Sermon preached by The Rev. Lance Wallace
Third Sunday in Advent

The Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., downtown Sarasota, invites the community to join in worship on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

On Christmas Eve, Redeemer’s afternoon Family Mass (Rite II) begins at 4 p.m., and is preceded by a festive half-hour of traditional Christmas carols, beginning at 3:30 p.m., including favorites such as Silent Night and Joy to the World, sung by the congregation and choirs. During the Eucharist, St. Nicholas makes a surprise visit, receiving a special blessing from The Rev. Fredrick Robinson, Rector of Redeemer, and reminding all of the true meaning of Christmas. Babysitting for toddlers and infants is provided beginning at 3:30.

The early evening service is a Choral Mass (Rite II) which begins at 6:30 p.m. This mass is preceded by a half-hour of singing of traditional Christmas carols, which begins at 6 p.m., and is accompanied by the festive sounds of trumpets and organ. Babysitting for very young children and infants is available during this Mass.

Beginning at 9:30 p.m., Redeemer’s late-evening “Midnight Mass” is preceded by a joyous musical celebration of organ and brass with Bradenton organist Michael Stuart performing with two festival trumpets — played by world-renowned trumpeter Daniel Mendelow, first trumpet for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra; and well-known local trumpeter Andy Kemp. At 10 p.m., the choir of Redeemer will sing anthems and carols for thirty minutes, heralding the High Solemn Mass (Rite I with incense) which begins at 10:30 p.m.

Christmas Day, December 25, Redeemer offers Holy Communion at 7:30 a.m.; Choral Mass at 10 a.m., and a Mass in Spanish at 1 p.m.

Complimentary parking is available at the M&I Bank Garage on McAnsh on Christmas Eve day beginning at 3 p.m., and ending at 1 a.m., on Christmas Day morning. Christmas Day parking is available in the garage between 7 and 1 p.m.

For more information, call 941.955.4263.

Do you ever get more than you expect? I mean when you expect something does it sometimes happen that you get more than you thought you would? There was a Volkswagen commercial that came out earlier this year. The little kid is dressed like Darth Vader and goes around the house trying to move things with the Force. He tries the washing machine, the family dog, he even tries a little doll—nothing happens and he is discouraged. Then his dad drives in from work and gets out of the car and walks into the house. The little boy positions himself in front of the car. He puts up his hands and concentrates and suddenly the car starts! The little guy jumps back in astonishment. The shot changes to the kitchen window where the father is showing his wife the button for the remote car start. But the little guy out on the driveway pretending to be Darth Vader is in shock! This was more than he expected.
In our gospel reading today the priests and the Levites come from Jerusalem to ask John who he was. They asked him, Are you the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one; the son of David who is going to lead Israel to world prominence; the one who will drive out the Romans and usher in a time of unprecedented prosperity? John says, “No, I am not the Christ.” Are you Elijah, the prophet who called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel and prayed the rain to stop for three years and then prayed the rain to start again—are you he? John says, “No, I am not Elijah.” Are you the prophet? John says, “No, I am not the prophet.” Continue reading ‘Sermon – Sunday 11 December, 2011/The Rev. Lance Wallace’ »

Sermon preached by The Rev. Richard Marsden
Second Sunday in Advent

Remember Fr. Robinson’s sermon from last week? I specifically remember what he said he said he wouldn’t say, that I think he said anyway – about Advent – about the church being different during this season?

Remember, he said: You might have expected me to say something about this being a penitential season and not the Christmas season and not decorate until the last week of Advent.

You probably thought I would mention how the liturgy is more penitential, having the confession at the beginning of the liturgy and not having the Gloria, but instead the Trisagion at the beginning: Holy God, holy and mighty, holy immortal one have mercy upon us.

You might have thought I might mention that the flowers are more subtle, suggesting the wilderness and the vestments purple denoting penitence. Continue reading ‘Sermon – Sunday 4 December, 2011/The Rev. Richard C. Marsden’ »

Sermon preached by The Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson
First Sunday in Advent

The entire community is invited to join the Church of the Redeemer on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., in its annual tradition of the “Messiah Sing-Along” – a joyous singing of Georg Friedrich Handel’s Christmas Messiah – one of the best-known, most-beloved, and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.

This festive, family-friendly event features members of the choirs of Redeemer singing along with the congregation, accompanied by a Chamber Orchestra and organist Ann Stephenson-Moe, under the direction of Conductor Daniel Cartlidge.

A $10 goodwill donation for tickets will be gratefully collected, and advance donations may be made via PayPal (see “Add to Cart” button below), or by calling the parish office at 941.955.4263.

Complimentary parking will be available at the M&I Bank Parking Garage on McAnsh Square between 6 and 10 p.m.

The Church of the Redeemer is located at 222 S. Palm Ave., in downtown Sarasota.

Sermon preached by The Rev. Lance Wallace
Feast of Christ the King

A gift for the community!

Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, Sunday, December 11 at 5:15 p.m.; featuring the Redeemer Children’s, Youth, and Adult choirs.

This special service is a festive event in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ by recounting history in scripture readings from the Fall of Man, through the prophets, to the Annunciation of the Savior’s birth to Mary, with singing of many well-loved carols of Advent.

Community reception follows in Gillespie Hall (wine, punch, light snacks).
Complimentary parking for this service is available at the M&I Bank Parking Garage on McAnsh Street. For more information, call the Parish Office at 955.4263.

Happy New Year! Have you been keeping up with the religious news? Our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church are experiencing a great change in the liturgy today, the biggest change since Vatican II, when they went from Latin to English. Continue reading ‘Sermon – Sunday 27 November, 2011/The Rev. Fredrick A. Robinson’ »