Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – October 8, 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.
The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection.
Text © 1955, ren. 1983 The Hymn Society, admin. Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. www.onelicense.net #A725004
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
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.
Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them, through 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
Gayle Morgan, lector
Isaiah 5:1-7
The prophet sings a sad, parable-like love song about the relationship between God and Israel. In this song Israel is compared to a promising vineyard. Despite God’s loving care, the vineyard that is Israel has brought forth “wild grapes” of injustice and distress, when fine grapes of justice and righteousness were expected.
Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.
And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard.
What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?
And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!
Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
THE SECOND READING Philippians 3:4b-14
Paul reviews some of his supposed credentials, which no longer have any bearing in comparison to the right relationship he has been given through the death of Christ. The power of Christ’s resurrection motivates him to press on toward the ultimate goal, eternal life with Christ.
[Paul writes:] If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.
Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 21:33-46
Jesus tells a parable to the religious leaders who are plotting his death, revealing that their plans will, ironically, bring about the fulfillment of scripture.
Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the people:] “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.’ So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.”
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.”
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.
After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.
Seated
SERMON Pastor Mark H. Larson
Standing
HYMN 727 Lord Christ, When First You Came to Earth
Standing HOLY BAPTISM
We celebrate today with Casey Y and Casey P Jordan as they bring their son, Murphy Mark Jordan for the sacrament of Holy Baptism. His sponsors are Jordan and Cameron Kennelly. We pray that God will bless this family and strengthen them in a life of faith.
For those joining on Livestream click here for the bulletin, for those in person turn to Page 227 in the ELW hymnal.
The congregation sings Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ our king: born of the Spirit, we are God's children; joyfully now God's praise we sing.
Text: Michael Saward, b. 1932 Text © 1982 Jubilate Hymns, admin.
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Each portion of the prayers concludes: God of grace, | hear our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen
Trusting in the transformative power of God’s loving Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.
God of all creation, you plant and nourish the earth as your own precious vineyard. Bless fields and orchards and the hands of those who labor in them, that your people are fed with an abundant harvest of good fruit. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of all the earth, you desire peace and justice between nations and peoples. Guide leaders of nations, states, provinces, and cities, that they faithfully govern your people with wisdom, integrity, and compassion. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of all compassion, in Christ, you lovingly poured yourself out like wine for your people. Have mercy on all who mourn, who struggle with their mental health, who cry out for justice, who hunger, and all in any need (especially). God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of all steadfastness, build up this congregation as living stones, that it stands in the community as a witness to your enduring faithfulness and loving generosity. We give you thanks for those who have taught us to be grateful (especially). God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of all hope, we give you thanks for the faithful witness of the saints, and we wait with hope for the great day when we join their voices in praise. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, into your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your unending love and abundant grace; through 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 MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS
ANTHEM Christ Be with Me Aaron David Miller The Redeemer Choir
Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
St. Patrick (Fifth Century)
Standing OFFERTORY HYMN
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.
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:
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 welcome to the feast. 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
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
The God of glory, ☩ Jesus Christ, name above all names, and the Spirit who lives in you, bless you now and forever. | Amen.
HYMN 845
Voices Raised to You
Text and music © 1983 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for 10/1: In person: 199, Livestream 156 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
The Council Nominating Committee would like to thank those of you who submitted names for consideration and to those of you who expressed an interest in serving Redeemer. This year’s Council nominees are: Pat Cornwell, Jeff Elkins, Terry Longstreth, Whitney Ludvigsen, Joel May, Karin Mayo, John Pearson, David Pendered, Janet Preston, and Anne Ridenhour. Ballots will be sent via Simply Voting on October 22 (due November 12 by 12:30 PM) and hardcopies (due November 10 by 5:00 PM). Contact Robin Durdin, rdurdin@redeemer.org or 404.874.8664 x204 if you need assistance.
COMMUNITY
As part of our Let the Vineyards be Fruitful campaign this fall, we are organizing a series of small group gatherings during September and October. We have so many new and returning members, we want to take some time to reconnect and strengthen our community as we continue to rebuild after COVID. The goal is simply to get together, get to know some new folks, and share our stories and dreams for Redeemer. Some of these gatherings will be over a meal, others in a restaurant or even in a park. Each gathering should last about 90 minutes. Sign-up sheets are available in the Sims Atrium for those gatherings that have been scheduled (more are coming). You may also use the QR code to sign up. Help us plant the seeds for a great harvest this fall!
Animal Blessing
Join us on Saturday, October 14th at 11:00 am on the Redeemer Green for a blessing of the animals service. We will take photos of you and your pet(s) that you will receive afterward, provide a certificate of blessing, and have light refreshments. Please bring all pets in carriers or on leashes, and only bring pets that can tolerate an environment with other animals close by. Park in the 4th street lot, directly next to Redeemer Green.
Monster Mash Candy Drive
We are gearing up for Halloween fun again this year! You can help us provide this safe and fun Halloween event for children and their families by donating candy and party favors from now to October 23rd. Please choose only from the Amazon list at this link, which will be shipped directly to the church. See Deacon Mary with questions.
October 15th Atlanta’s Gay Pride Parade on Peachtree in front of Redeemer noon-4 pm
October 22nd and November 12th Atlanta’s Streets Alive on Peachtree in front of Redeemer 15pm
December 10th Bethlehem Village and Live Nativity (BVLN) on The Redeemer Greens Please come and join us as a volunteer or supporter. Please email Pastor Bonner if you want to volunteer for the Gay Pride Parade. Please email Sally Rosser for Streets Alive or Don Noland for the BVLN event.
YOUTH
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. Please fill out this interest form. Please email Hillary to get signed up.
Our Middle School Parents will be meeting on Sunday, October 15 from 10:00 AM-10:45 AM in the Library. Please contact Karen Cramer with any questions.
YOUNG ADULTS
Young Adult Retreat
November 17-18, the Redeemer Young Adults will gather at the Holy Trinity House at Lutheranch for fun, fellowship, and to explore faith together. We'll prepare simple meals together, enjoy the beautiful grounds at Lutheranch, and have opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. The retreat will be begin Friday evening and end Saturday afternoon, so you will still have half your weekend free. More details to come, but you can register any time.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY
Family Worship Day
There will be no Sunday School today, October 8 due to the holiday weekend. We look forward to seeing everyone for Sing and Play next Sunday, October 15, in the Fireside room!
Monster Mash and Pipe Screams
Mark your calendar for Friday, October 28 from 5:45-8 pm for some Halloween fun! We will start with carnival games outside (weather permitting), head into Sims atrium for dinner, then the sanctuary for the Pipe Screams concert. After the concert, we will go back outside for music, popcorn, party games and of course, CANDY! Costumes are encouraged for all ages but not required. Dinner is free, though donations are optional. RSVP is not required. Bring a friend!
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