Pastor Joel's Midi-week reminders for 1/25/2011
This entry was posted on 1/25/2011 5:24 PM and is filed under Mid-Week Reminders.
'Blessed
are
the peacemakers, for they will be called children of
God.' St Matthew
5.9
In
our gospel reading last Sunday we heard the words of
Jesus, who says
"Follow me." Blessed by this invitation and recipients of
God's
unconditional grace and love, we understand life to be
more than
personal gain and comfort. When Jesus calls us 'blessed'
he uses a
word that could be translated as 'happy'. Why not include
both in our
definition of what it means to follow Jesus?!
Notice, however, that he says "Blessed are the peacemakers".
Not
'peacelovers', but peacemakers. We all want peace to
prevail in
our personal lives and in the world. Conflict, however,
is a given in
this life. From quarrels and bickering to division and
warfare, our
sinful hearts and pride won't allow us to do those things
that make for
peace. It's one thing to love peace, and quite
another thing
to make peace. St Paul understood this and urged
us as
Christ's followers to "live peaceably with all, so far as
it depends on
you." (Romans 12.18)
Peace in our relationships, our marriages, our families,
our
communities, our world does indeed depend considerably on
us, because
we follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It's a tough thing
to be
peacemakers, requiring humility, honesty, sacrifice, and
self control.
But in God's grace and love we can indeed make peace in
the power of
the Holy Spirit.
ANNUAL
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AND LUNCH:
Following worship on January 30, we hope you will
enjoy lunch and
fellowship as we gather for our Annual Meeting. It
looks like the menu
will include a baked potato bar with lots of
toppings. The meeting
itself will take about an hour. Please let
us know you are attending by signing up on the
sheets posted on the
main bulletin board, so that we know how much
food to prepare.
Thanks!
PASTOR
JOEL'S
ADULT SUNDAY CLASS:
We
continue with our ongoing
topic, "Practicing Our Faith", with a discussion
of
'Testimony'. Please join us in the Commons Room
for this guided discussion
class based on ancient Christian ways of living
out our faith in the
world. We meet from 8:50 - 9:45am. Coffee and
refreshments are
available.
NEEDED: PEOPLE TO HELP
COUNT OFFERINGS: If you can help count Sunday
offerings right after
worship, please talk with Pat Haneberg.
2011
OFFERING ENVELOPES and 2010 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
STATEMENTS ARE READY
FOR YOU TO PICK UP IN YOUR MAILBOX HERE
AT CHURCH
DATES
AND EVENTS TO NOTE ~
Sunday,
January 30 after
worship.......Annual
Meeting and lunch
Wednesday, March
9...............Ash Wednesday:
Lent begins
Sunday, April
24....................Easter
**Please see the weekly
bulletin and master
calendar for a complete listing of dates and
events.
~ In 2011,
Redeemer
celebrates our 50th
anniversary as a congregation. A special Anniversary
planning
committee is being
formed. If you are interested in participating, please
talk with Fred
Gargiulo or Paul Schutz.
