WELCOME
Welcome to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. We are grateful you’re here to worship with us. St. Luke’s is an open community of Christians helping people find and give hope through Jesus Christ - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, disability, or socioeconomic background. No matter who you are, where you are from, who you love or what you look like, know that God loves you and YOU BELONG HERE.
PRAYER
We have an entire team dedicated to praying for you. If you have a prayer request, fill out a prayer request card and drop it in the offering basket. Or you can submit your anonymous prayer request online at stlukesumc.com/prayer.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK!
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
NORTH INDY
Traditional 9:30, Contemporary 9:30AM & 11AM MIDTOWN
Contemporary at 11AM
ONLINE, FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE
The North Indy Sunday morning services are live-streamed on our website, Facebook & YouTube.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
@stlukesindy
GIVING
Your financial gifts are transforming our church, our community, and the world! Here are the ways to give today at St. Luke’s:
• Drop checks/cash in the baskets during service
• Scan the QR code or go to: stlukesumc.com/give
• Send checks to: 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260
TODAY AT ST. LUKE’S
DONUTS & COFFEE
NORTH INDY - FELLOWSHIP HALL
MIDTOWN - DOWNSTAIRS
Grab a cup of coffee, enjoy a delicious donut, and take the time to connect with those around you.
CONNECTION CENTERS
OUTSIDE THE WORSHIP SPACES
Stop by the Connection Centers outside of each worship space to get your questions answered and learn about ways to connect.
RESTLESS CHILD AREAS - NORTH INDY
AREA LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY & CENTRAL PASSAGE
NURSING PARENT AREA
NORTH INDY- E126
MIDTOWN - LEFT OF GATHERING AREA
Enjoy our live services in these spaces if you’d like to nurse in private and/or if your child needs a break during worship.
CONNECTIONS GIFT STORE
HOLIDAY HOURS: EACH WED. 11-2, SUN. 8:45-12:30
Christmas season is here and we have decked the shelves with gifts for the holidays. This is a volunteer run store and all profits benefit Hub for Hope. Help us make our goal of $25,000 and shop today!
CONTEMPLATION & COMMUNION
9:00AM – NOON – PRAYER CHAPEL
The Prayer Chapel is open to anyone seeking a moment of peace, reflection, and spiritual connection on Sunday mornings. Holy Communion is available on the altar. Enter through door #2.
NORTH INDY ART GALLERY
GATHERING AREA EAST BALCONY - JIM CURRY
Jim Curry began taking art lessons 20 years ago. Much of his work is inspired by his rural upbringing in Switzerland County, Indiana and his European travels. He also paints weekly with the St. Luke’s Studio 3 art group.
MIDTOWN ART GALLERY
GATHERING AREA - HALEY VERGON
Sharing the love of Jesus through art. Haley Vergon’s artwork can be found on her instagram at @lostandfound.collection
KEEP IN TOUCH
Sign-up to receive St. Luke’s newsletters at stlukesumc.com/ subscribe. Need to update your contact or giving information? Go to stlukesumc.com/myaccount. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok @StLukesIndy.
CONTACT OUR CARE MINISTRY
Life gets difficult for all of us, and whatever you’re going through today, you don’t need to do it alone. If you or someone you know could use support, call (317) 846-3404 to reach a member of our Care Team. You can also visit stlukesumc.com/needcare
ATTENDANCE
Please scan the QR code on the back of the bulletin or stop by the Connection Center to let us know you’re here!
CONDOLENCES
Jessica Day on the death of her husband, Jeff Day, who passed away on December 13, 2024. Memorial service will take place on January 3rd, with visitation from 11-12pm and service at 12pm at St. Luke’s UMC
COMBINED WORSHIP EXPERINCE
DECEMBER 29, 2024
Next Sunday, we will have one combined service at 9:30 AM at the North Indy Campus in the sanctuary, and one combined service at 11 AM at the Midtown Campus. Pastor Mindie will wrap up the series, On the Way to Bethlehem, with reflections on the Wise Men.
