So we’re launching the “Word & Spirit” season.

Here’s a brief primer on why:

Why Word & Spirit? We intentionally did not call this a “Bible & Prayer” season—even though the study of Scripture and experience of prayer will be central—because those are activities we do, while “Word & Spirit” speaks to the God we desire to encounter through such activities. Our endgame is not stodgy devotional performance but encountering afresh the presence and power of God.  

Who are the Word & Spirit? They are God himself—the second and third persons of the Trinity. Irenaeus, the 2^nd century church father, referred to them as the “two hands of God”: always with God, present in every activity God does. God creates, sustains, and redeems the world through his Word & Spirit. God’s Word became flesh in Jesus for our salvation; God’s Spirit was sent to bring his kingdom in us and through us for his world. This means when we encounter God’s Word & Spirit, we are not just encountering some “stuff” God gives, but God himself. 

How do we encounter the Word & Spirit? Scripture and prayer are central. Regarding the Word: we are committed to Scripture, seeking to immerse ourselves in the biblical story, entrusting ourselves to its authority and accuracy, even when it flies in the face of culture, fashion, and tradition. Regarding the Spirit: we are committed to prayer, seeking to experience the presence and power of God, eagerly desiring spiritual gifts and pursuing a life surrendered to and saturated by the Holy Spirit.  

When will we do this? The season will last five weeks, from Sunday, October 23^rd through Sunday, November 20^th. It will involve a sermon series, a First Wednesday event (November 2^nd), a Renewal Night (November 16^th), and a host of resources (such as podcasts, books, etc). Our hope is for the season to launch an ongoing emphasis in our church which will continue beyond the season itself in 2023 with learning cohorts, events, and other resources for us to cultivate a life saturated in God’s Word & Spirit.

What do we hope for? More of Jesus: increasing in awe of who he is, wonder at what he’s done, and clarity of how to live with him and for him in all of life. More of the Spirit: increasing in our experience of his presence, his cultivating the fruit of salvation in our lives, transforming our affections with the love of God, and equipping us to walk in power and holiness with God. This is the more we were made for. More of God.

Sermon Series

Word and Spirit Events

Word & Spirit Guide

We’ve created a guide to help you engage this season well. This guide serves as an invitation to be immersed in the presence of the Triune God by equipping you with different practices to listen to the Word and the Spirit. The guide contains content to read and watch.

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Bible Studies will launch the week of August 28, 2022. If you have any questions, please reach out to John Crawford at JohnCrawford@@RedemptionAZ.com.

Men’s Bible Study Sign up HERE

Women’s Bible Study Sign up HERE

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We want a king! – the people cry in 1 Samuel 8 – that we may be like the nations. Yet when we reject God as king, it leads to disaster. This series centers on the rise & fall of Israel’s first three kings—Saul, David, and Solomon—exploring themes of power & brokenness, national division & personal failure, and cultivating a heart after God. All three kings reveal our desperate need for Jesus as King. 

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The Summer season is upon us and in Arizona that means we are prepping ourselves for a couple of months of HOT weather. At Redemption Tempe, Summer is a time of Worship and Wonder. Summer is a season is one where for many of us our lives slow down a bit as we take time to rest, travel, and spend time with family and friends.

Our encouragement to you is to use this season as one where you worship God in all areas of your life as you’re captivated in wonder by the beauty of His creation.

During the Summer while Redemption Communities and other ministries may go on break, we have a couple of opportunities for you to remain connected with the community at our church.

Worship & Wonder Resources

Over the course of the Summer we will provide different guides and prayer practices to help you engage in this season of Worship & Wonder. If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive the weekly email newsletter.

Deep Gratitude

Prayer Reading (Lectio Divina)

All of Life Kids Camp 2022

This year, our theme is “God’s Kingdom- Already but Not Yet”. Campers going into 1st-6th grade in Fall 2022 will be learning about what God’s Kingdom is and their place in it while they engage in projects, fun activities, and friendships that point them to Jesus.

Registration is full

Book Clubs

Our summer book clubs are a way for us to grow in fellowship and faith by reading some of our favorite books on various important topics. Redemption Tempe does not endorse these books; we view these topics as important to reflect on and we welcome critical engagement during book clubs.

Here are the books we’ll be reading this Summer:

• How to Pray by Pete Greig
• Practicing the Kings Economy by Michael Rhodes
• Liturgy of the Ordinary by: Tish Harrison Warren
• After Doubt by AJ Swoboda
• The Gospel Comes With A House Key by Rosaria Butterfield
• Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry

See details and sign up HERE *Few spots remaining

Bible Study

This summer we will have a co-ed Bible Study in the Book of Colossians.

See details and sign up HERE

Film Nights

We believe that all good stories reflect the true story of the world, found in the Bible. One of the most powerful forms of storytelling in our culture is the medium of film.

Join us for a Film Night this summer at Redemption Tempe! All film choices with dates are listed below. Feel free to bring dinner.

