Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 26, 2021 The Order of Worship at 9:00 am We continue to monitor the latest information regarding the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We continue to exercise the same care that has protected us through the past year: limiting the size of indoor gatherings, 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. At this time, we ask that face coverings be worn at all times while on the Redeemer property, regardless of vaccination status. 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
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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 800
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Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart
CONFESSION Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy. Amen. Drawn to Christ and seeking God’s abundance, let us confess our sin. Kneeling or seated
God, our provider, | help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen. Beloved people of God: in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough. Through Jesus, ☩ the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life. Amen. Standing
PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Generous God, your Son gave his life that we might come to peace with you. Give us a share of your Spirit, and in all we do empower us to bear the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen Please use the Prayer Request link on the webpage to submit your requests. Seated
CHILDREN’S SERMON 3
Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL Mark 9:38-50 On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus teaches his disciples about ministry that involves service and sacrifice. His disciples are slow to realize that these words apply to them as well as to others. The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. John said to [Jesus,] “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated
SERMON 4
Pastor Mark H. Larson
Standing
HYMN 801
Change My Heart, O God
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. We pray for the church and its ministry. Bless the newly baptized and encourage them in their journey of faith. Sustain all members of the body of Christ in lives of prayer, service, and worship. Bless our bishops, Elizabeth and Kevin. Lord, in your mercy, | hear our prayer.
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We pray for natural wonders of your creation. For the sequoia forests under threat from wildfire, for rivers threatened by drought, for the shorelines threatened by hurricanes. Restore damaged forests, waterways and natural habitats and lead us to be good stewards of what you have provided. Lord, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. We pray for those in authority. Give them wise minds and compassionate hearts. Strengthen in them a desire to protect the vulnerable and care for those underserved. Especially we pray for the people of Ethiopia suffering from hunger. Lord, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. We pray for those who are struggling with cancer, dementia, and other chronic diseases. Provide them with peace and resilience for the days ahead. Sustain caregivers with energy, patience, and confidence in decisions made on behalf of their loved ones. Sustain hospital staff overwhelmed with the number of Covid patients. Lord, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. We pray for the worship leaders of this congregation: musicians, readers, acolytes, altar guild, Livestream technicians, and ushers. Bless us through their ministry and grant them the passion to continue in their service. Lord, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. We give thanks for all your saints, those we have loved and known and those from every time and place. Continue to guide us by their example and reassure us of your promised salvation. 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. 6
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. 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. HOLY COMMUNION The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Lift up your hearts! | We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise. GREAT THANKSGIVING Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all. 7
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory. Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all glory and honor, now and forever. Amen. Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray… 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.
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INVITATION TO COMMUNION Christ has set the table with more than enough for all. Come! All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are invited to receive Holy Communion Those who are worshiping online can join the pastors on Zoom for communion following the postlude. Link Standing
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen Let us pray. | Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray. 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, ☩ be upon you now and forever. | Amen. HYMN 241
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Every Time I Feel the Spirit
