Momentum | December 2013

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ISSUE TWELVE // DECEMBER 2013

BORN TO DIE BY: JOHN F. MACARTHUR, JR.


THIS MONTH AT REDEEMER

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 4:30 & 7 PM

WANT TO GET PLUGGED INTO A COMMUNITY GROUP?

MERCY UPDATE MITTEN TREE FOR RESOURCE WEST In

December,

be

under the Mitten Tree located at

Family

the south end of the lower level

Resource Center as a part of our mercy

hallway next to the coat room.

offering. ResourceWest serves families in the

On December 22, we will place a

Hopkins/Minnetonka School districts.

Bible verse in each item collected

partnering

Redeemer

with

Kids

items and place them on or

ResourceWest

will

The Winter Warm Wear Program is open

before we give them away.

from November through March each year. We stock up with new or gently used winter

CONTACT OUR NEW COMMUNITY GROUP COORDINATOR!

Katie Hollermann

email: katie @redeemerbiblechurch.com

MISSIONARY UPDATE

jackets, snow pants, boots, and new hats

On December 15, Karise Pagano

and mittens. This program provides winter

will be visiting our Sunday School

essentials for more than 700 children of local

classes. She will be sharing how

low-income families.

God is using her in Italy! We will

The program is for children from newborn to

also have the opportunity to pray

age 18. In addition, we have a limited selection

over the offerings we collected

of adult jackets available. Each qualified child

for her ministry.

will receive (if available) a winter jacket, a pair of snow pants, a pair of winter boots, a hat, and a pair of mittens. If you would like to participate in this program, please bring the above mentioned


December 1st, 2013

BORN TO DIE

VISION UPDATE

12 | BY: JOHN F. MACARTHUR, JR.

| Mark Summers gives us an update on how the expansion of Mercy to the Cities has been going.

| Pastor Bob gets us thinking about our expectations for Christmas by asking this question: What do you want from Christmas?

KIDS CORNER

REDEMPTION HOUSE

Jesus was born to die. Don’t think I’m trying to put a damper on your Christmas spirit. Far from it for Jesus’ death, though devised and carried out by men with evil intentions, was in no sense a tragedy. In fact, it represents the greatest victory over evil anyone has ever accomplished. CREDITS Design/Direction: Chuck Forsberg Content Manager: Lorie Schnell Writer/Editor: Brittney Westin Photos by: Jaimee Morse (24), Josh Hway (2,22).

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 6

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| Parents: here is a Christmas bedtime story that you can enjoy reading to your children sometime this month.

| Learn about the mercy ministry of Redemption House and the needs they have this Christmas season.

GET INVOLVED

DISCIPLESHIP

18 | Redeemer needs

20 | Here is a life-on-

your help! There are about 100 volunteer positions available.

life testimony from Pam Deckert whose life has been impacted for the gospel by another member.

NEW MEMBERS

FINANCIAL UPDATE

24 | Welcome our newest

26 | How is our church

members to the family. We’re so glad to have you here!

doing financially? Get a year to date snapshot here.


VISION UPDATE

Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World EXPAND MERCY TO THE CITIES

EXPAND MERCY TO THE CITIES

Foster Proactive Membership in the RBC Family Recruit & Train Launch Team Recast Community Groups for Fruitfulness Develop School of Gospel Formation

BY: MARK SUMMERS

T

he launch and early growth of Mercy to the

a new group of area families. As part of this, we will be seeking

Cities over the past year has consisted of

additional Redeemerites to serve as mentors for the families

Biblical grassroots initiative and entrepreneurial

we’ll be working with through this program in which we provide

ministry-building meeting the opportunities

structured financial assistance from our Mercy Fund, coupled

the Lord has presented to Redeemer Bible

with coaching and mentoring in basic life skills such as getting

Church. Beginning with our meetings last year with social and educational institutions in the Minnetonka area in order

The WEST group of area churches, of which we are a part,

to identify areas of specific need in the western suburbs, we

will be participating in training provided by the Hennepin

moved forward with a threefold strategy based on working with

County Office to End Homelessness so that we can develop

ResourceWest (a private nonprofit focused on addressing the

a plan to increase the availability of affordable housing in the

needs of the poor in Hopkins and Minnetonka) by helping form

western suburbs. This will aid in continuing the work we’ve

a coalition of churches in the Excelsior-Minnetonka area called

already begun toward this goal with several area apartment

Western Ecumenical Service Team (WEST), and developing our

owners and managers.

own internal case management team for directly working with

We are also planning to add a staff position in the office at

area individuals and families through our Mercy Ministry. We

Redeemer to handle much of the heavy administrative support

also began exploring the possibilities for urban mercy ministry

required by mercy ministry. This person will also assist with

through meeting with several Minneapolis churches, which

expanding our internal case management capabilities as well

resulted in initiating a relationship with Zion Baptist Church in

as helping with shifting the role of our deacons more toward

Minneapolis.

providing oversight and strategic direction for the mercy

As we move into 2014, a key goal is to increase the Biblical understanding of, as well as involvement with mercy ministry by

ministry. The vision we share with Zion Baptist is one of comprehensive

the Redeemer church body. Beginning next spring, Principles

gospel-based

and Practice of Mercy Ministry will be offered through the

Minneapolis neighborhoods surrounding Zion. This is a project

School of Gospel Formation. This will be a five- to six-hour

that we see unfolding over the next ten to fifteen years and

course covering topics such as understanding the Biblical case

involving many people from both churches working with

for mercy ministry, how it’s a foundational building block of

community-based organizations.

gospel ministry, how to engage as individuals and a church in

a series of regular prayer meetings involving leadership from

ministries of mercy, and why participation in mercy ministry

both churches to seek the Lord’s leading on how and where to

must be an indispensable part of the life of a true church and

community

redevelopment

in

the

North

begin.

We are planning to begin

its individual members. Additionally, in order to make teaching

Lastly, we want to expand Mercy to the Cities through growing

on the ministry of mercy a regular part of our Sunday worship,

the involvement of the entire body at Redeemer in three ways:

our November Mercy Minute began a twelve-part series of

regular prayer for the ministry, increased participation in giving

mini-lessons on the ministry of mercy that will continue during

to the Ministry of Mercy, and growth in direct participation by

future Mercy Minutes throughout most of 2014.

