Reach Out. Proclaim. Inspire.May 4, 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.
  • Watoto Choir, May 6. Help with unloading their equipment at 2 p.m., and reloading after the concert
  • URGENT NEED - Sharing and Caring Hands, May 7
  • Messiah Food Pantry, May 13 and 28
  • IOCP Food Shelf, May 11, June 8
The Texts this Weekend
 
This weekend is the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The readings include Acts 16:16-34 and John 17:20-26:

"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
The State of Health Care - TOMORROW!

The St. Philip the Deacon Foundation invites you to a timely and engaging talk by Dr. Kevin Croston, CEO of North Memorial Health Care, tomorrow, Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. In his talk, Dr. Croston will discuss the intent of the affordable care act and its impact on our current health care, draw comparisons to the health care systems in other countries, and explore the effects of the ACA on the provider/payer relationship. This event is free and open to the public, so invite your friends to come with you for this thoughtful presentation from a respected leader in the health care field. Learn more at spdlc.org/croston.
The Watoto Choir - THIS FRIDAY, May 6

We are excited to announce that St. Philip the Deacon will be hosting the reknowned Watoto Choir for a concert on Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. The Watoto Choir is made up of 18 child missionaries and 10 adults who are touring the world to raise awareness and funds to support programs that help children who have lost their families, or are vulnerable for other reasons. Through dance and song, they bear witness to what God is accomplishing in their mission, and they share the love and grace of God with all who hear them. The Watoto choir offers an amazing, powerful and faithful experience you will not soon forget! There are no ticket sales; the choir receives a free-will offering at the concert.

Enjoy this YouTube video of The Watoto Choir.

You can help provide hospitality for the choir:
  • Help with unloading of the choir's equipment when they arrive on Friday from 2-3:30 p.m. Or help with reloading after the concert.
  • Reception, help with serving/clean-up following the concert.

Contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or 763-475-7115 if you can help. 

Mission Trip Fund Raiser

Many thanks to all who participated in our fund raiser for this summer's High School Mission Trip to Brownsville, Tenn. If you have your envelope ready, please bring it to church and turn it in at the hospitality desk in the atrium. If you would like to participate but missed the event last week, contact Justin at jdaleiden@spdlc.org or 763-475-7118.
The Haiti Kids Project - Black School Shoes!

Children in Haiti are required to wear black dress shoes with their government-required uniforms to attend school. The dress code is strictly enforced. Besides being a school requirement the shoes also protect the children's feet from disease and injury.

We have 452 specific children on our shopping list! We need:
  • We need 262 more pairs of new or gently used black dress shoes, not tennis shoes or sandals. Girls' shoes must be flats and closed toe.
  • All sizes, for ages 3-18, for both boys and girls; and we especially need kids sizes 9-3 (ages 4-9 years)
  • They must be sturdy, as the children may walk miles in these shoes.
  • Another option is to provide financial support, and others will shop for the needed shoe sizes.
Please bring shoes to the collection table in Fellowship Hall. Your gift makes education -- and a good future -- possible for a child in Haiti!
Personal Care Items Collection

The Soul Sisterhood will be making welcome bags for the Sojourner Project -- a local domestic abuse shelter -- during camp this summer. You can donate personal care items or small gifts to be given to children who arrive at the shelter. Kid-friendly toiletry items can be travel sized or larger. We will be making 60+ bags, so the more donations the better! Please place donations in the bin in Amanda Berger's office. We will need:
  • Shampoo/Conditioner (tear-free is awesome!)
  • Body wash/lotion
  • Washcloth
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Socks (any children's sizes, both boys and girls)
  • NEW Small toy (coloring books, crayons, toy cars, small stuffed animal or doll or similar items)
For more details, please contact Amanda at aberger@spdlc.org.
Registration for Fall Faith Creek is Open Now

All children who are three years old by Sept. 1, 2016, through those entering fifth grade this fall, are invited to participate in the 2016-2017 season of Faith Creek church school. Faith Creek meets during worship services on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. Register your child for the fall session today. 2016-2017 Faith Creek will begin the weekend of Sept. 10-11.
Germany Trip Meeting - May 9

All those who are traveling to Germany on our SPD pilgrimage this May are encouraged to attend a special briefing on Monday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Learning Center. The meeting will be recorded for those who cannot attend. Please contact Pastor Cheryl Mathison if you cannot be there. Thank you!
Chair Yoga Class - May 10

