Sonrise School Benefit

Sundays—Worship & Learning

Growing Leaders

Stewardship

Sharing Life

Prayer Requests

SUNDAY READINGS

Job 1:1; 2:1-10
Psalm 26
Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12
Mark 10:2-16

October 2, 2009

Sonrise School Benefit

We're now less than a month away from our major event of the fall season—our benefit for Sonrise School. This is an important night in many respects. It is something our church has consistently organized and offered each year for the past decade. The first few banquets were helping to raise support for the establishing of the school, which opened in 2001. Since that time our efforts have helped to keep the doors open to the neediest children in Rwanda. Certainly others are involved in supporting this vital school, but Church of the Redeemer has been a key financial partner in Sonrise's operation, as opposed to capitol improvements or construction. This is something that God has placed in our hands, and it is uniquely ours to faithfully carry on.

Here are some interesting facts to consider as you invite people to experience this great evening on October 24th:

• Sonrise School opened in 2001 with 150 students, and for the first year the teachers and leaders taught no subjects. Instead they cared for and nurtured the children who had been traumatized by violence and disease.
• The first class will graduate High School next year (fall of 2010).
• Sonrise School now has over 1,000 students (between Primary and High School)
• The High School girl's dormitory is named in memory of Irene Bower, a beloved member of Redeemer who began the benefit that launched our partnership with Sonrise and Bishop John Rucyahana.
• The total cost to house, feed, educate and care for a student each year is about $800 for Primary School and $1,000 for High School.

Sundays—Worship and Learning

Several weeks into the fall we are excited by the opportunities to gather together to learn, grow, find connection, and especially to worship.

— Join us at 9am this week as the study in Matthew continues in COR@9.

— Following worship we gather for a light lunch and Discover Redeemer, a way to learn more about our church and explore your own place here. During lunch last week we talked about our own growth through worship and the sacraments.

— Please pray for Alpha, each Sunday evening at 6pm.

For more information on any of the above please contact our church office or email redeemer at redeemernorthshore.org

* During worship (10am) this week we will pray for and bless our new staff leadership, and formally inaugurate Amanda Holm's ministry among us as Pastor for Worship and Congregation Care.

Growing Leaders

If you participate in leading a ministry at Redeemer then you'll want to be a part of our next Growing Leaders gathering, this Saturday morning, October 3rd from 9 to 10:30 am. This will be a special opportunity to hear from our new staff members, catch their vision, and provide input for next steps. Continental breakfast is provided.

Stewardship

We're now in the last quarter of our year—a time in which we seek God and encourage each other so that we finish well. Throughout 2009 we have remained on-budget in terms of support and a little under budget for expenses, and we are grateful to be in this position. However, a large portion of our support is received each fall, and the budget reflects this. Because of this we'll begin reporting the total amount needed as a year-end goal.

At this point, at the beginning of October, we need to receive $125,000 by year's end to meet our budget obligations. We're thankful that this is a somewhat smaller figure than in previous years, but still significant. So thank you for your prayers and your participation to help us, as a church, to meet this need.

Offering last week: $3,429

Sharing Life

You may have noticed a number of new faces at Redeemer in recent weeks. Studies show that most people make a decision whether or not to return to a church before they leave their first service. It's our privilege to welcome people that God is sending, and to open our lives to them, regardless of age or background. So please take a few minutes this week to welcome someone new, or someone new to you, and invite them to coffee hour, or to lunch. This will express faithful hospitality, and you'll enjoy the experience.

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 Matthew Andris in Kigali, Rwanda
• For our new staff leaders
• For St. Michael's, Sonrise School and our upcoming Benefit (Oct. 24th)