Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 10, 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.
Text © 1971, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Onelicense.net #A725004
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 Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen
Seated
CHILDREN’S SERMON
Standing
THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus offers practical advice to his disciples on how individuals—and the church as a whole—should go about restoring relationships when one member has sinned against another.
Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.
Seated SERMON
Standing
HYMN 608 Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling
Pastor Jonathan Trapp
Kneeling or seated
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Each portion of the prayers concludes: Merciful God, | receive our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen
Remembering the caring and generous works of God, we pray for the church, creation, and the needs of our neighbors. A brief silence.
Hold us accountable, O God. Show your church where repentance is needed and lead us in paths of intentional compassion and listening. Help us extend hands of reconciliation and care, especially in relationships with other Christians and people of other faiths. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Inspire us to lead with honor, O God. Guide judges and legislators, police, and government officials to create and uphold just laws. Move us to treat all people with dignity and guide our conversations with one another. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Help us comfort those who suffer, O God. Reassure any who are harmed by the wicked acts of others. Bring peace to all who are vulnerable, frightened, despairing, grieving or sick (especially). Guard their waking and their sleeping. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Be our hope, O God. We remember with thanksgiving your disciples who died in faith (especially). May their trust in your promise be our protection and our hope. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Remember us according to your steadfast love as we offer these and the prayers of our heart, trusting in your compassion made known through 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 Trio
Standing OFFERING PRAYER
God of power, God of plenty, all things belong to you. We bring your gifts to the table, that all might be fed. Form us into the body of your Beloved, Jesus Christ, our Savior. 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.
Honor and glory be to you, Lord God of all the ages; we give you thanks for the joy of your creation, and praise for your liberating love.
Searching and yearning God, you enter the wilderness and sweep the dark corners of our world because you hate nothing that you have made and long to draw us back to your heart. In Christ Jesus, you came into the world to save sinners, to welcome them, and to eat with them. You spread a table in our sight and invite us to join you in glory.
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.
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.
Now send down your Holy Spirit, that your people who have strayed like lost sheep may dwell in the paths of righteousness and that these gifts of bread and wine may be for us the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ;
Find those who are lost; reach any who have strayed; pursue all who seem determined to wander further and further from your fold.
Heal your earth; where the fruitful land is waste and void, where the mountains are quaking, and the birds of the air have fled, bring hope, transformation, and deliverance.
Redeem your creation in the power of your Spirit, and draw all thing through the free gift of your Son into the glory of your presence, now and forever. Amen.
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
Jesus invites you to this table. Come, eat and live. 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. | Blessed be your name, O God, for we have feasted on your Word, Christ Jesus, the joy and delight of our hearts. Strengthened by this food, send us to gather the world to your banquet, where none are left out and all are satisfied. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
BLESSING
The God of glory, ☩ Jesus Christ, name above all names, and the Spirit who lives in you, bless you now and forever. | Amen.
Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House onelicense.net #A725004
SENDING
Go in peace. God is at work in you. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE by
Redeemer Jazz TrioLAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for 9/3: In person: 171, Livestream 146
NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Congregation Council Nominations
Nominations are open for Congregation Council for the 3-year term starting in 2024. Each voting member may submit up to five nominations via the instructions sent by email or paper mail on September 1, 2023. Before nominating someone, please confirm the member is willing to serve if elected. Nominations are due by 12:30 pm on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Please contact the Nominating Committee with any questions or
concerns: Creston Herold (chair), Michael Adamson, Carol Bloomquist, and Wren Carlson.
MASTER PLANNING
Thank you Redeemer! We gathered together with over 100 members on August 6th to share and discuss two conceptual design options. The August 6th presentation reviews the process and illustrates the two design options from different street views and floor levels. This is our collective vision for Redeemer and we want all voices heard.
We continue to look forward to congregational input at a Temple Talk and Listening Post on Sunday, September 17th as we share the culmination of our hopes and dreams for Redeemer. With your input, we will create a final report of the Facilities Master Plan for Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Click here to view the Conceptual Design.
