Monday, November 28, 2016

Congratulations Kim Metzer - by Rod Kalajainen

On Sunday, November 13, our own Kim Metzer, who is Director of Adult Ministry and Groups, was recognized in a Service of Celebration and Blessing for completing the Michigan Area School for License as a Local Pastor.

What that means is that Kim has been participating in numerous learning experiences for the year or more designed to help her live out her calling to lead a local church as pastor.  She will now be available for appointment to a local church by Bishop David Bard when and where there is a need.
Kim has felt, for some time now, God calling her to a more specific local church ministry – serving as a pastor of a local congregation.  She will continue to serve on our staff at Redeemer until an appointment becomes available.

We celebrate this step in her journey and her commitment to lead God’s people in a local church.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Beautiful Drive Days of Colorful Season - by Olga Chulakova

 In one of the October services at church it started with a small red leaf and warm words about the beautiful autumn. Pastor Rod’s words brought back beautiful pictures to my memory. I also had the good experience from recently seen autumn pictures.

I was invited to go on a short trip up North to see the colorful beauty in nature. At first it was Highway 127. As we turned onto M-15 our conversation slowed down, because our attention was drawn to the trees. The road was surrounded by colorful trees. Sometimes I took pictures with my camera, but more often my eyes fixed the beauty in my memory and I continued to see it and feel their attractions for a long time.
They were taking my breath away. The trees seemed even better than the others. The appearance was different and colorful: green, light-green, yellow, orange, red, deep red, brown, plus many shades and all together they looked like they were doing a bright round dance.  Especially beautiful were the aspen, whose silver trembling leaves gleamed and played with the wind. 

It was so beautiful. My breath was taken away. I took pictures with my eyes. And then I kept it in my memory. The roads changed but the beauty was continuing. The coming evening started to mix these beautiful colors into one dark color.

Morning returned to us our great feelings. This morning was exceptional!  The sky was blue and gray.  The drizzling rain started but the sun continued to shine. The rainbow appeared and then two rainbows. They were so bright that I started to pray thankful for God’s creation.

Beauty is a source of inspiration,
Nature is my friend that arouses a verse
Being close to beauty is my desire,
Because beauty was created by God.

Pleasing to me are the mountains,
Prairie, farmland, river, pine forest,
Creating images dear to my soul
In nature there are many wonders .

The sky is blue with clouds
I pray among beautiful surroundings
And thank the God in the universe
For beauty it’s magnificent diversity.

How is beautiful our Michigan!
Olga Chulakova

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Celebrating Jesus' birth - by Sue Campbell

Halloween has come and gone, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and right after that it will be time to begin the Advent season.  While it may seem like we’re trying to rush right into Christmas, it truly is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ as the songs say.  One of the highlights of our Children’s Ministry year is the annual celebration we call:  Night in Bethlehem. 

This will be our 9th year and everyone is invited to come on December 4th from 5:00-7:00pm.  We’ll begin with Christmas songs sung by our Kids Praise groups – 4 & 5 year olds and 1st - 4th graders, followed by a puppet performance by some of the middle school students. Then, the rest of the evening is spent in our version of the town of Bethlehem. 

The Bible records that Bethlehem was crowded with people, including Mary and Joseph, who were required to register in their hometown for the Roman census.  Well, our Redeemer Church building has been crowded as well!  So, this year, we’re excited to expand the outskirts of Bethlehem from our gym and lobby areas to other parts of the church building. There will be tents and tables with lots of crafts for the kids to make, snacks to eat and a photo area with biblical costumes and props for taking family pictures.
Sometimes the reason we celebrate Christmas gets lost in the busyness.  Night in Bethlehem is a great opportunity to join family, friends and neighbors in celebrating Jesus’ birth.  Hope to see you all here!