The annual dinner to support the presbytery’s high school scholarship in Plan Grande 2,Nicaragua will be Monday, October 24 6:00 ~ 9:00 at LoRusso’s 3121 Watson Road, St.Louis. The scholarship program is really making a difference in Plan Grande #2. We’ve had 51 graduates since the program began and more than half of them have continued gone on to vocational/technical or university study. Currently 10 of them are primary school teachers! Some of these young people are really emerging as community leaders. It’s awesome to see and be a part of. And tickets for the wonderful dinner at LoRusso’s are only $50! [Note: this price has not changed since LoRusso’s began partnering with NCP.] Reservations can be made by mailing checks made to “GLPBY” or “Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy” to 411 Tregaron Place, St. Louis, MO63131.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
I’m halfway through the sermon series on Half-Truths. Thank you for the positive feedback! This week we’re delving into the half-truth “God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It”. You’ve probably seen this saying on bumper stickers or billboards. Even though Presbyterians don’t read the Bible literally, when and how do we draw the line between what is “truth” and what’s a “half-truth” or no longer true? Is it solely based on whether we agree with it or not? Does the New Testament take precedence over the Old Testament? Spoiler alert: the answer to those last two questions is “no”.
We posted our “roving reverend” video for this week early, and I think you’ll find our on-the-street interviews insightful. As we seek to challenge the present to change the future to make Christ known, it’s important for us to hear what people outside the church think of these Christian clichés, because it affects what they think of Christians and therefore us! You can find the video here. This is also a great opportunity to invite someone to church, particularly someone who holds a skeptical view of church. What they hear here may surprise them! The key to fulfilling the vision God has given us is in large part your willingness to live your faith, and to invite others to join you on this journey.
See you Sunday.
Annie
You’re invited to “Coffee with the Pastor” on Sunday, September 25 at 9:30 am in the Gathering Space. There, you will have the opportunity to discover more about Faith Des Peres and get answers to questions about what it means to be Presbyterian in a friendly and fun environment while also meeting some great people. If you’ve already attended a “Coffee with the Pastor” and are interested in joining the church, we plan on accepting new members during worship in October. Questions? Ask Pastor Annie or Cat Trotter. It would be an honor to be your church family.
Plan to join the PW Bible study on Wednesday, September 28 9:30 am in the Gathering Space as we begin our monthly bible study. The book, Who is Jesus?, is available in the Gathering Space. Please prepare Lesson 1 for our first meeting. All women are welcome to attend.
If you missed the Shared Ministry Fair two weeks ago, there’s still a chance to sign-up for something. From “one and done” volunteer opportunities to something ongoing, there’s something for everyone. Many hands make light work! Look for sign-up sheets in the Gathering Space. Thanks!
The buddy packs program provides weekend meals for 5 students at Robinson Elementary school. There are three different types of volunteer opportunities for this school year. We need one or two volunteers to pack the food in bags every week after church. We need one volunteer a week (on either Thursday or Friday) to deliver the food to Robinson Elementary School in Kirkwood. Finally, we need one volunteer a month to unpack the food and stock it in the buddy packs closet. Please consider helping this important cause. See Clarissa with any questions. Sign up using the links below.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aaba922a5fd0-buddy1
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 8. There we will pack food into individual meals that will be given to those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer that are living at or below the poverty level. We start at 8am and are done before 11 am. Food Outreach requests that volunteers be at least 11 years old and in 5th grade. Please sign up in the Gathering Space.
The Worship Arts Center wants pictures of YOUR SAINT for a special All Saints Day worship service. Your saint might be your Mom or Dad, brother or sister, coach or mentor; your saint is the person who molded you and helped you and shaped you into the person you are today. You can email your picture to Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org , or bring your picture to church and leave it in the saint basket in the Gathering Space. We’ll make a copy of your picture and return the original to you. You won’t want to miss having your saint in the display, so don’t delay. We need your pictures by October 16. Thank you.
The 2016 Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery History Tour will be to Bellefontaine Cemetery on Thursday, October 13 8:45 am– 3 pm. The cost is $63.00 per person which includes a boxed lunch. The tour will depart from Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Register by calling Betsy Stoll at 314-821-0533.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
This Sunday I’ll continue the sermon series “Half Truths” where we are examining Christian clichés that don’t make sense once you start to really think about them. This week we’ll look at the saying “God helps those who help themselves”. Quick – is this in the Bible or not? Join us Sunday for the whole truth behind the truth!
