8:30 Service

Blog post by the Rev. Dr. Craig M. Howard

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Transitional Leader

[email protected]

I knew I was in trouble at the 8:30 worship service at Webster Groves because it began with fellowship and then moved into worship. The service is held in the fellowship hall, and not the sanctuary. The people are able to go back and forth to the food table and bring their muffin and coffee to the worship space. On this Sunday, the chairs are in a semi-circle around an area with a small podium. In back of the speaker’s area, is an elevated stage with a full band, along with spotlights and backlit banners. The dropdown screen displays much of the liturgy, including the music. I still look into the bulletin out of habit, only to see announcements and events that are going on at the church in the upcoming week. Please continue here. 

Moving Update

We are in the final stages of our moving preparation. We have communion sets, office supplies, Christmas decorations, old office equipment, overhead projector, books, and many more items that are looking for a new church home. If you would like to have any of these items, please contact Leigh Porter, [email protected] 314-772-2395 and arrange to pick the items up.

Program Grants for Summer 2018

 

There are Presbytery funds to conduct summer programs available to member churches and social agencies in relationship with the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. The funds will be awarded through an application process directed by the Mission and Outreach Ministry Team. 

The purpose of the grants is to provide opportunities for summer Christian education and witness, personal growth, and recreation to children and adults in communities of need. The deadline for applying is April 6. Full details, along with application, can be found here.

Nicaragua Mission Trip 2018

There will be an informational meeting on Saturday, March 31 at 10 a.m. hosted by Webster Groves Presbyterian Church for the planned Nicaragua Mission Trip, scheduled for July 21-29 of this year. Full details can be found here.

Seeking Temporary Seminary Student Housing for GA#223

Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the Office of the General Assembly are co-sponsoring a for-credit class for Presbyterian seminary students on Presbyterianism focused on the 223 ^rd General Assembly. The students will spend the entire run of the Assembly attending classes at the convention center and Assembly-related events. They will come in on Thursday, June 14, to begin their classwork.

Continue to read on for more details

World Day of Prayer

On Friday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington Presbyterian Church, located at 4834 South Point Road, Washington, there will be an event in participation with the Word Day of Prayer, featuring Speaker Larry Lazar who will talk on Caring for Creation, Ploughsharing Fair Trade Crafts for viewing and purchase. This site is fully accessible and everyone is welcome.

Lenten Prayer Retreat

On Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, a Lenten Prayer Retreat will be held where you are invited to rest in God’s presence and allow yourself to receive the pure gift of God. This morning of prayer is an opportunity to let God in – as one invites a contractor to do some remodeling in one’s home – God is the inner remodeler. What carpenters do with walls and wiring, God does with hearts and minds. Join Dr. Dieter Heinzl and Anne Peacock as we nurture contemplative practices to enhance life’s journey. Please join us at 8:45 a.m. for breakfast. The cost of the event is $5. Friends welcome.

RSVP to Anne Peacock: [email protected] or 314-993-4771 x3122

 

Presbyterian Women of Giddings-Lovejoy

PWGL Midwest/South Metro Winter Gathering to be held on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Egg and I Restaurant in Des Peres, MO. Please include the information in the flyer in the weekly newsletter. Reservations are due by March 9th. More information can be found here.

 Contact me with any questions: Ann Schmid, 636-699-2142 or email her at: [email protected] .

W. Mark Akin, Guitar Concert          

    W. Mark Akin is a winner of last year’s prominent Artist Presentation Award given by the Artist Presentation Society of St. Louis.

   This engaging program takes place at Second Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 4, 4:00 p.m. and highlights works by Sergio Assad, Agustin Barrios, Edvard Grieg, William Walton, and much more. 

     Second Presbyterian Church is located at 4501 Westminster Place, Saint Louis, 63108 in the Central West End. The concert, part of the Couts Music Series, is free and open to all. For more information call 314-367-0367 or www.secondchurch.net.

Second Annual Night at the Improv

Uni-Pres Kindercottage Fundraiser, invites you to a night of laughter, fine dining & frivolity on Saturday, April 14 at 5 p.m at the Second Annual, Night at the Improv, featuring Ed Reggi, and The Paper Slips Troupe “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”

This fun event will be held at St. Paul UCC, 115 West “B” Street, in Belleville, Illinois.

Tickets include dinner and show at $40/each. There are personal and corporate sponsorships available. Call 618-874-6505 or visit their website here , for tickets or information.

