Comment

Upcoming at Faith Des Peres

Service on July 5 at Old Des Peres Church
Join us this Sunday, July 5 at the Old Des Peres Church on Geyer Road at 10:30 AM. Rev. Joe Marting will be leading worship while Annie is in New Hampshire at her niece’s wedding.

Living Creation Bible Study Saturday, July 11
The intergenerational, , experiential Bible study on the creation story (Genesis 1) will
continue on Saturday, July 11 as we look at Day 4, Sun/Star/Moon. We will be star gazing Saturday night . We will not meet on Sunday morning.

Communion and Feeding the Flock next Sunday, July 12
Please join us next week at our Clayton location where we will celebrate communion and collect food for Feeding the Flock.

Sermon Series
The series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” will cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.
July 12             Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9          Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
August 16        Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23        The Apostle Paul
August 30        Left Behind and Loving It
September 6    Now What?

 

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

I'm looking forward to being back with you all this Sunday.  Julia, Charlotte and I have had a wonderful week at Montreat and we've experienced some incredible and deeply moving worship services where the Word has been proclaimed!  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to attend conferences like this one.

I'll continue my sermon series "Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism" with a look at the role of women in the Bible.  Spoiler alert: it's as bad as you think it is.  BUT -- there's always hope and I plan on making sure of it!  (*Note this is earlier than I had planned on preaching this sermon.)  

There's been a change in the Living Creation schedule.  Connie McNutt cannot be with us this Sunday, so we'll look at some birds of the Bible and then make bird feeders for the church grounds AND have paper airplane races off the balcony.   You can jump in and out of this series at any time, so join the fun this Sunday if you can!  (Note the change in schedule below.)

See you Sunday!  And if you're travelling, may the peace of Christ be with you.

Blessings,

Annie

Comment

Comment

Upcoming at Faith Des Peres

Church Office Closed July 3
The church office will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

Sunday, July 5 Worship at the Old Meeting House
Sunday, July 5 we will celebrate worship and communion at the Old Meeting House on Geyer Road. Please remember to bring your donations for Feeding the Flock. Rev. Joe Marting will be preaching while Annie is in New Hampshire celebrating her niece's wedding.

Sermon Series
The series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” will cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.
July 12             Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9          Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
August 16        Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23        The Apostle Paul
August 30        Left Behind and Loving It
September 6    Now What?

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!!  

July 11/Day 4: Stars/Sun/Moon --- star gazing on Saturday night. We won’t meet in the morning!

 Aug 9/Day 5: Land, animals and man ---  nothing before church, lunch/zoo trip after church

 Aug 16/Day 6: Connie McNutt, master gardener, will lead us in a discussion on biodiversity; the kids will have a chance to dig in the dirt, and everyone will explore the community garden

 Aug 23/Day 7: Jurgen Ermel will be back with his bees and hopefully some honey.  If you missed his presentation the first time, you won't want to miss this one!

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

                This Sunday Julia, Charlotte and I leave for the Worship and Music conference at Montreat.  This is my 3rd year going and I expect it to be as great as the first two were.  I’ll take part in workshops focused on preaching and worship, art and drama, Bible Study, and join the handbell choir.  Julia will be a part of the Middle School track which includes singing in a choir, learning handbells, and Bible Study and games.  Charlotte will be in the “kids club” which is like a day camp.  This conference is one of the few I go to where I learn something new and leave feeling rejuvenated.  

                Rev. Joe Marting is filling in for me this Sunday while I’m away, and when I return I’ll pick-up my sermon series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” with a look at women in the Bible.  If you’re looking for previous sermons in the series, you can find them on the church’s website www.faithdeperes, under the “worship” tab. 

                Last but not least, we are reviewing applicants for the Director of Music position.  We’re pleased with the resumes we’ve received thus far and expect to conduct interviews in late June/early July.  Please keep the Worship Arts Committee in your prayers as we discern the best fit for Faith Des Peres.  If you have any questions as we go through this process, or if you know of someone interested in the position, please let me know.  You can also find details about the position at our website under “job openings”.

