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.
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.
Madeline O’Meara, soprano, is from St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri in December of 2016. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and is studying voice with Mr. Braeden Harris. She was in Opera Workshop at the university and performed a few roles in the class. She starred as La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro. In pervious semesters, she has performed as Nella in Gianni Schicci and her scene work includes Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Alice in Verdi’s Falstaff, and much more. During the summer, she was a studio artist for a summer program called Opera NEO, where she learned new techniques and mastered her craft. She is excited to be part of such a welcoming community at the Faith Des Peres Church!
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!
Dear Faith Des Peres Family,
This Sunday is All Saints Sunday. It’s become one of my favorite Sundays of the year. I love that there’s a special Sunday set aside to remember our saints, whether living or dead, who have molded us, shaped us, loved us, and made us into the people we are today. During worship, you’ll have the opportunity to remember your saint and give thanks for him or her. This is also a communion Sunday, so don’t forget your food for Feeding the Flock. And, don’t forget to turn your clock back one hour. Everyone gets an extra hour of sleep!
I hope to see you Sunday!
Blessings, Annie
PS: It's not too late to join the Grace and Gratitude Group on Facebook. Join us here as we "count our blessings" in November.
PPS: Tommy Epling's Eagle Scout Court of Honor is Saturday, November 25 at 2pm at the church. Everyone is invited! Thank you for supporting his project of building bee hives for the community garden. Terry and I hope to see you there!
Special thank you to Danny Mortimer who made our chains last week and set the table this week. He is always a helping hand and always willing to help whenever needed!
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 forgot food today, you can always donate food to Circle of Concern by dropping it off at the church. Thank you.
Madeline O’Meara, soprano, is from St. Louis, Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri in December of 2016. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and is studying voice with Mr. Braeden Harris. She was in Opera Workshop at the university and performed a few roles in the class. She starred as La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro. In pervious semesters, she has performed as Nella in Gianni Schicci and her scene work includes Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Alice in Verdi’s Falstaff, and much more. During the summer, she was a studio artist for a summer program called Opera NEO, where she learned new techniques and mastered her craft. She is excited to be part of such a welcoming community at the Faith Des Peres Church!
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 Buddy Packs.
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.
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.
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.
