Serving God. Loving All. Changing Lives.
St. Martin's Lutheran Church Newsletter
Tissot, James, 1836-1902. Looking Back - the man at the plow, from Art in the Christian Tradition , a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
In This Issue
Pastor's corner
Mid-Year Meeting
Lutherhill Day Camp
Intern approved
Poker for Peace
Bunko Babes
Bunko Babes
Quilting group
Book group
Bible Study opportunities
Women's Bible study
Pastor community hours
Support Family Promise
Shop at Kroger, support St. Martin's
Shop at Randalls, support St. Martin's
Amazon smile
Listen to past sermons
Thrivent corner
Stewardship thought
Prayer list
Birthdays & anniversaries
Calendar
Quick Links

Email Us
Pastor Will
Email: pastor
@stmartinslc.org

Office Manager
Parker Grimsby
Email: officemanager
@stmartinslc.org

Council President
Glenda Wilder
Email: council
@stmartinslc.org

Church Musician
Jenny Salyers
Email: churchmusician
@stmartinslc.org

Staff Tech
Amber Nichols
Email: stafftech
@stmartinslc.org
June 26, 2019
Pastor's Corner
I have to be honest; I've been putting off this week's Pastor's Corner. It's not that I have some hot take
that I think is going to be divisive or some burden that's weighing on my heart that I can't figure out how
to word right. Quite the opposite. These last few days I just haven't felt like I had much to write about at all. I haven't felt inspired with a message for the newsletter.

But something occurred to me this morning as I was going for a walk in the park near my house. It wasn't a new revelation, but one that I have had many times, and each time it startles me how easily I forget. There is so much beauty in the ordinary, if only we are willing to look for it. When I first went out this morning I was focusing on all the things I had to do, I was distracted by the (mercifully lower!) heat and the bugs, I was thinking about things I wish I had done yesterday or hope to do later on. But as I
kept on, I started notice the birds gliding through the sky. They do so everyday, but I took a moment to appreciate the beauty of their flight. I noticed the feel of a gentle breeze cooling me when I was feeling hot and tired, and stopped for a moment to just appreciate that gift.

We have a tendency to want to see and do big things. We sometimes get so caught up in the majesty of mountaintop experiences and the misery of finding ourselves in valleys of dry bones that we forget just what a gift we have in the ordinary. And the truth is, it's those ordinary, in between times in which we spend most of our lives. So it behooves us to make meaning of the mediocre.

As we move into the Summer, we've entered a part of the Church year that we call "Ordinary Times." And while the name comes from the word "ordinal" referring to how the weeks are numbered, it's easy to think that it's just that part of the church year when nothing special happens. There are no major holidays or festivals and attendance usually declines a bit as people travel. But friends, the Spirit moves in the ordinary, and there is so much beauty in the in-between. During this season, the Church tends to focus on what it looks like to be disciples and how we grow in faith and love.

Sometimes what we need is right in front of us, calling us not to focus on the extraordinary highs and lows, but to simply dwell in the magnificent ordinary. May these "ordinary times" be full of blessing for you, Beloved, and may you see God move and work in you through extraordinarily ordinary things.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Will

Mid-Year Congregational Meeting
In our efforts to keep the communication channels open, the Council is inviting you to a mid-year Congregational meeting on Sunday, July 14 . Please note that this does not take the place of our annual meeting in January. The session will take place immediately following fellowship time and will be held in the adult Sunday School classroom. Mark your calendars! We hope to see you there!

Lutherhill Day Camp 2019
Lutherhill Day Camp 2019 was last week and it was a huge success! We had a total of 50 campers. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped make it succeed! You can take a look at our Facebook to see a whole album of photos.

Intern approved
On the way

On Sunday May 19 the people of  St .  Martin's  voted an overwhelming "yes" to accepting seminary intern, Stephanie Stark in September . These are exciting times for our  church ! As this is an ongoing process we will keep you up to date throughout the summer as we figure out the specifics of Stephanie's role at  St .  Martin's . If you would like to designate your offering to contribute to the hosting of Stephanie Stark  please make a note on your check or offering envelope to indicate the designation to "INTERN." 

