Pastor Joel's mid-week reminders for 2/21/2012
This entry was posted on 2/21/2012 5:06 PM and is filed under Mid-Week Reminders.
'When the
rainbow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the
everlasting
covenant between God and every living creature of all
flesh that is on
the earth.' Genesis 9.16
After
God brings the great flood over the earth and destroys all
living
things except for Noah and the creatures on board the ark,
God makes
this stunning promise: that never again will he destroy life
on earth.
The sign of this covenant will be the rainbow.
For as long as the earth has existed since that event, the
rainbow has
been a sign of God's steadfast love for the earth and for
all living
things. Sadly, human beings have failed to recognize that
God includes
"every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth" in
this
promise, not just people. We live in an interdependent
relationship
with all forms of life on earth. Yes, we wonder why God
created
mosquitoes, but even they have their purpose in the great
design of
God's creation.
As Lent begins and Spring breaks through, we do well to
remember that
in Christ, God has reconciled ALL of his creation, and that
his love
and care extend beyond us even to the tiniest life form. St
Paul
speaks of this in his letter to the Colossians, when he
reminds us that
"in Christ all things in heaven and earth were created...and
in him all
things hold together... Through Christ God was pleased to
reconcile
to himself all things, whether on earth or
in heaven, by making
peace through the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1.15-20)
Easter is about LIFE! Christ's
resurrected life
flowing through all creation. For Jesus Christ IS the great
promise of
God to this universe. And all creatures great and small are
included
in God's love and care.
LENT BEGINS:
Ash Wednesday is tomorrow, February
22.
This holy day marks the
beginning of the season of Lent, a period of
spiritual preparation for
Holy Week and Easter. We will observe Ash Wednesday
with two
worship opportunities: 12 noon and
7pm.
Both services will include Holy Communion and
imposition of ashes.
Midweek Lenten Services:
Wednesday evenings, Feb 29, March
7, 14, 21, and 28
from 7-7:40pm....Holden Evening Prayer.
Preceded
at 6pm each week by our Soup and Bread
Suppers. Please
sign up to help with these suppers on the sign up
sheet posted on our
main bulletin board, or call Joy Anderson.
PIE
SOCIAL:
Our annual Redeemer Pie Social has been set for Saturday
evening, March
17 (St Patrick's Day) at 6pm. If you
can bring pies,
help organize and
/ or provide entertainment, please talk with Lorene Bartell.
Once
again, this will be a fundraiser for Redeemer's mission and
ministry.
'CONNECTIONS',
my weekly
Bible Study for adults, meets every Sunday morning in the
Commons Room
at 8:50 - 9:45am. We read through the assigned Scripture
readings for
worship and then make connections with our daily life. A
lively,
relaxed discussion group for you to participate in! Snacks
and coffee
available.
DATES
AND EVENTS TO NOTE ~
Wednesday,
Feb 22......12 noon and 7pm, Ash Wednesday worship opportunities
Sunday, Feb
26...........11:45am,
Disaster
Preparedness group meets.
Saturday,
March
17......6pm: Pie Social (see
above)
Sunday,
April 1: Palm
Sunday
Maundy Thursday,
April 5: 7pm worship
Good Friday, April 6:
12 noon and 7pm
worship opportunities
April
8, Easter Sunday......7:30am, Sunrise Service
8:30am, Full breakfast
10:30am, Festival
worship
**Please
see
the weekly bulletin, the Spirit Call newsletter, and our
master
calendar for a
complete listing of dates and events.