Blessings,

Annie 

Comment

Comment

What Vision 20/20 Means To Me

This summer, the Session members will each contribute a statement about what the church’s new Vision, Mission and Values mean to them.  They may write about all three, or they may write about the statement that most resonates with them and why.  This week, Will Ridley writes about the Values:

The Values that shape and guide our church life:

Accepting people for who they are and where they are on their faith journey

Growing in our faith by asking questions and wrestling with ambiguity

Serving others in the same way Christ served others

Welcoming young and old, singles and families respectful of race, nationality, sexual orientation and persons of differing abilities.

Implementing the Vision 20/20 program will ultimately determine its success. I believe the four words listed as values – accepting, growing, serving and welcoming – are the keys because they are specific, achievable and universal. Whether you are working on the church budget, volunteering at Food Outreach, handing out bulletins before worship or repairing a pew in the sanctuary these values apply and they have been and can continue to be our light for the community and beyond. 

Comment

Comment

Together at Faith Des Peres

Church Office Closed July 3
The church office will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

Sunday, July 5 Worship at the Old Meeting House
Sunday, July 5 we will celebrate worship and communion at the Old Meeting House on Geyer Road. Please remember to bring your donations for Feeding the Flock. Rev. Joe Marting will be preaching while Annie is in New Hampshire celebrating her niece's wedding.

Sermon Series
The series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” will cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.
July 12             Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9          Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
August 16        Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23        The Apostle Paul
August 30        Left Behind and Loving It
September 6    Now What?

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!!  

July 11/Day 4: Stars/Sun/Moon --- star gazing on Saturday night. We won’t meet in the morning!

 Aug 9/Day 5: Land, animals and man ---  nothing before church, lunch/zoo trip after church

 Aug 16/Day 6: Connie McNutt, master gardener, will lead us in a discussion on biodiversity; the kids will have a chance to dig in the dirt, and everyone will explore the community garden

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

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

Last week we unveiled our new vision, mission and value statements and this week we’ll have a chance to live into them as we explore the topic of sexuality and the Bible with a particular look at Caitlyn Jenner.  This is the 3rd sermon in my series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”.  For those of you who weren’t present last week, or haven’t yet memorized our values (!), they are:

 Accepting people for who they are and where they are on their faith journey.

Growing in our faith by asking questions and wrestling with ambiguity.

Serving others in the same Christ served others.

Welcoming young and old, singles and families, respectful of race, nationality, sexual orientation and persons of differing abilities.

 

The subject of transgendered persons is a timely and important subject, and as people of faith we need to be talking about it.  I hope you’ll be here Sunday with your inquiring and open minds.

Also, don’t forget our Living Creation faith formation class at 9:30.  This week we have a beekeeper coming to talk about “Bee Keeping 101” and he’ll have his first batch of honey of the season for sale.  We’ll also get to sample it during class!  The kids will have fun with bubbles, too.  Last week about 15-20 people were here for tai chi; I hope you come back and I hope others join us.  But please know this is one of those series that you can jump in and out of depending on your interest and availability.

See you in church.

Annie

Comment

Comment

Together at Faith Des Peres

Sermon Series
The series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” will cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.
June 14            The Birds and Bees
June 28            Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
July 12             Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9          Uppity Women Unite
August 16        Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23        The Apostle Paul
August 30        Left Behind and Loving It
September 6    Now What?

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 14/ Day 2: Water from air- Bee-keeping 101/ Bubbles

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 

 

Church Office Closed Week of June 21
The church office will be closed the week of June 21 while both Pastor Annie and Yolanda are out of town. Messages will be checked but if you have an emergency, please call Annie on her cell phone.

Joe Marting preaching Sunday, June 21
Thank you so much to Joe Marting who will be preaching next Sunday, June 21 while Annie is away at the Worship
and Music Conference at Montreat.

Living Creation - Sunday, June 28 9:30
On June 28, Connie McNutt, master gardener and community garden, will lead us in a
discussion of bio-diversity and the kids will have a chance to dig in the dirt and make pine cone bird feeders.  We'll be outside, so please dress for the weather!  Connie has also spruced up the church grounds and is interested in starting a Frontenac Garden Club.  You'll enjoy meeting her!

Flat Jesus Reminder
Don’t forget to take your Flat Jesus with you on vacation this summer. Email your Flat Jesus pictures to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org. 

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

Please wear your blue Faith Des Peres shirts on Sunday!!

