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Dear Partners in Ministry,

I just returned from a full five-day vacation in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona is famous for its gorgeous red rock mesas and rock formations, its climate and blue skies and for its “vortexes.”

What is a vortex? That was the question of the week. A vortex is a place where there is unusual physic energy. So, someone identified several places where the “energy” level is very high and you can try to find these places on your own or pay a guide to take you there. We tried it on our own. Maybe we should have paid for the guide, or maybe we were too skeptical, or maybe it was just a Missouri kind of “show me” thing; but we were not impressed. I found no vortex.

But, I want to say that there was an amazing energy that came from the beauty of nature, from sharing the vacation with loved ones and from the people who work and live in the area. I have never had so many enthusiastic encounters with local residents. So many people have fallen in love with the area and moved there that they generate their own good vibes and they are evangelistic in their zeal to share. The bell man at the hotel, the woman who made waffles at breakfast, the sales people in the shops, the jeep driver on the tour; everyone took time to sing the praises of Sedona and invite us to go and see or hike or experience the clean air and the blue skies. They were truly evangelists.

I’m not going to belabor the point. Be it St. Philip’s or Sedona, we are all the Chamber of Commerce. It is us who bring the energy and it is up to us to share our story and our enthusiasm. We have a message and psychic energy that comes from God. Let’s share it.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Sue

THANK YOU

Dear Sunday School Students:

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 P. Brennan, Executive Director

Evangelical Children’s Home

Dear Friends at St. Philip’s:

A little note to write a HUGE THANK YOU for your donation of your unneeded Canon copier. We at Feed My People’s Help Center are excited about your donation. Trust me when I say we have been using some pretty out-dated copiers these past few years and they all have recently gone to “COPIER HEAVEN”. Your donation was not only needed but the timing was outstanding!

St. Philip’s continued support for our clients is heartwarming. Thank you again!

(signed) Ted West, Daily Operations Manager

South County – Lemay Feed My People

March 25, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Here is an update on Jacob, my preschooler who had the brain surgery. He is in his final week of radiation treatments and thankfully, has not suffered from the expected side effects. He is happy and doing great! One of my preschool moms had an idea to collect money and items for Jacob so we could send him a balloon bouquet and any personal items or notes my kids wanted to send. We were overwhelmed with the response we received! Two preschool moms visited with Jacob and took all the things we collected. Thank you for your continued prayers. In the months to come, Jacob will be meeting with doctors for follow-up visits and evaluations. He is an amazing little guy! Thanks again for all the prayers and your loving concern.

Love, Linda.

Dear Friends of Feed My People:

Spring is finally here after a long, cold, and stormy winter. But life for some of our clients is still stormy. They are still struggling to provide for their families.

However thoughtful and caring people like you help to bring a little springtime to these clients because you help us in our mission.

Thank you for your donation of $100.00.

Yours in Christ,

(signed) Carol and John DeGuire

Thank you for the cards and notes sent to John for his birthday. I kept the pictorial directory with me and as we read the cards, I showed him a picture of the sender and talked about what they did at church and how we had worked with them in the past. Our family thanks everyone for their continued support and prayers.

John and Merle Schuette

KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

• Lucille Brand at Green Park Nursing Home
• John Schuette at Green Park Nursing Home
• Walt Miller at Orchid Terrace
• Ann Goetz at Delmar Gardens-South
• Melba Schulz at Old Orchard
• LaVerne Ploesser at her home
• The family of Irma Holster who passed away on April 5 th, 2008
• Also keep Paul Shrout in your prayers – he had knee repair surgery on Thursday, April 17 th.

NEW MEMBERS RECEIVED

New members were received into membership on Sunday, April 13 th. Please add the following to your church directory:

Chris and Richelle Fischer
10848 Mallory Drive 63123 314-849-4013

Joy A. Lopez
10615 Village of Lavinia 63123 314-849-2509

Shawn and Dawn Williamson
13 August Court
Columbia, IL 62236 618-281-6173

Be sure to welcome them to our church family.

CHURCH COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

With the election of new officers and committee members at the spring congregational meeting, the next council meeting will be on May 5 th at 6:30 p.m. with dessert being served and a brief meeting of the committees to get set for the new year – such as selecting a chairperson and leadership representative. The council will then meet after this. Mark your calendar – both present committee members and new committee members should attend.

50+ CLUB

On Friday, May 9 th, the 50+ Group will be making a casino trip to Ameristar. There is a free bus trip to the casino. They will pick us up at Butler Hill and Highway 55 parking lot at 9:40 a.m. We will return at 3:15 p.m. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Women’s Fellowship will be going to the Butterfly House on May 20 th. They will meet at church at 9:30 a.m. for a meeting before departing. We will carpool and a sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. We will eat at Yia Yia’s at 12 noon.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

May 18 th is the Pancake Breakfast. Also, on that day, we are looking forward to having the Emmaus Home Choir come to share their music.

We will be sending flyers to nearby area churches and will be putting a notice in the county newspapers. With that, we will anticipate a good attendance and will need more supplies. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board.

This is a youth project fundraiser. Some of the money will go towards the mission trip. The remaining amount is still undecided.

We will need 1 more large griddle and 2 electric skillets – sign up on the supply list for these.

