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A Pagan Holiday by Dr. Tom Pace
Christmas is, of course, an American pagan holiday. I don’t mean that disrespectfully—I love Christmas in all of its spiritual depth and with all its theological meanings attached. By pagan I mean that it is not a peculiarly religious holiday. Everyone—Christian believers and unbelievers and all the variations in between—celebrate Christmas. Of course there are those devoted to other faiths who do not celebrate the holiday at all. But the irreligious in America almost always celebrate Christmas. Most can tell you what the day commemorates, and most folks will explain to their children that it is the day Jesus was born. This phenomenon happens whether they believe Jesus is God incarnate or a good teacher or a fictional character or a symbol of the best of humanity. What makes it pagan is that its celebration is in no way unique to the Christian community. Actually, Christmas has made a rather dramatic 360 degree journey. The celebration began when the early church chose to claim the feast that surrounded the winter solstice—the darkest day of the year—as the day the light of Christ came into the world. They claimed a pagan holiday and made it Christian. Now it has come full circle to being
a secular holiday again. Maybe turnabout is fair play. I suppose we could gripe and whine about this. I hear lots of folks doing so. There are a few churches that don’t celebrate Christmas because of this very reason. But too often our “Keep the Christ in Christmas” campaign is really driven by our elder son attitudes toward those who don’t come around the rest of the year. What if we could see it as a golden opportunity that comes ‘round every year, a day when we come right alongside others who don’t yet know of God’s redemption? What if we seized the day and reached out to those who don’t yet know that God knows all of our human pain and fear and struggle, because God chose to become one of us? Christmas is a time when it is harder for people to shun our overtures to show them love in Jesus’ name. They are more prone to let us both share the good news and be the good news for them, because their decision to celebrate a holiday that bears Jesus’ name gave us tacit permission to love them like a brother or sister in Christ. And who knows, maybe this year it will sink in, and hearts will be open, and Christ will be born into their lives, maybe even for the first time. I sure hope he is born anew in mine.
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IN THIS ISSUE
A LETTER FROM TOM PACE, PAGE 3 WORSHIP HIM WITH GLADNESS, PAGE 6
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH SALLY MATTHEWS, PAGE 10
DNOW: MAKING DISCIPLES OF STUDENTS, PAGE 13
ON THE COVER: Everyone gets in the Christmas spirit at a wrap party helping St. Luke's Outreach Ministries prepare gifts for Tree of Angels children, whose fathers are part of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP).
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Fine Arts and Music Christmas Events
Conspirare Christmas December 2 | 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Austin's Grammy-winning choral ensemble Conspirare returns to St. Luke's for their signature holiday concert. Tickets available online: www.stlukesmethodist.org/ conspirare. It’s a Wonderful Life December 4 | 2:30 p.m. Join the Tapestry Players for this perennial holiday treat—a "live radio" adaptation of the Frank Capra classic, that is celebrating it's 70th anniversary. One show only, in the Rotunda Theater. Admission by donation.
Christmas in the Chapel December 9 | 7:30 p.m. An intimate evening of Christmas music featuring Credo, under the direction of Ryan Jones.
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Christmas at Gethsemane Youth Posadas December 11 | 3-9 p.m. Youth will meet at the church and enjoy the journey to view Christmas lights around Houston. Sign up in the youth area! Women’s Cultural Cooking Classes | December 1 and 15 10:30a.m.-1:30p.m. CONNECT Community host two more, in a series of four Cultural Cooking Classes at the Gethsemane Campus. For more information, contact Amy Kelley at akelley@stlukesmethodist. org. Magical Winter Lights December 16 5:30-10:30 p.m. These intricate lantern replicas of world landmarks will be a sight to behold! Enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship. Cost is $10 per person. Bring extra money for food and games. Register now in the youth area to save your spot. Christmas Around the World Dinner & Worship December 16 | 5:30 p.m. We will have a pot luck dinner of foods from all over the world. You are invited to prepare a holiday dish that is from your country and bring it to share. We’ll share Christmas music and stories from all over the world after dinner. Children's Ministries Volunteer Opportunities To serve, contact Juana Tavico at jchavez@ stlukesmethodist.org or 713357-4474.
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INSIDE-OUT HABITS WE TELL OUR STORIES
Worship Him with Gladness INSIDE-OUT HABITS WE MAKE FRIENDS
by Rev. David Horton
We have a new visitor at Gethsemane. She’s a sweet grandma, an abuelita (little grandmother), from Columbia, and she’s here in Houston to help her son and daughter-in-law care for their newborn baby girl. She doesn’t speak a word of English yet but she’s learning. She’s strong and determined to be the best grandma she can be.
five habits branding.indd 1
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“Worship the Lord with gladness,” says the Psalmist, “come into his presence with singing.” There is a Columbian grandma in Houston who comes to church every Sunday to worship God with her gladness.
7/18/16 2:48 PM
Christmas Day is on a Sunday this year. Now, you might think this is divine irony, a funny way of God saying, “Sleep in today. You’ve already done your church stuff for the week. There’s no need to worship me anymore.” But I have to tell you, there is an abuelita in Houston who will show up to church on Christmas morning expecting to worship God with her gladness, and we better be ready for her. Will you join her?
