 ASH WEDNESDAY DRIVE-UP IMPOSITION OF ASHES & COMMUNION // Weather permitting, Redeemer invites you to come to the Redeemer Logan parking lot (behind Milda’s Cafe) on Ash Wednesday, February 17th at 12 noon only for Drive-Up Ashes Imposition and Distribution of Prepackaged Sacrament of Holy Communion. Pastor Kelly will place ashes on a spoon for you to make the cross on your forehead and those of your family, speak the blessing for ash imposition and the promise for Holy Communion (distributed with gloved hand), and offer a prayer. VIRTUAL COMMUNION NEXT SUNDAY // We welcome you to Redeemer’s Virtual Sacrament of Holy Communion next Sunday, February 21st. Whether you partake by sharing bread and wine or grape juice at home, or simply joining our prayers, know that all are included in the loving and forgiving communion of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus for our life together. We will continue to offer the sacrament each first and third Sunday of the month. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // We need readers for Lent worship!! Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the months of January and February. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN ZOOM GATHERING // We invite you to join us each Wednesday evening during Lent (beginning February 24th) at 6:30pm for zoom gatherings. We will share in pre-recorded Holden Evening Prayer and discuss different topics each week in smaller groups. Bring a bowl of your favorite soup or a cup of your favorite tea and join us here. (Meeting ID: 874 4538 4114 | Passcode: 340861 or dial-in by phone to 301-715-8592) THANK YOU! // We thank Dr. Robin Bell for providing emergency pastoral care during Pastor Kelly’s vacation, Pastor Babette, Campus Pastor at Augsburg University, for presiding and preaching on Sunday Feb. 7th, and Chaplain Bill Dexheimer Pharris for our birthday song! OPPORTUNITY to TAKE ACTION to PROTECT THE HEALTH OF NORTH MINNEAPOLIS and the PLANET // The MN Pollution Control Agency is proposing an important rule change that will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new cars beginning with 2025 models, and it will increase the availability of zero emissions cars in MN. Currently only 19 of the 43 zero emissions vehicle models are available in MN. This legislation will require manufacturers to add increasingly more zero emissions vehicles to the MN market. Currently, MN is falling far below our greenhouse gas reduction goals and the people most adversely affected by gas emissions are here in North Minneapolis. This is an important rule for our community and our planet; the Service and Advocacy Committee is partnering with MN Interfaith Power and Light to ask you to support the rule change and sign the following petition. Please log in here to sign MN Interfaith Power and Light’s petition. It is important to note that Redeemer’s own, Sam Benson, works for MN Interfaith Power and Light and has been spearheading this effort! ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER” T-SHIRTS // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) is offering new “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts for a suggested donation of $10 (or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee). These high quality, no shrink t-shirts come in sizes: Youth XS, S, M, & L and Adult S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Order your t-shirts by filling out the online order form. ZOOM FELLOWSHIP: SUNDAY at 10:30AM // Please join us at 10:30am this Sunday for Zoom Fellowship. Next Sunday, February 21st, will be hosted by Dr. Bell (Redeemer Council minister for Racial Justice), Amy Koopman, and others among the recently-trained Redeemer community organizers.They will share their experiences of the weeklong Community Organizing for Faith Leaders training and discuss what you might experience should you join the June 2021 training! (Meeting ID: 828 2807 5412 | Passcode: 371196 or dial-in by phone to 312-626-6799) PRAYERS FOR REDEEMER BABIES // Please hold in your prayers Redeemer households expecting new births in the coming weeks and months: Alyssa Schwitzer (and Elizabeth Hanson), Linnae Nelson-Seys (with Jamie and Abraham Seys), Rachel Birkedahl (and Derwim Halim), and our accompanist Steven Hobert’s partner Sarah Lindsey. We can’t wait to meet these little ones and shower their families when it’s safe to do so! COVID-19 PREVENTION & VACCINES // The best protection from the various mutations of the COVID-19 virus—whether you are vaccinated or not—is to: -- stay home whenever possible; -- stay 6 feet away from others in all spaces; -- wear a mask (or two) so that there is adequate filtration and a snug fit over the bridge of your nose, cheeks, and chin; and -- wash your hands often and well. See the MN Department of Health COVID-19 site for more in-depth and current information about symptoms, testing, and vaccines. At this time, in MN, vaccines are being given to long-term care residents and staff, healthcare workers, K-12 teachers, child care workers, and people over 65. Currently, vaccine demand exceeds the supply. MN Department of Health offers a vaccine locator site. When you receive a vaccine appointment, be sure to dress appropriately so that your upper arm is easily accessible (for example, wear a short-sleeve t-shirt under your sweater/jacket).  Transfiguration of our Lord | Readings & Gospel: 2 Kings 2:1-12 | Psalm 50:1-6 | 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 | Mark 9:2-9 Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need . . .
For the gospel proclaimed in word and deed, for communities of faith far and near, and for all who show the face of Christ throughout the world, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For creation: sun, moon and stars; life forming in the dark earth and ocean deep; mountains, clouds and storms, and creatures seen and unseen, and for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our stewardship of God’s creation, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For those responsible for safety and protection: attorneys and advocates, civil servants and leaders of governments, that they witness to mercy and justice in Buffalo, MN, Ecuador and throughout the world, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For all who suffer this day, Dennis, Itasca, Ione, Kogo Nora, Mary, and Sarah, our local and global siblings, the vaccinated and unvaccinated, all living with surging and variant COVID-19 in Argentina, France with accompanying lockdowns alongside of quarantines, for all emergency responders, security guards, as well as disaster volunteers, the unsheltered campers at 2nd Ave North and Van White Memorial Blvd, brothers James and Bobbie, Cindy, Linda, Jovita, Maggie, Samantha, William . . . that Christ our healer transform sickness into health, loneliness into companionship, bereavement into consolation, and suffering into peace, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For companions on life’s journey in this worshiping community, for loved ones who cannot be with us this day, and for guidance during struggles we face as we anticipate our next pastor, as Minneapolis children and youth return to school that God’s glory is revealed around and among us, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. In thanksgiving for the faithful departed who now rest from their earthly pilgrimage especially missionaries Cyril and Methodius with Chris, Fessehatsion Kiflu Berhane, and Agui Elicki that their lives of service and prayer inspire us in our living, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.  VIRTUAL COMMUNION THIS SUNDAY // We welcome you to Redeemer’s first Virtual Sacrament of Holy Communion next Sunday, February 7th. Whether you partake by sharing bread and wine or grape juice at home, or simply join our prayers, know that all are included in the loving and forgiving communion of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus for our life together. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // We need readers for February worship!! Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the months of January and February. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. ASH WEDNESDAY DRIVE-UP IMPOSITION OF ASHES & COMMUNION // Weather permitting, Redeemer invites you to come to the Redeemer Logan parking lot On Ash Wednesday, February 17th at 12 noon or from 5pm-7pm for Drive-Up Ashes Imposition and Distribution of Prepackaged Sacrament of Holy Communion. Pastor Kelly will place ashes on a spoon for you to make the cross on your forehead, and will speak the blessing for ash imposition and the promise for Holy Communion (distributed with gloved hand) and offer a prayer. ZOOM FELLOWSHIP: SUNDAY at 10:30AM // Please join us at 10:30am this Sunday, 2/7, for Zoom Fellowship hosted by Dr. Bell, Redeemer Council minister for Racial Justice and the recently-trained Redeemer community organizers.They will share their experiences of the weeklong Community Organizing for Faith Leaders training and discuss what you might experience should you join the June 2021 training! We join in blessing for Dr. Bell who has been endorsed by a Minneapolis Area Synod theological review panel for ordained ministry. (Meeting ID: 828 2807 5412 | Passcode: 371196 | or dial-in to +1 312 626 6799) ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER” T-SHIRTS // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) is offering new “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts for a suggested donation of $10 (or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee). These high quality, no shrink t-shirts come in sizes: Youth small and medium & Adult S, M, L, XL, and XXL. Order your t-shirts by filling out the online order form. PRAYERS FOR REDEEMER BABIES // Please hold in your prayers Redeemer households expecting new births in the coming weeks and months: Alyssa Schwitzer (and Elizabeth Hanson), Linnae Nelson-Seys (with Jamie and Abraham Seys), Rachel Birkedahl (and Derwim Halim), and our accompanist Steven Hobert’s partner Sarah Lindsey. We can’t wait to meet these little ones and shower their families when it’s safe to do so! COVID-19 VACCINES // M Health Fairview will begin scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for people 75 years of age or older in addition to front-line health care workers who cannot perform their job remotely. The M Health Fairview COVID-19 vaccination effort is a phased approach, per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. Those eligible willl be asked to show identification including a driver’s license or other government issued ID or proof of employment at the time of your vaccination, whichever is applicable. COVID-19 vaccines require two doses. Please choose a first appointment that allows you to return exactly 21 days later at the same location. Your second vaccine appointment will be scheduled when you receive your first dose HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q&A's online and via Zoom. Follow them on Facebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room.  Fifth Sunday after Epiphany | Readings & Gospel Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 Gracious God, by day and night we pour out our prayer to you. We are crying out for justice, yearning for what is right, longing for your peace. Come quickly to help us, O God; save those who call upon your name.