Mound Ridge Annual Benefit

Dinner Auction

This annual event will be held at Andre’s South Banquets and Catering, located at 4238 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, April 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Come join us and help support “The Magic of Mound Ridge” Tickets: $65 per person or $500 for a table of 8, and can be purchased by c onnecting here .

Rev. Travis Winckler

Sun., Mar. 11

at 3 p.m.

Second Presbyterian

St. Louis, Missouri

Rev. Karl Hauser

Sun., Mar. 25

Southminster

Crestwood, Missouri

Opportunity to Talk about the Confessions

One of the sparks of the Reformation was the printing of the New Testament in Greek by Erasmus. Imagine getting to see a first edition of this 1516 book. That’s part of what’s on tap for the Confessions class on Tuesday, March 6. Eden’s archives have a number of important volumes from the Reformation period and Archivist and former Eden Librarian Michael Boddy will be displaying and explaining some of them. If you’d like to join us, please contact Barbara Willock, [email protected].

Ruling Elder Ministries Lenten Lesson

This is taken from Lenten Blessings from the Office of Ruling Elder Ministries. The Presbyterian Outlook, February issue of Regarding Ruling Elders has been posted online. Read the article, "Community Prayer",

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!”

We sing this in our beloved hymn but we forget to add the qualifier that is the reality in most of our churches. “… except for praying out loud, extemporaneously, in front of a group. …” Read on here.

Stewardship Conference

The Spirit of Stewardship Conference 2018 is right around the corner. On March 2-3, 2018, the keynote speaker, Rev. Karl Travis, will immerse you in studying, praying, and preaching about Christian generosity.

To support your attendance at this conference, the Presbytery’s Stewardship Team is offering $100 scholarships for at least five persons to attend. Due to time constraints, scholarships will be offered in the form of reimbursements. If you are attending this conference and would like to receive a scholarship, please register and contact Vanessa Hawkins in writing at  @Vanessa Hawkins for reimbursement details. Scholarships are provided on a first-come first-serve basis. 

Annual Meeting for Members and Friends Courageous Conversations

On Thursday, March 15th, at 7:30 pm, after a short business meeting that begins at 7 p.m., we will host a 90-minute opportunity called "Courageous Conversations," an opportunity to prepare you for the next level of interfaith (and other!) dialogue. Whether you're just beginning, or you've been engaged in interfaith dialogue for years, this program will help you identify how you can deepen the authenticity of how you speak and the compassion with which you listen.

Program will be led by Rev. Robert Chase, Founding Director of  Intersections International. Directions can be found here.

  Triennial 2018: “Dragons, Frogs, & Other Fairy Tales of Women in Ministry”

The National Association of Presbyterian , Clergywomen, invites all Clergywomen to the Triennial 2018 “Dragons, Frogs, & Other Fairy Tales of Women in Ministry” the week of April 23-26, 2018 at the Montreat Conference Center. The keynote preacher is the Rev. Floretta Barbee-Watkins, with worship leader, Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan. There will be exciting workshops led bydynamic Clergy. There are scholarships and childcare available. The invitation is also extended to Clergymen, CREs, . Seminarians & Laity. More details can be found here.  

Part-Time Secretary Position Available

The Woodlawn Presbyterian Church is currently seeking a Part-Time Secretary, at 20 hours per week.

If you are interested, please contact Rev. Chris Keating at [email protected]

Seeking New Executive Director

Partners for Just Trade (PJT) is seeking a new Executive Director. PJT is a non-profit, faith-based organization that builds partnerships between producers living in extreme poverty and consumers in North America. We address root causes of poverty through Fair Trade sales, education, solidarity, and a commitment to trade justice. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2018.

Please continue here to see full details on the position.

Permanent Nursery Attendant Needed

Saint Charles Presbyterian Church, St. Charles, MO, 131 Gamble Street, is seeking a permanent Sunday morning Nursery attendant. Times will be from 9:15 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. each Sunday. Inquires may be directed to Mary Kay Lyon or Margaret Osborn at [email protected].

Children’s Music Director

 

If you have a music appreciation background, love to teach, and enjoy working with children of all ages, then we have the perfect position for you. The Music Ministry of St Mark Presbyterian Church, Ballwin, MO is looking for a Children’s Music Director to work part-time providing musical selection and instruction to support the worship services and special church events. 

Days/Hours are somewhat flexible, but could total two days per week meeting two hours each time for approximately 39 weeks (Sept – May). If you are interested, please submit your resume or letter of interest to St Mark Presbyterian Church, 601 Claymont Drive, Ballwin, MO 63011, Attn: Personnel Committee, or email your resume to [email protected]