News and Announcements are published on Friday each week.

Rogate

May 10, 2026

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; John 16:23-33

  Hymns: 549, 766 741, 779, 663, 724

Calendar 

Witness

"Who is a missionary? Missionaries are sent by the Lord through the mediation of His Church. This is how the church has always done mission, even back to the time of the Apostles when Saint Paul first brought along Luke as a physician. A LCMS missionary is a person called and sent to bear WITNESS to the Gospel of Jesus, to show MERCY, or to support those who do as we have a LIFE TOGETHER.  The main priority of a missionary is to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who have never heard the Good News." (A paraphrase from https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/missionary-service).  Visit the LCMS website to learn more about missionaries and to view short term and career opportunities.

What do you want others to know about our church?  Whether it was a meaningful takeaway from Pastor’s sermon, a heart warmed by seeing young children worshipping together, or anything else that makes you glad to have Redeemer as your church home, you can share your comments by filling out a "Why Redeemer" card and place it in the offering plate, or give it to Brenda, or put it in her mail box. You can also text or email your thoughts to her.  We will use your comments to create shareable Facebook posts that may encourage others to visit us in Gorham or Sanford. 

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.  

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 

Mark and Eve will be hosting the Mother’s Day brunch on May 10th Mark is asking the men of Redeemer to help provide food for the brunch and assist with the preparation and cleanup.

The May 2026 issue of the Redeemer Reader is available at this LINK.  There are printed copies available on the table in the Narthex.

The annual spring cleanup day at Redeemer is Saturday May 16th and begins at 9 am.  If you have lawn and garden tools available, please bring them with you.  Any questions, please see Darik.

(One-Year Lectionary) A Life Thought in the Church Year for May 10 – Sixth Sunday of Easter – The Old Testament Israelites learned the hard way not to grumble against the Lord. When the Lord sent fiery serpents among them, many were bitten and died. But the people repented, crying out for mercy: “We have sinned! Take away the serpents from us!” (Numbers 21:7-9). God’s answer? Make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole; then look upon it and live! We all tend to grumble against the Lord, plagued by our doubts and fears. Many seek to find their own way, and sometimes that way includes choosing to have an abortion or embracing physician-assisted suicide, but this is the way of death. Look to Jesus on the cross and live! Cry to the Lord in your trouble, for He alone delivers you from your distress (Psalm 107:5-6). Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full (John 16:24). Baptized into Christ, we embark on a new path—the path of life. We must be “doers of the Word” (James 1:22) as we seek to bring help and hope to those who need our prayers and support in choosing life.

A Stewardship Thought for May 10 – Sixth Sunday of Easter (Rogate) James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The Word of God is not merely to be heard, but to be received and believed. Our faith is implanted and strengthened by the Word of God. As Luther said, “Oh, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this faith. And so it is impossible for it not to do good works incessantly.” James’ epistle encourages us to examine our lives and come to repentance when we are not living out our faith in sincerity.

REMIER CONFERENCE FOR LUTHERAN LAITY... You're invited to attend the 2026 Issues, Etc. "Making the Case" Conference, Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13, at Concordia University Chicago.  Speakers include: Mollie Hemingway of The Federalist, LCMS President Matt Harrison, Megan Basham of The Daily Wire, Pastor Will Weedon of The Word of the Lord Endures Forever, Erin Hawley of Alliance Defending Freedom and YouTuber Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller.  Registration is $160 and includes three meals.  Reduced room rates, including on-campus dorms, are available.  For more information, visit issuesetc.org or call (618) 223-8385.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the June  2026 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 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 Exaudi

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; James 1:22-27; John 16:23-33

Exaudi

May 17, 2026

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; James 1:22-27; John 16:23-33

  Hymns: 533, 539 498, 526, 701, 842

Calendar 

Witness

"Who is a missionary? Missionaries are sent by the Lord through the mediation of His Church. This is how the church has always done mission, even back to the time of the Apostles when Saint Paul first brought along Luke as a physician. A LCMS missionary is a person called and sent to bear WITNESS to the Gospel of Jesus, to show MERCY, or to support those who do as we have a LIFE TOGETHER.  The main priority of a missionary is to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who have never heard the Good News." (A paraphrase from https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/missionary-service).  Visit the LCMS website to learn more about missionaries and to view short term and career opportunities.

What do you want others to know about our church?  Whether it was a meaningful takeaway from Pastor’s sermon, a heart warmed by seeing young children worshipping together, or anything else that makes you glad to have Redeemer as your church home, you can share your comments by filling out a "Why Redeemer" card and place it in the offering plate, or give it to Brenda, or put it in her mail box. You can also text or email your thoughts to her.  We will use your comments to create shareable Facebook posts that may encourage others to visit us in Gorham or Sanford. 

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.  

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 

The annual spring cleanup day at Redeemer is Saturday May 16th and begins at 9 am.  If you have lawn and garden tools available, please bring them with you.  Any questions, please see Darik.

The altar flowers are given in memory of Donald D. Kasch today by his daughter Lynn. We thank God for Lynn’s Dad born May 17, 1931. 

Sunday May 24th, Redeemer will be receiving three new members into our congregation. There will be a reception immediately following the Divine service, so please join us in welcoming Nick Carpenter, Loretta Daney and Dustin Digirolamo to our Redeemer family.

The New York Times had a recent article about a diet the features foods found in the Bible. Who knew that was a trend?  The article is unlocked so you can read it without having a NYT account.  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/style/biblical-eating-tiktok-maha-rfk.html?unlocked_article_code=1.iFA.1ccs.AHibDCwoJ8BJ

A Life Thought in the Church Year for May 17 –The Seventh Sunday of Easter – The Israelites, through their idolatry, profaned God’s holy name. Yet in Ezekiel 36, God acts, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring the sinner back to Himself through repentance and faith. He cleanses them from every uncleanness and gives them a new heart. The sin of abortion profanes God’s holy name. But there is hope and healing in Christ for those who have been haunted by the sin of abortion. Like the psalmist, the sinner cries out, “Have mercy on me, O God … wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin!” (Psalm 51). And He does. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, sin is covered, forgiveness is given, and life is restored. As those who have received “the Spirit of Truth” (John 15), we endeavor to speak the truth about life issues, to uphold the value and dignity of human life, and to “keep loving one another earnestly,” since “the end of all things is at hand” (1 Peter 4).

A Stewardship Thought for May 17 – Seventh Sunday of Easter (Exaudi) 1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” God’s grace is His undeserved mercy toward us. What do we have that is not a gift flowing from God’s grace? He means for us to use all these gifts in service of our neighbor. The chief way we serve one another is by supporting the church’s work: bringing more of God’s grace to more of God’s people. That’s what it means to be a steward!

UNDERSTANDING DIFFICULT OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES… Was the universe really created in six days?  Why did men live so long?  What about all the violence in the Old Testament?  Do Old Testament prophets predict current events?  You’ll find answers to these questions in a series of interviews with Doctor Reed Lessing and Doctor Andrew Steinmann, co-authors of the new book “Wrestling with God.”  You can listen at your convenience at issuesetc.org/wrestlingwithgod.  Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken.

Communications

Newsletter Deadline – If you wish to contribute to the June 2026 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 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 Pentecost

Readings: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:23-31