Week of Sunday, July 28th, 2019

Farewell to the Bustetters and Stephanie Wilks

Please be praying for smooth transitions for Stan and Debra Bustetter as they move to Georgia on Monday, as well as for Stephanie Wilks who will move to Oklahoma next Saturday. Both the Bustetters and Stephanie are moving to be closer to family, so pray also that they will be blessings to their families.

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel [especially Stan, Debra, and Stephanie]; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

– Collect for Those Who Travel, BCP 2019

Congregational Meeting this Sunday

All members and regular attendees, as well as visitors, are invited to stay after the service on Sunday for a Congregational Meeting in the Fellowship Hall. At the meeting, the Leadership Council and clergy will share about the exciting development of an immediate potential church for purchase, and the greater long term vision of a glorifying space and place for CtR’s worship, ministry, mission, and community life. Please attend prayerfully, expectantly, and vocally, as we hope to hear the Lord’s stirrings and discern a collective “Amen” of direction and action among God’s people!
We will enjoy a potluck lunch together, so please bring a dish to share (enough for your family, plus a little more if possible).  

Beja Friends Conference Next Weekend

Next Friday, August 2nd and Saturday 3rd, our church will host this year’s 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.

Last Chance for Lost and Found

Please take some time on Sunday to look through the “Lost and Found” bin located in the Fellowship Hall. Everything in the bin will either be donated or recycled if is not claimed by July 31st!  Thank you for your help with this!

Save the Date: Transfiguration Service

On Tuesday, August 6th at 8:30am, we will be celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration at Morning Prayer with Holy Communion. We hope you can join us!


O gracious God, your servant and apostle James was first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ: Pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service, by which they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

– Prayer for the Feast of Saint James, BCP 2019

Week of Sunday, July 21st, 2019

Hope you all are staying cool in the midst of this extremely hot weather!

Continue to pray for all of those who are packing, moving, and transitioning to new places this summer. The Matlacks will be moving this weekend, and the Bustetters, Stephanie Wilks, and the Angles will be moving toward the end of July and into August. Please remember them in your prayers – for safety, peace, and a place of worship in their future homes.

Meals for the James Family

Bethany Dryfka’s sister & her family have moved back to Norfolk from Charlottesville, and have added a new addition their family: baby Kennedy Mae!  They are planning to make CtR their church home and are staying with the Inmans while they look for a house. Bethany has put together a “Take Them a Meal” to help them adjust to being a family of 5, as well as moving back to Norfolk . Their names are Lydia & Tim James and their kids are Erling, Nora & Kennedy Mae. Click the link to sign up to bring a meal: https://takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=RTHF8852.

Beja Friends Conference at CtR

On August 2nd and 3rd, our church will host this year’s 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 begins Friday. On Friday evening, 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 continue planning. Please come on 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 Evite: Beja 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, also. Please direct any questions to David or Diane Condron, the meeting coordinators. David (412) 515-4935. Diane (412) 799-4034.

Missing Something?

There are several kids sippy cups accumulating in the kitchen. For the next two weeks, there will be a box labeled “Lost and Found” in Fellowship Hall, which will have the sippy cups, as well as other miscellaneous homeless items. Please check out the box and retrieve any items that you think might be yours! Items in the box will either be donated or thrown away by the end of July. Thank you for your help with this!

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!

Week of Sunday, July 14th, 2019

Meals for the James Family

Bethany Dryfka’s sister & her family have just moved back to Norfolk from Charlottesville, and are welcoming baby number three: Kennedy Mae!  They are planning to make CtR their church home and are staying with the Inmans while they look for a house. Bethany has put together a “Take Them a Meal” for all of you who wish to show your support for this family. Their names are Lydia & Tim James and their kids are Erling, Nora & Kennedy Mae. Click the link to sign up to bring a meal: https://takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=RTHF8852.

Alpha Update

The Alpha classes concluded on July 1st, and the Lord moved mightily through the group! Thank you for your faithful prayers. Speak with Janis Campbell, David+ Watts, Eric and Bethany Dryfka, or Diane Condron for reports of His gracious encounters during the classes.

Beja Friends Conference at CtR

On August 2nd and 3rd, our church will host this year’s 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 begins Friday. On Friday evening, 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 continue planning. Please come on 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 Evite: Beja 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, also. Please direct any questions to David or Diane Condron, the meeting coordinators. David (412) 515-4935. Diane (412) 799-4034.

Missing Something?

There are several kids sippy cups, which do not belong to CtR, accumulating in the kitchen. On Sunday, there will be a box labeled “Lost and Found” in Fellowship Hall, which will have the sippy cups, as well as other miscellaneous homeless items. Please check out the box and retrieve any items that you think might be yours! Items in the box will either be donated or thrown away by the end of July. Thank you for your help with this!

