Second Sunday of Christmas – January 5, 2025 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
Vom himmel hoch da komm ich her (From Heaven Above to Earth I Come)
Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
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 300
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The First Noel
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. 2
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. 3
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
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PRAYER OF THE DAY The Lord be with you. | And also with you. Almighty God, you have filled all the earth with the light of your incarnate Word. By your grace empower us to reflect your light in all that we do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. | 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 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Charissa Schultz, Lector God promises to bring Israel back to its land from the most remote parts of exile. In Zion Israel will rejoice over God’s gift of food and livestock. Young women will express their joy in dancing; God will give gladness instead of sorrow. 5
Thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, “He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock.” For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. 6
THE SECOND READING Ephesians 1:3-14 In Jesus, all of God’s plans and purposes have been made know as heaven and earth are united in Christ. Through Jesus, we have been chosen as God’s children and have been promised eternal salvation. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. Word of God, word of life. | Thanks be to God. Standing GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
THE HOLY GOSPEL 7
John 1:[1-9] 10-18
John begins his gospel with this prologue: a hymn to the Word through whom all things were created. This Word became flesh and brought grace and truth to the world. Before the reading: The Holy Gospel according... | Glory to you, O Lord. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.] He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. The Gospel of the Lord. | Praise to You, O Christ. Seated SERMON Pastor Mark H. Larson Standing HYMN 295
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Of the Father’s Love Begotten
APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
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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: God of grace, | receive our prayer. At the conclusion of the prayers: Amen Filled with good news of great joy, let us offer our prayers for the church, the earth, and all people. A brief silence. O God, you reveal yourself in this assembly. In water, wine, and bread, show us again and again your grace upon grace, that your church boldly testifies to your love. God of grace, receive our prayer. You reveal yourself in creation. In seedlings and planets, microorganisms and galaxies, awaken us to the cry of the earth. As you nourish your people like a watered garden, empower us to nourish our creaturely companions. God of grace, receive our prayer. You reveal yourself in every land and in the farthest parts of the earth. Deliver peoples who suffer under oppressive regimes. Thwart the foolish plans of unjust leaders. Give wisdom to our elected officials. God of grace, receive our prayer. You reveal yourself in every human being. Help us recognize your image in our siblings in Christ who are in the strong grip of addiction, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, or other illness. Grant us compassion in our care for your people. God of grace, receive our prayer. You reveal yourself anew every day. In this new year, renew this congregation and its ministries in our witness to the good news of the incarnation. Transform the way we have always done things into your new future for us. God of grace, receive our prayer. You reveal yourself in the lives of your holy ones. We give you thanks for those who set their hope on you, trusting the inheritance we receive in you. God of grace, 10
receive our prayer. We commend these prayers to you, O God, trusting your grace made known to all, through the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 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
All Poor Men and Humble Welsh Carol “O Deued Pob Cristion” Arranged by Caradog Roberts
All poor men and humble, | All lame men who stumble, | Come haste ye, nor feel ye afraid; | For Jesus our treasure, | With love past all measure, | In lowly poor manger was laid. Though wise men who found him | Laid rich gifts around him, | Yet oxen they gave him their hay; | And Jesus in beauty | Accepted their duty; | Contented in manger he lay. Then haste we to show him | The praises we owe him; | Our service he ne'er can despise: | Whose love still is able | To show us that stable | Where softly in manger he lies. Translation by Katherine Emily Roberts
Standing OFFERTORY HYMN
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OFFERING PRAYER God of heaven and earth, from the beginning, you have called forth life, in which you take delight. The trees, the fields, and the seas sing for joy. Bless now these gifts, received from your bounty, that we may join the chorus of creation to tell of your salvation from day to day. | 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. In the wonder and mystery of the Word made flesh you have opened the eyes of faith to a new and radiant vision of your glory, that, beholding the God made visible, we may be drawn to love the God whom we cannot see. 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: 12
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER We sing a new song to you, O God of our salvation, for you have done marvelous things. Through your Word all things came into being, and without you not one thing was made. You spoke through your covenant and created a people bound to you. Through promise and pardon, slavery and exile, you showed that what had come into being through you was life. When that day came, and the Word became flesh, your angels sang for joy and put a new song into our hearts. And even when we rejected your Son, you brought forth from his death a resurrection of everlasting glory. Life-giving God, as your Word became flesh and lived among us, come among us now in the fullness of your grace and truth. Make us holy as you are holy; that your Word may become flesh anew today. Send your Holy Spirit upon this bread and wine and make them be for us the body and blood of Jesus; who in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
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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. God of glory, make your church a sign of new-born hope in your kingdom. Be born in us today. Where your children are faced with ruin, show them redemption. Where sorrow endures, bring your holy comfort. Where division excludes, give your grace. Where bondage confines, sing your new song. Restore our hope in you, until the day when all that you have brought into being finds its everlasting destiny in your only Son, through whom all glory and honor are yours, almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both 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 A child has been born for us, a Son given to us. Come, receive the gift of Jesus. 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