The birth of Jesus should make us the gladdest people on the planet, which means Christmas morning, on a Sunday morning, is a gift.
In the contemporary service, we offer real-time translation of the sermon from English to Spanish. Abuelita loves it. She puts on the earpiece and smiles, because she can sit with her family in worship and hear the same sermon they are hearing, they in English and she in Spanish. She desperately wants to hear the Word of God, and she is over the moon grateful that there is a church in Houston that will kick down the language barrier and bring her the Word.
Almost every Sunday after worship, abuelita will shake my hand and say, “Estoy muy contento,” which can be translated as “I am very happy” or “I am very glad.” I think in her case she is very glad.
The birth of Jesus should make us the gladdest people on the planet, which means Christmas morning, on a Sunday morning, is a gift, an opportunity, a rare, once-in-seven-year chance to express our gladness to God with our church family. Does it make you glad to come into God’s presence, or does it make you glad to stay at home in your pajamas?
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The choice is yours. But abuelita has already made her choice, and we better be ready.
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Sarah and the Judge: A True Story by Rev. Eric Huffman Three years ago, Sarah stood in the Harris County Courthouse, fighting her ex-husband, Doug, for custody of their six year old son, Jack. Sarah knew she hadn’t lived a perfect life; she partied too hard and drank too much sometimes as much as three bottles of wine per night. The only thing she had going for her was the fact that Doug was more of a mess than she was. So she put her best foot forward, fully expecting the judge to rule in her favor. But the Honorable Judge Bonnie Hellums wasn’t born yesterday; she’d seen this show before. She had been on the bench of Harris County’s 247th for twenty years, protecting kids from irresponsible, neglectful, and/ or abusive parents. Judge Hellums knew an addict when she saw one, and that day in her courtroom, she saw two. She glared down at Sarah and Doug, and said, “I think you both have a substance abuse problem, and I’ve got half a mind to take this child away from both of you. If you don’t get clean and sober, I will take this little boy and give him to someone who will put him first.’” Sarah took Judge Hellums’ warning seriously, but getting sober was still a mighty struggle until one morning, after a long night of drinking, something happened that forever changed her life. “I was standing in front of the refrigerator, so hungover, and I heard a voice. I mean, plain as day, I heard a voice that said, ‘You will die if you keep drinking like this.’”
Christmas at The Story Houston In addition to finding a 12-step group, Sarah knew finding a church home would be a critical part of her recovery. While visiting St. Luke’s, she heard about this new community called The Story, which was designed to reach nonreligious Houstonians with the gospel of Jesus, and she was intrigued. Within a few weeks, she joined the church and became the leader of The Story’s Prayer and Care Team. One Sunday morning, as Sarah was standing at the front door to welcome people as they arrived for worship, she was confronted with an unpleasant memory from her past life. Judge Hellums, who had been a member of St. Luke’s for decades but had never visited The Story until that day, walked through the door and stood in front of Sarah, waiting for the young woman to hand her a worship bulletin. All the blood left Sarah’s face and her heart pounded inside her chest as she mustered the courage to say, “Do you remember me, Judge Hellums?” Bonnie said, “No, sweetie, I don’t.” She had ruled on hundreds of thousands of cases like Sarah’s over the years. Trembling, Sarah said, “Listen, you tried my custody case about a year ago, and because of the things you said to me, I’ve been sober for almost a year.” Bonnie’s eyes filled with tears as she threw her arms around Sarah and whispered, “Thank you, thank you.” Later, Bonnie would say, “I was so moved because when you make a ruling, you never know if the decision you made was right.” Bonnie joined the Prayer Team, under Sarah’s leadership, and they’ve been friends and sisters in Christ ever since. Every Sunday morning when they meet at The Story, it’s a party - a celebration of the love of Jesus. Two women - a single mother with alcoholism and a family court judge - whose paths crossed in a courtroom battle a year ago, now equals and friends who would lay down their lives for each other. The power of the Cross is alive and well. Check out the video “Sarah’s Story” at www.bit.ly/ SarahStory2016
Under the Mistletoe: A Better Marriage by Christmas | Sundays November 27, December 4, 11, 18 | 9:40 and 11:05 a.m. The holidays place an extra strain on our relationships; marriages, in particular, are put to the test this time of year. During the four weeks leading up to Christmas day, pastor Eric Huffman will share some key principles and practices that make marriage work. Arrest These Merry Gentlemen Sunday, December 11 9:40 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. The kids will perform during both services on Sunday, December 11. Country Carols: Traveler’s Christmas Eve Thursday, December 15 7 p.m. Before going out of town for the holidays, or just to get a head start on the season, join us for The Story Houston's Traveler’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. The Story Houston Candlelight Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. A classic Christmas Eve experience, complete with carols, a Christmas message from Pastor Eric, and candlelighting. Christmas Day: Hymn-Sing w/Adrian Michael Sunday, December 25, one service at 11:05 a.m. only New Year’s Day Worship and Brunch | Sunday, January 1 one service at 11:05 a.m. only Come to The Story at 11:05 for a fully-catered brunch, some hot coffee and a few more Christmas carols.
