AUG ISSUE 20
2014
GOD’S OVERWHELMING GRACE
NOT YOUR AVERAGE HUDDLE
SURPRISING ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SGF
MINISTRY UPDATES
4 WAYS TO CONNECT @ RBC NEW TO REDEEMER?
OCTOBER 5TH
STARTING SEPTEMBER 14TH
Contact Laurie Summers to sign up.
Contact Paul Burr to get plugged in.
lsummers@redeemerbiblechurch.com
01 > 02
paulburr@redeemerbiblechurch.com
> 04 > 03
SERVE IN A
MINISTRY
THERE IS A PLACE FOR EVERYONE. Contact Tammy Hoyt to get more info. tammyhoyt@redeemerbiblechurch.com
SEPTEMBER 20TH SATURDAY: 9 AM - 1 PM “...an overview of Redeemer’s vision, values, doctrine, mission, plan, and structure...” Contact Emily Boyer to get more info. emilyboyer@redeemerbiblechurch.com
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CONTRIBUTORS
CONTENTS
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR?
GOD’S OVERWHELMING GRACE 4
| “As we reflect together on last year, we’re very grateful for the Lord’s guidance, direction, and provision.”
COMMUNITY GROUPS: NOT YOUR AVERAGE HUDDLE 7
| “Community groups are real, dynamic families and friends, relationships we begin now and continue on the other side of glory, growing in grace and celebrating in the party of redemption.” NANCY AXELSON
PASTOR PAUL
KEVIN CAMPBELL
“Out of duty, I brought my kids to the State Fair. The list of ‘have to have’ food was Sweet Martha’s Cookies (now our Mercy Offering bin in Sunday school), French fries, and a dairy barn malt.”
“I like the all you can drink milk booth especially if I have a supply of Sweet Martha’s Cookies – I just dunk my cookies and eat away.”
“Corn on the cob. The kids who work there look miserable. I really feel like I'm getting my money's worth.”
SURPRISING ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SGF 9
| Developing new and deeper relationships is an unexpected benefit of attending a class in the School of Gospel Formation.
MINISTRY UPDATES ANNE LYNN
REBECCA PEEL
PASTOR MARK
“I love the deep fried jalapeño poppers from the State Fair. It’s everything I love in a comfort food: spicy, cheesy, crunchy, delicious!”
“I have never been to the State Fair! I know, lame, right? Well, I grew up in a suburb of Chicago and we went to the Taste each summer. I learned very quickly at a young age that I don't do well with lots of people eating lots of food in the heat!”
“It's a toss up between the classic Wisconsin cheese curds and the Martha's cookies with a bunch of milk. Both feel really good on the system. I'm dead serious about that.”
CREDITS Chuck Forsberg DESIGN/DIRECTION Lorie Schnell CONTENT MANAGER Anne Lynn, Jan Wyder-Barck WRITERS/EDITORS Jaimee Morse, Chuck Forsberg PHOTOGRAPHY
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| We are praising God for the grace he showered upon our ministries this year! Check out the specifics as well as the 2014-15 event calendars for Men, Women and Youth.
STRATEGIC PRAYER CALENDAR 19 | A prayer calendar to help us in praying for our city, our vision, our leadership, our ministries and our members.
BY R W GLENN
4
MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
O
ur vision is the fruit of the gospel for the good of the world – an ambitious, but robustly biblical, goal: people being saved and transformed by the gospel of grace with the result that our friends who aren’t yet Christians and the institutions of our culture would be better for having known us. And because it’s such an ambitious goal, the only way to achieve it is by developing a step-by-step plan that allows us to move toward our destination in manageable increments.
