December Newsletter - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA

NEWSLETTER | DECEMBER 2020

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

Atlanta, Georgia | www.redeemer.org

Christmas Eve with Redeemer 3:00 pm Family Service Zoom Link 6:00 pm Christmas Eve with the Jazz Trio begins with the prelude featuring the Redeemer Jazz Trio Livestream link 8:00 pm Traditional Service The celebration begins with a musical prelude of instrumental music. Service includes traditional carols.

Prelude begins 15 minutes prior to service.

Livestream Link

from our Senior Pastor, Mark H. Larson While we have a pretty strong tradition in the Lutheran Church of forgoing the singing of Christmas hymns during Advent, I think you will forgive me quoting a Christmas carol that is not in our hymnal: Said the night wind to the little lamb, do you see what I see?

Way up in the sky, little lamb, do you see what I see?

A star, a star, dancing in the night With a tail as big as a kite With a tail as big as a kite Do you see what I see? That’s not such a bad question with which to journey through the Advent season. A lot of our experience comes down to a matter of perspective; what do you see? Or better, how are you looking?

On the one hand, it is easy to notice all that we are missing. We’ve just come through the Thanksgiving holiday, and for most of us, it meant a time when our separation from our family and loved ones was put into sharp and painful focus. As we prepare for the celebration of a Christmas that none of us ever expected, the images of the things and moments that we must forgo this year are bound to pass by our mind’s eye. That’s one way to look at things.

And even with the promise of vaccines glimmering on the horizon, we know we still have a long road to travel. The months ahead hold challenges for us and call us to double down on our commitment to take care of one another. And even after this pandemic passes, we will have much rebuilding to do. We will be called to greater acts of creativity because truly the world has changed. Another way to see.

But we are also blessed with the eyes of faith; a faith that holds tenaciously onto the promise that God will never let go of us. With such a vision, it becomes easy to notice those moments when God comes close; that God has always been close. I see individuals and families rediscovering what is most important. I see neighbors reaching out with tender acts of generosity. I see new leaders of all ages visioning a new way of life that brings peace and prosperity to all. I see a church that never closed being called to an ever-clearer witness to the Lord we follow so that all the world will see Jesus.

Do you see what I see?

Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say Pray for peace, people everywhere! listen to what I say The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light He will bring us goodness and light

WORSHIP

Come to Me, All Who are Weary and Heavy Laden...

Lay down your burdens during this beautiful online Service of Hope & Healing.

Enjoy time for quiet reflection and meditation, prayer and devotion, sharing and caring with facilitated breakout groups. Focus on the promises of the season and receive the hope of the coming Christ. Whether you are dealing with illness, grief, anxiety or economic hardship, this service offers peace. Stephen Ministers will be available for one-on-one personal prayer following the service and you are invited to bring your own candle for a candle lighting. “Be strong. Be brave. Be fearless. You are never alone.� Joshua 1:9

Join Us for worship!

December 13, 3:30 pm This month we are sharing some Christmas joy through ornaments! We have some simple wooden ones you can decorate, and if you sign up below by Sunday, December 6, we will make sure you get one. Or, you can bring a favorite one to show the group and tell us the story behind it.

Sign up at this link.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Leftover Paint in Your Garage or Basement?

Are your cans of leftover paint always in your way? Is your leftover paint a potential fire hazard? There is an easy solution to this issue!

Share it with the World and also help paint houses with deserving families in disaster response through Inspiritus.

All you need to do is drop off

your old paint, along with a cash donation of $5.00 per gallon, at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. The collection information is below: When: Saturday, December 5th from 1:00PM to 4:00PM Saturday, December 12th from 1:00PM to 4:00PM Where: Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Lower Parking Lot (entrance off 4th Street) located at 731 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 For many years Lutheran Church of the Redeemer has supported Inspiritus, (formerly Lutheran Services of Georgia in a variety projects.

This project will directly support the efforts of

Inspiritus in providing immediate response and long-term recovery assistance for families and individuals who have unmet needs following a natural disaster.

Specifically, this project will support those families who have been affected by the 2020 hurricanes and tornados.