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.
September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month:
Redeemer and All Saints are hosting a Remembrance Labyrinth Walk to honor and remember friends and family who have died by suicide on Monday, September 18th. Come together out of the isolation and shame suicide inflicts and walk the ancient path to release guilt and receive healing. The liturgy and walk begins at 5:30 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church (634 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308).
If you are in a crisis or know someone who is, call 988 For more information about the event, call (404) 881-0835. For more information about walking the labyrinth, visit https://www.redeemer.org/care/labryinth/
Register TODAY for The "Other" Talk: starting the conversation about aging with adults, families, and caregivers
Redeemer's Aging Symposium on Saturday September 30th from 9:30-2:30 will help you start the conversation with your family and friends. The panel discussion will provide resources and scenarios that will be answered by a panel of experts in various fields who work with elders (medical, legal, spiritual). Whether you are experiencing challenges of aging yourself, or navigating choices with aging parents, family or friends, this symposium is for you. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/232117854059054
YOUTH
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.
High School Parents and Beyond will be meeting at Redeemer TODAY from 10:00 am-10:45 am for their once-a-month gathering in Room 103. Come catch up with other parents! If you have any questions, please contact Carol McCloskey.
Confirmation is an important step in the spiritual journey of our youth. Parents and youth, grades 6-8 should plan to attend the first Confirmation meeting of the new school year happening TODAY from 9:45 AM-10:45 AM in Fireside Room. They'll talk with Pastor Mark and learn about expectations, meet Small Group Leaders, plus learn about Faith5 and have the chance to ask questions.
High School Faith Formation will be meeting starting TODAY from 9:45 AM-10:45 AM in the Youth Lounge. Come meet and catch up with all our High School Youth! We will also play some games, enjoy our Cafe Sunday, and start exploring our Faith Lens curriculum.
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.
High School Youth Group-Ponce City Market
Sunday, September 24 | RSVP due by Sunday, September 17
Our High School Youth will be heading to the ROOF at Ponce City Market on Sunday, September 24. Cost is $25 which includes: admission & unlimited access to mini golf, all
boardwalk games, Heege Tower ride, and the 3-story slide. Please let Hillary know if you are able to attend by Sunday, September 17 for planning purposes.
Middle School and High School Youth Group, Sunday, October 22 at Six Flags
Our Middle School and High School Youth will be heading to Six Flags on Sunday, October 22. Please fill out this interest form & signup by Sunday, September 24. Since Six Flags is a big public place, we will go over all guidelines before we leave and when we get there. All youth attending must follow these guidelines. Please email Hillary to get signed up.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Sunday School Our first day in classrooms will be 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. 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.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
God’s Voice in Music, Harmony, and Tonality
Led by Ed Scherlacher
Sundays | 10 am | Room 121
Explore the spiritual connection between music and divine communication.
“We Make the Road by Walking” by Brian McLaren
Study led by Pastor Jonathan
Sundays 10 am | Reception Room
Opportunity each week to look at a scripture reading and, using reflection, present an introduction/re-orientation to the Christian Faith.
Be Still and Journey
Led by Past Cornwell
Sundays 10 am | gather at 9:30 | Room 119
Currently reading “The Heart of Christianity” by Marcus Borg
GIFT class
Led by Joe Lukas
Sundays | 10 am | Room 211
Reading and discussion on Brian McLaren's Faith After Doubt.
Book Study with Pastor Jonathan
Tuesdays | 5 PM
Study of A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn
“Being Mortal, Medicine and What Matters in the End”
4:30 PM | Rudisill & Zoom
Mondays 9/11, 9/18, 9/2
Led by Ed Scherlacher
This study focuses on total wellness rather than only safety and survival when confronted with age or terminal illness complications.
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 September 10 – September 9, 2023
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links
10, 2023