The Spire

AN AN EDITION EDITION OF OFTHE THE UNITED UNITED METHODIST METHODIST REPORTER REPORTER

St. Luke’s Westheimer Campus now offers both an Induction Loop and an FM assisted hearing system in the Sanctuary and in the Parlor.

Two Sections, Section A • 076510 • Vol. 157 • No. 28 • November 12, 2010

in this issue

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3 Bless Friday

Health Fair

Improvisation: A Different Kind of Worship

5

November 14 Don’t Miss...

Commitment Sunday Renew Your Vows

Thanksgiving Sharing Details on page 3

CynthiaDetails Wilson on page 8

Our Church

For all of my 44 years, Margie Camp has been my biggest fan. Fiercely devoted to our family, she loved me even when I wasn’t very lovable. In the best and worst of times, she loved me unconditionally. We should all be blessed with an Aunt Margie in our lives... And we are…

We are blessed to be children of God. We have a father who has covenanted with us to love us unconditionally and to always be there for us. And our Christian family at St. Luke’s is an extension continued on page 2

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n an office building parking lot, there was a man giving away puppies.

I had to stop and ooo and ahhh. He even let me hold the black one with the heart shaped spot on his right eye.

I was glad my wife was not with me. We would have yet another dog at home.

Everyone loves puppies. It is hard to walk past a puppy and continue uninterrupted. A puppy just commands everyone’s attention. They demand that we stop and consider them. I’ll bet some of you even stopped to read this column because the title mentions puppies.

It is true with infants of almost every species. I remember spotting a doe and fawn last spring, standing roadside in a suburban neighborhood. I stopped to admire them. The fawn, with his spots and spindly legs, melted my heart. I was disappointed when they ran off into the woods by the road.

When I see a newborn baby at a restaurant, it is difficult not to stop and stare. The tiny hands and wrinkled face just amaze me. If I am with my family, I always say “look at that little baby over there?” We all love babies.

I believe there are two reasons for all of this. First, we are a people enamored by possibility. We love the idea of something that is not yet what it will be, something not yet encumbered by all the weight of bias and failure and dreams gone by. Infants represent hope, hope for the kingdom, hope for each one of us. Second, God created us with a desire to protect the helpless among us. Infants of every species are the epitome of vulnerability. When we see them, we recognize our need to care for the weak and powerless. They call the very best out of each one of us.

Thank you God, for babies of every variety. May they refresh our own hope and strength.

Everyone Loves Puppies

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church 3471 Westheimer at Edloe P.O. Box 22013, Houston, Texas 77227 713-622-5710 www.stlukesmethodist.org

The United Methodist Reporter (USPS 954-500) is published weekly by UMR Communications, 1221 Profit Drive, Dallas Texas 75247-3919. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to The United Methodist Reporter. PO Box 660275, Dallas, Texas 75266-0275.

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The City and World

continued from cover

Standing on the Promises “Our Church” St. Luke’s Stewardship emphasis for 2011

of God’s love. When we think back on the truly exceptional occurrences in our lives, we find that our Church played a major role. Similarly, at our lowest points, our Church is here to comfort us and to help us cope. How blessed we are to have St. Luke’s in our lives.

The 2011 Stewardship theme is “STANDING ON THE PROMISES”: Promises that we have made to support our Church and all of the incredible things that it does.

Mary Margaret and I are honored to be a part of this year’s campaign with Herminio and Miriam Aguila and Chuck and Pam Holm.

But as much as we lean on St Luke’s for support, St Luke’s needs OUR commitment. It needs us to stand on our promises. STANDING ON THE PROMISES reminds us of our promise to support St. Luke’s through our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness. STANDING ON THE PROMISES represents our response to God’s covenant with us and the opportunity to reach out and grow our community of faith.

