First Sunday of Advent – November 28, 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 44
Somebody’s Knockin’ at Your Door
CONFESSION Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who alone does wonders, who lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry with good things. | Amen. Let us confess our sin, trusting in the tender mercy of our God. Kneeling or seated
God for whom we wait,| in the presence of one another, we confess our sin before you. We fail in believing that your good news is for us. We 2
falter in our call to tend your creation. We find our sense of self in material wealth. We fear those different from ourselves. We forget that we are your children and turn away from your love. Forgive us, Blessed One, and assure us again of your saving grace. Amen. God, in Christ Jesus, has looked with favor upon you! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, ☩ your sins are forgiven. You are children of the Most High, inheritors of the eternal promise, and recipients of divine mercy. God strengthens you anew to follow the way of peace. | Amen. BLESSING AND LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel
Advent prayer The first candle is lit. Blessed are you, God of Jacob, for you promise to transform weapons of war into implements of planting and harvest and to teach us your way of peace; you promise that our night of sin is far gone and that your day of salvation is dawning. As we light the first candle on this wreath, wake us from our sleep, wrap us in your light, empower us to live honorably, and guide us along your path of peace. O house of Jacob, come, | let us walk in the light of the Lord. Amen. Sung
O come, O King of nations, come, O Cornerstone that binds in one: refresh the hearts that long for you; restore the broken, make us new. 3
Please use the Prayer Request link on the webpage to submit your requests. Seated
CHILDREN’S SERMON Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 21:25-36 God will fulfill God’s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity, confusion, and terror, but God’s people shall be given strength to stand boldly and receive God’s promised redemption. The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. [Jesus said:] “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. 4
Seated
SERMON
Pastor Jonathan Trapp
Standing
HYMN 42
Come by Here
Kneeling or Seated
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION In this season of watching and waiting, let us pray for all people and places that yearn for God’s presence. God of presence and peace, strengthen your church around the globe to proclaim the message of your love coming to the world. Open our hearts to recognize your face in all people and in all of creation. Hear us, O God. | Your mercy is great. God of mighty redwoods and microscopic plants, the wind and the waves, fields and city parks, be a healing balm to our wounded planet. May we nurture what you have lovingly created. Hear us, O God. | Your mercy is great. God of equality and compassion, bring righteousness and justice to all peoples of the earth. Give a heart of discernment and integrity to leaders in our communities and across the world. 5
Hear us, O God. | Your mercy is great. God of comfort and care, be present with those who watch and wait. Come to all who await births, deaths, anniversaries, divorces, new unions, new jobs, retirements, healing, and life transitions of every kind. We especially pray for… Wait with us and hear us, O God. | Your mercy is great. God of companionship and community, we give you thanks for the saints who journeyed with us and now abide in you. Even in distress and uncertainty, make us confident that your promises endure forever even as we grieve. We pray for... Hear us, O God. | Your mercy is great. God of new life, you come among us in the places we least expect. Receive these prayers and those of our hearts, in the name of Jesus. 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: Installation of Newly Elected Council Members Seated
GATHERING OF GIFTS Please use the Help and Give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. MUSIC by Redeemer Jazz Trio Standing 6
OFFERING PRAYER God of our waiting and watching, we offer the gifts of our hearts and our lives to the service of all your people. Prepare the way before us as we meet you in this simple meal, through Christ Jesus, our pathway and our peace. | Amen. GREAT THANKSGIVING 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. Covenant God, in the beginning you called your creation good and flooded it with beauty and bounty, with goodness and grace. In the days of Noah you drowned your creation to wash away sin and draw your own sons and daughters to yourself. Through your covenant with Israel your promises flowed to all nations and in Jesus Christ you drew us out of our waywardness into the relentless flood of your mercy. Peacemaking God, in Christ you made an ending of the life of spears and sword, and came to us with plowshares and pruning hooks that we might be fed. In him you showed us how to study war no more, how to lay down our swords and shields, and how to feast with the Prince of peace. 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. As you came to us to be our very food and drink, send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and cup and make them be for us the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. 7
Stir you church with a wakening hope, that soon and very soon we are going to see our king. Take our foolishness and bend us toward faith. Take our hostility and refashion us for love. Quicken our spirits with trust in that day when we who have been blessed with such hope will gather around your throne with saints of every age, in praise and thanksgiving to you, one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 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 Come to Christ’s banquet. Feast on God’s gift of grace. 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. | Most High God, you have come among us at this table. 8
By the Spirit’s power, form us to be bearers of your word, sharing gifts of mercy and grace with all, through Christ Jesus, our host and our guest. Amen.
SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. BLESSING The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for whom we wait. | Amen. HYMN 244
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Rejoice, Rejoice Believers
SENDING Go in peace. Christ is near. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Worship attendance for November 21: Livestream 208; Facebook live, 43 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Second Sunday of Advent 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.
