Redeemer Review
The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
A caring community offering opportunities for spiritual growth
by knowing, loving and serving God through each other
December 2004 – January 2005
FROM THE VICAR
I bow the knee of the heart to all of you who made our service of Institution such a splendid success. Thanks to
Sue Clark’s excellent organization, our Altar Guild’s superb decoration, Liz Chiarolla’s exceptional flowers, Bob
Burton’s magnificent movie, and all who gifted us with their presence, it was a service we can long remember. I
have heard nothing but praises. What stood out for me was the welcome extended to our guests. Many said that
they wanted to come back and worship with us on a regular Sunday. If the service of Institution does indeed
define us institutionally, then I would say we’ve lived up to our Mission of being a community that “knows, loves and
serves God through each other.” Hospitality is perhaps the most basic truth of our faith. Thank you for being such
spreaders of God’s love!
We’re new in other ways as well. Ordinary time has come to an end. Year C passes back to Year A and once
again, it is Advent. Christmas is coming. As the days grow shorter and colder, we’re lighting another candle each
Sunday. Light and darkness are basic to human experience and the holidays by their very intensity raise more than
the usual number of questions: about families, about gratitude, about what we’re really celebrating. The good news
is that these are the very questions God wants us to ask. God sent his only son into the midst of our own troubled
human family to give us what we really want. So bring all your questions with you as we worship together. Here’s
our schedule of services.
Dec 5th
Guest preacher and very good friend Rev. Richard Schaper will help us consider gifts
Dec 12th
Bring a friend Sunday! Both services will feature an Instructed Eucharist and show your friends
the best a faith community has to offer. This Sunday is also called the Gaudete, a time of joy, when
we light not a purple, but a pink candle; also “Stirrup” Sunday, when the collect “Stir up your
power, O Lord” was used as an excuse to go horseback riding after Church.
Dec 19th
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Dec 24th
FRIDAY: CHRISTMAS PAGEANT!!!!!
Dec 25th
Christmas Morning Service @ 10:00. You can come in pajamas, bring your presents and celebrate at
God’s house.
Dec 26th
Regular Service Schedule.
Come to as much or as little of this as you wish. And remember to take care of yourselves, for you, no less than the
Holy Family are the beloved children of God. Some suggestions for Advent can be found on the Youth and Family
page.
Blessings,
Rev. Carol Luther
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