Redeemer Prayers & Announcements | July 29, 2022

OUTDOOR WORSHIP SUNDAY at 10:30am // Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:30am! Dr. Russell A. Pointer, Senior Pastor of Minneapolis Central Church of Christ (MCCC), will be guest-preaching and Pastor Sally Ankerfelt will be presiding. Our Sunday worship will also be streaming on Zoom. Meeting ID: 899 8339 5756 Passcode: 334806
The bulletin for each worship can be found on our website and on our Facebook page. 

We thank Kendrick Hall for bringing the Word last week, and Randy Romsdahl for presiding. Our upcoming schedule of preachers and worship leaders going forward until Pastor Jen’s first Sunday is:

July 31: Pastor Russell Pointer (MCCC) preaching - Sally Ankerfelt presiding
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. 

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 night!

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.

GOFUNDME FOR SHARON PETERSON // Sharon Peterson is a long-time resident of the Harrison Neighborhood in North Minneapolis. Recently, her home was condemned by the City of Minneapolis due to plumbing issues which created a hazardous living situation. As a result, she has had to vacate her home until it can be removed from condemnation status. Sharon has always stepped up to help her friends and neighbors; now it’s our turn to step up and help her. We're asking for financial donations to cover the cost of the repairs so that Sharon can get her house out of condemnation and avoid it falling into the hands of developers. Please consider donating and/or sharing to the GoFundMe. https://gofund.me/16cc69df

RCFL SEEKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR // If you have someone you think might be interested, please have them send their resumes to EDSearch@redeemercenter.org.  Please also spread the news to your professional networks. The job has been posted on the MN Council of Nonprofits career site and on RCFL's LinkedIn site. You can find a copy of the job description here.

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PRAYERS of INTERCESSION

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Lectionary Texts:

1st Reading: Ecclesiastes 1:2,12-14, 2:18-23
Psalm: Psalm 49:1-12
2nd Reading: Colossians 3:1-11

Gospel: John 8:31-32

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Trusting in God’s extraordinary love, let us come near to the Holy One in prayer.
 
*pause for reflection*

O God, you are wholeness. Where there is division in your church, bring reconciliation and healing. Guide the work of theologians, Sunday school teachers, seminary professors, and all who provide instruction for the building up of your church. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, you are the source of all life. Where creation cries out in distress, bring relief and renewal. Bless farmers, ranchers, distributors, and all who provide our food. Nourish the land and all its habitants. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, you are wisdom. Where nations and communities yearn for peace, bring justice. Strengthen those who toil for the welfare of others, especially military personnel, police, first responders, and activists, and for the healing of the nations. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, you are life. Where your people are overwhelmed with the busy-ness of life, bring encouragement. Accompany all who experience emotional, mental, or physical distress. We especially remember Claudia Runnels, recovering from surgery; Carolyn Campbell, undergoing hip surgery this coming week; Sharon Peterson, recovering from a hospitalization; Mike Murray, in cancer treatment; Mary Sue Barber, daughter of Shelby Andress, whose cancer is in remission; and Donna von Fischer, Pastor Peter’s mother-in-law, 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. Renew us at your table of mercy. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, you are our treasure. Where scarcity and anxiety pervade your church, bring abundance and vitality. Guide the work of our church council and committees and give them clarity for the work of ministry in this place, especially as we prepare to welcome Pastor Jen Collins into ministry with us. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

O God, you are resurrection. We give you thanks for all your saints. Inspire us by their example of faithful living to set our minds on things above and to be rich in love toward you. God 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.