Inspiritus’ work includes assisting and managing home repairs, assessing damage, mucking andgutting, replacing roofs, repairing water damaged homes, chainsaw, debris removal and connecting individuals and families to vital resources so they can get on the path from surviving to thriving.

We need and want to accept your paint ·

All Latex Paint cans or buckets must be at least 25% full of WET paint

·

Paint cans cannot be rusty.

·

Dried paint is not accepted.

·

Paint thinners, stains, and spackle are not accepted.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Wellspring Living Virtual Angel Tree For

the

members

9th

year,

will

Redeemer have

the

opportunity to shop for the girls of Wellspring Living – children (ages 12 – 17) who have been sexually trafficked and who are on a path of restoration. This year, we will purchase e-gift cards from Amazon.

On the Amazon website: ·

select the “gift cards” tab

·

select the “e-gift” option

·

enter the details of your gift card

o enter the dollar amount (any amount is greatly appreciated!!) o select “email” for delivery o in the “To” section enter kforbes@wellspringliving.org as the recipient o make sure that your name is in the “From” section o enter Redeemer Lutheran in the message box o select “now” as the delivery date o follow the instructions for payment Questions about Wellspring Living? Contact Redeeming G.R.A.C.E. at amy.carpenter@comcast.net or 404-550-3314.

When Redeemer’s Zoom accounts are not being used as much for church meetings during the holiday season, we are making them available to use for holiday family and friend gatherings. If you would like to use a Redeemer Zoom account to host a gathering for your family or friends, contact Karen Medford at Kmedford@redeemer.org

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THIS YEAR, GIVE THE GIFT OF HOPE...

The INSPIRITUS Hope Tree program gives the gift of hope to children in foster care, refugee and immigrant families seeking a new life and adults with development disabilities who may not otherwise receive a gift.

We are living in unprecedented times. Everyone has been impacted in some way by this year's worldwide pandemic. Christmas will look different this year.

Whether it is different because family gatherings are scaled back or cancelled, or because of the recession’s financial impact, there will likely be fewer presents under the tree.

We understand that even if you have traditionally participated in our Hope Tree Christmas giving, you may not be able to this year, and that is ok. This year we are offering a virtual option for those who are able to give to those in need. All of the individuals and families we support have been impacted in some way by the pandemic. Some have experienced job loss or reductions in pay, students have had interrupted educations because they haven't been able to sustain virtual learning, and our adults with developmental disabilities and some of our children in foster care are STILL under shelter-in-place orders because of their compromised health conditions.

If you are able, please support this year's Hope Tree program by signing up to purchase a $25 gift card(s) and mailing them to Inspiritus P.O. Box 7829 Atlanta, GA 30357 by DECEMBER 16th.

You may also choose to purchase a coat. You can sign-up for both gift card and coat donations at https://bit.ly/2TQwHm1. There you will also see instructions for coat drop offs.

Gift card donations will be used by Inspiritus staff to purchase coats for one of the children or adults that Inspiritus accompanies. Where coats are not needed gift cards will be given to host home providers to purchase Christmas gifts for individuals with disabilities who live in their homes.

If you have questions, please reach out to Sarah Burke, Community Engagement Coordinator.

Sarah.Burke@weinspirit.org, 706-992-2421 Thank you for the meaningful ways you and your congregations live out your lives as people of faith. Inspiritus is blessed to partner with you as we accompany the most vulnerable among us on their journey from surviving to thriving.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

OPEN AIR COMMUNION Over the past month, over 100 Redeemer members received communion in small outdoor gatherings in 23 neighborhood vineyards. These brief services have been incredible moments of grace. It wouldn’t have been possible without the persistence of Vineyard leaders, the generosity of hosts, and the dedication of pastors. Thank you to everyone who helped make these services possible.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION Join Pastor Mark as he leads a discussion on, God and the Pandemic, by N.T. Wright

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 6:00 PM BEGINNING DECEMBER 2

It covers a different way of seeing and responding to the Coronavirus pandemic, an approach drawing on Scripture, Christian history, and the way of living, thinking, and praying revealed to us by Jesus.

