Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Contemplation with the Saints – October 26, 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. Sometimes 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.

this evening in silence.

heart, body, and mind for worship. Release the day;

what God is

to give you.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please

HYMN

God

card in your pew.

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,

O God, our faithful God, whose boundless love no thought can reach nor tongue declare, by the poetry of your servants Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt you have enabled your people to learn theology while delighting in hymns of richness, depth, and beauty; Grant that by their compositions our reluctance to hear your word may be overcome, our journey through this world lightened, and our joy crowned with music; and by the grand songs of former days guide us safely home; 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

O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The LORD is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity."

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

SILENCE

Psalm 96

COMMENTARY ON HYMN WRITERS Philipp Nicolai, died 1608; Johann Heermann, died 1647; Paul Gerhardt, died 1676

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

• Where do you hear “new songs” of praise in your life?

• How do you use art to connect to God?

INVITATION FOR PERSONAL RESPONSE

HYMN 568 Now Rest Beneath Night’s Shadow

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.

Micah Ketchens, Chaplain Intern from Grace House

Sung

For grace to sing in distress and in joy…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response

For preachers of the gospel…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response

For confidence and faith…prayers may be spoken…let us sing, Sung response

For a gentle spirit 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

OF THE

731 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.redeemer.org

The Rev. Mark

The Rev. Dr.

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