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!

Week of Sunday, July 7th, 2019

Pray for the Maases and the Scarletts

We pray for traveling mercies to accompany Brad, Georgia, Jackson, Emma, and Johnny Maas as they depart tomorrow for Naples, Italy. We also pray for Jamal, Janice, Sydney, Nathan, and Eleanor Scarlett and Cynthia Abria as they leave on Sunday for St. Louis, MO.

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel [especially the Maas Family and the Scarlett Family]; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

– Collect for Those Who Travel, BCP 2019

Youth BBQ moved to Sunday!

The Youth BBQ will now be on Sunday after church, instead of Saturday evening. The location will remain the same: Inman’s new home. All youth, and their families and friends, are invited to come, hang out, and eat some yummy BBQ with us! Please RSVP through the Evite. If you haven’t received it, email Sydney at admin@christtheredeemer.org (and if friends are coming, include them in your RSVP total). Plan to bring a side dish or drink to share, and we’ll provide the main dish and desserts!

Beja Friends Conference at CtR

On August 2nd and 3rd, our church will host this year’s 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 begins Friday. On Friday evening, 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 continue planning. Please come on 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 Evite: Beja 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, also. Please direct any questions to David or Diane Condron, the meeting coordinators. David (412) 515-4935. Diane (412) 799-4034.

Note for Parents

We have recently installed a Parent Alert Visual Pager in the Sanctuary (near the Exit sign to the left of the altar). This will be used to communicate to parents of children in the Nursery should there be any reason for you to come retrieve your children before the usual time (during Passing of the Peace). The numbered tag given to you at the Children’s Check-in Table will be the same number that will show up on the Alert Monitor, if your child is needing to be picked up early. If you have any questions about this, please email Sydney at admin@christtheredeemer.org.

One last thing, if  you need to step out of the service for any reason, the service is “piped in” to the Fellowship Hall. This set-up was created in order for you to still be able to listen in to the service while tending to your kids, family members, or any other personal matter.

Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!

Week of Sunday, June 30th, 2019

Dn. David’s Ordination, and Confirmations this Sunday!

Bishop Mike Williams from the Special Jurisdiction of Armed Forces and Chaplaincy will be joining us for the Ordination of Deacon David Watts and the Confirmations of the following individuals: Rachel Inman, Emma Maas, Jackson Maas, Ezekiel Mabus, Nathan Scarlett, Sydney Scarlett, Ben Snodgrass, and Esther Snodgrass.  

Thank you to all of you who responded to the survey to help track attendance for the service; it looks like we’re going to have a packed house. Plan to arrive early to find a seat!

For those who will be Confirmed, please attend the rehearsal on Saturday at 3:00pm. Confirmands, as well as all those involved in the service (readers, presenters, etc.), are also expected to arrive an hour early on Sunday morning, by 9:15am

Parents, Please Read!

Since we are planning for this Sunday to be a longer service, there will be an extended pre-Children’s Church time. The Ordination and Confirmations will be taking place before the reading of Scripture, so kids ages 4 through 5th grade will not be dismissed until after the Ordination, Confirmation and the Lessons. The Nursery (ages 0 to 3) will be open, as usual, starting at the beginning of the service. Please plan to arrive early in order to check-in your children for the Nursery. 

Speaking of check-in, we have recently installed a Parent Alert Visual Pager in the Sanctuary (near the Exit sign to the left of the altar). This will be used to communicate to parents of children in the Nursery should there be any reason for you to come retrieve your children before the usual time (during Passing of the Peace). The numbered tag given to you at the Children’s Check-in Table will be the same number that will show up on the Alert Monitor, if your child is needing to be picked up early. If you have any questions about this, please email Sydney at admin@christtheredeemer.org. 

One last thing, if  you need to step out of the service for any reason, the service is “piped in” to the Fellowship Hall. This set-up was created in order for you to still be able to listen in to the service while tending to your kids, family members, or any other personal matter. 

International Student Request

An international student friend of Hank Thompson is looking to purchase a used vehicle. If you have any information of a good used vehicle, please contact Hank immediately at (757) 277-4059. Thank you!

Youth Ministry’s End of Year Event

Saturday, July 6th, 6:00pm at the Inman’s (new) House.

Join us for a time for family of youth, youth, and their friends to socialize, celebrate, worship, and prayerfully send off those who are leaving. Please RSVP through the Evite (if you haven’t received it, please email Sydney at admin@christtheredeemer.org).

Looking forward to a wonderful celebration on Sunday!

Week of Sunday, June 23rd, 2019

Welcome, Lucie Matlack!

