Saturday, December 6, 7:00-9:00 pm Our youth are invited to break out their very worst at our annual youth Ugly Sweater & White Elephant Gift Exchange Party. We will gather at the Moore's residence in Irvine for tasty desserts, good company, and a white elephant gift exchange. Please keep gifts under $15 in value. Prizes will be given for the best (or shall we say worst) sweaters! So don your ugliest Christmas sweater and wrap up that latest yard sale find or back-of-the-closet item and join us on December 6th. Contact Adam Feichtmann, adamf@redeemeroc.org, with questions or to RSVP.
Town Hall Meeting
Sunday, December 14, following worship All are invited to remain after worship for a town hall meeting on December 14th. We will have updates from our treasurer and facility team with time for questions following. Nursery childcare will be extended for the meeting.
Children's Christmas Party
Sunday, December 7, 11:30am -1:30pm, Chapel Hall The 7th annual Children’s Christmas Party will take place on December 7th, following worship. The party is for children 2 years-old to 5th grade and will involve cookies, crafts, and carols to prepare the hearts of our children for the Christmas season. Parents, please RSVP by November 30th if you would like your children to attend. Volunteers are also needed to help with the party. Lunch will be provided for the children and volunteers. If you would like to RSVP, volunteer, or have further questions please contact Adam Feichtmann at adamf@redeemeroc.org.
Prison Ministry Opportunities
Angel Tree
December 7 and 14, Sign-ups in Chapel Hall Sunday, December 21, Last day to turn in Angel Tree gifts
Share the love of Christ with children of prisoners this Christmas by sponsoring a child from our Angel Tree. Let’s make sure no child is forgotten. Please turn in wrapped gifts by Sunday, Dec. 21st. We also need volunteers to deliver gifts.
Heart Cards
Bring hope and encouragement to an inmate this Christmas by sending a Heart Card. Cards are available at the Prison Ministry table. This is a very easy way to touch a life and bring a lonely person the love of Christ during the holidays.
Contact Lauri Fusco, 949-583-7817 or laurifusco@cox.net, with questions about these holiday prison ministries.
Sermon Preview: Power and the Beautiful Life
You have more power and influence than you realize. Yes, others might have more than you, but don’t let that minimize the significance of the power and position you do have. In preparation for this Sunday spend some time thinking about the areas where you have the greatest influence. Whether large or small, where do you have the ability to shape someone else’s life?
The nature of power is to effect change. The question is what kind of change is our power going to produce - beauty and blessing, or pain and ugliness?
Power can be dangerous. It can so deeply wound those around us and even destroy our own lives. This Sunday we will see in our passage how to use our power to build beauty without hurting those around us and destroying ourselves.
I can’t wait to worship together.
Pastor David
Update from Dave & Mary Gothi
Dear Redeemer family, We have missed all of you these months we have been gone! Since we were last in California, we have enjoyed weeks with our family in Indiana and helped our granddaughter, Swapna (whom has visited Redeemer with us and some of you know), through the amputation of her foot. Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for her! She is doing well and amazes us with her strength and courage.
The rest of the time, we have been traveling around the world for The Significant Marriage, presenting the weekend seminar and creating partnerships with churches in Frankfurt (Germany), Sydney (Australia), Paris (France), Springfield, MA and Indianapolis! At this moment we are on our way to Montserrat in the Caribbean where we will create our DVD series during a live taping of the seminar. We would be so grateful if you would pray that God would bring the couples who need to hear the message and that things would go smoothly with the taping! We continue to get invitations to bring TSM to churches (for example just last Friday from both Berlin and Tennessee) and are almost completely booked for 2015 with 28 seminars scheduled in places like Latvia and India. Honestly, we are in awe of what God is doing with The Significant Marriage and how He has gone before us, preparing the way, making us grateful that we have a team of awesome couples who will help us carry the message around the world. But we are also incredibly aware that we MUST BE COVERED IN PRAYER as we take TSM around the world and help churches develop a marriage ministry. Thank you for praying for us and for being our home church. We miss you when we are away! We love you and can’t wait to see you soon!
Gratefully, Mary and Dave
Ethiopia Act Dessert & Talk
Friday, November 7, 7:00 pm You are invited to enjoy a free dessert night and talk from Jason Polk of Ethiopia Act (one of Redeemer’s new global partners). Jason will be sharing about the work he does in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with church planting and AIDS treatment and care. We will meet at the home of Jeff & Emily Patterson in Newport Beach. To find out more about Ethiopia Act and Jason Polk, visit www.mtwact.org.
Sermon Preview: Beauty in the Midst of Ugliness
A beautiful life is on the far side of suffering. Is the bridge you are on strong enough to carry the weight of your suffering? What if, no matter what our circumstances, we could experience true joy?
