Experience and Grow at GSL through Worship, Formation, Community, Service, Music & More

Grace-St. Luke’s Church provides a meaningful abundance of weekly and occasional worship, formation (learning), communitybuilding, music, and more to enrich the faith and spiritual journeys of adults, youth, and children. This seasonal program guide (Life at GSL) is designed for all members, newcomers, and visitors to explore and engage in a myriad of events. Most are oncampus offerings, and some are available online. Details or changes in offerings listed, as well as any additional offerings, may be found at gracestlukes.org and via weekly eNews, social media, and worship leaflet notices.

WORSHIP | DISCOVER | CONNECT

Visit worship, discover and connect at gracestlukes.org

SUNDAY and WEEKDAY SCHEDULE beginning August 13

SUNDAYS 8 a.m.

8:30–9:15 a.m.

9:15–10:15 a.m.

9:30–10:15 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist with Homily and Hymns

Community Breakfast in Trezevant Hall by the Crossmen

Youth and Children Formation (Sunday School) Classes

Adult Formation: Rector’s Forum & Small Group Classes

Explore gracestlukes.org/discover for details about all offerings.

Holy Eucharist with Sermon and Choir, Livestreamed, includes Children’s Chapel

Fellowship and Refreshments in Trezevant Hall

Nursery for infants through three-year-olds, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

4 p.m. More Than A Meal Outreach, Trezevant Hall

5 p.m.

Contemplative Holy Eucharist with Music and Third Sunday Choral Evensong (September–May) gracestlukes.org/events/sunday-worship

WEEKDAYS

Wednesday Noon–12:25 p.m.

Wednesday 6–7 p.m.

Weekly Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, August 16–May 15

Healing Prayers included on first Wednesdays

Adult, Youth & Children Formation Offerings (Occasional)

Explore gracestlukes.org/discover for announcements and schedules.

All are welcome to all worship offerings and to explore great music at GSL. Worship provides intentional opportunities for people to thank God for blessings known and unknown, connect with one another, be fed by Word and Sacrament, and be restored to face whatever lies ahead. Our various liturgies offer readings from and meditations on the holy scriptures, music, and silence. Most services include sharing in Holy Communion from God’s Table as food for the journey. Community life is rooted in our Mission, Vision, and Inclusion. | Worship is available in person and via livestream and Christian Formation offerings for all ages are rich. Connection opportunities are essential and ongoing. Seasonal editions of The Messenger share more about the abundance of our life together.

SUNDAYS & WEEKDAYS | gracestlukes.org/adult-formation

Sundays 9:30–10:15 a.m. Adult Formation 45-Minute Offerings

Rector’s Forum* in Trezevant Hall | Occasional Small Groups as announced with locations *Most forum events livestreamed: gracestlukes.org/live

August 6, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Last One Morning Service & Evening Service with Supper 9–9:30 Breakfast; 9:30–10 Coffee; 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 5–5:45 p.m. Contemplative Holy Eucharist featuring music by Mary Golden, violin/fiddle, Noah Campbell, guitar, and Jeff White, guitar; 5:45 Supper (sign up by Friday, August 4 at tinyurl.com/GSLSummerSuppers)

August 13, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost | Homecoming: Parish Life Festival, Blessing of the Backpacks & BLT Lunch 9:30–10:15 a.m. Parish Life Festival; 10:30 Holy Eucharist includes Blessing of the Backpacks; 11:30 BLT Lunch featuring live music. All-ages festival celebrates the launch of Fall 2023 offerings: Sunday and weekday worship; formation; community-building for adults, youth, and children; small groups; outreach and social justice; music; fellowship and special events including new ones. This “Rally Day” includes information to learn more and get involved sooner or later with various ministries by connecting with volunteer leaders and team/committee members. Spread the word!

August 20, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost | All-ages “Sunday School” Launch & Episcopal School Sunday Forum: Crosstown Concourse: Revitalization and Hope in Memphis with Dr. Todd Richardson, President. | Day celebrates 1,200 Episcopal schools and early childhood education programs throughout The Episcopal Church including our parish school, Grace-St. Luke’s School, founded in 1947. GSL School administration, faculty, staff, and student households are invited to attend the 10:30 a.m. liturgy to include commissioning prayers for those who ministers, teach, and learn. A special cake reception will follow in Trezevant Hall. Explore episcopalschools.org and gslschool.org.