We hear of hateful violence and senseless killings . . . We feel the suffering, sorrow, and shame of the oppressed . . . We fear that justice will again be delayed or denied . . . We recognize patterns of privilege and systems of discrimination . . . We see your creation destroyed by carelessness and greed . . . We weep for the victims of COVID-19, police brutality, anti-LGBTQIA bigotry, and more. . . We grieve in the aftermath of the insurrection at the Capitol, and with those who’ve lost family, friends, and loved ones to ignorance, conspiracy, and violence birthed from hate and fear. . . We pray for an end to systemic racism, white supremacy, institutionalized greed and legislated oppression. . . We long for a day when Your justice and mercy will topple empires through changed hearts and transformed cultures . . . We remember the deaths of Fessehatsion Kiflu Berhane, Chris, and those who’ve passed on from this life . . . Gracious God, keep us working and praying for the day when your justice will roll down like waters, and your righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Replenish our strength and stir up our hope as we look for signs of your coming reign. And fill us with the peace that passes understanding—the deep peace of Jesus Christ our Savior, in whose holy name we pray. Amen.  VIRTUAL COMMUNION NEXT SUNDAY // We welcome you to Redeemer’s first Virtual Sacrament of Holy Communion next Sunday, February 7th. Whether you partake by sharing bread and wine or grape juice at home, or simply join our prayers, know that all are included in the loving and forgiving communion of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus for our life together. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // We need readers for February worship!! Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the months of January and February. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! COVID-19 VACCINES // M Health Fairview will begin scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for people 75 years of age or older in addition to front-line health care workers who cannot perform their job remotely. The M Health Fairview COVID-19 vaccination effort is a phased approach, per guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health. Those eligible willl be asked to show identification including a driver’s license or other government issued ID or proof of employment at the time of your vaccination, whichever is applicable. COVID-19 vaccines require two doses. Please choose a first appointment that allows you to return exactly 21 days later at the same location. Your second vaccine appointment will be scheduled when you receive your first dose. HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q&A's online and via Zoom. Follow them on Facebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room.  Fourth Sunday after Epiphany | Readings & GospelDeuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, & Mark 1:21-28 In the Gospel of Mark, the first person healed by Jesus had “an unclean spirit.” So do we all; yet in baptism we receive instead the Holy Spirit. The second reading this Sunday is Paul’s interesting discussion about whether Christians could eat meat that had been first offered to gods or goddesses. Since nearly all meat available in Corinth at that time had been first offered in a pagan religious rite, Paul offers his advice in this dilemma. Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need-
For all who share the gospel and proclaim freedom in Christ throughout the world: prophets, teachers, pastors, deacons, and lay leaders; for the church and its ministries, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For government and leaders: cities and nations, rescue professionals and legal aid attorneys, elected officials and grassroots organizers; for all responsible for the well-being of civil society, protecting our natural resources and all that exists, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For those living with HIV/AIDS, those struggling with mental illness, those who are hungry or homeless,and those who suffer in mind, body, or spirit: Ione, Dennis, Mary, and Sarah, our local and global siblings living with surging COVID-19 in Ethiopia, Lebanon, Belarus, and the Church in the Holy Land, with accompanying lockdowns and quarantines, for all first responders as well as disaster volunteers, caregivers, hospice workers, and home health aides, the unsheltered campers at 2nd Ave North and Van White Memorial Blvd, brothers James and Bobbie, Cindy, Linda, Jovita, Maggie, Samantha . . . let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For the concerns of Redeemer: those who travel, our online worship, those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries; seeking a pastor for the people of God in this place and for other needs in our Harrison community, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For the covenant God made with us in the waters of baptism, in thanksgiving for the baptized, Fessehatsion Kiflu Berhane and Chris who have died in the Lord, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.  ANNUAL MEETING THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 24th via ZOOM // We will hold our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24th at 10:30am via zoom. This meeting will take place during our regular weekly fellowship, and can be joined through the Sunday fellowship zoom link. Meeting ID: 828 2807 5412 | Passcode: 371196) or dial in by phone to (312) 626-6799. You may familiarize yourself with topics of discussion by viewing and/or downloading our 2020 Annual Report Online. 2021 REDEEMER COUNCIL SLATE FOR ELECTIONS // Nominating Committee Update: The following Members and Ministers are up for (re)election at Annual Meeting • President -Siri Fiebiger (second term) • Vice President - Mike Tarras (first term; former treasurer without term limits) • Treasurer - Kristin Gilbert (second term; former Stewardship Minister) • Property -Stuart Munk (1 year position due to pandemic and transition) • Advocacy and Service- Holly DeSouza (second term) • Education and Youth- Lonna Field & Anna Kottkamp (second term) Ministers for nominating and electing at Annual Meeting • Secretary (Minutes taker/maintainer;Officer/Executive Council) - • Fellowship- • Evangelism/Outreach - • Stewardship - We give thanks for the ministry of these outgoing Council ministers and we seek your prayerful consideration for filling these roles: Rachel Birkedahl (Secretary); Mary Britt (Fellowship); Pastor Babette (Evangelism/Outreach); Curtis Coats (Vice-President); Jason Hirsh (Education-Youth Ministry). We thank the nominating Committee of Rachel, Lonna, Pastor Babette, and Krisitin. 2021 GIVING ENVELOPES // We thank you for your financial giving to Redeemer Lutheran! Members received offering envelope boxes at the Nov. 8, 2020 Parked Bike and Car Worship. Come claim yours from 10 to 12 at the Redeemer office on Saturday, Jan. 30th. Call or email Amy and we will leave them in the yellow Redeemer Little Library. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // We need readers for January and February worship!! Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the months of January and February. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q&A's online and via Zoom. Follow them on Facebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room.  Third Sunday after Epiphany | Readings & Gospel: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 The word “Epiphany” means “the showing forth of God,” and the readings on the Sundays after Epiphany continue to show forth Jesus to be our God. This Sunday, Jesus calls the disciples—and us—to repent, believe, and follow him. And Jonah, after trying to run away, finally heeds God’s call and preaches repentance in Nineveh, the capital city of Israel’s enemy Assyria. Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need--
