St. Philip Lutheran ChurchMark your calendars for January 25 from 6-8PM for a new small group called “Open Book.” Come to the church for fellowship, a potluck dinner, and book discussion over dessert.. Childcare can be provided, if requested. We will be discussing Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown. The church will purchase the books by way of a Thrivent Action Team. If you have questions or an interest in this group, please contact Sue Huntington or Pastor Laura.
Life is a beautiful gift, one that we treasure deeply. Join in for a three-part event to learn more about how to celebrate life as aging adults. In March, St. Philip will have three sessions covering many important aspects of caring for elderly adults, including hospice care, legal processes, funeral planning, and legacy gift giving. Each session will follow the 11:00 service on Sundays and include a lunch. If you have questions, please see Pastor Laura.
Winterfest – 2-4pm – A fun winter carnival event! Free and open to the community! Bring your kids, grandkids, and friends to enjoy ice fishing, Balloon Twister, winter crafts, a cake walk, pin the nose of the snowman and more! Enjoy some wintery treats at the Snowflake Café!
Chili Cook-Off – 5-7pm – Warm up from the cold weather and enjoy a great selection of chilis! Savor the delicious food and partake in wonderful fellowship!
If you have questions about this event, contact Bev Stith.
In Advent, God’s people wait with hope for the birth of Jesus, God’s anointed one. Advent lasts for four Sundays (and the weeks between them); lighting candles helps us mark the time as we get ready for the Light of World, Jesus Christ. Great memories can be formed as candles on a wreath are lit, scripture is read, and the hopeful anticipation of Christ’s coming is celebrated. You are invited to pick up Advent devotions displayed in the narthex (gathering space) for you/your family to use during this holy season.
Advent Worship
All are invited to mark days of anticipation and hope during the season of advent each Sunday morning at 8:30 and 11:00am worship. Our theme this Advent will be “Everlasting Light.” We will use a new liturgy, light candles on the wreath, and hear the stories of the promise of the coming of Jesus. We’ll also have a station in the gathering area where you will be invited to name the ways in which you see God’s light in the world each week. We are looking forward to celebrating this season of hope together as we celebrate God’s greatest gift of love – Jesus Christ.
Chrismon Tree Decorating, Sunday, December 15, before each worship service
A Chrismon tree is a special tree adorned with symbols of Christianity in its earliest days, such as the Alpha and Omega and the fish. Newer symbols like a dove, Bible, rose, and cross and crown can also be used. All decorations and supplies will be provided.
Christmas Caroling, Sunday, December 8, 2-4pm
You are invited to share Christmas cheer! Meet at St. Philip. Then groups will head out and about in the Roanoke Valley. Please also bring some cookies to share with folks. Sign-up in the narthex if you plan to join the fun!
Children’s Christmas Program
The children of St. Philip will share the Christmas story at the 5:30pm Christmas Eve worship service. Rehearsals for the children’s Christmas program are each Sunday at 9:50am, now through December 22.
Christmas Eve, you have two opportunities for worship:
5:30pm – Candlelight service and youth program
9:00pm – Traditional candlelight service
Holy Communion will be served at both services.
Morning Worship the First Sunday after Christmas (Lessons and Carols)
Do not miss a wonderful worship of Lessons and Carols the Sunday after Christmas, December 29th. Jesus story is told both by scripture and many timeless hymns of the Christmas season. We will have one worship service at 9:30am.
Spring Faith Formation
Learning more about God and the life of faith together is an important part of what it means to be the church. We are excited to share new opportunities for both children and adults:
· Pastor David will be lead our Adult Forum
· Pastor Laura will lead Faith Formation for our children (preschool -5th grade) as they have fun, explore faith, and learn stories about God’s love.
This new schedule begins on January 12! Please mark your calendars and join in this important time for fellowship, learning, and growing in the faith!
Adult Faith Formation
Through December 22, Pastor Laura will host an adult forum in the Library on Sundays at 10am! We will utilize a curriculum called The Wired Word and engage in current event stories from a faith perspective. We’re called to live lives centered on the Gospel in a complex world, come join our discussion as we discuss how Jesus calls us to “Live Like that” in the world!
Monday Morning Bible Study Bible Study
Mondays 9:30-10:30am. Study the scriptures you will hear the following Sunday morning. This is a great way for you to come to Sunday morning worship ready to be engaged with the word as the story is told. If you have not been a part of the Bible study crew, now is the time to try it out! The crew meets in the church library.
NEW THIS YEAR: If you would love to join the Monday morning bible study, but can’t make it to the church, you are invited to participate from wherever you are using your computer, tablet, or smartphone via Zoom Videoconferencing using this link: https://zoom.us/j/181894145
Zoom is free for you to use and requires no download. The link to join the bible study remotely will also be posted on the website, Facebook page, and emailed to participants. Speak with one of the pastors if you have interest in connecting this way.
Faith Formation for Children
Through December 22, all children preschool age to 5th grade are encouraged to participate in Christmas Pageant practice and learn in a new way the story of Jesus’ birth.
Cross Generational Faith Formation Coming Again in January!
“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’” Matthew 2:1-2
“Praise [God], sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars!”
Psalm 148:3
Have you ever wondered if chalk, water, and evergreens can be mixed? Do you fancy yourself a code decipherer – what then do you think 20 + C M B + 20 could mean? Be sure to plan to be a part of a cross generational faith formation experience on Sunday, January 5th at 10am in the St. Philip fellowship hall. This event is for absolutely everyone from age 1 to 100.