Redeemerites in Mercy to the Cities ministry work. Please pray

Our deacon team will also be working hard on expanding all

about whether and how the Lord is calling you to take a hands-

four of our Mercy to the Cities ministry initiatives mentioned

on role. Ask a deacon how you can increase your involvement

above.

with this vital evangelistic ministry, and pray for the Lord to

Working with ResourceWest, we are planning to

continue our financial assistance and mentoring program with 4

and keeping a job, budgeting, and money management.

MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

show you how he wants you to do so. //RBC


(Redeemer) will be participating in training provided by the Hennepin County Office to End Homelessness so that we can develop a plan to increase the availability of affordable housing in the western suburbs.


CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM CHRISTMAS? BY: PASTOR R W GLENN

W

hat are your expectations for Christmas?

6. Eat cinnamon rolls and DRINK COFFEE.

For me, Christmastime has always been my

7. Beginning from the youngest to the oldest,

favorite time of the year. Our family has a series

open our gifts, one gift at a time, watching

of traditions that we just love! Our liturgy for

each person open each gift.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day looks like this:

8. Play with said gifts. 9. Collapse in a heap.

1. Go to church.

10. Repeat the following year.

2. Eat my mom’s lasagna with meatballs and sausage, Caesar salad, and garlic bread. 3. Watch the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol (in our book, it’s the only version worth watching). 4. Finish wrapping the kids’ presents into the wee small hours of the morning. 5. Wake up 3-4 hours later, feeling like we’ve been hit by a bus.

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MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with these traditions in themselves – they have been used by the Lord to aid our celebration of all that he has lavished on us in the gospel. His generosity in giving us Jesus makes whatever gifts we give, no matter how significant, pale in comparison. What we enjoy together as a family is a hint, an


echo of our enjoyment of God’s grace toward us.

its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory

But what happens when your plans are foiled?

of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has

When your Christmas isn’t “perfect”? When your

been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And

traditions are eclipsed by ungrateful children or

not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits

a burned roast, or the angry drunkenness of a

of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as

family member? Maybe you’ve had your Christmas

sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were

hopes dashed by the recent or sudden death of a

saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for

loved one. Or perhaps your dream of Christmas –

what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we await

married with children around the Christmas tree

for it with patience.”

– hasn’t come to pass. You long to experience the lyrics of our favorite songs:

What this means is that this life, this Christian life in the here and now is not a fairy tale. This side of the New World, there is no such thing as “happily ever after.” Along with all

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

the wonderful things we can experience at Christmastime, life

With the kids jingle belling

also involves suffering, longing, futility, bondage, corruption,

And everyone telling you “Be of good cheer”

and groaning. Forget the realism of the gospel and you turn

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

the Christmas season into something it was never meant to

It’s the hap-happiest season of all

be, asking from it things it was never meant to give you – true

With those holiday greetings and gay happy

hope, lasting joy, and real satisfaction. If you set your hopes on

meetings

this being “the most wonderful time of the year,” you will be

When friends come to call

disappointed. Christmas cheer cannot overcome the reality of

It’s the hap- happiest season of all

life in a fallen world.

There’ll be parties for hosting

Absolutely not! But we must enjoy them for what they really

Marshmallows for toasting

are, not what we make them out to be. Christmas is meant

And caroling out in the snow

to remind you of the great gift of Jesus Christ, given to you

There’ll be scary ghost stories

by your heavenly father. The joys of the holiday are signposts

And tales of the glories of

directing our lives to the real celebration we were made for:

Does this mean we shouldn’t enjoy our Christmas traditions?

Christmases long, long ago God rest ye merry, gentlemen, It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Let nothing you dismay,

There’ll be much mistletoeing

For Jesus Christ, our Savior,

And hearts will be glowing

Was born upon this day,

When love ones are near

To save us all from Satan’s power

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

When we were gone astray: O tidings of comfort and joy,

~Edward Pola and George Wyle (1963)

Comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.

The sentiment of this song certainly resonates with our experience; otherwise, it would have

~William Sandys (1792-1874)

become a casualty of the Christmas repertoire. But the moment we begin to invest the atmosphere

“God rest ye merry, gentlemen,” means, “May God keep you

of our celebration of Christmas with ultimate

merry.” And what keeps us “gentlemen” (and ladies) merry

meaning, a must-have mentality, or the belief that

cannot ultimately be found in the enjoyment of our Christmas

the Christmas season fails unless we are able to

traditions, but in the reality of what Jesus has done for us in the

say, “It’s the hap-happiest season of all” – this is

gospel. //RBC

the moment that we’ve moved outside the orbit of the Christian faith. In Rom 8:18-25, the Apostle Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from

DECEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM

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REDEEMER KIDS CORNER

JESUS WAS BORN BY: THE GOSPEL PROJECT

D

uring the time Mary was pregnant with Baby

God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest

Jesus, the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus,

heaven, and peace on earth to people He

announced

favors!”

that

everyone

needed

to

be

registered for a census. Every person traveled

So the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem

to the town where his family was from. Since

to find Baby Jesus. They found Mary and

Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and Mary left

Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the

Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David.

feeding trough. The shepherds went and told

While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her

others about the baby Jesus. Everyone who

baby. Mary and Joseph looked for a safe place for Mary to have

heard about Jesus was surprised and amazed.

her baby, but every place was full because of all the people who

Mary thought about everything that was

were in town to be counted. So Mary and Joseph found a place

happening and tried to understand it. The

where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had her baby,

shepherds returned to their fields, praising

Jesus. She wrapped him snugly in cloth, and she laid him in a

God because everything had happened just as

feeding trough, where the animals ate their food.

the angel had said.

In the same region, some shepherds were staying out in the fields and watching their sheep to protect them from thieves

Christ Connection: The birth of Jesus was

and predators. All of a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood

good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby.

before them. A bright light shone around the shepherds, and

He was God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven.

they were terrified!

Jesus came into the world to save people from

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have very good news for you: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Then the angel said, “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” A king in a feeding trough? That was no place for a king! All of a sudden, a whole army of angels appeared, singing to

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MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

their sins and to be their King.


LUKE 2:10-11 10

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good

news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.


