Please Remember Our Combined Service Next Sunday Blessing of the Backpacks 10:30 a.m. St. Luke Ministry Center. Robert Beckum

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1 (USPS # ) Published weekly except Christmas by St. Luke UMC 1104 Second Ave.; Columbus, GA Postmaster: Send address changes to St. Luke UMC P.O. Box 867; Columbus, GA Telephone (706) Fax (706) Ministry Center (706) Prayer Room (706) stluke@stlukeum.com Website: Volume 50 Aug. 3, 2014 No. 31 Why So Many Parables? During these summer weeks of worship, we have looked at and listened to many parables in The Gospel According to Matthew. Parables can be both intriguing and bewildering. We may find ourselves asking with Jesus disciples, Why do you speak to them (the crowds of people) in parables? Jesus answers his disciples by saying: The reason I speak to them in parables is that seeing they do not perceive and, hearing they do not listen nor do they understand For this people s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears for they hear. Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it. To be perfectly honest, Jesus answer can be as baffling as the parables which original provoked the disciples question! Is this all just a bunch of intentional double talk? At this point I find Eugene Peterson, author of The Message very helpful. He says: The parable is a tool for deciding, not discussing. For those who want to have conversations about God, the parable is opaque. For those who will look and listen and pray, the parable becomes a means for participation in the life of faith. Thank you, Lord God, for sharing the secrets of your kingdom with us, for speaking in love and listening in kindness. Our lives are filled with the sights and sounds of the good news! How privileged we are. How blessed! Grant that our participation in a life of faith may be a blessing for others. Amen. I look forward to seeing you at St. Luke this Sunday when we gather at the Lord s table for holy communion and consider the Blessing and Breaking through which God s kingdom is shared. Please Remember Our Combined Service Next Sunday Blessing of the Backpacks 10:30 a.m. St. Luke Ministry Center Robert Beckum rbeckum@stlukeum.com

2 ORDER OF WORSHIP The 10:55 a.m. service is streamed at and broadcast at WLTC Lite FM Tape-delayed on WTVM Channel 9 at 10:00 a.m. August 3, th Sunday after Pentecost 8:25 a.m. & 10:55 a.m. Color: Red Invitation to Worship The Prelude... There is a Fountain...M. Hayes (Duet, Adleyn Scott and Aesook Lim) *Hymn... Standing on the Promises...Number 374 *The Affirmation of Faith... The Apostles Creed...Number 881 I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick*** and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic*** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *The Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen, Amen. Quartet (10:55 a.m.)... Just a Little Talk with Jesus...H. Helvey The Pastoral Prayer...(8:25 a.m.) Rev. Cindy Cox Garrard (10:55 a.m.) Rev. Brett Maddocks The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. The Children s Sermon (10:55 a.m.)...the Rev. Cindy Cox Garrard After the Children s Sermon, children who are in Kindergarten-5th grade are invited to go to Corner Kids for a time of extended worship. Parents pick them up in Stockwell Hall when this service is completed. *Hymn... Shall We Gather at the River...Number 723 Offertory Prayer...Rev. Beckum Offertory (Mitch Watts)... Thank You...R. Boltz *The Dedication of Offerings... The Doxology...Number 95 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen *The Written Word...Matthew 14:13-21 The Spoken Word... BLESSING AND BREAKING... Rev. Robert Beckum The Invitation and Confession Christ our Lord invites to his table all who love him, who earnestly repent of their sin and seek to live in peace with one another. Therefore, let us confess our sin before God and one another: God, we are called to follow You, but we do not respond. We are commanded to love one another, but we continue in our old ways. We are asked to spread the Good News of Your love to every part of our world, but we find the mission too difficult. We do not love You with our whole heart, or our neighbors as ourselves. We come today looking for Good News. Forgive our sins. The Prayer of Great Thanksgiving...(Pages 15-16; hymnal) Sacrament of Holy Communion *Hymn... Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling...Number 348 *The Benediction Postlude... To God be the Glory...Smith/Hustad (Duet, Adleyn Scott and Aesook Lim) *Standing as able. *** quick means living ; catholic means universal

