Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Oct. 1, 2014

Faith & Life Lecture - Donald Miller speaks on "Faith & Story: Living a Meaningful Life," Oct. 9. See article below.

500 Boxes - We're gathering in a harvest of cereal boxes! 500 of them by Oct. 19-20. 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 17th Sunday after Pentecost. The readings include Psalm 80:7-15 and Matthew 21:33-46.

"There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance." So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?' "

Read more from Matthew 21 ...

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. All questions and emotions will be heard and honored. Everyone is welcome.

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.

The Conversation - Greece Travelogue - Oct. 14

Join Pastor Mathison and others who traveled to Greece last spring to hear about their journey and see pictures. The 13-day trip included visits to Athens, Corinth, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Patmos, and Ephesus. Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m.

500 Boxes - Oct. 19-20

Faith Creek students are gathering in boxes of cereal for the food shelf. Can we reach the goal of 500 boxes by the weekend of Oct. 19-20?

Bring your cereal box donations to church this weekend! Let's help feed those in need!

Hear Our Prayer - Oct. 20

Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. is our next special community prayer service, "Hear Our Prayer." Our theme this month will be "Healing." Prayers are especially invited for physical, emotional and mental healing, but all prayers are encouraged and welcomed. Come join us for this time of prayer and healing.

Book Club - Oct. 21

The book selection for October is Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. This book has been described as "a fresh and original perspective on life, love, and redemption." We will discuss his book on the third Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. A limited number of books are available for purchase at the church and this book is readily available in bookstores and online. For more information contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org or Amanda Berger at aberger@spdlc.org.

Donald Miller will be the speaker at the Faith & Life Lecture on Oct. 9.

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!

Encounter God in Creativity - Oct. 26

The first in a series of events called "Encounter" will be Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. with Concordia University Professor of Visual Arts Keith Williams. Williams will work on his pottery wheel while talking with us about craft, creativity and creation itself. For more information contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org or Amanda Berger at aberger@spdlc.org.

"Encounter" means unexpected meeting with someone. We hope this, and future Encounter events, will inspire faithful conversation as the result of an unexpected meeting with God.

Ken Barlow Speaks on Mental Health - Oct. 30

Ken Barlow, chief morning meteorologist for KSTP-TV went public two years ago with his bipolar disorder and as a Mental Health Advocate speaks about his own journey as well as the need to break the stigma and perceived shame of mental illness. Barlow will speak on Thursday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. at St. Philip the Deacon.

In This Issue

This Weekend

Sanctuary of Survivors

Faith & Life Lecture

Movie Night

Pigs and Pigskin

The Conversation

500 Boxes

Hear Our Prayer

Book Club

Fall Festival

Encounter

Ken Barlow Presentation

Faithful Parenting

Restore us, O God of hosts;

let your face shine, that we may be saved.

You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.

The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches;

it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River.

Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?

The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.

Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see;

have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted.

Psalm 80:7-15

For Reflection

"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope."

- Martin Luther

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

Faithful Parenting

The Parent I've Always Wanted to Be

"It was bizarre, but after a short prayer my head was clearer. My daughter was already late, but I could respond differently. Not weaker, mind you -- but differently. Perhaps after this interaction I could respect myself, and maybe she would respect me too."