News and Announcements are published on Friday each week.

Pentecost

May 24, 2026

Readings: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:23-31

  Hymns: 504, 497 580, 571, 659, 768

Calendar 

Witness

"Who is a missionary? Missionaries are sent by the Lord through the mediation of His Church. This is how the church has always done mission, even back to the time of the Apostles when Saint Paul first brought along Luke as a physician. A LCMS missionary is a person called and sent to bear WITNESS to the Gospel of Jesus, to show MERCY, or to support those who do as we have a LIFE TOGETHER.  The main priority of a missionary is to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who have never heard the Good News." (A paraphrase from https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/missionary-service).  Visit the LCMS website to learn more about missionaries and to view short term and career opportunities.

What do you want others to know about our church?  Whether it was a meaningful takeaway from Pastor’s sermon, a heart warmed by seeing young children worshipping together, or anything else that makes you glad to have Redeemer as your church home, you can share your comments by filling out a "Why Redeemer" card and place it in the offering plate, or give it to Brenda, or put it in her mail box. You can also text or email your thoughts to her.  We will use your comments to create shareable Facebook posts that may encourage others to visit us in Gorham or Sanford. 

Mercy  

If you need anything (rides, supplies, medicine pickups) or any assistance please feel free to contact Sandy or Tom DiPasqua at 207-536-1547 or tjdipasqua@aol.com.  

Saints of Redeemer, the Mercy committee would like to keep a supply of meals for members in need. Meals can be anything freezable, in a disposable container and should feed at least two people. Please bring your meals to church and put them in the fridge freezer. Label your contribution with the contents and how to heat it. Currently we have two families that will benefit from meal donations. 

Life Together 

The May 2026 issue of the NED – LWML newsletter “Pass It On” is available at this LINK.  A printed copy is posted on the bulletin board downstairs.

Saturday May 23rd, Redeemer will be receiving three new members into our congregation in Sanford.  Sunday May 31st, Redeemer will be receiving two new members into our congregation in Gorham.  There will be a reception in Gorham immediately following the Divine service.

Messiah Lutheran Preschool in Fitchburg, MA is seeking a Preschool Director whose leadership flows from a deep, joyful, and unapologetic Christian faith. Our preschool is a ministry of the Messiah Lutheran Church-Fitchburg—an extension of our mission to proclaim Christ, serve families, and nurture children in the love of Jesus. We are looking for someone who sees early childhood education not just as a profession, but as a calling from God.  If you're interested, please email and submit your resume to MLP Board Chair: Barbara Mattson at bmttsn30@gmail.com  More information about the job’s qualifications and responsibilities can be found in the email at this LINK

A Life Thought in the Church Year for May 24 – The Day of Pentecost: When it comes to issues such as abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and euthanasia, man always thinks that he knows best. It is easy to create our own justification, for like the people at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), we want to “make a name” for ourselves. Yet our sin and rebellion only bring confusion and division. But God sent us the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2) that we would speak with one voice the truth of the Gospel: that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins and by His resurrection has set us free, even from the darkness that lurks in our past. The Spirit “teaches us all things” – all that Jesus has done for us — that our “hearts would not be troubled or afraid” (John 14). Thus, we pray as in Psalm 143:10: “Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”

A Stewardship Thought for May 24 – The Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1 – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.” Pentecost is the Old Testament harvest festival, taking place around the time when the wheat and oats are ready to be brought in. Of course, this was an image and foreshadowing of the great harvest of humankind that God means to carry out through the preaching of His Word. God gives the seed, and God brings about the harvest. From first to last, in things temporal and things eternal, we stand only by His grace.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the July 2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by June 22. 