3 OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WEEK Sunday, Aug. 3 8:25 a.m. Worship Service (Chapel, Main) 9:00 a.m. The Nine Contemporary Service (MIN) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School/Youth Sunday School Assembly (The Corner, MIN) 10:00 a.m. Youth Sunday School (The Corner, MIN) 10:55 a.m. Worship Service (Ministry Center) Broadcast over WLTC Lite FM and at beginning at 11:00 a.m. 12:20 p.m. Worship in Spanish (Chapel) 2-3:00 p.m. Hispanic Fellowship (Stockwell Hall) 5:30 p.m. Student Youth Ministry Worship (The Corner) Monday, Aug. 4 8:30-1:30 p.m.preschool Staff Meeting and Lunch (Shaw) 9:00 a.m. SLS Teachers Report Meeting (SD, MIN) Tuesday, Aug. 5 8:00 a.m. SLS Archery Training (Gym) 9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting (SD, MIN) 10:00 a.m. On-Site Respite (1021 Third Ave.) 11:30 a.m. Civitan Club (SD, MIN) Wednesday, Aug. 6 10:00 a.m. On-Site Respite (1021 Third Ave.) 11am-5pm SLS Open House 11:30 a.m. Kiwanis (SD, MIN) 12 Noon Columbus Tech Annual Planning (LD, MIN) 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Music Suite) Thursday, Aug. 7 10:00 a.m. On-Site Respite (1021 Third Ave.) 11am-5pm SLS Open House 11:30 a.m. Exchange Club (SD, MIN) 12 Noon Our House Planning Meeting (Meeting Room, MIN) 2:30 p.m. Respite Advisory Council (Respite Bldg.) 6:30-7:30pm ELC Open House (ELC) 7:00 p.m. Hispanic Praise Team (Chapel) Friday, August 8 8:00 a.m. ELC Training Day (Stockwell Hall) 9:00 a.m. SLS ALICE Training (LD, MIN) 11:30 a.m. ELC Staff Training Luncheon (LD, MIN) Saturday, August 9 Main (main building, where Sanctuary is)/min (Ministry Center). Contact the Ministry Center for information about renting or reserving rooms. SUMMER NURSERY For worship services through August 10, we continue to provide two full nurseries for children ages infant through Pre-Kindergarten in the church building and Ministry Center until 12 Noon. The nursery in the main church building will open at 8 a.m. and remain open until 12 Noon. The nursery in the Ministry Center will open at 8:30 a.m. and remain open through noon. CornerKids will meet in Stockwell Hall during both The Nine and the 10:55 a.m. service. Children who are in the nursery may remain there through Sunday School, no matter what service you attend! St. Luke Basketball Clinic with CSU Coach Robert Moore Cost: $55 per student/per clinic. To register please send a check (payable to St. Luke UMC along with student s name, grade level, Contact at or kym@stlukeum.com CLINIC DATES Sept :30 p.m. 4th & 5th grade 6:30-8 p.m. 6-8th grade Holy Communion: All persons who confess Christ as their Savior, regardless of age or denomination, are invited to share in the sacrament of Holy Communion today, August 3. At 8:30 a.m. in Turner Chapel come forward at the indication of the ushers and stand or kneel at the chancel rail and cup your hands when you are ready to receive the Sacrament. After you have partaken of the cup you may remain at the rail in prayer or return to your seat. At 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in The Ministry Center communion will be served by intinction. You will be invited to one of four stations to receive the bread and to dip the bread in the cup. After receiving the Sacrament you may kneel in prayer at the front of the stage or return to your seat. In all services, those wishing to receive the sacrament at their seats may do so by indicating your desire to an usher. Permit ST. LUKE (552680) is published weekly except Christmas by St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1104 Second Avenue, Columbus, Georgia Periodical Postage entered and paid at Columbus, GA POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. Luke, P.O. Box 867, Columbus, GA

4 Music Box We need a trumpet player this fall for the St Luke Orchestra. If you are interested, please call Jim Evans at WORSHIP IN SPANISH: 12:20 p.m. worship in Turner Chapel, The Rev. Dr. Ivelisse Quiñones, preaching; Bendijo y partió Mateo 14: ALTAR FLOWERS: The beautiful flowers in the worship center are given to the glory of God and loving memory of Mrs. Doris Dalton Crosby by Mr. and Mrs. Doug Harvey. OPEN FLOWER DATES: Aug. 31, Sept. 21, Oct. 26, Nov. 16 & 23. Please contact Maggie at maggie@stlukeum.com or call Please let us know when a loved one is in the hospital. Please call a pastor or the church office at at anytime. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY: To Mr. and Mrs. Larry (Geraldine) King in the death of her cousin, Mr. Johnny Lovein, Nashville, GA, July 25, To Mr. and Mrs. Fred (Marian) Young in the death of his brother, Mr. Gerry Young, July 13, 2014, Tampa, FL. IN MEMORIAM Ms. Patricia C. Wright July 24, 2014 Dr. Carolyn Ferguson Gates July 28, 2014 PASTOR ON CALL UPPER ROOM Small size $1.00. Large size (large print) $1.50 have one reserved, please call Maggie at Thank you! WELCOME VISITORS: We are glad to have you with us today! If you have any questions or need assistance with anything, please ask a church greeter or any member of the church staff. For more information about St. Luke, contact Brett Maddocks at or bmaddocks@stlukeum.com. Thank you for blessing us with your presence. DEPLOYED MILITARY PERSONNEL Please remember to keep all our military personnel and their families in your prayers. To update the list of those deployed overseas, please contact maggie@stlukeum. com. Currently deployed: Andrew Santee and Chris Masters. august is rice month! Please bring donations of 1 or 2 lb. bags of rice to the donation tubs in Stockwell Hall and the Ministry Center. TRAVEL SIZED TOILETRIES The Homeless Resource Network is collecting toiletries and basic hygiene items to be shared with their clients. Please bring donations of unopened, new packages of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, sewing kits, feminine hygiene products, lotion, baby wipes, toilet and facial tissue, towels and wash cloths, and baby oil to the church office. Travel size is best! Towels and washcloths don't have to be new, just clean. or call Jonathan Burditt, for information. Thank you!

