Everyone's favorite event is back!

Last year was a blast! We decorated, took silly photos, celebrated and enjoyed great food together. This year we are pulling out all the stops and planning on the most fun we have ever had at our 5th Annual “Deck The Halls” Decorating Party. 

Come join us Thursday, December 1st from 6:00-8:00pm at Redeemer Church for a night of decorating the church for the Advent season and other festively fun things as a church family. Come enjoy games, decorating, photo booth and a potluck. 

As always, feel free to invite anyone, but please RSVP for them as well 

Since it is potluck, please see below for instructions on what to bring to the party. If your last name starts with:

A-D – Main Dish

E-H – Warm Side Dish

I-M – Cold Side Dish

N-Z – Dessert Dish

This week, we're meeting another deacon, Brandon.

Redeemer: How long have you been part of Redeemer, and how long have you been serving as a deacon?

Brandon: I started coming to Redeemer in I think July of 2010, so that’s a little more than six years. I became a member in 20… 13(?) and a deacon in 2014.

R: What was your understanding of the office before you starting serving in the capacity you are? Has that changed over time? If so, how?

B: Deacons serve the church by meeting practical needs. That can happen in a number of ways depending on the needs of the local church body in which the deacons serve. I think when I started, I kinda felt like there was a “right” way to do this, or that at least there should be. I’ve since learned there’s a lot of freedom and space here, so while being “right” is important, there’s a bunch of ways to get there.

R: What do you like about being a deacon? Is there anything you find particularly rewarding or challenging?

B: I really like helping people find their “thing” and encouraging people to apply their passions and skills to help build up the body. It’s really rewarding to see people serve and actually like it.

I hate scheduling, and I am terrible at it (everyone who knows me right now is either laughing or nodding along). I don’t have to do it very often, but when I do, I put it off as long as I can.  So that’s challenging. Yeah. I hate scheduling, and I’m really grateful for people who like and do it well.

R: What’s the most common question you are asked about being a deacon, and how do you respond?

B: There’s sort of two. One of them is ”So what does that mean?”, and I usually say something like “I help care for the practical needs of Redeemer. Kinda whatever comes up”.

And the second one, which often comes up in the same conversation, is “What’s the difference, then, between being a deacon and just serving faithfully?”

As deacons and deaconesses at Redeemer, our intention is to get the thing done and build up the church, so there is a fair amount of overlap. But, perhaps uniquely, we want to create an environment where as many people can help as possible, so we always (or, we should) have our heads up, looking to get others involved. Sometimes, that’s just taking the person that says “I want to help; tell me what to do” and invite them into any old thing. And others, we ask people to help, figure out what they like doing, and put them in a spot where they can apply their passions and skills, where they hopefully have fun doing it.

So there’s definitely times where we’ve got our heads down late at night, grinding away on some awful project that just has to get done. But, whenever possible, we’re trying to involve others. It makes the garbage more fun to deal with, anyway.

This week’s post is by Becca Wellan. Becca is a member and volunteer at Redeemer, and no, she’s not waiting until the day after Thanksgiving to post this.

Last Sunday after church, my roommates and I turned up our favorite Christmas tunes and put on our Christmas sweaters. We bought Christmas decor and decorated a mini tree. Christmas cookies baked in the oven as we strung up Christmas lights.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet. We know. It was the day before Halloween, actually. And we could not have been more stoked.

As I danced around the house, singing Christmas songs (horrible-karaoke-style), it hit me: I haven’t felt this joyful and free in a long, long time.

Later, as I sat criss-cross on the floor, wrapping our paintings in Santa Claus wrapping paper, my mind suddenly flooded with memories of a past holiday season. My heart began to ache as memories played like a movie in my mind. The pain of deep wounds stole my breath, nearly knocking me over.

It’s strange what Santa Claus wrapping paper can do to a person.

 

To hurt is to be human.

Most of us have experienced deep hurt. Not to be a Scrooge, but if you haven’t been devastated by hurt yet, you will be. Sadly, it’s normal for the brokenness of this world to affect us deeply.

Perhaps you’ve been wounded by someone you love. Maybe you’re struggling in your marriage, family, or friendships, or you feel devastatingly alone. Or, your mental/emotional/physical health seems impossible to work through. Maybe you’re sharing in the suffering of someone dear to you and it’s wearing on your spirit.

Life just hurts, sometimes. The hurt in our hearts and in the world is an opportunity to run into the arms of Jesus, to ask Him to be the healer, comforter and joy-giver He says He is. Yet so often we look for a quick fix, to take our mind off the pain.

