Left to right: Jonathan Allen, Tom Cuson

Sunday, October 25th, Jonathan Allen and Tom Cuson of St. Andrew’s Church in Covington provided a dramatic presentation just prior to the Sunday sermon.  The skit entitle Upgrade focused on the need for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to empower God’s people to live and serve the Lord more effectively.  In the skit, Jonathan Allen played the part of Jesse a Christian stuck in a cycle of broken spiritual promises to God.  Tom Cuson played the part of Jesse’s guardian angel who guides Jesse to receive the “upgrade” of the Holy Spirit that radically changes his life.

The congregation greatly enjoyed the presentation as it set the stage for Archdeacon Randall Allen’s message that Sunday on the subject of being filled with the Holy Spirit.  This is the second time that St. Andrew’s Youth have assisted Archdeacon Randall with a sermon.  “They pour their hearts into it which is a delight to see,” observes Archdeacon Randall.  Plans are underway to develop more such dramatic presentations for ministry.

Article by Luanne Allen

There’s been a recurring theme over the last year or so that I’m learning a lot about. Redemption. And maybe, it’s been going on for much longer than that, and I just didn’t catch it. I mean, for goodness’ sake, I go to Christ the Redeemer Church, and have for over 9 1/2 years. Duh!

To redeem something, in my simplest terms, is to return something back to what it was intended to be, back to what God intended it to be. For example, I believe God blesses each and every one of his children with a number of gifts, and one of mine is tenacity. And those of you who know me know how difficult it is for me to use this term, but “bulldoggedness” is what I’m thinking of here. (As a Georgia Tech fan, it’s just hard to use that term, you know?) That ability to stick with something, to see it through, to continue to push forward because you know it’s what you’re supposed to be going after, a desire that God has placed within you, even when most people would give up. Tenacity is the gift, but stubbornness is how it gets bent by us and the world. Stubbornness is my refusal to give up and admit I was wrong, simply because I refuse to admit I could have made a mistake. Stubbornness is my inability to give up and go another direction, as the direction I’m going in could destroy me. Tenacity is the gift, but stubbornness is what many of us cling to because it lets me be right all the time. That’s just wrong – I believe God gifts us with tenacity for specific purposes, because what he’s called us to do is going to take the ability to push forward when it looks ridiculous. As long as we do that for his purpose, we’re headed in the right direction.

So stubbornness is what results in me when I refuse to listen to His direction. And yet, the gift of tenacity is still there. It can be redeemed, and that’s an act that God brings about in us. I think about a lot of things that have happened in my life – some roads that I have chosen to go down that I shouldn’t and some roads that I ended up on because of circumstances beyond my control – and what God intended for good got bent, whacked out, turned around – you get the idea. When my first marriage ended, I couldn’t even think that a man could have my best interests at heart. For so many reasons, I didn’t trust and while I looked pretty confident, that confidence was a very thin veneer. It took God’s healing, restoration and redemption for me to be ready to trust again. It took time, and me being willing to admit my part in where I was, and make the choices to forgive, to believe God’s truth about myself and move into what he had for me.

So that brings up a thought – What happens to my gifts when I have royally screwed up? I’ve totally blown it, gone in the complete wrong direction, and maybe have done that for many years? That means the gifts are gone and done, right? Not according to scripture, anyways. Romans 11:29 states clearly that “for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable”. I think sometimes I believe I’ve fouled things up badly enough that I’m off the hook – that God could never use me again, and that well, I can just continue to go along on my merry way and not be accountable for my gifts. Nope. No “get out of jail free” card on that one. I’m still accountable for what he has placed in me- and it is there to be used for his purposes, whether I’ve lost the way or drove headfirst off a cliff. Uh oh.

Over this past year or so, I have seen redemption and restoration in relationships. And I guess it shouldn’t be a surprise that the redeemed and restored relationships are more precious now, and also a little tougher – they don’t get taken for granted and they take effort to maintain. This past Sunday afternoon, the “little Lyons” got together – the assorted cousins on my Dad’s side of the family that have kids all about the same age. Dad’s family wasn’t the “get together for every possible event” sort of folks – but we always got together on the Saturday after Christmas. I’ve written before about how much I enjoy the fact that our kids are going to grow up together, knowing each other – and we are making an effort for that to happen. It is tough to get together – we’re families with young kids with working parents, activities, commitments, church and all the other things that make up life. And yet, the concept of family is being redeemed.

And still, redemption continues to go on inside me, in how I see and think about life in general. I’ve seen the way I think about money and finances change and be redeemed. I’ve seen the way I approach and view marriage changed and redeemed. I’ve seen the way I view God change and be redeemed, too. Redemption is all about another chance, a fresh start, a do-over with God’s direction moving me back to what he intended with a repentant heart, and a willingness to hear what he’s telling me.

Life is good. God is faithful.

Luanne Allen is a member of Christ the Redeemer, Canton and regular contributer to the Diocese of the Mid-South news site.

Christian Youth Performers

St. Andrew’s Church in Covington has opened her doors to provide a home for the Christian Youth Performers.  Christian Youth Performers or CYP is a Christ-centered drama production company under the direction of founder Angelia Bacon.  CYP seeks to instill a love for drama in the youth of the Covington area especially those in the home school community.   Over the last three years CYP has performed productions of The Chronicles of Narnia, Peter Pan the Musical, and Shakespeare! With a Twist. 

