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Dear Members & Friends of Faith Des Peres:

This week we have the pleasure of hearing the choir present the cantata "In My Place: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice of Love".  The will be joined by guest oboist Cathy Woelbling-Paul, adjunct professor at Webster University and Lindenwood University. This Sunday is also Feeding the Flock/communion Sunday, so don't forget your canned goods. 

This is a good opportunity to lift up the Janet Boyer Music Memorial Fund. Gifts to this fund support special music above and beyond the ordinary music budget. If you would like to contribute to this fund, you can do so by writing a check and marking it "Janet Boyer Fund" or by donating online. 

See you in church!
Annie

Sunday Worship, 10:30am
Sunday School for kids (K-5), 10:45am 

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Volunteers Needed

Needed: Candy for Easter Eggs ASAP!!
The Easter Egg Hunt, held yearly at the Old Des Peres Church (Old Meeting House), is a community-wide event that attracts about 100 people, not just members of FDP.  We’re in need of CANDY with which to stuff the eggs. Needed are individually wrapped pieces of candy that will fit inside plastic eggs. Also, if you can help stuff the eggs after worship on Palm Sunday (April 13th) and/or hide them the morning of the hunt (April 19th), please sign up in the Gathering Space, contact Nancy Hope or Clarissa Schuller-Meyer, or contact the church office. Thank you!

GO! Sunday Set for April 27
What is GO! Sunday? On one Sunday, the Sunday after Easter, the members and friends of Faith Des Peres put our faith into action in works of ministry to the community. While as a congregation we are involved in serving the community throughout the year, this day is special because we all participate together. There are sign-up sheets in the Gathering Space and online submissions are greatly appreciated. Pick an activity (recycling drive, community garden, blanket-making, planting a garden at Lydia’s house, or lunch preparation), let us know if you need childcare, dig up your GO! t-shirt from last year (or let us know you need one), and let’s GO! Contact Elizabeth Pribor, Whitney Payne, Clarissa Schuller-Meyer or Erica Abbett if you have questions, or get more information on the website. 

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Lent & Easter at FDP

Palm Sunday, April 13, 10:30am
​Our festive Palm Sunday worship on April 13th will include the procession of palms. We will enjoy the talents of Christine Sasse, violinist, as she plays on selected hymns, the choir's anthem, and provides special offertory and postlude music. Chris is an instructor in the music department at Washington University.  

Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:00pm
The Worship Arts Committee invites you to take part in what is known as an “agape meal.”  Loosely based on the Jewish Seder meal, this service will begin with a simple dinner around tables in the Gathering Space.  Towards the end of the meal, we’ll “move” into a worship service that focuses on Jesus’ final meal with the disciples and a reading of the Passion story.  The choir will also be joining us, singing an anthem entitled Thy Will Be Done. Sign-ups are needed, so please let us know you are coming by e-mailing Marie or signing up in the Gathering Space. This is for all ages!

Easter Egg Hunt, April 19, 11am-1pm
Kids 5th grade & younger, invite your friends! The Old Des Peres Church (a.k.a. the Old Meeting House)  is on Geyer Road, about 1/2 mile south of Clayton Road. Parking is available along side streets near the church. Bring your Easter basket! Would you consider volunteering to help? See the "Volunteers Needed" blog to sign up.

Easter Sunday, April 20, 10:30am
Invite your friends and families to worship with us at 10:30 Easter morning! As a special musical offering, we are excited to welcome a brass quartet to participate in this joyous and triumphant service.  

Easter Flowers
Again this year, we will decorate the Sanctuary with a variety of blooming flowers (6” pots). Cost per plant will be $10. See the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space to place your order, or sign-up on the church website. Please designate if the flowers are being given in honor of or memory of loved ones. Make checks payable to Faith Des Peres and note that the funds are for Easter Flowers. Thank you.

Janet Boyer Music Fund
Janet Boyer was a longtime member of Faith Des Peres, an accomplished musician, and founder of Music Folk in Webster Groves. A fund established in her memory is dedicated to providing monetary resources above and beyond the normal budget for music at Faith Des Peres.  For examples, the fund paid for our electric keyboard which we use weekly in rehearsals and in services, and it will help pay for the guest musicians whose talents we enjoy during Lent and Easter.  If you would like to contribute, please make your check payable to Faith Des Peres and note "Janet Boyer Fund," or donate online.  Thank you to all our generous donors for your support of the music ministry at Faith Des Peres. 
--The Worship Arts Committee  

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Dear Members & Friends of Faith Des Peres:

It’s hard to believe we are halfway through Lent.  This week we’re honored to have Rev. Joe Marting preaching.  I’m eager to hear Joe and the message he brings. 

