This Week

Sunday, December 15th is Movie Night at the church.  All ages are invited to watch "A Christmas Story" from 5:30-8:00 in the Gathering Space. Bring a munchie to share.  Join us for a commercial-free viewing of this quintessential Christmas movie. You’ll shoot your eye out! 

December 16 at 10:30am is the annual Presbyterian Women brunch and cookie exchange.  Leila Davis will be hosting. Bring 2-3 dozen cookies to exchange.  Please RSVP to Leila at 314-994-0039 or Marie in the church office at adminasst@faithdesperes.org or 314-432-8029.  

Advent Worship

4th Sunday of Advent (12/22): 
Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25: "The Lord himself will give you a sign..."   
What are the signs and promises of the Incarnation today?
How do we resist God's presence breaking into our world as Joseph tried to do?
How do we know that Jesus is with us?
Musical Offering: A Fifth Above, a woodwind quintet, will play familiar Christmas carols. They were at Faith on Pentecost, so you won't want to miss them! 

Christmas Eve Worship, 5:30 pm

Join us for a traditional candlelight service with trumpeter, choir, and carols.  Child care will be available for children 5 and under. Invite your family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers by giving or sending them a postcard, available in the Gathering Space and in the pews this Sunday.

Looking Ahead to Next Year!

Have You Thought About a New Year Resolution?
How about reading the entire Bible in one year?  If that sounds challenging, it is!  But, it’s doable . . . and more fun with a group of people.  It takes about 20 minutes a day.  Of course, it also requires some energy to plan reading time into your daily schedule.  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 (time to be decided by participants).  Together, we can do this!    

January 5, 12, and 19, 2014
The Annual ADG Book Study will be on three consecutive Sunday afternoons (January 5^th, 12^th, and 19th) from 12:00 – 1:30 PM in the Gathering Space.  Lunch (sandwiches, salad and drinks) will be available for a small fee, and the discussion will be from 12:30 – 1:30.  This year’s book is Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, by Reza Aslan. 

Copies of the book can be obtained from the church office for $16.50 (there are only two books left).  The book can also be purchased at local bookstores ($27.00), or ordered from Amazon ($16.36 for a hardback copy, or $11.75 for a Kindle version). A sign-up sheet for lunch is in the Gathering Space or email Barbara Wright.  

Worship This Sunday, December 8th

December 8th is the second Sunday of Advent. Our focus scripture reading comes from Isaiah 11:1-10: "The wolf shall live with the lamb..." 
In what places do the wolf and lamb lie together in peace?
Where do we see that peace in our relationships, neighborhoods, or world?
How do we live this peace in our lives and our world?

Special thanks to Bel Canto, a women’s choral ensemble, and their director, Mary Poshak, for providing musical selections in Sunday’s worship service.

We will dedicate the Christmas Giving Tree gifts.  Bring your unwrapped gifts with you this Sunday.  Gift cards, too!

Tweens Class will meet this Sunday. Kids, invite your friends to join you!

The Advent Devotion Book is now on the website. Click here to download a copy.