Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.Feb. 17, 2016
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.
  • Lenten soup suppers, Wednesdays during Lent
  • Our Saviour's Shelter, serving dinner on Feb. 23
  • Messiah Food Pantry, Feb. 27
  • IOCP Food Pantry, March 9
The Texts this Weekend
 
This weekend is the Second Sunday in Lent. The readings include Psalm 27 and Luke 13:31-35:

 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Wednesdays in Lent

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

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

Everyone is invited! Join us each Wednesday in Lent, to share a simple meal, and to worship together. Suggested donation for supper is $7 per person, the profits of which will go toward the ELCA Hunger Fund.
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. 22, 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25 and May 2.
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.

The deadline to register is today!
Register now!
Freedom of a Christian - Feb. 22

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. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Learning Center for a walk through this important work.
Summer Preview - 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 André J. Thomas. Tickets may be purchased online on the NLC website.
Faith & Investing - March 3

Katherine Collins was a rising star at Fidelity Management & Research Company, one of the country's leading investment firms. She founded her own research and consulting firm, Honeybee Capital, which focuses on investing strategies that integrate the essential questions of connection and value.
Join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 for this fascinating and helpful presentation, "Faith & Honeybees: What Insects Can Teach us about Life."

Learn more about the Faith & Life series.
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 the New Member workshop, Sunday, March 13 at 9:45 a.m.

This overview session provides 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!
Easter Chancel Flowers - March 14

You can order flowers to help beautify our chancel during Easter. Choose from Easter lilies, yellow mum plants, pink azaleas, blue hydrangeas, pink hydrangeas or pink calla lilies. The deadline to order flowers is Monday, March 14. You can order online or contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org.
Book Club - March 15

The Book Club invites you to enjoy a most engaging read, My Name is Asher Lev, by Chaim Potok. Asher Lev grows up in a cloistered Hasidic community in postwar Brooklyn, a world suffused by ritual and revolving around a charismatic Rebbe. Asher Lev is an artist who is compulsively driven to render the world he sees and feels even when it leads him to blasphemy. But in time his gift threatens to estrange him from that world and the parents he adores. As it follows his struggle, My Name Is Asher Lev becomes a luminous portrait of the artist, by turns heartbreaking and exultant, a modern classic.

Join us for a discussion led by Amanda Berger on Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome! Copies of this book are available at the information desk in the Atrium for $10.
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.
Easter Food Baskets - March 26

We will be donating Easter Food Baskets to 500 families served by our sister congregation, Messiah Lutheran Church, located in the Phillips neighborhood. $50 is a suggested amount; however a gift of any size is greatly appreciated. Use a pew envelope and note Easter Baskets on both the envelope and the memo line of the check. You may also give a gift through on-line giving.
Divorce Care for Women - April 5

We will have a short, six-week course of Divorce Care for women starting on Tuesday, April 5, from 6:30-8 p.m. The group will decide together the topics from the Divorce Care program, other issues, or guest speakers. All are welcome, whether you are new to DivorceCare or have attended a previous course. Facilitated by SPD member Heather Wright. Contact Pastor Strand Patterson if you would like to attend.
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. Official start time is 8 p.m., but you are welcome to join us any time after 4 p.m. on Friday.

Register online at spdlc.churchcenteronline.com. 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
Baby's Space
Kinderchor
High School Retreat
Freedom of a Christian
Summer Preview
National Lutheran Choir
Faith & Life Lecture
New Member Workshop
Easter Chancel Flowers
Book Club
High School Bowling
Easter Food Baskets
Divorce Care for Women
Women's Retreat
VBS Dates
Faithful Parenting
Parish Nurse Health Tip
 
Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   Visit our blog   View our profile on LinkedIn
Join Our Mailing List
 
The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh-

my adversaries and foes- they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;

though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:

to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!

'Come,' my heart says, 'seek his face!' Your face, Lord, do I seek. Do not hide your face from me.

Do not turn your servant away in anger, you who have been my help.

Do not cast me off, do not forsake me, O God of my salvation!

If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, and they are breathing out violence.

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

- Psalm 27
For Reflection
 
"Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude."
- John Chrysostom
 
See more thoughts like this at fb.com/spdlc.
  
Faithful Parenting
 
When Kids Say "I Hate You!" How Can Parents Respond?

When kids get angry, sometimes that anger can be a clumsy expression of a child's frustration, discouragement, or even deep despair in some other area. As we consider how to respond, we can take a moment to look deeper and ask, "What might be driving my child's intense feelings right now?"













Five Benefits of Kindness: Part 3
 
Kindness, Volunteering and Positive Emotions: Slows Aging and can help you Live Longer
 
Studies have shown that people who volunteer live longer. One study found as long as 44% longer! A 1990s study showed women who expressed positive emotions were living 10 years longer than those who expressed fewer positive emotions.
 
Free radicals and inflammation are two components of aging. Oxytocin released when having positive interactions with others reduces the free radicals and inflammation, slowing the aging process on this biochemical level.  
 
A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that the link may follow the twisting path of the vagus nerve, which connects social contact to the positive emotions that can result from positive interactions. They use the Tibetan Buddhist meditation on "Loving Kindness Compassion Toward Others" by repeating phrases like "May you feel safe, may you feel happy, may you feel healthy, may you live with ease." Participants were instructed to return to these thoughts when their minds wandered. They were also advised to focus these positive, kind thoughts on other people, in stressful situations like when they were stuck in traffic. "It's kind of softening your own heart to be more open to others," says Fredrickson the researcher of this project. This project found kindness and compassion did reduce inflammation in the body, improving people's health by increasing their daily exposure to positive emotions.
 
So the next time you are stuck in a difficult situation try some positive, kindness, compassion and prayer by repeating, "May you feel safe, may you feel happy, may your feel healthy, may you live with ease."  Say this while you are concentrating on someone else. Use your positive thought to be kind to others and heal yourself in the process.
 
Next week Part 4 of Kindness!

Blessings and Kindness,




 
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.