HYMN OF PRAISE
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PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. | And also with you.
O God our Father, at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful to their calling to be your daughters and sons, and empower us all with your Spirit, 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 42:1-9 Dorothy Beasley, lector God’s servant is endowed with God’s spirit in order to bring justice to the nations. The servant will not exercise authority boisterously or with violence, nor will weariness ever prevent the fulfilling of the servant’s task. God’s old promises have been fulfilled; the servant’s new assignment is to bring light to the nations. Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
Thus says God, the Lord,
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who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
Ascribe to the | LORD, you gods, ascribe to the LORD glo- | ry and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory | due God’s name; worship the LORD in the beau- | ty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders;
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PSALM 29
the LORD is upon the | mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is a pow- | erful voice; the voice of the LORD is a | voice of splendor. R
The voice of the LORD breaks the | cedar trees; the LORD breaks the ce- | dars of Lebanon; the LORD makes Lebanon skip | like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox.
The voice | of the LORD bursts forth in | lightning flashes.
The voice of the LORD| shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilder- | ness of Kadesh. R
The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the | forests bare. And in the temple of the LORD all are | crying, “Glory!”
The LORD sits enthroned a- | bove the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king for- | evermore.
O LORD, give strength | to your people; give them, O LORD, the bless- | ings of peace. R
THE SECOND READING Acts 10:34-43
Peter crosses the sharp religious boundary separating Jews from Gentiles and proclaims the good news of God’s inclusive forgiveness in Jesus’ name to Cornelius, a Roman centurion. As a result of Peter’s preaching, Cornelius and his family become the first Gentiles to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter began to speak to [Cornelius and his household]: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
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THE HOLY GOSPEL
Matthew 3:13-17
Before Jesus begins his ministry, he is baptized by John, touched by the Spirit, and identified publicly as God’s child.
The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.
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Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Seated SERMON
Standing HYMN 305 When Jesus Came to Jordan
Pastor Jenny McLellan
Text © 1980 by Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission onelicense.net A725004
APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
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Called together to follow Jesus, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
Calling God, you speak with power to your church. Open our hearts and minds to the new things you are declaring. Strengthen bishops, pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and teachers of the faith. Equip the baptized for your reconciling and redeeming work.
Merciful God, | receive our prayer.
Renewing God, you provide the waters of the earth and in Jesus’ baptism you reveal the waters of life. Cleanse and protect oceans, rivers, and watersheds. Bring relief to parched lands and to communities without access to safe water. Merciful God, | receive our prayer.
Righteous God, you never weary of establishing justice. Increase cooperation and constructive dialogue between nations. Guide local, national, and international authorities to govern with equity, vision, and integrity. We pray for those in military service, for peacemakers, and for our enemies.
Merciful God, | receive our prayer.
Abiding God, your mercy is steadfast. Give sanctuary to people who flee from oppression, war, poverty, and famine. Sustain health care workers, caregivers, first responders, counselors, and all who help and heal. Comfort those who are grieving or experiencing crisis. We especially pray for...
Merciful God, | receive our prayer.
Blessing God, in Christ you gather the beloved community. Kindle the gifts of your Spirit in your people. Accompany the newly baptized, those recently ordained, and any beginning a new ministry. Inspire synodical leaders and congregational councils to serve with imagination and wisdom.
Merciful God, | receive our prayer.
Promising God, your faithfulness endures throughout all generations. We give thanks for those who have died in Christ, trusting that we will be united with them and all the saints in Christ’s resurrection life. We especially pray for… Merciful God, | receive our prayer.
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We bring to you our needs and hopes, O God, trusting your wisdom and power revealed in Christ crucified.
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 All Who Believe and Are Baptized Arranged by J. S. Bach The Redeemer Choir
All who believe and are baptized shall see the Lord’s salvation; | baptized into the death of Christ, they are a new creation; | through Christ’s redemption they will stand | among the glorious heavenly band | of every tribe and nation. With one accord, O God, we pray, | grant us your Holy Spirit; | help us in our infirmity | through Jesus’ blood and merit; | grant us to grow in grace each day | by holy baptism, that we may | eternal life inherit.
Standing OFFERTORY HYMN
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Text © Joel W. Lundeen, admin. Augsburg Fortress
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:
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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.
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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
Crashing Waters at Creation
Text © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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HYMN 455
HYMN 445 Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
Text © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House, admin. Music Services, Brentwood, TN Arr. © 1985 Augsburg Fortress
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.
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HYMN 304 Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized
Text © 1985 The Church Pension Fund used by permission onelicense.net A725004
SENDING
Christ the Savior is born! Go in peace. Proclaim this good news. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Lobt Gott, ihr christen allzugleich, BWV 609 J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for January 1: In person: 84, Livestream: 163, Facebook 25
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Second Sunday after Epiphany
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
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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.