If you have any questions, call Virginia 843-3605.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

The dates are July 28 th – August 1 st. Also, on Tuesday, May 27 th, we will have our work group to begin working and preparing items needed for VBS.

Bring a pair of scissors and an item for a salad bar. Come and join in the business of getting things ready and having fun.

Virginia 843-3605

PRAYER AND MEDITATION SERVICES

Our prayer and meditation services will continue in May on the 14 th and 28 th of the month. This is a quiet reflecting service of prayer, meditation and music. Come seeking peace and understanding and spiritual growth. Please join Pastor Sue for this time.

BRING A SONG SUNDAY

Once again we will ask for your help in providing music from time to time for the Bring a Song Sunday. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. If you have a favorite piece of music on a CD that you would like to share with the congregation be sure to sign up on the form and indicate the month you would like to provide the music. The Worship Committee is starting this again.

FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY

Troop 464 (Carley Nickel’s troop) will do a Flag Retirement Ceremony on May 18 th, in front of the church at 10:45 am after the church service. It will last about 15-20 minutes. All are welcome.

CASUAL SUNDAY

May will be the time of year when once again we start with casual dress for the summer. This year we will begin on Memorial Day weekend which is May 25 th. Please use your discretion as to what is appropriate to wear for church. Be comfortable but also be respectful. Thanks!

SECURITY REGARDING DOORS

With warmer weather here there will be a lot of ins and outs to the playground areas. Please be sure all the doors are locked when you leave the building if you are the last person to leave. In the past we have found the doors unlocked and even standing open when we come in on Monday morning. Thanks for your help.

FAMILY CAMP AT MO-VAL

Camp Mo-Val will have a Family Camp session on May 30 – June 1 st. A fun relaxing weekend with family and friends in the tranquility of nature. There will be yoga, tie dye, night hikes, Bible study, swimming, games, family time and BBQ.

Ages 12 – adults $105; ages 9-11 $90; ages 4-8 $75; age 3 and under free.

To register: Contact Camp Mo-Val & Outdoor Ministries moval@mmsucc.org or toll free 1-877-344-2267.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER NEWS

Finally! Spring has arrived. Most afternoons you will find everyone outside enjoying the spring weather. We are enjoying it while it lasts, because the heat of the summer will be here soon.

May 4-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week. We will be celebrating our wonderful teachers with a special dinner on May 7 th.

We are collecting the following items for our summer program:

• Children’s sleeping bags
• Toilet paper tubes
• Paper towel roll tubes

Registration is open for the following programs:

• 2008-2009 Preschool
• Summer Play Camp (half-day program for preschoolers)
• Mother’s Break (Fridays 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Please contact Sarah Spencer for more information (314-843-2114)

MAY BIRTHDAYS

COMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS (see bulletin board for more info)

Friday, May 2 nd (4-8 pm) and Saturday. May 3 rd (8 am – 1 pm) Big Rummage Sale at Mount Tabor UCC – 6520 Arsenal Street (314) 645-9025

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

 Liturgists

• May 4 Sandy Stevenson
• May 11 Bob Leber
• May 18 Gary Karcher
• May 25

Children’s Time

• May 4
• May 11 Kit Norton
• May 18 Sandy Stevenson
• May 25

Ushers

• May 4 Church Council
• May 11 50+ Group
• May 18 Property and Grounds
• May 25 Women of the Church

Acolytes

• May 4 Sarah Witte
• May 11 (Confirmation Sunday)
• May 18 Haylee Thodeaux
• May 25 Carley Nickel

JUST FOR FUN

Since we just finished with our taxes – thought you might get a kick out of this one.

A visitor from the Netherlands jokingly explained the red, white, and blue in his country’s flag to his American friend.

“Our flag symbolizes our taxes,” he said. “We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them.”

“That’s the same with us,” the American said, “only we see stars, too.”

From the Fax Times April 15, 2008

Taken from the Saturday Evening Post – July/August 2006

The Real Truth

A family was driving home from church. The father asked his young son what he learned in Sunday school. The youngster replied:

“Well, our teacher told us about when God sent Moses behind the enemy lines to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians. When they came to the Red Sea, Moses had his engineers build a pontoon bridge, and they all got across safely.

“Then he saw the Egyptian tanks coming toward them, so he radioed the Air Force to bomb and strafe them, and to blow up the bridges so the Egyptians couldn’t get across. So, all of the Israelites were saved, and God was glad.”

“Wait a minute,” said the father. “Is that the way your teacher told the story to you?”

“Not exactly,” the youngster replied. “But if I told it her way, you’d never believe it.”

---Charles W. Scott

Here,There and Everywhere

As I grow older, I find myself thinking more of the hereafter. When I get up in the morning and walk into the kitchen, I find myself wondering, “What am I here after?” ---- Henry Boye

WE HAD SOME FUN NOW IT’S FOOD FOR THOUGHT TIME

 Glass of Milk

 One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for drink of water! She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”

“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many year later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized here at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words….

“Paid in full with one glass of milk”.

(signed) Dr. Howard Kelly

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: “Thank you, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands.”

There’s a saying that goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place – and, after all, isn’t that what life is all about?

Think about it !!!

 Found on the internet 4-15-08

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