Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church - The Bronx, New York

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Brick Prayer Path

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Partnership

WE CONTINUE OUR PARTNERSHIP with Trinity and Redeemer.  We thank our Lord for the opportunity to serve Him and to help our sisters and brothers throughout the area to receive, teach, celebrate and share Christ Jesus.
Visit Trinity Website!

 

Pastor's Page

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Wise men seek Jesus. 
The wise men from the east followed a star to the infant Jesus (St. Matthew 2:1-12).  Leaving their homeland, they went to Jerusalem—the City of Peace—to seek the King of the Jews who was the Prince of Peace.  They came to worship Him.  Even though Herod and all of Jerusalem were troubled, the wise men would not be swayed from their course.  Leaving Herod, they followed the star until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  Falling down and worshiping Christ Jesus in the house where His mother was, they opened their treasure chests in order to offer Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Warned in a dream, like the wise Josephs before them, they departed to their country by another way.  The wise men sought the Wise Man, the One who was promised to save not only the children of Israel but the entire world.

Wise men still seek Him. 
The wise men sought Jesus by following the star, that light that was a window into the gateway of the heavens.  Wise men still seek Him, following the star of God’s Holy Word that brings heaven to us in the person of the one who is 100 percent God and 100 percent man--Jesus Christ.  As manhood itself is being questioned in today’s society and as men have become the brunt of jokes, the laughing stock of the working world and the “missing in action” members of congregations and families, the wise men who were visited by God and who, in turn, visited Jesus offer creative correctives about true manhood that may serve as “man-ifestations” of great value for those who seek to revel in the ongoing epiphany of God.

Wise men follow; that is how they lead best. 
Sometimes, men are apt to believe that they need to blaze their own trails, that they need to provide their own ways and means, that they need to be out in front giving directions to others.  Wise men, however, follow the Wise Man—Jesus Christ.  He followed His Father’s will even when it meant suffering and death.  By the power of the Holy Spirit moving through the Means of Grace, wise men may follow the Christ as He leads people from death to life.  Wise men follow Jesus who died on the cross for our sin and rose from the dead that we may have life in Him.  They go the way of the cross because the way of the cross is the only way to true glory.  Wise men seek direction—they do not believe that they can get to their destinations on their own.  In our sin, we certainly cannot!  But thanks be to God who sent Christ Jesus who leads His followers on the road to victory over sin, death and devil that has been paved by His precious and perfect blood.  Real wise men follow Christ and by doing so lead others to Him.

Wise men worship; that is how they use their time best. 
It is so easy to think that God’s forgiveness excuses slothful attitudes about the regular reception of God’s Holy Word and Sacraments in church.  It is so common for men to abrogate their responsibility to be the spiritual leaders of their families by letting women alone go to church every Sunday, letting women alone provide daily family devotional activities, letting women alone pray with children and letting women alone be the champions of the family’s spiritual life.  Wise men worship.  They do not let the temptations of the living room make real men into lounging “Lazy Boys.”  Wise men read the Scriptures, sing hymns and pray daily.  Wise men get up and leave the house and seek the Lord where He is found.  Wise men use their time by bringing their family members to church and worshiping Christ in church, not simply dropping them off and coming back for them later.  Wise men worship the one true God.  That is how wise men use their time best, modeling for women and men what our true priority need to be:  Christ and Him alone.

Wise men bring gifts; that is how they serve best. 
Wise men do not wait for hand-outs.  They do not relinquish their responsibility to be providers for others.  The magi brought Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh after they received the revelation of Christ’s coming to save the world.  Wise men today receive God’s gifts in Word and Sacraments and then share them liberally and generously with others.  Wise men do not wait to be waited on hand and foot; wise men bring their costliest gifts to Christ so that those gifts may be used for the welfare of the larger society.  Nothing is too expensive or too extravagant to offer because wise men do not mind doing without when the purpose for their giving will help others live.  Wise men serve not simply “on the clock” at work; wise men work at serving all the time in their lives.  Real wise men do not mind giving up their treasured possessions in the service of the One who tells them plainly, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness everything else will be given to you as well.” Wise men bring gifts and therefore model service for women and children.

Wise men dream and follow their dreams; that is how they journey best.
   Wise men are not afraid to dream dreams.  They are not too asleep to be open to the ongoing revelation of God in Word and Sacraments.  They are constantly open to the Lord who comes creatively to His people so that the creative gifts of human beings may be used for the further extension of His Kingdom.  Wise men use every talent that God has given so that they may best discern His will by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Wise men make progress when they realize who the truth-tellers really are and who the liars really are.  Wise men journey while constantly seeking the Lord in prayer, asking our Lord for direction and guidance and not stubbornly claiming to have all the answers already.  Wise men are nimble and agile enough to change their plans if necessary in order to continue in the journey of Christ that has been prepared for His people.  Wise men dream and follow their dreams when those dreams are given to them by God in Word and Sacraments; that is how they stay wise in the discipleship journey.

Wise men still seek Him. 
Seek the Lord where He may be found.  Call upon Him while He is near.  He is found in the Spirit-gathered assembly of those who are drawn to, empowered by and sent by Word and Sacraments.  He is near His people who cry out to Him as He is comforting, directing, disciplining and discipling.  Let us encourage all men to seek to be real wise men who lead by following, who worship, who bring gifts and who dream dreams.  May all wise men still seek Him.

Peace, joy and love,
Pastor

ARCHIVES

Worship Service
- Saturday at 7PM
- Sunday at 8AM and 11AM
- Wednesday at 7:30PM
- Healing Service once a month after each Liturgy
New Pictures added!

Redeemer’s Sunday School Christmas Program in December of 2009 was entitled, “Messengers for the Messiah.” It was wonderful to receive God’s gifts as young people were His messengers of love.
Redeemer’s Sunday School Christmas Program in December of 2009 was entitled, “Messengers for the Messiah.”
See pictures here!
Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church
LIPS (Ladies In Prayer and Service) went to the Laconia Nursing Home in December of 2009 to bring Christmas gifts to the residents. The Word of God and hymns were shared as LIPS women encouraged residents to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
LIPS (Ladies In Prayer and Service) went to the Laconia Nursing Home in December of 2009 to bring Christmas gifts to the residents.
See pictures here!

Events

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT.  HEARTS is hosting a Family Movie Night on March 6 at 8PM.  Bring your family for a night of enjoyment. The movie to be shown is “Amazing Grace.”
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT.
 HEARTS is hosting a Family Movie Night on March 6 at 8PM.  Bring your family for a night of enjoyment. The movie to be shown is “Amazing Grace.”

Calendar
January 22 - Wii Night for Youth Group hosted by HEARTS at 7PM
January 24 - LIPS Bible Study at 2PM
January 25 - Voters’ Assembly Meeting at 7:45PM
February 5-7 - Youth Group trip to Camp Koinonia
February 6 - LEGS meeting at 11AM

View extended calendar

 

 
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Copyright © 2003 - 2010.  Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church.  All rights reserved.
A Parish of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod where “God’s People Pray.”
4360 Rev. Theodore Wittrock Crossing (Barnes and Boyd Avenues) The Bronx, NY 10466-1804
Phone: (718) 324-1288   Fax: (718) 324-2056