Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Nov. 12, 2014

TOMORROW! - Faith & Life Lecture with Joseph Pearce, Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. See article below.

Holiday Store - Help kids experience the joy of giving. Details in the article below.

This Weekend

This weekend is the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. Readings for this weekend's worship include 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:14-30:

For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, "Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents." His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master."

Read more of Matthew 25 ...

Joseph Pearce - Faith & Life - Nov. 13

The second in the Faith & Life Lecture Series takes place Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. with Joseph Pearce speaking on "Faith & Conversion: From Radical Hatred to Rational Faith." Pearce is a well-known author and biographer of Christian leaders, but in his youth he was a member of a racist nationalist group in Britain and imprisoned for hate speech. He will share his conversion journey from a life of anger and hatred to one of faith and love.

Join the 2015 Bible Read-Along!

Join SPD members and friends in reading through the Bible in one year. Participants may purchase a copy of The NRSV Daily Bible for $20 at the information desk in the Atrium. (It is also available online.) Each week an email will highlight what to look for in the readings and periodic gatherings will be scheduled to reflect on our journey. Join the email list on the SPD website! Contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org for more information.

Book Club - Nov. 16

The book selection for November is New York Time's bestselling author Barbara Brown Taylor's new book Learning to Walk in the Dark. Taylor became uncomfortable with our tendency to associate all that is good with light and all that is evil and dangerous with darkness. She asks and reflects on this question: Doesn't God work in the nighttime as well? Discussion takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. A limited number of books are available for purchase at the hospitality desk and this book is readily available in bookstores and online. For more information please contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org or Amanda Berger at aberger@spdlc.org.

Memorial Service and Dinner - Nov. 20

The West Suburban Grief Coalition invites the public to a Candlelight Memorial Service on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at St. Philip the Deacon, followed by a catered dinner. The Memorial Service helps bring comfort, hope and healing to those who have suffered the death of a loved one.

The Coalition encourages you to join them for a time of food and fellowship at a catered dinner following the memorial service. If you are able to attend only the service, please come. Dinner reservation must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 18, by calling 763-560-8624. Marilyn Dahlmeier will be taking payment any time prior to the dinner that evening ($8 for adults, $4 for children).

Encounter: Stargazing - Nov. 21

The second event in the Encounter series will be Friday, Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Phil and Mona Milne. Our guest will be WCCO Meteorologist Mike Lynch, who will bring his telescopes for a magical night of stargazing, and serve as our guide to the solar system. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information please contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org or Amanda Berger at aberger@spdlc.org.

Encounter means unexpected meeting with someone. We hope these events will inspire faithful conversation as the result of an unexpected meeting with God.

Thanksgiving Baskets

Share your blessings by helping provide food baskets to families in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. The distribution of holiday food baskets is a ministry in partnership with Messiah Lutheran Church, our sister congregation. Make a cash donation to purchase food. Write "Thanksgiving Basket" as a note on your check to St. Philip the Deacon. A gift of $50 will purchase food for two families. Any amount is greatly appreciated. The goal is to provide food baskets for 700 families. Checks may be placed in the offering plate or given to the church office. You can also help set up and help pack the food baskets Nov. 21-22. See the pink bulletin insert for details, or contact Tami at tjfchampeau@gmail.com.

At the distribution event, while parents are picking up their food baskets, children will be invited to choose a new book for themselves. To share the joy of reading, drop off new books for children of all ages in the narthex. Non-violent, multicultural content is appreciated.

Giving Code Quick Response

Did you know you can manage your giving to St. Philip the Deacon electronically? Visit spdlc.org/giving, or use your smartphone by clicking on the QR code to the right. You can also make one-time gifts for holiday ministries like food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Questions? Contact Cheryl Sjaarda at csjaarda@spdlc.org.

Promise 2015 - Nov. 22-24

During November, St. Philip the Deacon members are being invited to return their financial Promise, supporting the church's ministry plan for 2015. All members have received a Promise card in the mail, which can be mailed back to church or placed in the offering plate during worship services at any time by Nov. 23. Read more about Promise 2015 at spdlc.org/promise. We will formally dedicate 2015 Promises during all services Nov. 22, 23 and 24.

Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra Concert - Nov. 23

The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra performs at St. Philip the Deacon on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. The performance will feature playwright Kevin Kling telling his story of The Burning Wisdom of Finn McCool, with music written by Victor Zupanc. The concert is free, with donations requested. Learn more at msomn.org.

