This past Sunday was a beautiful day in the life of St. Luke’s.
As we concluded our Prerequisites series, Pastor Jad reminded us that every person we encounter is a beloved child of God. True service doesn’t begin with what we do, but with how we see others. When we take the time to learn someone’s name, hear their story, and recognize the image of God within them, service becomes an expression of Christ’s love.
Following worship, many of us gathered to celebrate Pastor Jad’s 14 years of faithful ministry at St. Luke’s. We give thanks for Jad’s leadership, his servant’s heart, and the countless ways he has helped shape this church (if you missed it, you may view it here: Pastor Jad’s Ministry Celebration). We are equally grateful for Shelly and for their three children, who have faithfully shared him with this congregation over the years. As they begin a new chapter, we send them with our love, prayers, gifts, and deepest gratitude.
Even as we celebrate one season of ministry, God is already writing the next.
This week, we welcome Pastor Jayde to the St. Luke’s family, who officially began her ministry with us yesterday (July 1). Just two weeks ago, she was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, a significant milestone that celebrates God’s call on her life and ministry. She also recently celebrated another joyful milestone, marrying her wife, Rev. Anna (an ordained deacon), on May 30. We are delighted to welcome both Jayde and Anna into our church family and look forward to the gifts, wisdom, and compassion they will bring to our shared ministry.
This Sunday also marks the beginning of our new worship series, Interdependent Studies. As our nation reflects on Independence Day, we’ll explore a distinctly Christian truth: while freedom is a gift, God creates us to live in relationship, not isolation. Throughout Scripture, we discover that God’s abundance is revealed when people trust one another, share generously, and depend upon God’s grace and guidance together.
Pastor Jayde will launch the series by preaching on the feeding of the five thousand from Matthew 14:13-21. This is a story that begins with scarcity and ends with overflowing abundance. Jesus challenges the disciples’ instinct to send the crowds away and instead tells them, “You give them something to eat” (v. 16). Together, we’ll discover that God’s Kingdom is built not on fear that there won’t be enough, but on faith that, in Christ, there is more than enough for everyone.
I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we welcome Pastor Jayde, gather around Christ’s Table, begin this new journey together, and discover once again that God’s gracious work is accomplished through individuals coming together as a community learning to depend upon God and one another.
Remember, it’s not LOVE University without U!
With love,
Pastor Corey
