REPORTER. Three of our youth, along with Emily Hoffman and Pastor Linda will be heading to Houston for the ELCA 2018 Youth Gathering.

Transcription

1 REPORTER Three of our youth, along with Emily Hoffman and Pastor Linda will be heading to Houston for the ELCA 2018 Youth Gathering. Summer worship begins June 3rd. As in the past few years, we are more casual in the summer. Worship leaders will not wear robes. We will be using Setting 8 in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship book. Hymns: We are again invited to help choose the hymns for worship by writing your favorites on a slip of paper and placing it in the basket on the table in the narthex. Dale will choose from those lists for the Sunday hymns. The Flock is a group of St. Luke members and friends who gather to have fun and fellowship. All adults are welcome to participate in any activities. We have two events planned in June. June 9 is our annual day at the lake. We will gather at Lake Cypress Springs in northeast TX. for boating, swimming and great food. June 23 will be dinner at Tuscany Italian Restaurant and an activity afterward. We often send details to those on our list. If you are not receiving our s, please contact Lori Prince at or Carol Herrman at or at cbherrman@gmail.com.

2 Last month I described the first two congregations I served and what I learned from them, so I will continue the story. After eight years of pastoral ministry, we started our family, and I decided to stay home with our three children while they were small. I started writing reflections about how I experienced God in my kids and in our daily life, and that eventually became a book of essays, published in I learned that God is in everything, and with us in every breath! It takes practice to be aware of the sacred in the details of the every day, and to continually ask how God invites us to grow through good moments and bad. When I returned to parish ministry we lived in St. Louis, Missouri and for six years, I served St. Mark s, a suburban congregation similar to St. Luke s. They taught me the importance of community, prayer, and support in a crisis. One year after I began, I was diagnosed with two kinds of breast cancer, stage 2b, and was on disability for nine months for surgery and treatments. They prayed, helped, and loved me through this time; you can see the quilt they made when you come to my office! In 2013, my husband, Dan and I worked in mission development for about two years, but the pace and stress was not compatible with my health, post-cancer. I had to learn (again) how to take care of myself and balance work with rest. I became more focused on spirituality, prayer, and spiritual practices, participated in an 8-month program using the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and began studying for a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. I was blessed to serve as the part-time Interim Director of Pastoral Care at a large congregation north of St. Louis. Then God brought us to Texas! All of these experiences have reinforced that transformation and new growth often come through hardship--the only way out is through! Regular spiritual practices while embracing new experiences are foundational to becoming who God made us to be as individuals and as the church. For us to grow in mission and resources today, we each need to deepen our relationship with God so we have the spiritual strength and resilience to embrace change--the only way out (of decline) is through (change). The good news is that God in Jesus Christ is with us in every breath, and the Spirit empowers us with all we need to fulfill God s calling and mission. +Pr. Linda 2

3 The Men s Breakfast will be held on Saturday, June 23 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn on 190 just east of Waterview Drive in Richardson. Contact Ralph Rizzo if you need more information or have questions: The Social Seniors will have a game day at the home of Rita Humphrey, 923 Prestwick, Richardson, on Friday, June 15. Come at 12 noon for games, and refreshments. If you have any questions, contact Ursula Peters at Report of the NTNL 2018 Assembly, Temple TX The theme of the 31 st Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod Assembly held April 27-28, hosted by the Heart of Texas conference in Temple, TX was Under construction: Transforming in Christ. (One wise transformation was limiting the assembly to Friday and Saturday allowing most pastors, leaders and delegates from our 106 NTNL congregations to worship in their home congregations on Sunday.) St. Luke s was represented by Pastor Linda, Dianne Plumb & Eileen Larsen, delegates, and Shirley Wilson-Sigler who was one of the two chosen to serve as a 2019 church wide voting members from the NTNL. The assembly was opened by Bishop Gronberg with the Service of the Word and Order for an Assembly followed by various reports. Three Bible Studies exploring different interpretations of the story of the Prodigal Son were led by Dr. Mandy-Brobst-Renaud. We also had some great hymn singing led by an awesome band! Quilts made from fabric swatches sent in by almost 80 of the NTNL congregations (including St.Luke s) who quilt for Lutheran World Relief were cut into small rectangles and assembled into beautiful quilts. One was given to the office of the Bishop and the other was auctioned off for $1,100. given by members of Faith Lutheran in Flower Mound to support the Fund for Leaders. Pastor Sullivan from Faith encouraged giving 1% more to support our missions. Pastor Mussachio from Preston Meadow encouraged support for Briarwood by telling us the story of a supporter who for years sent $7 each month to support Briarwood with Love Gift in the memo line. Requests were made to support youth who would not be able otherwise to attend the youth assembly in Houston is helping them grow in faith. 3