SENDING Go in peace. You are the body of Christ. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Worship attendance for September 19: Inperson, 83; Livestream 249; Facebook 50 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost The Council Nominating Committee would like to thank those of you who submitted names for consideration and to those of you who expressed an interest in serving Redeemer. This year’s Council nominees are: Mike Bell, Carol Bloomquist, Karen Cramer, Lew Engle, Julia Gerhardt, Tom Herman, Erin Hull, Sharen Kilpatrick, Derek Peterson, and Richard Spady. Ballots will be emailed on Sunday, October 17. Hard copy ballots to those registered as not able to receive electronic communications will be mailed by post the following day. If you have questions regarding your ballot, contact Robin Durdin rdurdin@redeemer.org. The election concludes on Sunday, November 7, at 12:45 pm. 10
FEATURED EVENTS Young Adults Drinks and Dog Park* September 30, 2021 | 6 pm 520 Daniel St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 Join us for fellowship at an outdoor bar that is also a dog park! Furry friends welcome but not required. Humans enter free, RSVP not required. Dogs pay $10 and registration is required with proof of vaccinations (for the dogs). *This event is 21 and over. Register your pet: http://fetchpark.com/ More events and information
Outdoor Brass Concert at Redeemer Oct 3, 2021 (rescheduled date) | 2 pm The Redeemer Concert Series opens its 2021-22 season with the glorious sounds of a brass quintet on the Redeemer green. The Atlanta Brassworks will kick off the season with a concert of great American music, celebrating legends from Stephen Foster to Leonard Bernstein. The members of the Atlanta Brassworks are professional musicians with principal positions in the Atlanta Ballet and Opera Orchestras, as well as teaching posts at various local colleges and universities. Bring your own lawn or camp chair, or use one of the folding chairs the ushers will have available. In case of bad weather, the rain date is scheduled for October 3. The concert is free, but donations to the “Friends of Music” will be accepted. Please join us as we celebrate the gift that music is to our community. October Biergarten Fest! October 19th, 2021 | 11:30-2:30 PM Bold Monk Brewery Biergarten 1737 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW Unit D Atlanta, GA https://boldmonkbrewingco.com Redeemer's new Keystone Ministry is sponsoring our first fellowship event! We invite members of all ages, especially those 65+, to join us for a fun Fall lunch in an authentic outdoor Biergaraten created by Bold Monk Brewery! Free parking, many menu options, handicapped accessible ramps for ease of mobility, and senior discounts! Contact Diana Palma, be4steminc@gmail.com, for more information. 11
Calendar for September 26 – October 2, 2021
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, September 26, 2021 Event
Time
Redeemer Worship 9 am & 11 am Confirmation Large Group 9:30 - 10:00 AM High School Sunday School 9:30 - 10:45 AM A/V Meeting 10:00 – 10:45 AM Middle School Parents 10:00 – 10:45 AM Be Still and Journey / Women's 10:00 - 10:45 AM Study Building Resilience amid Ambiguity: 10:00 – 10:45 AM Learning to live well in Pandemic Times Confirmation Small Group 10:00 - 10:45 AM Gift Class w/Joe Lukas 10:00 – 10:45 AM Redeemer Choir Rehearsal / 10:00 - 12:30 PM Service Communion 10:00 - 10:30 AM Children's Sunday School 10:15 - 10:45 AM Communion 12:00 - 12:30 PM High School Youth Group 12:30 - 2:00 PM
Location
Sanctuary/ Livestream Fireside/Contact Hillary Nelson Hinely Patio/Zoom Conference Room Room 103/Zoom Room 119/ Zoom Rudisill Hall/Zoom
Hybrid/ contact Hillary Nelson Room 211/ Zoom Hinely Hall Zoom Zoom/ contact Deacon Mary Houck Zoom Outdoors at Redeemer
Monday, September 27, 2021 Quilters Carillon Ringers Rejoicing Spirits Team Meeting Young Adult Bible and Brew
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 7:00 - 8:30 PM 7:30 - 8:30 PM 8:00 - 9:00 PM
Fireside Room Hinely Music Hall Zoom Zoom
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Tuesday Morning Bible Study Beginning American Sign Language Class 12
7:30 - 9:30 AM 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Zoom Contact: William Bolick
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 Pastor Jonathan's book study
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Zoom
Wednesday, September 29, 2021 Early Birds Bible Study Pastor's Class Seraphim Cherubim Redeemer Ringers Holden Evening Prayer Redeemer Choir Rehearsal
4:00 - 5:00 PM 6:00 - 7:00 PM 6:00 - 6:45 PM 6:15 - 6:45 PM 6:45 - 7:15 PM 7:00 - 7:30 PM 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Zoom Rudisill Hall / Zoom outdoors outdoors Room 202 Sanctuary / Livestream Hinely Hall
Thursday, September 30, 2021 LCR Diversity and Justice Curriculum Worship Team Meeting Tolkien group
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Zoom
6:30 - 8:00 PM 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Rudisill Hall/Zoom Zoom
Friday, October 1, 2021 Women's Retreat
5:30 - 8:00 PM
Zoom
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Lutheranch
Saturday, October 2, 2021 Women's Retreat Service Day Diversity and Justice Ministry Reel Time Event
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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 Michael Clarke ............................................................... LCFM Chef, mclarke@redeemer.org 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 Sam Long ........................................................................ Organ Scholar, slong@redeemer.org Hillary Nelson ............................................................ Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org Tawanda Searcy ................................................ Receptionist and Wedding Director, ext. 200 Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security
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