For the church throughout the world, for pastors and teachers, for deacons and deaconesses, and for musicians and servers, that all proclaim the good news of God’s reconciling love, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For skies and seas, for birds and fish, for favorable weather and clean water, and for the well-being of creation, that God raise up advocates and scientists to guide our care for all the earth, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For the sick, distressed, or grieving; for the outcast and all who await relief Ione, Dennis, Mary, and Sarah, our local and global siblings living with surging COVID-19 in California, France, UK, and vaccines costs in South Africa with accompanying lockdowns with quarantines, for all first responders as well as disaster volunteers, the unsheltered campers at 2nd Ave North and Van White Memorial Blvd, brothers James and Bobbie, Cindy, Linda, Jovita, Maggie, Samantha, Shoonie . . . that in the midst of suffering, God’s peace and mercy surround them, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. For families big and small, our Redeemer seeking a pastor, the Harrison neighborhood, and for the weekly building users, Narcotics Anonymous and RCFL, providers of leadership in our cities and around the world, for Mental Health Connect, Fairview Health Commons, fHarrison Neighborhood Association and homeless advocates, that God inspires all people in the just use of wealth, and whose steadfast love serves as a model for all relationships, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. In thanksgiving for our ancestor in the faith Fessehatsion Kiflu Berhane whose life serves as an example of gospel living, pointing us to salvation through Christ, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
ANNUAL MEETING NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 24th via ZOOM // We will hold our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24th at 10:30am via zoom. This meeting will take place during our regular weekly fellowship, and can be joined through the Sunday fellowship zoom link. Meeting ID: 828 2807 5412 | Passcode: 371196) or dial in by phone to (312) 626-6799
SEEKING COUNCIL MINISTERS // We give thanks for the ministry of these outgoing Council members: Rachel Birkedahl (Secretary); Mary Britt (Fellowship); Pastor Babette (Evangelism/Outreach); Curtis Coats (Vice-President); Anna Kottkamp and Jason Hirsh (Education-Youth Ministry). We thank the nominating Committee of Rachel, Lonna, Pastor Babette, and Krisitin. Returning Council Members: Siri Fiebiger (seeking President); Mike Tarras (seeking Vice-President); Kristin Gilbert (Treasurer); Lonna Field ( Education-Youth Ministry); Holly DeSouza (Service/Advocacy/ Evangelism/Outreach); Dr. Robin Bell (Racial Justice); Jane Friendshuh (Worship); Stuart Munk (Property, 3rd term; 1 year or less with promise to recruit and equip next Property Minister). We seek your prayerful consideration needed to complete the elected Council Leadership Secretary/Officer, Fellowship, and Stewardship Minister. SYNOD and CHURCHWIDE RESPONSE TO INSURRECTION at the CAPITOL // Please see the Redeemer Facebook page for our ELCA siblings and Bishop Svennungsen’s Minneapolis Area Synod communications concerning our baptized public witness and engagement on the riotous and violent mob attack storming of the United States Capitol against the 117th United States Congress on January 6, 2021, carried out by supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump in an attempt to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // We need readers for January and February worship!! Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the months of January and February. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. MINNEAPOLIS AREA SYNOD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY // With prayers of thanksgiving for Redeemer Lutheran members and RCFL staff for enrolling in the Minneapolis Area Synod Zoom weeklong community organizing training. Redeemer Lutheran received a $15,000 grant from Augsburg University Riverside Innovation Hub to cover all expenses for 26 participants. The next training is June 21-25 on Zoom. We will host a Zoom Call with this past week’s trainees discussing the training and inviting others from the congregation and the Harrison community to sign on for the June training. Please contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more information! 2021 GIVING ENVELOPES // Pardon the late notice to pick up your 2021 offering envelopes. Some were distributed at the Nov. 8, 2020 Parked Bike and Car Worship. Come to claim yours at the Redeemer office at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11; Tuesday, Jan. 19, and Monday, Jan. 25. We thank you for your financial giving to Redeemer Lutheran. OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED // We need help stuffing envelopes this Tuesday, Jan. 19th and mailing the February newsletter the last week of January. If you can come to Redeemer to serve, please contact Amy or Pastor Kelly. HELP RESTORE REDEEMER PARAMENTS // Do you like sewing? The white and green high altar paraments need their hems restored. Call Redeemer at 612-886-1468. Pastor Kelly will bring and retrieve them for your expertise. REDEEMER CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE // The progress continues! The call committee met with Pr. Craig Pederson of the Synod Office on December 15, 2020 to review the next steps to find and call the next pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church! The congregation submitted the list of potential candidates to the Synod office; and the Synod office has reviewed the list and has added their own candidates as well (there was overlap with some candidates). In the next couple of weeks, interested pastoral candidates will be sending the Call Committee their Rostered Minister Profiles. These are essentially applications to be the pastor at Redeemer. Once the Call Committee receives a few Rostered Minister Profiles, we can set up interviews with the candidates. The Call Committee will be meeting January 5, 2021 to review and discuss interview questions and the interview process, as we prepare to start holding interviews with candidates in mid-to end January. Let us pray for God’s guidance and understanding as we head into the final phase of calling our next pastor. ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! THANK YOU from MARY BOLL // Mary Boll sends thanks to those who donated baby yarn for her ongoing project of crocheting and donating baby caps to Hennepin County Obstetrics and Gynecology. If you’d like to donate baby yarn to Mary Boll to help her continue this ministry during our long winter season, please email Amy to bring baby yarn to Redeemer Lutheran marked Mary Boll and a family member will pick it up for her. CAN YOU ATTEND HNA MEETINGS? // The Harrison Neighborhood Association is hoping to engage community members and friends in ongoing planning and conversations. All meetings are held via zoom at 7pm on the third Monday of each month. If you can join and represent Redeemer and our community, please do! HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q&A's online and via Zoom. Follow them on Facebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room.  EACH ONE REACH ONE REDEEMER CONTACT TREE // As we continue learning how to navigate the new normal with safer-at-home guidance and virtual worship, and as we approach the season of interviewing pastoral candidates, Redeemer staff and council are looking for ways to keep us all connected. One way is through our Each One Reach One initiative. We hope to send everyone a Redeemer Congregation roster of our current members and attenders so that when emergency announcements come through, you may find your name and contact the next person or family on the list. This will ensure that congregants stay informed of happenings and concerns even if they are not online often or at all. Please let us know as soon as possible if you DO NOT wish to be part of this Contact Tree!
