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This Weekend

Game Night Friday, May 8, 6:30 pm
Join us for GAME NIGHT in the Gathering Space on Friday, May 8 at 6:30 pm. Bring your favorite board games, drinks and a snack to share. Fun for the whole family!  

Adult Discussion Group
This Sunday, May 10, plan to join in the year-end wrap up and planning discussion for the Adult Discussion Group.  The discussion is open to everyone, whether or not you have attended any or all of the ADG gatherings during this past year.  We'll gather at 9:15 in the large room in the education wing and adjourn around 10:15.  Hope you'll be there to share any ideas you have for next year's ADG discussions.

Reception Sunday, May 10
Please join us for a reception after Sunday’s service as we say good bye to Gay, Jared and Katy Spears. Gay and her family have been with Faith Des Peres almost 5 years.  Throughout those years we have been blessed with all of their musical talents and we will miss them. Thank you for all you have done for Faith Des Peres. 

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Together at Faith Des Peres

TNT Dinner Friday, May 15, 7:00 pm
TNT stands for Twenties and Thirties, but we don’t check birth certificates at the door, so everyone is welcome!
Where: There’s a new restaurant called Shack http://www.shackstl.com/ in Frontenac, not far from church, 731 S Lindbergh, 63131
When: 7pm at the restaurant (childcare starts at 6:30pm at the church-the church covers the cost of childcare for this event)
RSVP: Please RSVP to Beth Willock (618-978-0992) and also let her know if you need childcare. These dinners are always a really fun time. Hope to see you there.

Lunch Bunch Tuesday, May 19 11:30 am
Lunch Bunch will meet Tuesday, May 19 at 11:30 at Miss Sheri’s on Manchester Road.

Older & Wiser Brunch Sunday, May 24
Come join us for brunch on Sunday, May 24 after the worship service. See Barb Wright for more details.

Sunday, May 31, Church in the Park, 10:30 am
Mark your calendars for our first ever Church in the Park worship service!  Church will be at Lions Pavilion in Kirkwood Park; there is ample parking next to the pavilion and a great playground for kids, too.  We’ll celebrate the year and enjoy a BBQ lunch afterwards.  We’re looking for grill masters!  Let Terry Baker know if you can help with that.  It will be lots of fun, so we hope to see you there!  Note: This is the Sunday AFTER Memorial Day weekend.  Lions Pavilion is where the Greentree book fair is held, and is closest to the tennis courts off of Adams Avenue.  Please RSVP to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org so we know the count for BBQ.  Thanks!

Update: "LET'S PLAY BALL!" (or at least eat and watch a baseball game)
FDP is going to the River City Rascals baseball game at the TR Hughes Stadium in O'Fallon, MO on Friday evening June 12th. Box Seats are only $10.00(not $25.00) but, you will be responsible for the purchase of your own food. The game starts at 6:30 pm.  Guaranteed fun and FDP fellowship for the whole family! Please sign up in the Gathering Space, or call Yolanda in the church office.

LIVING CREATION  -  Sundays, 9:30-10am
An intergenerational, experiential Bible study on the creation story (Genesis 1)

Each of the following Sundays at 9:30am there will be a short reading from Genesis and Annie will give a few words about the theme.  After that, we’ll step into each creation day in a unique way.  This is an intergenerational, living Bible study, so there will be something for everyone.  And most of all, we hope it will give us all a chance to relax, learn and have fun together!!  

June 7/Day 1: Light from Dark --- Tai Chi, reflect on God the creator awakening

June 14/Day 2: Water from air --- bubble mania 

June 28/Day 3:  Land and plants ---  plants, butterflies and the community garden

July 12/Day 4: Stars/Sun/Moon --- star gazing on Saturday night and Sunday morning different perspective – storytelling about constellations

Aug 9/Day 5: Fish/Birds --- create bird feeders for home and church grounds to attract our fine feathered friends; paper airplane races

Aug 16/Day 6: Land animals and man --- nothing before church, lunch/zoo trip after church

 Aug 23/Day 7: Rest --- things that help us relax/rest, might be popcorn and cartoons 

From the Garden
String beans, spinach and lettuce are growing in our community garden beds and will eventually be taken to Circle of Concern for our first delivery of this year's growing season.  We will be adding three new growing beds to the giveaway section of the garden this year which will greatly increase the amount of food we will be able to donate.  We are looking for a donation of a baby scale to help us calculate the amount of produce we are donating.  We are also looking for a used outdoor table and chair set to encourage people to use the garden area for lunch or picnic dinner.  Many of the individual garden plots are also showing signs of producing a cornucopia full of fresh vegetables this year.

