Music at St. Philip has two exciting programs coming up: March 1st and March 7th.

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1 THE NEWSLETTER of St. Philip Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Volume 59, Number 4 Houston, Texas February 23, 2015 Rev. Dr. John W. Wurster Pastor, Head of Staff Rev. Keatan King Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Samuel Lanham III Pastor Emeritus Dr. Thomas Goetz Director of Music Dr. Matthew Dirst Organist Laurie Fortenbery Office Manager Denise Ferrell Bookkeeper Micah Meyers Communications Assistant Wilbert Parada Facilities Supervisor Dimas Parada Custodian Peter Ramadan Custodian Laurie Fortenbery Newsletter Editor philip-eye@saintphilip.net St. Philip s Music at St. Philip has two exciting programs coming up: March 1st and March 7th. The first program to be presented is the Mass in G Major, D. 167, by Franz Schubert. The music will be incorporated into the Service of The Lord s Supper during the 11:00 worship service on Sunday, March 1. The young Schubert composed this work in the first week of March, 1815, making this its 200th anniversary. Taken as a whole, the music reveals both astonishing beauty and the extraordinary talent of a teenage composer who at times ignores the musical conventions of his day, exercising free thought, both artistically and theologically. The St. Philip Choir and Soloists will be joined by chamber orchestra and organist Matthew Dirst, and conducted by Thomas Goetz. Communion Offering On March 1, 2015 our Communion Offering for March will be the Institute for Civility in Government. We have benefitted as a congregation, as well as individually, and we have responded financially to the programs offered by the Institute, which has a remarkable, though short, history of providing a unique opportunity to communities, churches, schools and businesses to participate in something which has a nationwide impact. Through training events and trips to Washington to meet with legislators and their aides, individuals who have never experienced being a meaningful part of the dynamic process of city, state and federal governments, become advocates for their own issues -- social, environmental and governmental B as functioning citizens of a free nation. The trips to Washington are life-changing events, not only for the students, but for the community in which they live. This is such an inspirational story, it never gets old. God has worked marvels through individuals and organizations to bring constructive change and hope to students who never before had the opportunity to dream, much less to participate in government. The second program, An Evening of Baroque Sacred Music, with Ensemble Correnti, is presented on the following Saturday, March 7, at 7:00 p.m. with a pre-concert introduction at 6:30 p.m. by violinist Carole Marie Harris. This is a rare chance to hear three of Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber s meditative Mystery Sonatas, as well as two of Georg Philipp Telemann s solo soprano Sacred Cantatas and a harpsichord solo. Musicians are Megan Stapleton, soprano; Carole Marie Harris, baroque violin; Deborah Dunham, violone; and Christopher Holman, harpsichord. Holman is the Organ Intern at St. Philip and was heard playing both harpsichord and organ at the December Music at St. Philip program of Lessons and Carols. Admission is free, an offering will be received to help support the Music at St. Philip Concert Series. Building on their extraordinary success in conjunction with the principal of Furr High School, which serves an economically deprived area of Houston, the Institute programs have become sought out by federal agencies, communities, churches and schools in Texas, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and continue to spread across the nation. There are now several trips to Washington every year for students of various schools in our area and elsewhere, and in July 2015 there will be added a trip for Presbyterian youth (through PYCC). No matter how prudent the Institute is in travel arrangements and housing for these trips, the generosity of individuals, businesses and schools are what make them possible. This is a rare opportunity to watch your dollars make a significant impact on students who may have never been out of the city limits of Houston, Texas, to open their eyes to being a part of the life of this nation and its citizens, to realize that they too, despite (Cont d on page 2, see Communion Offering)

