Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

June 17, 2015

Opportunities to Serve!

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

June 30 - Feed My Starving Children
July 8 - Food Shelf at Interfaith Outreach
July - Drivers for Meals on Wheels
Watering flowers and plants at church

The Texts this Weekend

This weekend is the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. The readings include Job 38:1-11, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 and Mark 4:35-41:

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Sanctuary of Survivors - June 18

Sanctuary of Survivors is a faith based support group for those who have lost a loved one by suicide. We meet the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7-8 p.m. at church. All emotions, all questions (including questions of faith) will be heard and honored. Members, non-members, friends -- all are welcome, wherever you are on your faith journey. Our next meeting is June 18. The evening will include lighting a candle in memory of your loved one, a brief devotion from scripture which lifts up a promise of God, and group check in and discussion. Members will be invited to hold one another in prayer between meetings. Questions? Contact group leaders Cheryl Johnson at 612-759-1241or meemocj@comcast.net, or Pastor Strand Patterson at 763-475-7126 or vstrand@spdlc.org.

Join Bike Club - June 18

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 remaining June rides:

June 18 - 9 a.m.
Meet at the Visitor Center at French Park
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.

An Evening at Elm Creek - June 23

One of the best ways to explore God's creation is to head out doors. 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 on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. Meet at the playground area, and either enjoy time there or feel free to hike the trails with others.

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.

Encounter: Balance - June 24

Artist Peter Juhl will be at St. Philip the Deacon on Wednesday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m. (note time change from earlier announcement) in the CFL, talking about and demonstrating rock balancing. He will help us as we give this special art form a try. We'll explore different dimensions of meditation, balance, patience and skill. All ages are welcome to this unique Encounter event!

Learn more about Peter Juhl and his art at temporarysculpture.com.

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. Our special guest on Saturday morning of the retreat will be Peter Juhl, an expert rock balancer. 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

Our collection of black dress shoes for school children in Haiti is growing! To learn more about this wonderful project, visit our website.

Thanks to you, we have collected over 200 pairs of school shoes to date, and with a good assortment of sizes. We still have about a month to go with this project, so keep the shoes coming! A great place to look for gently used shoes is your closet at home. Does your child have a pair of black dress shoes that he or she has outgrown?

Or try your neighborhood consignment or resale shop, department store or shoe store clearance sale, or discount shoe websites. 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 at vstrand@spdlc.org or 763-475-7126, or Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115.

In This Issue

The Texts This Weekend

Sanctuary of Survivors

Bike Club

Elm Creek Evening Hike

Sr. High Twins Game

Encounter: Rock Balancing

Summer St. John's Retreat

Black Dress Shoes

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures for ever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble

and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the mighty waters;

they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep.

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.

They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their calamity;

they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits' end.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress;

he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

For Reflection

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

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

Faithful Parenting

Three Signs of Unhelpful Consequences... and How to Fix Them!

Consequences are an important teaching component for our kids. When parents learn to wield consequences well, kids tend to grow in wisdom about how their words and actions (or inaction!) impact others. They teach kids that they are responsible for their actions and their lives.