We are starting to prepare a schedule for the watering, picking and delivery of produce to Circle of Concern for this season and would like to invite anyone who can participate to do so.  If you feel led to help, please send my lovely wife, joannagerst@gmail.com an email with your name and the dates that you would not be able to help; we usually take a week at a time. 

If you have not stopped by the garden lately, please do so. Open the gate and take a little stroll around the beds.
Jim Gerst

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Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

This Sunday is Feeding the Flock and Communion.  Don’t forget your food! Also this Sunday, Mission and Ministry Committee is hosting a coffee at 9:30 to talk about their ministry and recruit volunteers.  If you’re interested in learning about what they do and how you can help, plan on attending. 

There’s a lot happening in May at church, but coming up quickly is Gay’s last Sunday.  We’ll have a reception for her after church on May 10.  I hope you’ll be here to wish the Spears family well.  Gay has served us faithfully the past five years, and we’ve been blessed by her talent. 

Also on May 10, we’ll collect pledges for the “Still Daring to Dream” campaign.  We’ll celebrate the conclusion of the campaign and our program year on May 31 with a special church in the park worship service.  Church will be held at Kirkwood Park in the covered Lions Pavilion (where the Greentree Book Fair is held), and afterwards we’ll enjoy a BBQ lunch.  We’re looking for some grill masters!  Plus, the pavilion is just steps away from the park’s awesome playground and ample parking/bathrooms.  So definitely put this on your calendar and RSVP here.  It will be a great way to celebrate. 

See you in church.

Annie

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With Sympathy

Toy Kircher
It is with great sadness that we let you know that Toy Kircher passed away on Friday, April 24, 2015.Toy was a longtime member of Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church.  She attended worship weekly and often provided the flowers for worship.  In 2012, she and her husband Jerry moved out of their home of more than 50 years to live closer to their daughter in Springfield, MO.  Please keep Toy's family in your prayers.  A memorial service will likely be held here at Faith Des Peres in a month or so.  We will let you know the details as soon as we have them. 

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This Weekend

There’s Still Time to come to “It’s Tea Time!”
The Presbyterian Women’s annual Tea will be held on Saturday, May 2nd from 2 – 4 pm at Pastor Annie’s home. All women and girls are welcome. Please email Annie at
pastor@faithdesperes.org with your reservation by May 1. If you are able to provide finger sandwiches, tea breads or cookies, etc. for the tea, please let her know when you RSVP. Thank you!

Mission and Ministry Coffee, Sunday, May 3, 9:30 am
Mission and Ministry is hosting a coffee in the Gathering Space at 9:30 am on Sunday, May 3.  If you are interested in joining Mission and Ministry this is a great chance to get to know the current members better and to hear them discuss their various roles within the committee.  We also welcome anyone who is simply interested in hearing about the work Mission and Ministry does throughout the year.  We hope you will join us!   

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Together at Faith Des Peres

Game Night Friday, May 8, 6:30 pm
Join us for GAME NIGHT in the Gathering Space on Friday, May 8 at 6:30 pm. Bring your favorite board games, drinks and a snack to share. Fun for the whole family!  

Reception Sunday, May 10, 11:30 am
Join us after church next Sunday, May 10 for a reception as we say good bye to Gay, Jared and Katy Spears. Gay and her family have been with Faith Des Peres for almost 5 years and we will miss them.

TNT Dinner Friday, May 15, 7:00 pm
TNT stands for Twenties and Thirties, but we don’t check birth certificates at the door, so everyone is welcome!
Where: There’s a new restaurant called Shack http://www.shackstl.com/ in Frontenac, not far from church, 731 S Lindbergh, 63131
When: 7pm at the restaurant (childcare starts at 6:30pm at the church-the church covers the cost of childcare for this event)
RSVP: Please RSVP to Beth Willock (618-978-0992) and also let her know if you need childcare.
These dinners are always a really fun time. Hope to see you there.

Sunday, May 31, Church in the Park, 10:30 am
Mark your calendars for our first ever Church in the Park worship service!  Church will be at Lions Pavilion in Kirkwood Park; there is ample parking next to the pavilion and a great playground for kids, too.  We’ll celebrate the year and enjoy a BBQ lunch afterwards.  We’re looking for grill masters!  Let Terry Baker know if you can help with that.  It will be lots of fun, so we hope to see you there!  Note: This is the Sunday AFTER Memorial Day weekend.  Lions Pavilion is where the Greentree book fair is held, and is closest to the tennis courts off of Adams Avenue.  Please RSVP to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org so we know the count for BBQ.  Thanks!

