Jan. 16, 2026
Dear Friends,
Recently we celebrated the Affirmation of Baptism service for our 9th grade Confirmation students.
That service—and, indeed, the whole week following the Baptism of Our Lord celebration on Jan. 11—reminds us of God’s love for each of us; the community we share as God’s people; and the gift and responsibility of being named and claimed as beloved children of God.
As they affirm their baptisms, our Confirmands promise, among other things:
- “To live among God’s faithful people,” which is a reminder not only that each of us needs community, but that the community needs each of us.
- “To proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,” which is a reminder that we reflect God’s love in the world not only through what we say, but through what we do.
- “To serve all people, following the example of Jesus, striving for justice and peace in all the earth,” which is a call for each of us, in our own way, to make the kingdom of God a more present reality here and now.
I do not need to tell you that we are living in difficult and challenging times. Our already polarized and divided culture is being divided even further by events during the past week. During times like these, we need to rely on our faith more than ever, and I invite us all to reflect on the baptismal promises that our 9th graders will affirm tomorrow. Specifically:
- I give thanks for the strong community we share at St. Philip the Deacon, and pray that we can lean on one another and celebrate our unity as children of God.
- I give thanks for the life-giving promise of the Gospel, and pray that we can both hear and share the truth that the God who loves the world—and loves each of us—will indeed redeem all things.
- I give thanks for the call God has on our lives, and pray that we can respond—as God always calls us to respond—in love to our neighbors who are most in need.
How Can I Help?
One of the questions I and the other pastors have received over the last few days is: “How can I help?” We have already been responding in a number of ways to organizations and individuals St. Philip the Deacon has good and close relationships with, and members who have reached out to help have been very generous with their time and resources.
If you would like to assist in any of these efforts, we are aware of families who need the following items, which can be dropped off at church, or funds for us to help purchase them:
- Hygiene products (for both adults & youth)
- Home supplies (dish soap, laundry detergent, etc.)
- Activities for youth at home (coloring, puzzles, board games, etc.)
- Gift cards (VISA, Cub, Aldi, etc.)
- Paper grocery bags or boxes
- Donations can be made on our Giving site. Please choose the “Angel Fund” and write “Helping Neighbors” in the designation field.
We also know that, in addition to your prayers and your financial support, our long-time partner Interfaith Outreach is in need of additional volunteer support. You can sign up for shifts at https://iocp.org/volunteers/.
Please know that the pastors are available to listen, to speak and to pray with you, and you are always welcome to come and sit in the Sanctuary if you would like a space for quiet reflection and prayer.
Thank you for all you do as the Body of Christ to reflect God’s light and love to what can be a dark and challenging world. And thank you for your prayers for our neighbors, for everyone who works to keep us safe in our community, and for our 9th graders and their families.
In Christ,
Tim Westermeyer
Senior Pastor
Canasta Básica
The “Canasta Básica” (basic basket) is a list of essential food and household items for families in many Latin American countries. The prices of these basic items are monitored by governments to assess basic living expenses in the population, and monitor the effects of inflation and government economic policy. When prices on these items increase, anti-inflation measures may be implemented, like price agreements that keep the basket affordable.
We are presenting the Canasta Básica as a list of food stuffs that you can donate, that would be culturally appropriate to many families seeking assistance. PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATES OF ANY FOODS YOU DONATE.
The Canasta Básica includes:
- canned tuna
- canned sardines
- canned chicken
- beans
- eggs
- vegetable oil
- milk
- rice
- soup pasta
- brown sugar
- sliced bread
- corn tortillas
- tomatoes
- plantains
- apples
- carrots
- onions
- potatoes
- jalapeños
- limes/lemons
- toilet paper
- soap
The Holiday season may be “the most wonderful time of year” for some people; for others it is painful and difficult. You maybe grieving the loss of a loved one, you may be crunched for funds to buy gifts, have an illness or are taking care of a loved one with an illness and limitations etc. It is important you prepare ahead and take care of yourself. With some forethought you can minimize the stress of the holidays and find the peace and joy that is so meaningful in this season. Here are a few resources for you to get yourself on the way to a merrier Christmas.
- Coping with Stress, Depression & the Holidays from Mayo Clinic
- Managing Stress For Holiday Family Get-Togethers: Practical tips, including how to prepare a self-care plan and practice answers to charged conversations or difficult scenarios
- Parenting During the Holidays
- Grief and the Holidays
For more holiday wellness resources contact Susan Path, Parish Nurse spath@spdlc.org.
The youth of SPD are collecting gifts for NAMI, the National Alliance for Mental Illness, this holiday season. NAMI Minnesota hosts an annyual holiday gift drive for children and adults living with mental illnesses who will be hospitalized or in residential treatment over the holidays. This is a meaningful way to remind peopole that they are not fort=gotten—especially for those who may be experiencing some of their darkest days during a season that can be so difficult for many.
We invite you to shop for gifts and bring them to Fellowship Hall by Sunday, Dec. 14.
For safety reasons, the gift ilist is very specific. Gifts must be new and unwrpped. They should be of a safe nature—nothing sharp, no ribbons, no strings in clothing, nothing breakable, no glass. For example:
- art materials, markers, coored pencils and pens
- puzzles, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, word-find books
- origami paper and instruction books
- journals (non-spiral)
- card games, decks of cards
- adult coloring books
- nonviolent comic books
- fidget gadgets
- warm socks, gloves, hats
If you have any questions, please reach out to Charlie Olson at colson@spdlc.org.
Home Free Shelter in Plymouth supports and houses women and children fleeing domestic violence. If you would like to purchase Christmas gifts for families sponsored by Home Free, please follow the guidelines below. All gifts should be dropped off (unwrapped) at the church by Dec. 7.
