Week of Sunday, September 1st, 2019

Children’s Ministry Update

This Sunday we will implement some of the fall changes to our Children’s Program. 

For Parents  of Nursery and Toddler-aged Children: 

We have a new computerized check in system.  This system allows us to print name tags when your child is checked in.  Please check your Nursery or Toddler-aged child (0-4 years old) into the system before the service starts, from 10:00-10:15am, even if they start out in the service with you.  When you arrive at the table, the volunteer will look up your family name, check your child in, and you will be given a sticker for your child, and a sticker for you to show at check-out time.  You will return to the Nursery door at the Passing of the Peace and show them your ticket, then take your child by the table and to be checked out of the system.  

Note: when Discipleship Hour starts on September 8th, the check-in time for babies through preschool age kids will be from 9:45-10:00am.  You will not have to check them out from Discipleship Hour and then back in for the worship service.

For Parents of Toddler through Elementary-aged Children: 

 The second change deals with how our Toddler through Elementary School kids will exit the service.  We are making this switch as a part of our new Children’s Chapel and Preschool Chapel which will begin next Sunday, September 8th.  In the past our children have left on their own, or been escorted by a parent during the second half of the gradual (the song played before and after the Gospel reading).  Starting this Sunday, when the acolyte and Gospel reader make their way to the center aisle during the first part of the song, the children will gather at the back of the church at the end of the center aisle to listen to the Gospel reading.  The younger toddler and preschool age children will need a parent with them. At the end of the reading there will be a blessing said over them and then they will process out behind the acolyte to Children’s or Preschool chapel.  Preschool aged children, age 2-4, will be met in the hallway by their teacher and taken along to class from there so that the parents can return to the service.  Preschool aged children still need to be picked up during the Peace.  The older children will process back in during the Peace.  

Check out the Children’s Ministry page to read a full update from Jennifer about everything that’s happening this Fall Semester!

Discipleship Hour Starting Next Sunday!

Plan to attend one of these classes next Sunday at 9:00am. If you haven’t already signed up for a class, please register using the insert in the bulletin on Sunday. Or you can send an email with your class choice to Sydney at ctrsec@gmail.com. 

    1. Introduction to the Catechism: “To Be a Christian”“To Be a Christian” is the Anglican Church’s comprehensive statement of our Common Faith, the very foundation of our common life.  This class will give an overview of the catechism and will be offered every year in the Fall. The hope is that all associated with Christ the Redeemer, through this course, will be given the opportunity to develop a ‘common mind’—the mind of Christ! If you have not yet ‘walked through the Catechism’, you are strongly encouraged to do so now! This will be a 12-week class.
    2. Growing Compassionate Kids Helping Kids See Beyond Their Backyard will be a study offered for parents, grandparents, and other interested caregivers. The book they will be using is by the same name and is written by Jan Johnson. It is available on Amazon. This book will give advice to help grow children as Disciples of Christ –disciples who care about others and seek justice in the world . What greater Legacy could we leave our children? This will be a 6-week class.
    3. Study of the Book of JamesPete Fraser will lead this inductive Bible study on the Book of James. The Book of James is an epistle that addresses suffering, temptation, talk, wisdom, worldliness, and prayer. There will be plenty of solid instruction for all who want to live faithfully for our Lord. This will be a 6-week class.

Open House and Reception at Spurgeon

We have been invited by Spurgeon Memorial Baptist Chruch to attend an Open House and Reception on Sunday, September 15th, after the worship service. This will provide an opportunity for those who haven’t yet seen the building to tour the site. Please continue to pray for wisdom and discernment regarding a new home from CtR. 

New to Christ the Redeemer? 

Father Brian and Janis Campbell will be hosting a Newcomer’s “Meet and Greet” for all newcomers and visitors on September 22nd from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.  Their address is 7324 Elvin Court in Norfolk. Refreshments will be served, and children are welcome.  Please RSVP to Janis at janiscampbell58@gmail.com if you plan to attend!


“Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

-Collect for Proper 16 (BCP 2019)

Week of Sunday, August 25th, 2019

Just a reminder that this weekend will be full of planning meetings, in preparation for the upcoming Discipleship Hour and Sunday School Shift!

Children’s Chapel Planning Mtg., August 24th, 9:00am

Discipleship Hour Planning Mtg., August 25th, 12:00pm

Parent MeetingAugust 25th, 12:00pm – ALL parents are encouraged to attend and hear from Jennifer and David+ about the changes and new routines that will be put into effect in the Children and Youth Ministries starting September 8th. The meeting will take place in the Ministry Room during Hospitality Hour.

