Category: Weekly Update

Dear Friends

What a powerful word today in the Epistle reading from the Daily Office! As Paul prays fervently that the ‘thorn in his flesh’ be taken away (whatever that was….) he hears God say: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

May we all, in the midst of our circumstances, emulate Paul both in his ‘crying out’ and in his ‘listening’ to the Father’s gracious reply. His grace this day IS sufficient for you; trust in it, avail yourselves of it; glory in it… even in ‘your weakness’.

As we head into the summer here are some of the mission and ministry opportunities open to you through Christ the Redeemer:

• First, our Mybo School Project Campaign ends on June 21. If you have already given your pledge, ‘Thank You’; if you have not yet responded, a gentle nudge to bring it prayerfully to closure in the next two weeks.
• Second, David Snouffer suggests that we have an opportunity to befriend a new Chinese student or scholar arriving in Norfolk for the new academic year at ODU. We have been asked by the Chinese Student Association on campus for volunteers to meet incoming students at the airport and offer them some help in their initial adjustment to American life. Who knows, you may end up entertaining an ‘angel unawares’! If the Spirit is tweaking you in this, contact David for more information (da.snouffer@verizon.net).
• Third, Jennifer Brown is organizing another trip to Brother Tim’s Five Loaves Food Pantry in Newport News on July 28 (4:00 -7:30 pm). Mark your calendars now and join in on the fun.

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

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

Ordinary Time:

• After a Season of Celebration (beginning with preparatory Season of Lent, through Holy Week, and through the Season of Easter culminating in Pentecost and Trinity Sunday) we once again enter ‘Ordinary Time’. Technically the term ‘ordinary’ is derived from the Latin for ‘ordering’ or ‘numbering’ (thus, the names of the Sundays are in accord with their ‘number’ – for example ‘Proper 5’ denotes the readings appropriate to the ‘5th’ Sunday of Ordinary Time. But emotionally, the sense of a more relaxed, rhythmic season makes perfect sense as well. So welcome to ‘Ordinary Time’ where ordinary people following an extraordinary God grow in grace towards glory.

Rejoicing in and Deepening our Anglican Connections:

• We welcome this coming Sunday as our preacher the Rev. Mark Cartledge. Mark is an Anglican priest from the Church of England (yes, he does have the accent to prove it) who is presently teaching Pastoral Theology at Regent’s School of Divinity. Mark attends The Church of the Messiah, our fellow ACNA church in Chesapeake.

• We also welcome ‘officially’ Brother Tim Luken as one of our deacons. Tim is an ordained permanent deacon within the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes (an ACNA diocese) as well as a member of the Company of Jesus, an Anglican Third Order monastic community. Brother Tim’s primary ministry is in Newport News as head of the Five Loaves Food Pantry. Brother Tim plans to be with us on Sunday mornings as often as possible and to serve among us as the Lord sees fit. Welcome Brother Tim.

*VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL INFORMATION*

• We are planning on starting on our “Back-to-School” gift bags for the students at Park Place School during VBS. This is a fun and easy way for your child to get involved with this ministry. We are asking that each child who is registered for VBS bring the following to add to the bags: 1 pack of wide ruled notebook paper, 1 pack of 24 crayons, 1 2-pack of glue sticks, and 1 pack of 12 #2 pencils. Contact Jennifer at brownie7506@yahoo.com with any questions or to register for VBS. Thanks in advance for your help!

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Dear Friends

We come to another transitional moment in our liturgical calendar this week – Trinity Sunday! It is a feast day of the Church (thus ‘white’ for the liturgical color), but is the only ‘Festival Day’ that is not directly associated with an event in redemptive history. Trinity Sunday always follows Pentecost and introduces ‘Ordinary Time’. It assures us that as we go out into this ‘ordinary world’ we do so in the presence and power of the Tri-une God himself.

There are a couple of things to note this week:

• First, please keep our Vacation Bible School in your prayers this month. It takes place on June 29 through July 3. If you have not yet registered your child (or grandchild) or invited that neighbor’s child to consider it, then please do so as soon as possible. Here is the link for more information.

• Second, our Rwandan School Project Campaign continues for the next few weeks – culminating on June 21. We are grateful for the outpouring of support for the project among many associated with Christ the Redeemer. Our hope is that this will be a full-member project (at whatever level of giving God lays on our hearts). Please prayerfully consider making your pledge by Sunday June 21 (the pledges can be placed in the offering baskets on Sunday mornings).

