9 April 2012

 

Aaron Bjerke
Community Group Director

Aaron has attended Redeemer since 2005 and has served as a Community Group Intern, Leader-Coach and Community Group Leader. Prior to joining Redeemer's staff, Aaron taught seventh grade math in the South Bronx as a New York City Teaching Fellow. He is in the last year of his MDiv at Biblical Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and lives in the city with his wife, Erica.

For more staff bios, check here.
 

Do you ever get discouraged after a holiday or birthday? It is not uncommon for these much anticipated special days to end up feeling anticlimactic. But Easter should be different.  Easter is not about the holiday itself but everything that follows.

Easter launches us into a new day of purpose and hope where the resurrected Jesus is Lord. Matthew's Easter narrative concludes with Jesus' commission to his followers, his life purpose for all those who belong to him. We do not simply exist. Like those who witnessed the resurrected Jesus, our lives are infused with the purpose of following him in loving obedience in every area of our lives. And he has welcomed us to participate in his global renewal plan to draw followers to himself from across the globe (28:19).

Easter also means we exist in a new era of hope because we live in a day where Jesus reigns supreme. Jesus declares that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (28:18).  This reminds us that though we face many challenges and often cannot make sense of things from our perspective, we can trust in our perfectly compassionate and righteous King who has everything under control. And his final words empower us: "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (28:20). 

The Day after Easter and each day that follows is a new day of purpose and hope because we live in Jesus' presence. Imagine that. We are never alone because our Redeemer King is with us, caring for us, strengthening us and renewing us to enjoy him forever. May our resurrected Lord give us the grace today--the day after Easter--to live in his presence with hope and purpose. Amen.

Sat, April 14 | Membership Class at the Redeemer Office
9:30AM – 2:30PM | Redeemer Offices at 1359 Broadway, 4th Fl.
This Spring Redeemer invites you to become a member of our church. Attend the membership class as a first step. Click here to register.

Sun, April 15 | East Side Community Group Huddles
12:30PM-2:30PM | Hunter College West Building 5th Fl.
Lunch will be provided from 12:30pm-1:00pm. Following lunch will be a large group meeting and small group break-outs with directors and leader-coaches.

Sun, April 15 | 2nd/3rd Grade Pizza Party
12:00PM | Hunter College West Building Room 215
The Children's Ministry wants to invite families of 2nd and 3rd graders to celebrate with friends, teachers and Spring Rawlings, the new Children's Ministry Director. Cost is $10/family. Please RSVP to kathryn@redeemer.com.

Children's Ministry Volunteer Greeters Needed for ESPM Service
The Children's Ministry is building a new volunteer team to serve as family greeters welcoming families and answering questions. Volunteers would serve once a month. Please contact lindsey.schultz@redeemer.com.

Redeemer East Side Women
Women of Redeemer's East Side are meeting in groups on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:15AM to 11:15AM for spiritual encouragement, prayer and study. Open to all women and childcare is available. For info contact Jen Bruni at jfbruni@gmail.com.

HFNY UES Homeless Volunteer Opportunity
Prepare and serve a meal, talk with homeless guests and clean up at a homeless shelter at E74th and Madison. Any night from 6PM-8PM except Saturday. Email ashley@hfny.org.

Race and the Christian:
The recent event Race and the Christian with Tim Keller, John Piper and Anthony Bradley is now avaliable for streaming and download.