The episTleAugust 1, 2016

Volume 51 Number 21

480 S. HighlandMemphis, TN 38111-4302

901.452.6262www.stlukesumc.orgUnited Methodist Church

“We are becoming a faithful community of disciples striving to share the heart, mind, and hands of Jesus Christ with ALL people.”Mission Statement

Worship at St. Luke’sAll are Welcome

Sunday Worship

Worship in the Sanctuary8:30 and 10:50 a.m.

Sunday School Classes For all ages - 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Contents:- God Story page 2- Upcoming Events page 3- Ministry News pages 4/5- Congregational Care page 6- Calendar page 7- Church information page 8

St. Luke’s StaffJim McKinney, PastorHarry Colter, EvangelismS.C. Toe, Music DirectorWes Kirkpatrick, OrganistBeth Ryan, Youth/Young AdultsMegan Warren, ChildrenAmy Turman, Day School/PDOAmy McDonald, ChallengersDavid Day, CLC/RecreationCarla Taylor, CommunicationsTim Taylor, FacilitiesVickey Hobbs, Finance

Recently I attended a funeral, and the minister used the following scripture:

“When Jesus saw Mary sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?” “Master come and see,” they said. Now Jesus wept. The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.” (John 11: 33-36)

Step back from this moving scene for a moment. Think about what makes you weep today. What breaks your heart? What stirs your fears, your grief, your sense of loss? What makes you angry over it’s unfairness? What pain sits like a boulder on your chest? Think about these things and see Jesus shedding tears with you. Jesus loves you and can do all things for you in the Father’s power. Your loving Savior is with you --- He knows you, understands your pain, and stays with you during the difficult times. He may not bring a loved one back to life. He may not change the circumstances you are struggling under or weeping about. He may not immediately correct the social injustice that infuriates you. But He will give you new life, new hope, and new passion. He is with you, wherever you are. Remember how deeply He loves you.Faithfully,Jim

A Message from our Pastor

And Jesus Wept Sculpture erected by St. Joseph's Catholic Church, across the street from the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Oklahoma City, OK.

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G toriesSod“When Project Transformation’s journey to Memphis began a few years ago as a whisper and a nudge from above, the only thing we really had to start with was the extravagant generosity of one transformational God. What a foundation to build on!”

This was the opening statement by the Executive Director of Project Transformation, Courtney Aldrich, at the Celebration Banquet for Project Transformation Memphis, July 24, 2016.As a part of the launch team, I was amazed at how this mission of the United Methodist Church grew and blossomed over the 2 years I was involved as the whisper and nudge turned into a full blown ministry and celebration of lives touched and moved by our wonderful God.This was not an easy task as the launch team was met with many obstacles. However, as one door would close others would open. We are reminded over and over again in scripture that it is not always easy to carry out the mission but when it is directed by God it will happen - we just have to keep moving forward, listen, and have faith. So here we are at the Project Transformation Memphis celebration banquet after an extraordinary summer. There were two church sites, Centenary UMC and Longstreet UMC, 184 children in the summer camps, and over 500 volunteers from the Memphis area. There were 21 partner churches that supported this ministry by providing funding and supplies, volunteer readers, meals for interns, and meals for the site churches’ Family Fun nights.But what was the real impact of this ministry? Everyone that I spoke to who was involved in this ministry was blessed. At St. Luke’s we had volunteers from every demographic of our church. My favorite quote from Carole Feisal was, “I am so glad I signed up to read! It is not something I normally do, but it has been a true blessing. I got more out of it than the kids.” Other volunteer readers expressed how amazing it was when the kids would light up as they realized they had learned a new word, or as older kids really related to a story they were reading. Warren Morrison, one of our reading volunteers, knew that God had called him to be in that place on that particular day. Warren has a background in school counseling and one of the girls that he was to read with was not having a good day. Warren was able to gently calm her fears, relate to her reluctance to read and by the end of the reading time they were able to connect and become friends. The youth volunteered to read on Wednesday and they asked if they could come back and do it again!At St. Luke’s, we also provided dinner for the interns on two nights. Both teams expressed how blessed they were to meet this group of committed college students. What impressed them was that the interns really took this job seriously and they all had a call to some type of ministry whether in a church setting or in some other type of education or mission field. My favorite part is seeing our churches come together. Not just the different areas of St. Luke’s but the many different churches around the Memphis Conference. We all had to work together to make this summer happen. Some churches could only donate money while some churches could only donate reading volunteers. So much went on behind the scenes at many different places around the conference. This is what being a connectional church is all about. Someone hears a whisper, they share it with their pastor who shares it with the bishop and through our connections the church can make it happen. The final quote from Courtney Aldrich’s address at the banquet sums it up beautifully:

“For we know that the power of Project Transformation lies in relationships — in how God is using the sacred space between volunteers, children, young adults, and churches. It is in these relationships where barriers are broken down, and we fully live into the diverse and beautiful body that we were created to be. It is in these relationships that we are given a glimpse of who God is and who we are in God.”

