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.
This Sunday is Rally Day which is a time to gather and catch-up after a fun-filled summer. The Jim Dandy’s Dixieland group will be here. Music starts at 10:15! And after church Chris’ Cakes will entertain us with their flap-jack flipping skills. Even if you haven’t signed-up, feel free to join us for pancakes. It will be a fun morning!
I hope to see you in church.
Annie
Sunday School Starts This Sunday (September 7)!
Sunday School starts this Sunday following a special Time with Children in worship. During the month of September the children will learn about the Sacrament of Communion. They will also make something special for our World Communion Celebration on October 5. Join the fun and invite your friends!
Feeding the Flock This Sunday (September 7)!
It’s the first Sunday of the month which means the kids will pull the wagon and collect food for Circle of Concern during the offering time. September is Hunger Awareness Month, and it’s also the month their cupboards are the most bare. So please bring your canned goods, peanut butter, cereal, and toilet paper next Sunday. Thank you.
Adult Discussion Group, Sunday, September 14, 9:15am
Join the Adult Discussion Group for their first meeting of the year. Rev. Terry Epling, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, will lead the discussion on the actions the General Assembly took in June in Detroit. You’ve read in the news what happened, so come with your questions and thoughts.
Peace in Motion Tai Chi Classes
Peace in Motion tai chi classes are beginning for the fall semester! Please make note of the new start date! Classes begin Monday 9/22 at 5:30 pm in the Gathering Space. The classes are just $5/person, pay as you go. Tai Chi is a beautiful mind/body/spirit workout that has been proven to reduce blood pressure, improve balance, improve immune function, improve mood, and much more! Join us Monday evenings to let go and let God! For questions or information, call instructor Susan Marting 314-609-9091.
Save the Date!!
The Presbyterian Women have reserved Saturday, November 1, 9am-4pm, at Mercy Center for the day and time of their annual women’s retreat. This is for all women of all ages. More information to follow.
A Place in the Choir
The choir will continue rehearsing for our role as worship leaders on September 10 at 7:15 p.m. The choir would gladly welcome anyone who would like to join. You do not need to read music to participate. Just come to rehearsal on September 10 or any Wednesday following if you would like be a part of this dedicated, fun group. The choir will be leading in worship beginning September 14. We look forward to sharing a wide variety of music with you this year.
Next food packing at Food Outreach is Saturday October 4th at 8 am.
Want to know how you can make a difference in people’s lives in just a few short hours? Come join members of Faith Des Peres at Food Outreach on Saturday morning October 4th. There we will pack food into individual meals that will be given to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and cancer who are living at or below 400% of the poverty level. We start at 8am, and are done before 11 am – often by 10 am. If there is interest, sometimes we go out for breakfast afterwards. Food Outreach requests that volunteers be 11 years old and in 5th grade. We need to have at least 10 individuals and they strongly prefer 15 – so know that we NEED YOUR HELP. Please sign by emailing Elizabeth Pribor at mailto:efpribor@gmail.com.
2014 CROP Walk
The 2014 CROP walk is almost here. This year’s walk will be on Sunday October 12. Registration begins at 12:30 and the walk begins at 1:30 pm. For the last several years we at FDP have participated with multiple congregations and denominations across the St Louis area in an annual CROP Hunger walk. Individuals walk and can donate money that goes to relief organizations that address hunger. 25% of the money raised stays in the St Louis area. Last year the St Louis area CROP Walk raised over $32,000. Church World Service sponsors over 1,400 walks that include about 145,000 walkers. There is a one mile and 3 mile walk you can participate in. We hope you will join us. For more information contact Erica Ebbett at eabbett@sbcglobal.net, or sign up on the sign up sheet in the gathering space.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Miss the One Great Hour of Sharing last spring? We purposely held off on this additional collection last spring as so many activities were happening at Faith Des Peres at that time. We will take up our special contribution to OGHS on World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2014. Look in your church bulletins for the next several weeks for information about the numerous and important ways your special contribution helps people in need. Consider prayerfully what your contribution can be this year. You may make a contribution to OGHS anytime between now and October 5th. Make the check out to Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church and put OGHS in the memo line. If you prefer to contribute cash please put it in an envelope and write OGHS on the outside. Online donations can be made here; use the Special Projects fund.
Do You Like Kids?
