Stone Soup and God’s Grace

Ivy Lin

Have you heard the folktale “Stone Soup”? In the story, a hungry traveler convinces villagers to contribute ingredients to a pot of boiling water containing only a stone. One villager adds a carrot, another brings potatoes, and others gradually contribute meat, spices, and vegetables. Together, they create a hearty and delicious soup for everyone to share.

Reflecting on 2024, we have witnessed the “magic” of God’s own Stone Soup. The “carrots” and “potatoes” offered by our congregants reflect God’s image and glory. Yet, unlike the story, where the soup depends entirely on what the villagers provide, our God could have created a perfect, “finger-licking” soup with just His word. But in His grace, He chose to involve us—humble and small humans—in His grand plan.

God’s plan is unstoppable and unchangeable, and we are grateful that our church is part of it and has the privilege of tasting God’s “soup”. Without God, all our efforts would amount to nothing. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). While we are proud of and thankful for the contributions of our congregants and the “soup” we created together this past year, we are even more humbled by the knowledge that it is God who enables and empowers us. All glory to Him!

As we look toward 2025, the Committee prays that our church will continue to follow God’s will, trusting that He will use every effort we make for His Kingdom. May our “carrots” and “potatoes” be blessed, just as the little boy’s five loaves and two fish were used to feed over 5,000. May God prepare the way for us to reach even more!

Year-Round Outreach Events

Local Adult Daycare Center Outreach (Easter and December)

Spring into Concord Outreach (May)

Backyard Bible Club (June)

Discover West Concord Day (October)

Operation Christmas Child (October)

Christmas Caroling at Concord (December)

Easter Outreach

Kelly S.

Back in March, members of Redeemer baked about 40 dozen cookies for our Easter Outreach. On the evening of March 22 many of us gathered together to decorate the cookies and package them up with a Bible verse. It was amazing to see the creativity that flowed out of the minds and hands of some of our Redeemerites! Some of those cookies were works of art! Those who considered themselves to be less artistically-inclined helped with the various stages of packaging. We also had dinner together and enjoyed fellowshipping with each other. From baking, to decorating, to packaging, to making dinner - many hands were part of this worthy effort. 

While we were encouraged to take some of these “Resurrection Cookies” home to pass out to friends and neighbors and invite them to church, about 150 cookies were reserved to take to a local adult daycare center on March 30. 

This was our second visit to Anew. In addition to our regular choir (led by Brianna G.), who sang several Easter-themed hymns, we had a youth choir (led by Naomi B. with piano accompaniment by Isaac J.) who sang “Hosanna to the Son.” Several of our members performed various instrumental pieces: the Glancey trio; Jasmine and Isaac L. on violin; Tucker, Emmy, and Calvin S. on piano; Megan L. on the Guqin (a Chinese stringed instrument). Grant S. brought a gospel message, which was translated into Chinese by Joseph L. After our program, we had time to socialize with the wonderful people of Anew in various ways - passing out cookies, decorating more cookies, and playing ping pong. We are so thankful that we had this opportunity to share the truth of God’s Word to a group who is largely unfamiliar with the hope of the gospel.

Spring into West Concord (May 18, 2024)

Jan T.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news”—albeit a bit soggy. On a drizzly Saturday in May our church reached out to the community where God has placed us by hosting a table at the “Spring into West Concord” event. Despite the weather many volunteers came to this GOSPEL opportunity. We were blessed with a good location for our table, covered by a semi-waterproof tent, located a short walk from Harvey Wheeler Community Center, across from Concord Tea Cakes on Commonwealth Ave in West Concord. Our youth group participated in balloon twisting; several of our volunteers got creative with face painting; while others conversed with families and gave tracts to passerby’s. Thank you to all who participated in this outreach and thank you to those who prayerfully supported us. It was a blessing to meet together as a church prepared by the Spirit to be His witness to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in West Concord. Soli Deo gloria!

Backyard Bible Club

Jasmine L.

To God be the glory! Backyard Bible Club (“BBC”) is like a small-scaled Vacation Bible School held in a backyard. BBC’s goal is to spread the gospel to kids. At Redeemer’s BBC, the evening begins with prayer and singing “To God Be the Glory” and “You are My All in All” with hand motions. Next, 4–8-year-olds and 9–12-year-olds split up to do crafts and listen to Bible stories. The theme of the crafts and stories are the five colors: gold meaning the new heaven and earth, black meaning sin, red meaning Jesus’ death and resurrection, white meaning purification, and green meaning growth. As the sun begins to set, the two age groups combine for games and snacks.

In total, over the three-day period, 19 kids attended, 11 in the older group and 8 in the younger group. Although most (14) were from Redeemer, 5 were from other churches and 1 of the five was not a Christian.

I enjoyed attending BBC not only because it is fun but also because it teaches me more about the Bible.