What are we supposed to think about the Coronavirus crisis?

N. T. Wright examines reactions to the virus and finds them wanting. Instead, he shows that a careful reading of the Bible and Christian history offers simple though profound answers to our many questions, including: What should be the Christian response?

How should we think about God? How do we live in the present?

Why should we lament?

What should we learn about ourselves?

How do we recover?

Written by one of the world's foremost New Testament scholars, God and the Pandemic will serve as your guide to read the events of today through the light of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Mysteries of Faith will return to Dietrich Bonhoeffer and explore God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas, based on the book of same name incorporating the meditations, devotionals and letters of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, compiled and edited by Jana Riess.

“There are only two places where the powerful and great in this world lose their courage, tremble in the depths of their souls, and become truly afraid. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ.”

“No priest, no theologian stood at the manger of Bethlehem. And yet all Christian theology has its origin in the wonder of all wonders: That God became human.”

BEGINNING DECEMBER 6 THROUGH DECEMBER 27

These Advent and Christmas reflections of Bonhoeffer flew from his prison cell, flung open the doors of hope, and sailed heavenward as heart-wrenching prayers, prayers from a condemned man, prayers from a hopeful man, prayers from a man who embodied what it means to pray “May your kingdom come.”

ADULT FAITH FORMATION We may not be going to as many parties and visiting each other homes, so we may have more time to reflect on the Advent season. It is the time of year when we anticipate God coming into the world. God comes to us in many ways and places.

Often we experience God’s encouragement and faithfulness in and through the community. The Small Group Ministry Team is offering Advent Small Groups to help make those connections this season. The book we are using is, Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes, by Cynthia M. Campbell.

This book takes us into each of the gospel homes to look at how they each proclaim God entering the world.

Two opportunities to join in a small group on Sunday morning at 9:00 am 1) GIFT Class led by Joe Lukas and 2) Be Still and Journey, a women’s group led by Pat Corrnwell

LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY Register Now for this class: In collaboration, Interdenominational Theological Center, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Christ Our Hope Riverdale, and Lutheran Church of the Atonement are planning some exciting Monday nights for you this Winter and in the early Spring. Learn about how much Atlanta's own Martin Luther King, Jr. and Martin Luther had in common theologically and how compatible the Civil Rights Movement aims are with Lutheran convictions. Now is your chance to learn and strategize about getting that word out in our neighborhood/s. Class led by Prof. Mark Ellingsen of ITC, an expert on Martin Luther and Martin Luther King, and Reverend Dr. Everett Flanigan, a pastor at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, Riverdale, and retired Administrative Dean, Lutheran Theological Center, Atlanta.

Beginning Monday, January 11, 2021, through April 19, 2021 Live Zoom sessions. Cost $200 All sessions are recorded for future viewing.

To Register, and for more details, email Karen Medford Kmedford@redeemer.org, Please tell your friends about this opportunity.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Join Kate Elkins amd Mary Howle at 9:00 AM on Sundays January 10, 17, and 24 for a study and discussion group. 3-Week Book Study and Discussion on The Space Between Us: How Jesus Teaches Us to Live Together When Politics and Religion Pull Us Apart by Sarah B. Anderson It seems each day feels more intense with our divisions.

However, what if we found ways in which we could embrace our differences, salvage our relationships, and perhaps grow and evolve in our beliefs and convictions to become more open to one another? Sarah Bauer Anderson offers ideas and suggestions for us in her new book.

“There’s a line from the Jewish Talmud that says, ‘If the house has fallen, woe to the windows.’ It’s the idea that we are part of a connected collective. That we do not operate independently from one another. That ‘the fate of each is bound up in the whole.’

[This book is] for the people who haven’t lost faith in the house. Who have their feelings, and opinions, and ideas about the windows, but are trying not to lose sight of the bigger picture. It’s for people who believe there is a better way. It’s for the people who know the windows matter, but so does the house.