November 14 is earmarked as Recommitment Sunday. It will be a celebration as we rise together recognizing all God has done for us and how valuable each of us is to Him. We hope, if you have not already, that you will complete your commitment card, mail it back right away or bring it with you on Sunday placing it in one of the boxes throughout the church. And then join us on November 14, in celebrating and rededicating ourselves to this special place-our Church.

Sincerely,

Gather Together for a Bless Friday: A Day of Values Turn Black Friday into Bless Friday.

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etailers have traditionally referred to the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday: the day sales abound and Christmas shoppers are out in full force. This year our community can turn Black Friday into Bless Friday. Along with other Houston churches, St. Luke’s will join in the Bless Friday movement to honor Christ by starting this Advent season with a day of service.

On November 26, families and their visiting relatives are invited to bring their favorite dish and enjoy a covered dish lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Canterbury Hall at the Gethsemane Campus. Following the meal, all will assemble “We Care, Houston” packages to be distributed to the homeless. The packages will contain individual food packages, as well as ballpoint pens, notepads and hygiene items.

These simple gifts to be distributed during Advent will remind the homeless that they are not forgotten. As you encounter the homeless on street corners, offer them a Bless Friday package, a kind word and a smile.

Donations are requested. Please bring small flip-top cans of meat products, individual packages of fruit, pudding, chips, bottled water, cheese and cracker snacks, gum, small boxes of raisins, band aids, ballpoint pens and note pads to the Gethsemane Campus. Monetary donations are also appreciated.

Visit www.blessfriday.org or contact Mireya Ottaviano, mottaviano@ stlukes-hou.org or Chicky Fowler c.s.fowler@sbcglobal.net to learn more.

KIDS HOPE USA is seeking mentors for at-risk elementary school students attending HISD’s Sutton Elementary for the 2010-11 school year. To be a friend for one hour a week contact Marci Pampe, St. Luke’s KHUSA Sutton Director, at 713-357-4466.

Mentors of Hope encourage students with life reaching out to our goals by mentoring social skills or serving as a program volunteer during a 30-minute, weekly community and lunch at Hope Café on the Lee High School campus. the world Contact Sheila at 713-787-1767.

Misión Milby Community Development Center needs volunteers to help refurbish its building. Please contact Pamela Scheyer at 713.869.9898 or pfscheyer@servantsnow.org.

YoungLives ministry to teen and parenting moms is looking for mentors and volunteers. Please contact Courtney at younglives@gmail.com or 832-630-0296.

Houston Food Bank: Natural disasters and the economic downturn have created a greater need for volunteers (ages 8 and up) to pack boxes and assist with food drives and special events. Register at www.houstonfoodbank.org or contact Matthew at 713-357-4466.

St. Luke’s Needlepoint Guild is being formed to make stoles and altar cloths for our church. If you are a beginner or advanced stitcher, we need your help. Please contact Kathryn Riddles at 281-745-0954 for information. All materials will be provided.

November 21, is the first day for Angel Tree sign up. Be a “Santa’s Helper” and/ or sponsor families in need by selecting a family on Sundays, November 21, 28, and December 5 in the Sanctuary hallway. Help at Breakfast with Santa at Misíon Milby on Saturday, December 11. Please contact Lynda at 713-402-5155 or lisensee@stlukes-hou.org.

outreach

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The City and World

Thanksgiving Sharing Sunday, November 14

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lease join with Children’s Ministries and bring your grocery sack with donations of non-perishable food items to church on November 14 to help feed Houston’s hungry.

Donations will be distributed by the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC). Items needed are: cereal, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, tuna, canned soup, vegetables and fruit, packages of beans and rice.

Did you know?

The combination of Natural Disasters and the economic downturn has created a greater need for the Houston Food Bank to assist our partners in 13 counties.

Over the past year the HFB has more than doubled in growth, providing over 137,000 meals weekly. The majority of this growth is minors and the working poor.

The HFB mission to end hunger is only possible through the generosity of individuals and organizations.

Of the people helped by your donations: 94% are not homeless, 47% are children and nearly half of the households include at least one working adult.

