Congratulations to Cat and Patrick Harper on the birth of their son, Henry Robert, born October 23, 2017. Robert weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and joins big sister Nora. Welcome to the family, Henry!
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. You don't need experience playing bells, but the ability to read music is helpful. We’ll rehearse on Sundays after church. Questions? See Jeff White, our interim Director of Music. Thanks!
Metropolitan Congregations United is a group of churches that has formed together to help ending decriminalization of black youth by introducing school, police, and juvenile court reforms. On Thursday November 9th, 2017 at 6:30 pm the will present From Pipeline to Pathways Community Assembly to help support their cause. Please plan to join this event held at Harris- Stowe State University 3026 Laclede Ave. in the Henry Graves Auditorium.
Dear Faith Des Peres Friends,
This Sunday we’re celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation! Yes, it’s been 500 years since Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the church door. It’s been 500 years since he publicly took issue with things the Catholic Church was teaching, one of which was the sale of indulgences. (The sale of indulgences was the practice of people paying the priest in order to be forgiven their sins.) Luther believed we’re saved by God’s grace – that there’s nothing we need to do or can do to be forgiven. God forgives because God is gracious.
So, in honor of Luther (and in keeping with the sermon series), this Sunday I’m preaching on the line from the Apostles’ Creed “I believe in the forgiveness of sin”. Maya Angelou once said “It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.” And that’s true – and is something I’ll talk about more on Sunday. This weekend and in the week to come, prayerfully ask God to help you to forgive others. Demonstrate your forgiveness at home, at work and in your social settings by acting kindly and gracefully toward those who you have felt have abused you. Doing so will set you free.
Last Friday night a number of us gathered for the annual bonfire. It was a fun night, and I want to thank Jim Gerst, Kathy Sherrick and Mary Lewis for doing all the prep work. Nothing says Fall like a bonfire!
Last, if you haven’t sent in a picture of your saint, there’s still time. But please do it ASAP! You can email your pictures to Tiara.
I hope to see you Sunday!
Annie
Congratulations to Cat and Patrick Harper on the birth of their son, Henry Robert, born October 23, 2017. Robert weighed in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and joins big sister Nora. Welcome to the family, Henry!
Join us after church on November 19 for a thanksgiving meal and kick-off to the Christmas Giving Tree. We’re adopting families from Lydia’s House and Southside Early Childhood Center with Christmas presents and gift cards. On the 19th you can choose what you want to purchase for them by taking an ornament from the Christmas tree. Many thanks to Judy Sisson and Sandy Williams for co-chairing this year’s event. Please RSVP for the lunch to Tiara or sign-up in the Gathering Space. The church will provide the main dishes and turkey, but we’d appreciate volunteers willing to bring pie, rolls or stuffing.
Poinsettia and Wreath Contributions
If you would like to contribute to the poinsettia and wreath fund to decorate the church during the Christmas season, you may do so by signing up in the Gathering Space. The suggested donation is $10.00. You may honor or dedicate your donation to a loved one. Please note on your check that your payment is for poinsettias. Thank you.
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. ASAP. Thank you.
In this 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.
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!
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.