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. 30 • November 26, 2010
in this issue
2
It’s a Wonderful Life
3
Annual Christmas Festival
7
All Church Christmas Lunch
I
In 1979, the Houston Chronicle ran an article with the story of Roy Alvarez, Jr. When he was 10 years old, he was swept away in a riptide at Rollover Pass on the Bolivar Don’t Forget peninsula. The Apparently, an unknown man came into the water and Note pulled Roy to safety. Roy’s mother was overcome with emotion, watching this event. Apparently, the stranger disappeared, and she never learned his name. Mrs. Alvarez called the Chronicle to ask them to please publish the article, because “she never had the chance to say thank you.”
Thank You
Jesus tells the story of the 10 lepers who were healed, with only one of them returning to say thank you. Perhaps the others were simply so overcome with emotion, so focused on their transformation that they forgot to focus on the source of that transformation. They forgot the thank you note. In our human relationships, gratitude is life changing, and too often forgotten. In our relationship with God, gratitude is the very core of our response to God’s love. It is the motivation for all that we do. I think God likes thank you notes, too. I will write him one this very morning.
During the Advent season at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, our theme is And Heaven and Nature Sing. We will spend time singing great carols and we will look at those carols to understand the real truth of the Christmas message, that God loves us enough to make a personal and permanent appearance in your life and mine. Christmas is a time for singing. Will you come and sing with us?
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.
2|
The City and World 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. Angel Tree sign up. Be a “Santa’s Helper” and/or sponsor families in need by selecting a family on Sunday, November 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
It’s a Wonderful Life!
B
efore the days of television, folks used to gather around the radio to listen to the news, sports and their favorite shows. Have you ever been curious to see how these shows were produced in the radio studio? If so, then make plans to join us on Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m. in the Rotunda Theatre to watch a live LUX Radio broadcast of the holiday classic, It’s a Wonderful Life! The 1946 film (starring Jimmy Stewart) was based on a book called The Greatest Gift. In the story, George Bailey is in despair on Christmas Eve and considers suicide. A guardian angel named Clarence makes it his mission to save George and earn his angel wings. By showing George all the people whose lives he has touched, Clarence proves to him that he has really made a difference by his actions. As a result, George realizes that his life IS truly wonderful! Our broadcast promises to add a fascinating new twist to this old holiday favorite. It is fun, funny, poignant and rich with the spirit... a blessing to all who come. There is no admission charge, so bring the whole family!
A big “Thank You” to our congregation for filling up the CCSC truck with food and baby items during our annual Thanksgiving Sharing.
Poinsettia Cheer for our Friends At Home
Please stop by the Commons Sunday, December 12, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and choose a poinsettia to take to one of our special members.
|3
The City and World
I
n seminary, students are taught to look at every area of society every area of human interaction and to think of those areas in relation to our Christian faith. For the first time some of us began asking questions like, “Have Christians always celebrated birthdays?” and “How should we think Pain and Hope about national holidays and church observance?” I remember doing a little research about Thanksgiving Day. We certainly all give God thanks, but I remember seeing the complex Thanksgiving story that Charlie Brown painted in one of his wonderful seasonal cartoon movies. Upon researching, I was so pained to know that some Native Americans call it a “Day of Mourning.” I was even more pained that as a person in my 20s, I had never heard this lifted up anywhere that I could remember.
Giving Thanks:
Annual Christmas Festival
T
he choir loft will be overflowing on Sunday morning, December 12 as the Chancel Choir and orchestra will present the annual Christmas Festival during all three traditional morning worship services (8:30, 9:45 and 11a.m. This year’s theme is “Love Came Down at Christmas”, and one of the selections is a new setting of this piece, composed by Taylor Davis. As is our tradition, the Festival will include both familiar and new pieces that capture all the emotions of the season... joy, wonder, awe, mystery, tenderness and love. In addition to the outstanding pieces by our choir and orchestra, we’ll also enjoy congregational singing of favorite Christmas hymns. This morning of music will absolutely be the highlight of your Christmas season, so make plans to be in church on Sunday, December 12!
