Third Sunday after Pentecost – June 9, 2024
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 768
Refrain:
Lead me, guide me along the way; For if You lead me, I cannot stray; Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Lead Me, Guide Me
2 Help me tread in the paths of righteousness; Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress. I am putting all my trust in Thee, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
1 I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power
To help me over my weakest hour; Help me through the darkness Thy face to see, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
3 I am lost, if you take your hand from me; I am blind, without Thy Light to see; Lord, just always let me Thy servant be, Lead me, O Lord, lead me. [Refrain]
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the God of manna, the God of miracles, the God of mercy. | Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Kneeling or seated
God, our provider, help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen.
Beloved people of God: in Jesus, the manna from heaven, you are fed and nourished. By Jesus, the worker of miracles, there is always more than enough. Through Jesus, ☩ the bread of life, you are shown God’s mercy: you are forgiven and loved into abundant life. | Amen.
Standing PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you. | And also with you.
All-powerful God, in Jesus Christ you turned death into life and defeat into victory. Increase our faith and trust in him, that we may triumph over all evil in the strength of the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | Amen
Please use the Prayer Request link on the webpage to submit your requests.
Seated CHILDREN’S SERMON
Standing THE HOLY GOSPEL
Mark 3:20-35
In response to charges that he is possessed, Jesus wonders aloud how anyone who is demonpossessed can cast out demons. Those who do the will of God are possessed by the Holy Spirit, siblings of Christ.
Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus went home;] and the crowd came together again, so that [Jesus and the disciples] could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.” And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.
“Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” for they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”
After the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.
Seated SERMON Pastor Mark H. Larson
Standing HYMN 665
Rise, Shine, You People
WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS TO THE CONGREGATION
Dear friends, we give thanks for the gift of baptism and for these people, one with us in the body of Christ, whom we welcome as new members into the life and ministry of this congregation.
In baptism, we are welcomed into the body of Christ and sent to share in the mission of God. We are called to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.
Siblings in Christ, do you intend to continue in the covenant of your baptism among God’s people in this place?
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.
People of God, do you promise to support and pray for these new members in their life in Christ? We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
Let us welcome our siblings in Christ to this community of faith.
Text and music © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg FortressWe rejoice with you in the life of baptism. Together we will give thanks and praise to God and proclaim the good news to all the world.
Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, for our new members, whom you have drawn to ourself by the love of Jesus Christ and whom we have welcomed into this household of faith. Keep us close together in your Spirit, in the breaking of bread and the prayers, and in service to others. May we together grow faithfully and serve boldly. | 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
We come before the triune God to pray for our communities, ourselves, and our world.
You reawaken our hearts to your mercy. We give you thanks for renewers of the church in every age (especially Columba, Aiden, and Bede whom we commemorate today). Enliven the creativity and persistence of all seeking to transform the church into a closer vision of your beloved community. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Your presence is revealed in the shade of trees, the growth of seeds into flowers, and in the blessing of plants granting food in their right season. Heal lands scarred by deforestation, pollution, or infestation. Teach us to cultivate the earth with respect and reverence. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Our nations and communities are divided, O God. Teach us again to listen with curiosity and mercy, even in disagreement. Grant us the humility to acknowledge our hardness of heart and make us bold in modeling cooperation and compromise for the sake of the common good. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Hear the prayers of all who cry out to you from the depths of fear, despair, or hopelessness, especially... With haste, rescue victims of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse, and bless organizations and individuals who work on their behalf, especially Redeeming Grace and Wellspring Living. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Grant wisdom and clarity to all who are in seasons of discernment and transition: high school graduates preparing for first jobs or new educational journeys, those who are shifting careers, and those who are navigating changes in their relationships. Accompany them with your peace. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Praise to you for our ancestors in faith who believed, spoke, and lived in you, especially Sherry McHugh and Marcia Davis. Give us confidence that as Jesus was raised, so we too will be raised, with all the saints, into your everlasting presence. Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Receive our prayers, O God, and come quickly to our aid, through the power of the Spirit and the love of 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
Jesus, Bread of life, you have set this table with your very self, and called us to the feast of plenty. Gather what has been sown among us, and strengthen us in this meal. Make us to be what we receive here, your body for the life of the world. | 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
Christ has set the table with more than enough for all. Come! 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. | Jesus, Bread of life, we have received from your table more than we could ever ask. As you have nourished us in this meal, now strengthen us to love the world with your own life. In your name we pray. Amen
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, ☩ be upon you now and forever. | Amen.
HYMN 860
I’m So Glad, Jesus Lifted Me
SENDING
Go in peace. You are the body of Christ. | Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE by Redeemer Jazz Trio
LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for June 2: In person: 187, online 142 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
We are excited to welcome new members to Redeemer today at both the 9 AM and 11 AM services!
If you are interested in learning more about membership at Redeemer or have any questions, please email Pr. Jennifer (jroberts@redeemer.org). A new cohort will begin in the fall!
