News and Announcements are published on Friday each week.

The Nineteenth Sunday After Trinity

October 11, 2026

Readings: Genesis 28:10-17; Ephesians 4:17-28; Matthew 9:1-8

Hymns: 620, 708, 621, 611, 553, 533

Calendar 

Witness

Many of us are familiar with Lutheran Hour Ministries through the Lutheran Hour radio program which was first broadcast in1930 (heard locally Sunday mornings at 5:30 on WGAN am 560 or fm 98.5), or perhaps by seeing their Christian float in the Rose Parade on New Years morning.  Their vision is, "To empower, equip, and inspire you to engage in meaningful spiritual conversations with confidence."  An LCMS auxiliary organization, they offer many resources to equip us to share our faith with others.  Check them out at lhm.org/lhm-learn.

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  

"The Locker Project" of the Gorham School district is collecting snack items again for the students.  In addition they have asked for donations of toiletries items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, etc.  Any contribution would be appreciated.  There is a list of snack suggestions and a box for donations in the narthex. 

In addition to the Locker Project collection, this year we are collecting items to create "Thanksgiving Baskets".  Donations of items for a "Thanksgiving feast" can be dropped off in a box in the narthex.

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

ABBA is excited to invite you to join us on October 10th at 10:00 a.m. for our simple two-mile walk starting at the Center, 1250 Forest Avenue, Portland. We will take part of this time for last-minute on-site registration; we will serve coffee and donuts and offer a tour of the Center; the walk up Stevens Avenue will begin at 11 a.m.

Pastor Strawn is going to restart the midweek studies starting next Wednesday October 14th at 6:30 pm.  For more details, please see Pastor Strawn.

Our District President, Pastor Beinke, was a guest on KFUO’s morning radio show “The Coffee Hour”. The Rev. Robert Beinke (President, New England District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today. This LINK takes you to the recording of that show.

Pastor Jonathan Anderson’s September 2026 newsletter from Panama is available at this LINK.

We offer our prayers for the family of Rev. Thomas Dornan. Pastor Dornan peacefully entered the life and rest of heaven yesterday morning, Wednesday, October 7th.  Pastor Dornan served at St. James Lutheran Church in Canton, MA until the time of his retirement in 2019. Pastor also served a few congregations in Minnesota prior to coming to New England.  While Pastor is now in the presence of our Lord, please keep the Dornan family in your prayers.  A funeral service at Our Redeemer in Smithfield, RI is being planned and details will be shared when they are made available.  Cards can be sent to Dawn and family at their home at 23 Hall Street, Mansfield, MA 02048.

Redeemer’s Annual Fall Cleanup Day is Saturday October 17th in Gorham from 9 am until 1 pm. Pizza will be served! Please bring rakes, weed whackers, wheelbarrows and/or shovels to help beautify, maintain and preserve our beautiful house of worship!

Our annual Octoberfest BBQ will be Sunday October 25th, immediately following the Divine Service.  Please see Betsy for more details.

Redeemer's 2nd Annual Craft Fair will be held on Saturday November 14th from 8:30 am to 2 pm.  Betsy has posted a sign-up sheet downstairs.  Please see Betsy for more details.

A Life Thought in the Church Year for October 11 (Trinity XIX): What care and compassion are seen by the men who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus! What burden they gladly bore to carry this man that he could be brought to Christ! They sought nothing for themselves, but only the welfare of their brother! What great compassion, therefore, does our Lord have for us? “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” And so, then, our Lord commands: “Therefore, go and do likewise.”

”A Stewardship Thought for October 11 – 19th Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 4:24 – “Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” We have a new identity in Christ. Our old identity was in Adam; we were sinners, enemies of God, destined for death and destruction. But in Christ, we have a new identity: we are forgiven, the children of God, cleansed, destined for life everlasting. These two identities continue to struggle as we exist in this fallen world. So St. Paul encourages us to “put on the new self” — to consciously cling to Christ in faith and claim our new identity in Him. Coming to the Lord’s House, faithfully supporting the ministry, praying and reading Scripture daily — these are the works of the new self.

THEOLOGY FOR WHITE COLLAR, BLUE COLLAR, AND CLERICAL COLLAR… 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 topics include: Artificial Intelligence & Vocation; Bareness; The Early Church Fathers & Faith Alone; The Apology of the Augsburg Confession; Reuniting Mothers with Their Children in Foster Care; Young Men & Red-Pill Content and more.  You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app or a podcast provider.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the November 2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by October 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 Twentieth Sunday After Trinity

Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; Ephesians 5:15-21; Matthew 22:1-14

The Twentieth Sunday After Trinity

October 18, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; Ephesians 5:15-21; Matthew 22:1-14

Hymns: 827, 672, 563, 631, 636, 912

Calendar 

Witness

The Christmas Fair will be a success only if it is well attended.  We have flyers available to place in local shops, bulletin boards, and to share with friends and neighbors.  Please take one (or several) to let others know about this important and festive event.

