Sharing the Changeless Christ in a Changing World!

Transcription

1 REFLEC TIO NSRRREFLECTIONS EFLECTIONS Redeemer Good News October 2013 REDEEMER October 2013 Redeemer Lutheran Church & School in Wayzata, MN. Matthew Mitchell Sharing the Changeless Christ in a Changing World!. For God does speak now one way, now another though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Job 33:14-16a Over twenty years ago, Israeli writer A.B. Yehoshua composed Mr. Mani, a novel that consists of five different conversations, from five different pairs of people, focusing on five generations of the Mani family, moving backward through time. This technique alone is interesting enough, but there is a catch the reader only sees one side of the conversation. That is, in each of the five conversations, there are two speakers, but the reader only hears one, as if listening to someone talk on the telephone. The writing is engaging, Redeemer Lutheran School... 2 Music Notes... 3 SonShine Singers... 3 Compassion Circle st Annual Redeemer Border Battle Football Party... 4 Fall Workday... 4 An Aging Building... 4 Save the Date-Advent by Candlelight... 4 October Calendar... 5 Notes from the Youth Director... 6 James J. Hill Parade Photo... 6 Listen to Traditional Services from the Website... 6 complex, and disarming throughout, and this peculiar format puts the reader in the position of an eavesdropper, which makes the conversations feel oddly exhilarating. The reader is forced to listen. When he was a little younger, my nephew said to me, It s kind of funny in the Bible, God talked all the time. But now, it s like, He never talks. It was not an indictment or a criticism of the Lord, but merely an innocent observation. My nephew was pointing out what seemed to him a curious halt in the Lord s speaking. But I do not think it is uncommon for the Christ follower to feel as if they are reading a frustrating version of Mr. Mani in their faith walk or prayer life only being afforded one half of the conversation. We call out, Lord, what am I to do, what do you say? and cannot determine His response. Or, as the passage above asserts, He speaks, but we do not perceive it. Was my nephew correct? Is the Lord silent? The author of Hebrews tells us, In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1). I do not want to wade into water that is over my head with this thought, and I can only speak from my own experience; No, I have never heard an audible voice directly from the Lord. However, I do believe He has spoken in my life, in many different ways. To my nephew, I would say that the Lord speaks to us in His Word, and we must listen to Him there. Now, I mean no flagrant disrespect to anyone in particular, but in the modern church, the prospect of God speaking at times seems to me a trivial affair. Not always, but sometimes. What I mean is, I once heard a pastor preach on how God had told him to give up his good parking spot at the grocery for an elderly woman. I ve heard a pastor speak on how God was telling him to be a better husband by folding laundry, which seemed to him a gritty, herculean effort, because he hated to fold laundry. And who am I to say? True, the Lord certainly touches even the most forgettable aspects of our lives. But these seem to me to be mild examples of decent living, and as I read through the scriptures, I do not find utterly mundane episodes of divine laundry-folding or parking spacesurrendering. When the Lord decides to speak, He has something to say. Miracles happen. People go blind. Consider the account of God speaking to Moses from the burning bush: There the angel of the LORD (Reflections continued on page 3)

2 2 Redeemer Good News October 2013 REDEEMER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Submitted by Linda Wiebold, School Administrator Redeemer students and faculty were honored to send off alumni Emily Soeldner on a mission trip! Emily, daughter of Ron and Deanna Soeldner, is a 2007 graduate of Redeemer Lutheran School, having attended here from preschool to 8th grade. During that time she soaked up God's word in preparation for the work she will be doing as a missionary with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). She will be gone six months for training in New Zealand, and then to work with people in Southeast Asia who have been taken out of some form of slave trade. The Redeemer children recently got to hear Emily describe how God has worked in her life to call her to this task. The students, faculty and other adults then gathered around Emily to pray for her safety and to affirm her in her calling. Redeemer students are supporting Emily with their first quarter chapel offering. She will keep us updated on her life as a missionary. She would welcome notes of encouragement. Emily can receive mail at: Attn: Emily Soeldner YWAM Oxford PO Box 47 Oxford, North Canterbury 7443 New Zealand Blog Address: the soulcaverns.blogspot.com generationauthor@yahoo.com CHECK OUT OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE AT: school.redeemerwayzata.org

3 Redeemer Good News October MUSIC NOTES Matt Anderson This fall our musicians in Deo Gloria Choir and Redeemer Bells will be using the same prayer during our weekly devotions. As we prepare music for weekly worship, please pray for the Redeemer's Music Ministry. The prayer is printed here so that you may see the ways in which we as musicians aim to serve. THE CHURCH MUSICIAN'S PRAYER (written by Anthony Awtrey) O God, You have blessed us with talents and gifts beyond our deserving. We come before You now in a joyful response to Your blessings; to foster our talents and to offer their first fruits to You. We recognize that our efforts, marred by our sin, are a dim reflection of the angelic host singing to You in heaven. Our pride tempts us to use Your gifts for our personal glory, rather than as an opportunity for service. Our focus is often on our performance to the determent of our purpose; we are here to serve You. Humble us, Lord. We ask that You strengthen our voices and bodies for Your service. Help us as we emphasize in song the same message our worship leaders express in words and prayers. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and transform our music into a gift pleasing to You and meaningful to the congregation we serve. We ask all this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen (Reflections continued from page 1) appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, I will go over and see this strange sight When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush. Moses! Moses! And Moses said, Here I am. Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. (Exodus 3:1-5) It took me until this year to notice that the Lord waits for Moses to walk toward Him to speak. This exchange, for me, perhaps more than any other between God and a human in the Bible, is so relatable. What is Moses to think or feel in such a moment? For the Lord does speak, but listening to Him can feel mysterious and confusing, like stumbling upon the strange sight of a burning bush. Moses has found himself in a situation that is completely foreign to him. Frightened or intrigued, we can only guess. But we do know that Moses moves into the mystery regardless and immediately following, there are two sides of a conversation on this holy ground. I m not going out on a limb by saying that none of us will likely encounter the Lord in a burning bush at any point in our lives. But each of us will face circumstances where we are confused, frustrated, or terrified. It is easy to pull near to the Lord when we feel our lives are going great, but we must also seek Him through His Word in times of trouble. And that is what I believe we are called to do. In every season and every set of circumstances, may we stop, trust, and step closer to Him, through fervent prayer and through His Word, on ground that is made holy by His presence. We are listening. In His Grip, Matt Mitchell SONSHINE SINGERS The SonShine Singers will be singing in worship at Redeemer at the 8:30 a.m. service on October 6th. MONDAY OCTOBER 7TH AT 1:00 P.M.

