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Dear Partners in Ministry:

Our faces are turned towards Holy Week and Easter. Once Easter is passed it is a rush and tumble of special days: spring break, Camp Sunday, congregational meeting, pot luck and honoring our charter members, Mother’s Day and the end of the Sunday School year.

It’s so easy to just get caught up in a rush of days and keeping looking too far ahead and then miss the present moment. So, slow down. Take time. Get into the mood. Live each day one day at a time. Savor it. Read your devotional booklet.

Particularly, I invite you to spend time with the events and feelings of Holy Week.

Rejoice at Palm Sunday but also see the darkness start to fall. Share communion on Maundy Thursday and live that last night of his life. Be with us on Good Friday to experience the overpowering darkness. Wait through Saturday and then find pure joy on Easter morning. It can be a profound experience, a way to get closer to God through Jesus.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Sue

We would like to thank the people at St. Philip’s for their prayers and cards for our grandson, Ben. His surgery was a success. He is home and has a long way to go but everything looks good. Thank you again for caring.

Vince and Leona Gottschlich

Many thanks to our church family for the cards and calls for Ben. His surgery went fine and he is back in the swing of things again. Thank you for your prayers and caring.

Kent and Linda Kotthoff

Thanks to Bob Leber and Don Siewing for repairing the fence in Pastor Sue’s backyard.

Many thanks to all those who provided food, fixed food, or gave money toward the purchase of food for the community meal at Lydia’s House on Wednesday, February 21 st. They are Jan Freese, Alice Hillyard, Clara Hornung, Sharon Jackman, Frances Kalbfleish, Nancy Krenning, Sue Leary, Hilda Leonard, Lois Mohesky, Paul Shrout, Joan Schumacher, Pam Tangeman, Patty Siewing, and Dorothy Vinyard. Lydia’s House ladies and their children really enjoy these meals. We couldn’t do it without you!

To the members of St. Philip’s:

Thank you for the plant in memory of Peggy. I will plant it in a memorial garden I’m making for Peggy.

Thank you, members and friends of St. Philip’s Church for your kindness, sympathy and generosity in our time of need. The sudden passing of my wife, Peggy, was a shock to our family and St. Philip’s lived up to its motto of being a loving, caring, church.

I especially want to thank Bob Leber, who filled in for Pastor Sue at the funeral home and the memorial service and all of the people who prepared the luncheon after the memorial service. I want to thank the Knoll family for the beautiful flowers and who went above and beyond their normal florist duties by transporting all of the flowers from the funeral home to the memorial service.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who paid their final respects to Peggy by sending cards, making a memorial gift, or attending the memorial service. It was obvious that she touched the lives of a lot of people.

Sincerely,

The Schiele Family – Dave, David and Pam (Schiele) Stang

Many thanks for all the prayers and cards during my operation and recovery. I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful church family. It really helps in the recovery to know so many people care about you.

Your fellow member and friend,

Tammy Knoll

I want to say a special thank you to all of my friends and family at St. Philip’s who have sent cards, called me on the phone and came by to visit while I was home recuperating from my leg fracture. It certainly made the time go by a little faster. I’m looking forward to being back on two feet again very soon. No immediate plans to go “dolphin swimming.” All of your “get well” wishes were greatly appreciated.

Cathy Gutjahr

Thanks St. Philip’s for your prayers and cards while I was recuperating from surgery. I greatly appreciated your thoughtfulness. God bless each of you.

Love (signed) Shirley Jennings

From the Youth Group:

Thanks again to the hearty appetites in the congregation. All the pizza lovers helped raise over $300 to send our youth on their mission trip to Denver in June!

Thank you.

The Senior Youth

Dear Friends at St. Philip’s,

Thank you so very much for your recent gift of $50. It is gifts from churches like yours that makes it possible for us to continue our mission of providing food to those who are struggling in our community. We know there are many places that could make good use of your donations. We appreciate that you consider us worthy of your help. We hope that you will continue to support the Peace Pantry with your gifts.

In sincere gratitude,

(signed) Connie Stretch, director

Thanks for all the lovely cards, prayers, and thoughts on the death of our brother. They were appreciated so much.

Hilda and Bud Leonard

Dear St. Philip’s Sunday School:

Thank you for underwriting the cost of Gilbert’s allowance with your recent gift of $25.00. Your gift and encouragement is a great support for Gilbert in his efforts to overcome his troubles.

We certainly could not do it without support from friends like you! We truly appreciate your spirit of giving to those in need. Thank you for your continued support.

(signed) Michael P. Brennan, Executive Director

Evangelical Children’s Home

Dear Friends:

We at Feed My People are very grateful for your generous donation of $85.00 to be used for capital improvements.