All announcements and prayer requests received in the church office by noon on Wednesday will appear in print that week in Friday’s email. If there is an announcement that you would like Pastor to make following Sunday’s FB live stream, please email him that information

Looking Forward to Holy Trinity

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-7; Romans 11:33-36; John 3:1-17

Hymns: 822, 948 563, 718, 797, 761

Holy Trinity

May 31, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-7; Romans 11:33-36; John 3:1-17

Hymns: 822, 948 563, 718, 797, 761

Calendar 

Witness

"Who is a missionary? Missionaries are sent by the Lord through the mediation of His Church. This is how the church has always done mission, even back to the time of the Apostles when Saint Paul first brought along Luke as a physician. A LCMS missionary is a person called and sent to bear WITNESS to the Gospel of Jesus, to show MERCY, or to support those who do as we have a LIFE TOGETHER.  The main priority of a missionary is to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who have never heard the Good News." (A paraphrase from https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/missionary-service).  Visit the LCMS website to learn more about missionaries and to view short term and career opportunities.

What do you want others to know about our church?  Whether it was a meaningful takeaway from Pastor’s sermon, a heart warmed by seeing young children worshipping together, or anything else that makes you glad to have Redeemer as your church home, you can share your comments by filling out a "Why Redeemer" card and place it in the offering plate, or give it to Brenda, or put it in her mail box. You can also text or email your thoughts to her.  We will use your comments to create shareable Facebook posts that may encourage others to visit us in Gorham or Sanford. 

Mercy  

If you need anything (rides, supplies, medicine pickups) or any assistance please feel free to contact Sandy or Tom DiPasqua at 207-536-1547 or tjdipasqua@aol.com.  

Saints of Redeemer, the Mercy committee would like to keep a supply of meals for members in need. Meals can be anything freezable, in a disposable container and should feed at least two people. Please bring your meals to church and put them in the fridge freezer. Label your contribution with the contents and how to heat it. Currently we have two families that will benefit from meal donations. 

Life Together 

Pastor Strawn will be on vacation from June 1st through June 17.  He and his family have a long road trip to MN to visit with family and friends.  Please keep them in your prayers for safe travels.  There will be pulpit coverage for the Divine Service in both Sanford and Gorham.

Sunday May 31st, Redeemer will be receiving two new members into our congregation in Gorham.  There will be a reception immediately following the Divine service, so please join us in welcoming Loretta Daney and Dustin Digirolamo to our Redeemer family.

Messiah Lutheran Preschool in Fitchburg, MA is seeking a Preschool Director whose leadership flows from a deep, joyful, and unapologetic Christian faith. Our preschool is a ministry of the Messiah Lutheran Church-Fitchburg—an extension of our mission to proclaim Christ, serve families, and nurture children in the love of Jesus. We are looking for someone who sees early childhood education not just as a profession, but as a calling from God.  If you're interested, please email and submit your resume to MLP Board Chair: Barbara Mattson at bmttsn30@gmail.com  More information about the job’s qualifications and responsibilities can be found in the email at this LINK

A Life Thought in the Church Year for May 31 – The Holy Trinity: Life is precious. It is a gift. We cannot fathom all that God has intended and has in store for His people. “Oh, the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11). Yet we come before the Lord, like Isaiah, as those with “unclean lips,” and we dwell “in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6). The willful taking of an innocent human life in abortion is an abomination on our nation. Those who are given a new birth by Jesus in Holy Baptism by water and the Spirit (John 3) must be people who speak the truth of God’s Word: “You shall not murder.” We are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” We dare not sit on the fence when it comes to life and death issues such as abortion or physician-assisted suicide. The same voice of the Lord that “thunders” over the waters of creation and the flood (Psalm 29) now resounds over the waters of Holy Baptism, making us God’s own special people and calling us to be the voice of hope in a world shrouded by sin and death.

A Stewardship Thought for May 31 – The Holy Trinity Isaiah 6:3 – “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” Behold the threefold Name of God! Here in Isaiah the angels cry, “Holy, holy, holy” to praise and acknowledge the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are baptized into this Name. We have been made a part of God’s family. Now, we are called to live in harmony with our new family, to be godly and live in God’s image. As God is loving, kind and generous, so are we all called to be.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the July 2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by June 22. 

All announcements and prayer requests received in the church office by noon on Wednesday will appear in print that week in Friday’s email. If there is an announcement that you would like Pastor to make following Sunday’s FB live stream, please email him that information

Looking Forward to the First Sunday After Trinity

Readings: Genesis 15:1-6; 1 John 4:16-21; Luke 16:19-31