Are you interested in attending Chair Yoga at St. Philip the Deacon? Chair yoga is a great practice for everyone, as it deepens flexibility and strengthens personal body awareness. Four weekly chair yoga classes will be offered here at SPD on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m., May 10, 17, 24 and June 7. The cost will be $3 per class. Please contact Parish Nurse Susan Path at spath@spdlc.org or 763-475-7168 if you are interested in attending.
Save Lives! Give Blood! - May 11

About 1 in 3 of us will need blood in our lifetime. Think about that! If not you, it could be your spouse, child, parent or friend. You can help keep the supply of blood from falling to critical levels by donating a pint of blood on Wednesday, May 11 at SPD. Just visit the Memorial Blood Center website, and enter sponsor code 0567 to make an appointment between 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thank you for making a difference and saving lives!
Jesus Crew - May 11

Let's go bowling! The last Jesus Crew event of the spring is Wednesday, May 11 beginning at 6 p.m. We'll meet up at the Medina Ballroom for an evening of nachos and munchies, while trying out our bowling skills with our friends. Cost is $10 for 2 games of bowling and food. Register online now!
Spring Plant Sale - May 14

IOCP's annual spring plant sale will be Saturday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in our parking lot. All proceeds from the sale support Interfaith Outreach Community Partners, IOCP.

Do you have plants that you'd like to contribute to the sale? You can donate pre-potted plants and good quality garden items on Thursday (5/12) and Friday (5/13), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop off donations in the west parking lot at church.

Want to volunteer? Have questions? Contact Jackie Archbold at 612-280-8873.
Book Club - May 17

Pastor Valerie Strand Patterson will lead a discussion of Lauren Winner's book,
Wearing God: Laughter, Fire, and Other Overlooked Ways of Meeting God, on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. This explores some of the lesser known metaphors for God and how they can open new doorways for our lives and spiritualities. Exploring the notion of God as clothing, Winner reflects on how we are "clothed with Christ" or how God "fits us like a garment."

Author Lauren Winner will be one of our Faith & Life Series speakers next year!
Lilly Pad Story Time - May 18

Little ones love to be read to. Bring your pre-school child to Lilly Pad Story Time on Wednesday, May 18 at 10 a.m. for a wonderful time with books and stories. A special guest will read to the children, and there will be a puppet show and time to check out a book from the lending library. No need to register!
New Member Workshop - May 22

A New Member Workshop is coming up this month. If you are interested in becoming a member of St. Philip the Deacon, or know someone who is interested, you can contact Pastor Tim Westermeyer at 763-475-7136 or twestermeyer@spdlc.org. The next workshop is:

Sunday, May 22 at 9:45 a.m.

New members who attend this workshop will be received on Sunday, June 12 at the 9:45 a.m. worship service.
Let's Go, Twins!
 
The Conversation: Twins Curator Clyde Doepner
Tuesday, May 10

Whether you're retired, semi-retires or just find yourself free the afternoon of May 10, join us at 1 p.m. for a visit with Clyde Doepner, curator for the Minnesota Twins. Clyde will regale us with anecdotes and memories he's made while collecting items on behalf of the Twins. No registration.


Minnesota Twins Game
Tuesday, May 24
 
Join others from SPD as the Minnesota Twins play the Kansas City Royals. The seats are in the Skyline Deck. The bus will leave church at 5:45 p.m. The cost is $28 per person, which includes the ticket and transportation/parking. To register contact Cindy Carlson at ccarlson@spdlc.org or stop at the Hospitality Desk on the upper level.
 
Bike to the Twins Game!
Saturday, June 4 -- An afternoon game
 
The SPD Bike Club is headed to see the Minnesota Twins play the Tampa Bay Rays. Bikers will meet at The Depot in Hopkins at 1 p.m. and bike to the game at Target Field. This is approximately a 10-mile ride on a smooth, flat surface. There is a secure area for bikes at Target Field. If you choose not to ride a bike to the game, you may still join the group at the ballpark. There is NO bus to this game.
 
All tickets for the game are $28 per person for Skyline Deck seats. Registration is available online or by stopping at the Hospitality Desk in the Atrium. The deadline to register is Thursday, May 12. Register online at spdlc.churchcenteronline.com.


