Pastor Tim’s May Message
We have recently launched our annual Families Together Spring Campaign, where we have traditionally helped families experiencing homelessness secure stable homes. It is a wildly successful mission, and St. Philip was one of the early founders decades ago. We also always participate vigorously and generously, and I know this time will be no different. I just gave a gift this past week, and I prayerfully encourage you to do the same. No gift is too small. Our goal this year is $75,000, and so far, we’re off to a good start! The campaign concludes on Sunday, May 31st.
Other than significant financial support, we maintain a Families Together “Tidy Team” here at St. Philip, who generously contribute their time and energy cleaning apartments as families move out of them (into new homes) and preparing them for the next incoming family. Past members of this team have included Stacey Bell, Jennifer Schroeder, Shelley Bower, Kai Thurow, Don and Stephanie Seeber, Kathy Blum, Carol Puente, Jerry and Dianne Rimmer, Gail Dotson, Kathryn Edwards, and perhaps others (please forgive me and notify me if I have inadvertently omitted your name). Thank you to all of you for supporting Families Together in this particular way! If anyone is interested in joining this Tidy Team, please see Kai Thurow. This is a very tangible way to fulfill our mission statement: “Sharing the Love of Christ.”
Unfortunately, we have lost dear members of our congregation recently: Kenny Beck, Tom Sternloff, and John Fowlkes. Please keep their families in your prayers, especially Jim Beck, Marie Sternloff, and Alisa Washington. Thank you to everyone who always steps up to help at times of loss like these: Jane Gue, Deb Coccarelli, Shelley Bower, Regan Wang, our ushers, and many others serve so faithfully at our funerals, and almost always do so with very short notice. We appreciate you all!
We have a New Members’ Class here on Saturday, May 9th, from 10 am until noon. This class is for people who feel God’s call to officially join our congregation and for those who might not feel that way yet but are curious about our ministries and would like to know more. Please register with Jane Gue, our Office Administrator. We will receive any new members on Sunday, May 17th.
Sunday, May 24th is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the birth of the Christian church, by recalling the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the original disciples in tongues of fire, equipping and empowering them to spread the gospel/”good news” about Jesus near and far. Feel free to wear red that day (if you have it), since red is the color of fire, one of the images of the Holy Spirit.
We will have ONE Fellowship worship service on Sunday, May 31st, as it is the fifth Sunday of the month. Our two worshipping communities (Crossing contemporary and Traditional) will come together to worship at 10 am. We will recognize our graduating seniors as well as Jerry Rimmer, thanking him for a quarter of a century of faithful service as our Property committee chairperson! The members of Dave’s Pub Ministry will be cooking for us afterwards, so you are invited to remain for a meal and fellowship. And, finally, our Youth ministry will be celebrating with an end-of-year cookout at 5 pm that afternoon.
Excitedly Sharing the Love of Christ,
Pastor Tim