Update: "LET'S PLAY BALL!" (or at least eat and watch a baseball game)
FDP is going to the River City Rascals baseball game at the TR Hughes Stadium in O'Fallon, MO on Friday evening June 12th. Box Seats are only $10.00(not $25.00) but, you will be responsible for the purchase of your own food. The game starts at 6:30 pm.  Guaranteed fun and FDP fellowship for the whole family! Please sign up in the Gathering Space, or call Yolanda in the church office.

LIVING CREATION  -  Sundays, 9:30-10am
An intergenerational, experiential Bible study on the creation story (Genesis 1)
Each of the following Sundays at 9:30am there will be a short reading from Genesis and Annie will give a few words about the theme.  After that, we’ll step into each creation day in a unique way.  This is an intergenerational, living Bible study, so there will be something for everyone.  And most of all, we hope it will give us all a chance to relax, learn and have fun together!!  

June 7/Day 1: Light from Dark --- Tai Chi, reflect on God the creator awakening
June 14/Day 2: Water from air --- bubble mania 
June 28/Day 3:  Land and plants ---  plants, butterflies and the community garden
July 12/Day 4: Stars/Sun/Moon --- star gazing on Saturday night and Sunday morning different perspective – storytelling about constellations
Aug 9/Day 5: Fish/Birds --- create bird feeders for home and church grounds to attract our fine feathered friends; paper airplane races
Aug 16/Day 6: Land animals and man ---  nothing before church, lunch/zoo trip after church
Aug 23/Day 7: Rest --- things that help us relax/rest, might be popcorn and cartoons  

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Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

While some of us are at the all-church weekend at Trout Lodge, Joe Marting is preaching and leading worship here at Faith Des Peres.  I hope you’ll be here to welcome him and any visitors we may have.  Katy Spears is providing special music for you all, too.  She is performing a piece that she is playing in the upcoming state Solo and Ensemble contest.  It is very difficult for a musician to make it to the state level, and we’re proud of her accomplishment. There is Sunday School for children, too, and the section leaders are singing. 

I hope you all have a blessed Sunday!

Annie

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Together at Faith Des Peres

St. Louis Storytelling Festival, Thursday, April 30, 6pm
Faith Des Peres is hosting the St. Louis Storytelling Festival on Thursday, April 30.  The evening kicks off at 6 pm with “Stories for the Young Listener”.  At 7 pm, the adults get their turn with “Later Tales”, featuring story tellers Lyn Ford, Tom Lee, Heather Forest, Sandi Sylver, and Gene Tagaban.  Also at 7 pm there are ghost stories and spiritual and faith-based stories.  All events are free and open to the public.  For more information visit www.stlstorytellingfestival.com or call 314-400-2115.  We hope to see you here!
 

It’s Tea Time!
The Presbyterian Women’s annual Tea will be held on Saturday, May 2nd from 2 – 4 pm at Pastor Annie’s home. All women and girls are welcome. Please email the office at
adminasst@faithdesperes.org with your reservation by April 30. If you are able to provide finger sandwiches, tea breads or cookies, etc. for the tea, please let us know when you RSVP. There is also be a sign up sheet in the Gathering Space. Thank you!

Mission and Ministry Coffee, Sunday, May 3, 9:30 am
Mission and Ministry is hosting a coffee in the Gathering Space at 9:30AM on Sunday, May 3.  If you are interested in joining Mission and Ministry this is a great chance to get to know the current members better and to hear them discuss their various roles within the committee.  We also welcome anyone who is simply interested in hearing about the work Mission and Ministry does throughout the year.  We hope you will join us!   

Game Night Friday, May 8, 6:30 pm
Join us for GAME NIGHT in the Gathering Space on Friday, May 8 at 6:30 pm. Bring your
favorite board games, drinks and a snack to share. Fun for the whole family! 

Sunday, May 31, Church in the Park, 10:30 am
Mark your calendars for our first ever Church in the Park worship service!  Church will be at Lions Pavilion in Kirkwood Park; there is ample parking next to the pavilion and a great playground for kids, too.  We’ll celebrate the year and enjoy a BBQ lunch afterwards.  We’re looking for grill masters!  Let Terry Baker know if you can help with that.  It will be lots of fun, so we hope to see you there!  Note: This is the Sunday AFTER Memorial Day weekend.  Lions Pavilion is where the Greentree book fair is held, and is closest to the tennis courts off of Adams Avenue.  Please RSVP to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org so we know the count for BBQ.  Thanks!

"LET'S PLAY BALL!" (or at least eat and watch a baseball game)
 FDP is going to the River City Rascals baseball game at the TR Hughes Stadium in O'Fallon, MO on Friday evening June 12th.  Our catered picnic dinner will be served in our box seat area from 5 - 6:30 pm when the game starts.  Guaranteed fun and FDP fellowship for $25.  Please sign up in the Gathering Space, or call Yolanda in the church office.

