Redeemer Prayers & Announcements | August 13, 2020

August VBS-at-Home Kit Distribution THIS SUNDAY 1-3pm! // Redeemer’s EduYouth Ministry Team (Lonna, Jason, and Anna) will be distributing August VBS-at-Home kits to parents in Redeemer’s backyard on August 16th from 1-3pm! These kits will have even more fun activities and treats for our kiddos to enjoy at home while we all dig deeper in our faith from a distance. If you can’t be there on the 16th for pick up, contact Lonna or Anna, or Amy in the church office to arrange pick-up or delivery for a different time!

GALA BIG-TICKET DONATIONS NEEDED // The 2020 RCFL Gala: Rooted in Community is around the corner on September 12th, and the Gala Committee is looking for three big-ticket items to include on their auction for this year's virtual event. Do you have a North Shore cabin you'd be willing to open up and share? Are you or do you know of a chef who'd be willing to donate an in-home cooking experience for four? Do you have a personal talent or skill you'd be willing to donate or host for a small group in 2021?  Please connect with Mali to share your ideas with the Gala Committee.

JUST-a-MINUTE Lectionary-Based Bible Study Online //  The Rev. Mark Wegner of the Minneapolis Area Synod has provided us another opportunity for bible study and reflection with his Just a Minute dive into the revised common lectionary's five weeks of August in the Gospel of Matthew. Reflection questions based on the 9th through 13th weeks of Pentecost, along with the readings and a prayer of the week, are all available on Redeemer’s bible study page. We encourage you to share your thoughts with family, friends, or Pastor Kelly by email or phone! We’d even love to share some of your reflections in September’s newsletter - just send them to Amy by August 25th! 

HEALTH COMMONS at the LIVING ROOM currently offers Zumba each weeknight at 6pm in Redeemer’s backyard, Book Club Discussions on the first Tuesdays of the month from 1-3pm in the backyard, and Health Q & A's online or in-person -- all with social distance and masking. Follow them on Facebook to get current schedules, events, and other resources: Health Commons at the Living Room.

ZOOM FELLOWSHIP at 9:30am Sundays // Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30am for fellowship and prayer. Follow this link to join open the Zoom app or call in by phone to (312) 626-6799 using the following: Meeting ID: 820 1983 1981 | Password: 814644.

Volunteers Needed for Holy Trinity Food Distribution // Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis has been providing goods and services to neighbors who, over the course of the Minneapolis Uprising, lost or experienced significantly reduced access to transportation services and affordable grocers. They plant to continue distribution every Wednesday and Friday through September 4th. They are asking for 5-10 volunteers weekly from Redeemer to help organize and distribute goods to neighbors. Their greatest need is for second-shift volunteers. Please sign up here.

North Porch Project // Leila, one of the Center for Leadership and Neighborhood Engagement (CLNE) and RCFL’s summer interns, has developed the North Porch Project to depict North Minneapolis neighbors at their homes and share their stories and what sparks hope in this moment in history. Families are asked to pose on their porches (or at home) in a way that genuinely portrays their life. The purpose of North Porch is to give North Minneapolis a face and create a sense of familiarity to the non-suburban communities; to show how real people are living and connecting right now. If interested please contact Leila Rocha Fisher.

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. Please contact Amy if you’d like to be part of the Redeemer partnership.

REDEEMER COMMUNITY GARDEN EVENTS  // Summertime is busy in Redeemer garden! Along with our weekly garden work days every Sunday afternoon from 1-4pm, we’d love for you to join us at these social-distanced events! For more information, contact our garden coordinator Greta.

VOLUNTEER at REDEEMER // In light of the May 25th murder of George Floyd, Siri Fiebiger (Redeemer Church Council President) and Mali Jensen (RCFL Director of Volunteers & Partnerships) are working together for Redeemer to help meet community needs! If interested in becoming part of Redeemer’s team of volunteers who receive ongoing calls to action (e.g. Holy Trinity, church cleaning, donation supply management, voter registration, etc), please contact Siri or Mali.

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 MHC’s 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.

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11th Sunday after Pentecost | Readings and Gospel:
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15:10-28

Intercessor: Confident of your care and helped by the Holy Spirit, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need-  (a brief silence.)

Gather the church to be part of your mission as ambassadors of Jesus Christ so that you help your church discover and find blessings in the faith of all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
Relieve waters like the Mississippi, Theodore Wirth Lake, choked by garbage, renew soils stripped of nutrients, and refresh the air all creatures need to live by the grace you grant to all. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
Let your way be known among all the nations of the world, now divided by competing interests, contending alliances, and consumed by enormous worry.  Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
 
We pray for those who do not have enough sustained by local and global ministries in congregations and organizations, for outcasts in our villages, cities, and towns, and for those who need your healing especially for any living with COVID-19, Mary Lou . . .  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
Grant the engaged Sarah Kretchmann and Nathan Hartwig your free and unmerited favor to find their life refreshed in you and extend this same gift to Redeemer Lutheran as we pray for the coming of our next pastor joining this partnership in the gospel strengthened for mission in your name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
Pastor: In the certain hope that nothing can separate us from your love, we offer these prayers to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.