Welcome to Redemption

We've spent a lot of time talking about how to think about God rationally. But there are other ways to experience God, ways that move our hearts, as well as our minds. Throughout  February we will explore our emotional connection to God through the power of expression. We'll welcome an African dance and drum performance group, we'll highlight some amazing musical talent from within Redemption's congregation, and we'll delve into the depths of our souls with an exercise in stillness.

We're hooked on stuff. We can't get enough of it. Money, phones, upgrades, tablets, clothes...we always want more. With this series of discussions we'll ask how much we really need to live well, and how we can change the world by living more simply, and giving more sacrificially.

A special note: on January 16, we'll gather for worship at Neighbor to Neighbor Homeless Services (n2ninc.org) in Westport for worship at 10:00am, and then we will share a potluck meal with some of our homeless neighbors at 11:00am. Join us at Neighbor to Neighbor for a meaningful time of worship and fellowship.

Dustbowl. Depression. War. Hitler. D-Day. H-Bombs. TV. JFK. Elvis. Beatles. Vietnam. MLK. Watergate. Cold-War. Trickle-Down. Madonna. Challenger. Exxon-Valdez. MTV. Gulf. TradeCenter. Mideast-Peace. Lewinsky. 24HourNews. Britney. Reality-Shows. Y2K. Enron. 9/11. TerrorWar. Crash. JerseyShore. Debt. Hope?

Every generation has a story to share, one that no other generation can tell. People of all the Ages have experienced the powerful presence - and mysterious absence - of God during times good and bad. Join us each Sunday in October, as members of every generation tell their stories, and share with us what they think we should know.

The world is at war. From Afghanistan to Washington; from the heat of battle to the heart pounding in your chest right now. We are in a state of constant conflict, and we are in need of peace. Inner peace. Interpersonal peace. World peace.

So much war has been waged in the name of God, but it was Jesus who said,'Blessed are the peacemakers'. Peace. Makers. Peace can’t come on its own; it must be made. If you're ready to get started, join us in Waldo or Westport for this series. We'll learn about ancient and current peacemaking practices that will change your heart, your relationships, and the world.

My name is Eric, and I’m an addict. My drug of choice is distraction.  On the average day, I look at my phone about 100 times, I check my Facebook page no less than thirty times, and if it weren’t for my loving (and very patient) wife, I would watch too many hours of news and sports on TV.

This may sound normal to you; you may even be living a similar story. But here’s the thing: I don’t enjoy this life. It doesn’t bring me happiness; if anything, it all just adds more joint-aching stress. But for a while now I’ve felt locked in…as if, were I to stop incessantly checking my phone, facebook, and CNN, I would fall behind or miss out on something important.  With this sermon series, I am hoping to break free from these chains. 

Scripture holds that God was the first Artist, and the universe the first work of art. Implicit in this understanding is the belief that, because human beings are made in the image of God, we were each created to be creative. In fact the Bible insists that we are here to do more than survive this life; we are here to be artists who constantly create and recreate the beautiful possibility of hope.

We are setting aside three Sundays in July to rediscover, celebrate, and create art that changes lives. We want to proclaim that there is no such thing as 'secular art' and 'Christian art,' because if God is the Artist, then all art reveals God in ways big and small.