redeemer
We give thanks to God, and to you, for faithful giving that enables ministry to go forward. It's been a busy summer, and there are many opportunities ahead for vital mission this fall. May God bless our stewardship for the Kingdom as we listen and respond.
Thank you for praying and giving sacrificially to the work of God at Church of the Redeemer.
Offering last week: $3,231
Offering needed each week: $6,600
Notes . . .
— Invitations will soon be mailed out for our Rwanda benefit on October 24th. Please be in prayer for Michele Becker and her team as they work and plan, and be thinking about who you will invite into this exciting relationship with Sonrise School.
— 4th and Final Church of the Redeemer Ravinia Outing Sunday, September 6th - gates open at 4 p.m.
— Our next Growing Leaders gathering will be Saturday, October 3rd at 9am.
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- our growth in prayer, discipleship and outreach
- Safety for the holiday weekend
- Those who need healing, employment and other provision
- For new and returning ministries this fall (COR@9, Alpha, other outreach)
- For leadership appointments in our Children and Youth ministries
- For St. Michael's Sonrise School and our upcoming Benefit (Oct. 24th)
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