January 2021 Newsletter - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer Atlanta, GA

JANUARY 2021

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER ATLANTA, GA

WWW.REDEEMER.ORG

COMING TO YOUR INBOX SOON...

Watch your inbox for a Congregational Care survey at the beginning of the year to help us determine caring priorities for Redeemer in 2021. Your input will be most important, so

Since so much has happened over the last year, you are welcome to share anything we missed at any time. There are two ways you can share your news with us.

Email Pastor Jenny:

please take the time to share your feedback. We promise

You may email Pastor Jenny

to keep it short, but impactful!

directly and she will include it in the Wednesday

Weekly Congregational Care Notes

announcements

So much has happened in our lives and our families this past

jmclellan@redeemer.org

year. In the past, we would share our joys and sorrows with one another in the atrium. Even though we can’t gather in person yet, your church wants to celebrate and mourn with you through your life events. Share your family news and life changes with us: births, baptisms, weddings, deaths, hospitalizations, surgery, employment changes, and changes in residence. (We will only share health concerns if we have permission from the individual named.)

Beginning in January, we will include a regular “Congregational Care Notes” section in the Wednesday announcements.

Prayer Requests: We are a church that prays together. We will pray for you and your family as you experience life changes. In the comment section of the online prayer requests, say “include in weekly care updates” if you would like us to share your news with the congregation.

FAITH FORMATION As we begin a new year, let us start a new journey together. Join Pastor Mark each Wednesday at 6 PM for a journey through the New Testament. Each week we will look at one book from a historical, literary, and theological perspective. Using Mark Allan Powell’s Introducing the New Testament, veteran Bible scholars and anyone just wanting an introduction to the treasures of scripture are sure to find something new and exciting.

MARTIN LUTHER, MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND THE MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

This spring semester 14-week course is an opportunity to learn what Martin Luther King, Jr. and Martin Luther had in common theologically and how compatible the Civil Rights Movement aims are with Lutheran beliefs. Learn about these reformers' ideas and convictions and discuss how this can impact the work of Atlanta area Lutheran churches today.

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 are this Interdenominational Theological Center-course instructors. Join with members of Christ Our Hope Riverdale, Lutheran Church of the Atonement, and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and audit this course. (no credit) Details: Mondays, January 11, 2021, through April 19 (except for January 18, March 15) 6:30 pm· Live Zoom sessions. They will be recorded to listen to at your convenience. · Cost $200 To Register, please email Beverly Shaw bbshaw1@comcast.net Everett Flanigan everettflanigan@centeratlanta.org or Karen Medford Kmedford@redeemer.org, to receive details on how to register. Please tell your friends about this opportunity.

SUNDAY MORNINGS Join Kate Elkins and Mary Howle 9:00 AM | January 10, 17, and 24

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 The Space Between Us.

Be Still and Journey Join Pat Cornwell as she leads this women’s study and discussion, gathering at 8:45 am to connect and the topic discussion begins about 9:15 am. Jan 3, 10 articles from Gather Magazine, then beginning a book discussion of God and the Pandemic which addressing how we think about God when pandemics and natural disasters happen and how we should think about a sovereign God. A look at the old and new testament with theology applies beyond a pandemic.

Mysteries of Faith Join Peter Quist and Paul Hermann beginning Sunday, Jan 3 at 9 am For the month of January, we will be discussing the themes developed by Pastor Brian Zahnd in his great book, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God. No book purchase is required but you may want to purchase the book through Amazon. We ask the fundamental questions: God is Wrath? Or God is Love? In his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," Puritan revivalist Jonathan Edwards shaped predominating American theology with a vision of God as angry, violent, and retributive. Three centuries later, Zahnd was both mesmerized and terrified by Edwards's wrathful God. Haunted by fear that crippled his relationship with God, Zahnd spent years praying for a divine experience of hell. In our class, we ask the important questions: Is seeing God primarily as wrathful toward sinners true or biblical? Is fearing God a normal expected behavior? And where might the natural implications of this theological framework lead us?

Cherubim

Age 4 to 1st grade, Linda Floyd, director Wednesdays 6 – 6:30 pm

Seraphim

2nd to 6th Grade, Sarah Hawbecker director Wednesdays 6:30 – 7 pm

J.O.Y.

Choir ( Just Our Youth) Grades 7 and up, Sarah Hawbecker, director Wednesdays 7 – 7:30 pm

Our children and youth music programs have continued in a different way these last few months. We are still growing music leaders and staying connected with one another. As we start anew in January, we invite you to join us! Share in the joy and growth that comes from making music together as we develop both skills and a sense of service.

Currently, all groups are meeting online. Please register with Sarah Hawbecker in order to receive the Zoom link.

Cherubim and Seraphim rehearsals include movement, songs, rhythm and music skills games, a Bible story, and a devotional. J.O.Y. sessions include vocal skills, music theory and history, group building, and a devotional.

www.redeemer.org

Dexter Kennedy F R I D A Y , J A N U A R Y 2 9 , 7 : 3 0 P M

Organ Anniversary Concert The Redeemer Concert Series presents Dexter Kennedy in concert as we celebrate Redeemer’s 73 rank Létourneau pipe organ. Dexter will be on-site at Redeemer playing live, and you can enjoy the concert from the comfort of your own home. You can also join a Zoom reception after the concert, where you can greet the artist and see your fellow concert-goers.

As the winner of the Grand Prix d’Interprétation at the 24th Concours International d’Orgue de Chartres, Dexter Kennedy has established himself internationally as “one of the greatest organists of our times” (Iceland Monitor). Mr. Kennedy is an active recitalist throughout both Europe and North America, having performed in great cathedrals, churches, and concert halls including Notre-Dame de Paris; Berliner Com; St. Bavorek, Haarlem; Slovak Philharmonic Hall, Bratislava; Chartres Cathedral; Grossmünster, Zürich; Chichester Cathedral; Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik; Basilica of St. Nazaire, Carcassone; St. George’s, Hannover Square, London; Auditorio Manuel de Falla, Granada; San Luigi Dei Francesi, Rome; St. Willibrordus Basilika, Echternach, Luxembourg; and Bergen Cathedral.

Lenten Small Groups are a Redeemer tradition.

Sign up today to be a group leader.

It is a great way to get to know and encourage people while learning together.

Lent starts with Ash Wednesday, February 17, and ends with Easter April 4 and will meet on Zoom, 5 times. Small Group Leaders’ training and lots of support will be provided.

Leaders invite people to the group, facilitate the discussion, and send reminder emails. Group member sign-up begins January 24th.

Contact Karen Medford kmedford@redeemer.org if you are interested in serving in this important ministry.

Making incredible sawdust & flower carpet throughout the streets of Antigua, Guatemala is part of their Lent and Holy Week tradition. Friends and families participate in creating their own designs in front of their house. Dyed sawdust, pine needles, and an array of flowers, local fruits, and vegetables are popular. These are completed moments before the floats with the Christ figure, Virgin Mary, St. John, and Mary Magdalena are carried over them.

https://antiguatours.net/blogs/2019/04/lent-in-antigua-guatemala/

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY BORROW A BOOK READ A BOOK RETURN A BOOK

Redeemer’s Library Ministry reached out to our ministry partners at Lutheran Towers in early December to see if we could meet any of their needs. The Towers library was closed, but we obtained approval from the Towers staff to install a Little Free Library of sorts.

We repurposed a small three-tiered table on wheels, cleaned and polished it, and stocked it with books donated from our team’s personal libraries, and installed it in the upper reception area of the Towers that opens onto Redeemer’s lower parking lot. It currently holds 30+ books, and we have plans to refresh the collection, as needed.

Library Ministry: Mary Mahoney, Chair Joan Vernor, Carl Tiegreen, Sharon Pike, Harl Pike

