Attention All RFC Graduating Seniors

Please contact Brother Raymonde Neely as soon as possible with the following information: Your full name, a photo, and the name of the high school or college you are graduating from.  For all of our graduates, please also provide plans you have for after graduation – e.g., the name of the college you plan to attend in the Fall, plans to enter the military, job offers, business ventures, etc. 

This information is needed so that we may honor our 2013 graduates.  Brother Neely maybe contacted by email at raymonde@redemptionfellowship.org.

Attention: All Men of Redemption Fellowship Church

Our Men’s Ministry has relaunched and is up and running.  The next meeting will be held immediately following Sunday morning worship on Sunday, May 26, 2013.

As Pastor Cobbert is on the brink of casting new vision for our church, it is vital that the men of Redemption come together for discipleship and fellowship. The goal of the ministry is to form a stronger unity as brothers in Christ so that we all can rise to a higher level of leadership.  All participating men are asked to read and study Pastor Tony Evan’s book, Kingdom Man.  The book can be purchased on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com for $13.64.

Book information:  When a man follows the principles of biblical manhood, those around him benefit from his leadership and care. Kingdom Man challenges and equips men to fully understand their position under God as well as their position over what God has given them. The biblical definition of a man is one who has learned to operate under the authority of Jesus Christ while carrying out responsible and legitimate leadership within the sphere of influence that God has placed him. Kingdom Man provides concepts men can follow that will help them to actively pursue ways to maximize and develop the character qualities of biblical manhood in their lives.

Meetings for the Men’s Ministry will be held immediately following worship service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at the church.  The meetings for July are scheduled to take place on July 14, 2013 and July 28, 2013.  For more information, questions, or comments please contact Chris Hedgeman.

Attention Redemption Fellowship Family:

Please note that the Redemption Fellowship’s Intercessory Prayer will no longer take place on first Fridays.  These sessions will now take place on the first Wednesday of each month during Wednesday Night Bible Study.  

For the month of June, Intercessory Prayer will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at the church from 7:00 – 7:50 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.  Corporate Prayer will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will last for 50 minutes.

Everyone is asked to please come and join us in corporate prayer.  An agenda will be given so that we can pray on one accord.  In order for the vision of Redemption Fellowship to grow, it must be spirit-led.  This is achieved through united corporate prayer.

The word of God instructs us in Luke 18:1, “… that men ought always pray and not faint”.  Also, the Bible states in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God; And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Women’s Ministry Elections June 9th

It is hard to believe our two-year commitment on the Women’s Ministry Council will come to a conclusion in June. It has been a pleasure serving you and with you.

On Sunday, June 9th immediately following the worship service, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall to elect our new Women’s Ministry Council and committee chairpersons for 2013 – 2015. You are asked to prayerfully consider how the Lord would have you serve in the Women’s Ministry.

Here are the open positions:

Women’s Ministry Council (3 – 5 members)
Annual Events Committee Chairperson
Communications Chairperson
Girl’s Night Out Chairperson
In-Touch/Outreach Committee Chairperson

Here are some websites for you to learn more about PCA’s Women In the Church Ministry:

Philosophy of Women’s Ministry
http://equip.pcacep.org/women-in-tne-church–philosophy-of-ministry.html

Biblical Foundations for Womanhood
http://equip.pcacep.org/biblical-foundations-for-womanhood.html

In Jesus’ Name,
Denise Hedgeman, Alma Stone, Sheila Toppin
2011-2013 Women’s Ministry Council

Attention:  Members of Redemption Fellowship Church

The first practice meeting for 2013 for the month of June for the Redemption Youth Dance Team will be held Sunday, June 9th, 2013 immediately following worship service in the Choir Room.  The Dance Team is open to all female members between the ages of 7 and 18.

Practice for the Dance Team will be held at 1 p.m. on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month at the church.  Next practice is scheduled for June 16, 2013.  For more information, contact Sister Maria Guest or Sister Susan Ruff.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2013 is coming to Redemption Fellowship Church!!!  The theme this year is “Colossal Coaster – Facing Fear, Trusting God” and will take place June 24th through June 28th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Redemption Fellowship Church.  During this week-long adventure, we will explore 2 Timothy 1:7 , which states “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.“ Plan to join us and watch amazing things happen as we encounter God like never before.

VBS offers a Christ-centered program with a fun integrated theme, which teaches life application lessons for children of all ages.  The nursery will be available and classes will be offered for pre-K to adults.  The adults will be studying and enjoying the messages from Max Lucado’s amazing book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear.  So come on out and remember to invite your friends and family.

Also, volunteers are needed to make this year’s VBS a success.  Please see Raymonde or Leslie Neely if you would like to help with this event.

