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- Written by: Pastor Tobias
- Category: Blog
After being away for the month of August, it’s good to be back alongside the people of God at Redeemer, New Paltz as we are called together to share Christ’s welcome and love with the world! And I’d like to share some reflections from my time away (which was a combination of vacation and continuing education).
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- Written by: Deacon Bill Mennenga
- Category: Blog
August can be considered a month of returns.
Many return from vacation.
Many return to work.
Many return to school.
Have you considered it can also be a month to return to church?
Some may question why return to church? (For some it may be the first time church is a consideration.)
How about this for a reason:
Hebrews 10:24-25
24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
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- Written by: Deacon Bill Mennenga
- Category: Blog
As we enter Pride Month, it’s all too obvious, at least to me, that there are those who are unaccepting, intolerant of others. There are those who seek to spread untruths about those they consider “different”. Yet aren’t we ALL God’s children? Aren’t we ALL deserving of God’s love? Even as Jesus accepted all, even sought out sinners, who are we to say others are not worthy of God’s Love and Grace given to us through Jesus?
I struggle with what should I do, what should I say? You too may struggle with this.
I believe some suggestions are found in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22:
15See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
16Rejoice always,
17pray without ceasing,
18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19Do not quench the Spirit.
20Do not despise the words of prophets,
21but test everything; hold fast to what is good;
22abstain from every form of evil.
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- Written by: Deacon Bill Mennenga
- Category: Blog
We read these words in Deuteronomy.
There are many in need, in our world, our country, our community.
In this land of plenty, there are many in need. They are all different ages with many different needs. It can be overwhelming as we wrestle with who should I/we help? How should I/we help?
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- Written by: Deacon Bill Mennenga
- Category: Blog
A volunteer is a person who gives of their time, efforts, talents to help others.
Where does the urge to volunteer come from? I am suggesting that this urge is a calling from God.
We Christians are in the midst of Easter. We relive the portion of the life of Jesus who voluntarily sacrifices for the rest of us. Have you ever thought of Jesus as a “Reluctant Volunteer”? God called Jesus to volunteer to save the rest of us from our sins. But though Jesus sacrificed (volunteered) for us, was there ever a reluctance? I believe the answer is yes, as we can read in Matthew 26:36, 37, 39, 42, 44: