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Dear Partners in Ministry,

Sandy Stevenson and I have just returned from the Missouri Mid-South Conference Faithworks meeting. It was a small but powerful gathering of the UCC churches in Missouri, Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee. St. Philip’s was honored for 50 years of life as a congregation and five men were honored for 50 years of ordained ministry including Rev. Richard Brueseke and Rev. Carlton Norton. The UCC church at Femme Osage, the first Evangelical church, is now 175 years old.

It is wonderful to gather with our greater church family and to look toward the future of the Conference and our one church body composed of 157 individual churches. What strikes me most is the vitality and diversity and faithfulness of those gathered. I was also struck by the courage of those first German settlers who started the E part of the E & R part of the UCC and the amazing determination of those five ministers who have been at the work of the church for 50 years. And I couldn’t help but be proud of the ways we have all worked to welcome the stranger and to live out our discipleship in the world.

I once again want to lift up two pieces of wisdom that came from our Evangelical history. First, the motto for Eden Seminary and second, the prayer at the end of communion from the Evangelical Book of Worship.

In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things charity.

So enrich us by the holy spirit that the life of Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal body, and all our days may be spent in thy love and service, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Sue

From Eden Seminary

Dear St. Philip’s UCC:
Thank you so much for spending time with us last week! We enjoyed your visit to campus and having the opportunity to share stories of our ministry with you. Thank you for sharing in that ministry through all you do as a field education site and your prayers. I wanted to give special thanks for helping to stock our campus food pantry. You may know that a portion of your gift of food was set aside for a student who is having serious issues just now.

She was over-whelmed. Her children were moved to tears. Thank you for sharing with them. Laundry soap, cleaning supplies, noodles, brownie mix, these things mean so much when the pantry is literally empty. “Grace”, is the word our student used, “grace”.

Blessings,

(signed) Doni Schiemeier-Showers

Greetings Friends,

Your donation could not have come to us at a better time for our shelves were bare. Thank you for being the answer to my prayers. We truly appreciate all that you do for us. May God continue to bless and keep you in his graces and mercy.

Much love in Christ Jesus,

(signed) Johnniest B. Henry, director St. John’s Community Services on North Grand

May the joy you give to others be blessing that come back to you. Thank you. Thank you for your kindness.

The flowers were beautiful.

(signed) Melba Schulz

See the card on the bulletin board.

Members of St. Philip’s:

Thank you for your prayers, cards, and calls for LaVerne Ploesser. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

(signed) Shirley Illert and the Ploesser family

Dear Friends of Feed My People

Thank you for your donation of $50.00.

With the downturn in the economy and job layoffs, we have seen a large increase in those who come to us for help. And we have also experienced dwindling food supplies and financial donations. But with the thoughtfulness of people like you we are still endeavoring to help the needy.

Thank you so much for caring.

Yours in Christ,

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

We want to thank all of you for your delicious desserts that you provided for the Brat Dinner. We greatly appreciate your work and thoughtfulness. 422 pieces!

“The Dessert Committee”

LYDIA ’S HOUSE COMMUNITY MEAL

Lydia’s House residents thank you so much for the usual variety and abundance of food you provided for its October 1 st community meal. Those providing food or money toward food were Clara Hornung, Kathy Shelton, Tammy Knoll, Joan Schumacher, Virginia Hladnick, Nancy Krenning, Hilda Leonard, Shirley Nottelmann, Pat Siewing, Sue Bowles, Joyce Brand, Mary Lou Farrow, Paul Shrout and Karen Moran. Thank you all for making this meal special.

In case you didn’t know, each woman has an apartment of her own and does the cooking for herself and her children except for the twice a month community meals. St. Philip’s provides six of these meals a year and the remaining eighteen are brought in by other churches. The rest of the time, food has to be paid for, shopped for, and cooked by the women. You can see why they so much appreciate our meals which usually include leftovers to take home, especially since money to buy food is scarce. And who wouldn’t enjoy the tasty, nutritious food you supply?

EMERGENCY CLEAN-UP KITS

Thank you for providing two clean-up buckets with supplies to be used in flooded areas in the United State. One bucket was paid toward by donations from many and one was paid for by someone putting a check in the collection plate for the full amount. These items are very much needed and very much appreciated. If you would like to donate to this very worthwhile cause, visit www.churchworldservice.org where you can make a contribution of any amount for clean-up buckets or other items needed worldwide.

WE CARE

Thank you to the lovely ladies who helped to serve the lunch for LaVerne Ploesser on October 9, 2008. I’m speaking of Alice Noland, Joan Schumacher, Betty Moore, and Dottie Vinyard.

