RP - Weekly, November 8th 2024
World Relief is looking for clothing for babies and children for the refugee families that they serve here in Chicago. The RP Global Team will be collecting used baby/child clothing in good condition. Drop off on Sunday, November 17th near the security/children's check-in table at Sullivan. See Shannon Kim.
Good Morning RP,
As the Election Results came in this week I was surprised by the various emotions that I felt, particularly as Ruth and I consider what it could mean for us to become citizens of the United States in time for the next election in 2028.
A deeper sense of rootedness and belonging is appealing, but observing this election has given me caution at times when I've found myself being emotionally drawn into particular visions for the future of America. And the caution isn't a reluctance to the idea of becoming citizens (at this point that is the plan!), but rather I've felt the need to caution myself from grounding my identity, and peace, and security, in my potential citizenship of a nation.
Christians around the world who live in countries that are not their 'home' or 'country of citizenship' have an acute awareness into what the writer of Hebrews meant when he wrote, "this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven." It is this gift, that I don't want to lose, of being deeply aware that this country is not my home, regardless of whether I am a citizen or not.
After a week in which each of our 'earthly citizenships' have been acknowledged time and time again, it is likely a helpful exercise to pause to remind ourselves that as Christ's followers, it is more truthfully our 'citizenship in Heaven' (Phil 3:20) that secures our identity and belonging in this world - and orients our pursuit of justice.
Psalm 146:3 reads, "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation." The incredible news that we have to share with the world is that despite all the worlds visions of the future that will ultimately come up wanting, there remains one who offers us a place in a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, where we are loved, forgiven, accepted and home.
Church, we are ambassadors for Christ! We exist as a Church to tell Rogers Park and Chicago, and the World... that the very ills of this world that compel us to improve it, speak to the ache of having lost what can only now be found under Christ's rule and reign, and so may we as a community be a foretaste and a signpost of the Kingdom, that is a heavenly reality, and that is to come.
Let's be citizens of heaven and ambassadors for Christ in the rhythms, gatherings and events of our church - in our aspiring to be a microcosm of a society that is an outpost of Heaven - through our love for one another, where forgiveness, and mercy, and grace, and truth abound, in our acts of service, in our generosity, amidst our suffering, and being present amidst the suffering of others, in our seeing the least of these, in our speaking the truths of the Gospel, and in our being a community where Christ is glorified.
Much love RP!
Pastor Phil
Join us for 9am prayer this Sunday in the Library!
As the Election Results came in this week I was surprised by the various emotions that I felt, particularly as Ruth and I consider what it could mean for us to become citizens of the United States in time for the next election in 2028.
A deeper sense of rootedness and belonging is appealing, but observing this election has given me caution at times when I've found myself being emotionally drawn into particular visions for the future of America. And the caution isn't a reluctance to the idea of becoming citizens (at this point that is the plan!), but rather I've felt the need to caution myself from grounding my identity, and peace, and security, in my potential citizenship of a nation.
Christians around the world who live in countries that are not their 'home' or 'country of citizenship' have an acute awareness into what the writer of Hebrews meant when he wrote, "this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven." It is this gift, that I don't want to lose, of being deeply aware that this country is not my home, regardless of whether I am a citizen or not.
After a week in which each of our 'earthly citizenships' have been acknowledged time and time again, it is likely a helpful exercise to pause to remind ourselves that as Christ's followers, it is more truthfully our 'citizenship in Heaven' (Phil 3:20) that secures our identity and belonging in this world - and orients our pursuit of justice.
Psalm 146:3 reads, "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation." The incredible news that we have to share with the world is that despite all the worlds visions of the future that will ultimately come up wanting, there remains one who offers us a place in a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, where we are loved, forgiven, accepted and home.
Church, we are ambassadors for Christ! We exist as a Church to tell Rogers Park and Chicago, and the World... that the very ills of this world that compel us to improve it, speak to the ache of having lost what can only now be found under Christ's rule and reign, and so may we as a community be a foretaste and a signpost of the Kingdom, that is a heavenly reality, and that is to come.
Let's be citizens of heaven and ambassadors for Christ in the rhythms, gatherings and events of our church - in our aspiring to be a microcosm of a society that is an outpost of Heaven - through our love for one another, where forgiveness, and mercy, and grace, and truth abound, in our acts of service, in our generosity, amidst our suffering, and being present amidst the suffering of others, in our seeing the least of these, in our speaking the truths of the Gospel, and in our being a community where Christ is glorified.
Much love RP!
Pastor Phil
Join us for 9am prayer this Sunday in the Library!
Upcoming
Serving at Park-RP
When you join a serving team, you're not just volunteering; you're becoming an integral part of our church family. It's where friendships begin, where commitment is strengthened, and where you will truly start to feel like you belong.
Giving at Park-RP
We believe that giving is an act of worship. It recognizes God as the owner and source of all we have. It is our cheerful response to God in praise of His radical generosity towards us.
Neighborhood Partners
Collaboration allows us to leverage our strengths, compensate for our weaknesses, and reach areas and demographics of our city that might otherwise remain untouched.
Ministry Calendar
Children's Ministry Update
RP Kids November Plan and Curriculum
Monthly Memory Verse: The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness. (Zephaniah 3:17)
SESSION 1 (11/3): The Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-22; 14)
SESSION 2 (11/10): Rahab (Joshua 2, 6)
SESSION 3 (11/17): Gideon (Judges 7)
*** Elementary Kids stay in service ***
SESSION 4 (11/24): Ruth (Ruth 1-4)
If you haven't registered your Kid(s) (this includes younger kids in your family that may not have been born if/when you completed your first registration) I would be so grateful if you could take 3 minutes to complete the family registration form here. Thank you.
Monthly Memory Verse: The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness. (Zephaniah 3:17)
SESSION 1 (11/3): The Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-22; 14)
SESSION 2 (11/10): Rahab (Joshua 2, 6)
SESSION 3 (11/17): Gideon (Judges 7)
*** Elementary Kids stay in service ***
SESSION 4 (11/24): Ruth (Ruth 1-4)
If you haven't registered your Kid(s) (this includes younger kids in your family that may not have been born if/when you completed your first registration) I would be so grateful if you could take 3 minutes to complete the family registration form here. Thank you.
Maddy Hutchens
Pre-Service Prayer
Join us every Sunday 9:00am in the Nursery to lift up our worship service and the happenings of Park Rogers Park up to the Lord.
