Category: Weekly Update

Dear Friends

September has arrived and our fall season is about to begin. Here are some of the things you need to be aware of as we look expectantly to the near future:

ICE CREAM SOCIAL and VBS WRAP-UP: takes place this Saturday evening, September 5 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Bring along some ice cream and toppings to share and stick around to watch a wonderful video presentation of our VBS this past July. Promises to be a great way to start the new season.

SERVE THE CITY takes place on Saturday October 3. We will be participating with other local churches in serving the neighborhood of Park Place with the love of Jesus. The organizers need to know ‘who’ is planning on helping out, and ‘what’ they might be able to help with (in order to establish appropriate projects within the neighborhood). You can pick up a registration brochure at church this Sunday or click on the following link to download the volunteer application. Deadline for registration is Sunday September 20.

Serve the City Norfolk Volunteer Application

The REEDs Are EXPECTING: Casey and Steve and Myah are set to welcome a new addition to their family in the next few days. It is our habit to celebrate with the family by helping to provide meals for the first few days following the birth. If you would like to participate in this way please click on the following link to sign up.

Meals for Casey, Steve, and Myah

A few other things to note:

• ‘Home and Study Groups’ Information gathering takes place on Sunday, September 13 after worship. If you are not involved in a small group for fellowship or study plan now to attend and get off to a great start this fall.

• ‘Exploring Membership at Christ the Redeemer’ Information gathering takes place on Sunday September 20 after worship. If you are feeling connected to CtR and desire to deepen that connection, please join us for this brief presentation.

• ‘Tenth Anniversary Weekend Celebration’ takes place on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday September 27. It’s not every day that you turn ’10’! Please mark your calendars for the weekend and RSVP for the dinner (by going …..). Bishop Quigg Lawrence will be with us for both events.

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Dear Friends,

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

First, Our Annual International Student Beach Trip takes place this Saturday. Here is a word from David:

CtR and the ODU Chinese Students and Scholars Association are jointly hosting a trip to the Virginia Beach oceanfront for Chinese students and scholars at ODU this Saturday, August 29th.  We will leave from the ODU campus at 10 am and return at 3 pm.  The weather forecast is good, and the day promises to be fun.  We would like to show the students who we are at CtR.  Some 39 students and scholars are signed up, and we can definitely use your help.  Please contact David Snouffer at da.snouffer@verizon.net if you feel called to this ministry.–

Second, our Children’s and Family Ministry kicks off with two events this week:

• “Back to Class” Breakfast this coming Sunday, August 30 during Sunday School

• Ice Cream Social and VBS Wrap-Up on Saturday, September 5 from 6:30-7:30

Third, Our Tenth Anniversary Celebration takes place on Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27.  Please RSVP for the dinner on the 26th and plan on welcoming Bishop Quigg Lawrence for our Confirmation service on Sunday.

Fourth, Community and Study Groups are starting up again in September.

 (check for details in the bulletin on Sunday or on the web-christtheredeemer.org)

1.     Two Women’s Study and Fellowship Group offerings:

• Wednesday nights, 7-9 pm at the home of Temple Richardson, beginning September 16

• Thursday mornings from 9:15 – 11 am at the church beginning on September 17

2.     Men’s Group will meet on the First and Third Saturdays of the month from 8:30-10 am beginning on September 19

3.     Community/Home Groups also meet during the week and are open for new members. Contact Lauren Gyorfi for more information (lauren_g_smith@verizon.net)

Fifth, Our New Members Class will take place this fall. We are holding an informational meeting on Sunday September 20 after worship for all who are interested.

Have a great week. I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

Dear Friends

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

First, Please pray for Sarah Skogland today as she mourns the death on Wednesday of her mother, Maxine Burton. We commend all who grieve this day to the loving hands of God.

Second, we are privileged to welcome Brad Embry as our preacher this Sunday. Brad is a professor of Old Testament at Regent’s Seminary and a gifted teacher. We are blessed to have so many gifted people among us who are faithful stewards of the Word of God. Pray for Brad as he prepares this week.