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HYMN 303
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Bright and Best of the Stars
HYMN 291
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Let Our Gladness Have No End
Standing The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. | Amen Let us pray. | Merciful God, we thank you for Jesus, who is our heavenly food. Strengthened by this goodness, send us forth to announce your peace, comfort the afflicted, and share the good news of great joy. SENDING God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING The God of love, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, lavish you with grace, illumine your path, and increase your joy, today and always.| Amen. HYMN 302
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With Gladness Men of Old
SENDING Go in peace. The Word of God dwells in you richly. | Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE
Star Fantasy (Alleluia: vidimus stellam) Kristina Arakelyan (born 1994)
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. LAST WEEK AT REDEEMER Attendance for December 29: In person: 104, Online 121 NEXT WEEK AT REDEEMER Baptism of Our Lord
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Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Saturday, January 18th, 2025, the Redeemer community is invited to honor the legacy of Dr. King by learning about his life and engaging in service to our community. Organized by the ELCA Southeastern Synod, all events that day will be hosted at St. John’s Lutheran Church (and Pr. Jennifer!). All ages and abilities welcome! Scan the code or contact Pr. Jonathan Hemphill to register (jhemphill@elca-ses.org). 11 am- 12 pm: Brunch and Learn 12 -1 pm: Service projects 2-3:30 pm: Festival worship Rejoicing Spirits- January 26th What better way to kick off the new year than with your Rejoicing Spirits friends! As much of our culture is pressuring us to ‘optimize’ our bodies and minds, let’s stop and celebrate what they can already do, and how we are already bringing our best to the people and world around us. This special worship service is designed to be accessible to people of all abilitiesyes, that means you! We are all beloved children of God with strengths and weaknesses. People with disabilities and their caregivers need the support of their faith community. We all need to be reminded that whatever our abilities, we are enough. Come to be a friend and make some amazing new friends! Meet in Rudisill Hall from 10:15 - 10:45 (before or after attending your usual service!) CHILDREN AND FAMILY Sing and Play today! Children’s Sunday School resumes today with Sing and Play in the Fireside Room. Next week, we return to our normal classrooms. Please see your Sunday School schedule, CFM emails, or contact Deacon Mary with questions. Pool Party at GA Tech The Redeemer CFM families are making a splash at the GA tech pool again this year. February 2nd from 1:30-3:30 we will enjoy fellowship together at the pool and remember our baptisms! No RSVP required. Friends and neighbors welcome. YOUNG ADULTS We’re having a winter bonfire Jan. 9 at 7:00 for a time of fellowship, recovery 19
from the holidays, and looking forward into the new year! Invite friends or come make new ones! For location, contact Nate (nhumpherys@redeemer.org). FAITH FORMATION Sundays, 10 am | Room 121 | From 1/5/25 through 2/23/25 Led by Ed Scherlacher “Jesus for Everyone” - based on Amy-Jill Levine’s book. Learn of Jesus' historic and cultural influence makes him fascinating, provocative, and relevant for everyone, not only Christians. Sundays 10 am | Chapel | through May 25 Mindful Meditation Practices Led by Pastor Dorothea Lotze Mindfulness meditations are an ancient spiritual practice. In our time together, we will integrate the Christian contemplative practice of heart prayer with the mindfulness practices of deep breathing, body relaxation, loving kindness, selfcompassion and compassion for others. Come and join our weekly practicing while strengthening our mental, emotional and spiritual health in difficult political and global times. The meditation practices will be in English. Friday, January 31, 2025 – 7:30 pm Borromeo String Quartet in concert The Friends of Music at Redeemer are thrilled to announce that the Redeemer Concert Series will present one of the premiere string quartets in the world – the Borromeo String Quartet. Invite a friend to this free concert of music by the masters as well as living composers, performed in our beautiful space by stellar musicians. Following the concert, enjoy a reception in Sims Atrium. For twenty-five years, the Borromeo String Quartet has been ensemble-in-residence at both the New England Conservatory and Taos School of Music, and quartet-inresidence at the Heifetz International Music Institute. Their many honors include the 2007 Avery Fisher Career Grant; Lincoln Center's Martin E. Segal Award, and the Cleveland Quartet Award. With their “edge-of-the- seat performances,” the Boston Globe called the ensemble “simply the best.”
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Calendar for January 5 – January 10, 2025 Visit https://www.redeemer.org/blog/this-week/ for Zoom Links Sunday, January 5, 2025 Event Time Location Worship 9:00 AM (Jazz) 11:00 In-person/ On-Line AM Organ & Choir J.O.Y. choir 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM Room 211 Pr. Jonathan Class 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Conference Room Be Still & Journey 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Room 119 Sing and Play 10:00 AM -10:45 AM Fireside Monday, January 6 The Seekers Bible Study 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Reception Room Carillon Ringers 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Hinely Music Hall Tuesday, January 7 Morning Bible Study 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Reception Room Pr. Jonathan Book Study 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Zoom Wednesday, January 8 Early Birds Bible Study 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Reception/Zoom Wednesday Night Dinner 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Sims Atrium Seraphim Choir 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Room 204 Pastors Class 6:00 PM -7:00 PM Rudisill Hall/ Zoom Redeemer Ringers 7:00 PM – 7:30 PM Room 202 Worship 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Sanctuary Thursday, January 9 YA Bonfire 7:00 PM Off site Tolkien Group 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM Zoom Friday, January 10 Saturday, January 11 -
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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 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 Humpherys ........................................................... Youth Director, ext. 230 Larry Lowe .................................................................................. Security Officer Stacey Williams ........................................................................ Head of Security
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