On 18 and 19 May, the Church of the Redeemer invites the community to celebrate the Day of Pentecost, one of the seven major holy days of the year. Pentecost is the 50th day of Easter and brings to a close the celebration of the Easter Season. Not just a commemorative feast day, Pentecost is a celebration of Christian empowerment in the Holy Spirit, and as a symbol of that Holy Spirit, congregants are encouraged to wear red to church on this day.

Continue reading ‘Celebrate Day of Pentecost this Saturday and Sunday’ »

Redeemer will be brimming with youthful energy on Sunday, May 5 — our annual Youth Sunday celebration. Each year on this special Sunday, Redeemer gives thanks for the talented, kind, hardworking and engaged youth of our parish. We are blessed with such wonderful young people who do so much for our church and our community — Youth Sunday gives them a chance to have their young voices heard through sharing their unique perspectives with the entire congregation.

For the parents, clergy, and older parishioners of our church, this is a wonderful day to hear firsthand the thoughts and feelings, hope and faith of our young people who are the future of our Church.

On Youth Sunday, youth in grades six through 12 participate in all elements of the 7:30, 9, and 11 o’clock morning masses — including offering addresses to the congregation in place of the regular sermon.

The day also provides the perfect opportunity for our parish to show its support for our youth by attending the “Take Stock in Youth” fundraiser held at 10:15 in Gillespie Hall, between the end of the 9 a.m., and beginning of the 11 a.m. services. Donations collected are used to fund Redeemer’s Mission Trips which take place every summer.

This year for the first time, parishioners may make donations in advance of Youth Sunday to give this day a solid head start in fundraising. “Take Stock in Youth” donations may be easily and securely made right now through the PayPal option below.

As well, donations will be accepted during the fundraiser itself, and during all services that day. If you donate during service but cannot attend the fundraiser, just be sure to mark your donation envelope for “Take Stock in Youth.” If you miss the opportunity to donate before or on May 5th — don’t worry! This page will be accepting online donations through Monday, May 13; and of course, the Parish Office will accept donations all year-round for our youth.

Youth Sunday has a grand finale in the evening when a lovely dinner is held for all of Redeemer’s high school seniors graduating in June — and their parents, of course! Fittingly, the dinner is hosted and served by our high school juniors and their parents.

Click on the PayPal icon below to make your online donation today — and see you in church on Youth Sunday!

Donation minimum of $10 is required to use PayPal; suggested donation amounts are $10, $25, $50, $75, $100, $200, etc.  Any amount over $10 that you would like to donate is gratefully accepted!

Bishop Dabney T. Smith

On Sunday, 12 May, The Right Reverend Dabney T. Smith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida, will  preach at the 9 and 11 a.m. masses at the Church of the Redeemer. The Bishop will also confirm and receive over 20 new members for the church during the 9 a.m. service; a coffee reception will follow in Gillespie Hall beginning at approximately 10:15. For more information, call 941-955-4263.

On Thursday, 9 May, the Church of the Redeemer invites the community to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. Regarded as one of the seven principal feast days of the Episcopal Church and considered a holy day of obligation, the day will be celebrated with three Masses.  In the morning, a 7:30 a.m. said Mass, will be followed by a 10 a.m. Choral Mass with hymns.

An evening Solemn High Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m., and a feast dinner will be offered immediately afterward in Gillespie Hall. The menu includes slow-roasted beef with gravy, carrots and peas, coconut ambrosia salad, dinner rolls and blueberry crumb cake.

Dinner is $8.50 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Click “Add to Cart” below to purchase tickets. Be sure to print out your receipt and bring it to the event.

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple — part of the new mosaic on the exterior of Gillespie Hall at the Church of the Redeemer

On Sunday, 7 April, The Right Reverend Dabney T. Smith, Bishop of Southwest Florida, will be at the Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., in downtown Sarasota, to attend the church’s 5:15 Evensong. Immediately following Evensong, Bishop Smith will officiate at the blessing of the Mosaics of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the World — a dramatic and brilliantly colored series of mosaics installed last fall on the outside wall (the northern facade) of Gillespie Hall, facing the street where Palm Avenue and McAnsh Square intersect. A reception will immediately follow inside Gillespie Hall.

Continue reading ‘Bishop Smith to bless mosaics of the Nativity’ »

The four-week baptism preparation classes for those being baptized on 19 May, the Day of Pentecost, will be held 10:15-10:40 a.m. on the following Sundays: 14, 21 and 28 April, and 5 May. The classes will be held in the Rector’s office.

Adults who are to be baptized, and parents and godparents of children to be baptized, must attend these four sessions. Nursery care is available.

Please register by calling the Parish Office at 941-955-4263.

The Church of the Redeemer invites the community to celebrate Holy Week and Easter, the focal point and heart of the Christian Faith, with the parish. The Paschal Triduum — the Great Three Days — begins on Maundy Thursday, March 28. Masses this day commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus; the institution of the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The 7:30 evening mass is a choral service including the washing of feet, procession to the Altar of Repose and stripping of the altars.

Continue reading ‘Holy Week and Easter at Church of the Redeemer: Maundy Thursday through Easter Day’ »

Redeemer’s Youth Minister Chris Wood, Good Friday 2012

The Church of the Redeemer and the Sarasota Ministerial Association invite the Sarasota community to observe the Passion of Jesus Christ by participating in walking the Stations of the Cross down Main Street Sarasota on Good Friday, March 29, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Continue reading ‘500-plus ‘pilgrims’ expected to join city leaders and clergy for Good Friday pilgrimage down Main Street’ »

On Palm Sunday, 24 March, the liturgies at 7, 8:45 and 11 a.m. will include The Liturgy of the Palms, The Passion Narrative and Holy Eucharist. During the 8:45 morning mass, children of the parish will re-enact the Procession of the Palms and will participate in a series of “Holy Week Tableaux” depicting events from Jesus’ final days on earth. The exterior and interior of the church will be reverently decorated with palm fronds to represent the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Continue reading ‘Palm Sunday worship at Redeemer’ »

Members of the City of Sarasota Pipe Band performing

The Church of the Redeemer invites the community to a special “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan” Solemn Evensong on Sunday, 17 February, at 5:15 p.m., which will include performance by the City of Sarasota Pipe Band. The Evensong Anthem will be “Highland Cathedral,” presented with choir, organ and bagpipes; music for the Service will be by T. Tertius Noble.

Scots of the St. Andrew Society of Sarasota, dressed in full Scottish regalia, will bring forward their clan tartan banners to be blessed at the altar. The Kirkin’ tradition dates back to the 18th century, when the English prohibited the public display of tartans and Scots began to secretly bring pieces of them to church to be blessed.

Continue reading ‘Redeemer blesses Scottish tartans during Evensong’ »