United Methodist Church

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1 The Epistle November 27, 2017 Volume 53 Number 5 A Message from Pastor Jim United Methodist Church O Come, O Come, Emmanuel During the season of Advent we will be singing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel each Sunday. I believe this is important because we need to learn to pray, Come, Lord Jesus! Come and redeem us! Come to make us whole! Come to restore our broken world so that it will once again be what God created it to be! Come, Lord Jesus, to save us. Come to save our families-- -and our neighbors-- -and our world! But unfortunately we have let the crazies take over this whole matter of Jesus ; Second Coming. Cartoonists love to draw cartoons of old bearded men carrying signs that proclaim, Repent! The end of the world is coming! ; I saw an amusing variation intended for people on Wall Street. It said: THE END OF THE WORLD IS COMING; START PLEA BARGAINING. But the late David H.C. Read, who served for decades as a New York City pastor, called us to rethink that. He said: Sometimes, in a place like Times Square in New York City, I come across one of these shaggy, grim-looking characters bearing a sign that says Prepare to meet thy God! He said They are a favorite subject for cartoonists, and the assumption is that this is meant to be a terrible threat. But then he concluded I would like to RESCUE these words from this connotation...if you stop to think about it, these words, Prepare to meet thy God! are SPLENDID words-- -For this is the ONE I want to meet! Dr. Read is telling us that we should look with joyful anticipation at the prospect of Jesus coming again. We should look with joyful anticipation at the prospect of Jesus repairing our broken world. We should look with joyful anticipation at the prospect of Jesus ushering in a new day-- -a day when light will drive out the darkness, a day when God will reign supreme in people s lives, a day of blessings. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! Happy Advent, 480 S. Highland Memphis, TN Worship at St. Luke s All are Welcome Sundays 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. December 3 Hanging of the Greens Mark 13:32-37 Rev. Jim McKinney December 10 Miracle at the Christmas Cafe Light Night Children Mark 1:1-8 Rev. Jim McKinney Sunday School Classes For all ages - 9:30 a.m. Fellowship in Hospitality Hall 10:30 a.m. Contents: - Forward in Faith page 2 - Advent/Christmas page 3 - Ministry News/Events pages 4/5 - Congregational Care page 6 - Calendar page 7 - Church information page 8 St. Luke s Staff Jim McKinney, Pastor Harry Colter, Pastoral Assistant Marcia Mittelstadt, Music Interim Wes Kirkpatrick, Organist Beth Ryan, Youth/Young Adults Megan Warren, Children & Community Connections Amy Turman, Day School/PDO Amy Lee, Challengers David Day, CLC/Recreation Carla Taylor, Communications Heather Persellin-Deere, Special Events Tim Taylor, Facilities Vickey Hobbs, Finance Mission Statement We are becoming a faithful community of disciples striving to share the heart, mind, and hands of Jesus Christ with ALL people.