Where do you run when you are starving for comfort and joy? Perhaps you run to someone who can affirm you, who can help steady you. But what if that person isn’t available, or walks out on your life?

Perhaps you self-medicate with alcohol, drugs or sex. But they will leave you empty tomorrow.

Perhaps you bury yourself in your work, your hobbies or school to take the edge off your pain. But busyness is only temporary distraction. When your head hits the pillow at night, has anything changed?

Seek comfort in these things, and you may feel better faster. But you’re putting a bandaid over a broken leg, it just won’t work. We need true comfort and joy to heal our hurts, from the inside out.

 

Tidings of comfort and joy.

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour. // Luke 2:10-11.

When life hurts, you become more aware of your need for a Savior. Whether you find it in a person, a substance, or a distraction, we all know we need to be rescued when the battle becomes too much.

The best news is that a Savior was born. To reconcile billions of reckless, bitter, calloused souls into deep friendship with Him. To forgive every last sinful thought.

The greatest joy is knowing that despite our circumstances, we have a Savior who took the punishment that should’ve been ours, to give us forgiveness we could never earn. We are safe, we don’t have to heal according to a timeline. Our greatest need for healing was met the moment Christ said “it is finished”; the moment we were forgiven.

What if the hurt you face serves a greater purpose?
Ever had one of those I-Just-Can’t moments? One of mine involved curling up on the couch one early autumn morning as the fog rolled in. I felt burnt out, angry at the daily struggle to overcome past hurt and shame. As tears stained my cheeks with mascara, I cried out to God:

Papa, please, I prayed, could you bring me a season of joy? You’ve brought me through a season of deep hurt and I could really use some joy right now.

I don’t like being hurt. I never have, I never will. I think it’s safe to say that’s universal. But what if God is using it to transform you to be more like Him?

In Romans 5:3-5, Paul encourages us to have joy in our sufferings; God is at work in the hurt. He is just as much our Savior when we’re suffering as He was our Savior on the cross. Paul says that suffering brings endurance, character, and hope. He will sharpen you, and He will change you.

Decking the halls the day before Halloween, with my sweet, hilarious roommates who relentlessly point me to Christ, reminded me that though it still hurts, God already answered my prayer for joy. I remembered the girl I was a year ago, and smiled because I see how God has been transforming my heart through the tears.

How to find joy and comfort.

When we catch even a glimpse of who God is, we can’t help but be transformed. When I remind myself of His character, that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3), that He is “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 145:8), I find comfort and rest.

This may sound obvious, but we learn who God is through reading the bible. We should never, ever get over the miracles that happen when it’s truths inform and challenge our minds. Psalm 119:50 says, “this is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” This verse isn’t referring to one promise. It’s saying that the entire bible makes Him alive, which is His comfort in suffering. God’s word is filled with truths about Him that are designed to bring you comfort as you learn about the character of God.

If you’re like me, you conform God to fit your culture. Bad idea. God is not PNW-passive. He is not sitting in heaven, hoping you’ll figure it out. He wants to enter into your life. Pray and ask God to act, to be who He says He is in your life. Ask God to show you that He truly does heal the brokenhearted, that He truly is a comforter. You are not asking Him to be something He’s not, and He’s more than willing to pour out His love into your life.

In the laughter, through the tears, God spoke to me last Sunday. Though hurt still lingers, He comforted me with the hope that He has, and is, and will be at work in my struggle, to heal from the inside out. He reminded me, as I decked the halls with laughter and gold glitter, as I nearly fell apart, that Jesus had come with tidings of comfort and joy.

This week's post by Theresa Adams

Our boys are six and almost nine. That means we are departing from the little boys stage and entering into the big boy stage. Our kids are the ones now finding out ways to climb on top of the play structures at parks. They are the ones occasionally rolling their eyes and learning what boundaries they can push. They are the ones asking for house keys and cell phones (No. Just no.) As we learn to navigate this new season of parenthood it is tricky to not look too much ahead to where we hope our kids to be and wish them out of where they are. It is a balance to not get down on them so hard that we don't remember where they were. It's easier to point out what they still have to work on then it is to praise them for what they've done. It takes being intentional to not compare them against another kids progress. To remember that they will all learn math, eventually. They'll all be able to run a certain amount of laps at one point. How and when they get there just varies.

