During the meeting, Linda acknowledged the hard-working planning committee that made the special occasion possible headed by Mary Hills and assisted by Nan Bogart, Kathleen Carmichael, Julie Eisele, Gail Maynard and Betty Smith; Linda served on the team as well.

Linda made a special thanks to the book club planning committee which she said “works hard during the year to read, meet, and select the books we enjoy each year. The committee, comprised of Nan Bogart, Kathleen Carmichael, Shirly Platt, Linda Robinson, Caroline Ryan, Anne Sheets and Jane Swartzentruber sets about diligently each year to preview, nominate and read a second time the books that end up on the final selection list.” Club members also nominate books — a very important and appreciated part of the selection process.

The Club is currently reading its summer selection, Cutting for Stone, which will be discussed at the Monday, 27 August meeting. Call the Parish Gift Shoppe to see if copies are still available.

First row: Sydney Fieber, Chloe Cook, Julian Smith, Sonia Legare, Sofia Gialdini and Eliza Radford
Second row: Audrey Muller, Lily Seidensticker, Callan Hill and Hannah Russell
Third Row: Theo Frano, Esmee Dieckman, Zoe Merritt, Esabella Lerario and Hailey Russell

Fr. Fred Robinson, center
Teachers: (L-R) Jacki Boedecker, David Yutzy, Don Beg and Liz Berg

Not pictured: Stephen Bennett, Rhett Morton and Savannah King

            Today might be called “a perfect storm” sermon Sunday: It’s Mother’s Day; Sunday School Attendance Awards; Teachers’ Appreciation Sunday; and the Cornerstone Gospel of The Vine and the Branches. I could never have imagined what a wonderful opportunity today would be! Thank you Lord for my new time & space and renewal! 

            In the ancient Hebrew Scriptures, (the prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah and the Psalms) Israel was believed to be “the vine” & The Lord was “the vine keeper.” But, in John chapter 15, Jesus changed the image and told his disciples: “I Am the True Vine, My Father is the vinedresser, and you are the branches”!  Other ideas then come: As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in My love: You are my friends (not servants) when you remain in me and I in you - if you bear much fruit – as you love one another as I have loved you. Finally, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and then I appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last!”  

            I selected this final theme (chosen) as my sermon “main idea”!  Here’s one common thread which can bind us together in our actions, celebrations, teachings and our Eucharist this morning. Now, we can be reunited again As One in all of our lives and inner selves together into The Living Body (The Vine) of Christ! Of course, please do remember that none of this is “new” news, but it is all still very Good News! We are all chosen by God (perhaps with a little chance or luck), but fundamentally by God! 

            Let’s begin with moms. Most (sadly, not all) of us were blessed with “Angel Moms” as the classic children’s story says. We didn’t choose her nor she us. God made us and appointed them to take care of and watch over us. Certainly that’s how my mom was with me, even in times when I was a real “handful”, but she never gave up nor quit. She was always there for me! In my family, Molly (like so many) has been an incredible mom for our three children and now an unbelievable grand-mom for our six grandkids.  And then today, what about these students who will receive their awards now and all the teachers who so unselfishly gave and loved and taught “their kids ” week in and week out (many, for year after year)? God chose you all; some [students and teachers] at first didn’t even want to do it. But, Our Lord worked and worked and you [the teachers and students]  “All toiled and fought and lived and died for The Lord  [and other children and youth and/or teachers ] you loved and knew”… Hymn #293.

What about The Church of the Redeemer? A long time ago, God chose to make this church very special and unusually strong. It has always been so! God made this place: He poured His Grace and Love and Spirit into this community and then He appointed Redeemer to go and bear much fruit, and so it has in spades! God chose Your Rector. You may have thought that you and he really chose one another. That’s partly true, but the real truth is that God chose him for you and then all of you for him. And, what about all the Redeemer Saints? There are so, so many now; close to two thousand! They come in all shapes and sizes, all ages, with many different likes and dislikes and theologies and politics, and different gifts, talents and now even languages! Still, they all do come, united in Christ their Vine. Their strength comes from Him and they love God and one another too! And then they become friends! This is a true Community of Faith which is known far and wide for its vitality and faith, its liturgy and its music, its education & mission for all ages, and its work with the poor in Sarasota and beyond!

