Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.Dec. 23, 2015
Opportunities to Serve

We have great opportunities to serve! You can make a difference in the community and in the city. Learn more.
  • We are still in need of worship assistants on Christmas Eve! Please contact Cindy Carlson if you can serve as:
    2 p.m. - usher or communion server
    7 p.m. - communion server
    9 p.m. - communion server
  • Sharing & Caring Hands, Jan. 2
  • Families Moving Forward, Jan. 24-31
The Texts this Weekend
 
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. A full schedule of Christmas worship services is printed below. The coming weekend is the First Sunday of Christmas. The readings include: 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17 and Luke 2:41-52:

 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, 'Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.' He said to them, 'Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.
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 2, 4, 5:30 and 7 p.m.
Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

11 a.m. - Worship with Holy Communion*
* Childcare will be provided

If you are interested in serving as an usher communion server during
the 2, 7 or 9 p.m. worship services, please contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115.
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. 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. 
Bible Read-Along Final Gathering - Jan. 6

The 2015 One-Year Bible Read-Along is drawing to it's close. It's time to celebrate! We'll gather on Epiphany, Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 6:30 p.m. to look back on our year of reading the entire Bible, reflecting especially on our journey through the New Testament. We'll have special New Testament book marks for everyone, and we'll give thanks with a little worship service. Join us! You won't want to miss it!
The Conversation - Jan. 12

Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life. The Conversation in January is concurrent with the week of preparation for Confirmation for our 9th grade students. Therefore, the topic at The Conversation will be remembering our own confirmation experiences and our personal journey in our walk of faith. Join us at 1 p.m. Reservations are not needed.
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 on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. for a very important discussion. Please invite a friend to join you!
First Communion Workshop - Jan. 22

First Communion preparation workshop, Thursday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. The workshop is designed for children in grades 2-5, and their parents, to gain an understanding of the meaning of Holy Communion. The children will receive communion for the first time at the 11 a.m. worship service on Sunday, Jan. 31. Register online. Contact Trisha Ragner at 763-475-711.
The Ultimate School Lock-In - Jan. 29

The Ultimate Lock-In for middle school students at the Maple Grove Community Center overnight Jan. 29-30 is going to be massive fun! Youth from churches all around are gathering together to enjoy the water park, ice skating arena, dance, inflatable games, laser tag in the Maple Maze, karaoke, dodge ball tourney, movies, food and much more! Invite your friends!
Cost: $30 plus canned food item to be donated to IOCP bring the night of the event. Register online today! High school students are needed to come and help run the stations, and can register for $5.
Timberwolves Game - Feb. 20

On Saturday, Feb. 20, join a group from SPD to see the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. the New York Knicks. We will leave from church by bus at 4:45 p.m. to arrive at Target Center in time to see the "shoot around" before the game. The tickets for the game are in section 213, in rows K-M, with the cost for the tickets and transportation at $45 per person. The deadline to make reservations is Monday, Jan. 18. Make reservations online or by contacting Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org.
In This Issue
Christmas Worship
End of Year Giving Guidelines
Ice Fishing Retreat
Bible Gathering
The Conversation
Book Club
First Communion Workshop
Middle School Lock+In
Timberwolves Game
Faithful Parenting
Parish Nurse Health Tip
 
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Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!

Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created.

He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his faithful, for the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!

 

- Psalm 148

For Reflection
 
"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays."
- Søren Kierkegaard
 
See more thoughts like this at fb.com/spdlc.
  
Faithful Parenting
 
What to Do when Relatives Criticize Your Parenting

You know that you are learning more graceful, wisdom-building ways to parent and you want to stay the course, but you don't know how to respond without sounding disrespectful to your parents. You may even second guess yourself and get harsh or firm in unnatural ways with your kids, just to avoid the criticism. So what can you do?













Decrease Your Holiday Stress!
 
Why we allow this wondrous, peaceful time of year stress us out is an unfortunate mystery. Stress during the holidays can make you sick!

You may have already read my column on the high incidence of heart attacks and strokes that occur on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. It is difficult, if not impossible to eliminate stress, so it is imperative to learn techniques to deal with the stress in our lives.

Meditation has been around since before Christ was born as a way to reduce stress and order one's thoughts. There are many different forms of meditation; most are intended to quiet your mind, giving it a rest.

The following meditation is simple, and is recommended by Pastor Mathison when your mind needs a little nap.

1. Find a comfortable place to sit.
2. Place your hands in a comfortable position (in your lap or resting on your knees).
3. Close your eyes.
4. Take 3 deep breaths, letting each breath out for about twice as long as you drew it in.
5. Clear you mind.  
6. Say in your mind -- not out loud -- "Be Still and Know" repeating it 3 times. Breath normally thorough out the process.
7. Next say, "Be still and," three times.
8. Then say, "Be still", again 3 times, breathing normally.
9. Finally say, "Be" three times.
10. Take 3 deep breaths.
11. Do this 3 times throughout the day: morning, afternoon and evening.

"Be Still and Know That I am God." - Psalm 46:10

We can take comfort in letting go and resting in God to provide help, strength and safety.

Merry Christmas!

Blessing, Health and Peace,



 
Susan Path 
Parish Nurse 
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.