Redeemer Lutheran Church
News and Announcements are published on Friday each week.
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Genesis 50:15-21; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35
Hymns: 606, 501, 845, 793, 533, 760
Calendar
Witness
Neighborhood Surveys. Many people think about going to church, but are hesitant to walk into an unknown congregation. Our evangelism effort allows us to introduce ourselves to our neighbors and may be just the invitation they need to "come and see." The short survey helps us to assess how we can meet the needs of the area and and shares information with them about Redeemer. We visited 74 homes on September 9. We’ll conduct our next neighborhood survey in Sanford on Saturday, September 16. We’ve mapped out a route that will include two large neighborhoods. Let Pastor or Henry know if you are able to help out.
- Sanford Sept 16 Meet at the Preaching Station at 12:30
1725 Main Street, Suite #9 Sanford, Maine 04073
- Gorham Oct 14, and Oct 21
Training begins at 10am. Lunch is provided. We’ll be done by 3:30.
Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board or contact Pastor, Henry, or Brenda.
Dinner and Conversation evenings provide an opportunity to introduce friends, family, and neighbors to our church and to get answers to questions they have about our church, our faith, the LCMS, or to just get to know us better. Please RSVP to Pastor or Henry so we know how many to plan for.
Gorham This Sunday 9/17 at 6pm. John and Hannah are hosting
Sunday 10/29 at 6pm.
Sanford Saturday 9/23 at 6pm.
Speak to Brenda or Henry for more information and to volunteer to prepare and serve the meal.
Please pray for our church evangelism efforts: that we are able to meet and speak with many people, that Holy Spirit would help all of us see opportunities to invite others, and that He may move them to respond positively.
"Ruth" a Musical Drama. This outing has been canceled. You may want to invite friends to attend with you as a way to introduce them to the lovely story of Jesus’s ancestor, Ruth.
www.newlifefinearts.org/tickets.
Are you looking for a mission opportunity that you can do from the comfort of your own home? You’re in luck! The English Conversation Partners (Peru) mission opportunity is starting September 27 and runs every Wednesday from 8pm to 9pm until November 1. For more information and to sign up reach out to Amanda Strayer.
The Missions and Evangelism Board is looking for someone who can record some short videos we can post on the church Facebook page. If you enjoying this sort of thing, are good at it, and have a willingness to serve, contact Brenda, Henry, or Pastor for more information.
Adult Catechesis - A new adult class began on Sep 14 at 7pm. This one hour class will be online every Thursday evening. It is open to inquirer's, newer members and life-long Lutherans alike. Do you want to refresh you understanding and knowledge of the Small Catechism or introduce a friend to biblical Christian teaching, then this class is for you. Please contact the church office via email to register and receive a link to join the conversation.
This week we kick off our 2023 Ultrasound Drive. Last year we were able to fund 20 life saving
Ultrasounds, 10 at ABBA and 10 at ALPHA. Over 80% of woman who see their unborn child on
an ultrasound will chose life. Please help us support both ABBA and ALPA in this life saving
work. The cost of one ultrasound is approximately $200.00. We would love to match last year’s
total of funding 20 ultrasounds. Envelopes are now available on the table in the Narthex. Please
write “Ultrasound Drive” in the remarks section of your check. You can place your check in the
offering platter at any time through December 17th . Thank you!
Sunday morning Bible Class topics.
9/17: Kyle Mann, Editor-in-Chief of the Babylon Bee - Making the Case Against Cancel Culture
9/24: Mark & Mollie Hemingway, LCMS journalists for Real Clear Investigations and The Federalist - An Open Q&A
10/1: A Study of Church History - Power Plays in the Early Centuries: The Gospel, the Power of God
10/8: A Study of Church History - Power Plays in the Early Centuries: Augustine's City of God and its Consequences
Mercy
Cressey Road – Cressey Road Church at 81 Cressey Road in Gorham is collecting clothes of any kind for the indigent in the community. It is done 9-noon on the first and third Saturdays.
Gorham Backpack Program - Our friend Heather Whitaker, at present is feeding at least 110 families in Gorham through the BackPack Program. Much of the food is coming from the Gorham food Pantry and they are soliciting direct cash donations. If anyone would like to support them you can make a donation at their website gorhamfoodpantry.org.