The movies we’ll be watching are:

• CODA (June 26th)
• Dune (July 10th)
• Encanto (July 24th)

See details and sign up HERE

Podcast Club

We are launching a Podcast Club for the first time this year

How do we follow Jesus in a cultural moment that is increasingly hostile to Christian orthodoxy of any kind? Join John Mark Comer as he interviews leading Christian intellectuals about the intersection of post-Christian culture and spiritual formation.

Registration is Full

Peace Feast

At the common table we get to experience the good gift of food and community from every nation, tribe, and tongue. We want to be a church that promotes international restaurants and appreciates the culinary traditions of our global neighbors.

Join us on Wednesday , June 29th from 6PM-8PM as we gather at Taste of Peru in Mesa to learn more about Peruvian food and culture. There will be a vegan option available but not gluten free.

Address:

1245 W Guadalupe Rd Suite B7-B8, Mesa, AZ 85202

Space is limited, so please sign up below! If you have questions, please email Warren Williams at WarrenWilliams@RedemptionAZ.com.

Register HERE

Creative Cohort

We believe that all of life is to be viewed as under the lordship of Christ. Our goal for the creative cohort is to have short term campaigns that discuss the impact of the Gospel on art while creating a communal space for creatives to connect. This is not a project based group

This 3-week discipleship group will discuss the impact of the Gospel on art while providing a space for creatives to connect. We will meet at Redemption Tempe on Sunday, July 10th, 17thand 24th from 5PM-6:30PM. Sign up at redtem.in/creativecohort

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¹⁶ For by  him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:16)

Sunday April 27th will mark the beginning of a new sermon series in the book of Colossians. Our hope is this series, which will be in for most of the summer, will help us as a church to further deepen our affections for Christ and His Lordship over every aspect of creation.

Here are some interesting facts about the book of Colossians:

• Colossians is one of only two of Paul’s epistles written to a church that he had never previously visited
• The letter was probably written c. a.d. 62. Paul wrote it at roughly the same time that he wrote Philemon and Ephesians

• Over four-fifths of the verses here in Colossians are repeated in Ephesians with some slight variations
• Though the epistle to the Colossians is very important, the city of Colossae itself was by far the least important city to which Paul had ever sent a letter, and afterward, the church disappeared from Church history
• In Colossians, Paul dealt with many forms of false teaching and harmful doctrines, including legalism, mysticism, asceticism, and Gnosticism.

Sermon Series Schedule

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Good Friday and Easter are the days followers of Jesus remember our crucified King and celebrate the hope we have because of His resurrection!

Below you will find the information for this year’s Good Friday and Easter Services. We can’t wait to see you as we come together to celebrate Jesus, our risen king!

Service Times

5:30PM (R/Kids is available for kids 5 years and younger)

7:00PM (No childcare available)

Service Times

8:00AM, 9:30AM, & 11AM

R/Kids

8AM Birth Through 4th Grade

No 5th and 6th Grade

Easter BBQ

Join us for an Easter BBQ on the Front Yard directly after the 11AM service! If you are planning on attending let us know by signing up here

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Redemption Youth (7th-12th grade) from all 10 congregations will be joining together to go to Summer Camp in June! Camp is a time where students are able to deepen the walk with Jesus and have a ton of fun as they connect with other students their age. Whether you or your child is new to our church, we’d love to see them at Summer Camp!

Below you’ll find the details for camp this year as well as ways you can support the R/Youth Ministry financially and otherwise.

We are grateful for your prayer and support!

Summer Camp Details:

• Camp will be from Friday June 3rd – Tuesday June 7th
• Registration opens on April 3rd
• Price Increases: May 15th
• Registration closes: May 18th

Costs: $475.00/per student (before May 15th)

After May 15th: $500.00

Check this site for updates as camp approaches!

How you can support:

Scholarship Fund: We desire for students not to be able to prevented from coming to camp because of financial constraints. You can help us send students who may not be able to afford the cost of camp by contributing to the R/Youth Scholarship fund.

You can give HERE

Be a Crew Dad: Men of Redemption Church that will set up, build structures, clean up, and run games.  Ideal player works well with others, takes instruction well, and desires to work hard to make camp a great experience for students.

Interested? Email Mark King at MarkKing@redemptionaz.com

Be a Prayer Partner: Prayer Partners will be assigned a number. Each number will be associated with a specific student. You will know the age and gender of the student. We ask that you regularly pray for the student leading up to camp. The week before camp they will write a prayer letter to their student and send it to Mark. At camp the student will read the prayer you write for them. 

Interested? Email Mark King at MarkKing@redemptionaz.com

Stay Connected

Click HERE to join our mailing list

Follow the R/Youth Instagram Page

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If you have any questions, please reach out to Jackie Bolitho at JackieBolitho@RedemptionAZ.com.

