Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Dec. 17, 2014

Christmas Eve - Monday, Dec. 24

Childcare will be available for all services except 9 and 11 p.m.

11 a.m.	Children's Christmas Worship (approx. 30 min.)
2 p.m.	Worship with Holy Communion
4 p.m.	Worship with Holy Communion
5:30 p.m.	Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion
7 p.m.	Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion
9 p.m.	Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion
11 p.m.	Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

Christmas Day - Tuesday, Dec. 25

11 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion

Sign up to usher or serve Communion at Christmas worship! Contact Cindy Carlson, ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115.

This Weekend

This weekend is the Fourth Sunday in Advent. The lessons include
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Luke 1:26-38:

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.

And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.' But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.'

Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I am a virgin?' The angel said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.' Then Mary said, 'Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her.

Christmas Drop-off Night - Dec. 19

Parents, do you need time to do some shopping, gift wrapping, or do you just want to give a night of fun to your kids? Bring them to SPD for pizza, activities and a Christmas movie on Friday, Dec. 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. The registration deadline is TODAY! Wednesday, Dec. 17. 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.

A Liturgy of Carols - Dec. 27-29

At all worship services on Saturday, Dec. 27 through Monday, Dec. 29, we will delight in the Christmas season by celebrating our annual post-Christmas Liturgy of Carols. Renowned trumpet player Charles Lazarus will augment our Sunday 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. services with special anthems.

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.

Bibles Available!

Join SPD members and friends in reading through the Bible in one year. The journey begins on Jan. 1, but you can join in anytime during the year.

If you wish, you may purchase a copy of The NRSV Daily Bible for $20 at the hospitality desk in the Atrium. There are both paperback and faux leather bond versions available. This Bible has extra prayers and reflections for each day's texts, a well-designed accompaniment to the Scriptures, full of inspiration for the year-long journey. Pick up a copy for yourself, and one to share with a friend!

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.

SPD Outdoors Ice Fishing Retreat - Jan. 4

There is still time! Registration for the SPD Outdoors Ice Fishing Retreat has been extended through Jan. 4, 2015!

Join Pastor Mark Schmid and other members and friends of St. Philip the Deacon for a time of faith, fellowship and fishing at the 2015 SPD Outdoors Lake of the Woods Ice Fishing Retreat, Thursday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 25.

No experience necessary! This retreat is open to all (men, women, children, grandchildren, friends, etc.). There are 24 slots available, but they are filling up, so act now! The cost is $420 per person, and includes four days and three nights lodging at Wheelers Point Resort and Lodge, a fish-fry and six other meals, guided fishing and bait. (Does not include gratuities and transportation.)

Registration has been extended through Jan. 4, 2015. You can register for the trip online at stphilip.smartevents.com. Questions? Contact Roger Elias at rwelias@comcast.net or 763-657-1858; or Pastor Mark Schmid at mschmid@spdlc.org or 763-475-7127.

Sign-up today and Set the hook!

Book Club - Jan. 20

The Book Club's selection for January is Evensong by Gail Godwin. The story takes place over the course of a few weeks in late November and December of 1999, during the season of Advent -- the season of expectation -- and makes a great winter read. Evensong is the story of a pastor and her spouse as they play host to three unwelcome guests. We will gather in the Nook on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. for a discussion. All are welcome. Book are available at the Welcome Desk in the Atrium for $10. For more information contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org.

Faith & Life Lecture with Steve Goold - Jan. 29

Drummer Steve Goold, who currently tours with Sara Barielles, will perform and speak about "Using Your Gifts for God's Kingdom" on Thursday, Jan 29. Join us for the third installment of the Faith & Life Lecture Series, which promised to be lively and entertaining!

In This Issue

This Weekend

Christmas Drop-off Night

Christmas Homecoming

Advent Vespers

Liturgy of Carols

Year-End Giving

2015 Bible Read-Along

Ice Fishing Retreat

Book Club

Faith & Life Lecture

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, for ever;

With my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

I declare that your steadfast love is established for ever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

You said, 'I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David:

"I will establish your descendants for ever, and build your throne for all generations." '

Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said:

'I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people.

I have found my servant David; with my holy oil I have anointed him;

My hand shall always remain with him; my arm also shall strengthen him.

The enemy shall not outwit him, the wicked shall not humble him.

I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.

My faithfulness and steadfast love shall be with him; and in my name his horn shall be exalted.

I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.

He shall cry to me, "You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation!"

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

For Reflection

"I guarantee you that after you die you will not say 'I spent too much time praying; I wish I had watched more TV instead.'"

- Peter Kreeft

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

Faithful Parenting

Help kids enjoy giving more than getting

As many of us prepare for our annual Christmas gift exchanges, it can be easy to be caught up worrying about making sure that everyone has the perfect gift, or that all the kids get something they wanted, or that all the gifts are fair.