And because the house is in poor shape, it’s for the people who are asking the question, ‘How are we going to make it right? To fix what feels like a rapidly worsening situation? As followers of Jesus, what is our responsibility?’”

Lenten Small Group Leaders Would you like to be a Lenten Small Group Leader? It is a great way to share your gifts of hospitality while learning with others. Lent starts with Ash Wednesday February 17 and ends with Easter April 4. Lenten Groups will meet on Zoom and Small Group Leaders training will be provided. Contact Karen Medford at kmedford@redeemer.org if you are interested in serving in this important ministry.

FROM THE REDEEMER LIBRARY

Redeemer’s Library Team recommends a way to buy religious books as Christmas gifts without leaving home.

Go to amazon.com, select Books, and enter Augsburg Fortress in the search bar. You will find a large selection of books printed

by Augsburg Fortress, including Bible study books, Devotionals, Children’s Books, and even large print books. If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can have your gift shipped directly to the recipient, with no shipping charge.

A Junior Library Guild Selection that teaches kids (and adults) “An invitation to explore the stories of Jesus in the context of the culture he lived in.”

Full color Advent gift book guiding readers into welcoming Christ in every space of the home.

YOUTH - GRADES 6 - 12

Kringle Fundraiser We are unable to hold our annual Kringle Fundraiser this year. If you would like to order your traditional Christmas Kringle independently, you may use the link below. https://www.kringle.com

High School Parents Gathering High School Parents are invited to meet for their monthly fellowship on Sunday, December 6 from 9:30am-10:30am. Come catch up and hang out with other High School Parents! If you have any questions, please contact Carol McCloskey.

Faith Formation Confirmation is an important step in the spiritual journey of our youth.

Confirmation will be meeting on the following Sundays in December: December 6, December 13, and December 20* (Fall Exam distributed).

Confirmation will not be meeting on December 27. *Small groups combine by grade level Middle School Parents Class meets on Sundays from 10:00am - 10:30am.

The class meets when Confirmation meets, so there will not be a class on Sunday, December 27. This is great opportunity to meet with other Middle School Parents and to go over the information that is covered Confirmation’s Large and Small Group Sessions.

in

High School Sunday School meets on Sundays via Zoom from 10:00am11:00am. Come catch up and discuss what’s going in our lives with other High School Youth!

Upcoming Youth Events We continue to hold our events virtually to Cultivate Community amongst our Youth.

• 12/6-Youth Christmas Party • 12/20-College Youth Connect • January events will be determined following Task Force guidance. *For updates and further information, contact Youth Director Hillary Nelson @ hnelson@redeemer.org.

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY

Goshen Valley Gift Drive Nov. 15- Dec. 13 Help us make Christmas Merry and Bright for the kids under the care of Goshen Valley! Some things are different this year: The entire drive is online, and you can purchase items to donate at this link. Note that there are two lists- one for the ranch and one for Goshen Homes. They both benefit foster kids under the care of Goshen Valley. The county cannot give as much as they normally do to help with Christmas this year, so they are relying on us more than ever! Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Service Project: this is normally an opportunity for Redeemer kids to serve others and learn about Goshen Valley as they help with gift wrapping. Since all the items this year will go directly to Goshen Valley for safety reasons, we are engaging our kids in different ways: a. Family Devotion- Follow this link for a devotion you can use at your convenience. Ideally, make the donation a family activity and let your kids help choose the items you want to donate. But either way, the devotion will help your family explore why we do this. b. Christmas Cards- one of the best outcomes of this project is that the kids at Goshen feel loved and supported by their whole community. Some, but not all, get to see their families around the holidays, and knowing that other people care about them is huge. You can sign up at this link to make a Christmas Card for one of the recipients. The deadline to sign up is November 29, and the deadline to return your completed card (or cards) is December 6. • Just to make it easy to find everything: o The link to Donate o The link to the Devotion o The link to the Service Project

Advent Activities for Redeemer Kids Join us on December 6 during Sunday School (10:15-10:45) to watch our online Christmas Pageant at this link! Our kids will be telling the Christmas story a whole new way this year, but with the same joy as ever.

