Announcements - May 11, 2008

Generosity – a Great “2-fer”

We all like getting a ‘good deal’, whether it’s on a new car, a new pair of shoes, or the latest toy for our kids. Who can resist the appeal of a “2-fer”, where you get two things for the price of one? Believe it or not, one of the most satisfying “2-fers” around is available by giving something away, or being generous. Generosity is one of our key values here at St. Philip’s, and the most powerful in that giving up our money allows us both to grow our faith, as well as impact the world at the same time.

Sounds great, right? But the truth is most of us have debt that is tying us down. Imagine the peace that would come from being debt free, along with the joy of being able to be more generous. How little would you actually need to make each month if you had no credit card debt, no car payments, and no mortgage? Financial Peace University is a program that can teach you step-by-step how to get there.

Financial Peace University is a 13-week class which will start on June 1st. This life-changing program teaches you how to make the right decisions with your money and empowers you with the practical skills and confidence needed to achieve your financial goals and experience true financial peace! The average family pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in the first 91 days of Financial Peace University!

You don’t have to take our word for it either, come and see for yourself. On Sunday, May 18th, at 12:30 pm we are offering a free “preview” session entitled “Dumping Debt” which is taken directly from the FPU class. This is your chance to see what a class is really like before you commit.

Whether you are ready to begin the journey toward Financial Peace, or you would like to check out more information first, every thing you need is available at the FPU information booth in the narthex. We hope you will join us – after all, who can resist a good “2-fer”?

What Are You Doing This Summer?

When I was a kid the answer was “nothing”. We looked forward to hanging around, goofing off and doing nothing. Summer ought to have a lot of that in it, but as a parent I sort of want my kids to do something this summer: Something that actually has some value in their lives.

If you’re like that then let me fill you in on some things that St. Philip’s Youth Group is offering this summer.

Summer Camp: This year we are going to Camp Copass in Denton, Texas. It’s called Waterbreak: Summer Camp for the Spiritually Thirsty. Being at camp grows our faith and gives kids a jump start in their relationships with one another.
Dates: July 7-11.
Cost: $195.
Register by May 23rd.

Juarez Mission Trip: We’ve been going to Juarez for the last 5 years and each year we see the youth deepen their faith as they serve others. They come back knowing they can change the world and far more grateful for the things that they have.
Dates: July 28-Aug. 2.
Cost: Support raised as a TEAM.

Frisco Family Services Summer Lunch Program

Compassion in Action needs you! Frisco Family Services Summer Lunch program was a great success this past year. The community came together and provided lunches and activities for kids in need and we had a great time doing it. The excitement and joy on many of the kid’s faces was priceless. St. Philip’s plans on doing our part once again this year, by reaching out to those in our community who need a helping hand.

The program was designed to supply nutrition, physical activity and learning for FFS’ “younger” clients during the summer months. These kids typically receive free or reduced lunches during the school year and it’s difficult for their parents to supplement their income to cover these expenses during the summer. The week of July 21-25, we will supply lunches and games at Stonebrook Village Apartments. In order to provide this outreach, we will need many volunteers to help. With one year under our belt, planning the week should be much simpler. We will need the following volunteers:

Meal Planner –plan a nutritious menu, come up with the shopping list and budget
Shopping Team – people to shop for the groceries needed (paid for by FFS)
Activity Coordinator – someone to coordinate the week’s activities
Volunteer Coordinator – someone to coordinate all volunteers for the week
Volunteers – people to assemble lunches throughout the week, people to distribute the lunches and play the games with the kids – the more people we have on site the better!

This is a great outreach for adults and kids alike, all ages can get involved. In the narthex, there is a booth to sign up for the various volunteer opportunities. You can sign up for one day, or all days, for one role, or numerous! But it’s going to take many of us to accomplish this week long event. Don’t think that someone else will do it, take the lead and take one step further in accomplishing our mission statement…“Growing faith that impacts the world for Christ”.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Hendrix at 214-387-4700 ext 114 or maryhendrix@stphilipsfrisco.org.

Support the Belize Mission Team
The Belize Mission team is formed and holding team meetings. The objective for this mission is to share the love of Christ through teacher training in Belize City and working with the children and staff of Holy Cross School on the island of San Pedro. Team members are in need of support through prayer and finances. If God is calling you to support this mission, please contact Sheryl Holton at sherylholton@stphilipsfrisco.org or Mary Hendrix at maryhendrix@stphilipsfrisco.org.

