All of your life an unattainable ecstasy has hovered just beyond the grasp of your consciousness.  The day is coming when you will wake to find, beyond all hope, that you have attained it, or else, that it was within your reach and you have lost it forever.

C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Order of Worship, April 15 2007

Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New Orleans

Some critics seem so intent on deciding who bears responsibility for killing Jesus that they've turned the story into a major whodunit.  The truth is though, Christ's death is not a mystery to be unraveled, but a love story to be embraced.

Lorraine V. Murray, "Why the Passion Matters" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 1 2004)

Our world is torn by ethnic, class, and religious hatred.  Don't show the emerging culture a movie about Jesus: show them a movement of people living like Jesus-people who like him love the different, even the enemy, whose doors are open and tables are set with welcome.

Brian McLaren, Article in "Christianity Today"

Order of Worship, April 1 2007

Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New Orleans

True freedom arises, not in our loud assertion of individual independence, but in our being linked to a true story.

Stanley Hauerwas, Resident Aliens

Arise, shine, for your light has come,

      and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, 

      and thick darkness the peoples; 

but the Lord will arise upon you, 

      and his glory will be seen upon you.  

And nations shall come to your light,

      and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Lift up your eyes all around, and see;

      they all gather together, they come to you; 

your sons shall come from far, 

      and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. 

Then you shall see and be radiant; 

      your heart shall thrill and exult, 

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,

      the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 

A multitude of camels shall cover you,

      the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

      all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

      and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.

Isaiah 60:1-6 (ESV)

Order of Worship, January 7 2007

Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New Orleans