MID-JANUARY OFFICE CLOSURES & CHANGES // Amy will be attending a community organizing training Monday through Friday this week, and checking email occasionally. Immediate questions or needs can be directed to Pastor Kelly. Offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 18th in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. ANNUAL MEETING: JANUARY 24th via ZOOM // We will hold our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24th at 10:30am via zoom. This meeting will take place during our regular weekly fellowship, and can be joined through the Sunday fellowship zoom link. Meeting ID: 828 2807 5412 | Passcode: 371196 or dial in by phone to (312) 626-6799 WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // We need readers for January worship!! Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the month of January. We imminently need readers for next Sunday, January 12th. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. MINNEAPOLIS AREA SYNOD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY // With prayers of thanksgiving for Redeemer Lutheran members and RCFL staff for enrolling in the Minneapolis Area Synod Zoom weeklong community organizing training. Redeemer Lutheran received a $15,000 grant from Augsburg University Riverside Innovation Hub to cover all expenses for 26 participants. The next training is June 21-25 on Zoom. We will host a Zoom Call of all of this week’s trainees for turning out another group from the congregation and the Harrison community. Please contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more information. 2021 GIVING ENVELOPES // Pardon the late notice to pick up your 2021 offering envelopes. Some were distributed at the Nov. 8, 2020 Parked Bike and Car Worship. Come to claim yours at the Redeemer office at 10am on Monday, Jan. 11th; Tuesday, Jan. 19th, and Monday, Jan. 25th. We thank you for your financial giving to Redeemer Lutheran. OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED // We need help stuffing envelopes on Tuesday, Jan. 19th and mailing the February newsletter the last week of January. If you can come to Redeemer to serve, please contact Amy or Pastor Kelly. HELP RESTORE REDEEMER PARAMENTS // Do you like sewing? The white and green high altar paraments need their hems restored. Call Redeemer at 612-886-1468. Pastor Kelly will bring and retrieve them for your expertise. REDEEMER CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE // The progress continues! The call committee met with Pr. Craig Pederson of the Synod Office on December 15, 2020 to review the next steps to find and call the next pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church! The congregation submitted the list of potential candidates to the Synod office; and the Synod office has reviewed the list and has added their own candidates as well (there was overlap with some candidates). In the next couple of weeks, interested pastoral candidates will be sending the Call Committee their Rostered Minister Profiles. These are essentially applications to be the pastor at Redeemer. Once the Call Committee receives a few Rostered Minister Profiles, we can set up interviews with the candidates. The Call Committee will be meeting January 5, 2021 to review and discuss interview questions and the interview process, as we prepare to start holding interviews with candidates in mid-to end January. Let us pray for God’s guidance and understanding as we head into the final phase of calling our next pastor. CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BISHOP EATON // In her 2020 Christmas message, Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, offers a reflection on what it means to be home in Christ. While many of us will not be physically home for Christmas this year, Eaton reminds us, “Precisely in our distress, in our dislocation, the Lord shows up. Emmanuel — God with us — makes his home in the very places we find foreign or isolating. … There is no God-forsaken place and we are never alone — not in hospital rooms, or sheltering in place, or Zoom calls or on dangerous roads.” Bishop Eaton’s Christmas message is available for download inEnglish andSpanish. ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! THANK YOU to our Sunday morning Advent households for praying and lighting the Advent wreath, speakers of the weekly readings for the First Sunday and Second Sunday of the Christmas seasons. We thank our preachers, Dr. Bell, Pastor Ankerfelt and Ministry Associate Scherer. THANK YOU from MARY BOLL // Mary Boll sends thanks to those who donated baby yarn for her ongoing project of crocheting and donating baby caps to Hennepin County Obstetrics and Gynecology. If you’d like to donate baby yarn to Mary Boll to help her continue this ministry during our long winter season, please email Amy to bring baby yarn to Redeemer Lutheran marked Mary Boll and a family member will pick it up for her. CAN YOU ATTEND HNA MEETINGS? // The Harrison Neighborhood Association is hoping to engage community members and friends in ongoing planning and conversations. All meetings are held via zoom at 7pm on the third Monday of each month. If you can join and represent Redeemer and our community, please do! HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q&A's online and via Zoom. Follow them on Facebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room.  HAPPY NEW YEAR! // We look forward to 2021 and all it will bring to Redeemer congregation! We hope your Christmas and New Year holidays have enriched you and your families and renewed your hope! SUNDAY MORNING ZOOM FELLOWSHIP // Join Dr Robin Bell this Sunday morning, December 27th, for zoom fellowship beginning at 10:30am. Click here to join (Meeting ID: 828 2807 5412 | Passcode: 371196) or dial in by phone to (312) 626-6799! FAMILY ZOOM with ECLC on JANUARY 3, 2021 @ 10:30am // Edina Community Lutheran Church invites Redeemer families to join them for a 30-minute zoom call. These times are a great way to see families from the other congregations and share the week’s craft together! Click here to join (Meeting ID: 867 2164 3104 | Passcode: 592394) WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // We need readers for January worship!! Pleaseregister online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the month of January. We imminently need readers for next Sunday, January 12th. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. MINNEAPOLIS AREA SYNOD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY // Through grant funding provided by the Riverside Innovation Hub, Redeemer and RCFL are sending a number of congregants, council members, and staff members to the Minneapolis Area Synod’s community faith organizer training January 11-15, 2021. The training will be held from 9am to 3pm each day that week. We have a few spots open and invite anyone interested to contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more information. REDEEMER CALL COMMITTEE UPDATE // The progress continues! The call committee met with Pr. Craig Pederson of the Synod Office on December 15, 2020 to review the next steps to find and call the next pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church! The congregation submitted the list of potential candidates to the Synod office; and the Synod office has reviewed the list and has added their own candidates as well (there was overlap with some candidates). In the next couple of weeks, interested pastoral candidates will be sending the Call Committee their Rostered Minister Profiles. These are essentially applications to be the pastor at Redeemer. Once the Call Committee receives a few Rostered Minister Profiles, we can set up interviews with the candidates. The Call Committee will be meeting January 5, 2021 to review and discuss interview questions and the interview process, as we prepare to start holding interviews with candidates in mid-to end January. Let us pray for God’s guidance and understanding as we head into the final phase of calling our next pastor. CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM BISHOP EATON // In her 2020 Christmas message, Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA, offers a reflection on what it means to be home in Christ. While many of us will not be physically home for Christmas this year, Eaton reminds us, “Precisely in our distress, in our dislocation, the Lord shows up. Emmanuel — God with us — makes his home in the very places we find foreign or isolating. … There is no God-forsaken place and we are never alone — not in hospital rooms, or sheltering in place, or Zoom calls or on dangerous roads.” Bishop Eaton’s Christmas message is available for download in English andSpanish. 