Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost – November 14, 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 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. 1
HYMN 438
My Lord, What a Morning
CONFESSION In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Kneeling or seated
Have mercy on us, O God. | We confess that we have sinned against you and against our neighbor. We have built walls instead of tables and have turned away the stranger. We have sought glory for ourselves and have treasured that which does not satisfy. Help us to love as you love, to welcome those you send, and to treasure mercy and justice. Turn us from our ways to your ways, and free us to serve those in need. Amen. 2
God, who makes all things new, forgives your sins for ☩ Jesus’ sake and remembers them no more. Lift up your heads and your hearts. Yours is the kingdom of God. | Amen. Standing
PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Almighty God, your sovereign purpose brings salvation to birth. Give us faith to be steadfast amid the tumults of this world, trusting that your kingdom comes and your will is done 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 HOLY GOSPEL Mark 13:1-8 In the last week of his life, Jesus warned his disciples concerning trials that were to come upon them and upon the world. He exhorts the listener: Do not be alarmed. The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. As [Jesus] came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and 3
they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.” The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated
SERMON
Pastor Mark H. Larson
Standing
HYMN 628
Jerusalem, My Happy Home
Kneeling or Seated
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Eternal God, you hold firm amid the changes of this world. Hear us now as we pray for the church, the world, and everyone in need. God our creator, you show us the path of life. Bless faithful people everywhere with humility as they extend compassion to those who have 4
experienced harm in religious spaces. Cultivate healthy congregations that tell of and enact your reconciling love. God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. God our constant, you love our universe from beginning to end. As the seasons change, protect animals that migrate and hibernate. Bring them safely to a sheltered place and a more abundant season. God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. God our ruler, you write your law on human minds and hearts. Give wisdom to all elected leaders and officials to govern with insight and compassion. Make them mindful of the well-being of all people so that your world will flourish. God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. God our stronghold, you are present amid disaster. We pray for those affected by natural disasters. Come to the aid of all survivors of earthquakes, famines, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, and the first responders who support them. Calm their fear, supply their need, and be the solid ground beneath their feet. God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. God our healer, you come to us in times of need. We pray for those who are sick or suffering. We pray for those who are in need of your healing love. Be with those who are suffering in mind, body, or spirit. Uplift them with your presence and surround them with your care. We pray especially for… God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. God our guide, you are greater than we can imagine. Surround congregations with your expansive inclusion. Be present in the midst of disagreements, differences, and questions. Unite people of diverse viewpoints in the love of Christ. God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. 5
God our beginning and our end, your beloved people shine like the brightness of the sky. We thank you for the lives of all who rest in your eternal mercy, from famous saints to the people we have loved... Assure us of your resurrection promise. God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. God our hope and strength, we entrust to you all for whom we pray. Remain with us always, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 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. Seated MISSION MOMENT:
Lutheran Towers
Hazel Lang
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 Holy God, the earth is yours and everything in it, yet you have chosen to dwell among your creatures. Come among us now in these gifts of bread and wine, and strengthen us to be your body for the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.| Amen. 6
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 You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God. You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory. You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life. We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation. 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 salutary command, his life-giving passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, and the promise of his coming again, we give thanks to you, O Lord God Almighty, not as we ought but as we are able; we ask you mercifully to accept our praise and thanksgiving and with your Word and Holy Spirit to bless us, your servants, and these your own gifts of bread and wine, so that we and all who share in the body and blood of Christ 7
may be filled with heavenly blessing and grace, and, receiving the forgiveness of sin, may be formed to live as your holy people and be given our inheritance with all your saints. To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, 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. INVITATION TO COMMUNION A feast of love is offered here for you and for all the saints. 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. | Blessed Jesus, at this table, you have been for us both host and meal. Now send us forth to extend our tables and to share 8
your gifts until that day when all feast together at your heavenly banquet. Amen.
SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. BLESSING God, the beginning and the end, who has written your name in the book of life, ☩ bless and keep you in grace and peace from this time forth and forevermore. | Amen. HYMN 178
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Do, Lord, Remember Me
SENDING Led on by the saints before us, go in peace to serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Worship attendance for November 7: Inperson, 134; Livestream 316; Facebook live, 58 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Christ the King Sunday
Election Results Thank you to our Nomination Committee for their leadership through the 2021 election process and to those willing to be nominated; your fellow members indeed value your gifts. Congratulations to the following Redeemer members on their election to our Congregation Council beginning in 2022: Karen Cramer, Lew Engle, Erin Hull, Derek Peterson, and Richard Spady. They will be installed Sunday, November 28. We thank God for blessing Redeemer with these committed leaders and ask for your prayers and support for them as they work on your behalf. The church council and COVID task force are hosting town hall sessions to hear your feedback and answer any questions you may have about our COVID-19 protocols. The first session will be immediately following the 11:00 service on Sunday November 14th both in person and on Zoom. The second will be on Monday November 15th at 7:30 PM on Zoom and the third on November 18th at 6:00 PM on Zoom. Please watch for additional details in the weekly updates.
