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Dear Partners in Ministry:

As we move through Lent, we have been reading from the Gospel of John this year. We’ve met Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well. In the next weeks we will hear about the man born blind and Jesus’ friend, Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. Then, in the gospel of John, Jesus has a long farewell discourse. He says a long goodbye and he prepares the disciples as best he can for his departure. He promises a helper, an advocate, sent from God to take his place. He promises the presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide them and us.

I’ve been thinking about endings, farewells. Many people I know are in the process of ending one life and moving to another. A friend has lost her mother, another has lost his job and several couples I know are either separating or in the process of doing so. Children grow up and move away. People marry. Life is full of endings and beginnings.

What makes endings or changes bearable? How do we move on? Where is the hope in an often sad situation? I don’t mean to sound like the losses in life are trivial, because they are not. But I do believe that they are bearable because we can be lifted up and supported by friends and family and by the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus promised, God’s love is brought to us by God’s spirit living in us and in those around us.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27. These words are true and can be trusted. The peace of Christ and the love of God will see us through.

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Sue

 THANK YOU

Dear St. Philip’s UCC:

We want to thank you for the lovely flower arrangement that you sent to our mother’s funeral. The flowers not only expressed to the family your support and understanding, but they were also such a great example of the beauty and fragility of life. Thank you so much.

The Lenz Family

Dear St. Philip’s Sunday School:

Thank you for underwriting the cost of Tanisha’s allowance with your recent gift of $25.00. Your gift and encouragement is a great support for Tanisha in her efforts to overcome her 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 Brennan, Executive Director

Evangelical Children’s Home

Dear Friends:

Joint Neighborhood Ministry wants to express our appreciation for your generosity in support of our ministry. Your assistance means so much to us. Without your support, we would not be able to lend a helping hand to as many families as we do each month.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for your kind donation of clothing during January, 2008. Your donation made an immediate difference in the lives of the families we serve.

Thank you for all of us here at Joint Neighborhood Ministry. You are making a difference!

(signed) Joan Hensley, Executive Director

KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

• Lucille Brand at Green Park Resident Home
• John Schuette at Green Park Nursing Home
• Walt Miller at Orchid Terrace
• Ann Goetz who had hip surgery last week
• Melba Schulz at Old Orchard
• The family of Ruth Lenz who passed away on January 29 th, 2008
• The family of Rick and Debby Meyer on the death of Debby’s mom this past week

FAITHFUL READERS BOOK CLUB

Here are the books we are reading and the dates we will discuss them. Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch and discussion.

SUB SANDWICH SALE

Many thanks again to all who helped support the SUB sandwich fundraiser two weeks ago! Special thanks to Philip and Rachel Ricks for their EXTRA efforts! You are all a blessing! We raised $599.78.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Women’s Fellowship will be collecting books, CDs, and DVDs, for the second annual Neighborhood Houses Book Sale. Items will be collected during the month of March in boxes in the gathering area. The sale will be at St. John’s Chesterfield on April 4, 5, and 6. Last year over $4000 was raised at the book sale for Neighborhood Houses. Thanks. Nancy Krenning

On Tuesday, March 18 th the Women’s Fellowship group will be going to the German Gast House on Chouteau Avenue by AmerenUE for lunch. Meet at church at 12:30 pm to carpool – lunch at 1 pm. If you have any questions call Lois Decker 843-0183 or Alice Hillyard 849-1907. Sign-up sheet will be posted.

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING

On Sunday, March 2 nd, we will be collecting our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Enclosed with the Crier is a flyer and envelope explaining the need and use of this offering. Be sure to bring your envelope on the 2 nd. Thanks.

 PRAYER AND MEDITATION GROUP

Pastor Sue is hoping to start a Prayer and Meditation Group to meet monthly (or weekly if folks want to). This could be an evening gathering around spiritual disciplines and prayer. Let her know if you might be interested.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR

The Children’s Choir will practice each Sunday after church for 15 minutes. They will sing Easter Sunday and possibly Palm Sunday.

 LYDIA ’S HOUSE COMMUNITY MEAL

On Wednesday, February 6 th, we provided an abundant meal for Lydia’s House. In fact their chaplain, Carolyn Held, called the next day saying that women and children loved the food and the wide assortment and that there was enough left over for those who were unable to be there that evening. Many, many thanks to the following people, in no special order, who provided the feast: Delba Engelhardt, Virginia Hladnick, Nancy Krenning, Joan Schumacher, Shirley Nottelmann, Hilda Leonard, Merle Schuette, Paul Shrout, Sue Leary, Pat Siewing, Alice Hillyard, Joyce Brand, Frances Kalbfleish, and Ardelle Dischinger. You provided a wonderful service! The next meal we do will be on Wednesday, April 2nd. Watch the bulletin board for a sign-up sheet.

TAKE CARE

That’s the theme of St. Philip’s Women’s Retreat this year. We had such a great time about a year ago that we decided to do it again and all St. Philip’s women are welcome. It will be held on Saturday, March 29 th at “ Camp Fenwick” from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. We’ll learn how to take care of ourselves and maybe pamper ourselves a little as well! Mark the date on your calendar and look for more details on the bulletin board soon. It will be a day you won’t want to miss – there’s even food and crafts.

 CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY

READY, SET, GROW

We’ve looked at who we are and now are in the second phase which includes analyzing current neighborhood demographics and future trends. The committee, which includes Pastor Sue, Nancy Krenning, Virginia Hladnick, and Sandy Stevenson, have studied, met regularly as a group, attended association-wide meetings and gotten together with our partner church, St. Mark UCC in Arnold. If you’d like to learn more about what we’re doing, go to uccvitality.org.

ST. PHILIPS IS A LOVING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY…….

Yes, that’s how our mission statement starts. Now let me show you how I know that it’s true.

In the weeks before Christmas we did a number of collections to help those in need. These collections included everything from tuna to toilet tissue, cereal to soup, and many other items as well. The response was so overwhelming that we were able to help many in the St. Louis area. The majority of the items went to Feed My People for those in our immediate area. Your care went far beyond our local neighborhood, however. Others who received items from the collection were Joint Neighborhood Ministry (soup), Neighborhood Houses (tuna), and Lydia’s House (paper products and liquid soap). In addition, the wonderfully large amount of food collected by the Early Childhood Center was split between Joint Neighborhood Ministry and St. John’s on North Grand.

Last Sunday we had a Mission Moment by Joan Hensley, Executive Director of Joint Neighborhood Ministry, and again you helped fill ongoing needs they have be bringing toilet tissue and bar soap. Joan left brochures on the table in the entry space. Please pick one up and consider other ways you might be able to help.

On Sunday, March 16 th, Johnniest Henry will talk about the Community Services of St. John’s UCC on North Grand. While their needs are many, they particularly could use bar soap and baking soda. Try to bring one or more of these on March 16 th. You make such a difference in lives all over the area and I’m very proud of you.

Sandy

50 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ALERT

Lots of good things on tap for March (Rev. John Dorhauer to preach) – April (Rev. Richard Brueseke to preach) – May – (Emmaus Home Choir to sing) before the gala celebration on Sunday, June 8 th. Lunch at Andre’s Banquet Facility. Yummy food and wonderful memories of 50 years. More on the menu and ticket sales very soon. Save the date on your calendar and plan to have a wonderful time.

LCD PROJECTOR AND SCREEN

Many thanks to the Hardee’s Corporation for the donation of the LCD projector and screen. It will be installed in the sanctuary and put to good use for all the different programs we have from time to time.

EASTER EGG HUNT AND EASTER BREAKFAST

Once again the youth fellowship groups are holding an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 22nd at 10 am. There will be games – face painting – and of course the egg hunt. They are in need of small pieces of wrapped candy to put in the eggs. There will be a basket on the table by the front entrance for your donations. Thank you.

We will be having our Easter breakfast at 8:30 am on Sunday, March 23 rd. We hope you will plan to come and enjoy the good food and fellowship before our worship service. A free will offering will be taken to help with the expenses.

COPY MACHINE AVAILABLE

The church office is now the owner of a different copy machine – one that does many more things than the old one. So, the old machine is available to anyone who might be interested in taking it for their office or home. Just call the church office 843-5100.

EASTER FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR

There is an order form enclosed with the Crier if you would care to purchase flowers for the altar on Easter Sunday. Orders must be received no later than Palm Sunday, March 16th.

NEW MEMBER CLASS

We will be receiving new members in April. An information class for those who want to know more about St. Philip’s and the United Church of Christ will be held on Sunday, April 6 th after worship. Please let Pastor Sue or the church office know if you are interested in joining.

YOUTH NOTES

Discussion group for college and high school students …..the next discussion will be on Sunday, April 6 th, right after worship at a location to be determined! Pastor Brad will lead the discussion on the topic “Fear, Security, and Love”, which is the second of three discussions about America’s power and how we use it in the world.

MARCH BIRTHDAYS

  COMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Be sure to check the bulletin board for events occurring in March.

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

Liturgists

• March 2 Brad Urban
• March 9 Sandy Stevenson
• March 16
• March 23 Easter Brad Urban
• March 30 Jennifer Larsen

Children’s Time

• March 2 April Schillinger
• March 9 Sandy Stevenson
• March 16 Brad Urban
• March 23 Kit Norton
• March 30 Jennifer Larsen

Ushers

• March 2 Fellowship and Service
• March 9 50+ Group
• March 16
• March 23 Council
• March 30 Women of the Church

Acolytes

• March 2 Brent Rohlfing
• March 9 Sarah Witte
• March 16 Haylee Thibodeaux
• March 23 Carley Nickel
• March 30 Scott Karcher

MORE GREAT LESSONS IN LIFE

3 – Third Important Lesson – always remember those who serve

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

“How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked.

“Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

“Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

“I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish were two nickels and five pennies. You see – he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 – Fourth Important Lesson – Giving When it Counts

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes I’ll do it, if it will save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE  

March 16 Palm Sunday Service 9:30 am - Rev. John Dorhauer preaching

March 20 Maundy Thursday communion service 7:30 pm

March 21 Good Friday communion service 12 noon

March 22 Easter Egg Hunt 10 am

March 23 Easter breakfast 8:30 am Easter service 9:30 am

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