Sunday School Teaching

Elder Owens

In September Ruling Elder Owens again taught a Sunday School class on evangelism and outreach in support of the committee’s goal to teach and encourage each other in our collective and individual evangelism. The class first reviewed what the Bible instructs about evangelism, and then Committee member Cameron A. kicked off a time of sharing experiences with sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those that don’t know and follow Him as their Savior and Lord. To further help the Saints of Redeemer share their faith, the Evangelism and Outreach Committee is continuing to purchase and provide Gospel tracts, and encourages everyone to take a few from the hallway table, so we can all be faithful and active participants in Redeemer’s mission to ‘evangelize in word and deed.’

Discovery West Concord Day

Sarah K.

It was an unseasonably warm day when we gathered in West Concord on Saturday, October 19 to take part in Discover West Concord Day. This annual event showcases small businesses and other organizations in West Concord. As with the Spring into West Concord event last May, this event provided an excellent opportunity to draw attention to our existence in West Concord and to form connections with local folks. 

Many Redeemer members gathered throughout the day, ensuring there was always a friendly face available to greet those attending. As in the spring event, we handed out water bottles, information about the church, and Gospel tracts. Balloon animals and face painting were popular attractions, giving Redeemer members a chance to show off hidden talents and to make another point of connection with passersby. 

The sunshine and warm weather meant the event was well-attended, giving us many opportunities to initiate conversation. Redeemer’s signature friendliness and welcoming attitude was on full display at Discover West Concord Day.

Operation Christmas Child

Claire B.

As we wrap up the year and look back on the many ways our church has served our community and the world, I am filled with gratitude for our participation in Operation Christmas Child (OCC). Throughout the fall, our church rallied around the mission of OCC and joined millions of people worldwide in packing and sending shoeboxes filled with gifts for children in need. Redeemer packed a total of 36 shoeboxes that were sent to children in Africa. Each box was carefully filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, clothes, and other essentials, along with a message of love and the good news of the gospel. While the physical gifts we packed are a blessing to the children, we know that the true impact of Operation Christmas Child goes beyond what is in the shoebox. Each shoebox represents an opportunity to share the love of Christ with children living in challenging circumstances. As these children receive their gifts they also hear the message of the greatest gift: Jesus Christ. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s OCC effort. Whether you packed a box, donated items, volunteered your time, or prayed for the children receiving the gifts, your contributions made a difference.

As we start a new year, let’s remember the joy we brought to these children and the greater joy we experienced in serving together. I pray that the seeds of hope and love we have sown through OCC will bear fruit for years to come, and that the children who received our gifts will continue to feel the impact of God’s love long after the holiday season. May the blessings we’ve shared through Operation Christmas Child inspire us to serve others with the same heart of generosity and compassion in the year ahead.

Anew Outreach: Thanksgiving 2024

Tim B.

Led by the indomitable Ivy and Joseph L., a bevy of the Redeemer faithful breezed again into a local adult daycare center on the morning of November 23, 2024, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This was our third time spreading love, joy, and the gospel at Anew; previous outreaches had been near Christmas and Easter. We’ll know we’ve truly arrived when the crew invites us for Chinese New Year.

For the third time, Grant S. delivered a clear, coherent, and comprehensive message of Christ’s love and salvation. Joseph translated for Grant, and the audience seemed to listen with interest. Elder Scott O. bookended our time, introducing our group and opening in prayer, as well as closing with prayer. As before, we shared a number of hymns—mostly (but not only) Christmas carols. Our “choir,” many of whom had practiced for weeks after church, sang five carols: “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “It Came upon the Midnight Clear,” “Joy to the World,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and “Silent Night.” As we did last year, we accompanied our friends with “oohs” on one verse of Silent Night while they sang it in Chinese. They not only had the words printed out, but Ivy had also prepared a handout for them with the Christmas story and other important Bible passages, in both English and Chinese.

Once again, our youth performed as well. Tucker S. played “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” on piano, followed by Calvin S. playing “The Little Drummer Boy.” Emmy and Calvin S. played “What Child Is This” as a piano duet, and Emmy played “Give Thanks” as a solo. Jasmine L. played “Blessed Assurance” on her violin and joined with her brother Isaac to play “Psalm 42.”

When all the music and talking ended, we handed out various artificial autumn flowers with Psalm 118:1 (“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever”) attached in Chinese. Then some of us helped with a lovely pumpkin paper craft while others played ping pong with the regulars, trying not to humiliate themselves. If you weren’t able to participate in this outreach, no doubt you’re feeling a little sad right now, but don’t worry: Lord willing, in the future we’ll be spreading Christ’s joy again there.

Christmas Caroling at Concord

Annika C.

It was such a blessing for Mike and I to participate in the Christmas caroling at the Concord holiday tree lighting event. It was wonderful to gather together as a church family to sing about Christ’s birth and share this good news with the community of Concord. Though it was super cold and we were competing with a noisy generator, we still had a steady crowd of people that stopped to listen and even joined us in singing. We’re thankful for this opportunity to serve our community and trust the Lord will use it for His glory!