Over 60 of us had fun at our first-ever Church in the Park service last Sunday despite the cold weather!  I heard many favorable comments so plan on this becoming an annual tradition!  I want to thank Terry Baker and Leslie Barnes for hosting, and Phil Payne, John Willock and Andy Richter for serving as grill masters.  Yum!

This Sunday we’ll have our annual meeting after church.  I hope you’ll be here for the unveiling of our new vision and mission statements, the values that guide us, and goals for the next 3-5 years.  The Session is also asking you to adopt a change in the number of elders who serve on the Session.  Plan on the meeting lasting 20-30 minutes (depending on how many questions are asked).  While we’d like you to stay for all of it, stay for as much as you can.

Also, Feeding the Flock is Sunday.  Bring your food!

And last but not least, Living Creation Bible Study kicks off Sunday with a short overview of the creation story and then tai chi with Susan Marting.  Come dressed comfortably!  This is for all ages and abilities and is a great way to begin your day.  No experience necessary! 

Wow, that’s a lot happening in a short amount of time.  Don’t forget to wear your shirt!

See you Sunday.

Annie

PS: On June 14 for Living Creation, we’ll host a bee-keeper and there will be bubble mania for the youngsters.  Fresh honey for all!

Comment

Comment

Together at Faith Des Peres

Living Creation Bible Study
Join us Sundays at 9:30 when we’ll step into the story of creation in a unique way.  We’ll open with a brief overview of the Bible passage and then experience the story. On June 7, we’ll reflect on God the creator awakening.  Susan Marting, tai chi instructor, will lead us in simple tai chi exercises.  No experience necessary!  Come in clothes that are easy to move in; tai chi involves gentle movement. On June 14, Jurgen Ermel, bee-keeper in Kirkwood, will talk about bee-keeping 101 and Leslie Barnes will have bubble fun for the youngsters and young at heart.  Choose your topic!  This is for ALL AGES, but childcare will be available at 9:30 for those who want it.  On June 28, master gardener and community gardener Connie McNutt will talk about bio-diversity and we’ll get outside and see what’s happening in the community garden.  Kids will have a chance to dig in the dirt!  (There is no gathering on June 21.)  See you there.  Invite your friends!

Annual Congregational Meeting this Sunday, June 7 after church
The annual meeting of the congregation will take place Sunday after the worship service. Session will present the Vision 20/20 results that include a new vision, mission, values and structure for the church.

"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 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.

Calling All Men!
Let’s have lunch at J. Green’s Pub (Manchester Rd. and Sappington Rd. in Warson Woods) on Thursday, June 18 at 11:30.  Joe Marting is hosting.  The food and company will be great.  Let us know you’re coming by signing-up here or in the Gathering Space by Tuesday, June 16th or call Yolanda at 432-8029.

Summer Sermon Series: “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”
In this series we’ll continue to cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our
intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.


June 14             The Birds and The Bees
June 28             Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
July 12              Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9           Uppity Women Unite
August 16         Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23         The Apostle Paul
August 30         Left Behind and Loving It
September 6      Now What?

Communion Table Flowers
Registration for communion table flowers is now available in the Gathering Space. Please indicate how you would like the dedication in the bulletin to read. Yolanda will send an email a few days ahead of your scheduled date to remind you to bring flowers. Thank you for adorning the table!

Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch will meet Tuesday, June 16 at 11:30 am at Miss Sheri’s on Manchester Road.

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

I’m looking forward to Church in the Park this Sunday.  We’ll worship at 10:30 at Lions Pavilion which is in Kirkwood Park near the tennis courts (look for the balloons but there’s a map here), and afterwards enjoy a BBQ lunch.  Don’t forget to bring a side dish, chips or dessert to share.  Everything else is provided.  The choir will sing and I’ll continue my sermon series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism” with the topic “Is Eve Really to Blame?”  If you want to read or listen to the first two sermons in the series, you can find them here.

On June 7, our Living Creation Bible study begins at 9:30 in the Gathering Space.  We’ll look at the story of creation from Genesis in a unique way.  The first day is “The Awakening of the Creator”; for the first 10 minutes or so we’ll get a quick lesson on the two different Creation stories (Genesis 1 and 2) and then Susan Marting will lead us in tai chi as a way for us to “awaken” to creation.  Tai chi is gentle movement; wear comfortable clothes but no need for a mat.  This is for all ages, so come and enjoy the relaxed days of summer!