Your donation will make it possible for us to maintain and update our facilities so that we may continue to serve our clients. It will also improve working conditions for our staff and volunteers.

Thank you very much for your support. It is people like you that allow us to continue to help our clients.

May God bless you.

(signed) Carol and John DeGuire, Executive Co-Directors

KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

• Wanda Reidel at Delmar Gardens South
• Elsie Frye at Delmar Gardens South
• Lucille Brand at Green Park Nursing Home, John Schuette at Green Park Nursing Home
• Bob Stevenson who is at DesPeres Hospital, Ben Armistead who was at Mo. Baptist Hospital, Shirley Jennings who had surgery last Wednesday, and Dorothea Holdener who had her foot operated on last week.
• The Siewing Family for Luke, who had surgery on March 19 th and Paul Shrout who had surgery Tuesday, March 20 th
• The Schiele family on the passing of Peggy, who entered eternal rest on Tuesday, February 27 th
• Mary Kelly who fell and is recuperating at home.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please make the following changes in your church directory:

Kim Tangeman
1212 Covington Manor Lane Apt 10
St. Louis, MO 63125

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

The annual congregational meeting has been set for Sunday, April 15 th after worship. Committee reports will need to be submitted to the church office no later than Monday, April 9 th so they can be processed for the meeting.

IN THE LIBRARY

• Donated to our library is a set of children’s Books written by Max Lucado.
• NEW BOOKS: A HISTORY OF GOD by Karen Armstrong
• Karen Armstrong is one of the world’s foremost commentators on religious affairs.
• PARADISE LOST by John Milton

If you have the DVD of THE PASSION OF CHRIST, please return it.

All the books on the 25 cent table that do not sell are given to the USO in the airport. Soldiers passing through pick them up to read.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

On Tuesday, April 17 th, we will go to Camp M0-Val for a day of fun and maybe some small work jobs. Weather permitting we will go on a wagon ride. Also, hikes could be taken on the trails. Bring finger foods to share at lunch. We will provide coffee and tea.

We will meet at church at 8:00 am to carpool.

ST. PHILIP’S 50 th ANNIVERSARY “KICK OFF”

In 2008 St. Philip’s will be 50 years old! We plan to start the celebration with a special event to honor our charter members. An all-church pot-luck is planned for after church on May 6 th. Watch the bulletin board for a sign up sheet.

Please help us locate charter members who are no longer active members. Look over the list on the bulletin board and give Shirley addresses.

PHONE CHAIN

We’re in the process of redoing the telephone chain. Many people have given us their e-mail address, so we’ll need fewer people to make phone calls. If you would like to be a caller, please sign the list on the bulletin board or let Shirley or Sandy know. Even if you have been a caller in the past, you’ll need to tell us that you want to continue.

WOMEN’S RETREAT

Enclosed with the Crier is a flyer about the St. Philip’s Women’s Retreat that will be held on Saturday, April 14 th at “Camp” Fenwick. Please look it over and join us for a day of fun, fellowship, and adventures in table spirituality.

CAMP SUNDAY

Camp Sunday has been set for April 22 nd. If you have a shirt that you got from camp at any time be sure to wear it that Sunday. Come dressed in clothes suitable for camping.

BARBECUE

Our annual barbecue has been set for Sunday, April 29 th serving from 11 am to 7 pm. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board for items that are needed. If you can provide any of them will you please indicate so on the list. This helps a lot with the profit we get from the meal. Tickets are available at church. We hope we can count on your support.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR

The children’s choir has started to practice this past Sunday. We had eight children and would like to continue our practice and will sing as soon as possible on a Sunday. Russ Hickman is rounding up the children immediately after church is over. Parents, please let your children stay for about 20 minutes after church. We will be finished by 11 am and age is not important. Children will be learning songs such as B-I-B-L-E and Fishers of Men, etc. Dawn Schillinger is assisting.

Thank You.

Eula

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Habitat for Humanity will be holding their Blitz Week on April 23-28. St. Philip’s day for working is Saturday, August 11 th. Please let Pastor Sue know if you can work that weekend.

BRING A SONG SUNDAY

Our Bring A Song Chart is in need of some names to provide music for the second Sunday of the month. It looks pretty bare right now. If you have a favorite song on a CD and would like to share it with the congregation be sure to sign up on the appropriate month.

FLOWER CHART

The Flower Chart could use some names as well. It looks pretty bare too.