In case you missed it, Lucette (Lucie) Lea Matlack was born at 4:09am on June 16th (Father’s Day and Trinity Sunday)! We rejoice with Kate and Joshua, as this beautiful baby girl is added to their family. Praying God’s blessings on them; for rest and recovery, and for a smooth transition to a family of four.  If you want to help them out by providing a meal, please sign up through Meal Train at the following link: https://mealtrain.com/d91qqv.

Steven Dickens Deploying to Dubai

Steven will be leaving for Dubai this coming Monday, June 24th, and will be deployed for 6 months. Please be praying for safety for Steven, as well as strength for Lea Hanna and family. Let us pray for the Dickens family, along with all of those in our congregation who are serving in the military:

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

– “Prayer for Those in the Armed Forces”, Book of Common Prayer

Ordination and Confirmations on June 30th

We are planning for a big celebration next Sunday, June 30th, with the ordination of Dn. David Watts, as well as eight confirmations! Since we are expecting a larger crowd, it would be helpful for us to have a headcount in order to ensure adequate seating.

If you have not already responded to the Survey Monkey sent to your email, please click HERE to complete the short questionnaire (if you didn’t receive the survey, please contact Sydney at ctrsec@gmail.com). Thank you for your help!

*Also, just a reminder for all who will be confirmed next Sunday: please plan to be at church at 9:30am this Sunday for a quick meeting with Father Brian. 

Enjoy your weekend, and see you on Sunday!

Week of Trinity Sunday, June 16th, 2019

Happy Father’s Day weekend to all of you who are fathers or have fathers! On Sunday we will also be celebrating baptisms as well as Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday marks the beginning of the last season of the liturgical year and celebrates the glorious mystery of the triune nature of our God.

Here are other events coming up this weekend and over the summer:

Pray for Alpha Retreat: June 14-15

The Alpha classes have drawn to a close, and will be culminating with the Alpha Retreat tomorrow and Saturday. Please be praying that the Holy Spirit would move and those who attend would be drawn into the Kingdom.

Baptisms this Sunday

We have the great privilege of getting to celebrate eleven baptisms on Sunday, while also renewing our own baptismal vows! Alleluia!

Ordination and Confirmations on June 30th

We are planning for a BIG day on June 30th, with the ordination of Deacon David Watts, as well as eight Confirmations! Since we are expecting a larger crowd, it would be helpful for us to have a headcount in order to ensure adequate seating. Be on the look-out for an email next week asking for information to help us with planning. Thank you!

Looking Ahead to Fall

All of the major planning of events for the fall Discipleship Hour, Sunday School, and Children’s Church have taken place. This will be communicated to everyone in the middle of August, beginning with a Congregational Meeting (most likely on August 18th). The shift will begin on September 9th. Stay tuned for more details!

Looking forward to celebrating with you all this Trinity Sunday!

Week of Pentecost, June 9th, 2019

Upcoming Events

We have a busy weekend ahead of us, as well as a full month of exciting celebrations! Make sure you are aware of all of the meetings and events coming up:

Saturday, June 8th

  • 9:00am – Leadership Council Meeting ,
  • 11:30am – Baptism Walk-through with Father Brian
  • 5:00pm – Talent Show and Ministry Fair

Pentecost, Sunday, June 9th

  • Ministry Fair during Hospitality Hour
  • 12:00pm – Discipleship Hour Planning Lunch
  • 12:00pm – Women’s Retreat Planning

Trinity Sunday, June 16th – Baptisms (9:30am Baptismal Walk-through)

Sunday, June 30th – Bishop visiting for Dn. David Watts’ ordination and eight confirmations!

*To see all our events in one place, check out our website Calendar

Talent Show and Ministry Fair

Join us this Saturday, 5:00pm – 7:00pm for this fun, inter-generational event! We’ll start with a Ministry Fair highlighting the different ministries at CtR. Then we will have a covered dish dinner, followed by the Talent Show! All ages are encouraged to participate, whether it is a serious talent or something silly.
Plan to bring a dish to share and your talent to show off. See you on Saturday!

Note on Discipleship Hour

The only Discipleship Hour class that will be meeting this Sunday is “Personality and Service: Finding Your Place in Ministry.” After Sunday, Discipleship Hour will take a break for the summer and pick back up in September.

Congratulations, Grads!

Congratulations to everyone who graduated this year. We especially want to recognize:

  • Alex Angle graduated from Regent University Law School
  • Jackson Maas graduating from Grassfield High School
  • Katelyn Richardson (granddaughter of Temple) graduating from Great Bridge High School

It’s Not Goodbye, but ‘See You Later’!

