September 09th, 2022

SUNDAY WORSHIP at 10:30am //Join us Sunday morning at 10:30am for worship. Sally Ankerfelt will be presiding and Pastor Babette Chatman will be preaching, as Pastor Jen is out of town until Monday, September 13th. As always, our Sunday worship will be streaming on Zoom here. Meeting ID: 899 8339 5756 | Passcode: 334806
The worship bulletin can also be found here on the website!

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 //  Are you wondering how you might connect with Pastor Jen Collins? 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. 

DIAPERS NEEDED //  Our neighborhood food shelf is in desperate need of diapers for distribution. Please bring boxes of diapers of any size (sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6 are the most requested) to church on Sundays or drop off during Pastor Jen’s and Amy’s office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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)
     > Sunday, 9/25. 2-5pm: Neighborhood Clothing Swap ~ You’re invited to bring your own gently used clothing items and accessories to leave on designated tables, and then go "shop" from other neighbors’ donations – but everything is free! We will be donating anything left over behind to PRISM thrift store. More details to come! (Redeemer Backyard)

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
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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: Wood engraving c. 1864 by John Everett Millais illustrating the parable of the Lost Coin.)

LECTIONARY TEXTS:  Exodus 32:7-14 | Psalm 51:1-10 | 1 Timothy 1:12-17
GOSPEL READING: Luke 15:1-10

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

Your people receive mercy and your grace overflows in our lives. Fill your church with faith and love, and give understanding hearts to those who work to strengthen our ecumenical and interreligious commitments. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Your creation groans as it suffers the impacts of pollution and lack of care. As the seasons change, renew in us the will to protect plants, animals, and habitats. Bless us with bountiful harvests that all may share. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Your world is shattered and the nations rage. Remember us in your mercy. Teach wisdom to our elected leaders so that we know peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Your children wander homeless and the hungry cry for bread. Seek out those who are lost or lonely, anxious or depressed, or struggling with addiction or illness. Provide for those in any need, and heal the sick and injured among us, especially Jane Friendshuh, released from in-patient rehab and now continuing recovering from surgery at home; The Branch Family, grieving the death of their son and brother; LuVene Jackson's brother Jimmy, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's; Claudia Runnels, recently admitted to North Memorial hospital while struggling to recover 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.

Your work is done in this congregation with our hands, feet, voices, minds, and hearts. Build up the ministries of this community (local ministries and partnerships may be named), that we serve our neighbors and welcome the stranger in your name. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Your blessed saints who have died now rest in your presence. Give us thankful hearts for those who have been examples of faith in our lives, and receive us with joy when we come to share eternal life with you. 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.