The Redeemer Diaconate: Embodying God’s mercy to those in need

We read in the epistles Paul’s vision for the body of Christ, that through our union with Christ we find communion with each other by sharing our gifts and bearing one another’s burdens. As our current sermon series is so beautifully reminding us, mercy as a lifestyle was at the very foundation of the early Church and was modeled during those early days in the book of Acts. As a family of churches with a growing and continuing focus on spiritual formation, we strive to embody God’s mercy to those within our congregations who are in need. It is this vision that guides the work of the Redeemer Diaconate.

During November the Diaconate invites you to be inspired by God’s mercy, putting your faith into action.

We invite you, our Redeemer church members, to identify those within our church community who are spiritually mature and who you believe are uniquely suited for this expression of mercy, and then we encourage you to nominate them for the Diaconate. Please do so by November 30, 2018, after which we will follow up with all nominees. By nominating a prospective deek (our affectionate term for deacon and deaconess), you fulfill what we read in Acts 6:3, when the twelve disciples gathered everyone and asked them to choose leaders who were known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom, tasking them with the responsibility of caring for those in need. It is remarkable how empowering and encouraging a nomination can be for someone who is gifted in care and mercy but has not considered themselves for such a position.

In addition to your nominations, we ask also for your prayers. The responsibility of electing church leaders is a significant one, but we know that the Lord provides, and that He delights in answering the prayers of His people. We ask that you would pray both for and with the Diaconate, that God would raise up leaders from among us to serve as deeks, and that those individuals would respond eagerly and faithfully to His call.

Finally, we see mercy extended and restoration initiated through the selfless acts of the early believers in Acts 4:32: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” Please consider sharing your resources by giving a financial gift to our Mercy Fund. The Mercy Fund is set up specifically for the purpose of meeting the needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families in our churches, and we need your generous partnership to enable the Diaconate to meet those needs.

Inspire Mercy Month is underway, and you can make a difference by being a conduit of God’s mercy, bringing about restoration for those in your church family! You can read more about the Diaconate and give online at redeemer.com/diaconate.

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Articles in this Issue

		God is doing a new thing Jordan Tanksley
		Get to know HFNY’s three newest affiliates!
		Missions trip to India Vicky Gu