If so, we need some extra hands to help in Sunday School in October. You do not need experience in teaching, nor a mastery of the Bible, to teach Sunday School. You do need a desire to serve children, God and the church through this important ministry. If you would like to teach, or are curious about it, please talk to Annie. Thank you.
Office Help
While we are between administrative assistance, we could use help for 1-2 hours in the church office. Jobs are simple: filing, pulling letters for the church sign, getting packets ready for the kids for worship, and the like. This is not computer work. If you can help, please e-mail Annie. Thank you.
I can't believe it's Labor Day weekend! Where has the summer gone? This Sunday, in keeping with tradition, we'll worship at the Old Des Peres Church on Geyer Road (about 1/2 mile south of Clayton). Parking is on the street and there are no bathrooms, but there IS air conditioning!
I'll conclude my summer sermon series on practices of the faith with the practice of "Saying Yes and Saying No". What do you need to say "no" to in order to say "yes" to God? What things in your life are crowding out God and the life abundant God wants you to have?
I hope to see you Sunday. And, don't forget to register for Rally Day! Let's make this Rally Day one of our biggest Rally Days!
Blessings,
Annie
Join the festivities as we enjoy a Pancake Brunch from Chris’ Cakes
AND
Entertainment from the Jim Dandy’s Dixieland Group!
Worship with us at 10:30 and stay for festivities!
Chris' Cakes will entertain us after church with their flap-jack flipping skills. The cost of the brunch after church is $5/per person for ages 6 and up and includes unlimited pancakes, sausage and orange juice. Please register so we know how many people to expect, or you can contact the church office at 314-432-8029 or email adminasst@faithdesperes.org.
Rally Day is a time to gather and catch up after a fun-filled summer!
Sunday School Start Next Sunday (September 7)!
Sunday School starts next Sunday following a special Time with Children in worship. During the month of September the children will learn about the Sacrament of Communion. They will also make something special for our World Communion Celebration on October 5. Join the fun and invite your friends!
Feeding the Flock Next Sunday (September 7)!
It’s the first Sunday of the month which means the kids will pull the wagon and collect food for Circle of Concern during the offering time. September is Hunger Awareness Month, and it’s also the month their cupboards are the most bare. So please bring your canned goods, peanut butter, cereal, and toilet paper next Sunday. Thank you.
Do You Like Kids?
If so, we need some extra hands to help in Sunday School in October. You do not need experience in teaching, nor a mastery of the Bible, to teach Sunday School. You do need a desire to serve children, God and the church through this important ministry. If you would like to teach, or are curious about it, please talk to Annie. Thank you.
Adult Discussion Group, Sunday, September 14, 9:15am
Join the Adult Discussion Group for their first meeting of the year. Rev. Terry Epling, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, will lead the discussion on the actions the General Assembly took in June in Detroit. You’ve read in the news what happened, so come with your questions and thoughts.
A Place in the Choir
The choir will resume rehearsing for our role as worship leaders on September 3 at 7:15 p.m. The choir will explore a wide variety of music this year, including settings of beloved scriptural texts and hymn texts, spirituals and gospel songs, pieces by classical composers, contemporary Christian songs arranged for choir, and more! Plans for an Advent cantata are in the making, and we anticipate that several guest musicians will join us in worship this fall. The choir would gladly welcome anyone who would like to join. You do not need to read music to participate. Just come to rehearsal on September 3 or any Wednesday following if you would like be a part of this dedicated, fun group.
Save the Date!!
The Presbyterian Women have reserved Saturday, November 1, 9am-4pm, at Mercy Center for the day and time of their annual women’s retreat. This is for all women of all ages. More information to follow.
About the Music
In a survey taken a couple of years ago, the congregation reported its favorite hymns. We are singing two of those today (Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee and Fairest Lord Jesus). Some of the other favorites were Morning Has Broken, How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace (all of which we have sung recently!) and Just a Closer Walk with Thee (which we will sing next week with the Jim Dandy's band).
The Adventures of Flat Jesus
It’s not too late to submit your pictures of Flat Jesus. We love seeing where he has been this summer! You can still e-mail them to adminasst@faithdesperes.org. We’ll get them online.
This week I’ll resume my sermon series on spiritual practices. We’ll look at the spiritual practice of testimony. This isn’t a practice normally associated with Presbyterians! However, we testify to our faith through our words and our actions. I hope you’ll come to listen and learn!
