Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Dec. 10, 2014

Billy McLaughlin concert tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets available online or at the door.

Lessons and Carols at all worship services this weekend.

Blue Christmas - An oasis of peace for contemplative prayer in the midst of the busy holiday season. Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.

We made the news! Read the Dec. 9 article in the Star Tribune about the annual IOCP Sleep Out Campaign.

This Weekend

This weekend is the Third Sunday in Advent. We will celebrate our annual Lessons and Carols liturgies at all worship times on Saturday and Sunday. The lessons include:

Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19

Genesis 22:15-18

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Isaiah 11:1-3a, 4a, 6-9

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 Friday, 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.

Lessons and Carols - Dec. 13 and 14

With anticipation and hope, we await the coming of the Light of the World, Emmanuel, Christ our Savior. All worship services on Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14 will feature special choral music as we celebrate our annual Lessons and Carols liturgies.

Check out all the special worship times and events at St. Philip the Deacon on our Advent and Christmas events web page.

Blue Christmas Prayer Service - Dec. 15

The last Third Monday of the year, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., we will hold a special prayer service for those who may be struggling during the holiday season, especially those who have lost a loved one this year. But all prayer concerns are welcome at this contemplative prayer service, creating an oasis of peace and hope, allowing us to listen deeply for God's word, and experience God's love and healing.

SPD Outdoors Ice Fishing Retreat - Deadline Dec. 15

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. No experience necessary! You can register for the trip 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.

Book Club - Dec. 16

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 the book on Tuesday, Dec. 16 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 Drop-off Night - Dec. 19

Parents, do you need time to do some shopping, gift wrapping, or do you just want a night of fun for your kids? Bring them to SPD for pizza, activities and a fun Christmas movie on Friday, Dec. 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 17, and we have a maximum of 70 participants, so register early! Cost is $12 per person (includes pizza, movie, and gift supplies). Register on line at stphilip.smartevents.com.

Christmas Homecoming - Dec. 21

All college students are invited to a "homecoming" Christmas gathering on Sunday, Dec. 21 from 4-6 p.m. Join us for a relaxed evening of food, Christmas treats and an opportunity to see old friends. We will gather in the Center for Faith and Life.

Advent Vespers - Dec. 22

Advent is here, the season of waiting and anticipation of the birth of our Lord. Our theme this year is "Learning to Walk in the Dark," and many of us will be reading the book of the same title by Barbara Brown Taylor. The last of our special Advent Vespers worship services will be held on Monday evening, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. As we await the coming of our Savior, take time for evening prayer.

Visit our Advent and Christmas worship and events web page.

Year-End Giving Guidelines

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

Offerings received after this will be recorded as a 2015 offering, regardless of which year's envelope is used. You may also use the mail drop-box outside the west office door (Door B) if delivering after office hours.

If you wish to prepay your 2015 offerings please make a notation on the envelope AND check memo "prepayment for 2015." To receive credit on your 2014 year-end statement 2015 prepayments must also be received by the dates noted above.

Questions? Contact Cheryl Sjaarda, Finance Administrator at csjaarda@spdlc.org or 763-475-7124. Year-end contribution statements for 2014 will be mailed prior to Jan. 31, 2015.

Join the 2015 Bible Read-Along!

Join SPD members and friends in reading through the Bible in one year. If you wish, you may purchase a copy of The NRSV Daily Bible for $20 at the hospitality desk in the Atrium. This Bible has extra prayers and reflections for each day's texts.

Sign up for weekly emails highlighting what to look for in the readings. Read more about this exciting event on our website, and invite a friend to join the Read-Along with you! Contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org for more information.

In This Issue

This Weekend

Billy McLaughlin Concert

National Lutheran Choir

Lessons and Carols

Blue Christmas

SPD Outdoor Retreat

Book Club

Storytime

Christmas Drop-off Night

Christmas Homecoming

Advent Vespers

Year-End Giving

2015 Bible Read-Along

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;

Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'

The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.

Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,

Shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Psalm 126

For Reflection

"There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is one of the deepest messages of the incarnation."

- Madeleine L'Engle

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

Faithful Parenting

How do I grow when I've "blown it"?

Ugly parenting happens. The difference between kids who grow well into faith and life and kids who don't is not the presence of ugly parenting. It's the absence of being cared for by people with a vision, who can humbly admit when they've missed the mark, and have the skills to put things back together when they inevitably blow it.