January 6, 2021 Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church - St. Louis, Missouri
My friend Ted Wardlaw, who is the President of Austin Seminary, will never forget the day he dropped his daughter, Shelby, off at college for her freshman year at Vassar. It was a day filled with the usual gamut of emotions that occur in a major life transition. There was excitement, joy, and expectation for this new adventure in her life as she was growing into adulthood. There was apprehension and concern in all the ways that parents worry over having their children out in the world. There was sadness at the thought of the thousands of miles that would be separating them.

After the final hugs and kisses goodbye Ted and his wife Kay got in their car to drive away with all of those emotions swirling inside of them. As Ted was pulling out of the parking lot he took one last look in his rearview mirror hoping to catch a glimpse of Shelby. There she was, standing there, watching her parents drive away. When she saw Ted looking back at her, she reached up, placed a finger on her forehead, and made the sign of the cross. In that single motion she told Ted all he needed to know. Shelby was letting him know that she remembered her baptism. She was telling him she knew who she was, a precious and valuable child of God, forever claimed by God. 

Ted drove out of that parking lot filled with a remarkable assurance.

This Sunday we will seek that same gift as we reaffirm our baptismal vows. We will be reminded that we are valuable and precious children of God who are forever claimed by God. As we worship together this Sunday have a small bowl of water by your computer so we can once again have the sign of the cross placed upon our foreheads and receive the remarkable assurance of knowing exactly who we are.

-Doug
CARES, CONCERNS, AND CELEBRATIONS

Recently hospitalized or recovering at home
Justin Williamson, Bob Lucy, Mary White Lucy, Martha Ruiz, Jan Miller

We offer our congratulations to Derek Wilhelm and Pin Thanesnant on the birth of their daughter Amiya Thanesnant Wilhelm on December 9, 2020. Proud grandparents are Sue and Rick Wilhelm.
THANK YOU
TO THE ELDERS AND DEACONS
OF THE CLASS OF 2020

As we say good-bye to the class of elders and deacons 2020, we want to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to them because they have served our congregation faithfully and steadfastly under circumstances for which adjectives simply fail us. Never before have our ordination vows meant more than in the last year. Never before was our call to serve more challenged. And alongside their colleagues who remain and those who are joining our session and deacons in 2021, they have earned their star in the crown of glory that awaits those who will persevere.

The elders of the class 2020 are:
Jill Brown, Kathryn Preston, Steve Peacock, John Peters, Susie Sivewright, Mary Sumner, and Rick Walsh.

The deacons of the class 2020 are:
Karen Adderton, Barbara Reeb, Helen Weise, Matt Mikula, Jim Massello, Chuck Guenther, and Jean Nystrom

Please feel free to reach out to them and to our current officers via phone, text, email, or old-fashioned cards and join us in giving thanks for their ministry and service.

Grace and Peace,

Doug, Mel, and Dieter
If you or someone you know is not receiving the Chapel Bell or other emails from the church, please let us know! Also, be sure to follow our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay connected.
ST. PATRICK CASSEROLES
THANK YOU!

Forty-eight (48) casseroles were delivered in December to St Patrick Center and the Center was overjoyed! Thank you casseroles makers for providing a hot meal for their clients. Bless you for blessing others!

If you are new to St Patrick casseroles and would like to consider making them, please contact Lucie Staack or Jill Brown with any questions. No meetings are required and it is a great chance to help others, including as a joint project with your children or grandchildren! Next delivery is January 29.
MUSIC MINISTRY

Music for Sunday, January 10
Chamber Choir will sing “Down Galilee’s Slow Roadways” by John Horman and arranged by Michael Burkhardt.
LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

Email Schedule: Below is a schedule of when you can expect to hear from us throughout the week. There may be additional emails if need be. We hope this is an easy way to stay connected.
  • Tuesday: Midday Prayer Reminder
  • Wednesday: Chapel Bell
  • Thursday: Special Emails
  • Friday: Worship Reminder

Sunday Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m., on Facebook (no need to have a Facebook account - just go to www.laduechapel.org, click on Worship on the top and then find the link). Worship will also be available on our YouTube channel. Share our services with your friends on social media! We love meeting new people and growing our online community.

Sunday Morning Zoom Coffee Half Hour - Join us after worship, at 11:30 a.m., for a Zoom Coffee Half Hour. Click here to join the Zoom Coffee hour (the link to join will also be provided in the Facebook worship post and the worship information email on Friday.)