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SUNDAY READINGS
Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 54
James 3:16-4:6
Mark 9:30-37
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September 18, 2009
From the Rector's Desk
Introducing New Leadership at Redeemer
In the scriptures we are continually reminded how God has blessed us, and how overflowing and abundant those blessings are. It's because of this that we are called to live into that abundance, rejoice and give thanks. Gratitude is the mark of the redeemed life, especially in a world that tends to focus on what it lacks, or what it could have that might be better. I'm always challenged by what St.Paul-in-chains told the church at Philippi, "Rejoice in the Lord, always; again I will say, Rejoice". That joy is tied to trust in God through prayer that leads to peace (Philippians 4:4-7).
In the Church we rejoice in the many gifts God offers, notably the people that forge community with us. In fact we have every need met because God has already provided through the gifts placed in each of us (1 Cor. 12 and Romans 12). And this is true when it comes to our needs of leadership in this congregation. This summer we have been in transition in several ministry areas, and through discernment, prayer and God's provision I am thankful to be able to announce new staff leaders for Youth and Children's ministries. Thanks be to God!
Dan and Kari Hanlon have been working with Ryan Hofacre and several other leaders in Youth Ministry for the last year. Dan is finishing a Master's in New Testament at Trinity, and Kari recently entered a graduate program there, after receiving her Bachelor's degree in history and secondary education from Trinity College. They have both volunteered with youth ministries at other churches, and Kari served in Orlando and Houston with Student Venture, the high school arm of Campus Crusade for Christ. The Hanlon's have a passion for God and for seeing students come to know the Lord and grow in faith, even as they reach out to their friends:
Our desire is that the students have the opportunity to know the Lord Jesus and
grow in faith through Bible study, relationships and opportunities to serve their community and reach out to their peers. We hope to encourage students to live lives of dedication and service to the Lord, and to model Christ like character for them. Also, we desire to encourage volunteers to be committed to the Lord, empower them to invest in individual students, and entrust responsibilities that utilize their unique gifts.
I'm particularly grateful that they will serve together, recruiting volunteer leaders to work alongside them and others, like Brooke (Cantu) Block, who has been leading the Middle School girls.
A team of parents and Children's Ministry teachers advised me on the selection of a leader for that vital area of our community. After gathering résumés and having prayerful interviews and conversations, they unanimously proposed Emily Cool Greener as new Children's Ministry Leader. Emily has a wealth of experience with children in the church, beginning with her work in a Mexico orphanage while she was still in Junior High School. She has led after-school tutoring in Cincinnati, wilderness experiences with students at Honey Rock Camp, and outreach to refugee children and families through World Relief. While enrolled at Wheaton she lived for six months with a family in Uganda, working with children and young people as an education intern for Uganda Crafts. After graduation Emily spent a year working with primary students at Paul Revere Elementary School on Chicago's South Side, then went on to lead logistics for a global conference on children, sponsored by VIVA Network. She is now in a Master's in Education program at the University of Illinois at Chicago with an emphasis on Elementary Education, and has been consistently volunteering with our children and youth ministries since coming to Redeemer. Emily is married to Jonathan, who works with the Aspire Center, the inner-city outreach of Youth for Christ.
The team that called Emily offered enthusiastic support:
Her desire to help our littlest ones grow in faith is evident from her own life's experience and service. She is teachable and yet has the leadership qualities we seek for a team member at Church of the Redeemer. She has a passion for Jesus that is so infectious. In her own words: "I love stories and play; I value honesty and silliness; I build life with others and welcome all; I have grace for tantrums. I am grown yet seeking to become like a little one." She has a contagious energy about her that will be incredibly dynamic for our program. Kids love her and she loves them! She is a strong believer with an amazing amount of experience with children both stateside and internationally, an important quality in a church with such global ties as ours. In terms of vision, passion, energy, love for the children, and overall fit, Emily is clearly the "child magnet" we would love to have lead our children, and serve families and the larger congregation.
So I welcome these new staff leaders, and ask you to pray for them and support them. Get to know them, encourage them, get behind them. They are God's gifts to all of us and will help us to love and serve the Lord more faithfully through our children from birth through high school. Remember to invite families with children and youth to become a part of Redeemer, as we grow and serve together.
I'm thankful for the gift of each of you. May God bless your week.
In Him,
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
COR@9
Sunday mornings at 9am walk with us through the Gospel of Matthew. This is a focused time of teaching and study and reflection, led by a team of teachers being mentored by Dana Harris and Amanda Holm. It's a rare opportunity to study scripture in a deep way over an extended period of time (September to May). It's not mandatory to be there each week to participate, but it's a good discipline to intentionally set a priority to grow together in commitment to learning and worship.