Baptism Workshop - June 12

Our next baptism workshop will be Sunday, June 12 at 10:45 a.m. The workshop is designed for families who are having a child baptized at St. Philip the Deacon for the first time. Please contact Liz Nelson at lnelson@spdlc.org to sign up.
Summer Fishing Retreat - June 25-28

A wonderful way to set aside some quality outdoor time with your family or buddies this summer! Join the 2nd annual SPD Outdoors Summer Fishing Retreat, June 25-28. We'll be fishing on beautiful Leech Lake and enjoying the accommodations at Brindley's Harbor Resort. Learn more and register online by May 27.
Summer St. John's Retreat - July 28-31

Registration is now open for the Summer St. John's Retreat! Our summer spiritual growth retreat at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. will begin Thursday evening, July 28, and run through Sunday noon, July 31. This retreat is for men and women, singles and couples. We will spend time together in the mornings, exploring faith-filled spiritual practices around a theme.   Afternoons are free for whatever you want and need for yourself: walks around the campus, forest and lake, naps, reading, swimming, exploring the book store, pottery shed, library, etc. Evenings include home-made dinner together followed by evening prayer in the Abbey Church. Join us in the beautiful campus setting, where we will enjoy comfortable accommodations and excellent meals. Register online today. Questions? Contact Kristine and Jim Houtman at Kristine.Houtman@gmail.com or Pastor Strand Patterson vstrand@spdlc.org. Cost is $195.
SPD's Habitat for Humanity Build - Aug. 1-5

Sign up now for your spot on this summer's Habitat for Humanity building crew! We have room for 15-18 volunteers on each of the five days of our build, from Monday, Aug. 1 through Friday, Aug. 5. Volunteers need to be at least 16 years of age at the time of the event. No building experience is necessary -- just a willingness to participate, learn, grow and have fun!
In This Issue
The State of Health Care
The Watoto Choir
Mission Trip Fund Raiser
Haiti Kids Project
Personal Care Items
Register for fall Faith Creek
Germany Trip Meeting
Chair Yoga Class
Blood Drive
Jesus Crew
Spring Plant Sale
Book Club
Lilly Pad Story Time
New Member Workshops
Let's Go, Twins!
Baptism Workshop
Summer Fishing Retreat
Summer St. John's Retreat
Habitat for Humantiy
Faithful Parenting
Parish Nurse Health Tip
 
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The Lord is king!

Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!

Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Fire goes before him, and consumes his adversaries on every side.

His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.

All worshippers of images are put to shame, those who make their boast in worthless idols; all gods bow down before him.

Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice, because of your judgements, O God.

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

The Lord loves those who hate evil; he guards the lives of his faithful; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

- Psalm 67
For Reflection
 
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for."
- William G.T. Shedd
 
See more thoughts like this at fb.com/spdlc.
  
Faithful Parenting
 
Is Your Response to Misbehavior Helpful or Hurtful?

When you see your child doing something hurtful, it's second nature to want to jump in and correct the behavior immediately. But sometimes this can actually stop our kids from learning.



Honor Your Mother 
 
Honor all mothers, even when that's difficult.
 
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you. - Deuteronomy 5:16.

Synonyms for honor are appreciate, value, cherish, adore, reverence, revere, venerate, worship.
 
It seems to me that God created rules for our own benefit to give us direction, to help us make our lives better, healthier, more fulfilling, perhaps easier. But sometimes we stubbornly want to think for ourselves and choose what we think is best.

This weekend is Mother's Day and we honor our mothers: biological, adoptive, or mothers of circumstance, as God has commanded us to do. We honor the women who have given birth to us, inspire us, give us hope, nurture us and have a positive effect in our lives.  
 
Some of us may not have the best relationships with our mothers, but God asks that we honor all mothers, not just the best ones. Awesome moms are easy to honor. But where relationships are strained, Mother's Day can give us the opportunity to find some amount of gratitude in our circumstances, and gives us room to honor and respect our mothers, and possibly forgive past transgressions.

By bestowing gratitude or forgiveness you do yourself a healthy favor, releasing a cascade of positive chemical occurrences in your body, reducing your blood pressure, giving yourself a mental boost, etc. By honoring your mother, showing gratitude to her -- even in some small way for some seemingly small thing -- that honor, respect or act of forgiveness could be a catalyst for healing in both of you.
 
I don't think God had in mind that we only honor our mothers one day a year. I urge you to fill your heart with gratitude and thanksgiving always. It is good for your health. It is good for the world. It is what God commands for our soul.
 
Happy mothering and Happy Mother's Day! This may be your opportunity to mend a relationship and heal a heart.
 
Honor and Blessings,
 
Susan Path
Parish Nurse
 
A Prayer for All Mothers
 
Thank you, Lord, that you fill a mother's heart with love,

That you have instilled in her very being the need to protect her children.

Thank you for giving her the gift of nurturing her children, of teaching them, comforting them, feeding them, making a safe place for them, and guiding them to become all that God has created them to be.

Fill her with love, wisdom, endurance, strength, patience and joy.

Give her the ability to forgive again and again.

Enable her to rely on You and call upon You, because You will give her all she needs.

In Your precious and all powerful name, Amen. 
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.