This week's Recessional hymn is #371 Thou, whose almighty word. We know this tune name as Moscow. It was composed by Felice de Giardini (b. Turin, Italy, 1716; d. Moscow, Russia, 1796). He composed Moscow in three parts for this text at the request of Selina Shirley, the famous evangelically minded Countess of Huntingdon. Giardini was living in London at the time and contributed this tune and three others to Martin Madan's Collection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes (1769), published to benefit the Lock Hospital in London where Madan was chaplain.

Giardini achieved great musical fame throughout Europe, especially in England. He studied violin, harpsichord, voice, and composition in Milan and Turin; from 1748 to 1750 he conducted a very successful solo violin tour on the continent. He came to England in 1750 and for the next forty years lived in London, where he was a prominent violinist in several orchestras. Giardini also taught and composed operas and instrumental music. In 1784 he traveled to Italy, but when he returned to London in 1790, Giardini was no longer popular. His subsequent tour to Russia also failed, and he died there in poverty.

Moscow appears in most hymnals, sometimes with small variants when compared to the original melody, as in the Psalter Hymnal. It was first named for its composer's homeland, Italian Hymn is also known as Moscow (where Giardini died) and Trinity (after the theme of the hymn text).

God Bless!

Michael

PRAYER LIST

Carolyn Ford, Jim Howell, Katherine Herring, Rhonda Herring, Annette Gerace, Martinka family, Cory Moses, Louis Jenkins, David Jenkins, the blessings of family, Kendall, Diane Faust, Laura Dues, Pete Caro, Lawson Anderson, Sheila Crim, Tim Woods, Mike Roh, Vince Roh, Bobbi West, Jamie Poole, Kate Toepfer, Valerie Baker, 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, Jim Ellwager, Hannah Brown, Bernice Carrigan, the Acord Family, Pat Loomis, and the Gontermann Family. 

Special Concerns:  All of the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially Jake, Justin, Bret, Joshua, Mark, Tim, Matt, Doug and Lance.

CHURCH HAPPENINGS 

HOLY BAPTISMS  

Please help us welcome the newly Baptized!

Adrianna, Addison, and Jacob 

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ANNUAL MEETING

The Annual Meeting and election of new vestry members will take place on Sunday, January 29 at noon immediately following the 10:30 service. There will be a potluck. Please look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you would like to participate. 

YEAR-END REPORTS DUE JAN. 19 

It is time once again for Ministry Chairs to turn in their year-end reports for the Annual Meeting on January 29. All reports are due in to Caroline in the parish office by no later than January 19. If you have any questions, please contact Caroline at 501.753.4281 or office@stlukeepiscopal.org.

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VESTRY NOMINATIONS

Are you interested in helping to lead St. Luke's as we grow and develop?  Do you know other members who would make good leaders?  In January, we will be electing 4 new vestry members and we are now accepting nominations.  The members of the vestry are charged with the care of the property and business of the church.  Working with the rector, they exercise leadership in the development of the congregation.   

If you or someone you know is interested in standing for vestry, please call or email Caroline Brown in the parish office, 753-4281,

office@stlukeepiscopal.org.  You must obtain permission from the person(s) you wish to nominate.  Nominees must be at least 18 years old, confirmed Episcopalians, regular contributors of record, and attenders of record who have been connected to St. Luke's for thirty days prior to the date of the annual meeting. 

Vestry terms are for three years and members are expected to meet monthly in addition to attending an overnight retreat in early spring. Vestry members will be elected at the parish annual meeting on Sunday, January 29th.

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MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR JO ANN EGGLESTON    

Father Carey will officiate at a memorial service for Jo Ann Eggleston, an early member of St. Luke's, at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills, Hwy 67/167 in North Little Rock (7724 Landers Rd.) on Mon. Jan 16, 2012 at 1:00 pm. Keep Jo Ann and her daughter, Carol Davis, in your prayers.   

Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;  

And let light perpetual shine upon her.

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HOLY SCRIBES   

Please note that the HOLY SCRIBES are back in action. We will be meeting Tuesday nights from 7 to 8 in the large classroom/meeting room on the first floor behind the sanctuary and below the choir room. Our goal is to learn calligraphy and enrich the spiritual life of the church with written prayers etc. We want to be sure each child will grow up with a personalized prayer hanging on their wall.

We also need people who are willing to cut mats and assemble the prayers when they are completed.

This is an opportunity that is open to the community so bring a friend and spread the word.