4 4 Redeemer Good News October ST ANNUAL REDEEMER BORDER BATTLE FOOTBALL PARTY Wear your colors and join us to watch the 13-time world champion Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, October 27 th. Doors to the auditorium will open at 7:00 p.m. What would a football party be without food and beverages? Watch for additional details. AN AGING BUILDING FALL WORKDAY Your help is appreciated to keep Redeemer's facility and grounds is tiptop shape. Plan on spending the morning at Redeemer on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5TH. Various jobs, both inside and outside, will be available. For questions contact Hank Radintz, or Cory Schulz, Occasional water leakage has occurred in school entrance/ gymnasium area for a period of time. The good news is that the leak source has been identified. The challenge for Redeemer is that in order to repair it, a portion of the flat roof will have to be removed and replaced at an unbudgeted expense of approximately $13,000. This work is scheduled for October 17th. Gifts of over $2500 have already been received to pay for these repairs. Please prayerfully consider how you may help contribute toward this Roof Repair Fund. Checks may be made out to Redeemer Lutheran with "Roof Repair" in the memo section. Questions call Hank Radintz at SCRIP Buy SCRIP gift certificates and debit cards for gas, groceries, restaurants, and retail stores. Available Sundays in the auditorium and weekdays in the church office. ATTENTION LADIES SAVE THE DATE! Redeemer Good News is a monthly newsletter for members and friends of Redeemer Lutheran Church & School in Wayzata. Newsletter articles are due the second Monday of the month. Submit articles, news, and event items to Jodi Bening at jbening@redeemerwayzata.org. Comments and suggestions are welcome. October 27 Advent by Candlelight will be held on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1ST More details to follow.

5 Calendar dates are subject to change. Please check your weekly bulletin. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 8:30 am Worship/HC 9:30 am Christian Ed.-all ages 10:30 am Worship/HC 8:30 am Worship 9:30 am Christian Ed-all ages 10:30 am Worship 8:30 am Worship/HC 9:30 am Christian Ed. all ages 10:30 am Worship/HC 8:30 am Worship 9:30 am Christian Ed. all ages 10:30 am Worship 6:30 pm Football Battle 7 1:00 pm Compassion Circle 6:30 pm Worship and Prayer Gathering :30 pm Worship and Prayer Gathering 1 10:00 am LWML 1:00 pm Compassion Circle 15 7:00 pm Craft Group :00 pm Day School Board 7:00 pm Elders/MMLG 7:15 pm JoySound 10 9:30 am LifeLight 7:15 pm JoySound 17 NO SCHOOL MN South Educators Conference 6:15 pm JoySound 24 9:30 am LifeLight 7:15 pm JoySound 31 9:30 am LifeLight 4 5 FALL WORKDAY NO SCHOOL MN South Educators Conference Redeemer Good News October rd Sunday after Pentecost 20 22nd Sunday after Pentecost 13 21st Sunday after Pentecost 6 20th Sunday after Pentecost 14 Newsletter Articles Due 2 8 9

6 6 Redeemer Good News October Wayzata Blvd. West Wayzata, MN The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Office Numbers: (952) or (952) Pastor Paul Causton Matt Mitchell Matt Anderson Jodi Bening, Office Administrator ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Dated Material Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Wayzata, Minnesota Permit No. 15 We invite you to worship with us! SUNDAY WORSHIP & PRAISE: 8:30 am and 10:30 am, CHRISTIAN EDUCATION-All Ages: 9:30 am NOTES FROM THE YOUTH DIRECTOR: It is true: in a shocking turn of events, I am BACK to leading youth group on Wednesday evenings! I have agreed to step into my former role as youth director while Redeemer s leadership seeks a more permanent person for the position. So, parents and kids, listen close: JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH is from 6:30-7:30 pm on Wednesdays! EVERY Wednesday! SENIOR HIGH YOUTH is from 8:00-9:00 pm on Wednesdays! EVERY Wednesday! PARENTS AND YOUTH: Are you passionate about this ministry? Do you care? It s time for you to step up. Redeemer is seeking a small search committee to find the right person for the youth director position beginning this winter. Call me at or me at mhmitchell3000@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out. In His Grip, Matt Mitchell LOVE IS HERE. Wayzata s James J. Hill Days Parade on September 8, LISTEN TO OUR TRADITIONAL SERVICES FROM WEBSITE Enter into your browser, click on Worship, and then click on Sermon Audio. Adjust your volume accordingly.