Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.Sept. 16, 2015
Opportunities to Serve!

Contact: Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson, vstrand@spdlc.org or Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org. To learn more, visit our website.
  • IOCP Food Pantry - Oct. 14, Nov. 17, Dec. 9
  • Guides for Confirmation
  • Faith Creek teachers and helpers
  • Families Moving Forward, Sept. 27-Oct.4 (see article below)
The Texts this Weekend
 
This weekend is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost. The readings include Jeremiah 11:18-20, Wisdom 1:16-2:1, 12-22, Psalm 54, James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a and Mark 9:30-37:
 
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes not me, but the one who sent me."
Jesus Crew - TONIGHT!

Calling all 5th graders!

You're invited to attend Jesus Crew, group activities just for 5th graders! The purpose is to bring you to church on Wednesday evenings and help you transition into the middle school Confirmation program that you will start next year. Jesus Crew meets once a month. At each gathering we have a devotion, play some games, build relationships, and grow in our faith. It is 1½ hours of fun, encouragement, laughter and growth!

Our first gathering is TONIGHT, Sept. 16 from 6:30-8 p.m. This month, we'll gather in the CLF downstairs, so parents, please drop your child off there. We'll have pizza and games, and we'll get to know each other. The cost for this event is $5.

Please register online by 3 p.m. today so we can be sure there will be enough pizza for everyone.

Questions? Email Trisha at tragner@spdlc.org  
High Ministry Kick-Off Event - Sept. 19
 

On Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., we'll launch the fall season of High School Ministry with the improv comedy show, comedy Sportz, good eats from Chipotle, and a cozy bonfire. There's no fee for this evening of fun and laughter; just bring your sense of humor, your appetite and your friends!

High school youth are invited to enjoy Donuts and Devotions on Sunday morning from 9:15-9:45 a.m. This time of fellowship is a great way to stay connected. There will be devotions at 9:30 a.m.

And you won't want to miss Wednesday evenings, with a group study and discussion of the video series, For the Life of the World: Letters to the Exiles. This fascinating series explores the deeper meaning of salvation and faith in a broken world. Catch a preview on YouTube. Each evening begins with pizza at 6:30 p.m., followed by the a video and discussion at 7 p.m., and an evening vespers service at 8 p.m.

Giving Statements Arriving Soon

Year-to-date Giving Statements will be coming to your mailbox beginning next week. Please note that on these statements, the "Report Total" shows total contributions for the first eight months of 2015. Also note that the Let Your Light Shine Capital Appeal "Total Pledge" is for the three-year period of that appeal, which runs through April 2017.

Thanks to your faithful generosity, during the first eight months of 2015 we have been able to: begin new outreach efforts, including the shoes for Haiti project; create new opportunities to connect with one another through programs like the SPD Bike Club and Encounter events; provide ongoing faithful support to our mission partners; and expand our capacity for caring and healing ministries with the addition of a parish nurse to the church staff. With you, we're looking forward to a wonderful start to the program year.

If you have any questions about your statement, please contact Cheryl Sjaarda, Finance Administrator, at csjaarda@spdlc.org or 763-475-7124.

Thank you for your Partnership in the Gospel. Remember: Your gifts make a difference!

Ephesians 1:15-19: "I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power."
Faith Creek Fall Mission

Offerings given by our Faith Creek children through the weekend of Oct. 10-11 will go to benefit the Birthday Shelf at Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners. The Birthday Shelf offers IOCP clients the opportunity to choose a quality, new gift (at least $10-20) for their child, age 1-18 years. They also receive a gift bag and a book, as well as things they need to hold a party for their child: cake mix, frosting, napkins, paper plates, etc.
Opportunities to Serve - Families Moving Forward

Your gifts of time, talent and money make a difference in the lives of families who are experiencing homelessness. We will once again be hosting a group of adults and children for one week, Sept. 27-Oct. 4.