So what might we say about our own lives? God chooses us so many times, often totally unexpectedly, and then sometimes puts “a belt around us” and leads us to walk with Him to places where we do not even want to go! John 21.18.  Of course, we all have times of selection and times of waiting!   In my own life, all of the really important things just happened. I was sort of clueless. I certainly did not plan them nor always even choose them. But, God had His plan!   For example, I certainly never planned all of my years of ministry, nor our marriage and family, nor even moving to Sarasota and then becoming so involved in Redeemer. It just all happened and I have to believe that God just chose it and made it all occur! Hasn’t it really been like that in many and much of your own lives?  Did you plan it all out or did many of the things just happen?

The Gospel of John’s Vision for the Church is rooted in the inter-connectedness of The Vine and the Vinedresser and the Branches. It is also one which is militant in its faith and commitment to God and to one another. After all is said and done, it is ever faithful to the end in its steadfast heart and life. The Life of Redeemer Church, in its finest hours, is not about its excellence or size; not about programmatic approaches nor even liturgical forms. It is instead fundamentally about the essence of its faith and our hearts, and both our individual and corporate lives!  When you and I can live out our lives connected to the Vine of Christ, our separation from God and one another begins to disappear. All our fears and inadequacies start to fall away and new strength from God and caring for one another reappears. The defensiveness and divisions which can run rampant in our churches begin to pass away and we can refocus again on our friendship with God and one other!  And let us always remember, as “The Good Book” says, the more we give, the more we shall always receive in return!

Today is a “perfect storm” preacher’s Sunday: It’s Mothers’ Day; Sunday School Student Awards; Teacher Appreciation Sunday; the Gospel Day for “The Vine and The Branches”. Let us rejoice and be glad in it, and in Jesus Christ, once more!  AMEN, AMEN. 

During the 9 and 11 a.m. Masses, the Gospel will be read in several languages, including English, French, German and Spanish, and Redeemer’s youth will participate by carrying in procession symbols of the Holy Spirit, including a dove, candle, Bible, water, oil and wind chime. As well, during all morning liturgies, a renewal of Baptismal vows will be offered, and the congregation is encouraged to wear red, the liturgical color of Pentecost. The afternoon Mass in Spanish will take place at its regular time of 1 p.m.

The Church of the Redeemer is located at 222 S. Palm Ave. in downtown Sarasota. Complimentary Sunday parking is available at the M&I Bank Parking Garage on McAnsh Square between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, call 941-955-4263.

Elementary school life at Redeemer was awesome. Though I have interacted with the wonderful Mrs. Boedecker more in high school, I now know that she is the mastermind behind the amazing programs for youth at Redeemer. I remember making bowls for the Empty Bowls project in LOGOS, and then having a delicious lasagna dinner with Emmy Hill, Patty Sullivan, and Nancy Boyle. I remember in fourth grade, I brought my fish to the blessing of the animals and Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell taught us a song to help us learn the books of the New Testament. In fifth grade, I listened to Mrs. Peet’s story about floating in the Dead Sea and decided that I wanted to go there one day, too.

Then came middle school. In sixth grade, I was finally a VBS Aide and got to attend Jr. EYC with Scott Merritt and later Brett Watson. I also started to go to Friday Morning Bible Study at the Devitt’s, where Scott Merritt’s wife, Lynsey and Mrs. Meister taught. Seventh grade, my mom was my Sunday school teacher! Not to mention every Wednesday, we had Confirmation classes with Father Marsden that occasionally turned into Confirmation that there was a Civil War class. Though there were a couple of confusing months without a youth minister, order was restored with the arrival of Chris and Kate Wood.