Baptismal Candidates
Congratulations to today’s baptismal candidates:

• Allison Ruth Atterberry
• Madison Wilks Barnes
• Michael Wilks Barnes
• Sacha Bravenec
• William Bravenec
• Devin Bravenec
• Kate Bravenec
• Daniel Price
• Isabella Marie Van Leeuwen
• Miller Logan Wentz
  

Help Wanted: Usher Ministry
Looking for a great way to serve at St. Philip’s? Be an usher! No public speaking, no singing, and free training! Ushers are a key part of our Sunday worship service. Being an usher is also a great way to meet new members and guests. Please contact any current usher or Mark Miserak at Mark.miserak@sap.com or Andy Davis at adavis@chronicityinc.com to find out more.

Are You Listening Up?
Our new audio ministry has really taken off - nearly 1000 copies of our Sunday sermons have been taken to share with a friend, neighbor or co-worker. Now we have a new look, as well as a new name, for this ministry - Listening Up. We now also have a catalog of all previous sermon series where you can order copies of your favorites or catch up on those you missed. Check it out in the narthex today.

What Are You Doing This Summer?
Here are some of the things that St. Philip’s Youth Group is offering this summer:

Summer Camp: Waterbreak: Summer Camp for the Spiritually Thirsty, Camp Copass, Denton, TX.
Dates: July 7-11.
Cost: $195.
Register by May 23rd.

Juarez Mission Trip: We’ve been going to Juarez for the last 5 years and each year we see the youth deepen their faith as they serve others.
Dates: July 28-Aug. 2.
Cost: Support raised as a TEAM.
Check out the booth in the narthex with the balloons for more details.

New Member Dinner 5/15
Would you like to become a member of St. Philip’s? Here’s how you do it: Come join us for dinner! Our next membership dinner is this Thursday, May 15th. Call or e-mail Janet DeLaurier to sign up. Space is limited for each dinner as they are held at the home of Clay and Jill Lein, so RSVP early. For more information, call 214-387-4700 or e-mail Janet at janetdelaurier@stphilipsfrisco.org.

Do You Have 2 Hours to Impact the World?
As part of our annual Mission Sunday we are planning a special day of service on Saturday, June 7th. Use the resources that God has given you to impact the world – in 2 short hours. Please stop by our booth in the narthex and pick up our brochure detailing all the outreach projects going on throughout the day. Then look through the list, pick a project, and make time to serve. There are projects available for families and for all ages. You may even come up with an idea of your own! Once you’ve selected a project, just stop by the narthex booth and sign up or e-mail maryhendrix@stphilipsfrisco.org with your choice.

God Is All Around Us - Where have you seen Him?
Do you have a story of a time you saw God at work in your everyday life? When you knew without a doubt that you felt His presence in, or hand on, you or your family? It could have been an answer to a prayer that came in an unexpected way, or something that happened during a chance encounter with a friend, neighbor or co-worker, or spending time with your children. It could have happened while sitting in traffic or shopping for groceries. Maybe it made you laugh or even cry. The truth is, we all have stories of ‘God moments’ if we take the time to think about it. Would you like to share one of your stories of faith with other members of your St. Philip’s family? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Laura Alford at lauraalford@stphilipsfrisco.org, or 214-387-4700 ext. 113 to learn more.

It's a Barbeque!
Sandy and Doyle Tunnell are hosting a barbeque for the Basically Boomers at their home in Dallas on Saturday, May 17th at 7:00 pm. For reservations and further details please email Janet Hannam at davnet@tx.rr.com by Wednesday, May 14th.

¿Habla Español?
St. Philip’s Episcopal Preschool is seeking a Spanish Teacher for Fall 2008. If you are interested, please contact Mary Ecret at 214-387-4700 or e-mail her at maryecret@stphilipsfrisco.org.

St. Paul’s Is Looking for Music and Children’s Ministers
St. Paul’s is in the process of recruiting for its Music and Children’s Minister positions. We are looking for a Music Minister who can play keyboards and lead vocally and for a Children’s Minister who can lead our Nursery, Children’s, and Youth programs. Both positions are part time.

If you know of anyone who might be called to these positions, please let Fr. Michael know so he can get in touch with them. You can contact Michael at michael@stpaulsprosper.org or 972-369-6012.