You can sign up at the table in Fellowship Hall to host or make a dinner, do activities with families, provide groceries, stay overnight, or launder linens. You can also sign up online for various tasks at our CareCalendar site. To learn more about signing up for tasks, visit our website.

Your participation is a key part of making this ministry successful!

Contact Sandy Dockter with questions: sandymdoc@gmail.com.
DivorceCare Group for Women - Sept. 22

Separation and divorce are painful and stressful experiences. They are confusing times when you feel alone and have lots of questions. DivorceCare is a confidential group support program to help participants discover hope and experience healing. Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sept. 22 through Dec. 15. This group will be for women. A men's group will be offered in the winter/spring. Contact Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson at 763-475-7126 or vstrand@spdlc.org to sign up. Learn more about DivorceCare.
Join SPD Singers! - Sept. 23

The SPD Singers is a group of students in middle school and high school who love to sing together and perform music of all kinds.  The season begins next week, on Sept. 23. Rehearsals are Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 p.m. in the Music Center. Sign up today!
Dad & Wheels - Sept. 24

Special Event - Dad & Wheels! 
Dads, you are invited to bring your young children and their wheels (trikes, bikes etc.) to an early evening "wheeling fun time" in the lower parking lot at St Philip the Deacon, Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6-7:30 p.m. Please register online.
First Communion Workshop - Sept. 26

First Communion workshops are now scheduled for the coming season. They will be offered three times during the school year, with the first one being held on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 9-11 a.m. This group of kids will then receive their First Communion on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the 5:30 p.m. service. These workshops are for kids in Grade 2 and older. Parents should plan to attend with child(ren). Please register online.
Blessing of the Animals - Sept. 27

In celebration of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Blessing of the Animals will be held on Sunday Sept. 27 at 2:30 p.m. outside the lower level entrance. Bring your pets and join us for this brief and boisterous worship service where every one of you will be individually blessed, hands on, by a pastor. (Bring your people, too!) Treats for everyone! Questions? Contact Pastor Strand Patterson at vstrand@spdlc.org
Praying in Color - Sept. 29

Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. is the first of three Praying in Color events this fall. Join us for an introduction to this meditative prayer practice, and enter into a connection with God in a soulful and intentional way. Upcoming Praying in Color events will be held on Oct. 20 and Nov. 24, so mark your calendar now!
Adult Education Classes
 
Two Adult Education classes are offered for this fall. Registration is now open online.

Martin Luther Encounters a Radical God, with Dr. Mark Tranvik. This class isfor everyone, though it will be especially interesting to those traveling to Germany in 2016. Held on Wednesdays, Sept. 23-Oct. 14, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Learning Center.
 
Big Ideas from the Bible, with Pastor Cheryl Mathison and Dr. John Schultz. This series explores the big themes from scripture like baptism, communion, the trinity, and grace. Held on Mondays, Sept. 28-Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Center.
Pigs and Pigskins - Oct. 4

Phil's Guys, a men's ministry of SPD, invites guys of all ages to join them for Pigs and Pigskin on Sunday, Oct. 4 at St. Philip the Deacon. Enjoy the fun, faith, fellowship, football (Vikings vs. Broncos) and food (smoked ribs courtesy of Pastor Mark and Erik Jacobson) beginning at 3 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 12 and under. Please register online by Oct. 1, or at the Hospitality Desk in the Atrium on the upper level.
Encounter: Gustavus Adolphus College - Oct. 8

You need not be a Gustie to join us as we enjoy a fall ride to beautiful St. Peter Minnesota and spend a day at Gustavus Adolphus College. We will worship, tour the campus, enjoy lunch and meet with Neal Hagberg, the director of Tennis and Life camp. The bus leaves at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 and we plan to return by 3 p.m. Please register online.
Faith & Life Lecture - Oct. 8

The 2015-2016 season of the Faith & Life Lecture Series begins on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. with speaker Bill George, a former chairman and CEO of Medtronic. An author of four best-selling books on values-driven leadership, Bill will address the topic, "Faith & Leadership: Finding Your True North."

