Begin the Lenten season with a joint service, together with Advent & Ascension, at 801 North Carolina Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003, in the Christ our Shepherd building.

Rez Essentials is a five week course for those who wish to learn more about our beliefs and practices, as well as those who are interested in membership in the Church of the Resurrection. We originally planned to begin the course on Wednesday, February 10. Due to the blizzard(s), we have postponed the start date two weeks to Feb 24 at 7 pm at Christ our Shepherd Church, 801 North Carolina Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003.

This Sunday and next, at 7.30pm after our service, we will have two seminars with an expert on Islam, Christianity, and the Middle East.  Ziya has spoken at Rez several times before, and is with us as a guest of our Religious Freedom Group.  In session one (Jan 24), he will present an overview of Islam and current issues and trends. In the second one (Jan 31), he will speak on Islamic views of Christianity and questions or challenges Muslims often pose against the Christian faith.

Please join us for what should be a really good way to get a deeper understanding of Islam from someone with first hand knowledge and experience.

There will be food provided; please come prepared to make a contribution towards the cost

Please join us on Sunday (Jan 10), immediately following the service for a discussion and potluck with Frog & Amy Orr-Ewing (bios below). Frog & Amy will be discussing sharing the Gospel with people of other faith traditions.

For Potluck, please bring the following:
Last Name A-P: Main Dish
Last Name Q-Z: Side Dish or a Dessert
**note, if you plan to stay and eat, please bring something to contribute.

Bios
The Rev. Francis “Frog” Orr-Ewing is the vicar of All Saints Peckham in central London, where he has served for the past six years, following ministry at St. Aldate’s in Oxford (Christian & Helen Hofreiter’s church). Peckham is one of the Europe’s most challenging neighborhoods, renowned for gang culture and deprivation, yet in this context the church has added people from all walks of life and cultures, especially young adults. Frog is a passionate missionary pastor who values thoughtful responses to the challenges presented by our culture. The Lord has opened doors for he and his wife, Amy, to share the gospel with the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as in Europe, the USA and Africa. He is currently completing a doctorate at King’s College in historical theology.

Amy Orr-Ewing is Training Director of the Zacharias Trust for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, and Program Director for the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. She has degrees in theology from Oxford and King’s College. Amy speaks and lectures on Christian apologetics worldwide, at events such as the Keswick Convention UK, Veritas Forums internationally, and the European Leadership Forum in Hungary. She is the author of several books, including ‘Holy Warriors: A Fresh Look at the Face of Extreme Islam’(2003), ‘Is the Bible Intolerant’ (2006), ‘Is Believing in God Irrational’ (2008), and ‘Deep’ (2008). Amy and Frog are married and have three sons, Zachary, Elijah and Benjamin.

The Rez Dance Ministry performed a dance during the annual Lessons & Carols service after the Lesson on Mary’s encounter with Gabriel and her response, and it was captured on video  Enjoy!

Please join of this Sunday, for our Annual Lessons and Carols Service. Dessert Potluck to follow!

Dear Rez Family,

This Sunday (November 8th) is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. After the worship service, we will pray for the saints who are persecuted for their faith. Please join us. Religious Freedom Group members will lead us in praying for Justice, Fellowship, and Provision for the Persecuted; Purity of the Church; and Transformation of the Persecutors.

• FELLOWSHIP : Christians in many parts of the world experience are isolated from other believers. Those who convert from other religions may be subjected to hostile attacks from former friends and family members. Those living in countries with repressive regimes are often prohibited from meeting together and are forced to form illegal “underground fellowships” that are vulnerable to legal sanction and police harassment.  We will lead a time of prayer for persecuted Christians to experience fellowship in their countries and with the global church.
  Ecclesiastes 4:10 (New International Version)
  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.”
• PROVISION: While some Christians tragically die for their faith, tens of millions suffer constant harassment and discrimination. Day in and day out, Christians in many lands are squeezed from all sides—government, society, and non-Christian family members. Many Christians are denied equal access to education, employment, and healthcare; they are stripped of their dignity and livelihood. This pressure can cause depression and encourage many to abandon the faith.On Sunday the RFG will lead us in prayer for Pakistan. When asked for prayer requests at a recent meeting, the Anglican Bishop of Peshawar, Pakistan said that while it is important to pray for safety for Christians, he requested that we fight against discrimination with our prayers.Ps. 9:9 “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
• Transformation of the Persecutors
  Persecution of followers of Christ comes not just from regimes and institutions, but from individuals in places of power and influence.  We will share examples from China and lead us in praying for God to transform the hearts of persecutors.
  
  Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven (…)”

Please join us on Oct. 25th immediately following the worship service to  learn more about what’s happening in the life of the Church of the Resurrection, with time for Q & A with the clergy and Parish Council. Baby-sitting will be provided.

Please bring the following:
Last name beginning with A-M: Main Dish
Last name beginning with N-Z: Side or Dessert

The Resurrection Essentials course begins Wednesday, September 30, at 7 PM, and continues five weeks through October 28.

Essentials is a course for people who want to know more about what we believe and why, and is part of the membership process at the Church of the Resurrection. The course, led by the pastoral staff, is offered on Wednesdays from 7-9 PM at Christ our Shepherd Church. For more information, contact info@rezchurch.org.