Redeemer Announcements & Prayers of Intercession | August 5, 2022

EARTH, WIND, and SOLAR // 
​You're invited to the Earth, Wind, and Solar Environmental House Party Picnic on Thursday, August 11th from 5:30-8pm in Redeemer's Backyard. Details at right -- We hope to see you there! 

​OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE HOURS // While finishing her pastoral internship in Richfield, Amy Koopman is serving as interim administrator. She is in the offices on Friday mornings to prepare bulletins, update the website, and send weekly announcements. If you have announcements or concerns to share with our community, please send them to Amy at admin@redeemermpls.org by Thursday!

OUTDOOR WORSHIP SUNDAY at 10:30am // Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:30am! Kendrick Hall will be guest-preaching and Pastor Randy Romsdahl will be presiding. Our Sunday worship will also be streaming on Zoom (click to join): 
Meeting ID: 899 8339 5756 Passcode: 334806
The bulletin can be found here and on our Facebook page. 
We thank Dr Russell A. Pointer for joining us from MCCC last week, and Sally Ankerfelt for presiding. Our upcoming schedule of preachers and worship leaders going forward until Pastor Jen’s first Sunday is:
August 7: Kendrick Hall preaching - Randy Romsdahl presiding
August 14:  Dr Robin Bell - Preaching and presiding
August 21: Pastor Jen Collin’s first Sunday!

​REDEEMER CALLS PASTOR JEN COLLINS // Pastor Jen Collins has been called to be Senior Pastor of Redeemer!  The congregation voted to call her last month with a unanimous vote of all who were present and she has accepted. Her start date is set for August 15th and her first Sunday will be August 21st. You can view the call meeting from last Sunday and see the presentation the call committee put together that includes a video of her preaching by clicking this link. We look forward to this new chapter of Redeemer's witness as a "beacon of hope" in North Minneapolis!  - Kristen Hoyles, Chair, on behalf of the call committee; Mike Tarras, President, on behalf of the church council.
 
PASTOR PETER ON-CALL // Pastor Peter will remain available for funerals and pastoral emergencies until Pastor Jen arrives. Redeemer will have guest preachers and worship leaders in the month of July and early August. Call 612-900-8410 to reach him. 

CONGRATULATIONS to MENZI! // Menzi Nkambule, who has been an active part of the Redeemer community since his arrival at Luther Seminary several years back, and who preached for us on July 10th, has accepted a call to be the settled pastor for St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Jersey City, New Jersey. Menzi preached at St. Matthew’s and met with their congregation on Sunday, July 31st. The following week he flew back to the Twin Cities and then drove (with his possessions) back to Jersey City.  He officially started work on August 1st. St. Matthew’s council president describes their congregation as “small but mighty,” and they are known for spearheading a food pantry that serves some 500 families a week. Redeemer is grateful for all we have learned and received from Menzi, and for whatever we may have been able to contribute to his growth toward service in the wider Church. Let us rejoice in his call!
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SEASONAL WORK OPPORTUNITY with SENIORS // Do you have a heart for serving Senior Citizens in North Minneapolis? Senior Community Services, a nonprofit, needs people like you to mow lawns this summer. If you are 16 or older, have your own lawn mower and transportation you are eligible. You manage your own schedule and number of clients. Pay is $18 per hour. Contact JoAnn at 952-767-7880 or go to seasonalwork@seniorcommunity.org.
 
SUMMER COOKOUTS RETURN // Come out TUESDAY night, August 2nd, for our first August cookout on National Night out! We’ll enjoy food, community, and North Minneapolis vibrancy. We would love to see familiar and new faces. Our final cookout of the season will be Wednesday, August 17th. For more information please contact Lonna at lonna.field@gmail.com.
 
FINANCIAL UPDATE:  We thank you for the wonderful response to the cash flow issues we experienced in the past few weeks. The Redeemer community is indeed generous! To continue to be in the best financial position possible as we call a new pastor, the council asks that you prayerfully consider whether you are able to make an extra offering towards Redeemer, or give several months of your regular offerings to Redeemer at this time. Please reach out to Kristin Gilbert, Treasurer (gilbert.kristink@gmail.com or 218-368-3135), or Mike Tarras, President (mtarras@gmail.com or 612-231-8323) if you have questions or would like to see more detailed financial reports.
 
LVC SERVICE-YEAR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN // Do you know someone - maybe even yourself! - who would be a great Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) Volunteer? Help spread the word! The LVC Volunteer application is open now for anyone 21+ who's interested in spending a year serving at a social justice non-profit while exploring social justice, intentional community, spirituality, and living simply & sustainably. The next service-year begins in August and we'd love to help connect you and those you know to the many wonderful service positions available in all LVC cities. Here in the Twin Cities, placements include Restorative Justice Community Action, The Advocates for Human Rights, Ace in the City, Athletes Committed to Educating Students (ACES), createMPLS, Daily Work, Minneapolis Area Synod, & the Camden Promise! For more information and to apply, please visit:  https://lutheranvolunteercorps.org/volunteer/timeline/
 
REDEEMER GIVING APP // Redeemer now has an online Giving app! In the Google Playstore or Apple App Store, you can search Vanco Mobile, download it, and follow these simple steps to set up your easy and efficient online giving with Redeemer straight from your Smartphone. You can also give through our website.
 
COVID-19 OMICRON UPDATES // As we gather, we will continue to practice social distancing and recommend mask-wearing to protect the unvaccinated and the most vulnerable among us who cannot be vaccinated yet.

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​PRAYERS of INTERCESSION 

​Lectionary Texts: 

Genesis 15:1-6
Psalm 33:12-22
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Gospel Reading:

Luke 12:32-40

Trusting in God’s extravagant love, let us come near to the Holy One in prayer.

Let your lovingkindness be upon your church. Fill all who proclaim the gospel with your Spirit. Equip your flock to speak your word of promise and hope in the midst of fear and uncertainty. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your lovingkindness be upon your creation. Dwell among us and sustain our earthly home. In places of famine, provide nourishment. In places of plenty, fashion us to be good stewards of your bounty. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your lovingkindness be upon your world. Be our helper and our shield in places torn by strife and violence (especially). Raise up courageous leaders to govern with compassion and justice. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your lovingkindness be upon your children. Look upon all who wait for your steadfast love. Console those who grieve and embrace those who cry out to you especially The Torrence Family, grieving the death of their beloved RayAndre; Carolyn Campbell, recovering from hip surgery; Sharon Peterson, recovering from a hospitalization; Mike Murray, in cancer treatment; Claudia Runnels, recovering from surgery; Mary Sue Barber, daughter of Shelby Andress, whose cancer is in remission; Donna von Fischer, mother-in-law of Pastor Peter, recovering from a broken hip. We pray for all who are suffering from long COVID, and other effects of the pandemic and for caregivers everywhere in their care for the sick. We pray for the mental health of our children who need special care. Help us to trust your promise and not be afraid. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Let your lovingkindness be upon this community. Fashion our hearts to strive for the way of peace. Strengthen the outreach ministries of this congregation and all who care for those in need. Prepare us to provide a loving and hospitable welcome to Pastor Jen Collins, and surround her with our prayers of anticipatory joy and celebration as she prepares to lead us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With thanksgiving we remember all who have died in faith and now rest in you. As they placed their hope in you, so strengthen us to trust in your promise of new life. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Receive the prayers of your children, merciful God, and hold us forever in your steadfast love; through Jesus Christ, our holy Wisdom. Amen.