"Sharing Christ's Love with the Greatest Number of People"
Redeemer Lutheran Church
September 3, 2021

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!

Sunday Worship – September 5
Worship services are at 8:30 am (traditional) , 9:45 am (contemporary), and 11:00 am (traditional). Only the first two services are livestreamed. We will do our best to post the 8:30 am service by 11 am so those who watch at 11 am can simply go to our website and then to our Redeemer Video Channel.
 
Registration for Faith Formation
Registration for Faith Formation Classes (In-Person)
Faith Formation classes begin Sunday, October 3, at 9:45 am.
Please register as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly! 

Sign Up for Bible Studies (All by Zoom)
Wednesday AM Bible Study starts on September 8 at 8 am.
Wednesday PM Bible Study starts on September 15 at 7 pm.
Bible Study 101 (to learn the basics) starts on September 19 at 4:30 pm.
Meet and Greet the Pastoral Candidate - Sept. 11 (4-6pm)
Please join us next Saturday to meet and greet our pastoral candidate and his wife. We will meet outside (weather permitting) from 4 pm to 4:30 pm. The members of the Call Committee will prepare some snacks and refreshments for us! At 4:30 pm we will gather in our worship space for Evening Prayer that will also remember the 20th Anniversary of 9-11. Our pastoral candidate will lead us through the service and offer a brief reflection. 

After the service we will stay in our worship space to learn more about the candidate. In the September newsletter I answered the questions we received so far about the call process and the role of the Associate Pastor. We are using Saturday night to answer other questions you have prior to the vote. Please email me your questions throughout this week psk@redeemermclean.org. On Saturday if you are watching from home and have a question you can email me and I will pass on those questions in live-time. We hope that most people will attend in person but for those not comfortable in our worship space here is the link for the live streaming – https://vimeo.com/592237193. After we are done for the night I will post the video on the Redeemer Channel for you to watch later.
Call Vote - September 12
Call Vote Sunday – September 12 (After Each Service)
Please continue to use the Sign-Up Genius if you plan on attending one of the three services on that Sunday, September 12. For voting members who want to come and vote but are not ready to be in our worship space for that length of time please contact our church office to let us know you will be present.   

And for those not comfortable inside the church building: All three services will be livestreamed that Sunday and we will leave the livestreaming on for the Call Vote meeting. Please watch the service prior to the vote as the pastoral candidate will preach at all three services. For those planning to be outside we will have a television in the Crossroads to view or you can bring your devices, so you know when it is time to vote. Once we call for the vote our church leaders will be at a table at the entrance of the Crossroads so you can cast a ballot. 
ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis
The September newsletter was sent out this week. Please read over my lead article as it answers some of the questions that people have asked about the call process and the candidate. Also note that we welcome Myriah Pirhala as the Preschool Director and Linda McConnaughay in her new role as Executive Director of Redeemer Renaissance. An updated copy of the newsletter is now on the website. It includes details about “Just Neighbors” who received a grant from our Endowment Fund. 

ELCA Youth Gathering in Minneapolis, MN (July 24-28, 2022)
Please read the announcements for details about the ELCA Youth Gathering. If there is any interest in learning more than please send me an email at psk@redeemermclean.org. We will need most of the coming year to plan.  
Art and Essay Contest
Tysons Interfaith (an ecumenical group that we are part of) is having a contest entitled “A Whole New World Starts Now.” As our children return to the classroom and adults to their offices, the purpose of the contest is to give people an opportunity to reflect on the positive lessons learned during COVID, and on our hopes for the future. Cash prizes are being offered for three different age categories: Youth (12 and under), Teens (13-18) and Adults (19 and up). The contest runs through October 15. Winners will be announced on November 1. Here is an attachment to learn more and/or go to this link – https://tysonsinterfaith.org/iwe-event/essay-art-contest/
Prayer Concerns
We pray for the safety of all people in Afghanistan and for those who are recovering in Haiti. We pray for those who have lost lives and homes after Hurricane Ida did so much damage in Louisiana and up the Northeastern Coast. We pray for all who are affected by the coronavirus.
 
Please refer to the back page of the announcements for the complete prayer list. We ask that you pray for the people daily. For those who offered us names, please send us updates so we can keep the list current.
 
In Christ – Pastor Sandy Kessinger
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1545 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean, VA 22101
703-356-3346
www.redeemermclean.org