Bishop’s Commemorative Martin Luther King Jr. Worship Service
Sunday, January 15, 2023 | 4 PM | Redeemer
You are cordially invited to join us for what promises to be a wonderful celebration around the theme, Proclaiming Hope, Pursuing Justice, Providing Help Click here for more information and a list of “MLK Day of Service” types of activities.
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 Resumes
Small group is taking a break on December 25 and January 1. We look forward to resuming with a new topic on January 8.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Sing and Play Today!
We are kicking off the spring semester by celebrating Epiphany in the Fireside room! Join us 1010:45. Sunday School registration is always open, we welcome new students for our Spring semester. Next Sunday, the 15th, we will be in our usual classrooms for a special lesson on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Family Retreat Registration is Open
Join us at Lutheranch in Tallapoosa, GA for a weekend of fun, friends, and growing in faith.
Whether you are long-time members or new to Redeemer, it's a great way to get to know the people you see on Sundays in a whole new way and spend some quality time together as a family. Watch for our theme to be announced in January!
CLICK HERE to Register and find more details about the schedule and cost.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Animate Class
Led by Whitney Ludvigsen, Dana Norden, and David Barnes Sunday, January 8, 2023 through February 19, 2023 Room 211 / Zoom
Learn from preeminent scholars and theologians about how our faith animates our actions in the world. This study from Augsburg Fortress will help us examine how we live out our faith in a distinctly Lutheran manner.
“Mary’s Voice in John’s Gospel” Class
Led by Edward Scherlacher Beginning Sunday, January 8 through April 2, 2023 Room 121 / Zoom
The writer of John’s Gospel weaves memories of “the beloved disciple;” and “Mary, the mother of Jesus.” Based on the research of scholar Michael Pakulak and other sources (ancient and new. Participants will gain a richer understanding of the fourth gospel - while restoring the voice of the one called “Blessed among women.”
The study brings evidence of the contributions of Mary, the mother of Jesus, to The Fourth Gospel. John the Apostle had purportedly decades of post-resurrection interaction with Mary. Recent scholarship indicates Mary’s voice, influence, and interpretation of her son’s life is a major basis of the Gospel of John.
MUSIC
It’s a new year, and a great time to join a choir! REGISTER ONLINE NOW
WEDNESDAY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
CHERUBIM (ages 4-1st grade) | 6:15-6:45 pm
SERAPHIM (2nd-6th grade) | 6:00-7:00 pm
REDEEMER RINGERS (3rd-6th grade) | 6:45-7:15 pm
There are opportunities for anyone age 4 and up. Children and youth rehearse on Wednesday evenings, and the adult choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings. Contact
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Sarah at shawbecker@redeemer.org or 404-874-8664 with questions, or just show up at the next rehearsal. We’d love to have you join us!
Organ Anniversary Concert
Friday, January 27 | 7:30 PM
The Redeemer Concert series presents the annual celebration of Redeemer’s 73-rank Létourneau pipe organ. This year’s concert will feature the church’s Organ Scholars, past and present. We welcome back Andy Jacob, and Martha Barth, who each earned their master’s degree and have full-time church positions in the Twin Cities, and Sam Long, who is working on his master’s degree nearby at Mercer University in Macon. Current Organ Scholar Kira Garvie and Redeemer’s Organist Sarah Hawbecker will round out the program. The varied works on the program will span centuries, from Buxtehude and Bach to Herbert Howells and George Shearing. The Friends of Music will host a reception in Sims Atrium following the concert.
Calendar for January 8 – January 14, 2023
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links
Sunday, January 8, 2023
Event Time Location Worship
Be Still and Journey
Confirmation Large Group High School SS Animate Class High School & College Parents
Mary’s Voice in John’s Gospel Sing & Play Confirmation Small Groups YA Lunch Out High School Mission Trip Mtg
Monday, January 9
Quilters
Carillon Ringers
Tuesday, January 10
Morning Bible Study
Pr. Jonathan Book Study Executive Committee
Wednesday, January 11
Early Birds Bible Study Wednesday night dinner Seraphim Cherubim
9:00 AM (Jazz) 11:00 AM Organ & Choir
9:30 AM – 10:45 AM 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM 12:00 PM 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
In-person/ Livestream
Room 119 Reception Room Youth Lounge Room 211 & Zoom Library Room 121/Zoom Fireside Room Various Rooms Off Site Reception Room
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
4:45 PM – 6:15 PM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM 6:15 PM – 6:45 PM
Fireside Room Hinely Music Hall
Rudisill Hall/Zoom Zoom Zoom
Reception/Zoom Sims Atrium Room 204 Room 203
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Worship Redeemer Ringers
Thursday, January 12
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Sanctuary Room 202
Lectionary Study Liberation Thoughts II 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 6:00 PM -7:30 PM Zoom Zoom Friday, January 13
Council Retreat Saturday, January 14 Council Retreat Youth Service Project 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Lutheranch Off Site
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
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