Redeemer Lutheran Church
News and Announcements are published on Friday of each week.
News and Announcements for the
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Genesis 3:8-15, 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1, Mark 3:20-35
Jesus Has Defeated the Devil and Released Us from the Bondage of Sin and Death
The devil deceived us, enticing us to disregard and disobey the Word of God and driving us to hide “from the presence of the Lord God.” But the Lord, in His mercy, promised a Savior, who would set Himself against the devil on our behalf (Gen. 3:8–15). The Son of Man came, the incarnate Son of God, conceived and born of the woman. He “first binds the strong man,” Satan, by atoning for the sins of the world, thereby removing the condemnation of the Law and the fear of death (Mark 3:27). Now He plunders the devil’s house by calling all men to repent. Though He appears to be “out of his mind” (Mark 3:21), He fulfills the will of God and makes of us His own brothers and sisters. Therefore, “we do not lose heart,” despite the suffering, sin and death that we experience in this fallen world. “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus.” By His grace, we are “being renewed day by day.” For the Gospel is daily bringing us into His presence, not for punishment, but for “an eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:14–17).
Witness
Regular Worship Dates and Times
Four Divine Services are offered each weekend to ease numbers and increase participation of all. The same liturgy will be used in each service.
Saturday at 10:00 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham specifically for those in any at-risk category.
Saturday at 5:00 pm is an in-person Divine Service in Sanford.
Sunday at 8:00 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham.
Sunday at 10:15 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham. This service will be broadcast live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page and posted for later viewing on Redeemer’s You Tube Channel.
Wednesday at 7:00 am is an in-person Morning Prayer and live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page.
Wednesday at 7:00 pm is an in-person Evening Prayer and live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page.
Romans Bible Study is on Wednesdays 7:30 pm via Zoom. Email the church office for login info if you would like to join.
Ladies of Redeemer: Joy: A Study of Philippians. This study is in-person in Gorham and on Zoom on Thursdays at 10am. A second Zoom session will be on Thursdays at 7pm. Contact Becky at hamby.becky@gmail.com or 207-650-6175 if you are interested.
Sunday School is in-person and via Zoom from 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM each Sunday. We would be thrilled if you let us know you can join us! Please RSVP to jhutchns@gmail.com so we can include you on the weekly communications and the Zoom invitations.
Portals of Prayer for July through September are available in the narthex.
Missions/Evangelism Note: While we in Maine might feel a bit isolated from the rest of our denomination, we can stay connected with the LCMS. Check out the new LCMS mobile app along with other great ways of deepening your faith, witness, and knowledge at https://www.lcms.org/resources/multimedia/mobile-apps. Watch out for more details in the monthly newsletter.
Missions Unpacked for Kids: Expand kids’ worldview this summer with an interesting, age-appropriate introduction to LCMS International Mission. This series of five video-based sessions is designed for 1st through 6th grade students, and can be adapted for younger children as well. These 45–60 minute sessions will introduce kids to the people and places of LCMS International Mission, showing them how God uses missionaries in diverse places to add to His family. Learn more and register here.
Mercy
Gorham Food Pantry Update - Our friend Heather Whitaker, at present is feeding at least 110 families in Gorham. 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 www.gorhamfiveforfood.org.
The Gorham Food Pantry is the Mercy Ministry of the Month for June. Monetary donations can be sent to P.O.Box 547 Gorham ME 04038. If you would rather donate non-perishable food items, tey can be dropped in the receptacle outside the door of the Food Pantry located in the west portion of St. Anne's Church parking lot (299 Main Street) right down the block from Redeemer
Thank you to all that contributed to our Mercy Ministry of the Month for May, Homeless Youth Services of South Portland and to all that provided for the teachers and workers severance at Concordia College New York.
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
Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the July church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by June 23.
If you missed the ABBA Banquet and still wish to view the presentation, it is available at this LINK.
Stewardship Note: Mark 3:35 – “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Doing the will of God starts with trusting in His Son Jesus Christ. Once we have faith in Him and have been reborn as new creatures through Holy Baptism, we strive to grow in this faith and in a life that agrees with our faith. We should strive to grow in generosity, in kindness, and in love across our callings, which include the home, church, and society while growing in the family of God. For all who do His will are his brothers, and sisters, and mothers.
Life Thought in the Church Year for June 6 – Pentecost II (Proper 5B) – “Our outer self is wasting away … in this [earthly] tent we groan” (2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2). The Scriptures understand the difficulties of a terminal diagnosis. And it holds life precious all the way through the bitter end: “Our inner self is being renewed day by day … preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.” Physician-assisted suicide cannot even compare!
Essential Exercise for the Christian Mind… Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s subjects include: What I Wish My Non-Lutheran Family Knew about the Holy Spirit, The Word “Wrath” in the Bible, Is Christianity Relevant?, What Martin Luther Got Wrong, The Movie “A Quiet Place Part II” and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider.
All announcements and prayer requests received in the church office by end of day 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.
