My Work is Loving the World

By Mary Oliver

My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird - 

equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?

Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me

keep my mind on what matters,

which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.

Which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,

Which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

and these body-clothes,

a mouth with which to give shouts of joy

to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,

telling them all, over and over, how it is

that we live forever.

Thanksgiving Week Schedule

The church office is closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Holiday Boxes of Cheer for Govans Elementary School 

Got an empty shoebox or two that you can fill with a handwritten note or card, Christmas cookies, a juice box, and a warm hat OR scarf OR pair of gloves/mittens, before wrapping it up with holiday paper and a nice ribbon or bow?

Our partners at Govans Elementary School would love to collect these holiday boxes of cheer to distribute to some of their students and families.

You can start bringing your holiday boxes to church the weekend of Dec. 7-8 and no later than our 5 p.m. Lessons & Carols Service on Sunday, December 15. 

Advent Wreath Making- This Sunday

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent. During the season of Advent we wait in hope as we anticipate the birth of Jesus. One way to help us stop and wait patiently is an Advent wreath—and on the first Sunday of Advent, we will offer the opportunity to make an Advent wreath for your home. Wreath making will be available at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in the parish hall.

Please bring a pair of clippers, and any greens from your yard that you can contribute for this activity. We will supply some general greens, pie dishes, oasis, floral tape and sets of candles—a contribution of $10.00 will help defray the cost of the supplies. Please bring cash or check with you on December 1.

Click here to sign up to make an Advent wreath with us.

Do you have greens that you would like to donate to make the wreaths? If so, please let Liz Kallmyer know. Thank you!

Advent Retreat - December 14

While this time of year is the busiest with holiday preparations and travel, creation takes its cues from another calendar and is slowing down. During Advent the first signs of winter come: the trees are brown, animals are hibernating, the sun sets earlier and earlier. There is more dark than light, and this gathering darkness gives the signal to our bodies: slow down, reflect, and savor.  Advent is a waiting time where the air is literally pregnant with the presence of God. If you are longing for some sacred space to experience Immanuel—God with you—this Advent season, the Center for Wellbeing invites you to an Advent Mini-Retreat, Saturday December 14, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We will guide you through a time of intentional rhythms of devotion that awaken us to the reality of God’s presence. Come as you are and receive from the One who waits for you.

RSVP to Thomasina Wharton

Christmas Memorials

We will be decorating the church and chapel for Christmas. If you would like to remember or give thanks for a loved one please provide the names on this form and send a check (donation $50) made out to the church and marked “Christmas Memorials” to the church office. Contributions may also be made through online giving.

Christmas memorials and/or thanksgivings must reach us by Monday, December 9. 

Christmas Pageant Participants

Calling all angels and shepherds (and angel wranglers and shepherd herders, too)! It's that time of year and we would love to have our children and youth participate in this year's Christmas Eve Pageant during the 4 p.m. service on December 24. 

Children and youth ages 3 and older are invited to participate. Please note that children younger than 5 need to be accompanied by an adult in the pageant. 

All participants are required to attend the rehearsal on Sunday, December 22 from 11:30-1:00 pm (children younger than 5 need to be accompanied by an adult at the rehearsal). 

Participants also need to arrive on Sunday, December 24 by 3:00 pm to get into costume prior to the service. 

Please sign up online by clicking here. The sign up also includes opportunities for adult volunteers to help in a variety of ways. Many hands make light work! 

Please reach out to Rev. Anna Noon, Director of Children’s Ministry, if you have any questions. 

This week in Sunday School

Please join us in the parish hall at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. to make an advent wreath! There is no Sunday School this Sunday.



Have questions about Sunday School and how you can support or participate? Contact Anna+, Director of Children’s Ministries.

Maintenance Person Position

With Chuan Phan’s retirement at the end of January 2025 we are looking to fill his role. Interviews will be scheduled in early December. Click here for the job description. Questions? Contact Mark Schroeder

BOOTS for Baltimore

A table has been set up in the ambulatory with boots cards and donation envelopes. Each $35 donation provides a pair of new shoes and socks to a needy person. As always, we thank you for your generosity in helping us address this crucial and ongoing need in our greater Baltimore community. To contribute to Boots for Baltimore online click here. Please call Lucy Sarris at 443.421.1526 or Debbie Codd at 410.218.4499 with any questions. And as always, thank you so much!

