Food Outreach! Save the date! Saturday, April 6th at 8am

Join us for a fulfilling morning of mission on Saturday, April 6th at Food Outreach (on Olive and Compton). Beginning at 8am, we will don our hats and hair nets and get to work packaging meals for those in need. No prior experience necessary- the Food Outreach program is very well organized simply show up and everything you need will be provided there.  We are seeking to establish a group of 15-20 participants ages 12 and up. Please sign up in the gathering space and indicate if you have interest in carpooling!  This event is loved and enjoyed by many- we are excited to have you join! 

UKirk-St. Louis Open House and Dessert Silent Auction

Time to celebrate UKirk “sweet success.” Your congregation is invited to join us for Open House and Dessert Silent Auctions on Sunday, March 31 from 7-9pm. Join us for dinner and worship with UKirk and a chance to win wonderful homemade desserts. Our Spring Open House/fundraiser is a chance to connect with this dynamic collegiate community, and to support the ministry as it continues to grow.  Please RSVP to ukirk@glbpy.org by March 22. For more information call (314-650-2713) or Pastor Miriam Foltz.

One Great Hour of Sharing 2019

Again this year, Faith Des Peres is collecting the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering on Easter. OGHS is a Presbyterian Church (USA) ministry that supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self Development of People. Next Sunday, we’ll   distribute the fish coin boxes to all members and friends. Drop your loose change in the fish during Lent, and then bring it to church with you on Easter Sunday. (We’ll also take a check!) This year’s goal is $1750. Help us help others. Thank you.

Volunteers Needed for Sunday Activities

If you are willing to serve as a greeter or a liturgist on Sunday mornings or are willing to bring refreshments for fellowship in the gathering space after worship, please sign up by  using one of the links below or calling Tiara in the church office.    

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABA82BA1F49-volunteering

A Note from Pastor Marilyn

Dear Faith Des Peres Church Family,

Join us for our “Celebrate the Gifts of Women” special worship this Sunday, March 3 when my sermon message be “Showing No Partiality” from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43.  We will share Holy Communion together and will have a little Mardi Gras flavor in the service as well.  And we will receive our “Feeding the Flock” monthly food offerings for Circle of Concern, too.

Then on Wednesday, March 6 we will observe Ash Wednesday with a service at 6:45 p.m. in the Gathering Space.  My message will be “Taking Something Up for Lent” from Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.

 Looking further ahead in March, on the First Sunday in Lent the Mission and Ministry Center is asking everyone to participate in Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s “Blue T-shirt Sunday” by wearing something blue on March 10. 

 Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our “Summit on the Past” on Sunday, March 31 following worship.  This will be the first “event” of our transitional journey in preparation to search for your next called and installed pastor.  Fliers about this event are now available in the narthex and the Gathering Space.

I also hope you will plan to join us for our next book study discussion on Michelle Obama’s Becoming following worship Sunday, March 24.

 Keep watching our weekly blogs and Sunday bulletins for more details about these and other upcoming worship and church activities.

 I look forward to seeing you in and around our church as we share in mission and ministry together!

 Shalom in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Marilyn

Circle of Concern

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.

Ash Wednesday Service, March 6th at 6:45 pm

Join us on Wednesday, March 6 at 6:45 p.m. in the Gathering Space to usher in Lent. Ashes will be available for those wishing. 

Join the BLUE OUT!

If red is the color that screams out “emergency,” then blue is the color that seems to announce, “help has arrived — your cries of distress have been heard.”  When crisis and  catastrophe hit  a community, it's the mission Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to respond,  PDA volunteers  are recognized by their blue shirts that read "Out of Chaos, Hope".  On March 10, 2019 - the first Sunday in Lent- join Presbyterians world wide by wearing something BLUE as a visible reminder of the help and hope we can foster with our One Great Hour of Sharing offering, which benefits Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. 

One Great Hour of Sharing 2019

Again this year, Faith Des Peres is collecting the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering on Easter. OGHS is a Presbyterian Church (USA) ministry that supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self Development of People. Next Sunday, we’ll distribute the fish coin boxes to all members and friends. Drop your loose change in the fish during Lent, and then bring it to church with you on Easter Sunday. (We’ll also take a check!) This year’s goal is $1750. Help us help others. Thank you.

UKirk-St. Louis Open House and Dessert Silent Auction

Time to celebrate UKirk “sweet success.” Your congregation is invited to join us for Open House and Dessert Silent Auctions on Sunday, March 31 from 7-9pm. Join us for dinner and worship with UKirk and a chance to win wonderful homemade desserts. Our Spring Open House/fundraiser is a chance to connect with this dynamic collegiate community, and to support the ministry as it continues to grow.  Please RSVP to ukirk@glbpy.org by March 22. For more information call (314-650-2713) or Pastor Miriam Foltz.

