Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Dec. 23, 2014

As you finalize your Christmas plans, please consider sharing in the Christmas worship service as a worship assistant. There is a need for communion servers at all of the worship services (2, 4, 5:30, 7, 9 and 11 p.m.) on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day at 11 a.m. there is a need for readers, ushers and communion servers. Please contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org.

Christmas Eve - Wednesday, 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 - Thursday, Dec. 25

11 a.m. Worship with Holy Communion

The Christmas Scriptures
The Scripture readings for Christmas Eve worship include Isaiah 9:2-7 and Luke 2:1-20.

On Christmas Day, the readings in worship include Isaiah 52:7-10 and John 1:1-14.

This Weekend

Over the weekend, Dec. 27-28, we celebrate the First Sunday of Christmas. The readings will include Galatians 4:4-7 and Luke 2:22-40:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

'Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.'

Read more Luke 2:22-40

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.

Books for Africa

We are pleased to support the efforts of one of our young leaders, Natalie Hagen, who is collecting books for a non-profit organization, Books for Africa, that ships and distributes books to students in Africa. They supply books to rural libraries, schools and community centers in 49 countries across the contenent to help educate children and break the cycle of poverty. New books and gently used children's books in good condition are welcome. Drop books off at the lower level hospitality desk during the month of January. Read more on our website.

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.

Sanctuary of Survivors - Jan. 1

Sanctuary of Survivors is a Christ-centered support group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. We meet the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7-8 p.m. at St. Philip the Deacon, starting with Thursday, Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. Meeting dates for the next quarter are Jan. 1 and 15, Feb. 5 and 19, and March 5 and 19.

All emotions, all questions (including questions of faith) will be honored. The evening will include lighting a candle in remembrance of your loved one and a brief devotion from scripture which lifts up a promise of God. Group members will be invited to hold one another in prayer between meetings. All are welcome, wherever you are on your faith journey.

Questions? Contact Pastor Strand Patterson, 763-475-7126, vstrand@spdlc.org or Cheryl Johnson, 612-759-1241, meemocj@comcast.net.

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 Bareilles, will perform and speak about "Using Your Gifts for God's Kingdom" on Thursday, Jan 29 at 7 p.m. Join us for the third installment of the Faith & Life Lecture Series, which promised to be lively and entertaining!

In This Issue

This Weekend

Liturgy of Carols

Year-End Giving

Books for Africa

2015 Bible Read-Along

Sanctuary of Survivors

Ice Fishing Retreat

Book Club

Faith & Life Lecture

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful,

for the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26

For Reflection

"Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world."

- C.S. Lewis

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.