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St. Luke's Flower Dedications The altar flowers are dedicated to the glory of God and are given: November 6 in honor of the founding of St. Luke's Methodist Church, November 11, 1945 and in honor & memory of our beloved parents, brother-in-law and husband: Lurlyn & Durwood Fleming, Virginia & Kenneth Shamblin, Kenneth Shamblin, Jr., Doris & Ben Curtis, and Loraine & Roy Lindberg by: Jon Hugh and Cheryl Lindberg Fleming, Pamela Fleming Shamblin, Steve & Marty Fleming Curtis. November 13 n in loving memory of Janice Mosing and D. K. “Beau” Mosing by Keith and Alice Mosing and family; and in celebration of the baptism of Emerson Everett Ostrom by Amanda and Jason Ostrom. November 20 in celebration of the baptism of Mary Helen Moore by her parents Kathryn and Michael Moore and by her proud grandparents Janet and Louis McCarter; and in celebration of the baptism of Keaton James Koenig by James and Ryann Koenig.
November 27 in celebration of the baptisms of their children Nicolas Andres, Lily Marin and Lucas Mateo Parsapour by Estella and Todd Parsapour; and in celebration of the baptism of Carter Grace Covington by Sarah and Travis Covington; and in loving memory of William M. Merritt, Jr. by Beverly Clardy Merritt; and in loving memory of Jerry Eckles by the Eckles family. December 4 The altar flowers are dedicated to the glory of God and are given in celebration of the marriage of Allison Lee Butts and Charles Randall Helms junior; and in celebration of the baptism of Nora Larkin Washington by Catherine and Andrew Washington; and in celebration of the baptism of Lillie Frances Knight by Allison and Tucker Knight.
End of the Year Giving There's still time to make a gift to a charity or to St. Luke's at the end of the year! Here are several options which will insure that your giving qualifies as a 2016 donation with the IRS. By Mail: Year-end donations must be postmarked no later than December 31. Many postal facilities may not be open on Saturday the 31st, so plan to have your gift in the mail by Friday, December 30. Please mail your check to St. Luke’s Finance Office, PO Box 22013, Houston, TX 77227-2013. In Person: The Finance Office will be open until 2 p.m. December 30 to receive donations, or you may drop your envelope in the church mail slot located outside the church office door before midnight on December 31. Online: Gifts may be made at StLukesMethodist.org/Give any time before midnight December 31. Stock: Gifts of appreciated securities are a good way to give to a charity. If you wish to make a stock gift this year, please contact the Finance Office for instructions and plan to complete your transfer by Wednesday, December 14 so that the sale can be settled by year end. IRA Charitable Rollover: Last year Congress approved legislation permanently to allow for tax-free distributions from IRA accounts up to $100,000 for individuals 70 ½ years old and older. Please contact your tax or financial advisor if you wish to consider this giving option.
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You can also contact Cindy Stafford at 713-402-5026 or cstafford@stlukesmethodist.org. All gifts not postmarked or received by December 31, 2016 will qualify as a 2017 tax deduction. Thank you for considering a year-end gift to support the ministries of St. Luke’s.
Interested in learning more about St. Luke's? Join us for Coffee with the Pastor!
Coffee with the Pastor UPCOMING DATES: Sunday, January 29, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 5:30-6 p.m. Please join us for a casual gathering with Senior Pastor, Dr. Tom Pace. Coffee with the Pastor is for visitors who would like to learn more about our church and a great first step in the Path to Membership. Enjoy getting to know our pastor and hearing parts of his spiritual journey, while being invited to examine your own. Learn more about St. Luke's values and vision, and how to be part of the life and mission of the church. Register online at StLukesMethodist.org/ events.
Christmas with Children's Ministries
zero to five
LEARNING
This Christmas we’re supporting three organizations doing great things in the area of “Zero to Five Learning” for at-risk children in the Gethsemane Campus area.
Join us as we partner with Collaborative for Children, Legacy Community Health and UTHealth to provide:
books training tools
so that every child has the opportunity to grow into the person God plans for them to be.
Give the Gift Of Reading This Christmas Donations for the 2016 Christmas Offering may be made online here: StLukesMethodist.org/christmas#giving. You may also give by check made payable to St. Luke’s with “Christmas Offering” in the memo line, or by placing donations in the 2016 Christmas Offering pew envelopes. Thank you for your generosity!
March to the Manger Sunday, December 4 9:45-10:45 a.m. Children in our 2s-5th grade Sunday School classes will bring un-wrapped toys to Sunday School for the Jingle Bell Express program at the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC). Las Posadas Sunday, December 11 9:45-10:45 a.m. Mary and Joseph (played by a St. Luke's family), accompanied by St. Luke's children, reenact their search for shelter by knocking at the doors of the inns (classrooms). At the end of the Sunday School hour, classes enjoy the breaking of a star-shaped piñata and seeing the nativity scene.
Rob Landes Annual Christmas Concert Sing-a-long and Cocoa Party Sunday, December 11| 4 p.m. Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall Join Rob Landes for an afternoon of family fun and Christmas carols! Afterwards, Children's Ministries will host a cocoa party in Fellowship Hall.
