Redeemer Announcements & Prayers of Intercession | July 10, 2020

RCFL Welcomes New Executive Director Veronica Hawman! // Redeemer Center for Life is thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Veronica Hawman. Veronica has spent her career working in nonprofit development. Earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and her Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Hamline University, Veronica is an experienced and skilled leader and fundraiser passionate about racial justice. We are so excited to have her at RCFL! 
Congratulations to ACLU Liberty Award Winner and Redeemer admin Amy Koopman // In August of 2018, Amy was charged by Robbinsdale Police with interfering with a peace officer after filming them arrest two Black men at gunpoint. She was defended in court by the ACLU of Minnesota who secured the dismissal of the charges and are now honoring Amy, along with Valerie Castile, Kim Hunter, and the Nobles County Public Defenders, in the 2020 ACLU-MN Virtual Liberty Awards on Thursday, July 16 at 4:30pm. In the aftermath of George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police, people all over Minnesota are coming together to secure a future where the Constitution guarantees rights to all people, and where our core institutions are guided by the principles of justice and equity, rather than by racism and xenophobia. Register to attend the virtual event today, and join the ACLU on July 16th to  learn about key civil liberties issues across the state and meet the heroes who are tackling those issues head-on. Hear their stories, including Amy’s, and listen to their messages of strength, courage, resilience, and perseverance.

Please Ignore Phishing Emails! // A number of us recently received an email from a phisher posing as Pastor Kelly and asking for an immediate favor. Upon closer inspection, the sender was "interimpastor.redemmermpls@gmail.com." As a reminder, no one from Redeemer's staff will email you asking for gift cards or other financial gifts.Any and all stewardship or giving requests will be presented as such every time, and will come with official correspondence. We apologize for the inconvenience and any confusion it may cause. It is a problem experienced by many pastors and faith leaders across the country. However there is nothing we can do to stop the phishers from sending the emails, other than to remind us all that no such emails will be sent, and to always check the sender's email address if there's a question. All emails coming from Pastor Kelly will be sent from interimpastor@redeemermpls.org.
“White Savior: Racism in the American Church” Viewing & Discussion with Westwood // The Westwood Racial Equity team is excited that you have indicated interest in the Racial Equity discussions in the past. We invite you to join fellow Westwood members + friends Wednesday 7/15 at 6:30-8:15  in the first of a series of movie nights centered on race and racism in our community. The Westwood Racial Equity Team is sponsoring a viewing and discussion night of "White Savior: Racism In The American Church,” an hour long documentary that we will watch and discuss together over zoom. Please register here for the Zoom viewing and conversation, and join us!
Volunteers Needed // In light of the May 25th murder of George Floyd, we at Redeemer want to show up and do our part for our community. Siri Fiebiger (Redeemer Church Council President) and Mali Jensen (Dir. of Volunteers & Partnerships) are working together to make this happen and need your help! If interested in becoming part of Redeemer’s team of volunteers who receive ongoing calls to action, please contact Siri and Mali with your availability, flexibility, and areas of interest/ Some ways volunteers can help are through making phone calls for current needs, cleaning the kitchen after an event has taken place, donation supply management (receiving, storing, distributing), voter registration, and being available for distribution events. 
Climate Justice Voter Training: Relational Organizing for Transformational Change - Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light // Join Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light to learn how you can be a Climate Justice Voter Champion. During these 90 minute trainings, you will learn about the importance of this year’s election for our climate. You will also get trained in the Empower app, a digital organizing tool that allows you to share messages and connect with the people in your network. Virtual trainings will be held throughout the summer and fall. Currently, trainings are scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, 7-8:30pm and Thursday, August 6, 4-5:30 pm. Visit mnipl.org for more information. Register for the July training here.
The Bright Stars of Bethlehem-Minnesota team wants to stay connected to Redeemer Lutheran congregation. They will look forward to engaging Redeemer congregation in the HOPE that Bright Stars of Bethlehem brings to our sisters and brothers in the occupied Palestinian territories through awareness and education, advocacy, and financial support. 
Sundays in the Garden, 1-4pm // You are invited to join us each and every Sunday in Redeemer Community Garden from 1pm-4pm. We're planting, watering, tending, and growing so much life. Do you have extra hostas or other plants? Bring them to Redeemer and plant them around the perimeter of our properties! By mowing less and planting hostas around Redeemer, along with ongoing tending to plants and clearing of rubbish and litter, we reduce our carbon footprint. Come on over and help us plant new seeds, tend growing ones, and keep the garden free of garbage so it's a healthy and welcoming space for our neighbors, all while enjoying each other’s company safely. See you there! 
ZOOM FELLOWSHIP @ 9:30am Sundays // Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30am for fellowship and prayer. Follow this link to join open the Zoom app and enter the following: Meeting ID: 853 1810 2674 | Password: 557820 or call in by phone to  (312) 626-6799.

MENTAL HEALTH CONNECT (MHC) // Mental Health Connect is a local non-profit based out of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis offering free, non-biased support for anyone seeking mental health resources. Visit their website to learn more, or contact Mali, Redeemer's MHC ambassador.
HELP US MAKE MASKS! // As this pandemic continues amidst reopening, summer life, and the current Uprising for Justice, the need for cloth masks is growing! If you or someone you know is able and willing to help sew masks for ongoing distribution, please contact Redeemer's minister of service and advocacy, Holly De Souza. 
Health Commons @ The Living Room continues to provide services to the Harrison and North Minneapolis community! You can stay updated on their schedule of services and events, including virtual nurse consultations and Zumba classes, via their facebook page!

---

Sunday, July 12, 2020
Readings: Isaiah 55:10-13 | Psalm 65:1-13 | Romans 8:1-11 | Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

Intercessor: Called into unity with one another and the whole creation, let us pray for our shared world -- (a brief silence)
Gracious God, we pray for missionaries and newly planted congregations around the world sowing your word in many ways and places. Inspire us by their witness to the faith we share. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Creating God, empower us to sustainably use what you have given us, animals and birds making their home among us in praise of you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Reigning God, we pray for our nation’s leaders. Increase their desire for justice and equality. We pray for our enemies. Bridge the chasms that divide us and guide authorities to a deep and lasting peace. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Abiding God, care for all doubting, renew faith, for all worrying, provide release, for all struggling, ease burdens, for all in fear, give hope especially those weighing heavily on our hearts and minds survivors of flooding in Japan and U.S. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Renewing God, revive Redeemer Lutheran congregation and Redeemer Center for Life in this place by nourishing and nurturing the seeds you have planted, that we might grow as disciples by replacing what has been depleted so that our ministries are sustained and our relationships deepened with Harrison and North. Sustain our ministries, providing food, registering voters and sharing masks and deepen relationships with the wider community of Harrison and North Minneapolis. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Eternal God, we give thanks for all the deceased, Joe, all victims of famine and this pandemic,  especially Nathan Söderblom, Bishop of Uppsala, whom we commemorate today and those whom we name before you . . . Comfort us in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

Pastor: Receive these prayers, O God, and those too deep for words; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.