LET ME GIVE YOU THREE HIGHLIGHTS First, we decided to wait to recruit and train a launch team (Tactic #5). Now you might think that this could hardly be a highlight since we didn’t accomplish what we set out to accomplish at all. But you’d only think that if you forgot whose church this is! Jesus Christ is building his church (Matt 16:18) and he made it clear by his providence that we needed to make some significant administrative adjustments before we could begin the demanding and arduous process of planting a church. Why is this a highlight? Because it reminds us who’s in charge! Proverbs
Last year we set off on a five-year journey to create a culture of discipleship at RBC. Discipleship is Scripture’s way of talking about all the training and development that happens through the teaching of the church. This includes things like the Sunday sermon, SGF classes, Community Group discussions, and life-on-life relationships of mutual growth and encouragement. As we prepare to launch year two, we thought it would be helpful to review where we’ve been and how the Lord has blessed our efforts. Year one of our five-year mission included three strategic themes and five tactics for fulfilling our five-year mission. Our strategic themes represent the areas we highlight that are our priorities for the year and the tactics explain how we’ll execute on those priorities:
16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps,” which means at the very least that our plans are subject to the Lord’s revision. And when he adjusts your heading, it’s always a good thing! Second, the School of Gospel Formation, our adult education program, has been nothing short of phenomenal. We founded the school just before we set out on year one of our mission and decided that we should continue to develop it (Tactic #2) – and develop it we have. As we look ahead to the fall of 2014, we’re offering 15 classes and have trained 15 instructors/facilitators to lead them! The reports of gospel growth through the classes have been very, very encouraging. One significant highlight was getting to hear from David Morse, winner of the first annual Simon Manchester Award for Expository Preaching, who delivered a wonderful sermon that he was able to workshop in SGF506: Preaching & Teaching. Third and finally, we wanted to expand our ministry of mercy to the Twin Cities (Tactic #1). We were able to lead a variety of initiatives and partnerships both with local social justice organizations and with local churches, including participating in the mentor program with ResourceWest whose daily mission is to connect residents of the west metro to the community resources and support they need. In addition, we were able to hire Tammy Hoyt as our Mercy Ministry Administrator, who has given unparalleled help and support to our Mercy to the Cities efforts. As we reflect together on last year, we’re very grateful for the Lord’s guidance, direction, and provision. But we’re even more grateful for the privilege of joining with Jesus Christ as he uses us to bring the transforming power of the gospel of grace for the good of the world. //RBC
STRATEGIC THEMES 1. Strengthen Discipleship in All Its Forms 2. Deepen Our Engagement with the Community 3. Prepare to Launch a Second Church Site TACTICS 1. Expand Mercy to the Cities 2. Develop the School of Gospel Formation 3. Recast Community Groups for Fruitfulness 4. Foster Proactive Membership in the RBC Family 5. Recruit and Train Launch Team The length of this article prohibits me from saying all that could be said about what the Lord has allowed us to accomplish this year. Even now as I look at this list, I find myself overwhelmed with what God has done!
AUGUST 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
5
STARTING SEPTEMBER 14TH CONTACT PAUL BURR TO GET PLUGGED IN. paulburr@redeemerbiblechurch.com
COMMUNITY GROUPS: NOT YOUR AVERAGE HUDDLE BY LINDSAY BRANDENBURG
We did not skip a beat in forming meaningful relationships
and relishing in the goodness of the gospel’s fruit in each
W
of our lives as we shared stories of the Lord’s salvation and the grace shown to each of us, and welcoming sincere uproarious laughter. What I love about these people, is that hat makes a church welcoming?
they know the ugliness of my sin but still love me with sincere
Attractive
Engaging
freedom, challenging me in my continued temptations
advertisements? Vibrant worship?
to sin, forgiving me in the joy of their own forgiveness in
Perhaps all of these things, but the
Christ. They are committed to earnest prayer over the daily
events?
apostle Paul tells us to welcome
struggles in my own heart and mind and in life’s tough
each other in the grace of Christ Jesus in the truth of the
situations, whether it be a fight with guilt or identity from
gospel (Romans 15:6-7). This is the welcome we ought to
the past, fears or discouragement about future dreams, or
show to each other; to newcomers and old-timers alike. I
the ache of unbelieving family. My “family” rejoices with
experienced this welcome through community groups here
me in every small evidence of grace, truly valuing all the
at RBC. The men and women of my groups have opened
good gifts given by a faithful Father and entering into my
their hearts, homes and lives to me, even through my most
struggles.
desperate and sinful seasons—in fact, even more in these!
Life is a serious thing, faced with all kinds of nasty
In my beginning at the Sweet’s home, Paula and John
junk to plow through with others, but it’s also dotted
opened the door to penetrating conversations about
with lighthearted laughter and lined with the creases of
parenting, marriage, work relationships, and the deeper
enduring smiles. Taking life too seriously can be utterly
pride, rebellion, doubt and idolatry beneath all of these
paralyzing; the beauty of a group of believers is that we
daily things. It was through these real honest conversations
have the freedom and assurance to laugh deeply and invest
that I felt free to share my own disbelief in the gospel.