Further down this e-mail you’ll read about Rally Day. I promise great music AND great food on Rally Day! Please let us know you’re coming by registering or e-mailing. Sunday School for kids kicks-off this Sunday. It’s also Feeding the Flock Sunday. Bring your canned goods!
See you in church.
Annie
Sunday School Resumes September 7!
We hope you’ll be here on Sunday, September 7 when Sunday School for kids resumes. There are lots of fun things planned. Join us 10:45-11:30.
A Place in the Choir
The choir will resume rehearsing for our role as worship leaders on September 3 at 7:15 pm. The choir will explore a wide variety of music this year, including settings of beloved scriptural texts and hymn texts, spirituals and gospel songs, pieces by classical composers, contemporary Christian songs arranged for choir, and more! Plans for an Advent cantata are in the making, and we anticipate that several guest musicians will join us in worship this fall. The choir would gladly welcome anyone who would like to join. You do not need to read music to participate. Just come to rehearsal on September 3 or any Wednesday following if you would like be a part of this dedicated, fun group.
Congratulations, Danny and Kenny!
Please extend your congratulations to Danny Mortimer and Kenny Landers as they were joined in marriage on August 9. We thank God for their love and we pray for peace, contentment and joy as they begin their lives together.
Worship at the Old Des Peres Church on Sunday, August 31!
Worship on Sunday, August 31st will be at the Old Des Peres Church (a.k.a. the Old Meeting House). If you have not been there before, our old stone church is on Geyer Road about 1/2 mile south of Clayton Road. Parking is available on side streets near the church. There are no bathrooms, so plan ahead. The church was built in 1834.
Facebook Update
Like us on Facebook, see what’s happening, register for events, and spread the word.
I'm guessing that many of you, like me, have been watching the news about Ferguson. I find it hard to believe that the events I see on TV are happening in our very own city. I hope you will hold all of the people of Ferguson in your prayers.
This week the lectionary reading is Matthew 15: 21-28. It's a difficult story for many reasons, some of which we'll touch on Sunday. But it couldn't have come at a more important time because it gives us insight as to what can happen when we listen (or don't listen) to others, disruptions that challenge our lives, and how even Jesus can change his mind. I encourage you to read the story before worship, and come ready to listen and learn and maybe even struggle with what the word of God has to say to us today.
I hope to see you in church.
Blessings,
Annie
Rally Day—Sunday, September 7th!
Rally Day is a time to gather and catch up after a fun-filled summer. Plan to join us as we kick-off our Sunday School and Adult Discussion Group for the fall. Rather than asking everyone to bring food, we’ve enlisted the help of Chris’ Cakes who will provide a delicious pancake breakfast for a nominal fee ($5/person ages 6 and up). We’re also trying to secure a bounce house (as of time of printing, this hasn’t been confirmed), AND we’ll have the Jim Dandy’s Dixieland Group performing… so JOIN US!! All are welcome—bring friends and family—but we need a headcount for breakfast, so please register by Sunday, August 31st. Registration for breakfast is in the Gathering Space and online. Payment in advance is encouraged (checks with memo “Rally Day”) or you can pay at the door.
Congratulations, Danny and Kenny!
Please extend your congratulations to Danny Mortimer and Kenny Landers as they were joined in marriage on August 9. We thank God for their love and we pray for peace, contentment and joy as they begin their lives together.
Rally Day Music will begin at 10:15am!
The Jim Dandy’s will start playing at 10:15 am, so plan to get here EARLY on September 7th so you don’t miss anything!
Thank you for Donating to the School Supply Drive!
Our donations were greatly appreciated by the Circle of Concern. These supplies will help children who would otherwise struggle have a better start to their school year. Thank you for your support!
Work Day Results
Thanks to everyone who came out on the 9th to help clean up and organize some of our spaces! The goal was to make the spaces more functional for John Paul II school and for other groups, including ours, which use them throughout the year. One of our outside groups replaced the worn carpeting in the Adult Conference Room on Friday and we reorganized the furniture in that room. We cleaned out and organized the toys in the nursery, and we did the same for all of the items in the upper balcony room. That balcony room will be used as additional classroom space for the school. Please take a few moments to look around and enjoy some of the spaces.
