Sunday, June 11, 2023 - Order of worship at 11am - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA USA

Second Sunday after Pentecost – June 11, 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.

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.

PRELUDE Bourees I and II from Suite for Cello no. 4 J. S. Bach Jonathan Fuller, cello (1685-1750)

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 722

O Christ, Your Heart, Compassionate

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

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

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.

HYMN OF PRAISE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

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

O God, you are the source of life and the ground of our being. By the power of your Spirit bring healing to this wounded world, and raise us to the new life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen

Please use the Prayer Request link 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 Hosea 5:15—6:6

Bob Gibeling, lector

Because the people have trusted in military powers and not God, God decides to withdraw from the scene until Israel acknowledges its guilt and seeks God’s face. The response of the people does not acknowledge this guilt and is as fickle as fog or dew burned away quickly by the sun. God desires loyalty rather than words or meaningless deeds.

15I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. In their distress they will beg my favor:

6:1“Come, let us return to the LORD; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up.

2After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.

3Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

4What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early.

5Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.

6For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

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

THE SECOND READING Romans 4:13-25

Paul presents Abraham as a living model of right relationships. For Abraham and for us, a right relationship with God involves trusting that God’s promises will be fulfilled because God makes the dead alive and calls into existence what otherwise does not exist.

13The promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.

16For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So numerous shall your descendants be.” 19He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22Therefore his faith “was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 23Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, 24but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.

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

Standing

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Jesus demonstrates God’s mercy and power, accepting the unacceptable and curing the incurable. Even the dead receive new life.

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

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

10And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples,

“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

18While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21for she said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24he said, “Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26And the report of this spread throughout that district.

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

Seated SERMON

Standing

HYMN 588

There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy

Pastor Mark H. Larson

Standing APOSTLES’ 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: God, in your mercy, | hear our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: 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

THANKSGIVING

Seated

GATHERING OF GIFTS

ANTHEM There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy Welsh Lullaby

Sally Pearson, soloist Arranged by Keith Griffin

There's a wideness in God's mercy like the wideness of the sea; | There's a kindness in his justice which is more than liberty. | There is welcome for the sinner, and more graces for the good; | There is mercy with the Savior, there is healing in his blood.

But we make his love too narrow with false limits of our own; | And we lose the tender shepherd in the judge upon the throne. | For the love of God is broader than the measure of our mind, | And the heart of God eternal is most wonderfully kind.

Frederick W. Faber

Standing OFFERTORY HYMN

OFFERING PRAYER

God of field and forest, sea and sky, you are the giver of all good things. Sustain us with these gifts of your creation, and multiply your graciousness in us, that the world may be fed with your love, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | 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; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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:

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.

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: 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 death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory.

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all glory and honor, now and forever.

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

All people are called to Christ’s table. Come, eat what is good. Seated

All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are welcome to the feast. Those who are worshiping online can join the pastors on Zoom for communion following the postlude. Link

HYMN 481 Come to the Table

Text and music © 1991 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music/ASCAP, c/o Integrity Media, Inc., 1000 Cody Road, Mobile, AL 36695 & Juniper Landing Music (adm by Word Music) & Word Music/ASCAP. CCLI License # 2888121

HYMN 607 Come, Ye Disconsolate

Standing

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen

Let us pray. | We thank you, generous God, for the refreshment we have received at your banquet table. Send us now to spread your generosity into all the world, through the one who is our dearest treasure, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

SENDING

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

BLESSING

The God who calls across the cosmos and speaks in the smallest seed ☩ bless, keep, and sustain you now and to the end of the age. | Amen.

HYMN 757

All My Hope on God is Founded

1 All my hope on God is founded who will all my trust renew, who through change and chance will guide me, only good and only true. God unknown, God alone, call my heart to be thine own.

2 Mortal pride and earthly glory, sword and crown betray our trust; what with care and toil we fashion, tow'r and temple, fall to dust. But thy pow'r, hour by hour, is my temple and my tow'r.

SENDING

3 Great thy goodness, e'er enduring; deep thy wisdom, passing thought; splendor, light, and life attend thee, beauty springing out of naught. Evermore from thy store newborn worlds rise and adore.

4 Still from earth to God eternal sacrifice of praise be done, high above all praises praising for the gift of God's own Son. Christ doth call one and all: ye who follow shall not fall.

Go in peace. Share the harvest. | Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

Psalm XIX Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739)

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

LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for June 4: In person: 203, Livestream: 144 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Third Sunday after Pentecost

Our 12 High School Youth and 2 Adult Leaders are on their Mission Trip in Arecibo, Puerto Rico until Saturday, June 17. Thank you again for the support with this trip!

VBS Thank You's

We had an AMAZING week at Changemaker's Lab VBS learning about how God's love transforms us and gives us the power to change the world around us for the better. A HUGE thank you to all our volunteers and staff who stepped up to make this a successful event from planning to decorations to teaching to leading small groups of kids to preparing our facilities to helping with administrative tasks to acting in our daily skits (and more!) It would fill the whole bulletin to thank everyone for the mountain of tasks involved in creating a fun, safe, and faith-filled experience like this for our kids. And ANOTHER HUGE thank you to the kids who brought their questions, energy, voices, compassion, friendship, and so much more to this faith community, not to mention the parents who brought the kids! We are already counting down to next year...

