Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.

Feb. 24, 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
Messiah Food Pantry, Feb. 27
IOCP Food Pantry, March 9

The Texts this Weekend

This weekend is the Third Sunday in Lent. The readings include
Isaiah 55:1-9 and

Luke 13:1-9:

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, 'Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them -- do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.'

Then he told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, "See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?" He replied, "Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down." '

Wednesdays in Lent

Feb. 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.

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. 29; March 14, 21, 28; April 11, 18, 25 and May 2.

Freedom of a Christian - Feb. 29

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 last class will be Monday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Learning Center. Prof. Mark Tranvik will be attending this class to offer special insights to 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 event will be accompanied by a pizza supper! Everyone is invited!

Saturday Evening Fellowship - Feb. 27

In conjunction with the special Summer Previews event following 5:30 p.m. worship this Saturday, Feb. 27, we will enjoy a pizza supper. Everyone is welcome!

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, or if you know someone who would be interested in joining us, the next New Member workshops will be held Sunday, March 13 at 9:45 a.m. or Saturday, April 30 at 9:30 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

Kinderchor

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

O God, you are my God,

I seek you, my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips

when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

- Psalm 63:1-8

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?"