Black Friday Becomes UMW Esther Circle Christmas Meeting
Date: December 13 at 5:30 p.m. (Monday) At: Clarewood House | Cost: $15 Dinner Menu: Mixed Green Salad w/ Raspberry Vinaigrette and/or Ranch Roast Pork Loin w/ raisin & apple sauce Wild Rice Grilled Asparagus w/ red peppers Black Forest Cake Assorted Loaf Breads Dinner will be followed by a Devotional and A White Elephant exchange. Reservations must be made by December 7 to Mary Shep Burton at 713-778-5800. Cancellations must be made NO LATER than December 9 by noon – otherwise those who do not attend will be billed for the cost.
T
his year St. Luke’s joins several Houston churches in providing an alternative to frenzied Christmas shopping on the day after Thanksgiving by scheduling community service projects on Friday, November 26. Chuck Fox, founder of Bless Friday, states, “I believe we can find a critical mass of Christians to alter the way society observes the season. Many people are appalled at how consumerism is consuming Christmas, but they don’t know how to change our culture’s direction. They are ready for a thoughtful call to action. This year we issued a call to service.” St. Luke’s will hold a potluck lunch at the Gethsemane campus, where participants will prepare blessing bags of non-perishable food items for distribution to the homeless and needy. Mireya Ottaviano, Children’s Ministry Director, states, “Many at St. Luke’s want to spend a portion of the day giving thanks by sharing their bounty with others and send a message that Advent is about celebrating our values, not focusing on material things.” More information is available by contacting Mireya at 713-774-7693 or mottaviano@stlukeshou.org.
It is true that in 1789 and then again in 1863, Presidents Washington and then Lincoln proclaimed the day as a day when we would praise God for all the blessings which he has poured down upon this nation and her citizens. (Secretly, I’d wished the church played more of a role in setting the holiday than the government, but such is the way of things.) We, the inheritors of such a complex history, are called to figure out what to do with it all. I don’t mean this article to be a downer for us during this Thanksgiving season, but as one who has Native American relatives and who seeks to celebrate any holiday with an eye to Christian witness, I think we have an opportunity. We have an opportunity to reclaim the holiday-to pray for those who are and have been offended by it. To pray for reconciliation. And to pray, as we always do, for our families, our church, our nation, and the world, that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. -Justin
4|
Relationships
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: Methodist Hospital Norma Andrus Recently Discharged Carrie Carlson Dorothy Fontana
Knox Nunnally Jody McFadden Elsie Layton Rankin
Congratulations to:
William and Laura Wareing Wheless on the birth of their daughter, Madeline May Wheless, on September 25. Proud older sister and brothers are Elizabeth, Billy, and Jack Wheless. Proud grandparents are Bill and Laura Wheless and proud great-grandparents are Meade and Nancy Wheless and Jack and Ginger Blanton. Lee and Tricia Zieben on the birth of their daughter, Chloe Anne Zieben, on November 5. Steve and Laura Wheless Hilgers on the birth of their daughter, Abigail Laird Hilgers, on November 7. Proud grandparents are Bill and Laura Wheless and proud great grandparents are Meade and Nancy Wheless. Kristin Lynn Klenzendorf and David James Anderson, who were united in marriage on November 13. Casey Nicole Hunnicutt and Anthony Joseph Vowell, who were united in marriage on November 13. Jacob and Meghan Breeze on the birth of twin daughters, Eden Elizabeth Breeze and Zion Rebekah Breeze, on November 16. Proud older sister is Torah Breeze. Sarah Taylor Casey and Lindsey Bailliere Hicks, who were united in marriage on November 20. Melissa Katherine Mooney and Tyler Chappelle Peterson, who were united in marriage on November 20.
caring ministries
Our Sympathy to:
Sometimes Needlepoint It Is Hard To Guild Ask For Help Stephen Ministers are here for you!
