Church Blog

Midweek Advent Worship: Wed. Dec 17th

ADVENT MIDWEEK WORSHIP: During this busy Advent season, take a moment to reflect on this special season of light by worshiping with us on Wednesdays at 5:30pm. Our theme is “God’s Light to the World” and is based upon Luke 2:25-32.
**These services will not be live-streamed.**

Call Committee Update

We are pleased to report that we will have a new Pastor beginning February 2026. We praise God for joining us on our call process and for the many touches He provided individuals on the Call Committee, guiding us to Pastor Eli Thomas.
Our current plan is for Pastor Thomas to join Redeemer in February, leading his first Worship Service Feb. 8th. The installation service will be conducted on Sun, Feb. 15th at 2:00pm.
Join us in our prayers of thanksgiving and hope for this wonderful new chapter in the life of Redeemer by the Sea’s journey to save the lost.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Services

Christmas Eve – Candlelight Worship services at 3pm: Traditional Service & 5pm: Blended Service

Staff Christmas Gift

In the spirit of the season, it has been a tradition at Redeemer to bless our staff with a financial Christmas bonus from the congregation. The gift gets divided proportionally among our team of three part time office administrators, six musicians, a sound tech, a Sunday School Superintendent, a confirmation teacher and a nursery worker who all do so much to bless and equip us. If you feel so led, please express your appreciation to them with an over and above financial gift. Please include the memo of “staff gift” on the envelope or check. These can be dropped into the offering box at the back of the sanctuary, mailed in, or you can make this gift digitally through our website by selecting the “Staff Christmas Gift” category on the fund dropdown menu on the donate page.

Angel Tree Thank you!

Thank you for your generosity, Redeemer by the Sea. 160 gift cards were given to children of marine families at Camp Pendleton. These gifts are greatly appreciated and will help make their Christmas special.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING UPDATE

We’re pleased to announce that the congregation unanimously voted to extend a call to Pastor Eli Thomas to be our next Pastor. The call package has been sent to Pastor Thomas and he will have time to prayerfully deliberate about what God is directing him to do. It is not uncommon for Pastors to take 30-45 days to consider a call. In the meantime, please pray for Pastor Thomas, his wife Jennifer, their children and his congregations. We trust in the Lord and in the Call Process, and we know that God in His mercy is our great provider.

Angel Tree continues through Dec. 14th

Support local military families by donating a $25 gift card from Amazon, Target or Walmart. Gift cards can also be purchased through Redeemer HERE. The deadline is Dec. 14th.
In return, you’ll receive an angel ornament with a child’s name on it to pray for during the holiday season. This program helps Camp Pendleton Marines and their families in San Diego. Thank you for your generosity!

Operation Christmas Child: Shoeboxes due NOW!

Shoebox season is here, which means we once again have the privilege to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ with millions of boys and girls around the world. Shoeboxes are available in the lobby for you to pack with goodies and bring back to the church lobby by Tues. Nov 18th. Instructions & labels are inside each box. Thank you in advance RBTS!
Click HERE for gift ideas and links.
Click HERE for an Amazon shopping list

LWM ANGELS ON HIGH CHRISTMAS PARTY: Tues Dec 9th

Tue, Dec. 9th at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall! Invite a friend and come enjoy some Christmas cheer. Please bring a hot or cold appetizer to share—desserts and extra holiday treats will be provided. The evening will also include festive carol singing and a fun gift exchange. If you do not have a secret prayer sister, you can still bring a gift to exchange (limit $20). Be sure to sign your name. Invite a friend and join in this festive evening! Contact BJ with any questions.

Women’s Friday: Dec 19th

Women, start your weekend out right with Happy Hour & fun with friends from RBTS.
This month, the event will be hosted by Barbara Gehring

Call Committee Update: Nov. 8-9th

CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE: We’re pleased to share that Pastor Eli Thomas will visit our congregation the weekend of Nov. 8–9 as part of our pastoral search process. During his visit, Pastor Thomas will meet with the Church Council, Elders, Call Committee and Preschool staff to gain a deeper understanding of our ministries, mission and community life.
On Sun, Nov. 9, Pastor Thomas, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter Sophie will attend both worship services. Following each service, there will be a Q&A session open to the congregation:
- After the 8:30 a.m. service: 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
- After the 10:15 a.m. service: 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary
If you’d like to learn more about Pastor Thomas’s ministry, you can watch or listen to his recent messages:
- Contemporary Services: ccridgefield.com/media
- Traditional Services: YouTube – Grace Lutheran Church
Podcast: https://youtu.be/mgt04wph3b4

Fall Festival Thanks & Photos


LWM Project Day: Tues. Nov 11th

LWM – PROJECT DAY: This month we will be assembling baskets for clients in the Healing and Retreat Program at Solutions for Change. “Reflecting Christ in Accomplishing God’s Will”. All materials provided but many hands are needed. Please join us on Tues. Nov. 11th for our business meeting at 9:30am and completing the baskets will begin about 10:15am in the Fellowship Hall.

Fall Festival: Sunday October 19th!

Schedule:
9:00am Setup
10:15am One Combined Worship Service with Preschool and Sunday School teacher installation
11:30am Fall Festival which will include a BBQ, Trunk-or-Treat, a petting zoo, pony rides, inflatables, professional photos, and DJ! Costumes encouraged!
12:30pm Trunk or Treat starts
Parking:
Handicapped parking only in upper lot. All other parking, please use lower lot off Fisherman Drive and Aviara.

Call Committee Update

The Call Committee is pleased to announce that we have selected the leading candidate for our next Pastor. He is currently arranging coverage to allow him to visit Redeemer. During this visit, he will meet with our Leadership Team and participate in worship services, offering members of the congregation an opportunity to meet him.
Our selection process was informed by a Pastor profile developed by the committee, incorporating our current insights, alongside materials reviewed from the previous call committee. Additionally, we reflected on feedback from our congregational survey and ‘listening’ sessions.
The candidate is Rev. Eli Johannes Thomas, who serves at 2 churches in Washington, Grace Lutheran (Traditional) in Longview and Christ Community (Contemporary) in Ridgefield and has said he loves both traditional and contemporary worship. As a colloquy into the LCMS, he brings a broad perspective on ministry beyond the Lutheran tradition. Ordained on Sept. 29, 2013, he has been described by his current District President as contemporary, with a highly evangelical approach to ministry and mission.

Ice Cream Social – This Sunday!

FELLOWSHIP THIS WEEKEND: Join us after both services on Sun. Aug. 10th for a sweet time of fellowship and fun. Cool off with delicious ice cream and connect with friends old and new. We can’t wait to see you there!

VBS:Operation Kid to Kid Mission Project


Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST: SAT. July 5th from 9:00am-10:45am. Join us for a time of fellowship and men’s study. Register HERE to RSVP and select your (optional) breakfast from Panera.

Redeemer Birthday Club: Fri. July 11th

REDEEMER BIRTHDAY CLUB will be celebrating April, May and June birthdays on Fri. July 12th at 11:30am at Oceanside Broiler in Oceanside Harbor. In leiu of cards, a freewill donation will be collected and the recipient to be determine by the group. RSVP HERE so we can let the restaurant know how many will attend.

