Easter 2019
Praise and Protest
June 2, 2019 • Rev. Marc Choi
This Sunday is Ascension Sunday! For centuries, the Church has celebrated Christ's Ascension into heaven 40 days after his resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Sunday following the 40th day is called Ascension Sunday. To celebrate Christ’s Ascension, we have the honor of welcoming the Rev. Marc Choi to preach on the theological significance and practical implications of the Ascension. Rev. Choi currently serves as one of the pastors at Grace Presbyterian Church in Pasadena. To best prepare for Sunday, take a few minutes to read, meditate and pray through Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11, and Revelation 1:4-8. Let these stories of Christ's Ascension encourage and remind you of where Christ currently is and what he is doing on your behalf. I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday! Pastor Adam
Jesus and Peter
May 26, 2019 • Rev. Adam Feichtmann
It’s hard to forgive. It’s especially hard when you have been betrayed. Jesus was betrayed by Peter. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times after loudly proclaiming that he would remain loyal to Jesus. If you were in Jesus' shoes, what would your follow up interaction with Peter be like? Do you think you’d be able to forgive him? With such a betrayal and your trust eroded, do you think you’d be willing to give Peter any future responsibility? This Sunday we are studying Jesus' post-resurrection interaction with Peter in the Gospel of John chapter 21. Prior to Sunday, spend a few minutes reading through that chapter. Pause and meditate on Jesus' words, "Peter, do you love me? ... Feed my sheep". Jesus forgives and entrusts Peter, after Peter betrays him. What would it take for us to be people who could do the same? I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday! Pastor Adam
Sending and the Spirit
May 19, 2019 • Rev. Josh Eby
Easter is not just a single day, but a season of fifty days to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Church historically couldn't contain her joy and feasting in one day. In union with that practice, over the next three Sundays at Redeemer we will be focusing on post-resurrection texts from the Gospel of John and The Acts of the Apostles. Here is a preview of what’s to come: This Sunday | May 19th - Jesus' First Post- Resurrection Appearance to his Disciples - John 20:19-23 - Rev. Josh Eby Next Sunday | May 26th - Jesus' Post-Resurrection Conversation with Peter - John 21:1-19 - Rev. Adam Feichtmann Ascension Sunday | June 2nd - Jesus' Ascension - Acts 2:6-11 - Rev. Marc Choi To best prepare for this Sunday and the next few weeks, read through the post-resurrection stories in the Gospel of John, chapters 20 & 21. As you do, reflect on why Jesus appears to these specific individuals and not to the masses? What call does Jesus repeatedly give to these individuals? And what type of resurrected life do they embody? I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday! Pastor Adam
Encountering the Resurrected Jesus
April 21, 2019 • Rev. Adam Feichtmann
I love Easter. I love how we mark the day with joy, flowers, feasting, and fancy pastel attire! On Easter, more than any other day, we embody our theology in a wonderful way. We live out the Christian story in real time and space. It is such a beautiful reality and experience. In doing so, the resurrection of Jesus Christ becomes more near. Today is Maundy Thursday and tomorrow is Good Friday. Just as you do on Easter, may you embody your theology today and tomorrow by remembering and lamenting the last supper, arrest, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. If you’re able, please join us tonight for our Maundy Thursday service (details below). Hopefully, as you focus and meditate on the sorrow and pain of the cross, it will better prepare you for the joy that will rise up in you on Sunday. If you would like to read and meditate on the texts prior to our services, here are the readings: Maundy Thursday - Exodus 12:1-4,11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; & John 13:1-10, 12-15, 17 Easter Sunday - Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, 19-23, 54-57, & John 20:1-18,30-31 I look forward to worshiping with you tonight and on Sunday! Pastor Adam