Unfortunately, this summer we will be saying goodbye to several families and individuals who are transitioning out of Norfolk, for work, school, or family reasons. Please keep the following folks in your prayers as they are in the midst of packing and preparing to move to different parts of the country: The Maas Family, The Matlack Family, The Scarlett Family, Alex and Stephanie Angle, and Stephanie Wilks. We will greatly miss all of you!

Hope to see you on Saturday evening, and don’t forget to wear red on Pentecost!

Week of Sunday, May 26th, 2019

Discipleship Hour this Weekend

With Memorial Day this weekend, the “Growing Compassionate Kids” class will not be meeting, but the other two classes will.  See below for more information.

“Personality and Service: Finding Your Place in Ministry” – meeting this weekend, ends June 9th. 

“Growing Compassionate Kids” – NOT meeting this weekend, ends June 2nd.

“Study of Philippians”- meeting this weekend, ends June 2nd. 

*Please note that only the Nursery will be offered during Discipleship Hour this weekend. *

Children’s Ministry Update for the Summer:

Check out the Children’s Ministry page to read an update from Jennifer, and make sure you and your kids know about all the upcoming Summer events and changes!

Mark Your Calendars

Saturday, June 8th – Talent Show and Ministry Fair.  From 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Everyone is welcome to participate, and talents can be something legit, or funny! Along with a covered dish dinner, we will be adding a Ministry Fair component to this year’s event. Hope to see you there!

Trinity Sunday, June 16th – Baptisms. If you or your child(ren) are interested in being baptized, please contact Father Brian at revbriancampbell@gmail.com.

Sunday, June 30th – Ordination and Confirmation. We have the privilege of celebrating Deacon David Watts’ ordination, as well as seven candidates for confirmation. If you are interested in being confirmed, please contact Father Brian (if you haven’t already done so).

*To see all our events in one place, check out our website Calendar

The Basics and Alpha

Thank you for your prayer, donations, and service given toward The Basics and Alpha classes over the past two months! The Basics five-week program unfortunately ended this past Tuesday, however, there was such a positive response from participants that we hope to have a second round in September. To read more about how this pilot program went, click here

Please continue praying for the Alpha classes. There have been several individuals considering the claims of Christ through these sessions. Pray that the word of God is being planted in good soil, and that it will bear fruit in the hearts of those attending! They are meeting every Thursday evening, 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the home of Dn. David until June 15th. 

Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, and hope to see you on Sunday!

Week of Sunday, May 19th, 2019


*Items Needed*

One of our own is getting back on his feet and is in need a bed, dresser, AC unit, dishes, towels, blanket, couch, love seat, table, and other household goods. Please contact Dn. David at david@christtheredeemer.org if you have any of these items you’d be willing to bless someone with. Thank you!

Celebrations Ahead!

Graduations. A few folks in our congregation will be graduating from high school and college. If you know of anyone within our community that has graduated or is graduating this spring, please let us know!

Baptisms. On Trinity Sunday, June 16th, we will have another opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism!  If you or your child(ren) are interested in being baptized, please contact Father Brian at revbriancampbell@gmail.com.

Ordination and Confirmation. Deacon David Watts will be ordained by the Bishop on June 30th! We will be celebrating Confirmations on the 30th as well. If you are interested in being a candidate for confirmations, please email Father Brian at revbriancampbell@gmail.com .

CtR Talent Show

Christ the Redeemer’s Annual Talent Show is coming up on Saturday, June 8th from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Save the date for this fun, inter-generational event. Along with a covered dish dinner, we will be adding a Ministry Fair component to this year’s event. Ministry leaders please be on the lookout for an email with more information.

Alpha and The Basics

THANK YOU again to all of you who have been supporting these programs through your prayers, donations, and time. Please continue to pray for the following:

    • The individuals and families who are attending both Alpha and The Basics
    • The leaders, that God would use them to share and model His love
    • Wisdom for next steps for The Basics and Alpha; this week is the last session for The Basics!

Discipleship Hour – Sunday, 9:00am

Here are the classes being offered:

    1. “Personality and Service: Finding Your Place in Ministry”, led by Joshua Matlack and Justin Seligman.
    2. “Growing Compassionate Kids”, led by Casey Reed and Temple Richardson. The book Growing Compassionate Kids by Jan Johnson is used as a guide throughout the class.
    3. “Study of Philippians”, led by Father Brian Campbell.

The Youth track for Discipleship Hour is focusing on the Catechism as preparation  for Confirmation (which will take place either in June or in November this year).

The Children’s Ministry will continue discovering God through the Jesus Storybook Bible.

*Please note that only the Nursery will be offered for parents on Memorial Day weekend (May 26th) during Discipleship Hour.*

2020 Women’s Retreat

Save the date for the next Women’s Retreat: February 21-23 at Chanco on the James. More details to come.

Looking forward to worshiping the Risen King with you all on Sunday!