After church we’ll hold our annual meeting, unveil our new vision and mission statements, our values, two goals that will guide us for the next 5 years, and approve a new governance structure to assist in meeting those goals.  I encourage you to come because this will affect you!

See you Sunday.

Annie

Comment

Comment

Together at Faith Des Peres

Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, June 7
The annual meeting of the congregation will take place Sunday, June 7 after the worship service. Session will present the Vision 20/20 results that include a new vision, mission, values and structure for the church.

Living Creation - Sundays 9:30-10ish
Join us for an intergenerational, experiential Bible study on the creation story.  We’ll begin with a short reading and lesson, and then we’ll step into each creation day in a unique way.  On June 7, we’ll reflect on God the creator awakening.  Susan Marting, tai chi instructor, will lead us in simple tai chi exercises.  No experience necessary!  Come in clothes that are easy to move in; tai chi involves gentle movement.  This is for all ages!  We look forward to seeing you, and we hope you’ll support this new faith formation offering at Faith Des Peres.

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.

Flat Jesus
Flat Jesus is back!  Get a template for him on the blog or in the Gathering Space.  Email your Flat Jesus pictures to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org.  Flat Jesus is a fun project that helps us share our faith and reminds us that Jesus goes with us wherever we go.  It’s also a way to keep us connected over the summer while people are travelling hither and yon.  You’re invited, and encouraged, to take a cut-out of Jesus, decorate him, take him with you this summer, snap pictures of your Flat Jesus, and email them to us.

Summer Sermon Series: “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”
In this series we’ll cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.

June 14             The Birds and Bees
June 28             Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
July 12              Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9           Uppity Women Unite
August 16         Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23         The Apostle Paul
August 30         Left Behind and Loving It
September 6      Now What?

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

This weekend we’ll worship at the Old Church and I’ll continue my sermon series “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”.  The topic is creation and evolution.  I hope you can join us.  Don’t forget Church in the Park on May 31.  If you haven’t yet RSVP’d, please let us know you’re coming so we have a head count for the BBQ.  This will be a fun day! 

On June 7, we’ll hold our annual meeting after church.  This will be an important meeting to attend because the Session will present our new vision and mission statement, our values, goals and a restructure of how we do ministry.  As you know, the Session has spent countless hours with our consultant for the Vision 20/20 process, and the fruits of their labor will be presented on June 7.  I’ve been truly inspired by the work we’ve done, and I’m more convinced than ever that our best days are ahead of us. So please, please, please mark your calendars for June 7.

And last but certainly not least, as we celebrate Memorial Day this Monday, let’s not forget the real reason we celebrate, and give thanks to God for the men and women who have served our country in the arm forces.  Thank you!

 Blessings,

Annie

Comment

Comment

Worship and Bible Study

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. It will be lots of fun, so we hope to see you there! Lions Pavilion is where the Greentree book fair is held, and is closest to the tennis courts off of Adams Avenue. There are maps available in the Gathering Space. Please RSVP to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org so we know the count for BBQ.  Thanks!

Living Creation - Sundays 9:30-10ish
Join us for an intergenerational, experiential Bible study on the creation story.  We’ll begin with a short reading and lesson, and then we’ll step into each creation day in a unique way.  On June 7, we’ll reflect on God the creator awakening.  Susan Marting, tai chi instructor, will lead us in simple tai chi exercises.  No experience necessary!  Come in clothes that are easy to move in; tai chi involves gentle movement.  This is for all ages!  We look forward to seeing you, and we hope you’ll support this new faith formation offering at Faith Des Peres.

Summer Sermon Series: “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”
In this series we’ll cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.

May 24            Creation and Evolution – Are They Incompatible?
May 31             Is Eve Really to Blame?
June 14            The Birds and Bees
June 28            Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
July 12              Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9          Uppity Women Unite
August 16        Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23        The Apostle Paul
August 30        Left Behind and Loving It
September 6    Now What?

Comment

Comment

Together at Faith Des Peres

Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, June 7
The annual meeting of the congregation will take place Sunday, June 7 after the worship service. Session will present the Vision 20/20 results that include a new vision, mission, values and structure for the church.