REDEMPTION HOUSE

GIVING OPPORTUNITY BY: JOHN LEONARD (Redemption House Founder & CEO) THE POWER OF WORSHIP Most of us have a friend or family member that struggles

REDEMPTION HOUSE Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes

with alcoholism or drug addiction. They weren’t born that way

to the Father except through me.” At Redemption House we

and they didn’t become addicts overnight. It is an insidious and

will embrace this truth. Beginning with a 20-bed, 90-day

cumulative process that happens over time. Instead of laying

residential discipleship program for men, we will develop a

our problems at the foot of the cross and finding our identity

continuum of heart-focused and gospel-centered services.

in Christ, we turn to our functional gods over and over again

Using an integrated community approach, we will employ a

until they eventually enslave us. This is what Ed Welch calls a

network of volunteers from the greater Christian community to

worship disorder. For most of us this disorder is very subtle,

help carry the message.

but for the chemically dependent it is much more overt. Our

Redemption House will be a vehicle of mercy where

bodies are literally hijacked and we become so dependent on

volunteers can share with desperate and broken people their

chemicals that we cannot function without them.

personal experiences of overcoming sin through the power

Getting out of this mess is not easy. Just as we worship our

of the gospel. Through leading daily worship, teaching the

way into addiction we must worship our way out by reorienting

curriculum, and sharing faith stories, volunteers will grow

the affections of the heart. We are always worshipping. We

spiritually by extending themselves for the benefit of others

worship what we treasure. We are constantly choosing between

and demonstrating their infectious love for Christ.

God and our own selfish desires. These everyday actions may seem inconsequential but over time they accumulate, and for the addict this can mean the difference between life and death.

LEVERAGE YOUR YEAR-END GIVING To start a healthy and well-funded organization we need $1.1 million dollars. This will give us about 18 months of operating

A REDEMPTIVE COMMUNITY Change is a community project. We can’t turn from idols on

capital with no service revenue and will cover development

our own. Not only do we need a Redeemer, we also need the

occupancy.

help and support of others, people who are attractive and have

return of $500,000. We will then expand the scope of our

something that we want. We must look outside of ourselves

services. In order to help us achieve our fundraising goal, a

and become a part of something greater and more powerful

generous donor has committed to support our mission by

than we are. In order to get swept up into the redemptive

offering a 1:1 matching gift of up to half of our total need, paid

process, we must immerse ourselves in a community built on

out in two installments. The first dispersal date of December 30,

the forgiveness and acceptance found in Christ. After all, the

2013 is fast approaching and we hope to leverage this gift with

Christian life is meant to be lived in the open.

the Redeemer family. Please prayerfully consider this important

At 90% occupancy, we will generate an annual

The faith based recovery centers that exist today tend to be

mission in your year-end giving. Redemption House is a 501(c)

behavior oriented and approach addiction as a moral failure.

(3) organization and gifts are fully tax deductible. For more

They often fail to recognize that addictive behavior is rooted

information contact John Leonard at redemptionhousemn@

in the affections of an idolatrous heart. They typically serve

gmail.com or Mark Summers at msummers@threewire.com.

the indigent with service fees supported through grants and donations. Not only are these programs unsustainable without constant fundraising, they are usually not very attractive to middle and upper income families.

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phase expenses. We plan to cash flow after 12 months at 50%

MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013


Change is a community project. We can’t turn from idols on our own. Not only do we need a Redeemer, we also need the help and support of others...We must look outside of ourselves and become a part of something greater and more powerful than we are.


BORN TO DIE BY: JOHN F. MACARTHUR, JR.

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MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

TAKEN FROM THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS BY JOHN F. MACARTHUR JR. COPYRIGHT © 1995 BY ZONDERVAN. USE BY PERMISSION OF ZONDERVAN. WWW.ZONDERVAN.COM


O

in that very first Christmas,

came to fulfill the Law. He came to offer His

earth was oblivious to all that

kingdom. He came to show us how to live. He

was happening. But heaven

came to reveal God’s love. He came to bring

wasn’t. The holy angels were

peace. He came to heal the sick. He came to

waiting

minister to the needy.

in

anticipation

to

break forth in praise and worship and adoration

But all those reasons are incidental to His

at the birth of the newborn Child. This Child’s

ultimate purpose. He could have done them

birth meant deliverance for mankind. The

all without being born as a human. He could

angel told Joseph: “It is He who will save His

have simply appeared—like the angel of the

people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus

Lord often did in the Old Testament—and

knew that to do that, He would have to die.

accomplished everything in the above list, without literally becoming a man. But He had

I envision a farewell that I think must have

one more reason for coming: He came to die.

taken place in heaven on the first Christmas

Here’s a side to the Christmas story that isn’t

Eve. I imagine the Son might have said good-

often told: those soft little hands, fashioned by

bye to the Father and the Father to the Son. In

the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb, were made

fact, I’m sure it happened, because the Son’s

so that nails might be driven through them.

good-bye message is recorded in Hebrews

Those baby feet, pink and unable to walk,

10:5-7: “When He comes into the world, He

would one day walk up a dusty hill to be nailed

says, ‘Sacrifice and offering Thou has not

to a cross.

desired, but a body Thou has prepared for

sparkling eyes and eager mouth was formed

Me; in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for

so that someday men might force a crown of

sin Thou hast taken no pleasure.’ Then I said,

thorns onto it. That tender body, warm and

‘Behold, I have come…to do Thy will, O God.’”

soft, wrapped in swaddling clothes, would one

That passage of Scripture gives us a

That sweet infant’s head with

day be ripped open by a spear.

remarkable look at the heart of the Savior

Jesus was born to die.

before His birth. He knew He was entering the

Don’t think I’m trying to put a damper on

world to be the final and ultimate sacrifice for

your Christmas spirit. Far from it—for Jesus’

sin. His body had been divinely prepared by

death, though devised and carried out by men

God specifically for that purpose. Jesus was

with evil intentions, was in no sense a tragedy.

going to die for the sins of the world, and He

In fact, it represents the greatest victory over

knew it. Moreover, He was doing it willingly.

evil anyone has ever accomplished.

That was the whole point of the incarnation.

are several reasons for that, all summed up in

The important issue of Christmas is not so much that Jesus came, but why He came.

There

Hebrews 2:9-18. We’ll look at selected verses from this passage as we go along.

There was no salvation in his birth. Nor did the sinless way He lived His life have any

HE BECAME A SUBSTITUTE FOR US

redemptive force of its own. His example, as

Jesus’ death was no tragedy, first of all,

flawless as it was, could not rescue men from

because He died as our substitute: “We do

their sins. Even His teaching, the greatest truth

see Him who has been made for a little while

ever revealed to man, could not save us from

lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because

our sins. There was a price to be paid for our

of the suffering of death crowned with glory

sins. Someone had to die. Only Jesus could do

and honor, that by the grace of God He might

it.

taste death for everyone” (v. 9). Jesus came to earth, of course, to reveal

He was the One who created the angels.

