Third Sunday after Pentecost – June 18, 2023
The Order of Worship at 9:00 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.
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WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God, who greets us in this and every season, whose word never fails, whose promise is sure. | Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of our neighbors.
Kneeling or seated
Righteous God, we confess that we have sinned. We have failed to be honest. We have lacked the courage to speak. We have spoken falsely. In the name of Jesus, forgive us and grant us your mercy.
God is a cup of cold water when we thirst. God offers boundless grace when we fail. Claim the gift of God’s mercy: you are freed and forgiven in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ. | Amen.
Standing PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. | And also with you.
God of compassion, you have opened the way for us and brought us to yourself. Pour your love into our hearts, that, overflowing with joy, we may freely share the blessings of your realm and faithfully proclaim the good news of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen
Please use the Prayer Request link on the webpage to submit your requests.
The mission of Jesus’ followers is to continue the mission of Jesus himself. Here, he instructs his first disciples as to how they might proclaim the gospel through their words and deeds.
Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. [Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the
Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”]
After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.
Seated
SERMON Pastor Mark H. Larson
Standing HYMN 733
Great is Thy Faithfulness
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
Trusting in God’s abundant mercy, let us offer our prayers for a world in need. A brief silence.
For the church here and around the world, we pray. Seek out disciples and send them out with authority to proclaim good news, bring healing where there is pain, and counter the forces of evil.
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For the earth and all its creatures, we pray. Equip farmers, farm workers, and all who labor on the land to produce a harvest. Nourish crops with ample rainfall and abundant sunshine. Restore lands ruined by pollution or misuse. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who govern, we pray. Empower those who seek peaceful solutions to conflict and embolden those who advocate for all who are oppressed. Work through systems of government to establish justice throughout the world. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who suffer, we pray. Accompany those who feel helpless, alone, or abandoned. Embrace any who long for successful treatment for mental illness or freedom from addiction. Heal those who are sick especially:
God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For fathers and father figures, we pray. Console all who long to be fathers, children estranged from their fathers, anyone grieving the death of a father, and fathers who have lost a child. Draw near to all for whom this day stirs up difficult emotions. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For all the saints, we give thanks. Receive into your eternal care all those who have died especially: and fill us with hope that does not disappoint. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Receive our prayers and answer us, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ. 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
MUSIC by Redeemer Jazz TrioStanding 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.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
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 invited to receive Holy Communion. Those who are worshiping online can join the pastors on Zoom for communion following the postlude. Link
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 661
I Love to Tell the Story
Go in peace. Share the harvest. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio
The Altar flowers are given to the glory of God and in honor of our 64th wedding anniversary by Anne and Pete Burr.
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for 5/11: In person: 173, Livestream: 133
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Redeemer Week at Camp
Today, several of our children and youth are setting out for Camp Lutheridge in North Carolina for a week of fun, friends, and growing in faith (plus a few at Lutheranch). They are attending everything from First Camp (1st and 2nd grades) to Confirmation Camp and High School adventures in climbing, hiking, biking and more. Pastor Mark, Deacon Mary, and Carrie Herold are going along to teach Bible Study. Please pray for all of us to have a safe and meaningful week! Watch the Redeemer Facebook page and group for updates throughout the week.
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!
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.
Hunger Walk 2023 Virtual Celebration
We invite you to join Inspiritus on Thursday, June 22 at 7:30pm for our annual Hunger Walk Virtual Celebration, as we share this year's highlights and celebrate the people who made this incredible work possible! Together, our church and community teams, and individual supporters raised $73,813.91 for Inspiritus and the Atlanta Community Food Bank for Hunger Walk 2023...now that's something to celebrate! RSVP Today!
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.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
“Refugee Welcome Team Overview / Orientation Training Session | June 25 |
Rudisill Hall | 12:30 to 2:00 pm
If you are interested in serving on the Core Team or Support Team OR interested in learning more before deciding to serve, join Pastor Jeff and Patti Linman and Jenny Garcia from Inspiritus.
Core Team members provide regular direct support services and have one-on-one interaction with the family. Support Team members provide group or ad-hoc family support activities. Everyone is required to attend a training session before serving. Since Pastor Jeff and Patti are members of Epiphany in Suwanee and were asked by Inspiritus to help coordinate this ministry, this will also be an opportunity for everyone to meet them and for them to meet us. Box lunches will be provided so please RSVP by Friday, June 23 if you plan to attend to Eli Flournoy [eliflournoy69@gmail.com] and Pastor Jeff Linman [jlinman320@gmail.com].
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
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Pastor Jonathan Book Study
Tuesdays | 5 PM
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 18 – June 24, 2023
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Event Time Location
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