Momentum | August 2014

Page 1

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

SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY DIGITAL NEWSLETTER EMAIL LORIE SCHNELL TO BE ADDED TO OUR LIST // lorie@redeemerbiblechurch.com


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

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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

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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

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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.

3

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15

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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

24

NURSERY CLEANING DAY Nursery, 8:30 AM

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2

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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


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