Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Feb. 10, 2016

Ash Wednesday Worship

Worship with us today at Noon, 5:30 or 7 p.m. for Ash Wednesday worship with Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes.

God bless you as you begin your lenten journey.

Opportunities to Serve

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

IOCP Resale 101, Feb. 10
Messiah Food Pantry, Feb. 12
Lenten soup suppers, Wednesdays during Lent
Our Savior's Shelter, Feb. 23

The Texts this Weekend

This weekend is the First Sunday in Lent. The readings include Psalms 91:1-2, 9-16 and Luke 4:1-13:

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread."

Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written,

'Worship the Lord your God,
   and serve only him.'"

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,

'He will command his angels concerning you,
   to protect you,'
and
'On their hands they will bear you up,
   so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Wednesdays in Lent

Feb. 17, 24; March 2, 9 and 16.

Join us each Wednesday in Lent, to share a simple meal, and to worship together.

5:30 p.m. - Soup Supper
7 p.m. - Holden Evening Prayer

Lenten Devotionals

Our 2016 Lenten Devotionals, Bearing Fruit, have arrived.

You can pick yours up at the upper level hospitality desk in the Atrium, located on the upper level.

Baby's Space: Faith Creek Mission for February

During the month of February, Early Childhood and Children's Ministries are collecting "Gifts of Love" for Baby's Space, a childcare center in the Little Earth neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Your donations will provide clean, filtered, bottled water for Baby's Space throughout 2016. Bottled water is used in infant formula, and promotes a healthy alternative to sugared beverages.

Your Faith Creek student's offering envelopes during February will go toward this mission. You can also put donations in the water bottle display in the lower level lobby, or make a donation online at spdlc.org/giving. Thank you!

Kinderchor

Kinderchor is a fun musical experience with singing, movement and instruments for pre-Kindergarten 4- and 5-year-olds. Kinderchor meets Mondays, 6:15-6:45 p.m. in the Music Center. Contact Linda Armstrong at larmstrong@spdlc.org or 763-475-7142 to register.

Dates for Kinderchor rehearsals are Feb. 1, 8, 22, 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25 and May 2.

Magical Mia at Faith Creek - Feb. 14

This Sunday, Feb. 14, Faith Creek students will enjoy a special show by Magical Mia, award-winning magician with a Christian message, during Faith Creek at 8:30 and 9:45 a.m. Children who are enrolled in either the Saturday 5:30 p.m. or Sunday 11 a.m. Faith Creek are invited to attend at either of the performance times.

Freedom of a Christian - Feb. 15

Perhaps no other work so captures the revolutionary zeal and theological boldness of Martin Luther, the great reformer, as his book, The Freedom of a Christian. Here Luther defends the key doctrine of justification by faith. This special new translation by Dr. Mark Tranvik includes notes, an introduction, headings, a glossary and a bibliography. The next class will be Monday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the Learning Center for a walk through this important work.

Book Club - Feb. 16

Book Club meets monthly on the third Tuesday evening to discuss current books on various faith-related topics. This month Pastor Westermeyer will lead a discussion of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality For Real Life, by James Martin. Join us on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. for this fascinating discussion.

Lilly Pad Storytime - Feb. 17

Bring your little ones to Lilly Pad Storytime on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. A special guest will read to the children, and we'll also have a puppet show. Before going home, children will get to check out a book to take with them. Join us!

High School Retreat - Feb. 19-21

High School students are taking a weekend to head to Camp Wapo near Amery, Wisconsin, Feb. 19-21, for renewal and refreshment. This weekend will be a great time for high school students to take time away from their regular schedule, spend it with friends, and with God. Register today!

Summer Preview Expo - Feb. 27-28

On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27-28, during coffee hours following worship, program staff will be in Fellowship Hall with fun displays to tell you all about what we have planned for this summer. You can learn about Vacation Bible School, special retreats, Bike Club, service projects and more. There is so much happening at St. Philip the Deacon over the summer that we're producing a special brochure to tell you all about it. You won't want to miss this fun event! (On Saturday, Feb. 27, the expo will be accompanied by a pizza supper!)

National Lutheran Choir Concert - Feb. 28

St. Philip the Deacon will host a concert by the National Lutheran Choir on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m., Psalms & Spirituals. The choir will be joined by organist Aaron David Miller, harpist Rachel Brandwein, percussionist Will Kemperman and guest soloist, Grammy-nominated countertenor, Ryland Angel. Highlights of the program include Leonard Bernstein's hopeful and life-affirming Chichester Psalms, the premiere of a new work by David Cherwien, and spirituals by James Miller, Moses Hogan and Andr� J. Thomas. Tickets may be purchased online on the NLC website.

New Member Workshop - March 13

Whatever has brought you to St. Philip the Deacon, we're glad you're here, and we look forward to helping you connect to this community of faith. If you are interested in membership at SPD, join us for this special New Member workshop, Sunday, March 13 at 9:45 a.m.

These overview sessions provide an opportunity to learn more about the Lutheran faith tradition, meet and connect with other families from St. Philip the Deacon, discover steps for growing in your faith and find ways to share in the life and ministry of this faith community.

Welcome!

High School Bowling Night - March 19

The annual High School bowling outing is on for Saturday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m.! This popular event will include the coveted baby-doll trophy tournament and loads of pizza, fun and fellowship. Double check your calendar, and don't miss this awesome event! Register online.

Women's Retreat - April 8-10

For years, women have asked for the grown-up version of Soul Sisterhood. Ladies, here it is! Amanda Berger, director of Soul Sisterhood, will lead us through a weekend of exploration and creativity as we discover what it means to be rooted in God's presence. This year's women's retreat will take place Friday evening, April 8, through Sunday noon, April 10 at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minn. Through our devotional time, conversation, and mixed-media painting, we'll unearth more about who we are created to be and who God is in our lives. Mixed media is the perfect medium to explore the messiness of life through which God causes our lives to blossom. The time you spend creating your masterpiece will allow you to reflect on how God is nurturing you right now. Please contact Pastor Valerie for more information at vstrand@spdlc.org.

Save the Date for VBS - June 13-16

We know you're already planning for summer. Save the week of June 13-16 for Vacation Bible School! VBS is held in the morning. Registration will be available in early March. Get ready for an exciting VBS experience!

In This Issue

Wednesdays in Lent

Lenten Devotionals

Baby's Space

Kinderchor

Magical Mia

Freedom of a Christian

Book Club

Lilly Pad Storytime

High School Retreat

Summer Preview

National Lutheran Choir

New Member Workshop

High School Bowling

Women's Retreat

VBS Dates

Faithful Parenting

Parish Nurse Health Tip

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,

Who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,

Will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.'

Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling-place,

No evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.

Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.

When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.

With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

- Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

For Reflection

"You never depart from us, but yet, only with difficulties do we return to You."
- Saint Augustine, Confessions

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

Faithful Parenting

What to Do When I Don't Approve of My Child's Friends

When children experience deeply connected relationships, respectful conflict resolution, and solid teaching about values at home, they usually find disrespectful relationships unfamiliar and unappealing. As children grow older their selection of friends becomes more clearly an expression of their values.