Dear St. Philip the Deacon Friends,
After careful consideration of the weather forecast for this weekend, we have made the decision to cancel our Sunday morning services tomorrow.
This is a highly unusual action for us, but given the expected levels of snowfall, high winds and dangerous travel conditions, we feel it is best not to put our staff, volunteers and members at risk by attempting to get to church in the morning.
Please note: We ARE holding our Saturday evening service tonight as usual at 5 p.m., and will record this service so we can rebroadcast it on Sunday morning at our usual livestream time of 9:30 a.m. Please join us for worship this evening in person if you can.
We hope that we are communicating this decision early enough for this message to get to everyone connected to the congregation, and we encourage you to share this news with others so they are aware of these plans.
For our families who were planning to celebrate First Communion tomorrow, we will work to get that rescheduled soon, and we invite the congregation to keep these young people in your prayers as they prepare for this important step in their faith journey.
Be safe this weekend, and God Bless,
Tim
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.
Do you have a favorite hymn? We want to know what you would love to sing on a Sunday morning! Send one or two of your favorite hymn titles to hymns@spdlc.org, or fill out this quick form on our SPD Hub.
We may not be able to use every suggestion, but we will do our best to include your hymn selections within the next few months of worship at SPD. If we are unable to include some of them this year, we will try to use them next year!
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, March 5. Our pastoral team has chosen for our Lenten devotion a work co-written by our own Pastor Makayla Dahleen called, “Coming to Our Senses: Returning to God.” It comprises a series of daily scripture readings and prayers that will help us awaken our senses to God’s presence. These booklets will be available at the hospitality desk. Download a PDF here.
Lent, Holy Week and Easter Worship
Wednesdays in Lent
March 5—Ash Wednesday worship
5:30 and 7* p.m.
March 12, 19, 26, April 2 and 9
5:30 p.m.—Lenten Soup Supper
7* p.m.—Holden Evening Prayer
Holy Week
April 12—Saturday, 5 p.m.
April 13—Palm Sunday Worship at
8:15, 9:30* and 10:45 a.m.
April 17—Maundy Thursday, 7* p.m.
April 18—Good Friday Worship:
Children’s Service 5:30 p.m.
Veneration of the Cross, 7* p.m.
April 19—First Light of Easter, 5 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 20
8 a.m.—Easter Worship
9:30* a.m.—Easter Worship
11 a.m.—Easter Worship
*Livestreamed services can be watched in real time at spdlc.org/livestream, and later at YouTube.com/@SPDLC.
All summer long, we are inviting our community to pray specifically for creation, our country, and the world. As we pray together, our united prayers have the power to draw us closer as a community.
You are welcome to pray in your own way, but we also offer these prayers to be repeated each day/week/month (choose your own rhythm).
The rhythm here invites you to pause for prayer three times a day, focusing each prayer pause on one of the petitions. These prayers come from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW).
Morning Prayer
Stewardship of Natural Resources (ELW pg. 80)
For God’s creation… Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us coworkers in your creation. Give us wisdom and reverence to use the resources of nature so that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Midday Prayer
Time of Conflict, Crisis, Disaster (ELW pg. 76)
For our country… God, our refuge and strength, you have bound us together in a common life. In all our conflicts, help us to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, to listen for your voice amid competing claims, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Evening Prayer
A Prayer for the Human Family (ELW pg. 79)
For the whole world… O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that, in your good time, every people and nation may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Children and Adults: Join a
Choir at St. Philip the Deacon!
Did you know that St. Philip the Deacon has four choral ensembles that sing during worship services throughout the program year? Adults and children as young as Kindergarten are welcome to sing in choir—regardless of experience! Studies demonstrate that singing in choir has physiological benefits, including reduced stress hormones and alleviated anxiety. Singing in worship has the added benefit of providing spiritual growth and musical leadership for our faith community. St. Philip the Deacon is blessed with a rich, musical life—one that can continue to be richly sustained through participation in musical ensembles like choir.
Questions? Contact Sam Grace, sgrace@spdlc.org.
Rehearsal Times this Fall:
- Dyanmic Deacons (K–2nd grade)—Tuesdays, 5–5:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 12
- Chancel Choir (3rd–5th grade)—Tuesdays, 5:35–6:05 p.m., beginning Sept. 12
- SPD Singers (6th–12th grade)—Wednesdays, 5:15–5:55 p.m., beginning Sept. 13
- Sanctuary Choir (adults)—Wednesdays, 7–8:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 6