2 2018 is just around the corner! Forward in Faith is looking forward to the new year which will bring new ideas, new challenges, and hopefully we ll continue to grow in membership. One of our goals in 2018 is to meet with various ministries to help them evaluate and explore their connection with the community and brainstorm areas in which those ministries would like to grow. This is a prime time to look at all ministries, even those that appear to be thriving, and see how St. Luke s can meet the needs of the community, increase engagement, and welcome new people of all walks of life into our church family. As a leader in your ministry, ask yourself these questions: What is the ministry s goal? Does it meet the common goal of helping St. Luke s to grow? How can you adjust your goal to align with Forward in Faith s goal to meaningfully grow and engage those in the church? Does the ministry go out into the community or do we expect the community to come to us? Who do you want to reach? What resources do you currently have? What resources do you currently lack? For example - outside-the-box ideas, volunteers, money. What questions, ideas, concerns do you have for Forward in Faith related to your ministry? Be thinking about this we d LOVE to talk with you. If you already know you d like to meet with us and you re ready to do so, please contact Megan at megan.warren@stlukesumc.org. Remember to use the hashtag #480forMemphis in your social media posts. Help us highlight the people in our St. Luke s family and those in the neighborhood helping others and also promote local businesses. Look for good in and around St. Luke s, share it with our community Need a stocking stuffer? Stickers are just $1.00 A St. Luke s t-shirt also makes a great Christmas gift. We still have shirts left in all sizes except 3T. Christmas Special: 2 for $10 - contact Carla: carla.taylor@stlukesumc.org or look for the items in Hospitality Hall during fellowship time. ADVENT is a great time to invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join you at church. We have several special worship services during advent that appeal to all types of people who may or may not be unchurched. St. Luke s will have an ad in Memphis Magazine for December and we have invite cards and door hangers for you to share. Please pick up a handful and hand them out to your neighbors, friends, and family. Good things are happening at St. Luke s. Let s celebrate and share the love of Christ that comes at Christmas! -2-

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4 Children s News THANK YOU! A HUGE thank you to all of those who helped with children's ministry responsibilities while I was out on maternity leave. My goal was to divvy up responsibilities into manageable chunks so that no one person was doing too much. I realize that this added to your normal tasks and I'm extremely thankful for your willingness to help. Thank you to all those who pulled together to make Boo Out such a wonderful time for our families. Your kindness, dedication, and love kept things moving forward and gave me peace of mind allowing me to focus on Luke and this newly acquired motherhood role. I sincerely love working at St. Luke's and I couldn't do my job without you. Thank you. -Megan Miracle at the Christmas Cafe Join us for worship at 11:00am on Dec. 10 when the elementary Light Night group will present the Christmas Play they ve been working on this fall. You will be amazed at the talent of our St. Luke s children! As always - join us for Sunday School each week at 9:30 and bring your whole family to the Hospitality Hall for a donut and fellowship with all ages of our St. Luke s family. Day School News Last Tuesday the Day School hosted 150 guests for our annual Pow Wow. What a blessing it was to watch our little ones kick off the holiday season in a time of thanksgiving and gratefulness. The Pow Wow has always been a great reminder of what this time of year is about as we enter the rush of things we have to get done. The Day School is so very thankful for all the families that we serve each day. We are thankful for a church that has a mission to serve others, especially children. Thank you St. Luke's for loving us so very