Amen and Amen!

Project TransformationCarla Taylor

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September 7 - November 16

Wednesday Meals - 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Stop by the Hospitality desk and add your name to the list if you would like to have dinner. The fees are as follows: $6.00-Adults; $4.00- Children under 12 & College Students; $20.00-Family Max (5) Cancellations are requested by Tuesday Noon if you will not attend dinner.Menus coming soon.

Adult Bible study - 6:30 p.m. in the Lounge.

There will be NO youth or children’s activities scheduled for Wednesday evenings.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTFALL BIBLE STUDY

Splish SplashIt’s the Back to School Bash

Friday, August 12, 2016, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Come join the FUN as we

celebrate the beginning of the school year with lots of

Splish Splashy fun...Giant Water Slides

Water Fun for all agesHamburgers and all the fixin’s.

Play for FreeEat for Three ($3)

Volunteers needed - sign-up with Lynne McAlexander in Hospitality Hall on Sunday.

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YOUTH NEWSChildren’s NewsHello everyone! Here’s what we have coming up:Sun., Aug. 7 - 9:30 - Sunday School

No Evening Youth ActivitiesSun., Aug. 14 - 9:30 - Sunday School

No Evening Youth ActivitiesSun., Aug. 21 - 9:30 - Sunday School

(Promotion Sunday!)Noon - Meet on the third floor to eat lunch, wel-come new youth, and head to the Grove for Wa-terslide, Blob and lake fun! Please sign up with Beth by August 14!We will return to church by 6:00.

Peace, Beth

It’s Back to School Time! Mark your calendars now for Promotion Sun-

day at St. Luke’s - August 21, 10:50 worship.

It’s time for a new school year in the St. Luke’s Day School!The Day School has had a fun summer and our teachers are starting back today to prepare for the fall! The teachers have a week of in service and we will have Meet the Teacher on Friday, August 5. It's hard to believe we are ready to start a new year. The Day School is growing and all of our classes are full. It is going to be a great year serving and blessing the families and little ones that walk our halls each day. I am happy to announce that Ms. Dee Dee in our baby nursery is getting to retire! We are so thankful for the years Dee Dee has given us teaching and lov-ing our babies. We will miss her greatly! Looking forward to a fantastic fall!Amy Turman, Day School Director

7th Annual HARC Community

Service Awards Banquet. Thursday, September 8, 2016 - 6:00 p.m.

St. Luke’s UMC Gym HARC stands for Highland Area Renewal Corporation, a non-profit, grass-roots agency dedicated to quality of life in the neighborhoods surrounding the University of

Memphis. Its office is located at Buntyn Presbyterian Church, 561 S. Prescott St., Ste. 215. This year’s banquet theme will be “Team Spirit,” highlighting redemptive collaboration among two or more groups making Memphis better. Keynoting this year is the Rev. Dr. Roz Nichols, Pastor of Freedom’s Chapel Christian Church and Community Outreach specialist with Memphis Theological Seminary. Master of Ceremonies will be Meterologist Ron Childers of WMC-TV5.Musical joy will be shared by the Sherwood Elementary School Chorus. Silent Auction items will be up for bid between 6 and 8:15 p.m., including original art works, gift cards, and valuable products of a wide variety.According to HARC Director Dr. Mark Matheny, “The heart of our festive dinner together is the awarding of ‘HARCANGELS.’ These are mementoes recognizing unselfish service in our neighborhoods, as well as metro-wide.”Tickets are only $15 per person or $120 for a table for 8. To make donations, give auction items or sponsorships or to acquire tickets, contact Dr. Matheny at 901-428- 4633, memtheny@gmail.com, or Ms. Virginia Hathorn at 901-485- 6808 or avhathorn@gmail.com.

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MUSIC NOTES

MANNA BAGSThe United Methodist Men prepare 40 Manna Bags every week for our Outreach Ministry. We would ap-preciate your help with donations of items or money.Vienna Sausage, Breadsticks w/cheeseHI C juice boxes, Cookies-4per packTwinkies, Raisins, PB Crackers

Donations of cash are very helpful. Remember to pick up a bag as you leave each Sun-day. For more information contact Steve Ragsdale or David Day.