If you have any questions about the gifts for Home Free Shelter, please contact Pastor Valerie at vstrand@spdlc.org.
Gifts for Women
(Please, no candles or incense.)
- Sleepwear (sizes small, medium, large and 2X especially needed), slippers, socks, underwear. All sizes.
- Clothing—winter, sweat suits, sweaters, jeans, leggings, etc., all sizes.
- Small appliances (toasters, blenders, irons, coffee makers), kitchen utensils, curling irons, flat irons, hairdryers, items to start a new household.
- Body wash, lotion, cosmetics, jewelry, watches, nail polish, purses, bath sets, ethnic hair products.
- Fun Stocking Stuffers—Calendars, pens, playing cards, earbuds, adult coloring books w/pencils or markers, manicure sets, hand sanitizer, slipper socks, journals, puzzle books, lip balm, pampering items, etc.
Gifts for Children
The bolded items are especially needed. Please remember, no violent toys (guns, swords, axes, etc.)
- Socks, Underwear/boxers (all sizes girls and boys) boys and men’s boxers (all sizes),
- New clothing (all sizes), especially sweat suits.
- New Tennis shoes, Boots, Coats & snow pants (all sizes).
Infants:
Developmental baby toys, umbrella strollers, diaper bags (neutral colors), Baby monitors, 8-ounce bottles, baby care sets, musical toys (Laugh & Learn, Baby Einstein, etc) teethers/rattles, outfits (size newborn–
12 months), pacifiers.
Toddlers (1-3):
Toddler toys, wooden train set, Duplos or Mega Blocks, chunky cars, musical toys, learning (ABC/123) toys, leak-proof sippy cups, ride on or pushing toys, bath toys, bubble bath
Preschool (3-5):
learning toys (ABC/123), cars, dolls (especially dolls of color), doll accessories, racetrack sets, play food, booster car seats, sensory toys, Pull-ups.
Elementary (5-10):
Electronic learning games, sensory toys, wooden train set-magnetic trains, Lego sets, Barbie/Ken Dolls (especially dolls of color), Barbie clothing, unisex craft/art kits, fidget spinners, water bottles, cars, monster trucks.
Preteen/Teens (11-17):
Headphones/earbuds, board games, sketch pads & water color pencil sets, sportswear/gear (sweatshirts, hats, etc.), water bottles, fuzzy blankets, LEGO sets for older kids, jewelry, purses/bags, YA books, puzzles, journals, art/craft kits, K-Pop toys, make-up sets.
General:
Movie tickets, activity passes for youth (trampoline park, underwater world, etc).
Thank you for your faithful support of St. Philip the Deacon. Your generosity makes our mission and ministry possible.
As the year concludes, please follow these guidelines for your final 2025 contributions:
For a gift to be considered a 2025 contribution, there are five ways to deliver your gifts. All of these methods must be completed before midnight on Dec. 31, 2025. Offerings received after Dec. 31 will be recorded as 2026 offerings, regardless of which year’s envelope is used.
You may:
- Place your gift into the offering plates in the Narthex before/after worship services.
- Deliver to the church office (Office hours M–F,
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) - Place in the black mail drop-box outside of Door B (upper west office door)
- Give electronically at spdlc.org/giving
- Send via U.S. Mail—must be postmarked on or before Dec. 31.
A few things to note about gifts of stock, IRA distributions and prepayment for 2026 giving:
- All stock and IRA distributions/charitable gifts also follow the above guidelines.
- If you wish to transfer stock to the church’s Schwab account, please let us know about your gift, as donor names are not disclosed by Schwab. Contact Moe Hagestuen for transfer instructions.
- When transferring assets to the SPD Schwab account from firms other than Schwab, processing times typically vary from two to six weeks. Assets must be transferred and deposited into our Schwab account by Dec. 31, 2025.
- If you wish to prepay your 2026 contributions, please make a notation on the envelope, and write in the check memo, “Prepayment for 2026.” To receive credit on your 2025 year-end statement, 2026 prepayments must also be received by Dec. 31, 2025. If an electronic gift is desired to be recorded as a 2026 prepay, the gift must be initiated on or before Dec. 31, 2025. A call or email to the finance office is extremely helpful if an electronic 2026 prepayment gift has been initiated.
We are grateful to you for your part in helping us continue to Reach Out, Proclaim and Inspire. Remember: Your gifts make a difference!
Questions? Contact Moe Hagestuen, Finance Administrator, finance@spdlc.org or 763-475-7124.
Advent Weekends (regular worship schedule)
Nov. 29–30, Dec. 6–7, 13-14 and 20-21
Lessons and Carols, Dec. 13 and 14
5 p.m. Saturday (with Holy Communion)
8:15 and 9:30* a.m. Sunday
10:45 a.m. Sunday (with Holy Communion)
Blue Christmas, Tuesday, Dec. 16
7 p.m.* — Worship with Holy Communion
A contemplative worship service for those who are experiencing loss this time of year.
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24
11 a.m. — Children’s Christmas Eve Worship
A short worship service designed for children with an interactive retelling of the Christmas story.
2 and 4 p.m. — Worship with Holy Communion, orchestra and SPD Quartet
5:30*, 7:30, 9 and 11* p.m. — Candlelight Worship, Holy Communion, orchestra and SPD Quartet at 7:30 and 9, Sanctuary Choir at 5:30 and 11
Childcare is provided at 2, 4, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25
11 a.m.* — Worship with Holy Communion
Liturgy of Carols, Dec. 27 and 28
5 p.m. Saturday (with Holy Communion)
8:15 and 9:30* Sunday
10:45 a.m. Sunday (with Holy Communion)
* Service is livestreamed at spdlc.org/livestream.