well! The Mitten Tree The traditional Mitten Tree for Sherwood Elementary students is in the north hallway near the elevator. Cold weather will be coming. Please help decorate the tree with mittens, gloves, caps, scarves, and new/used jackets. Also, socks and underwear for boys and girls sizes 6-10 are needed. The tree will be up through December 3rd. Many thanks. Questions? Contact Barbara Caldwell YOUTH NEWS Hello everyone! Here s what we have coming up: Sun., Dec. 3-9:30- Sunday School 5:00-7:00- Dinner and Youth Activities Mon., Dec. 4 - Assist with fruit unloading Sun., Dec. 10-9:30- Sunday School **Youth will assist with Fruit Pick Up from 9-12:30 but will be able to attend worship! Fri., Dec p.m.- Youth Progressive Dinner Peace, Beth YOUNG ADULTS As always, please remember all of our students this school year. This week, we ask special prayers for Faith Marshall and Michael McAlexander. If you would like to write them a note, Beth will be happy to get you their addresses! FRUIT PICK UP Fruit will be available for pick up beginning on Tuesday, December 5 during church office hours. Please call the church to make sure I am available to assist you before you come! Otherwise, please pick up your fruit by Sunday, December 10 or make other arrangements with me. We thank you so much for your loyal support of Youth Ministry at St. Luke's!...Beth The United Methodist Women will be celebrating a very successful year and would like you to join us on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Please sign up at the Hospitality Hall desk so we can have a number to prepare for. There is no cost for the celebration. We will also be putting together over 50 Meals to Go on Sat. Dec. 2 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Come join us for the fun and fellowship and share as we prepare these meals. St. Luke s provided 13 baskets of food for the UMNC Thanksgiving. Thanks to everyone who bought a can, packed a bag or donated money. You are appreciated!!! We now turn our attention to the children at the Neighborhood Center. If you or your Sunday School class would like to adopt a child for Christmas contact Pat Anderson, Calling all women to mark your calendar for our Winter Retreat on Feb. 3. Great things are happening and we want you to be a part of it. More details to come in the future. We will begin 2018 on Jan. 2, when we meet and install our officers. Pastor Jim will be sharing with us that day at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Naomi Circle will celebrate the end of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lounge with a Pot Luck dinner. Mary Rachel Circle will celebrate the end of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Lounge with light refreshments and Christmas carols. Please join us at any of these events. YOU are always welcome. -4-

5 MUSIC NOTES Music is such an important part of the celebration of Advent and Christmas. St. Luke s musicians have so much to share with you this year. Below is the schedule for December music ADVENT MUSIC SCHEDULE December 3, 2017 Hanging of the Greens will be incorporated into the traditional service with communion and a Pastoral Message. Here is your chance to learn the meaning of the decorations in the church. We will be doing this at both services December 10, 2017 Our children will be presenting Miracle at the Christmas Café during the 11AM service. This is scheduled in the service with a Pastors Message to follow. Welcome to Bethlehem and The Christmas Café a small roadside café where the food speaks for itself. And if you don t believe it, just wait a few minutes and reach for the antacid! Waitress Polly Porkchop and cook Mac N Cheese tell of the special night long ago, when they were dishing out food during Caesar s senseless. Mix in a group of shepherds and a local innkeeper who drop by to tell about a world-changing miracle, and you have a recipe for an unforgettable, homespun version of the greatest story ever told! December 17, 2017 Holy Light: A Service of Carols by Robert Hobby will be presented as worship at 11AM. Holy Light is a complete service of carols and readings for Advent. The readings are by Susan Palo Cherwien. Chancel Choir, Wesley Bells, organ, piano and Brass Quintet will join forces to present this Service of Carols. Mark your calendars now and make sure you invite friends to worship. Members inviting friends to their church is the most effective way of Evangelism. Use the invite cards available for pick-up in Hospitality Hall. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the church. marcia.mittelstadt@stlukesumc.org. WOW! WEDNESDAY NIGHTS Dinner: 5:30 6:15 pm, Fellowship Hall Call for reservations by Tuesday noon each week. Adults: $6, Children and students: $4, Family rate: $20 **Dec. 6: Chicken Tenders/Mashed Potatoes/Corn/Rolls/Brownies **Dec. 13: Spaghetti/Salad/Garlic Bread/Lemon Pie Bible Study: 6:15 pm, Lounge Nov. 29-Dec. 20: A study on the gospel lessons for advent with Pastor Jim. Zumba: 6:35-7:35 pm, Gym $5 per session. Childcare can be available with prior arrangements through Coach David Day, Chancel Choir Rehearsal: 6:30 8:00 pm, Sports Shorts from the CLC Basketball Sign ups for Junior Jammers 3yrs-5yrs old, Cost: $60 Starts January 6, 9:00am-10:30am for 8 weeks. See Coach Day for additional info Your fitness room is open Weekdays 6:30am-6pm Remember HIM Always, Coach Day United Methodist Men Join us for our Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. On the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays we will meet in Fellowship Hall - full breakfast is only $3.00. The 2nd, 4th, & 5th Wednesdays of each month we meet at Perkins Restaurant on Park Ave. JOIN US FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday mornings - 9:30am The Red Letter Class Room 106, 9:35-10:30am Advent series will be God-The Gift Giver. Join us as we look at what prompted that precious first Christmas gift: What does this tell us about the one who Jesus called Father? What does it tell us about a God that Jesus urged us to call Our Father? Together we will discuss the WHY of Christmas. Loyal Stewards This fall, lessons in Adult Bible Studies follow the theme, Faith in Action Parents Group This class provides a sharing of real life challenges for parents of young to teenage children. Christian Homebuilders - Advent series Finding Bethlehem in the Midst of Bedlam by James. W. Moore. Dec. 3 - Donna Spencer, Dec. 10 Betty Padgett, Dec. 17 Jenny McKinney, Dec. 24 Pat Anderson, leaders. Please join us for this series. Newman Class - Follows the lectionary scriptures to prepare the group to hear the word that Pastor McKinney shares in his worship sermons. Young Adult Class - Meets in the Lounge Currently studying the book, Yes Lord, I have sinned but I have several excellent excuses. taught by Jane Randall Growing Disciples Class - Meets in 304 of the Main Building. Studies video lesson series and books based on biblical topics and current issues. After Sunday School be sure to join us in Hospitality Hall for fellowship and enjoy a fresh Gibson s donut and a cup of coffee. -5-

6 Congregational Support Sympathy to the family of Rosa Burgett who passed away on November 23. Gifts received in memory: Elton Watlington from Nancy Morris, Ed & Nita Barlow, Kathy McAllen, Bob & Janie Hendrix, Rita Richardson, Rorie Read, Marilyn Sadler, The Eubank Family, Hal & Betty Padgett, Thursday Small Group, Sarah Jane Tice, Grady & Daisy Threadgill, Stella Day Gifts received in honor: Roland Bullock from Ann Bowsher Prayer Concerns of our St. Luke s Family Helen Boening, Dalton Al-Chokhachi, Leanne Olds, Sam McHugh, Doris Eavenson, Galen Colbert, Shirley Jean Moore, Rebecca Likens, Janet Yow and Brianna, Jack Cushing, Mai Davis, Shirley Robinson, Gavin Bell, Grover Bowles, Alice Roberts, Bette Colbert, Gil Herren, Danny Hobbs, Pam Santi, Akil Al-Chokhachi, Jim Burch, Jr., Vauneida Henton, Kathleen Gillespie, Shirley Gardener Those dealing with cancer: Brenda Blackwell, Clay Eaves, Bob Dunham, Jennifer Cottam, Janell Smith, Kathy McAllen, Oma Strickland, Mrs. Vick, Don Day, Eugene Callaway Homebound Members: Barbara Ball, Helen Boening, Evelyn Brady, Stan Bronson, Kaye Cocke, Nancy Davis, Anne Dean, Dorothy Evans Bishop Bill McAlilly, District Superintendent Deborah Smith Missionaries Eric and Liz Soard Our Schools, Teachers, and Students To add, change or remove a prayer concern please contact Janie Hendrix