Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Dec. 9, 2015

Opportunities to Serve

Eager to serve your neighbor? We have great opportunities to serve! You can make a difference in the community and in the city. Learn more.

IOCP Food Shelf, Wednesday, Dec. 9
Messiah Food Shelf, Friday, Dec. 11
Bring gifts for shelter residents by Monday, Dec. 14
Bring books for children in shelters by Friday, Dec. 18

The Texts this Weekend

This weekend is the Third Sunday in Advent. We will enjoy our annual Lessons and Carols at all worship services. The readings include:

Genesis 3:8-15, 17-19
Genesis 22:15-18
Isaiah 9:2,6-7
Isaiah 11:1-3a, 4a, 6-9
Luke 1:26-35, 38
Luke 2:1-7
Luke 2:8-16
Matthew 2:1-12
John 1:1-14:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."

Read more John 1:1-14

Pastors Sleep-Out for IOCP - TONIGHT

Our support of the Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners' annual Sleep-Out campaign continues as pastors Schmid and Strand Patterson will join other clergy tonight for the annual Clergy Sleep-Out. To support their sleep-out, go to IOCP's donation web site, and select "SPD Clergy" to donate in their honor. Thank you!

Christmas Giving Missions

Christmas Care: Gifts and Prayers

We are well on our way to caring for 250 residents of shelters, by praying for them and shopping from their wish lists, with 30 people remaining. We are also hoping for three hundred more children's books (non-violent and multicultural content appreciated) and gifts for the women and children of Home Free Shelter. Stop by the sign up tables in the narthex for all the details. Thanks for sharing your blessings in this season. Bring your gifts to the narthex by Monday, Dec. 14 (Sunday the 13th is even better)! Prefer not to shop? We will send out happy shoppers with your donations of funds. Learn more.

Christmas food baskets with Messiah

Your gift of funds to provide the groceries is greatly appreciated. Two large families are fed for about $50 and about 500 families are expected. Volunteer to help with distribution on Saturday morning, Dec. 19, by contacting SPD member Kris at kcarlsongermain@gmail.com.

Thank you! Through funds, gifts and food, your gifts will touch the lives of about 6,700 adults and children, locally and in Minneapolis.

National Lutheran Choir - Dec. 11

The theme of this year's National Lutheran Choir Christmas concert is The Spotless Rose. Immerse yourself in the beauty and truth of the peaceful space of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, while listening to the beautiful harmonies of the choir celebrating the birth of Christ this sacred season. Join a group of SPD members who are attending this concert together on Friday, Dec. 11. The bus departs at 6:30 p.m. Concert starts at 8 p.m. Cost $25 per person. Contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115 to join the group!

Lessons and Carols - Dec. 12-14

All worship services the weekend of Dec. 12-14 will include special choral works sung by our St. Philip the Deacon choirs. Join us for your favorite worship time, and sing along as we anticipate the birth of our Savior this Advent and Christmas season. The Saturday 5:30 p.m. and Monday 7 p.m. services will have a contemporary flair, with music directed by John Roth.

This is a wonderful opportunity to invite a friend with you to church!

Book Club - Dec. 15

A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean, is our Book Club selection for December. From its first sentence, "In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing," to the last, "I am haunted by waters," A River Runs Through It is an American classic. Join Pastor Schmid on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. for a thoughtful discussion of this book, which has been called a masterpiece.

In January, the book club will turn it's attention to an issue that is important to us all: the use of mobile devices while driving, and the devastating consequences of accidents caused by distracted driving. The book will be A Deadly Wandering by Matt Richtel, and book club readers are urged to read it early, and then share their copy of the book with someone else.

Lilly Pad Storytime - Dec. 16

Bring your little ones to Lilly Pad Storytime at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16 for a wonderful hour of fun and imagination. Children love being read to, and our readers love to share their favorite story with them. This month, Pastor Cheryl Mathison will share her favorite Christmas story. No registration is necessary. If you have questions, give Liz Nelson a call at 763-475-7129, or email lnelson@spdlc.org.

Blue Christmas Prayer Service - Dec. 21

Christmas can be a difficult time for those who struggle with depression, serious illness, loss or grief. This peaceful prayer service offers a respite of quiet understanding for those who are hurting this Christmas season. Join us on Monday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. for our "Blue Christmas" prayer service. Worship will include candle lighting and the
Sacrament of Holy Communion. Learn more.

Memory Tree

One of the greatest joys at Christmas time is gathering with loved ones. This is difficult when those we have loved are no longer with us to celebrate. It doesn't matter if your loss is recent or some time long ago, loss is loss and Christmas can be sad. This year you are invited to remember your loved ones by writing their name on an ornament and placing it on the tree that stands to the right as you enter the worship center. The table next to the tree has everything you will need. Our memory tree will serve as a witness to the saints who have gone before us and to the cloud of witnesses which surrounds us.

