News and Announcements are published on Friday each week.

Quasimodo Geniti

April 12, 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1 John 5:4-10; John 20:19-31 

 Hymns: 480, 470 467, 478, 487, 468

Calendar 

Witness

What do you want others to know about our church?  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.  

"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.

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.  

"The Locker Project" of the Gorham School district is collecting snack items again for the students. Any contribution would be appreciated.  There is a list of suggestions and a box for donations in the narthex.

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  Church council is still seeking someone to fill the vacant recording secretary position on Council. Please speak with Matt Hamby or Darik Day if you are interested in serving in this capacity.

Our Easter Brunch will be Sunday April 12th in Gorham following the Divine Service.  Ham and turkey will be provided so please bring your favorite Easter side dish or dessert to share.

Looking for hosts for our coffee hours following service. Sign up on the Fellowship Board near Pastor’s office. This can be one family or several families.  

Dear Partner for Life - We are still in the Sanctity of Human Life & Baby Bottle Campaign, and I am happy to report that you all have helped ABBA raise $37,238 so far. (We are behind last year's total. If you haven't given, or would like to give, an additional gift, please visit www.abbaportland.org/donate today.) We can't do this work without your support. Because of your heart for the unborn, lives are being saved. Thanks to all who participated in our Sanctity of Life and Baby Bottle Drive! 

A Life Thought in the Church Year for April 12 – Quasimodo Geniti (Easter II): The disciples locked themselves in the upper room out of fear (John 20:19) … fear of the unknown, of what might happen. Like the dry bones seen by Ezekiel, fear can leave even the boldest and strongest feeling dried up, crying out, “Our hope is lost” (Ezekiel 37:11). An unplanned pregnancy, a terminal illness, a sudden death—just to name a few—these can leave us feeling like all hope is lost. But the Lord did not leave the disciples in fear without peace, and neither will He leave you. “Peace be with you!” Christ is risen, and in Him is the peace that surpasses all understanding. “Do not disbelieve, but believe” (John 20:27). Jesus knows how to turn death into life and fear into gladness. He has the nail marks to prove it.

A Stewardship Thought for April 12 – Second Sunday of Easter (Quasimodogeniti) John 20:19 – “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” Jesus spent a lot of His time telling the disciples to not be afraid. Our fears constantly hem us in and prevent us from following the Lord’s will. But there is no need to fear. Jesus has conquered. No fear can keep us locked up. We have been set free by Jesus to live lives that declare His marvelous deeds.

EXPERT GUESTS, EXPANSIVE TOPICS, EXTOLLING CHRIST... Issues, Etc. is a podcast and radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.  Recent teachings include: The Easter Hymn “The Day of Resurrection;” Worship, Adiaphora & the Lutheran Confessions; First-Century Jewish Historian Josephus on Jesus of Nazareth; Restoring Faith, Freedom & Family; and more.  You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the May  2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by April 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 Misericordias Domini

Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16; 1 Peter 2:21-25; John 10:11-16 

Misericordias Domini

April 19, 2026

Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16; 1 Peter 2:21-25; John 10:11-16 

 Hymns: 666, 709 458, 710, 534, 477

Calendar 

Witness

What do you want others to know about our church?  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.  

"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.

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.  

"The Locker Project" of the Gorham School district is collecting snack items again for the students. Any contribution would be appreciated.  There is a list of suggestions and a box for donations in the narthex.

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 

A message from President Rev. Beinke; Good morning, Please keep in your prayers regularly Rev. Joshua Schiff. Pr. Schiff served as Pastor of Zion in Orange, CT until he accepted a call in 2023 to serve as a full-time Chaplain in the Army. He is currently stationed in the Middle East and was the responding chaplain for the first 6 members of the military who were killed in action in the war with Iran. “O Lord, almighty God, as You have always granted special gifts of the Holy Spirit to Your Church on earth, grant Your continual blessing to Pr. Schiff and to all who minister in Your name in the armed forces of our nation, that by Your gracious working they may honor Christ and advance the good of those committed to their care. Guard and keep them as they serve in the name of Jesus, our eternal Lord and Savior. Amen.”     Pres. Beinke

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

The Church council is still seeking someone to fill the vacant recording secretary position on Council. Please speak with Matt Hamby or Darik Day if you are interested in serving in this capacity.

Pastor Strawn has begun teaching a Bible Study in Sanford on Saturdays, 4 pm immediately preceding the Divine Service at 5 pm.  Please join us!

Looking for hosts for our coffee hours following service. Sign up on the Fellowship Board near Pastor’s office. This can be one family or several families.  

Road Trip to the Sight and Sound Theater -  OSL (Our Savior Lutheran, South Windsor, CT)  Ladies are taking a road trip to Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster County, PA, to see the show, Joshua.  The group will leave on Friday morning, May 15,  arriving in time to eat and see the show, spend Friday night in Lancaster County, and return to South Windsor on Saturday, May 16.  We purchased 15 tickets at a group discount ($98.80).  We have six people who can no longer attend.  We would love to have you join our group of ladies, or if you would like to purchase the tickets and do your own thing, that is OK too.   If joining the OSL group, the approximate cost for the weekend will be between $208.00 – $253.00, depending on meal choices.  Cost will include a ticket to the Joshua show, a buffet dinner, hotel, hotel breakfast, fellowship, and a ticket to the Biblical Tabernacle Experience. 
To reserve your spot, please register using the link below and pay for your ticket. Tickets can be paid for during registration online or by cash or check.   If you have more questions about this trip, please contact Christine Tomlin at vicepresident@oursaviorct.org.   We hope you will join the group and take a road trip with our OSL Sisters in Christ. Registration link   Link to the Theater for your information.  Please reach out to Christine or register online by April 26th. 

A Life Thought in the Church Year for April 19 (Easter 3): The practice of abortion rests on the argument that the unborn should not be considered real persons, worthy of dignity and protection under the law. How different that is from the way God views these little ones! St. Peter reminds us that the death and resurrection of Jesus are “for you and your children and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:39). If all children have been purchased by the “precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19), surely they are worthy of our love and care, both inside and outside of the womb.

A Stewardship Thought April 19 – Third Sunday of Easter (Misericordia Domini) John 10:16 – “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” The sheep know the Shepherd’s voice and delight to go where He leads. Of course, the world, the devil and our own sinful flesh want to pull us in another direction. But following the Shepherd means life, and following anyone else means death. So, no matter how difficult the path, let us follow Him!

BOOK OF 2 TIMOTHY BIBLE STUDY… The Word of the Lord Endures Forever is a daily 15-minute verse-by-verse Bible study produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Will Weedon.  Pastor Weedon recently started a study on the Book of 2 Timothy.  You can listen on-demand at thewordendures.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, Tune In, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the May  2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by April 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 Jubilate

Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31; 1 Peter 2:11-20; John 16:16-22