4 Women of St. Luke s The combined circles will gather for one Bible study this summer. A Bible Study, led by Pastor Linda, will be held followed by a potluck lunch and fellowship on August 16 at 10:00am. Looking ahead Mark your calendar Activity Day will be Wednesday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m. Please join us. Summer Bible Study and potluck luncheon August 16 10:00am Leadership Team meeting - August 25 9:00am Devotions Rita Humphrey; refreshments Carol Lysen Spring Luncheon A huge THANK YOU to all who attended the Spring Luncheon and donated to UPBRING: Foster Care! Your generosity allowed us to donate $665 to this organization. One throw was given to our graduating senior, Nicholas Chatto on Sunday, May 13. THANK YOU to Brenda Milner and Shirley Shanahan who made the throw. All Women of St. Luke s are invited to share our purpose, participate in our programs and enjoy our fellowship. All are welcome, please feel free to come and join us. Spring has sprung. The grass is growing, the bushes need trimming and the Yardbirds are busy taking care of it all. However, they would love it if you could find time to help them. If you are able to give some time to helping with yardwork (mowing, trimming, etc,) please contact Ralph Rizzo at The job comes with benefits: coffee and goodies for a job well done!! 4

5 Booksome Ladies The Booksome Ladies will meet on Wednesday, June 20 th, at 9:30 a.m. in the Conrad Library. Blessings, a novel by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Anna Quindlen, is our book for discussion. The story begins late one night when a teenage couple drives up to the big white clapboard home on the Blessing estate and leaves a box. In that instant, the lives of those who live and work there are changed forever. Skip Cuddy, the young caretaker, finds a tiny baby girl asleep in that box and decides he wants to keep the child... while Lydia Blessing, the matriarch of the estate, for her own reasons, agrees to help him. Blessings explores how the secrets of the past affect decisions and lives in the present; what makes a person or a life legitimate or illegitimate and who decides; and the unique resources people find in themselves and in a community. This is a story of relationships, redemption, and personal change. It is an easy and pleasant summer read which you will find enjoyable. ALL ARE WELCOME! Peace, Martha Eastwood Synod Assembly Report continued Since the ELCA will be in need of 4,000 more pastors in the next 10 years, supporting our seminarians through helping with tuition will bless them and our churches. Attending these gatherings is an opportunity for delegates to learn about the work of the synods and Churchwide with the plus of meeting old friends and former pastors and making some new friends. You can find more information regarding elections and business on the NTNL site. The 2019 Synod Assembly will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Richland Hills, TX April The 2019 Churchwide Assembly will be held August 5-10, 2019 in Milwaukee, WI Respectfully Submitted, Eileen Larsen 5

6 The members of St. Luke s and their families that are being prayed for during the month are listed below. ARNIE PROSSER BOB EASTWOOD MARGARET FREEMAN EMILY EASTWOOD DAVID REED SCOTT REEDY CLAIRE BEDARD AUSTIN ROE KRISTA BROWN SAM FARMERIE Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 We welcome prayers for all. However, please let us know when your name should be removed from our list. Thank you. Our appreciation to the members of St. Luke s Prayer Chain for their constant and faithful prayers. Betty Kennedy, Prayer Chain Chairperson

7 Jean & Gary Sloan 6-06 Larry & Ann Wecsler 6-14 Regi & Shirley Sigler 6-18 Lloyd & Joy Uhler 6-29 Lloyd Uhler 6-02 Shirley Shanahan 6-05 Alex Wimer 6-11 Jill Lawson 6-12 Dale Dietert 6-16 Kate Wegener 6-16 Bob Eastwood 6-18 Allyne Harris 6-18 Max Ashby 6-19 Keli Terpstra 6-21 Betty Seaborn 6-25 Note: If you have an anniversary or birthday this month and your name is not on our list, please call the church office and give us the information for our records. Thank you. Dear Members of St. Luke s, My family and I are very grateful for your prayers, cards, phone calls, love, and concern at the death of Adelaide Sies, my sister. Adelaide was blessed with many talents and she shared generously. I cherish wonderful memories of Adelaide (Laide) and I thank all of you. With love, Arlene Bakner Pastor Linda s contact information: (cell) ( ) pastor@stlukeslutheranchurch.org 7

8 NETWORK OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES Ingathering days are the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Items always needed are: peanut butter, jelly, canned meats and vegetables, canned fruit, soups, paper products, personal hygiene products. Please place items in the cart marked Network in the Gathering Area. The Reporter Published for and by St. Luke s Lutheran Church Next deadline June 15 stlukes@stlukeslutheran church.org All members of St. Luke s are invited to submit articles of interest for publication in THE RE- PORTER. Articles may be submitted in written form or electronic form using word format. Please include your name and phone number. Articles should be no longer than 250 words. Those over 250 may need to be edited. St. Luke s Lutheran Church Pastor.Rev, Linda Anderson-Little Administrative Assistant...Gail Johnson Director of Music Ministries... Dale Dietert Council Members President, Shirley Sigler 2/ Vice President, Tim Wegener 612/ Secretary, Anne Eckholm 9/ Treasurer, Tom Petersen 9/ Financial Sec., Carol Lysen /233/6585 Christian Ed.. Emily Hoffman / Evangelism, Carol Rizzo / Congregational Life, Jerold Plumb...9/ Congregational Resources, Gail Johnson 9/ Indoor Property, Jerry Zimmerman Outdoor Property, Ralph Rizzo / Worship & Music, Frieda Chyn / Service Outreach, David Tate Youth, Emily Hoffman / Contact Us: pastor@stlukeslutheranchurch.org stlukes@stlukeslutheranchurch.org (church office) ddietert@mail.smu.edu Phone: Sunday Schedule Worship at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School at 8:45 a.m. Phone number: