Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Jan. 28, 2015

TOMORROW! - Faith & Life Lecture: Drummer Steve Goold will play for us and reflect on the integration of his Christian faith and his musical career.

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

SPD Men's Chorus will be singing for the 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. worship services on Sunday, April 19. Save the date -- you won't want to miss it! Rehearsal information will be announced soon.

Pictorial Directory - We hope to have the new pictorial directory published by early March. Since we added photo sessions in November, it pushed our publishing date back a bit, but it will be worth the wait to have more of our members included!

Vacation Bible School at SPD this year will be June 15-18. Mark your calendars and watch for registrations in March!

This Weekend

This weekend is the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. The readings will include 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and Mark 1:21-28:

They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 'What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be silent, and come out of him!' And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, 'What is this? A new teaching -- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.' At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

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.

Blood types O- and B- are especially needed at this time.

St. Philip the Deacon is hosting a blood drive TODAY, Jan. 28 from 3-6:30 p.m. Will you be one of the heroes who will save someone's life? You may just drop in and donate. Thank you!

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!

Bake Sale - Joy Circle - Feb. 1

Joy Circle invites you to shop at their Sunday Bake Sale to benefit the Families Moving Forward program. Cookies, breads and other baked treats will be available for you in the Fellowship Hall during the Feb. 1 coffee hours that follow the 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. worship services.

Kinderchor - Feb. 2

Kinderchor begins Monday, Feb. 2 in the Choir Room
Music Center at 6:15 p.m. Kinderchor is a musical experience for children who will start Kindergarten in the fall of 2015. It is a 12-week program that includes singing, playing instruments and movement to music. If you are interested but have not registered your pre-kindergartner, please contact Linda Armstrong at larmstrong@spdlc.org.

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 and scouts, 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 is 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. Deadline is Friday, Jan. 30.

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 Concert - 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 Tuesday, 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.

A History of Christianity - Feb. 22

A six-week video course, A History of Christianity, will meet Sundays, Feb. 22-March 29, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. This series, presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch, will explore the origins of Christianity and delve into what it means to be a Christian. The series has been called "intelligent, thought-provoking and magisterial in its scope." Each week participants will view the one-hour DVD and engage in facilitated conversation to follow. Registration is necessary as space is limited. For more information contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org.

Women's Retreat 2015 - March 6-8

All of us experience deeply personal periods of life that connect with the distinct seasons of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, waiting, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These have the power to move us toward the kind of life we long for -- with new joy, transformation, and deep well-being in our personal lives and ministry. The 2015 Women's Retreat, Seasons of the Soul, unpacks the special rhythms of Jesus' life and passion that offer transformation to ours. It helps us recognize and embrace these rhythms toward resurrected power and meaning in our personal lives and ministries.

Join us the weekend of March 6-8 for this powerful faith-building retreat. Read more on our website and download the registration form. Registration deadline is March 1, so don't delay!

In This Issue

This Weekend

Give Blood Jan. 28

Faith & Life Lecture

Bake Sale Feb. 1

Kinderchor

Souper Bowl of Caring

Goodnight Moon Musical

Bible Readers Gathering

The Sweeplings Concert

Dazzling Dave Yo-yo Show

Book Club

Father Daughter Date Night

History of Christianity

Women's Retreat

Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.

Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.

He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful.

He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.

He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

They are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.

He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever.

Holy and awesome is his name.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.

His praise endures for ever.

Psalm 111

For Reflection

"If I could prescribe only one remedy for all the ills of the modern world, I would prescribe silence."

- Soren Kierkegaard

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

Faithful Parenting

When it's good for kids to say, "No."

We talked frequently about how to decide if another person's stated need was manipulative or legitimate. Over time the kids learned that they can love and serve people without being manipulated. As young adults they have both strong and respectful relational boundaries.