This fall we have been looking at the Gospel of Luke chapter 10 and thinking together about how we can live beautiful lives and build beautiful neighborhoods. We will continue this theme as we shift our focus to the letter of First Thessalonians, likely the apostle Paul’s earliest, sent to the church in the city of Thessalonica.
Read the first chapter of 1Thessalonians this weekend. Notice how thankful Paul is for this group of people and how much influence they had far and wide. Why? Look at verses 6 and 7.
Somehow the Thessalonian Church was able to maintain joy in the midst of severe suffering. How? What if we could learn to do the same?
This will be our focus Sunday: how to maintain the strength of joy under the weight of suffering; beautiful lives in the midst of ugliness.
I look forward to worshiping together.
Pastor David
Women's Beach Bonfire
Saturday, October 11, 7:00 pm, Huntington State Beach Bring a friend and join us for a beach bonfire and s'mores! We will be at a fire pit close to the entrance at Beach Blvd, but specific location details will be sent out a few hours before when the exact location is secured. Bring your own chair or blanket. Water and s'mores fixins will be provided. Please contact Stephanie Handley, srhandley@gmail.com, with questions or to RSVP.
Faith in the Public Square Lecture
Sunday, October 19, 9:00-10:00 am, Temple Bat Yahm Amphitheater You are invited to a lecture by Curt Pringle, former mayor of Anaheim and a member of Redeemer, on the topic of "Faith in the Public Square."
Christians are called not to hide behind the walls of their community but to take their new hearts, minds, and perspectives into the surrounding communities. As Abraham Kuyper contends, the believing community, gathered around word and sacrament, must radiate “beams of faith’s light into the realm of common grace”—into education, art, science, politics, business, economics, and the marketplace. As Jeremiah exhorted the newly exiled Jews in Babylon, “Seek the peace (shalom) of the city” (Jer. 29:5-7).
Curt will help us think specifically about how to love our neighbors by being engaged and informed citizens of our local communities. Join us Sunday morning October 19th to be encouraged and challenged to live out our faith in the public square.
Sermon Preview: Priests of Creation
Why is it important for Christians to think about food and creation? We don't just eat to fuel ourselves several times a day. We eat food to feast, to enjoy gifts, to be creative, and to live in community together. Food and creation should matter to Christians.
This Sunday, through the study of Psalm 104 and 1 Peter 2, we will explore how food and creation are gifts that we should receive with gratitude. Gifts that we never selfishly hold onto, but joyfully give away to God and to others. Gifts that pass through our hands and are creatively reshaped and offered as sacrifices.
I look forward to worship together this Sunday.
Pastor Adam
Men's Catalina Work Crew
Friday- Sunday, November 21-23, 2014
Does this sound interesting to you? An evening cruise on the Catalina Express, a weekend in a secluded canyon on the Island, time with other men from Redeemer, and helping maintain a unique Christian camp ground. If so, you should reserve November 21st through 23rd on your calendar. We 
leave Friday evening and return Sunday early afternoon. We have taken numerous work crews over to Intervarsity's Campus by the Sea on Catalina Island for almost 10 years and the response of the participants has always been very positive. It's a great time of bonding and a feeling of accomplishment. Contact Bob Norling at bobnorling@sbcglobal.net if you are considering participating. He would like to know if how many are thinking of participating so he can coordinate with the staff regarding the types of projects we'd work on. The only cost will be the roundtrip fare on the Catalina Express. The fare is $72.50 ($66 if you're over 55). Let us know if you'd like to go but the cost is an obstacle. The Camp provides great meals and rustic accommodations. We supply the muscle for a variety of maintenance project. Although we work hard on Saturday, we always find some time for a little fun while there as well. This is a great service opportunity and a fun time with the men of Redeemer.
Quote: Bock
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“Discipleship sometimes requires that tasks be suspended while fellowship is maintained.”
- Darrel Bock
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Sermon Preview: The One Necessary Thing
What did I forget? I don’t know what it is, but I know I forgot something. Do you know the feeling? I fly to Atlanta for a conference on Monday and I know when I get on the plane my mind will be searching for that one necessary item I left out of my bag.
Over the last three weeks we have been talking about how we can be neighbors to those Jesus has placed around us. It is going to take our time. It is going to be messy. But it will also be powerful. It may seem ordinary to get to know and love our actual neighbors, but there is a lot at stake, for them and for us, a beautiful life and a beautiful neighborhood.
Luke knows how much is at stake. He follows the telling of the Good Samaritan story with another story to remind us not to forget the one necessary thing. Before we get busy in the good and hard work of neighboring he wants to make sure we have not forgotten what must be at the center.
Anxiety or peace? Fear or confidence? Distraction or focus? Don’t forget this one necessary thing and you will have all you need.
I look forward to worshiping together.