UMW-Sponsored Baby Shower for First STEPS in AugustIn support of Maternal & Child Health (one of the UMW Social

Justice Priorities for 2016-2020), St. Luke’s UMW is sponsoring a Baby Shower for the participants in the First STEPS (Skills to Ensure Parenting Success) Teen Parenting Program – one of the programs offered by the Exchange Club.First STEPS is a one-year comprehensive teen par-enting and life-skills support system for first-time teen mothers between the ages of 12-19 years old who show a risk for becoming an abusive or negligent par-ent. The program begins with a 14 week parenting and life-skills class which addresses pre-natal care, parent-ing, family planning, job readiness, and anger manage-ment. This class helps teach these teen mothers to provide for themselves and their infants, prevent child abuse, and reduce juvenile delinquency.Look for containers in the hallways or bring any of the following items to the UMW Room – first room on the right in the hall under the sanctuary.Baby Shower GiftsDiapers (sizes 1, 4, 5, 6), Pull-ups (sizes 2t, 3t, 4t, 5t)Wipes, Towels, Blankets, Socks/booties, PajamasClothes (sizes 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months), OnesiesBottles, PacifiersCar seats, StrollersPersonal hygiene items for mothers: soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sanitary pads.

Join us for our Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. On the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays we will meet in Fellowship Hall - full breakfast is only $3.00 . The 2nd and 4th Wednes-days of each month we will meet at Per-kins on Park Ave.

United Methodist Men

The Christian Homebuilders Sunday School Class would like to invite everyone to join them on Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m. in room 108, located under the Sanctuary. We have a variety of speakers each Sunday from our local community. Come visit!Aug. 7 - Interim Police Director Michael RallingsAug. 14 - Donna SpencerAug. 21 - Donna SpencerAug. 28 - Carla Taylor

Praise the Spirit Concert Saturday October 8th 5:15pmfeaturing THE FINCHERS from Frog Jump TN. A love offering will be accepted.

A BBQ supper will be served at 4:00pm for $10 a plate. The food is prepared by Memphis’ own BBQ Experiment. The supper will be held in the CLC gym.Reservations are needed to prepare the food. Dead-line for reservations is Monday October 3rd.Those making reservations will receive first come seating for the concert.Desserts will be prepared by OUR OWN UMW. Come and enjoy an awesome afternoon of Food, Fellowship and THE FINCHERS.

It’s August and the choir is back in the loft! It has been great to have this break during the summer, but the St. Luke’s Chancel Choir is very ready to get back together in worship. Our retreat this past weekend was a success and we had a great time looking at all of the coming events for this season. (Stay tuned for details)If you have considered joining us this year, it is not too late! Please stop by rehearsal Wednesday nights at 6:30pm or come by and chat with me. We would love to have you!S.C. Toe, Director of Music Ministries

Invite your friend or neighbor to church this week!

UMW Reading ProgramThe 2016-2017 reading program began August 2. Those who attended the book review for I Am Malala will get credit for that book. Please start you list now!

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The radio broadcast of Sunday Worship is on WREC 600 AM, 8:00am each Sunday.

Congregational Support

prayer ConCerns of our sT. luke’s family

Wilson Walker, May Gordon, Avis Foreman, Milton Anderson, Diane (Debo) Tompkins, Akil Al-Chokhachi, Deborah Sanders, Doris Sigman, Bob Kermick, Sarah Poston, John & Helen Wofford, Bobby Mason, Evelyn Brady, Cwell Martin, Deloris Jones, Doris Eavenson, Blanche Miller, Sam McHugh, Kathy Bogle, Katherine Lambert Pennington, Danny Hobbs, Robyn Bray, Ken Phillips, Sr., Whitney Carter, Jim Burch, Jr., Kirk Smith, William Rector, Destiny Knotts, Collen Davis, Gil Herren, Kelly Pious, Laiyah Hicks, Karie Perkins, Suzanne LilesOur Schools, Teachers and StudentsBishop Bill McAlillyDistrict Superintendent Tim CarpenterOur Missionaries: Eric and Liz Soard in Tanzania

Sympathy to Margaret Tobias in the death of her sister-in-law, Ann Freeman

on July 20, in Covington, TN.