richly, knowing the conclusion to our cosmic comedy: the
And the truth of the gospel spoken to me through my
irony of the outcasts overcoming! We laugh ‘til our sides
community group began to expel my deepest idols. What
hurt and are kings (and queens) of spontaneity, sharing life
was intended for my death was turned to glory by the
as the opportunities present themselves. We are not some
gentle counsel of my brothers and sisters in CG as we were
manufactured or forced group discussing the severity of
brought face-to-face with our idolatry through the book of
the day’s sermon, or sharing boring small talk for an hour
Hosea and the book Repentance, by Jack Miller, each week.
and praying a scripted prayer before we head out on our
Though my time with the Sweets’ community group was,
way! Community groups are real, dynamic families and
well, very sweet, we grew in number, forcing our increasingly
friends, relationships we begin now and continue on the
less personal time to be split between too many, so when
other side of glory, growing in grace and celebrating in
the Walshes split off to form a new group, I joined them in
the party of redemption until we are welcomed into the
a location closer to my home.
heavenly Body FOREVER.
//RBC
AUGUST 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
7
Registration for our fall classes opens August 10th! register online at www.redeemerbiblechurch.com/sgf If you are unable to register online, please call the Church office.
952.935.2425
8
MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
A
s you may know, Redeemer will be in its second year of providing additional classes for adults in a plethora of areas helpful in the Christian life. If you’re like me, you probably hope and expect to
grow in knowledge of the Bible and ultimately your love for Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). As both a teacher and student in The School of Gospel Formation (SGF), I’d like to share an unexpected benefit of RBC’s ministry. Mainly, that as I participated in SGF I was provided numerous opportunities to expand and enjoy fellowship with other believers at Redeemer. SIGN
UP
WITH
A
FRIEND
AND
WATCH
YOUR
RELATIONSHIPS DEEPEN THROUGH THE GOSPEL. First, as a student I was able to expand and deepen my relationships with people I already knew at Redeemer. When I signed up for a class last spring, I made sure to take it with one of my friends. When I taught, my wife sat in as a
BY DUSTIN THOMPSON
student. What a unique blessing to take a class with a friend or spouse! As a result, we were able to have a common base to think through important implications of the Gospel in all of life. SIGN UP AND MAKE NEW ACQUAINTANCES WITH YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST. Second, I was able to meet and make new friends. One of my favorite parts of being a teacher of a class at RBC is the chance to meet new people or become further acquainted with familiar faces. Even in the class that I took with a close friend, I was surprised to find that at the end of the class I had gained six new friends. By the end of the class, it felt odd that we would stop seeing each other each week in the classroom setting. We had grown together through our shared growth in the Gospel. I hope and pray that you too will be blessed by growing in the love of Christ beyond all that you could have asked or think (Eph. 3:20).
//RBC
AUGUST 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
9
MINISTRY UPDATE
COMMUNITY GROUPS
COMMUNITIES OF GRACE & THE GOSPEL I BY PASTOR PAUL
recently took a solo road trip out west on US 20.
I love how one Community Group
“Community
that my joy of discovery was
incomplete
us
until
declaration
the
This is a truly compelling reason
moose, I was alone. Sharing it with
to build community groups
the next couple on the path got
within our churches.” (Brad
them excited to discover the wildlife
House, Community: Taking Your
too. That is why community is so
Small Group off Life Support)
essential to gospel living. We cannot
Our
desire
to
in isolation; we need to share our joys,
Community
sorrows and struggles. God has made
groups
us a community. As the apostle, Peter
fall is not about
wrote to the scattered Christians,
numbers.
“Once you were not a people, but
want more groups
now you are God's people; once you
that are growing
had not received mercy, but now you
in community and
have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:10
in the gospel. More
ESV)” Community is living out the
groups
understanding that God has made us
to
MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
of
reconciling work of the cross.
was blocked by a Mother and baby
his people.
for
tangible proclamation of the
someone else. When my hiking path
10
a
is
overwhelming love of God, a
I had shared that discovery with
discover the grace of God in our lives
relationships that are missing in our
Pastor puts it:
One thing I learned was
in
more
experiencing the grace of God in
the We
equates people
have
30
culture at-large.
On September 7, we are kicking off
Community Groups for the year with a Community Group Fair and focus during the worship services. For those who are not yet members, it is a great opportunity to meet with some group leaders in your geographic area and plan to visit some groups. If you have questions, contact me at paulburr@ redeemerbiblechurch.com.
//RBC
MINISTRY UPDATE
YOUTH
DAYDREAMING BY DAVID MORSE
D
o
you
catch
ever
teenagers have laughed, cried, and
of Jesus. It’s that simple. The grace
yourself
prayed, all while helping one another
we discover in the gospel has fueled
know Jesus better.
a fire in our youth and it is only that
daydreaming about
past?
