Sermon for Sunday, November 26, 2017: Christ the King
Brian Campbell, speaker
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Sermon for Rwanda Sunday, November 19, 2017
Joey Pierce, Director, “Walk With Rwanda,” speaker
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Week of November 19, 2017
Please take the time to read fully, as there is much important information!
As the end of the Church’s year approaches, there are a number of dates and events that you need to place on your calendars:
First, this Sunday, November 19 we celebrate our ‘Connection with Rwanda’ in multiple ways. We welcome the Rev. Joey Pierce as our preacher. Joey is the Director of Development for WALK WITH RWANDA, the fundraising project that seeks to help the Rwandan Provincial Church become financially self-sustaining. Additionally, we will hear brief reports on our projects in Mbyo and have the chance to sponsor a child in Rwanda through Compassion International. It promises to be a great day.
Second, our RENOVATION PROJECT begins this Saturday! Here is a word from Bob Atwood:
“Only two days left until our exciting Demo Day at CtR — Saturday morning, November 18 from 8:30 to noon-ish.
Have you ever wanted to use a sledgehammer to vent some frustrations on an inanimate object?
Have you ever wondered why demo day is Fixer Upper’s Chip Gaines’ favorite day?
Would you like to be able to casually brag to your friends ‘Yeah, I find the nine-inch six-teeth-per-inch carbide-tipped blade to be the best for taking down walls’?
Here’s your chance. We need your help this Saturday morning to remove some walls in the former Dwelling Place offices, so that we can convert that space to a meeting room and offices for Fr. Brian and church staff.
Men, women, boys, and girls can all help with the work. This is truly a case of, ‘many hands making light work!’
I look forward to seeing you this Saturday morning. Please let me know if you’re coming so that Janie can bring enough food for lunch.” Thanks, Bob Atwood
rwatwood@gmail.com or text or call 314-614-8629
Third, our Children and Family Ministries have several things on the go presently:
1. our Christmas Collection of School Supplies for Park Place. This is a simple way of blessing the children of Park Place School. Sign-up sheets are posted on the door of the Fellowship Hall. Please note that all donations must be in the church office by Wednesday, November 22.
2. Jennifer is looking for sewing help with the costumes for our Epiphany Play (January 6, 2018). She has patterns, etc. Please speak with Jennifer directly if you can help (or email her: brownie7506@yahoo.com)
3. we will host a LADIES LUNCHEON and CRAFT TIME after worship on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3. Please bring a dish to share (along with the recipe, as they will be shared!) and let Jennifer know that you are coming (brownie7506@yahoo.com) so there are enough craft supplies for all.
Fourth, Registration deadline for the Women’s Retreat is in two weeks, Sunday, December 3. (Guys, this would be a great Christmas present for your spouse!)
Fifth, please note that during Thanksgiving week the Wednesday Women’s group and the Discipleship Hour classes will not be meeting (both resume the following week).
Sixth, mark your calendars now for a great ADVENT SEASON:
Saturday Nights, beginning December 2 at 5:00 pm (continuing December 9, 16, and 23) for Family Friendly Evening Prayer, instruction, and support.
Note, our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, December 10 immediately following worship.
Finally, some Pastoral News to be shared. Charlie Watkins met with doctors in Boston last week who gave him some encouraging news about the type of cancer he is fighting and the best protocol. He begins chemotherapy next Monday and covets your prayers for the time ahead.
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.
“Last Chances” – Sermon for Sunday, November 12, 2017
Brian Campbell, speaker
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Week of November 12, 2017
Dear Friends
As the days shorten and the nights lengthen, we know we are fast approaching the changing of the year. Here are some things to note as we travel this road together:
First, ‘Celebration of Our Rwandan Connection’ is Sunday—November 19. By the grace of God, Christ the Redeemer has been intimately connected with the Anglican Church in Rwanda from the very beginning. On November 19 we will celebrate and raise up that connection. We welcome as our preacher, the Rev. Joey Pierce, who is the Director of Development for Walk With Rwanda—the development project we have supported that seeks to engender self-sufficiency at the Provincial level in Rwanda. He will give us a report on that work. Additionally, we will have reports on both our School and Agricultural projects in Mbyo, as well as rejoice in our connection with Compassion Rwanda. Mark your calendars now.
