Redeemer Announcements & Prayers of Intercession (September 3, 2022)

UPCOMING WORSHIP PLANS:
     > TOMORROW at 10am: NORTHSIDE WORSHIP at CHRIST THE RIVER OF LIFE: Join us tomorrow, Sunday, September 4th, for Northside ELCA gathering with Redeemer, Salem, and Christ River of Life at CROL’s space (2200 Fremont Ave N North, Minneapolis, MN 55411). Please not the time change: Worship will be at 10am rather than 10:30am! Viewers may join online at ZOOM. They can also call in by phone to Zoom at (301) 715-8592 using Meeting ID 243 303 6435 and Participant ID 612-521-7655.
     > NORTHSIDE CHOIR TOMORROW at 9am: People of all and no talent are welcome to join a northside ELCA choir tomorrow at 9am for pre-worship rehearsal! Choir members will gather in the sanctuary at 9am and Steve Grove, CRoL’s very talented worship and music director, will make it fun for all who want to sing/play. 

PASTOR JEN OUT OF TOWN // We know she just arrived but, Pastor Jen will be taking a pre-planned trip with her family from Sept. 2nd-13th. During her time away, Pastoral Care will be managed by Pastor Babette Chatman, who will also be preaching on September 11th at Redeemer.

CONNECTING with PASTOR JEN //  It was good news to have Pastor Jen join last Sunday. Are you wondering how you might connect? Here are a few options for connecting: 
    > Email: As Pastor Jen is getting on-boarded at Redeemer we wanted you to know the email has been a little quirky. Pastor@redeemermpls.org is the email she will be using, please try sending twice if you get a bounce back response and check your spam folders. We suggest adding this email to your contact list so it will be recognized.
    > Office Hours: Currently you'll find Pastor Jen on site at Redeemer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please know she is open to setting up other times to meet with you and engage with folks as able. Please be aware Pastor Jen is the transportation person in her family for her kids and during school hours will be dropping off (8:45-9:30 am) and picking up (3:50-4:30 pm). Thanks to her husband, Mike they can adjust and will do so as needed, as their family walks with Redeemer.
    > Phones: Please use the main church phone 612.886.1468, after Labor Day weekend Redeemer will have updated to a new phone system. We will have phone lines to reach Pastor Jen and other staff directly soon. 

SPAM EMAIL REMINDER: ALL OFFICIAL EMAILS WILL COME FROM OFFICIAL ADDRESSES: If you receive an email from someone claiming to be Pastor Jen Collins or a redeemer staff member, please make sure you check that it is from an "@redeemermpls.org" email address. If it is NOT then do not reply and know it's most likely a spam or phishing email trying to scam you for personal information or money. Know we will never ask for personal or financial information over an email. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. 

OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE HOURS // Amy Koopman is serving as interim administrator. As we determine an amenable schedule, she will be in the office on Tuesdays at 10am starting on September 13th, and/or 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 night!

SEPTEMBER GARDEN EVENTS // 
     > Thursday, 9/8, 6pm: Yoga in the Garden ~ Beginner-friendly yoga with instructor Mikki Daub. BYO mat or towel! (at The Power Garden @ 344 Morgan Ave N, Behind Church). 
     > Saturday, 9/10, 10am-2pm: “2-Wheel Harvest” Bike Tour ~ Explore northside gardens on a bike tour beginning at Venture North. Four stops with light refreshments; helmets required! 
     > Sunday, 9/18, 5-7pm: Preserve Your Harvest ~ Learn how to freeze, dehydrate, and can your veggies, then bring some home for the winter! (RRoots Garden @ 2131 Penn Ave N)

CONGRATULATIONS to KRISTIN GILBERT & KRISTEN HOYLES! // Kristen & Kristin are excited to announce the arrival of Miriam Rae Gilbert Hoyles, born August 11th. The mamas and baby are doing well! We invite you to sign up for their meal train and help the family out in this time of great joy and little sleep: https://mealtrain.com/zoo61d

PRAYER for the BRANCH FAMILY // We lift up the Branch family (Lonnie and Doris, Cheryl, and Patricia) and grieve with them as they mourn the sudden and unexpected passing of their son and brother in Atlanta.
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COVID-19 PROTOCOL UPDATE // Redeemer’s Council met Tuesday, August 20, 2022 and moved to update the mask policy to “Mask Wearing is Welcomed” for worship services and all other events or meetings that occur at the church. Redeemer remains committed to the health and well-being of our community, and this update affirms and encourages individuals to continue to make good personal choices about COVID-19. As you make decisions to keep yourself and others healthy, the Redeemer Council and Pastor Jen strongly encourage the following:
    > If you are eligible for vaccination, ensure that you are up-to-date on booster shots.
    > Wear a high-quality mask. As we know that SARS-COV-2 spreads through aerosols. N95 or KN95 masks prevent 95% of particles from entering the airway, and Redeemer will strive to offer these masks for both adults and children as needed, especially as we move indoors.
    > Pay attention to local data on COVID-19 spread. You may want to track wastewater data to better understand the prevalence of COVID-19 in the metro area.
    > Use rapid tests, particularly before gathering with others, to help gauge your health.
    > If you are sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID, please stay home and join online instead of in person.
However you choose to participate in our congregational life, we will continue to do this together! We hope that you know that you are loved, welcomed and valued here at Redeemer. We look forward to moving forward and navigating life together during these next few seasons here at Redeemer. Please reach out to council or Pastor Jen Collins with any questions, concerns or if you need help finding the resources you need to remain healthy and safe.

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(image: "Jesus and His Disciples" (c) Alida Bothma Art)

​LECTIONARY TEXTS: 
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 | Psalm 1 | Philemon 1-21

GOSPEL READING: Luke 14:25-33

As scattered grains of wheat are gathered together into one bread, so let us gather our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of God’s good creation.


~ Pause for Reflection ~
We pray for the church around the world and for the mission of the gospel. Refresh the hearts of your people, deepen our understanding of every good thing we share, and strengthen our partnerships in the faith.Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For the well-being of the earth and all its creatures: for trees and forests, for all that will yield fruit this season, and for streams and other bodies of water. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For the nations and those in authority: for the elected leaders of our towns, states, and country, and for international organizations. Grant wisdom to those who govern and raise up citizens who make decisions in the best interest of their neighbors. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For all in need: for those who suffer from disease, who struggle with homelessness or food insecurity, for those whose family life is difficult, and for all in this community who need your care especially Jane Friendshuh, recovering from surgery; Mary Lou Williams, recovering from surgery; Claudia Runnels, recovering from surgery; Carlos Garces, recovering from neck surgery; Bill Viebahn, member, with late stage lung cancer; Mike Murray, in cancer treatment Mary Sue Barber, daughter of Shelby Andress, whose cancer has returned and is worsening. We pray For those who suffer from long COVID, and other effects of the pandemic For those suffering from mental illness For caregivers everywhere in their care for the sick and mentally ill. For the imprisoned who long for hope. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For this community of faith: for all our labors—begun, continued, and ended in you—that they glorify your holy name. Bless your people with the strength to live into their many vocations for the sake of the world. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the saints who now rest from their labors. Give us faith, like them, to love you with all our hearts, and by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Gathered together in the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, gracious God, we offer these and all our prayers to you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.

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