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Good thoughts
Vigilance in watching opportunity; tact and daring in seizing upon opportunity;
force and persistence in crowding opportunity to its utmost of possible achievement
- these are the martial virtues which must command success.
- Austin Phelps
VESTRY of St. Luke's
Gary Dunwoody
Senior Warden
Dan Dennis
Junior Warden
Becky Terry
Clerk
Sally Lumpp
Treasurer
Class of 2009
Debi Fricks
Gary Dunwoody
Dan Dennis
Class of 2010
Sherry Furr
Gay Hensley
Carmen Quinn
Jerry Hodge
Class of 2011
Jason Reynolds
Pat Loomis
James Terry
Ed Seward
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Carey's Conversations
Mary, The Prepared One By Richard Rohr Upon receiving the sacred word of her pregnancy, Mary does not contemplate it for long. Rather, she "acts" immediately: she "went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country" (Luke 1:39) to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. There is no mention of planning, companionship, means of travel, inconvenience, or possible difficulties. Like Abraham and winged Mercury, she moved with the action, toward her cousin's very practical need. Sometimes it is action itself which leads us to our best contemplation. If we contemplate too long, we sometimes avoid the necessary action. The events of life are themselves Mary's guide and teacher. She does not need to figure it out and plan accordingly; the plan will be given by God through life's ordinary events and encounters. Reality itself is her teacher. That is why she could hear angels. And that is why she could hear Elizabeth. As Paula D'Arcy says so well, "God comes to us disguised as our life." Adapted from Radical Grace: Daily Meditations, p. 5, Day 3 | |
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Deacon's Bench
Advent is a time to remember each day my gratitude list. These are only a few of the people I need to be grateful for who are making our observance of Advent and the plans for Christmas at St. Luke's possible. I want to thank especially the people who helped with our St. Nicholas luncheon and alternative giving fair Sunday.
At our fair, $40 was made for Church Periodical with the selling of used books; $400 will go to Camp Mitchell from the selling of the harp CD's and books; $700 will be going to Rice Depot; Christ Church Bookstore sold over $500 in religious materials; our children made $150 from selling their cookies for their Christmas service project. St. Francis House was able to tell so many more of us directly about their ministry. The ECW sold out of their fruitcakes. The food and fellowship was priceless. We also had several visitors who came and ate lunch with us and observed directly the welcoming community of St. Luke's.
A special thank you to our wardens Gary Dunwoody and Dan Dennis and the vestry who lead Carey and me each day in a new adventure still with great enthusiasm and love.
A special thank you to Chris Schaefer who made the Advent, Christmas, Epiphany brochure.
A special thank you to Martha Mayland who helps in more ways than I can write about.
A special thank you to Martha Cross who designed and made St. Nicholas' new cope and miter.
A special thank you to Beth Maze who is writing the Christmas pageant for 5 pm on Christmas Eve.
A special thanks to Wanda Dunwoody who is helping coordinating the pageant and for so many other things!
A special thank you to Vera Chenault who is making Christmas ornaments for all the children who are participating in the Christmas pageant.
A special thank you to Jenny Heard and Becky Rice and Ginna Simmons who are leading our children's program on Wednesday nights and helped plan the cookie project which the children sold at the luncheon and are planning to make ornaments to sell on December 18 for their service project.
And last but not least, a special thanks to Dawn Reynolds who makes amazing things happen with the parish life team, especially at this St. Nicholas and alternative-giving luncheon.
Joanna | |
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From the Organ Bench
Last Sunday's Gospel and again this Sunday's Gospel talks about the influence of John the Baptist on the life of Jesus.
There is a masterpiece of Renaissance art by the master Raphael entitled the Alba Madonna. In this masterwork, you see a humble Mary sitting with the two babies of Jesus and John. Her hand clasps a Bible, her finger is placed between two pages as if to hold her place as she gazes at the children playing together. In John's hand is a staff and at the top of this staff is a cross piece, indicating to me that even at that early age is a foreshadowing of the pain and suffering both boys will experience later in life.
It is clear throughout art history and the Gospels, that Jesus and John had an interesting and possibly close relationship. Their mothers are related and Mary visits Elizabeth when pregnant. When Herod kills John, Jesus withdraws to a deserted place by himself, presumably to grieve.
When Archbishop Thomas Cranmer created the Book of Common Prayer in 1549, he continued the tradition of using Luke 1:68-79 as a canticle, to be said after the second lesson of Morning Prayer. Zechariah's prophecy has become part of the spiritual lifeblood of the church. His words are full of Advent's expectancy of light: during this season we wait for the blaze of illumination coming into the world as is found in John the Apostle's Gospel. John reminds us that John the Baptist is not the light and proceeds to recount the story by which John the Baptist is heard to announce the coming of the Messiah and says that it is not he.
