GROWING
FAITHFULLY SERVING
BOLDLY
SUNDAY OCTOBER 25 2026 COMMITMENT SUNDAY Giving Generously | 1
The Rev. Mark H. Larson Senior Pastor
This year's Stewardship Appeal is
"BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING" I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. -Genesis 12:1-3
This year’s Stewardship Appeal centers on God’s promise to Abraham: “I will bless you…so that you will be a blessing.” From the beginning, God’s blessings were never intended to stop with those who received them. Abraham and Sarah were blessed so that through them all the families of the earth might be blessed. The same is true for us. God has blessed us abundantly—with grace and forgiveness, with faith and community, with gifts and resources, and with opportunities to serve. These blessings are not simply ours to keep. We are blessed so that we might become a blessing to others.
Our annual stewardship appeal is about much more than finances. It is an opportunity to look back with gratitude for the ways God has blessed us and to look forward with hope toward what God can accomplish through us. Through our worship, our ministries, our service to our neighbors, and our witness in the world, God takes what we offer and uses it to bless others. One of the most tangible ways we live out this calling is by pledging our financial support for the coming year. A pledge is more than a number. It is an act of gratitude for what we have received, an expression of faith in what God is doing among us, and a commitment to share in the mission God has entrusted to Redeemer.
We have been blessed. We are called to be a blessing. Together, through God’s grace, we can bless our congregation, our community, and our world. Generosity lies at the heart of the gospel. We worship a generous God who holds nothing back. When we share our financial resources, our time, and our talents, we participate in God’s generosity. What God has placed in our hands becomes worship, welcome, music, formation, care, service, justice, and hope for our neighbors and our world. This year, we invite every household at Redeemer to make a pledge. If you have pledged before, thank you. We invite you to prayerfully consider whether you can increase your generosity in the coming year. If you have never pledged, we invite you to take this step of faith for the first time. Every pledge—whatever the amount—helps sustain and strengthen the ministry we share. Together, we celebrate all that God has given us and look with hope toward all that God is calling us to do.
2027 Blessed to Be a Blessing Celebrating God’s Blessings Sharing God’s Gifts Growing in Mission
God’s promise to Abraham reminds us that blessing is never meant to end with us. God blesses us so that, through us, others may experience God’s grace, welcome, love, and hope. As we look toward 2027, we give thanks for the many ways God has blessed Redeemer—and for new opportunities to turn those blessings outward in ministry.
BLESSED WITH THE GIFTS OF A NEW GENERATION Our • children, youth, and young adults are not simply the future of the church—they are an essential part of the church today. In 2027, Redeemer will build upon our commitment to the next generation with the appointment of Dani • Vogel, our full-time Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries. This investment will allow us to deepen relationships, strengthen faith formation, expand opportunities for service and fellowship, and help young people discover their own gifts for ministry. Your generosity helps us bless a new generation with a community where they can belong, grow in faith, serve others, and discover God at work in their lives.
BLESSED BY GOD’S BOUNDLESS WELCOME In 2026, Redeemer officially became a Reconciling in Christ congregation, publicly affirming our commitment to welcome, include, and celebrate people of every sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression and to combat racism in our community. In 2027, we will continue living more deeply into that commitment— striving to make Redeemer a place where all people know that they are beloved children of God and have gifts to share. We have been blessed by a grace that welcomes us without condition. We are called to share that same welcome with others.
BLESSED WITH THE GIFT OF MUSIC For generations, music has helped Redeemer proclaim the gospel, enrich our worship, and welcome our Midtown neighbors into our community. In 2027, we will strengthen that tradition by expanding our Organ Scholar position to full-time and celebrating the inauguration of our new Choral Scholars Program. These investments allow Redeemer to nurture gifted young musicians, strengthen our choirs and worship life, support excellence in Lutheran church music, and share the beauty of sacred music with the wider community. The musical gifts God has entrusted to us become a blessing far beyond ourselves—developing new leaders, and proclaiming the gospel through beauty and song.
YOUR GENEROSITY MAKE THESE BLESSINGS POSSIBLE
BLESSED BY GOD BLESSED TOGETHER BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING
What Does my Offering Do? Every dollar that you give to Redeemer goes toward accomplishing our mission. Together we nurture disciples of all ages as we GROW FAITHFULLY. Together we use our God-given gifts and resources to SERVE BOLDLY in a hurting world. Together we faithfully maintain and care for our facilities so they most effectively serve our mission as we BUILD OUR FUTURE. It is interesting to note that our mission budget is almost evenly divided among all three goals.
GROWING FAITHFULLY: 35% of our Budget As we worship, pray and study, we grow as disciples. We are deeply grounded in our Lutheran identity. Our theology is generous and grace filled. Our worship is centered on the invitation that Christ offers at the communion table: all are welcome in this place. That welcome flows through all we do and say.
