First Sunday of Christmas – January 1, 2023 The Order of Worship at 10:00 am
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.
If you are worshipping online, please use the links available on the viewing page to let us know that you are worshiping, 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.
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection.
Standing HYMN 269
Once in Royal David’s City
CONFESSION
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | Amen Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. | Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Kneeling or seated
Most merciful God, | we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire
forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. | Amen.
Standing GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. | And also with you.
KYRIE
Mark Helsel, cantor
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
HYMN OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. | And also with you.
O Lord God, you know that we cannot place our trust in our own powers. As you protected the infant Jesus, so defend us and all the needy from harm and adversity, through Jesus Christ, our Savior 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.
WORD
God speaks to us in scriptures read, sung and preached.
Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON
THE FIRST READING Isaiah 63:7-9 Carol Bloomquist, lector
God does not delegate divine intervention to a messenger or angel. God’s own presence brings salvation. The prophet and all who read these words join in celebrating God’s gracious deeds. God trusts that God’s people will not act falsely.
I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely”; and he became their savior in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
THE SECOND READING
Hebrews 2:10-18
Through Jesus’ suffering and death, the trail to eternal salvation has been blazed for us. We do not fear death, because he has conquered the power of death. Thus
Christ, our merciful and faithful high priest, has the final say over the destiny of our lives.
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”
And again, “I will put my trust in him.”
And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.”
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
THE HOLY GOSPEL
Matthew 2:13-23
In a dream, Joseph is warned to flee to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from the jealousy of Herod.
The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
Now after [the wise men] had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazorean.”
HOLY BAPTISM
We celebrate today with Rachael and Barrett Brightwell as they bring their son, Corwin Clay Brightwell for the sacrament of Holy Baptism. We pray that God will bless this family and strengthen them in a life of faith.
For those joining on Livestream click here for the bulletin, for those in person turn to Page 227 in the ELW hymnal.
The congregation sings Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ our king: born of the Spirit, we are God's children; joyfully now God's praise we sing.
Text © 1982
Kneeling 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. A brief silence
Merciful God, broaden the church’s hospitality and welcome. Open our hearts to any in need of refuge and help, especially those who are persecuted. Prosper the work of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. God of grace, | hear our prayer.
Life-giving God, restore the health of the soil, the seas, and the air. Increase the joy and praise of all living things. In the coming year strengthen local, national, and international efforts to prevent further harm to the environment. God of grace, | hear our prayer.
Liberating God, deliver your people from cruel oppression. Increase justice in every nation and keep the dream of freedom alive. In this new year bring the blessing of peace and put an end to violent conflict throughout the world especially Ukraine. God of grace, | hear our prayer.
Uplifting God, raise all who are bowed down by trouble and need of every kind: sickness, poverty, mental illness, chronic illness. Today we pray for… God of grace, | hear our prayer.
Abiding God, accompany this community in the coming year. Increase our love for one another and the neighbors we serve. Enrich our worship and deepen our faith. Bless Corwin Brightwell and all the newly baptized this year. God of grace, | hear our prayer.
Loving God, the holy innocents who perish in every generation are safe in your keeping. We give you thanks and praise for the all the faithful who have gone before us into everlasting life with you, especially Jean Thompson. God of grace, | hear our prayer.
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.
THANKSGIVING Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS
Please use the Help and Redeemer.org/give links to support the ministry of Redeemer.
ANTHEM Chorales from Christmas Oratorio J. S. Bach The Redeemer Choir
Ah! dearest Jesus, Holy Child, | make thee a bed, soft, undefiled, | within my heart and there recline, | And keep that chamber ever thine.
‘Tis right that angels there should sing, | To us this day such joy did bring. | Come then! Our voices let us raise | and join with them in songs of praise.
With all thy hosts, O Lord, we sing | and thanks and praise to thee we bring, | for thou, O long-expected guest, | hast come at length to make us blest.