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BROTHERHOOD OF ST.ANDREW 

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew will meet at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 18th in the Library Room.  Please join us.  For more information contact:

Dickey Mayland

835-6411

ddmayland@sbcglobal.net  

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CHURCHMEN'S BREAKFAST  

The Jan., 2012 ChurchMen's breakfast will be held at Wilder Hall (Parish Hall), Sat., Jan. 14th @ 9AM. All men in the Church are invited & are members of the ChurchMen. There are NO dues to this group, only the cost of the breakfast ($5). At the end of the year we usually contribute most of any profits to a needy situation that we vote on. Bring a friend, neighbor, shut-in, and share a ride with someone without one. Our numbers are increasing and this is a great, no pressure, way to meet men of the Church in a relaxed environment. If you have children/grandchildren in your care, just bring them along.

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ACOLYTE SUNDAY  

January 22 is St. Vincent's Day and the day to honor our Acolytes and everything they do. That Sunday, they will be presented with a cross, made possible by funds donated in memory of Jack and Ellen Flowers, and they and their families will be treated to a light lunch in the Parish Hall directly following the 10:30 service.

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EPIPHANY HAPPENINGS

Sunday Classes

Adult and Young Adult and Children classes 9:15  

Adult Class: After Christmas we will continue with "Monumental Tombs in the Time of Jesus". Don't wait to join us in our continuing adventure; we will hold a seat just for you next Sunday, starting at 9:25 a.m.

2012

Epiphany

Sundays

Inquirer's class:  Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12 ...Six sessions

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.

Class Information:  

1. Week one January 8 St. Luke's Story led by  Mary Jane Hodges
2. Week two January 15 Anglican Church Music led by Michael Monnikendam
3. Week three January 22 Anglican Church History and Beliefs led by Carey Stone
4. Week four January 29 Anglican Spirituality led by Joanna Seibert
5. Week five February 5 The Book of Common Prayer and Sacraments led by Carey Stone
6. Week six February 12 Finding our Ministry, Using our Gifts led by Carey Stone and Joanna Seibert
7. Week 7 February 19 Visit of Bishop Benfield and Confirmation

February 19:  Bishop Benfield's visit:  adults, young adults, youth meet with the bishop.  

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH  

January:

• Coat Drive: It's been a mild winter so far, but that will not last! So on the last three Sundays of this month - January 15, 22, and 29 - we will be collecting coats to donate to St. Francis House. Please bring your gently used, clean coats to church on those days. A collection box will be placed in the narthex for this purpose.
• Stock the Pantry Sunday: Please bring in your non-perishable food items on January 15.

February:

St. Luke's is in the process of scheduling our annual jewelry and craft sale for African Team Ministries during the month of February, and the dates will be announced as soon as we can confirm them. African Team Ministries is a Christian ministry working as an intermediary between African and American churches. They provide handcrafted carvings and jewelry for parishes to sell. With help from Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Anglican denominations, they provide funding for orphan and refugee relief missions and evangelism in East Africa.  The support they receive is sent directly to partnering Bishops to provide school fees, tuition, books, and uniforms. This support ensures that the children receive an education and a measure of stability.

By participating in these projects, St. Luke's makes a difference in the lives of the needy in our immediate community and around the world!

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CHRISTIAN FORMATION 

Classes are Sunday mornings at 9:15 am.

2012-2013 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) Suzzette 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

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Nursery Care is provided for all activities on Sunday mornings.

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EVENTS  

OPEN LETTER FROM BISHOP BENFIELD

MEN OF THE HOUSE FUNDRAISER   

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STATE HANDBELL FESTIVAL  

It's time again for the State Handbell Festival.  It is on Saturday Feb 25, 2012, and is being held at Lakewood United Methodist Church here in NLR (a very convenient and comfortable location).  The clinician is John Behnke, who was here about 3 years ago.  He writes much of our music and gives a great festival.  It generally lasts from about 8:30 to 3 pm.  We need to register by Jan 31 to preserve the $30 per person fee. The fee includes lunch on site.  It has always been a treat.  Also available is a festival tee shirt at $16 each. We meet at the church about 7:30 to gather what tables and bells we need.  It does not take a whole choir as the room is full of choirs and the parts are always covered.  It is a great learning session with a "concert" at the end.  Family and friends are welcome for that.

Please contact Debi Fricks ASAP if you plan to attend the festival on Sat. Feb 25 and let her know if you would like a t-shirt and if you have special dietary requirements. They usually serve Barbeque or have another sandwich venue cater lunch. 

I encourage all of you to attend even if you not currently a member of the handbell choirs.

Blessings to you all in this New Year.

Debi

debi.bells@att.net

501-920-5706

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