12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT TREE // For the 12 days of Christmas (Dec. 25th - Jan. 6th), 12 ornaments will be on the ornamental tree at Logan and Glenwood on the Redeemer lawn. Take one; leave one and post your picture on our Facebook page! SAVE THE DATE: EPIPHANY of OUR LORD Worship Service, Jan. 6, 2021 // The ELCA bishops elected in 2019 will preside over a special worship service on January 6, 2021 at 8pm EST (7pm Central) and may be viewed on the ELCA churchwide facebook page or any of the ELCA synod pages. SAVE THE DATE: MLK ANNUAL COMMEMORATION SERVICE on JAN. 10, 2021 // Save the date and plan to join the Metro New York African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) on January 10th at 4pm (EST) for their annual service commemorating The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s event will be hosted online, and will feature preaching Bishop Patricia A. Davenport of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and presiding Bishop Paul Egensteiner presiding. Learn more here, or click here to register. ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! HELP RESTORE REDEEMER PARAMENTS // Do you like sewing? The white and green high altar paraments need their hems restored. Call Redeemer at 612-886-1468. Pastor Kelly will bring and retrieve them for your expertise. THANK YOU to our Sunday morning Advent households for praying and lighting the Advent wreath, speakers of the weekly readings for the First Sunday and Second Sunday of the Christmas seasons. We thank our preachers, Dr. Bell, Pastor Ankerfelt and Ministry Associate Scherer. THANK YOU from MARY BOLL // Mary Boll sends thanks to those who donated baby yarn for her ongoing project of crocheting and donating baby caps to Hennepin County Obstetrics and Gynecology. If you’d like to donate baby yarn to Mary Boll to help her continue this ministry during our long winter season, please email Amy to bring baby yarn to Redeemer Lutheran marked Mary Boll and a family member will pick it up for her. CAN YOU ATTEND HNA MEETINGS? // The Harrison Neighborhood Association is hoping to engage community members and friends in ongoing planning and conversations. All meetings are held via zoom at 7pm on the third Monday of each month. If you can join and represent Redeemer and our community, please do! HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q&A's online and via Zoom. Follow them on Facebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room. Second Sunday after Christmas | Readings & Gospel: Jeremiah 31:7-14, Psalm 147:12-20, Ephesians 1:3-14, John 1:1-18 This year the liturgical calendar includes a second Sunday after Christmas before Epiphany, and the gospel is the Christological poem in John 1. On Christmas Day we heard John 1 in connection with Isaiah and Hebrews, and this Sunday with Jeremiah and Ephesians. For we who live in a cold climate, the psalm for the day is for us! Joining our voices with the song of the angels, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need --
Redeeming God, protect your church from stumbling and not be overcome by sorrow, division, or despair as we might live always to the praise of your glory especially Redeemer as we prepare for interviewing candidates. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. You bring together heaven and earth. Show us new ways to live in harmony with the world around us especially when we grieve beloved pets like Angel. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. You overflow with grace upon grace by expanding the imaginations of those who serve in positions of authority for the needs of their nations and communities especially Croatia and Honduras. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. You bring consolation to those who weep by your refreshing embrace for the feeling far-off, excluded, or defeated, the weak, and weary especially Ione, Mary, and Sarah, our local and global siblings living with surging COVID-19 in the UK, and South Africa and accompanying lockdowns with quarantines, for first responders as well as disaster volunteers, the unsheltered campers at 2nd Ave North and Van White Memorial Blvd, brothers James and Bobbie, Cindy, Linda, Jovita, Samantha, Shoonie . . . Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. You come to us in the beauty of darkness and of light. Guide us to speak holy words of advocacy and truth. Help us to honor your image in one another. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. You turn our mourning into joy as we give thanks for Fessehatsion Kiflu Berhane who has died in faith. With all the saints, give us when we gather our inheritance in Christ. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of mercy, come quickly to us with grace upon grace as we lift these and all our prayers to you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.  CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP // Join us on Christmas Eve for a special worship service brought to you by Redeemer’s worship team! And be sure to also watch this year’s Children’s Virtual Christmas Pageant which was a collaboration with ECLC and families from St Paul’s Lutheran Church / Iglesia Luterana San Pablo, and Christ the River of Life. You may view both the Christmas Eve service and the Children’s Pageant online beginning at midnight on December 24th! WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the month of January. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. WEDNESDAY ADVENT MEDITATIONS // Throughout this Advent season, Pastor Kelly and Alyssa Schwitzer, along with Pastor Kim at Christ the River of Life, have been providing us with weekly Advent meditations following the seven antiphons of Christmas. This week’s meditation will be shared this evening, and you may view it online along with each meditation set to a verse from the ancient Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” 12 DAYS of CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT TREE // For the 12 days of Christmas (Dec. 25th - Jan. 6th), 12 ornaments will be on the ornamental tree at Logan and Glenwood on the Redeemer lawn. Take one; leave one and post your picture on our Facebook page! CORRECTION // In last week's announcements, the cover art -- quilting of the Advent candle -- was mis-attributed. The work was created and gifted to Redeemer by Janet Hagberg. HOLIDAY & NEW YEAR OFFICE HOURS // Redeemer offices will be closed December 24th-27th and again December 31st-January 3rd, reopening on January 4th. Amy Koopman’s office hours will shift to Mondays, 10am-3pm in 2021, and she will be out of the office for synod organizing training January 11th-15th. SAVE THE DATE: EPIPHANY of OUR LORD Worship Service, Jan. 6, 2021 // The ELCA bishops elected in 2019 will preside over a special worship service on January 6, 2021 at 8pm EST (7pm Central) and may be viewed on the ELCA churchwide facebook page or any of the ELCA synod pages. SAVE THE DATE: MLK ANNUAL COMMEMORATION SERVICE on JAN. 10, 2021 // Save the date and plan to join the Metro New York African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) on January 10th at 4pm (EST) for their annual service commemorating The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s event will be hosted online, and will feature preaching Bishop Patricia A. Davenport of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod and presiding Bishop Paul Egensteiner presiding. Learn more here, or click here to register. MINNEAPOLIS AREA SYNOD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY // Through grant funding provided by the Riverside Innovation Hub, Redeemer and RCFL are sending a number of congregants, council members, and staff members to the Minneapolis Area Synod’s community faith organizer training January 11-15, 2021. The training will be held from 9am to 3pm each day that week. We have a few spots open and invite anyone interested to contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more information. PRE-ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! SUNDAY MORNING ZOOM FELLOWSHIP // Join Dr Robin Bell this Sunday morning, December 27th, for zoom fellowship beginning at 10:30am. Click here to join! CHRISTMAS STORE GRATITUDE // Redeemer Lutheran Church and Redeemer Center for Life thank mission partners and congregational members for the 2020 reimagined Christmas Store on Saturday, December 12th. Over 45 families received gift cards, Fairview Health Commons care, and other supports for this Christmas season as we live with the global pandemic. We shared with thanksgiving because we have mercifully received so much! THANK YOU to Dr. and Mrs. Linda Jacobson for providing us with a nativity from their beautiful Tanzanian collection, featured in our Christmas Eve service! THANK YOU from MARY BOLL // Mary Boll sends thanks to those who donated baby yarn for her ongoing project of crocheting and donating baby caps to Hennepin County Obstetrics and Gynecology. If you’d like to donate baby yarn to Mary Boll to help her continue this ministry during our long winter season, please email Amy to bring baby yarn to Redeemer Lutheran marked Mary Boll and a family member will pick it up for her. CAN YOU ATTEND HNA MEETINGS? // The Harrison Neighborhood Association (HNA) is hoping to engage community members and friends