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.
Bell Choir Forming
We’re forming a bell choir for Advent! The bells are on loan to us from First Presbyterian Cape Girardeau, now we need willing ringers. We already have 7 people, but ideally we’ll have 10-11 so we can play with more bells. You don't need experience playing bells, but the ability to read music is helpful. Questions? See Annie or Jeff White, our interim Director of Music. Thanks!
Beginning October 29, Jeff White will “be on the bench”, serving as our interim Director of Music and Organist. Jeff is currently the Associate Director of Music and Organist at historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard. Because of his schedule there, he’s able to lead weekly choir rehearsals and play the organ for 50% of the Sundays and Christmas Eve. He’ll also conduct our newly forming bell choir. Laura Rakestraw, who has been a trusty sub for us, will play the other Sundays beginning October 22. Welcome, Jeff and Laura. We’re glad to have you here!
Dear Faith Des Peres Family,
This week I’m continuing the sermon series “Searching For Truth: What Christians Believe and Why” by looking at the phrase from the Apostles’ Creed “I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.” As I mentioned in week one of the series, Presbyterians dropped belief in the bodily resurrection as an essential tenet of the faith nearly 100 years ago. However, this doesn’t mean that we don’t wonder, at some point in time in our lives, what happens to us after we die. Will I keep this body, or do I get a new one?! (Personally, I’m hoping for a body that can eat whatever it wants with no ill side effects!) But all kidding aside, our questions aren’t only about what happens to our bodies after we die, but more importantly, is there a part of us that continues to live after our body has died? Is there more? Is there an afterlife? Will I see my loved ones when I die? We’re going to ponder these questions on Sunday, and while I can’t promise any definitive answers, I can promise you a message of hope.
Tonight (Friday) is the annual bonfire. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful night. Come on out at 7 or even later and enjoy the nice fall evening. Bring a lawn chair and, if you want, a drink or nosh to share. The church is providing hotdogs and s’mores stuff.
And finally, please don’t forget the picture of your saint for the slideshow on All Saints Sunday!! You can email those to me or Tiara. If you don’t have an electronic file, bring in a hard copy and we’ll make a copy.
See you in church!
Annie
The Bonfire is Friday, October 20 at 7:00 pm. Join us in the back parking lot for an informal evening. Bring a lawn chair and food and/or drinks to share. Kids, feel free to wear you Halloween costumes to church. It’s always a fun night!
All Saints Celebration
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 Tiara at adminasst@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 22. Thank you.
Touchy Topics Book Club
The Faith Formation Center book group Touchy Topics Book Group starts today. 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. Join us after church (lunch provided) today for about 1-1 ½ hours to talk about the book. Thanks!
Beginning October 29, Jeff White will “be on the bench”, serving as our interim Director of Music and Organist. Jeff is currently the Associate Director of Music and Organist at historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard. Because of his schedule there, he’s able to lead weekly choir rehearsals and play the organ for 50% of the Sundays and Christmas Eve. He’ll also conduct our newly forming bell choir. Laura Rakestraw, who has been a trusty sub for us, will play the other Sundays beginning October 22. Welcome, Jeff and Laura. We’re glad to have you here!
Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about this year’s Advent Devotion Booklet! We’re looking for writers to submit a devotion no more than 250 words. It can be a story, you can share a tradition, or write about something meaningful to you. We need submissions by November 1. You can find examples in previous years’ devotion booklets by using the link found in our weekly blog. Questions? See Annie Epling or Terry Baker.
Bell Choir Forming
We’re forming a bell choir for Advent! The bells are on loan to us from First Presbyterian Cape Girardeau, now we need willing ringers. We already have 7 people, but ideally we’ll have 10-11 so we can play with more bells. You don't need experience playing bells, but the ability to read music is helpful. Questions? See Annie or Jeff White, our interim Director of Music. Thanks!
Join the Presbyterian Women group as they study the Book of Hebrews Lesson 3 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.