Third, there are a number of events that you need to get on your calendar (if you have not yet done so!);

• Saturday, August 29 is tentatively set for the Beach Trip with our international student friends at ODU. If you are able to join in the fun and meet some students would you let David Snouffer know (da.snouffer@verizon,net).

• Saturday, September 5 is the date for our Ice Cream Social and VBS wrap-up. This promises to be a fun way of kicking off the fall season.

• Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 marks our Tenth Anniversary as a body of Christ. We will celebrate with a dinner at the church on the Saturday night and then with Bishop Quigg’s visit on Sunday morning. Please RSVP for the dinner to aid in the preparations.

• Saturday, October 3 we will join with other churches and groups to ‘Serve the City’, specifically the Park Place community. This is a great way to make a small though significant difference in our local community and do so in and with the love of Jesus. More information can be found in the Fellowship Hall near the Mission Bulletin Board.

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Dear Friends,

Here are some of the things you need to know as we prepare for this week and for the Fall season:

SUNDAY SCHOOL FALL QUARTER UPDATE: (A Word from Jennifer Brown)

Dear Friends,
Fall is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to transition into our Sunday school program.  Summer Children’s Church was a huge success thanks to the willingness and dedication of our volunteer teachers this summer.  Thank you to all who participated in making this a summer to remember!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons; it reminds me of new beginnings.  This season, our Sunday school program will have some exciting new features!

• We are adding a new K4-K5 class and two new teachers!  Sarah Skogland and Kris Keisser have volunteered to teach this class.  I am very excited about this new addition.

• Brother Tim is also joining our program.  He will be working twice a month with our upper elementary and middle school classes.  The focus will be Communion and liturgical seasons.

We are happy and grateful to welcome back our returning teachers:  Kori Embry, Kandace Sherrill, Linda Richter, Debra Bustetter, Stan Bustetter, Kim Johnson, Georgia Maas, Christi Cirillo, and Chris Brown.  Please make sure you thank them for all the hard work they do.

Kandace Sherrill will be helping us kickoff the new year with a Sunday school breakfast during class time on August the 30th.  We really appreciate her taking this on again.  I look forward to working with all of your children.

Blessings,
Jennifer

 

SUNDAY WORSHIP: 

I have the privilege of preaching at the Church of the Incarnation in Williamsburg this Sunday. Incarnation is the ACNA church plant on the Peninsula that we support (financially and spiritually) and this is a way of deepening our connection.  Dan Waterman will be present on Sunday to preach and celebrate.

LOOKING AHEAD:  Dates to Remember

• Saturday September 5: Ice Cream Social and VBS Wrap-Up Celebration. All are welcome!

• Saturday, September 26 and Sunday September 27: Tenth Year Anniversary Celebration (Dinner and Service).  Book the dates now and plan on joining in.

• Saturday October 3: ‘Serve the City’. This is an opportunity to join other churches in serving Park Place in down-to-earth-practical ways. More information to follow.

Have a great week.

Dear Friends,

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

Mission Update: On Sunday we’ll have the privilege of welcoming Dr. John Hatcher, Principal of Park Place School. Dr. Hatcher will give us an update on Park Place School’s Summer Program which was funded by Christ the Redeemer.

Ministry Opportunities:

Sunday School Teachers: Jennifer Brown is seeking a few more teachers for the fall. We have been blessed by God by the growing numbers of children in our community. Please pray that God would raise up good, caring models and teachers for these little ones (brownie7506@yahoo.com).
Chinese Student Ministry: We have been asked by the Chinese Student and Scholar Group of ODU to supply ‘hosts’ who will meet and greet some incoming Chinese students or scholars and offer to take them shopping or have them over for a meal. The world is coming to us!  May we have the wisdom and joy of offering Christian hospitality to those who are eager to receive it. For more information contact David Snouffer (da.snouffer@verizon.net)

Save the Date:

Saturday September 5: VBS Wrap-Up Celebration and Ice Cream Social
Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27: Celebration of our Ten Year Anniversary (Dinner on Saturday night; Confirmations and Celebration on Sunday morning with Bishop Quigg Lawrence).

