CHILDREN’S SERMON
Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 5:13-20
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, doing good works and keeping God’s commandments.
Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket; rather, they put it on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ
Seated SERMON
Standing HYMN 677
This Little Light of Mine
Pastor Mark H. Larson
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Each portion of the prayers concludes: Merciful God, | receive our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen
As God’s beloved children united in Christ, let us pray for the church, the whole human community, and the well-being of the earth, our home.
Your church does ministry in many and various ways. Keep the baptized true to the mind of Christ, that our works and witness bring hope to a troubled world. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Your marvelous creation cries out to you. Restore polluted air, soil, and water sources to wholeness. Guard honeybees, elephants, great whales and songbirds from harm, and renew the face of the earth. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Your people in every nation suffer injustice, poverty, and the threat of violence. Guide those in authority to govern with compassion, and bring peace to war zones especially Palestine, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan. We pray for our enemies. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Your blessings are poured out for all in need. Help and heal any who experience trauma, discrimination, disease, hunger, abuse, or persecution. Comfort those who are sick or grieving especially...
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Your wisdom guides this congregation and its ministries. Sustain our ordained leaders, staff, lay leaders, and volunteers. Form us to be salt and light for the neighbors we serve, following the example of Christ. Merciful God, receive our prayer
Your saints rejoice at your heavenly banquet. We give thanks for their lives of faith, trusting that we also will be embraced by your eternal love. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Confident that the Holy Spirit receives our prayers and answers us, we commend all for whom we pray to God’s loving-kindness made known to us in Christ Jesus 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 worshipers in whatever way is comfortable for you.
Seated MISSION MOMENT
GATHERING OF GIFTS
MUSIC by Redeemer Jazz Quartet
Standing OFFERING PRAYER
God of majesty, no eye has seen, no ear has heard what you have prepared for those who love you, yet in this meal you reveal the wideness of your mercy. Use what we have gathered to feed us with the reign of God come near, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | 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
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Seated
Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Come to the table; taste and see. 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. | Radiant God, we have seen your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. In the sacrament of his body and blood you have drawn us to your heart. Send us from this table with delight, that our lives may reflect the beauty of your love, and bear witness to all we have seen and heard, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
May the triune God, who has put a new song in your mouth and tuned your heart for praise ☩ bless you now and forever. | Amen.
HYMN 866 We Are Marching in the Light of God
SENDING
Go in peace. Do justice. Love mercy. | Thanks be to God.
Tr. and arr. © 1984 Utryck, admin. Walton Music Corp.
POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Quartet
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Transfiguration of Our Lord LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER attendance: 193 in person, 221 online
Hope is Here! 2026 Lenten Small Groups
We are seeking participants for our Lenten Small Group Book Discussion. This year we will be discussing Hope is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community by Cander emeritus professor Luther E. Smith Jr. Focusing on five spiritual practices, Smith promises that hope provide the inner resources needed to live the fulfilling life that God dreams for us. Small group sign ups will begin today and meetings will begin the week of Ash Wednesday.
SUPER
BOWL WATCH PARTY | TODAY | 6:30 PM | Redeemer’s Fireside Room
Join us for the big game and great company! Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Games will be available for all ages. Lemonade, iced tea, and coffee will be provided. Please bring any additional beverages you’d like. Invite a friend and come enjoy the fun!
FAITH FORMATION
Sundays 10 am | Room 121 | Mysteries of Faith
Please join us, as we study the book ”The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage”, the latest (2025) book authored by globally recognized Franciscan friar and ecumenical teacher, Richard Rohr, whose work bears witness to the deep wisdom of Christian mysticism. The book addresses several questions: How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world? Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish prophets, revealing how some of the lesser read books of the Bible offer us a crucial path forward today. No book purchase is required. We warmly welcome ALL members and guests of Redeemer to this important study.
