Sunday, December 31, 2023 - Order of Worship at 10 AM - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA

First Sunday of Christmas – December 31, 2023 The Order of Worship at 10:00 am 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.

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.

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WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS Standing HYMN 296

What Child is This?

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the Word made flesh, our life and our salvation. | Amen.

Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin.

Kneeling or seated God of life, you promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groaning of creation. Have mercy on us. Where we are self-centered, open our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage. Where we are cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again the hope of eternal life in you. Amen.

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Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In ☩ Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salvation of God. | Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you.

Almighty God, you wonderfully created the dignity of human nature and yet more wonderfully restored it. In your mercy, let us share the divine life of the one who came to share our humanity, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON Standing THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40 Luke’s narrative continues with stories that emphasize Jesus’ connection to Judaism. His family is devout in its observance of the law, and Jesus himself is recognized as one who will bring glory to Israel.

Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined 2

for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.

Seated SERMON Standing HYMN 288

Pastor Jonathan Trapp Good Christian Friends Rejoice

Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each portion of the prayers concludes: Merciful God, | receive our prayer.

At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen Standing PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. | And also with you.

Please share a sign of blessing with your fellow worshipers in whatever way is comfortable for you.

Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS MUSIC by Redeemer Jazz Trio Standing OFFERING PRAYER God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration. Strengthen us to 3

share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. | 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.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER 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.

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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 Glory to God in the highest! Come to the table of peace.

Seated 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. | God our redeemer, you have fed us at this table with gifts of grace, truth, and life. As you have gathered us in joy, send us forth as messengers of your peace. Make us shine with the good news of your glory, born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

BLESSING God bless you and keep you, ☩ Jesus grant you grace and truth, and the Spirit send peace upon your hearts, now and forever. | Amen.

HYMN 290

Go Tell it on the Mountain

SENDING Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio Angel Tree for the Girls of Wellspring Living Update!

Thank you, Redeemer members and friends! Due to your great generosity, you have donated $2,010 in gift cards for the girls of Wellspring Living – children (ages 12 – 17)!!

These gift cards will be used for the girls’ school and craft supplies, meals, clothing, special outings, or for stocking the boutique where the girls can “shop” for special items 5

as rewards for scholastic achievement. Thank you for bringing comfort and joy to the girls!

Questions? Contact Amy Carpenter.

MAC Coat Drive Sims Atrium through Dec. 31 Donate your gently used Men’s, Women’s, and Children's outwear. Please help keep others warm this winter. The weather is turning cold with some nights in the low 40s already. Please keep those in mind that might not have the clothing they need to keep warm.

YOUTH High School and Beyond Parents will be meeting on Sunday, January 7 for their monthly gathering. Middle School Parents will meet on Sunday, December 17 (if needed) and then again on Sunday, January 21.

Our Middle School and High School Youth will be heading to Sky Zone Atlanta on Sunday, January 7. We can get lunch before and head to jump at 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM. Estimated cost: $25 (does not include food or socks). Let Hillary know if your youth(s) can attend.

CHILDREN & FAMILY Coming up in Sunday School December 31, there is no Sunday School due to the holidays. Have a Happy New Year, and we can’t wait to see you again for Sing and Play on January 7!

ADULT FAITH FORMATION Adult Faith Formation returns in January.

Friday, January 19, 7:30 PM ORGAN ANNIVERSARY CONCERT The Redeemer Concert series presents Nicole Keller in a free concert as we celebrate Redeemer’s 73-rank Létourneau pipe organ. Ms. Keller is in demand as a concert artist, adjudicator, and clinician. She has concertized in the States and abroad in venues such as St. Patrick Cathedral, New York; Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Paris; Dom St. Stephan, Passau; St. Patrick Cathedral, Armagh, Northern Ireland; and The Kazakh National University for the Arts, Astana, Kazakhstan. She is on faculty of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan and is also Visiting Instructor of Organ at the Interlochen Arts Academy. The Friends of Music will host a reception in Sims Atrium following the concert.

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Calendar for December 31 – January 6, 2024 Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, December 31, 2023 Event Time Location Monday, January 1 Church Office Closed Tuesday, January 2 Morning Bible Study 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Rudisill Hall/Zoom Pr. Jonathan Book Study 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom Wednesday, January 3 Early Birds Bible Study 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Zoom Wednesday Night Dinner 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Sims Atrium Pastor’s Study 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM Rudisill Hall Seraphim Choir 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Room 204 Worship 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Sanctuary Redeemer Ringers 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Room 202 Redeemer Choir Rehearsal 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Hinely Music Hall Thursday, January 4 Thursday Bible Study 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Rudisill/Zoom Liberation Thoughts 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Zoom Tolkien Group 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom

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. Dr. Jonathan Trapp .......................................... Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233

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