by prayer.request@stlukesumc.org or fill out a yellow prayer request card located in the sanctuary pew and place it in the offering plate during worship. An Encouraging Word There is no need to shoulder the weight of your cares any longer. God is right there, waiting for you to surrender your burdens to Him. The radio broadcast of Sunday Worship is on WREC 600 AM, 8:00am each Sunday. Sponsor a broadcast in memory or in honor of someone special. The cost is $225 per week. Contact Vickey Hobbs for more information. Hello and Thank You to the Acolytes! We have dedicated 4th & 5th graders who serve the worship service from 11:00am - 12:00pm every Sunday. When you pass by, say a special thank you to these young people! Will Iglehardt Katie Iglehardt Stone McKinney Eli Morrison Brady St. Gelais Hannalise Yarbrough Also thank you to the Lay persons who present the cross to our congregation each Sunday. The Memphis Chorale will present A Christmas Festival at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Friday, December 1st at 7:00 pm. The concert is free and open to the public and is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. The Memphis Chorale is a professional choir under the direction of Dr. Gabriel Statom and this concert will include traditional Christmas carols, as well as several classical pieces. We hope you will join us for this hour long evening of holiday joy! CAN YOU HELP? We are in need of volunteers to help at the Hospitality Desk during the week. The main responsibility is answering the phones. We have a security person here to help with visitors but they are not available to answer phones. The shifts run from 9:00am-12:30pm and 12:30-4:00pm each day Monday- Thursday. You can volunteer for one shift per month or more. Please contact Vickey Hobbs or vickey.hobbs@ stlukesumc.org New CD Ministry to begin January 2018 The Sunday radio broadcast will end at the end of A CD ministry will take its place. A CD and bulletin of the worship service will be mailed each week to homebound members and others who request them. If you know of someone who would like to receive a CD recording of the worship service, please contact Carla Taylor. -6-

7 St. Luke s Calendar Wednesday, November 29 - Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Wednesday November 29 7:15am 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - Perkins on Park Ave. 5:30pm 7:00pm Wednesday Meal/Bible Study - FH/Lounge 6:30pm 8:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 6:35pm 7:35pm Zumba - CLC Gym 7:40pm 9:10pm Young Adult Basketball - CLC GYM Thursday November 30 8:45am 9:45am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 9:30am 12:00pm Food Pantry - CLC :00pm 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 5:45pm 7:15pm Basketball Practice- McCauley - CLC Gym 6:00pm 8:00pm Young Adult Dinner - 3rd Floor 7:15pm 10:15pm Fisher of Men - Gym Friday December 1 5:30pm 8:30pm Memphis Choral Concert - Sanctuary 6:00pm 10:00pm Game Night - 3rd Floor Sat December 2 8:00am 1:00pm UMW Dining for Dollars - FH Kitchen 3:00pm 6:00pm Saturday Supper - FH Sunday December 3 8:00am 8:30am Community Breakfast and Devotion - FH 8:30am 9:30am Worship Hanging of the Greens - Sanctuary 9:30am 10:30am Sunday School 10:30am 11:00am Fellowship Time - Hospitality Hall 11:00am 12:00pm Worship Hanging of the Greens - Sanctuary 12:00pm 1:30pm Youth Advisory Team Meeting - 3rd Floor 1:00pm 4:00pm Basketball Practices - CLC GYM 3:30pm 4:30pm Bell Rehearsal - Bell Room 4:00pm 5:00pm Young People basketball - CLC GYM 5:00pm 7:00pm LIGHT Night Activities - CLC 103/Lounge 5:00pm 7:00pm Dinner & Youth Activities Monday December 4 9:00am 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 5:45pm 7:15pm Basketball Practices - CLC/GYM 7:15pm 10:15pm Jesus is Lord Basketball - Gym Tuesday December 5 9:45am 11:00am UMW Exec. Meeting - MB :00am 1:00pm UMW General Meeting - FH 12:00pm 2:00pm Pickleball - CLC Gym 4:30pm 5:30pm Girl Scouts - CLC 103 5:45pm 7:15pm Basketball Practice -Wofford - CLC Gym 6:00pm 7:30pm Trustees Meeting - Lounge 6:30pm 7:30pm Cub Scouts - Chapel/CB 2nd Floor 7:00pm 8:45pm Boy Scouts - Scout Hut Wednesday December 6 7:15am 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - FH 