2025 Stewardship

A commitment of a pledge says "Yes. We're all in! We belong here."

Download a 2025 pledge form or make your pledge online here.

FAQs about stewardship at Redeemer.  

Create or access your online giving account.



Questions? Email Ellen Chatard

Christmas Services

Service of Nine Lessons & Carols

Sunday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m. in the church

Christmas Eve 

11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the church with Connections Choir

4:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist in the church with children's tableau pageant, Choir School of Baltimore and the Redeemer Choir

9:00 p.m. Festive Holy Eucharist in the church: Redeemer choir with

choral prelude at 8:30

Christmas Day

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the chapel

Evensong This Sunday

Join us for Evensong for Advent 1 in the chapel, this Sunday at 5:00 p.m. The Evensong Schola will be offering Richard Farrant's "Magnificat" and "Nunc dimittis", "Preces and Responses" by Thomas Morley, and Hugo Distler's exciting motet "O Heiland reiss die Himmel auf" (O Savior rend the heavens wide). We invite you to make this beautiful service a part of your Advent preparations.

Services this Weekend

First Sunday of Advent

Saturday, November 30 @ 5:00 p.m. in the church

Faith@Five

Holy Eucharist, Rite 2

PREACHER The Rev. Josh Laws

CELEBRANT The Rev. David J. Ware

Sunday, December 1, 2024 @ 8:00 a.m. in the chapel

Holy Eucharist, Rite 1 

PREACHER The Rev. Josh Laws

CELEBRANT The Rev. David J. Ware

Scheduled to Serve

LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTER Alice Gary

READER Katherine Shamer

FLOWERS Pam Meier, Laura Johnson

ALTAR GUILD Joanne Calvert

Sunday, December 1, 2024 @ 10:00 a.m. in the church

Holy Eucharist, Rite 2

Click here to join the service via livestream

PREACHER The Rev. Josh Laws

OFFICIANT & DEACON The Rev. M. Cristina Paglinauan

CELEBRANT The Rev. David J. Ware

ASSISTING The Rev. Anna C. Noon 

Scheduled to Serve

VERGER Anne Suydam Haskins

ACOLYTE Anne Garrett Randolph

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Terry Beauchamp, Lucy Neale Duke,

the Rev. Josh Laws, Kate Lears, Punky Martin, Ann Warfield

READERS Ellen Hoitsma, Leigh Lowe

INTERCESSOR Nancy Hubble

USHER SUPERVISOR Chris Lord

USHERS David Frisch, Carrie Goldrick, Sean Goldrick, Noel Morelli

ALTAR GUILD Brenda Ehlers, Ann Warfield

FLOWERS Pam Meier, Laura Johnson

VESTRY GREETER Mary Lord 



Sunday, December 1, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. in the chapel

Evensong for Advent I

Name Tags, please!

With so many new faces among us- both in the congregation and among our staff members we encourage everyone to wear a name tag. The name tag table is located in the narthex. If you already have a name tag please find yours in the bins alphabetized by last name. If you are new to us or can't find your name tag, please make yourself a temporary one with the supplies provided AND sign-up for a name tag on the clipboard. We will have one for you by the next Sunday! Thank you!

Rector's Bible Study

If you never thought you would study the Bible, then this is the class for you! Join us in person or on Zoom for a far-ranging, free-wheeling, intelligent and emotionally honest discussion of this amazing resource. The Wednesday morning class meets from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in person in the Women's Council Room and on Zoom. The Wednesday lunch time class meets from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on Zoom (only) and the Thursday evening class meets at 6:00 p.m., in person only in the Women's Council Room. 

Zoom Links:

Join 10:00 a.m. Bible Study on Zoom

Meeting ID: 863 7962 7803

Passcode: N3GA0M

Join 12 noon Bible Study on Zoom

Meeting ID: 831 6876 2958

Passcode: B9r07u

Going Deeper @ Redeemer



Click here for the October 2024 Vestry Minutes

Click here for minutes from the 2024 Annual Meeting.

Vestry Minutes from the last 12 months are available here.

Sermon audio is available here.