Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 24, 2023 The Order of Worship at 10:00 am PRELUDE
Two settings of Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Mary Beth Bennett and Johannes Brahms
WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS GATHERING The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection. Standing HYMN 242
Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
CONFESSION 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. 1
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. BLESSING AND LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Advent prayer Praise to you, O God, who lives with us, sharing our flesh and bones. As Mary waited and Joseph dreamed, so we wait and dream for you. Four candles are lit. Bless us and let your face shine upon us, more radiant than these candles, and more dear than all else we seek. Restore us when we fail to refuse the evil and choose the good, and banish all our fears. We pray in the name of Emmanuel, your promised child and our Savior. O people called, gathered and enlightened, Let us follow in the ways of wisdom and compassion. Amen. Sung O come, O Wisdom from on high, embracing all things far and nigh: in strength and beauty come and stay; teach us your will and guide our way. Refrain 2
PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you. WORD God speaks to us in scriptures read, sung and preached.
Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON
THE FIRST READING 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Cliff Burt, lector Instead of David building a house (temple) for God, God promises to establish David’s house (dynasty) forever. Centuries later, after the Babylonian exile, no king sat on the throne. Even then, however, the people of Israel remembered this promise and continued to hope for a king, the messiah, God’s anointed. Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. THE SECOND READING Romans 16:25-27 Paul closes his letter to the Romans by praising God because, in the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, God has revealed the promised, divine plan of salvation for all humanity. Paul proclaims this gospel of Christ in order to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations. Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
THE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 1:26-38 In this annunciation, Luke makes clear that God comes with good news for ordinary people from little known places. This king will not be born to royalty in a palace, but to common folk in a stall. Here Luke highlights the role of the Spirit, a special emphasis in this gospel. Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated SERMON 3
Pastor Jenny McLellan
Standing HYMN 265
The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each portion of the prayers concludes: Merciful God, | receive 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. THANKSGIVING
Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS Please use the Help and Redeemer.org/give links to support the ministry of Redeemer. ANTHEM
Maria Walks Amid the Thorn The Redeemer Choir
German folk carol Arranged by David Herman
Maria walks amid the thorn, Kyrie eleison, | Maria walks amid the thorn, | which seven years no leaf has born, | Jesus and Maria. What ‘neath her heart doth Mary bear, Kyrie eleison, | A little child doth Mary bear, | beneath her heart he nestles there, | Jesus and Maria. And as the two were passing near, Kyrie eleison, | Lo, roses on the thorn appear, | Lo, roses on the thorn appear, | Jesus and Maria. Lo, how a rose e’er blooming from tender stem hath sprung! | Of Jesse’s lineage coming as seers of old have sung. | It came a flow’r so bright, amid the cold of winter, | When half-spent was the night. Standing OFFERTORY HYMN 4
Translated by Henry S. Drinker
OFFERING PRAYER 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, …unending hymn:
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. 5
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. 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 Seated All who seek to meet the Risen Christ in the bread and wine are invited to receive Holy Communion
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HYMN 295 HYMN
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Of the Father’s Love Begotten No Wind at the Window
Standing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen Let us pray. | Faithful God, in this meal you have remembered your mercy, bringing heaven to earth in the body and blood of Christ. As we wait for the day when all your promises will be fulfilled, sustain us and strengthen us by this holy mystery. Guide us toward your promised future, coming to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen
BLESSING HYMN 263
SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. Savior of the Nations, Come
SENDING Go in peace. Keep awake. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Angel Tree for the Girls of Wellspring Living Update! Thank you, Redeemer members and friends! Due to your great generosity, you have donated $2,010 in gift cards for the girls of Wellspring Living – children (ages 12 – 17)!! 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. Thank you for bringing comfort and joy to the girls! Questions? Contact Amy Carpenter. 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. YOUTH High School and Beyond Parents will be meeting on Sunday, January 7 for their monthly gathering. Middle School Parents will meet on Sunday, December 17 (if needed) and then again on Sunday, January 21.
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Our Middle School and High School Youth will be heading to Sky Zone Atlanta on Sunday, January 7. We can get lunch before and head to jump at 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM. Estimated cost: $25 (does not include food or socks). Let Hillary know if your youth(s) can attend. CHILDREN & FAMILY Coming up in Sunday School 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! ADULT FAITH FORMATION “We Make the Road by Walking” by Brian McLaren will return January 7, 2024 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 will return January 2, 2024 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 seventyfive 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 will return January 3, 2024 Wednesdays | 4 PM | Reception | Book of Leviticus Pastor’s Class led by Pastor Mark – will return January 3, 2024 Wednesdays | 6 PM | Rudisill Hall & Zoom Thursday afternoon Bible Study will return January 11, 2024 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. Friday, January 19, 7:30 PM ORGAN ANNIVERSARY CONCERT The Redeemer Concert series presents Nicole Keller in a free concert as we celebrate Redeemer’s 73-rank Létourneau pipe organ. Ms. Keller is in demand as a concert artist, adjudicator, and clinician. She has concertized in the States and abroad in venues such as St. Patrick Cathedral, New York; Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Paris; Dom St. Stephan, Passau; St. Patrick Cathedral, Armagh, Northern Ireland; and The Kazakh National University for the Arts, Astana, Kazakhstan. She is on faculty of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan and is also Visiting Instructor of Organ at the Interlochen Arts Academy. The Friends of Music will host a reception in Sims Atrium following the concert. 9
CHRISTMAS EVE SCHEDULE 1:00 pm German Church Atlanta Service Traditional worship in the German language with Holy Communion. 3:00 pm Family and Children’s Service A Christmas message with lessons and carols for children with Holy Communion. *6:00 pm Jazz Service Worship begins with the prelude featuring the Redeemer Jazz Trio with Holy Communion. *8:00 and *11:00 pm Christmas Services The celebration begins with a musical prelude of instrumental and choir music. Services include traditional carols with Holy Communion. *Prelude begins 30 minutes prior to service. The week following Christmas the Church Office will be closed Monday and Tuesday with Holiday hours of 10 am – 12 noon beginning Wednesday through Friday. Sunday, December 31, 2023 we will have one service at 10 am led by the Jazz Trio.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 731 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 www.redeemer.org | 404.874.8664 | Emergency Line: 404.874.9759 The Rev. Mark H. Larson ...................................................................... Senior Pastor, ext. 201 The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Trapp .......................................... Pastor for Faith Formation, ext. 233 The Rev. Jenny McLellan......................................... Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224
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