ISSUE SEVENTEEN // MAY 2014
VISION PRAYER
4 WEEKS OF PRAYER
MISSIONS UPDATE
WANDERINGS IN WEST AFRICA
GOSPEL BLOG
USELESS BAGGAGE
DISCIPLESHIP
TO POINT US TO OUR SAVIOR
WERE GLAD YOU’RE HERE! We are a church with a mission. Our mission is to proclaim, embody, and enjoy the gospel of Jesus Christ so that unbelievers are convinced of the gospel, believers are built up in the gospel, and culture is transformed by the gospel to the glory of God. Because the gospel is at our heart, we want all that we say and do as a church to honor and reflect Christ. Part of that includes making sure you are able to consistently and clearly know the vision and direction of Redeemer. That’s where Momentum comes in. On the first Sunday of every month, everyone will receive a copy and be able to stay connected to the pulse of Redeemer. Inside each monthly issue, you will find updates on the church’s vision, ministries and events. You’ll also read about where you can help serve and get involved, as well as be updated on things like church finances, new members, activities and programs throughout the month. Redeemer is a church on the move, and it’s the gospel that is moving it forward. The gospel is our passion, our motivation, our moving force. It’s our momentum.
CONTENTS WICKER WANDERINGS IN WEST AFRICA // PAGE 9
PRAYER FOCUS 6
| Intercede with others in the RBC family for our Vision.
GOSPEL BLOG
14 | Check out these great blog posts (and others like them) from our website to find encouragement in your daily walk.
FEATURED EVENTS
20 | The Gospel and the World Seminar is one you won’t want to miss! Find out what other key events you’ll want to put on your calendar for this month.
WELCOME MINISTRY
MISSIONS UPDATE
Heinrich and the Welcome Ministry at RBC.
stories of their time serving in Nigeria where God is bringing spiritual awakening and revival to the land.
DISCIPLESHIP
FINANCE REPORT CALENDAR
7 | Learn more about Marc
17
| Adam Schnell opens up about his thoughts on life-on-life discipleship and how it has impacted his life.
9 | The Wickers share
KIDS CORNER
13 | Parents: Check out a new verse to memorize with your kids and receive an update on the mercy projects they are working on.
18 | Hear from Pastor Paul
19 | Stay in the loop! Don’t
about how we’ve almost finished our commitments for our building program and how we can finish well.
miss out on upcoming events at RBC.
CREDITS
Design/Direction Chuck Forsberg
Content Manager Lorie Schnell Writers/Editors Brittney Westin
• Attend a weekly prayer meeting, Wednesday nights in the Fellowship Hall, 7 – 8:30 p.m. for a meaningful time of fellowship, worship and prayer, and ALSO on Sunday mornings in Room 104, 10:30 – 10:50 a.m. for focused prayer for the ministry of the word and worship during our Sunday services.
WEEK 1
• Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter, “5 Points of Strategic Prayer”, which features prayer focuses for our vision, our city, our leaders, our ministries and our members.
WEEK 2
GET INVOLVED • Check this column for monthly prayer points relating to our vision.
Pray for a helpful, challenging and convicting message to be proclaimed at the last SGF seminar of the 2014 Spring Semester, “The Gospel and the World,” taught by Pastor Bob on Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th.
WEEK 3
The Strategic Prayer Team is excited to help bring a fresh focus on corporate, intense, prevailing, kingdom-centered prayer. We are asking for the presence of God among us and for the fulfillment of our vision, “The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World”. We hope you will join with us in committed prayer for a spiritual awakening in our body, our city and beyond.
Pray for our vision, strategy and training (“ViSTa”) meeting for the leadership of Redeemer this Saturday from 8 – 11 AM. Pray that there would be unity, focus and direction for the planning of our 20142015 ministry year.
Pray for all the Community Groups of Redeemer as they are wrapping up for the summer, that relationships among members would continue and grow deeper.
WEEK 4
PRAY FOR OUR VISION
Pray for the raising up of more leaders – Elders, Deacons, and Community Group Leaders.
