Redeemer Journal (Page 5)
In This Way, the World Can Recover
In difficult times such as these, it is important to remind ourselves that we are not the first Christians to walk the grim road through a devastating pandemic. Fellow believers throughout history, from diverse nations and cultures, have walked in this path before us.
Next Steps in Worship, Fellowship, & Mission – March 14
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The consequences of postponing public worship are weighty, but we can be confident that God is sending us out for His glory. As David Stewart encouraged us last Sunday: God initiates and we follow, and the path of obedience is one which leads us to a place where Jesus is lifted up. I believe that the sacrifices of the present time are mile markers on that path.…
Gathering Responsibly
With counsel from physicians, Bishop Stewart and other diocesan leaders, and in light of the Minnesota Department of Health’s most recent community-level mitigation recommendations for Covid-19, I have decided to postpone Sunday public worship services for the next two weeks, beginning this Sunday, March 15. I will reassess this decision on a weekly basis, but due to public health concerns I think this is an immediate way for us to: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:17)” Although…
Ten-Year Rhyme
Long time member, John Lundgren, shared this narrative of Church of the Redeemer’s first ten years at our annual meeting on Saturday. Enjoy! Paul+ Church of the Redeemer’s Ten Year Coracle Journey By John Lundgren Our tiny boat set out from Cross They knew we would prevail. They said, “Good-by” and grieved their loss. The Spirit blew our sail. Our Mother Church had sent us out, With Blessing and Provision. We were small, but hearts were stout With clarity of…
Lenten Meditations
Over the past few years, our non-stipendiary minister, Rev. Dr. Edward Combe, has been studying and reflecting upon the sermons of the 19th century Anglican preacher, Rev. Charles Simeon. As a result of his study and reflection, Edward has published a series of books, one of which: 40 Meditations on the Litany in Words Selected from the Sermons of Charles Simeon, is a timely resource as we observe the season of Lent. Included below is an explanation of Edward’s work…
Advent Reflection
by Anna Wilson It’s fitting that we should be reflecting on the Magnificat in this first week of Advent. For me, this time of year seems to bring with it a sharpening of the shadows, longing, and grief that is entwined in our stories, and I have found it comforting to spend time pondering the themes of hope, love, and justice found in Mary’s song. And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my…
Advent 2 – Pastoral Letter
As we celebrate the season of Advent and anticipate the anniversary of Church of the Redeemer’s tenth year of public worship, I will be sharing the primary themes that arose from our summer discernment meetings* and how they are shaping the vision for where God is calling us as a church. This week’s focus is communities that we are best positioned to serve. Youth and Newcomers Our church is most whole when we’re all gathered to “keep the feast” together,…
Advent 1 – Pastoral Letter
Dear Church of the Redeemer, As we celebrate the season of Advent and anticipate the anniversary of Church of the Redeemer’s tenth year of public worship, I will be sharing the primary themes that arose from our summer discernment meetings* and how they are shaping the vision for where God is calling us as a church. This week’s focus is gifts and opportunities within our church in the areas of study and teaching. Discipleship Opportunities We are blessed to have many…
Ash Wednesday
“For we to die are ready, Who, living, cling to thee.” – From the German hymn Bei dir, Jesu, will ich bleiben by Karl Johann Philipp Spitta By Deacon Dawn Lundgren Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of our remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of prayer and fasting in the wilderness. We think of this time as Jesus’ enduring and overcoming temptation and indeed it was—but equally so, it was Jesus’ time of preparation and strengthening for the years of ministry ahead…
Testimony of the Resurrection
By Molly Riley This winter’s narrative Bible study taught me to listen to scripture and attend to its details in a new way. Each week we listened to a different story from the Gospels about Jesus’ encounters with women. We learned to paint the setting in our minds as we listened, discussed the details of each story together, and then in pairs practiced telling the stories ourselves. On our second-to-last meeting we retold all the stories we’d studied, each person…