Attention Redemption Fellowship Family:

We are preparing to begin shooting our Youth and Young Adult Campaign Video.  Our Theme for 2013 is …Not A Trend and all participates need to wear a NOT A TREND t-shirt.  The cost of each t-shirt is $15.

Please remember to order your NOT A TREND t-shirts as soon as possible.  We truly need every teen and young Adult to have one.  If you have not placed your order, please contact Raymonde Neely to order your t-shirt as soon as possible.  All shirts must be ordered at the same time.

There is a brief description on the order forms, explaining the NOT A TREND ministry campaign.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Brother Raymonde Neely, RFC Youth and Young Adult Director.  Please do not delay ordering your t-shirts. We expect to begin shooting the video within a few days.

Order your T-shirts today and be in the …Not A Trend Campaign Video on Evangelism!!

Attention:  Redemption Fellowship Church Members, Family, and Friends

Life is so busy – with so many places to be, so many things to do, and so much we are responsible for. We encourage you to take a break from your hectic schedule to join us for Wednesday Night Bible Study.

The study takes place each Wednesday night here at Redemption Fellowship Church from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Prior to the study, dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. and we begin our study immediately afterwards at 7 p.m.

Studying the Bible is one of the most important things a Christian can ever do.  God still speaks and one of the ways He speaks to us is through a careful study of His word.

Wednesday Night Bible Study provides an in-depth study of the Books of the Bible and is geared towards helping participants gain a better understanding of God’s Word and grow in Christian character.  It also provides an opportunity for members to connect and learn with each other while continuing to grow their personal relationship with God.

Everyone is welcome to join us.  We have something for all age groups.  We look forward to seeing you the next time we meet.

My Dear Redemption Family,

I want to encourage all of our parents to be actively involved in the Bible Studies and Lessons your children bring home.  The Lessons are not confidential or private or anything like that.  They are transparent, open Bible studies, designed to strengthen them spiritually and therefore your involvement in this process is crucial.  Please take the time to go over their pamphlets and books.

The Preteens, for this next quarter, will be the only group not bringing home their lessons each week.  The Teen class will have a different study lesson each week.  The Lessons are designed to truly challenge them to be more committed to their Christian Faith and, to be Courageous in their Christian Walk.

The same applies for our Young Adults.  We need you to guide and encourage them to be a part of the Dinner and Conversation Bible Studies.  If I do not have the email address of your Young Adult ages 18 – 27, please send it to me as we will begin sending the lessons they are unable to attend especially for those away in the college and military.

Because of Grace,
Raymonde Neely
Redemption Fellowship Church Youth and Young Adult Director

Advent: Waiting For The Coming Of Christ

Advent (from the Latin adventus meaning “coming”) is a liturgical season observed in many Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ at Christmas.  Advent marks the beginning of the Western liturgical year and begins on Advent Sunday, the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, Dec. 25.  For Christians, the season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting by Israelites for the birth of the Messiah, and the waiting by Christians for the return of Christ.  The most famous hymn of Advent is “O Come Emmanuel.” Its lyrics, based on the Prophet Isaiah, articulate the hopeful anticipation of the Advent season:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Advent is a special time of year for me as the emphasis of the season of Advent is one of expectation and anticipation for the coming Messiah.  It is this time of year that we take time to wait, listen and discover once again what Christmas really mean.  It is time where the songs we sing and scriptures we read often express a longing for God.  Whether it is singing “Oh Come, Oh Come Emanuel” or hearing the words of Isaiah saying to “prepare the way” we are invited to join in that longing.

Humans define God, tie God down, and limit God to a few ways of showing up on our lives.  Still, after millennia of recorded thought, God remains elusive.  The authors of our Scriptures speak beautifully about our human desire as we search for a God we can really know.   This is what Advent is about—Emanuel, God with us.  Still, there are those who believe God is elusive, but from time to time I have experienced moments when God seems to break through that elusiveness. It is a fleeting moment but it is a powerful experience.  Sometimes it’s in those quiet contemplative moments.  In other times it’s in the singing of a song that I feel as if God is within reach.  It is then that I feel that I am a part of something much bigger than myself.  It is both a comforting and daunting experience. In those moments I feel as if I’m wrapped in the love of God, but I also feel the great responsibility it means to be connected to the entire universe through God.  For that moment I feel I am truly present to the possibilities the world has to offer.

So at Advent time I feel connected with Isaiah’s hope proclaiming comfort to the Israelite exiles. I experience hope as John the Baptist as he points forward to something new that’s coming, even as he doesn’t know exactly what that will be.  I take comfort in the courage of Mary and Joseph in their willingness to listen to their visions and dreams, in hopes that by doing so the world might be a better place.  I long to hear the angels say “Do not be afraid,” proclaiming that hope has once again entered the world.

The Peace Of Christ Be With You!
~ Pastor Stephan