If you need anything (rides, supplies, medicine pickups) or any assistance please feel free to contact Sandy or Tom DiPasqua at 207-883-2730 or tjdipasqua@aol.com.
Life Together
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.
Portals of Prayer for the October through December 2023 are available in the narthex. There are three sizes available depending on your need and preference.
The Fifth Saturdays and Sundays of the year provide an opportune time for both of our worship locations to join together in the Divine Service and the fellowship that follows. All who regularly worship in Gorham are invited to add Saturdays Sep 30 and Dec 30 in Sanford to your schedule as those who usually worship in Sanford add Sundays Oct 29 and Dec 31 in Gorham to their schedules.
Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the October church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by September 25.
The 68th Regular Convention of the LCMS has finished its business in session. Our Circuit 1 (the congregations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) sent one pastoral and one lay delegate to the convention. Rev. Ruwisch from Grace, Nashua was the pastoral delegate. Our own Darik Day was the lay delegate. Darik has drafted a summary of the convention for the circuit. which is found HERE. If you have any other questions on the convention, Darik would surely enjoy telling you all things convention.
Stewardship Thought for September 17 – Trinity 15 – Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Our anxieties and fears all come down to one thing: worrying that we will not have what we think we need. But God is our loving heavenly Father. He will always care for us, His will is always best, and He actually knows what we actually need. That confidence should set us free from worry and make us free for service according to the callings God has given us.
A Life Thought in the Church Year for September 17 – Pentecost XVI (Proper 19A): Surprise pregnancy often comes with complications and difficulties. Terminal diagnosis can involve suffering and sorrow. But our God brought Jesus back from the dead. He makes it His way to wring blessings out of burdens (Genesis 50:19-20). Are we in the place of God, to let abortion or assisted suicide judge (Romans 14:4) someone else’s life as hopeless?
LUTHERAN TALK AND MUSIC MOBILE APP… You can listen to Lutheran talk and music 24/7, anytime, anywhere with the free Lutheran Public Radio app. You can download for your cell phone at the App Store, Google Play or at issuesetc.org.
Communications
Have a communications need? See Amanda Strayer! She is currently handling announcements, The Redeemer Reader, church voicemails and church emails and will be happy to assist you.
All announcements and prayer requests received in the church office by noon on Thursday 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 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30; Matthew 20:1-16
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Isaiah 55:6-9; Philippians 1:12-14, 19-30; Matthew 20:1-16
Hymns: 565, 853, 555, 738, 705, 720
Calendar
Witness
Neighborhood Surveys. Many people think about going to church, but are hesitant to walk into an unknown congregation. Our evangelism effort allows us to introduce ourselves to our neighbors and may be just the invitation they need to "come and see." The short survey helps us to assess how we can meet the needs of the area and and shares information with them about Redeemer. We visited 74 homes on September 9. We’ll conduct our next neighborhood survey in Sanford on Saturday, October 7. We’ve mapped out a route that will include two large neighborhoods. Let Pastor or Henry know if you are able to help out.
- Sanford October 7 Meet at the Preaching Station at 12:30
1725 Main Street, Suite #9 Sanford, Maine 04073
- Gorham Oct 14, and Oct 21. Training begins at 10am. Lunch is provided. We’ll be done
by 3:30.
Sign up sheet is on the bulletin board or contact Pastor, Henry, or Brenda.
Dinner and Conversation evenings provide an opportunity to introduce friends, family, and neighbors to our church and to get answers to questions they have about our church, our faith, the LCMS, or to just get to know us.
Gorham Sunday 10/29 at 6pm.
Sanford Saturday10/14 at 6pm.
Speak to Brenda or Henry for more information and to volunteer to prepare and serve the meal.
Please pray for our church evangelism efforts: that we are able to meet and speak with many people, that Holy Spirit would help all of us see opportunities to invite others, and that He may move them to respond positively.
"Ruth" a Musical Drama. This outing has been canceled. You may want to invite friends to attend with you as a way to introduce them to the lovely story of Jesus’s ancestor, Ruth. www.newlifefinearts.org/tickets.
Pastor Beinke’s Thursday evening Bible study on Sept 28 is canceled. It will resume the following week. Join via GoTo Meeting at https://meet.GoTo.com/445850965 at 7pm each Thursday to study the scripture readings for the following Sunday.
