Redeemer East Side Update

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This past Sunday was Pentecost Sunday which, along with Christmas and Easter, comprise the main historic “feasts” of the church. It is the day Christians across the world remember the gift of the Holy Spirit who was poured out on all of God’s people (Acts 2). This outpouring represents a radical democratization of the power of the Spirit. It would have been shocking for people to hear that God’s Spirit is given to all of God’s people, not just to a class of clerical elites. It meant that the Kingdom of God would move forward through the ordinary obedience of every Christian. In keeping with that spirit, we closed our service yesterday by commissioning each of you to be agents of Christ’s Kingdom in the city. Pentecost Sunday is a great reminder that a gospel movement rises when all of God’s people seek to do their small part to “make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

A distinguishing feature of God’s Kingdom is that he delights to use those we least expect to advance his purposes. What that means is that working with children can be the best way to witness the work of the Spirit in our midst. To that end, from July 9 to 13 we are going to be hosting our very first Vacation Bible School on the Upper East Side. In order to do that, we need close to 100 adult volunteers. I want to invite you to consider being a part of this by signing up here.

I think you will be amazed at how God uses children to draw others into life in his Kingdom. And along the way, you’ll also find that you are being discipled by these kids on how to live in this countercultural Kingdom, about which Jesus said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

I hope to see you there so that we can walk out together having matured in Christ by becoming more like children.

Warmly,

Rev. Abraham Cho
East Side Senior Pastor


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Kimberly Hunt
Vacation Bible School Volunteer

"I enjoy being in their [the children's] presence because they remind me of the heart and posture I need to have in my relationship with the Lord."

Usually, people sing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” during the Christmas season...but I sing it in July. Why July? Because Vacation Bible School (VBS) is every July and it’s one of the most wonderful times of MY year!

For the past two years I’ve had the privilege of being a Crew Leader for the four- and five-year olds who spend a week at VBS learning about God and how much He loves them. As a Crew Leader, I spend the week taking the children to the various activities (music, arts and crafts, snacks and games, and Bible story time), getting to know them and becoming their friend. It’s a sweet gift to hang out with these little ones as they worship God in song, memorize a passage from the Bible, and grow in the knowledge of Jesus.

In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says, “...Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I don’t have children of my own, but I enjoy being in their presence because they remind me of the heart and posture I need to have in my relationship with the Lord. Each year during VBS, my heart becomes a little softer and God draws me a little closer to Him through my time serving.

This year’s VBS is July 9 to 13 and I invite you to join me as a volunteer for one day or all five. There are numerous ways you can get involved and I guarantee you will have fun! And who knows? Perhaps you, too, will start singing a Christmas song in July.


+ Join us for a week of Shipwrecked fun as we host the first East Side Vacation Bible School July 9 to 13. 100 volunteers are needed in many roles!

+ Join CFW's Soulful Artistry today with world-renowned artist Mako Fujimura. Lunch and a time of Q&A included.

+ Join HFNY on May 31 a for a workshop to discuss how we can love and serve our neighbors with disabilities.

+ Read the new City to City Snapshot newsletter with a letter from Tim Keller and updates from Seoul, Cape Town, Moscow and Beirut.

+ Attend an orientation this Sunday to serve neighbors facing homelessness with HFNY. Men and women overnight hosts needed at homeless shelter.

+ Serve as a mentor for new moms with HFNY: Serve as a female or family mentor for new and expectant moms with Expect Hope. Day and times flexible.