God to mankind. He came to teach truth. He

But in His incarnation, our Lord made Himself


lower than them.

This does not mean, of

who has ever been born—except One. Ezekiel

course, that He became less than God or that

wrote, “The soul who sins will die” (Ezekiel

He gave up any aspect of His deity. “For a

18:4). Paul wrote, “The wages of sin is death”

little while,” however, He stepped down to a

(Romans 6:23).

level that was lower than the angels. In what

and there is no reason for death except sin.

sense was he lower than the angels? “Because

As we have seen, Jesus was conceived and

of the suffering of death crowned with glory

born without a human father—and therefore

and honor” (v. 9). No angel could ever die.

without sin.

Death is reserved for mortals, and Jesus had

never sinned. He could have escaped death

to die.

for Himself, but He chose to die as a substitute

MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

He was guilty of nothing.

He

For what reason? “That by the grace of God

for us, bearing our sin. The sinless One took

He might taste death for everyone” (v. 9). He

the sin of the entire world. The One who is

was our substitute. When He was nailed on

life itself died. The perfect One became the

the cross He died for you and He died for me.

punished one. He paid the price of our sin and

He died for everyone.

made our redemption possible.

Notice the phrase “the suffering of death”

A student at The Master’s College was

in verse 9. Think for a moment about how

struggling to pay his fees. A financial crisis

Jesus died. It was not an easy, gentle passing

in his family left him unable to meet his

from the world. It was excruciating agony and

obligations. He had all but resigned himself to

torture of the worst kind, for it was on a cross.

the reality that he would have to leave school.

He suffered in His death. He drank the bitter

On the day before his payment came due, and

cup at Calvary in its fullness—He drained it to

anonymous donor paid the bill in full. When

the last drop. He experienced all the pain, all

the student came in to withdraw from school,

the loneliness, all the torments that have ever

he learned his bill had been paid by someone

been associated with death.

else. He had no further obligation. He was

Yet He did it

voluntarily, so that He might receive what we

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Sin inevitably brings death,

able to continue his education.

deserve, so that we don’t have to. That’s what

In a sense, that’s what Jesus did for us. We

Scripture means when it says, “Christ died for

incurred a great debt—too great for us to pay.

our sins” (I Corinthians 15:3).

He paid the debt. Thus He freed us from the

The death He tasted was the penalty of our

obligation of God’s justice, which is death for

sin. He received the full force of all that the

sin, and He liberated us to experience God’s

devil could throw at Him. More than that, He

grace and love. It’s as simple as that.

received the full expression of God’s wrath

That’s what we call the grace of God. He

over sin. In a few hours on that cross, Jesus

didn’t come because we asked for or deserved

absorbed the full penalty of sin. If we were to

His intervention, but because He is a God

suffer hell for all eternity, we would never pay

of grace.

the full price. But He gathered up an eternity

absolutely undeserved. Christ chose to die for

of punishment, paid it all, and walked away

us solely on the basis of His sovereign good

from it a risen Savior. That is power! In every

will.

His lovingkindness toward us is

possible dimension, Jesus Christ took all the

Do you realize that no one in the universe

pain and agony of death and tasted every bit

could have taken Jesus’ life if He had not given

of it—for us.

it up willingly? Jesus said, “For this reason the

Death was not God’s plan for mankind in the

Father loves Me, because I lay down My life

beginning; it is part of the curse of sin. God

that I may take it again. No one has taken it

had warned Adam that if he disobeyed and ate

away from Me, but I lay it down on My own

of the forbidden fruit, he would die (Genesis

initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I

2:17).

Adam disobeyed, and introduced sin

have authority to take it up again” (John 10:17-

and death to the human race (Romans 5:12),

18). Jesus voluntarily gave his life; no one took

where it has been passed down to everyone

it from Him. His love was overwhelming. He


looked at sinful man, He saw the inevitability of

all those who obey Him the source [author] of

death and hell, and He paid the price Himself.

eternal salvation.” Again, that verse highlights

Nothing deterred Him from that. Even when

His suffering. The suffering was essential to

He came to earth and the mass of people

salvation.

rejected Him, mocked Him, hated Him, and

God with unpunished sin.

even killed Him, that didn’t stifle His grace. As

price, and His sufferings made Him the perfect

He died, he prayed, “Father, forgive them; for

leader.

they do not know what they are doing” (Luke

the trail wide—so that He could bring “many

23:34).

sons to glory.”

HE PIONEERED OUR SALVATION

HE SANCTIFIED HIS PEOPLE

Jesus could not bring people to So He paid the

His death opened the path—blazed

A second reason Jesus’ death was no

A third great victory was accomplished in

tragedy is that His death was what made it

Jesus’ death: “Both He who sanctifies and

possible for Him to pioneer our salvation.

those who are sanctified are all from one

Verse 10 of Hebrews 2 says, “It was fitting

Father; for which reason He is not ashamed

for Him, for whom are all things, and through

to call them brethren, saying, ‘I will proclaim

whom are all things, in bringing many sons to

Thy name to My brethren, In the midst of the

glory, to perfect the author of their salvation

congregation I will sing Thy praise.’ And again,

through sufferings.” Now at first sight, that

‘I will put My trust in Him.’ And again, ‘Behold,

verse may seem a little difficult, but we want

I and the children whom God has given Me’”

to focus mainly on the phrase that refers to

(Hebrews 2:11-13).

Christ as “the author of…salvation.” That will clarify the meaning of the entire verse. The

word

translated

“author”

“pioneer,” “leader,” or “trailblazer.” the idea.

“Sanctify” means “set apart,” or “make holy.” This passage is saying that Jesus Christ is holy,

means

and that He is capable of making us holy.

You get

Perhaps the greatest theological dilemma of

It refers to someone who starts

all time was resolved at the cross. It was the

something for others to follow.

