Redeemer Announcements & Prayers of Intercession | September 16, 2022

SUNDAY WORSHIP at 10:30am //Join us Sunday morning at 10:30am for worship. As always, our Sunday worship will be streaming on Zoom here (please enter your own Zoom credentials to watch with us!) The worship bulletin can also be found on our website (https://www.redeemermpls.org/bulletins.html)!
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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 10:00am to 3:00pm with drop-in hours from 10:30am - 2:30pm. 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 (3:50-4:30pm). 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. We have a new phone system that we’re learning and navigating, and will have phone lines to reach Pastor Jen and other staff directly soon. Stay tuned!

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 and Thursdays along with Pastor Jen from 10:30am-2:30pm 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 Wednesday night!

SEPTEMBER GARDEN EVENTS // 
     > 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

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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LECTIONARY TEXTS:  Amos 8:4-7 | Psalm 113 | 1 Timothy 2:1-7
GOSPEL READING: Luke 16:1-13

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.

God our Savior, you keep your church in faith and truth. Accompany those preparing for baptism or affirmation of baptism. Enlighten preachers, teachers, seminarians, and all those who share your good news with the world. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Divine teacher, you instruct your children to be responsible stewards of your creation. Show us how best to care for the earth and its resources, and guide those who work to develop sustainable practices. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 

Ruler of the nations, you direct those in authority. Give leaders wisdom and compassion so that all may live in peace. Inspire public servants to follow the example of courageous leaders and safeguard the dignity of each person. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 

Helper of the needy, you lift up those who are oppressed. Breathe justice into economic and social systems that perpetuate poverty and hunger. Sustain food ministries, clothing banks, emergency shelters, and all those supporting our unhoused populations. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 

Sustainer and giver of life, you bless this congregation with abundance. Instruct us in the proper and faithful use of wealth and resources, that we share generously. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer. 

God of glory, you gather your saints around your throne. Keep us thankful for the witness of those who have gone before us and keep mindful of those navigating grief, illness, and recovery, especially Jane Friendshuh, released from in-patient rehab and now continuing recovering from surgery at home; The Branch Family, with whom we continue to grieve; Jimmy, brother of LuVene Jackson, 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. 

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.