Sundays 10 am | Room 119 | Be Still and Journey
Led by Pat Cornwell
Podcast Series: The Way of Love is a Way of Life: it is an intentional commitment to a set of practices. It's a commitment to follow Jesus ways to grow spiritually deepening our love of God and neighbor. Bishop Budde shares how we can come to know to receive Jesus more deeply in practicing the Way of Love. Through the seven practices that have been put before us: to turn, to learn, to pray and to worship, to bless, to go, and to rest, she will share biblical stories, wisdom from the Christian tradition, and her own personal stories of spiritual growth. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the bishop and spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., and the Washington National Cathedral. Pat Cornwell, Facilitator Contact information: jpcorn90@gmail.com
Mondays at 1:30 pm | Reception Room | The Seekers Bible Study led by Bill Pegram We continue digging deep into the Gospel of Matthew.
Tuesdays 7 am Breakfast Bible Study | Reception Room and Zoom
Led by David Ott & Don Noland
We are now studying Galatians. Everyone is welcome either 1/ in person in the Reception Room with a full breakfast serving from 7 am, or 2/ via ZOOM link found on the Redeemer website each Tuesday. Our study and discussion is from 7:30 - 8:30 am. Please join us any Tuesday morning!
Tuesdays 5 pm | Zoom
Led by Pastor Jonathan
Join us for fellowship and learning as we start a new book, The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story on January 6th. Set in interwar Germany, The Intermediaries tells the forgotten story of the Institute for Sexual Science, the world’s first center for homosexual and transgender rights. Headed by a gay Jewish man, Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, the institute aided in the first genderaffirming surgeries and hormone treatments, acting as a rebellious base of operations in the face of rising prejudice, nationalism, and Nazi propaganda.
The Intermediaries charts the relationships between nascent sexual science, queer civil rights, and the fight against fascism. It tells riveting stories of LGBTQ pioneers―a surprising, longsuppressed history― and offers a perspective into the plight of trans people as we think about our society. As always, reading is encouraged but not required! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pr Jonathan at jtrapp@redeemer.org.
Wednesdays 6 pm | Pastors Class | Rudisill Hall/Zoom
The book of Joshua is theologically powerful, characterizing the covenant people as eager to obey Yhwh and showing their God as one who is mighty to save. It also espouses appalling support for unbridled militarized violence by Israel against inhabitants of Canaanite territories, which still provides legitimation for the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel today. Let us journey together to discover what fruits we can harvest from this often disturbing book.
CHILDREN & FAMILY
Family Retreat Registration is open!
March 20-22 we are headed to Camp Mikell in Toccoa, GA for our annual Family Retreat. This year, we are especially encouraging families with kids of all ages to participate! You won’t want to miss s’mores around the campfire, growing in faith together, our fan-favorite talent show, and a special worship service together on Sunday morning. Scan the code to register online, or find the link in your newsletter or CFM emails. Registration deadline March 1.
Camp Sunday
Today we welcome Pastor Drew Yoos and Pastor Sara Yoos, the program directors at Lutheridge to tell us what is coming up at Lutheridge, Lutherock, and Luther Springs this summer! They will offer a Mission Moment during both worship services, spend time in our children’s Sunday School, visit Confirmation and High School youth, and be available to answer questions in Sims Atrium.
First Communion Faith Stepping Stone- PreK and Up
• Class for kids with a parent/caregiver: Saturday, February 28, 9:00 - 11:30 AM
• Communion Blessing: during 11:00 worship on Sunday, March 22 Kids ages 4 and up and their parents are warmly invited to attend this first communion retreat where we'll learn all about the history of communion, the first communion, and communion today through hands-on activities. Contact Deacon Mary for more information. RSVP with the registration form using the QR code or find the link in
your newsletter. Childcare is available for younger siblings if registered in advance, and older siblings are welcome to come along for a ‘refresher’ course and act as helpers.
YOUTH
“Souper” Bowl of Caring will take place TODAY. Help support our Lutheran Community Food Ministry as the Seattle Seahawks will take on the New England Patriots! No matter the outcome, LCFM is the BIG WINNER!
Summer Service Trip: Stay after the 11:00 service to meet some folks from Appalachia Service Project, our partner for this summer’s service trip, coming to visit us Feb. 8! We’ll meet after the 11:00 service in the Reception Room. (Zoom option also available).
