Issuu

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – August 22, 2021 The Order of Worship at 9:00 am As the spread of COVID-19 in our community has slowed, we have gradually offered in person, small group gatherings following the guidelines provided by our COVID-19 Taskforce. We continue to offer communion over Zoom for those who cannot gather in-person. As we open worship to in-person attendance, we will continue to exercise the same care that has protected us through the past year: limiting the number of people, the duration of the service, and providing safe seating. At the same time, we will continue to stream our services live for those who cannot be present. We will use the same bulletin for in-person and remote participants. Please use the links available on the viewing page to let us know that you are worshiping with us, to submit any prayer requests, to let us know if you need help or are available to help a neighbor, and to continue giving financially to support the ongoing ministries of Redeemer. As always, we pray that worship at Redeemer is a blessing for you, even as your participation blesses us, whether we gathering in the name of Christ inperson or online. As you are comfortable, we encourage you to sing the hymns and to sing or speak the congregational portions of the liturgy in bold type. This bulletin contains content protected by copyright and is provided only for you to participate in worship. Please delete or destroy any physical or digital copy of the material following the service.

WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENTS 1

Standing Fully vaccinated congregants in the sanctuary are encouraged to sing while masked. Those who are not fully vaccinated should “sing in spirit” reading the words to our hymns and liturgy as they are sung by the choir/musicians.

HYMN 515

Break Now the Bread of Life

CONFESSION In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | Amen. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God.

Kneeling or seated

Most merciful God, | we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | Amen. Standing

PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Holy God, your word feeds your people with life that is eternal. Direct our choices and preserve us in your truth, that, renouncing what is false and evil, we may live in you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen Please use the Prayer Request link on the webpage to submit your requests. Seated

CHILDREN’S SERMON Standing

THE GOSPEL 3

John 6:56-69

The “hard saying” that offends Jesus’ disciples is his claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood. The followers who return to their old lives know something about how odd this sounds. Simon Peter, on the other hand, knows something about the scarcity of living, gracious words. He asks the most important question: “To whom shall we go?” The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. [Jesus said,] “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated

SERMON 4

Pastor Mark H. Larson

Standing

HYMN

As the Deer

1. As the deer panteth for the water So my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee

2. You're my friend and You are my brother Even though You are a King I love You more than any other So much more than anything

Chorus You alone are my strength my shield To You alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee

3. I want You more than gold or silver Only You can satisfy You alone are the real joygiver And the apple of my eye

Kneeling or Seated

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Made children and heirs of God’s promise, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need. God of courage, bless pastors, deacons, staff, council, and ministry team members of your global church as all the baptize strive to show forth Christ. Lord, in your mercy | Hear our prayer. God of creation, restore areas devastated by wildfires, rebuild the land shaken by earthquakes, and renew the hearts of humans to join your will to preserve your creation. Lord, in your mercy | Hear our prayer.

God of community, bless all who seek justice between nations and peoples. Give guidance to bridge-builders, heal divisions, and inspire cooperation in times of crisis, disaster, and war. We pray especially for the nations of Afghanistan and Haiti. Lord, in your mercy | Hear our prayer. God of compassion, accompany all who are lonely and feeling abandoned and remind them of your abiding presence. Accompany all who are healing or worried about sick family members. Bless and sustain all who call on you, especially… Lord, in your mercy | Hear our prayer. God of change, bless our transitions. Guide all who are embarking on new stages in life such as a new job, new school, or new assisted living community. We especially pray for Midtown Lutheran Preschool. Lord, in your mercy | Hear our prayer. God of comfort, bless all who mourn the deaths of their beloved ones, especially… Renew our confidence in your promise of resurrection and life in the world to come. Lord, in your mercy | Hear our prayer. Receive these prayers, O God, and those in our hearts known only to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Standing

PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you. Please share a sign of blessing with your fellow worshippers while maintaining proper distancing.

Please let us know you worshiped with us today by using the I’m Worshiping link as you would the attendance pad at church. MISSION MOMENT

Relational Listening Campaign

Seated

GATHERING OF GIFTS Please use the Help and Give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. MUSIC by Redeemer Jazz Trio Standing

OFFERING PRAYER Jesus, Bread of life, you have set this table with your very self, and called us to the feast of plenty. Gather what has been sown among us, and strengthen us in this meal. Make us to be what we receive here, your body for the life of the world. Amen. LORD’S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. BLESSING The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, 7

☩ be upon you now and forever. | Amen. HYMN 178

Do, Lord, Remember Me

SENDING Go in peace. You are the body of Christ. Thanks be to God. Seated

POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio 8

Following the postlude join us for communion via Zoom. Link The Altar Flowers are given by Penny and John Scarpucci to the Glory of God and in Celebration of their 42nd Anniversary. LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Worship attendance for August 15: Inperson, 50; Livestream 233; Facebook 80 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost As we welcome back worshippers to the sanctuary, we need ushers and greeters to help with our homecoming. If you are willing to join the team, please contact rdurdin@redeemer.org

THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 731 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.redeemer.org | 404.874.8664 | Emergency Line: 404.874.9759 The Rev. Mark H. Larson ...................................................................... Senior Pastor, ext. 201 The Rev. Ronald Bonner ................................... Pastor for Community Engagement, ext. 203 The Rev. Jonathan Trapp ................................................. Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233 The Rev. Jenny McLellan......................................... Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224 STAFF Bob Boyd ........................................................... Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232 Seth Brown................................................................... Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218 Robin Durdin ............................................................ Office Administration Director, ext. 204 Kate Elkins .................................................................................... Preschool Director, ext. 252 David Hansen ........................................................................... Adult Choral Director, ext. 236 Sarah Hawbecker .......................................... Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206 Deacon Mary Houck .....................................Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227 Jennifer Isaacson ........................................................Financial Information Director, ext. 237 Hillary Nelson ............................................................ Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org Tawanda Searcy ................................................ Receptionist and Wedding Director, ext. 200 Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security