Redeemer Announcements & Prayers | March 12, 2021

REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD throughout the CHAUVIN TRIAL // As a city and nation, Minneapolis is once again in the global spotlight as the trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis Police Department officer charged with murdering George Floyd. For many of us, the trial brings back the trauma of last summer. For others there is concern for safety and security. Still others might simply be confused by events related to the trial as they unfold. In addition to the synod staff periodically offering information and opportunities for reflection, Amy Koopman (who is currently completing her Clinical Pastoral Education through Social Justice Chaplaincy with Redeemer and Omegon residential treatment) will open 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. You are invited to join her each morning, 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 silence prayer. This virtual prayer tent will continue daily throughout the course of the trial. You may access this prayer experience via Zoom or as a livestream on our Healing Our City Facebook page. It will also be available as a recording on our Facebook page.

ZOOM GATHERING OPPORTUNITIES // Throughout the season of Lent we’re offering numerous opportunities for you and your families to gather together online: 
     WEDNESDAY EVENING LENT HOLDEN EVENING PRAYER & DISCUSSIONS  //  You're invited to join us via Zoom each Wednesday evening at 7pm during Lent when we will share in pre-recorded Holden Evening Prayer (created by Paul & Amy Koopman) and discuss various traditional Black spirituals (provided by Christine Belfry Johnson & Traiveon Dunlap). 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)
     ZOOM & FAMILY SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP // Each Sunday morning at 10:30am we gather for Zoom Fellowship. This Sunday, will be our first monthly "Redeemer Family Fellowship"  gatherings for children and families. These virtual gatherings will be an opportunity for us to connect and grow in our faith together! Activities are designed for children ages 12 and younger, but all ages are invited to join the fun! (Family fellowship will be held in place of “regular” fellowship these weeks).

NEXT WEEK AT WORSHIP we will host Word and Sacrament with Holy Communion. (Pre-recorded worship will be available online by Friday at 10pm so you may view anytime over the weekend!)

LENT ON THE NORTHSIDE // Our Northside Parish sibling congregation, Christ the River of Life, will be hosting at 12 noon a short hybrid Holden Evening Prayer worship each Wednesday in Lent. Those who come in person with masks and distancing may enjoy a soup supper, while others may join via this zoom link.
DAILY PRAYER MEDITATIONS are provided by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, World Hunger ministry in the February Newsletter and online.

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.

---

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Fourth Sunday in Lent | Readings & Gospel: 
Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, & John 3:14-21

Relying on the promises of God, we pray boldly for the church, the world, and all in need-- 

You sent your Son that the world might be saved through him. Inspire the witness of the church throughout the world. Empower missionaries, Bible translators, and ministries of service in your name. Bless our partners in ministry Lutheran Social Service, Lutheran Volunteer Corp, RCFL, Metropolitan Central Church of Christ, Minneapolis Area Synod, the congregations of St. Barnabus, Christ River of Life, Edina, Faith, Immanuel,  Mt. Olivet, Salem Westwood, Zion, our ELCA global partner churches, and Young Adults in Global Mission. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Give merciful enduring courage to all who lead in times of crisis and scarce resources causing violence. Prosper the work of farmers preparing for the growing season and any aiding victims of famine and drought. Deliver all who cry to you, especially those who are hungry or without homes. Give Minneapolis life in places where death seems triumphant; give healing to the sick and comfort to those who mourn Itasca, Kogo Nora, with Dennis, Ione, Mary, and Sarah living in residential care, our local and global siblings, Belarus, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Myanmar Yemen, and the Church in the Holy Land the vaccinated and unvaccinated in Italy and Vietnam, all living with surging and variant COVID-19 with accompanying lockdowns alongside of quarantines, for all emergency responders, transporters, 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 . . .. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

By grace we have been saved. Fill Redeemer with that saving grace for showing  mercy to all.  Give us patience  when the way seems long for calling our next pastor. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Your Son was lifted up that whoever believes might have eternal life. We praise you for all who have died in Christ William “Lefty” Bell, Agui Elicki, Josh. Bring us with all the saints into the fullness of your promises. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

We entrust ourselves and all our prayers to you, O faithful God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.