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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:
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- Written by: Redeemer
- Category: Blog
Join us this Easter Season online for a book study and discussion about LGBTQ+ Welcome Through Our Churches.
This critical study and discussion focuses on Reverend Elizabeth Edman's book that focuses on the heart of scripture and simple, disruptive ways that illuminate contemporary Christian faith and push past the notion that "Christian love = tolerance."
Stepping off from Rev. Erdman's book, we'll consider how to deepen and build welcome for LGBTQ people through our churches and take our message of reconciling love to the streets, just in time for the Hudson Valley Pride Parade on Sunday, June 4th.
Sessions for this vital study and discussion begin on Wednesday, April 19th, 6:30 - 9 pm, with daytime sessions beginning Thursday, April 20th, 1 - 2:30 pm.
For more information, including a link to purchase the book and join the event, please visit https://redeemernewpaltz.org/events/queer-virtue
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- Written by: Pastor Tobias
- Category: Blog
I’ve been thinking a lot about the power of music lately and about the awesomeness of God.
A couple of weeks ago our accompanist and choir director, Zhanna, and I were meeting to work on hymn selections, but also on plans for special music, such as (hopefully) a trombone added to the Gathering Hymn on Palm/Passion Sunday, and the trumpet player who will (hopefully) be playing with us on Easter Sunday, and the choir anthem that will be sung on that first glorious Sunday of Easter when we are drawn forth with organ and trumpet from our Lenten time of fasting and preparation and into the glorious Easter season, a time for praising and glorifying the risen Christ who draws us into new and risen life.