A Note from Pastor Melissa - January 30, 2025 | |
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Hello, St. Lukers!
How is it going with your practice of BEing? Being Guided, Being Ready, Being Loved, and Being Bold have been our invitations so far this year, and this Sunday we begin a new worship series where we will spend the next five weeks talking about what it means to BELONG.
I wonder when you might have found yourself experiencing belonging? When you think across the chapters of your life, when have you felt most like you belonged? Why did you feel so included or loved? What were the characteristics of a community of belonging?
On Sunday we begin exploring the United Methodist vows of belonging – prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. These five words comprise the membership, or, as we call it, Partnership, vows of the United Methodist Church. We’ll look each week at how these promises invite us to practice our faith individually, but also how they draw us together as ways of being, spiritual disciplines, and embodying what it means to be a church community.
This Sunday, we begin with our commitment to prayers. While prayer is a commonly-referenced spiritual discipline and an assumed practice of Christians, I have found that for many of us, it’s still a challenge – both in how to, and how to be consistent with prayer life. I hope you’ve had the chance to listen to my friend the Rev. Dr. Brett Opalinski...
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St. Luke's Week in Review | |
Welcoming New Members of our Care Visitation Team | |
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In worship earlier this month, we celebrated the commissioning of four new members of our Care Visitation Team! These St. Lukers are using their spiritual gifts and sharing the love of Christ with those who are unable to attend our church services, and we are blessed to have this incredible team.
The St. Luke’s Care Visitation Team is comprised of trained lay members who in partnership with our Parish Nurse and St. Luke’s pastors, make visits to those who can’t come to church during times of illness, hospitalization, rehabilitation, or long-term care. They serve as an extension of St. Luke’s and have the honor and privilege of bringing ‘church’ to others, and can even bring Communion to those they visit. If you or a family member would appreciate a visit by our team, please contact our Care Office to be connected with one of our Care Visitation Team members.
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Little Library, Big Difference! | |
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Congratulations to Girl Scout Troop 166 for unveiling their Little Free Library, built on St. Luke's campus! This incredible project not only brings the joy of reading to our community but also earns the troop their Girl Scout Brownie Take Action badge—an achievement that celebrates creating lasting, meaningful change.
This Little Free Library is a gift that keeps giving, fostering a love for reading and increasing access to books for all. Stop by to grab a book, or bring one to donate, and let's keep turning pages and making a difference together.
| Saving Lives One Blood Drive at a Time | |
On behalf of St. Luke’s Care Ministries and our amazing partners at OneBlood, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who donated at our recent blood drive on campus. Together, we collected 12 pints of blood and 2 platelets, potentially saving up to 42 lives! Thank you for showing up with compassion and making a life-saving impact!
In addition, our blood pressure screenings proved invaluable. Our volunteer nurses identified several individuals with marked hypertension and provided vital education, encouraging them to follow up with their physicians. Hypertension can impact multiple body systems, so keeping those readings in check is crucial for long-term health.
Our next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, May 18 - mark your calendars and learn more at st.lukes.org/blood-drive, and we'll see you there!
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Volunteering Makes a Difference | |
St. Luker Dorathy Nevitt recently shared her inspiring 20-year journey as a volunteer with Jobs Partnership, a ministry that helps neighbors overcome unemployment through faith-based classes, coaching, and career support.
Dorathy reflected on the many ways to serve, from being a Coach who walks alongside students through a 12-week course, to offering resume or interview guidance. No matter the role, she reminds us, “YOU CAN make a difference to one neighbor by volunteering for Jobs Partnership.”
Read Dorathy’s full story by clicking here. Be the difference today and learn how to get involved with Jobs Partnership at st.lukes.org/jobspartnership.
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Ways to Learn, Live, Love, and Lead | |
Current sermon series: Belong | |
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"Your Week with St. Luke's" Podcast - This week we're kicking off a new series, Belong, exploring the promises we make as United Methodists to live a life of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness—starting with the power of prayer. In this episode, special guest Brett Opalinski, United Methodist pastor and Assistant Dean at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, joins us to discuss how prayer connects us with God, transforms our hearts, and deepens our discipleship. Together, we’re reminded that prayer isn’t about controlling God but about communing with God and supporting one another in faith.
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Build strength and community with our Senior Exercise Class! This fun, supportive class is for seniors (50+) but welcomes all. Sign up HERE to join on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Gym.
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Your child will build self-esteem, make new friends, and experience God's love by participating in St. Luke's Youth Soccer League! Registration has been extended to February 3 - learn more and sign up HERE.
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Give to St. Luke's Ministries | |
We invite each St. Luker to commit their time and financial contributions to the ongoing work of the church, both within our campus and throughout the community. Thank you for your passion, love, and generosity, which empower us to live out our mission. | | | | |
