A Note From the Pastor

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life."

Christmas has ended for many on Christmas day. For those of us who follow our church calendar, there are twelve days of Christmas which flow all too quickly into the time of Epiphany. We may know Epiphany as the Season of LIGHT. John 1 describes Jesus as the One who comes into the world as the light of ALL people ...the light who shines in the darkness which cannot overcome this light.

Baptism acknowledges that. At Baptism a candle is lighted for the baptized to show that the light of Christ now shines in them: "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" is spoken as a candle is lighted.

The Light of the One who reveals God's love by giving His life for us on a cross is also the One who transforms us; shapes our living, our attitudes and our words in such a way that others may see the light of God's love shine in us.

Emily Matthews captures this image so well in "A Christmas Reflection" that appeared on a Christmas card given to me this Christmas:

A single candle lit
can light a thousand candles more
And never lose the glow
with which it started long before...
And like this single candle is the love
our Lord has shown -
For His everlasting light
Is still the greatest love that's known.

The hymn "Christ Our Light" also expresses this well:

Longing for light, we wait in darkness. Longing for truth we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people, light for the world to see.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled, longing for hope, many despair.
Your world alone has power to save us. Make us your living voice.
Longing for food, many are hungry. Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others, shared until all are fed.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless. Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others, walls made of living stone.
Many the gifts, many the people, many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants, to one another, signs of your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.
Christ be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

May Christ's love light your way and bring joy to your heart as His light shines through you!

Pastor Dick

Redeemer Lutheran Church 2920 Cassia Street Boise, ID 83705 Office: 208-344-6758 Fax: 866-284-7501

Welcome to the website of the community of Redeemer.  Please enjoy the website and visit us regularly to stay up-to-date on events and ministries.  We pray you God's blessings as you walk through this day and invite you to worship with us this Sunday.  Sample our hospitality and be encouraged by our worship.  We will be happy to welcome you and pray that your time of worship will be filled with joy in the presence of God.  Peace be with you.

Church Staff
Rev. Dick Sansgaard (Interim)
Admin. - Marilyn Smith
Music - Sherry Georgeff
Choir Dir. - Pat Engel
Youth - Justin Malek
Nursery - Roz Baldwin
Custodian - Charlene Etoka

Church Council
Carol James - Pres.
Steve Knick - Vice Pres.
Heather Reddy - Treas.
Darren Beckley  - Secty
Dale Frank
Shirley Gilcrest
Larry Kidd
Laurel Simos