Standing OFFERTORY HYMN
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.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
We sing a new song to you, O God of our salvation, for you have done marvelous things. Through your Word all things came into being, and without you not one thing was made.
You spoke through your covenant and created a people bound to you. Through promise and pardon, slavery and exile, you showed that what had come into being through you was life. When that day came, and the Word became
flesh, your angels sang for joy and put a new song into our hearts. And even when we rejected your Son, you brought forth from his death a resurrection of everlasting glory.
Life-giving God, as your Word became flesh and lived among us, come among us now in the fullness of your grace and truth. Make us holy as you are holy; that your Word may become flesh anew today. Send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine and make them be for us the body and blood of Jesus; who in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: 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.
God of glory, make your church a sign of new-born hope in your kingdom. Be born in us today. Where your children are faced with ruin, show them redemption. Where sorrow endures, bring your holy comfort. Where division excludes, give your grace. Where bondage confines, sing your new song. Restore our hope in you, until the day when all that you have brought into being finds its everlasting destiny in your only Son, through whom all glory and honor are 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! Come to the table of peace. 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
HYMN 296 What Child is This
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 Spirit send peace upon your hearts, now and forever.| Amen.
HYMN 288 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice
SENDING
Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE In dulci jubilo, BWV 729
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for December 25: In person: 36, Livestream: 72, Facebook 19
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Baptism of Our Lord 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!
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 children’s. 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.
YOUTH
High School Parents and College Parents Gathering meeting on Sunday, January 8 in the Library. Come catch up with other parents!
Save the date-our Middle School Parents will be meeting on Sunday, January 29 for their oncea-month gathering from 10:00am-10:45am in the Library. Come catch up with other parents!
Youth Service Project @ FODAC
Our youth (grades 6-12) will be heading to work at FODAC (Friends Of Disabled Adults and Children) on Saturday, January 14 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. We only have 10-15 volunteers scheduled, so please let Hillary know if you can make it.
Middle School Snowtubing & Lock-In
Our Middle School Youth will be doing a Snowtubing & Lock-In on Saturday, January 21 to Sunday, January 22. Snowtubing tickets are $30 per person. Snowtubing will happen at Lake Lanier's Snow Island which includes: snowtubing, ice skating, carnival rides, and yummy goodies! If you can't make it to the snowtubing part, come join us after for lock-in fun! Friends are welcome to attend too.
All Georgia Youth Gathering 2023
Let's support one of our synod youth events as youth (grades 6-12) from all over the Southeastern Synod, especially those from Georgia will be attending. Registration has to be done as a group, so please let Hillary know if your youth (or youths) are able to attend. This event will be held February 24-26, 2023 at Camp Grace in Roberta, GA with the theme of "What is AGAPE?" (What is Love?).
YOUNG ADULTS
Young Adult Small
Group
Small group is taking a break on December 25 and January 1. We look forward to resuming on January 8 by meeting with the Animate class.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Sing and Play Next Sunday!
There is no Sunday school today because of the holiday, but we look forward to resuming next weekend with a Sing and Play day celebrating Epiphany in the Fireside room! Sunday School registration is always open, we welcome new students for our Spring semester.
Calendar for January 1 – January 6, 2023
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, January 1, 2023
Event Time
Location
Worship 10:00 am In-person/ Livestream
Monday, January 2
Church Office Closed -Tuesday, January 3
Morning Bible Study Pr. Jonathan Book Study 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday, January 4
Early Birds Bible Study Wednesday night dinner Seraphim Cherubim Worship Redeemer Ringers
Thursday, January 5
Lectionary Study Liberation Thoughts II Tolkien Group
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM 4:45 PM – 6:15 PM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Rudisill Hall/Zoom Zoom
Reception/Zoom Sims Atrium Room 204 Room 203 Sanctuary Room 202
Zoom Zoom Zoom Friday, January 6Saturday, January 7 Hope thru Soap
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 6:00 PM -7:30 PM 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
10:00 AM – 12 PM