Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Jan. 15, 2015

Confirmation this weekend - Remember to keep our confirmands in your prayers.

Families Moving Forward - Opportunities to serve! See article below. We are hosting FMF Jan. 18-25.

Annual Meeting - Save the date, Sunday, Feb. 8 following the 11 a.m. worship service, in the Learning Center.

This Weekend

This weekend is the Second Sunday after Epiphany. The readings will include 1 Samuel 3:1-10 and John 1:43-51:

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, 'Follow me.' Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.' Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.' When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, 'Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!' Nathanael asked him, 'Where did you come to know me?' Jesus answered, 'I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.' Nathanael replied, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!' Jesus answered, 'Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.' And he said to him, 'Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.'

Free-for-All: Books and Resources

Stop by the Nook and pick up a book! Visit the Books and Resources Free-for-All. There are Bibles, DVDs and other faith resources for all ages. Take something for yourself, your family or to give to a friend.

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 continent 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.

Confirmation - Jan. 17

Please keep our 87 confirmands in your prayers as they prepare to affirm their baptism in the Rite of Confirmation on Saturday, Jan. 17. Check our website for the schedule of events.

Families Moving Forward - Jan. 18-25

Your gifts of time, talent and money make a difference in the lives of families who are experiencing homelessness. We will once again be hosting a group of adults and children for one week beginning Jan. 18.

Your participation is a key part of making this ministry successful! Now you can sign up online for various tasks at our CareCalendar site. To learn more about signing up for tasks, visit our website.

You can also sign up at the table in Fellowship Hall to host or make a dinner, do activities with families, provide groceries, stay overnight, or launder linens. Contact Sandy Dockter with questions: sandymdoc@gmail.com.

Early Childhood Ministry - January Events

Family Playtime - Tuesday and Wednesday mornings - Jan. 13, 14, 27 and 28 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. No registration required.

Lilly Pad Storytime - Wednesday morning, Jan. 21 from 10-10:45 a.m. No registration required.

Baptism Workshops - Sunday, Jan. 25.
Register for these baptism workshops online at stphilip.smartevents.org:
9:45 a.m. - For families having child baptized at SPD for the first time.
11 a.m. - A refresher workshop, for families who have previously had a child baptized at SPD.

Oasis - Third Monday Evening Prayer - Jan. 19

Join us on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. for our third Monday evening prayer service, "Oasis: Making Space for Silence." This is a peaceful, contemplative service that helps us make space to share our prayers with God, and to listen for God's love, comfort and peace. All prayer concerns are welcomed and encouraged.

2015 Bible Read-Along

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

The first two weeks' emails have already gone out to over 200 readers! You can view these past emails on our website's email archive page.

Sign up for weekly emails which highlight what to look for in the readings. If you think you have signed up but not yet received the weekly emails (sent out each Monday morning at 6 a.m.) please contact Kate Sterner, ksterner@spdlc.org. Once you are signed up you should receive a welcome email within 24 hours.

Read more about the Read-Along on our website. Questions? Contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org.

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. For more information contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org.

DivorceCare Group for Men - Jan. 20-April 7

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., beginning Jan. 20 and running for 13 sessions, through April 7. Led by SPD member, Heather Wright. Contact Pastor Tim Westermeyer if you have questions: 763-475-7136 or twestermeyer@spdlc.org. Learn more about DivorceCare.

Be a Hero - Save Lives - Give Blood - Jan. 28

You or someone you know will need blood. If not personally in need, at some point we will all know a friend, neighbor, family member, or co-worker who needs a blood transfusion. In fact, 1 out of 3 people will need blood in their lifetime. From natural disasters to unforeseen catastrophes, emergency hospital procedures to life-long battles with chronic diseases such as sickle cell, the need for blood is constant. The supply is not. And since there is no substitute, only volunteer blood donors can roll up their sleeves and save lives.

St. Philip the Deacon is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 3-6:30 p.m. Will you be one of the heroes who will save someone's life? Make an appointment today online at mbc.org/searchdrives and enter sponsor code 0567.

Faith & Life Lecture with Steve Goold - Jan. 29

The Faith & Life Lecture Series continues with drummer Steve Goold, who currently tours with Sara Bareilles. Goold will perform and speak about "Using Your Gifts for God's Kingdom" on Thursday, Jan 29 at 7 p.m. This promises to be a lively and inspiring presentation!

The Sweeplings - Feb. 13

Join us Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. for an evening of music, storytelling and connection with The Sweeplings. This Christian duo present songs are haunting yet hopeful. They create alluring melodies and lyrics that sweep their listeners away on a beautiful voyage that is no less sad than sweet.This concert is free and open to the public. Invite your friends!

Will you be attending? Check in and share on the Facebook Invitation page.

Dazzling Dave Yo-yo Show - Feb. 14-15

Dazzling Dave will be joining Faith Creek on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 15 at 8:30 and 9:45 am. Dave, an internationally known yo-yo champion, will dazzle the children with his yo-yo skills and inspire them with a Christian message. Children who attend 11 a.m. Faith Creek classes are invited to join the 9:45 Faith Creek group for this special event. Mark your calendars!

Winter Magic: Father Daughter Date Night - Feb. 20

Join us Friday, Feb. 20, 6:30-9 p.m. for an evening of Frozen-inspired magic designed just for dads (or granddads, uncles, or other father figures) and daughters. We'll have desserts, a photo opportunity, a sparkly winter craft, a raffle with fun prizes, and a Frozen movie sing-a-long. Costumes are encouraged! Recommended for girls age 3 and up. Cost: $35 per couple; additional daughters $10. Register online. Questions? Contact Amanda Berger at aberger@spdlc.org or 763.475.7139.

In This Issue

This Weekend

Free-for-All: Books

Books for Africa

Confirmation

Families Moving Forward

Early Childhood Ministry

Oasis Evening Prayer

2015 Bible Read-Along

Book Club

DivorceCare for Men

Give Blood Jan. 28

Faith & Life Lecture

The Sweeplings Concert

Dazzling Dave Yo-yo Show

Father Daughter Date Night

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.

You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.

You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;

That I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you,

When I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.

In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.

How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

I try to count them-they are more than the sand; I come to the end-I am still with you.

Psalm 139

For Reflection

"You must forgive in order to understand. Until you forgive, you defend yourself against the possibility of understanding."

- Marilynne Robinson

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

Faithful Parenting

Raising respectful kids.

"Knock it off! Stop it! Get over here, NOW!" These are familiar phrases for most parents. When kids act up we get frustrated. We get demanding and even disrespectful. Kids may comply with our demands in the short run but over the long run they learn from our example to be frustrated, demanding, and disrespectful when they're not getting their way.