Poker for Peace
Cards for fellowship

All men of the church are invited to join "Poker for Peace." This group normally meets at the house of one of their members the last Friday of the month for fellowship and cards. Their next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on June 28, at the house of Chris Woessner.  For more information please contact Leon Miura at:  [email protected]  

Bunko Babes
Brunch & Bunko

All ladies of the church are welcome to join "Bunko Babes." This group usually meets at the house of one of their members the last Saturday of each month to share brunch and have a little fun. Their next meeting will be at 11 a.m. on June 29 at the home of Barbara Sobkowiak. For more information and to RSVP please contact Monika Miura at:  [email protected]

Ongoing projects
Many ways to serve

Along with our Grace Bags project we have a few other ongoing service projects you may not know about. Our members collect pill bottles, stamps, and can tops for various projects. There are drawer boxes to drop these off in the front of the library at any time. For more information on these collection projects you can contact Denise Cope at: [email protected]. 

Quilting group 
The  St.  Martin's Lutheran World Relief quilting group is a great opportunity to support a great cause. The group produces quilts and blankets that are shipped around the world to help those in need through the Lutheran World Relief project. Novices are welcome! Quilting groups meet the first and third full weeks of the month on Monday mornings and Wednesday evenings to work on the quilts. If you have any questions please contact Jean Short at: [email protected] . 

Next meeting times:
July 1 - 9:30 a.m.
July 3 - 7 p.m.

Book club
vintage_book_and_tea.jpg
Join the St. Martin's book club to discuss a new book each month. They meet on the third Monday evening of each month to discuss that month's pick. The June meeting has been canceled. Next meeting will be July 15 at 7 p.m.


Book picks by the month:
July - "The Rooster Bar" by John Grisham

Aug. - "Call the Midwife" by Jennifer Worth

Sept. - "Original Sin" by P.D. James

Oct. - "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles

Nov. - "The Paris Architect" by Charles Belfoure
 

Bible Study opportunities
Come and learn

Pastor Will facilitates a few Bible Studies throughout the week.  Wednesdays at 1 p.m. come for an hour of text study as we examine the readings for the coming Sunday. 


Thursday Ladies' Bible Study

This is a group of ladies who meet every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. to have lively discussions and enjoy learning together. They always welcome new members and visitors. It is a great way to make friends and there's always tasty refreshments. If you have any questions call Jill Keller at: 713.557.0893.

 
Pastor community hours
Meet outside of church

Every Friday Pastor Will holds office hours out in the community. Follow St. Martin's Facebook page to see where he'll be each Friday: here. Come out to talk or pray with Pastor Will and let God hold your worries for a while. 


Support Family Promise
Donate for Family Promise

Do you enjoy a hot cup of coffee before starting your day? For as little as $3.50 a week, the price of hot beverage in the morning, you can join the Fort Bend Family Promise Coffee Club and be part of the caring community of people who are helping get homeless children and their families back to self-sufficiency.  You can join the club and support Family Promise at this link:  https://bit.ly/2JCo5sf

Also, if you eat at Fish City Grill in Sugar Land Town Center on Tuesday, July 2, 15% of your meal cost will be donated to Fort Bend Family Promise.

Shop at Kroger & support St. Martin's
If you shop at Kroger, you could help support St.Martin's financially. St. Martin's has enrolled in Kroger's Community Rewards Program and will receive a portion of all of your Kroger transaction if you sign up through their website.

1) First, you get a Kroger card. They are free and can be obtained at any Kroger location.  Sign up for a digital account on www. kroger.com.
2) Go to your account summary on the website and scroll down to "Community Rewards" and select "Enroll Now" (or the "Edit" option if you've already enrolled with another organization).
3) Fill out the information, then you will be prompted to search for an organization. Search for "St. Martin's" and it should appear. Click "Enroll". From now on when you shop with your member card at Kroger you will be supporting St. Martin's.

Thank you for your support! 
 
Shop at Randalls 
& support St. Martin's
If you shop at Randalls, you could help support St. Martin's financially. St. Martin's is enrolled in Randalls' Good Neighbor program and will receive a portion of all of your Randalls' transactions if you sign up. 

1) First, you need a Randalls card. You can sign up for these in any Randalls store.
2) Pick up a Randalls Good Neighbor form on the info table in the Narthex.
3) We have already filled out St. Martin's charity account number on the form, so you just have to fill in your personal information. Then, hand it in at any Randalls store and you will be part of the program.

Thank you for your support! 
 
Support St. Martin's when you shop
If you purchase goods through Amazon.com, there's an easy way to donate to St. Martin's at the same time. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and choose St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Sugar Land, as your charity of choice. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase directly to St. Martin's. It's so easy! 

