6.9.2024
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.
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
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.
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
FELLOWSHIP HALL
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 to get your questions answered, sign up for groups, serving opportunities, and events, and learn about ways to connect here.
RESTLESS CHILD AREAS
AREA LEFT OF THE SANCTUARY & CENTRAL PASSAGE
NURSING PARENT AREA • E126
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
OPEN SUNDAYS • 9AM – NOON
As summer approaches, we’re busy filling our shelves with gifts to make your season even brighter, including amazing gifts and the 2024 St. Luke’s PRIDE T-shirts!
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.
EAST ART GALLERY - JUNE: BROOKE’S PLACE
Brooke’s Place for Grieving Young People began at St. Luke’s, 25 years ago with their first ongoing support group and that partnership continues today with added therapy services, Camp Healing Tree, BP8 and community education offerings to their list of services. They serve ages 3-29, with a mission to empower children, teens and young adults and their families to thrive in the midst of grief. Brooke’s Place featured artists represent all ages. They have worked together to create meaningful, grief-related pieces that they hope you enjoy all month long. Brooke’s Place is also sharing some of their archive pieces that are special to them. For more information, please visit www.brookesplace.org.
ATTENDANCE
Your attendance matters. Scan this QR Code to let us know you’re here!
MOVING MOUNTAINS WITH PRAYER
THIS WEEK’S SABBATICAL PRAYER
God of the sunrise, bring new mercies and fresh light to the soul of our pastor. Shine your light on the beauty of this congregation and our work for You.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Sign-up to receive weekly emails and/or the St. Luke’s monthly newsletter at stlukesumc.com/subscribe. Make sure we have all of your current contact information, go to stlukesumc.com/ myaccount and update your communication preferences, view giving information, and more.
SPECIAL NOTE
GUEST MUSICIANS - NORTH INDY JUNE 16
ANGELA BROWN AND SPECTRUM
The traditional service at 9:30AM on June 16 welcomes Angela Brown and Spectrum. Spectrum unites the artistry and synergy of three stellar, multifaceted musicians: vocalist Angela Brown, saxophonist Jared Thompson, and pianist Joshua Thompson. The trio formed organically through serendipitous live classical and jazz performances and podcast collaborations. Their set lists include music of Duke Ellington, Scott Joplin, Margaret Bonds, Florence Price, Roy Hargrove, Natalie Cole, Joe Zawinul, Negro Spirituals, and Jared Thompson. The trio calls Indianapolis home, but their performances take them around the globe.
GUEST PREACHER
BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR - JUNE 23
Join us on June 23 to hear Barbara Brown Taylor, an acclaimed academic, theologian, writer, preacher, and priest, speak about her book “Seeds of Heaven.” Taylor’s insightful take on the Parable of the Sower highlights the boundless generosity of our Creator, who endlessly sows seeds of truth and love. Discover how deeply you are loved by God and your calling to grow in and share that love. Learn more at barbarabrowntaylor.com. She will be in person at the North Indy campus at 9:30 & 11AM and streamed at 11AM to our Midtown campus.
GET CONNECTED
RUN / WALK CLUB
TRAINING STARTS THIS SUMMER!
St. Luke’s is looking to start a run/walk club to participate in different seasonal events. To start out we are looking for volunteers who would like to learn more about Team World Vision which will participate in the Monumental Marathon on November 9th and the Drumstick Dash 3k/5k which supports Wheeler Mission on Thanksgiving Day. For more info visit stlukesumc. com/getmoving
NATURE WALK & TALKS
2ND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH THRU OCTOBER
Join us for a leisurely walk through a local park sharing in appreciation of God’s beautiful creation and gratitude to those who keep our parks available to everyone. Time for quiet contemplation or conversation with others from St Luke’s. This month, meet us at the trailhead at 2PM today at Fairbanks Hundred Acre Wood, 38th Street entrance. Questions contact Danielle Galley at danigalley@gmail.com.