Some thoughts from a participant in last week's study:
It was refreshing to hear a more in-depth approach to the story of the Immaculate Conception. I was encouraged by the explanation of God's plan to redeem His people through the prophecy of Isaiah. I was also encouraged by Jeremy's words on salvation; that salvation is impossible without God—it is impossible for me to attain by my own doing. Jesus had to be sent as Messiah to fulfill the commandments given to us! Praise God for sending His son to redeem us.
Discover Redeemer
If you are relatively new to Redeemer, or would just like to connect again with our call as a church in specific ways, be a part of this five-week lunch series after worship.
— Be introduced to who we are and where we're headed
— Hear about our story as a church, as a missionary movement, as a people, and our beliefs and practices
— Come with questions, prepared to grow together
Child care will be provided. Please RSVP to redeemer at redeemernorthshore.org
Sonrise School Benefit
We're just weeks away from our annual event to help support the work of Sonrise School in Rwanda. Invitations have been mailed, and you can pick up additional invites to give to others, as we continue to welcome new people into the special relationship we have with Rwanda. The banquet on October 24th will feature Bishop John Rucyahana and a video visit to the school filmed this summer.
This is a fundraising event, and it was clear during our visit in June that our support is critical to this school's effectiveness, as it has been since the school was established. So plan on bringing whatever offering you can to bless the work of Sonrise, and be praying for those who come for the first time, as they meet Bishop John and are introduced not only to Sonrise School but to Redeemer Church.
Other Rwanda notes...
This week will be Matthew Andris' last week with us as he moves to Kigali, Rwanda to work with International Justice Mission for the next year. He will also serve as our Missioner for Rwanda, a Redeemer presence on the ground in Rwanda to help strengthen our growing relationships. We will pray for him this Sunday and send him with the Lord's blessing.
We will also have Rwandan Coffee available for purchase during coffee hour. This directly benefits genocide widows who are working to establish a stable support for themselves and their families. www.landof1000hills.com
Website Redesign
Our website is an important aspect of our ministry—both inwardly and outwardly. We can use it to encourage and deepen relationships within the community, as well as to facilitate our mission into local and global contexts. Increasingly people are searching for church websites before attending a service. With the goal of being more intentional about Redeemer's web presence, we have embarked on a website redesign process. We hope to use the new website to empower the ministries and teams God is cultivating in our midst, and to connect globally with partners like the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Sonrise School and St. Michael's. We want it to more accurately reflect who we are and what God is doing in and through us.
We want to invite you to join us on the journey over the coming months. There will be opportunities to be involved in many ways and to share your opinions and ideas throughout the process. An email list has been established to share reports, invite your involvement and share your feedback. If you have any interest at all in the website (even just to keep in the loop), please subscribe to the COR Redesign list.
If you have other questions, please contact Jason Miller or another Vestry member.
Alpha
The Alpha course has been offered around the world to encourage people in their faith and to introduce others to Christianity. Our Alpha for this fall is now beginning, Sunday nights at the home of Fritz and Liz Thomas in Kenilworth. Bring a friend along to this safe and non-threatening opportunity to explore the deeper issues of life. Sundays at 6pm. For more information contact Ricki Rosengren, rickirosie at sbcglobal.net
Visit the Alpha website
Giving
God is blessing us as a church, and as a people. Giving back to the Lord's work affirms that all we have comes from God, and that it is part of the Lord's character to be generous. We're modeling a family trait, then, as we give our tithe and offerings, as well as time and abilities. May God bless our sacrificial giving in His name to the work we're called to.
As you give, consider several opportunities for additional giving:
— Did you know Church of the Redeemer has a building fund? If you would like to make a gift to the legacy of this church's ministry as we move forward consider this area, particularly in light of estate planning. You may be able to make a significant contribution to Redeemer's future in this way.
— There is also a fund that helps to meet special needs, and it has been busy in this difficult financial season. The Rector's Discretionary Fund serves those that our Rector determines, in the course of his pastoral ministry, need help and support. This fund is currently almost depleted, so thanks for reaching out to others in this way. You can write a check to Church of the Redeemer and designate it as Rector's Fund.
Thank you.
Offering last week: $11,358
Offering needed each week: $6,600
Notes . . .
— Our next Growing Leaders gathering will be Saturday, October 3rd at 9am.
— Church of the Redeemer is aware of a family that needs housing. If you have a 3+ bedroom home/apt. for no more than $1,000 a month in the Northshore area please contact Brocki at the church office so that she may put this family in touch with you.
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- our growth in prayer, discipleship and outreach
- Those who need healing, employment, and other provision
- For new and returning ministries this fall (COR@9, Alpha, other outreach)
- For Matthew Andris as he leaves for Rwanda next week
- For St. Michael's Sonrise School and our upcoming Benefit (Oct. 24th)
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