On Sunday, October 31, 2021, Redeemer celebrated Reformation Sunday. It was a very special Sunday indeed.
- Pastor Randy’s message, “The Bible!” (Romans 3:19-28), focused on the importance of the Word in our daily lives and the historical significance of Martin Luther’s efforts to translate the Bible into the common, accessible language of his fellow countrymen. “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.” – Martin Luther
- Pastor Randy also described and displayed a 400 year old Bible, printed in Germany in 1618. The Bible, a gift from a member to Redeemer in 1961, was recently made available to anyone who wishes to to make a donation in exchange for a page from the 400 year old Bible. It might be any page that contains a personally meaningful verse — a confirmation verse, a wedding text, or simply a favorite bit of Scripture. Click here for more information about the Bible and how you can participate.
- The highlight of the morning, after the 10:30 a.m. service, was the opportunity to gather as a congregation for the first time in our new sanctuary. Pastor Randy led a short, but emotional service that included a reading of Psalm 46 (“God is our refuge and strength …) followed by the singing of Martin Luther’s, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. The 75 or so children and adults that gathered will always remember they were the first.
- Finally, after each service, everyone was invited to take a brief tour of the new sanctuary, including the main floor, the balcony, and the classrooms and fellowship hall below the new sanctuary. With no roof on the new sanctuary, the cool October sun shone brightly on all those that took advantage of the tours. In the seven short weeks since the first tour (September 12), much had changed (see video below.)
In this October 31, 2021 photo (below), Redeemer members and guests assembled after 10:30 worship for a short but very special Reformation Sunday service. Pastor Randy lead the assembled in the first reading of scripture followed by our first hymn.
