Father and Daughter Date Night - You are cordially invited to spend a lovely evening with the special young lady in your life. The deadline to register for this event is Thursday, April 10. Register online today!
Summer activities are planned and advertised, and some are filling quickly! Make sure you register today! Check them out in the brochures you received in the mail or at stphilip.smartevents.com.
This week we lift up the gift of hospitality, as we recognize the ushers who so faithfully serve at worship services throughout the year. Their gifts make a difference in the life and ministry of this faith community.
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This Weekend - Palm/Passion Sunday
This week is Palm/Passion Sunday. The readings include Philippians 2:5-11 and Mark 15.
 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' He answered him, 'You say so.' Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, 'Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.' But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, 'Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?' For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Continue reading Mark 15... |
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Let Your Light Shine: 2014-2017 Capital Appeal
Our current three-year Capital Appeal, Called and Sent, concludes at the end of April. Our new three-year appeal, Let Your Light Shine, will start in May, and is structured around our three core Values: Faithfulness, Generosity and Hospitality. This upcoming appeal will allow us to:
- Continue to faithfully pay down our mortgage, freeing up more resources for mission and ministry in the future;
- Generously share the gifts God has giving us with our sisters and brothers in North Minneapolis and Colombia; and
- Prepare for continued growth by making the church's physical plant more welcoming and hospitable.
You can see posters about the appeal in the West Welcome Area and Fellowship Hall, and can learn more about the appeal at spdlc.org/shine. You will receive information about the appeal via mail in the next few weeks, and we encourage you to return your pledge card during our celebration month of May. Thank you for your support of this appeal, and for your continued partnership in the gospel at St. Philip the Deacon. |
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Praying in Color Review - April 13
Have you been Praying in Color this Lent? We're getting together in the library this Sunday (April 13) after the 11 a.m. worship service to share our prayer drawings and discuss our experience of using this method for our Lenten devotionals. If you'd like to pray in color, or would like to learn more about it -- even if you did not use the method during Lent -- feel free to join us! Questions? Contact Pastor Strand Patterson. |
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Lilly Pad Library Story Time - April 16
The next Lilly Pad Library Story Time will be held Wednesday, April 16, 10 a.m. Story Time includes a reading of Spring books, finger plays, browsing the Lilly Pad Library books and checking out books to take home. All children (infant-age 5) accompanied by an adult are invited to explore the Lilly Pad Library. |
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Exciting Easter Extravaganza! - April 19
The family event, Exciting Easter Extravaganza! will be held Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. Join us for a light breakfast, hear the Easter story and enjoy a humungous Easter Egg Hunt (1,000 eggs!). And It's Free! Register today! |
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Feed My Starving Children - April 22
Tuesday, April 22, 6:30-9:30 p.m. We will be packing food packets for Feed My Starving Children. Guys of all ages are encouraged to participate. We will meet at church at 6:30 p.m. for dinner, and then head to the FMSC packing site in Chanhassen. The cost is $5.00 per person. You may register online or contact Cindy Carlson to sign-up. |
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8th Grade: What's Next? - April 23
Current 8th grade students and parents are invited to meet to talk about what to expect in the months leading up to The Rite of Confirmation (January 2015) and the opportunities for your child as they transition into Senior High Ministry. Please join us for this 45 minute meeting -- and bring your calendar! You will receive information about summer events and important dates to remember as your child prepares for Confirmation. Questions? Contact Jeremy Lahaie at jlahaie@spdlc.org. |
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30 Hour Famine - April 26
Sr. high school students: Save the date for the annual 30-Hour Famine! We begin Saturday, April 26 at church at 9:30 a.m. for a brunch -- our last meal until the next day around noon when we break the fast together with communion and lunch. Fasting is an ancient spiritual practice. During this event we will learn more about issues of hunger. Even if you feel that you cannot fast, you can still participate. To register or to learn more, email Jeremy Lahaie. Friends are always welcome! |
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Minnesota Twins Game! - April 29
Join your fellow SPD Twins fans for an evening at the ballpark, Tues., April 29 and watch Twins vs. Dodgers. The seats are in the Skyline Deck. The bus will leave church at 5.45 p.m. to be in time for the 7:10 game. The cost is $23/person, which includes the ticket and transportation. You may register online or email Cindy Carlson.
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Preview Night for Summer Retreat - May 1
 Join us on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at church to meet Brother David Paul Lange and learn about our annual spiritual growth retreat for adults. This year's retreat will be from Aug. 7-10 at St. John's in Collegeville and Brother David Paul will return as our guest retreat leader. He is a sculptor and professor of art and art history at St. John's, who will help us become more deeply aware of God's artistry in the world around us and how God's creativity influences our prayer and our lives. Come to get a glimpse of the coming retreat, and hear more about the retreat experience from former retreatants. This retreat is for men and women, and friends are always welcome. Questions? Contact Pastor Strand Patterson at vstand@spdlc.org. |
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Deacon Duffers - May 6
Gear up for the golf season! Beginner or pro, women or men, singles or couples, all are welcome! Each group will play nine holes every Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. beginning on May 6 and continuing until Aug. 19. Sign up on the golf bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. The tee times are at Shamrock Golf Course in Corcoran. The cost is $300.00. Space is limited to 6 foursomes, so sign up quickly. Substitutes are also welcome. Contact Tom Hostetler at 763-557-5760 with any questions. |
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Celebrating Pastor Hoffman - May 16-18
The weekend of May 18 there will be two events where we will honor and celebrate the ministry of Pastor David Hoffman, as he prepares to retire.
Friday, May 16 - A retirement dinner at the Plymouth Creek Center. The cost is $45 per person, and reservations are required.
Sunday, May 18 - In worship we will lift up and celebrate Pastor Hoffman's 30 years of leadership and ministry at St Philip the Deacon. Refreshments will be served in Fellowship Hall between the services. |
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Register now for Fall Faith Creek! - Deadline June 1
Can you believe it? It's already time to register for Fall 2014 Faith Creek Church School. That's right! We need to hear from you by June 1 so we can plan all the fun, learning and faith development events for the next school year. Register your child for Faith Creek Church School today! |
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If you have questions about anything you've read here, or want to know more about St. Philip the Deacon and its ministries, please contact us at info@spdlc.org or 763-475-7100. | |
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Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing;
my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbours,
an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many- terror all around!-
as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.'
My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.
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For Reflection:
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
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