These are just a few portraits of God’s
grace that will sustain the growth and
Don’t you just love
the
grace in the lives of our teenagers this
excitement we have experienced. The
rehearsing certain scenes in your
past year-- glimpses into what Jesus
upcoming year will be a smashing
mind; playing them over and over
does when teenagers encounter the
success if we continue to believe
until every vivid detail has come to
Gospel. As Redemption reflects on the
that truth. And so we pray that the
life all over again? The past year has
past year we can’t help but be excited
daydream of our hearts – the scene
held many of those memories for
for the year to come. Some things are
we replay over and over – will be the
Redemption.
set to change and other things will
Gospel story as we see it impacting
I hear often of Summer Camp 2013-
remain the same. There are graduates
our teenagers in crazy awesome
- the revival in the hearts of so many
who we will miss and new faces that
ways. //RBC
of our teens, igniting their passion for
we cannot wait to get to know. There
Christ heading into the new school
are leadership team members who
year. I think about times of singing
have
gone
and
during our Sunday morning worship
new
ones
who
times together; or running door-to-
have
door in frigid temperatures as we
board.
sang Christmas carols as loud as we
exciting new plans
could. There have been times where
to implement and
we, as leaders, have seen our teens
traditions we get to
come together and create something
experience again.
spectacular pizzerias.
like We’ve
art
exhibits
been
part
and of
small group discussions where our
come There
Redemption
on are
has
flourished
in
past
because
year
the
MINISTRY UPDATE
MEN
OH BROTHER, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? I BY KEVIN CAMPBELL
12
’d like to announce that
goal. Think Jacob and Esau, Amnon
traders passing through town, the
the Men’s Ministry has a
and Absalom, and of course, Abel and
Men’s Ministry has a bright future.
new director. Two actually.
his good bro Cain…ok maybe these
That or one of us will be murdered.
Two brothers. Casey and
are not the best examples. How about
So watch this space for upcoming
Kevin Campbell. Why two directors?
Joseph? Look what he became thanks
events, opportunities to connect with
That’s easy. One of us couldn’t begin
to his brothers: Pharaoh’s right hand
other men, and incredibly insightful
to fill the former director’s shoes.
man and the guy in charge of all of
wisdom. //RBC
Literally. I mean we literally needed
Egypt! Sure, it didn’t start out all rosy,
two people to fill Pastor Mark’s shoes
but his brothers totally supported
because they are so large. The Men’s
him in his new role…
Ministry can only afford one pair of
e v e n t u a l l y…
“director shoes” and they kept falling
when they were
off when just one of us walked around
near
in them (in case you’re wondering, the
But the point is
rest of the Men’s Ministry budget goes
that even if one
toward bacon).
of
starving.
us
doesn’t
But brothers? Is that really a good
end up faking the
idea? Actually yes! There is rich biblical
other’s death and
precedent for loving brothers working
selling him to a
arm-in-arm in pursuit of a common
group of Midianite
MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
Men’s Ministries
Fall Retreat Save the Date
October 24 & 25
$ 25 Woodland Camp
Zumbro Falls, MN
MINISTRY UPDATE
WOMEN
A GOSPEL OF GRACE
be in prayer about attending on Wednesday nights this fall. The class will include a time of teaching, small group discussions and sharing as well as fellowship afterwards! What a sweet time already carved out in our week that I hope we can share together.
BY REBECCA PEEL
The brunches will begin on Saturday, October
18th!
Please
mark
your
calendars now, ladies, and think of a
A
friend to bring along. These events strangers alike. I pray that the Lord
will consist of a time of teaching,
would continue to connect women
sharing, brunching and just hanging
s I reflect back on
through life-on-life discipleship and
out together! Contact me directly
last year and our
that all of us – as sisters – would be
with any questions.
women's classes I
blessed with new friendships.
smile with joy and
Remember, look at the calendar
You may be asking, “How do I
events on your calendar. We have an
that the Lord is at work, weaving our
connected?” And I would say...JOIN
exciting year coming up as I pray the
hearts closer together. Through "Quick
US! Attend our upcoming women's
Lord will continue to unite the women
Connect", our weekly book study, and
events! I can't think of a better way
of Redeemer. Each of you is a crucial
our annual Women's Retreat "The Life
to help cultivate new friendships than
part of our Women's Ministry. If we
Cycle of Discipleship", our gracious
by joining our new Galatians Bible
are missing one we are not complete!
