Greetings Redeemer family!

This is a week of some big transitions for our church family.

The first instance of these transitions was an open house this past Wednesday at the church building on Mimosa and Burnt Bridge. It was a wonderful evening as we meet some of the families in the neighborhood, learned about their history in the community, and answered questions about our church. In addition, Wednesday night was an exciting glimpse into the future of where we see God leading Redeemer Pres in the coming year.

Even as we look to the future, we have some big changes coming in the next few days at both campuses of Redeemer. As the college students return to our local universities, we are officially moving into our new schedule for the Fall this Sunday.

At Forest, the change of seasons means the beginning of a new series taught by RUF Lynchburg Pastor Marc Corbett. Appropriate to the new season of ministry for the Forest campus, Marc’s series this semester will be a study in Genesis 1-11. His wife, Amy, has taken on leadership of the worship team. We are also praying that God would provide as we seek a church planter to give full-time leadership to this portion of our community.

Meanwhile, at Lynchburg, we are starting new Sunday school classes and returning to 2 morning services. Mike will be continuing our Summer series in the wisdom literature of Proverbs, this week looking at the contrast between wisdom and foolishness. It is our prayer that through the new service times and class offerings, you will take advantage of the new opportunities to learn from, connect with, and serve alongside the body here at Redeemer.

In all of these transitions, I find it very helpful to return to the clarity of the beginning. This is reflected at both campuses this weekend in our Confession of Faith. At Forest, we will be confessing together an ancient summation of our Biblical faith in the Apostles’ Creed. At Lynchburg, we will similarly use the first 3 questions of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, being reminded of our God-given purpose and how to accomplish that end.

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

It is my prayer as we gather this Sunday that God will remind and restore you by the simple Truth of His Word, and that you would leave encouraged and strengthened to live for His Kingdom in your home, workplace, school, city, and world.

Living to enjoy His glory,

Tim Sharpe
Director of Worship