Welcome to the Commonplace Blog of Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church. Weekly updates of events and happenings will be posted here, as well as photos and reminders.
Mark your calendars for the following important events:
Press release shared by Tola Olayefun: Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater St. Louis and concerned citizens in the St.Louis area will unify in front of the Central Library in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri on Friday, May 16, 2014 at 6pm.
On April 15, 2014, over 200 girls were abducted from their school in Nigeria by the terrorist group that goes by the name Boko Haram. Our country and many countries around the world are outraged and saddened by this horrific act of terrorism. This inhumane act of terror on innocent children is unthinkable and is unacceptable. There is an outcry in the St. Louis community to rally together as a unified effort to express empathy, sympathy, and support for the families and the young girls who were abducted.
The Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater St. Louis and concerned citizens have collaborated to host the “Bring Back Our Girls” Peace Rally. The rally will be held in front of the Central Library, located at 1301 Olive Street in downtown St. Louis, on Friday, May 16, 2014 from 6pm-7pm. Supporters should bring signs that state “# Bring Back Our Girls.” Children, teens, college groups, all organizations and civically-minded people are encouraged to attend and stand unified on this issue.
Please forward this blog post to friends and concerned citizens in the St. Louis area in solidarity with the ongoing campaign to bring the abducted Nigerian girls back home. This concerns everyone – make it your business to speak against terrorism! Come out and join us!
We’ve added new Lent & Easter photos, as well as pictures of members (young AND old) with their decorated Flat Jesus’, to the website—check them out at faithdesperes.org/photos. If you have photos you’d like to share on the website (GO! Sunday, Women’s Tea, etc.), please send them to Marie in the office.
There is a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space. It’s easy: reserve a date, pick up flowers at your favorite florist, bring them into church a few minutes early that day and take them home with you after the service. Or you can email Marie for available dates and to sign up. They will adorn our communion table and your home beautifully! Thank you!
Last night we had our first Discussing the Dream gathering at the Davis’ home. It was a great night where people shared what brought them to Faith Des Peres, what they like about the church, and what they dream for the future of the church. I encourage you to attend one of the upcoming gatherings, noted below, and share your dreams for the church.
We have two big celebrations coming up quickly. On May 18th we’ll accept our four confirmands into membership and dedicate our Dare to Dream pledges. Please be here for this very special day! And on June 1 we’ll celebrate our Dare to Dream campaigns. More information to come!
See you in church!
~ Annie
Sunday Worship, 10:30am
Sunday School for kids (K-5), 10:45am
Dreams for Today and Tomorrow
If you haven't had a chance to attend one of our Discussing the Dream gatherings, there is still an opportunity. You are welcome to come to the Gathering Space at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10, or to Barb Abbett's home in Clayton at 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 13. Thank you, Bernie & Leila Davis and Clarissa Schuller-Meyer & Jason Meyer for hosting gatherings on May 7 and May 9. As we expected, these are wonderful times to share stories about why we are members of FDP, our hopes and dreams for our ministry and enjoy fellowship and food with others in our church family. We also take some time to talk about the importance of the annual stewardship and Gathering Space loan reduction campaigns to fulfill our dreams for today and tomorrow. Please contact Terry Baker, terrylvb@live.com or 314-313-8499, if you can attend the gathering on May 10 or May 13.
Dare to Dream Dedication and Advanced Pledges, Sunday, May 18
Please mark your calendars now for Sunday, May 18. That is the day we will be dedicating our pledges for the Dare to Dream for Today (annual stewardship) and Dare to Dream for Tomorrow (Gathering Space loan reduction) campaigns. We are pleased to announce that as a result of advance gifts from members of the Session and many of those leading the Dare to Dream for Tomorrow campaign, we have received pledges totaling $192,940 toward our goal of $285,000. Thank you for your generosity and for leading by example with your time, talents and treasures! We are asking all FDP members and friends to give prayerful consideration to their pledges and bring them to church on May 18 or mail them to the church office prior to that time.
Mark your calendars for the following events:
Children of Faith Des Peres playing rhythm instruments on Palm Sunday.
We’d like to thank Bernie Davis and Beth Willock for taking some beautiful pictures lately of the church and the people of Faith Des Peres. Please take a moment to look through them on the website. And if you have any photos you’d like to share (GO! Sunday, Women’s Tea on Saturday, etc.), please email them to Marie.
Dear friends at Faith Des Peres Church,
I have an exciting opportunity to be a part of a mission trip that is through the Czech Symphony Project. I will join 31 singers, adults and students alike, from Missouri Baptist Choral Society (of which I am a member) and Harvest Bible Chapel in Chesterfield. We will be touring Vienna and the Czech Republic.
The Czech Symphony Project is a non-denominational Christian ministry that glorifies God by facilitating local and international worship evangelism. We hope to exemplify on Psalm 57:9: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.”
We will be singing nice arrangements of Amazing Grace, gospel tunes Amen and Jesus on the Mainline, Down In The River To Pray, a little bluegrass in I Will Lift My Weary Eyes and of course, we must sing Rogers and Hammerstein On Broadway.
We have a number of concerts and appearances lined up:
Please pray that the Lord will bless this trip, grant us safe travels and that we will lift Him up in music and singing as we reach out to others.
You can follow our trip on our Facebook group: CZECH REPUBLIC/AUSTRIA TOUR 2014
https://www.facebook.com/groups/302267306587253/
Thank you!
~ Kathy Sherrick
Feeding the Flock, May 4, 10:30am
The children will be pulling the wagon around the Sanctuary during worship this Sunday, May 4th, collecting food for Circle of Concern. Current needs are: peanut butter, jelly, cereal, macaroni & cheese, toilet paper, bar soap and detergent. If you cannot donate on Sunday, please drop your items off at church any time. Current needs are posted weekly on the bulletin board in the Gathering Space.
