Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Dec. 16, 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.

Pack Christmas Food Baskets for Messiah Lutheran, Saturday, Dec. 19. Contact Kris Carlson Germain.
Assemble Christmas Eve worship candles, Friday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m. or Monday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. Contact Cindy Carlson.
Serve at a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship service as an usher, communion server, or altar guild. Contact Cindy Carlson.

The Texts this Weekend

This weekend is the Fourth Sunday in Advent. The readings include: Micah 5:2-5a, Psalm 80:1-7, Hebrews 10:5-10 and Luke 1:39-55:

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."

And Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;

He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever."

Welcome, Justin!

Our new Director of High School Ministry Has arrived! Justin Daleiden joined the SPD staff on Monday, Dec. 14.

Learn more about Justin on our website, and be sure to great him with a hearty, "Welcome, Justin!"

Christmas Food Baskets

Thank you for your gifts to make Christmas Food Baskets for those in need! You can volunteer to help with packing and distribution on Saturday morning, Dec. 19, by contacting SPD member Kris at kcarlsongermain@gmail.com.

If you'd like to make a donation to help pay for the groceries for the baskets, there's still time to do that! Please donate online or leave a check in the offering with "Food Baskets" on the memo line.

Thank You! - Christmas Gifts and Prayers

We have received all of the requested gifts for Smith Lodge, Mission Lodge, Anishinabe Wakiagun, and Our Saviour's Shelter. We have all the books we need for the children of the families who use the food shelf (families will choose a book when they pick up their Christmas food baskets). Gifts for Home Free families and those living in the shelter have been delivered.

Thanks to your generosity, we will also able to help some families close to home with grocery store and shopping gift cards.

Thank you for sharing the blessings of the season! With meals, your gifts for shelters, the Holiday Store, and books, we expect to touch the lives of 7,300 individuals.

Christmas Drop-off Night - Deadline TODAY!

Parents, do you need time to do some shopping, gift wrapping, or do you just want a night of fun for your kids? Bring them to SPD for pizza, activities and a fun Christmas movie on Friday, Dec. 18 from 6-8:30 p.m. The registration deadline is TODAY, Dec. 16, and we have a maximum of 70 participants, so register early! Cost is $12 per person. Register online at spdlc.churchcenteronline.com.

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 a loved one 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

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 middle 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!

Christmas Worship

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, 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.

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.

Ice Fishing Retreat - Deadline Dec. 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 by Dec. 31!

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

Book Club - Jan. 19

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. Then join us for the discussion on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. for a very important discussion, and please invite your friend to join you.

In This Issue

Welcome, Justin!

Christmas Food Baskets

Thank You! Christmas Care

Christmas Drop-off Night

Blue Christmas

Memory Tree

Youth Events

Christmas Worship

End of Year Giving Guidelines

Ice Fishing Retreat

Book Club

Faithful Parenting

Parish Nurse Health Tip

Shepherd of Israel,

Give ear, O you who lead Joseph like a flock!

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.

Stir up your might, and come to save us!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us the scorn of our neighbours; our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

- Psalm 80:1-7

For Reflection

"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good."
- Maya Angelou

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

Faithful Parenting

When My Child Asked for an iPod

My strong parenting belief is that responsibility always comes before freedom. One of my roles as a parent is to help my kids understand this essential reality in life, but also to help them build the skills they need to grow into responsibility.