Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost- October 5, 2025

This Week at a Glance

Sunday Worship -- October 5, 2025


8am (Sanctuary) / 10am (Academy Field)



For 10am at Academy Field--remember to bring chair(s) and/or blanket(s) for your group!


Nursery available starting at 8 AM


Bible Study on Wednesday, October 8 at 10am


Healing Service on Wednesday, October 8 at Noon

SIGNS OF GOD'S WONDER, JOY, AND TENDERNESS...


This week we remember St. Francis of Assisi, who taught the Church to see God’s hand not only in creation but also in the creatures who share our lives. Francis reminded us that animals are not simply companions, but signs of God’s wonder, joy, and tenderness.


When I look at my own dog, Sonny, I catch a glimpse of that truth. Sonny greets me with boundless excitement no matter how long I’ve been gone, and he curls up beside me when I need rest. In his playful energy and gentle presence, I am reminded of the God who is always near, delighting in us and comforting us.


Moreover, God’s boundless love is revealed to me through our cat, Ziggy. To be honest, I never liked cats. Perhaps even hated them (let’s be honest I definitely did), but I love my family. With much persuasion, they convinced me to get a cat, and let me tell you: I love it too.  Ziggy is a constant reminder that the only restriction to love is me, and “never say never.”  


Our pets reveal God’s love in small but holy ways: in their loyalty, their trust, and their joy in the present moment. May we receive them as gifts of grace and let them teach us how to love more fully.


Peace,


John+

Bring your talent, your friends and neighbors, and your joyful spirit to our coffeehouse and open mic night! Light refreshments are provided with a free will offering invited to cover costs. All are welcome to participate, sing along, and enjoy the company of others who like to gather for a casual evening of fellowship. The Amigos will be there to liven things up and get you going, so join us!

Youth Faith Formation and More

CLASSES OFF TO A GREAT START!


ALL parents and youth -- Join us Sundays at 9:45am to participate in our Youth Faith Formation offerings and more during the week ...


  • Faith Formation -- Our classes began last Sunday and will continue throughout the year! We are using Mini Revolutions, a curriculum from Illustrated Ministry that follows the liturgical calendar and emphasizes inclusive theology, adaptability, and belonging. No preregistration is needed—just come and join us, and the rest will follow.


  • Storytime and Lamplighters -- Storytime is open to children ages birth to 4 years and their caregivers. Come for a short story and social connection! Lamplighters is our after school ministry for kids, where they enjoy games, fellowship, and Bible exploration.


  • And, dont' forget Rite 13, Fun Fridays, Confirmation, and more ... read all about St. Luke's youth programming in our weekly newsletter The Rhode to Emmaus


  • One More Thing -- Worship Bags! A small but mighty team has been working hard to plan and create these bags, which will provide age-appropriate tools to help our youngest parishioners engage with worship. The goal is simple: to nurture children’s sense of belonging in our worshiping community and to support families as they participate in worship together. You can help bring this vision to life by purchasing supplies through our Amazon Wishlist. All items purchased will automatically ship directly to the church. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

FAMILY TABLE


EXCITING NEWS! We have introduced a new program after Lamplighters and Storytime and before Adult Faith Formation called Family Table. It is held every Wednesday at 5:30PM in the dining room. Please join us for a super casual intergenerational dinner open to the entire congregation with a goal of providing fellowship and building community. Our next dinner will be on Wednesday, October 1st--see more below!

Upcoming Events

Women of Grace

October 6th: 7:00-9:00 PM


Women of Grace will meet Monday, October 6th at 7:00pm at St. Luke’s in the dining room. Please join us for some fellowship followed by a program at 7:30pm. Francesca Donlan, Kindness Advocate, National Speaker, Writer, PR Professional will be presenting on The Kindness Effect. “Research reveals that kindness has the power to significantly improve our professional and personal lives for the better.” Her presentation will “leave participants with a roadmap to create a kinder and happier life.” Just as Jesus has taught us…


Please feel free to bring a savory or sweet to share. Kindly RSVP to Deb Lukens, (908)500-4573, deblukens73@gmail.com.


Theology on Tap -- Viewing of Traces of the Trade

October 20th: 7:00-9:00 PM


ToT meets this month on Monday, October 20 at 7:00 PM in the St. Luke’s dining room.

The meeting’s program will feature a viewing of: Traces of the Trade -a POV (point of view) documentary premiered on PBS in 2008. The viewing is open to everyone who would like to join us.


Background: Last fall, at Diocesan Convention, Bishop Nicholas Knisely announced an initiative involving the documentary Traces of the Trade which tells the story of Rhode Island’s involvement in the triangle slave trade. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage Episcopalians to examine the history and implications of the slave trade in our own communities. Thanks to Greg DeGroot for bringing this discussion to all of us.