Houston Food Bank fact sheet 2010.

Tuesday Book Group: 12:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Gethsemane Campus To Sign Up: email Justin Coleman at jcoleman@stlukeshou.org.

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ome of you no doubt have seen Edward Hicks’ paintings of the “Peaceable Kingdom.”

The passage from Scripture that Hicks chiefly works from in his work is Isaiah 11:6, “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.”

The Peaceable Kingdom: Transforming Community

Imagine this wonderful new creation day when God puts the world back together again in such a way that those situations we think of as hostile become peaceable. Generally, we would think it a disaster to throw a wolf, leopard, and lion together with a lamb, calf, and a little child and say, “Have fun playing together!”

In Hicks’ painting below, you see to the far left settlers and Native Americans also together-living peaceably.

The scene reminds me of a song by Carrie Newcomer called, “Do No Harm.” The song is about a fellow named John Roth who moves to Ohio and asks the Native Americans he finds there to enter into a peaceable way of life with him. He suggests, “We can build the peaceable kingdom here in the shadow of these trees.” The song and the story it tells is a gripping one. John Roth and Edward Hicks’ paintings make me wonder if we can build the peaceable kingdom here in the shadow of these buildings (and some trees) here in Houston. Who are the people huddled in the left corner of our painting? Political parties? Races/Ethnicities? The Wards and the suburbs? Inner loop and outer loop?

I can’t help but want the church to sing to the world the chorus of Newcomer’s song: Do no harm shed no blood, the only law here is love.

We can call the kingdom down here on earth.

Beat your swords into plows, don’t be afraid [we’ll] show how.

Lift your eyes to the skies. All is holy here.

-Justin

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Relationships

Celebrating Lives ALTAR FLOWER FUND In Honor of: Gayle Eury by

Jo Stevenson May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him. Romans 15:13 As Christians, we are called to care and pray for one another.

Cares and Concerns: St. Luke’s Hospital Elsie Layton Rankin Woman’s Hospital Carrie Carlson

Recently Discharged Betty Broyles-Pettey Evelyn Gallaway Roberta Howard Jane Ramsey Camille Simpson

Congratulations to: Kirt and Tiffani Adams on the birth of their son, Weston Michael Adams, on October 27. Proud older brother and sister are Evan and Elise Adams.

Proud grandparents are Stan and Stephani Bunting.

Robert and Carolyn Elliott on the birth of their daughter, Madalyn Marie-Claire Elliott, on October 28.

Proud older brother and sister are D.J. and Countessa Elliott.

Tommy and April Perez on the birth of their daughter, Elise Danielle Perez, on November 5. Proud older sister is Mickaila Perez.

Lauren Kristine Gronberg and Garyt Lance Walker, who were united in marriage on November 6.

Amy Rebecca Smith and William Robinson Wagner, who were united in marriage on November 6.

caring ministries

CHANCEL CHOIR In Memory of: Ruby Coates Kolarik by

South Texas College:

Centers for Learning Excellence

Maxine Fisher

Steven Feinberg

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of

Hidalgo County EDLOE WOODSHOP In Memory of: Dale Miller Al Buescher & Norman Toellner by

Paul Renner ST. LUKE’S METHODIST CHURCH FOUNDATION In Memory of: Harold Burrow by

Dr. & Mrs. William Ott James A. Elkins III by

Mr. & Mrs. John Suman Barbara Denard Looke Irby B. Hughes & Charlotte Brennan Dawson by

Mr. & Mrs. Huey C. Keeney

Needlepoint Guild

UMW SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: Corinne Lawrence

Given Anonymously

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t. Luke’s Needlepoint Guild is being formed to make stoles and altar cloths for our church. If you are a beginner or advanced stitcher, we need your help. Please contact Kathryn Riddles at 281-745-0954 for information. All materials will be provided.

Our Sympathy to:

Jeannie Hearon on the death of her daughter, Nicole Jeanne Tague, on October 25.