heavenly Father has been moving to
Study and also attending our ladies
draw us closer to Him by bringing us
brunches throughout the year.
encouraged
foster
those
friendships
and
Ministry
is a community of women brought
the format of our Bible study. I know
together by rejoicing in their newness
this is difficult for some while exciting
of life in Christ!" At least that has been
for others. I pray that the Lord would
and continues to be our hope and our
encourage each of you, no matter
prayer!
participate in our new class. We will
begin
the
new
Redeemer “school” year in
Women's
Ministry with our Galatians
as well, that we would be a group of
s
women focused on a Gospel of Grace.
beginning
A grace that we can lavish on one
September
another – our families, friends and
10th!
MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
Women's
together by their brokenness and kept
what your concern, to come and
That is my prayer going forward
"Redeemer's
Additionally, changes are coming in
closer to one another.
14
below and mark the Women's Ministry
get
am
t
u
d
y on
Please
//RBC
Brunch Save the Date
October 18th
MINISTRY UPDATE
CHILDREN
LOOKING BACK & MOVING FORWARD BY NANCY AXELSON
R
REFLECTING
ON
2013-14 edeemer are
families
blessed
have
a
to
beautiful
it into the infant and waddler room
before the foundation of the world, He
as well. Shari’s work has made it easy
did not merely choose me to be ‘holy
for the volunteers to implement the
and blameless’; He chose me also to
curriculum and connect with parents
be ‘before Him in love.’ …it could also
through the newsletter.
be said that in this life I am especially
nursery AND most
Last fall in Sunday school, we
‘before Him in love’ when I come
importantly, Jesus-loving staff and
began a new 3-year chronological
‘before Him’ in prayer and worship.
volunteers where they can safely
Sunday school curriculum; The Gospel
Therefore, I can infer that prayer is not
leave their precious gifts from God.
Project, which has been well received
simply something I am allowed to do
In response to the needs of nursery
by teachers, kids and parents alike.
as a Christian; prayer is actually one
staff, we made some changes, but
Teachers enjoy having the gospel
of the great purposes for which God
all praise goes to God for His perfect
tied into every lesson and having it
chose to save me.”
plan and timing. Judy Dixon-McGuire
available in digital format! A bonus
WOW! That we were saved to pray
was the MVP of the transition from
with this curriculum is a short video
is a new perspective; rather than a
the old to the new building. She was
story kids watch in class each week.
“need to” or a “have to,” it’s a “get
there before Redeemer broke ground
Children’s
to.” We want all our volunteers to be
to lay a great “foundation” for our
Ministry entered the computer age
utterly dependent on God in prayer.
nursery to operate while off campus
this winter with the amazing addition
So in addition to teaching/modeling
at
Minnetonka
High
School.
Finally,
Redeemer
She
of an automated check in system.
the gospel in Sunday school, we are
helped to set up a plan for safety and
Thanks to the help and expertise of
working to implement more prayer
security for all children while there,
Katie Hollerman, who collected and
into all our classrooms.
and transitioned us into the new
sorted all the data, and Eric Knudson
Speaking of classrooms, due to how
facilities. In May, Judy transitioned
who helped get the computers up
God is growing Redeemer, we are
back into being a volunteer in the
and running, we were able to launch it
adding a new class in Room 104 for
nursery. We are praising God for Judy!
with relatively few hitches.
3rd and 4th graders. Of course with
Thankfully, Shari Ley said “yes” to God’s call for her to lead the nursery.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2014-15
volunteers. Lord willing, the classroom
In the toddler room, we’ve been
In A Gospel Primer, Milton Vincent
will be ready by Move Up Day, Sunday
using
says of prayer:
September 7. Contact Nancy about
the
Children
Desiring
God
curriculum, but last fall implemented 16
the addition comes a need for more
MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
“When God chose me in Christ
volunteer opportunities! //RBC
MINISTRY UPDATE
CHILDREN
KIDS LEARNING TO PRAY BY NANCY AXELSON
“L
ord, teach us
to be intergenerational. It has a family
to pray,” is
devotional book for parents and
what Jesus’
students to work through together
disciples
during the week. In this class, the kids
asked
in
will learn how God wants us to pray
Luke 11:1. All Christians need to know
through the Lord’s Prayer. See the
how to do it, and thankfully, Jesus
SGF catalog to register your children.
gave us the Lord’s Prayer to help us.