The word

question of how a holy God could communicate

could refer to the founder of a city, or to the

mercy and grace to sinful people.

leader of a pioneer exploration. It cannot refer

we have seen, demands death.

to someone who stands at the rear and issues

lovingkindness and mercy are never-ending.

orders. And it cannot refer to someone who

He loves sinners. If he simply accepted us as

follows a path that has already been laid out.

we are and ignored our sin, His own holiness

So what does this verse mean by calling

Sin, as

Yet God’s

would be tainted. Christ resolved the question

Christ the author of salvation? It means He is

by taking our punishment on Himself.

the pacesetter, the pioneer, the one who leads

brought mercy and justice together at the

the way. He is the first and only initiator of

cross—and satisfied the demands of both.

salvation. There is no way to get to God apart

He

How many of our sins did he pay for? All

from Him. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the

of them.

truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father,

future ones, too? All of them. Thus He can

but through Me” (John 14:6).

righteously deal with us as if we were sinless.

Scripture is

Just the ones in the past, or the

clear; there is only one path to God, and Jesus

He has declared us holy.

is the trailblazer: “There is salvation in no one

are as holy and spotless as sinless creatures

else; for there is no other name under heaven

(Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Colossians 1:22).

that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Positionally, we

Of course, we are not sinless in practice, but part of Christ’s sanctifying work is the

The same word is used in Hebrews 5:8-

transformation of our desires and actions (2

9: “Although He was a Son, He learned

Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:24; Titus 2:12). He

obedience from the things which He suffered.

is conforming us to His image, sanctifying even

And having been made perfect, He became to

our behavior (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18;


Did you realize that one of the main reasons for the incarnation was so Christ could deliver a death blow to Satan? Ephesians 4:24). He’s making us more and more like Himself.

Yet He sanctifies us.

Positionally, we are

perfectly holy, like Him. And so He calls us brothers. There is no hierarchy among brothers. This verse is saying we are one with Christ. We share the same holiness. We are as acceptable to God as if we were as sinless as Christ. We are part of the same family.

We have the

same Father. We are brothers. Christ calls us brothers without shame. The Christ of God—the holy, sinless One whom angels adored—became lower than the angels to suffer and die to be our substitute, to pioneer the way to heaven, and to sanctify us. He even stoops to call us brothers and sisters, fellow-heirs. And He does it without shame. Can you resist that kind of love? I can’t. HE CONQUERED SATAN Here’s another reason Jesus’ death was no tragedy: “Since…the children share in flesh and

cannot be marred. “For by one offering He

blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the

has perfected for all time those who are

same, that through death He might render

sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Once you have

powerless him who had the power of death,

received the imputed holiness of Jesus Christ,

that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

nothing in this universe can take it away.

Did you realize that one of the main reasons

Christ paid the penalty for sin in full, and your

for the incarnation was so Christ could deliver

sins can never again be brought up against

a death blow to Satan? As we have seen, the

you. “Who will bring a charge against God’s

first prophecy ever given about Jesus predicted

elect? God is the one who justifies; who is

that He would crush the serpent’s head

the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He

(Genesis 3:15). Here, in the New Testament, is

who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is

the proclamation that the ancient prophecy

at the right hand of God, who also intercedes

was fulfilled. Satan’s great power is death.

He is the

the accuser, Satan—can recall our sins to use

paymaster for the wages of sin. If he can keep

them against us.

a person living in sin until death, he’s got that

Don’t miss this remarkable statement: “He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11).

MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

disappoint Him. We disobey Him.

The holiness with which He sanctifies us

for us” (Romans 8:33-34). No one—not even

16

legitimately make Him ashamed. We sin. We

person forever. Someone had to conquer death to destroy

Most of us would have to admit that

Satan’s weapon, and that’s exactly what Jesus

we have been ashamed of Jesus Christ more

did. He came out of the grave, exploded out of

times than we would like to admit. Why should

the shackles of death, and announced, “Because

we be? There is nothing about Him that we

I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19). And so we

need to be ashamed of. He is not ashamed

say, “O death, where is your victory? O death,

of us, although lots of things about us might

where is your sting?” (I Corinthians 15:55).


HE BECAME OUR HIGH PRIEST

He came—that He was born to die.

Finally, Christ’s death was a great triumph

He died for you.

He bore your sin.

He

because He became our sympathetic high

purchased your salvation. He guaranteed your

priest: “Therefore, He had to be made like His

sanctification. He destroyed your enemy. And

brethren in all things, that He might become

He became a sympathetic high priest. Even as

a merciful and faithful high priest in things

you read this, He is seated next to the Father

pertaining to God, to make propitiation for

in heaven, ready to make intercession for you

the sins of the people. For since He Himself

(Hebrews 7:25).

was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,

tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).

And with fear and trembling stand

That is one of the most remarkable passages

Ponder nothing earthly minded

in all of Scripture. What can it possibly mean?

For with blessing in His hand,

That He learned something in His incarnation

Christ our God to earth descendeth,

He did not know before? No. There has never

Our full homage to demand.

been anything He did not know. It was not

a question of His gaining some knowledge of

King of Kings, yet born of Mary,

experience He needed.

As of old on earth He stood,

But to be a sympathetic high priest, He

Lord of lords, in human vesture,

had to be a man. A high priest is a mediator

In the body and the blood,

between men and God.

He will give to all the faithful

Obviously, a high

priest would have to understand to some

His own self for heavenly food.*

degree the mind of God and also the mind of man. And the perfect high priest would be

*From the fifth-century Liturgy of St. James.

someone who was in fact both God and man.

Adapted by Gerald Moultrie, 1864.

That’s exactly who Jesus Christ is—the perfect mediator. These verses bring to mind the parallel ideas expressed in Hebrews 4:15: “We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” He was made like us in all things—even to the point of experiencing the same temptations. The only difference is that He was without sin. He was hungry.

He was thirsty.

He was

overcome with fatigue. He slept. He grew. He loved. He was astonished. He marveled. He was glad. He grieved. He became angry. He was troubled. He read the Scripture. He prayed all night. He wept. He is one of us in every sense—the perfect sympathizer. And He is God—the perfect high priest. Take another look at the manger this Christmas.

Look beyond the tender scene,

and see what Jesus Himself knew even before


GET INVOLVED, WE NEED HELP! ART DEPARTMENT

CHURCH LIFE

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

JOB TITLE

JOB TITLE

JOB TITLE

COPY WRITERS & EDITORS* 3 PEOPLE NEEDED

USHER 15 PEOPLE NEEDED

DESCRIPTION: Write or edit copy for Redeemer’s website, printed materials, flyers and Momentum. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Source and write copy for various printed and digital needs. 2. Generate headlines and short paragraphs for flyers. 3. Write or edit blog posts for the church website. HOURS PER WEEK: flexible

DESCRIPTION: greeting, handing out bulletins, assisting attendees with seating, collecting offering, serving communion, and handling questions during the worship services. HOURS PER WEEK: 4 Sunday morning or evening services per quarter.