That's kind of how we are with spiritual growth, isn't it? Although no calendar or time piece can measure our growth we are constantly focused on where we should be or where we think God wants us to be that it overshadows where we are coming from. We get down on ourselves for not being at a certain point yet that we can forget where we've been. We continue to get down on ourselves for not  spending more time reading our Bible, for not knowing as much as we should, for being too short with a friend, for not being as quick to forgive. We can spend so much time on the "woulda" and "coulda" and even "shouldas" that we completely forget what once was. We lose sight of where we've been. Instead of thinking, gosh, it's a miracle I'm even here. Getting to live this life. Spending time doing these things. We just focus on what we aren't doing. How we aren't living.

In her book, For The Love, Jen Hatmaker says: "You are doing a better job than you think. Self-criticism sometimes improves best practices, but it can also lie to you and probably has. You may need to ignore your mind and watch yourself for awhile." She goes on to say, "Condemnation is a trick of the enemy, not the language of the heavens. Shame is not God's tool, so if we are slaves to it, we're way off the beaten path. And it is harsh out there, debilitating actually. If you inner monologue is critical, endlessly degrading, it's time to move back to grace."

Grace. "The love and mercy given to us by God, because God desires us to have it not because of anything we have done to earn it." What if, instead of thinking about how far we still have to go, shaming ourselves for not being there yet, we take a minute to think about how far we've come? What if instead of beating ourselves up we soak in the grace that's so freely available to us.  As Rob said recently " Change isn't just possible it a guarantee."  I don't know about you, but that is some good news.The good news is that God isn't looming over us with a measuring stick. Tapping his watch, saying "tisk-tisk" that we aren't "there" yet. Rather I'm starting to believe He's actually waiting over us cheering us on. Seeing growth in us that we don't see in ourselves. Elbowing the angels "did you see that? That ones mine."

I recently had a friend ask me some questions about my past. She had heard bits and pieces over the years. But she wanted more. In talking to her and sharing with her it made me realize just how far away I am from where I once was. Isn't that amazing? Not in a look-at-me-and-what-I-have-done sort of way, but in a wow God sure has been graceful with me sort of way. Does this mean we look back with regret? Does this mean we look back and glorify some sordid past? No. We don't even need to dwell there. But, what we can do is glance back and see the progress of what we've, with the Holy Spirit, have made and look forward to what's to come.

I am a miracle. And so are you. Perhaps your past isn't nearly as checkered as mine. Still it's just as amazing you are here. Whatever your "here" looks like if you are keeping your eyes on Jesus most likely it looks a lot different than your "there."  Last time someone wronged you were you a bit quicker to forgive? Did you hand out grace instead of disfavor? That's remarkable. Are you becoming quicker to repent? More sensitive to sin? Amazing. Do you have a growing interest in God? Are you wanting to learn more about Him than you did a year ago? 5 years ago?  Are you finding it easier to love others? Were you able to stuff your selfishness aside and give of yourself to someone when you didn't feel like that? That's a miracle right there. All of the steps no matter how minute or mighty are worth celebrating.

What if we were better at celebrating? What if we were just as quick to share our triumphs as we were our failings? I think we can all agree life is hard. All the more reason to lean in to others when we see growth. When we recognize something in someone that wasn't once there. When we can say "I'm not who I was." Let's not just get together when we need prayer or when we are struggling or when life is seeming too much. Let's not discount the steps we take no matter if mammoth or mini. A step is a step. One step closer to the person God is shaping you to be.

In our family we have started to celebrate when our kids are courageous. When they try new things or when they don't give up on a difficult situation. We look ahead for those opportunities with expectancy and anticipation. Why should it be any different with us and our walks with God? If we know Him and believe in Him then we ought to look forward with expectancy to the works He will do in us.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 
Philippians 1:6

Do you enjoy football? How about food? Maybe games, friends, getting muddy, and laughing? Well, we have just the place for you to come and enjoy all those things and then some.

Join us Saturday, November 19th, 2016 at Whatcom Community College Grass Practice Fields from 11 am - 2 pm for our Annual Turkey Bowl Classic. We will be playing two hand touch football, eating food from Daniel's Back East BBQ Food Truck, Lawn Games and more.

Families, Kids, College Students, you name it you are invited.

If you plan on coming, RSVP. If you have any questions, please email Deacon Dane at dane@redeemernw.org.

If you want to create your own team for the Turkey Bowl Classic, then click the link below.

The deadline for team registration is November 17th.

Everyone will be placed on a team if they don’t have one, but if you would like to sign-up with other people then do so below:

CLICK ME TO REGISTER!

Hope to see you all then!