The search team for the new Director of Youth Ministries would like to invite all middle school and high school parents and students to a brainstorming session today at 10 AM in the Reception Room (youth) and Rudisill Hall (parents). We will gather to dream about what Youth Ministry could be here at Redeemer. There will be separate sessions for youth and parents. If you cannot join in person, please join by Zoom: Link
We had an AMAZING week at Camp Firelight VBS learning about how we can trust God no matter where we go and what challenges we face! A HUGE thank you to all our volunteers and staff who stepped up to make this a successful event from planning to decorations to teaching to leading small groups of kids to preparing our facilities to helping with administrative tasks to donating items on our Amazon list! It would fill the whole bulletin to thank everyone for the mountain of tasks involved in creating a fun, safe, and faith-filled experience like this for our kids. And ANOTHER HUGE thank you to the kids who contributed their questions, energy, voices, compassion, friendship, and so much more to this faith community, not to mention the
parents who brought the kids! We are already counting down to next year... VBS 2025 is June 26!!!
YOUTH
THANK YOU for supporting our youth and our Fundraiser! With our Kringles and Offering Envelope Fundraisers, we have raised over $7,000 towards our trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering that will be held in New Orleans and are about $2,500 short of our goal. If you would like to still donate, you can do so via this link: https://form.jotform.com/240633324188152 You can also send in a check or cash. Thanks again for supporting our youth!
MUSIC AND ARTS CAMP PERFORMANCE
Everyone is invited to the grand finale of Redeemer’s Music and Arts camp on Friday, June 14 at 4:00 pm in Sims Atrium. The campers will share what they’ve learned during their week including the presentation of the circus-themed musical “Step Right Up.” All are welcome! Follow the camp on Facebook at facebook.com/RedeemerMusicCamp/
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Consider the Birds | through June 30
Led by Ed Scherlacher | Sundays | 10 am | Room 121
“Consider the Birds” is an inspirational study of the meaning and symbolism of birds found in the scriptures and ancient world.
“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.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
Led by David Ott & Don Noland | Tuesdays | 7 AM | Reception Room and Zoom
Currently studying Luke, to be followed by Acts of the Apostles. Everyone is welcome either 1/ in person in the Reception Room with a full breakfast serving from 7 am, or 2/ via ZOOM link found on the Redeemer website each Tuesday. Our study and discussion is from 7:30 - 8:30 am. Please join us any Tuesday morning!
Book Study with Pastor Jonathan
Tuesdays | 5 PM
Join Pr Jonathan on Zoom as the group discusses 'The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory' by Tim Alberta. Alberta is a practicing Christian and the son of an evangelical pastor, paints an expansive and profoundly troubling portrait of the American evangelical movement. Through the eyes of televangelists and small-town preachers, celebrity revivalists and everyday churchgoers, Alberta tells the story of a faith cheapened by ephemeral fear, a promise corrupted by partisan subterfuge, and a reputation stained by perpetual scandal. Reading is always encouraged but not required, your presence is enough!
Early Bird Bible Study led by David Ott
Wednesdays | 2 PM | Room 211 | Study on 1st and 2nd Kings
Thursday afternoon Bible Study
Thursdays | 3 – 4:00 PM | Room 211/ Zoom
KEYSTONE
Monthly Movie Matinee: June 13th at 12PM in Rudisill Hall at Redeemer
Join us for a delightful time of singing along with the Sound of Music and some delicious sandwiches and refreshments! All are welcome!
Monthly Lunch Bunch: June 27th at 12 PM at Maggianos near Perimeter Mall
YOUNG ADULTS
June 23rd at 4 PM all young adults are invited to join us at Bold Monk Beer Garden for a time of fun and fellowship!
Midtown Lutheran Preschool Open Enrollment – Spread the Word!
We are excited to announce that our preschool is currently enrolling’s for the Fall semester and space is still available for the current Spring semester. If you know any families looking for a half-day preschool program that runs from 9AM to 1PM Monday through Friday, please encourage them to consider MTLPS Church Preschool. Visit our website www.mtlps.org for more information, including details about our curriculum, faculty, and enrollment process.
Calendar for June 9 – June 15, 2024
Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, June 9, 2024
Event Time
Worship
Pr. Jonathan Class
Consider the Birds Listening Session for New Youth Director
Monday, June 10
9:00 AM (Jazz) 11:00 AM Organ & Choir
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Music & Arts Camp Week
Location
In-person/ On-Line
Conference Room Room 121 Rudisill Hall and Reception
Quilters 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Fireside Room
Tuesday, June 11
Morning Bible Study
Pr. Jonathan Book Study
Executive Committee
Wednesday, June 12
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Rudisill Hall/Zoom Zoom Zoom
Early Birds Bible Study *2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Room 211/Zoom Thursday, June 13
Movie Matinee
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Rudisill
Bible Study Tolkien Group 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Room 211/Zoom Zoom
Friday, June 14 - - -
Saturday, June 15
Hope Through Soap 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 4th street lot
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. Jennifer Roberts Interim Pastor for Congregational Care, ext. 224
STAFF
Seth Brown Facilities and Media Director, ext. 218
Brandon Davis Director of Operations and Finance, ext. 232
Robin Durdin Office Administration Director, ext. 204
David Hansen Adult Choral Director, ext. 236
Sarah Hawbecker .......................................... Organist & Children’s Music Director, ext. 206
Deacon Mary Houck .....................................Children & Family Ministries Director, ext. 227
Kisha Johnson .................................................................. Interim Preschool Director, ext. 252
Larry Lowe ........................................................................................................Security Officer
Hillary Nelson ............................................................ Youth Director, hnelson@redeemer.org
Chase Petersen ......................................................... Organ Scholar, cpetersen@redeemer.org
Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security