February 22, 2026
Service Location: the Strawbridges' (2760 S Ogden St, Englewood)
Time: 10:00am
Dear Church,
This week marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Like Advent, Lent is a time of waiting and reflection; and even repentance. I want to encourage you to make extra space in your life for payer and listening to the Lord as we anticipate celebrating the Resurrection. In our Scripture this week, Hagar finds herself in the wilderness after losing everything. And there, at a spring by the desert road, God saw her, spoke to her, and promised to act on her behalf. This season offers the same opportunity to you.
Our journey through Genesis continues this week. On the podcast Joe and Tim discuss Genesis 16, focusing on the complex narrative of Hagar and Ishmael, which highlights God's unwavering promises amidst human impatience. They explore how Sarai's decision to give Hagar to Abram as a surrogate reflects cultural practices of the time, but ultimately leads to conflict and despair within the household. The angel of the Lord's interaction with Hagar reveals God's attentiveness to her suffering, highlighting that divine care extends beyond the direct line of promise through Abram, affirming that God sees and acts in response to human affliction. Furthermore, the birth of Ishmael, while significant, signals that he is not the promised heir, as the themes of conflict and struggle are foretold in his destiny. Ultimately, this episode illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human agency, reminding listeners that God's plans will prevail regardless of human failure. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
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Upcoming Events
- March 6 - Psalm Sing with Redeemer Community
Here are the details for Sunday's service:
Scripture Readings:
- Psalm: Psalm 139 (Esther)
- OT: Genesis 16 (Ian)
- NT: Galatians 4 (William)
- Gospel: Matthew 20:20-34 (Charlie)
- Prayers of the People: Kayleen
Songs:
- Song 1: Kyrie
- Song 2: Psalm 142
- Song 3: Be Thou My Vision
- Song 4: Great is Thy..
- Song 5: Psalm 67
- Song 6: Psalm 13
Looking forward to worshiping with you all on Sunday!
Blessings,
Joe Anderson
Eucharist: Joe | Call: Tim