Contemplation with the Saints – September 28, 2022
The Order of Worship at 7:00 pm
We continue to monitor the latest information regarding the spread of COVID 19 in our community.
At this time, the wearing of face coverings onsite is optional and left to personal preference. Knowing that individuals and families have varying needs at this time, the balcony is reserved as a mask required area.
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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.
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INTRODUCTION
God’s word, proclaimed and reflected upon, and the prayer it calls forth from us are the heart of this contemplative service. Every Wednesday we will turn aside from our busy routine day to worship our triune God together, alongside faithful women and men of the past: apostles, martyrs, renewers of the church and society those whom we call saints.
Where God’s rule has penetrated man’s heart and life, so that the divine love and righteousness become the main factor, we speak of a saint….Here I give my only definition: a saint is he who reveals God’s might. Saints are such as show clearly and plainly in their lives and deeds and in their very being that God lives.
Nathan Sӧderblom, The Living God
Through the service, there will be periods of silence. Silence makes room to breathe deeply, time to still the heart and quiet restless thoughts. Some times of silence will last no longer than a deep breath; some will be more spacious. A bell will be rung to mark the completion of the silent period. Before worship begins, keeping silence invites the community into the unhurried pace of prayer. May this be a place for you to listen and rest in the presence of God, “like a child upon its mother’s breast” (Psalm 131:2).
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GATHERING
The Holy Spirit gathers us into a community of prayer.
Welcome. We gather this evening in silence. Please prepare your heart, body, and mind for worship. Release the day; receive what God is prepared to give you.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please us this prayer request link to submit your prayers or use the prayer card in your pew.
HYMN In God Alone
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GREETING
The divine love of God, the enduring peace of Jesus Christ, and the abounding joy of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you.
PROPERS
Let us pray, Grant, Lord God, to all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ, that as we, having in mind the examples of Jehu Jones and Daniel Alexander Payne, have put away the old life of sin, so we may be renewed in the spirit of our minds and live in righteousness and true holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, silence, reflection, and song.
SCRIPTURE READING
The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw.
O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?
Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous—therefore judgment comes forth perverted.
I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart;
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4
I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. Then the LORD answered me and said:
Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Look at the proud!
Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.
SILENCE
COMMENTARY ON ST. JEHU JONES, JR.
Written by Pastor Tim Brown, Writer and Director of Congregational Stewardship for the ELCA*
PASTORAL RESPONSE
SILENT REFLECTION
If you are worshiping online, you may share your reflection here
Deacon Mary Houck
• For what do you stand at the watch post? What promise do you long for God to fulfill?
• What can we do as a community or as individuals to pull the moral arc of the universe closer to justice?
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INVITATION FOR PERSONAL RESPONSE
HYMN We Shall Overcome
PRAYER
The Holy Spirit prays with us and through us. Following each bidding prayer, you may speak aloud or silently your own prayers before the sung response.
In Christ Jesus we meet the God who knows our weakness and bears the wounds of the world. Therefore, let us be bold as we pray, trusting that God draws near to those in any kind of need.
Sung Response
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For the opening of the church to all people…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response
For a clear understanding of the mission of the church…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response
For the support and encouragement of those at the margins of society…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response
For those who work to expand the ministry of the church …prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response
O loving God, you know the needs of all the world. By your Spirit, grant that we, having turned to you in prayer, now might turn to one another in peace, tend and keep what you have made, and love our neighbor with the love of Jesus, in whose name we pray. | Amen
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray, 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.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world with Christ, to enter more fully into God’s love for and work in the world. This is our prayer “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
BLESSING
May Christ Jesus dwell richly in your hearts through faith as you are being rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus, strengthened by the Spirit, and filled with the enduring peace of God.
Let us go in peace, sharing a sign of divine peace with one another and all whom we meet this week.
*Pastor Tim Brown used Philip H. Pfatteicher's New Book of Festivals & Commemorations for historical references.
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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
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Bonner
The Rev. Jonathan Trapp
The Rev. Jenny McLellan
STAFF
Bob Boyd
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Kofi Broadnax
Alexa Brooks
Seth Brown
Senior Pastor, ext. 201
Pastor for Community Engagement, ext. 203
Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233
Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224
Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232
Property Administrator, ext. 210
Receptionist, ext. 200
............................................................................... 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
Kira Garvie Organ Scholar, kgarvie@redeemer.org
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
Hillary Nelson Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org
Stacey Williams Head of Security
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