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Fifth Sunday of Easter
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May 6 - May 13, 2012
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 Dear (Contact First Name),
On Being a Compassionate People
During a recent centering prayer gathering, we focused on Colossians 3:12 - As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion . . . Compassion is an interesting word, meanings "to suffer with" another in such a way that we seek to alleviate their suffering.
In Scripture, compassion is a defining characteristic of God, as when God tells Moses, "I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." The prophets tell us that God's compassion is not based on our actions but on God's love for us, even when we are at our most rebellious and broken. Yet, even as compassion is a defining characteristic of God, God calls us to let compassion define ourselves as God's people in our relationship with others - that is, we are to clothe ourselves with compassion, the same compassion God shows us.
How can we be a more compassionate people? How can we be more compassionate with others? How can be more compassionate with ourselves? Perhaps being compassionate with ourselves is a starting place that allows us to be more compassionate with others. We are all often our own worst judges, but the message of Easter is that the judgment of God is Life and Redemption, forgiveness and new beginnings. Let us rest in this good news so that we may clothe ourselves with compassion for ourselves and for God's people in this world.
Faithfully,
The Rev. Dirk C. Reinken
Rector
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 Vestry Conversations & Coffee
Sunday May 5 after each service Periodically through the year, Vestry members host table conversations to share information on parish life and finances and receive feedback from parishioners. This week, in addition to our usual updates, Vestry will ask these three questions for your feedback. We're providing them to you in advance in case you wish to ponder them before joining us for discussion:
St Luke's membership is stable, and even growing slightly, but overall attendance is down about 20% from 3 years ago. This means we have some growth in membership, but members are worshiping less frequently.
We know that the next step toward financial health is growing our membership and to do that we want to better understand the drivers and motivations underlying our community's commitment to St. Luke's.
Your reflections on these questions will be a starting point for us as we consider our priorities as a Christian community in order to provide a stronger experience of the faith for everyone.
- What excites you about St. Luke's and feeds you in your faith journey?
- What makes it difficult for you to be more active in our parish life?
- What would help you feel more connected with God and with us?
We look forward to your input! |
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Parish Yard Sale Results
Our yard sale last week raised over $300 in support of the parish budget and over $250 towards our Scholarship fund. Thank you to Claudia Wallace for organizing, and to everyone who helped set up Friday, run the sale on Saturday, and clean up. A special thank you to everyone who spread the world to get people to come!
 | | The Yard Sale Team Enjoys Dinner Before the Preview Sale Begins. |
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 Coming up in May
Next Sunday, May 13, is Rogation Sunday - Blessing of the Gardens. The Sixth Sunday of Easter begins an ancient season popular for Anglicans called "Rogationtide." The Rogation days are three days set aside for prayer various professions connected with the bounty of the Earth. It's also a time to pray for the proper care of creation as God's gift to us. We will bless that front gardens after the 8:30 service and the Children's Garden after the 10:30 service.
Next Sunday is also Mother's Day! In lieue of a breakfast, we will have a special fellowship after each service in thanksgiving for the ministry of all who have been mothers in our lives.
On May 20, we will plant the children's garden. The sunflower seeds our children planted are sprouting and will be ready for planting on May 20 after the 10:30 service. Children, your help is needed! Come dressed for fun in the garden.
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 One Hundred People for One Hundred Years!
St. Luke's 100th Anniversary Celebration on June 2 and 3 We're having a big party celebrate 100 years of ministry at St. Luke's Church. Join us for a wonderful meal, musical offerings from some of our very talented parishioners, memories from members old and new, and other special treats. Now here's the challenge: Help us welcome 100 celebrants for 100 years of ministry! Reservation forms are available in the announcement sheets on Sunday, or can be made by calling the parish office at 609-882-7614 or emailing the parish office. Seniors: $30 Adults: $35 Children: $20 The luncheon and party is at the NJ State Museum on Saturday, June 2nd from Noon to 4 pm. There will be time to explore the museum as we gather. Join us again on Sunday, June 3rd at our regular worship times as we give thanks to God for our past and future, and bless newly reneovated downstairs office and multi-purpose room. Come rejoice with us! By the way, we need your Pictures!
or bring them by for us to scan. |
 Focus on Outreach
Nets For Life Campaign reduces malaria around the world.