WWW.REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/SUBSCRIBE
Q & A WITH MARC HEINRICH //
WELCOME MINISTRY BY MARC HEINRICH
CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU FELT THE LORD CALLING YOU TO SERVE IN THIS MINISTRY? Well, not sure about the “felt” part, but Pastor Bob and Pastor Paul asked me if I could work with Brandon Weis and
...we endeavor, by God’s
the Welcome Ministry, helping to implement our overall vision and strategy. Since I was already involved in a lot of what is happening on Sunday morning, it seemed like a good fit.
grace, to be a welcoming
HOW HAS THIS SERVICE GROWN YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL?
responsive people, serving
HOW HAS IT STRENGTHENED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
our guests and one another
CHRIST AND/OR THE CHURCH? Serving as Director of the Welcome Ministry has reinforced
humbly and gladly.
the idea of God¹s unconditional welcome and acceptance of me. As we strive to welcome others in love, it is only because of God¹s love through His son Jesus that this is even possible. It¹s something I hadn¹t really put together before now. WHAT IS THE VISION OF YOUR MINISTRY? We are currently working on a vision statement for the Welcome Ministry, but we have some initial thoughts. In
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING? IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL WAYS THAT VISION IS BEING REALIZED AT THE GROUND LEVEL?
regards to the gathered life of the whole body, we endeavor,
A greeter extending a hand of welcome, a volunteer at the
by God’s grace, to be a welcoming responsive people, serving
Welcome Center answering a person’s questions, an usher
our guests and one another humbly and gladly. As we serve,
engaging with a newcomer who may just be standing alone.
we will always have an answer to a visitor’s question, or know
These among many others are all practical ways Redeemer’s
where to find it. We will follow through on any promises to
vision works itself out.
get back to people. We will be available but not aggressive, creating an environment of exploration and discovery. We will
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT HAS SURPRISED YOU, EITHER
be ourselves, but not push our own agendas, pet theologies
ABOUT YOURSELF OR THIS MINISTRY, SINCE YOU BEGAN
or ministries. When appropriate, we will suggest natural “next
SERVING?
steps” for newcomers. We will encourage those we labor with in the gospel.
Yes, I was surprised at all the logistics involved in our usher, greeter, Welcome Center, communion setup, etc. Brandon Weis coordinates all those details and does an outstanding job. I am
HOW DOES THAT VISION FIT INTO THE OVERALL VISION
so grateful for his ministry to us.
OF RBC? The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World finds an immediate application in welcome ministries when the “world”
WHAT ARE YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS MINISTRY?
comes to us in the form of visitors. That is, newcomers are
That God would bring us more passionate people to serve as
welcomed into our fellowship and exposed to the gospel
ushers, greeters, etc. That we would be a welcoming, gospel-
directly through our community and gathered worship. Our
loving people, aware of our own need for the gospel as much
service to them is also a demonstration of Christ’s service on
as the first time visitor who may never have heard of Jesus. //RBC
our behalf.
MAY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
7
NEW MEMBERS // WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!
CHURCH PICNIC JOIN US FOR FOOD, FUN + FELLOWSHIP
8
MOMENTUM // MAY 2014
NIKKI WEUM
CORY & HEATHER WESSMAN
AMANDA FRY
DAVID & JEANNE GAVIN
SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND FOLLOWING 11 AM SERVICE AT REDEEMER BIBLE CHURCH
MISSIONARY UPDATE //
WICKER WANDERINGS IN WEST AFRICA BY: MIKE AND HELEN WICKER Missionaries with Campus Crusade for Christ - Africa
missionary sending nation in the world. One of my students at ACTS, Rev. Fadipe, is head of an indigenous Desert Missions Commission that since 1992 has planted 28 churches in northern Nigeria by 31 grass-root missionary church planters. Life in Lagos is always unpredictable. There is never a dull moment. Being stuck in traffic jams is a regular part of life. I have been in a 2-hour long traffic jam…in a hot vehicle that did not have air conditioning. The World Bank estimates that by 2015, Lagos will become the 3rd largest city in the world with over 23 million people. Did you know that Lagos, Nigeria is the ‘generator’ capital of the world? The electricity supply is so erratic that most homes have individual generators. Our school alone has three generators. Below is a The first 25 years of ministry, my wife Helen and I lived in
picture in front of our big noisy generator at ACTS.
Southern Africa doing evangelism and discipleship through the
Here is a picture of my class of students at the
local church with Campus Crusade for Christ in Africa. We were
Africa Center for Theological Studies in Lagos,
involved in student, community and church ministry. Since
Nigeria. Let me share some life stories of several
2006, I have been privileged to teach at the Africa Center for
of these students.