Being halfway through Lent also means Holy Week and Easter are around the corner.  In this e-mail there is a lot of information about upcoming worship services.  Please take note of the special things happening and plan on being here to celebrate.  Invite your friends and families.  Let’s make this the biggest Easter ever! 

And last, I’m still in need of a coordinator for the Easter egg hunt.  This isn’t a big job but it is an important one.  If you can coordinate (see details here), let me know.  Having the hunt is contingent on finding a coordinator.

See you in church!

Annie

PS: This weekend’s weather looks promising – enough to work on the Community Garden. So grab your tools and come help! (Details here.)

Sunday Worship, 10:30am
Sunday School for kids (K-5), 10:45am 

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LAST CHANCE to RSVP for the Southside ECC Gala!

Faith Des Peres is being honored at Southside Early Childhood Center’s Annual Gala Dinner & Auction on Saturday, April 12, 6:30pm at the Chase Park Plaza, and you’re all invited! This year they celebrate 128 years of service to the community as they prepare for a move to a new building. With this move, they establish a new foundation that will enable them to open doors for a brighter future for the girls and boys of South St. Louis. RSVP BY MARCH 28!! Click here for more information on the event and how to RSVP.

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This Weekend & Next Week

Community Garden, March 29, 8:45am

Saturday looks like it’ll be a beautiful day to spend in the sunshine and the garden! We need approximately 4-5 able-bodied people to help stretch the fence, nail and tie the fence to the posts, then back-fill the trench. Come around 8:45am. If everyone helps, we should be done within a couple of hours. Bring a shovel and/or rake (not a leaf rake but a metal/dirt rake). We’ll provide all other supplies.  Email or call Keith Weber at 314-795-8361 to let him know you'll be coming. Thank you for your help!

Free Film Series Concludes Next Week, April 1, 7pm

The Kirkwood Franciscan Sisters will conclude their free film series on April 1 with the presentation of “The New Green Giants,” discussing the truths and myths of the organic food industry. Due to seating, registration is required at ffesignup@fsolph.org or call 314-965-3700. More information on their website: www.franciscansisters-olph.org.

Adult Discussion Group, April 6, 9:15am

The Adult Discussion Group on April 6 will be a roundtable led by Ron Scott.  The group will also discuss the future of the Adult Discussion Group.  If you have thoughts about the direction of the group, please come and share them. 

Feeding the Flock, April 6, 10:30am

The children will be pulling the wagon around the Sanctuary during worship next Sunday, April 6th, collecting food for Circle of Concern. Current needs are: peanut butter, jelly, cereal, canned fish, canned meat, spaghetti sauce, dry pasta, rice (1 lb. boxes or bags), toilet paper, bar soap.  If you cannot donate on April 6th, please drop your items off at church any time. Current needs are posted weekly on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space. 

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Lent & Easter at FDP

Needed: Easter Egg Hunt Coordinator  

We’re in need of someone to coordinate the Easter Egg Hunt normally held the day before Easter at the old stone church at 11:00 am.  This job takes 2-3 hours to complete, including time on the day of the hunt.  Coordinator needs to seek volunteers who are willing to donate candy, stuff plastic eggs, and/or hide eggs.  The Easter egg hunt is a community-wide event that attracts about 100 people.  If you are willing to coordinate this event please contact Annie.  Thank you.

Choir Cantata During Worship Sunday, April 6, 10:30am

The choir will present a Lenten cantata during worship on April 6.  The cantata, entitled "In My Place: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice of Love," reminds us that Christ bore the sins of all human beings. Words of scripture and the words that might have been spoken by Judas, Peter, and others will be read. Some familiar Lenten hymns and beautiful newer songs will be presented during the cantata. Cathy Woelbling-Paul, who was part of the woodwind quartet during Advent, will add a special dimension to the music, accompanying on the oboe. Please join us for this service of Word, music, and Communion. 

Palm Sunday, April 13, 10:30am

Our festive Palm Sunday worship on April 13th will include the procession of palms. We will enjoy the talents of Christine Sasse, violinist, as she plays on selected hymns, the choir's anthem, and provides special offertory and postlude music. Chris is an instructor in the music department at Washington University.  

Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:00pm

The Worship Arts Committee invites you to take part in what is known as an “agape meal.”  Loosely based on the Jewish Seder meal, this service will begin with a simple dinner around tables in the Gathering Space.  Towards the end of the meal, we’ll “move” into a worship service that focuses on Jesus’ final meal with the disciples and a reading of the Passion story.  The choir will also be joining us, singing an anthem entitled "Thy Will Be Done."  Sign-ups are needed, so please let us know you are coming by e-mailing Marie or signing up in the Gathering Space. This is for all ages!  (If time, I’ll put together a web form.)

Easter Sunday, April 20, 10:30am

Invite your friends and families to worship with us at 10:30 Easter morning! As a special musical offering, we are excited to welcome a brass quartet to participate in this joyous and triumphant service.  

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Dear Members and Friends of Faith Des Peres:

This past week Barbara Abbett and I attended the national PC(USA) stewardship conference held at the Hilton Frontenac.  I was reminded at the conference how important it is to say “thank you”.  In that light, I want to say thank you to all of you.  Thank you for the time, talents and treasures you contribute to Faith Des Peres, all of which give glory to God.  Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity.  Thank you for making Faith Des Peres a great church. 

This Sunday our focus scripture reading comes from John 4.  As you read the story, consider these questions for reflection: Think about the meaning of water—its symbolic qualities, its presence in nature, and its use in human life. How is Jesus like water? What are the things that are most necessary in your life? Where do you get them?

See you in church!
Annie

Sunday Worship, 10:30am
Sunday School for kids (K-5), 10:45am (Come and help create the art work for Lent!)

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Lent at FDP

“Seeing Ourselves in Those Who Confronted Jesus”
Wednesday Night Lent Forum
March 26-April 9, 6:15-7:15 pm

Join us on Wednesdays in Lent for a special class taught by Annie Epling.  Sometimes we just can’t know what’s going on or what’s coming next. God doesn't guarantee any future circumstances or uninterrupted prosperity, but we can trust that God will be with us through whatever circumstances we face and that God will work with us to make the best result out of even the most hopeless of places.We will be challenged to consider who in the twenty-first-century church is like the members of these groups. Each study comes with a Participant Handout that will be e-mailed to you in advance.  You do not need to attend all classes to participate.  Sign up in the Gathering Space or e-mail Pastor Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org.

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Music, Flowers, Eggs…

Needed: Easter Egg Hunt Coordinator 
We’re in need of someone to coordinate the Easter Egg Hunt normally held the day before Easter at the old stone church at 11:00 am.  This job takes 2-3 hours to complete, including time on the day of the hunt.  The coordinator needs to seek volunteers who are willing to donate candy, stuff plastic eggs, and/or hide eggs.  The Easter egg hunt is a community-wide event that attracts about 100 people.  If you are willing to coordinate this event, please contact Annie.  Thank you.

Easter Flowers
Again this year, we will decorate the Sanctuary with a variety of blooming flowers (6” pots). Cost per plant will be $10. Sign up online or email Marie in the office. Please designate if the flowers are being given in honor of or memory of loved ones. Mail or drop your checks made payable to Faith Des Peres (note that the funds are for Easter Flowers) in the offertory plate.

Choir Cantata During Worship Sunday, April 6
The choir will present a Lenten cantata during worship on April 6.  The cantata, entitled In My Place: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice of Love, reminds us that Christ bore the sins of all human beings. Words of scripture and the words that might have been spoken by Judas, Peter, and others will be read. Some familiar Lenten hymns and beautiful newer songs will be presented during the cantata. Cathy Woelbling-Paul, who was part of the woodwind quartet during Advent, will add a special dimension to the music, accompanying on the oboe. Please join us for this service of Word, music, and Communion. 

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Community Excitement

Southside ECC Gala: Opening Doors
Faith Des Peres is being honored at Southside Early Childhood Center’s Annual Gala Dinner & Auction on Saturday, April 12, 6:30pm at the Chase Park Plaza, and you’re all invited! This year they celebrate 128 years of service to the community as they prepare for a move to a new building. With this move, they establish a new foundation that will enable them to open doors for a brighter future for the girls and boys of South St. Louis. Click here for more information on the event and how to RSVP.

Free Film Series Concludes April 1, 7pm
The Kirkwood Franciscan Sisters will conclude their free film series on April 1 with the presentation of “The New Green Giants,” discussing the truths and myths of the organic food industry. Due to seating, registration is required at ffesignup@fsolph.org or call 314-965-3700. More information on their website: www.franciscansisters-olph.org.

St. Louis Storytelling Festival will be at FDP!
Mark your calendars for the largest free Storytelling Festival in the world… some of which will be held right here at Faith Des Peres! The 35th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival will take place May 1-3, with world-renowned storytellers appearing at FDP on Thursday, May 1st. For a complete list of storytellers, activities and days, click here. You can also contact Jim Gerst with additional questions – he’ll be one of the storytellers!

