Redeemer Announcements & Prayers (March 19th, 2021)

REDEEMER FAMILY FELLOWSHIP THIS SUNDAY // We hope you will join us for the this week's Redeemer Family Fellowship on Sunday, March 21 at 10:30 AM, in preparation for Palm Sunday! These virtual gatherings are an opportunity for us to connect and grow in our faith together! The EduYouth team will host activities for elementary-aged children and their families, but all are welcome to join the fun! Click here for the Zoom link. (Meeting ID: 828 2807 5412, Passcode: 371196)  Also, a reminder for youth who are finishing 5th grade and up (entering 6th grade & up next fall) and their parents -- Save the date for our Northside Collaborative Confirmation Kick-off on zoom on Sunday, April 18 at 4pm!

REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD throughout the CHAUVIN TRIAL // You’re invited to join Amy Koopman on Zoom each weekday morning at 9am throughout the trial for 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence, stillness, prayer, and meditation as we remember George Floyd and yearn for Justice, or light a candle in your own home, on your own. If you’re an earlier riser, you may join the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement (CLNE) for their Virtual Healing Tent at 8am each morning via zoom for a daily reflection followed by silent prayer. You may access this prayer experience via Zoom or as a livestream on the Healing Our City Facebook page. It will also be available as a recording on their Facebook page.

WEDNESDAY EVENING LENT HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER & DISCUSSIONS  //  This Wednesday evening is our last Wednesday evening Lent discussion via Zoom! Join us at 7pm for pre-recorded Holden Evening Prayer (created by Paul & Amy Koopman) and discussions surrounding our final Black spiritual, “. You may also view the videos and conversation questions on our website each week. (Zoom Meeting ID: 874 4538 4114 | Passcode: 340861 or dial-in by phone to 301-715-8592)

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. 

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). 

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.

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Fifth Sunday in Lent | Readings & Gospel:
 Jeremiah 31:31-34 | Psalm 51:1-12 | Hebrews 5:5-10 | John 12:20-33
prayers from All Creation Sings, pp. 62-62

Within the whole human family, people of color have experienced both interpersonal aggression and structural oppression instead of abundant life. We recognize and lament the harm racism has caused to African Descent communities; American Indian and Alaska Native communities; Indigenous Peoples within Canada; Arab and Middle Eastern communities; Asian and Pacific Islander communities; and Latinx communities. We cry out to you, hear our lament, O God.

We have assigned the notion of race to human beings created in God’s own divine image. We have judged God’s beautiful diversity by our flawed and artificial standards. We cry out to you, hear our lament, O God.

We have used language and images in ways that equate black and dark with dirt and sin, and that fail to welcome the treasures of darkness in God’s good creation. We cry out to you,
hear our lament, O God.

We have accepted practices in our churches and in our society that privilege whiteness over diversity and equity. We have been complicit in how racism continues to exclude and harm people of color. We cry out to you, hear our lament, O God.

When one part of the body of Christ hurts, the whole body hurts. As we listen to people who are harmed by racism, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.

As we reflect on our daily interactions with people and communities of color, we call to you,
open our hearts, O God.

As we reconsider what we have been taught about race and racism, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.

As we contemplate what we have done and what we have left undone, we call to you,
open our hearts, O God.

As we labor to create a loving and safe community for our siblings of color, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.

Holy and merciful God, as your people we recommit ourselves to loving one another as you have loved us. Prepare us for this time of listening and discovery. We pray in the name of the one who has made us one, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.