August 27, Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forum: The Gift of Tutoring and Mentoring Children with Leaders from Dorothy Day House, Emmanuel Center, and Multinational Ministries.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

September 3, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forum: Suspended until September 10. Enjoy fellowship and community in Trezevant Hall.

September 10, Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forum: Guest Speaker to be announced.

September 17, Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forum: Education and Equity in Memphis: A Past, Present and Future Look with Cardell Orrin (Stand for Children) and Dr. Russ Wigginton (National Civil Rights Museum) moderated by Tomeka Hart Wigginton.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

September 24, Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Forum: The Meaning and Practice of Baptism in the EpiscopalAnglican Tradition with GSL Clergy. | An Instructed Eucharist follows at the 10:30 liturgy to help unpack and explain the Liturgy of the Word and why Episcopalians worship the way that we do.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

October 1, Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forum: Strategic Plan Town Hall Meeting with Consultant Katie Spencer. | An Instructed Eucharist at the 10:30 liturgy to help unpack and explain the Liturgy of the Table and why Episcopalians celebrate Communion the way that we do.

October 8, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Forum: The Meaning and Practice of Holy Communion and the Eucharistic Presence of Christ in the Episcopal-Anglican Tradition with GSL Clergy.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

October 15, Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Feast of Saint Luke (October 18 transferred)

Forum: Finding Time for the Timeless: Spirituality in the Workweek with GSL member and author John McQuiston. | Engage the forum and a full day of worship and music events to commemorate our patron saint, Luke the Evangelist.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

October 22, Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost Wellness & Recovery Sunday

Forum: The Power of Spirituality With or Without God with the Very Rev. Ward B. Ewing, Retired Dean, The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church. | Day highlights the call for all Christians to strive for wellness of mind, body and spirit, which includes paying attention to any addictions that may be occurring in our lives or the lives of others. | Dr. Ewing will also preach at the morning services.

October 29, Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost 2024 Stewardship Campaign Launch

Forum: Faith and Journalism Conversation with Retired Sports and New Venture Columnist Geoff Calkins. | Day highlights investing in GSL through Every Member Canvass 2024, a call for 100% participation in pledges of time, talent, and treasure to support and sustain the parish.

November 5, All Saints’ Sunday: Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost | Baptisms

Forum: How Human Goodness Demonstrates the Existence of God with the Rev. Dr. Rob McSwain of Sewanee’s School of Theology. | Dr. McSwain will also preach at the morning services.

November 12, Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Forum: Memphis Feeding Initiatives: A Response to Food Insecurity with Community and GSL Leaders.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

November 19, Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost | 2024 Pledge Consecration & Honoring Thanksgiving Day 1940 Forum: The Theology and Power of Prayer with the GSL Clergy. | All liturgies highlight Thanksgiving Day 1940 when Grace and St. Luke’s Churches merged and celebrate time, talent, and treasure pledges given to the glory of God to support parish life in 2024.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

November 26, Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King 9:15-10:15 Intergenerational Advent Wreath-Making in Trezevant Hall.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

December 3, First Sunday of Advent Annual Meeting of the Parish 9:30-10:15 a.m. Members and newcomers attend an important 45-minute occasion between the 8 and 10:30 liturgies to undertake key business matters affecting all parishioners, including the election of the Vestry Class of 2026, strategic plan development overview, Every Member Canvass 2024 campaign highlights, and state-of-the-parish remarks from the Senior Warden and the Rector.

December 10, Second Sunday of Advent Forum: The Spirituality of the Psalms with Dr. Dan Pigg.

December 17, Third Sunday of Advent Forum: Labyrinth Walk: A Meditative Journey enhanced by Music on Grace-St. Luke’s New Portable Labyrinth in Trezevant Hall.

Small Group Bible Study facilitated by Lay Leaders, Peete Room

December 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve Forum: Suspended until January 7. Enjoy fellowship and community in Trezevant Hall. | Advent ends with 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist and Christmas celebration begins with 3 p.m. Children’s Pageant with Holy Eucharist, Festival Holy Eucharist at 5 and 9 p.m., and 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist on Christmas Day.