Thanks to all of you who provided the cakes and Jell-Os. Also to all who helped to set up and put the room back in order. Because of all of you, the family was provided with a wonderful lunch. Very much appreciated. Thanks again.

(signed) Lois Decker [We Care Committee]

KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS

• John Schuette at Green Park,
• Melba Schulz at Orchard House,
• Walt Miller at Orchid Terrace

 FESTIVAL OF SHARING

Many, many thanks to all of you for the canned goods for Festival of Sharing. We had enough for 23 boxes (which each had a lot). They estimate the value of each box to be $32.00 – a total of $736.00 plus the bucket of cleaning supplies – a $45.00 value- giving us a grand total of $781.00 to the needy people of Missouri.

Thanks again.

BLANKETS NEEDED

Women’s Fellowship is collecting gently used and new blankets for St. John’s North Grand. A collection box is in the gathering space. We will be collecting the blankets until November 9 th. Thank you for helping keep someone warm this winter.

BRATWURST DINNER

If you have a plate or pan from the Bratwurst Dinner from your donated dessert, please pick it up in the church secretary’s office. Thank you.

The Dessert Committee

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Please make the following changes in your address book:

M/M Steven Hladnick
430 Winter Bluff Drive
Fenton, MO 63026-6578

Phone number: Jami Gutjahr Jackson
253-507-7076

BEAD FOR LIFE

Bead for Life is coming back to St. Philip’s on November 16, 2008. Bead for Life is an organization that partners with women in Uganda to help them lift their families out of poverty through the creation of beautiful jewelry. The beads are handmade by rolling colorful recycled paper. The money women earn from the sale of beads goes directly into feeding their families, buying medicine, paying for school fees, and perhaps saving to start small businesses. All profits from the sale of the beads are invested in projects that fight extreme poverty including health education, housing, and sustainable livelihood. Bead for Life offers people opportunities and jobs, rather than handouts. Stop by the gathering space on November 16 th after worship to see the jewelry and support this worthy cause. See Dawn Williamson or www.beadforlife.org if you have any questions.

50+ GROUP

The 50+ Group will have their Christmas Lunch Party on Saturday, December 13 th at 12:00 noon at Helen Fitzgerald’s on South Lindbergh. The cost is $18.00 per person. This includes the meal, dessert, tax, and gratuity.

There is a choice of three entrees. Be sure to mark your preference on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board: chicken mudega, 8 oz strip steak, or baked cod served with house salad, roasted red potatoes, vegetable medley, bread and butter, coffee/iced tea.

Reservations and money needed by Sunday, November 16 th. Each person, please bring a $1.00 wrapped gift.

Jan Freese – Alice Hillyard – Virginia Hladnick – Betty Moore

More – The November meeting of the 50+ Group will be a Chili Lunch on Saturday, November 15 th at 12 noon. This will also be a game day so plan to come and join in the fun. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

LIBRARY NEWS

Some new books have been donated to the library and here is a partial list of some of them:

• Childrens’ Books
• What Little Boys Are Made Of
• More Than Anything Else
• Christian Education Breakfast With God
• Journey Into Joy
• Trust in God – It’s In His Hands
• In Step With God
• Fiction Cassidy Lori Wick
• The Princess Lori Wick
• White Chocolate Moments Lori Wick
• Light From Heaven Jan Karon Home to Holly Springs Jan Karon

MEMORIAL SUNDAY

Members of the congregation and friends who have passed away this past church year will be remembered in our worship service on Sunday, November 23 rd. If you have a name you want listed in the bulletin please give to Shirley in the church office by Wednesday, November 19 th.

WORSHIP/MUSIC

The Worship and Music Committee will meet after worship on Sunday, November 9 th. Much to discuss about Christmas activities. Mark your calendar.

NEW MEMBERS TO BE RECEIVED

We will be receiving new members on Sunday, November 9 th. If you are interested in becoming a member of St. Philip’s UCC let Pastor Sue know. There will be an informational meeting about the UCC Church on Sunday, November 2 nd after worship.

NEW EARTH BOOK

The last discussion group on the New Earth Book will be held on Tuesday, November 4 th at 7 pm.

FREE LUNCH GROUP

The free lunch for November will be held on Wednesday, November 12 th at noon. Let Sandy Stevenson or Virginia Hladnick know if you plan to attend. It helps to know how many to prepare for. All are welcome. We usually serve 14-15 people.

It is a nice congenial group and of course the food is delicious. We hope you will join us.

