Everyone is invited to join us at the Library Open House during the Adult Forum hour, between the services, on May 20.  Discover what’s new and exciting in our resources and services.  Learn how to find and check out a book or other item of interest to you.  It’s a cosy comfortable space with lot’s of reading opportunities.

Wednesday June 13, 7:00 p.m. Cynthia Glensgard of Global Handmade Hope will share stories and pictures about how GHH shares the word of God and empowers women to care for their families through a fair trade business model.  She will bring along items for sale. Cynthia will tell us the story of how she was called to this ministry and how her faith in God has grown due to her work.  Learn about how the fair trade business model has reunited women with their children and other amazing stories of faith. Also we will learn more about the fair trade coffee and chocolate sales at St. Luke’s, the background of why we participate in this ministry, who benefits from it and why. Please join us.  Refreshments will be provided!

Register now for Camp Allegro 2012, July 9-13, for children entering Kindergarten through 6^th grade. This year we will present a musical called Elijah! God’s Faithful Prophet, which is a wonderful story about the prophet Elijah from the Old Testament, his faith and trust in God and a contest that he has with the King. The musical will be presented during the Thursday worship service on July 12 at 7:00 p.m. and at St. Matthew’s Center for Health on Friday, July 13 at 10:00 a.m..

It’s a QR code! You see them everywhere. If you have a QR code reader on your mobile phone, just point it at the code and you will discover an easy way to stay current, when traveling this summer, with your support for the important ministries that continue all year long at St. Luke’s Church.  The QR code readers are free from your App Store.

Lutheran Pastor Mitri Raheb and other Palestinian Christian leaders talk with Bob Simon about the exodus of Christians from the Holy Land on CBS 60 Minutes, April 22, 2012.  This story has has caused controversy.  Watch it on our Web site and add your comment on CBS 60 Minutes Overtime.

Love your coffee and your neighbor too! Coffee is big business; but sadly, it is often an unjust business. Purchase your Fair Trade Coffee, Tea and Chocolate the first Sunday of every month in the Atrium.

“So for us women, having never been socialized to believe that we have powers to interfere in the politics of our country, we were waiting for the bold men,” she says. But “every time the bold men rose up, they rose up with guns.” Leymah realized that it would need to be the women of Liberia — Christian, Muslim, indigenous and elite women — to become the peacemakers.  Read about Leymah Roberta Gbowee, fellow Lutheran and Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2011.

A Fund Raiser for the Metro Chicago Synod churches going to the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering, to learn about the journey of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Sunday, April 22, 4:00-7:00 p.m., at Maine East High School, 2601 Dempster St., Park Ridge.

25 years of encouraging members to give  40 items of food during the 40 days in Lent. In 2012 two loaded SUVs and two cars took the food to Elijah’s Pantry along with a check for $790.00. Thanks to Diane and Bruce Erickson, Kathy and Chris Figler and  friend A.J., Jean Igoe, Cheryl Ryback, Lois Shaw and Ken Schoy, and to everyone who contributed.

Easter Vigil, April 7th 7:30 p.m.— Worship Service with the Blessing of the New Fire, Readings, Affirmation of Baptism and Communion.
Easter Sunday, April 8th Resurrection of Our Lord 8:30 a.m.—Festival Worship with Holy Communion. Light Breakfast served between services
11:00 a.m.—Festival Worship with Holy Communion
Easter Message from Bishop Mark Hanson