Read about the rest of the Faith & Life series on the website, Faith-and-Life.org, and like our Facebook page to receive reminders of upcoming events.

Note: In the September issue of our printed newsletter, The Story, the date of the first lecture of the season was incorrect. Oct. 8 is the correct date.
The Conversation - Oct. 13

Whether you're retired, semi-retired, or just happen to be free on Tuesday afternoons, join us for a monthly gathering for fellowship and faithful conversation. We meet the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life. Our guest on Oct. 13 will be a special friend of our congregation, Mirlie Abraham, who will report on the Haiti school shoe project we participated in this summer.
Book Club - Oct. 20

Join Pastor Mathison for a discussion of The Conversation: A Revolutionary Plan for End-of-Life Care by Dr. Angelo Volandes
Dr. Angelo Volandes believes that every life lived well deserves a good ending. Through the stories of seven patients with seven very different end-of-life experiences, he shows that what people with a serious illness who are approaching their end-of-life need most, is not more medical technologies, but one simple thing: The Conversation.

Special Event - Dr. Volandes will be the Faith & Life Lecture Series speaker on Nov. 5.

We meet Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Nook. Participants can purchase a copy of the book at the SPD upper level hospitality desk ($15) or borrow it from the library in the Nook, or acquire one from a bookstore or online.

Read more about Book Club on our website.
Progressive Dinner - Oct. 24

Join us for a Progressive Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 24 beginning at 6 p.m. What a great opportunity to spend time in fellowship with new and old friends! Here's how it works: You will be assigned a different home for appetizers and 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. Questions? Please contact Cindy Carlson at 763-475-7115.
Early Childhood Events

Family Playtime will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings in the month of September. Families are invited to spend a fun morning playing with your child in the Childcare Center. Playtime dates: Sept. 22, 23, 29, 30,  from 9:30-11:30 a.m. No registration required.

SPARK Take-Home Bible Story Packets for 2- and 3-year-olds begins following each worship service, Oct. 3 and 4, and continues until Nov. 21 and 23. Fall SPARK Session is for 8 weeks. Packets are distributed in the Childcare Center.

Lilly Pad Storytime - Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. Guest adult readers will share their favorite books with the little ones.

Baptism Workshop - The next workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m. for families who have not previously had a child baptized at St. Philip the Deacon. To register, contact Liz Nelson at lnelson@spdlc.org.

3-Year-Olds receive Beginner Bibles - Sunday, Oct. 25, during 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. worship services.

You can be a prayer partner for a 3 year-old as they transition to Faith Creek church school. Call Liz Nelson at 763- 475-7129 for details.
In This Issue
Jesus Crew
Sr. High Ministry Kick-Off
Giving Statements Arrive Soon
Faith Creek Mission
Families Moving Forward
DivorceCare for Women
SPD Singers
Dad & Wheels
First Communion
Blessing of the Animals
Praying in Color
Adult Education
Pigs and Pigskins
Encounter: Gustavus Adolphus
Faith & Life Lecture
The Conversation
Book Club
Progressive Dinner
Early Childhood Events
 
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Save me, O God, by your name,


And vindicate me by your might.

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them.

But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

He will repay my enemies for their evil. In your faithfulness, put an end to them.

With a freewill-offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.

For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

Psalm 54
For Reflection
 
"While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart."
- Francis of Assisi
 
See more thoughts like this at fb.com/spdlc.
  
Faithful Parenting
 
Why It's Incredibly Important to Tell Stories to Kids

For most of human history, values and faith have been passed along by the spoken word in the context of one's closest relationships. Telling stories and integrating values into daily conversations was a primary way youngsters learned from their parents.

If you have questions about anything you've read here, or want to know more about St. Philip the Deacon and its ministries, please contact us at info@spdlc.org or 763-475-7100.