Our fourth core value is “Mission-Minded.” Put simply, this means we desire – each of us! – to live with a missionary mindset. If you have had church exposure before, then think of a typical missionary who leverages all of his or her resources (time, talent, treasure) with a view to the way it can demonstrate the beauty and reality of the Gospel. Remarkably, if this is something we take to heart, many of the barriers and financial challenges that come with traditional missionary work fade away, and we can have a significant impact for Christ in our own spheres of influence. What an opportunity! Take a moment to read John 20:19-23 and Acts 1:1-8 in advance.

Our third core value is: "Ethnically Diverse." This is very likely our most distinctive fundamental commitment, but it simply reflects our conviction that the local church ought to strive to look like the community where God has placed it. Embracing that reality takes a measure of intentionality, and we believe the efforts are worth it, and are central to living out the Gospel as God's new community. We will spend the majority of our time exploring the unfolding beauty of expressing and experiencing the ethnic breadth of God's kingdom by considering an overview of the book of Acts, but you can narrow your reading to Acts 13:1-3 and Acts 17:26-27 in particular.

We grow together, not alone, and are enriched as we apply Gospel basics in community and learn from each other. There are plenty of barriers keeping us from this kind of fellowship, but we commit ourselves to pursue a depth of relationship that is distinctive and meaningful. You can refer to Acts 2:42-27 as we look together at "Core Value #2: Community-rich."

As we turn the page to a new phase of Redeemer’s ministry after our official “particularization,” we will take the next five weeks to review our core values. The first: Christ-centered. The person and work of Jesus are central to all that we do and we must constantly remember to keep our eyes fixed on him, the author and the perfecter of our faith. He alone is our savior, our Lord, and our sufficiency. You can read Hebrews 12:1-3 along with this message.

On Sunday, February 28, Redeemer was officially particularized by the Presbyterian Church in America. We have uploaded the video from this momentous occasion here so you can enjoy it again or stream for the first time! Thank you so much for being a part of this big milestone in our church's history!

Our final text as we wrap up the current series on Life-Changing Encounters with God is found in Acts 9:1-19. In those verses, we find Paul’s dramatic conversion story which gives him a new perspective on his identity and redirects his sense of calling and purpose. Given our evening celebration as we become a “particular” church, it is a fitting Sunday to reflect on the greatest church planter ever.

Not all encounters with God end well. On Sunday, we will consider the grave consequences experienced by Ananias, a man who sold a piece of property and then was deceitful with the proceeds, and his wife Sapphira, who also lied about the transaction in Acts 5:1-11. It's a stark contrast to the preceding example of God's grace at work in the church in Acts 4:32-37, where we find a picture of believers who were experiencing the beauty of God's grace. The cautionary tale of Ananias and Sapphira warns us, effectively: "Don't Miss God's Grace." As you read the text in preparation for the message, please also pray for Terry Bortz, too, as we have the privilege of hearing her story.

Most of us know the words to the kid’s song: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he!” While it’s true that he was small in stature, his encounter with Jesus stands tall as one of the starkest “before and after” snapshots in the Scriptures: The chief tax collector met Christ – and for him, everything changes. Listen to this message from Luke 19:1-10: "Zacchaeus’ Life-Changing Encounter with God: Everything Changes."

Mary's encounter with God occurred at the "pivot of history" when Jesus was introduced as our Savior from sin, judgement and destruction. Mary acted from a faith in centuries of God's work with his people, and a trust in His future hope for them. As we examine her faithful response to God's plan around her, we are also called to look back at God's faithfulness, and ahead in trust for God's hope.

Ruth proves to be a persevering, committed wife and daughter-in-law who experiences profound loss but remains loyal to the end – with implications that reach far beyond her time. You can read Ruth 1 in advance, where we see a young woman who marries into the faith and who subsequently makes it her own. You might even be inspired to finish the entire book, which is only four chapters, each one moving with remarkable pace and intrigue.