//RBC
With the new format for Wednesday evenings
this
fall,
the
Children
Desiring God “LORD Teach Us To Pray” curriculum fit the need for our two-semester
class
format.
This
13-lesson curriculum is easily broken into segments so we can work on each lesson for two weeks, which allows for great review. The other wonderful aspect of this curriculum is its design AUGUST 2014 \\ MOMENTUM 17
EXPERIENCE THE MOVEMENT OF GOSPEL LIFE IN A WHOLE NEW WAY. Introducing Momentum magazine digital edition. The complete issue is available every month on tablet or mobile. Read more at ISSUU.COM/REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH
RESOURCE CENTER SALE BUY TWO, GET ONE FREE
With the launch of the 2nd year of our School of Gospel Formation (SGF) we will be revamping our Resource Center to focus primarily on the materials that will be used in our Fall and Spring classes. In order to do this, we need to make room on our book shelves! For a limited time, all of our resources will be for sale at “Buy two, get one free”! Take advantage of this wonderful deal and stock up on some great reading! We even have some books for little ones too! Our Resource Center will be available to anyone and not just those enrolled in upcoming SGF classes! The books for our classes are always a phenomenal resource.
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MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
AUGUST PRAYER CALENDAR // PRAY WITH US
It is our deep desire to see our entire congregation praying together for the realization of our vision, “The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World.” Please join us in praying for our city, our vision, our leadership, our ministries and our members. Use this calendar, and commit to pray for one item each weekday, knowing your brothers and sisters are praying with you, and believing that God will hear and answer our pleas!
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS
PRAY FOR OUR MINISTRIES
PRAY FOR OUR MEMBERS
Pray for the final stages of planning our upcoming ministry year, that directors would have wisdom and direction as they plan, and that all efforts would ultimately result in deeper relationships among us and in gospel growth.
Pray for the August leadership training seminars with RBC and Zion Baptist Church. Pray that the seminars would be well attended and produce gospel fruit.
Pastor Mark: Pray that I would wake up every day with a joyful urgent desire to rest in the awesome work of Christ.
Strategic Prayer: Pray that we continue to grow in becoming a more prayerful church. Pray also for our upcoming Praying Life class through SGF on Wednesday nights, and for many to come to the open time of prayer after the class.
Drake & Kari Lorence and Glory Lueck
AUG 18 - 22
AUG 11 - 15
AUG 4 - 8
PRAY FOR OUR VISION
PRAY FOR OUR CITY
Pray for the upcoming launch of Community Groups, that leaders’ hearts would be prepared, that the right people would be placed together and that God would do huge things in and through these groups this year.
4
Pray for the upcoming kickoff of the School of Gospel Formation, for teachers to be prepared, for students to be ready to learn, and for the Lord to bring much fruit in the hearts and lives of all those involved.
AUG 25 - 29
12
Pray for wisdom for RBC Mercy Ministry in how to expand Mercy To The Cities.
18
19
Pray for an understanding and embracing of our vision, “The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World.” Pray that there would be unity among our congregation and that we would all take ownership in seeking to see this vision become reality.
Pray that pastors in our city would return to the word of God and expository preaching, and that congregations would be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Pray for our upcoming ViSTa (Vision, Strategy and Training) meeting, that we would get a good turnout and that it would be a fruitful time of planning for the ministry year ahead!
Pray that college bound Christians would seek the Lord daily during the excitement and changes involved with the college experience. That these students would be bold in their love for Christ.
25
SEPT 1 - 5
5
Pray for gospelsaturated volunteers for ICA Food Shelf’s new K-Tel site.
11
1
THURSDAY
26
2
6
FRIDAY
7
8
John Sweet, Elder Candidate: Pray that I will understand more fully that I only need one thing: Jesus. Pray God will guard my heart and mind in Jesus, not to be anxious for anything, and that my peace will be a blessing to my wife and kids.
Women’s Ministry: Pray that the women of Redeemer would continue to grow in their love of the Lord and each other. Pray for our new fall women’s class on Galatians; that all glory is given to God and that the women and teachers are blessed.
John Lund and Jason & Anne Lynn
Pastor Warren: Pray that I will have an increased ability to see, with grateful eyes, all that God has provided for me. In all that I have been given, from material blessings to eternal salvation, I want to have and express appreciation more.
Community Groups: Pray that our Community Group ministry grows to 30 groups. Pray as our groups and leaders grow in implementing our vision of “The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World.”
