newsletter march 2025

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LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER

ATLANTA, GA

2025LentenTheme:"Belonging"

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, our theme for 2025 "Belonging" invites us to reflect on our connection to God, our faith community, and the world around us. In a time when many struggle with isolation and uncertainty, Lent offers a renewed opportunity to deepen our sense of belonging through prayer,reflection,andactsoflove.

Lent is traditionally a season of sacrifice and renewal, but it is also a time to recognize that we are not alone in our journey. We belong to Christ, who walked the path of suffering and redemption for us. We belongtooneanother,calledtosupportanduplifteachotherinfaith.Andwebelongtoagreatermission toliveouttheGospelinwaysthatbringhealing,hope,andunity.

Throughoutthisseason,weencourageyoutoembracebelongingintangibleways: ThroughPrayer–SpendtimewithGod,knowingyouaredeeplylovedandaccepted.

ThroughCommunity–ParticipateinWorship,Lentensmallgroups,oractsofservicethatstrengthen yourconnectionwithothers.

ThroughReflection–ConsiderwhatitmeanstobelongfullytoGodandhowyoucanextendthatsame welcometothosewhofeellostoralone.

ThisLent,letuswalktogetherinfaith,knowingthatwearepartofsomethinggreaterthanourselves.May thisseasonremindusthatinChrist,wealwayshaveahome aplaceoftruebelonging

LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN

BOOKSTUDY BOOKSTUDY BOOKSTUDY

BYVISITINGTHETABLE INTHESIMSATRIUM ORBYUSINGTHISLINK

Thisyearwe'llread'Belonging'byTheRevDr KarolineLewis,aLutheranpastorandprofessoratLuther Seminary.ThebookhelpsreadersunderstandandliveoutChristiandiscipleshipinawaythatfeelsdeeply authentictothem.PastorLewisstructuresthebookaroundthestoryoftheSamaritanwomanatthewell, guidingreaderstoforgedeepconnectionswithbiblicalcharactersthatleadtoself-discovery.

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:

AtRedeemer,weholdBaptismFestivals,specialSundaysdesignated forbaptismswhenseveralfamiliesmaybecelebratingabaptismat thesametime.Pleaseinquireformoredetailsonhowscheduling worksandtogettheBaptismregistrationform.

Baptismisasacramentcelebratedincommunity Groupingup baptismsoncertaindaysallowsustouseaspecialliturgyfocused onbaptismandtrulyhighlightitasaspecialevent,ratherthanit beingafootnotetoaservicewithadifferentfocus.

Upcoming Festival Dates

Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Family Easter Vigil Service, 11 am or the evening Easter Vigil Service at 7 pm

Sunday, May 25, 2025 at either service

Summer and Fall Dates will be announced soon

AgesPreKandupandtheirparents.

Whetheryourchildhasbeenwaitingfortheirfirst communionoralreadystartedreceiving,weencourage themtogrowtheirunderstandingofthisancientand holypractice.Notsureifthisistherightyearforyour childtoparticipate?We'rehappytohelpyoudecide!

March29:9:30-11:30LearningaboutCommunion March30:BlessinginWorshipateitherservice

Easter Drive: Treats Needed!

PleasehelpuscelebrateEasterwithRedeemer Familiesandwelcomeourneighborsandfriends bydonatingindividuallywrappedcandyorsmall Easteritems.Thisyear,wearealsogathering itemsforaserviceproject:birthdaykitsforadults withdisabilitieswhoareclientsofInspiritus

YoucanparticipateintheAmazonlistatthislink (itemswillbesentdirectlytothechurch).

ThedeadlinetoorderitemsisApril6

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY

Saturday, April 19: 10:00 am- 12:30 pm

JoinusSaturdaymorning,thedaybeforeEaster,forourFamilyEasterVigilworship andcelebration.

StartwithfunEasteractivities,includingapettingzoo,softpretzels,andafamily serviceproject.

theEasterVigilliturgydesignedforfamilies.Theservicewillmoveusfromthe sadnessofGoodFridaytothejoyandcelebrationofEastermorning!

Lastbutnotleast,stayforsomeegghuntfunwithyourRedeemerfriends-ages 0-5thgrade.

1:30-3:30pm

NoRSVPrequired.Inviteafriend! Clickheretosupportoursupplydrive forthisevent

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.

SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY

Belonging

Rejoicing Spirits Worship

Sunday, March 16 at 10:15 am

ThismonthatRejoicingSpirits,wewilldigintoourLententhemandexplorewhat itmeanstobelongasadiscipleofJesus.

Wemeetat10:15amonselectSundaymorningsinRudisillHall.Allagesandabilitiesare welcome RejoicingSpiritsisa'non-hushing'servicewhereeveryonecanbethemselves Ourservicewillbehybrid.YoucanjoinworshipdirectlyatthisZoomlink.

Thank Celebrating

We’vebeenrejoicingtogeth

y,February23wehadour“Rejoiceaversary”duringRSworship, dsharedourfavoritesong(ThisLittle Light)inourJazzandTraditio altreatsintheAtrium Itwasajoyful andspirit-filledday!Wecan’twaittoseewhatthenextfiveyearsbring.

