The Advent Season at St. Luke's

Join us for the Service,

Sunday at St. Luke's and also on Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m.

Happy Advent Church Family,

This week’s theme for advent is Love. In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis wrote, "Do not waste your time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor, act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less.”

Much of this time of year is spent gift giving and shopping in hopes of remembering everyone who we are grateful for. It is also a time where the church is called to serve the needs of the poor, the widowed, the homeless and the orphaned. I am so grateful for the ways we are doing that and can continue to do that because of your generosity. Thank you for your gifts to the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, to your support of the Copley Outreach Center and the Angel tree program. Our ability to do these things and more are because of your giving. We are just a little bit behind our budget for 2020 and we are so grateful for how you’ve given during this strange year. If you have weeks or months of tithe to catch up on, please do so soon. Checks written or postmarked after December 31st will not be counted for 2020.

This year, as we have seen more people struggle than we care to see or say…. lets go the extra mile in helping those in need with actions of love. This could be in the form of a meal, a card, a gift, or anything you know would bless someone else in need. May this be a season of activated faith as we share the good news of the Incarnation of Jesus. As His ambassadors lets be that Good News to a needy World.

Peace and Joy,

Dan

Christmas Services for 2020

Christmas Eve - 7 p.m.

Christmas Day - 10 a.m.

The church offices will be closed

Dec 24-January 3rd.

For emergencies, please use the On-Call number 330-665-2229.

Sunday after church, Linda Tompkin has asked for assistance to help carry the Christmas decorations from the hallway downstairs to the sanctuary. Please gather in the office reception area after the service if you are available to make a few trips up and down the steps. Many hands make light work.

Several of you watching the live stream from home have requested Communion sacraments so you can participate with us in communion from home. This is possible with proper handling and disposal. If you are interested in learning more, contact Jim Fulton in the office and arrange pickup or delivery for those who are shut in and can't travel.

Click here to find out what items are accepted at the shed.

St. Luke's receives 4 cents per pound for the clothing we collect.

The Clothing Shed is Open Again!

All the clothes you've been stashing in the corner of your spare room can now be brought to the Clothing Shed at the back of the church parking lot. With many of the thrift stores not accepting donations or having limited hours, it's a great place to donate gently used clothing and you'll be helping those in need, too!

God’s Big Story

Children’s Church Curriculum

Click here for the link

to the most current Sunday School lesson

www.stlukesakron.com

Then go to Resources and Young Disciples

For more information,

please contact Jane Roberts

Dec Offering:$17,004

Needed monthly: $40,000

YTD Offering: $450,701

YTD Budget: $464,516

Baskets are provided in the front and back of the sanctuary for your offering on Sunday morning.

See below for other options.

End of the year giving must be received or postmarked by December 31st to be counted

for 2020 giving. Contribution statements will be available at the church beginning January 17th. Any not picked up by the 24th will be mailed. If you'd like yours mailed sooner, please contact the office. If you'd like a record of your giving before the end of the year so you know where you stand, please contact Kathy at the office.

We are continually grateful for your amazing generosity, especially during this challenging year and pray

for each of you each week.

Ways to Give to St. Luke's

Mail checks to St. Luke's Church 3810 Ridgewood Rd Copley, OH 44321

PayPal -send to donations@stlukesakron.com.

St. Luke's Website - stlukesakron.com - in the upper right corner, click on the button that says, "Give." You can fill out the form with a credit card/debit card or bank routing and account number. You will receive a receipt by email. This can be set up as recurring if you choose.
Your Own Bank - send a payment through your own bank account's bill pay on the bank website. The church will receive a paper check in the mail. This can be set up as recurring if you choose.
Drop off into the church mailbox if you're driving by.

Prayer for St. Luke's

Pray for wisdom and discernment for the Standing Committee of the Anglican Diocese of the Great Lakes.

Pray for those who are affected by the virus, the healthcare workers and our leaders who have to make difficult decisions.

Prayer List

If you would like to have your prayer need listed in the newsletter, click here.

Pray for the division of our country and that we, as Christians may be united and may shine as a light to those who are in darkness.

Hospital and Shut In Ministry

Call the church office when you or a loved one will be in the hospital or would like a visit from the Clergy or a member of our Lay Eucharistic Visiting Team.

They would be glad to visit, pray and offer communion when requested.

Our Priest on call emergency phone#

330-665-2229

St. Luke's On-Line Directory

You download the church directory on your phone or tablet.

Click here for Instant Church Directory then click on "Church Member Sign-In." You'll need to create a log in with the email that's in the directory.

For corrections to the directory please contact Kathy Wilhelm

Prayer Texts

Contact the church office if you would like a prayer request sent out to the St. Luke's family. If the request is for someone other than yourself, we must have their permission before we publish it.

After office hours, email Kathy.

We reserves the right to edit or deny requests for the prayer text to prevent the violation of privacy. Thank you for your understanding.

Inner Healing Prayer ministers to

body, soul and spirit.

If you would like prayer or have any questions, contact

Nancy Koly

330-618-4036

If you would like to be involved in this

vital ministry to the body of St. Luke's and also to our visitors, please see David Springer for more information.

Please have all ministry information for the newsletter to the church office by Wednesday before noon to be included in the weekly newsletter. Thank you!

Click here for email or call 330-665-2227.