CHURCH TOUR
JUNE 11 AT 6:30PM -
NORTH INDY
Did you know that St. Luke’s has a small prayer chapel off Robertson Chapel? Have you wondered about the meaning of the various stained-glass windows throughout the building? Whether you’re new to St. Luke’s or you’ve been coming for a while, join with others to explore our facilities and learn a bit of our history as well. Register online at stlukesumc.com/churchtour
ST. LUKE’S INDY ELEVEN NIGHT OUT
JUNE 22 AT 7PM - CARROLL
STADIUM, INDIANAPOLIS
Join us for a night out at the Indy Eleven soccer game on June 22nd - our group tickets are some of the best seats in the stadium! We are limited to the number of attendees. Tickets are available at stlukesumc.com/indyeleven
STARTING POINT
JUNE 23 - AFTER ALL SERVICES - BOTH CAMPUSES
If you’re new or newer to St. Luke’s join us immediately after service for Starting Point, a 30-minute orientation to St. Luke’s. You’ll meet others who are new and leave with next steps to help you find your place here. This is a great way to become familiar with who we are and how we live out our faith. No registration is needed!
IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY
FREEDOM SCHOOL
JUNE 17 - JULY 26
Join us this summer and volunteer for the CDF Freedom School program at St. Luke’s, running from June 17 to July 26! Help us empower young scholars through high-quality literacy, family involvement, civic engagement, leadership development, and health education. Can’t volunteer in person? Consider a financial gift to support our efforts. For more info and to volunteer visit stlukesumc.com/freedomschool
CITY IMPACT SYMPOSIUM - EDUCATION
JULY 13 - NORTH INDY FROM 10AM-2PM
Explore crucial issues like book banning, revisionist histories, and embracing inclusive narratives. With keynote speaker Dr. Starsky Wilson and a dynamic panel of educators and policymakers, this
event promises to provide valuable insights and practical tools. Enjoy engaging workshops, visit exhibits featuring local authors, and take action for free speech. This family-friendly event also offers childcare for children under 5 with registration. Sign up in advance to receive lunch coupons and a free sticker designed by Freedom School scholars. Join us for this important community dialogue! Registration coming soon!
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
JULY 27 - NORTH INDY CAMPUS
Join us for the Back to School Bash on July 27 at St. Luke’s UMC! We’re partnering with local faith-based and community organizations to celebrate the end of summer and help families prepare for the new school year. Volunteers are essential to creating a fun, safe, and welcoming environment for students of all ages. By contributing your time and energy, you’ll show our children that their community truly cares about their success. Help us make this event a memorable and impactful day for everyone. Register now to volunteer and be a part of something special. Let’s support our neighborhood families together! stlukesumc.com/backtoschool
ALTAR FLOWERS
The altar flowers today are in honor of and celebration for Adolf & Naomi Hansen’s 65th Wedding Anniversary.
BAPTISMS
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Prelude | Michael Conley
Opening Reading
Opening Hymn | Help Us Accept Each Other #560 (vs1,3,4)
Inclusive Affirmation for Pride
All: I believe in the Divine Mystery, the source of love, who is everspeaking.
Voice 1: This love whispers within each of us, urging us to find our voices and share them with the world.
All: I believe in the radical love of Jesus Christ, who shattered norms and embraced the excluded.
Voice 2: Christ used his voice to challenge injustice, and his actions empower us to find the courage to speak our truths, no matter how different they may sound.
All: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the ever-present force that guides us towards inclusivity and compassion.
Voice 3: The Spirit speaks through the tapestry of diverse voices, urging us to listen and learn from each other, finding the melody within ourselves, and join the beautiful chorus of creation.
All: I believe in the sacredness of all identities, created in the Divine Image.
Voice 4: In life’s symphony, every voice, loud or soft, high or low, plays a unique note, weaving together a song of awe-inspiring beauty.
All: I believe in the holy community, a tapestry woven from threads of chosen family and love.
Voice 5: In a chorus of open hearts, let’s celebrate the unique song each voice brings and find our own melodies along the way.
All: I believe in the ongoing work of justice and liberation.
Voice 6: Only by speaking our truths and challenging the norm can we dismantle oppression and create a just world.
All: I believe in the promise of transformation, where fear gives way to love.
Voice 7: As we find and share our voices in community, the world becomes more vibrant and welcoming.
All: In this polyphony of sound, all voices find their place, transformed by shared Divine truths. Amen.
Sung Response
Welcome | Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross Baptisms
Anthem | O Love - Indianapolis Women’s Choir Dismissal of Children
Announcements
Prayer | Pastor Bryan Smith
Call for Offering | Pastor Bryan Smith
Offertory | Arise My Love - Indianapolis Women’s Choir
Doxology
Scripture Reading | Luke 8:4-8
Message | Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross
Closing Song | Child of God
Benediction | Rev. Dr. Jevon Caldwell-Gross Postlude