Contemplation with the Saints – October 12, 2022 The Order of Worship at 7:00 pm
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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).
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
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, God, our heavenly Father, your servant Henry Melchior Muhlenberg displayed courage and perseverance in the face of opposition and slander, and brought order both in life and in worship to scattered and dispirited congregations: Give to the pastor of your church such strength and faithfulness that the devotion of your people may be enriched, and that unity and cooperation may be advanced, to the glory of your Name; through your Son 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 Ezekiel 34:11-16
For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.
SILENCE
COMMENTARY ON ST. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, founder of the Lutheran Church in America.
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
INVITATION FOR PERSONAL RESPONSE
Pastor Ron BonnerPRAYER
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
For the renewal of our church…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response
For the love of the Holy Scriptures…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response
For those who are advocates, caregivers, and all who receive care…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response
Of thanksgiving for those who have created the English Bible…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.
THE
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER
The Rev. Mark H. Larson
The Rev. Dr. Ronald
The Rev. Jonathan Trapp
The Rev. Jenny McLellan
STAFF
Bob Boyd
Kofi Broadnax
Alexa Brooks
Seth Brown
Pastor, ext. 201
Community Engagement, ext. 203
for Faith Formation, ext.
Congregational Care, ext.
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