I hope this week finds everyone drying out and getting into the summer spirit. If you are interested in volunteer activities helping people recover from flood damage, please contact the church office and we will be happy to get you connected to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance who are currently working in Houston. Let us also remember to keep our community in prayer as we recover from the horrific rains that hit our area almost two weeks ago.

I want to thank everybody for your understanding in our impromptu worship service held outside this past Sunday because of our power outage. The transformer is repaired and we are back 100%. Worship will be in the sanctuary on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. I look forward to seeing everyone here.

I am excited to offer a new educational opportunity for all our members. Rob Bell, a modern and progressive theologian, is speaking at the Cullen Hall for the Arts on the U of H. campus, July 12. The name of the event is The Everything is Spiritual Tour and with lively discussion about spirituality and science it is sure to make for a wonderful time of growth in both faith and knowledge. He is absolutely my favorite religious author right now and I am so excited that I've already purchased both mine and Debbie's tickets. If you would like to go with a group from St. Luke's, a sign up sheet will be in the Narthex or you can call the church office. Tickets start at $24.50 and great seats aren't much more. I hope you all will try to come and hear this wonderful and enriching lecture.

Mary Ann is on vacation next week and I promise my writing skills are not enough to survive without her here, so next week's Wednesday Word will also be on vacation and return June 17 as soon as Mary Ann comes back into the office. Don't hesitate to call or email if you have any questions or need anything.

Love,

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has a National Reponse Team in Houston helping Presbyterian leadership to assess damage, plan for repairs, and assist churches and families damaged by recent floods. You can support recovery efforts by making a donation to PDA directly on their website or by making your donation to St. Luke's Presbyterian Church and writing "DR00191-USFlooding" on the memo line. Also remember to be generous each year to the One Great Hour of Sharing collection which supports PDA's core budget, including staff and administrative costs.

Please keep all who have been affected by the recent storms and flooding in your prayers as well as those who are involved in responding to their needs. Churches in our presbytery known to have damage caused by the flooding: St. Paul, Memorial Drive, and Iglesia Latina NCD.

What $25 Can Buy at CCSC

Here are just a few examples of what $25 can buy at CCSC Emergency Services Centers:
40 pounds of frozen chicken, 3 cases (72 cans) of vegetables and fruits, one case of pinto beans, and one case of rice. This combination of items can feed four families for nearly a week. At regular store prices, the cost would exceed $213. The same $25 can purchase six hygiene kits containing deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush and a bottle of shampoo. At a local grocery store only three kits could be purchased.

CCSC is well known for the compassionate, practical services the ministry provides community members in need. If you would like to support their work you can contribute on their website, or make your donation to St. Luke's and write CCSC on the memo line.

Rob Bell in Houston
July 12

Rev. Harbison has used two of Rob Bell's books, "Love Wins" and "What We Talk About When We Talk About God", for his Bayou Manor Study Group. There was a great deal of interest and conversation generated when discussing his books. Rev. Harbison would like to continue the conversation and invite you to attend Rob Bell's "Everything is Spiritual" tour with him July 12 at 8:30 p.m. in Cullen Hall on the University of Houston campus. Tickets range from $24.50-$29.50. A sign up sheet is coming soon or you can call the church office to add your name to the list.

Rob Bell

On the Everything Is Spiritual tour, Rob Bell does what he does best, making surprising connections between the universe we are living in and the life we are living, showing us how science and spirituality are long lost dance partners. Wherever you're coming from and whatever you're wrestling with, the Everything Is Spiritual tour experience will inspire, provoke, challenge, and give you hope as we explore and enjoy this beautiful, mysterious, and endlessly fascinating world we call home.

Don't Miss This!

1. Laura Witt, Guest Harpist
Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m.

2 Jazz Communion & All American Picnic
Sunday, July 5 Worship at 10:00 a.m.

A Closing Prayer

Lord God of the nations,
you have revealed your will to all people
and promised us your saving help.
May we hear and do what you command,
that the darkness may be overcome
by the power of your light;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

now and forever. Amen. from The Book of Common Worship

Contact . . . . .

Mary Ann White (mawhite@stlukespres.org) with any questions or comments about The Wednesday Word.
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