Tina Mackerl and Lois Magnuson
Dan Beck, deacon: Please pray that the Spirit would grow more deeply in me the reality that Jesus is both Author and Perfector of my faith; therefore, the work is finished and I can do more resting in Him than working for Him!
Nursery: Pray for volunteers this fall; we have many new babies and we need extra caring hands. Pray that the Holy Spirit will flow through each of the Nursery rooms; teaching little ones big truths about the glory and majesty of God!
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Pastor Bob: Pray that the Lord would reveal to me more of the person of Jesus Christ. That He would deepen my sense of gospel grief - that I would see my sins as crimes against love. That He would allow me to continue to destroy the ruling idols of my heart, especially idols of pleasure and acceptance.
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Wanda Martens and Joe & Jamie McCalley
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Welcome Ministry: Pray that the Welcome ministry would be a source of encouragement, help and information to newcomers and members. That our ministry would cultivate an inviting atmosphere of grace. That the Lord would continue to provide men and women to volunteer as ushers, greeters and Welcome Center personnel.
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Matt & Carrie McCorkle and Jason & Karie Merritt
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GOSPEL LIFE BLOG
MORE ENCOURAGING BLOG POSTS CAN BE FOUND AT REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/RESOURCES/BLOG Desert Life // Bethany Hway The Father’s Song // Gabe Zepeda A Perspective on Storms // Pastor Boomer
STAND ON THE ROCK BY GAYLE GLENN
“S
tand on Christ’s righteousness alone, not on sanctification, or anything else.” This is what I tell myself every morning, when I wake up, and all day as I feel the anxiety rise up at every turn.
Stand on anything else, and Satan will throw it all down.
It will never be able to endure the storm that will come against it. There’s no power in anything else but Christ’s righteousness. Think of anything else you attempt to stand on and imagine, “vipers will eat out all the vital of it.”
WE NEED EACH OTHER BY PASTOR MARK SUCHTA
I
f there is one theme that has been ringing true to me this last year, it’s the truth that the Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Time and time again as a husband, father, friend and pastor, I see the effects on Christians when we
get out of fellowship or are not a member of a local church.
Whatever you look to for acceptance with God, other
It never fails. The “Me and Jesus” view of Christianity that
than Christ’s righteousness on your behalf, think of as anti-
21st century western culture loves is not biblical, and really,
Christ. Tell it to flee. Christ alone absorbed the wrath we
we all know this is true.
deserve. Let him do what he lives to do, to intercede for you. (Hebrews 7:25)
When we are out of fellowship we get weird, we get paranoid, and we start to spiral downward into deceptive
Counselor Ed Welch uses a term--value junkie. As a little
thinking because we are blind to our sin. We need each
girl, I felt afraid; I wanted to be invisible, because I felt
other. We need close Christian friends to encourage us,
embarrassed that I was brown and insignificant. So it makes
correct us and point us to the cross.
sense that I spent my life seeking value like a mouse after
You may be saying right now, “I don’t have anyone like
cheese in whatever made me feel valuable. I see the value
that.” Well now is the time. Now is the time to get plugged
junkie in me. An affirming word from a respected person
into a local bible believing church. Now is the time to walk
and all is well. If I feel I’ve disappointed people, I’m angry
up to that person you trust during donut time and say, “I
or despairing. Or anxious that I will disappoint. That junkie
need a good friend. Could we start getting together for
can be driven away as I step off the sinking sand and stand
coffee?” Now is the time to say, “My small group needs me
on Christ’s righteousness alone for my worth and value.
and I need them.”
Draw a circle around yourself and decide to stand on the
You have a great Father in heaven who wants you to be
rock of Christ, on his righteousness alone. Live in this circle
a part of your local church. He desires you to be in deep
today. When you step off, just come back. He is higher than
intimate relationships with other Christians. He always has
self-righteousness, Satan, and our idolatries. Stand upon
your best interest in mind and is wholeheartedly for you.
the rock of ages. He is higher than I (Psalm 61:2). //RBC
Let the Gospel get a hold of your heart and propel you outward! This is freedom.
