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THANK YOU

To Friends and Congregation of St. Philip’s United Church of Christ:

The family of Laura Ingram (Scheidt) wishes to thank you for your love, friendship, and concern for Mom. She enjoyed working in the kitchen at church, preparing meals, and helping out with the different church functions.

On behalf of my brother Ron, and I, we wish to thank everyone for helping Mom when she needed it.

The Scheidt Family

We want to thank our loving church family for all the care and concern shown when we lost my mother. With outpouring of love!

Amy Balzer and family

Our family sincerely thanks the congregation for all your prayers, contributions to the church and Evangelical Children’s Home. Your support at the funeral home for visitation and the funeral was amazing.

Thanks for the luncheon after the funeral. Virginia and all the ladies did a great job. We certainly appreciate it.

Thanks to Pastor Sue for doing Jeff’s funeral and being with family.

God called Jeff at a young age to his heavenly rest. We know he is at peace.

Thanks again.

The Decker Family

Hi everyone –

Thank you for all your thoughts and emails! I am so grateful for all of you!

Love,

Brigitte Mittler

Dear Friends of Feed My People:

We thank you very much for your donation of $60.00 and 25 meal-a-month bags. We are now leaving summer vacations behind and children are back in school. Donations have increased and our supplies are very low, but we are still trying to meet the needs of our clients. It is with the help of people like you that we are able to continue to fight hunger and assist those who come to us for aid. Thank you for helping us help those who are less fortunate.

Yours in Christ,

(signed) Carol and John Deguire

Greetings in Christ,

As you know the Bible tells us to study to know God’s word. Well you have been helping to encourage a few of our area students to go to school with the right tools and get their education. We were able to help 85 children through our “Backpacks for School” project this year. The students were ecstatic in receiving their backpacks, school supplies, and a new outfit. Those parents that were recipients of this special project were also very happy. Those, which were not full recipients of this project, but only received school supplies, were happy also.

Once again you have gone out of your way to be generous to those in need. We would like to thank you for your expression of kindness. May God’s blessings continue to flow to you and yours. Please hold us up to God when you pray that we may continue to be a blessing to those in need of one.

In God’s service.

(signed) Johnniest B. Henry

A big thanks to all of you for your donation of toilet tissue, paper towels, and facial tissue for the Festival of Sharing. Tuesday, September 18 th, we will have enough to pack 25 kits. Then on September 30 th, these will be delivered to a St. Louis area church to be taken by truck to Sedalia to the gathering area on the fairgrounds.

Thank you again. You have always been so generous in your donations for the needy people.

Virginia and Janet

In recent months we at St. Philip’s have had several deaths in our congregation. We have had the opportunity to serve these families by providing a funeral lunch for them. This could not be done without the help of many people – ladies and gentlemen who helped by putting up and taking down of the tables and chairs. Big job! Very much appreciated.

The ladies who turned on their ovens in the hot weather to bake the cakes and cookies and the ladies who came up with very good jell-o salads, always a different variety of cakes and jell-os. The women who gave of their time maybe one or maybe three times. You all know who you are. Could not do this without all your help.

This is a very important service to these families and much appreciated. And let’s not forget the homemade German potato salad for Laura’s luncheon made by Virginia Hladnick and Janet Remmers. Everyone enjoyed that.

I thank each and every one of you for your continued help. WE CARE.

Lois Decker

KEEP IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

The following have had surgery the past couple of weeks –

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Aaron and Pam Stang (Schiele) on the birth of their son, Ian, on Saturday, September 8 th. The proud grandfather is Dave Schiele.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Be sure to make the following change in your church directory. Walt Miller is at Orchid Terrace not Orchard Terrace.

CHANCEL CHOIR

Children’s Choir will practice immediately after church for 15-20 minutes. We are planning for Children’s Choir to sing October 14 th.

Chancel Choir will continue rehearsing on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm until 8:30 pm. We are in need of basses and sopranos at this time. Please join us during the month of October for one hour rehearsals.

NEW MEMBERS TO BE RECEIVED

Are you interested in becoming a member of St. Philip’s? Please tell the church office or Pastor Sue and join us for an informational gathering October 7 th after worship. We will receive new members on Sunday, October 14 th.

BRATWURST DINNER

Thank you to all that will be contributing items for the Bratwurst dinner. Now we need your help on working that day. Dinner will be served from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm and shifts will be in two hour increments. Also, we will need help Saturday setting up as well as Sunday evening cleaning up. Thank you in advance for all your help.

 

JESUS ART SHOW

In keeping with the celebration of St. Philip’s 50 th anniversary monthly events, the October event will be the Jesus Art Show. Please bring your religious artwork to church September 23 rd and 30 th and include your ID card (see poster in gathering area for ID card). The artwork will be displayed in our gathering area October 7 th and 14 th. Also, bring your crosses to church for Pastor Sue to bless on September 30 th (see poster for ID card) and place them on tables provided in the front of the sanctuary.

 

 

FRIENDS/FAMILY DAY

Please bring your family or a friend to church on October 14 th. This will be our last Sunday for displaying the Jesus artwork and there will be refreshments served in our MPR room.

ADVENT DEVOTIONALS

Fall weather is here and, before we know it, the Advent season will be upon us. In keeping with our Advent Devotional tradition, we invite everyone to contribute a prayer, poem, or faith essay. This year’s theme is “Faces of Jesus,” and submissions may be sent to Shirley Nottelmann via email, snottelmann@gmail.com, or in person by Sunday, November 11, 2007. We will distribute the completed Advent Devotional on Sunday, November 25, 2007.

Following is a sample entry:

The Face of Jesus – Right Outside Our Kitchen Window

This past summer, my family and I were visited by a guest, who appeared on a porch light just outside our kitchen window. A mother robin painstakingly built a beautiful, yet sturdy nest for her soon to be arrival, and my husband, Doug, my son, Drew, and I got a front-row seat. Within a few days, there was one egg in the nest, as evidenced by Doug and Drew’s detective work with a mirror. By the end of the week, a baby bird appeared and our eyes fixated on the nest to see what would happen next. We watched and watched, but we couldn’t catch a glimpse of the mother feeding her newborn. In fact, we didn’t see the mother visit the nest at all.

On Monday, I came home from work to see the baby bird
”frozen” with its mouth open. The sun was blaring down on the nest and I feared the worst. I watched for several minutes, but the tiny being never moved. I began to think that our constant watching and use of the mirror had scared the mother away, leaving her offspring alone. As I thought about how I would tell Doug and Drew when they returned home, I began to cry. Why would a mother abandon such a vulnerable creature at the time when it needed her most, I wondered?

My emotional response to this seemingly everyday occurrence in nature surprised me. I couldn’t believe how strong my feelings were. My thoughts soon turned toward God, and I began to question his plan for this world, as I often do.

When Doug and Drew came home, I pulled Doug aside and shared my news. He immediately took the mirror outside to investigate. As he lifted the mirror over the nest, the baby sprang into the air and gave out a loud squawk. As it fell to the deck floor, two birds -- a female AND a male—swooped down to save their child. The baby, stunned but not injured, hopped away from my husband, and the two birds somehow picked up their young and flew away. We never saw them again. But we are confident the family built a new home away from our watchful eyes. And, I realized that God was speaking to me.

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding us that you are always present, even when it doesn’t seem like it. When we accuse you of abandoning us, you remind us of the ultimate demonstration of your love. Thank you for sending your only Son to save us from our sins, and help us to recognize the many faces of Jesus in our lives. Amen.

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT DINNER

Please mark your calendar for St. Philip’s 3 rd annual candlelight dinner to be held on Friday, December 7 th. If you would be interested in hosting/decorating a table, please attend an organizational meeting on Sunday, November 4 th, after our congregational meeting.

TEAM MILES COLLECTED OVER $2,000

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Our family has raised $2,368.00 to date for the Alzheimers Association in support of Team Miles. We have a few pledges that still need to come in but we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our family and friends! We especially want to thank our St. Philip’s friends. Please know that you have made a difference in finding a cure for this terrible disease. We will be proudly walking Saturday, September 22 (with baby Miles) and again thank you for sponsoring us.

Linda and Bob Kammerer

FAITHFUL READERS BOOK CLUB

The next book that the book club is reading is Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged”. We will meet to discuss this book on Sunday, October 21 st after worship.

SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK OFF AND 50 TH ANNIVERSARY

This was a Great Day ! Decorating the BIKES, the PARADE, the RACES, the FOOD – it all was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who helped and to Roland Balzer for the hot dogs and the beans – yum !!

The weather was perfect. Such a good way to begin our Sunday School year and to celebrate our 50 th Anniversary. We are proud of our youth for all their participation!!

50 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Hip, Hip, Hoorah! The fiftieth is underway!!

Fabulous start on Rally Day! We are indeed off to the races ! Great job to all the Rally Day Friends.

Our second month activity is joining in the Jesus Pictures and Cross Sundays. Very exciting for all. Much more underway for November through June, 2008.

Meantime, mark your calendars for the Gala Luncheon Celebration on Sunday, June 8 th, 2008. To be held at Andre’s Banquet Center, 4254 Telegraph Road, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

And finally the 50 th committee is looking for some pictures taken in the 50’s. They don’t have to be at church just any good old family pictures taken in the 50’s. More on this later. So get busy looking.

That’s the scoop for now. Much more to come. Hip, Hip, Hoorah!

The 50 th Anniversary Committee

SHOP FOR A CAUSE

On Saturday, October 13 th, Macy’s Department Store is once again having the Shop For A Cause Event. Passes are available for a $5.00 donation and you will be able to save 20% or 10% on merchandise in the store. (some exclusions apply) These passes will be available at church until October 4 th. The $5.00 paid for these passes is money that the church can keep. It is strictly a fund raiser for the church. Might want to do some early Christmas

shopping. Hope you remember to get your pass before the 4 th of October.

LADIES FELLOWSHIP

Ladies Fellowship is going to Josephine’s Tearoom on Tuesday, October 16 th. We will meet at church at 10:15 a.m. and car pool. All are welcome to join us. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board.

 

ADDRESSES OF FORMER MEMBERS AND PASTORS NEEDED

We hope to contact former members and pastors about upcoming 50 th anniversary events. Please help us find everyone!

A list of charter members and former pastors will be posted on the bulletin board with a check mark after those for whom we have addresses. If you know how to contact those without check marks, or other former members, please let Shirley know.

PLOWSHARING CRAFT SALE

The annual Plowsharing Craft Sale is scheduled for Sunday, October 28 th to coincide with the Bratwurst Dinner. The crafts are made available through Plowsharing and the Ten Thousand Villages Programs. Proceeds go to third world artisans and help them pay for food, education, health care, and housing. The items are high quality and are moderately priced. Selections include baskets, toys, jewelry, scarves, purses, and holiday items. This will be a great opportunity to get a head start on your Christmas list.

A group of St. Philip’s most talented shoppers will pre-select items on Wednesday, October 14 th. If you would like to help with pre-selecting items or help with the sale, contact Barbara Barnes.

A REMARKABLE SENIOR CITIZEN

Gene Engelhardt has been selected as one of 24 of St. Louis’ remarkable seniors for 2007. He will be honored at a gala November 12 th at the Chase Hotel sponsored by St. Andrews Resources for Seniors. Since 2003, St. Andrews has chosen St. Louis’ most selfless, outstanding men and women to be an inspiration to us all but particularly seniors. St. Philip’s rejoices that Gene will be a part of that group of honorees.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER UPDATES

We are off and running this fall! Our preschool enrollment is up slightly from this time last year. 3 out of 4 morning classes are completely full! Mrs. Brockelsby and Mrs. Kammerer are certainly busy with all of their students. Of course, my focus in October is getting everything lined up for my fast approaching maternity leave, which is scheduled to start sometime around Halloween.

We have a few events coming up in October. Our Fall Fundraiser will be starting Sunday, September 30 th and running through Sunday, October 14 th. Please check out our display in the gathering space during that time. Orders will arrive in early November. Proceeds pay for new classroom items as well as enrichment activities such as our music lady.

On Sunday, October 7 th, please stop by our Scholastic Book Fair display after church. There will be a lot happening that day, but we should be in the conference room. This is a great opportunity to make some early Christmas present purchases for children/grandchildren. This fair benefits our Lending Library program, which encourages our parents and students to engage in literacy activities at home.

YOUTH NOTES

There was a planning meeting after church on Sunday, Sept. 9 th. Some great ideas were presented and we have dates. More details and approximate times for our events will be available soon! Mark your calendars.

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Oct. 1 Irma Holster
Oct. 19 Andrea Moran
Oct. 2 Roger Decker Oct. 19 Philip Shelton
Oct. 2 Ray Zeitinger Oct. 20 Sharon Jackman
Oct. 4 Hannah Kelly Oct. 20 Roland Strobl
Oct. 6 Chuck Knoll Oct. 21 Tony Zielinski
Oct. 6 Joshua Hickman Oct. 22 Linda Boucher
Oct. 9 Ann Goetz Oct. 24 Connor Hickman
Oct. 9 Linda Kammerer Oct. 25 Bruce Eason
Oct. 12 Harry Jennings Oct. 26 Jamie Kotthoff
Oct. 12 Claire Vogt Oct. 29 Patrick Moran
Oct. 12 Samuel Vogt   Oct. 29 Delba Engelhardt
Oct. 14 Scot Rohlfing   Oct. 29 Pam Kelly
Oct. 17 Doug Stevenson      

COMING EVENTS

.
Oct. 1 Bible Study 8:30 am
Oct. 2 Bell Choir 7 pm
Oct. 3 Choir 7:30 pm
Oct. 4 Disciple Class 12:30 pm
Yoga 6:30 pm
Oct. 7 World Wide Communion Sunday
Faces of Jesus Art Exhibit
New Member Class
Youth – Potato Bar after worship
Neighbors in Need Offering taken
Oct. 8 Bible Study 8:30 am
Church Council 7 pm
Oct. 9 Bell Choir 7 pm
Oct. 10 Free Lunch – noon
Choir 7:30 pm
Oct. 11 Willing Workers 10 am
Disciple Class 12:30 pm
Oct. 11 Yoga 6:30 pm
Oct. 13 50+ Group noon
Oct. 14