Theological Studies (ACTS) in Nigeria, West Africa. I have been
The woman in the back row fourth from the right
teaching church leaders at ACTS on a biannual basis. Each time
is Funke who will be getting married next month
I teach at ACTS, I learn something new about my faith in Jesus
to a Christian man. Funke grew up Muslim and
Christ. The prosperity gospel is rampant in many parts of the
because of her faith in Christ, her family disowned
country, but the strong faith and dedicated commitment of my
her and will not be coming and helping with her
students inspire me to run my race that is set and appointed by
wedding. Her uncle, who is a Muslim, is one of the
God by fixing my eyes on Jesus.
top military generals in the country. Her faith in
Let me share a little background on Nigeria. Nigeria has
Christ has made her strong.
170 million people and is the most populated country on the
The man in the back row, fourth from the left
African continent. Historically, a significant part of the Trans-
is Ibrahim whose tailor measured me and made
Atlantic slave trade to North America came from Nigeria
my outfit and a matching one for Helen. Ibrahim’s
and neighboring countries in West Africa. Nigeria is home to
father was buried alive and martyred for his faith
‘Boko Haram,’ the radical Muslim conflict in the northern part
as a missionary in the neighboring Islamic country
of the country. Many of my students have family and mission
of Chad. One day I was teaching on the power of
outreaches in the northern part of Nigeria. Mission specialists
forgiveness in the Cross and I related the forgiving
have indicated that Nigeria is currently the world’s 7th largest MAY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
9
way God taught me to deal with my daughter Susanna’s
I expressed my disapproval. I remembered
unexpected pregnancy. The Holy Spirit was working and as a
telling a West African friend that this type of
result, Ibrahim shared with me that he needed to forgive his
punishment brings undue stress and public
father’s murderers after years of being bitter toward people
shame on the alleged sinner. I vividly remember
from Chad. He is now a changed and free man.
when one of Helen’s disciples clarified to me that the goal of this practice is not to publicly
CHRISTIANS AREN’T PERFECT – JUST FORGIVEN.
disgrace the person. Rather, the ultimate goal
A few weeks before traveling to hot, humid and congested
is to restore the person back into fellowship
Lagos to teach at ACTS, I received an email from one of my
after a period of counseling and discipline. So,
students, Pastor James, asking me to preach at his church, New Heights Baptist Church, on Christian marriage and family life. Little did I know what soon followed would be an experience I would never forget. I prepared my message on Ephesians 5: 22- 6:4 since Helen and I had recently participated in “The Art of Marriage” where these verses ministered to us. I had an opportunity to do a dry run by facilitating a church life group meeting on God’s principles of marriage based on Ephesians 5. Upon my arrival to Nigeria, Pastor James explained further the background to the church service. He told me the reason he asked me to preach on this topic was because of the testimony I had shared last November to the ACTS class about my teenage daughter having a child out of wedlock. I am not sure if you can see, but the bride, Ella, is about 7 months pregnant. Their story is one of redemption where they have journeyed to Calvary. Victor, the groom, and Ella were leading members of the worship team at church. As they say in this part of the world, they fell into sin and Ella fell pregnant. When the church leadership heard about this they were put on discipline, not able to serve on the worship team for a
be careful to those at Redeemer Bible Church
period of time. They had to go through Biblical counseling with
who like sitting in the back row!
Pastor James. Their sin was announced to the congregation so the body was aware of the situation.
10
Helen is with Zchat, a Nigerian leader with Campus Crusade for Christ.
On a side note, in West Africa, those who sit in the back row
While we are on the topic of culture,
are often undergoing church discipline because of a particular
after 35 years of ministry in Africa, I am
sin. When I first learned about this public display of discipline,
continually amazed to see how individualistic
MOMENTUM // MAY 2014
we Americans are at living our lives and faith. Nigerians on
in Nigeria. As usual, I had to shout while
the other hand are very communal in nature. They openly
teaching due to the loud generator roaring 10
shared their joys and sorrows with each other. Fellowship and
feet outside the classroom. By the end of the
relationships are very important in their culture.
week, my voice was hoarse.