2 Philip-Eye Page 2 February 23, 2015 Communion Offering (cont d from page 1) their family circumstances, have the opportunity to participate as individuals who matter in the self-governing processes of a free nation. Sometimes hunger involves more than food: the Institute feeds the yearning, often unrecognized, for individuals to be part of their own communities, rather than to be at war with their society. In meeting this need, the Institute answers the call for Christian reconciliation in a significant way that is met by no other charitable organization. Your continuing financial support is necessary, and will be gratefully received and put to the task of creating a better community wherever its impact is felt. Join us for worship at 12 noon for each of the Wednesdays in Lent. This week s preacher is Rev. Dr. Rose Niles, who is preaching on the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Lunch is available in the Gathering Area at 12:30 p.m. Congregational Concerns Bill Davis - recuperating at Bayou Manor Al Atkinson - recuperating at home Trudy Cleveland - recuperating at home Jan Connor - recuperating at home Jo Jones - recuperating at home Rusty Howard - recuperating at home Frank Donnelly - hospice care Larry Dean- Seven Acres T.E. Joe Keever- Hallmark Tom Mike Tomforde, Jr.- Hallmark HC Linda Joullian,Wayne and Sandra Truxillo s sister - lung and stomach cancer. Anna Michalka, Lorraine Scott s mother - recuperating from a broken shoulder. Baker Fullerton -Walker Fair's uncle - complications from heart surgery. Mike Josler, former member Danielle Willis Josler s husband, lung cancer. 1 Kathryn Lippincott 2 Clara Reed 4 William Wilson 6 Amy Frautschi Craig Hill Elaine Rodiek 7 Joseph Harwood Sarah Wickes 8 Thomas Anderson Bedford Vestal 9 Susan Leonardson 10 Rita Hannah 11 Coline Toto McGehee 13 Laurie Fortenbery 14 Bennett Pepi 16 Kathryn Burkart 17 Patrick Ball Jennifer Flowers 18 Daniel Flowers, III Patricia Fossler Cletus Johnson Bette Shumake 19 Peggy Boston 21 Ann Anderson 26 Emily Estill Paxton Lambright 27 Diana Fields Helen Harris 28 Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor Susan Mitchell 29 Linda Ewing Sarah Anne Felknor-Ragland Kenneth Jeanes 30 Jane Lee 31 Priscilla Robin Angly Ruth Ewing Jean Nelson The Goal of United Campus Ministries of Greater Houston (UCMGH) is to demonstrate the transforming power of the love and grace of God, inviting students, faculty and staff into a personal and deepening relationship with Jesus Christ and preparing them to be leaders in the faith communities to which God calls them. UCMGH is an ecumenical partnership of the Presbytery of New Covenant, the Synod of the Sun of PCUSA and the Houston Association of the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ. Offices for the programming and administration are maintained at the University of Houston, main campus. The UC- MGH Director directs and manages all UCMGH staff and operates from an office housed in the A. D. Bruce Religion Center on the main campus. Currently we serve Rice University, University of Houston and the Medical Center campuses. Campus ministers at each school provide opportunities for Bible study, spiritual nurture, growth in discipline, worship, fellowship and service through programing that best meets the needs and interest of the students and faculty and staff at the respective campuses. We are fortunate to have Rev. Laureen Suba as our Interim Executive Director for this year. She is doing a wonderful job. She is making a difference by relating to the students and demonstrating God s love to them. We are grateful and blessed to have the funding given to us by many of our sponsoring churches. In these turbulent times for PCUSA some of our biggest donors have either pulled back funding or have stopped giving all together. Funding for our operating budget comes solely from these generous gifts. I am happy that St.Philip continues to be one of our largest donor churches. I would like to thank all of you for your continued support. Please pray for us to find the leadership for the coming year that we need to keep this very important program going. We do so much more than what I ve listed here for these students. I d like to tell you more about this vital program. Please me at dorothyblackwell0516@gmail.com with any questions or to learn more about how you might become involved. - Dorothy Blackwell, Board member, 2015

