You can call it: Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day, Festivale, Carnivale, Fastnacht Day or Mardi Gras (which is a week-long celebration leading up to Ash Wednesday). In many cultures, this day marks a time of indulgence and celebration before moving into the solemn season of Lent at Ash Wednesday.
“As with gladness men of old
Did the guiding star behold
As with joy they hailed its light,
Leading onward, beaming bright
So, most gracious Lord, may we
Ever more be led by thee.
As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior to thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before
Thee, whom heav’n and earth adore;
So, may we with willing feet
Ever seek thy mercy seat.” (LBW, 82)
I would like to reflect with you on the nature of Epiphany and the ministry we share as pastors and church leaders, especially as we find the mission field not somewhere else, but right outside our doors.
From our director of music, Anne, “Youth Choir girls under the Christmas trees? It’s from our annual caroling and hot chocolate pre-Christmas rehearsal. One of the best nights of the year with this group. They are wonderful! See the picture.
Did you enjoy the cookies at the church coffee hour this past Sunday? They came from the recent cookie exchange. Now the ladies would like to share their recipes with you.
Spirit Matters will be meeting on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Spirit Matters is a faith sharing group. The topic for January will be Forgiveness and Mercy. Meetings include readings from scripture and other sources and reflection around the topic as it relates to one’s life of faith and relationship with God. Come be with us for a time of spiritual rest and refreshment. Your spirit matters! All are welcome. Our gatherings are hybrid as each feels comfortable in-person or via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link on the meeting day, contact the church office.
Join us December 11 and 18 for the Christmas ELCA Good Gifts Fair before and after worship. Learn about the many ways your donation can support life-changing projects such as the purchase of a farm animal, school supplies, vaccinations, health care, micro loans, as well as access to clean water and improved sanitation. Your gift will help break the cycle of hunger and poverty.
Longest Night Service, Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 p.m. All are welcome on the winter solstice – the longest night of the year – to celebrate the coming of the light into our darkest places. With songs, candles, and prayers, we acknowledge the complexities of life’s journey, while celebrating light and hope that comes in the birth of Jesus.
St Luke’s is providing 200 gift bags for RefugeeOne children. In response to RefugeeOne’s request for us to provide a gift bag with items rather than gift cards, this year we are collecting money to support filling the gift bags. The Christmas parties will be in-person for the first time in a several years and will be held at RefugeeOne’s new location. Santa will be in person this year handing out the gift bags to each child.
Spirit Matters meets on Monday, November 21 at 7:00 PM. This month, we are delighted to have a special guest, Anne Krentz Organ, Director of Music Ministries. As the church year comes to a close, Anne will lead us in a time for reflection with a tour of piano music through the church year.
You are invited to join with members of the North Carolina Synod of the ELCA in a study of Pastor Bouman’s book titled, They are Us: Lutherans and Immigration. Through stories of crisis and hope, They Are Us helps Christian communities understand themselves and their ministries as part of God’s narrative of love and hospitality for the little, the lost, the last, and the least.