| A cookout extravaganza in the spirit of Acts
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Consider this letter an invitation to participate in what we might call a Sunday cook-out extravaganza, Acts-style, to be held in Redeemer's side yard after the 10:30 service on July 15. Because on that Sunday we are inviting our Sunshine Service guests and our Wednesday evening soup supper guests to join us f or hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, salads and ice cream. (We will also invite them to worship before hand, our worship that day taking on more the atmosphere of Sunshine service, with fiddles, guitars, story-telling, etc.)
Read the book of Acts, and you will see how in the early Christian movement all sorts of walls came down that had previously existed between people. By the power of the Holy Spirit lines of demarcation declaring some people "in" and some "out," some people "clean" and some "unclean" were erased, and all people were declared beloved by God in the name of Jesus.
'By the power of the Holy Spirit...all people were declared beloved by God in the name of Jesus.'
"So" we thought, "why not do a little historical extension of the movement chronicled in the book of Acts? Why not erase the lines that normally exist between Sunday morning and other times of the week at Redeemer? Lines between Redeemer people and Sunshine people; between "ELW worship" and Sunshine Service worship; between breakfast in the Morning Glory Diner on Sunday mornings and supper in the Morning Glory Diner on Wednesday evenings.... Why not erase all the lines of demarcation and gather, all of us, as "beloved children of God" for worship and eating and fellowship?
Now clearly this "Acts-style extravaganza" will require a fair amount of planning. And on the day of July 15 it will require story-tellers, musicians, hosts and hostesses, salad makers, table and chair setter-uppers, game-organizers, etc. So if you are a person with some energy, some courage and spunk and spirit, this is the event for you! Mark your calendars. More to come!
Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Elaine
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Follow the New England Synod Assembly
The Annual Assembly of the New England Synod of the ELCA will convene June 8-10 in Springfield, MA., with the theme, "Trusting in Partnership." You may watch the assembly broadcast live via the Internet, beginning June 8, by clicking this link.
Earlier this year, more than 450 clergy and lay members from across New England participated in meetings of the 15 conferences in the synod to answer several questions about the synod and about the qualities they seek in a new bishop. Read the most frequent responses.
Any ordained pastor may be nominated from the floor prior to the first ballot. No nominations may be made prior to the assembly. If no bishop is elected on the first or second ballot, the top seven candidates will participate in a forum at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8, at which they will be asked questions gathered from the conference meetings. If no one is elected on June 8, the top three candidates will be asked questions on Saturday, June 9. According to synod policy, the final three candidates all will be subject to background checks.
If you would like to read the questions that will be asked of the top candidates for bishop, click here.You may follow the assembly on Facebook by clicking this link. If you would like to follow the assembly on Twitter, click here. |
'Three Ring Circus' June 25-29 at art camp
Redeemer's 11th annual art camp will take place from June 25-29. The theme this year is "Three Ring Circus," and we can still use some help in the "shepherding department," as well as assistance in the back quadrant of the fellowship hall where each camper will create their own three-ring circus, "assemblage style." If you can help even for one day or for a part of a day, please let Jenn Batron or Pastor Elaine know.
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Sowing Seeds fund grows by $768
The Sowing Seeds fund grew by $768 in May, thanks to a cookie walk on Mother's Day, and the silent auction of a watercolor seascape donated by artist Judy Madson to benefit the fund. Thank you to all those who baked and bought cookies, and bid on Judy's painting.
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 | David Mahoney
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Trekking Across Maine
Here is a picture of me finishing the first day of the American Lung Association Trek Across Maine in 2011. I think that is a smile on my face and not a grimace. I enjoyed the Trek so much last year that I registered for 2012 at the end of the ride. The Trek Across Maine is a wonderful event that raises a lot of money for the American Lung Association.
I started riding in this event in 2010 because of my family's history of lung disease. As I have spoken to people about the Trek, I have learned of many other people who have suffered from some form of lung ailment. The American Lung Association does many things in addition to working for a cure for lung disease. It also works to improve air quality through its support for the Clean Air Act. This support is critical in States such as Maine where the incidence of asthma is so high.
I hope you will consider supporting this organization by making a pledge towards my ride in the Trek (June 15-17). If you would, talk to me after church, call me at 227-9364, email me, or send a donation to the American Lung Association to me at 17 Sophie Lane, Hampden, Me 04444. (To visit David's personal Trek Across Maine fundraising page, click here.)
Thanks,
David Mahoney
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Host families needed for students
Host an international exchange student through the Education First (EF) Foundation. You can change the world by simply sharing your unique traditions with a teenage from another country. When you host an exchange student, you take the lead in promoting international understanding and cross-cultural awareness. --You can select a student whose interest and activities match yours. --You will receive support and guidance from an experienced local coordinator during all phases of the exchange. --Students are between 15 and 18 years old and come with their own spending money and insurance. --Host families provide room, board and a caring environment.
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Each month, the Caller will bring you a link to a featured blog. This month, you can read thoughts about being a Lutheran mother in a blog by Carla Thompson Powell, an ordained Lutheran pastor who lives in Chicago with her husband and three children. Click here to read the blog.
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Redeemer Lutheran Church
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| A House of Mercy
A Place of Grace
Sunday Services: 8 and 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages 9:15 a.m.
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Upcoming Events
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June 3 - 9:15 a.m. - Annual MeetingJune 8-10 - Synod Assembly
June 10 - Anja Stuckenberger ordination
July 15 - Cookout extravaganza 11:45 a.m.
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Staff Listing
| Church Office: (207) 945-3166
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Church Council
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Dale Ruopp, President
Don Curtis, Vice President
Jane Deane, Recording Secretary
Harry Madson, Treasurer
Rudy Walter, Financial Secretary
Wally Jakubas
Roger Pelletier
Tricia Peterson
Pam Shellberg
Lisa Wahlstrom
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Thank you to those who serve as lay assistants, acolytes, readers, and ushers. To see the June list of worship assistant, Click here. For the list of July worship assistants, click here.
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Each month, we at Redeemer collect items and supplies through our "Gathering In" social ministry.
The Gathering In for July will be school supplies. Your gifts of paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, glue sticks, erasers, rulers and other supplies will help give local children and youth a fresh start to the school year.
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Offering
Regular Offering $15,503
Building Fund $1,255
Year to Date $55, 513
Food Pantry
20 bags of food
2 Hannaford certificates
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Happy birthday and anniversary to the many Redeemer folks who are celebrating in the month of June. See the list of June celebrations.
If you would like your name either added to or removed from the Celebrations list, email .
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 Redeemer Lutheran Church is a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Reconciling in Christ (RIC) is a program of Lutherans Concerned North America (LCNA) that recognizes Lutheran congregations that adopt a statement that includes the naming of lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual people as welcome to full participation.
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"Lutherans believe in the Triune God. God created and loves all of creation -- the earth and the seas and all of the world's inhabitants. We believe that God's Son, Jesus Christ, transforms lives through his death on the cross and his new life, and we trust that God's Spirit is active in the world.
We are part of God's unfolding plan. When we gather for worship, we connect with believers everywhere. When we study the Bible or hear God's word in worship, we are drawn more deeply into God's own saving story..." (www.elca.org) |
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Submit an Article
| | If you would like to submit an article, please send it as a Word document or a PDF in an attachment to: Cheryl Olson,The Caller editor.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you may leave articles on Nancy's desk..
Deadline for July: June 22
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