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OFFICIAL NOTICE OF A CONGREGATIONAL MEETING | December 12 | 12:30 PM Webinar (link will be sent Saturday, December 11) The purpose of the meeting is the approval of the 2022 budget. Please also join us following the 11:00AM Worship Service on Sunday, November 28th for a Listening Post to discuss the 2022 Operating Budget Draft document. Members of the Church Staff, the Church Council and the Finance Team will be on hand to review the document and answer questions. We will begin the Listening Post at 12:30 PM. You can attend in person in Rudisill Hall or feel free to join the conversation online via Zoom. The link can be found in your weekly email from Redeemer. If you are unable to attend the November 28th Listening Post, we will convene an additional Listening Post on Sunday, December 5th at 12:30 PM in Rudisill or via Zoom. We look forward to your participation in one or both of these Listening Posts and to vote upon the budget in the Congregational Meeting on December 12th, 2021.
FEATURED EVENTS Did you miss us? We’re back! Kringles! Help support our Youth Ministry Summer 2022 Mission Trips. Kringles are available for purchase on Sunday, November 7, Sunday, November 14 and Sunday, November 21. You can purchase online or in-person for $15! If in-person, stop at the Youth Table near the Sims Atrium. You can donate too just go to the Redeemer Giving page. Contact Hillary at youthministry@redeemer.org if you have any questions or difficulties. Thanks again for supporting our youth! 11
Harvest Home Concert Saturday, Nov 20 | 7 pm This 15th annual concert will be in-person for a limited audience but live-streamed to all at Redeemer.org and HarvestHomeConcert.org during and after the concert. The concert is presented free of charge, but seating is very limited and reservations are required. To reserve seats, please visit https://www.redeemer.org/events/harvest-home-concert-a-midtownthanksgiving/ To protect the safety of the audience and the musicians, all audience members 12 years and older must provide proof of vaccination and proof of identity. Guests under 12 and those who need reasonable accommodations due to a medical condition must provide proof of a negative COVID -19 test. Please visit HarvestHomeConcert.org for full details on our safety protocols. Redeemer’s Keystone Ministry Invites Members and Friends to our 2021 Christmas Dining Celebration! December 11 | 4 PM Add a healthy dose of Fellowship to your season by joining us at Benihana Alpharetta! 2365 Mansell Road | Alpharetta, GA 30022 https://www.benihana.com/locations/alpharetta-ga-al/ 678.461.8440 Live Nativity@ Bethlehem Village December 18 | 1-4 PM Get ready! LiveNativity@BethlehemVillage will again be our gift to our Midtown friends and neighbors. The people of Redeemer will again re-enact what life might have been like in Bethlehem the day after Jesus was lowly, yet heavenly born in their midst. Presented on Redeemer Green, Costumed Redeemer artisans, musicians, shepherds, angels, Pharisees, Wise Men, Roman soldiers, census-takers and townspeople will tell this story to our neighbors through their everyday village activities. Redeemer people are SO ready for this outdoor community event so that we can share our joy and hope, that is in Jesus, with our friends and neighbors. Our gift will be complete when we fill all of the roles with Redeemer ambassadors to our community. Please consider volunteering a specific skill or role, or just to lend a hand to share your joy with our neighbors. The event 12
time is 1 - 4 pm. Setup times are both Friday afternoon and Saturday morning 8 am - 1 pm. For more info (and be ready for our enthusiastic Thank You!) contact Don Noland dfnoland@gmail.com or Janet Preston janethaury@gmail.com We're expecting you!
Calendar for November 14 – November 20, 2021
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, November 14, 2021 | Lutheran Towers Sunday Event
Time
Location
Redeemer Worship High School Sunday School Be Still and Journey / Women's Study Confirmation Large Group Confirmation Small Group Liberation Thought Bible Study Redeemer Choir Rehearsal / Service The Rapture Revealed Communion Children’s Sunday School Communion Covid Protocol Town Hall #1 Rejoicing Spirits
9 am & 11 AM 9:30 - 10:45 AM 9:30 - 10:45 AM
Sanctuary/ Livestream Youth Lounge/Zoom Room 119/ Zoom
9:30 – 10:00 AM 10:00 – 10:45 AM 10:00 - 10:45 AM 10:00 - 12:30 PM
Zittrouer/ Zoom Various Rooms/ Zoom Room 121/ Zoom Hinely Hall
10:00 – 10:45 AM 10:00 - 10:30 AM 10:15 – 10:45 AM 12:00 - 12:30 PM 12:30 – 1:30 PM 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Rudisill Hall/Zoom Zoom Zoom Zoom Rudisill Hall/Zoom Rudisill Hall/Zoom
Monday, November 15, 2021 Carillon Ringers Covid Protocol Town Hall #2
7:00 - 8:30 PM 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Hinely Music Hall Zoom
7:30 - 9:30 AM 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Zoom Zoom
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 Tuesday Morning Bible Study Reads and Reels 13
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 Beginning American Sign Language Class Pastor Jonathan's book study
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Contact: William Bolick
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Zoom
Wednesday, November 17, 2021 Early Birds Bible Study Pastor's Class Seraphim Cherubim Redeemer Ringers Holden Evening Prayer Redeemer Choir Rehearsal Pandemic Fatigue
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 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Zoom Rudisill Hall / Zoom outdoors outdoors Room 202 Sanctuary / Livestream Hinely Hall Rudisill Hall/Zoom
Thursday, November 18, 2021 LCR Diversity and Justice Covid Protocol Town Hall #3 Tolkien Group
6:00 - 8:00 PM 6:00 – 7:00 PM 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Zoom Zoom Zoom
Saturday, November 20, 2021 Redeeming Gardeners YA Friendsgiving Harvest Home Concert
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9:30 – 11:30 PM 1:00 – 4:00 PM 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Redeemer Off-Site Sanctuary (RSVP required) or via Livestream
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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