5 Children s Ministry Nickie Tillery, Director of Children s Ministries, ntillery@stlukeum.com Corner Kids@The Nine in Stockwell Hall, K-5th grade. Corner Kids@11 in Stockwell Hall, K-5th grade. Vacation Bible School: We finished stuffing 107 book bags this week with supplies from VBS!!! We raised over $3000. THANK YOU ST. LUKE!!! You will be a blessing to so many people. We will distribute the supplies we have with an invitation to St. Luke CornerKids attached to each bag. We know these generous gifts will help spread God s love to other families in our community. Heaven is for REAL Tickets!! Get your tickets TODAY. They are selling quickly. We don t want you to miss this amazing event. Promotion Sunday, August 17: All students will move to their new classrooms that day. Their wonderful NEW Sunday School teachers will be there to greet them. This is going to be a wonderful school year!! You Are INVITED To The Blessing Of The Backpacks Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 We re sending St. Luke students back to school with our prayers & blessings! We ll have a time of prayer during our combined worship service in the Ministry Center on August 10th at 10:30 am. During this time we will pray for all area schools, administrators, students, and teachers. Students are encouraged to bring their backpacks to the service to be blessed. We will also walk the campus of St. Luke School and pray over the campus. Please join us as we start the year off blessed! A Family Event on August p.m. Ministry Center at St. Luke Tickets: $15 Available at St. Luke and North Columbus Pharmacy Heaven is For REAL tickets are now available online!!! Visit events/ html for online tickets. EXPERIENCE HOPE THROUGH INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE AUTHOR OF HEAVEN IS FOR REAL Come hear the Burpo family share their inspiring story of hope and peace. To learn more, visit Nationally touring recording artists Read You and Me join the Burpo family for an amazing night of worship. To learn more, visit

6 Abiding Gifts If you wish to honor or remember someone, please attach to your check the name of that person and the address to which you wish the acknowledgement sent and mail or bring to the Church Office. Contact Memorial Maintenance Fund: In memory of Mr. Paul Amos by Mr. and Mrs. Don Beck, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Blake Voltz. In memory of Mr. Ben T. Brooks, Jr., by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M. Howard. Music Scholarship Fund: In memory of Mrs. Sue Marie Turner, Mr. Paul Amos, and Mr. Gerry Young by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Sigmund. In memory of Mr. Paul Amos by Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Register, Mrs. Carol Orr, and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Newman. In memory of Mr. Ben T. Brooks by Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Register. Music Fund: In memory of Mr. Gerry Young by Rev. and Mrs. Gaston Pollock. In memory of Mr. Paul Amos by the Fellowship/Jesus is Lord Class. Respite Care Ministry: In memory of Mr. Paul Amos, Mrs. Sue Marie Turner, Mrs. Mamie Moore, and Mrs. Libba Neal by Mrs. Janet E. Amos. Samaritan Fund: In memory of Mrs. Lou McCroba by UMW Circle 3, and the Fellowship/Jesus is Lord Class. In honor of Rev. and Mrs. Gaston Pollock by Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Register. Telephone Sunday School Class: In memory of Mr. Ben T. Brooks, Jr., by the Now Class. Food Pantry: In memory of Mr. Paul Amos by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hall. Altar Guild Fund: In memory of Mrs. Lou McCroba by the Bereavement Ministry. -Respite Care- Caring for loved ones and caregivers.. Diane Hett, Director of Respite Ministry, or As Christians, we are called to share our gifts in service to others. However, sometimes finding the right area of service can be difficult. The St Luke Respite Care Ministry offers a variety of opportunities; you may share your gift of music, art, cooking, serving meals, or listening. You can be certain that you will bring joy to the lives of those who participate and be a blessing to the family members who need time for themselves. Not sure if this is your calling? Please set up a time to visit us. Prayer in action is love, and love in action is service. Mother Teresa. St. Luke Family Camp October 10th-12th Uchee Creek Campground SAMARITAN FUND: During June, we assisted 104 people with electricity, 12 with heating, 18 with water, 5 with prescription drugs, 19 w/transportation, and 26 with I.D for a total of $ the Corner Jonathan and Lisa Moore, Directors of Student Ministries, jmoore@stlukeum.com WEBSITE: August 3-5 The Corner Leadership Team is going on a special retreat to train, dream and plan for the exciting school year ahead of us. 25 of the most amazing high school student leaders anywhere wrote essays and applied to be a part of this unique group of Leaders. They are called Synthesis! We will be talking about how to filter our everyday life though Christ, how He wants to be a part of everything we do! Please pray for this group as we seek to grow and serve and impact this community for Christ! **FALL IN*** INTERACTIVE WORSHIP LARGER THAN LIFE GAMES CHALLENGING MESSAGES AND D-GROUP BREAKDOWNS EVERY WEEK IN SEPTEMBER! YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS FALL IN KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR MORE DETAILS!!!!