Now back to the church service. Pastor James had organized
On the last day, we had a cultural ceremony.
their wedding day to coincide with my availability to preach
To show our friendship toward each other, we
God’s word. I preached that husbands are to love their wives
broke and ate sour kola nuts together. This is
as Christ loved the church, wives are to respect their husbands,
commonly practiced throughout Nigeria at
children are to honor their parents, and fathers are not to
major events such as weddings, graduations,
exasperate their children. I shared the background to the
and funerals. As we partake together, the
book of Ephesians and explained the importance of walking
bitter taste of the kola nut really bonds
in the grace of Christ in our everyday lives as married couples
people together!
and parents. As an example, I shared about my marriage with Helen and raising our children to fear the Lord and trust Christ
THE LIFE OF A PASTOR
as their Lord and Savior.
On the last day of class, one of my students,
I then shared about our journey to the cross with our then
Pastor Paul, told us about his wife who was
18-year old daughter when she told us she was pregnant.
“great with child.” He was very concerned
Through the example of Christ’s forgiveness, we are told to
about her health since she had fainted three
forgive one another. My message coincided with reality in the
times during the course of her pregnancy. He
church. The 300 church members celebrated Christ’s grace
was quite troubled in the afternoon when he
to this couple in worship and dancing. We praise the Lord
heard that his wife had gone to the hospital.
because of His unfailing love and forgiveness so that we in
In fact, he thought that perhaps the lack of
turn can walk in Christ and live out the gospel to the world
clear information implied that people were
around us. The atmosphere was electric. The church was filled
hiding the dreadful truth until he arrived at
with jubilation, singing and dancing, African style. There was
the hospital. As a result, Pastor James joined
a short exchange of vows accompanied by a short reception
Pastor Paul to go to the hospital and had to
celebrating their marriage.
miss the afternoon sessions. As a post note,
There is a movement of God taking place here. In the next
along the way, he did hear from his wife that
month, this church will be baptizing 25 new believers. God is
she had actually started labor for their third
bringing spiritual awakening and revival to many in this land.
child and later delivered a baby girl.
I returned after that long Sunday service truly in awe of God’s redeeming work in this newly married couple. Also, I came to
POST SCRIPT
realize how much God has redeemed the Wicker household.
Many of my students are either bi-vocational
As a student recently wrote, “I learned a lot through Dr. Mike’s
or full-time church leaders who are living
personal experience of life; especially how he forgave his
sacrificially unto the Lord. They persevere
daughter and used what could be considered as a mess in his
through the daily challenges of life due to the
family to be a message about God’s restoration.” We once had
fact that God has called them to bind up the
an empty nest. But now we have a full and active nest with our
broken hearted, give sight to the poor, and
20-year old daughter, Susanna and 1-year old grandson Jayce.
proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
God has replaced our mourning with joy.
I left Nigeria a different person. Originally, my intentions were to go there to teach God’s
CRACKING THE KOLA NUT
word and build godly leaders in the church.
Oh, by the way, the week-long class in Lagos went well as
However, through the lives of these church
we studied the importance of discipleship and mentoring
leaders in Lagos, God has strengthened my
relationships in the Bible. There were lively discussions on
soul and transformed my brokenness for His
God’s concepts of discipleship in the various church settings
glory. The gospel is alive in West Africa. //RBC
MAY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
11
Christian education that engages your mind, challenges your heart, and transforms the way you live.
The Gospel and the World Weekend Seminar
May 16th – 17th //
Register by May 14th
Fri: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Sat: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Worship Center, Main Building Speaker: R W Glenn The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the only perspective on life in the world that coheres with reality. This course lays the groundwork for a thoroughly biblical approach to life in a very good, yet fallen world.
RBC Distinctives Class May 28th // Register by May 25th Wed: 7:00 – 10:00 PM RM 102, Ministries Building Local churches in a community are like the individual members of the body of Christ – full of wonderful diversity. This means that each church has its own set of distinctives. This course presents an overview of Redeemer’s vision, values, doctrine, mission, plan, and structure along with help for getting involved in the ministries of RBC.
Sign up today! Email: lsummers@redeemerbiblechurch.com.
KIDS CORNER //
MOVED TO PITY
MEMORY VERSE
Instructions:Â Mark whether each statement is true or false. Arrange the highlighted letters from the true statements to complete the sentence below.
JUDGES 2:18
Whenever the Lord raised up judges Othniel fought the king of Aram.
and he saved them from the hand of
The Israelites lived in peace 40 years after Othniel led them to victory.
their enemies all the days of the judge.