JOB TITLE JOB TITLE

MEDIA INVENTORY MANAGER 1 PERSON OR FAMILY NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Restocking printed materials for the Welcome Center as well as keeping the sanctuary chairs tidy and supplied with Bibles, pens and Lords Table cards. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 1 (to be done every Wednesday night after Prayer Meeting) *May be a good ministry for a family to do together.

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS JOB TITLE

SIGN CHANGER DESCRIPTION: Change the message on the main sign along Hwy 7 as needed (preferable: someone who doesn’t mind trudging through snow). HOURS PER WEEK: varies JOB TITLE

PAINTERS 5 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Painting the interior of the Ministries Building and/or other projects on an as needed basis. HOURS PER WEEK: varies

18

MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

COMMUNION SET-UP 2 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: prepare and fill all communion trays for Sunday morning services and for Communion Service Sunday nights when needed. HOURS PER WEEK: Once every other month JOB TITLE

GREETER 10 PEOPLE NEEDED RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Serve the body through welcoming them as they arrive by opening doors and engaging them in conversations. 2. Accommodate people as they come in by helping them find certain rooms or information. 3. Always be ready to connect with the next person coming in. 4. Assist the Welcome Center team and Ushers by leading people to places within the church they cannot find. 5. Maintain structure and quietness before services in the fellowship hall. 6. Help those who need help before and after services. 7. Be engaging to people as they come in, yet respect those who are there for worship. HOURS PER WEEK: Arrive a half-hour before first service and stay to the beginning of second service.

LEAD TEACHER* 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Lead Sunday School teacher will prepare the lesson from the curriculum, stay in touch with shepherds on their team, and pray for the kids in class. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Prepare lesson from the provided curriculum, decide how to teach the lesson, use ideas given or Holy Spirit inspired ideas that work with the lesson. 2. Connect with Shepherds to encourage their participation either by email or phone. 3. Follow guidelines set out in the Sunday School Manual. 4. Attend relevant trainings 2 times per year. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 3 hours JOB TITLE

SUNDAY SCHOOL SHEPHERD 6 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Assist lead teacher as needed. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Be prepared to help lead teacher with lesson material. 2. Assist in class control. 3. Assist with crafts and lead small groups. 4. Pray for the children and their families. 5. Attends relevant trainings 2 or more times per year. HOURS PER WEEK: varies

JOB TITLE

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHECK-IN/OUT 4 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Responsible for checking in children for Sunday School. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Be prompt to make sure check in sheets and name tags are in place. 2. Cheerfully assist children and parents with check-in process, assuring safety. 3. Receive visitors and direct them to resources and information about the Children’s Ministry. 4. Stay for 15 minutes into service, and 5 minutes


VOLUNTEER, THERE’S A PLACE FOR EVERYONE. before worship ends, assisting shepherds in 4-5’s and 1-3 grade rooms to check children out. HOURS PER WEEK: varies JOB TITLE

NURSERY CHILD CAREGIVER 10 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Provide loving care and prayer to our children during Worship Services RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Interact with children in a loving manner. 2. Pray for children. 3. Find a replacement if unable to complete scheduled Sunday. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 2 hours

MISSIONS JOB TITLE

MISSIONS REPORTER* DESCRIPTION: Cover the Missions beat at RBC. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Keep their ear to the ground on upcoming Missions-related activities and events. 2. Write articles about those activities and events for the Missions newsletter. HOURS PER WEEK: flexible

MEN’S MINISTRY JOB TITLE

SET-UP & CLEAN-UP VOLUNTEERS

10 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Aid in set-up and cleanup of seating, tables, etc. for Men’s quarterly events. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 1 hour before and after Men’s quarterly events

Boyer if interested in this postition by email or phone at: info@redeemerbiblechurch. com, 952.935.2425.

YOUTH JOB TITLE

PRAYER TEAM JOB TITLE

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER MINISTERS* 15 PEOPLE NEEDED

CAMP COORDINATOR DESCRIPTION: Research summer camps that meet geographical and financial criteria. Research transportation to and from camp. HOURS PER WEEK: varies

(*) = MUST BE A MEMBER TO APPLY.

DESCRIPTION: RBC members who have a heart to minister to others by listening and praying with them after the Sunday morning worship services in the front of the sanctuary. HOURS PER WEEK: +/1 hour (with the option of praying during one service, or both). JOB TITLE

STRATEGIC PRAYER TEAM LEADER* DESCRIPTION: Organize the resources needed for the congregation to pray for our leadership and vision. Collecting, organizing and distributing key prayer points and answered prayers from leadership and church ministries. HOURS PER WEEK: 2-5 hours

WORSHIP

WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN MINISTRY AT RBC? CONTACT SARA SEELAND

JOB TITLE

WE HAVE

91

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

SONG TEAM MEMBERS 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Musician (electric guitar player, bass player) or vocalist. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead worship in singing or playing your instrument with the song team at least one Sunday (2 services) a month. HOURS PER WEEK: 1 Hour Wednesday night rehearsal (8:309:30 pm) and 8:00am Sunday morning run through before playing at 9 am and 11 am services, +/- 5 hours/week (not counting personal practice time) Note: Contact Emily

P | 952.935.2425 E | Sara@redeemerbiblechurch.com

DECEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM 19


DISCIPLESHIP

LIFE ON LIFE STORIES BY: PAM DECKERT

T

he announcement leapt out at

For the past fifteen months, I have enjoyed

me from the bulletin. A women’s

and been blessed by such a relationship. As we

discipleship

was

met for Bible study and prayer, mostly in a local

beginning. It asked for volunteers

Starbucks, we were challenged immensely by

both

be

the lessons in Gospel Transformation. I think our

discipled. I found myself in that “in-between” age,

favorite chapters were on faith and repentance.

or so I thought –too old to be a “young woman”

We laughed; we cried; we poured out our hearts

and not ready and willing to think of myself as

to one another as we each experienced joys and

an “older woman.”

