'The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in my name...' St John 14.26
Advocacy groups are plentiful, many of them working
toward helping people who have no voice, no power, in our complex
modern world. When Jesus speaks of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, he
reminds us that the power of his resurrection--the Spirit's gift of new
life and hope--are present in the believer's heart for a purpose. That
purpose is two-fold: to revitalize our discouraged hearts with the
uplifting reminder that Christ is risen and therefore we are more than
conquerors in him; but also to call us as Christians to advocate
for those who are powerless, helpless, and struggling.
Who would those people be? Well, the same people to whom Jesus himself
showed special love and care: the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, the
marginalized, the victims of injustice, the sick and suffering. With
the Spirit of God in us and among us, we as Christian individuals and
as a Christian congregation are called to advocate for the rights and
dignity given to all people by virtue of God's grace in making all
humans in his image.
In doing so, we will experience the blessing of Jesus' words spoken to
his disciples just a few verses before the one quoted above: "Those who
love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will
come to them and make our home with them."
IMPORTANT
REMINDER AND OPPORTUNITY: From a special mailing
sent this week by Marion Polk Food Share President Ron Hayes, these
words: "The biggest--and easiest--one-day food drive of the year is Saturday, May 8. ...All you need to do
is put your food donation out by your mailbox. Your mail carrier will
pick it up and get it to our warehouse. As the last major food drive
until November, the National Association of Letter Carriers Food
Drive will be critical this year. Need for emergency food boxes is
the highest it has ever been, driven up by sustained double-digit
unemployment and the sagging economy."
FINAL ADULT SUNDAY CLASS ON ISLAM:
The lecture for this coming
Sunday is entitled "The
Future of Islam".
This lecture concludes our study of Islam by reviewing the key
questions that are raised about Muslims and Islam today. We also look
at prospects for Islam and the West in the 21st century. Join us
for this
informative DVD and discussion class each Sunday morning from 8:50am -
9:45am. We meet in the Commons Room at the north end of the new
building.
REDEEMER
COMMUNITY GARDEN:
With the unanimous approval of our congregation, the Garden Committee
is developing our new community garden here on our
campus. If interested in helping, please contact Jan Shearer. Actual
work on the garden site has already begun, and we could use your help.
Also, if you would like to be
included in sharing the veggies from this
garden, please talk with Jan about purchasing a CSA
(Congregation Supported Agriculture) share for $40. This will
provide you with a basket of produce each week. On
Pentecost Sunday, May 23, we will dedicate our garden to the glory of
God and service to our community. Please note the calendar below for
upcoming dates in moving the garden towards productivity. See the May newsletter for important information and
request for tools, help, etc.
DATES AND EVENTS TO NOTE ~
Saturday, May 8...........................9-12
noon, 1-4pm: Redeemer community
garden work day
Sunday, May
9..............................Mothers Day
Saturday, May 15........................ Redeemer
garden officially opens
Sunday, May
16.............................Potluck lunch and AED training
Sunday, May
23............................PENTECOST and Dedication of Redeemer
Community Garden
June 21 -
25..................................Vacation Bible School
Sunday, June
27...........................Congregational budget meeting
August
8.........................................5th Annual Summerfest
**Please
check the master calendar and weekly
bulletin for a detailed list of activities.
