A Note from Pastor Petersen
Summer never seems to deliver on its promises. All Fall, Winter, and Spring we long for it, setting aside what cannot be done then, both in terms of work and recreation, for the Summer, but the expectations are typically unrealistic. The work never goes as planned and the recreation is plagued by family politics, bad weather, and impossible financial burdens. The days are lovely but crowded and go by much too quickly. Too soon, it is over and our list is barely touched.
We have largely lost the ability to rest and to live in the moment. I am not sure things have ever been worse in this regard. For not even those who praised and eagerly embraced the strictest restrictions meant to safeguard our population from COVID-19, found them restful in it or as it has lifted. Masks, mandatory physical distancing, and more time on screens did not create solitude but loneliness, anxiety, and increased distraction. We did not emerge rested. We emerged exhausted, ears ringing from our echo chambers, and more divided than ever.
This is a problem because the command to rest is woven into creation itself and is central to Christianity:
“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” (Genesis 2:2–3, NKJV)
Jesus said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV)
We need the rest that Christ provides. We were meant for it even before the Fall. We need the peace that passes all understanding and the comfort that hope in eternal life, into which physical death is a passage not to be avoided at all costs, more than ever.
Thus we need the Church’s worship more than ever. There, in the Divine Service, we are taken out of this mundane world and out of our loneliness. We are reminded of what is real and what endures. There, like nowhere else on this side of glory, we are with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need them and they need us. We need real people, embodied realities in the Creator and Redeemer’s image, who are far more than just images on a screen. There we are welcomed back again to where we belong, focused on the one thing needful, and in a fellowship that endures forever. Thus we are restored by forgiveness, united in grace, and are refreshed by the Sacrament which cleanses us and strengthens faith.
All that to say: come to Church. It is what God instituted for you, what He created you for, what will satisfy, refresh, and encourage you. Summer days will pass and the garage will still need painting, the weeding is never done, but that is not where your treasure is or the seat of your hope. You belong to God and He has gifts to bestow in His Service.
– Pastor Petersen
Thank you to everyone who helped with the rummage sale or donated to help the Garnetts! The profits of the sale were over $3100 and we received an additional $3000+ in donations.
On July 25th, at 3:00 p.m. in the undercroft, there will be a bridal shower for Onika Ritzman. The women and girls of the congregation are invited. RSVP to Azrielle Ritzman.
The Casey family invites you to join us at Redeemer on Saturday, July 31 from 5:30-8:30 for an Ice Cream Social to help raise funds for Jonathan & Maggie’s adoption. (They are working on adopting two special needs children from Eastern Europe.) Hot dogs, chips, ice cream, and other goodies will be served. There is no charge for food, but we welcome your generous donations, which will all go to the adoption fund. There will be music in the courtyard & undercroft and the winners of the hymn voting will be announced. (With prizes!)
Redeemer Family Camp at Deer Run Wilderness Area, August 4-7. Boating, orienteering, stargazing, ropes courses, volleyball, beach with island, wooded trails. For more information go to: https://sites.google.com/view/rcsfamilycamp. To register, contact Joy Pullmann.
On August 21 & 22, at 2:00 p.m., join us for performances of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, being performed by many of the children of the congregation and directed by Maggie Casey.
The church picnic will be August 29 at Foster Park beginning at noon. Be watching for more information!
Last year our missionary offering went to support the five Nigerian students studying at CTSFW. Our church will continue financial assistance by supporting the seminary in Nigeria. These offerings can be placed in the box in the narthex.
Project wish list: There are several projects that the trustees have pending. Each of these needs funding outside of the budget. This list is also posted on the bulletin board. If you are able to help with one of these projects, contact Effie Sheron. Thank you to those who have donated funds so far!
The men’s bathroom downstairs has been painted, the stairwell and landing sanded and varnished, and a good portion of the work on the Bach Room has been funded. In addition to the money raised, Hagerman Construction donated the construction of a wall in the Bach Room that is the first step toward making the room into three classrooms.
Items still to fund: The women’s bathroom downstairs still needs to be painted, at a cost of about $400; about $3,000 is needed to finish the Bach Room; and the wood floors upstairs behind the choir loft need to be refinished, with a labor cost of $3,280.