NEW SERMON SERIES!
STARTING JANUARY 5, 2025
People coming together without having to look, think, or act the same is becoming increasingly rare in our world. As violence, fear, and need increase around us, it seems division does too. For many of us, the people we would typically talk through these things with, our friends and families, have started to feel less safe to disagree with too. The options seem to be to stay true to who we are and lose relationships or keep relationships and let go of our true selves. Isn’t there another way to do this? Join us again on January 5 as we answer that question together in our new sermon series, “How We Deal with Others: Finding a Middle Way.”
GET CONNECTED
WINTER GROUPS & CLASSES
STARTING JANUARY
Whether you’re looking for a one-time workshop or a longer class or group, the Adult Discipleship team has put together options for everyone to grow. Visit stlukesumc.com/groups to see what’s coming up and join!
NEW YEAR’S EVE LABYRINTH WALK
DECEMBER 31 AT 5PM – NORTH INDY
Come and experience the serenity of the labyrinth, surrounded by a supportive community, as we welcome the new year with peace, hope, and renewal. We look forward to sharing this meaningful experience with you.
GRIEFSHARE
BEGINS JANUARY 8 AT 3:15 PM & 6:15 PM – NORTH INDY
After the loss of a loved one, feeling optimistic about the future and finding people who understand what you’re actually going through can be difficult. Our GriefShare group meets weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Register at stlukesumc.com/griefshare
WINTER SUMMIT
JANUARY 11 AT 8AM - NORTH INDY
Connect over breakfast, worship with other volunteers and leaders, and learn about St. Luke’s vision for 2025, both for the church during the keynote, and for your ministry area specifically in the breakouts to follow. Contact your ministry leader for more information.
MOSAIC COMMUNITY GROUP
JANUARY 15 - EVERY 3RD WEDNESDAY
We are a mixed group of adults with and without disabilities seeking to grow in connection with one another while deepening our faith. Join us in a monthly devotion, song, prayer, and fun activity! To learn more about our ministry and join the group, head to stlukesumc.com/mosaic
STARTING POINT
JANUARY 19, 2025 - FOLLOWING SERVICES - BOTH CAMPUSES
If you are new or newer to St. Luke’s and would like to learn more about who we are and how we live out our mission, join us for this 30-minute session after each service. You’ll meet others who are new and leave with the right next step for you as you get connected at St. Luke’s. No registration is needed; just show up!
DIVORCECARE
BEGINS JANUARY 27 AT 6:15 PM – NORTH INDY
DivorceCare is a safe place to find caring people who will come along side you as you find healing from the pain of separation or divorce. You’ll find help managing the emotional turmoil as well as practice tools for decision-making. Register at stlukesumc. com/divorcecare
NORTH INDY TRADITIONAL ORDER OF WORSHIP
Prelude | Michael, Piano
Bringing In the Light | Kennedy Whisner, acolyte
Welcome | Rev. Jevon Caldwell-Gross
Advent Call to Worship | Liam Garrity
Leader: We come from a world of darkness
All: Into Christ’s world of light.
Leader: We come from a world of weariness
All: Into God’s strength and hope.
Leader: We come from a slumbering world.
All: Strengthened by the Spirit, we come to awaken our souls and watch for the coming of Christ.
Opening Hymn | Hark the Herald Angels Sing #240 (3 vs.)
Advent Candle Lighting | Willie, Joe & Willow Miller-Spaulding
Baptism
Anthem | All For a Baby - New Song
Prayer | Rev. Jen Gibbs
Dismissal of Children
Announcements
Call for Offering | Rev. Jen Gibbs
Offertory | O Little Town of Bethlehem - Steve Harris, soprano sax St. Luke’s Chancel Choir
Doxology
Scripture Reading | Ruth 4:13-17; Luke 2:1-4
Message | Rev. Jevon Caldwell-Gross
Presentational Song | Because of Bethlehem
Benediction | Rev. Jevon Caldwell-Gross
Postlude