Pastor David
The Significant Marriage Seminar
Friday-Sunday, November 14-16, Newport Beach Redeemer couples are invited to The Significant Marriage Weekend Seminar led by Dave and Mary Gothi. Discover how God wants to use your unique marriage to make a difference. In The Significant Marriage Weekend Seminar you will learn to be intentional in creating a plan together to become all God has created you to be as a couple. Please see the retreat schedule below:
- Friday: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Contact Amy Wormald, amywormald@gmail.com, with questions or to register for the seminar.
Fall 2014 Women's Retreat
October 24-26, Carlsbad Inn Mark your calendars for our 2014 women’s fall retreat. Our guest speaker this year will be Tara Barthel speaking on the topic of Peacemaking. If you were asked to describe your life, would words like peaceful and contented come readily to mind? Our lives are often filled with suffering, disappointments, broken relationships, fears, and depression. What hope is there for us to have peace? Join us as together we consider some of the practical , biblical ways the gospel of Jesus Christ brings real peace for real women.
May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. - John 17:23
For more information, click HERE for a registration brochure or contact Ashley Moore, ashley.moore05@gmail.com, with questions.
Youth Fall Campout
Friday, October 3 - Saturday, October 4
Redeemer’s middle and high schoolers are planning to kick off the fall with our annual unforgettable overnight beach campout at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu. They will build relationships with one another as they camp under the stars, study the Bible, roast s’mores around the bonfire, go surfing, play games and hang out with friends. This experience will not only be memorable and impactful, it will also be well supervised and SAFE with quality adult leaders.
REGISTER: Please fill out and submit the following to Adam Feichtmann to secure a spot:
- $40 cash or check (make payable to Redeemer Presbyterian Church, memo: “youth camp”)
- Minor Participation Authorization and Consent Form
- 2014/2015 Medical Information Form (if you already filled this out you do NOT need to do it again)
For more information, click HERE for a flyer or contact Adam Feichtmann (adamf@redeemeroc.org)
Quote: Chesterton
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“Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair."
- G.K. Chesterton
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Sermon Preview: The Beautiful Life
A beautiful life and a beautiful neighborhood, we all want both. Not just manicured beauty seen from the curb or in the mirror, but a substantial health that goes deep. A poetic resilience that allows us to meet hardship and disappointment with strength and endurance. A hopeful courageous honesty that allows us to face our failures and weaknesses, and with a smile ask for the help we need. A lasting satisfaction with what we have today. Confidence that what we do matters, really matters. A beautiful life. A beautiful neighborhood. In the Gospel of Luke chapter 10, Jesus teaches us how to live this life. Challenged by a religious teacher, Jesus summarizes the bible into two short statements, and then he tells one of histories’ most beloved stories. Starting this Sunday we begin a new sermon series, A Beautiful Life; A Beautiful Neighborhood, focused on Jesus’ Greatest Commandment and his story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. This weekend read and pray through Luke 10, especially Luke 10:25-37.
I am looking forward to breakfast and worship together this Sunday. Have a great weekend.
Pastor David
Family Ministry Fall 2014
As the fall kicks off, we are excited to offer robust programs for both our children and youth at Redeemer. Please mark your calendars with the following details.
Children
Sunday School
Starting September 14th, at the same time as our adult and youth classes (9:00 AM), our fall Sunday School program will kick off. This year our children will be using the Show Me Jesus curriculum. This is a great and well-respected curriculum that every week points our children to the person and work of Jesus Christ through biblical teaching, singing, and prayer.
Sign up your children for Fall Sunday School HERE.
Children's Worship Program
On September 14th we will also start our new sermon time curriculum from Trinity Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA. Through story, habit, and art this program is designed to help our children to be engaged and drawn into worship. Be on the look out for take-home parent handouts in the weeks to come to better follow up with your children throughout the week.
Youth
Download the Redeemer Youth Fall Calendar HERE for all weekly and event details.
Sundays
This fall on September 14th our jr. high and high schoolers will continue to gathering at 9:00 AM before the worship service for monthly breakfasts and regular Scripture and Catechism class. We will be using the New City Catechism curriculum.
Sign up your youth for fall Sunday morning classes HERE.
Tuesdays
Our mid-week youth community group this year will be meeting on Tuesdays (7:00-8:30 PM) at Vitaly Cafe at The Camp in Costa Mesa. FREE gelato or hot chocolate will be bought for students each week as they gather to study the Bible, pray, play games, and build healthy relationships with peers.
Events
Beyond our weekly Sunday and Tuesday gatherings we are excited to offer our annual Fall Campout in Malibu on October 3-4, a family gathering in November, and our annual Ugly Sweater & White Elephant Christmas Party on December 5th. Please see our calendar for more details. If you would like to register for the Fall Campout, please contact Adam Feichtmann, adamf@redeemeroc.org.
If you have any questions about the children or youth programs, please contact Adam Feichtmann (adamf@redeemeroc.org / 949.423.8692).