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.
It’s a communion Sunday which means the kids will pull the wagon and collect food for Circle of Concern during the offering time. The idea behind Feeding the Flock is that while we are spiritually fed at Christ’s table, we are called to physically feed others. This is an important outreach ministry of Faith Des Peres, and is one that gets everyone involved. Even if you forget food on Sunday, you can always donate food to Circle of Concern by dropping it off at the church. Thank you.
The FDP choir will be joining other local church choirs for a concert that highlights the works of Mary McDonald. Mary McDonald is a well known composer of sacred music that spans the last 35 years. She has published over 800 choral anthems, cantatas, and keyboard collections. Please come support the choir and enjoy an evening of music directed by Mary McDonald herself!! The Concert will be held on Sunday, October 1 at Manchester United Methodist Church (129 Woods Mill Road, Manchester, MO 63110) at 7:00 pm.
Looking for a quick and easy way to serve the church and wider community? Join the Mission and Ministry Committee following church next Sunday. To pack backpacks of food for kids to eat on the weekend.
Come join members of Faith Des Peres at Food Outreach on Saturday morning, October 7th. 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. Sign up sheet is available in the Gathering Space. Food Outreach is located at 3117 Olive Street. Meet us there.
You’re invited to “Coffee with the Pastor” on Sunday, October 8th at 9:30 am in the
Gathering Space. You will have the opportunity to 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. Any Questions? Ask PastorAnnie. It would be an honor to be your church family.
Touchy Topics Book Club
The Faith Formation Center is starting a new book group called Touchy Topics Book Group. The idea is to read a book (religious or not) about a touchy topic and then cometogether to talk about it. The first book we’re reading is Small, Great Things by Jodi Picoult. In Small, Great Things, Jodi tackles the profoundly challenging yet essential concerns of our time: prejudice, race, and justice. In its review, The Washington Post wrote: “Frank, uncomfortably introspective and right on the day’s headlines, it will challenge herreaders… The difficult self-awareness is what sustains this book...forcing engaged readers tomeditate on their own beliefs and actions along with these characters.” Join us after church (lunch provided) on October 22 for about 1-1 ½ hours to talk about the book. You can purchase the book at any retailer or find it in your local library. Questions? See Annie. RSVP via the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space or by email. (Lunch count needed.) Thanks!
Join the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy 2017 History Tour as we explore the Religions of the World. Cost is $47.00 per person. Lunch at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at your own expense. Make reservations with Betsy Stoll 314-821-0533.
Dear Faith Des Peres Family,
This Sunday I’ll conclude my sermon series on Moses by reflecting on the story of Moses’ death and God’s refusal to allow Moses into the Promised Land. As you prepare for Sunday, I’d like you to think about who has been influential in passing on your faith to you, and what legacy do you want to leave to others? We’ll talk more about both of these things on Sunday.
After church, you have an opportunity to give an hour to Buddy Packs. It only takes that long to pack 240 packs for 60 kids to get food for the weekend. That’s not very long to give to help a hungry child, so please consider volunteering an hour. Packing takes place in Fellowship Hall.
There are other opportunities for service and learning in this email, and I encourage you to check them out.
See you Sunday,
Annie
Reflections from Miri’s Woods is a collection of short personal essays, or “snapshots,” of Ron’s experiences and thoughts about life: his work as a parole agent, college teacher, and psychologist. Written over a dozen years, this book reflects the life and work of Ron, ordinary American living in extraordinary times. The book is available from Amazon in paperback ($8.99) or e-book ($3.99); or in paperback from the author ($8.99).
Children and youth, join Disciples Gathering as they study Moses in September. Classes for children (grades K-4) and youth (grades 5-8) meet during the worship hour from about 10:40-11:30. Youth meet with Sydney downstairs in the youth room, and children meets upstairs with Clare in the classroom next to the nursery.
Looking for a quick and easy way to serve the church and wider community? Join the Mission and Ministry Committee following church Sunday to pack buddy packs. Buddy Packs provides food on the weekends for children in the University City school district. We pack 240 packs that are then distributed to 60 kids a week. It takes about one hour to pack, and packing is downstairs in Fellowship Hall (directly under the sanctuary). Packing takes place on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Thank you!
Join the Presbyterian Women group as they study the Book of Hebrews Lesson 2 in the leader guide.. They meet the last Wednesday of the month from 9:30-11:15. You can join the group any time as each lesson stands alone. They meet in the Gathering Space.
Come join members of Faith Des Peres at Food Outreach on Saturday morning, October 7th. 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. Food Outreach is located at 3117 Olive Street. Meet us there.
You’re invited to “Coffee with the Pastor” on Sunday, October 8th at 9:30 am in the
Gathering Space. You will have the opportunity to 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. Any Questions? Ask Pastor Annie. It would be an honor to be your church family.
The Faith Formation Center is starting a new book group called Touchy Topics Book Group. The idea is to read a book (religious or not) about a touchy topic and then cometogether to talk about it. The first book we’re reading is Small, Great Things by Jodi Picoult. In Small, Great Things, Jodi tackles the profoundly challenging yet essential concerns of our time: prejudice, race, and justice. In its review, The Washington Post wrote: “Frank, uncomfortably introspective and right on the day’s headlines, it will challenge herreaders… The difficult self-awareness is what sustains this book...forcing engaged readers tomeditate on their own beliefs and actions along with these characters.” Join us after church (lunch provided) on October 22 for about 1-1 ½ hours to talk about the book. You can purchase the book at any retailer or find it in your local library. Questions? See Annie. RSVP via the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space or by email. (Lunch count needed.) Thanks!
Join the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy 2017 History Tour as we explore the Religions of the World. Cost is $47.00 per person. Lunch at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church at your own expense. Make reservations with Betsy Stoll 314-821-0533.
Dear Faith Des Peres Community,
This Sunday I’m continuing my sermon series on Moses by focusing on the time the Hebrews spent in the wilderness. Scripture tells us this time period was about 40 years. Now, we have no way of knowing whether or not they really spent forty years wandering in the wilderness, but the number 40 is the Bible’s way of telling us they spent a really long time wandering the wilderness in order to get to the Promised Land. And as you can imagine, they weren’t very happy about it taking so long. They did a lot of grumbling. They complained. And at times, they lost faith that they would ever reach the Promised Land.
Their experience is not unlike our own. Think about your own “wilderness” moments; not the literal ones, but the figurative ones. What was the cause? How did you get through it? What challenges did you face, and what did you learn? At these times it can be hard to sense God’s presence, but the lesson from Exodus is that God is there with us in the wilderness, guiding us to the Promised Land.
I hope you’ll come Sunday to hear this encouraging news because it’s the good news!
See you in church,
Annie
Join the Friday Foodies Today at Lester’s Bar and Grille, 9906 Clayton RD. Ladue, MO. Childcare will be provided at the church starting at 6:30 pm.
Join the Presbyterian Women group as they study the Book of Hebrews Lesson 2 in the leader guide.. They meet the last Wednesday of the month from 9:30-11:15. You can join the group any time as each lesson stands alone. They meet in the Gathering Space
Children and youth, join Disciples Gathering as they study Moses in September. Classes for children (grades K-4) and youth (grades 5-8) meet during the worship hour from about 10:40-11:30. Youth meet with Sydney downstairs in the youth room, and children meets upstairs with Clare in the classroom next to the nursery.
