Sunday Dec 29, 2024 - Order of worship at 10am - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA USA

First Sunday of Christmas – December 29, 2024 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.

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

Prelude on “Greensleeves”

Richard Purvis (1913-1994)

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS GATHERING The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection.

Standing HYMN 275

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Angels from the Realms of Glory

CONFESSION 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.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Kneeling or seated 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 2

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

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

Shine into our hearts the light of your wisdom, O God, and open our minds to the knowledge of your word, that in all things we may think and act according to your good will and may live continually in the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | 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 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 Rod Mack, Lector Having dedicated her son Samuel to God’s service, Hannah visits him every year when she and her husband Elkanah come to the temple to offer sacrifices. God grants Hannah more children, and Samuel himself gains favor in the sight of all.

Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod. His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the Lord”; and then they would return to their home.

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.

Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. THE SECOND READING Colossians 3:12-17 Just as newly baptized Christians in the early church were clothed with new garments upon arising from the baptismal waters, so all who have received God’s gift of life in Jesus Christ are covered with the character of Christ.

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 2:41-52 Jesus grew up in a family that went to the Passover festival each year. It was in this environment of faithful adherence to the law that Jesus grew into spiritual maturity and an understanding of his identity and mission.

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

Now every year [Jesus’] parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

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

Seated SERMON Standing HYMN 269

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Pastor Jonathan Trapp Once in Royal David’s City

HOLY BAPTISM We celebrate today with Scott and Charlotte Annis as they bring their daughter, Daphne Reese Annis for the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

We pray that God will bless this family and strengthen them in a life of faith.

For those joining on Livestream click here for the bulletin, for those in person turn to Page 227 in the ELW hymnal.

The congregation sings

Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ our king: born of the Spirit, we are God's children; joyfully now God's praise we sing.

Text: Michael Saward, b. 1932 Text © 1982 Jubilate Hymns, admin. Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188.

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

At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen

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Filled with good news of great joy, let us offer our prayers for the church, the earth, and all people.

A brief silence.

For those who teach and those who learn, we pray. Bless the education ministries of your church.

Guide Sunday school teachers, college and seminary professors, and Bible study leaders in our ongoing faith formation and curiosity. God of grace, receive our prayer.

For the thriving of creation, we pray. Protect the habitats of pangolins and porcupines, penguins and parrots, and all wild animals and creeping things. Increase our knowledge of the natural world and the care of its inhabitants. God of grace, receive our prayer.

For the nations of the world, we pray. Raise up rulers who lead with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Let your peace rule in their hearts and in all lands especially Ukraine, Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. God of grace, receive our prayer.

For the well-being of your people, we pray. Keep watch over all who travel this holiday season.

Accompany those who are alone or ill. We especially pray for... Console parents and children whose relationships are strained or severed. God of grace, receive our prayer.

For the ministry of this place we pray. Let the word of Christ dwell among us. In times of conflict, clothe us in love and move us to forgiveness. God of grace, receive our prayer.

For your holy, beloved, and chosen ones of every time and place, we give thanks. Draw us all into everlasting praise and joy. God of grace, receive our prayer.

We commend these prayers to you, O God, trusting your grace made known to all, through the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

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.

THANKSGIVING Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS ANTHEM

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Where Shepherds Lately Knelt

Carl Schalk

Where shepherds lately knelt and kept the angel’s word, | I come in half-belief, a pilgrim strangely stirred; | But there is room and welcome there for me.

In that unlikely place I find him as they said: | Sweet newborn Babe, how frail! And in a manger bed: | A still, small voice to cry one day for me.

How should I not have known Isaiah would be there, | His prophecies fulfilled? With pounding heart I stare: | A child, a son, the Prince of Peace for me.

Can I, will I forget how Love was born, and burned | Its way into my heart—unasked, unforced, unearned, | To die, to live, and not alone for me?

Jaroslav Vajda Standing OFFERTORY HYMN

OFFERING PRAYER God of heaven and earth, from the beginning, you have called forth life, in which you take delight.

The trees, the fields, and the seas sing for joy.

Bless now these gifts, received from your bounty, that we may join the chorus of creation to tell of your salvation from day to day. | 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: 9

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 10

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 A child has been born for us, a Son given to us. Come, receive the gift of Jesus.

