Merry Christmas St. Lukers,
I pray this Weekly Update finds you heart-filled after your Christmas celebrations. We have had an amazing marathon of worship this past weekend. Fifteen services and every one filled with laughter, beauty, joy, and love. Thank you to all who made these services possible! From the decorations, to the parking lot, to the ushers, greeters, choir, musicians, tech, clergy and those who supported all of the hundreds of volunteers, there really is nothing like a St. Luke’s Christmas. Every year I wonder how we can tell the same story in a new way for people to hear again and be touched, but then I remember, all we are, are vessels for God to tell the greatest love story of all time. Thank you for allowing yourselves to be used by God to reach thousands over this Christmas Preeve and Eve holiday.
This Sunday, we will have three combined worship services at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Since we are going to worship as ONE congregation during three different times together, the music will be very special, the service will give you a chance to sing carols, hear the Christmas story in creative ways and who knows what else might happen in these three special services. Come and join us just as you are! Families are welcome to bring children and why not bring your favorite Christmas present for a little blessing!
Before we rush into a new year, I want to personally say thank you to your amazing staff. This group of dedicated and incredibly faithful people work tirelessly for the ministry of St. Luke’s and the calling of God. We are diverse in every way possible and work hard to support and understand one another’s differences as gifts we bring to the table to make our ministry work even stronger and reflective of God’s Kingdom. This year, this team of people has transformed lives, reached new people with the good news of Christ, healed families, held hands of those broken or passing on, lifted people out of poverty, given people hope, and have made our community laugh, cry, and generally a better place infused with love. Thank you to each of you for your love of St. Luke’s and faith in Jesus. I am proud to serve beside you.
We look forward to a new year at St. Luke’s with a worship series theme that will take us through the entire year: God’s Neighborhood. Eugene Peterson writes in his paraphrase of John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” Each worship series will look at familiar locations we typically find in a neighborhood, understanding what such a place would be like in God’s Kingdom. We will spend most of our scripture time in the gospel of Luke so we will have a weekly scripture guide as a part of our website, app and on hand to help you move with us. We kick it off with God’s housewarming party with our Epiphany celebration on Sunday, January 6.
Can’t wait to begin a new year with you as God moves into our neighborhood. May you have a blessed New Year Celebration and we will see you on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Jenn.
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