5:30pm 7:00pm Wednesday Meal/Bible Study - FH/Lounge 6:30pm 8:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 6:35pm 7:35pm Zumba - CLC Gym 7:40pm 9:10pm Young Adult Basketball - CLC GYM Calendar Room Key MB-Main Building, FH-Fellowship Hall, HH - Hospitality Hall, CLC-Christian Life Center, CB-Children s Building Thursday December 7 8:45am 9:45am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 9:30am 12:00pm Food Pantry - CLC :00pm 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 5:45pm 7:15pm Basketball Practice- McCauley - CLC Gym 6:00pm 8:00pm Young Adult Dinner - 3rd Floor 7:15pm 10:15pm Fisher of Men - Gym Friday December 8 6:00pm 10:00pm Game Night - 3rd Floor Saturday December 9 11:00am 2:00pm CHB Christmas Party - Parlor 12:00pm 5:00pm Sit & Sew - Lounge 3:00pm 6:00pm Saturday Supper FH Sunday December 10 8:00am 8:30am Breakfast and Devotion - FH 8:30am 9:30am Worship - Sanctuary 9:00am 12:00pm CHB Bakesale - CLC Hallway 9:30am 10:30am Sunday School 10:30am 11:00am Fellowship Time - Hospitality Hall 11:00am 12:00pm Worship/Children s Presentation - Sanctuary. 1:00pm 4:00pm Basketball Practice - CLC GYM 3:30pm 4:30pm Bell Rehearsal - Bell Room 4:00pm 5:00pm Young People basketball - CLC GYM 5:00pm 7:00pm LIGHT Night Activities CLC 103/Lounge 5:00pm 7:00pm Dinner & Youth Activities Monday December 11 9:00am The Epistle newsletter deadline 8:30am 11:00am Veterans - FH 9:00am 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 5:45pm 7:15pm Basketball Practices - CLC/GYM 7:15pm 10:15pm Jesus is Lord Basketball - Gym Tuesday December 12 12:00pm 2:00pm Pickleball - CLC Gym 5:45pm 7:15pm Basketball Practice -Wofford - CLC Gym 6:30pm 7:30pm Cub Scouts - FH 6:30pm 8:00pm Naomi UMW Circle - Lounge 7:00pm 8:45pm Boy Scouts - Scout Hut Wednesday December 13 7:15am 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - Perkins 5:30pm 7:00pm Wednesday Meal/Bible Study - FH/Lounge 6:30pm 8:00pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 6:35pm 7:35pm Zumba - CLC Gym 7:40pm 9:10pm Young Adult Basketball - CLC GYM This calendar is an abbreviated listing of activities. For a full listing of the most current calendar information visit our website: stlukesumc.org/google-calendar/ Facebook: St. Luke s UMC, Memphis Instagram: stlukesmemphis #480forMemphis -7-

8 The Epistle St. Luke s United Methodist Church 480 So. Highland Street Memphis, Tennessee PERIODICALS POSTAGE PD MEMPHIS, TN The EPISTLE (USPS # ) is published twice monthly POSTMASTER send address changes to: by ST. LUKE S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 480 So. Highland, Memphis TN COMMUNITY We belong together. Everyone at St. Luke s is needed to equip our church for God s work in this community and the world. Thank you to everyone who has turned in pledge cards to support the ministries of St. Luke s for If you have not yet turned in a card please try to do so this week. The finance committee is working diligently to prepare a budget for 2018 and we believe that we can reach our goals with the support of the St. Luke s family. Remember that every amount is priceless to God Progress NUMBER OF PLEDGES Goal: 140 Received: 108 TOTAL PLEDGES Goal: $625,000 Received: $549,955 RECORD OF LOYALTY Sunday School 11/ / Worship Attendance - November 19 Sunshine breakfast 82 8:30 Worship 39 11:00 worship Worship Attendance - November 26 Sunshine breakfast 90 8:30 worship 40 11:00 worship Gifts & Tithes Received November 19 $5, November 26 $4, Guide Book & Directory!!!VERY IMPORTANT!!! LAST CHANCE TO UPDATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Has your address or phone number changed in the last year? Do you still have children listed at your address who have moved out on their own? WE NEED THIS INFORMATION. Please call the church and leave a message for Virginia Hathorn if your information has changed or send an virginia.hathorn@ stlukesumc.org or Carla Taylor: carla.taylor@stlukesumc.org It s time again to order Poinsettias to adorn our Sanctuary during Christmas beginning Dec. 17 and may be picked up on Dec. 24. They are $12 each. Return this form to Vickey Hobbs or vickey.hobbs@stlukesumc.org by Dec. 5. Name: Phone #: $12 ea: In honor of: In memory of: -8-