Lessons and Carols for Christmas: Savior, Christ, Lord – December 26, 2021 The Order of Worship at 11:00 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 in-person 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.
This service of Lessons and Carols takes its theme from the Gospel of Luke (2:1011), focusing on the ways God comes to us in Jesus as Savior (first set of lessons), Christ (second set of lessons), and Lord (third set of lessons). The angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
As we gather we hear again the good news the angels proclaimed: God has come for all people through the birth of the one named Jesus. Through Bethlehem’s manger God comes into the chaos, messiness, and vulnerability of the world. In all things and at all times, we rejoice that God comes to save us and reigns in love. We come to adore Jesus who is Savior, Christ, and Lord. PRELUDE
Prelude on Greensleeves Organ Away in a Manger Pam Amy-Cupp and Katie Grogg, handbells
Richard Purvis Darrell Day
WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENTS
GATHERING The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection. 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 275
Angels, From the Realms of Glory
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS 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. Kneeling or seated Let us confess our sin in the presence of God. 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 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you.
HYMN 289
Angels We Have Heard on High
PRAYER OF THE DAY Eternal Father, you gave your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be a sign of our salvation. Plant in every heart the love of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
PSALM 8
O LORD our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!—you whose glory is chanted above the heavens out of the mouths of infants and children; you have set up a fortress against your enemies, to silence the foe and avenger. Refrain When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses, what are mere mortals that you should be mindful of them, human beings that you should care for them? Refrain Yet you have made them little less than divine; with glory and honor you crown them. You have made them rule over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet: Refrain all flocks and cattle, even the wild beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes along the paths of the sea. Refrain “FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN A SAVIOR, WHO IS CHRIST, THE LORD” LESSON Isaiah 12:2-6 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. RESPONSE
LESSON Matthew 1:18-21 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." REFLECTION HYMN 293
Pastor Jenny McLellan That Boy Child of Mary
“FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN A SAVIOR, WHO IS CHRIST, THE LORD” LESSON The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion — to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Isaiah 61:1-3, 11
RESPONSE
LESSON John 1:19-23, 29-34 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God." REFLECTION
Pastor Jenny McLellan
HYMN 291
Let Our Gladness Have No End
“FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN A SAVIOR, WHO IS CHRIST, THE LORD” LESSON Isaiah 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin
is blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" RESPONSE
LESSON Luke 1:26-35 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. REFLECTION
Pastor Jenny McLellan
HYMN 279
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Seated HOLY BAPTISM We celebrate today with Melanie and Nicholas Stolte as they bring their daughter, Adelaide Magnolia Gibson Stolte for the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Her godparents are Katherine and Derek Papke The candidate for baptism, sponsors, and parents gather with the minister at the font. The assembly is seated. The minister address the assembly: God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word God delivers us from sin and
death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God's mission for the life of the world. Who presents this child to be baptized? Sponsors: We present Adelaide Magnolia Gibson Stolte for baptism. Melanie and Nicholas called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have Adelaide baptized into Christ? Parents: We do. As you bring your child to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities: to live with her among God's faithful people, bring her to the word of God and the holy supper, teach her the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in her hands the holy scriptures, and nurture her in faith and prayer so that she may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace. Do you promise to help Adelaide grow in the Christian faith and life? Parents: We do. Katherine and Derek, as his sponsors do you promise to nurture Adelaide in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God’s Spirit, and to help her live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church? Sponsors: We do. People of God, do you promise to support Adelaide and pray for her in her new life in Christ? We do. PROFESSION OF FAITH Parents and Sponsors: I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? Response: I renounce them.
Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? Response: I renounce them. Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God? Response: I renounce them With the rest of the gathered people of God, let us confess our faith: Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. THANKSGIVING AT THE FONT The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise. Blessed are you, O God, maker and ruler of all things. Your voice thundered over the waters at creation. You water the mountains and send springs into the valleys to refresh and satisfy all living things. Through the waters of the flood you carried those in the ark to safety. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery to freedom. In the wilderness you nourished them with water from the rock, and you brought them across the river Jordan to the promised land. By the baptism of his death and resurrection, your Son Jesus has carried us to safety and freedom. The floods shall not overwhelm us, and the deep shall not swallow us up, for Christ has brought us over to the land of promise. He sends us to make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Pour out your Holy Spirit; wash away sin in this cleansing water; clothe the baptized with Christ; and claim your daughters and sons, no longer slave and free, no longer male and female, but one with all the baptized in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen BAPTISM The parent or sponsor holds the candidate over the font. Adelaide Magnolia Gibson Stolte, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life. Sustain Adelaide with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen The parents make the sign of the cross on the forehead of the baptized. Adelaide Magnolia, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen WELCOME A lighted candle is presented to the family. Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Let us welcome our new sister in Christ. We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God’s creative and redeeming word to all the world. The minister invites the congregation to welcome the newly baptized with acclamation.
