'God has so arranged the
body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member...so that the members may
have the same care for one another.' 1 Corinthians
12.24-25
This coming Sunday,
October 15, our worship theme will center on Disabilities
Awareness. In the same chapter of 1 Corinthians quoted above, St Paul
reminds us that "the members of the body that seem to be weaker are
indispensable". In typical fashion, our marvelous God keeps upending the
human approach to power and strength by giving us the 'Jesus approach' to
life: "When we are weak, then we are strong." In the weakness of the
Cross is the power of God. In the person with disabilities is the image of
Christ himself. In honoring each member of the body of Christ, the Church,
we live out the very love of God, raising up the weak and lowly, as God himself
does.
By the power of the
Holy Spirit, we will utilize all our God given gifts to welcome and connect all
people in loving relationships with Jesus Christ, each other, and the
community. (Redeemer's Vision Statement)
PASTORAL
CONFERENCE: Just a reminder that I'm out of town Tuesday
through Thursday of this week, attending the Fall Oregon Pastoral Conference in
Cannon Beach. If you need urgent pastoral help, please contact the office
or one of our Elders: Fred Gargiulo, Lloyd Bauer, Glenn Edwards, Rick
Crawford. I can also be reached on my cell phone for an emergency or
crisis.
THANK YOU, THANK
YOU!! I am deeply touched by the wonderful surprise of
last Sunday, when you showered me with expressions of love on Pastor
Appreciation Sunday. Your words, cards, gifts, and the tasty cake and
punch reception lifted me off my feet (figuratively speaking). Diane and I
appreciate each of you with all our hearts!
WORSHIP
ATTENDANCE: Our congregational goal between October 1 and
the end of May 2007 is to average 100 people at Sunday worship. Here's how
we're doing:
October 1....85; October 8....84. We need
each other, we need to be in the presence of the Lord and his gifts in
worship. Sunday, 10am, is the time!
SPECIAL COMBINED ADULT
CLASS SUNDAY: As we observe Disabilities Awareness Sunday
on October 15, the two adult classes will combine for this Sunday only.
Together we'll look at one of Jesus' parables, and discuss ways in which we can
be more inclusive and hospitable as a congregation, especially towards those
with major disabilities. Join us in the Commons Room with
your coffee and goodies from 8:50 - 9:45am.
OCTOBER 22--A BIG
DAY! Here's what's happening at Rdeemer on Sunday, October
22, following our worship:
- Oktoberfest Potluck,
11:45am. Please use the sign-up sheet on the main
bulletin board to indicate what type of food you'll be bringing: main dishes,
side dishes, dessert. (Lederhosen, anybody?)
- Film on global
warming, about 1pm. If you haven't yet seen the film,
"An Inconvenient Truth", you should. If you have seen it, you should see
it again! This is an important documentary on the urgent and growing
problem of climate change--what we are doing to contribute to global warming,
and what we can do to slow it down. The film is 90 minutes long and will
be shown in our worship area.
-
An update on our MAC 'N CHEESE
MOUNTAIN??!!
Well, as of this past Sunday, you've given 877
boxes out of our goal of 2,000. That's around 40%. We've got 18
days to the deadline of October 27. Only
1,113 to go!! And remember that we're now in a friendly
competition with Keizer First Christian Church to see how many boxes we can
collect by the deadline. Go Redeemer!!
Please bring your contribution to our
mountain--boxes of Macaroni and Cheese--and help Marion Polk Food Share's
"Make A Difference Day".
Enjoy the spectacular Fall weather,
and praise God for his abundant goodness to all!
