Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church
1948 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
San Jose, CA 95126
With this ancient salutation of the early Christians, we greet one another as fellow Christians; I greet you as your pastor. It is my desire to provide each of you with the services of the pastoral ministry in a meaningful way, especially during the crisis times of your life This is particularly true at the following times:
Birth and BaptismWhile it used to be common for only the pastor to do many of the ministries of the church, within the modern paradign this is no longer true. At times I will come to be with you as your pastor, but at other times a lay member of the congregation (who has been trained to do the particular ministry you need) will be the one to come and be present with you.
This does not mean that I do not care, nor does it mean that I do not want to be present. Rather, it is our living out our "yokedness" together - sharing the ministry into which our God has called each and every one of us.
As soon after the birth of your child as possible, you should contact the Pastor (or the church office) with your good news. As soon as possible, someone will visit so that we can do a "blessing with oil" of the child, and celebrate that a child has been born into your family.
Just as we rejoice that a child has been born into the family, so we rejoice that the child through baptism may be born into the Family of God and made a Disciple.
It is the practive in the Lutheran Church to perform the Service of Baptism within a few months of the birth of a child. At that time it is customary to have "sponsors," "witnesses," or "godparents" present. You need to give a good deal of thought to your choice of godparents. They have responsibility concerning the religious training of your child, especially in the event of a parent's death before the child is of age. Godparents should take seriously the responsibility of your child, which is asked of them.
Normally, the sacrament of Baptism is administered during a worship service. If this is impossible or inadvisable, other arrangements may be made upon consultation with the pastor. Naturally, in the event of complications in the birth of a child, the pastor needs to be notified immediately, regardless of the time, so the Baptism may be administered at the hospital, if necessary. In this connection, it is well to remember that it is not the absence of the Sacrament, but the rejection of the Sacrament, which condemns.
One of the most joyous occasions in life is a wedding. Marriage is a Holy Estate, instituted by God. Therefore, the Blessing of the Church is a vital part of what takes place when two persons are joined in marriage.
Arrangements should be made as far in advance as it is possible, before other details of the day are set. Normally, the pastor will not marry a couple unless there has been adequate opportunity to meet with the couple prior to the day of the service. During the meetings you will be given the opportunity to have as much input concerning "your service" as you would like.
Our Christian faith speaks directly and powerfully to the inevitable event of death. When death comes to a member of the congregation, the pastor should be notified immediately, regardless of the hour. If death appears to be imminent, as the termination of an illness, please notify the pastor so that the pastor may be present with you to offer the comfort and prayres of our faith. It is customary, in the event of approaching death, to perform a "blessing of oils" (as at birth) and a commendation of the dying.
The purpose of the Christian funeral is to set forth the glorious hope of the Christian faith to those who mourn. Accordingly, the funeral of a church member should be held in the church whenever possible - with the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion as a part of the service. The Church is a place where all great events of life are celebrated, and it helps to put death into a Christian perspective when the funeral service, with the celebration of Holy Communion, takes place there.
If a member of the congregation, or anyone, who would desire a Pastoral visit, is hospitalized, please call the church office. In the Case of emergency, please call the pastor at home, or on his cell phone.
In the event of surgery, please contact the pastor prior to the day that surgery will take place. The pastor will arrange to visit either in your home prior to your entrance into the hospital, or in your room the evening before surgery. You may at that time wish to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Only by informing the pastor of the impending surgery, will it be possible to perform this ministry.
During an extended or serious illness, a member may wish to receive Holy Communion on a periodic basis. If this is the case, either the pastor or one of the Visitation Team members who have been commissioned to serve shut-ins will be available to bring the Sacrament to your home or hospital room.
At ALL times, and in ALL situations, the pastor is available to you and your family. Life sometimes crowds us and can be difficult and perplexing. The pastor can be of greater help if you seek counsel before personal problems become acute. You may be sure that what is said in consultation will be held in strictest confidence. A Christian pastor seeks to bring understanding and perspecitve to all problems that may arise. God's power and love should be given the opportunity to heal, redeem, and restore broken relationships before the damage is irreparable. As necessary, the pastor will make referrals to other qualified counselors and/or agencies.
It should be noted that we do not exist as a congregation to serve only ourselves. We have been called to serve the world. The services that are offered at Holy Redeemer are available to everyone. If you know someone who needs a child baptized, someone who is considering getting married, someone who has an impending death in their family, someone who is ill and in need of a pastoral visit, or someone who needs to counsel with a pastor, please recommend that they call the church office.
You, as a congregation, have called the pastor. To the limit of time and ability and energy, the pastor is here to SERVE you and to help make the Gospel of Jesus Christ relevant and meaningful in all areas of your life. Only if you keep the pastor informed of your needs is this possible.