Pastor’s Corner May 2014

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

Summer plans already? YES!

Based on personal experience with summer calendars, I urge you to plan your June-July-August time span now.  It’s very easy for the days to race to weeks, then bam! Fall is here.

There are many fruitful summer ministries at Redeemer that will grow your walk with Christ and strengthen our church community.  Here is a listing of items/events to consider in your summer planning process:

Re-vamped Redeemer Website.  (www.redeemer-pca.org).  Our website recently underwent an overhaul and is more informative and user friendly than ever.  All you need to know about Redeemer and the body life of your church can be found on the website, including a link to the church family-specific Church Community Builder.

Sermon Series transition.  I will be ending our journey through 1 Corinthians some time this summer, and starting a new trek through 2 Corinthians.  Before you are tempted to sigh, I encourage you to read ahead.  Paul’s second letter to Corinth is quite different from the first.

Sunday night teaching series. Pastor Nathan has just begun a study of “Gospel Treason” by Brad Bigney and will continue through the summer.  I am starting a new teaching series through the book of Genesis. My approach will be more on the side of teaching than preaching with discussion time planned.

Sunday night cookouts. There are few better church-wide fellowship opportunities than our summer cookouts. Every Sunday night, starting May 25, we’ll have dinner at the south building after the service. The church provides hot dogs, hamburgers, and/or chicken and you bring a side dish and/or dessert to share.  Cone enjoy the summer Sunday nights together with God’s people.

Vacation Bible School. We need many helpers to make for a great week of VBS, June 9-13.  This is a wonderful outreach ministry that also serves to build up those who are helpers. See Carmen Creecy to find out how you can help.

Summer Mission Trips. We are sending a team to the Omaha Nation June 14-21 and another to Juarez, Mexico July 12-19. We’ll have a barbecue fundraising event in support of these trips as well as team reports on select Sunday nights.  While a limited number of RPC members go on the trips, the whole church participates by supporting and sending these teams.

Summer Youth Ministry/Camps. In addition to regular meeting times (to be announced), there are two big camp events for youth again this summer.  High School students will be heading back to River Ranch July 7-11 and Middle school students (6th-8th grade) will be heading to Clearwater Camp July 28-31 (this year we are going to Windemere Camp in Arkansas).  Register right away on our church website to confirm your spot. There is some scholarship money available for those who have need. See Jake Tassy with any questions.

Redeemer on Social Media.  Redeemer has a presence on Facebook and Twitter.  Go to our website for links to these. Also, many members use these tools to stay connected with each other, so with the proper care and awareness, jump in and engage.

With all this listed for the summer, I am leaving out specific women’s and men’s ministries, and probably a deacon’s work day or two.  There is so much to be part of at RPC and it’s all fruitful.  Please take time now, before summer hits, to add many of these events to your schedule.

In the Lamb,

Pastor Tony Felich