A Small Group Invitation
The Abundant Life small group would like to invite anyone interested in joining us for a new study titled “When Worldviews Collide”. The group meets on the second and fourth Friday of the month from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. We have a babysitter on site and we all pitch in to cover the cost. We began the study on May 9th. If you’re interested or want more information, please contact Julia Chalker at juliachalker@tx.rr.com.

Summer Camp Anyone?
Many of us may not be aware that the Diocese of Dallas holds summer camps for 1st grade through high school, as well as family and intergenerational camps, at All Saints Camp on Lake Texoma. There are lots of activities to be involved in: canoeing, fishing, basket making, astronomy, archery, hiking, rappelling, swimming, and waterfront games to name a few. They also have a Counselor Training program that older teens can attend. And the best thing is, it’s all in a faith-filled, fun community.

If this sounds like something your family might be interested in, please check out the camp’s web page at www.episcopal-dallas.org, click on “One Church” and then “Our Camp” for more information and a registration form.

Senior Care Ministry – Try it, you might like it!
Can you spare two hours a year for a little fun and fellowship? We still need individuals and families to help with the Senior Care Ministry. Stop by the booth and sign up to help with bingo, ice cream socials or nail painting. If you can’t at the nursing homes, we are always in need of refreshments and bingo prizes donations. Please contact Barbara Campbell at barbsmu@att.net or stop by the booth after service today.

Do You Use On-line Bill Pay?
If so, please consider utilizing your on-line bill pay provider for your pledges and other remittances to St. Philip's. Not only will it save you time and trouble, but it also helps the church staff handle the ever-increasing volume created by our tremendous and blessed growth. And, there is no cost to you or to us.

“The Barbara Bag”
Barbara Campbell and her helpers hand out prizes for Victoria Gardens Bingo each month. To that end, we are beginning a supply drive to help her stock up on the prizes. Travel size shampoos, lotions, note pads, sample size products, nail polish, jewelry, stuffed animals and pocket tissues are just some ideas. Also McDonald’s meal toys and birthday party bag toys for the residents to give to visiting grandchildren. Drop your “Barbara Bags” or donations in the Senior Ministry Bingo Prize Box and pick up a brochure for more ideas in the narthex.

Sermon Podcasts Available On-line
Did you miss this week's sermon? Want to listen again to a favorite sermon from the past? Do you want to have our sermons sent to your computer automatically each week? Well, we've got something new for you! We've recently begun sharing the weekly sermon as MP3 audio files, and now you can get them automatically delivered to your computer each week with our new "podcast". Visit www.stphilipsfrisco.org/Sermons for more information.

Three "Painless" Ways to Help Others!
St. Philip's Grocery Rewards Programs
Designating St. Philip's as the rewards program benefactor at the grocery store that you shop in, only takes a short time initially, but the St. Philip's Outreach programs will be rewarded again and again over time.  Tom Thumb, Kroger, and Albertson's all have reward card programs that can contribute a minimum of 1% to the charity of your choice. Why not designate St. Philip's as that charity?

How to do it:
Tom Thumb:  Add your Reward Card number to the Tom Thumb list in the narthex or at the church offices.  You can also do it in the store using our group number, #11029.

Kroger:  Obtain a Share Card in the narthex or at the church offices.  They give separate cards from their Kroger Plus cards.  You can use clear tape to attach your Share Card to the back of your Kroger Plus card to keep them together. 

Albertson's:  Add your name to the Supporter Registration sheet in the narthex or in the church office or at www.albertsons.com/abs_inthecommunity/. You can attach it to your existing Preferred Savings Card or even order a Preferred Savings Card online.  If you sign up online, go to the Community Partners page to register.  St. Philips' Partner number is 49001004182.

If you have questions, or would like to sign up today, please see Julia Chalker in the narthex at the Grocery Rewards display.  She can answer your questions and will make sure you are signed up to participate in any or all of the programs!

For Your Listening Pleasure
St. Philip’s now has special hearing aids for use during our services. If you have difficulty hearing and would like to use one of our cordless hearing aids, please walk to the Sound Booth at the back of the sanctuary and ask one of the Technicians there. They would be happy to assist you.

• Today    FUEL 11:00 am
• Today    Youth Group 12:15 -1:30 pm, lunch included
• May 17   Senior TOAST Party - 7:00 to 9:00 pm - All the dessert you can eat!!!!!
• In May    NO Youth Group after church in MAY