Post by Ashley Bowie - Sapling in progress.

I’ve been a Christ follower for a majority of my life. At about the age of eleven I walked quietly to an alter during the midweek worship service at my church. The children’s pastor came and put an arm on my shoulder and asked me what I wanted to pray about. I told her I wasn’t good at being good, I didn’t know how to do all the right things all the time. I don’t remember much else about what we said, but we prayed together, I asked forgiveness for my sins and prayed that Jesus would live in my heart and teach me how to be good.

I’d like to tell you that I have never once wavered from my faith since that day. I wish I could say that I learned how to be good and am now an expert at it. But you’re smart, and you would know I was lying. In fact, from that day on, I did devote myself to being good. I read my bible, I prayed, I attended church, memorized scripture, went to church camp and worshiped my God with abandon. I learned which sins were socially unacceptable, and what sort of girl I was supposed to be. Though I was young, and though “church culture” has a tendency to capitalize on the idea that we are to “be good,” I did have some deep, life changing moments with God during that time. In spite of all the world’s best efforts to distract me with religion, I can recall the simplest moments sitting alone with God and knowing with certainty that I belonged to Him and He loved me.

One of the sweetest memories I have, is coming in from swimming in midsummer, exhausted, all played out and happy. I fell onto my bed in the late afternoon and let the sun warm me, my mind was wandering around all of the fun I had that day, and landed abruptly on Jesus. I picked up my bible and read:

1 John :18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

I laid back on my bed and breathed pure truth into my lungs. My heart was overwhelmed there by the fearless love of God. Call it the sprouting of a seed, the first inclination that I did not want to “be good” I just wanted to be near to God.

I have sinned a lot since those sweet days. In fact, I think I am even worse at being good than I was as a child. I have fought depression, anxiety, anger, fear and mistrust in my good Father. I have manipulated scripture to “mean” what I wanted it to, and I have ignored God and my bible for months on end.

But the little sapling from so long ago has remained firm, has grown to a full tree that I cling to, remembering that though it costs Him everything, God is not afraid to love me. I have also come to understand grace in a deeper and more personal way than I could have imagined. I have tasted the sweetness of God’s presence, and His abounding love when I thought He would rather not deal with me at all. I have taped the surface of what it means to love God without fear, the way He loves me.

There are forests around here known as old growth forests. They are the ones that have been around for at least 150 years, most for longer. The redwood forest is one of the oldest, and is thought to date back at least one thousand years. These trees have survived bleak winters, dry summers, fires, insect plagues and worst of all, humans. Old growth forests have extremely fertile soil and are host to more varieties of plant and animal life than other forests.

Any culture has its fads, and Christians are no different. We seem to be in a fad right now, where we are looking for the most clever way to say a thing. We want the raw truth, sure, but give it to us in a phrase we can remember and pass on to people who need a golden nugget of wisdom.
In all the storms and battles of my life, when I was at the very lowest point, it was not a cleverly packaged phrase that I wanted to hear, or that I needed to pull me out of my self pity or shine a light on my dark fears. It was that ancient oak, born of the simplest sweetest moment of love between my savior and me. It was the ancient wisdom that says; Jesus loves me, I am sure of this.

Isaiah 61:3 “...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

Every mighty oak began as a seed. Every branch in you that bears fruit began as a seed and has been cultivated by the omniscient hand of the Father from the beginning until now. The longer you have a faith, the longer you are in Christ, the easier it can become to sort of forget or become bored of the old simple truths. They are like hymns that just tell you how it is, in simple repeatable verse, accompanied by simple instruments, beautiful in their place. Altogether forgettable if you aren’t paying attention. 

But listen, let it fill you; Perfect love that drives away fear, a garment of praise instead of despair, Love has nothing to do with punishment, joy instead of mourning, Oaks of righteousness, made for the display of HIS splendor. These are the truths by which God captured my heart. These are the truths I return to when the lights are off and my soul is alone except for God. 

Life can be bleak and difficult at times, you may not see any new growth, or feel like you are accomplishing any good at all. You may feel alone or lost or even too far gone for God to be willing to rescue you. Maybe you feel like God is treating you unfairly. In my most difficult moments, it was not new understanding or clever wording that made me turn and run into God’s waiting arms. It was the old growth, that has found me in the quiet, the ancient wisdom that was a seed when God designed the world, it sprouted in my heart as I was laying in the warm afternoon summer sun. It has been my source and sustenance through so many storms and has been there after I’ve wandered off, and come trudging through the rain and mud, home again.