Second, our Financial Stewardship class continues at Discipleship Hour (9:00 am Sundays). If you have missed the first week video, you can find it posted on YouTube here: John Guernsey Stewardship YouTube Videos. I encourage you to watch these videos even if you are unable to attend the classes (though you will always get more out of them by participating in the discussions!).
Third, Our ADVENT SEASON approaches and we are planning to add to our corporate rhythm of life that will shape and encourage your personal and familial preparation and worship. In addition to our traditional ADVENT PREPARATION INTER-GENERATIONAL GATHERING on the Saturday before Advent (December 2 this year), we will meet each additional Saturday night in Advent for Evening Prayer, Family-Friendly Teaching, and encouragement around the table (covered dish suppers). These Saturday nights will be tied into our Sunday morning worship and lead us, by God’s grace, to a wonderful celebration of Christmas. So, mark your calendars now for the Saturdays in December (2, 9, 16,23) for wonderful time of Prayer, Preparation, and Encouragement for all ages. More details will be posted in the bulletin next week.
Fourth, We need your help! will be taking over the entire second floor of the building (with some renovations needed) and planning on being resident here for the next three years (with two more possible option years). Bob Atwood will be leading our renovation work. He has scheduled Saturdays, November 18th and December 2nd, beginning at 8:30 am, as the first of our work days. He will plan more dates as needed. (We hope to have everything done well before Christmas!) Plan to come and participate, especially if you have a pickup truck to carry away debris.
Fifth, We are collecting items to bless the children of Park Place School with Christmas “goodie” bags. The sign-up sheets are on the Fellowship Hall door, or contact Jennifer Brown to donate. All donations must be collected before November 22nd.
Sixth, Our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will take place in a different way this year. We will gather after worship on Sunday, December 10 for a brief ‘Business Meeting’ to elect the new members for our Leadership Council, and then gather in the New Year for a more extended time of reporting and discussion on the challenges and opportunities open to us in 2018. A day and time for that later meeting will be finalized soon. In the meantime, if you would like to nominate someone for the Leadership Council, please speak with either Pete Fraser or Clark Garvin.
Finally, some Pastoral News: Lytton Musselman came through his back surgery well yesterday and will remain in the hospital through Sunday and then begin a lengthy recovery period. Charlie Watkins is preparing to travel to Boston on Sunday to consult some doctors on Monday concerning the protocol for his treatment. Please keep both these families in your prayers asking that God’s good pleasure will be worked out through the circumstances of their lives.
Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.
Brian
Sermon for Sunday, November 5, 2017
Brother Tim Luken, speaker
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Week of November 5, 2017
This Week at Christ the Redeemer:
With the coming of November, we know that the current year is speeding to its close as a new one eagerly awaits! Here are some of the things you need to know this week as we live into that reality:
First, Remember to TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK this Saturday! (My favorite time of year).
Second, our Diocesan Synod that takes place this week in McLean VA (starts today and ends on Saturday). The theme for this year is discipleship and catechesis for a ‘time of exile’—a timely topic, and one that resonates with our community. Pete Fraser and Janie Atwood are our church’s delegates, Sharon Reyes represents us on the Diocesan Council, and Ryan Reyes is our ‘alternate’ (and will join Sharon in the Synod). Please pray for all participating in the event.
Third, our Annual Chili-Cook-Off takes place this Saturday, November 4, beginning with the Flag Football game at Lafayette Park (near the zoo) at 4:00 pm (Note: the ‘Chili’ feast takes place at the church at 5:30 pm). All are encouraged to come. The church will be open at 3:45 for chili (crock pot) drop off.
Fourth, our Discipleship Hour continues Sunday at 9:00 a.m. If you are planning on participating in the Financial Stewardship Class but were unable to be present last week, please take some time to watch Bishop Guernsey’s opening presentation, so you can participate as we begin by debriefing the content of his talk this week. It is a 5 part series, but you only need to watch the first part – on this YouTube link:
John Guernsey Stewardship Teaching Video