THE GOOD NEWS ST. LUKE S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Lindale NOVEMBER 2017 A Note from the Vicar In the Holy City of Jerusalem, the people of the land took to the roads and traveled to the Temple where they made an offering every year. Their offering was a sacrificial one, whether it was two small coins or a bag of silver. There was also a blood sacrifice that was bought at the temple. Into this context stepped Jesus, the Messiah, the Lamb of God to become the ultimate sacrifice. If one relives the last days of Jesus as a man, one experiences the level of sacrifice that Jesus made for us. When he set his face toward Jerusalem for his final trip into the city of God, he knew what awaited him and yet he went. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was at the decisive moment of the sacrifice he was about to make. He knew his fate in every detail and yet he did what his Father called him to do. He suffered terribly. He died. But in his great Easter moment, he overcame death and was resurrected. In his resurrection, he gave the certain hope to all mankind that through his sacrifice, through believing in him, we could have eternal life. Jesus showed us how to give from a foundation of love. He did not give a part, he gave it all. In our season of giving thanks, we can contemplate the gift that Jesus gave to us and how we respond to it. It is that time in which we give thanks, when we ascend the spiritual height and thank God for what he has given us. In Christ, John+ St. Luke s Episcopal Church 16292 FM 849 P.O. Box 1766 Lindale, TX 75771 Email info@stlukeslindale.org www.stlukeslindale.org November 2017 Newsletter, Page 1
Sunday Schedule 9:00 am Teen Moment (office) 9:00 am Adult Bible Study (library) 9:00 am Choir Practice (nave) 10:00 am Worship and Holy Eucharist 10:00 am Children s Sunday School 11:00 am Refreshments and Fellowship Be a Greeter for Visitors? Read the Scriptures? Would YOU like to: Provide refreshments on Sunday? Serve as Chalice Bearer? Become a part of the Altar Guild? Become an Usher? Sing in the Choir? Become an Acolyte? Fold Sunday Leaflets? Serve in Another Capacity? OR, if you want to serve but don t know in what capacity, Please send an email to info@stlukeslindale.org and Alice will let Fr. John or the appropriate ministry leader know of your interest. November 2017 Newsletter, Page 2
TOUR OF THE HOLY LANDS via Fr. John St. George s Cathedral, Jerusalem (west northwest of the Damascus Gate) Fr. John in Jericho Zaccheus Tree, Jericho November 2017 Newsletter, Page 3
11/5 All Saints Sunday Moonrise over Nazareth Type of tree Zacchaeus climbed Looking from Mount of Temptation across Jericho and the River Jordan to the Moab Mountains View from the desert heights of the Mount of Temptation above Jericho November 2017 Newsletter, Page 4
Fr. John preaching a sermon at the north shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum and very close to where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. The Sea of Galilee from Capernaum Out in the Sea of Galilee November 2017 Newsletter, Page 5
Baptismal font in the church of the ten lepers (between Jerusalem and Nazareth Tomb of Absalom in Jerusalem A new Directory is almost ready to be printed. If you want to be in the Directory and have not already given your information to Judy Rogers or to Alice in the office, please do so NOW. Judy needs your: Name as you want in the Directory Phone number E-Mail address Birthdate Anniversary date AND PHOTO Judy s contact information: judyerogers@hotmail.com 903.882.7431 November 2017 Newsletter, Page 6
Women s Exercise Class Come join us in the fellowship hall on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for exercise in the form of a choreographed pattern of steps to music. On the Tuesdays we have an experienced teacher/leader, each person pays $5. For those Mondays when we do not have the teacher/leader, there is no charge. BUT you will always have fun and get plenty of mind and body exercise. Tuesday Morning Bible Study If you've been thinking about joining the Women s Tuesday Morning Bible Study, then this would be a great time to come and see what a great group meets each Tuesday at 10:00 AM in the library. We will begin a Forward Movement publication titled The Path: A Journey Through the Bible on November 14. This study will offer a clear and easy-to-read journey through the Bible using excerpts from the New Revised Standard Version. "The Path is an experience unlike any other: an amazing 360-degree overview of the vast sweeping epic of God's extraordinary love for ordinary people." If you have questions or would like to order a study guide($18), please contact Judy King: 903-266-0766 or JudyKing2411@att.net. Flowers on the Altar Please be reminded there is a flower chart on the side table in the Parish Hall for anyone who would like to donate altar flowers on any given Sunday in remembrance of an occasion, in celebration of an event, or for thanksgiving of something or someone. The total cost is $25, which is the amount that the florist charges the Altar Guild. It is a wonderful way to enhance God's table. Put your check payable to the church in the offering plate with Flowers as a memo. November 2017 Newsletter, Page 7