BOOK CLUB NEWS

Upcoming selections are Terrorist by John Updike to be discussed late April to early May and Faith and Politics by John Danforth to be discussed in late May or June.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE

“Thanks to Fair Trade, we will not die of hunger. We will not lose our land, our children can attend school…..” Jose Luis Castillo Vasquez, small coffee farmer, El Salvadore.

Buying coffee and tea makes an enormous difference In the lives of small farmers.

Fair Trade Coffee (regular and de-caf) and tea are available most Sundays.

ST. PHILIP’S UCC WEBSITE

Have you visited our church Website recently? Please do.

If you’ve ever tossed the Crier and then needed it as a reference later on, we have them posted on the website.

Have you lost the calendar that is included in the Crier? If you are planning an event at church, have you ever wondered whether anything else is planned that day? Have you ever planned an event at church, only to find out there was a scheduling conflict? Shirley keeps the calendar up to date on the website (under the “Coming Events” tab.)

Would you like to look at pictures of some of our past church productions and events? We have a “pictures” tab for you.

Have you talked to people about our church and want to share additional information with them? Direct them to our website.

Instead of hand writing your Crier articles on scraps of paper, you can go to the “contact us” tab, click on church secretary and e-mail the article to Shirley (or set Shirley up in your e-mail list.)

If you have suggestions for the site, go to the “contact us” tab and click on “webmaster” to send them in. All ideas will be considered, however, not all ideas may be used.

How do I get to the website? Simply go on-line and type www.stphilipsucc.com into your address line. Add the site to your “bookmarks” or “favorites” to make it easier the next time you want to visit.

See you there!

ECC UPDATES

We are currently hiring for several part-time positions, including the cook’s position. If you know of anyone looking for a part-time job (who enjoys working with children), please have them call Sarah at 314-843-2114.

Wanted: a leaf blower to borrow for about 1 hour to blow woodchips off asphalt areas of the playground. Please contact Sarah if you have one we can borrow.

Wish list – items needed for our summer camp program

• posters/postcards of famous paintings/photographs
• plastic test tubes
• scientist goggles
• white lab coats
• small rocks
• hoses
• black boots
• flashlights
• toy fire trucks/ambulances
• firefighter hats and/or coats badges
• walkie-talkies

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

April 1 Palm Sunday Service 9:30 am

April 5 Maundy Thursday Service 7:30 pm - communion

April 6 Good Friday Service noon - communion

April 8 Easter breakfast 8:30 am

Easter Service 9:30 am – communion

COMING EVENTS

April 1	Palm Sunday
April 2	Bible Study 8:30 am Council Mtg. 7 pm
April 3	Bell Choir 7 pm
April 4	Adult Educ. Class 7 pm Choir Practice 7:30 pm
April 5	Maundy Thursday Service 7:30 pm
April 6	Good Friday Service 12 noon
April 7	Easter Egg Hunt 10 am
April 8	Easter breakfast 8:30 am Easter service 9:30 am
April 9	Bible Study 8:30 am
April 10	Bell Choir 7 pm
April 11	Free lunch at church 12 noon Adult Educ. Class 7 pm Choir Practice 7:30 pm
April 12	Willing Workers 10 am Yoga Class 6:30 pm
April 14	St. Philip’s Women’s Retreat 12-4 pm
April 15	Congregational meeting
April 16	Bible Study 8:30 am Christian Education Meeting 6:30 pm
April 17	Women’s Fellowship – MO-Val
April 18	Choir Practice 7:30 pm
April 19	Yoga Class 6:30 pm
April 21	50+ Group Meeting
April 22	Camp Sunday
April 23	Bible Study 8:30 am Crier articles due
April 24	Bell Choir 7 pm
April 25	Choir Practice 7:30 pm
April 26	Willing Workers 10 am Yoga Class 6:30 pm
April 29	Church Bar-b-que 11 am – 7 pm
April 30	Bible Study 8:30 am

COMMUNITY EVENTS See the bulletin board:

• Friday March 30 th - Fish Dinner – St. John’s Ev. UCC Church I-55 & Lindbergh 4 – 7 pm
• Saturday, March 31 – Lenten Work Day – Camp MO-Val
• Saturday, April 21 – 10 am Camp MO-Val Walk-a-Thon
• Monday, April 23 – Neighborhood House Auxiliary Spring Luncheon – Immanuel UCC – 10 am

EASTER EGG HUNT

Don’t forget the Easter Egg Hunt on Sa Saturday, April 7 th at 10 a.m. We will need need plastic eggs and candy to fill them them by Friday, April 6 th. We appreciate all the donations you give and all the support you show the youth groups. Many thanks !!!