 
Listen to past sermons
Did you  k now you can listen t o Pastor Will's previous sermons online? If you ever miss a Sunday or want to re-listen to a particular message you can find the last few week's worth of sermons on our SoundCloud account here . The account is typically updated every Thursday with the previous Sunday's message.

 
Thrivent corner
Did you Know? More than 45,000 Christians across the nation have the tools to save more, spend less and give abundantly thanks to Thrivent Federal Credit Union (TFCU). With competitive rates, personalized service and biblical guidance, you can feel the power of contentment.

WHY A CREDIT UNION: Empowering customers, not enriching investors. Credit Unions are dedicated to the things that really matter to you. Opening a checking, savings or other account makes you a member. And that entitles you to receive a share of any surplus income as an annual dividend-money that banks pay to their outside stockholders.
 Because credit unions aren't obliged to make a profit for stockholders, they can afford to reduce or eliminate many fees. And they can offer better rates on savings and more attractive terms on loans. Of course, most* accounts are federally insured up to $250,000. 

Credit unions that are connected by CO-OP are linked with other credit unions nationwide. By joining Thrivent FCU, you can use nearly 30,000 surcharge-free CO-OP ATMs. You also can visit more than 5,000 CO-OP Shared Branch credit union locations to make in-person transactions, just like at your home branch or bank. There are local branches here in Sugar Land and Richmond. You can read more here: Thrivent Federal Credit Union or contact our local representative: Suzanne Kocurek Office Phone: 713-974-2843 Cell: 281-923-7623 or email:  [email protected]
 
Stewardship Thought of the Week

 
 "... For we will all stand before God's judgment seat ... So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God."

 - Romans 14:10, 12
 
People Need Your Prayers
Ephesians 6:18 
"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
 
Please keep the 
following people in prayer: 

Norma Becker
Michael Hoaks
Annamarie DeYoung
Al Warner
Alice Griffin
Pat Strom
Jeff Wilson
David Speer
Tom Janson
Kim Kenimer
Cle Edwards
Arlene Peters
Barbara Jacobs
Gene Farris
Mitzi Thornton
James Langford
Victims & families of violence in our nation and the terrorist activity throughout the world.
Our sister synods in Peru and 
the Central African Republic
 
For prayers contact: [email protected] .  For privacy's sake we do not list specific concerns.  
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Let's celebrate!
 
Birthdays
Karol B.                   June 29
Brian G.                   June 29
Josefina H.               June 30
Max H.                        July 5
Jason M.                    July 10


Anniversaries
Brandy G. & Holly H.           June 26
David & Nancy R.                  July 1
Glenda & Fernando M.           July 6
Gene & Ellie F.                      July 6

St. Martin's Calendar
What's happening at SMELC?
 
Want to know what's happening at St. Martin's? View the church calendar on our website. Click the Google calendar link and find out the who, what, when and where of any St. Martin's event.
  

June 27 - Thursday Women's Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
June 27 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
June 27 - Beth El Shalom band practice, 6:30 p.m.
June 28 - Beth El Shalom band practice, 3 p.m.
June 28 - Poker for Peace (off-site), 7 p.m.
June 29 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
June 29 - Bunko Babes (off-site), 11 a.m.
June 30 - Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m.
June 30 - Saint Paul Sunday Worship, 11:15 a.m.
July 1 - Quilting group, 9:30 a.m.
July 1 - Boy Scout 148 Board, 7:30 p.m.
July 2 - Boy Scout Troop 148, 6 p.m.
July 3 - Wednesday Bible Study, 1 p.m.
July 3 - Cub Scouts, 6 p.m.
July 3 - Outreach Team meeting, 6:30 p.m.
July 3 - Quilting group, 7 p.m.
July 6 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
July 7 - Sunday Morning worship, 9:30 a.m.
July 7 - Saint Paul Sunday worship, 11:15 a.m.
July 9 - Boy Scouts Troop 148, 6 p.m.
July 9 - Church Council, 6:30 p.m.
July 10 - Wednesday Bible Study, 1 p.m.
July 11 - Thursday Ladies' Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
July 11 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
July 11 - Beth El Shalom band practice, 6:30 p.m.
July 11 - Boy Scouts Arrowhead, 7 p.m.
July 13 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
July 14 - Sunday Morning Worship, 9:30 a.m.
July 14 - Mid-Year Congregational Meeting, 
              10:45 a.m.
July 14 - Saint Paul Sunday worship, 11:15 a.m.