This Sunday, January 12th

During worship this Sunday, January 12^th, we will celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord. Due to last Sunday’s inclement weather, we will have Communion and Feeding the Flock will be pulling the wagon around during the service, collecting food for Circle of Concern. Current critical needs are: jelly, peanut butter, cereal, canned meats (chili, canned stew, canned chicken, canned ham, etc.), canned fish, bar soap.

It’s not too late to join the ADG Book Study, which will begin Sunday and will be held on three consecutive Sunday afternoons (January 12, 19, 26) from 12:30-1:30pm in the Gathering Space 

Recap

Confirmation Class
Four youth from Faith Des Peres and three youth from Glendale Presbyterian started their confirmation journey last Thursday at an overnight retreat at the presbytery’s camp.  Faith Des Peres’ confirmation class is comprised of Tommy Epling, Gwen Emery, John Onken and Annie Wyman.  Lots of fun and learning was had by all!

Thank you for your gifts!
Many Christmas presents were delivered to the families at Lydia’s House and Southside Early Childhood Center in December thanks to your generosity.  A $250 donation was also given to each organization.  Thank you for taking part in the Christmas Giving Tree (DUO). 

Christmas Eve Service & Offerings
About 150 people worshipped at Faith Des Peres on Christmas Eve, and many of them were new faces!  Also, approximately $975 was donated to the Christmas Joy Offering on Christmas Eve.  Thank you to everyone who worshipped and donated to the offering.

A New Grandson!
Welcome to the newest addition of the Baker Clan, grandson of Terry & Jim Baker. Anton James Baker weighed in at 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 22" in length.  Jason, Cristie, and big sister Ella are all doing fine!  

This Week & Upcoming

January 12, 4:00pm
High Times and Thin Places: Singing Glory to God through the Liturgical Year.  Join the choirs of Faith Des Peres, Second, and Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Churches on Sunday, January 12th at 4:00pm at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church (9450 Clayton Road, 63124) as they present, “A Hymn Festival celebrating Glory to God, the new Presbyterian Hymnal.” Contact Gay Spears with any questions. 

January 18-19
The Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy will host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Weekend at First Presbyterian Church of Saint Louis (7200 Delmar Blvd.), taking place on Saturday, January 18th and Sunday, January 19th, at various times. Please look on the Gathering Space bulletin board for specific speakers, times, etc. 

January 25, 8-10am
Food pack volunteer opportunity - Volunteers are needed to support Food Outreach to pack freshly-cooked nutritious meals. Friends and children who are middle-school age and up are welcome to sign up. (A sheet is in the Gathering Space or email Marie in the church office). Food Outreach is located at 3117 Olive Street, 63103. We will meet at City Diner at the Fox (541 N. Grand Avenue, 63103) afterwards. 

January 31, 7pm
The next TNT (20s and 30s something) dinner will be on Friday, January 31st at 7:00 pm at Lester’s. Childcare will be available at the church beginning at 6:30pm. 

February 4, March 11, April 1
All are invited to the Kirkwood Franciscan Sisters’ free Eco-Film Series!  The films are on Tuesday evenings and begin promptly at 7:00 PM. To attend you must RSVP to ffesignup@fsolph.org or by calling the Sisters’ offices at 314-965-3700.

2014 Kirkwood Franciscan Sisters’ Winter/Spring Eco-Film Series
February 4: “Biophilic Design”
March 11: “Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth”
April 1: “The New Green Giants”
*You can watch a trailer for each of these films at www.bullfrogfilms.com

March 26
Tour Churches of Soulard with the History Team and find out why St. Louis was once called the "Rome of the West."  Visit Trinity Lutheran, St. John Nepomuk, St. Vincent De Paul, St. Mary of Victories and St. Raymond's.  Have a Lebanese feast for lunch (at your expense) and see the "Who's Who" of St. Louis.  Cost is $49. Make reservations with Betsy Stoll or call 314-821-0533.

For Your Information

Shared Ministry News
Watch your email one day next week for information about FDP's upcoming Shared Ministry Volunteer Fair on Sunday, Feb. 9, in the Gathering Space after worship. This will be a time for all of us to learn about what opportunities exist to become more involved in the church. Each of us is uniquely gifted by God to share our gifts, energy and passions with others to build the kingdom of God. Shared ministry helps us live out the affirmation that God calls all people to ministry. Please mark your calendar for Sunday, Feb. 9 and come prepared to volunteer for one of Faith Des Peres' ministries.  More information will be provided in the coming weeks. If you have questions, contact a Shared Ministry Committee member: Barb Abbett, Terry Baker, Annie Epling and Randi Weber.

What is WAC?
WAC is the Worship Arts Committee. The committee attempts to plan meaningful worship experiences using techniques we learned from attending workshops on worship design. Our goal is to create "an intentional journey of praise, prayer and growth" in every service we create. 

During Advent, for example, did you notice...

• The theme, "let us walk in the light of the Lord" expressed in call to worship and in the sung response.
• Each week the light increased.  More Advent wreath candles were lit.  This culminated with numerous votive candles and lights in the garland on Christmas Eve.
• Carrying the light out at the end of each service, symbolizing Christ's mandate for us to be light to the world. 
• A new bulletin format featuring classic art work of the nativity on the front of each bulletin.
• A communion table display that became more and more elaborate over time. Each week more flowers were added, relating to the scripture "the desert shall rejoice and blossom." 
• Numerous wrapped gifts, some of which were taken away, as the sermon made us think about what is really important during the season of Advent.
• The chime peal, gradually increasing in complexity and in number of players each week, as "O Come, Let Us Adore Him" rang out.  

Members of the WAC are Leslie Barnes, Danny Mortimer, Sam Stout, Beth Willock, Annie Epling, and Gay Spears. If you have questions or comments, please contact any of these committee members.

This Sunday at 10:30am

During worship this Sunday, January 5^th, we will celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord. We will have communion, and Feeding the Flock will be collecting food donations for Circle of Concern. Current critical needs are: jelly, cereal, canned meats (chili, canned stew, canned chicken, canned ham, etc.), canned fish, bar soap.

The Annual ADG Book Study will begin this Sunday, January 5^th and will be held on three consecutive Sunday afternoons (January 5, 12, 19) from 12-1:30pm in the Gathering Space.  Let Marie in the church office know if you’ll be attending so she can send you a reading guide (also here) and weekly questions, and if you’ll be ordering a lunch ($10).

Read the Entire Bible in One Year! Challenging, yes! Do-able, yes! And it’s more fun with a group of people.  It takes about 20 minutes a day. If this is something you’d like to try, e-mail Annie at pastor@faithdesperes.org or sign-up in the Gathering Space.  Reading schedules are provided, and monthly get-togethers to touch base are optional. Together, we can do this!