Announcements & Prayers of Intercession | July 25, 2020

Redeemer Youth & Family Zoom Call // We are planning a Zoom meeting for youth & families to connect on this Sunday, July 26 from 10:30-10:50 AM. Join here! We would love to see your faces and learn about what you’ve been up to this summer!

Volunteers Needed for Holy Trinity Food Distribution // Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis has been providing goods and services to neighbors who, over the course of the Minneapolis Uprising, lost or experienced significantly reduced access to transportation services and affordable grocers. They plant to continue distribution through Friday, September 4th. They are asking for 5-10 volunteers weekly from Redeemer to help organize and distribute goods to neighbors. Their greatest need is for second-shift volunteers. Please sign up here. If you need more information, please contact Holy Trinity's volunteer director, Grace Corbin: Htlcgeorgefloyd@gmail.com 

H-Cubed Returns August 1st! // After a year of being away on pastoral internship, graduating grad school,, traveling out of the country, while still organizing for Black Liberation and racial justice, H-Cubed is back to continually cultivate hope, healing, and harmony in our community! Join us in Redeemer’s Backyard for our next official gathering outdoors on Saturday, August 1st from 3-6 PM, featuring community healer, author, and speaker Dr. Joi Lewis. Stay connected on social media for more info!

Climate Justice Voter Training: Relational Organizing for Transformational Change - Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light // Join Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light to learn how you can be a Climate Justice Voter Champion. Virtual trainings will be held throughout the summer and fall, including on Thursday, August 6, 4-5:30 pm. Visit mnipl.org for more information or Register here. 

North Porch Project // Leila, one of the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement (CLNE) and RCFL’s summer interns, has developed the North Porch Project to depict North Minneapolis neighbors at their homes and share their stories and what sparks hope in this moment in history. Families are asked to pose on their porches (or at home) in a way that genuinely portrays their life. The purpose of North Porch is to give North Minneapolis a face and create a sense of familiarity to the non-suburban communities; to show how real people are living and connecting right now. If interested please contact Leila Rocha Fisher.

SAVE THE DATE: RCFL Gala on September 12, 2020 // You’re invited to Join us for an online event on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at 7pm. This Rooted in Community free online event allow more people to join us as we gather virtually, invest in the future of our programming, and celebrate 22 years of promoting inclusive development in North Minneapolis. Registration to open soon!

GALA DONATIONS NEEDED // RCFL's Gala Committee is looking for three big-ticket items to include on their auction for this year's Virtual Gala. Do you have a North Shore cabin you'd be willing to open up and share? Do you know of a chef who'd be willing to donate an in-home cooking experience for four? Do you have a personal talent or skill you'd be willing to donate or host for a small group in 2021? Please connect with Mali to share your ideas with the Gala Committee.
REDEEMER COMMUNITY GARDE EVENTS  // Summertime is busy in Redeemer garden! Along with our weekly garden work days every Sunday afternoon from 1-4pm, we’d love for you to join us at these social-distanced events! For more information, contact our garden coordinator Greta.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED // In light of the May 25th murder of George Floyd, Siri Fiebiger (Redeemer Church Council President) and Mali Jensen (RCFL Director of Volunteers & Partnerships) are working together for Redeemer to help meet community needs! If interested in becoming part of Redeemer’s team of volunteers who receive ongoing calls to action (e.g. Holy Trinity, church cleaning, donation supply management, voter registration, etc), please contact Siri or Mali.

ZOOM FELLOWSHIP at 9:30am Sundays // Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30am for fellowship and prayer. Followthis link to join open the Zoom app and enter the following: Meeting ID: 853 1810 2674 | Password: 557820 or call in by phone to (312) 626-6799.

MENTAL HEALTH CONNECT (MHC) // Mental Health Connect is a local non-profit based out of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis offering free, non-biased support for anyone seeking mental health resources. Visit their website to learn more, or contact Mali, Redeemer's MHC ambassador

HELP US MAKE MASKS! // As this pandemic continues amidst reopening, summer life, and the current Uprising for Justice, the need for cloth masks is growing! If you or someone you know is able and willing to help sew masks for ongoing distribution, please contact Redeemer's minister of service and advocacy, Holly De Souza.

HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM continues to provide services to the Harrison and North Minneapolis community! You can stay updated on their schedule of services and events, including virtual nurse consultations and Zumba classes, via their facebook page!

---

Readings & Gospel: Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 44:6-8, Psalm 86:11-17, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Intercessor: Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need -- a brief silence --

Merciful God, your reign is revealed to us in a mustard shrub, help your church witness to the surprising yet common ways you encounter us in daily life as we form the faith of children and youth, anticipating with parents and guardians in-person or online schooling. Lead us in treasuring the earth as we live as grateful and healing caretakers of our home. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

As the birds of the air nest in branches of trees, gather the nations of the world into the welcoming shade of your merciful reign of building trust with each other and walking in the way of peace within the U.S especially Portland, and New York, the protesting in Bolivia, and the civil strife in Ethiopia. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for the saints according to your will. Give comfort to the dying, refuge to the weary, justice to those who are oppressed, and healing to the sick, especially any living with COVID-19 and weighing heavily on our hearts and minds . . . Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You show steadfast love and direct us in calling the next pastor by boldly asking for what is most needed when refreshed with new dreams of being your people in this place and time. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Pastor: In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.