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Dear Partner in Ministry,

Twenty-nine of us have just returned from our mission trip to New Orleans and I have never been prouder of St. Philip’s and the United Church of Christ. We stayed at Phil and Rachel Ricks’ home church where two congregations have blended together after Katrina and where the UCC helped finance bunkrooms and showers so that all of us could go to NOLA and help with the recovery.

The UCC received so much Katrina Relief money that they hired some folks to run the recovery program, then they helped local churches prepare for visitors (as in weeklong sweaty worker visitors.) Any UCC member who needed help rebuilding was given a several thousand-dollar credit and folks like us have come in legions to help. You will hear all about this in worship on July 27.

I can’t say what was the most rewarding part of the trip. Maybe it was watching our youth (especially our girls) measure, cut, place and screw drywall into place. Maybe it was the daily devotional time where so much was shared. Maybe it was meeting, and for some working with, the beautiful, faith-filled families who lost almost everything and are so grateful for their blessings.

This was Christianity at its best. We lived in close community, we worked, we played, we fought, and we forgave. Thank you St. Philip’s for supporting us with your money and prayers.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Sue

Dear St. Philip’s Family:

Thank you for the book and flower bouquet honoring my graduation. I appreciate all the prayers and support and I will think of you often as I continue my pursuit of education at Mizzou. Thank you for gift and for thinking of me on my graduation.

Sincerely,
Hannah Schillinger

(A note sent to Philip and Rachel Ricks)

On behalf of the Disaster Response Ministry of South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ, I wish to thank you and all members of your group from St. Philip’s UCC for spending a week with us in New Orleans. Your group was terrific! We thank each of you for your willingness to volunteer, for all your hard work and for helping us move forward with the recovery of New Orleans.

We are grateful for the thoughts and prayers coming our way from Missouri, and hope that you will continue to keep us in your prayers and consideration for future mission trips, as we rebuild homes and rebuild hope.

(signed) Alan

Rev. Alan Coe
Minister of Disaster Recovery

Dear St. Philip’s Sunday School:

Thank you for underwriting the cost of Marcus’s allowance with your recent gift of $25.00. Your gift and encouragement is a great support for Marcus 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

Michael P. Brennan
Executive Director

KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

• John Schuette at Green Park Nursing Home
• Walt Miller at Orchid Terrace
• Melba Schulz at Old Orchard
• LaVerne Ploesser at her home
• The family of Ann Goetz, who passed away on July 16, 2008.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Women’s Fellowship will be going to Knoll’s Florist on Tuesday, August 19th. We will see the flower processing, greenhouse, and design area. Also, we will make our own floral arrangement.

Meet at church at 10:45 am to carpool. Lunch at

1:00 pm at Vin de Set – food is great ! There is sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. All are welcome to join us.

PRAYER AND MEDITATION SERVICES

Our prayer and meditation service will continue in August on the 13th and 27th of the month at 6:30 pm. Please join us for this quiet time of reflection and prayer.

CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE

The church directory has been updated and can be picked up any time. They are on the credenza in the gathering space. Please – one per family.

NEW GREETING/USHERING TEAMS

St. Philip’s would like to try a new way of welcoming people on Sunday morning. We want teams of four people to volunteer for two consecutive Sundays to serve as greeters and ushers. The hope is that by serving for two Sunday we will better welcome guests both into the doors and into the sanctuary. There will be a sign-up sheet. Most important, there will be a special training on August 24th after worship for all that wish to participate. You don’t have to get a team of four (4) together before you sign up. Teams will be formed from all the volunteers.

FESTIVAL OF SHARING

This inter-faith state wide gathering is held each year on the 3rd Saturday of October which is the closest date to World Food Day. This year is October 18th. St. Philip’s has now participated in this important event for the past six (6) years. As you know, this year we will be collecting food items for the Food Pantries here in Missouri. We will begin in August and continue through the 2nd Sunday in September. These boxes of items will then be taken to a designated church in the St. Louis area to then be taken to Sedalia to the gathering.

