Prayers with the Saints – December 14, 2022
The Order of Worship at 7:00 pm
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.
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.
Please use the links available on the viewing page to let us know that you are worshiping with us, to submit any prayer requests, to let us know if you need help or are available to help a neighbor, and to continue giving financially to support the ongoing ministries of Redeemer.
This bulletin contains content protected by copyright and is provided only for you to participate in worship. Please delete or destroy any physical or digital copy of the material following the service.
INTRODUCTION
The Sundays of Advent, like all Sundays, are a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Midweek worship in Advent, while anchored in the Sunday cycle of readings, can make room for an additional layer of prayer and praise by observing the commemorations that fall during the month of December. Commemorations “illuminate various aspects of the church’s life and mission through the lives of women and men who have followed Christ in succeeding generations” (ELW Leaders Edition, p. 13).
Even as we look to Christ as our light, breaking through the darkness of these often cold and weary days, we can also see that light reflected however imperfectly—in the lives of ordinary people. May this great cloud of witnesses inspire our prayer as we prepare to receive in faith what they see face to face
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit gathers us into a community of prayer.
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please us this prayer request link to submit your prayers or use the prayer card in your pew.
GREETING
The Spirit and the church cry out: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
All those who await his appearance pray: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The whole creation pleads: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, silence, reflection, and song.
FOR LIGHT
The Lord be with you. | And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. | It is right to give our thanks and praise. We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you called light into being, and you set lights in the sky to govern night and day. In every age, you call imperfect people to be bearers of your light, bright with your wisdom, aflame with your righteousness, like the stars forever. Enlighten our darkness by the light of your Christ, kindled in the stable, magnified on the cross, and reflected in the lives of your holy people. With them, and with all your creatures we give you glory, through your Son Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. | Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O God of joy and love, you embody complete and holy love in your Son. Clothe us in compassion and bind us together in love toward our neighbors, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Colossians 3:12-17
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
COMMEMERATING St. Katharina von Bora Luther Katharina von Bora was a Cistercian nun until she left the convent and married Martin Luther in 1525. The home that she and Martin created together was not only a source of joy and fulfillment for them but for their entire community. Their “parsonage” had a revolving door of guests and included a farm, a fish pond, gardens, and a brewery—all of which Katharina, or Katie, skillfully managed. In addition to raising six children, Katie’s income helped the family care for those in need well beyond their immediate kin. The life that she and Martin shared is a sign of God’s love made manifest in the lifelong covenant between two people.
SILENT REFLECTION
If you are worshiping online, you may share your reflection here
• How will you be remembered?
• Is that the way you want to be remembered?
INVITATION FOR PERSONAL RESPONSE
The Annunciation: Luke 1:26-28, 30-32, 38
Sung as solo
An angel went from God to a town called Nazareth to a woman whose name was Mary. The angel said to her, "Rejoice, O highly favored, for God is with you. You shall bear a child, and his name shall be Jesus, the Chosen One of God Most High." And Mary said, "I am the servant of my God, I live to do your will.
PRAYER
The Holy Spirit prays with us and through us.
O God of joy and love, you embody complete and holy love in your Son. Clothe us in compassion and bind us together in love toward our neighbors, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
As we wait and watch for Christ to appear this season, let us pray for our world that yearns for new hope.
God, as you dwell as the Holy Trinity in perfect harmony, shape the church in your image. Plant the Word of Christ in your church as we bear with one another, admonish one another in wisdom, and sing with gratitude in our hearts. God in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
You give us a vision of creation in harmony, when hurting and destruction will be no more. Teach us to honor and care for the earth and all its inhabitants with humility and meekness. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You appear to us in our life together. Embolden us to care for those in need well beyond their immediate kin including individuals and families experiencing hunger, homelessness, or impoverishment. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
You deliver us who are suffering loneliness, depression, sickness, and grief. Tend to all who are in need of your love. Tonight, we pray for.... God in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
You embrace all who have died trusting in your promise. We give thanks to you for their lives and rejoice in the communion of all the saints, (especially Katharina von Bora.) Sustain us in our hope until we are united with them in the joy of your eternal presence. God in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all people. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray,
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
Let us bless the Lord. | Thanks be to God.
May God, the strength of our ancestors and the hope of our children, keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. | Amen.
From sundaysandseasons.com.
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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 .................................................................................. Senior Pastor, ext. 201
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Bonner ......................................... Pastor for Community Engagement, ext. 203
The Rev. Jonathan Trapp ............................................................. Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233
The Rev. Jenny McLellan ..................................................... Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224
STAFF
Bob Boyd ........................................................................
Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232
Kofi Broadnax .................................................................................... Property Administrator, ext. 210
Alexa Brooks ....................................................................................................... Receptionist, ext. 200
Seth Brown 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