Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Nov. 19, 2014

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

This Weekend

This weekend is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday of the church year. Readings for this weekend's worship include Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 and Matthew 25:31-46:

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."

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 hospitality 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. Read more about this exciting event on our website and join the email list. Contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org

for more information.

We've just received a fresh shipment of Bibles, so if you have ordered or want to purchase one, stop by the hospitality desk in the Atrium.

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 - Nov. 21-22

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.

Promise 2015 and Year-End Giving - 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.

Year-End Giving:
Offerings in a 2014 envelope received in the offering plate through Dec. 29 or delivered by mail to the office by noon Friday, Jan. 2, 2015 (and postmarked up to Dec. 31) will be recorded on your 2014 Contribution Statement.

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.

Thanksgiving Worship - Nov. 26

Take time to pause before the big day with a special Thanksgiving Eve worship service, Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., followed by a time of fellowship and pumpkin pie in the Fellowship Hall.

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 - Donation Deadline Dec. 1

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.

Advent and Christmas Schedule of Events

St. Philip the Deacon is a busy place during Advent and Christmas, so we've published a webpage listing all the events and opportunities for learning, service and fellowship during the holiday season. Information on worship services, musical events, gift-giving programs and more can be found at spdlc.org/advent-and-christmas-spd.

First up: Advent Vespers worship schedule! As we await the coming of Christmas, take time on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. for evening prayer.

Sleep Out - Support Your Pastors! - Dec. 3

Our mission partners, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP), encourage you to support the annual Sleep Out campaign on Dec. 3, which raises funds to support struggling families with housing, employment, child care, food and transportation.

This year, you can come out and support Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson and Pastor Mark Schmid, who will be sleeping out that night in our parking lot to raise funds for 1,875 local families in need of help. Come by to wish your favorite clergy members well, donate to their fundraising efforts, and vote for them in the "Prettiest Feet" contest at 9:15 p.m. The winning clergy member gets to sleep in a cozy bed inside while the rest of us brave the elements! Your donations to support your pastors' sleep out may also be dropped off at church. Please make a donation giving online at iocp.org/donate.

And please pray for a heat wave on Dec. 3!

Family Christmas Celebration - Dec. 7

Join us on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 3-5 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 Celtic musician 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 8 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.

Book Club - Dec. 15

December Book Club books are here. You can purchase your copy of Girl Meets God at the hospitality desk in the Atrium for $10. We will meet to discuss on Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life. All are welcome; come when you can. For more information contact Amanda Berger at aberger@spdlc.org.

Storytime - Dec. 17

Join the fun of Storytime on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. in the Lilly Pad Library. Our time together consists of a guest reading to children, faith based books, puppets, Veggie Tales, exploring a children's book by a Minnesota author, and time to check out books with a parent. No registration is required. Please use the lower parking lot for Storytime.

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. This will be a great opportunity to spend time getting to know Pastor Mark Schmid, who is eager to share his enthusiasm for the great outdoors. 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.

Register online at stphilip.smartevents.com. Deadline: Dec. 15!

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

DivorceCare Men's Group

Separation and divorce are painful and stressful experiences. They are confusing times when you feel alone and have lots of questions. DivorceCare is a confidential group support program to find help, discover hope, and experience healing. Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., starting Jan. 20 and running for 13 sessions. Led by SPD member, Heather Wright. Contact Pastor Strand Patterson if you have questions: 763-475-7126 or vstrand@spdlc.org. Learn more about DivorceCare.

In This Issue

This Weekend

2015 Bible Read-Along

Memorial Service and Dinner

Encounter: Stargazing

Thanksgiving Baskets

Promise 2015

Metropolitan Symphony

Thanksgiving Worship

Feed My Starving Children

Holiday Store

Holiday Schedule

Sleep Out for IOCP

Family Christmas Celebration

Billy McLaughlin Concert

National Lutheran Choir

Book Club

Storytime

Christmas Care

SPD Outdoor Retreat

DivorceCare for Men

O come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.

The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

O that today you would listen to his voice!

Psalm 90:1-12

For Reflection

"If God can work through me, he can work through anyone."

- Francis of Assisi

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

Faithful Parenting

The conundrum of trust

Earning kids' trust is perhaps the most important thing a parent can do to express love to their children.