Discipleship Hour/ Sunday School Shift, September 8th, 9:00am – The Sunday School, Youth, and Adults will all be meeting at 9:00am, starting on September 8th, in order to use this hour as the primary place where we come to “Learn Christ Together” (the Nursery will also be open during this time).

The three classes offered for adults during Discipleship Hour will be:

    1. Introduction to the Catechism – 12-week class taught by Fr. Brian
    2. Growing Compassionate Kids (for parents AND grandparents) – 6-week class taught by Temple Richardson and Casey Reed
    3. Study of the Book of James -6-week class taught by Pete Fraser

Sign ups will begin this Sunday! There will be an insert in the bulletin with more information about each class, and how you can sign up.


Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-A Collect for Guidance (for Thursday, from Morning Prayer, BCP 2019)

Week of Sunday, August 18th, 2019

A Word from Father Brian about our Pledge Drive:

Our Leadership Council meets on Saturday morning to begin our reflections on our collective response to the questions posed: ‘Could Spurgeon be the new home God has in store for us?’, and if so, ‘What is God leading me/us to contribute towards the purchase?’

Thank you to all who have prayerfully considered and responded to the questions.

If you have not yet done so, I urge you to respond by Friday afternoon at the latest (The link to the Survey Monkey can be found here: CtR Survey Monkey Pledge Card; or you can simply email your responses to Janie Atwood: maryjaneatwood@gmail.com ). We truly desire and need to hear your voice; to hear your prayerful reflections on the questions posed.

The Leadership Council is committed to asking the question: ‘Is God in this?’ One of the primary ways the Council will answer that question is through their prayerful reflections on our collective responses.

We are remarkably at peace about the process and are eager to hear what the Spirit is saying to us and through us about these things. Please commit to pray for the Council as we meet on Saturday. We trust we will make a preliminary response during worship on Sunday.

On behalf of the Council,

Brian+


In addition to this,  there are several meetings coming up in preparation for the Discipleship Hour and Sunday School Shift happening on September 8th.:

Parent Meeting, August 25th, 12:00pm – ALL parents are encouraged to attend and hear from Jennifer and David+ about the changes and new routines that will be put into effect in the Children and Youth Ministries starting September 8th.

Children’s Chapel Planning Mtg., August 24th, 9:00am

Discipleship Hour Planning Mtg., August 25th, 12:00pm

Discipleship Hour/ Sunday School Shift, September 8th, 9:00am – The Sunday School, Youth, and Adults will all be meeting at 9:00am in order to use this hour as the primary place where we come to “Learn Christ Together” (the Nursery will also be open during this time). The three classes offered for adults will be:

    1. Introduction to the Catechism
    2. Growing Compassionate Kids (for parents AND grandparents)
    3. Study of the Book of James.

Be thinking about which class would like to sign up for! More details to come soon.


“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”

-Isaiah 40:31

Week of Sunday, August 4th, 2019

Beja Friends Conference THIS Weekend

This Friday and Saturday, our church will host the Beja Friends Conference: a meeting with missionary friends & a few others with a vision to see an indigenous church among the Beja people, one of the least reached people groups. The meeting will begin on Friday evening, where the missionaries will give a presentation about the Beja people & the ongoing ministry work to bring them the Good News, and to help them in other ways. On Saturday, we will continue planning.

We invite you to attend Friday evening and hear about what God is doing in North East Africa through Christians in that area. Dinner will be provided, beginning at 6pm. RSVP for the dinner through the following EviteBeja Friends Dinner. Child care will be available for babies and toddlers. You are welcome to attend any part of the meeting on Friday, or Saturday as well. Please direct any questions to David or Diane Condron, the meeting coordinators. David (412) 515-4935. Diane (412) 799-4034.

“Is God in This?”

At our Congregational Meeting last Sunday, the Leadership Council and Clergy shared about a potential new home for CtR! As a follow-up to that meeting, we will have pledge cards available this Sunday, where you can provide your answers to what God is speaking to you regarding this new home. The pledge cards will be also be available via email early next week. The hope is to have all of the cards turned in by August 11th in order to discern a collective sense of direction and action from the people of God.
Over the next two weeks, we ask that you join us in intentionally seeking the Lord by asking Him the following questions:
    1. Lord, what is your vision for stability and permanence for CtR?
    2. Might Spurgeon be that place?
    3. If Spurgeon may be the place, how much are you directing me to pledge toward the possibility?

Looking forward to worshiping the Almighty God with you on Sunday!


Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

– Collect for Proper 12, BCP 2019