References: Honey out of the Rock by Thomas Wilcox and Shame Interrupted by Ed Welch
20 MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
//RBC
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
LEFT TO RIGHT TRENT & SARA WILLIAMS
SANDI WALKER
AUGUST 2014 \\ MOMENTUM 21
GOD’S KINGDOM AND OUR GIVING FINANCE REPORT
JULY 2014 - YTD
BY THE NUMBERS GENERAL GIVING FUND BASE FORECAST
EXPENSES GIVING
BY PASTOR PAUL BURR
I
OPERATING EXPENSES | $ 914,940 GIVING | $ 781,271 FORECAST | $ 866,694 ’ve always wanted to write
It seems to me then that we should
an article entitled, “Lonely
be praying that God will expand our
Verses in the Bible.” We
hearts so that He can use our giving for
know John 3:16, but do we
abundance in the kingdom. Vision is
know what verse 17 says?
so important in our giving. Without it,
We can recite Matt 11:28, “Come to me,
our giving lacks focus and conviction.
all who labor and are heavy laden…”
But as we keep Redeemer’s vision in
but are ignorant of the previous verse.
front of us, we begin to see giving
One of the well-known verses on
with a sense of mission: The Fruit of
giving is 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each
the Gospel for the Good of the World.
one must give as he has decided in
May the Lord use us all to fulfill His
his heart, not reluctantly or under
vision for Redeemer Bible Church. If
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful
you have comments or questions,
giver.” Do you know what verse 8
please
says? “And God is able to make all
paulburr@redeemerbiblechurch.com.
grace abound to you, so that having
//RBC
all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Out of our giving, God is able to use it for abundance in kingdom work.
22
MOMENTUM // AUGUST 2014
contact
Pastor
Paul
$ 133,669 EXPANDING OUR GOSPEL VISION 7.6 %
92.4 %
at
EXTRA COMMITMENTS | $ 41,427 // 1.9 % AWAITING | $ 165,146 // 7.6 % RECEIVED | $ 2,013,854 // 92.4 %
PR rbc’s 5th Annual
Sunday September 7th 6 - 8:30pm at Redeemer Bible Church. Check our newsletter for more details.
PIG ROAST & BONFIRE
BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE NOW - AUG 19TH
Back-to-School Supply Drive now thru Aug 19th
Every child deserves a chance at a successful school year!
Help us raise $25,000 to send kids to school ready to learn & succeed!
Needed Suplies:
LOCATE THE LARGE AQUA BIN FOR DETAILS New Backpacks 2-Pocket Folders Single Subject Notebooks Loose Leaf Paper Colored Pencils (12 Pack) Plastic Rulers Washable Markers (10 pack) Glue Sticks
RESOURCEWEST.ORG 952.933.3860
Give a cash gift today (952) 933-3860 resourcewest.org
Do you need help? Call (952) 933-3860
Back-to-School Program
LOOKING AHEAD Sunday SEPTEMBER 7TH
Sunday SEPTEMBER 7TH
Saturday OCTOBER 18TH
Fri & Sat OCTOBER 24 & 25
COMMUNITY GROUP FAIR
PIG ROAST & BONFIRE
WOMEN’S BRUNCH
MEN’S RETREAT
FELLOWSHIP HALL
6 PM FRI. TO 6 PM SAT.
DURING AND BETWEEN
6 - 8:30 PM | CHURCH
What better way to start
WOODLAND CAMP,
THE WORSHIP SERVICES |
GROUNDS
off the weekend than a
ZUMBRO FALLS
FELLOWSHIP HALL
Mark your calendar for
morning filled with sweet
Attention men of Redeemer!
If you haven’t plugged into a
our 5th Annual Pig Roast
opportunities to meet more
It’s that time again. Time
Community Group yet, this
& Bonfire! This family
Redeemer women or re-
to put it on your calendar
event is a great way to meet
favorite event immediately
connect with old friends! All
to attend the annual Men’s
some group leaders in your
follows The Lord’s Table
women are invited to join us
Retreat. Cost will be $25
geographic area face-to-
service, so plan to first
for a sweet time of teaching,
and that includes food and
face. Ask your questions,
attend worship at 5 p.m.,
sharing, and brunching – an
lodging. Be on the lookout
get excited, and plan to visit
then stay for an evening of
event that is a super way
for more details coming
some groups!
fantastic freshly grilled pork
to connect, learn and draw
soon.
and gooey s’mores by the
closer to the Lord!
fire afterward. All right at church!
AUGUST SUN
3
MON 4
5
TUE
WED 6
GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM
THU 7
FRI 8
SAT 9
REDEMPTION YOUTH // SUMMER CAMP ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM THE LORD’S TABLE | 6:00 PM
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REDEMPTION YOUTH // SUMMER CAMP ////////////
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TRAINING | Fellowship Hall 7 PM
GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM
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GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM (Including the Lord’s Table) REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
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NURSERY CLEANING DAY Nursery, 8:30 AM
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GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
31 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM