Redeemer Lutheran Church
News and Announcements are published on Friday each week.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 4:1-12; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
Calendar
Witness
Save the Date! Thursday, May 9th is the ABBA Fundraising Banquet. Guest Speakers are Alan and Lisa Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" at the Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Avenue, Portland, Maine on May 11th, 2024, Dinner and Program 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. We will host a table looking for at least 8 people to come and support ABBA. RSVP: NLT April 27th with Darik Day to confirm your seats.
Calling a Pastor. For many of us at Redeemer, this is the first time we have been through the process of calling a pastor and we may not understand the process and the terminology. Issues, Etc., is a syndicated LCMS talk show and podcast that we sponsor. Here is a link to an archived program that explains all you’ve ever wanted to know about the process by which congregations may call a pastor: https://issuesetc.org/2021/05/05/1252-calling-a-pastor-dr-brian-saunders-5-5-21/.
Witnessing to People Influenced by Critical Theory. Critical Theory forms the basis of several flashpoint issues that tend to divide people in our society and create tensions between the divided groups. Critical Theory can be described as a worldview that stands in contrast to the biblical worldview. It is quickly becoming the dominant worldview in our culture. There is an Every One His Witness module that provides practical guidance to Christians for bringing God’s Word to nonchurched people who support, embrace, or promote the tenets of Critical Theory. Using the LASSIE approach for witnessing, we can learn how to witness to the people we know who have been influenced, confused, or deceived by this destructive worldview. View this module along with others at https://www.everyonehiswitness.org/modules/. Contact Brenda if you need help accessing these modules.
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is the official women’s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942 , the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ and encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and in supporting global missions. The 2024 LWML New England District Convention is April 26 and 27. Join in a Bible study, presentations by leaders in Missions, and good fellowship. Speak to Betsy for more information about the Convention or about LWML in general.
Sunday morning Bible Class topics
4/21: Millennialism
4/28: Lutherans Come to America
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
The first voter’s assembly of 2024 will take place April 28th immediately following the Divine Service. Remote access via Zoom will be available.
Breaking news: Redeemer’s pastoral call to a graduating seminarian has been filled! We will be learning the name of our next Pastor on Wednesday evening April 24. Please join us for 4/24 at 6:00 PM in Gorham for prayer, pizza, fellowship and watching the Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne “Call Day Service” which will be streamed at 7 pm. They will announce during the Call Day service which graduating seminarian has been called to Redeemer.
Please join us in celebrating Pastor Sandeno’s 11 years of dedicated service to Redeemer Gorham and Sanford. His retirement party/celebration will be May 5, 2024 at 11:30 am, immediately following the Gorham Divine Service. It will be held at the Old Robie School located at Gray Rd., Rt. 202 in Gorham. Lunch will be served as we celebrate the service of Pastor Sandeno by breaking bread and sharing stories.
The Winter/Spring issue of the LWML-NED newsletter, The Beacon, is available via this LINK. This issue has all the latest news on the upcoming District Convention scheduled for April 26-27, 2024, in Trumbull, CT.
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.
A Life Thought in the Church Year for April 21 – Easter IV: The Gracious Savior brings a delightful clarity to life-and-death issues and situations. Killing and destroying belongs entirely to the work of the devil (John 10:11). The people of God advocate and extend abundant, everlasting life to the Lord’s every last little lamb. Unto all our neighbors, with both our voice and our goods (1 John 3:17), may we “come that they may have life and have it abundantly!”
Stewardship Thought For April 21 – Easter 4 John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” What does it mean to know the Lord? It starts with being known by the Lord: He claims us as His own and calls us by name. Then, once we are His, we learn to know Him, and in knowing Him, we learn to imitate Him. That is how the Christian life of good works and generosity grows from the Lord’s grace
DEFENDING THE FAITH, TEACHING THE TRUTH… 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: Biblical Christianity vs. Progressive Christianity, The Movie “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” Polygamy in the Bible, Responding to Roman Catholic Proof Texts and more. You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider.
Communications
Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the May 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 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 Fifth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4; John 15:1-8
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4; John 15:1-8
Calendar
Witness
Save the Date! Thursday, May 9th is the ABBA Fundraising Banquet. Guest Speakers are Alan and Lisa Robertson of "Duck Dynasty" at the Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Avenue, Portland, Maine on May 11th, 2024, Dinner and Program 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. We will host a table looking for at least 8 people to come and support ABBA. RSVP: NLT April 27th with Darik Day to confirm your seats.
Witnessing to People Influenced by Critical Theory. Critical Theory forms the basis of several flashpoint issues that tend to divide people in our society and create tensions between the divided groups. Critical Theory can be described as a worldview that stands in contrast to the biblical worldview. It is quickly becoming the dominant worldview in our culture. There is an Every One His Witness module that provides practical guidance to Christians for bringing God’s Word to nonchurched people who support, embrace, or promote the tenets of Critical Theory. Using the LASSIE approach for witnessing, we can learn how to witness to the people we know who have been influenced, confused, or deceived by this destructive worldview. View this module along with others at https://www.everyonehiswitness.org/modules/. Contact Brenda if you need help accessing these modules.
Sunday morning Bible Class topics
4/28: Lutherans Come to America
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
The committal service for Henry Berthiaume will be May 17th at 11 am, at the Oak Dale Cemetery, 127 Twombley Road, Sanford, Maine.
The first voter’s assembly of 2024 will take place April 28th immediately following the Divine Service. Remote access via Zoom will be available.
Please join us in celebrating Pastor Sandeno’s 11 years of dedicated service to Redeemer Gorham and Sanford. His retirement party/celebration will be May 5, 2024 at 11:30 am, immediately following the Gorham Divine Service. It will be held at the Old Robie School located at Gray Rd., Rt. 202 in Gorham. Lunch will be served as we celebrate the service of Pastor Sandeno by breaking bread and sharing stories.
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.
A Life Thought in the Church Year for April 28 – Easter V: It is anxiety and fright that drive folks to pursue abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and other measures that view death as a solution. Fear likewise bullies the sanctity of life into silence. But the Lord’s perfect love puts all fear to flight (1 John 4:18). In surprise pregnancy and terminal diagnosis, we and our neighbors need not independence and empowerment but the presence, promises, and compassion of the Father Almighty.
A Stewardship Thought For April 28 – Easter 5 - John 15:2: “Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” God is interested in the fruit that we bear in good works, and He even prunes us so that we may bring forth more fruit. Trusting in our Lord’s work for us, being grafted by grace into His vine, we desire to be more like Him, to grow into His image. That’s growth in fruit bearing — and it always comes with some pruning.
EDUCATING A NEW GENERATION OF LUTHERANS… 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: Taylor Swift’s Latest Album, Men Competing in Women’s Sports, The Benefits of Liturgical Worship, “I Have Overcome the World,” “Love One Another” and more. You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, the LPR mobile app and your favorite podcast provider.
Communications
Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the June church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by May 22.
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 Sixth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 10:34-48; 1 John 5:1-8; John 15:9-17
Hymns: 556, 602, 829, 706, 548