Family and friends of Mae L. Turner, who died on October 26.

Jane Toole on the death of her mother, Helen Margaret Norris, on October 26.

Family and friends of Monene Miller, who died on October 31.

Gary Greenamoyer on the death of his father, Robert Francis “Bob” Greenamoyer, on November 1.

Phil, Roberta, and Bailey Murray on the death of Phil’s mother, Vernice Murray, on November 4.

Dave and Lagenia Clark and Jared, Justin, and Lexi Clark on the death of Dave’s brother-in-law, Sumpter M. Embrey III, on November 3.

Seasonal Decorations for Advent are a beautiful enhancement to our worship experience. Your contribution to the Advent Flower Fund is a wonderful way to remember or honor your loved ones.

Contributions are welcome in any amount and will be acknowledged in the Sunday Bulletin and in The Spire. To participate, please complete the form below and return it to the church office before Monday, December 6, 2010.

Seasonal Decorations for Advent at Westheimer Campus (Please Print)

In honor of:

If you know of a concern or a joy that the church should know about, please contact Caring Ministries at 713-402-5086 or -5156.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­In memory of:

Given by:

We Care!

Are you or a loved one facing surgery or hospitalization?

A crucial aspect of St. Luke’s Caring Ministry are the prayers we have with members prior to surgeries and during hospitalizations. Contact Karen Smith with details at 713-4025086 or ksmith@stlukes-hou.org

Donor’s Name: Address: City: Email:

Zip:

Phone: Amount of Donation:

$

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Relationships

senior adults

Living Abundantly: Connecting-GrowingServing Mainstreamers is a ministry by, with and for Senior Adults.

November 17, Silver Circle meets for games at 9:30 a.m. and lunch at noon on the Gethsemane Campus. RSVP to Betsy Evans at 218-565-0348.

November 18, Day Trip: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Our Day Trip will take us to Baylor College of Medicine to visit the new Michael E. DeBakey Library and Museum.

Our docent will be Ruth Sorelle, longtime medical writer and authority on the history of the Texas Medical Center. After our tour we will have lunch at Danton’s Seafood on Montrose. $20. Please call Kathy Neely, 713-402-5139, for reservations.

December 9, Mainstreamer Day 10:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Rev. Nancy Kellond will be with us to present her very special one-woman portrayal of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Nancy, whom many of you will remember from her time as a pastor here at St. Luke’s some years ago, is Senior Pastor at Klein UMC. We have a special musical treat planned as well. Our very own senior chorale group will entertain us with music and stories of the season. It will be a warm and wonderful day, topped off with a holiday buffet. $10. Call Kathy Neely, 713402-5139, for reservations.

A Different Kind of Worship ”I called him and said, ‘Dad, you won’t believe it. I was singing hymns to jazz music!’”

“One of the best parts is that it is at the end of the weekend so you go into the evening with that spirit of peace, instead of leaving church and running errands all afternoon.”

“I love being able to come to church in my flip-flops.”

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he Improvisation Faith Community is something special, a group growing within St. Luke’s that feels like family, where you come as you are and are loved just like that. We meet for worship on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Spirit-led, this service has an intimate, informal feel with gorgeous jazz music and beautiful visual arts. It is a time for life-calming prayers, thought-provoking poetry or readings, and compelling sermons. Even the weekly communion elements are intentionally inclusive: the bread and juice are organic and free of gluten, wheat, soy, corn, potato, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy...well, you get the point. We welcome and care for all – flip-flops or food allergies.

We can’t wait to close our weekend here, in the midst of people who smile and come out of their seats to greet us. It allows us to end the busy rush of errands and week-end to-dos with the presence of God. “We all are ministers here,” said one of the members. “It is a place where we truly see each other.”

Ready for some peace? Join us any Sunday at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel.