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Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

This Sunday we’ll kick-off our 2015-2016 stewardship campaign “Still Daring to Dream”.  Various church committees will talk about the mission and ministry they (you!) have been engaged in the past year and how your stewardship pledges have supported their (your!) ministry.  I hope you’ll be present to hear the good news they have to share.  We also will host a guest from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).  They’re in town for their annual meeting, and I was asked if we wanted someone from PDA to come and tell us about their ministry.  As many of you know, the One Great Hour of Sharing offering we collected on Easter supports the work of PDA. 

We will collect pledges for the “Still Daring to Dream” campaign on May 10, and we’ll celebrate the conclusion of the campaign and our program year on May 31 with a special church in the park worship service.  Church will be held at Kirkwood Park in the covered Lions Pavilion (where the Greentree Book Fair is held), and afterwards we’ll enjoy a BBQ lunch.  We’re looking for some grill masters!  Plus, the pavilion is just steps away from the park’s awesome playground and ample parking/bathrooms.  So definitely put this on your calendar.  It will be a great way to celebrate. 

See you in church.

Annie

April-May-June highlights

April 19 Stewardship campaign kick-off

April 21 California Pizza Kitchen Fundraiser

April 24-26 Trout Lodge weekend; Rev. Joe Marting preaching and leading worship at FDP

April 30 St. Louis Storytelling Festival

May 2    Women’s Tea, 2-4

May 8    Game Night

May 24 Worship at the Old Meeting House

May 31 Church in the Park

June 7   Annual Meeting after church

June 12 River City Rascals baseball game 

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Together at Faith Des Peres

Let’s Still Dare to Dream
Last year around this time we were starting our Dare to Dream for Today and Dare to Dream for Tomorrow campaigns.  Because of our dreams and our successful stewardship and debt reduction campaigns, we have had a vibrant and exciting year at Faith Des Peres.   In the coming weeks, we’ll hear more about our joys during the past year and what we expect in the coming year.  Sunday, April 19 is the kick off for this year’s stewardship campaign, Still Daring to Dream.   Please join us for a special service of lesson and hymns, interspersed with messages from each of FDP’s committees to set the stage for pledge card Sunday on May 10 and celebration Sunday on May 31 with a first ever Church in the Park, 10:30 am at Lions Pavilion at Kirkwood Park followed by BBQ lunch.  More details will be forthcoming about these events and about how each of  us can share in life at Faith Des Peres and give what we have back to God who is faithful and generous to us.

Fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen, Tuesday, April 21.
The Presbyterian Women’s group is hosting a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen in Creve Coeur on Tuesday, April 21. All church members need to do is show up with flier in hand and we will raise funds for our group. Thank you!

St. Louis Storytelling Festival, Thursday, April 30, 6pm
Faith Des Peres is hosting the St. Louis Storytelling Festival on Thursday, April 30.  The evening kicks off at 6 pm with “Stories for the Young Listener”.  At 7 pm, the adults get their turn with “Later Tales”, featuring story tellers Lyn Ford, Tom Lee, Heather Forest, Sandi Sylver, and Gene Tagaban.  Also at 7 pm there are ghost stories and spiritual and faith-based stories.  All events are free and open to the public.  For more information visit www.stlstorytellingfestival.com or call 314-400-2115.  We hope to see you here!

 

It’s Tea Time!
The Presbyterian Women’s annual Tea will be held on Saturday, May 2nd from 2 – 4 pm at Pastor Annie’s home. All women and girls are welcome. Please email the office at
adminasst@faithdesperes.org with your reservation by April 30. If you are able to provide finger sandwiches, tea breads or cookies, etc. for the tea, please let us know when you RSVP. There is also be a sign up sheet in the Gathering Space. Thank you!


Game Night Friday, May 8 6:30 pm
Join us for GAME NIGHT in the Gathering Space on Friday, May 8 at 6:30 pm. Bring your
favorite board games, drinks and a snack to share. Fun for the whole family! 

 

"LET'S PLAY BALL!" (or at least eat and watch a baseball game)
 FDP is going to the River City Rascals baseball game at the TR Hughes Stadium in O'Fallon, MO on Friday evening June 12th.  Our catered picnic dinner will be served in our box seat area from 5 - 6:30 pm when the game starts.  Guaranteed fun and FDP fellowship for $25.  Please sign up in the Gathering Space, or call Yolanda in the church office to reserve your spot.