W
e live in a fast-paced and fragmented world. At some point in our lives, we all face periods of crisis, transition or difficulty. We may find ourselves left alone to deal with an unexpected emergency or we may be in need of an objective listener who is not close to the situation or the people involved. It is during these times that we may benefit from a caring relationship with a Stephen Minister - someone who will faithfully listen, empathize, pray, and encourage us with Christ’s care. If you or someone you know is coping with stressful family matters, such as the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a less than optimal job situation, you may benefit from a caring, Christian relationship with a Stephen Minister. Beginning a relationship with a Stephen Minister provides you with a safe place to talk about your concerns in a confidential way. While a Stephen Minister can’t “fix” a problem for you, he or she will use reflective listening skills to help you on your journey as you decide a plan of action. Stephen Ministers receive 50 hours of training before they are commissioned by St. Luke’s, and they are assigned to walk alongside someone who is of the same gender. Relationships with Stephen Ministers are confidential and there is no charge, and the person in need of a Stephen Minister does not have to be a member of our congregation. Some people are in relationships with Stephen Ministers for a short period of time while they work through a crisis. Other people are in long-term relationships with their Stephen Ministers. Relationships with Stephen Ministers evolve as the care receiver’s life changes. Contact the St. Luke’s Center for Counseling and Life Enrichment at 713-402-5046 to learn more.
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.
Kirby and Peggy Atwood, Kirby and Amy Atwood and Margaret Atwood Couch on the death of Robert Fowler Atwood on November 6. Gready and Shelli Hunter and Cheyenne and Tristan Hunter, on the death of Gready’s father, Robert A. Hunter, on November 4. Loretta and Ernest Shick, Linda and Scott Kelm, and Brooks and Bethany Kelm on the death of Loretta’s brother, Daniel Polasek, on November 11. Mike, Karen, and J. T. Gilmore on the death of Mike’s father, Comer Gilmore, on November 13. Carol and Dana Weaver and Carlisle, Leighton, and Blaine Weaver on the death of Carol’s mother, Evelyn Tharp Simons, on November 15. Brenda and Jim White on the death of Brenda’s father, Hunter Franklin Garrison, on November 17.
In honor of:
We Care!
Donor’s Name:
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
S
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 281745-0954 for information. All materials will be provided.
Seasonal Decorations for Advent at Westheimer Campus (Please Print)
In memory of:
Given by:
Address: City: Email:
Zip:
Phone: Amount of Donation:
$
|5
Relationships
senior adults
Living Abundantly: Connecting-GrowingServing Mainstreamers is a ministry by, with and for Senior Adults.
December 9, Mainstreamer Day programs beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Rev. Nancy Kellond presenting her one-woman portrayal of Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Christmas Musical program by our newly formed senior chorale group. Holiday buffet lunch at noon ($10) Call Kathy Neely, 713402-5139 for reservations. December 11, A.D. Players production of A Christmas UnWrapped by Jeannette Clift George. Bus leaves at noon for lunch at La Madeleine in Rice Village before the matinee performance. $25.00 plus lunch. Limited space. For reservations, call Kathy Neely, 713-401-5139. December 14, Come help assemble the Warm Your Heart fruit baskets to be given to low income seniors through Interfaith Ministries Food For Seniors program. Fellowship Hall, 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 14 and 15, as you are available. Cash donations continuing to be accepted. Call 713-402-5008 for more information. December 16, Mainstreamer Annual Christmas Lights Tour and dinner. Leave St. Luke’s at 5:00 p.m. for dinner at Arturo’s in Uptown Park. $28.00. Call Kathy at 713-402-5139 for information.
Have You Completed Your Year-End Giving?
T
he Finance Office reminds us that the fiscal year for the church ends December 31, 2010. Any gifts you wish included on your 2010 Record of Giving should be brought to the church or postmarked by the post office no later than Friday, December 31, 2010. Thank you for your generous support of the ministries of Jesus Christ through St. Luke’s. Also, donating appreciated securities is an option many choose for contributing to the church. If you wish to make a stock gift this year, please plan to complete your transfer by Wednesday, December 15 so that the sale can be settled by year end. Contact Roxi Dainty at 713-402-5026 or rdainty@stlukes-hou.org for transfer instructions or questions.