__ Israel served the king of Moab for 18 years. __
groaning because of those who afflicted 2OGHU .LGV /HDGHU *XLGH 8QLW 6HVVLRQ &RS\ULJKW /LIH:D\
MERCY UPDATES MOTHER’S DAY
__
After Ehud was a judge, Othniel led the Israelites.
For the Lord was moved to pity by their and oppressed them.
__ __
The first judge of Israel was Shamgar.
for them, the Lord was with the judge,
__ The king of Moab killed Ehud with a double-edged sword. __ After they defeated the Moabites, Israel had peace for 80 years. __ Shamgar delivered Israel by using an oxgoad to defeat the Philistines. __ God’s plan was to send Jesus to deliver people from their sin forever. __ God sent Ehud to save the Israelites after they asked God for help.
The 4th-6th graders are making
Jesus is our true
Mother’s Day gifts for the kids at Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery to give to their moms. The Kid’s Mercy offering
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___!
will go to this crisis nursery. 6/*5 r 4FTTJPO r 0MEFS ,JET "DUJWJUZ 1BHFT
The Judges
Instructions: Fill in the missing letters to find three words important to today’s Bible story. Š 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources.
2OGHU .LGV /HDGHU *XLGH 8QLW 6HVVLRQ &RS\ULJKW
TAG YOUR
GOSPEL LIFE BLOG //
USELESS BAGGAGE
BY: PASTOR PAUL BURR
PICTURES!
T
he book Endurance – Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage describes the epic trials of Ernest Shackleton’s quest to transverse Antarctica, and his crew’s fight for survival when the expedition had to be aborted. There is a
poignant scene when the crew was forced to leave the ice
#rbcmnlife
floe imprisoned ship. They were about to embark on a journey across hundreds of miles of ice in search of open water and land. What every man carried was kept to a minimum, including only two pounds of personal gear. As Shackleton announced this requirement, he took the Bible that Queen Alexandra had given him, ripped out the flyleaf with her personal inscription and the 23rd Psalm and threw the Bible on the ice. For though Shackleton was loath to leave behind a Bible given to him from the Queen, he knew he must show his men what it meant to leave behind personal things that would impede survival. It was a dramatic demonstration of leaving everything to focus on the mission ahead. As I look forward to my future, I find that I am keeping useless cargo that weighs me down. I have taken on a suitcase of worry, a backpack of uncertainty and a shopping cart of unfulfilled expectations. It is hard to cling to the cross of Christ with useless baggage.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @RBCMNLIFE
I went hiking in the Boundary Waters Wilderness area some years ago and grabbed the little tent off the garage shelf. I did not even examine the contents, but just stuffed it into my pack. My pack was overweight, but I stubbornly hiked the 8 miles to our campsite. When setting up my tent, I realized that I had hauled an extra hammer, a dozen metal stakes and a tarp. How stupid could I be to embark on a journey taking useless things? When Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow him, He was looking for disciples who will drop all their useless stuff so they can cling to the cross of grace. Lord, help me to examine my life baggage through the lens of grace and discard those things that weigh me down and cause me to stumble in my walk with you.
/RBC
OTHER GREAT BLOG POSTS FOUND AT: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/RESOURCES/BLOG Freedom // Colleen Watson Whacked-Out in the Wilderness // Pastor Paul Death is Not the End // Gabe Zepeda
THE ANGST OF OUR WORLD
SWEET TREATS BY: PASTOR BOOMER PEEL
BY: PASTOR MARK SUCHTA
E
verything is broken. Everything. And it is due to the effects of the fall. Man’s fall into sin has
M
y kids love Nutella. The hazelnut spread, which when put on whole-wheat toast and combined with a glass of skim milk and orange juice, is a “tasty, yet balanced breakfast,” or so its makers say. As a parent
ruined everything. Hurricanes, earthquakes,
though, I see Nutella as a chocolate super glue monster,
drought, strife, anger, impatience, divorce, lust
which is able to multiply itself at will. Inevitably, it ends up on
and greed in our hearts are all evidence of this.
clothes, in hair, on furniture, and it seems everywhere except
So what is the call? The call is to have a healthy angst about
its intended destination. And while I’m quick to point out
our broken condition and to long for the renewing power of
and clean up the mess, my kids would rather go about their
the Gospel to transform our hearts and bring revival. The call
business, being indifferent to the destruction it has caused
is ask the Lord to give us an angst that is NOT satisfied with
even if their faces are covered with it. To them, it’s simply a
the way our world is and to beg Jesus to come quickly and
sweet, satisfying treat.
save us.
