News and Announcements are published on Friday each week.

  Invocabit

February 22, 2026

Readings: 1 Samuel 17:40-51; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 4:1-11 

Hymns: 521, 423 619, 620, 718, 544

Calendar 

Witness

As we approach Lent we often "give up" or "take up" something with the goal of disciplining ourselves as we contemplate Christ’s sacrifice for us.  Concordia Publishing house has made a free online copy go the the Book of Concord.  It can be found at  https://bookofconcord.cph.org/.  Perhaps this is the year many of us will read it. 

Would you love to tell others about our church?  Local newspapers often have worship service listings.  If you know of such a newspaper, let Brenda know and she’ll submit our information.  brenda8198@gmail.com.

Mercy  

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.  

"The Locker Project" of the Gorham School district is collecting snack items again for the students. Any contribution would be appreciated.  There is a list of suggestions and a box for donations in the narthex.

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 

Lenten soup and bread suppers begin on Feb. 25th at 5:00 pm and continue through March 25th.  There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board downstairs.  The suppers are followed by the Lenten Vespers service at 6:30pm.

The February 2026 edition of the LWML-NED newsletter “Pass It On” is available at this LINK.  A printed version is posted on the bulletin board downstairs. 

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 February 22 (Lent 1): Satan tempts us to turn away from God by appealing to the desires of our flesh and our egos. The devil twists God’s Word to make us think that things like abortion, sex without marriage, suicide, and assisted suicide will give us pleasure, self-fulfillment, and an end to our suffering. But, like our first parents did, those who give in quickly find that the devil’s words are nothing but empty promises which end in pain and suffering. Thankfully, by withstanding the devil’s temptations, Jesus both defeats that old Satanic foe for all sinners and reminds us that the way to true joy and happiness is found in trusting the unfailing promises of our Heavenly Father.

A Stewardship Thought for February 22 – First Sunday in Lent (Invocabit) Matthew 4:7 – “Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written.’” Jesus defeats Satan in our place, not by using His power as God, but by His perfect obedience in His perfect humanity. Jesus defeats Satan not by miracles, but by quoting the Scriptures and living according to them. This should cause us great joy for two reasons. First, we see Jesus win the victory for us. Second, here Jesus shows us how to stand in that victory: on the Word of God alone.

SACRED MUSIC FOR THE SEASON OF LENT... “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” “My Song Is Love Unknown,” “Glory Be to Jesus,” “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth.”  You can listen to sacred music for the Lenten season 24/7 at lutheranpublicradio.org, TuneIn, Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple HomePod and the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the MARCH 2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by FEBRUARY 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 Reminiscere

Readings: Genesis 3:1-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 4:1-11 

Reminiscere

March 1, 2026

Readings: Genesis 3:1-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 4:1-11

Hymns: 615, 607 750, 425, 437, 611

Calendar 

** Daylight Savings Time begins March 8th so please remember to turn your clocks forward 1 hour.

Witness

What do you want others to know about our church?  Email or Text Brenda with comments we can use to create shareable Facebook posts that may encourage others to visit us in Gorham or Sanford.  

Local newspapers and websites often have worship service and event listings.  If you know of such a newspaper, let Brenda know and she’ll submit our information.  brenda8198@gmail.com.

Mercy  

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.  

"The Locker Project" of the Gorham School district is collecting snack items again for the students. Any contribution would be appreciated.  There is a list of suggestions and a box for donations in the narthex.

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 

Special Voters' Assembly March 8th, 2026, Following Divine Service in Gorham and via ZOOM  Two-Item Agenda:  1) Our congregation will be nominating a Lay Delegate to vote for the LCMS President in the June 6th, 2026, LCMS Presidential Election.2) Deacon Paul Whitmarsh was originally affirmed to complete the term left vacant by the untimely and tragic passing of Henry Berthiaume. That term is expiring, and we now need to affirm Paul Whitmarsh to his own term as Deacon

Lenten soup and bread suppers begin on Feb. 25th at 5:00 pm and continue through March 25th.  There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board downstairs.  The suppers are followed by the Lenten Vespers service at 6:30pm.

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 March 1 (Lent 2): Salvation comes only through faith in Christ, who was “lifted up” on the cross as the payment for the world’s sins (John 3:14-15). Not even Abraham our forefather was saved by his works or inner worth (Romans 4:2-3). In choosing to redeem us by His own grace apart from our works, God shows us that our value is not found in a person’s own qualities. Instead, every person is precious to God and worthy of dignity because “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16). 

A Stewardship Thought for March 1 – Second Sunday in Lent (Reminiscere)  Matthew 15:27 – “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” These are the words of faith, for faith means receiving what God gives. And God has given us so much more than just the crumbs that fall from the table — He has given us life, salvation, body and soul, eyes and ears, possessions and income. That’s where our stewardship starts: with faith in the God who is the greatest Giver.

BOOK OF PROVERBS BIBLE STUDY… The Word of the Lord Endures Forever is a daily 15-minute verse-by-verse Bible study produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Will Weedon.  Pastor Weedon recently started a study on the Book of Proverbs:11-20.  You can listen at your convenience at thewordendures.org, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod, TuneIn, the LPR mobile app and a podcast provider. 

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the April  2026 church newsletter, please email your submission to the church office by March 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 Oculi

Readings: Jeremiah 26:1-15; Ephesians 5:1-9; Luke 11:14-28 

Hymns: 697, 659 617, 538, 890, 594