February 2025 newsletter

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LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

WeserveaGodofabundantgraceandgenerosity.Our worshipiscenteredonthe invitationthatChristoffersatthecommuniontable:all arewelcomeinthisplace.Thatwelcomeflowsthrough allwedoandsay.Weopenourarmstoeveryonewho comestoshareourloveofGodandallGodʼspeople.We affirmandvaluethelivesofeveryone,includingallwho havebeenmarginalizedbyability,age,gender,gender identity,mentalorphysicalhealth,poverty,race,sexual orientation,oranyothercircumstance.Letourmessage beclear:allarewelcometoparticipatefullyinthelifeof ourcongregation.

Ash Wednesday, March 5

Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes

Noon and 7 PM

Seeking Leaders for our Lenten Sma p Professor Lewis will join us via Zoom on Palm Sunday April 13, at 10 AM

We are currently recruiting small group leaders for our annual Lenten small groups! This year we will be reading 'Belonging' by The Rev Dr Karoline Lewis, a Lutheran pastor and professor at Luther Seminary. The book helps readers to understand and live out Christian discipleship in a way that is most deeply authentic for themselves. Pastor Lewis structures it around the story of the Samaritan woman at the well and guides the reader to discover deep connection with biblical characters who lead to self-discovery. If you are interested in leading a small group, please contact Pr Jonathan at jtrapp@redeemer org

Small Group sign-ups begin Sunday, February 16 Meetings begin the week of Ash Wednesday

Baptism at Redeemer

Greetings! If you or someone you know is expecting a child or interested in baptism at Redeemer at any age, we would love to celebrate this special milestone with your family! We have several dates available. Here are some details:

At Redeemer, we hold Baptism Festivals, special Sundays designated for baptisms when several families may be celebrating a baptism at the same time. Please inquire for more details on how scheduling works and to get the Baptism registration form.

Upcoming Festival Dates

Saturday, April 19, 2023 at the Family Easter Vigil Service, 11 am or the evening Easter Vigil Service at 7 pm

Sunday, May 25, 2023 at either service

WhyBaptismFestivals?

Baptismisasacramentcelebratedincommunity.Groupingupbaptismson certaindaysallowsustouseaspecialliturgyfocusedonbaptismandtruly highlightitasaspecialevent,ratherthanitbeingafootnotetoaservicewitha differentfocus.

Also,it'sfun!It'sagreatwaytogettoknowotherfamilies,andyourchildwillgrow upwithfriendsatRedeemerwhosharetheirbaptismanniversary-aspecialbond thatcanfollowthemthroughoutlife.

In Christ, Deacon Mary Houck (she/her) Director of Children and Family Ministries mhouck@redeemer org 770-778-7085

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY

Family Retreat

March14-16,2025

What:You’llstayinhotel-likeroomsattheretreatcenter,and mealsarepreparedbyLutheranchstaff.

LearnandgrowwithRedeemerfriends!Wespendsometime learningasfamilies,enjoyingtheactivitiesLutheranchhasto offer,affirmeachother’sgiftsina(verycasual)talentshow, andmore!

Weloveitwheneveryonecanstaythewholetime!However,if youcanonlycomeforonenightorduringthedayonSaturday, we ’dstilllovetoseeyou!Familieswhohaveattendedpartofthe retreatinthepasthavereportedthatitwasstilltimewell spentandinspiredthemtocomeagain.Pricingisdifferent,so pleasecontactDeaconMary.

YOUTH

20'S/30'S GROUP

RedeemerYouthareteamingupwiththeLutheranCommunityFood Ministry(LCFM)toraisefunds&Getdonationsaspartoftheannual SouperBowlofCaring.

REDEEMER 20'S/30'S GROUP UPCOMING EVENTS

Lunch Together February 9

Meet in Sims Atrium following the late service (at about 12:15) to walk together. We will have lunch and catch up on life somewhere near Redeemer. No RSVP required.

Second Thursdays

in 2025, we will meet on the Second Thursday of each month at 7 pm for fellowship together. Friends are welcome!!

February 13: Sceptre Brewing Arts Join us for good beer, food, conversation at this unique Atlanta spot.

WORSHIP AND MUSIC

Wednesdays at Redeemer

Beginning at 4:45 PM, we will offer a tasty, nutritious meal for you and your family. Dinner Service will conclude at 6:15 PM.