Don't miss Zoom SS on December 13 for yet another Sing and Play- Christmas Party edition.

Watch for the Sunday School emails on Saturdays for the link.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 Chris Black 1 Merritt Carlson 1 Michelle Ernst 1 Andy Grant 1 Janis LeMieux 1 Thomas Ruder 1 Nyla Searcy 2 Allen Hedrick 2 Hollyn Kershner 2 John Lester 2 Charles Smith 3 Sandy Arshid 3 Charles Bridgers 3 Claire Currie 3 Tina Maxwell 4 Chris Drescher-Jones 4 John Hinkle 4 Margo Jones 4 Priscilla Taylor 5 Robyn Hollar 5 Violet Waterhouse 5 Terese Wuttke 6 Geri Ginsberg 6 Kristen Ulven 7 Rehana Ballard 7 David Barnes 7 Paul Buechele 7 Pearla Holmes 7 Marilynn Kelm 7 Brian Kraby 7 Anna Rafferty 7 Natalie Williams 7 Tammy Williams 8 Mary Brown 8 Mary Houck 8 Maren Roke 8 Ben Scheraldi-Keiso 9 Matthew Johnson 9 Eda Mathews 9 Debbie Perantoni 10 Abigail Barnes

10 Jennifer Cordell 10 Devlin Kate Dressel 10 Deb Fritz 10 Chase Lundsberg 10 Lori Sadowski 11 Jack Altman 11 Nate Borchers 11 Greta Hans 11 Diane Ludington 12 Eli Arnold 12 Valrie Sanders 13 Joseph Anderson 13 Lourdes Dela Cruz 13 Albert Liabastre 13 Daphne Mullen 14 Jennifer Hickey 14 Kerry Keisler 15 Carol Christman 15 Christian Rowe 16 Sengens Amy-Cupp 16 Sara Denney 16 Ella Goracke 16 Meredith Steinmetz 17 Rita Hale 17 Mark Hyde 17 Carol Rekoske 17 Linus Roke 17 Mitchell Sosebee 18 Mary Kay Daly 18 Karin Davis 18 Ryan Switzer 19 Kacie Anson 19 Paula Bonaker 19 Mary Anne Hipple 19 Christiane Jones 19 Isabel Reynolds 20 Mike Bell 20 Jeff Burmeister 20 Julie Delbrook 20 Vinoo Khadan 20 Audrey Koth 20 Kelly Springfield 21 John Mallet 21 Elizabeth Manning 21 Bob Peppel

21 Cathy Vogel 22 Oni Borchers 22 Jordan Mitchell 22 Kip Serfozo 23 Kathleen Crawford 23 Mallory Long 23 Niv Persaud 23 Thomas Pinyan 23 Grant Schaller 23 Ericka Van Hoosear 24 Doug Dumont 24 Marisa Lambert 24 Evelyn Reynolds 25 Lisa Martin 25 Jennifer Rice 25 James Summer 25 Leigh Wilde 25 Amanda Wooten 26 Lisa Bellia-Doan 26 Ruth Bruhns 26 David Carlson 26 Kim Davis-Mitchell 26 Brian Ernst 26 Chris Fernandes 26 Alex Hansen 26 Stephanie Pinyon 26 Alisa Rowe 26 Wesley Van Hoosear 27 Charlotte Herold 27 Erik Johanson 27 David McGahan 27 Steve Switzer 27 Mike Van Gorder 27 Carol Wernecke 28 Rachael Hansen 28 Sally Heidt 28 Emma Morris

29 Connie Blend 29 Eryn Epting 29 Gayle Ide 29 Shannon King-Cortopassi 29 Nicolas Paetz 29 Marilyn Patoprsty 29 Lars Peterson 29 Mazie Switzer 30 Leslie Apetz 30 Anne Burr 30 Robin Durdin 30 Philip Heisler 30 Jennifer Iodice 31 Deborah Bursa 31 Marc Goracke 31 Joseph Huntemann 31 Ellen Olson 31 Jack Olsson 31 Jean-Francois Onivogui 31 Katie Pearson