Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Jan. 21, 2015

There are still opportunities to serve Families Moving Forward, TODAY through Sunday, Jan. 25. Sign up online at spdlc.org/news/FMF_CareCalendar or contact Sandy Dockter at sandymdoc@gmail.com.

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

Year-End Contribution Statements will be mailed to all contributing households by the last week of January.

VBS 2015 - Mark your calendars! Vacation Bible School 2015 will be the mornings of June 15-18.

This Weekend

This weekend is the Third Sunday after Epiphany. The readings will include Jonah 3:1-5, 10 and Mark 1:14-20:

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.'

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake -- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, 'Follow me and I will make you fish for people.' And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

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.

Messiah Food Shelf - This Weekend! - Jan. 24-25

On the second Friday and fourth Saturday of every month, volunteers from our church help at the food shelf at Messiah Lutheran (2400 Park Ave., Mpls.). Use of the food shelf continues to remain high and it is a busy place. An average of 250 households are served each time and the number of families coming to receive food has risen steadily over the past 6 years. The food shelf can be supported in two ways:

Financial contributions to pay for food: Messiah spends about $1,000 for each food shelf session, or $2,000 per month, to feed 500 families. They are smart shoppers! Your gifts in any amount are helpful and appreciated. You may give on line at or drop off a check when at church.

Volunteer at the food shelf: Contact SPD member Tami Champeau (612-251-5623 or tjfchampeau@gmail.com), who shepherds this ministry, to say you would like to help. She will give you all the details. Upcoming dates are the mornings of: Jan. 24, Feb. 13 and 28, March 13 and 28, April 4 and 25.

Thank you for your support for Messiah's Food Shelf!

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.

Early Childhood Ministry - January Events

Family Playtime - Tuesday and Wednesday morning, 27 and 28 from 9:30-11:30 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.

DivorceCare Group for Men

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., 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.

About Baptism - Faith Creek, Jan. 24-25

Faith Creek students in grades 1-5 will participate in a special presentation about baptism the weekend of Jan. 24-25, presented by Kathy Hagedorn and pastoral intern Rebecca Hinz. All are welcome!

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!

Souper Bowl of Caring - Jan. 31-Feb. 2

Since it began in 1990, the Souper Bowl of Caring, held on Super Bowl weekend, has generated more than $100 million for food banks. SPD has been involved for the last 15 years, with our donations helping the Kasambala Medical Center in Malawi, Africa feed AIDS orphans. Our friend at Kasambala, Dr. Trywell Nyirongo, writes,

"This year's rains have brought havoc to the country. As I write now we lost over 200 lives due to floods in the country. Crops have been washed away throughout the country. Many people are left homeless with no food. In our area we have been spared in flood victims but we desperately need food supplements for the children and the elderly in the community we serve.

I am just hoping that our friends through the Souper Bowl of Caring can once again kindly assist us in this dilemma. We also need drugs as usual and food supplies for our medical center as patients and helpless people come to us in the community."

Donations for the Souper Bowl of Caring will be collected in the narthex in the soup kettles the weekend of Jan. 31 - Feb. 2. This is also a great weekend to bring a can of soup for Messiah Food Shelf. Our thanks to the Sunday morning Sojourner's Confirmation students, who will receive your donations.

Goodnight Moon, the Musical - Feb. 7

Join us for the opportunity to see the musical production, Goodnight Moon at the Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins, MN. The classic book, written by Margaret Wise Brown, has entertained many generations of little ones. All ages will enjoy this 60 minute show. Transportation to the Theatre to be provided by each family. Tickets are available for the performance on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Register online stphilip.smartevents.com.

Bible Read-Along Gathering One - Feb. 11

All 2015 Bible Read-Along participants are invited to our first gathering, Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Center. This gathering marks the (near) completion of the reading of the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch). Yes, already! We will reflect on our journey so far, share tips for keeping the discipline, encourage one another, and anticipate the next section of reading, the books of history. Pastor Mathison will facilitate our time together. No registration necessary. In the meantime, read on!

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 presents songs that 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!

Book Club - Feb. 17

The next Book Club read is Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, translated by Daniel Ladinsky. The book is available for $10 at the Welcome Desk in the Atrium. Our discussion takes place on Monday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Room. All are welcome. For more information contact Amanda Berger at aberger@spdlc.org.

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

Messiah Food Shelf

Books for Africa

Early Childhood Ministry

DivorceCare for Men

About Baptism

Give Blood Jan. 28

Faith & Life Lecture

Souper Bowl of Caring

Goodnight Moon Musical

Bible Readers Gathering

The Sweeplings Concert

Dazzling Dave Yo-yo Show

Book Club

Father Daughter Date Night

For God alone my soul waits in silence,

For my hope is from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my deliverance and my honour; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.

Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion;

In the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:

That power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.

For you repay to all according to their work.

Psalm 62:5-12

For Reflection

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

Faithful Parenting

Make Homework a Win for Everyone

How could you build a culture of safety in which your child feels free to be honest with you? Try asking a bold question: "What's helpful and what's hurtful about the way I engage with you about your homework or other responsibilities?"