GiftS received in memory:Mr. & Mrs. J. P. Reed from John, Judy, & Reed RossettiJosephine Deisch from Bob & Janie HendrixLoretta Rosenbush from Joseph & Jea Carney

GiftS received in honor:Don Bowsher from a friendJohn & Helen Wofford from a friendJerry & Sue Whitt from Sarah Jane TiceMary Lou Cushing from Sarah Jane Tice

Greeter Ministry schedule:August 7 : Shirley Robinson, Barbara Caldwell, Mary Clyde McKnight, Diane HayneAugust 14: Lisa Farrell, Carolyn Galloway, Alice Roberts, Tom PolettiAugust 21: Glenda Turner, Patty Burkett, Jo Anne Rutherford, David TurnerAugust 28: Denise Hensley, Ruth Sanford, Sue Whitt, Judy Green, Bob Hendrix

It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas in July, that's Operation Christmas Child at least.

As the school sales come out, please start thinking about those items that would go into your OCC shoebox. Right now at the Dollar Tree you could pick up flip flops, sunglasses, hard candy, coloring books, balls, dolls, hair bands, combs & brushes, toothpaste and tootbrush, bar soap & washcloths. Put together your own box or buy a couple of things for the packing party. Look online at samaritanspurse.org/OCC to read all about this wonderful ministry for children around the world.

Collection for MPDTo show our appreciation for the Mem-phis Police officers at the Tillman station we will be collecting the following items: water and gatorade, individual snacks (cracker, cookies, pretzels, etc). A collection table will be in the CLC lobby this coming Sunday, August 7.

A Thank You NoteTo our St. Luke’s Family,I have been holding on to this thank you for three very long and hilly years. I came to you all broken down by the world and beat down by my own fears. Trust is not an easy task for me, and until now I’ve never really had the true reason for doing so - to spread God’s Love. You helped me to realize that the world is filled with many bad things, but also many good things as well. You helped me to grow in my community and in my own self. And my children are better people because of it. The love that you have bestowed upon us will never be ignored. I will continue to spread the love and light in fellowship with the rest of our family! (Never been able to say that before!)Shannon Holmes

Sunday, August 7, is given in loving memory of Bryant and Blanche Vaughan

for their July birthdays from their girls and families.

Sunday, August 14 is given in loving memory of Paul Goodwin

by Mary Evelyn Goodwin.

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St. Luke’s CalendarWednesday, August 3 - Wednesday, August 17

Wednesday August 3 7:15am – 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - FH 8:00am – 3:00pm Day School Teacher In Service - Lounge 6:30pm – 7:30pm Zumba - Gym 6:30pm – 8:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir RoomThursday August 4 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 9:30am – 12:00pm Food Pantry - CLC 108 10:00am – 12:00pm Small Group 1 - MB 211 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 6:00pm – 9:00pm Young Adult Dinner - 3rd Floor 7:15pm – 10:15pm Fisher of Men - Gym Friday August 5 10:00am – 11:00am Day School Meet the Teacher 6:30pm – 10:30pm Defender Friday Summer League - CLC GYM Saturday August 6 8:00am – 1:00pm Kairos Training Ministry - Lounge 4:30pm – 5:30pm Saturday Supper - FH Sunday August 7 7:45am – 8:15am Breakfast and Sunshine Service - FH 8:30am – 9:30am Worship - Sanctuary 9:30am – 10:30am Sunday School 10:50am – 12:00pm Worship - Sanctuary Monday August 8 8:30am – 11:00am Veterans - FH 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 12:30pm – 2:30pm Staff Meeting - 311 1:00pm – 3:00pm Quilting Chaos - Lounge 7:15pm – 10:15pm Jesus is Lord Basketball - GymTuesday August 9 12:00pm – 2:00pm Pickleball - CLC Gym 6:30pm – 8:00pm Naomi UMW Circle - Lounge 6:30pm – 8:45pm Boy Scouts - Scout Hut 6:30pm – 10:30pm Defender Summer League - CLC Gym Wednesday August 10 7:15am – 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - Perkins on Park Ave. 6:30pm – 7:30pm Zumba - Gym 6:30pm – 8:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room Thursday August 11 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 9:30am – 12:00pm Food Pantry - CLC 108 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 6:00pm – 9:00pm Young Adult Dinner - 3rd Floor 7:15pm – 10:15pm Fisher of Men - Gym Friday August 12 5:30pm – 7:30pm Back to School Bash! - Greenspace 6:30pm – 10:30pm Defender Friday Summer League - CLC GYM

