Sunday March 19, 2023 - Order of Worship at 11am - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA USA

Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 19, 2023

The Order of Worship at 11:00 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.

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.

PRELUDE The Passion Prophecy Cathy Moklebust The Carillon Ringers

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS

GATHERING

The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection.

Standing

HYMN 673 God, Whose Almighty Word

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

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.

Kneeling or seated

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God. 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.

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. 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

Sheila Brock, 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.

The Hymn of Praise is omitted during the penitential season of Lent.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you. | And also with you.

Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, and anoint us with your Spirit, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen

A pastor will come through the congregation to receive prayer request cards. If you are worshiping online, please use the Prayer Request button underneath the live feed.

WORD

God speaks to us in scriptures read, sung and preached. Seated CHILDREN’S

SERMON

Dorothy Beasley, lector

Samuel anointed David even though he was the eighth-oldest son of Jesse and did not match his brothers in height or other physical characteristics. With the anointing came endowment with the Spirit of the Lord, designating David as the Lord’s chosen successor to Saul.

1The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.

Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.

HYMN 780

Congregation will sing refrain

THE SECOND READING Ephesians 5:8-14

Because we now live in the divine light which is Jesus Christ, we conduct our lives in ways that reflect the light of Christ, so that our activity is truly pleasing to God.

8Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—9for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.

Standing

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Sung by the Choir

Jesus says, "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will have the light of life." Repeat Acclamation

THE HOLY GOSPEL John 9:1-41

Jesus heals a man born blind, provoking a hostile reaction that he regards as spiritual blindness to the things of God.

Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.

As [Jesus] walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, “Is this not

the man who used to sit and beg?” Some were saying, “It is he.” Others were saying, “No, but it is someone like him.” He kept saying, “I am the man.” But they kept asking him, “Then how were your eyes opened?” He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” They said to him, “Where is he?” He said, “I do not know.”

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” He said, “He is a prophet.”

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”2His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out.

Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.

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

Each portion of the prayers concludes: Merciful God, | receive our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen Sustained by God’s abundant mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of creation. A brief silence.

Eternal God, you seal us by the Holy Spirit and mark us with the cross of Christ forever in baptism. Inspire us by your love as together we strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

Merciful God, | receive our prayer.

Creating God, by your word you have made all things, and you hate nothing you have made. Teach us to perceive the beauty of the breadth of your creation, from the grandest mountain range to the smallest springtime bud.

Merciful God, | receive our prayer.

Powerful God, you anoint kings and establish rulers. Guide the work of heads of state and elected officials (specific leaders may be named). Encourage them to lead with justice and to remove barriers that impede the well-being of all.

Merciful God, | receive our prayer.

Shepherding God, you lead us beside still waters and restore our souls. Keep watch over those who weep; tend all who are sick and comfort those who grieve (especially).

Merciful God, | receive our prayer.

God our host, you fill us at your table with more than we could ever ask. Feed us with hunger for justice. Equip the feeding ministries of this congregation and community (especially).

Nourish us so we can nourish our neighbors.

Merciful God, | receive our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of history, with thanksgiving we remember our ancestors in faith who cared for your people (especially Joseph, Guardian of Jesus). We praise you for the ways they formed the faith of others and continue to inspire us.

Merciful God, | receive our prayer.

We lift our prayers to you, O God, trusting in your steadfast love and your promise to renew your whole creation; through Jesus Christ our Savior. 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.

Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS

THANKSGIVING

ANTHEM Open thou my eyes

The Redeemer Choir

John Rutter

Open thou mine eyes and I shall see, incline my heart and I shall desire, order my steps and I shall walk in the ways of thy commandments.

O Lord God, be thou to me a God and beside thee let there be none else, no other, nought else with thee.

Vouchsafe to me to worship thee and serve thee according to thy commandments, in truth of spirit, in reverence of body, in blessing of lips, in private and in public.

Bishop Lancelot Andrewes

Standing OFFERTORY HYMN

OFFERING PRAYER

God of good gifts, receive these and all our offerings as we present them in faithful service for the sake of your gospel. Prepare our hearts to receive you in this meal

as you pour out your very presence through Christ Jesus, the wellspring of eternal life. 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. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that, renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. 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:

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

O God, Creator of our wilderness world, O God, Savior of the lost,

O God, Comforter of the sick and suffering, we give you thanks for your everlasting might; we glorify you for your covenant of mercy.