PRAYER AND MEDITATION SERVICE

The Prayer and Meditation Service for November will be held on Wednesday, November 19 th at 6:30 pm. Mark your calendar and join us for a meaningful service.

HANGING OF THE GREENS – FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

On Sunday, November 30 th after worship we will be putting up Christmas decorations, having lunch, and crafts for the children. The craft for each child will be making an Advent Wreath. With that will be an Advent Booklet. We will also have another small craft for the children to make.

Be sure to stay and participate. This is always a special and fun time to begin our Advent Season.

Christian Education Committee

FEED MY PEOPLE SONGFEST – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 TH

Art Kuhn and Paul Shrout will be participating in the Songfest that Feed My People is sponsoring on Sunday, November 9 th, at Southwest Baptist Church on 6401 Scanlan Avenue (at Watson).

Participants from four of the churches who participate in the Feed My People Program will be offering some of the finest among their singers and musicians to participate in this program. The concert will start at 3 pm. There is no charge for the concert. They ask that you bring canned goods and packaged foods for the food pantries. Hope you will be able to support Art and Paul and, of course, Feed My People.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

Our annual Christmas Candlelight Dinner will be held on Friday, December 5 th. The details are not set up as yet but watch the bulletin and e-mail for further information.

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Yes, it’s time to put our annual cookie sale on your calendar and to dust off your favorite recipes! We’ll package your wonderful cookies on Saturday, November 29 th, and sell them the next day. As usual, we’re looking forward to a large assortment from our great bakers!

AND SPEAKING OF CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 5 th is the date of the St. Louis Association Women’s annual Christmas Pilgrimage. It will be held at Dignity House, located by Pilgrim UCC, and will benefit the Neighborhood Houses. Plan to attend and see your St. Louis Association funds in action! More information will be available soon.

FAITHFUL READERS BOOK CLUB

The Faithful Readers Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 9 th after worship to discuss the books Barbara Walters Biography and Water for Elephants. Bring your sandwich and be ready to discuss away.

GOSPEL SUNDAY

We will be singing gospel songs at the worship service on Sunday, November 23 rd. We’re sure a lot of your favorite hymns will be included in the service.

WOMEN‘S FELLOWSHIP – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 TH

The Women’s Fellowship will next meet on Tuesday, November 18 th to make St. Nicholas’ Bags for the Evangelical Children’s Home. They will meet at 11:30 am – bring a sandwich for lunch – beverage and dessert will be furnished. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP – TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16 TH

The Women’s Fellowship will hold their Christmas Luncheon at 11:30 am on Tuesday, December 16 th at Roberto’s Restaurant. Order off the menu and have separate checks. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board. Besides a wonderful lunch and fellowship we will play fun games. Each lady should bring a fun $1.00 wrapped gift. Sign up for a guaranteed great time.

OUTDOOR WORSHIP AREA

Have you noticed the new outdoor worship area in the area back of the parking lot by the basketball net? Bradley Knoll undertook this project as an Eagle Scout project and was able to finish it this last weekend. Many hours were spent in planning and creating it. Why not take a few minutes and stop by to see this very pleasant and inviting piece of work. Good job, Brad!

BRATWURST DINNER REPORT

Many thanks to everyone who helped make the Bratwurst Dinner available to us. The food donations, dessert donations, clean-up, and serving was all an integral part of its success. We served approximately 210 people and netted $1145.39. Every little bit helps!

COMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS (see bulletin board for more information)

Saturday, November 1 – Cooking up the fun with Stroganoff - Epiphany UCC – 2911 McNair – 5:30 – 7 pm – adults $8 – children $5 – lots of door prizes and raffle items

Friday, November 7 – Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Mo-Val Capital Campaign – St. Johns Evangelical UCC Church – 11333 St. Johns Church Road – Adults $6.00 – Children $3.00 – serving 4 – 7 pm

Saturday, November 8 – Sausage Supper/Christmas Bazaar – St. John UCC – Manchester 333 Old Sulphur Springs Road - Serving from 3 to 7 pm Adults $9 Child $4

Sunday, November 9 – Songfest “Autumn Sounds” 3 pm. – Southwest Baptist Church at 6401 Scanlan (at Watson). No charge, but you are asked to bring canned goods and packaged foods for the Feed My People Pantries.

