Second Sunday of Advent – December 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.
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS Standing HYMN 264
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Prepare the Royal Highway
Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who opens the heavens and draws near to us with salvation. | Amen. God is patient and merciful, desiring all to come to repentance. Trusting this promise of grace, let us confess our sin. Kneeling or seated Everlasting God, you love justice and you hate wrongdoing. We confess the fear, greed, and self-centeredness that make us reluctant to work against oppression. We are complicit in systems of exploitation. We choose comfort over courage. We are careless with creation’s bounty. Look upon us with mercy. Turn our hearts again to you. Make us glad to do your will and to walk in your ways for the sake of our waiting world. Amen.
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Hear these words of assurance: God clothes you with garments of salvation and covers you with robes of righteousness. In the tender compassion of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. God’s covenant is eternal, and God’s blessing rests upon us all. | Amen. Standing
Advent prayer Praise to you, O God, our salvation who is near. You hold us in our waiting and keep us awake to the world. You show up in our lives at unexpected times. Two candles are lit. Bless us as we light this candle to keep vigil for your arrival. We trust that even though we do not know the day or the hour, you hurry to gather all people to your peace. O people of hope come, Let us keep awake for the Lord is near. Amen Sung O come, O Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. 3
PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless until the coming of your new day, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | Amen Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON Standing THE HOLY GOSPEL Mark 1:1-8 The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a story of Jesus’ birth but with the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord. Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated SERMON Standing HYMN 266
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Pastor Mark H. Larson All Earth is Hopeful
Spanish text and tune © 1993 and tr. © 1995 Centro de Pastoral Litúrgica, admin. OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. Onelicense.net #A725004
Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each portion of the prayers concludes: Merciful God, | receive our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen
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With hope and expectation, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all who await God’s day of restoration. A brief silence. Send forth your faithful people with words of promise and forgiveness. Teach your church to be bold in revealing your good news in word and in deed. Merciful God, receive our prayer. Reveal your majesty in mountain peaks, flowing rivers, and blossoming wilderness roads. Heal the earth where it longs for renewal, especially areas experiencing
flooding in the pacific Northwest. Bring wholeness to the earth and all its creatures. Merciful God, receive our prayer. Turn the hearts of the nations toward righteousness and peace. Increase cooperation for justice between countries, commonwealths, political parties, and diplomatic leaders. In times of prosperity, direct leaders to be generous for the sake of all. Merciful God, receive our prayer. Comfort your people with tender words of love and healing. Surround all who are grieving, who know depression or anxiety, who feel lonely or forgotten, or for whom the holidays are less than joyful . Be a steadfast presence when all else feels uncertain. Merciful God, receive our prayer. Grant holy patience to all who are waiting this season. Give hope to those seeking employment. Bring reassurance to people awaiting new diagnoses or treatments. Protect expectant parents, including the Gray family. Watch with those who keep bedside vigil and who wait for healing or wholeness this season, especially… Merciful God, receive our prayer. With you a thousand years is like a day. Bless the memory of the saints from ages past and the anticipation of saints yet to be born. Inspire us to live with faith as we await your new heaven and new earth. Merciful God, receive our prayer. Listen to these and all our prayers, O God of hosts, and restore us with your great and everlasting mercy. 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 6
Standing OFFERING PRAYER God our provider, by your merciful hand abundance springs up from the earth. Receive and bless these gifts of your own bounty. Let them be a sign of your steadfast love and faithfulness for all people, through 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. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER We praise you, living and loving God, that you have sent your Son to this world. Christ is your Wisdom, sweetly ordering all creation, our Lawgiver, burning with justice, the Branch from Jesse’s tree, sprouting flowers from old roots, the Key of David, opening our prison doors. And let the people cry, O come and save us: O come and save us. We praise you, serving and saving God, that you send your Son also to this table, who on the night before he died 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. And let the people cry, O come and save us: O come and save us. We beg you, mighty and merciful God: send us the Spirit of your Son. Dwell in this food and in all who share it, that the earth may rejoice in your presence. In Christ, the dawn from on high, enlighten your people, reign as Sovereign to unite all, and live among us, Emmanuel, our deepest desire now and forever.
