Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Jan. 6, 2016

Opportunities to Serve

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

Worship Assistants for Confirmation Worship Services, Jan. 16, Contact Cindy Carlson, ccarlson@spdlc.org
Families Moving Forward, Jan. 24-31

The Texts this Weekend

This weekend is the First Sunday after Epiphany. The readings include: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17 and Luke 3:15-17, 21-22:

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

Bible Read-Along Final Gathering - TONIGHT!

The 2015 One-Year Bible Read-Along is drawing to it's close. It's time to celebrate! We'll gather on Epiphany, TONIGHT, 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!

Ice Fishing Retreat - Deadline TOMORROW!

The 2nd Annual SPD Outdoors Ice Fishing Retreat on beautiful Lake of the Woods is scheduled for Jan. 28-31. Join Pastor Mark Schmid and Roger Elias for a time of faith, fellowship and fishing. Located 5 and 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, Minn. Cost is $395 per person (includes room and board).

Register online by TOMORROW, Jan. 7!

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

Baptism Celebration - Jan. 10

On Sunday, Jan. 10 at all worship services, we will celebrate again all those who were baptized at St. Philip the Deacon during 2015. Cake will also be served during coffee hours in their honor.

The Conversation - Jan. 12

Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. This month, The Conversation coincides 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.

Confirmation - Jan. 16

On Saturday, Jan. 16, at special worship services at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., 67 of our 9th grade students will participate in the Rite of Affirmation of Baptism--Confirmation. Please keep these young persons in your prayers as they affirm their faith.

Timberwolves Game - Feb. 20 (Deadline Jan. 18)

On Saturday, Feb. 20, join a group from SPD at the Faith & Family Night, with the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. the New York Knicks. We have some really great seats! The tickets for the game are in section 213, in rows K-M, with the cost for the tickets at $37 per person.

Transportation is on your own. You can arrive as early as 4:45 p.m. to watch the "shoot around," and game time is 7 p.m. You are also invited to stay after the game for a concert by The Afters!

The deadline to make reservations is Monday, Jan. 18. Make reservations online or by contacting Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@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 on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. for a very important discussion. Please invite a friend to join you!

Blood Drive - Jan. 20

There is a critical need for blood donations during this time of year. We will be holding a blood drive for the Memorial Blood Center on Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 4-6:30 p.m.

If you can donate blood that afternoon, you can contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org to book an appointment. Or, you can register online at the Memorial Blood Center website, and set up a user account. Be sure to enter Sponsor Code 0567.

Thank you for helping to save lives!

Spirit Beads - Jan. 20

Get your spiritual and creative juices flowing at this hands-on workshop where you will make a string of prayer beads for your own daily prayer practice. We'll talk about prayer beads and their use through history, design our own string based on a simple liturgy, and pray together using our new prayer beads. Offered twice on Wednesday, Jan. 20: choose 10-11:30 a.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. Cost $10. Please register online. Contact Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson with questions.

First Communion Workshop - Jan. 21

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.

Families Moving Forward - Jan. 24-31

We will be hosting Families Moving Forward the week of Jan. 24-31. This is a wonderful opportunity to help families that are experiencing homelessness gain the security and support they need. Sign up in Fellowship Hall to be a dinner host, activity leader, and more. Visit our website for a link to our online sign-up calendar. Contact Sandy Dockter with questions.

Faith & Life: Christian Wiman - Jan. 28

The Faith & Life Lecture Series continues on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. with Christian Wiman, an award winning poet, editor, critic and translator, who has authored five books of poetry and two collections of essays. He is on the faculty of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music as Senior Lecturer in Religion and Literature. His book, Every Riven Thing -- hailed as one of the best poetry collections in recent years -- recounts his battle with a daunting disease to find a renewed connection with God. More info at Faith-and-Life.org.

The Ultimate 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 a canned food item to be donated to IOCP. Bring the canned food item to the lock-in. Register online today!

High school students are needed to come and help run the stations, and can register for $5.

In This Issue

Bible Gathering

Ice Fishing Retreat

Baptism Celebration

The Conversation

Confirmation

Timberwolves Game

Book Club

Blood Drive

Spirit Beads

First Communion Workshop

Families Moving Forward

Faith & Life

Ultimate Lock-In

Faithful Parenting

Parish Nurse Health Tip

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, "Glory!"

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.

May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

- Psalm 29

For Reflection

"All endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time."

- Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet In Heaven

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

Faithful Parenting

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