Bishop Knisely and the Center for Reconciliation Advisory Board have encouraged as many churches as possible to host an event before the end of 2025 and begin to imagine how the varying communities across Rhode Island might develop their own unique path in the work of racial healing and reconciliation.


“History finally gets rewritten as descendants of the largest slave-trading family in early America face their past, and present, as they explore their violent heritage across oceans and continents. The film follows the DeWolfe family of Bristol, RI.” [IMDb review]


To learn more about ToT and its programs, contact Brent Bostick at brentbostick1@gmail.com


Take Action

Lunch on the Hill


I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…..   [Matthew 25:35]


Saint Luke’s will host Lunch on the Hill on Wednesday October 8 at 11:15am. Six to eight volunteers would be enough to prepare and serve lunch, so put this on your calendar! Volunteers are asked to arrive by 9:45 to allow enough time to get everything ready for up to 35 guests. 


Our tentative menu will include sandwiches, garden salad, Olive Garden soup, potato chips, dessert (brownies/cookies, cupcakes), beverages (iced tea, lemonade, coffee). Steve McLoughlin is the master coordinator and welcomes recommendations on other menu options to change things up a bit. Please let him know if you have any suggestions in addition to the following requests:

• Fresh fruits (oranges, bananas etc.) are always a welcome addition if you would like to bring some

• If you cannot volunteer but can donate a dessert and/or fruit, those would be appreciated – just drop off in the dining room the morning of October 8 


If you are available to volunteer on the St. Luke’s host team, please confirm via email to Steve McLoughlin at stevemcloughlin2@gmail.com

 

Thank you for your support of Lunch on the Hill!

Loaves & Fishes


Loaves and fishes is a food ministry partnering with other local churches. The third Saturday of each month, St. Luke’s provides hamburgers and more to people in Woonsocket. Each person walks away with a bag lunch, hot food and seasonal types of clothing as available.


The September run was successful -- we had approximately 80 people waiting for our arrival! As has been happening for the past few months there are many new faces and young children. People are always most appreciative that we are there and showing our commitment to them. 

The next run is on October 18th and with the cooler weather coming we will need long sleeve tee shirts and hoodies for both women and men. For October we will maintain the bag lunch count at 120 with 20 bags going to the Greenwich Hotel in East Greenwich. It is appreciated if all donations of food and clothing can be in the St. Luke’s kitchen by 10:00 AM on October 18, 2025


Click here to sign up, help and/or donate. In signing up, there is no expectation that one person needs to fulfill the total amount of a particular donation item. When using the SignUp Genius, please indicate how many of an item you will be donating. 


We understand that there may be circumstances that change and you cannot participate despite initially committing to do so. In these cases we would appreciate you removing your name from the SignUp Genius.


If you are not receiving the SignUp Genius invitation in your e-mail and would like to do so, please click and send an e-mail to: saintlukesfeedingministry@gmail.com.


Your generosity is most appreciated. It allows St Luke’s to continue helping those in need.

COLD WEATHER'S COMING!!

St. Lukes Adult Coat Drive

For Loaves & Fishes and Dorcas International


Imagine living in Rhode Island when the cold weather hits. Maybe you are homeless or find yourself with no money for truly warm winter clothes. Maybe you have just arrived in the U.S. from Africa or South America and have never experienced snow or 20º temperatures or have never even owned a coat. What if you could only afford a coat for your children, so you went without? Think how good it would feel to be given a nice warm coat, hat, or gloves!


Through our ministry partners, Loaves & Fishes and Dorcas International, St. Lukes

members will work to help those in our community. We will begin collecting ADULT

gently used or new coats, and other winter outer wear.


Starting October 5th, you can put these items in the bins in the atrium, and we will take care of getting them put to use good use.


Thanking you in advance for your generosity!

Our Grapevine of Gratitude

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches… You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. John 15:4-5, 16-17

Gratitude is abundant for the many blessings -- both great and small -- shared within our St. Luke's community. Enjoy more new Highlights from the Vine...


Christ Community Kitchen

Lunch on the Hill

Loaves and Fishes

Angel Choir

St. Cecilia Choir

The Amigos!

Altar Guild

Pastoral Care Committee

Women of Grace and Theology on Tap


Everyone is invited to help the grapevine flourish with thankfulness for the good news of Christ that we share and experience at St. Luke’s!


Thank you! The Adult Faith Formation Team

Office Hours in October

Throughout October, office hours will continue o be 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday-Friday.



NEED A NAMETAG?

Email the Parish Office (admin@stlukeseg.org)

or call the office (884-4116) to submit your information.

We will post your nametag on the wall board asap!

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