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

Dear Friends,

Can you fathom that we begin the month of August on Saturday? The summer seems to be flying by and the fall is not far off! Let me highlight some of the things – both near and far- that are on our horizon.

This Week:

• Men’s Group Breakfast – The men of the church are invited to share breakfast together this Saturday morning at Panera’s on 21st Street beginning at 8:30 am. All men of the Church are welcome (bring a friend along with you as well)!
• Some Strong Backs needed on Sunday: We are replacing the tile in one of our Sunday School rooms this coming week and need to clear the space of some heavy furniture. If a few able bodied folks can stick around after Fellowship time to help out, we’d appreciate it greatly.

Next Month:

• Ice Cream Social and VBS Recap takes place on Saturday, September 5. This will be a fun, inter-generational event that will help jump-start our fall season. Mark your calendars now and plan on joining in on the fun.
• Tenth Anniversary Celebration and Bishop Visit: On the weekend of September 25-27 we will celebrate our Ten years of life as a church and welcome Bishop Quigg Lawrence to our community once again. Plans are being finalized this month but we ask you to do your best to block out the Saturday evening and Sunday to make sure you are part of the festivities. More information will follow as plans are finalized.
• Sunday School Teachers are needed for the Fall. Please pray that God would raise up the right folks for this important ministry (and be open to the chance that ‘you’ may be an answer to that prayer!).

Looking Ahead:

• PEARUSA’s National Assembly takes place November 4-7 near Charlotte NC. This promises to be a wonderful time of teaching, fellowship, and networking for our young movement. We would love to have a good contingent from CtR benefit from the event. For more information check out www.pearusa.org website.

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

May we all be open to the prompting of the Spirit this day.

Dear Friends

As we move into the summer months let me remind us all of some ministry opportunities available to us all;

Five Loaves Food Pantry Service Opportunity: Jennifer Brown is organizing another service event at Brother Tim’s Food Pantry in Newport News. This time we will have the chance to help with the Tuesday night dinner they host each week. The date is July 28 and the suggested time is 4-7 pm. Please let Jennifer know if you are planning on participating in this fun and helpful way (brownie7506@yahoo.com).

‘Name Tags’ as ‘Hospitality’: Summer is the time when many people – individuals, couples, and families – are seeking for a ‘new Christian home’. A simple way of showing hospitality to those who are arriving as guests is to wear our ‘Name Tags’ (it saves the newcomer embarrassment when they forget your name in the middle of a conversation!). The Name Tags are located on the shelves just inside the hallway next to the Nursery.

Looking Ahead:

Bishop Steve Breedlove’s Visit: September 25-27. Bishop Steve will be with us the weekend we celebrate our Ten Year Anniversary as a church.

PEARUSA National Assembly takes place on November 5-7 near Charlotte NC. This promises to be a wonderful time for teaching, fellowship and networking. (peasusaassembly.org).

2016 Women’s Retreat has been set for April 22-24th at Camp Chanco. Mark your calendars now and plan on joining in on the fun.

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

Dear Friends,

Allow me to share with you some ‘Mission’ and ‘Ministry’ news and opportunities:

MISSION FOCUS:

• Vacation Bible School concludes on Friday and we get a chance to celebrate the week on Sunday during worship! We have 33 children led by nearly 20 adults and teens enjoying a ‘Journey Off the Map’ following Jesus. Come to worship ready to celebrate with the team on all that was learned this week.
• ‘Mbyo School Project’: The numbers are in for our mission raising opportunity. Thirty-one ‘households’ gave and/or pledged a total of $15,570 towards the building of two additional classrooms onto the school of our sister parish in Mbyo. Thank you for your generosity. Pray now for the completion of the work in Mbyo, Rwanda.
• ‘Five Loaves Food Pantry’ service opportunity: We plan on helping with the serving of dinner at Brother Tim’s Food Pantry Ministry on Tuesday July 28th. Please let Jennifer know that you plan to participate (brownie7506@yahoo.com).