New members received
Friends and Family Sunday
Faces of Jesus Art Exhibit
Youth – Feed My People Walk-a-Thon
Oct. 15 Bible Study 8:30 am
Oct. 16 Women’s Fellowship – Josephine’s Tearoom 10:15 am
Bell Choir 7 pm
Oct. 17 Choir 7:30 pm
Oct. 18 Disciple Class 12:30 pm
Yoga 6:30 pm
Oct. 21 Children’s Sabbath Sunday
Book Club after worship
Oct. 22 Bible Study 8:30 am
Crier articles due
Oct. 24 Choir 7:30 pm
Oct. 25 Willing Workers 10 am
Disciple Class 12:30 pm
Yoga 6:30 pm
Oct. 27 Sr. Youth Hayride – Lock-in
Set up MPR for barbecue
Oct. 28 Worship/Music meeting after worship
Bratwurst Dinner
Plowshares/Crafts Event
Oct. 29 Bible Study 8:30 am
Oct. 30 Bell Choir 7 pm
Oct. 31 Choir 7:30 pm Happy Halloween

COMMUNITY EVENTS (see bulletin board for details)

DON’T FORGET –

ST. PHILIP’S

BRATWURST DINNER

  SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 TH

SERVING 11 AM – 7 PM

 

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

 

Liturgists

Children’s Time

Ushers

Acolytes

NEIGHBORS IN NEED OFFERING

Dear Friends at Saint Philip’s/Concord Village UCC,

Thank you for your generous gift to Neighbors in Need in 2006 of $120. October 7 th is Neighbors In Need Sunday. Two-thirds of NIN goes to support Justice and Witness Ministries and one-third to support the Council of American Indian Ministry.

It has been another interesting and challenging year for all of us in the United Church of Christ as we work for justice for all of God’s people. I know that the local church is working to bring justice to local communities. We are a church committed to work for justice at all levels of our world. The national church has been busy working for justice at the international, national, state, and local areas. Members of the UCC are indeed people of compassion and committed to justice.

The United Church of Christ continues to work in the Golf Coast to make sure the levies are safe and returning people to their homes. We are working to change current laws that are hurting the family farmer, working to bring health care to all people, working to change No Child Left Behind to make sure that all children do indeed receive a quality education, and working to respond to the serious health threat of waste dumpsites commonly located in communities living in poverty and communities of color. The United Church of Christ’s justice advocacy in these areas and many more is directly supported by Neighbors In Need.

October 7 th is Neighbors In Need Sunday. Please do what you can to move forward this important ministry of Justice for all of God’s people. If I can help in any way please feel free to contact me at 913-236-4554 or email me at OsgoodPaul@aol.com.

Your brother in Christ,

(signed) Paul Osgood

Justice and Witness Ministries Board Member

Representing the Missou ri Mid-South Conference

(Envelope enclosed – don’t forget to bring Sunday, October 4 th)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Post Office No One Hears About

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died our 4 year old daughter, Meredith, was crying and talking about how she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. She dictated as I wrote:

Dear God,

Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died and is in heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you play with her. She liked to play with balls and swim before she got sick. I have some pictures of her so that when you see her in heaven you know she is our special dog. But I really do miss her.

Love,

Meredith Claire

P.S. Mommy wrote the words after I told her.

We put that in an envelope with two pictures of Abbey, and sent it to God in Heaven. We put our return address on it then we stuck some stamps on the front (because, as she said, it may take a lot of stamps to get a letter all the way to heaven) and that after that she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.

For a few days, she would ask if God had gotten the letter yet and it told her that I thought He had. Yesterday there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch. Curious, I went to look at it and it had a gold star card on the front and said “To Meredith” in an unfamiliar handwriting. Meredith took it in and opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers entitled “When A Pet Dies”.

Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written and its opened envelope. On the opposite page, one of the pictures of Abbey was taped under the words “For Meredith.” We turned to the cover, and there was the other picture of Abbey, and this had been written on pink paper:

Dear Meredith,

I know that you will be happy to know Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures sent to me was such a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. You know, Meredith, she isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is there with me and she stays in your heart – young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know.

Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any post office so I can’t keep your beautiful letter. I am sending it back to you with the pictures so that you will have this book to keep and remember her. One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope the little book helps. Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you. I send my blessing every day and remember that I love you. By the way, I am in heaven but wherever there is love, I am there.

Love,

God (and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words).

As a parent and a pet lover, this is one of the kindest things that I have ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it. It is some very kind soul working in the dead letter office. Just wanted to share this act of compassion.

Found on the internet.

 

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