Sunday Sept 1, 2024 - Order of worship at 11 am - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA US by redeemeratl

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 1, 2024

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.

PRELUDE

WELCOME

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Invocation

Rachel Laurin (1961-2023)

GATHERING

The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ’s resurrection.

Standing HYMN 557 Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun

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

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

Sheila Brock, cantor

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.

God our strength, without you we are weak and wayward creatures. Protect us from all dangers that attack us from the outside, and cleanse us from all evil that arises from within ourselves, that we may be preserved through your Son, 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 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9

Catherine Dressel, Lector

The Israelites believed the law was a divine gift that provided guidelines for living out the covenant. Moses commands the people to obey the law and to neither add to nor subtract from it. The Israelites are also to teach the law to their children and their children’s children.

So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you.

You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today?

But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children.

Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.

THE SECOND READING

James 1:17-27

The letter of James was intended to provide first-century Christians with instruction in godly behavior. Here Christians are encouraged to listen carefully and to act on what they hear, especially by caring for those least able to care for themselves.

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing.

If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God.

Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

THE HOLY GOSPEL

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Mark’s gospel depicts Jesus as challenging traditional ways in which religious people determine what is pure or impure. For Jesus, the observance of religious practices cannot become a substitute for godly words or deeds that spring from a faithful heart.

Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord.

Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around [Jesus], they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.

“For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ.

Seated SERMON

Standing HYMN 772

Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways

HOLY BAPTISM

We celebrate today with Emmanuel Anim-Danso and Christina McCoy as they bring their son, Fletcher Emmanuel McCoy Anim-Danso for the sacrament of Holy Baptism. His sponsors are Dan and Ally McCoy. 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.

Pastor Mark H. Larson

Kneeling or seated PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Each portion of the prayers concludes: Merciful God, | receive our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen

Drawn together in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray with confidence for the church, God’s good creation, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

God of every generation, give the church a sense of purpose and belonging. Sustain and build up leaders and lay people as we accompany one another in our life with Christ. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

God of creation, you named humans as co-creators with you. Where the earth cries out in pain, bring wholeness. Guide governments and industry, that environmental laws and practices seek to heal and not harm. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Sovereign God, we pray for local communities of every kind: rural and urban; established and new. Lead those in authority to seek the good of all through their words and actions and to mentor others in honest and generous ways. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Healing God, you draw near to all who are hurting. Be with all who desire relief from chronic and acute illness, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Strengthen health care workers, therapists, and caregivers. Tend to those who are close to our hearts, especially… Merciful God, receive our prayer.

On this Labor Day weekend we remember and give thanks for all who have fought for workers’ rights around the world. Continue to improve working conditions and establish fair wages so that all people may thrive. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Comforting God, console us as we mourn our departed, especially…

We hold fast to the promise that death has been defeated by our Savior Jesus Christ. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

We entrust these and all our prayers to you, holy God, in the name of your beloved child, 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.

THANKSGIVING

Seated GATHERING OF GIFTS

ANTHEM

The Best of Rooms

Donald Busarow The Redeemer Choir

Robert Herrick

Standing OFFERTORY HYMN

OFFERING PRAYER

Blessed are you, O God, source of every gift of your creation. By these gifts and with our lives, help us to serve one another and all in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. | 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 welcomes you to this table. Come, here is your God. 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

HYMN 818

O Master, Let Me Walk with You

Standing

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen

Let us pray. | Holy God, you have welcomed us to this meal and fed us with dignity at your table. Send us now to welcome others and to be at peace with one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

SENDING

God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

BLESSING

God all mighty, God most merciful ☩ bless you, keep you, and give you peace. | Amen.

HYMN 534

Savior, Again to Your Dear Name

SENDING

Go in peace. Follow Jesus. | Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE Allegro assai vivace from Sonata I Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

CHILDREN AND FAMILY

Sunday School Registration is Open!!