COMMUNITY

Wellness Summer Series

Wednesdays through August 16 | 12 – 12:30 PM | Sims Atrium

Throughout the Summer Redeemer will offer a mid-week lunch break so our community can reconnect body-mind-spirit through Gentle Yoga.

Adults $10 (over 12), $5 adults over 65, kids under 12 free Hosted by Community Engagement and Wellness Ministries

Calling All Letter writers!

Do you like sending mail? We are gathering a team to send cards and letters to Redeemer kids while they attend Lutheran camps this summer. Please contact Deacon Mary to sign up. We will give you the details you need to write messages of support and encouragement. You will turn in mail to Deacon Mary and she will make sure it gets to the right camper at the right time. Help us fulfill the promises we made as a congregation to these kids in baptism that we would surround them with the love and support of their faith community!

Rejoicing Spirits Takes a Summer Break

Over the summer, our Rejoicers are busy with camps, quality family time, jobs, and much more. We have decided to take a break in June and July and will resume on August 13 in Rudisill Hall from 10:15-10:45. Mark your calendar now! It’s going to be a joyful celebration when we are all back together and we can hear about everyone’s summer adventures.

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

Musicians Needed for Redeemer's Front Porch Summer Band

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.

St. Luke Lutheran Church, in partnership with The Atlanta Pride Committee, Honors

Stonewall Riots and Celebrates Pride with Drag Queen Worship Service

During this special service, attendees will have the opportunity to witness stunning offerings by some of Atlanta's most gifted drag queen performers, serving as a testament to our church's commitment to standing with the oppressed community and those on the margins. We hope that this celebration of diversity and inclusion will inspire all who attend to embrace the message of love, justice, and equality that lies at the heart of the gospel of Jesus.

Event Details: Drag Me to Church - A Commemoration of the Stonewall Riots

Date: June 25, 2023 | Time: Six o’clock pm

Location: 3264 Northside Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA 30327

For more information about this worship service, St. Luke Lutheran, or media request, please contact Pride@stlukelutheran.org.

Lunch Out | Today

YOUNG ADULTS

Meet in the Sims atrium to walk to lunch together at a Midtown restaurant following the 11:00 worship service. The church will cover the amount above $20 if desired. We want everyone to come!

YOUTH

Come hang in the Youth Lounge all summer!

The Youth Lounge will be open all summer for Middle School Youth and High School Youth to hang out in from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM from May 28 to July 30.

MUSIC

Music & Arts Camp final performance | Friday, June 16, 4 PM | Sims Atrium

All are invited. The campers will present “Carnival of the Animals,” sharing what they have learned during the week through choral and handbell music.

SAVE THE DATE

70’S Music Fest | August 10 | 4:30 – 7:30 PM | Redeemer Green

Families, business people & neighbors are welcome to join us at our block party-style music fest. Grab dinner from one of the onsite food/beer trucks, relax on the grass, or take a chair provided or dance on our 4th street! Balloons, bubbles, and a photo board.

Music by the versatile SPAGHETTI JUNCTION

Rain date August 17

Pastor Jonathan Book Study

Tuesdays | 5 PM

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Study of Killers of the Dream by Lillian Smith

Pastor Jenny Book Study

Wednesdays | 7:30-8:30 pm

Study of: Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul's Path to God

We are unified in Christ, yet we are diverse in our devotional disposition. If you have ever been frustrated that you can't pray like Peter or preach like Paul, or sit still in contemplation, perhaps you haven't found the devotional expression that speaks to your soul, or not yet. Join Pastor Jenny on zoom on Wednesday nights this summer to explore nine different sacred pathways to approach God. Zoom Link

Keystone Ministry Bible Study

Thursdays through August 17 | 3 – 4:00 PM | Reception Room/Zoom

Dig deep into the Gospel of Matthew, chapter by chapter, as we explore theological and contextual themes. Join Bill Pegram and Pastor Jenny McLellan through this summer to study the Gospel of Matthew. Sweet treats and coffee will be provided. Bibles will be available, or you can bring your own preferred Bible.

Bethlehem Film Series

Please join us to watch three films that address the ongoing struggle for human rights in the Middle East. Each showing will take place at 10 AM in Rudisill Hall. As each film is an hour long, you may wish to attend the 9 AM service on these weeks.

First film - June 25 “Seeing Through The Wall” This film follows a group of Jewish Americans who traveled to Israel and Palestine with their Rabbi, seeking to understand what life is like for Palestinians living in the Occupied Territories and in East Jerusalem.

July 16 “The Wanted 18”

August 6 “ ‘Til Kingdom Come”

Calendar for June 11 – June 17, 2023

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

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. Dr. 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

Larry Lowe ........................................................................................................Security Officer

Hillary Nelson ............................................................ Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org

Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security