At the beginning of the summer, CYP found themselves in need of a new home where they could meet weekly for practices.  Father Randall Allen, whose son has participated in the drama program for the past two years, offered the use of St. Andrew’s facilities which CYP gladly accepted.  “I am delighted to have Mrs. Bacon and her wonderful program meeting at St. Andrews,” states Father Randall, “Having worked with the program for the past two years I have been impressed by the quality of the productions and the Christian values that are exemplified and taught by the director and all involved.  I believe they will prove as much a blessing to St. Andrew’s as we pray we have been to them.”

Thursday, November 5, CYP held its first auditions for the new production season at St. Andrew’s.  A total of 21 young people auditioned and registered to participate in the program.   To learn more about Christian Youth Performers, go to www.christianyouthperformers.com.

Article by Luanne Allen

Christ the Redeemer is partnering with over 20 churches in our area through Praise Ministries International to help create a Christmas for the people of Booneville, Kentucky.  This county is the third poorest in the United States, where the unemployment rate is 47 percent. People do not have shoes or warm clothes to wear in the winter, very little food and no toys for the kids. It is amazing to think that in this day and age in America that this level of poverty exists.

Praise Ministries works with the local Police department, schools and local churches to coordinate the Appalachian Christmas Mission. Working in conjunction with the local sheriff, Praise Ministries plans a Christmas giveaway for the people of this community December 12th. The church volunteers will set up in an old skating rink, with a heated tent outside to get as many people out of the sub-freezing weather while they wait for their turn. Last year, this organization provided a Christmas for over 700 families, providing a food box, warm clothing, toys for the children and other items. Between 4200 and 4500 people were blessed by the generosity of others. Christ the Redeemer is providing a team of volunteers to go to Booneville and is working alongside other churches in Cherokee County to provide manpower to prepare for the trip.

We are asking for donations of anything that can help: clothing, toys, personal hygiene items, paper goods, school supplies – anything that people could use, as they have so very little. Financial donations will also be necessary as each family will receive their own food box, and food is ordered and purchased in a single lot. If there are school supplies that could be used in children’s book bags, we would be interested, whether they could be donated or purchased at a reduced cost. Our congregation is focusing on provided school supplies to the children, while other churches are looking at providing coats and other items. If you have coats or gently used winter clothing you would like to donate, we can certainly transport it to Booneville where it is so urgently needed. For these families, this will be their Christmas, so clothes must appear new. We are on a very short timetable as financial donations must be received for the food purchases by November 11th so that the food can be purchased and received in time. Other donations can be received up until December 7th as they must be shipped to Kentucky. Workers who can provide manpower in Kentucky the weekend of the project are also desperately needed. It may be that you know someone who works in a store that can help us with donations or purchases at reduced prices – God has worked to bring this mission together each year, so please don’t overlook anyone who might be able to help us. In fact, the team advises each group that participates to pray about what God would have you focus on, and God brings the details together.

If you would like more information, or would like to know how you can help, you can contact Doug Hyde, 770-355-1095, Fr. Stephen Hunter 404-395-5003 or Deacon Justin Allen, 770-851-2323. Mission team meetings are held each Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM at Macedonia Baptist Church on Hwy 20 in Ball Ground. This mission opportunity has been a great chance for Christ the Redeemer members to work with other churches in the community to establish a greater bond within the body of Christ, and we are looking forward to the trip to Kentucky in December.

The Bishop’s Council of the Diocese of the Mid-South recently went on retreat at the FFA/FCCLA Camp near Covington, GA.  Arriving on a rainy Friday evening, October 30, the members of the Council and their wives shared dinner together and then gathered for a time of worship and ministry.  Bishop David Epps led worship on the guitar and Father Robert Roethel brought the evening message.  The clergy wives then formed a small group while their husbands formed another.  For a period of time, the members of the groups shared concerns and then prayed for each other.  The evening was officially concluded with Holy Eucharist as Archdeacon Randall Allen served as celebrant. Unofficially, several of those on retreat shared fellowship until 2:00 a.m.

Saturday morning began with breakfast followed by Morning Prayer led by Canon Robert Wills. Keisha Hunter ministered and led in music. After a break, Bishop Epps shared information from the recent House of Bishops meeting and gave an update on many concerns and plans of the National Church. The women, with Nora Allen serving as facilitator, returned to an extended time of sharing and prayer while the members of the Bishop’s Council withdrew to deal with the business of the diocese.

One very important decision that was made was that the 2010 Convocation in the Mid-South will focus on the tools and information necessary to facilitate church growth. Following a communal lunch, the couples departed and returned to their respective churches. While it was the first Bishop’s Council Retreat, it likely will not be the last, reported Bishop Epps.

Photo: Bishop’s Council Members and Wives: (front row, left to right) Archdeacon Randall Allen, Father Robert Roethel, Father Ron Clemmer, Bishop David Epps, Canon Robert Wills, Father Stephen Hunter, Canon Paul Massey; (back row) Nora Allen, Patty Roethel, Nancy Clemmer, Dr. Cindy Epps, Sharon Wills, Keisha Hunter, Dr. Judy Massey; Not present: Canon Dan and Stephanie Hale.