heartaches. I found that by our willingness to be

to

ministry

disciple

and

to

My heart was burdened and Though farther along

vulnerable, to trust and be trusted, to be willing to

on my journey than others as a daughter of the

be helped as much as to help, we became friends,

King, I knew that I still struggled with sin, trying

despite our age difference and experiences in life.

yet there were doubts.

to understand and believe the Gospel every day,

If you are considering your involvement in Lifeon-Life Discipleship, I would encourage you to

wanting to live a cross-centered life. But then I was reminded of Matthew 28:19, 20.

dive in! As wives and mothers, as single women

God’s will is to call, save and bless his people for

and widows, we have a great deal to give to one

of

another. As we pass through our own temptations,

and

trials, and triumphs, we gain depth of character and

glory among all

spiritual maturity. And we have comfort to offer. (2

peoples. This will

Cor. 1:3-4) You are never too old or too young! To

is not intended

quote a line from Gospel Transformation, “genuine

to be found but

faith and repentance move us away from ourselves

to be followed.

into the lives of other people.” //RBC

the

spread

his

grace

Was I willing to take a step of faith and follow him in discipling another?

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE DISCIPLED

He

wasn’t asking me

WOMEN CONTACT

to be a perfect

TAMMY HOYT // REPENTANDTRUST@GMAIL.COM

mentor, but to grow in grace in a discipling

MEN CONTACT

relationship with another daughter of the King.

MARK SUCHTA // MARKSUCHTA@YAHOO.COM

20 MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013


GOSPEL LIFE BLOG

OTHER GREAT BLOG POSTS FOUND AT: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/RESOURCES/BLOG

SHIFTING MY GAZE

The Real Me: How Two Mirrors Helped Me Grow in Christ // John Sweet 20/20 Blindness // Pastor Warren Watson The In Crowd // Kim Suchta

BY: PASTOR BOOMER PEEL

T

his past weekend we held a conference at Redeemer entitled “Who We Love: The LGBT Life and the Gospel of Grace.” For many, including myself, it was an

exhausting weekend. Throughout the conference, I felt as though I was back in high school preparing for a big football game. I was nervous but excited, uncertain but optimistic. Oftentimes my heart was racing and my eyes were welled up with tears at

community. As a Christian and as a pastor, I would

SEEING THE FATHER’S LOVE

love to say that I have not been on either side. I

BY: PASTOR PAUL BURR

the same time, tears of sadness and tears of joy. This is as divisive a topic as there is, with most either siding with the LGBT community or, on the other end of the spectrum, siding with any agendas, which oppose rights for the LGBT

would love to say I’ve been nothing but fair, nonjudgmental and ultimately biblical. Unfortunately, though, it’s not true. I do affiliate myself with one side, although which side I’m on varies. In many ways, my self-righteousness allows me to be a chameleon, allowing me to color my perspective to feel secure in my point of view. At times, that

I

saw my heavenly Father the other day…well, not really. But I did see such a clear demonstration of the Father’s love in the gospel that it could have been him. I was at

means looking down on professing Christians for

the RBC Men’s Retreat with three of my sons. My

their hypocrisy and lack of gospel grace. While at

oldest son, Alex, has Down syndrome and often

other times, I look down on gays and lesbians, as if

lingers over his dinner for long periods. I left him

they are worse sinners than I am.

to continue to eat so I could play with the song

However, if I look at what Christ has done for me,

team. After the group singing, I wanted Alex to

I can’t help but to stop looking down on others

come into the meeting area for the night’s talks. I

and instead to look inward and upward. Inward: to

cleared his dishes, but he would not budge for me

see my own sin, which caused the death of Jesus

(sometimes he gets “stuck”). But I knew who could

Christ. After all, if I’m awful enough that Jesus had

get him to budge. There is a man I will call Stanley

to die on the cross and bear God’s wrath for me,

(not his real name) who has such love for Alex.

how can I possibly look down on others? Upward:

I asked Stanley to go get Alex and immediately

to see my loving Father, who was willing to adopt

Alex took his arm and came into the room.

an enemy (me) into his family. He did so knowing

That is the gospel, isn’t it? We sit in our

my past, present and future sins, and couldn’t

stubbornness, refusing to budge. The Father comes

possibly love me more than he does right now!

to get us, and by love, draws us to himself and

The gospel of grace evens the playing field. The

brings us into fellowship with other believers. Alex

gospel brings hope to the hopeless. The gospel

had nothing to give to Stanley, but Stanley’s love

really does change everything! //RBC

and grace brought him in. This is the gospel. //RBC

DECEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM

21


Christian education that engages your mind, challenges your heart, and transforms the way you live. Begin your journey now.

Parenting Teens Weekend Seminar

January 10th – 11th Fri: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Sat: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Fellowship Hall, Main Building

Register by January 1

THE SCHOOL OF GOSPEL FORMATION

RBC Distinctives Formerly Membership Class

January 11th

Sat: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Room 102, Ministries Building

Register by January 4

THE SCHOOL OF GOSPEL FORMATION


MISSIONS UPDATE

GOSPEL FUELED SUPPORT BY: ERIK CARLSON

H

ow

change

be a little vague. Sky and Michele have 3 kids,

how we support a missionary?

does

the

gospel

Caleb (14), Jerusha (9), and Rachel (6). They are

There is so much to say here

currently on furlough and just visited RBC where

but I’ll leave it at one important

Sky shared his faith story at communion. Sky is a

point. The gospel tells us of the

native of Cambodia and was sponsored to come

incomprehensible value and beauty of Christ

to the States by World Relief. He is involved in

in his work as the only hope for humanity. The

supporting many ministries and house churches as

importance of sharing this hope and beauty with

well as being involved in leadership development.

all people groups is enormous and urgent. After

Michele teaches English at a university. They met

tasting the importance of this task, now imagine

at Dallas Theological Seminary. Caleb is a typical

being the one who is called to go to a field where

teenager who wears headphones even though

ministry often feels like one step forward and two

they aren’t plugged in to anything, and he is gifted

steps back. Where it scares you to question how

musically. Jerusha and Rachel struggle with the

your calling is affecting your children’s upbringing

local customs and language. There are many ways

and if they are falling behind in their education, or

you can pray for this family. Please ask God to

missing out in their childhood in some way. Where

bless their family, ministry, relationships, support

it is easy to dwell on logistics like support levels,

levels, ministry partners (specifically Simon) and of

visas, or cultural differences like business practices

course that worship through the gospel is the fuel

or offending locals. And where you have terrible

of their work. If you would like to receive updates

moments of feeling forgotten by your closest

from them or are considering supporting them,

friends and family. These are all common areas

please contact Erik Carlson at ErikMCarlson@

of struggle you see with missionaries on furlough.

gmail.com.