Adult Catechesis - A new adult class began on Sep 14 at 7pm. This one hour class will be online every Thursday evening. It is open to inquirer's, newer members and life-long Lutherans alike. Do you want to refresh you understanding and knowledge of the Small Catechism or introduce a friend to biblical Christian teaching, then this class is for you. Please contact the church office via email to register and receive a link to join the conversation.
This week we kick off our 2023 Ultrasound Drive. Last year we were able to fund 20 life saving Ultrasounds, 10 at ABBA and 10 at ALPHA. Over 80% of woman who see their unborn child on an ultrasound will chose life. Please help us support both ABBA and ALPA in this life saving work. The cost of one ultrasound is approximately $200.00. We would love to match last year’s total of funding 20 ultrasounds. Envelopes are now available on the table in the Narthex. Please write “Ultrasound Drive” in the remarks section of your check. You can place your check in the offering platter at any time through December 17th . Thank you!
Sunday morning Bible Class topics.
9/24: Mark & Mollie Hemingway, LCMS journalists for Real Clear Investigations and The Federalist - An Open Q&A
10/1: A Study of Church History - Power Plays in the Early Centuries: The Gospel, the Power of God
10/8: A Study of Church History - Power Plays in the Early Centuries: Augustine's City of God and its Consequences
10/15: A Study of Church History - Power Plays in the Early Centuries: Islam and Iconoclasm
Mercy
Cressey Road – Cressey Road Church at 81 Cressey Road in Gorham is collecting clothes of any kind for the indigent in the community. It is done 9-noon on the first and third Saturdays.
Gorham Backpack Program - Our friend Heather Whitaker, at present is feeding at least 110 families in Gorham through the BackPack Program. Much of the food is coming from the Gorham food Pantry and they are soliciting direct cash donations. If anyone would like to support them you can make a donation at their website gorhamfoodpantry.org.
MAP INTERNATIONAL is a Christian based organization that provides medical care and antibiotics to people in 91 nations. Every $10 donated generates $400 worth of medicine. To make a donation MAP INTERNATIONAL p.o box 96487 Washington D.C 20077 or map.org on line
If you need anything (rides, supplies, medicine pickups) or any assistance please feel free to contact Sandy or Tom DiPasqua at 207-883-2730 or tjdipasqua@aol.com.
Life Together
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.
Portals of Prayer for the October through December 2023 are available in the narthex. There are three sizes available depending on your need and preference.
The Fifth Saturdays and Sundays of the year provide an opportune time for both of our worship locations to join together in the Divine Service and the fellowship that follows. All who regularly worship in Gorham are invited to add Saturdays Sep 30 and Dec 30 in Sanford to your schedule as those who usually worship in Sanford add Sundays Oct 29 and Dec 31 in Gorham to their schedules.
Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the October church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by September 25.
Stewardship Thought for September 24 – Trinity 16-Ephesians 3:14–15 – “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” We have a Father in heaven. He cares for us. He knows how to give us all good things. This knowledge frees us from worry and anxiety. Jesus returned to this theme again and again, and we should take Him at His Word. Our Father will care for us, so we can be secure in generosity and faithful living.
A Life Thought in the Church Year for September 24 – Pentecost XVII (Proper 20A): Abortion and euthanasia begrudge God’s generosity (Matthew 20:15) by regarding one life as less than another. Thank the Lord that His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8), for none of us deserves to survive! Yet He preserves and protects us still, just as much as our every neighbor. O Lord, make us bold to speak Your Word of Life without fear (Philippians 1:14)!
LAW & GOSPEL SERIES… What does St. Paul mean when he writes about “rightly handling the word of truth?” Issues, Etc., a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL, has an in-depth series with Pr. Will Weedon based on “The Proper Distinction Between Law & Gospel” by C.F.W. Walther. You can listen to the entire series at your convenience at issuesetc.org/lawandgospel.
Communications
Have a communications need? See Amanda Strayer! She is currently handling announcements, The Redeemer Reader, church voicemails and church emails and will be happy to assist you.
All announcements and prayer requests received in the church office by noon on Thursday 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 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18; Matthew 21:23-27