This Psalm, a part of our lectionary reading for Sunday, is a reminder of who blesses us and who deserves our thanksgiving. We know the answer to this is God, but in our busy lives we often forget. When a deal at work is done, how often do we take a moment, alone in silence, and say a prayer of thanksgiving. Generally we go out for congratulatory drinks, which I'm not altogether against. Prayer should come first. For it is God who blesses us, it is God who provides.

Let me remind you that silent prayer is not the only way to offer thanksgiving to God. Our reformed tradition reminds us that gratitude is the basis for our service in the community. When the big project is finished and you seem to have more time on your hands, take an hour and give back. Opportunities to give back here at St. Luke's include CCSC, the Star of Hope, and there is always a need for loving volunteers at Bayou Manor. God is indeed the source of all that we have. May we always take a moment of thanksgiving and live a life of gratitude.

Love,

Weeding, mulching and more!

Over the last week Glenda Dickinson has tackled the daunting task of tidying up our church grounds. She weeded and mulched crepe myrtles and trimmed and mulched the shrubs around our parking lot with the help of Mike Arcos. Thanks Mike and Glenda for making our church grounds beautiful again!

Houston Interfaith Disaster Response Allian

HIDRA helps congregations help communities. Click HERE to read a recent email from Interfaith Ministries about how to help yourself and your neighbors recover from our recent flood. Good information to know!

Update from CCSC's Vision Care Program

Did you know that in the 2015-16 school year...

2,025 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade were assisted with vision needs through the Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program?
15 schools partnered with Christian Community Service Center to receive vision screenings and/or eye exams?
1,834 students received vision screening in their school with the help of trained volunteers?
505 students obtained glasses and/or comprehensive eye exams through the University of Houston Eye Institute?

If you would like to volunteer with the Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program in the 2016-17 academic year, please contact Cathy Brown at seasonal@ccschouston.org or 713.961.3993 ext 215.

Spirituals for Organ
Artistic Expressions of Faith and Joy

Our own Marvin Gaspard has a new publication of organ solos from Lorenz Publishing Company. These arrangements are settings of Mark Hayes' piano arrangements previously published by Lorenz, and draw on the jazz, blues, and gospel side of Mark's writing. The book provides selections for preludes, offertories, and postludes, throughout the year.

Marvin is currently working on his second collection with Lorenz - this time music for the Lenten/Easter season. If you would like more information about Lorenz or this book click HERE.

Pastor's Bible Study resumes May 3

Rev. Harbison's Tuesday Bible study will resume next week. The class will meet at St. Luke's because of the ongoing construction at Bayou Manor. Join the group on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Cookie Room.

Don't Miss This!

1. WOW - Women of the Word
Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m. at St. Luke's

2. Pastor's Bible Study resumes
Tuesday, May 3 @ 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke's

3. Jazz Communion and All American Picnic
Sunday, July 3

A Closing Prayer

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. We thank you for your Word that lives and abides forever and is a light along our pathway. Give us assurance that your way leads to life and that you are the companion of the journey. Meet us at the point of our needs and help us to bless others because of what you have given to us. Amen.
By Robert D. Young from Let Us Pray

Contact . . . . .

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