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And let the people cry, O come and save us: O come and save us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus, with your Father and your Spirit, to the church, and receive our praises, 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 In this meal, righteousness and peace meet together. Come, take your place at the table. 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. | Generous God, in bread and cup you have revealed your glory for all people to see together. Nourished by this meal, send us out to proclaim your good news of liberation and release, brought to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. BLESSING The God of peace bless you, the love of Christ sustain you in hope, and the anointing of the Spirit ☩ remain upon you now and forever. | Amen. HYMN 239
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Hark, the Glad Sound
Seated CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SENDING Go in peace. Keep awake. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for 12/3 In person:196, Livestream 993, Facebook 57 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Third Sunday of Advent It’s time to pre-order poinsettias in honor/memory of family or friends to visually enhance our Christmas worship. In addition, professional brass quartet and timpani will be here at 8:00 and 11 pm on Christmas Eve, so you are also encouraged to make donations to the special musician’s fund which will also be listed in the Christmas Eve bulletin in honor/memory of family or friends along with the flowers.
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To order online click HERE or you can use an envelope that is available in the pew racks. Please drop envelopes at the Welcome desk in the Sims atrium. All donations are due by Friday, December 15. Official Notice of CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: Today following 9:00 am and 11:00 am worship services. The purpose of the meeting is the approval of the 2024 Proposed Budget and approval of recommended changes to the ELCR Constitution. Recommended Constitutional Changes. The Congregational Council, at the recommendation of the Constitution and CR Committee has passed a resolution to propose changes to the ELCR Constitution. These changes include new language and clarifications to ensure Redeemer’s constitutional language is consistent with changes passed by the ELCA in 2022 to the “model” constitution for ELCA congregations. In addition, the Congregation Council is recommending changes to clarify the comprehensiveness of the annual budget. The full recommended changes can be seen in this document. If the congregation by majority vote passes the recommended changes, then a vote to ratify the changes will take place at the Annual Congregation meeting in March 2024. COMMUNITY Angel Tree for the Girls of Wellspring Living Sims Atrium - Today is the final day! Thank you, Redeemer members and friends! As of last Sunday, you have donated $920 in gift cards for the girls of Wellspring Living – children (ages 12 – 17) who have been sexually trafficked and who are on a path a of restoration. These gift cards will be used for the girls’ school and craft supplies, meals, clothing, special outings, or for stocking the boutique where the girls can “shop” for special items as rewards for scholastic achievement. Questions? Contact Amy Carpenter. Goshen Valley Gift Drive – Today is the final day! Help us create a Merry Christmas for the girls and boys living under Goshen Valley’s care.You can donate items two ways: • donate gifts using the Amazon list, which will ship items directly to Goshen Valley • donate household items using tags on the giving tree in Sims Atrium and bring the items to church with you. This drive is hosted by the Children and Family Ministries Team. Speak to Dn. Mary with questions. Inspiritus Angel Tree The weather is turning cold and purchasing a coat for every person in a family is a large expense. We are trying to gather coats for every client who has arrived this year. If you are able to donate even one coat, it would make a huge impact on a family of 9 or 11 who are looking at needing hundreds of dollars in warm clothing. Tags with names, gender, 10
age and size can be found on our Hope Tree. If you prefer to make a monetary donation to the Hope Tree Christmas fund, we will use the funds to purchase the winter coats needed. MAC Coat Drive Sims Atrium through Dec. 31 Donate your gently used Men’s, Women’s, and Children's outwear. Please help keep others warm this winter. The weather is turning cold with some nights in the low 40s already. Please keep those in mind that might not have the clothing they need to keep warm. Journey to Bethlehem As we prepare our hearts and minds for the recognition of Christ Jesus and his birth this Advent season, we encourage all of you to join the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA in a 25-mile journey to Bethlehem. Scan the qr code for more information and to sign-up. YOUTH Our Kringles are ready for pick-up beginning, today until Sunday, December 17. Thanks for supporting our youth to attend the ELCA Youth Gathering 2024 that will be held in New Orleans. Link to support: https://form.jotform.com/232924365927061. CHILDREN & FAMILY Family Christmas Eve Service At 3:00 pm on Christmas Eve we will hold our annual Family Christmas Eve service! We love to have our kids help out and lead this special service for their friends, families, and our visitors. Please fill out this short form to express interest if you would like to help. You can also scan the QR code. Deacon Mary will then work with you to find the right role for your child (you can also work as a team if your child needs help with the role). Coming up in Sunday School • Sunday, December 10 there will be no Sunday School due to the Live Nativity. We encourage families to attend the 11:00 service, eat lunch (provided at Redeemer) and participate in the Live Nativity starting at 1pm. • Sunday, December 17 we will have Sing and Play in collaboration with Rejoicing Spirits in Rudisill Hall. There will be a craft and lots of your favorite Christmas songs! • December 24 and 31, there is no Sunday School due to the holidays. Have a Happy New Year, and we can’t wait to see you again for Sing and Play on January 7! 11
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. Book Study with Pastor Jonathan Tuesdays | 5 PM Join Pr Jonathan as the class begins a new book on December12th, 'Jesus and John Wayne' by Kristin Kobes Du Mez. Dr Du Mez's book is a sweeping, revisionist history of the last seventy-five years of white evangelicalism, revealing how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism. While reading is encouraged, it is not required! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pr Jonathan at jtrapp@redeemer.org. 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 Reading the Gospel of John Through Palestinian Eyes Christians from diverse cultural, religious, and political contexts have been studying the Gospel of John for almost two thousand years. Rev Yohanna Katanacho invites us to encounter the text anew, this time from the perspective of a twenty-first century Palestinian Christian. Challenging the claim that Christ belongs to a particular denomination, nation, or race, Katanacho presents the Gospel of John as introducing a new world order defined not by race or nationality, but by suffering and love. Thursday afternoon 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. Sweet treats and coffee will be provided. Bibles will be available, or you can bring your own preferred Bible. Special Adult forum Today Guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon "Crisis in the Middle East" | 10 am | Rudisill Hall Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon will share about the work of Churches for Middle East Peace. 12
TODAY December 10th Bethlehem Village and Live Nativity (BVLN) on The Redeemer Green Please come and join us at this outreach gift to Atlanta TODAY (rain date Dec 17th). Questions anytime: contact Don Noland (dfnoland@gmail.com), Janet Preston (janethaury@gmail.com), or Terry Longstreth (terrylongstreth@mindspring.com) Sunday, December 10, 11:00 am Advent Lessons and Carols This seasonal service of scriptures and carols will be presented by Redeemer’s children and adult choirs. The lessons and music will reinforce the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. The service will not have a sermon, but will include scripture, music, and communion. KEYSTONE MINISTRY Keystone Movie Matinee, 12:30 pm-3:00 pm - Thursday, Dec. 14 in Rudisill Hall A Charlie Brown Christmas @ 12:30PM and The Bishop’s Wife @ 1PM. Popcorn and Snacks will be served!
Calendar for December 10 – December 16, 2023 Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, December 10, 2023 Event Time Location Worship 9:00 AM (Jazz) 11:00 AM In-person/ Livestream Organ & Choir J.O.Y. Choir 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Room 211 Confirmation Lrg Group 9:45 AM – 10:15 AM Fireside HS Faith Formation 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM Youth Lounge Pr. Jonathan Class 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Conference Room God’s Voice in Music 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Room 121 Confirmation Small Groups 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM Various Rooms St. Lucia Celebration 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Sanctuary Monday, December 11 Carillon Ringers 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Hinely Music Hall Tuesday, December 12 Morning Bible Study 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Rudisill Hall/Zoom Pr. Jonathan Book Study 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom 13
Executive Committee Wednesday, December 13 Early Birds Bible Study Wednesday Night Dinner Pastor’s Study Seraphim Choir Worship Redeemer Ringers Redeemer Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December 14 Thursday Bible Study Tolkien Group Friday, December 15 Saturday, December 16 Hope through Soap
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6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Zoom
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Zoom Sims Atrium Rudisill Hall Room 204 Sanctuary Room 202 Hinely Music Hall
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Rudisill/Zoom Zoom
10:00 AM – 1:000 PM
4th Street Lot