Sixth Sunday after Pentecost – July 9, 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.
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.
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.
You are great, O God, and greatly to be praised. You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Grant that we may believe in you, call upon you, know you, and serve you, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen
Please use the Prayer Request link on the webpage to submit your requests.
Seated
CHILDREN’S SERMON
Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
Jesus chides people who find fault with both his ministry and that of John the Baptist. He thanks God that wisdom and intelligence are not needed to receive what God has to offer.
Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:] “To what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated
Pastor Jenny McLellan
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.
Seated
GATHERING OF GIFTS
Standing
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 765 Lord of All Hopefulness
SENDING
Go in peace. Share the harvest. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
by Redeemer Jazz Trio
The Altar flowers are given today to the glory of God and in loving memory of Emily Anne Payne by her parents, Serena and Robert, and her daughter, Grace.
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for July 2: In person: 157, Livestream: 145 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Seven Middle School Youth and two Adult Leaders are on their Mission Trip in Bayou La Batre, AL. Please keep them in your prayers as they serve and work with the Bayou La Batre community: Lars, Matthew, Charli, Britta, Merritt, Grant, Micah, Mr. Derek, and Ms. Hillary. We look forward to sharing our experiences and stories with you all!
Master Planning Update: Please visit our website's Master Planning page under the "Latest" tab OR Click here to view the current update in our Master Planning process. We look forward to additional congregational input at a Combined Subject Area Group presentation on Sunday, August 6th!"
COMMUNITY
Today the Wellness ministry will have a table in the Sims atrium for people to take an online survey to discern if they need further psychological care. Screening for depression, Anxiety and other mental illnesses.
Wellness Summer Series – Will resume on July 12
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 Tai Chi.
Adults $10 (over 12), $5 adults over 65, kids under 12 free Hosted by Community Engagement and Wellness Ministries
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
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.
SAVE THE DATE
Groovin’ Down @ Midtown | August 10 | 4:00 – 7:00 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
Choral Concert: Thursday, August 3 at 7:30 pm – Akademiska Kören (The Stockholm Academic Choir)
The Redeemer Concert series 2023-24 season begins early with this special choral concert. The ensemble, formed in 1931, performs regularly at the Royal Academy of Music and the Concert Hall of Stockholm and have toured Europe, North America, and Mexico. The choir has recorded for radio, film, and television. The AK has had several prominent conductors over the years, and is currently led by Håkan Sund. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear them in Atlanta!
Donations to “Friends of Music” will be accepted at the door. A reception will follow the concert.
Organ Concert Friday, September 8, 7:30 pm. SAVE THE DATE!
Celebrated performer Richard Elliott, Principal Tabernacle Organist at Temple Square, is a former assistant organist at the famous Wanamaker organ in Philadelphia. He performs around the country and has recorded on numerous labels. This rare Atlanta concert will benefit the Raymond Martin Organ Fund at Redeemer for the preservation of the church’s 59-stop Létourneau pipe organ. Tickets are $30 ($35 at the door) and are on sale now via the QR code or at this Link.
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.
July 16 “The Wanted 18” A poignant film about Nation-Building by the people, not the politicians. “The incredible, thrilling real-life adventure of 18 bovine fugitives that led hundreds of Israeli troops on a wild-goose chase.”-Martin Tsai, Los Angeles Times
August 6 “ ‘Til Kingdom Come”
Calendar for July 9 – July 16, 2023
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