2026 Highlights We welcomed Katie Nail as our first full-time Organ Scholar and launched a new Choral Scholar Program, enriching our worship while helping form the next generation of church musicians. The position of Director of Youth and Young Adults was expanded to full-time and Danielle Vogel was hired to lead this ministry. Our Keystone Ministry continued to grow, offering expanded opportunities for older adults to learn, build community, deepen relationships, and serve together. We launched a new Liturgical Arts Team to enrich our worship through creativity and beauty and formed a pilot group to explore opportunities for an alternative worship experience.
SERVING BOLDLY: 28% of our Budget Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is a caring church. We support our members when they are struggling and we are an active force for good in the world. Redeemer has a rich history of action and advocacy throughout metropolitan Atlanta, the impact of which remains central to our identity today.
2026 Highlights Redeemer officially became a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Our (E)vangelism Team expanded Redeemer’s digital and social media presence, sharing the story of our faith, ministries, and welcome with Midtown, Atlanta, and beyond. The Lutheran Community Food Ministry served an average of 900 meals each week and provided more than 500 pounds of food weekly to other feeding ministries, including Grace House and Lutheran Towers. We hosted our first NeighborFest, opening our doors and inviting our Midtown neighbors to connect with Redeemer.
BUILDING OUR FUTURE: 37% of our Budget God has blessed us with properties and beautiful spaces to worship, learn, and serve. As we care for our legacy building, we do so with an eye towards future development and an expanded mission.
2026 Highlights We continued to be good stewards of our facilities, completing major upgrades to the Atrium kitchen and addressing critical infrastructure needs, including the removal and remediation of a failed firewall. Our Facilities Master Planning Group engaged professional consultants to explore funding strategies for the first phase of our Master Plan.
VISION Through Redeemer the World will see Jesus
MISSION
To create a community that in word and deed reflects the love of Christ. Through worship, community and service, Redeemer equips people to be living testaments to the Lutheran faith in Atlanta and beyond.
VALUES Love of God. Love of neighbor. Love of each other.
A LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
Rose Mary Kolpatzki Born in Virginia in 1935, Rose Mary discovered a love for music early in life—a gift that would shape both her career and her legacy. As Supervisor of Music for DeKalb County elementary schools, she strengthened music education, supported generations of teachers and students, and represented the district nationally. Rose Mary brought that same passion to Redeemer, where she was a devoted supporter of the arts and especially of our Friends of Music ministry. She understood the power of music to inspire, bring people together, and enrich our life of faith. Through her generous bequest to Redeemer, Rose Mary’s love of music continues to be a blessing. Her gift included the beautiful Steinway piano that now graces the Sims Atrium, as well as the financial support that made possible the expansion of our Organ Scholar Program and the inauguration of our Choral Scholars Program. Today, her generosity is helping gifted young musicians develop their talents, enriching Redeemer’s worship, and ensuring that beautiful music continues to be shared with our congregation and the wider community.
Why Pledge? People who are new to Redeemer may wonder about pledging financial support for our mission ahead of time. Even some lifelong Lutherans have questions about this unique spiritual practice.
What is a pledge? A pledge is basically a promise between you and God shared with the church for the purpose of being more faithful, accountable, and generous. Each year, we ask our members to pray and consider how they will support the mission of Jesus Christ in this place through the offering of their time, talent and financial resources in the coming year. It is not a legally binding contract and can always be changed if your circumstances change.
What is the spiritual purpose of making a financial pledge? Pledging helps us embrace the spiritual gift of generosity. Created in the image of our generous God, we are made to reflect God’s generosity. And God calls us to become partners in God’s work in the world through our gifts. As we grow in generosity, we grow in godliness and discipleship.
Why is pledging considered a spiritual discipline? Like prayer, scripture reading, fasting, and service, the practice of giving regularly and intentionally helps us grow in faith and mature spiritually. It serves as a continual reminder of God’s claim on our lives. It requires us to put our own needs and wants into proper perspective, to set aside our own interests for the sake of God and others.
How are pledges used? The congregation's Finance Team and Church Council use the pledges we receive to estimate our resources for ministry for the coming year.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE? First, begin by giving thanks and remembering that everything around us comes from God. Especially when times are uncertain, we have the assurance that God is always by our side. Thoughtfully and prayerfully consider with your family the meaning and purpose of Redeemer’s mission. The best way to determine the amount of one's pledge is to determine a percentage of one's income you want to return to God. Biblically a tithe (10%) is a suggested guide. Many of our families are able to generously give beyond a tithe. But no matter the percentage or amount, it is the act of pledging that is important. Every gift is appreciated. There are three simple ways to make your pledge: Go on-line at Redeemer.org/give. Return the Estimate of Giving card from your Stewardship packet on or before Commitment Sunday, October 25. Email your pledge to bdavis@redeemer.org. If you’re able to remember Redeemer in your estate planning, make a note on your Estimate of Giving and we will contact you. Another way to support our mission is through your gift of time. Please go to our website www.redeemer.org/serve/volunteer to explore the many ways you can connect and serve. We thank you for your continued faithfulness and support for Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Remember, it is because of your generosity that our congregation continues to grow faithfully and serve boldly.
731 PeachtreeSt NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 | (404) 874-8664 | Redeemer.org