I find that being a member of the Church of the Redeemer entails constant learning, which is inspired, not enforced, starting at a young age. Two of the most important components of my faith were discovered in middle school. The first is that I found my favorite bible verse. In sixth grade, as an end-of-the-year present, Lynsey Merritt gave us these beautiful little canvases on which she painted Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see.” I love this verse because to me it gives comfort and reassurance that faith is so much more about internal feelings and love than it is external. That being said, I feel that growing up at Redeemer with the numerous programs for the youth teaches us to think about our faiths as opposed to mundanely going about and mindlessly accepting our practices and beliefs. This verse especially relates to why I so enjoyed Mr. Hartenstine’s Sunday school lessons, which always tie science and Christianity together. The way I interpret what I’ve learned in high school is that science and religion can and do go hand in hand, and that is very comforting to me. All of my Sunday school teachers have inspired me in some way— even my mom. But at Redeemer, a child doesn’t only learn from his or her Sunday school teachers. We learn from our peers (older and younger), table parents at LOGOS, confirmation sponsors, VBS shepherds and aides—and quite honestly, every person here.

The second thing that has stuck with me throughout my life has been a bible study lesson from sixth grade. I wish I could remember the lesson exactly, but the idea is basically this: say you make a peanut butter sandwich for yourself. You go to the couch and sit down with your sandwich and watch television. It’s a good feeling. Now say you make a peanut butter sandwich at a soup kitchen, and give it to someone who really needs that sandwich. This is a very different feeling, but still a good one. It is perfectly fine to make that sandwich for yourself and enjoy it, but you should also take time to make sandwiches for others and also find happiness in charity. Essentially, God wants us to be happy and we should be “allowed” to do positive things for ourselves, but He also wants us to help other people to be well and happy. Redeemer teaches us this “love your neighbor as yourself” kind of joy and love at a young age as well. LOGOS is a great example. I loved LOGOS, I got to have a snack, play with my friends, make crafts, and then eat dinner. However, I also was able to help others—as I said before, we participated in the Empty Bowls project and created bowls that were sold to raise money for the food bank. Redeemer always encourages a caring environment that I have been so blessed to have been raised in.

Redeemer is not just a congregation, but a very large family—I’d say that this family atmosphere can be attributed to our wonderful Father Robinson. Being a part of this church means that one will always be loved and love everyone else; everyone here legitimately cares for and about each other. Everyone is family, whether related by blood or not. A silly example is this: I do not have any first cousins, which has always been slightly disappointing for my sister Mercedes and me; however, there are plenty of people here who I have deemed “cousins”. It’s unlikely that we are all seventeenth cousins eighty-two times removed. But the Church of Redeemer definitely constitutes a family by association and shared love.

To me, Redeemer is the constant in my life. In the past nine years I’ve switched schools, gone through countless friend groups, switched my extracurricular activities, and I even changed my hair color a few times; but no matter what, I could expect Redeemer the be the same: a place of family, love, faith, and learning.

Composer-in-Residence Dr. Daniel T. Moe conducts his “Hosanna to the Son of David”:

Redeemer youth travel to the Dominican Republic for mission work:

What stewardship means at Redeemer:

Take a virtual tour of Redeemer by clicking here.

Good Morning.

Let’s see how long I can go without choking up! Six years ago, my family moved to the beautiful town of Sarasota where we found Church of the Redeemer and instantly felt a connection with God and all of you. Throughout the years, I have grown so much in my strength and faith in the Lord, and I owe it all to the wonderful priests, staff, Sunday school teachers, and all of you sitting here. When we moved here, I believe I was twelve and half way through the treacherous middle school years. What a joy.. Church was my escape from the drama filled school days, and the everyday struggles of growing up as a teenager. Being in such a small Sunday- school class (there were only three of us), opening up about my faith and troubles was something that in time became something I depended on. I am so blessed to have made such wonderful connections with the teachers I have been with through the years. I am not quite one to open up and spill out all my feelings, particularly when things don’t go my way or upset me, so Sunday school was really a wonderful opportunity to just make connections on how God could squeeze into my lifestyle a little more here and there. I have made such special bonds with my Sunday school teachers and their families that I will always cherish.