"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.

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 add 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

Flat Jesus
Flat Jesus is back!  Get a template for him on the blog or in the Gathering Space.  Email your Flat Jesus pictures to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org.  Flat Jesus is a fun project that helps us share our faith and reminds us that Jesus goes with us wherever we go.  It’s also a way to keep us connected over the summer while people are travelling hither and yon.  You’re invited, and encouraged, to take a cut-out of Jesus, decorate him, take him with you this summer, snap pictures of your Flat Jesus, and email them to us.

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,

This Sunday I’m beginning a new sermon series: “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”.  In this series we’ll cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  This Sunday the topic is “Creation and Evolution: Incompatible or Not?”  Don’t check your brain at the door!

The Worship Arts Committee in cooperation with the Session is finalizing the job description for a new Director of Music and Organist.  We expect to post the ad this week.  If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know.  If you know someone who may be suitable for the job, please point them to our website, where the ad is posted along with the job description.  I’m more than happy to talk with anyone about the position, too.  It’s highly likely that our new musician will come to us through a referral.  In the meantime, we have substitute musicians lined up through July 5.  Some of them have played here before, and some of them are new.  The choir will sing this Sunday, May 31, and June 7.  Thank you to the section leaders, Danny, Rachel, Samantha and Cameron, for stepping up and leading the choir during this time of transition.

Lastly, I hope you’re making plans to attend Worship in the Park on May 31.   I’m really hoping we’ll have some of our best attendance of the year at this service.  It will be fun, there will be food, and the fellowship will be enjoyable.  Please RSVP to Yolanda if you have not yet done so.

See you in church.

Annie

Comment

Comment

What's Happening at Church

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!  

New Sermon Series
We begin a new sermon series today: “Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism”.  In this series we’ll cover some of the hot-button issues of the day with a look at what the Bible does and does not say about them.  This series allows us to take the Bible seriously but not literally, and assumes God and the Bible can handle our intellectual pursuits.  Don’t check your brain at the door.

May 17             Creation and Evolution – Are They Incompatible?
May 24             Is Eve Really to Blame?
May 31             Uppity Women Unite
June 14             The Birds and Bees
June 28             Violence, Vengeance and Victory Oh My!
July 12              Edited Stories and Cover-Ups
August 9           Born of a Virgin
August 16         Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?
August 23         The Apostle Paul
August 30         Left Behind and Loving It
September 6      Now What?

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 

 

Comment

Comment

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.

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.

Flat Jesus
Flat Jesus is back!  Get a template for him on the blog or in the Gathering Space.  Email your Flat Jesus pictures to Yolanda at adminasst@faithdesperes.org.  Flat Jesus is a fun project that helps us share our faith and reminds us that Jesus goes with us wherever we go.  It’s also a way to keep us connected over the summer while people are travelling hither and yon.  You’re invited, and encouraged, to take a cut-out of Jesus, decorate him, take him with you this summer, snap pictures of your Flat Jesus, and email them to us.

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 add 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


Comment

Comment

Thank You Notes

 

A Note of Thanks
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the lovely reception on Sunday, for your generous gift, and for your good wishes, kind words, and prayers. We have enjoyed worshiping with you and getting to know you these past five years. Our lives are richer for having been a part of Faith Des Peres. 
May the Lord bless you,
Gay

Thank you Laura Rakestraw
Thank you to Laura Rakestraw for serving as organist today while we are searching for a new Director of Music and Organist.  The Worship Arts Committee hopes to post the ad for a new Music Director this week.  During this time of transition, the Session invites you to send feedback, questions, and names of potential candidates to Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org   Thank you.

Comment

Comment

Dear Faith Des Peres Community

 

Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
This Sunday we’ll dedicate our pledges for 2016 fiscal year.  If you haven’t yet mailed in your pledge, please bring it to church with you where we will dedicate them during worship.  Also this Sunday, we will say farewell to Gay Spears.  Gay has been a wonderful Director of Music and Organist, and I know we will miss her greatly.  There will be a time in worship when we’ll recognize her, and afterwards we’ll have a reception for her in the Gathering Space.  I hope you’ll make time to be in worship and say goodbye.

Blessings,
Annie

Comment