Upcoming Youth Events

Justin Daleiden
Our new Director of High School Ministry will be joining the SPD staff next week, Monday, Dec. 14. Welcome, Justin!

College Homecoming
Our high school students are hosting a get together to welcome college students home for the holidays. Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Day Ski Trip
College and high school students can enjoy a day ski trip to Welch Village on Wednesday, Dec. 30. The coach leaves the church at noon. $40 per person includes lift ticket and bus. Rental fees will be additional. Register online!

Ultimate Lock-In
Overnight on Fri-Sat., Jan. 29-30 our high school youth are joining forces with several other churches and taking over the Maple Grove Community Center. With a new activity starting every hour there is no way someone could get bored or tired at this lock-in. Check out the registration and don't forget to invite your friends!

Advent and Christmas Worship

Advent

7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7 - Advent Vespers
7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14 - Advent Vespers
7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 21 - Blue Christmas Prayer Service

Lessons and Carols

All worship services, Dec. 12-14

Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24

11 a.m. - Children and Family Worship (no Holy Communion)

2 p.m. - Worship with Holy Communion*
4 p.m. - Worship with Holy Communion*

5:30 p.m. - Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion*
7 p.m. - Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion*
9 p.m. - Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion
11 p.m. - Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion

* Childcare will be provided at all services except 11 a.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

11 a.m. - Worship with Holy Communion

If you are interested in serving as an usher, reader, acolyte or altar guild worship assistant during any of these worship services, please contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115.

More information on our website.

Promise 2016 - Thank you!

Thank you to all who have submitted their Promise 2016 pledge cards. If you haven't yet done so, you can still submit your Promise by bringing it to church or mailing it in as soon as possible.

Your 2016 Promise will be reflected on your year-end contribution statement.

End of Year Giving Guidelines

Helping You Plan for Year's End

Offerings in a 2015 envelope received in the offering plate through Dec. 29 or delivered to the office by 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 or postmarked by Dec. 31, 2015 will be recorded on your 2015 Contribution Statement. Offerings received outside of these boundaries will be recorded as a 2016 offering, regardless of which year's envelope is used. You may also use the mail drop-box outside the west office door (Door B) if delivering after office hours.

If you wish to prepay your 2016 offerings, please make a notation on the envelope and check memo line: "prepayment for 2016." To receive credit on your 2015 year-end statement, 2016 prepayments must also be received by the dates noted above.

Questions? Contact Cheryl Sjaarda, Finance Administrator at csjaarda@spdlc.org or 763-475-7124. Year-end contribution statements for 2015 will be mailed prior to Jan. 31, 2015.

SPD Outdoors Ice Fishing Retreat - Jan. 28-31

The 2nd Annual SPD Outdoors Ice Fishing Retreat on beautiful Lake of the Woods is scheduled for Jan. 28-31, 2016. Join Pastor Mark Schmid and Roger Elias for a time of faith, fellowship and fishing. Located 5 1/2 hours (315 miles) north of St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Lake of the Woods has built a reputation over the years as one of the premier fishing lakes in the country. Pairing scenery, location and a diverse and healthy fishery, the lake boasts trophy-size walleye, as well as sauger, northern pike and jumbo perch.

Accommodations will be provided by Wheelers Point Resort and Lodge in Baudette, MN. Cost is $395.00 per person (includes room and board). Register online! There are 24 slots, and the deadline to reserve your spot is Dec. 31.

For more information, contact Roger Elias at rwelias@comcast.net, or Pastor Mark Schmid at mschmid@spdlc.org.

In This Issue

Sleep-Out for IOCP - Pastors

Christmas Giving Missions

National Lutheran Choir

Lessons and Carols

Book Club

Lilly Pad Storytime

Blue Christmas

Memory Tree

Youth Events

Advent, Christmas Worship

Promise 2016

End of Year Giving Guidelines

Ice Fishing Retreat

Faithful Parenting

Parish Nurse Health Tip

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel!

Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!

The Lord has taken away the judgements against you, he has turned away your enemies.

The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak.

The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory;

he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.

I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.

I will deal with all your oppressors at that time.

And I will save the lame and gather the outcast,

and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.

At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you;

for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth,

when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.

For Reflection

"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."
- Benjamin Franklin

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

Faithful Parenting

5 Awesome Ideas to Make the Most of Your Family's Christmas

Christmas (and Advent) can be a wonderful time to share meaningful connection as a family, but it can also be a challenging diversion from your normal routine. Here are five Christmas parenting tips to help you make the most of your family's Christmas season.