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Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the wonderful Easter service: Gay Spears, the choir, the Worship Arts Committee, Leslie Barnes for arranging the flowers and fellowship, and Tola and Yolanda for getting the bulletin and sanctuary ready!  I also want to thank all of you who invited friends and family to worship that day.  Wasn't it nice to have a full church?  It was the best attended Easter service I can remember in many years.  As I've said many times over the past few weeks, your invitation matters.  But your invitation goes deeper than having a full sanctuary for the sake of having a full sanctuary, it matters because people are looking for a connection with God and looking for meaning and hope in their lives from God, and this is something only a faith community can offer.  

This Sunday we'll have an opportunity to keep the momentum going with our first-ever Not So Churchy Church service.  We'll worship in the Gathering Space around tables and a potluck meal, and you'll have an opportunity to reflect on the Lent messages of giving up, taking up and lifting up.  We're doing this because it will give us an opportunity to reflect together on how to take what we heard on Sunday and incorporate it into our day-to-day life both individually and corporately.  There is still nursery care on Sunday, but there's no Sunday School.  

It's not too late to RSVP, and we'll have extra chairs ready for anyone who decides at the last minute to come.   Just leave your potluck dish on the counter and we'll take care of the rest.  If we have visitors, which I hope we do, give them a warm welcome and invite them to sit with you.  Let them know what we're doing and that this is something new for all of us!  It will help break the ice for what could be a rather unexpected worship experience.  

Blessings to you all, and see you in church!

Annie        

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Church Events

Thank you Faith Des Peres!
Due to the generosity of everyone at Faith Des Peres, we have collected over $1400.00 for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. If you still would like to donate or forgot your “fish” boxes last week, there is still time to turn them in this week. Thank you again!

Adult Discussion Group, April 19, noon
The ADG meeting on April 19 will meet in the Gathering Space from 12 noon to 1:30 pm.  Dorcas Case will present Timely Topics for Table Talk for critique and discussion by those present.  All are welcome.  If you would like to order a "brown bag lunch" for April 19, please contact Barbara Abbett (314-721-3292) or (b.abbett@att.net) at least 4 days before this event.

Fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen, Tuesday, April 21
The Presbyterian Women’s group is hosting a fundraiser at California Pizza Kitchen in Creve Coeur on Tuesday, April 21. All church members need to do is show up with flier in hand and we will raise funds for our group.   Thank you!

St. Louis Storytelling Festival, Thursday, April 30, 6pm
Faith Des Peres is hosting the St. Louis Storytelling Festival on Thursday, April 30.  The evening kicks off at 6 pm with “Stories for the Young Listener”.  At 7 pm, the adults get their turn with “Later Tales”, featuring story tellers Lyn Ford, Tom Lee, Heather Forest, Sandi Sylver, and Gene Tagaban.  Also at 7 pm there are ghost stories and spiritual and faith-based stories.  All events are free and open to the public.  For more information visit www.stlstorytellingfestival.com or call 314-400-2115.  We hope to see you here!

It’s Tea Time!
The Presbyterian Women’s annual tea will be held on Saturday, May 2nd from 2 - 4 pm at Pastor Annie’s home. All women and girls are welcome. Please email the office at adminasst@faithdesperes.org with your reservation by April 30. If you are able to provide finger sandwiches, tea breads or cookies, etc. for the tea, please let us know when you RSVP. There will also be a sign up sheet in the Gathering Space. Thank you!

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Stewardship 2015-2016

Let’s Still Dare to Dream
Last year around this time we were starting our Dare to Dream for Today and Dare to Dream for Tomorrow campaigns.  Because of our dreams and our successful stewardship and debt reduction campaigns, we have had a vibrant and exciting year at Faith Des Peres.   In the coming weeks, we’ll hear more about our joys during the past year and what we expect in the coming year.  Sunday, April 19 is the kick off for this year’s stewardship campaign, Still Daring to Dream.   Please join us for a special service of lesson and hymns, interspersed with messages from each of FDP’s committees to set the stage for pledge card Sunday on May 10 and celebration Sunday on May 31 with a first ever Church in the Park, 10:30 am at Lions Pavilion at Kirkwood Park followed by BBQ lunch.  More details will be forthcoming about these events and about how each of  us can share in life at Faith Des Peres and give what we have back to God who is faithful and generous to us.

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Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

Sometimes, people think they need to have their beliefs all nailed down before they can come to church.  Sometimes, people think they need to have their beliefs all nailed down before they invite someone to church.  But nothing could be farther from the truth, especially on Easter.

Because Easter is only the beginning.  It's the starting point for our journeys of faith.  Whether you have little or no faith, are unsure of what you believe, or don't even understand what faith is all about, Easter is the day to come.  On Easter we join a long list of followers that include people who were scared, disloyal, unsure, have doubts, disappoint and betray the ones they love, and yet are still promised that the past is forgotten, because everything is new -- starting right here, right now.  