4:00 PM Early Bird Bible Study | Reception

4:45 PM Dinner | Sims Atrium

6:00 PM Pastor's Class | Rudisill Hall

LukeʼsJesus In-personandonline

Aswebeginanewchurchyearduringwhichmostofourgospelreadingswillcomefromourthirdgospel,letʼs exploretogetherwhatmakesLukeʼsgospelunique.St.LuketellsthestoryofJesusinclear,dramatically compelling,andhumanlymovingterms.HisJesusisamanofgreatpower,adeepsenseofmission,andprofound compassionforthoseontheoutskirtsofsociety.AndLuke'sGospelhasthebeststories--thatis,parables-includinganumberthatareuniquetothisgospel.

6:00 PM Seraphim | Room 204

7:00 PM Redeemer Ringers | Room 202

7:30 PM Redeemer Choir | Hinely Hall

J.O.Y. Choir

J O Y is an ensemble for Just Our Youth, grades 6-12 We’ll meet on Sunday mornings 9:00-9:30 am. Joining voices in fellowship and praise, you will make friends and memories while serving God, our congregation and community.

FAITH FORMATION

FAITHFORMATION

Sundays,10am|Room121|through2/23/25

LedbyEdScherlacher

“JesusforEveryone”-basedonAmy-JillLevineʼsbook LearnofJesus'historicandculturalinfluencemakeshimfascinating,provocative,andrelevantforeveryone, notonlyChristians.

Sundays,10am|Room119

BeStillandJourney,Opentoanyoneinterested LedbyPatCornwell

Sundays10am|Chapel|throughMay25

MindfulMeditationPractices

LedbyPastorDorotheaLotze Mindfulnessmeditationsareanancientspiritualpractice.Inourtimetogether,wewillintegratetheChristian contemplativepracticeofheartprayerwiththemindfulnesspracticesofdeepbreathing,bodyrelaxation, lovingkindness,self-compassionandcompassionforothers.Comeandjoinourweeklypracticingwhile strengtheningourmental,emotionalandspiritualhealthindifficultpoliticalandglobaltimes.Themeditation practiceswillbeinEnglish.

PastorʼsClassledbyPastorMark|LukeʼsJesus

Sundays|10am|RudisillHall/Zoom

Aswebeginanewchurchyearduringwhichmostofourgospelreadingswillcomefromourthirdgospel,letʼs exploretogetherwhatmakesLukeʼsgospelunique.St.LuketellsthestoryofJesusinclear,dramatically compelling,andhumanlymovingterms.HisJesusisamanofgreatpower,adeepsenseofmission,and profoundcompassionforthoseontheoutskirtsofsociety AndLuke'sGospelhasthebeststories--thatis, parables--includinganumberthatareuniquetothisgospel.

Mondaysat1:30pm|ReceptionRoom

TheSeekersBibleStudyledbyBillPegram WecontinuediggingdeepintotheGospelofMatthew

Tuesdays5pm|Zoom

JoinPrJonathanforadiscussionoftheTheRevElizabethEdman'sbook,'QueerVirtue.'RevEdmanisan EpiscopalpriestwhosebookpositsthatChristianity,atitsscripturalcore,incessantlychallengesitsadherents torupturefalsebinaries,to“queer”linesthatpitpeopleagainstoneanother Asalways,readingisoptional,wearegladtobeabletocreateaspaceforeveryonetolearnandgrow together Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseemailPrJonathanatjtrapp@redeemerorg

TuesdayMorningBibleStudy

LedbyDavidOtt&DonNoland|Tuesdays|7AM|ReceptionRoomandZoom Wearenowstudying1&2Samuel.Everyoneiswelcomeeither1/inpersonintheReceptionRoomwithafull breakfastservingfrom7am,or2/viaZOOMlinkfoundontheRedeemerwebsiteeachTuesday Ourstudyand discussionisfrom7:30-8:30am.PleasejoinusanyTuesdaymorning!

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Hunger Walk Run is a celebrated annual event and community energizer, bringing people together in solidarity with a collective goal to end hunger On March 9, Team Redeemer will walk (or run!) to benefit our Lutheran Community Food Ministry, as well as the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Inspiritus.

Hunger Walk Run is a hybrid event, which means it takes place everywhere: at the Home Depot Backyard next to Mercedes Benz Stadium, as well as on every sidewalk, track, and trail in your own neighborhood. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to walk or run wherever you are most comfortable gathering. Festivities at the Home Depot Backyard kick off at noon with onsite registration and entertainment The 5K Fun Walk and Run starts at 2 p.m. and the event ends at 4 p.m.