ECW NEEDS YOUR STUFF! We hope the clip art has gotten your attention! To raise funds for ECW missions, ECW is continually collecting items and taking them to a consignment shop on Highway 14 for resale - things you might normally take to Goodwill or Salvation Army instead of having a garage sale - just about everything except clothes and furniture: Dishes Collectibles Glassware Vintage Items Home Décor Books Please let Ann Harkins know you ll be bringing items so she can be scheduled to take them on to the resale shop. Be sure to tag the items with SL-ECW and a price for which the item might be sold. Ann gives them the okay to lower or raise the price, but they do want a beginning price put on the tag. In case you like to visit resale shops, Yard Barn Sales is located across from the Red Springs Fire Station on Highway 14 signs are out when it is open no set times. The mission of St. Luke s Episcopal Church is to GLORIFY and SERVE the Lord: GROW His Church MINISTER to the Community TEACH the Word and FOLLOW the Word as Christ has taught us. November 2017 Newsletter, Page 8
WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF GOD S WORD? HOW CAN YOU GROW IN GOD S WORD? II Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness There are classes for each and every person at St. Luke s to help us better know God s Word and to also better grow in God s Word. Children s Sunday School is on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the Godly Play room to the right coming into the fellowship hall. Jeanine Tagg and Judy Rogers teach this class. Godly Play is a unique teaching method using manipulatives and lessons around the church year. As your child crosses the threshold into the sacred space of a Godly Play room, it is easily felt that this is a place of worship, a place of important work, a place built with intention. Materials are beautiful, uncluttered and all have their own place. From this order comes the freedom to be creative, for your child to be herself or himself, and to be with God. Teen Moment is on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the church office. Fr. John leads. Please send or bring your teenager (12 years and up) to this class. Adult Bible Study is held each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the library with Victor Zillmer leading in the study of Paul s Letter to the Romans. The description of this study says the following: Paul was a striking and important figure in the early days of the Christian faith. Many know that Romans is his greatest letter and some may even have heard of the powerful effect that this letter has had, over and over again, in the history of the church.... Ever since the Reformation in the sixteenth century, many churches have taken Paul as their main guide, and have seen Romans as the book in which he sets out the basic doctrines they hold. The letter of Paul to the Romans is the only letter Paul wrote to a church he did not found. In fact, Paul had not been to Rome at the time he wrote this letter. But scholars agree it is the most systematic presentation of doctrine in the Bible. Women s Bible Study takes place each Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the library with Judy King leading in our finishing out the study of Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter and then in the study of The Path. Women played a big part in the history and happenings in the Bible. Each week s study stands alone so if you were not in the earlier studies of this book, you will not be behind; you will be right with the rest of us in looking and reflecting on the woman s words of that week and what was taking place at that time. Often, after Women s Bible Study on Tuesdays, several of us will go to lunch together and continue our time of fellowship. November 2017 Newsletter, Page 9
What are the Episcopal Beliefs? For you who may be new to the Episcopal Church, do you wonder what are the Episcopal Beliefs? On the Diocese of Texas website, you will find the following: The word episcopal refers to governance by bishops. The historic episcopate (bishops) continues the work of the first apostles in the Church: guarding the faith, unity and discipline of the Church, and ordaining men and women to continue Christ s ministry. An Episcopalian is a person who belongs to The Episcopal Church, which encompasses churches in the United States and 16 countries. These include: Taiwan, Micronesia, Honduras, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Churches in Europe, (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland). The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. We