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INSIDE-OUT HABITS WE TELL OUR STORIES
Up Close and Personal With Sally Matthews
INSIDE-OUT HABITS WE MAKE FRIENDS
When Larkin & I moved to Houston in 1978, I left my job as a National Bank Examiner and began a career in banking. One of my customers was Walter Underwood, the pastor at St. Luke’s. He and I shared a love of Virginia – I was raised there and Walter attended the University of Virginia. Each time he visited the bank, if I was away from my desk Walter would leave a business card to let me know he had been in. Larkin and I were visiting St. Luke’s (along with several other local churches) and one day Walter left a card with a note on the back: “How would you feel if one of your customers moved to town and left their bank account back home?” We got the message – it was time to commit, to move our church memberships, and we joined St. Luke’s the very next Sunday! Several years later I was pleased to be asked to serve as a lay member of the Finance Committee (which in hindsight gave me a year of “not yet on the job training”). One day during the fall of 1987 I ran into Jim Moore in the hallway as I was bringing our son Jack to Mother’s Day Out. Jim shared that the church was adding the position of Director of Finance and inquired if I might know of anyone who might be a candidate. I promised to get back to him with some suggestions, which I did the next day. After I provided him with several names, he said “what I really want to know is if YOU would be interested...” The answer to that question is obvious. Sally Matthews left her position at West U Bank to become the Director of Finance at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in February of 1988. She looks back at that time remembering that, "Initially the idea of working where we worshipped was a bit thought provoking. What if I came to work here and realized the staff were not the Sunday worship people I had
...then and now in the Church Staff Directory
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grown to love?” With a smile she continues, “What a wasted concern that was… Every day of service on the staff of St. Luke’s has been a privilege. I have been blessed to get to know many extraordinary lay people, and have had the gift of working with dedicated men and women, all of whom are centered on the work of God’s kingdom. We have also been blessed to be part of the Gene Decker Sunday School Class. Our best friends are here, and this group has cared for us during challenging times, and celebrated with us in the happy times.” five habits branding.indd 1
Working at a church is a family affair. When Sally began on staff, her son attended the Day School. “What a joy it was to come to work and walk him to class just down the hall,” she says. Each of Sally and husband Larkin’s three children grew up in the church, and are absolutely at home here. Her oldest daughter, Elizabeth is a Methodist pastor, and is married to Seann, also a Methodist pastor. They have two children, James, who is 3, and Sara was born in September. Her daughter, Catherine, teaches first grade at The Presbyterian School and is married to Andrew, who works in flight control at NASA. Their son Connor is 2, and their daughter Nora was born in late August. Jack, the youngest, followed the passion instilled in him during his high school years at St. Luke’s and now works for UMARMY, a Texas Conference program which encourages youth in mission. His wife Marla is the youth director at Pollard UMC in Tyler. They have two sons, Jackson is 3 and McClain was born in September. She and Larkin say “We have been blessed to be part of this church which has shaped our family in such significant ways." During her time at St. Luke's she has served as Director Of Finance, then Executive Director of Finance and Administration. She has served as a member of the Executive Committee, the Finance Commission, the Audit Committee, Personnel Committee and the Building Committee. She has had oversight of Buildings and Grounds, of the church Board of Trustees and of the Directors of the St. Luke’s Methodist Church Foundation. Sally has been instrumental in three major building programs at St. Luke’s. Her wise counsel and sound stewardship has placed our church in a very favorable financial situation. Her integrity and high standards have served us well. She has earned the trust of church members and staff, and for that we
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are extremely grateful. But there is so much more to who she is and what she has given our church. With a twinkle in her eyes, she has graciously modeled Christian friendship, genuine compassion and a joy for life that has inspired hundreds of staff and lay leaders who have had the privilege of working with her. And now the time has come to wish her well as she retires from her post at the end of December.
Adding up 29 years
Under Sally Matthew’s capable leadership, and with the support of lay members, St. Luke's began to set aside a small amount each month from the operating budget to care for necessary capital expenses. In addition, our church has also built a “rainy day” fund of $1M which provides cash flow during slow summer months and is available in the event of a catastrophic financial event. This is a “luxury” many churches are not able to afford.
Sally Matthews and her children in the St. Luke’s courtyard in 1990.
What's next? In her Own wOrds...
“They” say there is a time for departure even when there is no certain place to go. I considered 3 “Bs” in making my plan for completing my ministry here: BUILDINGS: I promised Tom I would remain until the buildings were complete. We had a grand celebration in late October; with the vision of our leadership, the expertise of our architect and contractor, and again, with the labor, love, and generosity of many lay volunteers, we are poised to launch life changing ministries from these new spaces. BACKUP: We have a talented and dedicated staff on our Finance team; they are ready to move St. Luke’s forward and continue our long-standing emphasis on high quality financial stewardship. BABIES: At the beginning of 2016, our children and their spouses each had one child; this year in the one month between August 27 and September 27, each added another baby! Just the thought of going from 3 to 6 grandchildren in the course of a month still leaves me dazed. What a multitude of blessings! So perhaps there is no “certain” place to go, but certainly we do have things to do!