If only my sin was so obvious. If only I had people able to point out all of the messiness in my life. Sure, I can see some of
A famous preacher once said that the hardest place in the
my sin. I’m not blind to all of it and am even willing to publicize
world to be a Christian is America. Why would he say that?
some of it. But lately, I’m realizing that my self-sufficiency
Because of the extremely powerful competing desires for our
is my biggest, sweetest, most satisfying indulgence, and it’s
hearts. Comfort, ease, moralism and indifference are always
showing up everywhere. Thankfully, my Father, in his perfect
at our door begging to be worshiped. Christ must rule! He
and loving kindness, is pointing this out to me. I’m seeing a
must rule in our hearts and reign supreme. Let us beg him
little more clearly now and am being thrust into places where
to keep us from indifference and keep us longing for Gospel
I can’t help but realize I’m in over my head.
renewal in our hearts and in the hearts of others around us. May Jesus be very real and close to you today.
//RBC
Unfortunately, the reliance I have in myself is not a quick or easy clean up. It’s just too pervasive to go away without some pain and suffering. However, what a sign of grace it is that I would even be given eyes to see this idol, let alone want it to be destroyed. Destroy it Father I pray, so that Jesus would be my sufficiency. Let the one who bore my eternal destruction be my treasure as I realize that I’m permanently in over my head in all things. In addition, let the gospel be my mirror so that I would find joy in my sin being exposed. //RBC
MAY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM 15
redeemerbiblechurch.com/
whowelove
EXPERIENCE THE MOVEMENT OF GOSPEL LIFE IN A WHOLE NEW WAY. Introducing Momentum magazine digital edition. The complete issue is available every month on tablet or mobile. Read more at ISSUU.COM/REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH
16
MOMENTUM // MAY 2014
LIFE ON LIFE DISCIPLESHIP //
TO POINT US TO OUR SAVIOR BY: ADAM SCHNELL
T
he ring of my alarm clock wakes me a little early on Friday, earlier than most days of the week. I’m a little groggy but excited as I know what’s coming and why I got up a littler earlier. Friday mornings I meet with my brother-in-Christ, Matt,
for fellowship, discipleship and accountability. A little over three years ago Matt and I started meeting. I was struggling in some areas in my life and Matt came along side me to disciple and encourage me. We started meeting on Thursdays at Panera in Minnetonka and over time have ended up at a Caribou on Fridays across the street from where I now work. While it hasn’t always been easy to meet—some weeks he’s out of town, some weeks I miss my alarm—we’ve always made it a priority to get together. What started out as a discipling relationship has blossomed into a life-long friendship between brothers.
Initially, our
meetings were very purposeful and deliberate but have grown to be more organic over time as we’ve gotten to know each other. Over the past three years, we’ve shared in each other’s struggles, joys, and challenges.
Some days I’m the weaker
brother in need of someone to speak truth in my life and some days it’s Matt. Either way, the Lord is using us in each other’s lives to grow and change us in the gospel. Some might say that we are just getting together to meet
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE DISCIPLESHIP
for coffee to socialize, but that’s what makes this relationship
MINISTRY PLEASE CONTACT:
exciting. It may seem like that, but it’s through the everyday life
Women: Tammy Hoyt at tammy@redeemerbiblechurch.com
experiences that we have the opportunity to point each other
Men: Mark Suchta at marksuchta@yahoo.com
to the cross. Life is messy and we are both a mess, but because of Jesus and what he’s done for us, we know where to run.
WANT TO SHARE?
However, we don’t always see that for ourselves. That’s why we
Have you been blessed by being in a discipleship relationship?
need each other. To point us to our Savior.