This sermon series is a great opportunity to invite someone to worship. Maybe you know someone who is going through a difficult period, asking the perennial question “Why”. Maybe you yourself are asking that question and haven’t been to church in a while. Come on Sunday, and invite someone to join you, to discover the whole truth that brings more comfort than the half-truth. You can invite someone by forwarding this email to them. How much simpler could it be?
If you haven’t been to church in a while, consider coming back on Sunday. And, know that when you aren’t here, you’re missed.
Hope to see you Sunday.
Blessings,
Annie
The Centering Prayer Group, a small group of Faith Des Peres members and friends, meets every 3rd Sunday of the month at 5 p.m. in the Gathering Space. Often referred to as Christian meditation, Centering Prayer is a method of contemplative prayer that places emphasis on inner silence. It offers a way to grow in intimacy with God, moving beyond conversation to communion. You are welcome to come!
They are simple phrases. They sound Christian – like something you might even find in the Bible:
• God won’t give you more than you can handle
• God helps those who help themselves
• Love the sinner, hate the sin
• God said it, I believe it, that settles it
We’ve all heard these words. Maybe we’ve said them. They capture some element of truth – yet they also miss the point in very important ways. Join us as we search for the whole truth.
This month the lunch gathering will be at McArthur’s on Kirkwood Rd. in Kirkwood.
McArthur’s serves soup, sandwiches and salads with a “walk-up” order bar. This should
speed up the process for everyone coming on his/her lunch hour. Join us!
You’re invited to “Coffee with the Pastor” on Sunday, September 25 at 9:30 am in the Gathering Space. There, you will have the opportunity to discover more about Faith Des Peres and get answers to questions about what it means to be Presbyterian in a friendly and fun environment while also meeting some great people. If you’ve already attended a “Coffee with the Pastor” and are interested in joining the church, we plan on accepting new members during worship in October. Questions? Ask Pastor Annie or Cat Trotter. It would be an honor to be your church family.
Plan to join the PW Bible study on Wednesday, September 28 9:30 am in the Gathering Space as we begin our monthly bible study. The book, Who is Jesus?, is available at church in the Gathering Space. Please prepare Lesson 1 for our first meeting. All women are welcome to attend.
The buddy packs program provides weekend meals for 5 students at Robinson Elementary school. There are three different types of volunteer opportunities for this school year. We need one or two volunteers to pack the food in bags every week after church. We need one volunteer a week (on either Thursday or Friday) to deliver the food to Robinson Elementary School in Kirkwood. Finally, we need one volunteer a month to unpack the food and stock it in the buddy packs closet. Please consider helping this important cause. See Clarissa with any questions. Sign up using the links below.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aaba922a5fd0-buddy1
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 8. There we will pack food into individual meals that will be given to those living with HIV/AIDS and cancer that are living at or below the poverty level. We start at 8 am and are done before 11 am. Food Outreach requests that volunteers be at least 11 years old and in 5th grade. Please sign up in the Gathering Space.
You are invited to share in the Worship of God and the Ordination of Jay Arthur Summerville Sunday, September 18 at 3 pm at Second Presbyterian Church 4501 Westminster Place, St. Louis, MO 63108 (complimentary valet parking). Rev. Mary Gene Boteler preaching. A reception will follow the service.
The 2016 Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery History Tour will be to Bellefontaine Cemetery on Thursday, October 13 8:45 am– 3 pm. The cost is $63.00 per person which includes a boxed lunch. The tour will depart from Kirkwood Presbyterian Church. Register by calling Betsy Stoll at 314-821-0533.
Everyday people say “I would like to be a part of helping someone”. Our patients would welcome your visits. Hospice is a special kind of care designed to provide sensitivity and support for people in the final phase of a terminal illness. Heartland Hospice’s goal is to provide palliative and supportive services to meet physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families in a health care facility or other residential settings. Volunteers can provide one-on-one attention to residents who are lonely or cut off from their families, thereby reducing feelings of isolation and contributing to their sense of belonging. The benefits are endless when one can make a “DIFFERENCE”.
Volunteers are the heart of the Hospice Team.
We depend on our Hospice volunteers to help us provide the extra love and care our clients and their families need at this time in their life. Heartland volunteers offer support, companionship and practical, caring help to this special group of people. Staying with the patient so family members can take a break, reading scripture to patients, or holding their hand. The help and support our volunteers give is returned to them in countless ways. You can make a DIFFERENCE. All assignments are in close proximity to your home, work or school. You can donate as little or as much of your time as you desire. Please contact Virginia at 314-453-0990 if you would like to bring something special into someone’s life. Be sure to inquire about our next Training Class.