Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Dec. 31, 2014

Happy New Year!

The 2015 Bible Read-Along begins tomorrow! Read more in the article below and on our website. Bibles are available at the Atrium hospitality desk.

Ice Fishing Retreat deadline approaches: Jan. 4. Don't miss this opportunity for fellowship in the great outdoors! Read more below.

Check the Year-End Giving article below for guidelines on wrapping up your pledges and offerings for 2014.

This Weekend

This weekend we celebrate the Second Sunday of Christmas. The readings will include Psalm 25:1-10 and John 1:1-18:

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, 'This was he of whom I said, "He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me."') From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Read more John 1:1-18

Year-End Giving Guidelines

Offerings in a 2014 envelope received 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 for "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 Read-Along Begins - Jan. 1

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 the Read-Along on our website.

Questions? Contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org.

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

Year-End Giving

Books for Africa

2015 Bible Read-Along

Sanctuary of Survivors

Ice Fishing Retreat

Book Club

Faith & Life Lecture

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness' sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

Psalm 25:1-10

For Reflection

"The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul."

- G. K. Chesterton

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

Faithful Parenting

Don't force sharing -- Help grow generous hearts

Sometimes teaching kids to share may feel like pulling teeth. We humans are naturally selfish, and often young children express this selfishness most vocally with impressive bouts of whining. "But I don't WANT to share!"