Calendar
Looking Forward to the Third Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:1-17, Mark 4:26-34
Hymns: 693, 834, 894, 652
News and Announcements for the
Third Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:1-17, Mark 4:26-34
The Cross of Christ Is the Tree of Life, Which Bears Abundant Fruit after Its Own Kind
The parables of our Lord convey the mysteries of the kingdom of God to those who are “able to hear it,” that is, “to his own disciples,” who are catechized to fear, love and trust in Him by faith (Mark 4:33–34). He scatters “seed on the ground,” which “sprouts and grows” unto life, even as “he sleeps and rises” (Mark 4:26–27). “On the mountain height of Israel,” He plants a young and tender twig, and it becomes “a noble cedar.” Indeed, His own cross becomes the Tree of Life, under which “every kind of bird” will dwell, and in which “birds of every sort will nest” (Ezek. 17:22–25). His cross is our resting place, even while now in mortal bodies, we “groan, being burdened” (2 Cor. 5:1–4). Yet in faith, we live for God in Christ, who for our sake “died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15). We know that, in His resurrected body, “we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1).
Witness
Regular Worship Dates and Times
Four Divine Services are offered each weekend to ease numbers and increase participation of all. The same liturgy will be used in each service.
Saturday at 10:00 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham specifically for those in any at-risk category.
Saturday at 5:00 pm is an in-person Divine Service in Sanford.
Sunday at 8:00 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham.
Sunday at 10:15 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham. This service will be broadcast live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page and posted for later viewing on Redeemer’s You Tube Channel.
Wednesday at 7:00 am is an in-person Morning Prayer and live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page.
Wednesday at 7:00 pm is an in-person Evening Prayer and live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page.
Midweek Bible Study is on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm via Zoom. Email the church office for login info if you would like to join.
Ladies of Redeemer: Joy: A Study of Philippians. This study is in-person in Gorham and on Zoom on Thursdays at 10am. A second Zoom session will be on Thursdays at 7pm. Contact Becky at hamby.becky@gmail.com or 207-650-6175 if you are interested.
Sunday School is in-person and via Zoom from 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM each Sunday. We would be thrilled if you let us know you can join us! Please RSVP to jhutchns@gmail.com so we can include you on the weekly communications and the Zoom invitations.
Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? is the title of a video-based Bible study with the author of the book with the same title. This study will begin on July 7 at 7:30 pm via Zoom. You can view trailer and read a short synopsis HERE. If you wish to order a book to go with the study, you can purchase a new copy from CPH for $15.99 plus shipping as part of a group order by emailing the church office by June 22 or you can likely find a used copy online. If you are interested, please email the church office to receive Zoom log on information before the first lesson.
Portals of Prayer for July through September are available in the narthex. Share the Gospel by using your old Portals of Prayer as a gift to a friend or leaving it at your doctor’s office.
Missions/Evangelism Note: While we in Maine might feel a bit isolated from the rest of our denomination, we can stay connected with the LCMS. Check out the new LCMS mobile app along with other great ways of deepening your faith, witness, and knowledge at https://www.lcms.org/resources/multimedia/mobile-apps. Watch out for more details in the monthly newsletter.
Missions Unpacked for Kids: Expand kids’ worldview this summer with an interesting, age-appropriate introduction to LCMS International Mission. This series of five video-based sessions is designed for 1st through 6th grade students, and can be adapted for younger children as well. These 45–60 minute sessions will introduce kids to the people and places of LCMS International Mission, showing them how God uses missionaries in diverse places to add to His family. Learn more and register here.
Mercy
Gorham Food Pantry Update - Our friend Heather Whitaker, at present is feeding at least 110 families in Gorham. 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 www.gorhamfiveforfood.org.
The Gorham Food Pantry is the Mercy Ministry of the Month for June. Monetary donations can be sent to P.O.Box 547 Gorham ME 04038. If you would rather donate non-perishable food items, tey can be dropped in the receptacle outside the door of the Food Pantry located in the west portion of St. Anne's Church parking lot (299 Main Street) right down the block from Redeemer
Thank you to all that contributed to our Mercy Ministry of the Month for May, Homeless Youth Services of South Portland and to all that provided for the teachers and workers severance at Concordia College New York.
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
Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the July church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by June 23.
If you missed the ABBA Banquet and still wish to view the presentation, it is available at this LINK. The live event had over 220 streaming/watch parties with about 500 people participating and raising more than $81,662!
Lutheran Church Extension Fund Newsletter and Interest Rates for June 2021 are available via the links.
The Spring/Summer 2021 issue of the NED News is available via the link.
Stewardship Note: Mark 4:34 – “He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.” How blessed we are to be His disciples! The Lord has indeed explained everything to us. He has told us all things plainly. Why then are we ever so foolish as to disobey His clear Word? Our fight against sin in the power of the Holy Spirit is truly a struggle. Therefore, let us receive the Lord’s help in His Word and Sacraments, and let us fight the good fight of faith and grow up into His image.
Life Thought in the Church Year for June 13 – The teachings of Jesus frequently smile at the mention of seeds (Mark 4:26, 31). The Lord likes how tiny and inactive things leave Him ample room to work life. Since He holds inanimate objects in such high regard, what exhilaration must He have over embryonic human beings! Declaring God’s kingdom means defending the unborn.
Lutheranism In the Public Square… Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. This week’s topics include: A Christian Response to Progressive Ideology, Religious Liberty in Crisis, Media Coverage of Religion, Freedom of Conscience and more. You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider.
All announcements and prayer requests received in the church office by end of day 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.
Calendar
Looking Forward to the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Readings: Job 38:1-11, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41