Register today at http://engage.acfb.org/goto/TeamRedeemer2025

MARCH 9, 2025

THE HOME DEPOT BACKYARD 12-4PM | IN PERSON & VIRTUAL

The Hunger Walk Run takes place rain or shine but please know that the Atlanta Community Food Bank closely monitors conditions that could impact safely holding an in-person event. If you prefer not to walk at home or at the Home Depot Backyard, consider walking in prayer for all who face hunger, poverty, and food insecurity

As an added incentive, the first $250 in donations to Team Redeemer will be matched 1:1. Last year we raised $2,750, which placed Redeemer in the top ten of the Lutheran Hunger Walk Run teams for 2024. Let’s do it again in 2025!

Thank you for your support, and please contact Lorraine Dorough, team captain, at ledorough@gmail.com for assistance in registering or for more information

Aging Well through Healthy Eating Thursday from 1 - 2:00 PM Rudisill Hall

answer questions in a Q & A format. Please join Keystone Ministries for this exceptional event! To register, please send an email to: escherlacher@gmail.com or sfoley@redeemer.org by 2/18/25.

Refreshments and dessert will be served! 2025 Feb 20

DearFriend,

Youmayhaveheardthatsomefederalfunding impactingnonprofitshasbeenlifted.Unfortunately, theprimarysourceoffederalgovernmenttosupport refugeefamiliesinvitedtotheUSremainsfrozen Refugeefamiliesstillneedyourhelp.Now,morethan ever,yoursupportisessentialinensuringthatnewly arrivedfamilieshavetheresourcestheyneedto thrive:weinspirit.org/donate

EversinceWWIItheUSgovernmenthasinvitedcertainfamilieswhohaveenduredthemosthorrific atrocitiesintheirhomecountriestostartanewlifeinAmerica.WhenfamiliesenrollintheUSrefugee programthefederalgovernmentmakesapromisetosupportthemfinanciallyforamere6months.They thenentrustthemandtheirarduousjourneytowardselfsufficiencyandcitizenshiptoorganizationslike Inspiritus.

Inspiritustreatseachopportunitytoservethesefamiliesasanhonor,asacredvowandanactofpatriotism Why?BecauseweloveAmericaandweʼreproudtohelpthemrealizetheirownversionofourAmerican dream.Youcanimagineourshockanddismaywhenwelearnedthisweekthatourgovernment,inamove neverseenbefore,hasrenegedonthesepromisestoourcommunityʼsnewestandmostvulnerable neighbors.Thesespeciallyinvitedfamiliesareleftoutinthecold.ThisisnottheAmericanwelcomethatwas promised

ReadthefullarticlefromtheSaportaReportbyclickingthebutton:

Wecannotdothiswithoutyou Yourgenerositytodaycanmakealife-changingdifferenceforthosewho needusmost.

Ifyouhavealreadygiven,thankyouforyourgenerosityandcompassion.Ifyouhaven'tyet,please prayerfullyconsidermakingacontributiontoInspiritustodaybyvisitingweinspirit.org/donateorbyclicking thebutton:

Sincerely,

VOLUNTEER JOINUS!

This Lent, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer will be participating in the 2025 Atlanta Habitat for Humanity Lenten Build, and we need YOUR help! This year, we will be working alongside Kendra and three other Atlanta area churches to build a new home. By partnering with Atlanta Habitat, we become a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, building quality, affordable homes while creating lasting opportunities for families to thrive far beyond the build.

SATURDAYS, FEBRUARY 15TH THROUGH APRIL 5TH FROM 7:30AM – 3:30PM

No experience required — just a willing heart and hands ready to serve! Over the course of 7 Saturdays we will come together to build a home for Kendra and her daughter. We encourage all members of our congregation 16 and older to volunteer, no matter your skill level! It’s an incredible opportunity to serve our community, help a family, and live out our faith in action.

Let’s come together and make a meaningful difference.

Signups begin Jan. 5 in the Sims Atrium, online or by scanning the QR code. Contact Us David Barnes (David.R.Barnes@gmail.com) or Dana Norden (DNorden3@gmail.com) REGISTER HERE: https://vhub.at/redeemer

The Community Engagement Ministry has partnered with Hope thru Soap to host their Mobile Showers on select Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in 2025. We are seeking volunteers to assist with setup, distribution, serving coffee, and providing warm, friendly conversations with our guests.

Volunteer Opportunity

Hope thru Soap provides mobile outreach to individuals among us currently unsheltered with less than sustainable resources in Metro Atlanta, by offering mobile showers, haircuts, clothing, food, and social service resources. Ifyouareinterestedinjoininguscontact:

This initiative goes far beyond meeting basic needs, by fostering a fun “Block Party” atmosphere, providing guests with a sense of family, friendship, hope, and dignity.

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