ANNOUNCEMENTS
Standing
HYMN 296 What Child is This
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CONFESSION
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the Word made flesh, our life and our salvation. | Amen. Trusting the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior, let us confess our sin
Kneeling or seated God of life, you promise good news of great joy for all people, and call us to be messengers of your peace. We confess that too often we hoard our joy, our resources, and our security. We nurture conflict and build barriers. We neglect the needs of our neighbors and ignore the groaning of creation. Have mercy on us. Where we are selfcentered, open our hearts. Where we are reluctant, give us courage.
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Where we are cynical, restore our trust. Renew us with your grace and give us again the hope of eternal life in you. Amen. Hear the good news: We are children of God and heirs of God’s promises through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In ☩ Jesus we are forgiven and redeemed. Sing with joy, for all the ends of the earth shall know the salvation of God. | Amen
Standing PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. | And also with you.
Almighty God, you gave us your only Son to take on our human nature and to illumine the world with your light. By your grace adopt us as your children and enlighten us with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen
Please use the Prayer Request link here or on the webpage to submit your requests.
Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON
Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL John 1:1-14
The prologue to the Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Word of God made flesh, the one who reveals God to be “full of grace and truth.” The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
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He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated SERMON Standing HYMN 288
Kneeling
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or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
With wonder and thanksgiving for Christ’s coming into the world, we pray for the church, the life of the earth, and the whole human family.
The church in every land makes a joyful noise to herald your coming, O God. We give thanks for poets, musicians, and hymn writers who give voice to our praise, and for all who lead the church’s worship. God of grace, hear our prayer. This day dawns with new hope for all living things, and from ocean depths to mountain peaks the earth rejoices. Inspire in us an urgent zeal to protect the planet and renew its resources (local environmental concerns may be named). God of grace, hear our prayer.
Bring heavenly peace to this world and an end to armed conflict. Raise up leaders in every nation who will honor human rights and establish equal justice for all people. Give courage to all who speak out against oppression and advocate for the powerless. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Guard the lives of any in danger, especially those who work to protect others. Lead any who are in desperate circumstances to sanctuary, help, and safety. Grant rest to the weary and soothe those who are troubled (especially). God of grace, hear our prayer.
Bless all who gather to worship on this holy day. Be present at our tables and celebrations, and watch over those who travel. Sustain charities, outreach ministries, and food pantries that give generously to people in need (local organizations may be named). God of grace, hear our prayer.
In Christ we have beheld your glory, full of grace and truth. We give thanks for those in every generation who reflect the light of Christ. May their witness shine forth in our time. God of grace, hear our prayer.
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Pondering the mystery of eternal love made flesh in Christ Jesus, we commend all for whom we pray to the mercy of God. 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.
Please let us know you worshiped with us today by using the I’m Worshiping link as you would the attendance pad at church.
Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS
Please use the Help and Give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. MUSIC by Redeemer Jazz Trio
Standing OFFERING PRAYER
God of abundance, receive and bless these gifts we have offered. Join our hearts with the song of the angels, and gather us at your table of celebration. Strengthen us to share with all the world the abundance of your grace upon grace, poured out in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.| 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.
Holy God, Creator of all and Source of life, at the birth of time your word brought light into the world.
In the fullness of time, you sent your Word, born of Mary, to shine in our lives and to make us your daughters and sons.
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:
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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.
Remembering, therefore, his birth and life among us, his death and resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in him.
By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that, held and nourished by you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son.
Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both 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
Glory to God in the Highest! Love has come: God’s love for all people. Come and receive the love of Jesus.
Seated
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
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Standing
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen
Let us pray. | God our redeemer, you have fed us at this table with gifts of grace, truth, and life. As you have gathered us in joy, send us forth as messengers of your peace. Make us shine with the good news of your glory, born to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
God bless you and keep you, ☩ Jesus grant you grace and truth, and the
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Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER First Sunday of Christmas
Epiphany Celebration
Please join us on Wednesday, January 4 at 7:00 pm when our Wednesday evening worship service will be a special Lessons and Carols celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany. TODAY – Sunday, November 13
YOUNG ADULTS
Young Adult Small Group: Holiday Break Small group is taking a break on December 25 and January 1. We look forward to resuming with a new topic on January 8.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Children’s Sunday School: Holiday Break
Because Christmas and New Year’s fall on Sundays this year, we have a longer-thannormal holiday break this year. There is no Sunday school on Dec. 18, Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. We look forward to resuming on January 8th with a Sing and Play day in the Fireside room! Sunday School registration is always open, we welcome new students for our Spring semester.
COMMUNITY
MAC (Midtown Assistance Center) Coat Drive | Now through Jan. 15
“He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Luke 3:11
We at Redeemer practice the second part of this verse every week with the wonderful food ministry. We also practice it with the food drive we do at the beginning of summer for Midtown Assistance Center (MAC), This is very much appreciated!
SENDING
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Now is our opportunity to do the first part of that verse. We are finally able to do an in person coat drive again and MAC is in need of coats. In the past they have only needed men's coats. This year they can use men's, women's and childrens. They have other organizations they can give the coats to if they receive more than they need. They can also use caps, gloves and scarves. We will be collecting these coats between December 11th and January 1st. There will be collection bins in the atrium labeled with signs for MAC. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Richard Mauney at richardemauney@gmail.com.
We are truly blessed at Redeemer and if you have a second coat (or any of these other items) you would like to share, they would be greatly appreciated. May we take this Christman season to be thankful, think about others in our community who are not as blessed and show God's love to them by sharing from our abundance.
Calendar for December 25 – December 31, 2022
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Event Time Location Worship 10:00 am (Jazz) In-person/ Livestream
Monday, December 26
Church Office Closed -Tuesday, December 27
Church Office Closed -Wednesday, December 28 - - -
Thursday, December 29 - - -
Friday, December 30 -
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Saturday, December 3110
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
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
THE REDEEMER
CHURCH OF
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