We can’t wait to learn and grow in faith with your family this year!! We kick things off with Sing and Play for all ages on September 8, and our first day in classrooms will be September 15. 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.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

“The Difficult Words of Jesus” – Meanings and Contexts

Led by Ed Scherlacher with Don Noland | Sundays 10 AM | Room 121 Inspired by Amy-Jill Levine’s book “The Difficult Words of Jesus,” this class will review sayings of Jesus that have been misinterpreted and used to marginalize “others” in history.

“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, Open to anyone interested – Beginning Sept. 8

Led by Pat Cornwell | Sundays 10 AM | Room 119

“Shaped by the Word, The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation” by M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. For those who hunger for a deeper relationship with God and often struggle with barriers that keep us from being able to meditate and listen to God.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Led by David Ott & Don Noland | Tuesdays | 7 AM | Reception Room and Zoom

Currently studying 1st & 2nd Samuel 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 | 4 PM | Reception room | Study on 1st and 2nd Kings

Pastor’s Class led by Pastor Mark

Wednesdays | 6 PM | In-person and online “Singing the Church’s History”

Every Sunday morning, we sing words that have a history. Yet many of our hymns are so familiar that we rarely notice where the words come from. As we sing together, we are singing church history, and, as a singing church, we have a history. This class will explore that story. Through singing and examining the words of our hymns, we will learn church history, right down to today, while enriching our hymn singing with glimpses into the lives and contexts of those who wrote them. Everyone is welcome, but bring your singing voice!

Thursday afternoon Bible Study

Thursdays | 3 – 4:00 PM | Reception room/ Zoom

Keystone September Events:

September 4th at 12PM: Monthly Keystone Worship & Fellowship (Redeemer)

September 12th at 1PM: Monthly Keystone Matinee – Brother Sun & Sister Moon

September 26th at 12PM: Monthly Keystone Lunch – La Petite Violette (2948 Clairmont Rd Atlanta, GA 30329)

Mark Your Calendar!

2nd Annual Block Party

Enjoy live Polka music, traditional foods, beer, dancing, and children’s games on Saturday, October 19th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at 4th & Peachtree Street VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Contact Don Noland, dfnoland@gmail.com or Don Cornwall

WOMEN’S RETREAT

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

All ladies are invited to join us at Lutheranch from Nov. 15-17 for a retreat focused on flourishing faith! The cost is $329 (single room) or $240 (double room) and partial scholarships are available. Please email Pr. Jennifer (jroberts@redeemer.org) or check out the Redeemer Newsletter to register. Also check out an intro to one of our sessions for the weekend below:

Flourishing Prayers (Philippians 4:6-7) – Prayer is an essential component of our faith life and yet it can often be an intimidating or neglected part of our lives due to schedule, circumstances, or life stage. In this session, we will explore various patterns of prayer that will be tools to engage

and explore prayer. We’ll also consider ways to carve out time, understand prayer in new ways, and flourish through the gift of prayer.

Calendar for September 1 – September 6, 2024

Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Event Time Location Worship

HS Faith Formation

Pr. Jonathan Class

Difficult Words of Jesus

Monday, September 2

9:00 AM (Jazz) 11:00 AM

Organ & Choir

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

In-person/ On-Line

Youth Lounge Conference Room Room 121

Church Office Closed - -

Tuesday, September 3

Morning Bible Study

Pr. Jonathan Book Study

Wednesday, September 4

Early Birds Bible Study

Wednesday Night Dinner

Cherubim Choir

Seraphim Choir

Pastors Class

Redeemer Ringers

Worship

Thursday, September 5

Bible Study

Tolkien Group

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

5:30 PM – 6:00 PM

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Rudisill Hall/Zoom Zoom

Reception/Zoom Sims Atrium Room 203 Room 204

Rudisill Hall/Zoom Room 202 Sanctuary

Reception Room/Zoom Zoom

Friday, September 6 - - -

Thursday, September 7

Dorothy Beasley Memorial 11:00 AM Sanctuary

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

Nate Humphrys ................................................................................... Youth Director, ext. 230

Larry Lowe........................................................................................................Security Officer

Stacey Williams .............................................................................................. Head of Security