Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Feb. 4, 2015

Annual Meeting - 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 mid-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!

Ash Wednesday is just around the corner, on Feb. 18. Services will be at noon, 5:30 and 7 p.m. Sign up today to help as an usher or communion server! Contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115.

Vacation Bible School - Save the dates! VBS will be June 15-18. Registration begins March 1.

This Weekend

This weekend is the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany. The readings will include Psalm 147:1-11, 20c and Mark 1:29-39:

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, 'Everyone is searching for you.' He answered, 'Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.' And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

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!

Bible Weekend - March 8

First Grade students will each receive their own copy of the NIRV Adventure Bible on Sunday, March 8 at our 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. worship services. It is a pleasure to be able to give Bibles to these students as a gift from St. Philip the Deacon. May they learn about God's great love for them through His Holy Word -- please keep them in your prayers.

Germany 2016 - Informational Meeting April 22

You are invited to an informational meeting on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Center. The meeting will provide initial planning information about an exciting trip scheduled for the last part of May 2016. In anticipation of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, we will travel to Germany for an unforgettable tour through the land of Luther, Bach and Beethoven. Learn more on our website and sign up online to attend.

Books for Africa Thanks You!

Members of St. Philip the Deacon did an excellent job donating books to the Books for Africa campaign. We collected 825 books! That's a phenomenal amount! Thank you for your generosity!

In This Issue

This Weekend

Bible Readers Gathering

The Sweeplings Concert

Dazzling Dave Yo-Yo Show

Book Club

Father Daughter Date Night

History of Christianity

Women's Retreat

Bible Weekend

Germany 2016

Books for Africa

Praise the Lord!

How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.

The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.

He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.

He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.

His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;

but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 147:1-11, 20c

For Reflection

"Forgiveness is something very much like hope and love -- a powerful, wonderful thing."

- Kate DiCamillo

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

Faithful Parenting

Building positive skills to end those melt-downs

Putting the focus on what kids do well with specific concrete details effectively strengthens those helpful brain pathways, just like for athletes who visualize their routine or technique.