NetsForLife Goal - We're Getting Closer! Your support last week brought us to 18 Mosquite nets donated for Episcopal Relief & Development. Mosquito nets are the most effective way to reduce poverty and illness caused by Malaria in Africa. The Diocese of NJ is committed to donating 10,00 nets - one for each person attending church on Sunday - to reduce malaria in Africa.
You can save a life with just one $12 mosquito net donated through Episcopal Relief & Development's Nets for Life campaign. This Sunday is World Malaria Day and we are invited to make donations towards our parish goal of 75 nets - one from each regular worshipper. Use the provided Nets For Life envelopes in the church to make your donation and be sure to indicate St. Luke's, Ewing, NJ to ensure our donations are counted towards our goals. Or, you may donate to ER-D online here. Be sure to list our parish and diocese so your donations count towards our totals.
Groceries for the Ewing Neighborhood Center Foodbank.
Each week, we collect groceries at the church entrance for the Ewing Neighborhood Center foodbank. All foodbanks struggle to keep up with the need as the ecnomy continues to challenge many. Your non-perishable food donations directly help citizens of Ewing Township in need.
Pennies From Heaven. Don't forget the big jar in church for your spare change. Your coins (and dollars!) help provide scholarships for children at Mustard Seed Acadamy in Lukaya, Uganda. Mustard Seed Academy is the work of parents of two of our parishioners, and provides a quality education for $150 a year per child.
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Supporting St. Luke's
Grocery Gift Card Program Don't Forget Your Grocery Gift Cards now that you've finished your Easter leftovers. If you purchase your groceries with gift cards purchased at St. Luke's, you help us build up funds used for important capital improvements. Over the years, proceeds have paid for the new church sign, handicpaped accessible sidewalk to the parking lot, removal of dead trees, repair of rectory appliances, replacement of broken windows and other needs. Our next goal is to have enough funds to repair the badly decaying rectory siding. Eat up! Search & Shop to Support St. Luke's! Use Goodsearch.com and Goodshop.com for your internet search and shopping needs and St. Luke's earns a commission. Goodsearch works like Yahoo (and is powered by Yahoo), while Goodshop refers your to hundreds of online merchants who will donate a portion of your purchase to St. Luke's. Visit either site, select St. Luke's Episcopal - Trenton as your charity, then search or shop away! |
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Service Schedule
Sundays
8:30 am Holy Eucharist
10:15 am Sunday School (Children join worship at the Peace)
10:30 am Holy Eucharist
Nursery Provided 10 am - 12 Noon
Wednesdays
Centering Prayer
6:00 pm
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| Standing Schedule | |
Sundays
Holy Eucharist, 8:30 am and 10:30 am
Pride on Prospect AA, 6:00 pm
Mondays
Rector's Sabbath
Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:00 pm
Wednesdays
Centering Prayer, 6:00 pm (through June 20)
Fridays
Alcoholics Anonymous, 8:30 pm
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| May Events | |
May 6 - Vestry Fellowship Hour after each service
May 7 - Girl Scout Brownies, 5:45 pm
May 9 - Vestry, 6:00 pm
May 13 - Rogation Sunday - Blessing of the Gardens
Mother's Day Fellowship Hour after each service
May 17 - Ascension Day
May 19 - Community Square Dancing (Parish Hall), 7:00 pm
May 20 - Childrens' Garden Planting
May 21 - Girl Scout Daisies, 5:45 pm
May 28 - Memorial Day, Office Closed
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| June Events | |
June 2 - Centennial Celebration @ NJ State Museum (12 - 4 pm)
June 3 - Centennial Celebration Worship
June 10 - Youth Sunday and Scholarshp Presentation
June 16 - Father's Day Celebration
June 23 - Parish Work Day
June 24 - Father Dirk & The Rev. Lisa Caton
Vacation Bible School Kick-off Sunday
June 25 - 28 - Vacation Bible School (5 pm - 8:30 pm)
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| July Events | |
Jun 29 - July 13: Father Dirk on Vacation
July 1 - The Rev. Lisa Caton, Celebrant
July 8 - The Rev. Lisa Caton, Celebrant
July 15 - Father Dirk & The Rev. Lisa Caton
Jul 29 - (Tentative) Parish Trip Franklin Institute for Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit.
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| Contact Information | |
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
The Rev. Dirk C. Reinken, Rector
1620 Prospect St, Ewing, NJ 08638-3031 609-882-7614 Email
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