in ongoing planning and conversations. All meetings are held via zoom at 7pm on the third Monday of each month. If you can join and represent Redeemer and our community, please do! DISTANCE LEARNING & TUTORING UPDATES // Our Harrison neighbor Kathy thanks us for use of Redeemer’s building for tutoring. We share emerging plans in 2021 between Redeemer and Metropolitan Community Church of Christ who also hosted tutoring. Another neighbor of ours is looking for a tutor to help her high-school aged grandchild with math and history. If you or someone you know can help, please email Amy. PROVISIONS for NEAR-NORTH HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT // A new homeless encampment has moved to near north within blocks of Redeemer and they need a lot of provisions: Firewood, consistent propane refills, winter gear, hand warmers, meals, and more. If you would like to help, you may visit the signup genius or text organizer Kristen (or contact her via Signal) for more information at 760-898-4004. (She responds quickly to text message but does not answer calls from unknown numbers.) STEWARDSHIP BRAINSTORMING // Stewardship minister Kristin Gilbert invites each of you to join her for a meeting to dream and brainstorm about stewardship in the coming year, to align our stewardship plan with our values during this time of Covid, the Minneapolis uprising, and the election, as well as a pastoral transition. Do you or others you know want to be a part of this 1-hour conversation? If so, complete thisDoodle poll so we can find a time that works best for the group. Let her know if you have questions or would like to share your thoughts but can't make the meeting. IRA CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION // We invite you to prayerfully consider sharing with Redeemer Lutheran Church your qualified charitable distribution from your Individual Retirement Account. Basic requirements and limitations for a Qualified Charitable Distribution include: The donor must be at least 70½ years of age at the time of the distribution; The distribution must be from a Roth or Traditional IRA; And the distribution must be made directly from the IRA administrator to a qualifying charity such as Redeemer Lutheran Church. Qualified Charitable Distributions are limited to $100,000.00 per individual per year (a spouse who qualifies may give a similar amount from his or her IRA). Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) benefits include: A QCD from a traditional IRA uses pre-tax dollars; Generally, a QCD is excluded from taxable income*; and a QCD can be applied to required minimum distributions, if applicable.* THRIVENT MEMBERS: Are you a Thrivent member? Consider sharing your Thrivent dollars with Redeemer Lutheran Church ministries! Contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more info! YEAR-END GIVING // With thanksgiving for you and your end of the year gift to Redeemer Lutheran, we would like to acknowledge and receive your 2020 financial gift by December 30. HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q&A's online and via Zoom. Follow them onFacebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room. *The SECURE Act, which became effective January 1, 2020, raised to 72 the age for beginning required minimum distributions, but retained the age of 70 ½ for making QCDs. It also authorizes tax-deductible contributions to IRAs after age 70 ½ if the IRA owner is still working. If a tax-deductible contribution is made to an IRA after age 70 ½, the amount that may be excluded from income for a later-made QCD may be affected. Please consult your tax advisors for more information about this and other questions regarding IRA QCDs.  First Sunday after Christmas | Readings & Gospel: Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 148, Galatians 4:4-7 & Luke 2:22-40 This Sunday we hear Luke’s story of the ritual at which the infant Jesus is presented in the temple and his mother Mary is “purified” after childbirth. Yet receiving them in the temple are Simeon and Anna, two old people who speak about the redemption that will come through Jesus’ death. When we celebrate Jesus’ birth, we remember his death. Joining our voices with the song of the angels, let us pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need...
Strengthen your church across nations, denominations, and tradition by filling us with wisdom for seeking pastors and other church workers and unifying our proclamation of your forgiveness and mercy. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Send your spirit of discernment with compassion and integrity upon all global legislators grappling with complex decisions for the sake of the common good as we are upheld by your hand. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Send the spirit of your Son into our hearts, O God. Strengthen those who have retired, those who work in older age, and those in need of income, food, company, or health care by connecting young and old across generations. Come quickly to hearts that race with fear, hearts that break with grief, and hearts that long for wholeness. Bless our elders with the peace and joy of Simeon and Anna as we name: Ione,Mary, and Sarah, our local and global siblings living with surging COVID-19 and accompanying lockdowns with quarantines, for first responders as well as disaster volunteers, the unsheltered campers at 2nd Ave North and Van White Memorial Blvd, brothers James and Bobbie, Cindy, Linda, Samantha, Shoonie, Edina Community Lutheran Church and the family of Pastor Jeff Sartain... Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. Let us depart in peace, O God, according to your word. For John, apostle and evangelist, and Arlene, Bill, John, Kathy and Mary with all your saints who see our salvation prepared as your witness of every time and place, we give you thanks. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of mercy, come quickly to us with grace upon grace as we lift these and all our prayers to you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.  image: handmade quilt work by Redeemer member Janet Hagberg CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP // Join us Christmas Eve at 7pm for a a special worship service brought to you by Redeemer’s worship team, and featuring this year’s Children’s Christmas Pageant which was a collaboration with ECLC. WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES // Pleaseregister online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings for our prerecorded worships during the month of January. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. HOLIDAY & NEW YEAR OFFICE HOURS // Redeemer offices will be closed December 24th-27th and again December 31st-January 3rd, reopening on January 4th. Amy Koopman’s office hours will shift to Mondays, 10am-3pm in 2021, and she will be out of the office for synod organizing training January 11th-15th. MINNEAPOLIS AREA SYNOD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TRAINING OPPORTUNITY // Through grant funding provided by the Riverside Innovation Hub, Redeemer and RCFL are sending a number of congregants, council members, and staff members to the Minneapolis Area Synod’s community faith organizer training January 11-15, 2021. The training will be held from 9am to 3pm each day that week. We have a few spots open and invite anyone interested to contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more information. PRE-ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! SUNDAY MORNING ZOOM FELLOWSHIP // Join Dr Robin Bell this Sunday morning for zoom fellowship beginning at 10:30am. Click here to join! AUGSBURG ADVENT VESPERS // Redeemer and Pastor Babette invite you to a time of contemplation and worship through Augsburg University’s annual Advent Vespers. You may view Vespers here. EDU-YOUTH MINISTRY // Redeemer’s Edu-Youth invites our families of children and youth to join them this Sunday, December 20th, for Family Zoom Craft Time with ECLC at 10:30am. Also be sure to check out Pastor Kelly’s Holy Communion Instruction -- a short video for children, youth, and families on Communion. CAN YOU ATTEND HNA MEETINGS? // The Harrison Neighborhood Association is hoping to engage community members and friends in ongoing planning and conversations. All meetings are held via zoom at 7pm on the third Monday of each month. If you can join and represent Redeemer and our community, please do! TUTORING ASSISTANCE NEEDED // Our Harrison neighbor Kathy is tutoring 3 Harrison children at Redeemer Lutheran on the mornings of Mondays, Wednesdays and the first two Saturdays of each month. Another community member is looking for a tutor to help her 16-year-old granddaughter with distance learning. Could you help? Please leave a voice message for Pastor Kelly at 612-886-1468 or email Amy. DONATE BABY YARN to MARY BOLL // Mary Boll crocheted and donated 212 baby caps to Hennepin County Obstetrics and Gynecology, all of which are sent home with newborns. Will you donate baby yarn to Mary