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Tithes & Offerings

Electronic Giving
As a reminder, Faith Des Peres offers online giving for anyone who wants to make payments to the annual stewardship campaign and/or the capital campaign electronically. Electronic payments are also accepted for special offerings like One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas giving, Janet Boyer Music Fund, and other designated gifts. For more information, visit the church website at: www.faithdesperes.org/electronic-giving.

Did You Know?
We recently refinanced and paid down $100,000 on our loan for the Gathering Space.  We also shortened the loan to 20 years and received a reduced interest rate, bringing our monthly payments down.  This is all due to your generous donations to the capital campaign fund.  Thank you for your continued support.      

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Dear Members & Friends of Faith Des Peres…

Last week a group from Faith Des Peres spent their Saturday morning packing food at Food Outreach.  Thank you for volunteering your time for this important ministry.  Also this week, Keith Weber, who leads the community garden effort, was busy in the garden getting it ready for spring by installing a much-needed fence.  If you have some time this Saturday to donate, he’ll be back and could use some help.  As always, I’m thankful for all of you and the tremendous amount of mission work the church does.

This Sunday our scripture readings come from Genesis 12 and John 3.  As you read these passages, consider these questions for reflection: Think about a time when you felt uncertain. Can you see how God was at work in your life at that time? What from Abraham and Sarai’s story, or from Nicodemus’s story, is a help to you as you look for evidence of God’s presence in your own life?

See you in church!
Annie
Sunday Worship, 10:30am
Sunday School for kids (K-5), 10:45am (Come and help create the art work for Lent!)
Adult Discussion Group, 9:15am

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Lent at FDP

“Seeing Ourselves in Those Who Confronted Jesus”
Wednesday Night Lent Forum
March 19-April 9, 6:15-7:15 pm

Join us on Wednesdays in Lent for a special class taught by Annie Epling.  Sometimes we just can’t know what’s going on or what’s coming next. God doesn't guarantee any future circumstances or uninterrupted prosperity, but we can trust that God will be with us through whatever circumstances we face and that God will work with us to make the best result out of even the most hopeless of places.We will be challenged to consider who in the twenty-first-century church is like the members of these groups. Each study comes with a Participant Handout that will be e-mailed to you in advance.  You do not need to attend all 5 classes to participate.  Sign up in the Gathering Space or e-mail Pastor Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org.

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Happening Soon

Community Garden Help Needed this Saturday, March 15th
​Weather permitting, we will work this Saturday on the Community Garden and would like to “invite” any and all to help out. We plan to finish sinking the fence posts, dig about a foot deep trench, stretch the fence and back fill the trench. Bring any gardening tools you have, including shovels and pick axes. Contact Keith Weber for more information.

Easter Flowers
Again this year, we will decorate the Sanctuary with a variety of blooming flowers (6” pots). Cost per plant will be $10. See the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space to place your order, or email Marie in the office. Please designate if the flowers are being given in honor of or memory of loved ones. Make checks payable to Faith Des Peres and note that the funds are for Easter Flowers. Thank you.

Choir Cantata During Worship Sunday, April 6
The choir will present a Lenten cantata during worship on April 6.  The cantata, entitled In My Place: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice of Love, reminds us that Christ bore the sins of all human beings. Words of scripture and the words that might have been spoken by Judas, Peter, and others will be read. Some familiar Lenten hymns and beautiful newer songs will be presented during the cantata. Cathy Woelbling-Paul, who was part of the woodwind quartet during Advent, will add a special dimension to the music, accompanying on the oboe. Please join us for this service of Word, music, and Communion. 

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Tithes and Offerings

Electronic Giving
As a reminder, Faith Des Peres offers online giving for anyone who wants to make payments to the annual stewardship campaign and/or the capital campaign electronically. Electronic payments are also accepted for special offerings like One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas giving, Janet Boyer Music Fund, and other designated gifts. For more information, visit the church website at: www.faithdesperes.org/electronic-giving.

Did You Know?
We recently refinanced and paid down $100,000 on our loan for the Gathering Space.  We also shortened the loan to 20 years and received a reduced interest rate, bringing our monthly payments down.  This is all due to your generous donations to the capital campaign fund.  Thank you for your continued support.    

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Join Us This Sunday, March 9th (remember to set those clocks forward!)

Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30 am

“Giving Up Control”

Many of us give up certain things for the 40 days of Lent, and doing so can be very beneficial for us.  This Lent, we’re taking that idea one step further, talking each week about things we should consider giving up to help draw us closer to God.

This week, it’s control. 

Adam and Eve disobeyed God, thinking that they knew better than him, with disastrous consequences. While being tempted in the wilderness, Jesus denied his own impulses and followed God's will. In today’s world, where we are used to having control over so many things, we often fail to seek God's guidance for our lives and try to call all the shots ourselves. But sometimes (all the time?) the best thing we can do is hand over the reins of control to God and let God be God.

If you haven’t been to church in a while, I hope to see you Sunday. Lent is a great time to come to church to nurture your spirit and your relationship with God and others. - Annie

Daylight Savings Time
Remember that we SPRING FORWARD early Sunday morning. Set your clocks forward so you don't miss church! 

Adult Discussion Group
Dorcas Case will lead the March 9th and March 16th Adult Discussion Group studies at 9:15am in the 2nd floor Adult Conference Room. March 9th topic: Background & Beginnings of Christianity in the Middle East; March 16th topic: Spread of Christianity in Asia and Africa – how it flourished and why it failed. Everyone is encouraged to attend!

Free to a Good Home!
Thank you for your generosity in purchasing the new Glory to God hymnals.  These hymnals should serve the congregation well for at least twenty years! But what about the1990 blue Presbyterian Hymnals? We plan take sufficient copies to the old church for use there, but we’ll still have about 100 of them left.  Therefore, we would like to offer them to the congregation for use in your devotional life. Some hymnals will be on a table in the gathering space on Sunday. Please take one or more. After Sunday, check with Gay if you would like to give a blue hymnal a loving home.  -The Worship Arts Committee

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Sign Up NOW!

“Seeing Ourselves in Those Who Confronted Jesus”
Wednesday Night Lent Forum
March 12-April 9, 6:15-7:15 pm

Join us on Wednesdays in Lent for a special class taught by Annie Epling.  Discover the importance of those who were around Jesus and learn about groups from Jesus' time, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. We will be challenged to consider who in the twenty-first-century church is like the members of these groups. Each study comes with a Participant Handout that will be e-mailed to you in advance.  You do not need to attend all 5 classes to participate.  Sign up in the Gathering Space or e-mail Pastor Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org.

Food Outreach SOS!!!
Help is still needed THIS Saturday, March 8th from 8-10am to pack food at Food Outreach. If you are willing and able, come and help a great cause!! Email Sako if you can help. Thank you for your willingness to help!! Food Outreach is located at 3117 Olive Street, 63103. 

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Recap

Electronic Giving
As a reminder, Faith Des Peres offers online giving for anyone who wants to make payments to the annual stewardship campaign and/or the capital campaign electronically. Electronic payments are also accepted for special offerings like One Great Hour of Sharing, Christmas giving, Janet Boyer Music Fund, and other designated gifts. For more information, visit the church website at: www.faithdesperes.org/electronic-giving.

Did You Know?
We recently refinanced and paid down $100,000 on our loan for the Gathering Space.  We also shortened the loan to 20 years and received a reduced interest rate, bringing our monthly payments down.  This is all due to your generous donations to the capital campaign fund.  Thank you for your continued support.      

Easter Flowers
We will decorate the Sanctuary again this year on Easter Sunday with a variety of blooming flowers (6” pots). The cost per plant will be $10. See the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space to place your order, or email Marie in the office. Please designate if the flowers are being given in honor of or memory of loved ones. Make checks payable to Faith Des Peres and note that the funds are for Easter Flowers. Thank you.

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In the Community

Two Special Evenings with Randall Hyman!

The March 11th eco-film sponsored by Franciscan Sisters in Kirkwood the has been replaced by a presentation entitled "Shattered Arctic,” on Tuesday, March 11th & Wednesday, March 12th at 7:00 pm. 

The presenter will be Randall Hyman, internationally renowned photojournalist and writer.

"Randall Hyman has traveled the globe on magazine assignments for three decades covering natural history and travel topics from Northern Europe to South America to Asia to Africa. His photo essays and articles have appeared in Smithsonian, GEO, Wildlife Conservation, National Wildlife, British Heritage and various National Geographic publications. He speaks Portuguese, Icelandic and several other languages.

As a 2013 Fulbright Scholar in Norway, he is covering field science, resource development and climate change in the Arctic."

A large turnout is expected, and limited space will fill quickly. Reservations are required. RSVP to 314-965-3700 or email ffesignup@fsolph.org. This event will be held in the Tau Center, on Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood, behind the post office. 

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