Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

March 4, 2015

Your Response Matters! Please complete your Church Assessment Tool, available online through March 22.

Pray for our first graders, who will be receiving Bibles during worship this weekend. Thank you for helping put the Word of God into their hands!

This Weekend

This weekend is the Third Sunday in Lent. Readings include Exodus 20:1-17 and John 2:13-22:

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, 'Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a market-place!' His disciples remembered that it was written, 'Zeal for your house will consume me.'

The Jews then said to him, 'What sign can you show us for doing this?' Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' The Jews then said, 'This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?' But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Church Assessment Tool - Now through March 22

Your Response Matters!

To help inform the development of a new SPD strategic plan, we are inviting congregational members to complete the Church Assessment Tool (CAT). The CAT is a statistically reliable, benchmarked instrument designed to provide an in-depth look at the experiences, perceptions and aspirations of the church's membership. Learn more about this assessment project, and find a link to the CAT on our website now through March 22.

Meals on Wheels in March

St. Philip the Deacon provides the drivers for the month of March for Meals on Wheels. We are in need of additional drivers to deliver hot lunches to the Meals on Wheels clients. The time commitment is 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays, on a flexible basis. You pick up the prepared meals, and will be given a specific route with very complete driving instructions. You would deliver lunch to approximately 6-7 locations, all in the Plymouth-Wayzata area. You may drive once, or several times during the month. If you can help, please contact Nicki Nereson to schedule a day this month: Nicole.nereson@gmail.com.

Wednesdays in Lent

Wednesdays in Lent offer opportunities for fellowship, a simple supper of soup and good bread, and a time for evening prayer. Join us in Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday for the soup supper, followed by worship at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Children's Ministry - March Events

During Lent, childcare will be available during the Lenten worship services, Wednesday, March, 4, 11, 18 and 25, at 7 p.m.

Enjoy sharing Bible Stories with your child! March 14-15 is the beginning of the Spring SPARK Session, scheduled for 6 weeks. SPARK Bible Story Cards with stickers are available for all 2 and 3 year-olds. Please stop by the Childcare Center each week to pick up the Bible Story Card for your child.

Bring your little ones to Lilly Pad Storytime on Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. A special guest will read a special story to the children in the Lilly Pad Library, on the lower level.

The next Jesus Crew event is Wednesday, March 18 at 6:15 p.m. All fifth grade students are invited to participate. Register online.

Join us for Movie Night on March 20 at 6 p.m. K - fifth grade students are invited to come and watch a movie on the big screen and enjoy some pizza. Cost is $5.00 for pizza. Register online.

The next Baptism Workshop is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, at 11 a.m. for parents who are having a child baptized at St. Philip the Deacon for the first time. You can register online.

The weekend of Palm/Passion Sunday, March 28 and 29, Faith Creek Cinema will be showing a movie at all Faith Creek sessions.

Looking ahead: On Easter weekend there will be no Faith Creek. Visit the Children's Prayer Garden after worship on the north side of the church near the chapel!

Middle School Guys' Movie Night - March 6

All guys in grades 6-8 are invited tocome for pizza and movie night, Friday, March 6 from 6:30-9 p.m. The guys will choose from a selection of three movies. A short devotion will be included. Register online at stphilip.smartevents.com by the end of the day today. Cost is $10. Friends are welcome!

Bible Weekend - March 8

First Grade students will receive their NIRV Adventure Bible on Sunday, March 8 at our 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. worship services. This gift from St. Philip the Deacon is made possible through the gifts of this faith community. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our children! May they learn about God's great love for them through His Holy Word -- please keep them in your prayers.

SNL Beach Party - March 8

Sr. High youth are invited to a #imsickofwinter Beach Party on Sunday, March 8 from 5-8 p.m. as a special SNL event. An evening of dancing, BBQ-ing, pineapple and sandcastle sculpting competitions, and plenty of other fun activities throughout the evening. Don't forget to bring an attitude of rebellion against winter!

Faith & Life Lecture, J.Warner Wallace - March 12

The Faith & Life Lecture Series continues with a talk by J. Warner Wallace, author and homicide detective, who uses his career skills of investigative fact-seeking to make a compelling case for the truth of the Gospels. Join us on Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. for this engaging evening. The event is free and open to the public.

Progressive Dinner - March 21

Join us for a Progressive Dinner, starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet others in the congregation -- whether singles or couples! Here is how it works: You will be assigned a home for appetizers and then a different home for the main course, and then everyone will gather together at church for dessert and coffee. You will be asked to provide either an appetizer, salad/bread, main course or dessert. To participate, contribute or host, contact Cindy Carlson at 763-475-7115 or ccarlson@spdlc.org. The deadline to register is March 9, 2015.

A History of Christianity

A six-week video course, A History of Christianity, will meet Sundays through 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. For more information contact Pastor Mathison at cmathison@spdlc.org.

Summer of Re-Creation 2015

There's so much going on this summer at St. Philip the Deacon, we've produced a special booklet about the many opportunities for learning, service, worship and fellowship. To learn about these events and programs, pick up the Summer of Re-Creation booklet at church, or visit our website for all the information and a PDF to download. You can register online for many of these events.

SPD Outdoors Summer Fishing Retreat - June 11-14

Register now to reserve your spot at this summer's SPD Outdoors fishing retreat on beautiful Leech Lake. From July 11-14, our group will be based at the Hiawatha Beach Resort on the quiet north short of Steamboat Bay. Everyone is invited, whether you are an experienced angler or a beginner. To learn more contact Roger Elias at rwelias@comcast.net.

In This Issue

This Weekend

Church Assessment Tool

Meals of Wheals

Lenten Soup Supers

Children's Ministry in March

Guy's Movie Night

Bible Weekend

SNL Beach Party

Faith & Life Lecture

Progressive Dinner

History of Christianity

Summer of Re-Creation

Summer Fishing Retreat

The heavens are telling the glory of God;

And the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;

Yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

Which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

The decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring for ever;

The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.

Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 22:23-31

For Reflection

"God approaches us in the disguise of other people."

- Glennon Doyle Melton

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

Faithful Parenting

How Not to Take Sides When Siblings Fight

If I'm honest, when my kids fight I am the one who jumps to conclusions and doesn't believe the best in people.