Pastor’s Corner August 2010

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

Having been away from my Redeemer family for the past several weeks has made be appreciate Paul’s affection for the people of Philippi. When the Apostle wrote in Philippians 1:3-5), “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,” it registers with me in a different way than before. Shari and I have been at Redeemer since 1997 and I have never missed more than two Sundays in a row. The longest I have gone without preaching is three weeks, and that was a few years ago. This three month sabbatical from regular pastoral duties has served to refresh, invigorate, and ready me for the months and years to come at Redeemer, by God’s grace and as He wills. I have also been encouraged by the able ministry of Pastors Nathan and Brian as well as our elders in my absence. Very frankly, Redeemer doesn’t need me, and that’s just the way it should be. At the same time, I’m glad to be called to minister here with these faithful brothers and very much looking forward to coming back August 9.

What have I been doing these past three months? Nine of the twelve weeks I have been spending weekdays in the library or at my desk reading and writing for my doctorate. That may sound boring, and indeed some of the reading isn’t exciting, but overall it’s been exceedingly profitable and enjoyable to me. I will not be able to finish all my requirements before returning, but I’ll be close. I think another year of part time work on this degree should be enough. My goal was to finish my doctorate before I turned 40…so I have a year (ouch!). I also spent a week taking vacation time, half a week with Brian riding our bikes across Missouri and half a week with Shari in the Northwest. No offense to Brian, I liked the second part of that week better. The other two weeks were spent at Horn Creek family camp helping to run Chico’s Soccer camp one week (with lots of RPC members attending) and speaking at another family camp the first week of August. I’ve spent 5 full weeks at 8000 feet elevation in Colorado and love it.

So, get out your bibles and refresh on Philippians 1-2 because we’re digging in to Philippians 3 on August 15, Lord willing. I echo Paul’s Holy-Spirit inspired words about you- “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, beause I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace.” (Philippians 1:6-7)

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich