Sixth Sunday after Epiphany, February 13, 2022 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 are 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.
PRELUDE
WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENTS
Prelude sur le nom d'Alain
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
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 705
God of Grace and God 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 GREETING 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. KYRIE In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
HYMN OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Living God, in Christ you make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen. Please use the Prayer Request link on the webpage to submit your requests.
WORD God speaks to us in scriptures read, sung and preached. Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON THE FIRST READING Jeremiah 17:5-10 These verses compose a poem that is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings that contrast two ways of life. Life with God brings blessing; the power and vitality of God is active in our life. Life without God brings a curse, the power of death. Thus says the Lord: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord. They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. THE SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 For Paul, the resurrection of Christ is the basis for Christian hope. Because Christ has been raised, those who are in Christ know that they too will be raised to a new life beyond death. Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 6:17-26 After choosing his twelve apostles, Jesus teaches a crowd of followers about the nature and demands of discipleship. He begins his great sermon with surprising statements about who is truly blessed in the eyes of God. The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. [Jesus] came down with [the twelve] and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon.They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated SERMON
Pastor Ron Bonner
Standing HYMN 710
Let Streams of Living Justice
APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 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. 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. Amen. Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION The Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon us in abundance; therefore, we are bold to pray for the church, the world, and all that God has made. Root your global church in Jesus as trees planted by streams of water. Deepen our trust in you so we may boldly proclaim the resurrected Christ. We pray especially for Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Bishop Kevin Strickland. God of grace, | hear our prayer. Bless fruit trees with an abundant harvest. Protect rainforests from destruction. Restore land that has eroded after deforestation. Resurrect woodlands after forest fires. God of grace, | hear our prayer. Search the hearts of those who govern, that they may lead with humility. Inspire leaders to collaborate on policies that protect people and the planet. Sustain truth-tellers and social movements that challenge society to become more honest and just. God of grace, | hear our prayer. Send your blessings of mercy upon those who long for consolation. Tend to those struggling with poverty, hunger unemployment, or uncertainty. Grant peace to all who suffer (especially). God of grace, | hear our prayer. Renew this congregation in our shared mission. As we plan and dream for the future you are preparing, inspire us by the examples of Martin Luther and all the reformers. Bless new projects and new ministry partnerships. God of grace, | hear our prayer.
Christ is raised from the dead, and so we cling to the hope of the resurrection. We praise you for the lives of the saints who lived and died in the hope of eternal life with you and pray for consolation for all who are grieving, (especially). God of grace, | hear our prayer. Since we have such great hope in your promises, O God, we lift these and all of our prayers to you in confidence and faith; 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.
THANKSGIVING Seated MISSION MOMENT: Council Update: Richard Spady, President GATHERING OF GIFTS Please use the Help and Redeemer.org/give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. ANTHEM
The Beatitudes The Redeemer Choir
Philip J. Stopford
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs in the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you, and persecute you, and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and
be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5: 3-12 Standing OFFERTORY HYMN
OFFERING PRAYER Blessed are you, O God, Sovereign of the universe. You offer us new beginnings and guide us on our journey. Lead us to your table, nourish us with this heavenly food, and prepare us to carry your love to a hungry world, in the name of Christ our light. 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. By the leading of a star he was shown forth to all nations; in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son; and in the miracle of water turned to wine he revealed your glory. 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:
O God most mighty, O God most merciful, hear us as we praise, call us to your meal, grant us your life. When the earth was formless and empty, you created order and beauty. When Abraham and Sarah were barren, you delivered them a child; when the Israelites were enslaved, you led them to freedom; Ruth faced starvation, David fought Goliath, and the psalmists cried out for healing—with all your people we implore you to save us, and we praise you for granting us life. You came to our world in Jesus our brother. He was born among the poor, he lived under oppression, he wept over the city. Full of compassion, he granted the people your life. 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. Come, Breath of creation, enliven our bones. Come, living Water, replenish the earth. Come, holy Fire, make us lights in the world. Like a tree rich with fruit, nourish us with your bounty. From your throne, teach us justice. In your arms, give us peace. Mighty God, mothering God, grant us your life, the life of the Father to the Son, the life of the Spirit of our risen Savior, life in you, 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. Seated INVITATION TO COMMUNION Come to God’s table. There is a place for you and enough for all 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
HYMN 841
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Standing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen Let us pray. | We give you thanks, gracious God, for we have feasted on the abundance of your house. Send us to bring good news and to proclaim your favor to all, strengthened with the richness of your grace in your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen POST-COMMUNION HYMN
SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. BLESSING God, who leads you in pathways of righteousness, who rejoices over you, and who calls you by name, ☩ bless your going out and your coming in, today and forever. | Amen. SENDING Go with Christ into a weary world. Share the good news.| Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE
Fugue sur le nom d'Alain
Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Worship attendance for February 6 114: In person 67; Livestream 574; Facebook live, 54 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Seventh Sunday after Epiphany Genesis 45:3-11, 15, Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50, Luke 6:27-38
FEATURED EVENTS Cincinnati battles Los Angeles TODAY but the LCFM will be the big winner! Redeemer Youth are teaming up with the Lutheran Community Food Ministry in the annual Souper Bowl of CaringSM fundraiser to fight hunger across the United States. Instead of collecting monetary donations in soup pots in the Sims Atrium as the Youth normally do, we are going to have an online fundraiser starting on Sunday, February 6 and going until the end of game day on Sunday, February 13. Use the LCFM’s Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/28FR1K204NP0G/ref=cm_wl_huc_view. Purchase fruit cups or applesauce to support the team from Cincinnati or purchase salty snacks/crackers to support the team from Los Angeles. You can also use the Redeemer Giving Website to donate money! No matter the winner, Lutheran Community Food Ministry is the BIG winner! Lent 2022 | Lenten Small Group Sign-Up begins TODAY Congregational book study during Lent is Life Unsettled: A Spiritual Journey for Wilderness Times by Pastor Cory Driver How Do I Join a Group? Go to https://www.redeemer.org/faith-formation/lenten-small-groups/ review the group meeting days and times and decide which one works best for you, click on the link to fill out and submit the registration form. Groups will begin meeting the first full week of Lent, which starts Sunday, March 6th. Hunger Walk Run 2022 March 6, 2022 | In-person and virtual The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Hunger Walk Run is a celebrated annual event and community energizer, bringing people together in solidarity with a collective goal to end hunger. Team Redeemer has come together to raise funds through the Hunger Walk Run on March 6 to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Inspiritus, and the Lutheran Community Food Ministry. This year, Hunger Walk Run will be a hybrid event, which means it will take place everywhere—on every sidewalk, track, and trail in your own neighborhood, and at the Home Depot Backyard next to Mercedes Benz Stadium! Walk or run wherever you are most comfortable gathering. Festivities at the Home Depot Backyard kick off at noon with onsite registration and entertainment. The 5K Fun Walk and Run starts at 2 p.m. and the event ends at 4 p.m. The Hunger Walk Run takes place rain or shine but please know that the Atlanta Community Food Bank is closely monitoring conditions that could impact safely holding an in-person event. If you prefer not to walk at home or at the Home Depot Backyard, consider walking in prayer for all who face hunger, poverty, and food insecurity. Register today at http://engage.acfb.org/goto/Redeemer22! You can also make a donation to support Team Redeemer, and the first $250 donated will be matched 1:1. Last year we raised $1,555; can we double it this year to $3,000? Knowing the generosity of our congregation, this should be an easy goal to reach! Thank you for your support, and please contact Lorraine Dorough, team captain, at ledorough@gmail.com for assistance in registering or for more information.
Calendar for February 13 – February 19, 2022 Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, February 13, 2022 Event Worship Confirmation Large Group High School SS Be Still and Journey / Women's Study Children's Sunday School Confirmation Small Group Keystone Wellness Series Liberation Theology Study Choir Rehearsal/Service German Church Atlanta College Group Rejoicing Spirits Worship Monday, February 14 Quilters Carillon Ringers Young Adult Bible & Brew Tuesday, February 15 Morning Bible Study Reads and Reels Pastor Jonathan Bible Study Council Meeting Wednesday, February 16 Early Birds Bible Study Pastor’s Class Seraphim Cherubim Redeemer Ringers Evening Prayer Worship Choir Rehearsal Thursday, February 17 Tolkien group Saturday, February 19 Redeeming Gardeners
Time 9 am (Jazz) and 11:00 am 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Location In person/ Livestream Rudisill Hall/Zoom Youth Lounge/Zoom Room 119/Zoom
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Zoom Various Rooms/Zoom Room 121/ Zoom Zoom Hinely Hall/Sanctuary Chapel Playground/Zoom Zoom
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fireside Room Hinely Hall Zoom
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Zoom Zoom Zoom Zoom
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM 6:45 PM – 7:15 PM 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Zoom Rudisill Hall/Zoom Hinely Hall Room 204 Room 202 Sanctuary Hinely Hall
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Zoom
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Church Grounds
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 Kofi Broadnax ....................................................................... Property Administrator, ext. 210 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