Does that sound like a message you need to hear?  Does it sound like a message someone you know needs to hear it?  (I'm guessing it does.)  If so, please take the time to invite someone.  It doesn't need to be anything fancy.  It can be as simple as, "If you don't have any where to go on Easter, you're welcome to come to my church."  I've said just that sentence a few times this week.  And guess what?  People appreciate the invitation even if they respectfully decline.  

So please, do a favor for someone you know who needs to hear a message of hope and invite them to Easter.  (And share this on Facebook, too.)

I'll see you on Easter!

Annie 

PS: There is Feeding the Flock this Sunday!  Because it's Easter, let's make the biggest collection of food yet!

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Together at Faith Des Peres

Easter Egg Hunt, April 4, 11:00 am
Kids, bring your baskets for the BIG HUNT on Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am at the Old Des Peres Church on Geyer Road.  This is for 5th graders and under.  See you there!

Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt, April 4, 7:00pm
Glendale Presbyterian Church is hosting a Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4 at 7:00pm. Popcorn and a movie after. This is for 6th grade and up. Glendale is located at 500 N Sappington. For more information call 314-822-2545.

One Great Hour of Sharing This Week
Through abundant and generous gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), Presbyterians have faithfully heeded God’s call to serve people seeking to reclaim and restore their lives.
Our goal is to collect $1500. We will collect the OGHS offering on Easter Sunday, April 5th.

Not So Churchy Church
Sunday, April 12, 10:30 am
Join us the Sunday after Easter for a “not-so-churchy-church” worship service.  We’ll be in the Gathering Space where we’ll eat, worship, and focus on the new life that is ours at Easter.  It’s for all ages and will include some exercises to get us thinking about the areas of our lives that need some new life and how can we get it.  This is a potluck!  So please email Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org, text Annie, post to Facebook, or do it the old-fashioned way by calling (432-8029) or signing up in the Gathering Space and let us know (roughly) what you’ll bring.  (There’s nursery care this Sunday if you want it, but there’s no Sunday School.  Everyone is encouraged to worship together.)  

Adult Discussion Group April 19, noon
The ADG meeting on April 19 will meet in the Gathering Space from 12 noon to 1:30 pm.  Dorcas Case will present Timely Topics for Table Talk for critique and discussion by those present.  All are welcome.  If you would like to order a "brown bag lunch" for April 19, please contact Barbara Abbett (314-721-3292) or (b.abbett@att.net) at least 4 days before this event.

St. Louis Storytelling Festival, Thursday, April 30, 6pm
Faith Des Peres is hosting the St. Louis Storytelling Festival on Thursday, April 30.  The evening kicks off at 6 pm with “Stories for the Young Listener”.  At 7 pm, the adults get their turn with “Later Tales”, featuring story tellers Lyn Ford, Tom Lee, Heather Forest, Sandi Sylver, and Gene Tagaban.  Also at 7 pm there are ghost stories and spiritual and faith-based stories.  All events are free and open to the public.  For more information visit www.stlstorytellingfestival.com or call 314-400-2115.  We hope to see you here!

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Dear Faith Des Peres Family,

It's Palm Sunday!  If you've been around awhile, you know it's one of my favorite Sundays of the year.  We'll start outside, weather permitting, with our palms and process in -- always a fun activity for all ages!  This service will include poems and prayers,  an inspiring message about being the change we want to see, and music.  There's also a little something else I have up my sleeve, but that will remain a secret until you get here.  (Hint: it may be a little outside your comfort zone, but most people find it very moving if they're willing to take part.)

Also, don't forget to sign-up for Maundy Thursday meal and worship -- it will make your Easter more meaningful!  

And EASTER!   Do not be bashful about inviting people to Easter worship.  Lives can and do change because of the hope the Easter message offers.  But, no matter how meaningful and powerful the Easter story is, it begins with you.  Your invitation.   Your willingness to invite another person and invite them to come and see what you've found meaningful is where it begins and how the church will grow.  You're the one who first engages people.  Your enthusiasm, your energy, and your participation in the life of Faith Des Peres is what makes the church what it is.  You don't need to convince people of anything or force anything on them, and you don't need to have all the answers.  In fact, the less answers you have, the more they might will be willing to come to a place that allows them to ask questions!  All you need to do is extend an invitation.

If you have not been to church in a while, commit to making this Sunday the Sunday to come.  You have to start somewhere.  Be the change you want to see.