Dear friends at Faith Des Peres Church,
I have an exciting opportunity to be a part of a mission trip that is through the Czech Symphony Project. I will join 31 singers, adults and students alike, from Missouri Baptist Choral Society (of which I am a member) and Harvest Bible Chapel in Chesterfield. We will be touring Vienna and the Czech Republic.
The Czech Symphony Project is a non-denominational Christian ministry that glorifies God by facilitating local and international worship evangelism. We hope to exemplify on Psalm 57:9: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.”
We will be singing nice arrangements of Amazing Grace, gospel tunes Amen and Jesus on the Mainline, Down In The River To Pray, a little bluegrass in I Will Lift My Weary Eyes and of course, we must sing Rogers and Hammerstein On Broadway.
We have a number of concerts and appearances lined up:
Please pray that the Lord will bless this trip, grant us safe travels and that we will lift Him up in music and singing as we reach out to others.
You can follow our trip on our Facebook group: CZECH REPUBLIC/AUSTRIA TOUR 2014
https://www.facebook.com/groups/302267306587253/
Thank you!
~ Kathy Sherrick
Last week we had a successful “Go!" Sunday. My heartfelt thanks go out to the Mission and Ministry Committee for organizing the day. Going out to serve others in the name of Christ is an appropriate way to worship on the 2nd Sunday of Easter!
On this 3rd Sunday of Easter we’ll kick-off our Dare to Dream campaigns. I hope you’ll be here for this important time in the life of the church and to hear the powerful testimony of your fellow church members about what the church means to them.
Lastly, I hope you’ll mark your calendars for May 18. We’ll dedicate our pledges that day AND receive four confirmands into membership. Gwen Emery, Tommy Epling, John Onken and Annie Wyman have been working hard since January preparing for this day. I hope you’ll be here to celebrate with them.
See you Sunday.
~ Annie
Sunday Worship, 10:30am
Sunday School for kids (K-5), 10:45am
This Sunday, May 4th, marks the kickoff for Faith Des Peres’ annual stewardship campaign as well as a three-year Gathering Space loan reduction campaign. You should soon receive a mailing with brochures and fact sheets for the Dare to Dream for Today (stewardship) and Dare to Dream for Tomorrow (loan reduction) campaigns. You also should have received an invitation to one of five Discussing the Dream gatherings where we can share conversation about our hopes and dreams for FDP’s ministry and enjoy refreshments. If you are unable to attend the gathering to which you were invited, please contact Terry Baker or Barb Abbett about attending one of the other four. The dates for the gatherings are May 6, 7, 9, 10 and 13. The May 10 gathering is at 10 a.m. at the church; all others are at 7 p.m. in individuals’ homes. If you have questions that we can answer, please contact Barb Abbett or Annie.
Mark your calendars for the following events:
Last week we had a wonderful Easter celebration. My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who contributed to the beauty of the day. I thought it was one of the most meaningful and memorable Easters we’ve had. I also want to thank everyone who helped to host the 60+ children who gathered for the egg hunt the day before. The entire weekend was beautiful!
It is now time to GO! and serve and make Easter happen! If you haven’t yet signed-up for Go Sunday there’s still time. You can also show up that morning to help. We need all hands on deck!
I hope to see you Sunday!
~ Annie
Join us for Sunday Worship, 10:30am
Kids ages K-5th grade, join us for Sunday School at 10:45am
If you’ve not registered to help this Sunday, April 27th, please do so NOW by contacting Elizabeth Pribor, Whitney Payne, Clarissa Schuller-Meyer, Erica Abbett or Keith Weber. Help is needed making blankets and planting flowers at Lydia’s House. More information is available on the website. Bring your electronics recyclables with you!
It’s Tea Time!
he Presbyterian Women’s Annual Tea will be held on Saturday, May 3rd from 2-4pm at Pastor Annie’s house. All women and girls are welcome. Please email the church office at adminasst@faithdesperes.org with your reservation by May 1st. If you are able to provide finger sandwiches, tea breads or cookies, etc. for the tea, please indicate that at registration. Thank you!
Spring Evening Event at Franciscan Sisters in Kirkwood, April 29
The Kirkwood Franciscan Sisters invite you to their 2014 Spring Evening Event on Tuesday, April 29th, 7:00pm. Brigitte Zettl, lead grower for Crown Valley Organics, will be the keynote speaker for the feature presentation, “All About Organic Gardening.” This event is free and open to the public, but you must register at ffesignup@fsolph.org or call 314-965-3700.
If you only come to church once a year, Easter is the day to come. On Easter the church pulls out all the stops – brass instruments, flowers, and a hope-filled message. There’s no better day to come and experience all the joy God can bring into our lives. The resurrection story is one we all need to hear, whether we come every Sunday or only occasionally.
I hope you will come this Sunday. Let’s make this our best and biggest Easter ever! Worship begins at 10:30 am.
~ Annie
Plan to attend church at Faith Des Peres this Sunday, April 20th at 10:30am to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ!! We’ll have jubilant music from a brass quartet; beautiful solos; the sanctuary will be filled with flowers; and the message from Matthew 28:1-10 is filled with hope and new life. Invite your friends and families to join us!
And don’t forget the egg hunt on Saturday at 11am at the Old Church. (Bring a basket!)
What is GO! Sunday?
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 is an online sign-up here and sheets are in the Gathering Space. Pick an activity (help is especially needed planting flowers at Lydia’s House and making blankets for the military), 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, Erica Abbett or Keith Weber if you have questions, or get more information on the website.