Thanksforcelebratingwithus,andbesuretoputRejoicingSpiritsonyourscheduleagain-we needfriendstowalkalongsideusandrejoicewithus!

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

LentenBookStudy-'Belonging'byTheRevDrKarolineLewis

ThebookhelpsreaderstounderstandandliveoutChristiandiscipleshipinawaythatismostdeeply authenticforthemselves.PastorLewisstructuresitaroundthestoryoftheSamaritanwomanatthewell andguidesthereadertodiscoverdeepconnectionwithbiblicalcharacterswholeadtoself-discovery.

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

Worship at 7:00 PM

Lenten worship

HolyClosureLiturgyforLutheranch Sunday,March30that1:00PM attheMcKanna-SanndrockCenter 402SalemChurchRd,Tallapoosa,GA30176 JoinusatLutheranchforaHolyClosureLiturgy

WewillgatherontheporchoftheMcKannaCenterforaHolyClosureLiturgytobeginat1:30p.m.,followedby anopportunityforindividualsorgroupstohavetimetohonorconnectionsmadeatLutheranch.

Inaddition,wewillprovidetheHolyClosureLiturgytoCongregationsinterestedinusingitduringworshipon Sunday,March30th.

SomeindividualsandgroupsareplanningtheirownvisitstohonortheirtimeatLutheranch Ifyouareunable tojoinusonthe30th,andwouldliketimetovisit,pleaseletusknowwhenyou'dliketocomeontheform below.TheremaybegroupsonsitebetweennowandMarch30thwhoareleadingtheirownpaidretreatsor events.Weaskthatyounotinterrupttheiractivities.WealsoaskthatallvisitorsremainontheMcKannaCenter sideoftheproperty.

Pleaseusethisformtoletusknowyourplansand/orrequesttheliturgyforyourchurchbeforeMarch25that: https://forms.gle/neiytEza8LNxGTj1A

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.

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

Barnes (David.R.Barnes@gmail.com) or Dana Norden (DNorden3@gmail.com) REGISTER HERE: https://vhub.at/redeemer

Dearfriend,

DONATE

Asweapproachacrucialmoment,Iwanttopersonallythankyouforyoursupportandremindyouhowmuch yourgenerositymeanstorefugeefamiliesinAtlantaandSavannah.Wearehalfwaytoourfundraisinggoal,but withMarchrentduetoday,weneedyourhelptomeetourtargetandensurethatfamilieslikeLinh,Mai,and theirsonThanharenotdisplaced.

Tothosewhohavealreadygiven,thankyou.Yourkindnesshasallowedustomakeincredibleprogress,and yoursupporthasprovidedalifelineforsomanyfamilies.Buttheneedisstillgreat,andwemustraise$39,000 thisweekend.Wecandoit!

LinhandMaiʼsstoryisoneofhopeandperseverance.TheyfledVietnamafterLinhbecameatargetforhis outspokencriticismofthegovernmentʼstreatmentofvulnerablepopulations.Withtheiryoungson,Thanh,they bravelylefteverythingbehindandsoughtsafetyintheUnitedStates.TheyarrivedinSavannahjusttwomonths ago,inDecember2024,eagertorebuildtheirlives

Linhhasbeenworkingtirelesslytofindstableemployment,andIʼmthrilledtosharethatheisabouttostarthis newjob markingahugemilestoneinhisfamilyʼsjourney.Butdespitethisgreatprogress,theystillfacetherisk ofevictionwithoutimmediatesupportifwecan'treplacetheirrentfundingthatthegovernmenthasfrozen. Withoutthefundswestillneedtoraise,familieslikeLinhandMaiʼscouldlosetheirhomethismonth Wearehalfwaythere,andwithyourhelp,wecancrossthefinishline.Yourgiftwillkeepfamiliesliketheirs housed,allowingthemtocontinuetheirpathtowardindependence Ifyouhavenʼtyetdonated,Iencourageyou tojointhe82donorswhohavealreadygivengenerouslytoMarchrent.Together,wecanmakesureLinh and somanyothers arenotleftbehind.

Pleasegivetodayatweinspirit.org/donate,oremailmedirectlyifyouʼdprefertodonatebymailorthroughyour church,andwe'llincludeyourpledgeamountintoday'srentpaymentforafamily

ThankyouforyourcompassionandcommitmenttohelpingfamilieslikeLinh,Mai,andThanh.Together,wecan helpthemandsomanyotherscreateafutureofhopeandstability.

Withsinceregratitude,

Inspiritus

CHILDREN AND FAMILY MINISTRY

Spring and Summer Events

Family Retreat at Lutheranch: Tallapoosa, GA for your whole family

March 14-16; 6 pm Friday- 11 am Sunday Family Easter Vigil and Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 19

10 am -12:30 pm for your whole family Vacation Bible School

June 2-6; Ages 3-5th grade Camp in the City (Day Camp at neighboring ELCA church)

June 8-13

Ages Redeemer Week at Lutheridge (Arden, NC)

June 22-27 first- 5th grades (Completed)

Redeemer Music & Arts Camp

June 9-13

scan this code to register for rising K-6th grade

9:00 am-4:00 pm, with free before and after-care handbells, choir, art, drama, special guest performers registration deadline May 30

$175 tuition, with sibling discounts and financial need based scholarships available Teens, apply to to be a counselor!

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