Boll to help her continue this ministry during our long winter season? Arrange with Amy to bring baby yarn to Redeemer Lutheran marked Mary Boll and a family member will pick it up for her. PROVISIONS for NEAR-NORTH HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT // A new homeless encampment has moved to near north within blocks of Redeemer and they need a lot of provisions: Firewood, consistent propane refills, winter gear, hand warmers, meals, and more. If you would like to help, you may visit thesignup genius or text organizer Kristen (or contact her via Signal) for more information at 760-898-4004. (She responds quickly to text message but does not answer calls from unknown numbers.) WEDNESDAY ADVENT PROJECT MEDITATIONS // Throughout this Advent season, Pastor Kelly and Alyssa Schwitzer, along with Pastor Kim at Christ the River of Life, have been providing us with weekly Advent meditations following the sevent antiphons of Christmas. You may follow the meditations each week at www.redeemermpls.org/advent-2020, where you’ll find each meditation set to a verse from the ancient Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” STEWARDSHIP BRAINSTORMING // Stewardship minister Kristin Gilbert invites each of you to join her for a meeting to dream and brainstorm about stewardship in the coming year, to align our stewardship plan with our values during this time of Covid, the Minneapolis uprising, and the election, as well as a pastoral transition. Do you or others you know want to be a part of this 1-hour conversation? If so, complete thisDoodle poll so we can find a time that works best for the group. Let her know if you have questions or would like to share your thoughts but can't make the meeting. THANK YOU to Dr. and Mrs. Linda Jacobson for providing us with a nativity from their beautiful Tanzanian collection, featured in our Christmas Eve service! IRA CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION // We invite you to prayerfully consider sharing with Redeemer Lutheran Church your qualified charitable distribution from your Individual Retirement Account. Basic requirements and limitations for a Qualified Charitable Distribution include: The donor must be at least 70½ years of age at the time of the distribution; The distribution must be from a Roth or Traditional IRA; And the distribution must be made directly from the IRA administrator to a qualifying charity such as Redeemer Lutheran Church. Qualified Charitable Distributions are limited to $100,000.00 per individual per year (a spouse who qualifies may give a similar amount from his or her IRA). Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) benefits include: A QCD from a traditional IRA uses pre-tax dollars; Generally, a QCD is excluded from taxable income*; and a QCD can be applied to required minimum distributions, if applicable.* THRIVENT MEMBERS: Are you a Thrivent member? Consider sharing your Thrivent dollars with Redeemer Lutheran Church ministries! Contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more info! YEAR-END GIVING // With thanksgiving for you and your end of the year gift to Redeemer Lutheran, we would like to acknowledge and receive your 2020 financial gift by Dec. 30th. HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q & A's online and via Zoom. Follow them onFacebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room. *The SECURE Act, which became effective January 1, 2020, raised to 72 the age for beginning required minimum distributions, but retained the age of 70 ½ for making QCDs. It also authorizes tax-deductible contributions to IRAs after age 70 ½ if the IRA owner is still working. If a tax-deductible contribution is made to an IRA after age 70 ½, the amount that may be excluded from income for a later-made QCD may be affected. Please consult your tax advisors for more information about this and other questions regarding IRA QCDs.  Fourth Sunday of Advent Readings & Gospel: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:46b-55, Romans 16:25-27 & Luke 1:26-38 This Sunday, we light all four candles of the Advent wreath, and we read the story from Luke about the angel Gabriel coming to Mary. Christians believe that in baptism we too are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit so that Christ will dwell in us. Despite what the shopping malls suggest to us, Christmas is not yet here: we still anticipate what the book of Romans calls “the revelation of the mystery. God of power and might, fulfill your promise and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need...
Gracious God, all generations call you blessed.In this holy season we pray for the inspired faith of our neighbors of other denominations and faiths Mosque Masjid al Furqaan, the Glendale Seventh Day Adventist Church and faith communities unknown to us. Cultivate understanding among us and strengthen us in love and service to our community. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Righteous God, we pray for the leaders of all nations, that they amplify the voices of people in need by creating societies and protecting seas, mountains, plains, forests, skies, and soils in which everyone can flourish with humility. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Compassionate God, bless the encouraging work of meeting neighbors in need by WE WIN Institute, and Metropolitan Church of Christ who nourish any lacking adequate food and nutrition. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Healing God, you pour out mercy to all who cry out to you by surrounding everyone with your tender presence especially Ione,Mary, and Sarah, our local and global siblings living with surging COVID-19 and accompanying lockdowns with quarantines, for first responders as well as disaster volunteers, the unsheltered campers at 2nd Ave North and Van White Memorial Blvd, brothers James and Bobbie, Cindy, Linda, Samantha, Shoonie, Edina Community Lutheran Church and the family of Pastor Jeff Sartain . . . Hear us, O God.Your mercy is great. Eternal God, you are faithful to the promises you made to our forebears, Katharina von Bora Luther and other ancestors Arlene, Bill, John, Kathy, and Mary who organized, planned, dreamed, encouraged, and reached out as they served you Inspire others with their steadfast witness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  2021 MEMBERS’ BUDGET MEETING THIS SUNDAY, December 13th // Members! Please plan to join us THIS SUNDAY, December 13th, at 10:30am for our annual budget meeting to be held via zoom. Join here. After that, we invite ALL congregants and friends to join us for fellowship in smaller break-out groups! WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: Advent Wreath Lighting & Reading // Please register online or email Amy to sign up to record yourself and/or your family speaking the assigned lectionary readings and/or light Advent candles while speaking Advent blessings (3 for Dec. 13th, or 4 for Dec.20th) for our prerecorded worships during the season of Advent and Christmas. Know that you can speak aloud the readings linked on the sign-up or from a children’s or other translation in your home. Candle Lighting blessings are also linked on the sign up. PRE-ORDER YOUR “REDEEMER BELIEVES BLACK LIVES MATTER 2020” TEES // Redeemer’s Service & Advocacy ministry (led by Holly De Souza) partnered with the Northside’s Juxtaposition Arts to create a brand new 2020 “Redeemer Believes Black Lives Matter” shirts. They are now available for pre-order for a suggested donation of $10 or more which will fund the ongoing work of the S&A committee! Please fill out the pre-order form, and if you choose to, you may pay online through our online giving portal! SUNDAY MORNING ZOOM FELLOWSHIP // Throughout this Advent season we invite you and your families to once again join us Sunday mornings via zoom for a time of fellowship and sharing. This Sunday we’ll host fellowship around noon after our Annual budget meeting. Beginning December 20th and thereafter, fellowship will begin at 10:30am. Click here to join! AUGSBURG ADVENT VESPERS // Redeemer and Pastor Babette invite you to a time of contemplation and worship through Augsburg University’s annual Advent Vespers. You may view Vespers here. EDU-YOUTH MINISTRY INVITATIONS // Along with lighting the Advent candles and speaking lectionary readings, Redeemer’s Edu-Youth team has some exciting opportunities for your families and children to partake of this Advent season! >> Holy Communion Instruction: Pastor Kelly has provided a short video for children, youth, and families on Holy Communion. Check it out! >> Sunday Dec. 20th at 10:30am: Family Zoom Craft Time with ECLC -- Join ECLC and other congregations around the area for half an hour of fellowship and craft time. Join here. >> Virtual Christmas Pageant -- This year, Redeemer is teaming up with ECLC and St Paul Lutheran (in South Minneapolis) to create a children’s Christmas Pageant for Christmas Even worship. Multiple scenes mean many families from different congregations can participate, and Redeemer is seeking at least four families to volunteer to do a scene from home! Please contact Anna or Lonna for more information and instructions! GRATITUDE FOR REIMAGINED 2020 CHRISTMAS STORE //Redeemer Lutheran Church and Redeemer Center for Life thank mission partners and congregational members for the Christmas Store Sharing tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 12. Over 45 families will receive gift cards, Fairview Health Commons care kits, and other supports for this Christmas season as we live with the global pandemic. We shared with thanksgiving because we have received mercifully so much! TUTORING ASSISTANCE NEEDED // Our Harrison neighbor Kathy is tutoring 3 Harrison children at Redeemer Lutheran on the mornings of Mondays, Wednesdays and the first two Saturdays of each month. Could you help? Please leave a voice message for Pastor Kelly at 612-886-1468. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DECEMBER MEMBERS! // Thanks to Bill Dexheimer Pharris for leading us in our Happy Birthday song to all Redeemer congregants and friends celebrating December birthdays! You may join in during this Sunday’s virtual worship. DONATE YARN to MARY BOLL // Mary Boll crocheted and donated 212 baby caps to Hennepin County Obstetrics and Gynecology, all of which are sent home with newborns. Will you donate baby yarn to Mary Boll to help her continue this ministry during our long winter season? Arrange with Amy to bring baby yarn to Redeemer Lutheran marked Mary Boll and a family member will pick it up for her. PROVISIONS for NEAR-NORTH HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT // A new homeless encampment has moved to near north within blocks of Redeemer and they need a lot of provisions: Firewood, consistent propane refills, winter gear, hand warmers, meals, and more. If you would like to help, you may visit the signup genius or text organizer Kristen (or contact her via Signal) for more information at 760-898-4004. (She responds quickly to text message but does not answer calls from unknown numbers.) WEDNESDAY ADVENT PROJECT MEDITATIONS // During the seven weeks leading to Christmas, Redeemer is participating in the Advent Project which follows the early church’s seven-Sunday celebration of Advent. You may follow the meditations each week at www.redeemermpls.org/advent-project-2020, where you’ll find this and the coming weeks’ meditations set to the ancient Advent hymn, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” STEWARDSHIP BRAINSTORMING // Stewardship minister Kristin Gilbert invites each of you to join her for a meeting to dream and brainstorm about stewardship in the coming year, to align our stewardship plan with our values during this time of Covid, the Minneapolis uprising, and the election, as well as a pastoral transition. Do you or others you know want to be a part of this 1-hour conversation? If so, complete thisDoodle poll so we can find a time that works best for the group. Let her know if you have questions or would like to share your thoughts but can't make the meeting. CELEBRATING ADVENT and CHRISTMAS: Seasons of Gratitude // Given that we are gathering online (live and pre-recorded) rather than inside of Redeemer Lutheran for celebrating the seasons of Advent and Christmas, here are some invitations for sharing your household faith expressions with Redeemer Lutheran (and visitor viewers) in quarantine: >> Send your online (video recorded) Advent and Christmas songs, poems, devotionals, and greetings to Redeemer that we can include in our pre-recorded worships. Maybe we will receive enough videos to make a montage! >> Share gratitude with greetings and making ornaments. We welcome your biodegradable ornaments for the ornamental tree of gratitude at Logan and Glenwood. Take a snapshot for sharing on Facebook. THANK YOU to Dr. and Mrs. Linda Jacobson for providing us with a nativity from their beautiful Tanzanian collection! IRA CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION // We invite you to prayerfully consider sharing with Redeemer Lutheran Church your qualified charitable distribution from your Individual Retirement Account. Basic requirements and limitations for a Qualified Charitable Distribution include: The donor must be at least 70½ years of age at the time of the distribution; The distribution must be from a Roth or Traditional IRA; And the distribution must be made directly from the IRA administrator to a qualifying charity such as Redeemer Lutheran Church. Qualified Charitable Distributions are limited to $100,000.00 per individual per year (a spouse who qualifies may give a similar amount from his or her IRA). Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) benefits include: A QCD from a traditional IRA uses pre-tax dollars; Generally, a QCD is excluded from taxable income*; and a QCD can be applied to required minimum distributions, if applicable.* THRIVENT MEMBERS: Are you a Thrivent member? Consider sharing your Thrivent dollars with Redeemer Lutheran Church ministries! Contact Amy or Pastor Kelly for more info! YEAR-END GIVING // With thanksgiving for you and your end of the year gift to Redeemer Lutheran, we would like to acknowledge and receive your 2020 financial gift by December 30. HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba in Redeemer’s backyard, Book Club Discussions, and Health Q & A's online or in-person -- all with social distance and masking. Follow them onFacebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room. 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 MHC’s website to learn more or contact Mali, Redeemer's MHC ambassador. *The SECURE Act, which became effective January 1, 2020, raised to 72 the age for beginning required minimum distributions, but retained the age of 70 ½ for making QCDs. It also authorizes tax-deductible contributions to IRAs after age 70 ½ if the IRA owner is still working. If a tax-deductible contribution is made to an IRA after age 70 ½, the amount that may be excluded from income for a later-made QCD may be affected. Please consult your tax advisors for more information about this and other questions regarding IRA QCDs.  Third Sunday of Advent Readings & Gospel: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Psalm 126, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 & John 1:6-8, 19-28 This Sunday we light three candles on the Advent wreath. While our society goes crazy with Christmas preparations and the northern hemisphere grows darker each day, we gather to wait for God to bring us into peace and light. In the gospel reading, John the Baptist calls us to make a pathway for Christ. The poem from Isaiah likens us to a bride or bridegroom dressing for our wedding day. God of power and might, shine your radiance and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need--
God of preachers and messengers, you have entrusted your church with the work of proclaiming good news. Strengthen the witness of Redeemer with new member Joniqua Ankerfelt as we contribute our prayers and presence in calling our next pastor as you embed your word in every heart. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of exiles and wanderers, you repair what was once destroyed, in being present with the leaders of every nation as they govern by caring for one another, for people who have been displaced from their homes by fire, flood, earthquake, or storm inHonduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan. Support the work of Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, and all disaster relief organizations in their recovery efforts. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of the powerful and helpless, you clothe us with strength when our spirits are weak and weary by bestowing your spirit upon this congregation and its communities by empowering us to comfort Ione, Mary, and Sarah, our local and global siblings living with surging COVID-19 and accompanying lockdowns with quarantines, for first responders as well as disaster volunteers, the unsheltered campers at 2nd Ave North and Van White Memorial Blvd, brothers James and Bobbie, Cheryl, Cindy, Linda, Samantha, Shoonie, Edina Community Lutheran Church and the family of Pastor Jeff Sartain . . . Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. God of sinners and saints, you offer joy even in the midst of our grief. We are grateful for the beloved, imperfect people whose lives testified to your radiant love, especially Lucy, martyr of the church, Nicholas of Myra, Arlene, Bill, John, Kathy and Mary. Anoint the mourning with the oil of gladness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen |
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1800 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405
admin@redeemermpls.org Phone: (612) 886-1468
Offices Currently Closed to the Public Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
admin@redeemermpls.org Phone: (612) 886-1468
Offices Currently Closed to the Public Due to COVID-19 Pandemic