Redeemer Lutheran Church
The First Sunday in Advent
Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37
The Lord Jesus Comes in Meekness and Humility to Save Us
Although we pray that God “would rend the heavens and come down” (Is. 64:1), that He would take vengeance against our enemies, we ourselves “have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Is. 64:6). We have continued in our sins for “a long time, and shall we be saved?” (Is. 64:5). Yet, the Lord does not punish us in anger. He comes in voluntary meekness and humility to save us by His grace. Just as He once came into Jerusalem to sacrifice Himself for us upon the cross (Mark 11:4–8), He still comes to His Church with the fruits of His Passion. By His ministry of the Gospel, we are “enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge,” and so He will “sustain you to the end” (1 Cor. 1:5, 8). Although “heaven and earth will pass away,” His words “will not pass away” (Mark 13:31). As He sends disciples to call us to Himself in the fellowship of His Church, so will He “send out the angels” to gather us and all of His elect “from the ends of the earth” to Himself in heaven forever (Mark 13:27).
Witness
Worship Dates and Times
Due to the latest executive order from the governor, we have initiated worship twice on both Saturdays and Sundays to ease numbers and increase participation of all. The same liturgy will be used in each service but eliminating the singing in the service for those at risk. Please register to attend any service using Signup Genius.
Saturdays at 10:00 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham specifically for those in any at-risk category.
Saturdays at 5:00 pm is an in-person Divine Service in Sanford.
Sundays at 8:00 am is an in-person Divine Service in Gorham.
Sundays 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.
Wednesdays at 7:00 am is Matins live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page.
Wednesdays at 12:00 pm for Dec 2, 9, 16, and 23 will be added a time of Advent prayer for repentance in anticipation of our Lord’s coming. These prayers will be live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page.
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm is Vespers live on Redeemer’s Facebook Page. The first four Wednesdays in Dec will be Advent services with a catechetical focus on Holy Baptism.
Home Services with Holy Communion are available by appointment for shut-ins and those in high risk categories. Contact Pastor to discuss what special precautions are needed or for your appointment.
The four Wednesday evenings in Advent, Dec 2, 9, 16, 23 will also offer Vespers at 7:00 pm with the addition of a noon praying of the Litany.Asvent Devotions
The online Bible Study of Romans will pause during Advent. Classes will resume on Jan 13, 2021. Recordings through chapter 8 are available on Redeemer’s website or You Tube Channel.
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.
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
The annual Voters’ Assembly is scheduled for Dec 6 at 11:15 am. You should have received your copy of the reports, voting information, and how to participate in this year’s Voters’ Assembly. If you have any questions, please contact the congregational president, Paul Fielding or the church office.
Advent Devotions are available from Lutheran Hour Ministries in various forms. You can read online or print versions, have a daily devotion emailed to you or even listen to the devotion read.
Stewardship Note: 1 Corinthians 1:9 – “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” The faithfulness of God is our great comfort. He has made promises to us, and He will keep them. He is kind and loving toward us, and He will not break faith with us. This gives us the confidence to step out in faith, to leave fear behind. When it comes to following the Lord’s commandments for our daily lives, we know His will is best for us because our God is faithful.
Life Thought in the Church Year for November 29 – Restore us, O God (Psalm 80:7)! Restore us by Your humble coming among us. Restore our courage to speak for those vulnerable to using death as a solution. Restore our compassion to serve their survival and salvation as You have ours. Restore our congregations to welcome, receive, and embrace every human life. Restore our communities to accompany instead of abandoning. And restore our country to protect and provide for unborn and elderly.
Sacred Music for the Advent Season… ”Savior of the Nations, Come,” “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry,” “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending,” “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding,” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” You can listen to sacred music for the Advent season 24/7 at lutheranpublicradio.org, TuneIn, Amazon Echo, Google Home and the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.
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 Second Sunday in Advent
Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Mark 1:1-8