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AIR DATE: SUNDAY JANUARY 10, 2021 TOM KENNY: THE STORY OF GOD THE REV. THOMAS KENNY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA IN HIS SERMON ON MARK 1, THE REV. TOM KENNY SAYS GOD IS READY TO REVEAL THE GOOD NEWS TO ANYONE WHO IS READY TO LISTEN AND HEAR THE STORY OF GOD.

````````````````````````````````````` THE REV. THOMAS KENNY IS A RETIRED LUTHERAN PASTOR SERVING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF BISHOP KEVIN STRICKLAND IN THE ELCA SOUTHEASTERN SYNOD IN ATLANTA. TOM WAS A SENIOR PASTOR FOR 10 YEARS IN HIALEAH, FL, AND FOR 27 YEARS IN GEORGIA. AND HAVING RETIRED FROM PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN JOHNS CREEK IN 2015, HE NOW SERVES CONGREGATIONS IN METRO ATLANTA AS AN INTERIM OR SUPPLY PASTOR. TOM IS A NATIVE OF COUNTY CORK, IRELAND, ATTENDED SEMINARY AT ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE IN TIPPERARY, AND SERVED AS A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST BEFORE BECOMING A LUTHERAN IN 1970.

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JANUARY BIRTHDAYS 1 Suzanne Aldridge 1 Jared Joella 1 Ed Konrad 1 Mark Wuttke 2 Thomas Herman 2 Kitty Lowry 2 Megan McCloskey 3 Landon Aikens 3 Nick Berrebi 3 Lily Guthrie 3 Benjamin Howle 3 Mark Huntemann 3 Dewey Ingham 3 Robert McKenzie 3 Kirsten Summer 5 Christi Barr 5 Bahnam Scott 6 Julie Allaman 6 D.Anna Bennett 6 Pat Cornwell 6 Chris Johanson 6 Madeline Reynolds 6 Park Thomas 7 Tom Delbrook 7 Taylor Hite 7 Kathy Presgrove 7 Diana Worthington-White 8 Jonathan Barr 8 Cindy Bohntinsky 8 Doug Glenn 8 Travis Mayo 8 Zack Ruthorford 8 Aaron Whitehouse 9 Andy Burnett 9 Norman Chu 9 Tamika Stiggers-Williams 9 Mike Yarnold 10 Chris Pearson 10 Nicole Stevens 10 Lynn Talsma 10 Greg Wagner 11 Carol Masters 11 Liam McDonald 11 Lily McDonald 11 John Roche 11 Regine Stevens 11 Kathy Wilson-Chu

12 Connor Dougherty 12 Suzanne Nieman 12 Courtney Ulmer 13 Brian Arthur 13 Dienna Dewey 13 Jennifer Fernandes 13 Jake Jones 13 Julia Jordan 13 Elizabeth Roche 13 Rob Schiltz 13 Laura Thomson 14 Rose Alvarado 14 Barry Leonard 14 Dylan Lustick 14 Amanda Medrow 14 Erika Milczek 14 Nancy Reno 14 Jennie Mae Smith 14 Mark Whitaker 15 Conner Deebel 15 Brian Ludvigsen 15 Jana Thomas 16 Kathy Hill 16 David Huiner 16 Kristin Paul 16 Kris West 17 Nita Borchers 17 Tom Christner 17 Ray Grant 17 Peter Roberts 17 Dylan St. John 18 Grace Franetovich 18 Chris Rowe 18 Arthur Tilley 19 Linda Huntemann 19 Donna Hyde 19 Britt Morris 20 Lana Kraby 20 Claire Quinn 21 Ava Ballard 21 Ellen Lawson 21 Gabriel Peterson 21 Marie Petway

22 Mark Johnson 22 Kelida Lowry 22 Travis Smith 23 Lisa Barfield 23 Dazia Fumbah 23 Liz Kim 23 Jake Riggs 23 Pete Sides 24 Reitter Kittilson 24 Doyle Long 24 Tami Patterson 25 Fiona Peterson 25 Jacob Pinyon 25 Jeanne Riggall 26 Cayte Dillard 26 Tru Esker 26 Emily Treibel 27 Bettina Cothran 27 Sydney Hales 27 Karen Lefstead 27 Danny McKeithen 27 Bryan Sexton 27 Ava Stapleton 27 Helen Struensee 28 Sarah Bertini 28 Jeff Guthrie 28 Reed Haury 28 Molly Ludvigsen 28 Randall Mauney 28 Richard Mauney 28 Andrew Nowatzki 28 Charlotte Spady 28 Craig Stephens 28 Rob Sundal 28 Beverly Thornton 29 Jeremy Ashlock 29 Wally Hedlund 29 Leta Helsel 29 Wayne Rowe 30 Leona Fehn 30 Julia Gerhardt 30 Carolyn Myhre 30 Kaylie Stephens 30 Avery Thomas 30 Walter Zimmer 31 Jim Spitler 31 Gail Spurlock