Our Church budget has gone from $2.9M in 1988 to $9.3M in 2016. In 1988 church assets were $12.9M; in 2016 they were $44M. And, in 1988, St. Luke’s Foundation assets were $1.7M. In 2016 they were $21.4M.
in their wOrds, frOm her family, friends and cOlleagues: "Bright, talented, conscientious, personable, joyful, compassionate, productive, winsome, family-oriented, devoted, and deeply committed to Christ and the Church… Sally Matthews is all of those and much, much more… and we are all incredibly blessed to know her and her family!” Jim and June Moore “Mom and Dad encouraged us each to be involved in the ministries of St Luke’s and through choirs, children’s programs, youth mission trips and summer jobs, St Luke’s became a home away from home. Each of us is now working in a career that somehow began at St Luke’s. Whether in the ministry, mission field, or education—all of these began with our involvement at St Luke’s.” daughter
Catherine Washington
“Mom has always stressed that her job is to find a way to make ministry happen...We have all been immensely blessed by her time at St. Luke’s.”
daughter Rev. Elizabeth Duffin
“Sally is one of a kind. She has a financial mind, and a marvelous attitude. Her view has always been that it is her job to help ministries find the resources they need to do what God is calling them to do, while helping us be good stewards of those resources. Moreover, she has marvelous people skills as well, welcoming all that come her way with warmth and openness. God has used her in wonderful ways, and I am truly grateful.”
Tom Pace 11
Start a fresh chapter next year in 2017 by taking a class! Epic of Eden: Study of Isaiah | Thursdays, 9:45-11:30 a.m. January 19-March 9, 2017 | Led by Louise McEvoy Brilliant, courageous, uncompromising, the prophet Isaiah declared that “the year of the LORD” had come and God’s people needed to either step up, or stand down. In The Epic of Eden: Isaiah, Dr. Sandra Richter takes participants back to the eighth century BCE. This eight-week study explains Israel’s religion and economy, explores the definition and role of the prophets, and helps us to apply the message of this great champion of the faith to our lives today. The Joy of Discipline: Discovering intimacy with God through inward spiritual practices in 2017 | Sundays, 4-5:30 p.m. January 29 – March 5, 2017 | Led by Rev. Thomas Harper What if a disciplined life that is not forced on you by others, but entered into prayerfully with God, actually leads to a more balanced and joyful life? In the book The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster shows us that spiritual disciplines are a doorway to freedom from our slavery to self-interest and fear. This class will take particpants deeper in studying, exploring, and practicing four inward disciplines, spurring them towards joy and the freedom of a more balanced life and closer relationship with their Creator. For more information, contact Rev. Thomas Harper at 713-402-5009 or tharper@stlukesmethodist.org. For more classes and learning community opportunities, visit www. StLukesMethodist.org/groupfinder.
"Putting Your House in Order" Seminar January 29, 2017
How can I tell the next generation about my walk with the Lord? What steps can I take now to assist those who will settle my estate? Give the loving gift of preparedness to those you love; and share with them the true legacy of your faith journey. If you have not considered inheritance and charitable planning, it’s not too late. Leah Taylor, Senior Area Representative, Texas Methodist Foundation, will present Putting Your House in Order, a seminar for adults, young and old on Sunday, January 29 at 12:15 pm. Lunch and a workbook are included in the $20 registration fee. Leah will discuss how our faith story should influence our estate planning; and she will walk participants through the requirements for a valid will and other important planning tools. The workbook provides helpful information about needed paperwork, including samples of an appointment of a guardian and a living will. Please register at StLukesMethodist.org/events by January 23 to ensure enough workbooks are prepared. For more information, please contact Sally Gray, Director of Generosity, at sgray@ stlukesmethodist.org, or 713-402-5006.
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DNow - Making Disciples of Students by Kimberly Pinckney
We stay pretty busy year round in Student Ministries. Our calendar is filled with weekly small groups, monthly Saturday Night Live events and outreach projects, Sunday morning services, and a ton of trips and retreats. But none of those compare to the excitement and anticipation that come with our annual winter retreat, DNow. This is the only weekend-long event with both Middle and High School students - everyone gathered together in one place to worship and sing and grow in faith. This year is even more exciting because of the beautiful new Student Ministry Building and contemporary worship spaces. Thanks to an increase in capacity, we are able to welcome students from our Gethsemane campus and from our neighbors at West University United Methodist Church. One of our dreams for the new building was for St. Luke's to be seen as a hub for student life here in Houston. We are thrilled to be realizing that dream just a few months after opening the doors in August. With a record number of students already signed up, and more being added each week, this is on track to be our largest retreat ever, with over 250 students projected to attend. That's 250 middle and high schoolers hearing the words of gifted and nationally recognized speaker Mark Oestreicher and worshipping through music with our long-time friends and incredibly gifted musicians in the Ryan DeLange Band. Through existing partnerships with organizations throughout the city, every one of those students will spend time giving back to the community
through one of several service projects planned for Saturday afternoon. They will all spend time in small group discussions with or dedicated adult and college-aged leaders.We have already begun praying for each person involved with DNow. We're praying for the students already signed up and for those who haven't committed yet. We're praying for our college students who return each year to serve as leaders, and for our adult and parent volunteers who invest in these students every week through small groups. We're praying for the generous families who open their homes to host a group for the weekend, and we're praying for the families whose homes get a little quieter for a few days.We know God is going to be moving in all of these lives. Will you join us as we pray, and be a part of the unique and awesome experience of DNow?
Student Ministries Christmas Events Poinsettia Delivery Saturday, December 3 1-4 p.m. All 6th-12th grade students and their families are invited to join us for our annual Christmastime service project as we deliver poinsettia plants to homebound members of St. Luke's. This afternoon of giving back means so much to our community of older church members, and it's something they look forward to all year long. This is a great chance for your whole family to serve together! Email Tyler with any questions. Christmas attire and Santa hats are strongly encouraged! Christmas Progressive Dinner | Sunday, December 4 5:30-8:30 p.m It's time for our annual Progressive Dinner! Bring $20 and wear your tackiest Christmas sweater. Bonus points if it lights up! We will start at St. Luke's, then split off for appetizers and dinner at various houses in Houston. We meet back up for dessert and hot cocoa before heading to the church for pick-up. Gathering for Parents of College Freshmen Sunday, December 4 4:00 p.m. Do you have a son or daughter off at college for the first time? Are you wondering what life will look like when they return for that ridiculously long holiday break? Join us as we tackle tricky questions and more with some seasoned veterans in the "life with college students" world. Email Kimberly at kpinckney@ stlukesmethodist.org for more information.
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ST. LUKE’S
LIFE
Here at St. Luke’s, we want you to have every opportunity to build authentic bonds with other Christians—just like you—who are striving to walk the Christian journey faithfully, so check out the following events! Join our church family and find a small group and Sunday morning class that truly fits. To learn more about all of our ministry groups, visit StLukesMethodist. org/ministries.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN UMW Advent Spiritual Growth Service December 6 | 10:30 a.m. Chapel All St. Luke's women and guests are invited to an Advent service of music, scripture and communion followed by a potluck brunch. UMW Games Group | Mondays, December 5, 19 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Room EN204 (R25) For more information contact Lori WilsonReynolds, 713-665-3553.
SENIOR ADULTS Mainstreamer Christmas Lights Tour | December 8 | 3–9 p.m. Gulf Greyhound Park, La Marque, TX 2016 Magical Winter Lights promises over 100 eye-catching scenes including replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Beijing Temple of Heaven, Taj Mahal, and even dinosaurs, plus more...all made completely of lights! The group will share a meal together close to the park and the tour is explore at your own pace. For more information or to reserve your spot, call 713402-5087. Mainstreamer Day Program and Luncheon Thursday, December 15, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Hines Baker Room | Art as Spiritual Decor In this presentation by Houston artist, Caroline Furlong, we will explore the meaning and purpose of icons. A Christmas lunch will follow the program. Call 713-402-5087 to reserve your place.
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Like to Play Bridge? | Mondays, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Room EN204 (R25) All are welcome at this informal group interested in Bridge played by Goren rules. A good opportunity to brush up your skills or if you are just learning or want to learn. For more information, call Kathy Austin, 713-252-6727.
UMW Gethsemane Book Group Saturday, December 10 | 9:30 a.m. Gethsemane Book Group will meet at Betsy's Santa's Wonderland with all her beautiful decorations for Christmas. We are reviewing Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber. Call Jo Ann Smith 713-686-5859 for information. UMW Westheimer Book Group | Monday, December 12 | 10 a.m. | 3501 Building 104 (CR104) Twelve Drummers Drumming by C.V. Benison For more information, contact Dorothy Voss, 713-660-7243.
UMW Shalom Circle | Tuesday, December 13 10 a.m. | Room 1304, Gethsemane Campus Please bring a game or cards and a pot-luck dish or salad to share. Please RSVP to May Jee at 713-771-3279 by Dec. 9. Merry Christmas! UMW Night Circle | Tuesday, December 13 6:30 p.m. | Chapel Join us for an inspirational message from Dr. Pace, communion and singing around the piano with Circle members, friends and women of all generations. Fellowship and festive refreshments will follow. For more information, call Pat Deckert at 713-334-6848.
NICK FINNEGAN COUNSELING CENTER ‘Twas The Night Before Counseling 'twas the night before counseling, when all through my head Thoughts were racing like a kid on a sled The reds and the greens of the season were there But for me, shades of blue popped up everywhere
UMW Afternoon Study Circle My kids and our pets were all snug as a bug Tuesday, December 13 | 12-2 p.m. Carol Miller’s house, 3511 Plumb St. 77005. Please RSVP to Kathy Austin at I tossed and turned but only could shrug Was it sorrow or grief? I couldn’t be sure 713-252-6727. My one Christmas wish was to just find a cure Gethsemane Silver Circle Wednesday, December 14 | 9:30 a.m.–1p.m. | Canterbury Hall, Gethsemane Campus Enjoy a morning of games and conversation, with lunch and birthday celebrations at Noon. $5 for lunch. For reservations call Betsy Evans, 281565-0348. UMW Service Group | Monday, December 19 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Room EN205/206 (R23) Contact Mary White at 281-615-4115 for more information.
FINE ARTS Rotunda Gallery | December We welcome painter and ceramic artist Maryam Lavaf to the Rotunda Gallery for the month of December. Educated in Tehran and Houston’s Glassell School of Art, Maryam has exhibited work in several shows and galleries, including solo shows in the Archway Gallery and the Jung Center.