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

Here are a few things to know about what is happening in and around Christ the Redeemer this week:

• First, Park Place School has their end of year Talent Show this evening. The event takes place at New Life Providence Church (1420 Colonial Ave., Norfolk near Harris Teeter) beginning at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

• Second, this Sunday we get to celebrate Pentecost and the amazing gift of the Spirit. ‘Red’ is the color for the day and we are all encouraged to wear something red this Sunday and come ready to worship.

• Third, Our Mbyo School Project Luncheon last weekend raised nearly $7,000 in gifts and/or pledges towards the cost of building additional rooms onto our sister parish’s local school. We are grateful for this outpouring of support and ask God’s blessing upon the gifts, the givers and those who will benefit from the funds. The Missions group and the Leadership Council are encouraging all who are associated with Christ the Redeemer to prayerfully consider what God would have them contribute to the project. Pledge cards will be available in the bulletins for the next few weeks. As our Membership Covenant states, we believe God asks us to give ‘prayerfully, sacrificially, proportionately and joyfully’.

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

This Week at Christ the Redeemer:

As we near the end of our Easter season we come to the last of our Mission Focused Opportunities.

• MBYO SCHOOL PROJECT:  On Sunday after worship we gather for a time of fellowship (over a catered lunch) and a presentation by our Missions group concerning the School Development Project in Mbyo, Rwanda, our sister parish in the Diocese of Kigali.  Our Missions group and our Leadership Council have enthusiastically endorsed the project and are eager to share it with all of us.  This is an important step in our developing relationship with Mbyo . I encourage us all to stay for the lunch and the presentation and to be open and expectant to the Spirit’s prompting of your own involvement within it.

• VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is set for June 29- July 3. If you have not yet registered your child you can do so online through the link on our web page: christtheredemeer.org. If you have friends or neighbors who may be interested in participating in the VBS, please direct them to our web page or to Jennifer directly (brownie7506@yahoo.com).

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.

This Week at Christ the Redeemer:

Spring and Eastertide and Mission (‘New Creation’ blossoming within the ‘Old’) just seem to go together.  Let me remind you of our missional opportunities of this new season:

• RWANDAN SCHOOL PROJECT LUNCH AND PRESENTATION takes place next Sunday, May 17 immediately following worship. We will enjoy a catered lunch, good fellowship, and a presentation concerning an exciting project in Mbyo, Rwanda that we have been invited to participate in. Mark you calendars now and make sure you are present next Sunday.

• COMPASSION SPONSORSHIP:  This is the last opportunity for you to pick up one of the sponsor packets we have on site for children in Rwanda. The packets may be found on the table underneath the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall.

• PARK PLACE SCHOOL MENTORSHIP:  If you have an open heart and one hour a week you can make a huge difference in a child’s life right here at home! If you would like to mentor a student at Park Place School please contact Schylar Harrison at 757-624-3473.

• VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL:  Jennifer asks that all of those who volunteered to provide materials for VBS  bring them in to the church by this Sunday, May 10 (if you need to you can drop them off at church Thursday between 9 am and 1 pm).  Also, registration is now open. Please ensure that your children are registered, and consider prayerfully inviting a friend (especially those not yet connected to any church) to bring their children along as well.

On Sunday, May 10 Janis and I will be in Harrisonburg for Ian’s graduation. I am grateful for the Rev. Dan Waterman for agreeing to celebrate and preach in my absence. You are in good hands this Sunday.

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

Our MISSIONAL FOCUS during Eastertide continues:

• Celebration of ‘Compassion’ – We had a great day last Sunday celebrating and reflecting on our relationship with Compassion International in Rwanda.  If you did not get a chance to pick up a sponsor packet last week you will have until Sunday May 10 to do so. Packets may be found on the table in the Fellowship Hall underneath the bulletin board.

• Mentoring Opportunities at Park Place School: We have a growing relationship with Park Place School (Leadership and teachers, board members, and volunteers). Sunday during announcements you will hear from some of our folks who volunteer to mentor individual students at the school. Who knows, maybe you’ll feel the prompting of the Spirit to join them in this rewarding relationship.

• ‘Rwandan School Project Lunch’ takes place on Sunday May 17 immediately after worship.  We encourage everyone to stay and hear about the exciting project we have become involved in with our sister parish in Mbyo.  This is a tangible way we can ‘partner in the gospel’ with our brothers and sisters in Rwanda.