Second Sunday at the High on Feb. 8th: Visit to the High Museum after the summer service project Q & A. Take in some art on your Super Bowl Sunday. We’ll be back at 3:00 so you’ll still have plenty of time for grillin’ and chillin’ before the game!
HS Lock-in RESCHEDULED for March 7-8! All the fun we had planned for last weekend, but none of the freezing.
Announcing "Coffee Shop Sundays" for high school faith formation the first Sunday of every month, we'll go to one of the coffee shops on our street for a fun discussion. Meet in the Youth Lounge first! Next Coffee Shop Sunday: March 1.
COMMUNITY
Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Opportunity
This Lent, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer will be participating in the 2025 Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Lenten Build, and we need YOUR help! This year, we will be working alongside Jasmine and several other Atlanta area churches to build a new home. By partnering with Atlanta Habitat, we become a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, building quality, affordable homes while creating lasting opportunities for families to thrive far beyond the build. Join Us!
Over the course of 7 Saturdays, starting February 7th, we will come together to build a home for Jasmine and her family. We encourage all members of our congregation 16 and older to volunteer, no matter your skill level! It’s an incredible opportunity to serve our community, help a family, and live out our faith in action.
Questions?
Contact David Barnes (David.R.Barnes@gmail.com) or Dana Norden (DNorden3@gmail.com)
To Volunteer:
● Dates: Saturdays, February 7th through March 28th from 7:30am – 3:30pm
● No experience required just a willing heart and hands ready to serve!
Let’s come together and make a meaningful difference in Jasmine’s life and the lives of others. Sign up in the church atrium beginning January 5 or use the QR code below. Registration closes 1 week prior to each build date and each volunteer must register themselves through our registration link.https://vhub.at/redeemer
Protect Yourself and Those You Love Against Scams
Keystone is hosting a scam prevention workshop on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 10am in Rudisill Hall. The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force will educate us on how to identify and verify scam tactics. All are welcome to attend but we are requesting you register to attend. You can register via this link or by using the QR code. Reach out to Deacon Allison with questions.
Sunday Funday Save the Date!
Our next Sunday Funday will be Spring Fling on the Green! Join us for picnic food, music, and games right after the 11am service on April 19, 2026. More details will be available soon!
Labyrinth Available Ash Wednesday
Our labyrinth will be available on Ash Wednesday in Rudisill Hall as a quiet space for reflection and prayer. All are invited to walk the labyrinth at their own pace as part of this Lenten beginning.
Calendar for February 8 – February 7, 2026
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Event Time Location
Worship
Seraphim Rehearsal
J.O.Y. Choir
Redeemer Choir Rehearsal
High School Faith Formation
Sing & Play
Confirmation
Mysteries of Faith Be Still and Journey
Summer Service Q&A
Monday, February 9
The Seekers
Carillon Ringers
Tuesday, February 10
Morning Bible Study
Pr Jonathan Book Study
Wednesday, February 11
Early Birds Bible Study
Wednesday Night Dinner
Pastors Class
Worship
Redeemer Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 12
Lectionary Study
9:00 AM Jazz & 11:00 AM
9:00 AM – 10 AM
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
6:00 PM -7:00 PM
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
In-person/ On-Line Room 204 Room 211
Hinely Music Hall Youth Lounge Fireside Room 107
Room 121 Room 119
Reception Room
Reception Room Hinely Music Hall
Reception Room Zoom
Reception/Zoom Sims Atrium
Rudisill Hall/ Zoom
Sanctuary Hinely Music Hall
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom
Tolkien Group 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom
Friday, February 13 - - -
Saturday, February 14 - - -
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
The Rev. Timothy Lloyd ............................................................................................................ ..................................... Associate Pastor for Evangelism & Mission Development, ext. 224
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
Sarah Hawbecker .......................................... Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206
Deacon Mary Houck .....................................Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227
Pepper Humpherys.............................................................................. Youth Director, ext. 230
Deacon Allison Lizdas ............................................ Director of Congregational Care, ext. 203
Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security
