Jesus got his message out through stories. I have 2 little stories for you. Not long ago, I heard - really heard- the story of what Emmanuel means: God with us. It's so simple - Emmanuel - God with us. I wanted the comfort of the word Emmanuel with me all the time so I put a sticky note on the dashboard of my car. Peter questioned me and I shared it with him. He made a nice neat black and white label to replace it - Emmanuel ~ God with us. Gotta love a man that loves like that.  

      Story #2 - One evening I came to the church for our 2013 stewardship meeting. I entered from the 4^th St. door. The Parkinson's Group was meeting in the library. In the undercroft, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe group was rehearsing.  In the undercroft kitchen, I started to chat with folks that I thought were my group, but this was a subcommittee of the rector search committee. Outside, in the courtyard, the youth were gathered.  My meeting was in the Parish House kitchen. This was a weeknight in July, commonly known as quiet time for the church. We have a vibrant parish!  There's a lot happening here.  I pledge to increase my pledge this year. I want to see St. Luke's continue to prosper.  I want to see St. Luke's grow. I've worked at being generous to the church with my time and talents.  Still, my goal is to tithe. I'll talk it over with Peter. We will increase our pledge every year - working toward that goal.

      Emmanuel, God with us - it's on our checkbook!

                                    What's your story?

Linda Dawson

Serendipity is a ladies a'capella group of Community Music Project  

will perform at 7:30 PM on Saturday, Oct. 5th

at St Luke's to benefit the James Prendergast Library.

Tickets are $15 and are available at St. Luke's Church office,  

the Prendergast Library, and from Library Board Members.

Sunday, Oct. 6th  

the Jamestown Concert Association presents

Ars Nova Musicians Chamber Orchestra

 at 4:00PM at St. Luke's 

Music of Elgar, Cimarosa, Sibelius, & Grieg

Discounted pre-sale tickets for members of  St. Luke's: 

$15 adults, $12 seniors.  Children 18 & under free with adult.

Contact Sally Ulrich 763-7625  

             "And God saw that it was good."

        Hopefully, these words are familiar to you as being part of the story of creation in the Book of Genesis. This legend of how things all began is a touching story, and culminates with the creation of human beings, at which time God "saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good."

        Once God creates human beings, he entrusts all of creation to us. "Dominion" over the fish, the birds, the cattle, and "over all the earth."

        This Sunday, as part of the Feast of St. Francis, we will celebrate this gift that we have been given, the gift of plants and animals and the responsibility of "dominion."

        In the past, we have celebrated the feast with "blessing of the animals," but this leaves out those who don't have pets, don't want to bring their pets to church, and those who don't know about the blessing. This way, everyone can participate, whether they have an animal with them or not.

        If nothing else, it will give you a chance to re-commit yourself to being a good steward of God's creation. Too often the subject of stewardship is about money and getting your pledge in to the church (oh, and do that, too!). I want us to focus on being stewards of this planet and its inhabitants.

        This is especially appropriate, given the harmony in which Francis lived with animals and also nature. One of his most famous hymns is known as "Canticle of the Son," and includes the line "Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun," and continues on to praise Sister Moon, Brothers Wind and Air, Sister Water, Brother Fire, and Mother Earth.

        Imagine being so grounded in God and God's creation that you see the elements and earth as intimately related to you. Perhaps if we were all so deeply grounded, we could not bear to pollute or trash or destroy any aspect of what has been given to us so freely.

                                                                                                                    ~ Madre Liz  

The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, Bishop of Western New York

 The Rev. Elizabeth Simmons, Interim Rector 

 The Rev. Cathleen Smith, Deacon 

   Miguel Covarrubias, Youth Minister

 Kim Johnstone Mann, Secretary/Administrator  

Barbara Bumsted, Director of Adult Formation

Andrew Schmidt, Organist & Choirmaster 

Paul Johnson and Linda Dawson, Wardens.

Office: 410 North Main St., Jamestown NY 14701 

http://www.stlukesjamestown.org