Reminders about This Weekend:

• Pot Luck Lunch is scheduled for this Sunday, May 3 (Please note: the Lunch on May 17^th will NOT be a Pot Luck!).  This is an easy way of getting to know one another (and the food is always great!).  Plan now to stay for the fellowship and bring something to share with others.

• Men’s Group meets once again on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 8:30 am.

A ‘Thank You’ and a ‘Good-Bye’:

• Emily Zimbrick-Rogers has successfully completed her internship with us as part of the requirements for her M.Div. from Princeton Seminary. We are grateful for all that she did among us this year. Sadly, we also must say ‘good-bye’ to Emily and Charles as they continue to explore ministry opportunities beyond Christ the Redeemer. We pray God’s blessing upon them and his providential directing of them in this endeavor.

 

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

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

Compassion Sunday takes place this Sunday, April 26th. This is an annual opportunity for us to celebrate and reflect on our involvement with Compassion International – especially and specifically in Rwanda – as part of our global mission. It also provides an opportunity for individuals and families to sponsor a child (or another child!) in Rwanda through Compassion.

Mbyo School Project Lunch takes place on Sunday May 17th after worship. We will have the chance to hear about the project we have embraced with and within our sister parish in Mbyo of the Diocese of Kigali in Rwanda. These projects are tangible ways we can partner with Mbyo in the extension of the gospel and the transformation of an entire community. Mark you calendars now and plan on being present for the launch of the project.

Pastoral News:

• Carolyn Jenkins came through her shoulder surgery on Tuesday very well and is now beginning the rehabilitation process at the home of her daughter Susan. Charles remains at home. Please keep the Jenkins in your prayers and be open to the movement of the Spirit as to how you could help in their recovery.

• Brad Maas began his deployment on Tuesday. We will keep Brad and the Maas family on our prayer list until his return this fall (in addition to praying for our other military families on a rotating basis!).

Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday.

Here are some things to be aware of this coming week:

Sunday, April 19:  The Rev. Dan Waterman will be our celebrant and preacher this Sunday. Dan is a Chaplain with the Air Force currently serving at the base in Langley on the Peninsula and has been associated with Christ the Redeemer for the past few years.

Sunday, April 26:  Compassion Sunday takes place on Sunday, April 26th. Our sister-parish of Mbyo in the Diocese of Kigali (Rwanda) is a ‘Compassion Church’, which means that it sponsors a ‘Compassion Project’ for the entire community. Compassion International is an amazingly effective movement for transformation. We will celebrate our connection with Compassion, with the children sponsored by our members, and have the opportunity to begin new relationships as well. Come with an open mind and heart, asking if God would have you enter into a sponsorship relationship with a remarkable child in Rwanda.

Sunday, May 17:  ‘Rwandan School Project’ Lunch: takes place on May 17 following worship. Mark your calendars now and plan on attending this encouraging and informational event. Lunch will be provided that day.

‘Exploring Membership and Confirmation Within Christ the Redeemer’. If you find yourself drawn to our community and wish to explore deepening the relationship, we encourage you to consider participating in our ‘New Members’ class. If the numbers warrant, we will host a class beginning in May. Please speak to Brian+ soon. (revbriancampbell@gmail.com, 757-284-8246).

Eastertide Thought: Remember the words of Peter: ‘Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation.’ Make sure you ‘fuel’ your longing for new creation today!

The Resurrection is the climatic pivot within the history of the cosmos! It truly changes everything. Having spent six weeks preparing to remember and celebrate the events which led to this pivot (Lent and Holy Week), we now have seven weeks to reflect on and rejoice in it (Eastertide)! It is not nearly enough time, but it is the time we have been given. Plan now to be present in worship as often as possible during the Season of Easter!

Sunday, April 12: Emily Zimbrick-Rogers is our preacher this week. Emily’s internship is fast coming to a close (concluding in a few weeks time). Pray for Emily as she reflects on the resurrection appearances that they may be used by God to bring her ministry time with us to its proper end. We appreciate all that she has done among, with and for us this year.

Sunday, April 26: Compassion Sunday. We gather to reflect on and celebrate our connection with Compassion and the children we personally sponsor in Rwanda. We will hear testimonials from some who have benefited greatly from and through their sponsorship, as well as have the opportunity to enter into a sponsoring relationship ourselves.

Sunday, May 17: ‘Rwandan School Project Lunch and Presentation’. Mark your calendars now and plan on being present for worship and to stay for lunch that day to hear about the exciting plans to deepen our involvement in Mbyo parish in the Diocese of Kigali.

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.