From the Pastor

June 2009

The building is complete. Well, there are some things left to be done or purchased, but the bulk of the project is finished. Things look good, from kitchen to classrooms to narthex to landscaping. I have heard many excited comments from you, as we become acquainted with our newly expanded space and ponder how best to use it.

Dedication Day is over. It was good to see so many here to join in the festivities. It was a wonderful day, full of worship, fellowship, celebration, and thanksgiving.

Now what?

Well, from where I sit, now is the time to get busy. "Busy?" some of you might ask. "Haven’t we been busy these past few months, helping with projects, packing and unpacking, cleaning, giving of our time and resources toward this project?" Of course we have been busy with the building project and everything related to it. But now is the time to get busy with the work of the kingdom—to get busy with new excitement, focus, and energy.

Now is the time to recommit (or commit for the first time) to regular worship, to service, and to fellowship. Now is the time to use this tool which we have worked so hard to make a reality. Now is the time to use this building for the growth of the body of Christ and its members. Now is the time to make our church home busy with activity and mission.

Now is the time to step up and join a committee or think about being a Sunday School teacher, so that just a few faithful people do not have to do all the work that is necessary to make Holy Redeemer’s ministries fruitful. Not sure what you might like to do? Make use of the Time and Talent sheets that were made available at the Stewardship Fair on 17 May. Talk to the committee chairs or committee members (if you did not get the chance to do so on 17 May) and find out what they do and how you might be a part of it.

Now is the time to join the Men’s Group or the Parenting Group or a Bible Study, or to sew quilts, or to help prepare or serve a Mission of Hope meal, all so that we can grow in our faith and in love toward one another—here in this wonderful building and beyond.

Now is the time to serve as an usher, a Communion assistant, a Communion set-up volunteer, an assisting minister, an altar care volunteer, or a lector, sharing in the ministries of Word and sacrament, which shape everything about who we are.

Now is not the time to sit back and watch as others grow to and for Christ.

In Christ,
Pastor Brenda