If I had to chose one of the most impacting people in my life at Redeemer, it would be Mrs. Moe. Six years ago, I joined the Canterbury Choir for young girls and was then able to use God’s gift to me to spread the good news to others. Music has always been the biggest connection I have with God, and I wouldn’t have discovered this without her. Mrs. Moe has done a miraculous job maintaining a beautiful sounding choir each week and I see God working through her being each and every Sunday. She has definitely brought me out of my comfort zone on many occasion, only to help shape me into the bold young woman I seek to be. I gained the opportunity and confidence to stretch myself and take on challenges that I would have shied away from before. Through her, God has provided me with a form of praise in which I feel so connected and close with Him. She has been such a God send to me from the start. Besides weekly services, I attend youth group on Sunday nights with Chris, Friday morning Bible Studies with Mrs. Boedecker, choir rehearsals with Mrs. Moe, young life, retreats, mission trips with the EYC, and the list goes on. I have learned that the busier my life, the more I need God. I try to keep myself surrounded by God aside from just going to church weekly. Under father Fred’s leadership, Redeemer has not failed on supplying the youth with endless opportunities to be active. One of my favorite memories is on my first mission trip to the Dominican republic. God truly spoke to me on this trip. That week we painted houses, provided vacation bible school for the children, and bonded as a group. We played games each night after devotion, had time to read the bible and connect with god, and there were mentors ready to assist us with whatever we needed to discuss. During that week, we were even blessed with a beautiful and joyful chapel service with padre bienvenidos and his congregation. This priest was the most welcoming and humble man I have met, he took us to our sites each morning, and even provided a hotel for us to stay in. he was by our sides the entire stay. He was a man with a special gift, and he shared it with all of us. So whether it was the poor children, the lack of schooling and nourishment, or the humble spirits of each and every child we came across, who knows. But that week, I remember the pure joy that was in my heart, the constant chills as I fumbled my way along praying to God to help me to be able to communicate with the kids, and their smiles as we spread the Word. The bonds I made were unbelievable. Their stories, breath-taking. I knew from that week on, I had to go back. I was called by God to continue my work with children and spread His word. He showed me that He would work through me, if I would only work through Him. From then on, I readily went on each mission trip and am now interning at an elementary school for the children with special needs. Through Vacation Bible School, volunteering here and there for the younger kids, and prayer, I have grown to love working with children. This is where God wanted me. Without Chris tracking me down here and there to ask if I will make it to this or that, I would not have been half as active in this parish as I am. It is an honor to have such a kind and wise youth minister. He has been such a support through my hectic high school years. Yes, they flew by, but not without a million holds ups along the way. Finding out who I am as a Christian has been and will continue to be one of the toughest experiences for me. Earlier this year, for a short period of time, it was just my mom and sister along with me. We called ourselves the three musketeers. Dad worked in Virginia for a few months, and Heather went off to college. This was a constant battle for me in my faith, seeing as I didn’t understand the bigger picture of what God’s purpose was. Just years before, my older sister was diagnosed with a heart condition and later that year, got a pacemaker, turning our lives upside-down for a while. Though we endured so much in so short a time, my parents, Father Fred, Chris, and Father Marsden kept my feet on the ground and my eyes on God. One quote that I always kept in mind during this time of trial was psalm 16:1. It reads: “Keep me safe, o god, for in you I take refuge.” The lord has provided that refuge for me each day. I believe that through this church, I have had a safe place to shape myself into the person God wants me to be. This is truly my second home and the place I will always come back to and feel perfectly content and at home. Starting in the fall, I will be attending Southeastern University, which is a small Christian university in Lakeland, Florida. I will jump right into a five year master program towards an ESE Elementary Education degree. Being the homebody that I am, I can assume that leaving home will not be easy, and it will be so hard to say goodbye to this church and all of the wonderful people who have entered my life. Thank you all again for your grace and wisdom in helping me reach the goals God has set for me.