Blessings,

Annie 

 

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Together at Faith Des Peres

Easter Sunday, April 5
A brass quartet, beautiful flowers, and inspiring message – what’s not to love about Easter?  Whether you come to church every Sunday or only sporadically, we invite you to join us on Easter at 10:30 am.  Need a little hope and joy in your life?  Find it here!  We want to see you, your family and friends on Easter. All are welcome!

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7:00 pm
Do you want to make your Easter more meaningful?  We encourage everyone to attend this year’s Maundy Thursday service.  Held in the Gathering Space, we’ll take part in what is known as an agape meal.  The service will begin with a simple dinner (provided for you), and then we’ll move into communion, the reading of the Passion story, and sing “Were You There”.  This service is appropriate for all ages.  We need to know if you’re coming, so please email Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org, text Annie, post to Facebook, or do it the old-fashioned way by calling (432-8029), or by signing up in the Gathering Space.

We Want Candy!
About 100 kids and their families attend our annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Old Des Peres Church.  That’s a lot of kids which = lots of candy needed!  Please donate candy!  You can leave it in the wagon in the Gathering Space.  We also need egg stuffers after church on Palm Sunday (March 29).  Any help you can provide is much appreciated!  (Please donate small candy that fits in an egg.)  Thank you!

Easter Egg Hunt, April 4, 11:00 am
Kids, bring your baskets for the BIG HUNT on Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am at the Old Des Peres Church on Geyer Road.  This is for 5th graders and under.  See you there!

Glow In The Dark Easter Egg Hunt, April 4, 7:00pm
Glendale Presbyterian Church is hosting a Glow In The Dark Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4 at 7:00pm. Popcorn and a movie after. This is for 6th grade and up. Glendale is located at 500 N Sappington. For more information call 314-822-2545.

One Great Hour of Sharing Next Week
Through abundant and generous gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), Presbyterians have faithfully heeded God’s call to serve people seeking to reclaim and restore their lives.
Our goal is to collect $1500. We will collect the OGHS offering on Easter Sunday, April 5th.

Go Sunday Update
As many of you heard Pastor Annie say the past two Sundays, the Mission and Ministry Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel Go Sunday this year. We anticipated being able to send at least 30 Faith Des Peres members to one major organization to participate in indoor and outdoor service work. However, just as we were about to announce the plans for Go Sunday 2015, our major organization fell through. Given the late notice, the Mission and Ministry Committee was not able to pull together another activity for a large group. We are working to schedule times for the smaller activities that had been planned. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in the service work we do as Faith Des Peres Presbyterian.

Not So Churchy Church Sunday, April 12, 10:30 am
Join us the Sunday after Easter for a “not-so-churchy-church” worship service.  We’ll be in the Gathering Space where we’ll eat, worship, and focus on the new life that is ours at Easter.  It’s for all ages and will include some exercises to get us thinking about the areas of our lives that need some new life and how can we get it.  This is a potluck!  So please email Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org, text Annie, post to Facebook, or do it the old-fashioned way by calling (432-8029) or signing up in the Gathering Space and let us know (roughly) what you’ll bring.  (There’s nursery care this Sunday if you want it, but there’s no Sunday School.  Everyone is encouraged to worship together.)  

Adult Discussion Group April 19, noon
The ADG meeting on April 19 will meet in the Gathering Space from 12 noon to 1:30 pm.  Dorcas Case will present Timely Topics for Table Talk for critique and discussion by those present.  All are welcome.  If you would like to order a "brown bag lunch" for April 19. please contact Barbara Abbett (314-721-3292) or (b.abbett@att.net) at least 4 days before this event.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dear Faith Des Peres Friends

Dear Faith Des Peres Friends,

Do me a favor before you read any further, OK?  Click over to Facebook and “like” our page.  Thanks. 

(Waiting patiently for you to like our page.)

That didn’t take that long, did it?  Just a few seconds out of your day can make a big difference for Faith Des Peres.   But you already know that, don’t you?  You know that social media is everywhere these days and everyone is using it.  What you may not know is that using social media is a great evangelism tool in the 21st century.  You “like” something on our page and people in your friends list see it.  For example, your friends could see that you attend a church that cares about marriage equality (Wednesday post) or supports Food Outreach (Tuesday post).  You can also RSVP for things, such as the Maundy Thursday supper or Not-So-Churchy-Church worship on April 12.

Get it?  When we talk about wanting to grow the church, it takes all of us in our different ways to make that happen.  And not because we want to get more seats in the pews (though that would be nice), but because ultimately we think that what we have here is special and we want to make Christ known to others.  After all, this isn’t a private club.  This is the church!  And at Faith Des Peres, we believe ALL are welcome ALL the time.  Don’t you want your friends to know you attend a church like that?  I do!