Let us know you’re coming by signing up HERE

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*Since we are having a food truck this month, we will begin dinner at 5PM and will take orders until 6:30PM

Register Here: redtem.in/firstwednesday

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Our Topic for February is Art, Faith, and Creativity

Our Creator is creative. The Maker of all things has made us to make things, and to reflect his image with an appreciation for beauty and creativity. Yet sometimes Christians feel a tension with art: Is it less valuable than “spiritual” things? Is it unimportant, compared to truth for the mind or justice for the world? Is it dangerous, with its ability to evoke the passions? Is it impractical, amidst all the pressing demands of our day-to-day lives? Our guest speaker is John DelHousaye, along with a panel of creatives from Redemption Tempe.

DelHousaye is a theologian at Phoenix Seminary, an author of numerous books, and an elder at Redemption Alhambra. Come join us, as we explore the power and significance of art & creativity for our life with Christ today.

Details:

Date: Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022

Time: 6PM-8PM

Location: Redemption Tempe Sanctuary

Register HERE

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This Advent season has been one for the books as we’ve magnified the God who hears our prayers and takes action. During Advent season we pressed in to a different area of need based on the focuses of our Prayer and Action groups and we gladly can say that God’s people responded with incredible generosity!

Here’s what we received from our Advent action focus areas and also our Advent Offering

Week 1 (Criminal Justice) – 72 children received gifts through Angel Tree

Week 2 (Refugees) 140+ Welcome Boxes collected for Refugee Families

Week 3 (At-Risk Students) 170+ Shoes Collected for Cesar’s Closet

Advent Offering: $40,000+

Church, we are grateful for your generosity and look forward to us continue being faithful followers of Jesus who reflect His generosity towards us!

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Christmas Eve at Redemption

Join us for Christmas Eve services on Friday December 24th at 5PM or 11PM

Families: Childcare will be available for kids 5 and younger at the 5PM service

We will not have services on Sunday December 26th

Theme & Sermon Series

Advent means “arrival.” It’s a season where we anticipate the arrival of Jesus, the Savior of the world, at Christmas. “Prayer & Action” is our theme this year. Jesus is the answer to our prayers, as God takes action to deliver and redeem his people.

We’ll be in Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), where she sings a prayer of praise celebrating God’s action in Christ to save. Each week, we’ll have opportunities to enter the story: to pray and take action on behalf of vulnerable people groups in our city. These initiatives will support our Prayer & Action Groups that serve these populations all year long.

Advent Sermon Series:

Advent Action

During each week of Advent, we will be highlighting a Prayer and Action group and their mission focus. We will join in their work by committing to a different “call-to-action” each week. In addition, we will take an advent offering that will help to financially support the ministries that are working in these areas.

Click HERE to learn more about Prayer & Action Groups

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Check out photos from the Peace Feast below

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The digital age is undoing some of the most critical components of discipleship to Christ in concerning ways. The technological mediums of our moment have the potential to work against the fruit of the Spirit in our lives if we live unaware and unresponsive to their temptations. On November 3rd we will get to hear from Jay Kim, pastor and author of the critically acclaimed book Analog Church. He will be speaking from his book Analog Christian, on how we can cultivate contentment, resilience, wisdom—and the fruit of the Spirit—in practical ways, to not only survive but thrive in the digital age. 

Dinner and childcare will be provided. Let us know you’re coming by signing up below! Please reach out to Jackie Bolitho at JackieBolitho@RedemptionAZ.com with any questions.

Register HERE

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Ready to commit? Click HERE to donate your time or to give financially.

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It can be a confusing time to be a Christian.

Whether you’re new to faith or a long-time follower of Jesus, it’s clear that historic Christian beliefs increasingly run against the grain of culture.

It’s not that surprising when non-Christians doubt or criticize Christian claims. We servants are not greater than our Master. The world criticized Jesus and will criticize us.

But what rattles so many Christians these days is how easily even other Christians seem to be jettisoning clear biblical teaching.

Some do it by casting doubt on core Christian teaching — especially related to the exclusivity of Jesus, the authority of Scripture, and anything related to sexuality — echoing the words of the serpent who asked, “Did God really say…?” (Gen 3:1).

Others do it by ignoring God’s commands related to love and serving the vulnerable, forgetting that faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17).

In the midst of this confusion, the leaders of Redemption Church sensed the importance of clarifying and reinforcing a number of our biblical convictions. We do so knowing that, in each case, what we believe and how we hold it will likely make us countercultural.

We don’t see a great deal of value in being countercultural for it’s own sake — the shock-jock approach is great for clicks, but not for shepherding God’s people. Rather, we aim to be faithful in a world that needs the grace and truth of Jesus.

With that in mind, we invite you to connect with any of your local pastors, elders, and leaders as you process through the series. If you hear something you don’t like, don’t storm off. Instead, lean in, invite leaders to help you process, and search the Scriptures to see what God has to say.

What convictions are we covering?

Please join us in praying for this series. We hope that it will be helpful, clarifying, and strengthening to our church family.

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