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FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE LISTENING POST
Sunday, Nov 28 | 10:00 am | Rudisill Hall/Zoom Tuesday, Nov 30 | 7:30 pm | Zoom The committee has been meeting the past three months in preparation for a new initiative to plan for what this campus has been, is, and can become. Join us for an exciting discussion! Read More FEATURED EVENTS Holiday Horn Concert Sunday, December 5, 2:00 pm The Redeemer Concert Series continues with a performance by the Kennesaw State University Horn ensemble, under the direction of Richard Williams. Enjoy some holiday favorites, including cookies and hot chocolate following the concert. Keystone 65+ Wellness Series—Growing Into Abundant Life Monday, December 6 | 4:30 PM | Zoom Join us as we explore “healthy aging”. Pastor Jenny will facilitate a panel discussion with Lois Ricci, Ed Scherlacher, Joan Vernor. Here are some of the topics to be covered: —attributes, lifestyle habits, and practices that enable one to stay involved in life and keep a positive attitude. —personal stories of our panelists regarding how they have dealt with health issues and the loss of friends or family —for older persons, is life in your 70s the new 60s? —do others have pre-conceived notions about age? They will be time for discussion and questions. Please join us! Wellspring Living Virtual Angel Tree Send the girls on a shopping spree! For the 10th year, Redeemer members will have the opportunity to support the girls of Wellspring Living – children (ages 12 – 17) who have been sexually trafficked and who are on a path of restoration. This year, each girl will receive a $50.00 Visa gift card which allows them to go shopping and to select 11
their own gifts – making them feel special. It is easy! Order are due by December 15!
Go to www.wellspringliving.org Scroll down to the Gift Giving box and click on Learn More See the details under “Sponsor a Participant” and click on “Gift a Participant Shopping Spree” o Complete the ordering instructions for the $50.00 Visa gift card(s) which will include a purchase fee by December 15. o Select the Girls Residential Program or one of the other programs if you wish. Questions? Contact Redeeming Grace amy.carpenter@comcast.net or 404-5503314. Quilt Auction to Benefit Wellspring Living! This Advent, place your bid for a one-of-a-kind quilt! Redeemer member Sharon Jeffries has created the stunning quilt entitled “Lutheranch Leaves.” She has donated the quilt for silent auction to benefit the girls of Wellspring Living. The winning bid will support the girls (ages 12-17) in Wellspring Living’s Girls Residential Program. Email your bid to Charissa Schultz at csdesign925@gmail.com. Bidding begins November 28 and ends on December 12 at noon. 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 12
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 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 28 – December 4, 2021
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, November 28, 2021 Event
Time
Location
Redeemer Worship High School Sunday School Confirmation Large Group Confirmation Small Group Facilities Committee Listening Post Advent Small Group w/ Pr. Ron Advent Small Group w/ Joe Lukas Be Still and Journey Advent Virtual Pilgrimage Through Palestine Children’s Sunday School Redeemer Choir Rehearsal / Service Communion Communion 2022 Budget Session #1
9 am & 11 AM 9:30 - 10:45 AM 9:30 – 10:00 AM 10:00 – 10:45 AM 10:00 – 10:45 AM 10:00 - 10:45 AM 10:00 – 10:45 AM 10:00 – 10:45 AM 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Sanctuary/ Livestream Youth Lounge/Zoom Fireside/ Zoom Various Rooms/ Zoom Rudisill Hall/Zoom Room 121/ Zoom Room Zoom Zoom
10:00 – 10:45 AM 10:00 - 12:30 PM
Zoom Hinely Hall
10:00 - 10:30 AM 12:00 - 12:30 PM 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Zoom Zoom Rudisill Hall/Zoom
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Monday, November 29, 2021 Quilters Carillon Ringers
9:30 - 12:30 AM 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Fireside Room Hinely Music Hall
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 Tuesday Morning Bible Study 7:30 - 9:30 AM Pastor Jonathan’s Book Study 5:00 – 6:00 PM Facilities Committee Listening post 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Zoom Zoom Rudisill Hall/Zoom
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 Seraphim Cherubim Redeemer Ringers Evening Prayer Pastor’s Class Choir Rehearsal
6:00 – 6:45 PM 6:15 -6:45 PM 6:45 – 7:15 PM 7:00 – 7:30 PM 6:00 – 7:00 PM 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Redeemer Outdoors Redeemer Outdoors Room 202 Sanctuary Rudisill Hall/Zoom Hinely Hall
10:00 – 12:00 PM 6:00 – 8:00 PM
On-site Zoom
Thursday, December 2, 2021 Redeeming Bloomers Diversity and Justice
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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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