Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

June 10, 2015

Opportunities to Serve!

Contact: Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson, vstrand@spdlc.org. To learn more, visit our website.

June 10 - Serve at the IOCP food shelf and resale store
June 30 - Feed My Starving Children

The Texts this Weekend

This weekend is the Third Sunday after Pentecost. The readings include Ezekiel 17:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17 and Mark 4:26-34:

He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come."

He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Sr. High Bible Study and Bonfire - Starts TONIGHT!

Wednesday evenings this summer are a lovely gathering time for the Sr. High youth, starting tonight, June 10. Come at 7:30 p.m. for our lively Bible study, followed by a time of fellowship at 8:30 p.m. around the fire. Treats, conversation, games and a time to connect with friends. No registration is necessary. Bring a friend!

Join Bike Club - June 11

Join our SPD summer Bike Club! Every Thursday this summer at 9 a.m. we'll meet at a different place to explore our local bike paths, enjoy God's creation and fellowship with one another. And there will be an evening ride each month on the fourth Thursday. Here are the June rides:

June 11 - 9 a.m.
Meet in Plymouth at 10th Ave. and Vicksburg. Bike the Luce Line State Trail.
June 18 - 9 a.m.
Meet at Mt. Olivet Lutheran in Plymouth. Bike the Medicine Lake Regional Trail.
June 25 - 9 a.m.
Meet in Wayzata at 175 Grove Lane. Bike the Dakota Regional Trail to Minnetonka Drive Inn for ice cream.
June 25 - 7 p.m. - Evening Ride
Meet at Carver Park. Bike the park trails.

Vacation Bible School - June 15-18

Vacation Bible School is fast-approaching. You can still register to join us! Please go to stphilip.smartevents.com to sign up today! VBS will be held June 15-18 from 8:45-11:45 a.m. each day.

Encounter: Church Architecture Tour - June 17

Join a special Encounter event on June 17 as we explore how we encounter God in sacred spaces. We'll meet at St. Philip the Deacon to catch a bus and tour two special area churches: Christ Church Lutheran, and Mount Olivet Lutheran in Minneapolis. The tour is from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Register online today!

YAM St. Paul Saints Game - June 19

Stay connected and have some fun with other young adults, ages 18-26. Our new Young Adult Ministry -- YAM -- will gather together for the Fireworks Friday game with the St. Paul Saints on June 19. We'll meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. and carpool down to the new CHS Field. $16 per person. Register online!

Elm Creek Evening Hike - June 23

One of the best ways to explore God's creation is to head out for a hike. Hiking combines exercise and fresh air for a rejuvenating, stress-relieving experience. The trails at Elm Creek wind through the woodland, grassland and wetland habitats of many species of wildlife. You'll be amazed at what you might see along the way. Join us at Elm Creek Park Reserve for an evening hike, Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Sr. High Twins Game - June 24

Sr. High youth are invited to take in a Twins game at Target Field on Wednesday, June 24. We'll meet at SPD at 10:30 a.m. to carpool to the game. Tickets are $25 per person. Register online! Contact Jeremy with any questions at jlahaie@spdlc.org or 763-475-7118.

We Can Help Wednesdays

There is still room in the our elementary school We Can Help Wednesday program as well, although deadlines are near. Check the registration page for further details.

Get ready for some summer fun!

Minnesota Twins Game - July 9

Join SPD fans on Thursday, July 9 as the Minnesota Twins play the Detroit Tigers. The seats are in the Skyline Deck. The bus will leave church at 5:45 p.m. The cost is $33 per person, which includes the ticket and transportation/parking. To register contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115 or stop at the Hospitality Desk on the upper level.

Summer St. John's Retreat - July 30-Aug. 2

This year's summer spiritual growth retreat at St. John's University is called "Balance." Through worship, prayer, reading, meditation and activity, we'll explore what it means to live a balanced life. Journey together in an eclectic group of people for few days of refocusing on God in creative ways in a very beautiful and relaxing setting. Contact Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson at vstrand@spdlc.org or 763-475-7126 for more information. Register online by July 20.

Donate Black Dress Shoes - Now through July 12

Children in Haiti are required to wear black dress shoes with their government required uniform to attend school. Many children are turned away from school on a daily basis based on this dress code. A pair of good shoes may be all that separates a child from an education.

St. Philip the Deacon has been invited to join the effort to collect black dress shoes for school children in the rural district of Cap-Haitien, Haiti. Now through July 12, you can donate:

New or gently used black dress shoes.
Not tennis shoes or sandals.
All sizes, for ages 3-18.
For both boys and girls.
They must be sturdy, as the children sometimes walk miles to school.
Girls' shoes must be flats, with a closed toe.

Monetary gifts are also welcome. Bring your donations to the Hospitality Desk in the Atrium or to the church office.

Contact Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson with any questions: vstrand@spdlc.org, 763-475-7126.

In This Issue

This Weekend

Sr. High Bible and Bonfire

Bike Club

Vacation Bible School

Church Architecture Tour

YAM Saints Game

Elm Creek Evening Hike

Sr. High Twins Game

We Can Help Wednesdays

Twins Game July 9

Summer St. John's Retreat

Black Dress Shoes

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,

to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.

For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

The righteous flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.

In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap,

showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15

For Reflection

"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time."

- Leo Tolstoy

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

Faithful Parenting

Stressful Times Lead to Fertile Hearts

Painting pictures in my mind has been very helpful in my parenting journey. For example, when I'm upset and feel like my head is going to explode I imagine a balloon in my lungs filling and releasing air. When my kids are upset and I remain calm, I visualize myself "loaning" my calm to them as a blanket to cover them during their emotional storm.