I’d heard someone say it: holiday blues The source I didn’t know, so I looked for clues Nothing on social media could I find It’s like I had conjured it up in my mind Only darkness outside with no clues in sight If I was all alone then #goodnight But I saw a glimmer. Was it hope or snow? The source of my gloom, I simply did not know The dampness on my heart I knew I could kick Thanks Finnegan Counseling Center – that’s Nick While I worried and wondered: what would they think? Most important was change; I was on the brink Happy to know that counselors don’t judge I knew mine would be there to give me a nudge Realizing that on my heart was a lesion ‘twas time to tackle my blues; ‘tis the season
PRAYER MINISTRY
Excited yet nervous I crawled back in bed As visions of a new me danced in my head Happy I called in hopes of finding a fix 713-402-5046
Service of Healing | December 7 | 6-7 p.m. | Westheimer Chapel Join us the first Wednesday of every month for a Service of Healing. This month, Rev. Bill Denham will lead a time of prayer and communion where we ask God for spiritual and physical healing for you or a loved one. For more information contact Laurie Noteboom at lnoteboom@ stlukesmethodist.org or 713-402-5024.
If holiday blues are too much to bear alone, talking to a counselor can help. The Nick Finnegan Counseling Center team has experience caring for children, teens and adults. Conversations are confidential.
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Welcome New Members!
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Gene and Susan Vaughn unite with our congregation by transfer from another denomination.
Julia Chandler transfers to St. Luke's from another denomination. She is a student and joins her parents, Jim and Ellen Chandler, and her grandmother, Dot Haddock in the St. Luke's membership.
Karen Kolle joins St. Luke's by transfer from another denomination. She is a retired teacher.
Jim and Ellen Chandler transfer to St. Luke's from another denomination. Jim is the managing director for Bessemer Trust and he and Ellen join their daughter, Julia, and Ellen's mother, Dot Haddock in the St. Luke's membership.
Pascal and Lauren Martin join by transfer, he from another denomination and she from another United Methodist church. He is a financial planning and analysis manager with Halliburton and she is a geologist with Apache Corporation.
Dot Haddock transfers to St. Luke's from another United Methodist church. She joins her daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Jim Chandler, and granddaughter, Julia Chandler in the St. Luke's membership.
Michael and Julie Taetz unite with St. Luke's by transfer, he from another denomination, and she from another United Methodist church. Michael is Principal/Director of Colliers International and Julie is president of The Appelt Company.
Irene Hickey unites with St. Luke's from another denomination. She is a freelance writer, and joins her friend, Lindsey Kroll, in the St. Luke's membership.
Wayne and Mary White unite with St. Luke's, he by profession of faith and baptism and she by transfer from another denomination. Wayne is a senior attorney with McKesson Corporation and Mary is an artist.
Jack and Marilyn Martin transfer to our congregation from another United Methodist church.
Dudley Alberts unites with our congregation by transfer from another denomination. She is a member of the Good Will Class.
Georgia McBride joins St. Luke's by transfer from another denomination. She is a consultant with Sterling Associates, and joins her fiance, Mark Agerton and his family in the St. Luke's membership.
Susan Davidson-Vest unites by transfer from another denomination. She is a research nurse in cardiology at the University of Texas Medical School and joins her husband, Bruce Vest, in the St. Luke's membership.
Lori Vetters unites with St. Luke's by profession of faith and baptism. She is a member of the Horizons Class and the mother of Trey Vetters, age 11.
Mark and Whitney Williams unite with our congregation, he by transfer from another United Methodist church and she by profession of faith. They join Mark's brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Michelle Williams, grandmother Betty Brouthers, uncle, Jeff Kuhn, aunt, Sharon Kuhn Young, in the St. Luke's membership.
Matthew and Hallie Ager unite with St. Luke's by profession of faith. He is in sales and she is a physical therapist. Matthew and Hallie are the parents of Gus, age 3, and Emmerson, age 22 months.
Daniel and Cricket DeWalch transfer to St. Luke's from another United Methodist church. Daniel is a chiropractor and the owner of Spine & Sports Therapy, and he and Cricket are the parents of Sophie, age 6, and Lauren, age 4.
Congratulations, Baptisms! The Sacrament of Baptism was received by: Louisa Ann Peduzzi, daughter of Dante Tolvanen Peduzzi and Jodi Monk Peduzzi on October 16. Tanny Charles Toomey III, son of Tanny Charles Toomey, Jr. and Lindsi Marie Ellis Toomey on October 16.
Scarlett Sophia Disch, daughter of Scott Christopher Disch and Rhianna Leigh Reuter Disch on October 23.
Noah Grayson Freeman, son of Scott Hamilton Freeman and Jacklyn Anne Freeman on October 23.
Bennett David Helffrich, son of David Thompson Helffrich III and Katherine Schneider Helffrich on October 23.
John Eric "Jeb" Blossman, Jr., son of John Eric Blossman and Ashley Jo Heard Blossman on November 13.
Emerson Everett Ostrom, son of Jason Bradley Ostrom and Amanda Lynne Stecker Ostrom on November 13.
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Caring and Sharing As Christians, we are called to care and pray for one another. Congratulations to:
Our Sympathy to:
Elizabeth and Will Eggleston on the birth of their daughter, Berkeley Erin Eggleston, on October 7. Proud older brother is Wyatt Eggleston and proud grandparents are Mark and Becky Kidd.
Ethel Dodge and Alice Anne Dodge on the death of Ethel’s sister, Donny Wiley, on October 12.