Friday, November 14 – “Illumenate!” 30 th annual Eden Bee Dinner - Lumen (formerly the Packard Motor Car Company Showroom) 2201 Locust Street – 6 pm reception – 7 pm dinner

Friday, November 21 – Matthew Smith and Indelible Grace – Southminster Presbyterian Church – 10126 East Watson Road – 7 pm – Tickets $10

Saturday, November 22 – 9 am – 4 pm & Sunday, November 23 – 10 am – 4 pm Rotary Arts and Crafts Fair – Lindbergh High School

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS

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

• November 2 Michelle Torigian
• November 9 Lois Decker
• November 16 Andrea Moran
• November 23 Sandy Stevenson
• November 30 Michelle Torigian

Welcoming Teams

 November 2 and 9

• Sandy Stevenson Connie Caldwell
• Lynn Bippen Jim Caldwell

November 16 and 23

• Dana Faerber Dolores Zikes
• Susan Cochran Joan Schumacher

• November 2 Ashley Kulich
• November 9 Sarah Witte
• November 16 Haylee Thibodeaux
• November 23 Carley Nickel
• November 30 Scott Karcher

• November 2 April Schillinger
• November 9 Terri Karcher
• November 16 Michelle Torigian
• November 23 Kit Norton
• November 30 --

THANK YOU LORD

From the internet

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes when she pulled open the florist shop door, against a November gust of wind. Her life had been as sweet as a spring breeze and then, in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a “minor” automobile accident stole her joy.

This was Thanksgiving week and the time she should have delivered their infant son. She grieved over their loss. Troubles had multiplied. Her husband’s company threatened to transfer his job to a new location. Her sister had called to say that she could not come for her long awaited holiday visit. What’s worse, Sandra’s friend suggested that Sandra’s grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. “She has no idea what I’m feeling,” thought Sandra with a shudder.

“Thanksgiving? Thankful for what?” she wondered. “For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life, but took her child’s?”

“Good afternoon, can I help you?” Sandra was startled by the approach of the shop clerk. “I…..I need an arrangement,” stammered Sandra. “For Thanksgiving? I’m convinced that flowers tell stories,” she continued.

“Are you look for something that conveys ‘gratitude’ this Thanksgiving?” “Not exactly!” Sandra blurted out. “In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.” Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the clerk said, “I have the perfect arrangement for you.”

Then the bell on the door rang, and the clerk greeted the new customer, “Hi, Barbara, let me get your order.” She excused herself and walked back to a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and what appeared to be long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.

“Do you want these in a box?” asked the clerk. Sandra watched. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers? She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed. “Yes, please,” Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. “You’d think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn’t be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again,” she said, as she gently tapped her chest.

Sandra stammered, “Ah, that lady just left with, uh. ..She left with no flowers!” “That’s right, said the clerk. “I cut off the flowers. That’s the ‘Special,’ I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.

Barbara came into the shop three years ago, feeling much as you do today,” explained the clerk. “She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had just lost her father to cancer; the family business was failing; her son had gotten into drugs; and she was facing major surgery.”

“That same year I had lost my husband,” continued the clerk. “For the first time in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone – I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too much debt to allow any travel.”

“So what did you do?” asked Sandra. “I learned to be thankful for thorns,” answered the clerk quietly. “I’ve always thanked God for the good things in my life and I never questioned Him why those good things happened to me, but when the bad stuff hit, I cried out, “Why? Why me?!” It took time for me to learn that the dark times are important to our faith! I have always enjoyed the ‘flowers’ of my life, but it took the thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort! You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.”

Sandra sucked in her breath, as she thought about what her friend had tried to tell her. “I guess the truth is, I don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God.”

Just then someone else walked in the shop.

“Hey, Phil! The clerk greeted the balding, rotund man. “My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement…twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!” laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator. “Those are for your wife?” asked Sandra incredulously. “Do you mind telling me why she wants a bouquet that looks like that?” “Four years ago, my wife and I nearly divorced,” Phil replied. “After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord’s grace and guidance, we trudged through problem after problem. The Lord rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she had learned from “thorny” times. That was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific “problem” and give thanks for what the problem taught us.” As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, “I highly recommend the Special!”

“I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life.” Sandra said to the clerk. “It’s all too…fresh.” “Well,” the clerk replied carefully, “my experience has shown me that the thorns make the roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember that it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don’t resent the thorns.”

Tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on her resentment. “I’ll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please,” she managed to choke out.

“I hoped you would,” said the clerk gently. “I’ll have them ready in a minute.” “Thank you. What do I owe you?” “Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year’s arrangement is always on me.” The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. “I’ll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first.”

It read: My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear. Teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant.”

Praise Him for the roses; thank Him for the thorns. God Bless all of you. Be thankful for all that the Lord does for you.

“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.”

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