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Joining our voices with the heavenly host and Christians throughout time and space, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. Your Spirit calls your church to rejoice in Christ’s birth. As we gather at the manger, help us see your face in all babies needing comfort and care. Equip the church in the nurture and encouragement of all children. Merciful God, | receive our prayer. The rocks and streams proclaim your praise. Attune us to the joyful sounds and groaning of your creation. Stir us to tend the earth wisely, that the whole earth may dwell in abundance and peace. Merciful God, | receive our prayer. Your messengers declare your joy to the world. Embolden leaders and nations to make your justice and peace known throughout the earth. Uphold justice advocates and social service providers who risk their safety to help others (especially). Merciful God, | receive our prayer. You choose those regarded as lowly to tell the good news of your love. Pour out your mercy and care on all who are sick, grieving, struggling, and the elderly who live alone (especially). Merciful God, | receive our prayer. You abide with your people in times of trouble. Accompany families and children who have nowhere to turn. Strengthen this congregation and local ministries in their care for those fleeing danger, abuse, or neglect. Merciful God, | receive our prayer. Here other intercessions may be offered. Your grace and mercy extend to all. Give comfort to those who mourn, and assure them of the peace you have granted those who have gone before us (especially). Merciful God, | receive our prayer. Rejoicing in your Word made flesh among us, we commend these prayers to you, confident of your grace and love made known to us in 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.
THANKSGIVING Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS Please use the Help and Give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. OFFERING ANTHEM
Noel, Noel
Linda Spevacek
OFFERING RESPONSE What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part; yet what I can I give him— give my heart. Standing OFFERING PRAYER Gracious God, your Word-made-flesh brings harmony to the earth. As we offer ourselves and these your gifts, prepare us to receive the grace and truth you offer at this table and renew in us the song of your salvation, in Jesus Christ our Savior. 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.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
We sing a new song to you, O God of our salvation, for you have done marvelous things. Through your Word all things came into being, and without you not one thing was made. You spoke through your covenant and created a people bound to you. Through promise and pardon, slavery and exile, you showed that what had come into being through you was life. When that day came, and the Word became flesh, your angels sang for joy and put a new song into our hearts. And even when we rejected your Son, you brought forth from his death a resurrection of everlasting glory. Life-giving God, as your Word became flesh and lived among us, come among us now in the fullness of your grace and truth. Make us holy as you are holy; that your Word may become flesh anew today. Send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine and make them be for us the body and blood of Jesus; who in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and
gave it to the 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. God of glory, make your church a sign of new-born hope in your kingdom. Be born in us today. Where your children are faced with ruin, show them redemption. Where sorrow endures, bring your holy comfort. Where division excludes, give your grace. Where bondage confines, sing your new song. Restore our hope in you, until the day when all that you have brought into being finds its everlasting destiny in your only Son, through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both 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 In Christ’s manger, at Christ’s table, come, see what God makes known for you. 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 Seated
HYMN 295
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
HYMN 282
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
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. 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.
POST-COMMUNION HYMN
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, the Word made flesh. | Amen.
HYMN 290
Go Tell it on the Mountain
SENDING Go in peace. Rejoice in Christ our Savior. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE
In dulci jubilo, BWV 729
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Second Sunday of Christmas
Calendar for December 27 – January 2, 2022 Monday, December 27 Church Office Closed
Thursday, December 30 Office Hours: 9am – 1pm
Tuesday, December 28 Church Office Closed
Friday, December 31 Office Hours: 9am -1pm
Wednesday, December 29 Office Hours: 9am – 1pm No Programming
Sunday, January 2, 2022 Jazz service at 11 am ONLY Sanctuary/ Livestream No classes
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