Orlando Gibbons was one of the great English composers of the 17th century and he wrote an anthem, "The Record of John" from the Gospel writers' text. This Sunday's Gospel is this very text.
Both Raphael and Gibbons have a clear sense of the significance of John as a forerunner of Christ, "making straight" a pathway for our God. It is a way that leads through death and resurrection to redemption. It is a way in which we are called to walk, whether we live in Renaissance Italy, 17th century England or in our own time.
Please take a moment this Sunday to meditate on this as the Gospel is read. Thank you all and have a great completion of our anticipation of the celebration of the Incarnation.
Michael |
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Prayer List
Carolyn Ford, Jim Howell, Katherine Herring, Rhonda Herring, Annette Gerace, Suzi Martinka & family, Cory Moses, Louis Jenkins, David Jenkins, the blessings of family, Kendall, Diane Faust, Laura Dues, Pete Caro, Lawson Anderson, Maynard Gontermann, Sheila Crim, Tim Woods, Mike Roh, Vince Roh, Bobbi West, Jamie Poole, Kate Toepfer, Valerie Baker, Pat Loomis, Nicholas, Martha Stroope, Mary Jo Ring, Kathy Rose, Lorraine Furtick, Dona Monnikendam, Thalia, Parker, Kathy, Christina, the Ruttinger family, Sarah Keeler, Lisa Williams, George Cline, and Jim Ellwager.
Special Concerns: all of the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially Mark, Jake, Justin, Bret, Joshua, Mark, Tim, Matt, Doug and Lance. | |
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DOK PRAYER CARDS FOUND IN PEW RACKS | |
During the Advent and Christmas season, St. Luke's Daughters of the King anticipate our Savior's birth and follow his teachings to pray for those in need. Please write any requests for yourself or others on prayer cards found in the pew racks. Place the card in the white box on the shelf inside the church entrance. All requests will be held in confidence.
Psalm 4:1 Answer me when I call to you my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. [A psalm of David] |
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ATRIUM 3 NEWS | |
On December 4th, we held a reading and reflection on Luke's infancy narrative. This presentation seeks to read, reflect, and further wonder on Luke's infancy narrative, found in Luke 2:1-20, which tells of shepherd from the outskirts of Bethlehem coming to worship the Messiah. We do this because the birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy and promise; the gift of Jesus is God's gift to us all so that Jesus, the Immanuel, becomes "God with all of us."
Looking forward to seeing your children next Sunday.
Kimber and Laura
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Youth Outreach News | |
On Wednesday nights our youth are making ornaments to sell on Sunday December 18 for a service project to take Christmas to our former longtime nursery leader for 17 years, Sheila Crim, who is ill. They are also making and sending cards to the homebound. If you know of someone who would like to receive one of their cards, email joannaseibert@me.com with their address. |
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Christmas Pageant Practice | |
Practice for the Christmas Pageant will take place after the 10:30 service on December 11 and December 18. |
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Community Outreach News | |
St. Luke's is lucky to be able to help with several outreach projects this Christmas season.
1) Christmas families: Different groups at St. Luke's have adopted families in need for Christmas gifts - if you would like to be a part of this project, please call Joanna Seibert, 753-4281 or joannaseibert@me.com. Presents for families are to be brought to the Parish Hall by Tuesday, December 13.
2) Park Hill Christian Church is again looking for helpers with their Christmas baskets and Christmas Store. In addition to donations of toys and food, which can be dropped off at their church office during business hours, they will need help on Thursday, Dec. 15 starting at 10am (until finished) setting up the store and the baskets; and also on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 9-11am distributing the items. If you would like to help, please call Carmen at 501-993-1883 as soon as possible; they would like to know how many people will be there. Thanks!
3) Mitten Tree - the Teen class has a tree in the narthex for hats, scarves, gloves and socks, which will be donated to needy families.
4) Stock the Pantry Sunday - December 18.
Thanks for your help with these projects, and have a blessed Christmas!
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ADVENT AND EPIPHANY HAPPENINGS | |
December 11, 18
Sunday Classes
Adult and Young Adult and Children classes 9:15 Sundays
Adult Class: The adult class will resume their DVD presentation from the Great Course, The Holy Land Revealed with Professor Jodi Magness: What Archeology Reveals about the Holy Land.
Young Adults: Deacon Joanna will lead the class with Meditations on Advent, Christmas, Epiphany on Advent III and IV.