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES:

• Sound & Projection Booth ministry is looking for more willing volunteers. Training is available for this important task. Please speak to Jordan for more information (obi.y.kenobi@gmail.com).
• Sunday School Teachers needed for the fall! We are adding another class this fall and Jennifer is looking for a team of three to help lead it. Please contact Jennifer for more information (brownie7506@yahoo.com).
• Hospitality Opportunity with Chinese Students and Scholars: We have been asked to help meet and greet the incoming Chinese students and scholars arriving this summer for ODU’s fall term. The world is literally coming to us and asking for our help! Please contact David Snouffer for more information on this wonderful ministry (da.snouffer@verizon.net).

See you in worship on Sunday. Remember to wear your Name Tag as a way of showing hospitality to our guests!

Dear Friends

Here are the things you need to know as we head into the month of July:

• Vacation Bible School begins on Monday June 29 and runs through Friday July 3 from 9:00 am to noon. Please commit to pray for the VBS, the teachers and children and their families, that God will be pleased to bless them during the time. Please note as well that the building is already decorated for the event. Jennifer asks all of us (but especially the parents of younger children) to be appreciative yet respectful of the set-up (some can be easily damaged or overturned).
• ‘Five Loaves Food Pantry’ Service Opportunity: We are planning on serving with Brother Tim at the Food Pantry in Newport News on Tuesday, July 28 (4-7:00 pm). Mark your calendars now and let Jennifer know that you are planning on coming (brownie7506@yahoo.com).
• Name-Tag Push! Christ the Redeemer is known for its gracious hospitality, but it is not known for our ‘wearing of name tags’! Let’s change that reality by making an effort – as an act of hospitality – to put on our ‘tags’ each Sunday. They may be found on the shelves just inside the main hallway outside the Nursery.
• ‘PEARUSA National Assembly’ is set for November 4-7 near Charlotte NC. Registration is now open at ‘pearusaassembly.org’. The theme for the week is “Bear Much Fruit” and it promises to be a wonderful time of teaching, fellowship and encouragement. Check out the web site and mark your calendars now.

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Dear Friends

 

I read a wise word this week. Someone said, “God’s church does not have a mission; God’s mission has a church!”  I found that profoundly challenging and affirming. The glory of the church is that we are caught up in what God is doing in and for his creation heading towards his consummation.  Let me share with you a few ways in which Christ the Redeemer has been ‘so caught up’:

 

Missional Giving Opportunities:

• Our ‘Mbyo School Project’ Campaign ends on Sunday, June 21. Our hope is to raise enough funds this year to build two new classrooms onto their existing school (with four more classrooms needed in the years to come!).  We have been amazed at the generosity of God’s people to date and encourage those who have not yet made a pledge to do so by Sunday.

• Incarnation Anglican Church in Williamsburg, VA.  We received a report from James Swynford+, the priest and planter of the new ACNA work in Williamsburg. We will be supporting the Swynfords and Incarnation for the next three years. Their report may be found on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. I encourage you to read it and rejoice in what God is doing in our area.

• Park Place School Summer Program:  This is the first year that Park Place School has been able to run a summer program for their students. I am grateful that they are able to do so because our Mission group decided to fund the cost ($5,000) from our mission budget. We cannot do everything, but we can do some things and do them as well as we can for the glory of the King and the extension of his Kingdom.

Ministry Opportunities:

• Vacation Bible School begins on Monday, June 29 and runs through Friday, July 3. Jennifer and her crew will begin to decorate our space on Monday June 22 and could use some willing hands!  Additionally, if you have some time to donate I am sure Jennifer can find a task for you to perform; and while not all of us can be present during the week, we all can be praying for it!  Contact Jennifer at brownie7506@yahoo.com.

• Five Loaves Food Pantry:  We will be helping bag some food and serve the evening meal at the Food Pantry in Newport News on Tuesday July 28 (4:00 to 7:30 pm). Jennifer is needing a ‘head count’ of those who intend to be present (if we have enough we may be able to give Brother Tim’s regulars a night off!). Please prayerfully consider participating in this fun ministry and let Jennifer know that you are coming (brownie7506@yahoo.com).

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.