So if you didn’t “like” our FB page earlier, do it now!  You don’t want me to hound you and email you to do it, do you?  (Yes, I know who likes our page and who doesn’t.)

Thanks and see you Sunday!

Annie  

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Together at Faith Des Peres

Volunteers still needed for Food Outreach Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 am
We are still looking for more volunteers for food packing at Food Outreach this Saturday. We are hoping to have 15 to 20 people. The address for Food Outreach is 3117 Olive St. St. Louis 63103. Please contact Erica Abbett at eabbett@sbcglobal.net if you can help this Saturday. Thank you.

Easter! 
A brass quartet, beautiful flowers, and inspiring message – what’s not to love about Easter?  Whether you come to church every Sunday or only sporadically, we invite you to join us on Easter at 10:30 am.  Need a little hope and joy in your life?  Find it here!  We want to see you, your family and friends on Easter. All are welcome!

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7:00 pm
Do you want to make your Easter more meaningful?  We encourage everyone to attend this year’s Maundy Thursday service.  Held in the Gathering Space, we’ll take part in what is known as an agape meal.  The service will begin with a simple dinner (provided for you), and then we’ll move into communion, the reading of the Passion story, and sing “Were You There”.  This service is appropriate for all ages.  We need to know if you’re coming, so please email Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org, text Annie, post to Facebook, or do it the old-fashioned way by calling (432-8029) or signing up in the Gathering Space.

Not So Churchy Church
Sunday, April 12, 10:30 am
Join us the Sunday after Easter for a “not-so-churchy-church” worship service.  We’ll be in the Gathering Space where we’ll eat, worship, and focus on the new life that is ours at Easter.  It’s for all ages and will include some exercises to get us thinking about the areas of our lives that need some new life and how can we get it.  This is a potluck!  So please email Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org, text Annie, post to Facebook, or do it the old-fashioned way by calling (432-8029) or signing up in the Gathering Space and let us know (roughly) what you’ll bring.  (There’s nursery care this Sunday if you want it, but there’s no Sunday School.  Everyone is encouraged to worship together.)  

We Want Candy!
About 100 kids and their families attend our annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Old Des Peres Church.  That’s a lot of kids which = lots of candy needed!  Please donate candy!  You can leave it in the wagon in the Gathering Space.  We also need egg stuffers after church on Palm Sunday (March 29).  Any help you can provide is much appreciated!  (Please donate small candy that fits in an egg.)  Thank you!

Easter Egg Hunt, April 4, 11:00 am
Kids, bring your baskets for the BIG HUNT on Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am at the Old Des Peres Church on Geyer Road.  This is for 5th graders and under.  See you there!

Older & Wiser Brunch this Sunday
The Older & Wiser brunch will be held this Sunday after worship. See Barbara Wright for more details.

One Great Hour of Sharing
Through abundant and generous gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), Presbyterians have faithfully heeded God’s call to serve people seeking to reclaim and restore their lives.

Your gift allows Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to restore communities around the world affected by natural and human-caused disasters. Your generosity helps the Presbyterian Hunger Program work with Presbyterians and other partners to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in this country and internationally. Your sharing makes it possible for Self-Development of People to affirm the dignity of all by assisting in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people.

 The programs supported by OGHS depend on continued and increased support from congregations like ours. Our goal is to collect $1500. We will collect the OGHS offering on Easter Sunday, April 5th. 

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Dear Faith Des Peres Family

Dear Members and Friends of Faith Des Peres,

In this issue of the Commonplace Blog you’ll read about our Maundy Thursday service, annual Easter egg hunt, and Easter worship.  Before you know it, all three will be here!

Easter is a great opportunity to invite people to church.  The music is great (we’ll have a brass quartet), the church looks beautiful, and everyone needs to hear a message about hope and new life.  And, your invitation matters more than all of the sign messages and postcards we can deliver.  Did you know that:

·         80% of people say they would respond to a friend’s invitation to attend church?

·         90% of people say they attended a church because a friend invited them? 

·         Visitors will decide in the first few minutes whether or not they will come back?

Gay and I talk regularly about how we can attract more people to worship; how can we make the music and sermon and service more appealable?  But growing the church rests on more shoulders than ours; you have a part to play, too.  In fact, your part may be more important in the long run than ours.  Your invitation matters more than any postcard or sign message we can display, and a visitor will be most impacted by how they are greeted, which will determine how they respond to the rest of the church. 

Bottom line: it rests on all of our shoulders to grow the church by intentionally welcoming people, inviting people, and making sure they have a reason to come back.

Who can you invite this week? 

Blessings,
Annie

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