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Week of May 3

Here are some of the things you need to know this week about Christ the Redeemer:

Our MISSIONAL FOCUS during Eastertide continues:

  • Celebration of ‘Compassion’ – We had a great day last Sunday celebrating and reflecting on our relationship with Compassion International in Rwanda.  If you did not get a chance to pick up a sponsor packet last week you will have until Sunday May 10 to do so. Packets may be found on the table in the Fellowship Hall underneath the bulletin board.

  • Mentoring Opportunities at Park Place School: We have a growing relationship with Park Place School (Leadership and teachers, board members, and volunteers). Sunday during announcements you will hear from some of our folks who volunteer to mentor individual students at the school. Who knows, maybe you’ll feel the prompting of the Spirit to join them in this rewarding relationship.

  • ‘Rwandan School Project Lunch’ takes place on Sunday May 17 immediately after worship.  We encourage everyone to stay and hear about the exciting project we have become involved in with our sister parish in Mbyo.  This is a tangible way we can ‘partner in the gospel’ with our brothers and sisters in Rwanda.

Reminders about This Weekend:

  • Pot Luck Lunch is scheduled for this Sunday, May 3 (Please note: the Lunch on May 17th will NOT be a Pot Luck!).  This is an easy way of getting to know one another (and the food is always great!).  Plan now to stay for the fellowship and bring something to share with others.

  • Men’s Group meets once again on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 8:30 am.

A ‘Thank You’ and a ‘Good-Bye’:

  • Emily Zimbrick-Rogers has successfully completed her internship with us as part of the requirements for her M.Div. from Princeton Seminary. We are grateful for all that she did among us this year. Sadly, we also must say ‘good-bye’ to Emily and Charles as they continue to explore ministry opportunities beyond Christ the Redeemer. We pray God’s blessing upon them and his providential directing of them in this endeavor.

 

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

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Week of April 26

Here are some of the things you need to know this week:

Compassion Sunday takes place this Sunday, April 26th. This is an annual opportunity for us to celebrate and reflect on our involvement with Compassion International – especially and specifically in Rwanda – as part of our global mission. It also provides an opportunity for individuals and families to sponsor a child (or another child!) in Rwanda through Compassion.

Mbyo School Project Lunch takes place on Sunday May 17th after worship. We will have the chance to hear about the project we have embraced with and within our sister parish in Mbyo of the Diocese of Kigali in Rwanda. These projects are tangible ways we can partner with Mbyo in the extension of the gospel and the transformation of an entire community. Mark you calendars now and plan on being present for the launch of the project.

Pastoral News:

  • Carolyn Jenkins came through her shoulder surgery on Tuesday very well and is now beginning the rehabilitation process at the home of her daughter Susan. Charles remains at home. Please keep the Jenkins in your prayers and be open to the movement of the Spirit as to how you could help in their recovery.

  • Brad Maas began his deployment on Tuesday. We will keep Brad and the Maas family on our prayer list until his return this fall (in addition to praying for our other military families on a rotating basis!).

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

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Week of April 19th

Here are some things to be aware of this coming week:

Sunday, April 19:  The Rev. Dan Waterman will be our celebrant and preacher this Sunday. Dan is a Chaplain with the Air Force currently serving at the base in Langley on the Peninsula and has been associated with Christ the Redeemer for the past few years.

Sunday, April 26:  Compassion Sunday takes place on Sunday, April 26th. Our sister-parish of Mbyo in the Diocese of Kigali (Rwanda) is a ‘Compassion Church’, which means that it sponsors a ‘Compassion Project’ for the entire community. Compassion International is an amazingly effective movement for transformation. We will celebrate our connection with Compassion, with the children sponsored by our members, and have the opportunity to begin new relationships as well. Come with an open mind and heart, asking if God would have you enter into a sponsorship relationship with a remarkable child in Rwanda.

Sunday, May 17:  ‘Rwandan School Project’ Lunch: takes place on May 17 following worship. Mark your calendars now and plan on attending this encouraging and informational event. Lunch will be provided that day.

‘Exploring Membership and Confirmation Within Christ the Redeemer’. If you find yourself drawn to our community and wish to explore deepening the relationship, we encourage you to consider participating in our ‘New Members’ class. If the numbers warrant, we will host a class beginning in May. Please speak to Brian+ soon. (revbriancampbell@gmail.com, 757-284-8246).

Eastertide Thought: Remember the words of Peter: ‘Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation.’ Make sure you ‘fuel’ your longing for new creation today!

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Week of April 10

The Resurrection is the climatic pivot within the history of the cosmos! It truly changes everything. Having spent six weeks preparing to remember and celebrate the events which led to this pivot (Lent and Holy Week), we now have seven weeks to reflect on and rejoice in it (Eastertide)! It is not nearly enough time, but it is the time we have been given. Plan now to be present in worship as often as possible during the Season of Easter!

Sunday, April 12: Emily Zimbrick-Rogers is our preacher this week. Emily’s internship is fast coming to a close (concluding in a few weeks time). Pray for Emily as she reflects on the resurrection appearances that they may be used by God to bring her ministry time with us to its proper end. We appreciate all that she has done among, with and for us this year.

Sunday, April 26: Compassion Sunday. We gather to reflect on and celebrate our connection with Compassion and the children we personally sponsor in Rwanda. We will hear testimonials from some who have benefited greatly from and through their sponsorship, as well as have the opportunity to enter into a sponsoring relationship ourselves.

Sunday, May 17: ‘Rwandan School Project Lunch and Presentation’. Mark your calendars now and plan on being present for worship and to stay for lunch that day to hear about the exciting plans to deepen our involvement in Mbyo parish in the Diocese of Kigali.

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

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The life-giving desires of Jesus

Jesus in the GardenA Reflection from Thursday Daily Office.

I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15

 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24

I found myself overwhelmed with emotion this morning as I read Jesus’ prayer in John 17. Can we dare believe that his deepest desire is for us to ‘be with (him) where (he) is’ so that we not only ‘see (his) glory’ but come to truly share in it?

I found myself reflecting on the reading from Luke’s Gospel which we will read tonight at the Eucharist, and again was surprised – in a good way- at the ‘earnestness’ of his ‘desire’ to eat that particular Passover – and to eat it in such a way that he transformed it forever!

We KNOW what lay ahead of him that night. We KNOW what he had to do, had to suffer, in order for his desires for us to be fulfilled by his Father!

At the beginning of the Great Triduum (the Great Three Days – beginning with Maundy Thursday and ending in Easter Sunday), we are encouraged to believe that the momentous and world-changing events of these days were all to fulfill God’s desires for us!  God’s desire for ‘communion and union’ with us!

Bear this in mind as you come (and I do hope you will come! I trust that you will overcome the wiles of the enemy that makes you reluctant to expose yourself to these events, and intentionally and deliberately show up!) to our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, culminating in our Easter celebration.

Easter Triduum Services:

Can I also remind us that as we come tonight that we not park on the south side of 37th Street (the side of the street closest to the building), as our friends at Knox also have a service this evening.

Child care will be provided at all services for our youngest members.

Please do you best to be on time this weekend (6:00 pm starts for both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday; plan now on arriving at 9:45 am for Easter!).

But mostly, come daring to believe that the One who loved you into being, has loved you into newness of life, so that he may share his life, his glory, his majesty with you for all of eternity.