MONTHLY FREE LUNCH

Don’t forget that we have a free lunch monthly for anyone interested in getting together to meet members of the community and enjoy the fellowship of fellow members of the church. This month’s lunch will be on Wednesday, April 11 th at 12 noon. Please let the church office know if you plan to attend – that helps us to know how much food to prepare. We really do have good food, fun, and fellowship.

YOUTH NOTES

• April 7 th – 8:30 am (set-up) ALL youth EASTER EGG HUNT – sign up to help hide and seek eggs and meet the Easter bunny.
• April 8 th – EASTER – family day
• April 22 nd – CAMP Sunday …camp style worship during Sunday School …..City museum for jr. youth after worship? Let me know.
• April 29 th – CAR wash during church BBQ 11 am to 1 pmish – ADULT leadership needed ! ! ! !

HARVEY ’S COLUMN - Guest Columnist Nancy Krenning

Harvey, our church mouse, in on a sabbatical. For his column, he is asking members of our congregation to write articles about things that interest them.

Immediately upon being asked, the importance of outdoor ministries popped into my mind.

Both my daughter and son-in-law are U.C.C. ministers. Growing up, they were involved in their U.C.C. conference camps: Mike in Florida and Erica in Kansas/Oklahoma. While they lived in the St. Louis area both of them volunteered at MO-Val. Now that they co-pastor a church in Indiana, they are both involved at Merom, their new conference camp. I was recently visiting them in Indiana and we were talking about outdoor ministries. Mike mentioned that outdoor ministry can take place somewhere other than camp. As a pastor at Kirkwood, he took each confirmation class on a backpacking trip to Colorado. A group can form a wonderful bond when they experience something like that together. Once a year their congregation in Indiana has a Sunday morning service on a farm of one of their members. They have a breakfast with hams baked in the ground, banjo playing, and baptism in the farm pond. Outdoor ministry can take many forms.

My daughter recalled one of the experiences that made her sure she wanted to go into seminary. She was the director of a camp for adults with developmental disabilities at White Memorial Camp in Kansas. Steve, one of her favorite campers, liked to take walks to Vesper Point. It was getting near supper time and Steve was not back. She walked out to the Point and saw Steve with his arms around the cross erected there. She called to him to come for supper, but he didn’t move. As she got closer, she saw tears streaming down his face. Also, there was a wonderful smile on his face. When she got close, he said, “I just hugged Jesus.” As they walked back to the dining hall, they didn’t say a word, but a peace she had never felt before surrounded them.

MO-Val is our camp. Over the years, many of us have had good experiences there. Some may have even had a life changing experience. Let’s do all we can to help keep MO-Val and other outdoor ministries alive for the generations to come.

LITURGISTS, USHERS, ACOLYTES AND CHILDREN’S TIME FOR APRIL

Liturgists

• April 1
• April 8
• April 15
• April 22
• April 29

Children’s Time

• April 1
• April 8
• April 15
• April 22
• April 29

Ushers

• April 1 Property and Grounds
• April 8 Council
• April 15 50+ Group
• April 22 Women’s Fellowship
• April 29 Family

Acolytes

• April 1 Jason Karcher
• April 8 Jean Paul Thibodeaux
• April 15 Tiffany Walsh
• April 22 Haylee Thibodeaux
• April 29 Dawn Schillinger

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 Thanks to Ellie Blum for this one:

 Reasons why the English Language is so Hard to Learn

• The bandage was wound around the wound.
• The farm was used to produce produce.
• The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
• We must polish the Polish furniture.
• He could lead if he would get the lead out.
• The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
• Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
• A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
• When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
• I did not object to the object.

Thanks to Bob Kammerer for this:

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?

• What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
• What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
• What if we flipped through it several times a day?
• What if we use it to receive messages?
• What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
• What if we gave it to the kids as gifts?
• What if we used to as we traveled?
• What if we used it in case of an emergency?

This is something to make you go……hmm….Where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cellphones, we don’t ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill ! ! !

LET’S HAVE A LAUGH

Butt Dust and Fleas

These have to be original and genuine – no adult is this creative!

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn’t remember any more. Melanie said, “If you don’t remember you have to look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.”

BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a painkiller. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a childproof cap and she’d have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: “How does it know it’s me?”

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible Story. His dad read: “The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.” Concerned, James asked: “What happened to the flea?”

The sermon I think this Mom will never forget…this particular Sunday sermon….”Dear Lord” the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. “Without you, we are but dust.” He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who was listening!) leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, “Mommy, what is butt dust?”

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. “Please don’t give me this again,” she said, “it makes my teeth cough.”

DREW (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: “How much do I cost?”

Thanks to Janet Remmers for this e-mail.

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