Feed My Starving Children - Nov. 29

Join the crew from St. Philip the Deacon on Saturday, Nov. 29 (Thanksgiving weekend) from 9-11 a.m. as we serve at Feed My Starving Children's Chanhassen location. We will pack meals that are specially formulated for malnourished children that will be shipped to nearly 70 countries around the world. In our service group, the minimum age group for participation is 3rd grade. This is an opportunity for the whole family, young and old alike, to serve others. Questions? Contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115. You may also register on-line at fmsc.org, group #550481.

Holiday Store

On Saturday, Dec. 6, we will host a holiday store where 350 children can "shop" for their parents and experience the joy of giving. You can help by donating gifts by Dec. 1 (for adults, men and women, new, $20 value or smaller gifts that can be bundled into $20 gifts). Email Pastor Strand Patterson for a gift list or pick one up at the hospitality desk in the Atrium.

Want to help but prefer not to shop? We will send out happy shoppers with your cash donations!

Want to help with the event? Help us deliver the gifts to the LSS Center for Changing Lives in Minneapolis on Thursday evening, Dec. 4. Help set up the store on Friday, Dec. 5. Or volunteer in the store in the morning or afternoon of Dec. 6. Sign up in the narthex.

Family Christmas Celebration - Dec. 7

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 3-5:30 p.m. for our annual Family Christmas Celebration. Families with kids of all ages are invited to join us for an afternoon full of games, crafts, music, story, service, friends, and more all to celebrate the season of Christmas! The gathering ends with family-style dinner from Davanni's. Questions can be directed to Trisha Ragner at tragner@spdlc.org, and you can register at stphilip.smartevents.com.

Billy McLaughlin Christmas Concert - Dec. 11

Join us on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at St. Philip the Deacon for a holiday concert by the Billy McLaughlin group, Simple Gifts. The concert, titled "Winter Grace," will also feature singer Laura MacKenzie. Tickets are available online at simplegiftsmusic.net. Adult tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Student tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

National Lutheran Choir - Dec. 12

A group from SPD will be going to the National Lutheran Choir Christmas concert at the Basilica on Dec. 12. The bus departs from SPD at 6:30 for the 9 p.m. concert. The cost for the concert ticket and transportation is $23 per person. To make reservations contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or at the Hospitality Desk.

Christmas Care - Gifts and Prayers

Help make Christmas warmer and merrier for a vulnerable adult living in a shelter. Stop by the narthex to pick up a wish list, shop and pray for your person, and drop off the gifts by Dec. 14. We hope to care for over 300 people from:

Smith Lodge, Mission Lodge
Our Savior's Shelter
Anishinabe Waikiagun
Home Free Shelter

Want to help but prefer not to shop? We will send out happy shoppers with your cash donations!

Would you like to be the coordinator for Gifts and Prayers for families from Home Free Shelter? Please contact Pastor Strand Patterson.

SPD Outdoors Ice Fishing Retreat - Jan. 22-25

A new group is forming for SPD members who love getting out in nature: SPD Outdoors! Join the group for the Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Retreat, Thursday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015. Enjoy this time of faith, fellowship and fishing where participants will travel to one of the premiere lakes in the country for some of the best ice fishing you will ever experience. Accommodations (lodging and meals) will be provided by Wheelers Point Resort and Lodge in Baudette, Minn. on Rainy River. This retreat is open to all. Twenty-four slots available. $420 per person.

Registration information coming soon. Questions? Contact Roger Elias at rwelias@comcast.net or 763-657-1858; or Pastor Mark Schmid at mschmid@spdlc.org or 763-475-7127.

In This Issue

This Weekend

Joseph Pearce, Faith & Life

2015 Bible Read-Along

Book Club

Memorial Service and Dinner

Encounter: Stargazing

Thanksgiving Baskets

Giving QR Code

Promise 2015

Metropolitan Symphony

Feed My Starving Children

Holiday Store

Family Christmas Celebration

Billy McLaughlin Concert

National Lutheran Choir

Christmas Care

SPD Outdoor Retreat

Lord, you have been our dwelling-place in all generations.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You turn us back to dust, and say, 'Turn back, you mortals.'

For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.

You sweep them away; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning;

in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers.

For we are consumed by your anger; by your wrath we are overwhelmed.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

For all our days pass away under your wrath; our years come to an end like a sigh.

The days of our life are seventy years, or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;

even then their span is only toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due to you.

So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.

Psalm 90:1-12

For Reflection

"Giving is more than a responsibility-it is a privilege; more than an act of obedience -- it is evidence of our faith."

- William Arthur Ward

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

Faithful Parenting

Is your child intense and impulsive? So were God's chosen leaders!

When God decided which of his children would be key leaders he avoided the step-in-line, shiny-looking ones. In fact, when we look in scripture at some well-known "Bible heroes," we see that God chose some serious screw-ups to guide his precious people.