Children will continue the Catechesis program but will also practise the pageant.
Special Events:
Mon. nights
Evening Prayer 5:30 in the chapel
Wed. nights in Advent.
Evening Prayer 5:30 in the chapel
Advent Supper and study 6 - 7 led by Carey and
Joanna.
Children's program by Becky Rice and Jenny
Heard.
Children and Youth Wed. night program in Craft Room led by Becky Rice and Jenny Heard:
Dec. 7 - decorate ornaments.
Dec. 14 - decorate and wrap ornaments to offer on
Sun. Dec. 18 between the services and after the 10:30 service. The donations collected from the ornaments and cookies will be used to purchase gift cards for Sheila Crim, long time beloved nursery worker.
Dec. 17 - Greening of the Church after the 10:30 service.
Dec. 21 - cookies and cocoa and make Christmas cards for homebound.
OUTREACH
We will be partnering with nearby Ridgewood Middle School through their head counselor, Ann Pollard, to adopt five families for Chrismas. If you or your group would like to participate, contact Deacon Joanna 425-8525 or @ joannaseibert@me.com
Christmas Eve
5:00 Christmas pageant and Holy Eucharist
10:30 Wassail in the Parish Hall
11:00 Service of Lessons and Carols and Holy Eucharist
Christmas Day
One service at 10:30 am.
2012
Epiphany
Sundays
Inquirer's class: Jan. 8, 15, 29, Feb. 5, 12 ...Six sessions
Young Adult and Youth and others
Youth and those considering confirmation or anyone who would like a refresher on what it means to be an Episcopalian will join young adults for Inquirer's Class at 9:15. Those attending the class who have been confirmed may be sponsors and may be received.
February 19 Bishop Benfield's visit: adults, young adults, youth meet with the bishop.
No formation on December 25 and Jan. 1 |
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SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM | |
There will be a service of Holy Baptism on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at the 10:30 service. Anyone desiring baptism or if anyone knows someone who desires to be baptized, please contact the Church office, 501.753.4281 or office@stlukeepiscopal.org.
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION
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Classes are Sunday mornings at 9:15 am.
2011-2012 Christian Education Classes
3 year olds: Brouke Reynolds, Guide
Paula Benson, Assistant
Catechesis I: Beth Maze, Guide
(4-6 year olds) Paula Volpe, Guide
Martha Cross, Assistant
Catechesis II: Ginna Simmons, Guide
(7-9 year olds) Ellen Moses, Assistant
Catechesis III: Kimber Barber-Fendley, Guide
(10-12 year olds) Laura Woford, Assistant
Teenager: Wanda Dunwoody, Co-teacher
(13-18 year olds) Suzette Patterson, Co-teacher
Adult class: The adult class will resume their DVD presentation from the Great Course, The Holy Land Revealed with Professor Jodi Magness: What Archeology Reveals About the Holy Land
Young adults: Deacon Joanna will lead the class with Meditations on Advent, Christmas, Epiphany on Advent 3, 4.
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Nursery Care is provided for all activities on Sunday mornings. |
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STEWARDSHIP | |
Dear Members and Friends,
As the Stewardship program draws to a close, we want to thank all of you that have turned in your cards. If for some reason you did not get a card, please call the office or pick one up in the Narthex. We still have 17 cards out and would like to have the final budget prepared by December 14. Then the vestry can review the budget at the meeting on December 22. This is a time to thrive and we cannot thank you enough for your commitment.
Blessings to all,
The Stewardship Committee |
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CHURCHMEN'S BREAKFAST | |
The December ChurchMen's breakfast will be held on Sat., Dec. 10th @ 9:AM @ Wilder Hall (Church hall). Bring a friend, shut-in, Children/Grand Children that you may have with you. Please share rides with older members. Relax, have a good meal & a fun time with fellow Christian men. It's a good way to start a week-end.
At the Nov. breakfast we voted to donate our annual profits to one of the needy families sponsored by St. Luke for Christmas. "Thank you" to all of you St. Luke men that made this possible by participating in the breakfasts throughout the year. God bless you all. We hope to see you Sat. the 10th! Thanks to all of you that helped in the kitchen, It's impossible without YOU!! Denny
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CHRISTMAS TREE PROJECT | |
The teens of St. Luke's ask that you please make donations to their 2011 Christmas Tree Project. A tree will be set up in the narthex to collect your contributions of mittens, gloves, scarves and socks. Thank you for supporting us and the families our project will help.
Michael, Jonathan, Matthew, Amelia, Rachel and Heidi
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