Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

September 24, 2014

Blessing of the Animals - Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. See article below.

Minnetonka Paddleboard Tour - Tomorrow! A delightful afternoon event. See article below.

Adult Learning - All classes welcome new participants and it is never too late to join a study or discussion group. Learn more.

This Weekend

This weekend is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. The readings include Philippians 2:1-13 and Matthew 21:23-32.

"A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, "Son, go and work in the vineyard today." He answered, "I will not"; but later he changed his mind and went. The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, "I go, sir"; but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?' They said, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'Truly I tell you, the tax-collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax-collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him."

Read more from Matthew 21 ...

Steamboat Minnehaha - Sept. 25

Join us for a fall afternoon cruise on Lake Minnetonka on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 1-2:30 p.m., aboard the living museum, the Steamboat Minnehaha. We will depart from the dock at the Wayzata Depot. The cost is $17 per person. Make reservations on line at stphilip.smartevents.com or by contacting Cindy Carlson at 763-475-7115.

Alpha - The Course for Faith Explorers!

There's ONE MORE WEEK to sign up for Alpha.

Please email Pastor Strand Patterson a.s.a.p. to say you'd like to embark on this course exploring the wonderful basics of our faith!

Volunteer Opportunity: Be a Faith Creek Teacher!

Make a difference in the life of a child! Faith Creek is looking for six more teachers for the 9:45 hour for Kindergarten, 2nd grade and 4th grade.

Is it you we are looking for?

For more information, email Kathy Hagedorn or Deb August.

Mom's Morning - Sept. 27

Mom's Morning begins on Saturday,

Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. in the CFL. This is a monthly gathering for mothers of young children. Come for an hour of inspiration, mom support and fellowship. A continental breakfast will be served. Childcare will be available. Registration is required by contacting Liz Nelson at lnelson@spdlc.org.

Blessing of the Animals - Sept. 28

In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Blessing of the Animals will be held on Sunday Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. outside the lower level entrance. Bring your pets and join us for this brief and boisterous worship service where every one of you will be individually blessed, hands on, by a pastor. (Bring your people, too!) Treats for everyone! Questions? Contact Pastor Strand Patterson at vstrand@spdlc.org.

Please email Pastor Strand Patterson if you can help set up (about half an hour) at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday.

DivorceCare for Women - Sept. 30

Divorce Care is a new support group for women. It is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life's most difficult experiences. Meeting Tuesday evenings this fall (through Dec. 9) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This group will be facilitated by SPD member Heather Wright. A group for men will be offered early in 2015.

Nadia Bolz Weber Lecture - Oct. 1

Pastor Nadia Bolz Weber, author of the September Book Club read Pastrix, will be speaking at Augsburg College on Wednesday Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. Join Pastor Mathison and Amanda Berger for the lecture and coffee and conversation afterwards. Meet at St. Philip at 9 am to carpool..

Sanctuary of Survivors - Oct. 2

Sanctuary of Survivors is a Christ-centered support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. We will meet the first and third Thursdays of each month, beginning Oct. 2. 7-8 p.m. at St. Philip the Deacon. Questions? Contact Pastor Strand Patterson, 763-475-7126, vstrand@spdlc.org or Cheryl Johnson, 612-759-1241, meemocj@comcast.net.

Faith & Life - Donald Miller - Oct. 9

Writer and speaker Donald Miller delivers the first Faith & Life lecture of the 2014-15 season. Miller has authored several books, including Blue Like Jazz, the current selection of our book club.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. for Miller's talk on "Faith & Life: Living a Meaningful Life."

Learn more ...

Movie Night - Oct. 10

It's Movie Night! Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Kids in grades K-5 are invited to watch Muppets Most Wanted on the big screen at church. Feel free to come in pjs and tote along your pillows and blankets as well. We'll watch the movie and fill our tummies with pizza. Cost is $5 for the evening. Please register at stphilip.smartevents.com no later than Wednesday, Oct. 8!

Pigs and Pigskin - Oct. 12

Phil's Guys, a men's ministry of SPD, invites guys of all ages to join them for Pigs and Pigskin on Sunday, Oct. 12 at St. Philip the Deacon. Enjoy the fun, faith, fellowship, football (Vikings vs. Lions) and food (smoked ribs courtesy of Pastor Mark and Erik Jacobson) beginning at 11:45 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for students. Please register by Oct. 9, online at stphilip.smartevents.com or at the Hospitality Desk in the Atrium on the upper level.

Phil's Guys is on Facebook! "Like" us to keep up to date on upcoming events.

Fall Festival - Oct. 26

Fall Festival, Sunday, Oct 26 from 3-4:30 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of fall fun, including bouncy house, Trunk-or-Treat, a wagon ride, petting zoo, games, activities, hotdogs, cider and more! No cost! Invite your friends!

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.

In This Issue

This Weekend

Steamboat Minnehaha

Alpha - One More Week

Be a Faith Creek Teacher

Early Childhood Programs

Blessing of the Animals

DivorceCare

Bolz-Weber Lecture

Sanctuary of Survivors

Faith & Life Lecture

Movie Night

Pigs and Pigskin

Fall Festival

Faithful Parenting

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

Psalm 25:1-9

For Reflection

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

See more thoughts like this at fb.com/spdlc.

Faithful Parenting

Talk to your children about sex.

Only a generation or two ago, parents felt no need to talk about the private parts of their lives. But today, if parents don't answer the question "what is sex?" then Google will. So it's time to learn to break the silence -- before the opportunity for influence is gone.