Origin Story
Origin Story
We love origin stories. Often called “prequels”, in literature and entertainment they look back, making the case for why a character is protagonist or antagonist. It changes our understanding of them, most often illuminating something we didn’t know before…something foundational and complex behind what made them who they are (my favorite, by far, is the musical “Wicked”). In many ways, you can never see them the same way again.
It strikes me that this Sunday’s Gospel reading—the same one we read every Sunday immediately following Christmas—is hands down the best, most compelling, and most important origin story ever written because it makes the case for why we take the life, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus so seriously every other Sunday of the year, and perfectly sets the stage for the year to come.
Steve+
Christmas Eve Offering
Did you know that more Nigerian Christians have been killed in 2021—simply for being Christian—than in any other nation on earth? Mostly by Boko Haram and Fulani tribesmen, militant Islamic groups. Things have been especially violent in the Anglican Diocese of Zonkwa (this video contains some potentially disturbing images). As many of you will remember, Redeemer began its Anglican life with roots in both the ACNA and the Church of Nigeria. We will be taking an offering at our service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve to directly benefit our sisters and brothers there.
Why Our Budget is “Proposed”
Our budget is always proposed until finalized at our first Vestry meeting of the new calendar year (the second Sunday in January). The way our congregation votes on our budget is in their written intention to support it with their regular giving (you can read a bit about the process here). We ask that those non-binding “commitments” be made in person by filling out a card and placing it in the offering plate by this Sunday, December 26, or digitally here by December 31, 2021. Our Vestry takes this very seriously and has in the past significantly trimmed the budget to match commitments. Please, don’t wait.
Today is Fast Friday
I am asking that you join me today—the last Friday of Advent—in skipping one meal and devoting that time to prayer. Prayer that’s:
Audacious: the expression of profound longing for something beyond what can now be imagined;
Enthusiastic: it’s“in God” as the word literally means…en theos. It’s rooted in and inspired by the character of God revealed in Jesus (in this way, even biblical lament can be said to be “enthusiastic”); and,
Hopeful: it’s firmly fixed on the future. It believes confidently that God will one day bring heaven and earth together in a new way, with the personal presence of Jesus as the central feature and light of this new world. God’s will will be done.
And if nothing audacious comes immediately to mind, join me in praying that God would miraculously provide a suitable permanent home for Redeemer and all the resources it will require.
Suggest a Person, Ministry, or Ministry Project
A significant change in Redeemer’s proposed budget this year is bringing our top line giving to mission—our first fruits—up above 10% of our operating budget. In order to properly steward these resources, we need your help. Suggest someone you know who may need benevolence help here. Suggest a local ministry or ministry project we can help with here (suggest a project only if you’re willing to help organize and lead).
Picture credit: Benjamin Voros on Unsplash