Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost – August 27, 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.
O God, with all your faithful followers of every age, we praise you, the rock of our life. Be our strong foundation and form us into the body of your Son, that we may gladly minister to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen
Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON
Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 16:13-20
At a climactic point in Jesus’ ministry, God reveals to Peter that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus responds with the promise of a church that will overcome the very gates of Hades.
Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.
Seated
SERMON Pastor Mark H. Larson
Standing
HYMN 821 Shout to the Lord
CCLI Song # 1406918 Darlene Zschech © 1993 Wondrous Worship For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 2888121
Kneeling or seated
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Each portion of the prayers concludes: Hear us, O God, | your mercy is great. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen
Confident that God receives our joys and concerns, let us offer our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of creation.
God of Sarah and Abraham, inspire your church to pursue righteousness in its ministry. Equip us to share your compassion that unites us as one family of faith. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Remind us that from the beginning of creation, you knit together a world meant for harmony. Protect and restore the wasted places to joy and gladness. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Stir the leaders of nations and towns, militaries and courts, to respond to your teachings. Let your call for justice reach all people and bring deliverance where there is oppression. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Show your steadfast love and faithfulness to those in despair. Increase their strength, care for all who feel low, keep safe any in the midst of trouble, and protect vulnerable people from harm.
We pray especially for… Marie, Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Encourage those who offer their gifts and talents in service to your church. Energize this congregation’s rostered and lay leaders, musicians, teachers, greeters, and administrators so they may be transformed in sharing your grace. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of all the saints, death is overcome in Christ’s resurrection. We rejoice with the faithful departed, especially Paul, Teddy. Sustain us in hope until we come at last to our heavenly home. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, in the name of the one who reconciled all creation to himself, 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
MUSIC by Redeemer Jazz Trio
Standing
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.
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.
SENDING
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 celebration of our 44th wedding anniversary by Penny and John Scarpucci.
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for 8/20: In person: 234, Livestream 142
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
COMMUNITY
Rejoicing Spirits is Back!
Join us in Rudisill Hall from 10:15-10:45 one Sunday each month to worship and rejoice together! Our fall worship dates are: September 17, October 22, November 12, and December 17. Rejoicing Spirits is a worship service for people of all abilities. It’s a space where those with a variety of abilities are affirmed as participants and leaders, and where everyone comes away with a better appreciation of each other’s gifts and contributions. RS is meant to add to your worship experience, and can be combined with other worship services you are attending today.
Lutheran Community Food Ministry (LCFM) needs you! We’re in search of volunteers to pick up and help with the sorting of food from our partner agencies Tuesday, Thursday and some Sunday mornings at 8AM as well as sorting donated food that is delivered to us the 1st Thursday of the month. Driver’s license and ability to lift up to 40-lbs. Please contact Stephanie at: stephanie.hart1987@icloud.com to get on the volunteer list.
YOUTH
Our Middle School and High School Youth are invited to come join us TODAY August 27 from 10:00 AM-10:45 AM as we celebrate the end of summer with some fun and bonding activities. Our High School Youth will be in the Youth Lounge and our Middle School Youth will be in Rudisill Hall. Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Middle School Confirmation Retreat
Confirmation students (grades 6-8) are invited to attend our Fall Confirmation Retreat occurring Friday, September 22 to Sunday, September 24 at Lutheranch Retreat Center in Tallapoosa, GA. Our theme will be “Worship Retreat.”. We will do worship, team building activities, fellowship time, and more! Please contact Hillary (hnelson@redeemer.org) for any questions and to get signed up by Sunday, Sept. 10.
Youth Service Project, Saturday, September 16
Our Middle School and High School Youth are heading to FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults & Children) on Saturday, September 16 from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. We will head to get lunch after. Contact Hillary (hnelson@redeemer.org) to get signed up by Sunday, September 10.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Sunday School Starts TODAY!!
We are very excited about starting our ‘normalest’ year of SS yet since the pandemic!
.Sunday school will be in-person, in classrooms this year. We kick things off with Sing and Play on August 27, and our first day in classrooms will be September 10. You can register at this link, scan the code, or speak to Deacon Mary with any questions. Sunday School is for ages 2- 5th grade. Interested in volunteering with Sunday School? Speak to Deacon Mary about volunteer opportunities.
Backpack Blessing Tags
On the 13th, we welcomed students of all ages along with teachers and other school staff to receive a blessing as they embark on another school year and take a special backpack tag to remind them their Redeemer family is praying for them throughout the year. If you missed it and would like a blessing tag for yourself or a student you know, please feel free to pick one up at the Welcome Desk in Sims Atrium.
SAVE THE DATE
Buy your tickets now!
Organ Concert
Friday, September 8, 7:30 pm.
Celebrated performer Richard Elliott, Principal Tabernacle Organist at Temple Square in Salt Lake City will perform at Redeemer on September 8. This concert will benefit the Raymond Martin Organ Fund at Redeemer for the preservation of our Létourneau pipe organ. Tickets are $30 ($35 at the door.) You can purchase advance tickets at this link or at the display in the Sims atrium on Sunday morning. The concert will not be livestreamed, so please attend in person, and enjoy a wonderful evening of music!
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Pastor Jonathan Book Study
Tuesdays | 5 PM
Study of Killers of the Dream by Lillian Smith
Early Bird Bible Study led by David Ott
Wednesdays | 4 PM | Reception
Study of Exodus
Pastor’s Class led by Pastor Mark
Wednesdays | 6 PM | Rudisill Hall & Zoom
Martin Luther had an exceptional prayer life. It is not surprising that many of his students asked for advice on how to improve their own spiritual life. In two works, Little Prayer Book (1522) and A Simple Way to Pray (1535), Luther seeks to reform the theology and practice of prayer in clear and understandable language for all people by encouraging simple, direct prayer to God, who promises to hear the one who prays.
Keystone Ministry Bible Study
Thursdays | 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.
Calendar for August 27 – September 2, 2023
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links
Sunday, August 27, 2023
Monday, August 28
August 29
Wednesday, August 30
Early Birds Bible Study Wednesday Night Dinner
August 31
September 1
Saturday, September 2