Week of May 29

Dear Friends,
Here are a few things going on this week at Christ the Redeemer:
A Note From the Treasurer:  We are blessed to have a caring church family who responds when members are in need. Some have donated to Fr. Brian’s Discretionary Fund and he has used those funds to help when an unexpected crisis like a fire, medical expense, or family emergency has occurred. He has even given to some in the community with one-time rent assistance.  We have had quite a few needs within our church family this year and the Discretionary Fund is just about depleted. Please prayerfully consider giving to this fund.  Checks can be made payable to Christ the Redeemer with Discretionary Fund in the memo line and placed in the offering basket or given to Janie Atwood.
For those of you planning on pledging for the Rwandan School House Project, we hope to have the pledge cards in by this Sunday.  If God has put it in your heart to help with this Mission, we prayerfully ask that you fill out the pledge card, place it in the envelope provided, and place it in the offering basket.  We hope to have enough pledges to get through the second phase of this project.  Thank you for your consideration!  We will keep you updated on the progress of the school house.
Vacation Bible School registration is now open.  Please visit the VBS webpage at ChristtheRedeemer.org/ministries/vacationbibleschool for more information and downloadable registration forms.  We are still in need of a few donated items to help out with crafts and decorating.  Items can be dropped off in the church office or given to Jennifer Brown.  Here is a list of the needed items:  All white men’s ankle socks (50 pairs), Baby food jars with the labels removed, Battery operated tealight candles, Clear shower caps, Clear water bottle caps, Fish stickers, Glue dots, Soup cans (empty, standard size with the labels removed), and Two spools of fishing line.  Thank you in advance for all of your help!
I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

Week of May 15

Dear Friends,
We come to the climactic end of our Easter Season, the Day of Pentecost. The risen and exalted Christ shares his victory with us by pouring out his Spirit upon us; and thus, not only renews us, but draws us into the very being of God.  It is customary to wear ‘red’ on Pentecost and I would encourage you to do so.
We welcome The Rev. Dan Waterman as our celebrant and preacher on Sunday. Dan+ is a Chaplain in the Air Force stationed in Langley (but will soon be transferring to San Antonio, TX). Please pray for Dan+ as he prepares for Sunday, and for his family as they prepare to transition to Texas.
Janis and I are in Ambridge, PA this weekend to mark my graduation from Trinity School for Ministry’s Doctor of Ministry program. Thank you for all your kind words and prayers. I look forward to worshiping with you on Trinity Sunday on May 22.
There are many other things to note this week as well:
  • Vacation Bible School’s registration is now open. The VBS takes place the last week of June this year. Please check our web page for more information, but do help us get the word out to your neighbors and friends about this great event.
  • Compassion Packets:  This is the last Sunday to pick up a Compassion Packet and begin sponsoring a needy child (and their family, their church, and their wider community). The packets may be found in the Fellowship Hall.
  • Mybo School Project Pledge Drive continues through May 29th. We have completed Phase 1 of the project (2 classrooms built) and now enter Phase 2 (an additional 2 classrooms to be completed). Please prayerfully consider pledging to the project.
  • Brother Tim has moved into his new house/priory and is need of some furnishings. (see below for the list).  Any items that you can donate may be dropped off at the church.
Textiles: Curtains/Floor Rugs/Kitchen Towels/Bath Mats, etc.
Kitchen: Eating to Cooking to Baking
Tools: Just the normal house stuff
Furniture
Beds – Mattresses
Couch/Chairs/Living Room Stuff
Dining Table and Chairs
Washing Machine – NO Dryer – going to Line Dry
Microwave
Bookcases are always welcome
Nightstands
Dressers
Any duplicates or excess will go to towards rehousing the homeless.  Brother Tim and Five Loaves are in the process of moving three homeless into homes, so anything over and beyond his needs will be put to good use.
May we all live this day in the power and the presence of the Spirit of the Risen Christ.

Week of May 8

Dear Friends,
The month of May is a busy but blessed month (just look at how many people stood for the blessing of ‘birthdays’ and ‘anniversaries’ last Sunday; not to mention all of the graduations that take place in May, and then there’s Mother’s Day as well!). The continuation of the Season of Easter reminds us that we live through these busy and blessed days as God’s new people of the new creation–something that is worthy to be remembered and celebrated.
This week we have a special honor of welcoming back the Reverend John Mabus and his famiy. John is currently a chaplain in the Coast Gaurd stationed in Elizabeth City, NC, but is heading up to Quantico this summer. The Mabus’ became loved members of our community during John’s duty in Virginia Beach, and we are privileged to have him preach God’s Word to us on Sunday.
This month we will continue our focus on our Mbyo School Project. We have graciously and successfully completed the first phase of the project by helping Mbyo build two new classrooms for their overcrowded school. Now we begin the task of raising the funds for the second phase–two more classrooms! The Missions committee and Leadership Council ask all of us to prayerfully consider making (or continuing) a pledge towards this good end. Pledge cards will be placed in the bulletin each Sunday during May. We are asked to return our pledges by May 29, the last Sunday of May.

RevFelicienGateraNewSchoolHouse

The Rev’d Felicien Gatera in front of the new classrooms.
If God has moved you to sponsor a Compassion Child, please choose from one of the packets on the Mission table in the Fellowship Hall.  The packets will only be available this Sunday and next.
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.