December 11: A.D. Players production of A Christmas Unwrapped. This A.D. Players holiday treat is a collection of holiday comedies by Jeannette Clift George, where the audience selects which three of four touching and hilarious one-act plays will be performed each day. These holiday treats include a mix of characters who, in the end, all find friendship, joy and the true meaning of Christmas in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Lunch before at an area restaurant. Call now to reserve your place, 713-402-5139.

Warm Your Heart Project Mainstreamers is sponsoring an outreach project to provide Christmas gifts for low income, homebound seniors through the Food For Seniors program of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. Donations are being accepted to finance 500 baskets containing fruit and other food items. $10 will provide one basket for one person, but donations in any amount are gratefully accepted. December 14 -15, volunteers will gather in Fellowship Hall from 9 a.m.-noon to assemble the baskets and get them ready for pick up by Interfaith Ministries. This is a great time of fellowship and caring that you will want to be a part of… the more hands, the merrier!

Come for the whole time or for any part of the time that suits your schedule.

youth activities A calendar of youth activities is available online at www.stlukesmethodist.org/programs/youth

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Relationships

New Members We welcome Angie Russell, who transfers to St. Luke’s from another United Methodist church. She is an internal sales consultant for Invesco, Inc. Angie has a one-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Yvonne “Libby” Switzer.

Jerry Kahn and Tina Throckmorton unite with our congregation, he by profession of faith and baptism and she by transfer from another denomination. Jerry works in I.T. for BG Us Services, Inc. and Tina is a homemaker and a member of the Chancel Choir.

Tina and Jerry are the parents of Tessa Throckmorton-Kahn, age 3, and Wyatt Throckmorton-Kahn, age 1.

Erik and Sandy Henry transfer to St. Luke’s from another United Methodist church.

Sandy is an engineer/manager with ExxonMobil. She and Erik are the parents of Ethan, who is in the 6th grade and a member of the 2011 Confirmation Class, and Julie, age 8 and a 3rd grader.

Ted and E’von Owen unite with St. Luke’s by transfer from another denomination. Ted is Executive Vice President and C.F.O of Team, Inc.

Baptisms

ASC Pick-up at ROES St. Luke’s After School Care Lillian Hazel McEnany, daughter of Michael Stewart McEnany and Mary Dawn Henson McEnany on October 31.

Campbell Jane Pacey, daughter of Matthew Ryan Pacey and Chelsea Allen Pacey, on October 31.

Not pictured

Ashley Fields unites with St. Luke’s by profession of faith. She is Advocacy Coordinator for Child Advocates, Inc. Martha Fleischer joins St. Luke’s by transfer from another United Methodist church. She is a retired lawyer and professor of English, and a member of St. Cecilia Choir and the Chancel Choir.

We welcome Joseph and Kristin Hodges, who unite with our congregation by profession of faith. Joseph is Operations Manager for Magentus Capital LLC. He and Kristin are the parents of Jonah Henry Hodges, age 1.

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eginning January 4, 2011 St. Luke’s After School Care will be adding River Oaks Elementary School to our pick-up list. Currently we pick-up from Lanier Middle School, The Joy School, Poe Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Briarwood Elementary, West University Elementary, School for Young Children, Roberts Elementary, Horn Elementary, and St. John’s School. We provide care for children currently in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. St. Luke’s ASC offers many activities like: homework room, arts & crafts, field sports, ballet, tae kwon do, tennis, yoga, multi-media/video, photography, cooking, and gym games with Coach Jones from West U Elementary. We also provide All Day Care on most HISD holidays, AND if you enroll in December to begin in January, you will be eligible to participate in All Day Care field trips the following days: December 20-23 and January 3. Field trip destinations include: a tour of Kegg’s Candy Factory, bowling at 300 Houston, shopping and broomball at Memorial City Mall, a tour of Blue Bell Creamery, and Putt Putt FunHouse. If you are interested in finding out more about ASC, please call 713-402-5075 or visit our website at www.stlukesasckidskamp.org.