3 Philip-Eye Page 3 February 23, 2015 SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR ALL Nursery and Preschool Infants and children through 3 years old 8:30 am to 12:30pm - Room 106 Staffed by professional childcare providers Preschool 3 through 1st Grade Godly Play Class - Room 104 Elementary 2nd-5th Grade Grades 2 and 3 meet in Room 105 Grades 4 and 5 meet in Room 103 CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS! The Arts & Crafts Studio at Saint Philip is in need of good people to share their God-given talents by teaching a class this coming spring and/or summer. If you re interested, classes can be on Saturday (any time) or Sunday during the Sunday School hour or after worship. Tuesday is also a possibility if that works better for you. The class can be one day or span many weeks if need be. If you re willing to teach, we ll take care of the advertising, set-up and we ll provide the supplies. We are also open to Sunday school teachers and mission projects that would like to incorporate a craft into their lesson plan. Ex : Godly Play, Seamen s caps, Search baby quilts, Youth projects, etc. Please call Lori Murphy at if you are interested. FLOWER CALENDAR If you were meaning to sign up to provide flowers for a worship service in honor of or in memory of a loved one, there are four open Sundays left: June 7, November 15 and 22, and December 6. Just sign your name on the flower calendar for the date you choose. The Flower calendar is in the narthex Azalea Dinner & Auction The Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) will hold their 2015 Azalea Dinner and Auction on Thursday, March 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets for church members are $95 each or $180 per couple., made payable to CCSC and mailed to P.O. Box 27924, Houston TX Or you can purchase them online at PHILIP-EYE info. Articles should be sent to Laurie Fortenbery: philip-eye@saintphilip.net. The deadline for turning in articles for the next edition of the Philip-EYE is Friday, March 6. Also, contact Laurie if you would like to receive the Philip-Eye online. You get the news faster, the church saves postage, and the impact on the environment is lightened just a bit. Music - with Music Director, Tom Goetz 1st through 5th grades 9:30 am 10:00 am Children join teachers in their classrooms at 10:00 Youth in Bible Study St. Philip youth, 6th through 12th grades Rooms 204 and 206 Supported by sponsors and Sunday School teachers Adult Classes Sunday School for Adults Lenten hymns SINGING THE FAITH - Dining Room Join Keatan King & John Wurster at 9:30am on Sundays. You do not have to be a great singer! CHURCH & SOCIETY - Room 201 March 1: Passport to Freedom. Presented by Edith Hamer - Holocaust survivor and docent at Holocaust Museum Houston. How Holocaust survivor Edith Hamer and her parents were able to survive the Holocaust with the help of Chiune Sugihara, the Japanese consul in Kaunas, Lithuania, who granted visas for Jewish refugees to escape Nazi tyranny. March 8: The Texas Innocence Network. Presented by Kelly Hickman - attorney for the Texas Innocence Network. The Capital Division TIN represents death-sentenced inmates in their state federal habeas appeals and Non-Capital Division works to exonerate inmates who did not commit the crimes for which they were wrongfully-convicted. SPa CLASS - Room 200 The SPa (Saint Philip Adults) class is a fellowship of adults from all walks of life who gather for learning and prayer. We value fellowship, conversation, and group-oriented learning style that welcomes dialogue. Each Sunday, we discuss a specific topic at the intersection of faith and life. spa@spafellowship.org to learn more about what we are doing each week. BIBLE STUDY - Room 204 Currently the class is engaged in a study of Joshua, a rich, complex and often troubling book in the Old Testament that follows the Hebrew nation from wandering in the wilderness into the conquests of the Promised Land. The Bible study class utilizes the insights of a variety of scholars and texts to expand our understanding of God s message of faithfulness to His people. Nancy Cook and Al Waldrop lead the discussions. All are welcome. ARTS & CRAFT STUDIO Room 9 (old classroom wing) Please see our schedule on the St. Philip website!

4 Philip-Eye Page 4 February 23, 2015 Calendar The St Philip Piece Makers met Feb.14 to work on quilts for House of Tiny Treasures. Pieced tops were prepared for quilting, binding methods discussed and demonstrated, quilting techniques practiced and fellowship enjoyed. The group has created a mission statement and will be included under the umbrella of the Mission Committee. Mission Statement of The St. Philip Piece Makers: As with the loaves and fishes, the St. Philip Piece Makers combine scraps and remnants to meet the needs of many. Empowered by Christ s love, the St. Philip Piece Makers lend time and talent to create quilts for the children of House of Tiny Treasures and others in need.

5 2015 Birthday Offering ~ Presbyterian Women (PW) art: Synthia Saint James This year our projects are Bethesda Christian Community Center, Barranquilla, Colombia serving women and children who live in the neighborhood of El Por Fin, one of the poorest in Barranquilla. Also, the Community of St. Therese of Lisieux, Memphis, Tennessee, two year residential community specifically created to address the needs of women to learn a new way of life after surviving human trafficking and addiction. You are invited to join us Sunday, March 8, 2015 after worship. Cake and punch will be served in the Gathering Area. PHILIP-EYE info. Articles should be sent to Laurie Fortenbery: philip-eye@saintphilip.net. Also, contact Laurie if you would like to receive the Philip-Eye online. You get the news faster, the church saves postage, and the impact on the environment is lightened just a bit. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Houston, TX Permit No Philip-Eye THE NEWSLETTER of St. Philip Presbyterian Church U.S.A.