Week of December 31, 2017 & the New Year

We have a number of great ways to start the New Year:
Saturday, January 6, at 6:00 p.m.
    “Celebration of the Epiphany” Evening Prayer & Epiphany Pageant
The Christmas Tree may be gone, but the Magi have yet to arrive!  We gather on Saturday night to celebrate the revelation of God’s light to the nations. The children have prepared a special pageant that will follow our Evening Prayer service.
Please note, that a Covered Dish supper will take place before the service beginning at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome.
Sunday, January 7, 10:15 am
    First Sunday of Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord
Jesus’ baptism is foundational for our own. As he humbled himself to become united with us, so he exalts us to be united to him. We gather on the first Sunday of January to celebrate his baptism and renew our own baptismal vows.
Sunday, January 14, 9:00 am
    Discipleship Hour: Walking Through the Catechism
The Catechism of the ACNA is our church’s most comprehensive statement of our common faith. We will ‘walk through’ the Catechism during the Winter and Spring sessions of our Discipleship Hour.  I strongly encourage all members (and would-be members) to join in on the interactive conversation.
January 11, 2018 at 9:15 a.m. in the fellowship hall, the Thursday Morning Women’s Group resumes.  We will be reading and discussing Henri Nouwen’s “Discernment, Reading the Signs of Daily Life“.  See Janis Campbell for more information.
January 3, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The Wednesday Night Women’s Group resumes on  and will continue their discussion of “Liturgy of the Ordinary“.  See Temple Richardson for details.
Finally, a few administrative notes:
1. This Sunday, January 31st, please bring any left over cookies/goodies to share for our hospitality time after worship.
2. All end of year giving must be postmarked or received by Sunday, December 31, 2017 to be included in this year’s contributions.
Looking forward to worshiping with you +

Week of December 24, 2017

As we prepare for Christmas, here are a few dates and times to keep in mind:

Saturday, December 23rd at 5:00 pm we will meet for our last Advent Evening, as we share in prayer, teaching and a covered dish dinner.

Sunday December 24th will be a busy one for us. In the morning we will gather at our usual time of 10:15 a.m. for the concluding service of our Advent Season, then in the afternoon we will return to begin our Christmas celebrations with our Christmas Eve Service beginning at 5:00 pm.

Looking at the next few events of the Christmas season, we will celebrate the First Sunday after Christmas on December 31st at 10:15 a.m. and on SATURDAY, January 6th we will gather at 6:00 p.m. for Evening Prayer and our Epiphany Pageant. There will be an optional covered dish dinner that evening beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Finally, a business note: If you plan to make a year-end gift, it must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2017 to be included in this year’s giving statements.

Looking forward to worshiping with you +

 

Week of December 17, 2017

This Week at Christ the Redeemer

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

First, we have two New Members on our Leadership Council:  On Sunday past we elected Pete Fraser and Paul Gyorfi to a three year term on the Leadership Council; for Pete, this will be his second tour of duty, for Paul, his first. They join Kim Johnson, Bill Richter, Bob Atwood, and Ryan Reyes as our representatives on this leadership body. Please continue to uphold these in prayer as they take on their responsibilities for our growing community.

Second, our Advent Season continues this Saturday night with Evening Prayer beginning at 5:00 pm followed by a Covered Dish supper for those who desire to stay for fellowship. These have been wonderful evenings of prayer, teaching, and fellowship-ones which deepen and enhance our preparations for Christmas.  I commend them to all of us.

Third, A Word about our Christmas Season:

Sunday, December 24 will be a busy one for us. In the morning we will gather for the concluding service of our Advent Season, then in the afternoon we will return to begin our Christmas celebrations with our Christmas Eve Service beginning at 5:00 pm.  The day which will begin in anticipation promises to end in joy-filled celebration!

Fourth, If you plan to make a year-end gift, it must be received or postmarked by December 31, 2017 to be included in this year’s giving statements.

Fifth, A Pastoral Word.  Kori Embry’s grandmother, Charlotte, died this week in Honolulu, HI. Please pray for Kori and her family as they mourn this loss for their family (especially at this time of year).

Finally, A Word about Staffing.  Carole Rosenfarb, who has been leading our music ministry for the past year, will be leaving us as of Christmas Eve.  Carole’s hire was always for a ‘time’, and with the opportunities and challenges facing the church, this is the time for this season to end. We are grateful for her leadership and her participation in the gospel in and through her gifts and person. We pray God’s blessing on her and her family in the new year.

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Week of December 10, 2017

Dear Friends,
As our Advent Season continues, we draw ever closer to our Christmas celebrations and the hope-filled prospects of 2018! I encourage all of us to deepen our longings for the fullness of the Kingdom by committing ourselves to the rhythms and practices of Advent. Speaking of which, here are some of the things you need to know this week:
Saturday, December 9 at 5:00 pm. Family-Friendly Evening Prayer takes place once again.
Our hope is that our Saturday Prayer Service will prepare us for Sunday worship—AND for our Christmas celebration.  We will once again listen to some words of Scripture, learn about the themes and practices of Advent, light the Advent Candle, and mark the approach of Christmas by the movement of Nativity pieces closer to the Creche.
If you so choose, bring a dish to share and stick around for a simple meal and some fellowship and fun.
 Sunday, December 10, The Second Sunday of Advent
There are a number of things to note about this Sunday:
First, Our Final Session of Discipleship Hour takes place this week at 9 am
Second, We will begin the service with our Choral Introit, the Lighting of the Advent Candle, and our Children’s Focus time. Please note that the doors to the sanctuary will be closed during this time so please make every effort to be seated prior to the service.
Third, immediately after worship we gather in the Fellowship Hall for our (Shortened) Annual General Meeting.  We will accomplish a few tasks at this meeting: First, we will elect two  new members for our Leadership Council; second, we will give an update on our financial situation to date in 2017; and third, we will give a preview of our (Longer) Meeting to be held in mid-January 2018 (Date and time to be determined).
Looking Ahead to 2018:                  Discipleship Hour
Beginning on January 7, 2018 (9:00- 10:00 am) we will offer one Adult class focusing on the Catechism of the Anglican Church of North America (entitled, “To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism”).  The Catechism is the compendium of the received teaching of our church written within the ethos of the culture of our day (that is, is seeks to set forth what the church teaches ever mindful of the different cultural messages assumed today).  This will be an interactive class and especially helpful for all of us—longtime Anglicans needing to revisit the core teaching of the church, those new to the Anglican way needing to gain insight to the breadth of teaching of the church, and especially those who are being led to deepen their connection with our church.
It is vital that we share a common foundation of faith. Plan now to make a commitment to ‘Discipleship Hour’ as part of your new year’s resolution.