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Spiritual Growth

Recent College Graduates

This vibrant new Sunday School class, made up of mostly singles ages 18 to 24, is led by Mike Stroman and Scooter Smith. The class discussion focuses on leadership, vision, managing success, and managing failure as these new graduates transition to life after college and learn ways to tie work life to spiritual life. This growing class meets in the Blanton Building at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays.

adult ministries

Life Together A Dinner With Dr. Tom Pace

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December 5

s he does throughout the year, Dr. Pace will lead the Life Together class on Sunday, December 5 from 4-7 pm. Although you might have previously heard this class advertised for prospective or new members only, the content and fellowship time with other members and Dr. Pace would be beneficial to ANY member of St. Luke’s. So join us!

Ellie Blaby says, “I really enjoy leading a table at the Life Together class, as it presents the values and atmosphere of our church. I feel that Life Together shows that we are a welcoming congregation, not just spectators, but active participants who all help in the life and progression of the church body, and encourage people that they have a place and a purpose in this community.”

You can sign up to come to Life Together…a dinner with Dr. Pace by contacting Mary Alaniz at 713-402-5015 or malaniz@stlukes-hou.org.

Rule of Benedict Group—Praying in Color

A small group has been devoting their Tuesday evenings to exploring the powerful impact that the Benedictine way of living has for our 21st century faith journey and practice. Each week Sari Frey, Pastoral Intern, has introduced the group to a new contemplative practice as part of this study, including the use of colors as a meditative tool during prayer.

Essentially, writing down a prayer-thought and then coloring and doodling can deepen your meditation and invite the Spirit!

Three Strands

Class for Committed Young Couples

Three Strands is a new Sunday School class for engaged and recently married couples in their mid 20s to early 30s. The name Three Strands refers to Ecclesiastes 4:12, which says, “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

The purpose of Three Strands is to create a Christ-centered community for the growing number of young couples who join St. Luke’s each week. To help us grow in our faith together, the class will be taught by more experienced couples who are willing to share their hearts and minds. Beginning October 31, the class will meet at 9:40 a.m. in Crossroads 101, located in the Crossroads Building across West Alabama from the St. Luke’s fields.

Beyond Sunday mornings, Three Strands members will have opportunities to worship, socialize, and serve together.

worship

Gethsemane Campus 8:30 a.m. Blended Communion service 9:45 a.m. Servicio en Español – Spanish Worship 10:55 a.m. Traditional Worship Westheimer Campus 8:30 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship with Holy Communion* 8:45 a.m. Sunday – Encounter Worship, Fellowship Hall 9:45 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship* 6 p.m. Sunday – Improvisation Worship, Chapel * Sanctuary Sermon videos, podcasts and corresponding study guides are available online at www.stlukesmethodist.org/worship/sermons

November 14 “There Comes a Time” Fifth in the Series Standing on the Promises Hebrews 12:1-3

Third Grade Bible Participants 2010 November 21 “Your Daily Workout” Sixth in the series Standing on the Promises Philippians 2:1-13

Dr. Tom Pace–Westheimer Campus Rev. Justin Coleman preaching–Gethsemane Campus Rev. Alison Gardner Young preaching–Westheimer Campus

Dr. Tom Pace–Westheimer Campus Rev. Justin Coleman preaching–Gethsemane Campus Rev. Alison Gardner Young preaching–Westheimer Campus

The altar flowers are dedicated to the glory of God and in celebration of all who are Standing on Their Promises by the 2011 Stewardship Co-chairs, Pam and Chuck Holm, Mary Margaret and Jay Greer and Miriam and Herminio Aguila; and in loving memory of John Mason Mings VI by Kara Mings.

The Harvest Altar is dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of Dr. Claude C. Cody III by Muriel Cody, Claude and Anne Cody, Carol and Charlie Herder and the grandchildren; in loving memory of Lori Beth and Alan Brian Wimmer by DeLois Wimmer and Stephen Wimmer; and in loving memory of Joyce Thompson by her family.

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Relationships