Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Oct. 15, 2014

Hear Our Prayer - Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. we gather for a special prayer service for healing. See article below.

Mission: Cereal 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 19th Sunday after Pentecost. The readings include

Thessalonians 1:1-10 and Matthew 22:15-22.

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?' But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, 'Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.' And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, 'Whose head is this, and whose title?' They answered, 'The emperor's.' Then he said to them, 'Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's.' When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Early Childhood Ministry

Upcoming dates for Early Childhood Ministry events:

Family Playtime: Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Set aside time to play with your young child in a safe learning environment.
Mom's Morning: Oct. 25 from 10-11 a.m. Moms gather for support and fellowship.
Beginner Bibles will be presented to 3 year-olds Sunday, Oct. 26 during 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. worship services.

Sign Up for Families Moving Forward!

Your gifts of time, talent and money make a difference in the lives of families who are experiencing homelessness through Families Moving Forward. We will once again be hosting up to 18 adults and children for one week beginning Oct. 26.

Sign up just inside Fellowship Hall (as you enter from the narthex) to host or make a dinner, do activities with families, provide groceries, stay overnight, or launder linens. About 75 volunteers from our church work together to provide warm hospitality to our guest families during each hosting week, as they move forward to stability in their lives. Contact Sandy Dockter with questions: sandymdoc@gmail.com

Mission: Cereal 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.

Youth Mental Health First Aid - Oct. 22

A one-day, eight-hour course sponsored by the Fairview Foundation and NAMI Minnesota, for those who work with youth: teachers, school counselors and nurses, coaches, community and youth ministry leaders, etc. Learn more about how to assess youth for risk of suicide or self-harm, and connect them to support resources and professional help. Meets at SPD Wednesday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CEU certificates available. Register online.

Fall Festival - Oct. 26

You won't want to miss 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 - 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

Early Childhood Ministry

Families Moving Forward

Mission: Cereal Boxes

Hear Our Prayer

Book Club

Youth Mental Health

Fall Festival

Encounter

Ken Barlow Presentation

Faithful Parenting

O sing to the Lord a new song;

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous works among all the peoples.

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

Honour and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts.

Worship the Lord in holy splendour; tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, 'The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.

He will judge the peoples with equity.'

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

Let the field exult, and everything in it.

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.

Psalm 96

For Reflection

"I do not at all understand the mystery of grace -- only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us."

- Anne Lamott

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

Faithful Parenting

When Kids Are Defiant

When kids say "No!" parents tend to react rather than respond. Reacting tends to lead to unconstructive power struggles that follow this basic pattern: Child: "No!" Parent: "Yes!" Child: "No!" Parent: "Yes or else!" Child: "I don't care!" Parent: "Well I'll show you who's boss!"