New PW Bible Study Beginning August 27th
Join us for a new Presbyterian Women’s study based on the book of 2 Corinthians entitled, “Reconciling Paul,” by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, August 27th at 9:30am, led by Joanna Gerst. We’d love to see you, so register and pick up a book in the Gathering Space.
Directory Update
Please let the church office know if any of your contact information has changed since the last directory update in September of 2013. A new directory should be distributed in the fall.
Facebook Update
Facebook is a “social media tool.” In our case, we use it to promote the events, the studies, the opportunity for fellowship here at FDP. In a way, you might consider it a “mission tool” in that we’re trying to spread the Good News and invite people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we invite people to Faith Des Peres via postcards, word of mouth, an outdoor sign, or even Facebook, we’re inviting them to come … to see … to hear the Word … to attend … to participate. Hopefully, through an event like a Bible study, worship at the Old Church or a float trip, we may reach one more person with the love of God we see in Jesus Christ. We see a lot of “likes” on our Facebook page, and that’s great! But better yet, please SHARE something that you like—SHARE it to your timeline so others that may not normally hear the Word of God have that opportunity. Be courageous about your faith and also INVITE your friends to “like” our page. If you don’t know how to “like,” “share” or “invite friends” on Facebook, ask Marie in the church office. Thank you.
It’s a flurry of activity here as I write this! We’re gearing up for fall programs to begin soon, so the school (John Paul II) is having a cleaning and work day. Parents, students and teachers are all over the building moving furniture, cleaning windows & baseboards, washing walls. Annie, Julia and Charlotte are going through toys in the nursery (which is why I’m writing this now!). Carpeting will be laid in the Adult Conference Room tomorrow (a different group is providing that), and we’re scheduled for our own “work day” on Saturday from 9-1 (please contact Barb Abbett if you would like to help). Please check out the nursery, conference room and what the school is now referring to as the “upper room” on Sunday, when you join us for worship! Hope you can make it! ~ Marie
Rally Day—Sunday, September 7th!
Rally Day is a time to gather and catch up after a fun-filled summer. Plan to join us as we kick-off our Sunday School and Adult Discussion Group for the fall. Rather than asking everyone to bring food, we’ve enlisted the help of Chris’ Cakes who will provide a delicious pancake breakfast for a nominal fee ($5/person ages 6 and up) AND we’ll have the Jim Dandy’s Dixieland Group performing… so JOIN US!! All are welcome—bring friends and family—but we need a headcount for breakfast, so please register by Sunday, August 31st. Registration for breakfast is in the Gathering Space and will be online soon (or email the church office with a name and headcount). Payment in advance is encouraged (checks with memo “Rally Day”) or you can pay at the door.
New PW Bible Study Beginning August 27th
Join us for a new Presbyterian Women’s study based on the book of 2 Corinthians entitled, “Reconciling Paul,” by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, August 27th at 9:30am, led by Joanna Gerst. We’d love to see you, so register and pick up a book in the Gathering Space.
Facebook Update
Facebook is a “social media tool.” In our case, we use it to promote the events, the studies, the opportunity for fellowship here at FDP. In a way, you might consider it a “mission tool” in that we’re trying to spread the Good News and invite people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. When we invite people to Faith Des Peres via postcards, word of mouth, an outdoor sign, or even Facebook, we’re inviting them to come … to see … to hear the Word … to attend … to participate. Hopefully, through an event like a Bible study, worship at the Old Church or a float trip, we may reach one more person with the love of God we see in Jesus Christ. We see a lot of “likes” on our Facebook page, and that’s great! But better yet, please SHARE something that you like—SHARE it to your timeline so others who may not normally hear the Word of God have that opportunity. Be courageous about your faith and also INVITE your friends to “like” our page. If you don’t know how to “like,” “share” or “invite friends” on Facebook, ask Marie in the church office. Thank you.
Directory Update
Please let Marie in the church office know if any of your contact information has changed since the last directory update in September of 2013. A new directory should be available in the fall.
Do You Make Online Payments to FDP?
If you make payments to FDP through your online banking, please take a moment and adjust the memo line to read either “capital” or “stewardship” for clarification to the church office and Sunday counters. This will also help ensure accurate end-of-year statements for your tax records. Thank you!
Flat Jesus Finishes His Travels…
He made appearances all over the world—wasn’t it fun to see where FJ went? It was a reminder to all of us that Jesus is with us everywhere, all the time! If you have any last photos to send with you and Flat Jesus, please send them to Marie soon. We have photos on Facebook, the website, the Gathering Space and the Narthex. Thanks for keeping [Flat] Jesus with you always!