Seated All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are welcome to the feast.

Those who are worshiping online can join the pastors on Zoom for communion following the postlude. Link

HYMN 293

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That Boy Child of Mary

HYMN 286

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Your Little Ones, Dear Lord

Standing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen Let us pray. | Merciful God, we thank you for Jesus, who is our heavenly food.

Strengthened by this goodness, send us forth to announce your peace, comfort the afflicted, and share the good news of great joy.

SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING The God of love, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, lavish you with grace, illumine your path, and increase your joy, today and always.| Amen.

HYMN 292

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Love Has Come

SENDING Go in peace. The Word of God dwells in you richly. | 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.

Created to Be...Generous We are asking every family to return their pledge of support to Redeemer’s ministries through our website, email, or by returning your pledge card in the mail or in-person.

Stewardship packets are available at the Welcome Desk in the Sims Atrium.

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Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Saturday, January 18th, 2025, the Redeemer community is invited to honor the legacy of Dr. King by learning about his life and engaging in service to our community. Organized by the ELCA Southeastern Synod, all events that day will be hosted at St. John’s Lutheran Church (and Pr. Jennifer!). All ages and abilities welcome!

Scan the code or contact Pr. Jonathan Hemphill to register (jhemphill@elca-ses.org).

11 am- 12 pm: Brunch and Learn 12 -1 pm: Service projects 2-3:30 pm: Festival worship Rejoicing Spirits- January 26th What better way to kick off the new year than with your Rejoicing Spirits friends! As much of our culture is pressuring us to ‘optimize’ our bodies and minds, let’s stop and celebrate what they can already do, and how we are already bringing our best to the people and world around us.

This special worship service is designed to be accessible to people of all abilities- yes, that means you! We are all beloved children of God with strengths and weaknesses. People with disabilities and their caregivers need the support of their faith community. We all need to be reminded that whatever our abilities, we are enough. Come to be a friend and make some amazing new friends!

Meet in Rudisill Hall from 10:15 - 10:45 (before or after attending your usual service!)

CHILDREN AND FAMILY Coming up in Sunday School Today, there will be no Children’s 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 5!

Pool Party at GA Tech The Redeemer CFM families are making a splash at the GA tech pool again this year. February 2nd from 1:30-3:30 we will enjoy fellowship together at the pool and remember our baptisms! No RSVP required. Friends and neighbors welcome.

YOUNG ADULTS We’re having a winter bonfire Jan. 9 at 7:00 for a time of fellowship, recovery from the holidays, and looking forward into the new year! Invite friends or come make new ones! For location, contact Nate (nhumpherys@redeemer.org).

Thank You for Your Support – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

As we reflect on this past year, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support of Midtown Assistance Center. For the 2024 fiscal year, Redeemer contributed 35 hours of service through volunteerism! Your generous donations, time, and prayers have made a significant impact on the lives of those in need this year. We are truly grateful for your partnership in our mission to prevent homelessness and hunger.

May this Christmas season bring you peace, joy, and hope, and may the New Year bless you with continued love and fulfillment. Thank you for being a beacon of light and compassion in our community.

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With heartfelt thanks, The MAC Team Wellspring Living Angel Tree! Thank you!

To date we have collected over $900 in gift cards for the girls of Wellspring Living – children (ages 12 – 17) who have been trafficked and who are on a path of restoration. These 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 as rewards for scholastic achievement.

Questions? Contact Charissa Schultz or Amy Carpenter via Realm.

Calendar for December 29 – January 5, 2025 Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, December 29, 2024 Event Time Location Worship 10:00 AM Organ & Choir In-person/ On-Line

Wednesday, January 1 Office Closed Thursday, January 2 Friday, January 3 Council Retreat Saturday, January 4 Council Retreat

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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. Dr. Jonathan Trapp .......................................... Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233 STAFF Seth Brown................................................................... Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218 Brandon Davis ................................................... Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232 Robin Durdin ............................................................ Office Administration Director, ext. 204 David Hansen ........................................................................... Adult Choral Director, ext. 236 16

Sarah Hawbecker ...........................................Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206 Deacon Mary Houck .....................................Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227 Nate Humpherys ................................................................................. Youth Director, ext. 230 Larry Lowe........................................................................................................Security Officer Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security

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