Many of us are familiar with Lutheran Hour Ministries through the Lutheran Hour radio program which was first broadcast in1930 (heard locally Sunday mornings at 5:30 on WGAN am 560 or fm 98.5), or perhaps by seeing their Christian float in the Rose Parade on New Years morning.  Their vision is, "To empower, equip, and inspire you to engage in meaningful spiritual conversations with confidence."  An LCMS auxiliary organization, they offer many resources to equip us to share our faith with others.  Check them out at lhm.org/lhm-learn.

We were blessed by Pastor and Lisa Sandeno’s visit last week as they prepare to serve the English-speaking community around Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. Visit https://www.lcms.org/missionary/sandeno to learn more their missionary service and how to support them in prayer and financially.

Mercy  

"The Locker Project" of the Gorham School district is collecting snack items again for the students.  In addition, they have asked for donations of toiletries items such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, etc.  Any contribution would be appreciated.  There is a list of snack suggestions and a box for donations in the narthex. 

In addition to the Locker Project collection, this year we are collecting items to create "Thanksgiving Baskets".  Donations of items for a "Thanksgiving feast" can be dropped off in a box in the narthex.

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

Redeemer’s Annual Fall Cleanup Day is Saturday October 17th in Gorham from 9 am until 1 pm. Pizza and beverages will be served! Please bring rakes, weed whackers, wheelbarrows and/or shovels to help beautify, maintain and preserve our beautiful house of worship!

Pastor Sandeno and Lisa’s October 2026 newsletter is available at this LINK.  A printed copy will be posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship area.  You can use this link to sign up for their newsletter https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/O6mTKiV/sandeno.

We offer our prayers for the Rev. Thomas Dornan family. Pastor Dornan peacefully entered the life and rest of heaven yesterday morning, Wednesday, October 7th.  Pastor Dornan served at St. James Lutheran Church in Canton, MA until the time of his retirement in 2019. Pastor also served a few congregations in Minnesota prior to coming to New England.  While Pastor is now in the presence of our Lord, please keep the Dornan family in your prayers.  A funeral service will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:00 am. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. The service will be followed by a graveside committal at Spring Brook Cemetery, 165 Spring Street, Mansfield, MA, and a luncheon reception at Church of Emmanuel, 106 Central Street, Foxboro, MA.  Cards can be sent to Dawn and family at their home at 23 Hall Street, Mansfield, MA 02048.

The October 2026 issue of the LWML-NED newsletter “Pass It On” is available at this LINK.  A printed copy will be posted on the bulletin board in the fellowship area.

Our annual Octoberfest BBQ is Sunday October 25th, immediately following the Divine Service.  Please see Betsy for more details.

Redeemer's 2nd Annual Craft Fair will be held on Saturday November 14th from 8:30 am to 2 pm.  Betsy has posted a sign-up sheet downstairs.  Please see Betsy for more details.

A Life Thought in the Church Year for October 18 (St. Luke): The Church remembers the evangelist St. Luke, physician, on October 18. A physician’s first and foremost duty is to provide healing and relief to a patient, not destruction or harm. While there may not always be a cure for a terminal disease, we must always give bodily care and spiritual comfort. When death is in the near future, we do not use our enemy (i.e., death/euthanasia) as the tool. Rather, we give the care and comfort of the resurrection of the body and the life of the world to come promised us in our Holy Baptism.

”A Stewardship Thought for October 18 – 20th Sunday after Trinity Isaiah 55:2 – “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” What Isaiah says here is reminiscent of what Jesus says about putting our earthly wealth in places “where moth and rust destroy” (Matt. 6:19). Where we put the money God has given us to manage says a lot about how we actually view life. What do your spending priorities say about what you think is truly important in life?

A LUTHERAN VIEW OF DEPRESSION… October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month.  You can listen to the audiobook, "I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression" by Pastor Todd Peperkorn at issuesetc.org/depression. This audiobook is produced by Lutheran Public Radio, Inc., based in Collinsville, IL.  LPR, Inc. produces radio talk shows, podcasts, sacred music and talk stations, books, audiobooks, conferences, hymn recordings and videos.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the November 2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by October 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 Reformation Day (celebrated)

Readings: Revelation 14:6-7; Romans 3:19-28; John 8:31-36