Living out the love of God “So I put Alison’s sermon on this little shuffle and also included a piece of jazz music.” That way they could experience how incredibly different and spiritual this time is.” “I told them all about the service and they got curious. They told me they weren’t religious and I told them, this isn’t religion. It’s experiencing God.”
W
hen Kristen found the Improvisation Faith Community, she was new to Houston, in an incredibly hard job, her first out of school. So tough that all her friends there had quit over the past month. As she got talking to one of the members, she shared how hard the transition had been. The next week Kristen came back and got an amazing gift. Marty handed her a card, hand-made by recycling a beautiful card front and attaching it to a scripture verse written for each day. “I wanted you to have something to help you through the week.” he said. This is someplace special, the Improvisation Faith Community. It is Spirit led. We are creating a community where we are very intentional about living out the love of God. “St. Luke’s mission Gathered by Jesus, to enact faith in love fits perfectly for this group of people.” says Alison Young, pastor for Improvisation. “We are passionate about learning Jesus and how he wants us to live. And the stories we hear each week let us know that if we watch for God, look for the loving embrace of the Holy Spirit, we have much to be grateful for and celebrate.” Ready to never be a stranger? Come join us for worship any Sunday at 6 p.m. in the Chapel.
T
Books Anyone?
he Kingdom of Sweets and Stories is this year’s theme for St. Luke’s annual Book Fair. The Fellowship Hall will be transformed into a magical and delectable kingdom of books that will delight both you and your children. The Book Fair will be open November 29 from noon to 2:30 p.m., November 30 and December 1 from 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and December 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Get your birthday gifts and holiday shopping taken care of with one-stop shopping at The Kingdom of Sweets and Stories. Other enchanting activities include: • Photos with Santa • Alumnae Reception • Live musical performances • The best selection of hand-picked children’s books in town For more information, please call the Day School office at 713-402-5030.
March to the Manger
(9:45-10:45 a.m.) Sunday Safari (Twos-2nd grade) Children will bring one new, unwrapped toy to donate to Jingle Bell Express (CCSC) and visit the Nativity in the Children’s Chapel.
I
n place of March to the Manger, our 3rd—5th Graders will contribute “Family Stockings” to each family finalizing adoptions on Tuesday December 21, 2010, Harris County Family Courts’ Adoption Day. This will be the children’s offering for November and December and will make a difference in these children’s lives. We will spend $15 to $25 per gift for children and teens for approximately 30 families. Please give whatever you wish. We ask that your child sign up in one or more of the following ways: Donate money toward the gifts, be a shopper for the gifts, join us Saturday December 18 at 10 a.m.-noon for “Silly Snacks and Service” as we decorate and assemble the stockings or Join us Tuesday December 21 at the Courthouse as we host a Christmas Craft Table.
6|
Relationships
New Members
James and Jamie Broach unite with St. Luke’s by transfer from another United Methodist church. James is Senior Vice President at Kayne Anderson and Jamie is a homemaker. They are members of the Common Ground Class and have three sons: Parker, age 4, Harrison, age 3, and Oliver, age 16 months. Van and Catherine Boston transfer to St. Luke’s from other United Methodist churches. Van is a City of Houston firefighter and Catherine is a pediatric fellow at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
We welcome Sue Curtis, who unites with our congregation by profession of faith and baptism.
Jay and Ansley Hack join St. Luke’s by transfer from another United Methodist church.
We welcome Jim and Karen Wilkinson and their daughter, Stephanie Wilkinson, who transfer to St. Luke’s from another denomination. Stephanie is a 7th grade E.L.A. teacher at the Tejano Center for Community Concerns and a member of the Recent College Graduates Class. Peggy Murray returns to St. Luke’s by transfer from another United Methodist church. She is an assistant teacher at St. Mark’s Episcopal School and a member of the Sojouners Class. She joins her brother and sister-in-law, Phil and Roberta Murray, in the St. Luke’s membership.
Bill and Rebecca Gibbons unite with our congregation by transfer from another denomination. Bill is a physician at Baylor College of Medicine and Rebecca is a homemaker.