December 31, The First Sunday after Christmas Forum: Suspended until January 7.

January 7, First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord | Baptisms Forum: Intergenerational Burning of the Greens in the Circle Drive to end Christmastide and celebrate the Manifestation of Christ. Save your Advent and Christmas wreaths and garland to bring to GSL and add to the fire!

January 14, Second Sunday after the Epiphany Forum: Reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr. with Guest Speaker to be announced.

Young Adults

gracestlukes.org/young-adult-fellowship

In addition to Sunday and weekday formation (learning) programs and events for all adults, it’s also great to intentionally gather younger adults 18 and older (typically 20s, 30s, 40s) who often are navigating the season in life during and after higher education, work, job-seeking, transitions, and more. We invite all who are seeking to engage with fellow Episcopalians for gatherings surrounding fellowship, community engagement (outreach, social justice), and continuing spiritual journeys in new and adventurous ways. Hosted by Father Ollie Rencher, Katie and Kevin Searle, and Christina Shute, watch for ways to connect with fellow young adults at GSL and around Memphis. To learn more and get involved, visit gracestlukes.org/young-adultfellowship or contact the Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector (orencher@gracestlukes.org, 901-252-6320).

CHILDREN AND YOUTH FORMATION & EVENTS

Sundays 9:15–10:15 a.m. One-Hour Offerings

Groups meet in Basement Level Children and Youth Suites gracestlukes.org/children-and-youth-formation

Nursery: The Nursery is open every Sunday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and for other events as needed for all children, infants to 6 years old. We have wonderful, qualified Nursery Staff members who are excited to care for your children. You can find more about them on our website at gracestlukes.org/nursery.

Children’s Formation: Starting August 20, we will resume Sunday School for children from 9:15–10:15 a.m. every Sunday (Fall–Spring) in the basement level Children’s Suite. Classes using “Shine: Living in God’s Light” curriculum are split by level groupings (ages 4–6; ages 7–11/5th grade; 6–12th grades) and include a framework of biblical knowledge, Episcopal tradition, the liturgical calendar. Our children will grow in faith, have fun, and learn about “seeking justice together” to change our lives and the world. Get more details at the above webpage. During children’s classes, parents attend Sunday offerings in this publication and at gracestlukes.org/adult-formation.

Children’s Chapel: During the opening procession of the 10:30 a.m. service, children ages 4 (or potty-trained age 3) to 2nd grade are invited to follow the wooden cross to Room 212 (across from McClure Hall) for Children’s Chapel, a time to gather, read the readings for the day, pray, and sing. We primarily follow the same order of service from the Book of Common Prayer, but it is modified in child-friendly language that helps them gain understanding of our traditions. We return to the service before communion, usually processing in after the Peace.

Youth Formation: Beginning August 20, we will resume Sunday School classes for youth in 6th through 12th grades and meet every Sunday (Fall–Spring) in the Red Room of the basement level Youth Suite. This Fall, our youth will learn using the “Shine: Living in God’s Light” curriculum designed to help youth experience Bible stories and explore the theme of “Seeking Justice Together.” Classes will follow a five-part sequence: Prepare, Connect, Encounter, Explore, and Empower. Weekly activities will challenge youth to dig deeper into the Bible and find connections to their own lives. Get more details at the above webpage.

Episcopal Youth Community (EYC): Beginning August 20, youth in 6th through 12th grades will gather on Sunday evenings from 4–6 p.m. in the basement level Red Room for prayer, games, fellowship, community engagement, and building lifelong friendships. We strive to deepen our understanding of Episcopal values, history, and beliefs through various engaging activities— including play, downtime, Bible study, and service. Occasionally, we meet elsewhere in the Memphis region. Stay updated through the children and youth ministry e-newsletter, Instagram (@gsl.youth), and worship leaflet notices.

Parents Connect for Households with Children and Youth: Regular gatherings are scheduled as a time for parents of younger and youth-age children to come together, learn together, and encourage one another. Stay tuned for details about this fall’s events. For more information, contact Anthony Calzia, Director of Children, Youth & Family Ministry Ministries (901-252-6321) acalzia@gracestlukes.org and Jess Steenbergen, Youth Formation Associate (901-252-6339) jsteenbergen@gracestlukes.org