Saturday August 13 8:00am – 1:00pm Kairos Training Ministry - Lounge 9:00am – 1:00pm Elite Level Prep - CLC Gym and CLC 103 10:00am – 3:00pm Sit & Sew - FH 4:30pm – 5:30pm Saturday Supper - FH Sunday August 14 7:45am – 8:15am Breakfast and Sunshine Service - FH 8:30am – 9:30am Worship - Sanctuary 9:00am – 10:00am Blood Pressure Check - CLC, 104 9:30am – 10:30am Sunday School 10:50am – 12:00pm Worship - Sanctuary 12:00pm – 2:30pm Children’s SS Teacher Training - Lounge 3:00pm – 4:00pm Metro District Celebration - Bartlett UMCMonday August 15 9:00am The Epistle deadline 9:00am – 10:00am Sit & Be Fit - CLC Gym 12:00pm – 4:00pm Craft Club - CLC, 103 5:30pm – 7:30pm Glad Helpers Prayer Group - Parlor 7:00pm – 9:00pm Coin Club - Lounge Tuesday August 16 10:30am – 12:00pm Mary Rachel UMW Circle - Lounge 12:00pm – 2:00pm Pickleball - CLC Gym 6:30pm – 7:30pm Lay Leadership Committee - MB 211 6:30pm – 8:45pm Boy Scouts - Scout Hut 6:30pm – 10:30pm Defender Summer League - CLC Gym Wednesday August 17 7:15am – 8:00am UMM Prayer Breakfast - FH 6:30pm – 7:30pm Zumba - Gym 6:30pm – 8:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room

Calendar Room KeyMB-Main Building, FH-Fellowship Hall,

HH - Hospitality Hall, CLC-Christian Life Center, CB-Children’s Building

This is an abbreviated listing of activities.For a full listing of the most current

calendar information visit our website: www.stlukesumc.org/calendar

Facebook: St. Luke’s UMC, Memphis

The episTleSt. Luke’s United Methodist Church480 So. Highland StreetMemphis, Tennessee 38111-4302

The EPISTLE (USPS #569-280) is published twice monthlyPOSTMASTER send address changes to: by ST. LUKE’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 480 So. Highland, Memphis TN 38111-4302.

PERIODICALSPOSTAGE PDMEMPHIS, TN

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RECORD OF LOYALTY

Sunday School 7/24 156 7/31 144

Worship Attendance - July 24 Sunshine breakfast 87 10:50 worship 210 297

Worship Attendance - July 31 Sunshine breakfast 93 10:50 worship 212 305Gifts & Tithes ReceivedJuly 24 $4,249.10July 31 $15,063.00

The deadline to submit events and articles for the next Epistle will be Monday, August 15, 9:00 a.m.

It’s time to start thinking about the Delta Fair!The Craft Club will again be entering crafts for the Delta Fair Crafts show. All prize money will be donated to St. Luke’s Food ministries. The entries will be taken to the fair on August 27. There are many opportunities to show off your crafting or culinary talents.Here are just a few examples:Culinary: Best Chili, Best Cupcake, Best PieCrafts: Holiday decorations, Knitting/Crocheting/Weav-ing, Quilts, Sewing & Stitchery, Recycled Arts, Wood CraftsIf you would like to participate contact any Craft Club member. You are always welcome to join them on Monday and Thursday afternoons, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the CLC, room 103.

**After School Bus Driver Needed** 10-20 Hours a WeekSt. Luke’s Challengers After School Program is looking for a driver to safely transport children in a 14-passen-ger vehicle from Campus School to St. Luke’s during the week. Minimum hours are from 2:30 to 4:30, but we are open to negotiating up to 20 hours a week. To be eligible, you must be at least 25 years old and will-ing to get an F-endorsement on your driver’s license (we can walk you through the steps). If you are inter-ested, please contact Director Amy McDonald at amy.mcdonald@stlukesumc.org with a resume.

QUILTING CHAOSQuilting Chaos will meet from 1pm - 3pm during the summer months on the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Our next meeting is August 8. Pat Anderson teaches us how to hand quilt. If you knit or crochet and would like to come, you’re welcome too. It’s a time of fellowship and to be in ministry with one another as we learn new skills and improve on old ones. Hope to see you there. It is open to the community and all are welcome to come.

DONATE ONLINE!Our new website is up - stlukesumc.orgIt’s not perfect yet so don’t judge. We now have a donate button at the top of the page where you can make a one-time or recurring donation via Paypal. A QR code will be in the bulletin on Sundays so you can make your gifts or give your tithe as a part of worship. This information remains confidential and only Vickey is notified of your gift. We are moving Forward in Faith!