Baptisms
Alexander Knight Hansen, son of Samuel Victor Hansen and Amelia Belle Gonzalez, Jennifer Knight Hansen on daughter of November 21. Nicholas Paul Gonzalez and Kathryn Weymouth Gonzalez on November 14.
Ryan Lee Nix, son of Lee Stover Nix and Kristen Alleyne Clark Nix on November 14.
Hailey Emma Olmstead, daughter of Reed Dickson Olmstead and Rebecca Hiatt Olmstead on November 14.
Riley Genevieve Vogler, daughter of Jason Allen Vogler and Nicole Martha Lynn Vogler on November 14.
December Artist of the Month
P
hotographer, Odin Clay returns to the Rotunda Gallery as our December Artist of the Month. A lifetime of excellent photography has earned him both the Master of Photography and Craftsman Photographer Degrees awarded by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He has earned many awards and honors, with his work accepted into traveling exhibits sponCameron Patrick Johnson and sored by the PPA. Craig David Johnson II, sons Odin got his start as an Industrial and of Corey Matthews Johnson Commercial Photographer then just a and Kristi Peterson Johnson on junior at St. Thomas High School in HousNovember 21. ton. Upon his discharge from service after the Korean War, he established his own studio and has been in professional photography ever since. From his own studio, Odin went to the prestigious Gittings Studios in Houston, where he was Quality-Control Manager, and later Lab Manager. During his 20 years at Gittings and another 20 years with National Photographic Laboratories as Assistant to the President, he taught photography in the ProAm School. Odin still teaches under the sponsorship of the Pro Photo Supply Company. For most of his career, he has been continuously in demand as a speaker, judge and critic for both amateur and professional groups. Retiring from full-time lab work in 1999 has not slowed his energy and creativity. Beside his photoclass, Odin is also a magazine columnist, something he began in 1992. Writing under the standing head “Outdoor Photography”, his column appears monthly in “Texas Outdoors Journal”, published in Houston. His column has also won several national and state awards. Odin has also joined two Art Leagues and now successfully exhibits in a number of places in South East Texas. In a lifetime of professional photography, Odin has never lost his love and enthusiasm for capturing and sharing in his masterful vision of the natural world around him. Stop by the Rotunda Gallery this month to enjoy his beautiful photography! Charles Pendleton Junell, son of Mark Alan Junell and Dabney Luhn Junell on November 21.
|7
Spiritual Growth
Calling All Cookie Bakers!
H
ere’s your chance to warm someone’s heart with homemade cookies. Finals are coming up and The Home Team is sending care packages filled with cookies to 125 St. Luke’s college students from home and notes of encouragement. We’re asking for cookies to be donated for the cause. We need at least 250 dozen. Will you please help? Here’s how: Donate cookies (preferably homemade) packaged 1 dozen to a zip lock bag, marked on the outside as to what kind they are and whether they contain nuts or other common allergens. Bring them to the cart on the church office during office hours from Sunday, November 28th through noon on Wednesday, December 1. Contact Kathy Neely at kneely@stlukes-hou.org or 713-402-5139 and let her know how many dozen you are bringing for our planning purposes.
1 2 3
Thank you, in advance, for your baker’s touch.
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 28
“Hope of All the Earth Thou Art ” First in the Series And Heaven and Nature Sing Romans 8:18-26
Dr. Tom Pace–Westheimer Campus Rev. Justin Coleman preaching–Gethsemane Campus Rev. Alison Gardner Young preaching–Westheimer Campus
December 5
“This, This is Christ the King” Second in the series And Heaven and Nature Sing Isaiah 9:1-7; Luke 1:26-33
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 The Altar Flowers are dedicated to the glory of God and
in loving memory of Jerry Eckles on what would have been his 21st birthday by the Eckles family.
in honor of their daughters Audrey and Charlotte by Deborah and Barrett Brown.
8|
Relationships
e-Devotionals
A
gain this year, St. Luke’s will offer daily email devotionals during Advent. All members will receive the first devotional. If you would like to continue receiving them, contact Laurie Kereluk at lkereluk@ stlukes-hou.org or call 713-402-5004.
United Methodist Women work on blankets for Christian Community Service Center’s Project Linus.