We would like to extend our greatest sympathy to Andy Richter and family on the passing of his mother. Please remember to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
Last week about 8 of us volunteered at Food Outreach to pack food for people living with HIV/AIDS and cancer. The church volunteers at Food Outreach about 3-4 times a year and has been involved with Food Outreach for as long as I can remember. In fact, they were recipients of one of the grants we distributed from the funds set aside for mission from the first capital campaign; we donated $7500 to pay for a new stove. If you've never volunteered at Food Outreach, consider doing so the next time we're there. In about 3 hours, you can make a big difference in someone's life.
This Sunday, Rob Jacklin will join us during the PALS hour at 9:30 to talk about parenting in the digital age. As a mom, this is a topic that hits home. If you're a parent or grandparent, or an inquisitive or concerned person, I encourage you to attend the class. Phones and social media are a part of our daily lives, so let's figure out how to be responsible users of them and help our kids to do the same.
Finally, the sermon series “Searching for Truth: What Christians Believe and Why”, which looks at the Apostles’ Creed as a framework for Christian belief, continues. This week I'm talking about Jesus Christ, what the creed affirms and leaves out about Jesus, and what it all means for us today. I hope you'll come to listen and learn and find strength and hope for your faith. This is a great time to invite someone to church who wrestles with his or her faith or hasn't grown up in a church because we're covering some of the nuts and bolts of Christian belief. Invite someone!
See you Sunday!
Annie
We extend our deepest to Andy Richter and family on the passing of his mother. Please remember to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
THIS SUNDAY! Rob Jacklin, “Parenting in a Digital Age” at 9:30am
Rob Jacklin returns for a “2.0” presentation based on his successful “1.0” presentation last year. Raising children in the digital age is challenging. With new technologies, websites, and apps appearing every day, parents feel overwhelmed. In this talk we will look specifically at why children so easily gravitate toward digital tools, what are the benefits that should be embraced by families, what are the true dangers families need to be on the lookout for, and what resources exist for parents to help their families use media in a God pleasing way. Join us for an informative discussion.
Touchy Topics Book Club
Join us to read and discuss 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. Join us after church (lunch provided) on October 22 for about 1-1 ½ hours to talk about the book. See Annie. RSVP via the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space or by email. (Lunch count needed.) Thanks!
Presbyterian Women Bible Study, Wednesday October 25th
Join the Presbyterian Women group as they study the Book of Hebrews Lesson 3 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.
Advent Devotion Booklet
Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about this year’s Advent Devotion Booklet! We’re looking for writers to submit a devotion no more than 250 words. It can be a story, you can share a tradition, or write about something meaningful to you. We need submissions by November 1. You can find examples in previous years’ devotion booklets by using the link found in our weekly blog. Questions? See Annie Epling or Terry Baker.
Bonfire, Friday, October 22 at 7 pm
The “almost annual” bonfire is Friday, October 22 at 7:00pm. Join us in the back parking lot for an informal evening. Bring a lawn chair and food and/or drinks to share. Kids, feel free to wear you Halloween costumes to church. It’s always a fun night!
All Saints Celebration
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 Tiara at adminasst@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 22. Thank you.
Bell Choir Forming
We’re forming a bell choir for Advent! The bells are on loan to us from First Presbyterian Cape Girardeau, now we need willing ringers. We already have 7 people, but ideally we’ll have 10-11 so we can play with more bells. You don't need experience playing bells, but the ability to read music is helpful. Questions? See Annie or Jeff White, our interim Director of Music. Thanks!
In this new sermon series, “Searching for Truth: What Christians Believe and Why”, we’ll look at the Apostles’ Creed as a framework for Christian belief. The creed is not a checklist of things that one has to agree with in order to be a Christian. It is the place where we begin our conversation about what we believe God has done in Jesus Christ and what that means for the church and us as disciples in our own day and time. Children and youth will also study the Apostles' Creed in October and November. Classes for children (grades K-4) and youth (grades 5-8) meet during the worship hour from about 10:40-11:30.
The church is in the process of switching its internet service to Charter but needs someone with IT skills to help us get better wifi coverage to all parts of the building. If you are knowledgeable about wifi or know someone who is, please contact Tiara in the church office: adminasst@faithdesperes.org. We need someone who knows something about routers, extenders, and the like. Thank you.
Coffee with the Pastor
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.
Food Outreach is October 7th, 8 am
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.