Brandon and Paige Berg on the birth of their daughter Claire Lee Berg, on October 18. Elizabeth Alvarado and Kamal Dib on the birth of their daughter, Sofia Dib, on October 18. Proud older sister is Brianna Pineda. Katherine Danielle Kasprzak and Matthew Owen Clark, who were united in marriage on October 22. David and Amanda Swift on the birth of their son, Andrew James Swift, on October 25.
Gretchen and Kent Setrum, Mallory Jennings, Delaney Setrum, and Jackson Setrum on the death of Braxton Davies Reed on October 13.
May the god of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 5:13
Gustavo and Kelsey Salcedo on the birth of their son, Simon Peter Salcedo, on October 29. Tara Allison Geeck and Paul Armstrong Brown, who were united in marriage on October 29. Deborah Kay Kidd and Robert Edwin Bewley, who were united in marriage on November 5. Whitney Taylor Lea and William Blake Davis, who were united in marriage on November 12.
Bobby Plummer on the death of his brother, Donald Dean Plummer, on October 16. Family and friends of Elbertine S. Walters, who died on October 17. Bob and Michelle Frazier, Joe and Claire Frazier, John and Claire Frazier, Margaret Frazier, Stephen and Brittany Frazier, Robert Frazier, and Annie Frazier on the death of Margaret Johnson Frazier on October 18, 2016.
Chris Canonico and Lauren Soliz, Riley and Caylee Canonico on the death of Chris’ father, Peter Guy Canonico, on October 19. Alice Gwaltney on the death of her husband, James A. Gwaltney, on November 5. Julie, Taylor, and Cole Ellerbrock on the death of their sister-in-law and aunt Karen Marie Ellerbrock, on November 5.
If you know of a concern or a joy that the church should know about, please contact Caring Ministries at 713-402-5004 or -5156. We Care! St. Luke's Caring Ministry delights in praying with members prior to surgeries and during hospitalizations. Contact Laurie Kereluk with details at 713-402-5004 or lkereluk@stlukesmethodist.org.
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Celebrating Lives BUILDING FUND In Honor of: Jeff Creel John Farrell and Tom Pace by Pat Deckert In Memory of: Gwen Allen by Sharon & Mark Turk Randy Gorham by Timothy P. Hart Beulah Rae Jarvis by Joanne Mueller CARING MINISTRIES In Honor of: St. Luke's Staff by Roxi Dainty In Memory of: Elbertine Walters by Mary & Gregory Erwin Janet & Michael E. Hill Minda & Charles Hodges Bobbie Radtke The Vandersteegs CHILDRENS MINISTRY In Memory of: Margaret Johnson Frazier by Laura & Bill Denham Beulah Rae Jarvis by Laura & Bill Denham The McGinley family Vera House Leisk by Anne & Currie Bechtol Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Chambers, Jr. Gus Comiskey, Jr. CLU William V. Conover,II Susan & Dan Floeck Anne M. Linder Fain McDougal Mary Ann & Montgomery Meigs Ralph S. O'Connor Diania & Tom Pace Fannie Parker Ted Roggen Claudia Rosenthal Vivian L. Smith Foundation
Judy & Charlie Steadman Bill Thomas Casey Leighton Thomas Becky & Wayne Watkins FRIENDS OF MUSIC In Memory of: Juanita Cole by Ed Cole GENE DECKER STUDY CLASS ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of: Lela Kidd by Betty & Bob Geary Gloria Quian by Betty & Bob Geary GETHSEMANE In Memory of: Mrs. Shui Ping “Shirley” Gee by Mr. & Mrs. William Jee and Family William “Bill” Pharr by Mr. & Mrs. William Jee and Family NFCC In Honor of: The 2016 Allegro Debutantes by Carla and Cole Dawson Family Fund In Memory of: Bonnie Cokinos by Susan & Bill Finnegan OUTREACH MINISTRIES In Honor of: Sheila & Jerry Reese by Mike & Elizabeth Petit In Memory of: Nick Holland by Patty Dickson RANDY SMITH SCHOLARSHIP In Memory of: Gwen Allen by Laura & Bill Denham ST. LUKE’S METHODIST CHURCH FOUNDATION In Memory of: Allen Cairnes by Dale & James Aurich Mike Hjalmarson by
Sue & John Anderson Guy Edmund Knolle, Jr. by Peggy Roe Beulah Rae Jarvis by Graeme & Edgar Marston Diania & Tom Pace Clint Morse by Paul & Susan Bettencourt & Family Dawn & Steven Bravard Lisa & Charles Curbo Marie Dilworth Cathy & David Holly Mr. & Mrs. Eric H. Lestin & Family Gail & Joseph Nixon Gladys O'Neal Alicia & Robert Weatherall UMCOR In Memory of: Gene Decker by Jane & Charles Szalkowski Jeri Savuto by Sue Muenks UMW SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Honor of: Geovanna Huffman by St. Luke's UMW In Memory of: Gwen Allen by St. Luke's UMW WOODSHOP In Memory of: Norman Toellner Albert Buescher V. Dale Miller Johnnie Marie Hardin Roberta Howard Victor L. Sponenberg Jo Rice Spiller Thomas Humphrey Betty Jane Smith Stephen Lee Irby James O. Knight and James B. Yarbrough by Paul Renner
"I thank my God every time i remember you..." Philippians 1:3
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