Midweek Reminders from Pastor Joel
'There is no longer Jew or Gentile, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.' Galatians 3.28
Bottom line, St Paul says, is that all are equal, all are one, through our baptism into Christ Jesus. The Christian church is the one place in all the world where every person is able to serve fully and freely, with no conditions and limitations based on age, gender, or any of the many other limitations that human society seems so eager to apply. By God's generous and wise grace, each of us has gifts, Paul says, and we are to use those for the common good of the church.
That brings me to my next reminder...
CONGREGATIONAL ELECTIONS MEETING will be held immediately after worship this coming Sunday, June 24. Because I will be on vacation (see below), I want to remind you that on the basis of Scripture and by convention resolution of the LCMS, as well as our own Redeemer constitution by-laws, women are eligible and encouraged to use their gifts in the positions of President and Vice President of the congregation. They are also eligible and encouraged to serve on the Board of Spiritual Life.
VACATION: Diane and I will be taking some vacation time, beginning Thursday, June 21. We will return Saturday, July 7. Our Elders will be leading worship in my absence. If there is any emergency needing pastoral help, please call Sandy in the office, or one of our Elders: Fred Gargiulo, Lloyd Bauer, Glenn Edwards, Rick Crawford, Bob Kosta.
FOOD DRIVE: Please bring your donation of food items for Marion Polk Food Share to church sometime this week or on Sunday, June 24. Questions? Call Bev Stueven.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL begins next week on Monday, June 25. This is a great opportunity for reaching out to our community with the love of Jesus! Please talk with Pat Haneberg if you can volunteer your help during this fun and exciting week.
CANADA MISSION TRIP: Our team of youth and adults from Redeemer will leave June 29 for the remote areas of northern British Columbia, to conduct VBS with the children and share God's love with resident families. Please support them with your prayers, encouragement, and practical needs: gas money, food supplies, teaching supplies. See the list posted in the lobby.
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