Do you have a story of how the gospel has changed your
If you aren’t meeting regularly for discipleship, accountability,
life because of this connection? If so, we want to hear from
and fellowship, I would encourage you to talk to the folks in the
you! Each month Momentum will be highlighting a life-on-life
men’s and women’s ministries to get connected. Jesus desires
testimony from someone whose life has been impacted for
for us to experience His love through the body, and what better
the gospel by another. If you are interested in sharing your
way to do that than to connect and invest in someone else’s life
experience with the greater RBC family, please email Lorie
and let them do the same with you. //RBC
Schnell at lorie@redeemerbiblechurch.com. MAY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
17
FINANCE REPORT //
FINISHING WELL BY: PASTOR PAUL BURR
I
remember the game as if it were yesterday. My favorite team, the New England Patriots, was playing the undefeated New Orleans Saints. It seemed like the Saints had the win
when the Pats turned over the ball on downs deep in their own zone with just over two minutes left in the game. The Pats’ defense held the Saints to a field goal, giving the Saints a four point lead. This gave the Patriots’ quarterback, Tom Brady, the ball at the two minute warning and a long field: 70 yards from the end zone. He drove them down the field and threw the game winning touchdown with 5 seconds left. Wow, what a finish! New Orleans won 59 minutes and 55 seconds of that game but didn’t finish with the victory. I am fascinated by key games in sports where it comes down to the last minute. I am reminded that you need to play out the game until you get to the final buzzer or whistle. Many teams have found out the hard way that it’s not enough to play the whole game but then lapse in the final five seconds. We have made tremendous progress on finishing our commitments for the Expanding Our Gospel Vision building program. We are enjoying the fruits of an expanded facility every day and it is more than evident that people are coming in droves to hear the gospel of grace taught and lived out at RBC. But just like the key sporting contests noted above, we need to play out the final “minutes” of the Vision Program. We have collected 91% of our commitments and with over a month left, we want to finish strong and be over our target of 100% of commitments fulfilled. We have been so blessed by everyone’s generosity over the last three years, yet we still have $243,081 of commitments left. We want to finish this last 9% by June 8th. We are praying for a great finish to our Expanding Our Gospel Vision program. Would you pray with us as we all consider finishing personal commitments? If you have any questions about the Vision program or how to be involved, contact Pastor Paul at paulburr@ redeemerbiblechurch.com.
//RBC
SUN
MAY 4 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM THE LORD’S TABLE | 6:00 PM
11 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
18 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM Including The Lord’s Table REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
25 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
MON 5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
TUE 7
WED GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
14 GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
21 GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
28 SGF: RBC DISTINCTIVES 7 -10 PM | RM 102, Ministries Building
9
17
10
FRI 8
16
THU
15
22
30
23
31
24
SAT
SGF - THE GOSPEL AND THE WORLD SEMINAR 7 PM - 9 PM // 9 AM - 12 PM
29
The Gospel and the World The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the only perspective on life in the world that coheres with reality. This course lays the groundwork for a thoroughly biblical approach to life in a very good, yet fallen world. Details below.
FEATURED EVENTS Sunday TODAY!!!
Fri & Sat MAY 16 - 17TH
Wednesday MAY 28TH
Sunday JUNE 1ST
THE LORD’S TABLE
THE GOSPEL & THE WORLD SEMINAR
SGF: RBC DISTINCTIVES
NEWCOMERS LUNCH
7 - 10 PM | RM 102,
1 - 2:30 PM | GLENN HOME
MINISTRIES BUILDING
If you would like to attend
Are you new to Redeemer?
the next Newcomer’s Lunch,
Maybe you’ve been
please RSVP to Laurie
attending for a while,
Summers at lsummers@
but want to start getting
redeemerbiblechurch.com or
plugged in. Join Pastor Bob
952.935.2425.
6 PM | WORSHIP CENTER Join us this evening as we celebrate Christ’s work on our behalf through communion. There will be several baptisms and we will be taking our monthly Mercy offering. Don’t forget to stick around for a time of fellowship and sweet treats afterward!
7-10 PM, 9 AM - 12 PM | FELLOWSHIP HALL The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us the only perspective on life in the world that coheres with reality. Taught by Pastor Bob, this course lays the groundwork for a thoroughly biblical approach to life in a very good, yet fallen world. Registration is open now until May 7. Contact Laurie Summers at lsummers@ redeemerbiblechurch.com
SIGN UP TODAY!
as he presents an overview of Redeemer’s vision, values, doctrine, mission, plan, and structure along with help for getting involved in the ministries of RBC. Registration is open now until May 21. Contact Laurie Summers at lsummers@ redeemerbiblechurch.com