Uncategorized (Page 5)

Hi, I’m David Gifford. It means so much to me to be able to preach; it’s the best side gig, ever. In my regular job, I get to be outside everyday (except when the ground’s frozen), designing, installing and maintaining landscapes. I love the outdoors, both for work and for play (year ’round), and I love tending all kinds of growing things, so a degree in horticulture was a natural fit for me. Over the years, though, the more my…

Vacation Bible School is fast-approaching for Church of the Redeemer. It’s a week full of activity, and we pray that it’s a week full of joy and love. In this week’s post, Anne Calvin shares her childhood memories of VBS. Vacation Bible School and I have a history together. It began many years ago in my small Southern Baptist church: 5-year-old Anne lining up and processing into the sanctuary for the opening worship time, doing a craft involving glue and…

Those of you who know Dan Leafblad have likely heard him speak fondly of his dad. He tells us that he has all sweet memories of him, and not because time has erased any bitter ones. He stresses that his dad wasn’t perfect — but a man of Godly character who was full of fun. For Father’s Day, we asked Dan to tell about his dad, Paul Everette Leafblad. Dan wrote not just about his dad, but also about the…

Elisabeth Elliot, a missionary pioneer, prolific author and radio speaker, died this morning at age 88. She had been ill with dementia and out of the public eye for years, but her books and radio teachings endure in many hearts. In today’s post, Andy Bramsen shares this tribute to Elliot and describes her influence on his own life. Andy is a professor of political science at Bethel University. He and his wife, Sara, and their two daughters have been part…

When I first moved to Minnesota, it was supposed to be for just one summer internship. Almost daily, my co-workers would remind me that summer was beautiful — and fleeting: “Get out there and enjoy it!” I had never been much of an outdoor person, but that summer, I fell in love with the park system and learned to appreciate the season that much more. I’ve since taken up cycling (wobbily), ice skating (clumsily), and gardening and round-the-lake walking (wholeheartedly).…

This week’s post is by Sarah Lundgren, who is our director of children’s ministry. She and her husband, Bjorn, have two sons and two daughters, and they praise God for His mercies that are new every morning. The moment I first held my baby boy, I discovered a whole new level of love.  I gazed at my son while he slept, and I wept at his beauty and his steady breathing.  I read him board books while he chewed on…

This week’s post is from Audrey Luhmann, who serves the littlest members of our church as head of the nursery. She also coordinates our meal ministry, and we so appreciate her heart for our church family. Audrey and Andrew and their four children will be relocating this summer, and obviously, it’s hard to see them leave. Audrey shares her heart and her fears as they prepare to move west. As a young girl, I longed for the day when my…

In our weekly prayers at Church of the Redeemer our congregation intercedes for families who are experiencing infertility, which can be a heart-wrenching and sometimes lonely journey. In this week’s post, Kim Anderson puts a name and face to those prayers in sharing her struggles with secondary infertility. As Kim tells her story, she stresses that everyone on this path has a different experience.  Her goal is not to speak for all of them, but to sensitively share her thoughts…

Do you know what Maundy means? Do you know why the altar cloths are stripped or why we bring bells to church this Saturday and Sunday? As we enter holy week, Pastor Paul Calvin helps us prepare our hearts and explains our schedule of services. Though lasting only a few days, holy week is a season of the Church that is rich with meaning.  It is holy–set apart by worship services that have been observed in similar form since the…