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| Issue 5 | January 12, 2009 |
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| Issue 5 | January 12, 2009 |
Keeping up with the changing face of our church
In 2008, we were challenged by Tony to meet the needs of the growing number of families, both inside and outside our church, who are choosing to stay and raise children in the city.
Just a few years ago, the thought of a Family Ministry seemed out of step with the needs of the church. In the last two years, however, we have moved... from just a few families to over 35 children in the nursery, toddler and elementary school classes.
We started in February 2008 as just two people with a few ideas having lunch with Tony and trying figure out what we should do next. Our first big step came in the spring, when we held a “Family Summit” event, which, to our surprise and delight, drew over 50 people. At that meeting, we brainstormed about how best to serve...
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Christmas Recap
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Tony has made a challenge to all of us at Redeemer Hoboken-to read the Bible in a year. Impossible, you say? Log on and find out how easy it can be. Do you want to read from start to finish? Chronological order? Alternate Old Testament and New Testament? Pick a translation-there are many to chose! 
This christmas our church deviated from "His Toy Store," which we have been planning and participating in for the past several years. We decided to work through the HFGs with April Harris to partner with the good work she is involved in with families in Hoboken in need. We were able to serve in many ways. Some HFGs went to the pantry to help with the Christmas distribution- sorting, packing gifts and a variety of other projects that needed to be worked on at the ministry itself. The mom's group blessed the families with home baked goods for a Christmas party for moms and children. Two HFGs provided home cooked dinner and dessert for our teen Christmas party and many from our congregation bought gift cards for the teens. There were around 18 teens who came out on a snowy Friday evening for food, games and an activity reminding them about God's plan for each of us and for the world. The food was tasty and warm and the spirits were high as we celebrated one year building relationships with these Hoboken teens. April was thankful for our commitment to the community this Christmas season as always. Thank you for being Jesus' hands and feet. May we continue to grow in service in 2009!