To The Test
To The Test
We’re on our fourth of four weeks in the book of Philippians. We’ve seen Paul call the Philippians (and us!), back in chapter 1, verse 27, to “stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”. We’ve seen the great Exemplar in the beautiful hymn of chapter 2—“Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be held on to, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” We’ve seen Paul hold up his own story in chapter 3 as a warning against confidence in the flesh and a call to ever press on toward the prize of knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection.
This whole letter has been about partnership in the gospel—partnership that costs something, partnership shaped by the humility of Christ.
And now, in chapter 4, Paul brings it home. He brings it down from the heights of Christ’s incarnation and the example of Paul’s own testimony, down to the ground level of two members in a local church who are at serious odds.
Because that’s where gospel partnership is so often tested.
See you Sunday.
Steve+
New Treasurer Appointed
After serving our congregation faithfully and well as Treasurer for eight years, Jim Evans has “retired” effective September 30. Given that, we have appointed a new treasurer, John Remein, a member of our Vestry and genuinely exceptional pastry chef. John’s first big task will be to lead the Vestry through our fiscal 2027 budgeting process beginning at our October meeting on the 25th. Please pray for our Vestry during this process. You can reach out to John here.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Second Sunday Sandwiches—Sunday following worship.
Church Workday—October 24, 9:00am–noon (the more who show up, the sooner we’re done!). Our vestry and admin offices are moving to open up a third classroom for Children’s Formation, and we need help to move furniture to new spaces or an outside dumpster. And gardeners, if you’re not so much “into” schlepping stuff to the dumpster, we will put the pollinator garden to bed for the winter. It should take an hour or less to cut back dead foliage and thin the crops. The garden has thrived in its first year, with plants to be given away to anyone who wants them.
October Vestry Meeting—Sunday, October 25, following worship.
Redeemer Annual Meeting—Sunday, December 13.
Weekly:
Youth Formation (ages 10–13)— Sundays, 9:00am, in the Parish Hall.
Around the Table—A prayer time for women, Thursdays, 9:00am, at the Wishart’s. Email Lauren for details.
Morning Prayer—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:00–8:30am, on Zoom.
Men’s Bible Study—Thursdays, 7:00am, at 1309.
Photo: Curated Lifestyle on Unsplash