Save the Date! Sunday, March 31

On Sunday, March 31 we will have the first “event” of our transitional journey, a “Summit on the Past” following a slightly shortened morning worship kick-off.  Come to worship at the usual 10:30 time and then stay for the no more than two-hour conversation reviewing our church history and the evolution of our core values that inform the kind of faith community we are today.

This “Summit on the Past” is the first stage of asking ourselves who are we, how did we get here, and who and where do we want to go in the future as part of the preparation to search for your next called and installed pastor.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SUNDAY ACTIVITIES

If you are willing to serve as a greeter or a liturgist on Sunday mornings or are willing to bring refreshments for fellowship in the gathering space after worship, please sign up by  using the link or calling Tiara in the church office. www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABA82BA1F49-volunteering

A Note from Pastor Marilyn

Dear Faith Des Peres Church Family,
 
Thank you for all the warm ways you have welcomed me into your church family!  It is a joy to be serving with you during this transitional journey!
 
Don’t forget to join us for our Chili Cook-Off this Friday night in the Gathering Space.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and Chili eating and judging begins at 7:00 p.m.  See you there!
 
Then join us for worship this Sunday, February 24 when my sermon message will be “Envisioning God’s Realm” from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” as found in Luke 6:17-26.  Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” is similar to but not identical to his “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew’s Gospel.
 
Although every worship is special, some of the extra-special upcoming plans for March include observing “Celebrate the Gifts of Women/Mardi Gras Sunday” on March 3, Ash Wednesday in the Gathering Space at 6:45 p.m. on March 6, the “First Sunday in Lent/Wear-Your-Blue-FDP-Shirt Sunday” March 10, and the prelude to our “Summit on the Past” part of our transitional journey on March 31. 
 
I also hope you will plan to join us for our next book study discussion on Michelle Obama’s Becoming following worship Sunday, March 24.
 
Keep watching our weekly blogs and Sunday bulletins for more details about these and other upcoming worship and church activities.
 
I look forward to seeing you in and around our church as we share in mission and ministry together!
 
Shalom in Christ Jesus,
 

Pastor Marilyn

Chili Cook-Off Friday at 7pm

FDP's Chili Cook-Off will be held in the Gathering Space Friday evening February 22nd.  Please bring your best chili or a complimentary food item (cornbread, oyster crackers, shredded cheese, etc.) if you don’t want to enter your chili.  We'll eat, cast votes for our favorite chili, and enjoy each other’s company.  Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 entries.  Doors open at 6:30pm. Chili eating, and judging begins at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Presbyterian Women Bible Study, Wednesday February 27th

Join the Presbyterian Women group as they study the GOD'S PROMISE - I AM WITH YOU. 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.

Learn More About Violence and What We Can Do, March 3rd.

On Sunday, March 3 Webster Groves Presbyterian Church will be hosting a discussion on gun violence -- "Guns in My Backyard? Neighbors Share Their Stories." A locally produced documentary, "No More Thoughts and Prayers," will be shown, followed by a panel discussion on gun violence and ideas for  action. Panelists include the Missouri chapter leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, founding president of Students Demand Action St. Louis, an elementary school teacher, an ER physician at St. Louis Children's Hospital, and the community liaison with the Webster Groves Police Department. Designed to help us learn how gun violence affects all of us and how we can help make a difference in this public health issue, the program will be conducted from 4 to 6 p.m. at Webster Groves Presbyterian Church, 45 West Lockwood.

Save the Date: Sunday, March 24, at 12:30pm

In recognition of Black History and Women's History months (February and March), Pastor Marilyn will lead a discussion on Michelle Obama's book, Becoming. Mark your calendars now and plan to be a part of this interesting discussion over lunch in the Gathering Space. More details to come. 

UKirk-St. Louis Open House and Dessert Silent Auction

Time to celebrate UKirk “sweet success.” Your congregation is invited to join us for Open House and Dessert Silent Auctions on Sunday, March 31 from 7-9pm. Join us for dinner and worship with UKirk and a chance to win wonderful homemade desserts. Our Spring Open House/fundraiser is a chance to connect with this dynamic collegiate community, and to support the ministry as it continues to grow.  Please RSVP to ukirk@glbpy.org by March 22. For more information call(314-650-2713) or Pastor Miriam Foltz.

UKirk needs your support!

Help feed Hungry College Students! Support Presbyterian campus ministry in St. Louis with homemade Sunday dinner. UKirk gathers on Sunday evenings at Trinity Presbyterian - 6800 Washington Ave - for dinner, fellowship, and worship. We gather to be fed in body and  spirit (dinner at 7:15 and worship at 8). If you'd like to prepare a meal for us (to be dropped off that evening or at another time coordinated with Pastor Miriam), learn more and sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054da8af2babf85-ukirk3

Volunteers Needed for Sunday Activities

If you are willing to serve as a greeter or a liturgist on Sunday mornings or are willing to bring refreshments for fellowship in the gathering space after worship, please sign up by  using the link or calling Tiara in the church office. www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4AABA82BA1F49-volunteering