believe: the Holy Scriptures are the revealed word of God, which inspired the human authors of the Scripture, and which is interpreted by the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. the Nicene Creed is the basic statement of our belief about God. the two great sacraments given by Christ to the Church are Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. The teachings and beliefs of the Episcopal Church are articulated in an "Outline of the Faith" in our Book of Common Prayer. The Episcopal Church follows the via media or middle way in our theology and discussions because we believe that, whether or not we agree on a particular topic, we all are beloved by God and can have thoughtful and respectful discussions. There are no prerequisites in the Episcopal Church everyone is welcome. Historically, bishops oversee the Church in particular geographic areas, known as dioceses. In the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury occupies a special position by virtue of history and tradition, but he does not hold a governing position. Bishops from the Anglican Communion meet regularly for the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury. Collegiality among bishops is the substitute for authority, and communal discernment is the substitute for decision-making power. Each bishop and diocese, operating through a local annual council, determine the character of life and work in that diocese within a set of general decisions made by a triennial General Convention of The Episcopal Church. These decisions are formalized as canons, or rules that govern. Each diocese elects and sends clergy and lay representatives to the General Convention. The annual Council of the Diocese of Texas takes place each February. The Episcopal Church celebrates diversity of people and worship styles, yet all worship follows the form set out in the Book of Common Prayer. We are known for our engaging and beautiful worship services. For those who have grown up Roman Catholic, the service, known as the Mass, Eucharist or Holy Communion, will be familiar. For those of reformed tradition or those with no religious tradition, we think you may find a spiritual home in a church that respects its tradition and maintains its sense of awe and wonder at the power and mystery of God. November 2017 Newsletter, Page 10
Episcopal Church Women All women of St. Luke s Church are automatically members of our Episcopal Church Women s (ECW) group. We meet on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:00 am in the Church library. St. Luke's ECW last met on October 7th. Following a brief business meeting, we were happy to host a guest speaker. Joy Weber, from OK, who is Judy King's sister-in-law, shared her recent trip to the Holy Land. She presented pictures, memories & visual aids from the time. Joy's 2 teenage grandchildrem traveled with her. It was a very moving presentation enjoyed by all. Following the program, a small group shared lunch at the Potpourri House in Tyler. On November 11th, ECW members will carpool to Henderson for a day of shopping and fellowship. Please consider becoming an active part of ECW. Blessings, Ann Harkins, President OUR NEWEST OUTREACH MINISTRY - COMMUNITY SENIOR CITIZENS GAME TIME Join us on Monday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. November 2017 Newsletter, Page 11
St. Luke s Episcopal Church Events SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Dec 03 9:00 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Teen Moment 9:00 am Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Children s SS 10:00 am Holy Eucharist I Dec 04 9:30 am Senior Citizens Game Time Dec 05 10:00 am Women s BS (The Path, A Journey Through the Bible) Dec 06 10:00 School Chapel Dec 08 2:00 pm ECW Birthday party at Colonial Dec 10 9:00 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Teen Moment 9:00 am Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Children s SS 10:00 am Holy Eucharist II Dec 11 9:30 am Senior Citizens Game Time Dec 12 10:00 am Women s BS (The Path, A Journey Through the Bible) Dec 13 10:00 School Chapel Dec 17 9:00 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Teen Moment 9:00 am Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Children s SS 10:00 am Holy Eucharist II Dec 18 9:30 am Senior Citizens Game Time Dec 19 10:00 am Women s BS (The Path, A Journey Through the Bible) Dec 20 10:00 School Chapel Dec 24 9:00 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Teen Moment 9:00 am Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Children s SS 10:00 am Holy Eucharist II 6:00 pm Christmas Eve Service Dec 31 9:00 am Choir Practice 9:00 am Teen Moment 9:00 am Adult Bible Study 10:00 am Children s SS 10:00 am Holy Eucharist II St. Luke s Episcopal Church 903-882-8118 info@stlukeslindale.org The Rev. John P. Carr, Vicar & Head of Congregation www.stlukeslindale.org info@stlukeslindale.org November 2017 Newsletter, Page 12