For forty days you cleansed the earth with the waters of the flood. For forty days you illumined Moses with the words of your law. For forty years you fed your people with manna from heaven.

You became truly human in Jesus our brother. For forty days, with fasting and prayer, he renounced the power of the devil. On the night before he died he took bread, and gave thanks,

broke it, and gave it to his 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.

Transform us, O God, with your lively Spirit. Make this food into manna for our journey, the body and blood of your Son. Teach us your words of wisdom and justice. Renew the whole earth with baptismal grace. At the last, lead all your pilgrim people through our wilderness to your Easter garden.

To you, O God, Creator, Savior, Comforter, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be our worship and praise, adoration and thanksgiving, now and forever.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray…

LORD’S PRAYER

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Come and receive Jesus, our strength in the wilderness.

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 614

There is a Balm in Gilead

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING

God, the giver of love, ☩ Christ, the resurrection and the life, and the Holy Spirit of rebirth bless you in this Lenten journey.| Amen.

HYMN 339 Christ, the Life of All the Living

SENDING

Go in peace. Serve in love. | Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Toccata in D (Dorian) J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.

Today we celebrate a Communion Blessing for the following children who have recently completed Communion Instruction.

Bridget Ehmcke

Maeve Jackson

Molly Ludvigsen

Amelie Schoeller

Piper Keipert-Rosenfield

Please join us in congratulating them and their families on this faith milestone.

LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for March 12: In person:182, Livestream: 188 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Fifth Sunday in Lent

It’s time to pre-order Lilies in honor/memory of family or friends to visually enhance our Easter worship. In addition, professional brass quartet and timpani will be here so you are also encouraged to make donations to the special musician’s fund which will also be listed in the Easter bulletin in honor/memory of family or friends along with the flowers.

To order online click HERE or you can use an envelope that is available in the pew racks. Please drop envelopes at the Welcome desk in the Sims Atrium. All donations are due by Sunday, March 26.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING | March 26, 2023

Meeting sessions to be held live following each Sunday worship service and also via Zoom at 10am

This meeting will serve as the Annual Meeting of the congregation. The purpose will be to vote on the approval of the 2022 Annual Report.

Motion: The congregation of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer approves the 2022 Annual Report.

Annual Reports have been emailed. A limited number of hardcopies are available at the welcome desk.

Council Members will be available Sunday, March 19, & 26 following worship services in the Sims Atrium to discuss the annual report and 2023 council goals. Please also feel free to reach out directly to any Council members with questions.

COMMUNITY

New Member Class today | 10-10:45 am | Reception room

Take the next step in your faith by joining Redeemer's faith community. Through this 6-week class, you will get to know the people, ministries, and mission of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer as we get to know you and help you find where you belong.

At-Home Pastoral Visit

If you or a loved one would like to receive a pastoral visit with communion at your home or residence, please contact Pastor Jenny McLellan at 404-874-8664 ext. 224 or jmclellan@redeemer.org

VBS Needs You!

June 5-9 here at Redeemer our kids will gather for Changemakers Lab, an interactive Vacation Bible School where children learn that everyone can make a difference in the world! WE NEED YOUR HELP this year as we return to a more ‘normal’ version of this powerful faith formation program. Whether you can help now or during the actual event, whether you want to be on stage or behind the scenes or just want to help us shop for supplies, everyone has something they can offer to make VBS a success! Please speak to Deacon Mary if you have questions, or fill out this form if you are ready to sign up. Ages 6th-grade to adult are eligible to volunteer.

Easter Drive

Please help us celebrate Easter with Redeemer Families and welcome our neighbors and friends by donating individually wrapped candy or small Easter items. You can participate on our

Amazon List (items will be sent directly to the church) or bring them to the Welcome Desk by Wednesday, March 22, and put them in the bin.

Greetings Redeemer

Redeemer’s Community Engagement ministry voted to organize a band for a summer concert series to bring attention to Redeemer; we are looking for musicians. Sally Rosser and Pastor Bonner are proposing that on select Friday evenings during the summer, the band would play from the front porch of Redeemer. This is an evangelism effort to get people to notice our church and not just hurry by us on their way to work, home, or play. For more details, contact Pastor Bonner at rbonner@redeemer.org.

Volunteers needed to sing in the choir for the 7pm Easter Vigil service on Saturday, April 8th. All are welcome – we will sing two hymns just as the choir (When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land and St. Patrick’s Breastplate), a psalm, and support the Easter Proclamation and congregational hymn singing. We will meet at 5pm that day to rehearse. Please email Kira at kgarvie@redeemer.org if you are interested!

YOUTH

8th Grade Chalice Usage

On Sunday, January 8, we started using the chalices made by our 8th graders at 9 AM worship. Each 8th-grade Confirmation student had to answer, "What does Communion mean to you?"

From 3/12-3/26, the chalice used was painted by Mady Kader. This is Mady's interpretation: My chalice represents Communion. The breaking and eating of bread is Christ’s body broken for us. The drinking of wine is to remind us of the blood He shed for our sins. We are symbolically intermingling Christ’s blood with our own. Sharing a meal together as friends. Making Him a part of us and us a part of Him.”

Fundraising, Pick Up Your Envelope!

This Summer, Redeemers High School Youth will embark on a mission trip to Puerto Rico with the YouthWorks Organization! Please visit the Youth table in Sims Atrium before and following Sunday worship service until April 9. Donations can also be made via the offering plate, online, or by leaving in Jennifer Isaacson's office or Hillary Nelson's mailbox. Please include a memo note designating for the "Puerto Rico Youth Trip." Thank you for your support! Our Fundraiser will focus on who is attending and why they are attending this Mission Trip. Jacob Pinyon: “I am excited to help the people in Puerto Rico. I have been given a gift so I have to share it and spread the love.” Weston Kershner: “My reason for wanting to go to Puerto Rico is that I believe it will bring our group closer and we will have opportunities to become closer with our church groups. I also think that it is important as children of God to help out everyone no matter the struggle. So it is important to help out the people that have lost so much from natural disasters and other issues.”

Our Middle School Youth will have their Middle School Youth Group Today, after the 11 AM service. We will be doing a Scavenger Hunt at Redeemer. Lunch provided. Please let Hillary know if you can attend.

Post-High School and College Youth Care Packages: On Sunday, April 16, we will make Care Packages for our post-high school, college & higher education students. Please send Hillary your student’s mailing address for a special mailing surprise by Sunday, April 9.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Vacation Bible School Registration is Open!

Join us June 5-9 here at Redeemer for Changemakers Lab, an interactive Vacation Bible School where children learn that everyone can make a difference in the world! Find more details and register at this link, or speak to Deacon Mary. To register a youth (6th grade and up) or adult as a volunteer, please use this form.

Family Easter Vigil and Celebration

Saturday, April 8 from 10- 12:30, join us for an Easter festival including live animals, face painting, a family photo booth, and more! Then go with us on a journey from the somber atmosphere of Holy Week to the joy of Easter in an Easter Vigil service specially designed for families. After the service, we will head back outside for an egg hunt. The event kicks off at 10:00 am and ends at 12:30 pm. In the case of inclement weather we will move indoors. No RSVP is required; don’t forget to invite a friend!

MUSIC

Music and Arts Camp – “Carnival of the Animals” – June 12-16

Registration is now open. Rising kindergarteners through 6th graders will experience music, art, and drama all based on this year’s animal theme! The camp is from 9:00 am-4:00 pm, with free before and after-care. Tuition for the week is $165 and includes all activities, snacks, and a Tshirt. Sibling discounts apply, and financial need-based scholarships are available. All are welcome, so tell your friends and neighbors. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Sarah Hawbecker at 404-874-8664, ext. 206 or shawbecker@redeemer.org. Follow the camp and share our posts on Facebook atfacebook.com/RedeemerMusicCamp/

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Mary’s Voice in John’s Gospel - Led by Edward Scherlacher

Pastor Jonathan Book Study

Tuesdays

Study of 'The Warmth of Other Suns' by Isabel Wilkerson.

Be Still and Journey – Led by Pat Cornwell

Sundays

Sundays | 10 am | Rudisill Hall

Come hear about the Bishop’s pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine attended by fourteen Redeemer members.

March 26: Movie Screening and Discussion: The Present

April 23: From Tiberias to Bethlehem

April 30: From Jerusalem to Petra

Lent 2023

Wednesday night Pastor’s Class

Join Pr. Mark for a Lenten Book Study on Entering the Passion of Jesus

6 PM | Rudisill Hall & Zoom

Midweek Lenten worship

Places of the Passion | Each Wednesday, 7 PM | In-person and Online

Calendar for March 19 – March 25, 2023

Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links

Sunday, March 19, 2023

THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

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

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