Dear Friends,
I was 12 years old in 1968 when I learned that Dr. Martin Luther King had been shot and killed at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. In the middle of what was already a tumultuous time in our nation, the assassination of Dr. King led to riots and protests in cities across America.
Two months later, I woke up to the news that Robert F. Kennedy, who was running for President, had been gunned down in a Los Angeles hotel ballroom following his victory in the California Democratic Primary election.
The next years were a time of widespread violence in our country. Domestic terror organizations detonated bombs at the Capitol, the Pentagon and the State Department protesting the war in Vietnam. College students were shot by National Guard troops at Kent State University. A politically divided country was on edge, and with good reason. Twenty-five years after a united nation celebrated the end of World War II, a polarized people wondered if our nation could survive.
Anyone who lived through the late 60’s and early 70’s as I did can see the parallels between then and now. And today’s assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah has left us all stunned, wondering about our own future as a nation.
Any fair-minded assessment of our current moment will conclude that this is not a left or right issue. It was not that long ago when a gunman in Minnesota assassinated elected officials. Earlier this year, a man broke into the governor’s mansion in Pennsylvania, targeting Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro. It wasn’t that long ago that a crazed man murdered a health care CEO on the streets of New York, while another man tried to kill Nancy Pelosi’s husband at their home in San Francisco. There are too many recent instances of domestic political violence to list.
Earlier this week, we were horrified, shocked and grieved by the images of an innocent young woman being stabbed to death on light rail train in Charlotte, NC. Now our hearts break as we think about Erica Kirk and her two young children who have lost a husband and a father. And we find ourselves wondering what it will take to heal our land.
Some are already responding to Charlie Kirk’s assassination with calls for more vigorous law enforcement or tighter gun control laws. But the ultimate solution – the only real solution for what is destroying us as a nation – is for God to heal us.
What we’re seeing in our nation is a profound sin sickness. People who reject God and His word are left trying to make sense of life apart from Him, an exercise in futility. Without God to turn to or cry out to, people look elsewhere for deliverance and hope. Maybe this political figure can save us. Maybe passing this law can fix things.
What they find are empty cisterns.
The only cure for sin sickness is a heart transplant. The only hope for peace in our world is for the Prince of Peace to reign in our hearts. The only real hope for our nation and our world is for God to pour out His Spirit to heal our land.
After the turmoil of the late 60’s and early 70’s, I saw God do just that. The Jesus Movement that swept our country was a great awakening that spread across college campuses before overflowing into every corner of our society was the foundation that led to the healing we needed as a nation.
May this be our prayer for the days ahead.
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
Let your face shine, that we may be saved!
(Psalm 80:19)
TIM FRIESEN MEMORIAL SERVICE
This Saturday at 2:00 pm, we will gather as a church family to reflect on and celebrate the life of our beloved friend Tim Friesen. If you are able to carpool, that will help with parking. And if you’re not able to attend the service, it will be livestreamed on our website.
PARENTING PARTNERSHIPS
Also this Saturday, parents whose oldest child is 5 years old or younger will be gathering at church for our first Parenting Partnership workshop.
For more information about the Parenting Partnership plan, click this link (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=d6864f73ec&e=fbb0a4052b) or contact Carlos Santiago at csantiago.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:csantiago.rcc@gmail.com)
LEADERSHIP IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
Tomorrow night we’ll have the first of six sessions for men in our church who would like to know more about what the Bible teaches regarding leadership in a local church.
In preparation for the first class, we’d like to ask the men who are planning to attend to read I and II Timothy, Titus, I Peter 5:1-5 Acts 6:1-7, Acts 20:17-38 and Hebrews 13:17. Have a piece of paper handy as you read these passages so you can note what they tell us about the roles or responsibilities of elders in a local church. That’s part of what we’ll be exploring tomorrow night.
If you have any questions, contact me. Boblepine.rcc@gmail.com (mailto:Boblepine.rcc@gmail.com) Hope to see you tomorrow night.
FALL MEN'S BIBLE STUDY
The Fall Men’s Bible study kicks off the week of September 22. There are two meeting times. Pastor Matt will be leading through the book of 1 Peter on Tuesdays during lunch at his home and on Thursday nights at the church. Choose your preferred time and plan to attend. You can find out more and register for the study by clicking here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=37faecf3cb&e=fbb0a4052b). WOMEN'S FALL GATHERINGLadies, you’re invited to a Woman’s Fall Gathering – a great evening of fellowship, food and fun, this coming Monday night, September 15. Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=9ef1d2d592&e=fbb0a4052b) for more info or to register.
WOMEN'S FALL BIBLE STUDY
Th Fall Women’s Bible Study kicks off the week of September 22. It’s an eight-week study of 1 and 2 Peter. You can choose the Monday night group or the Tuesday morning group, with both classes meeting at the church. Click here (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=b93f08d301&e=fbb0a4052b) to learn more or to sign up.
ROOTS HANGOUTS
Roots students – don’t forget the hangout happening at Pastor Cole and Hannah’s house this Saturday night!
COLLEGE AND YOUNG ADULTS - NXTGENIf you’re a college student or a young adult looking to connect with others in our church, plan to meet up at the Gurney’s house on Saturday, October 4 at 7 pm for a NxtGen Hangout.
MEN'S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST
Our next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast happens on Saturday, October 11 at 8:30 at the church. We’ll wrap up in time for all of us to see the Hogs take on Tennessee that day.
PREPARING YOUR HEART FOR SUNDAY
Here’s our New City Catechism questions for this Sunday.
Here is the link to this week’s video (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=b3bd2fba7f&e=fbb0a4052b) where Leo Schuster talks about this week’s question and answer.
(https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=e4292faca2&e=fbb0a4052b)
And here is this week’s catechism song (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=91335a99f6&e=fbb0a4052b).
(https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=5501944306&e=fbb0a4052b)
And finally, as always, here is the link (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=c86e17ad36&e=fbb0a4052b) that will take you to the Spotify playlist of the songs we’ll be singing together this Sunday.
AUGUST FINANCIAL REPORT
Here’s an update on our finances through the end of August.
August General Fund Giving:
$34,430
August Operational Expenses:
$39,105
Year to Date General Fund Giving:
$465,836
Year to Date Operating Expenses:
$388,742
As always, if you have any questions about our finances, contact me.
SUNDAY'S COMING
John Calvin called it his favorite epistle. William Barclay called it “the queen of the epistles.” And on Sunday, we begin a careful, months long study of the Book of Ephesians, where we’ll see clearly the glory of God on display in our salvation.
We’ll also celebrate together as we hear testimonies of faith from people who are following the Lord’s command by being baptized.
See you in church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
Copyright © 2025 Redeemer Community Chruch All rights reserved.
Our address is:
Redeemer Community Church
11512 David O Dodd Road
Little Rock AR 72204
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/profile?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=eb3f7b1523&e=fbb0a4052b&c=bd2e537eea) or unsubscribe from this list (https://redeemerlr.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=df57aea0670b59c32464d5bab&id=eb3f7b1523&t=b&e=fbb0a4052b&c=bd2e537eea).
Resource Info