As a church, let’s strive to support well, to make praying for them a priority, to remind people in

“If the Christian is truly obedient to the Great

the field they are not forgotten, that their job is

Commission, he will give his life to go down into

important, and to continue on with their work

the mine or to hold the rope for those who go

because of the infinite value and beauty we have

down (William Carey). Either way, the rope will

in Christ.

be burned into his hands” (Heart Cry Missions Society). //RBC

This month we are highlighting Sky and Michele who serve us in Asia. Due to the sensitivity of the region in which they serve, this update will DECEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM 23


NEW MEMBERS

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY If you are interested in becoming a member you should sign up for our next RBC Distinctives Class on January 11th (more info on page 22 & in the Welcome Center). RBC DISTINCTIVES Local churches in a community are like the individual members of the body of Christ – full of wonderful diversity. This means that each church has its own set of distinctives. This course presents an overview of Redeemer’s vision, values, doctrine, mission, plan, and structure along with help for getting involved in the ministries of RBC.

24

MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT // TOP TO BOTTOM

PETER & SHARON HEDSTROM DANIEL & DANIELLE LAKES DAWN LARSON DRAKE AND KARI LORENCE JORDAN MCIVER ASHLEE SAMES BEN TOBLER JON AND JILL WILLEMS


MUST SEE RBC!

NOW SHOWING WATCH THIS VIDEO ONLINE BY SCANNING THE QR CODE

VISION: STRATEGIES & TACTICS WWW.REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/RESOURCES/VIDEOS/

LIKE. FOLLOW. WATCH. LISTEN.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH

WWW.TWITTER.COM/ REDEEMERBIBLEMN

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/USER/ REDEEMERBIBLEMEDIA

WWW.ITUNES.APPLE.COM/US/ PODCAST/ID593092392?MT=2


NOVEMBER 2013 - YTD

BY THE NUMBERS BY: PASTOR PAUL BURR

A

s you know, the end of the year is a crucial time financially for

GENERAL GIVING FUND

every church. Redeemer is no exception. A strong conclusion to 2013 will enable us to plan more

effectively and confidently for our exciting 2014

OPERATING EXPENSES | $ 166,729 GIVING | $ 121,112 FORECAST | $ 169,427

BASE FORECAST

ministry initiatives – things like expanding Mercy

EXPENSES

to the Cities and planting a church.

GIVING We call our vision, “The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World,” and it is our hope and prayer that the Lord Jesus will use all the resources of RBC – personal and financial – to allow us to move more and more toward our destination. So ask the Lord for wisdom how best to use your resources this year-end that you might more fully

EXPANDING OUR GOSPEL VISION

realize your role in accomplishing our vision. If you have any questions about giving in general or about alternative forms of giving, contact Pastor

EXTRA COMMITMENTS | $ 41,427 AWAITING | $ 238,238 // 10.9% RECEIVED | $ 1,940,762 // 89.1%

10.9 %

Paul Burr at paulburr@redeemerbiblechurch.com. Gifts that qualify for 2013 tax deductions must be received by the office no later than Dec 31, 2013.

26

MOMENTUM // DECEMBER 2013

89.1%


SUN

30

23

16

9

2

MON

THU

FRI

SAT

DATES TO REMEMBER 5

WED 4

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM

7

3 GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM MUSIC MAKERS | 7 - 8:30 PM

6

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

12

14

11

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM

13

10

GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM

21

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

20

28

19

27

4

18

26

3

17

25

2

WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY 7 PM - 8:30 PM

24

NO GATHERED PRAYER OR REDEMPTION

CHRISTMAS DAY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE 4:30 & 7 PM

1

NO GATHERED PRAYER OR REDEMPTION

NEW YEAR’S DAY

31

GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM

TUE

December 1 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM NO REDEMPTION SS @ 9 AM REDEEMER KIDS | SS 9 & 11 AM

8 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM REDEEMER KIDS | SS 9 & 11 AM NEWCOMERS LUNCH 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Glenn Home THE LORD’S TABLE | 6:00 PM

15 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM (Including the Lord’s Table) REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM REDEEMER KIDS | SS 9 & 11 AM

22 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM REDEEMER KIDS | SS 9 & 11 AM MISSIONS LUNCHEON FOR KARISE | 1 - 3 PM

29 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM NO REDEEMER KIDS SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 11 AM


A:: 16205 HIGHWAY 7 | MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55345 P:: 952.935.2425 E:: INFO@REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM W:: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM PHOTO © M.JONES // WWW.MJONESPRODUCTIONS.COM

FEATURED EVENTS Sunday DECEMBER 8TH

Thursday DECEMBER 19TH

FELLOWSHIP DESSERT

WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY LUNCHEON FOR KARISE

NEWCOMERS LUNCH

7 PM - 8 PM | Fellowship Hall

7 PM - 8:30 PM | Fellowship

1 - 3 PM | Fellowship Hall

1 - 2:30 PM | Glenn’s Home

Let’s all come together for

Hall // “Stuff, Seal and

The Mission’s team would

If you would like to attend

some Christmas cheer! Join

Stamp” your Christmas

like to invite you to a

the next Newcomer’s Lunch,

us immediately following

cards at our Women’s

mission luncheon for Karise

please RSVP to Laurie

our Communion Service for

Christmas Party. Here is a

Pagano. Karise has been

Summers at lsummers@

everyone’s favorite Christmas

great opportunity to finish

serving in Italy and would

redeemerbiblechurch.com or

dessert. Please bring a

addressing all of your cards

love to tell you more about

952.935.2425.

Christmas dessert to share!

in one night while having,

the opportunities she has

Call 952.935.2425 or e-mail

fun, fellowship, and food!

experienced and what her

info@redeemerbiblechurch.

Please bring a dessert or

plans are for 2014. Lunch

com with questions.

appetizer to share. We will

will be provided. RSVP to

provide beverages. Bonus -

the Church Office at info@

Pastor Bob and his band will

redeemerbiblechurch.com.

provide music throughout the evening! Questions? Contact Rebecca Peel via e-mail at rebecca.peel1044@ gmail.com.

Sunday DECEMBER 22ND

Sunday JANUARY 5TH


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