• 1st week – canned vegetables and canned fruit
• 2nd week – Spam and tuna
• 3rd week – macaroni and cheese and peanut butter (plastic jars)
• 4th week – bags of dry pinto beans and bags of rice (1 –2 pound bags)
• 5th week – pasta and cans of pasta sauce
• 6th and 7th week – any of the above items

Money is always welcome to purchase items to fill in. A reminder will be in the church bulletin.

EDEN SEMINARY

On August 17th, our mission moment will be about Eden Seminary. A speaker from there will be with us to tell us about our seminary. Do try to come and hear this.

Then on September 17th, we will go to Eden Seminary for a chapel service, a tour, and lunch. Watch for info and sign-up sheets. Cost is $5.50.

VITALITY TASK FORCE INTEREST SURVEY

If you haven’t already done so, please complete the interest inventory that was in the last edition of the Crier. There are extra blank copies on the table as you come in the front door at church. We would like one completed by each member regardless of age or current committee involvement. Checking an interest only means that you will be contacted if something of that nature needs doing and you can decide if you would be available. This is not a commitment but rather a way to offer short term activities to people who have an interest in a specific area.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Building and Grounds is still looking for any volunteers interested in helping with the clean-up around the church property on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 until around 8:00. If interested we are cleaning up weeds and overgrowth so dress appropriately and bring any tools you may have for such work. If you don’t have or use any tools, come anyway. There is always something to do.

Al Farrow

BOOK CLUB NEWS

Faithful Readers will discuss A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hasseirri after church on Sunday, August 24 th. Future selections include Auditions by Barbara Waiters and Water for Elephants, discussion dates not yet set. All are welcome (even men!)

LYDIA ’S HOUSE COMMUNITY MEAL

It’s St. Philip’s turn to provide the community meal for Lydia’s House on August 6 th. That entails delivering food for approximately forty people – the ladies and their children. We always have a nice selection and enough for them to take some leftovers home for the next day. If you haven’t helped before, please consider making something for the August meal. Sign up on the bulletin board and have your food to church by noon on the 6 th of August.

FREEDOM FROM HUNGER

Thanks so much for all the food you brought for the Freedom from Hunger Campaign. It was a barrelful! All food will go to feed your neighbors in Lemay. This is so important now when many are out of work and money of those working are making wages too low to support even a basic lifestyle for themselves and their families. Thank you again for your generosity.

THANKS FROM THE CONFERENCE OFFICE

The Missouri Mid-South Conference Office thanks Joy Lopez, Joan Schumacher, Dorothy Vinyard, and Sandy Stevenson for helping prepare a recent mailing. In an effort to save money by cutting down on office staff, the conference office uses volunteers for extra workloads such as collating materials and stuffing envelopes. St. Philip’s has helped a number of times and they are very grateful.

AUGUST DINNERS

Remember to sign up for the August 8th dinners to be held at Virginia’s and Sandy’s. Just add your name to the list on the bulletin board so we know how many to prepare for. Pick either house. Neither hostess will get her feelings hurt if you go to the other location. Just come and enjoy food and fellowship.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please make the following changes in your church directory:

Kali Hladnick
6522A Clayton Avenue 63139
cell phone # 636-734-9986

ECC 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

In September, the Early Childhood Center will be celebrating its 40 th anniversary. We’ve come a long way since the program was started in the parsonage by Mrs. Nowack! Several events are being planned to help everyone celebrate this important milestone.

During the month of August, we are collecting items for 2 baskets to be raffled off at our Family Event in September. The themes for the baskets are “Art” and “Games”. Suggested donations include: watercolor paints, construction paper, playdoh, fingerpaints, card games (for younger children), balls, simple board games such as Hi-Ho Cherrio and Sorry. Donated items should be placed in the box outside the day care office. Any support will be greatly appreciated!

COMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Saturday, August 2 – Pancake Brunch and Gift Basket Silent Auction – 10 am – 1:30 pm at St. Philip’s United Church of Christ – to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association (seeenclosed flyer) This event is hosted by Tom Hanewinkel’s (our neighbor) granddaughter.

Saturday, Augst 2 – St. Martin’s – Dittmer – Chicken Dinner 3-8 pm

HOME CARE AVAILABLE

Sarah Spencer, our Dare Care director gave me the following info.

If you or anyone you know is in need of home care there is a woman available whose children attended our day care program. Her name is Becky Van and she is available any hours – day or night. Home phone # 314-842—5938 or cell # 314-494-0152.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

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

Ushers

• August 3 Youth
• August 10 50+ Group
• August 17 Early Childhood Center
• August 24 Women of the Church
• August 31 Worship and Music

Acolytes

• August 3
• August 10
• August 17
• August 24
• August 31

Children’s Time

• August 3 Engaging Youth
• August 10
• August 17 Kit Norton
• August 24 Andrea Moran
• August 31

‘TWAS THE DAY AFTER BIBLE SCHOOL

(Even though Bible school isn’t over until August 1 st – thought it would be appropriate to put it in the August Crier that comes out a little early).

 “Twas the day after Bible school and all over town,
With a sigh of relief, we all settled down.
Out to the golf course goes Dad in his cap,
And home in the bedroom Mom’s taking a nap.

Gone Linda, gone Brenda, gone David and Johnny
Gone Margie, and Mary, and Ronnie and Donnie.
Gone stories, and puppets, and songs in the air,
Gone paint under fingernails and paste in the hair.

Rest sweetly, dear workers, and wake with good cheer,
For Bible school won’t come again for a year.
As they drifted off, I heard them exclaim:
“It was worth all the hard work and we’d do it again!”

From The Newsletter August, 2008

THE LORD’S BASEBALL GAME

Thanks to Dave Schiele for this one !

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9 th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named ‘LOVE’.

Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because “Love never fails.” The next batter was named ‘FAITH’, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named ‘GODLY WISDOM’. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped ‘GRACE’. Freddy said, “He sure doesn’t look like much!” Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; the roaring crowds went wild as the ball continued over the fence…..for a home run!

The Lord’s team won! The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn’t win the game. Freddy answered that he didn’t know why. The Lord explained, “If your love, faith, and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you home: ‘For by Grace we are saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

YOUTH NOTES

Many thanks to all of our church family here at St. Philip’s for your amazing support throughout our preparations for this faith-filling experience in Louisiana! We are all so glad to have enjoyed the opportunities to serve God’s call and we are excited to share our stories with each of you. One of the most important reasons for going on a trip such as this one to New Orleans, is for our youth to have a community building, life affirming, positive learning experience from which they can draw upon throughout their own faith lives. It is very powerful to live in community together for over a week; we cook, clean, eat, sleep, pray, play, laugh, and cry with a unified focus on serving God’s children with kindness and humility. Even though in this case New Orleans may never be exactly the same, we all feel that we received God’s blessing through acting out the kind of love that Jesus taught us to share. With God’s grace, I believe we left that city with a deep impact, three families better.

Thank you St. Philip’s Family !

Mission Trip Participants (listed by work site groups)

• Group # 1 – Roland Balzer, Jim Birkenbach, Tammy Birkenbach, Alex Balzer, Brett Hentz, Taylor Hawkins
• Group # 2 - Philip Ricks, Rachel Ricks, Pastor Sue, Dawn Schillinger, Ryan Bonacker, Nick Balzer
• Group # 3 – Kevin Nickel, Pat Moran, Karen Moran, Alysse Highley, Tiffany Walsh, Brigitte Mittler
• Group # 4 - Amy Balzer, John Mikusch, Kit Norton, Emily Mikusch, Carley Nickel, Emily Schaper
• Group # 5 – Leetah Nickel, Tim Hentz, Andrea Moran, Haylee Thibodeaux, Lauren Guerrero

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