Remember that we’ll be at the Old Church this weekend for worship, so please join us and plan accordingly. Worship will include the sacrament of Holy Communion, and we’ll be collecting for Feeding the Flock and the School Supply Drive.
Rev. Joe Marting will be leading worship – Annie will return next week (if you have an emergency, please contact Marie). Please remember to bring items for the School Supply Drive and Feeding the Flock and sign up for the float trip (the deadline is MONDAY). Barb Abbett is organizing a church work day and we need lots of helpers ... register for the new PW Bible Study ... "like" and "share" the new FDP Facebook page ... send me your photos of Flat Jesus … and enjoy your weekend together! ~ Marie
School Supply Drive & Tax-Free Weekend – Bring Supplies this Sunday!
This is a GREAT weekend to buy supplies if you haven’t already, because this weekend (Friday-Sunday, August 1-3) is Missouri Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, so you won’t be taxed on the school supplies you buy! Many families with children don’t have resources to purchase needed school supplies, so please help give them a good start to the school year with your donation. Items needed: sturdy backpacks, folders, pencil boxes, washable markers (wide line), pink erasers (Pink Pet), highlighters, Fiskar scissors, dry-erase markers, colored pencils, 3x5 index cards, #2 pencils, 3-ring binders (1”, 1.5” or 2” – please, no used binders or binders with printing), glue sticks, glue bottles, post-it notes, wood rulers, scientific calculators, flash drives, spiral notebooks (wide- and college-ruled), filler paper (wide- and college-ruled), composition notebooks (wide- and college-ruled).
Register by Monday’s Deadline!
Kathy Sherrick is organizing this fun 6-mile float at Mound Ridge on August 16th. More information and registration is on the website and in the Gathering Space. Sign up today! (The deadline for registration is August 4th, payment is due August 10th.)
Feeding the Flock
These are the current items needed for Feeding the Flock, though any non-perishable items would be appreciated: Peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, canned meats (chili, stew, Vienna sausages, etc.), shampoo & conditioner, size 5 & 6 diapers.
Help Needed Saturday, August 9th!
In order to make our building more “user-friendly” to all of the groups that use it – including ours – we need to rearrange and clean out a few rooms. We’re organizing a work day on Saturday, August 9th, from 9am-1pm, or sooner if we finish early. We will be washing walls and rearranging furniture in our newly-carpeted Adult Conference Room (an outside group is providing the carpeting); consolidating and organizing the toys in the nursery; and moving/organizing the holiday decorations that are upstairs in the balcony area to the other room up there, the bell room. Bring work gloves, perhaps cleaning supplies (disposable wet wipes are ideal), hand truck if you have one, muscles, and a great attitude. Lunch will be provided. Barb Abbett will be organizing this and will be in touch with everyone that signs up to help. Please let Marie or Barb know if you can help, and there will also be a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space. Thank you!
New PW Bible Study Beginning August 27th
Join us for a new Presbyterian Women’s study based on the book of 2 Corinthians entitled, “Reconciling Paul,” by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, August 27th at 9:30am, led by Joanna Gerst. We’d love to see you, so register and pick up a book in the Gathering Space. Or let Marie know you’d like to attend.
Directory Update
Please let Marie in the church office know if any of your contact information has changed since the last directory update in September of 2013. A new directory should be distributed in the fall.
Do You Make Online Payments to FDP?
If you make payments to FDP through your online banking, please take a moment and adjust the memo line to read either “capital” or “stewardship” for clarification to the church office and Sunday counters. This will also help ensure accurate end-of-year statements for your tax records. Thank you!
Bone Marrow Drive
The Frontenac Fire Department is organizing a bone marrow drive for the Murry’s, a Frontenac family with four boys, all of whom have a rare disease and will need bone marrow transplants. The drive will be held at the Frontenac Fire House at 10555 Clayton Road on Saturday, August 2nd, 9am-3pm. It takes about 7 minutes and a cheek swab. More information is available here.
Flat Jesus
He’s made recent appearances at the hospital, in a dance line and at the Muny. Photos are on the website and the Facebook page, in the Gathering Space and the Narthex. Send your photos to Marie in the office. Where will he show up next?
