Pastor’s Corner August 2008

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

It’s time to plan for Fall!

As August begins and a new school year approaches, I wonder where Summer has gone? I know how quickly activities can fill our calendars so would you consider making several spiritually nurturing church activities part of your Fall planning?

Home Fellowship Groups. Redeemer’s small group ministry begins in September. Every family should be part of an elder’s “Flock Group”. These groups are then divided in to several “Home Fellowship Groups”. Every other week your Home Fellowship Group will meet at a designated leaders’ home for prayer, sermon application discussion, and fellowship. I cannot stress enough how vitally important such a ministry is for you and our church. Church is not only a place to come to worship God and receive teaching in a formal setting, it is also a familial community that is enhanced and deepened as we build relationships with each other. Home Fellowship Groups allow for such relationship building. Make attending your HFG a priority heading into Fall. You will be blessed.

Biblical Stewardship Sermon Series and Crown Study groups. In my eleven plus years of ministry at Redeemer, I can only remember doing 3 or 4 “topical” sermons. Beginning on August 31, I will do a 4-part Biblical Stewardship sermon series based on the excellent Crown Ministries “Road to Financial Freedom” series. These will be topical sermons overviewing the bible’s teaching in this very important area. The series will also serve to encourage our members to take the 10-week Crown small group study some time during 2008-2009. Redeemer’s leadership would like every family to take the Crown small group study in the near future so stay tuned for announcements about when the study will be offered. Here’s the schedule for the biblical stewardship sermons:

Sunday, August 31- “Who’s in Control?” – God’s Responsibilities and Our Responsibilities
Sunday, September 7- “A Slave to the Lender” – Living Debt Free
Sunday, September 21- “Giving Back” – Investing for Eternity
Sunday, September 28- “Who’s Your Real Boss?” – Work Is Your Ministry

Leadership Training Class. Beginning Saturday, September 13, I will be teaching the annual Redeemer Leadership Class. This 8-week class is for men and women interested in exploring the various traits and practices of biblical leadership. It is a required class for anyone who will serve in a leadership role at Redeemer. Call the church office to sign up, the class will be approximately every other Saturday morning from Sept. 13 to Dec. 20. See exact dates on our church website.

Fall Adult Sunday School Lineup. Our new Fall Sunday School quarter begins September 7. Classes begin at 9:45 AM for youth and 10 AM for the adults. The Adult classes will be held in the new WCA High School classrooms under the sanctuary. Here are the classes being offered:

Using Your Spiritual Gifts Mr. Woody Woodward
Shepherding a Child’s Heart Pastor Nathan Currey
The Gospel of Luke (Part 1) Mr. Ben Vos
Meet the Pastor Class (first 5 weeks) Pastor Tony Felich

In addition to these fruitful ministries, we will have the pleasure of Dr. Bryan Chapell (President of Covenant Seminary) preaching on Sunday, September 14 and Dr. David Calhoun returning to the Redeemer pulpit Sunday morning and evening October 26. Also, mark your calendars for a tremendous Christmas concert with Nathan Clark George December 21.

May God bless you and your family this Fall and forevermore!

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich