Spire January 2016 by St. Luke's UMC

Vol. 162 • No. 1 • January 1, 2016

BUILDING an

EBENEZER

Student Ministry is so much more than Sunday mornings. StLukesMethodist.org | 713-622-5710

IN THIS ISSUE

Take Heart!

KIDS HOPE USA: YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE

AND IT’S ANOTHER ST. LUKE’S SOUPER BOWL OF CARING!

The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the disciples, huddled in a boat, adrift on the Sea of Galilee, overwhelmed by the waves. They see Jesus out across the water, walking on the sea: “When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, Dr. Tom Pace “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and began to sink” Matthew 14:26-30

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH... TOM PERRY, MEDIA MINISTRY

STUDENT MINISTRY SMALL GROUPS KEEP THE “FIVE ALIVE”

It is funny what fear does to us. It makes us sink. I love the song by Casting Crowns called Voice of Truth. It tells of Peter, struggling to get up the courage to step out onto the waves. “But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me, reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed.” Too many times we operate out of fear rather than courage! Too many times we stay with what is comfortable. Too many times we get stuck in a negative “what if” point of view. What if I fail? What if it is too hard? What if people think poorly of me? What if I lose my retirement, my security? Beginning January 10, our sermon series is entitled Courage: Facing our Fears. We will look together at ways we can push through fear to step out onto the waves in faith. We’ll look at: The Courage to Risk: Overcoming the Fear of Failure The Courage to Keep On: Facing Our Fear of Running Out The Courage to Be: Facing Our Fear of Rejection or Ridicule

Interested in learning more about St. Luke’s? Join us for Coffee with the Pastor, an engaging class with Dr. Tom Pace. This is the first step in our Path to Membership. Next class >>Sunday, January 31 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Register at www.stlukesmethodist.org/membership

Our next Sermon Series

The Courage to Let Go: Facing Our Fear for Those We Love The Courage to Become: Facing Our Fear of Change I suspect God is calling you out of the boat, but you just need a little reassurance that you won’t drown. I wish you a Happy New Year. Let’s find God’s courage together in 2016.

COURAGE: FACING OUR FEARS JANUARY 10-FEBRUARY 7 From the fear of failure to the fear of change, the world and our lives can be scary. Too much of the time, we operate out of that place of fear, rather than living the courageous life God enables us to live. Come join us in our traditional and Encounter services, and let’s see what the Bible says about stepping out in faith.

WE MAKE FRIENDS

you can

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE

o ring in the New Year, the Rotunda Gallery is showcasing a photography exhibit of some very special people. January is National Mentoring Month, so this exhibit highlights our St. Luke’s KIDS HOPE USA mentors and students. We currently have nearly 90 students being mentored, and photos of them with their mentors will be on display. Just looking at all the smiling faces will convince you that our volunteers make a real difference in the lives of these precious children. But there are many more children in need! Which, of course, means there is also a great need for caring adults to mentor them. If you can spare one hour, one day a week at either Briarmeadow Elementary or Sutton Elementary, you can help a special child blossom and thrive! A one-time, three hour training is required. Call Karen McCarver at 713-402-5152 or Marci Pampe at 713-357-4466 for more information or to volunteer.

TRAINING DATES January 12 and 18 5-8 p.m. Westheimer January 14 and 21 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Gethsemane

Mentoring Jonathan

“We are developing a

BOND

that I hope will last a very long time.”

“I have spent a year and a half getting to know a young man at Briarmeadow Elementary School. He is a shy, well-mannered child in second grade this year. We have done a lot of reading, playing word and math games, putting puzzles together and just talking. He is fluent in Spanish as well as English. While he has been slow to warm up to me, he is very sincere in his enjoyment of our time together. We are developing a bond that I hope will last a very long time. Mentoring through KIDS HOPE is all about relationships. I have gotten to know his mother and grandmother and they are delightful. Together, we are a caring team that includes his teacher and my prayer partner from St. Luke’s, supporting this wonderful boy. Jonathan has made a profound difference in my life. I hope to make a difference in his too.” Celia Veselka 5

WE GIVE OURSELVES AWAY

AND IT'S ANOTHER ST. LUKE'S.... SOUPER BOWL OF CARING!

uper Bowl Sunday, or as it’s known at St. Luke’s, “Souper Bowl Sunday,” is just around the corner. Each year, we work to raise awareness of hunger, and come together to make a difference. One in four children in Texas experience food insecurity, which means they go to bed hungry at night not knowing from where their next meal will come. Without consistent access to food, let alone fresh, healthy food, they are not able to learn, grow and thrive.

On February 7, in addition to enjoying the big game, pick up some extra non-perishable items at the grocery store and bring them to church in the morning. Donations will go directly to the Christian Community Service Center Food Pantries, which serve our neighbors at both our Westheimer and Gethsemane campuses. We will be handing out empty grocery sacks and informational flyers on Sunday, January 24. For more information, contact Erica Stark at 713-357-4471 or estark@ stlukesmethodist.org.

February 14 – March 20

What if we told you becoming a Christian is not about having the right answers, but asking the right questions?

Lent 2016 begins February 14 – a new churchwide small group study co-written by Dr. Tom Pace and Rev. Eric Huffman. If you are not currently in a Living in Faith Together (LIFT) group or would like to join a new group you can register at www.stlukesmethodist.org/lift or contact Rev. Thomas Harper at tharper@stlukesmethodist.org or 713-402-5009. Six Questions for Skeptics, Seekers and Thoughtful Believers

CMY CY

Start here: Lent 2016

Start Here: Six Questions for Skeptical Souls, Spiritual Seekers, and New and Old Believers By doubting we are led to question. By questioning we arrive at the Truth. - Peter Abelard CM Y C

StartHere-Card.pdf

12/21/15

3:42 PM

Join us for this six-week series about the fundamental questions

everyifskeptic, seeker, believer and questioningisskeptic shouldhaving the right answers, but asking the right What we told youand becoming a Christian not about ask about the Christian faith. questions? The beginning of your faith journey can be as simple as asking, “Is God real, and if so, what 1 How can we be sure about the existence of God? is God like?” Explore the evidence, search your soul, and move on to the next question. “Was Jesus really 2 Who was Jesus of Nazareth? the Messiah? And your spiritual journey has begun. 3 What does the Holy Spirit do? And all along that journey, it is important to ask those same basic questions again and again: “What do I 4 What is the role of the Church? really believe, and why?” 5 What is sin, and why must it be forgiven? Join us for this six-week series about the fundamental 6 What do Christians have to look forward to? questions every believer and questioning skeptic and new and old believer should ask about the Christian faith.

WE TELL OUR STORIES

THURSDAYS WITH MATTY a response to Tattoos on the Heart by Suzi Pitts

I R

emember how exciting New Year’s Day used to be? You made resolutions about drinking less and praying more. You made lists of the goals you planned to accomplish before the calendar flipped again. But then you failed. And each year’s failures taught you to set the bar a little lower. Why make resolutions if you’re just going to break them anyway? Here’s the part we miss: before something new can begin, something old must end. Every new habit (sobriety, eating right, exercise, getting closer to God) must replace an old one (drinking too much, eating junk, laziness, apathy), but we try starting new habits without killing the old ones first.

We’ve all got issues, habits, coping mechanisms, fightor-flight tendencies and addictions. These are the sins playing over and over again like an iTunes track on repeat—the kinds of predictable, redundant mistakes that caused us to stop making New Year’s resolutions. What if there was a way to break the cycle? What if your future could be different? The End is a series of sermons designed to empower people to break the cycle by trusting in God’s grace. This isn’t about religion; it’s about living with purpose and coming to terms with your inherent worth. Every ending is a new beginning. Let’s start something new this January at The Story.

Frequently asked questions >> The Story Houston Even though The Story Houston is more than ten months old, many people around St. Luke’s still have a lot of questions about this new worship community. For the next two editions of Spire, Pastor Eric Huffman will share answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

there was more to be done. Their passion was to reach more of our neighbors with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they began to envision a community that would target secular, non-religious Houstonians. After consulting with other large churches that have led similar projects, the conversation became a groundswell, and by God’s grace, The Story is the result of St. Luke’s faithful vision.

Why did St. Luke’s decide to start something like The Story Houston? In a word, vision. Several years ago, under Dr. Pace’s leadership and fueled by a very enthusiastic group of St. Luke’s members, the conversation about a new worship community Where do you see things going in 2016? This is going to be a began. St. Luke’s was doing just huge year for The Story. My fine, but these people believed

ministry coach, Jim Griffith, says that a new congregation’s first year is about figuring out how to survive, but year two is about figuring out how big this thing will become. In 2016, we plan to keep going where the people are, engaging non-religious, secular people with the gospel, and empowering people to do the work of the Church. In May 2016, we hope to move into the building currently under construction on campus. I believe this facility will provide a home for The Story that is visible, approachable and enticing.

SAVE THE DATE | Monday, February 29 | Leap Day Western Dance | SPJST Lodge 88, Heights

was due at the Juvenile Detention Center at 3 p.m. and it was only 11 a.m. I was anxious. I only knew that this was the day that I was going to meet “Matty” (name protected). I was his reVision mentor, and it was my first time doing anything like this. I knew that I felt called to this work, but doubted what I could bring to this 16-year-old who had been arrested many times. I was a middle class grandmother who knew nothing about “the hood.” Months earlier I attended a lunch where the guest speaker was Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries. I immediately purchased his book, Tattoos on the Heart and read his stories of unfailing grace and kinship. Twice. It forever changed the trajectory of how I saw serving the broken. So, as I waited for the hours to tick by I got my book out again and spent the rest of the day re-reading the underlined portions that so touched my heart. “We stand there with those whose dignity has been denied. We locate ourselves with the poor and the powerless and the voiceless.”

My alarm on phone went off and I shot up one more prayer as I drove downtown. I was escorted to a visitor’s booth, locked in and left to await my guy. The key rattled in the door and Matty was there, all five feet of him with a crewcut and twinkling eyes. He was all of a sudden mine. And I was his. “Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a covenant between equals.” I saw him downtown every Thursday for almost a year until he was transferred to another facility and then we wrote one another for another nine months. I would light up when there was a letter from him. He did well, and then messed up and then did well again. He missed visitation for a couple of weeks. Up and down. In and out. “Homies seem to live in the zip code of the eternally disappointing and need a change of address. To this end, one hopes (against all human inclination) to model not the “one false move” God but the “no matter whatness” of God.” After dozens of letters of encouragement, his time was finally done. I drove his mom and sister to the facility on release day, and hugged the stuffing out of

him as he came down the walk. We celebrated at Whataburger on the way home. “I suppose Jesus walks into a room and loves what he finds there. Delights in it, in fact. Maybe, He makes a beeline to the outcasts and chooses, in them, to go where love has not yet arrived. His ways aren’t our ways, but they sure could be.” I want His ways to be my ways. In the last several months Matty has disappeared. All the numbers I had for him and his mom have been reassigned. Maybe they moved again. Maybe he is in trouble. I worry about him. But I’ll wait and pray. I am in it for the long run. “You don’t really keep vigil; it keeps you— suspended in awkward silence and dead air— desperate for anything at all to stir some hope out of these murky waters and make things vital again.”

Interested in this book study? Join us on Wednesday, January 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in R21. The study is led by Rev. Gregg Taylor, Community Architect, reVision. For more info, see page 21.

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL ... with Tom Perry

Tom Perry is a familiar face at St. Luke’s, both in the halls and behind the scenes, and he has been for more than twenty years. On Sundays you can find him either in the TV Studio as a broadcast audio engineer (by the way, did you even know that St. Luke’s has a TV Studio?) or in the halls as a greeter who seeks out visitors and escorts them to Sunday School rooms or other destinations. THIS MAN SERVES. AND THEN SERVES SOME MORE. WHY?

they need. With the excellence of our broadcast now streaming all three of the entire traditional services, we can attract new people to St. Luke’s and to the good news. I’ve worked in TV production, commercial sound recording, commercial and professional sound for my career, which I enjoy. The intersection of my gifts, desire and professional experience met a need at St. Luke’s.

“We We want to see the church grow and “I grew up in Shreveport and in get to reach succeed in its mission. National statistics Shreveport, Sundays meant church. a decline in church attendance. our members show Dad was raised in the Methodist Thankfully that is not the case with church and raised us that way too. Luke’s particularly with the start and guests with the St.of The Truthfully, I was probably bored Story Houston. We are lucky in the service, but I really liked comfort of God’s to have Rev. Eric Huffman. I jumped Methodist Youth Fellowship back in to help them with their screens word when they in the day. But from the start, I and am available to the Media Team knew that the church matters. People cannot be with us to help with their needs. To grow need help in raising kids, weddings, we have to cast a wide net and attract physically.” young members and families in all of funerals—all the passages of life. Your pastor is like a lawyer. When you need him, you really need him. I remember when my sister died on Christmas Eve in Louisiana. Her Presbyterian minister was right there from the start to bring the calm love of God to our situation. It was tough duty but that’s what the church does. In my work with St. Luke’s TV Ministry, I stay committed because of just that reason. We get to reach our members and guests with the comfort of God’s word when they cannot be with us physically. That’s the good that we do. We can bring people the hope 10

Come take a tour of the TV Studio, located to the right of the Rotunda Theater on Sunday, January 10. We are recruiting new camera operators to join our amazing team. No experience is necessary. If you enjoy photography and videography, we will train you. On Sunday mornings, a TV producer will provide real-time direction to your team. Teams cover one Sunday per month. It is a fun and an incredible way to spread God’s message through TV and web. Contact Suzi Pitts at spitts@stlukesmethodist.org to join the team.

our services. When people visit, we must be approachable and greet them personally. Studies show that visitors decide if they will return before the sermon is even preached. That’s what keeps us going as greeters—a personal touch that shows that we are a welcoming church with a friendly, personal vibe.

For me, it’s all about service to others. Mom and Dad modeled that for me. It’s Jesus-like behavior to help others, and you know what happens at the same time? You think less about yourself and more about what the church is all about—Jesus.”

TV STUDIO OPEN HOUSE

January

Clockwise from top: Audio mixer with sound engineer Michael McGee in action. // Mike Debakey leads the production team in the TV studio on Sunday mornings. // The view from the top-camera operators in the sanctuary balcony. 11

DNOW 2016: It is finished The doors open on a darkened room with music blaring and bright lights flashing. Students pour in as fast as they can. Some are here for the first time; they’re the ones looking around for a cue about what to do next. Others have been here before, but this year feels different. Maybe it’s the sounds, maybe it’s the person jumping around next to them. Before long, everything is drowned out by loud music and an impromptu dance party that’s formed all around. From the youngest sixth grader to the senior in high school, Disciple Now offers a chance to be a part of something bigger than all of us. For one weekend in January, students from over 15 different schools come together to worship, sing, dance and learn about the life-changing power of a relationship with Christ. DNOW IS IN ITS FIFTH YEAR AT ST. LUKE’S. What started with a little more than 50 students and a handful of college leaders and has grown to be the biggest event of the year for Student Ministries. Fueled by the success of weekly small groups and a recent expansion to college ministry, we are thrilled to welcome over 150 middle and high schoolers and 45 college students to this year’s event.

TETELESTIA Christ’s final REGISTER NOW! All sixth through 12th graders are invited to DNow Winter Retreat: Tetelestai, the weekend of January 15. Students will stay in host homes throughout city for a weekend of small group discussions, worship, outreach opportunities and messages from an incredible speaker, Blake Berkstrom. Cost is $180. Register at: www.stlukesmethodist.org/student

word, translated “It is finished.” We will learn about the final word spoken in what appeared to be one of the darkest hours in human history and how the end of one man’s life is the beginning of ours.

The thing that brings people back year after year is not a line item we schedule and rehearse, though. It’s not something we budget for or buy in bulk like t-shirts and nametags. It’s not even the carefully planned service project on Saturday afternoon. The one thing our students talk about in the weeks and months following DNow is the time they

spent in their small groups. After the speaker has left the stage and the worship band has closed out the evening, each group makes its way back to host homes all over Houston. These are the moments that stay with you, as a leader and as a student. Conversations come up, reluctantly at first, over late-night snacks and impromptu card games. Away from the excitement and energy at the church, the quiet settles in and creates space for nagging questions to bubble to the surface. What begins as a half-whispered comment about something from the message gives way to a discussion with no end or goal in mind. Our leaders are there just for these times, to guide students through their doubts and lead them back to the truth found in Scripture. THE STUDENT MINISTRY STAFF HAS BEEN PRAYING FOR EACH STUDENT WHO WILL SHOW UP AT DNOW THIS MONTH. They are praying for the small group leaders who are spending an entire weekend with students they already see every week, the college leaders who will travel to Houston from all over the state, and the speaker flying in from Nashville. Beyond all this, they are praying for the conversations that will happen inside the walls of our host homes. They cannot wait to hear about the life-changing discussions that come from those still, small voices inside each of us.

FIVE HABITS Student Ministry small groups keep the “Five Alive” Each Wednesday night and most weekday mornings, St. Luke’s students gather in small group communities to keep the five habits alive. WE PRAY—Small group offerings are open to all students beginning in the fall of their sixth grade year and now continuing through their freshman year in college. This covers a crazy eight years of maturity development and prayer is the foundation for all the groups on the spectrum. “Not all students are ready for a deep curriculum, but all students are able to pray together,” says Katie Brown, Small Group Coordinator for Student Ministry.

“I was IMMEASURABLY

IMPACTED by those twelve girls my senior year and in my transition to college.”

Alison Fernbach

In Katie’s own group of 11th grade girls, prayer is real, honest and ongoing. “Our prayer time is so beautiful as the girls really share their hearts. We follow up and add new requests all week through group texts. These sweet girls are definitely in the gap for one another.” Remy Velarde, along with Jordan Reeves, leads the very active sixth grade boys group. “Our prayer time comes in the form of highs and lows where each young man shares a high from the week as well as a low. This short time of sharing and thanking God emphasizes to our guys that even though we have a lot of fun together, our group is based on something deeper.” WE STUDY THE BIBLE—Each week our students bring their Bibles to study with one another. This fall the students went through the Unbinding Your Heart series along with the rest of the church. They followed up with a series on the Epic of Eden by Dr. Sandra Richter. Kimberly Pinckney, Student Ministry Communications Coordinator and small group leader, remembers a cool moment in her senior girls group as she read them the book of Ruth. “They began to hang on every word as I got further and further into the story. At the end, one of them asked, ‘Did you just read us a whole book from the Bible?’ My co-leader, Katie Garoni, and I, feel so blessed to be able to watch these girls discover how interesting and dynamic God’s Word is.” WE MAKE FRIENDS—In a large church and a large student ministry it can be hard to get to know one another. “Our Sunday mornings are incredible because of the mass of students all being in one place,” says Brindley Ginn, Middle School Coordinator. “But true friendships are made in our small groups.”

Brindley, along with Colby Boers, leads the eighth grade girls group. “This is the third year for our girls to be together and they are truly bonded. That hour and one-half each week in a small setting has allowed them to really get to know one other.”

Alison Fernbach, a freshman at Texas A&M and former high school small group member, now sees the significance of those friendships in her life. “I was immeasurably impacted by those twelve girls my senior year and in my transition to college. Even though we are spread out all over the country, those friendships are the ones I have relied on my first semester of college.” WE TELL OUR STORIES—The format for Wednesday night small groups includes sharing dinner, hearing a lesson, small group discussion and prayer. High School Coordinator for Student Ministry, Joseph Patty’s favorite part of the night is the dinner conversation and small group discussion. “We have free time during dinner for them to talk about their lives with one other. Very few of our guys attend the same school, so I love hearing them share the different issues affecting each of them or how the same issue affects each one of them differently. It really underscores to the guys how everyone has something to share.” Joseph leads the ninth and tenth grade boys’ group along with John Thompson and Salvatore Mangione. “The tone of our discussion changes though after our lesson. Now the students are talking through the lens of their faith, and once again they each have such a unique perspective.” WE GIVE OURSELVES AWAY IN GENEROSITY AND SERVICE— Student Ministry has numerous service opportunities throughout the year, but beginning last fall, our small groups served others during their weekly meeting time. Each Wednesday, one high school group took a break from gathering at a parents’ home and met in the attic at the church to make sandwiches for Kids’ Meals.

“St. Luke’s strives to be an insideout church and we want to make sure our students understand they have a role in that mission.” Katie Brown

“St. Luke’s strives to be an inside-out church and we want to make sure our students understand they have a role in that mission. By bringing the service project down to the small group level, the conversations about what we were doing and why we were doing it were so much deeper,” says Katie Brown. “The week my group made sandwiches there was a moment where it clicked with one of the girls the sandwich in her hands was all a child would have to eat that meal. Her response really touched the rest of the group.” 15

Pure Sound: More than a choir

“For me, Pure Sound is a getaway from the real world for just a few hours every Sunday morning. We come together and sing joyful music while praising God. It is more than just a choir, it is a family of musicians who truly love what they do. People find that if they join Pure Sound, they will be welcomed into the community quickly.” These are the words of Vanessa Keeling, a senior this year and five year member of St. Luke’s student choir. The dedication of Vanessa and countless other students is the driving force behind the success Pure Sound has experienced in the more than 20 years since Sid Davis took the lead. Beyond the weekly performances on Sunday mornings, this group has a calendar of activities spanning the entire year. One of the most visible and time-consuming is the annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser that takes place on the front lawn of St. Luke’s each October. The timing is strategic; with each gourd sold, the students are turning pumpkins into plane tickets as they prepare for a big trip every other December. In recent years, they have traveled to Scotland, San Francisco, and even Cuba! There are few other youth choirs that can boast about swimming in the Bay of Pigs. On Christmas Day, 40 students from Pure Sound traveled to London for the trip of a lifetime! Just outside Oxford, they joined with St. Mary the Virgin, Shipton-under-Wychwood’s church choir as part of their 900th anniversary celebration. As a 900th birthday gift to St. Mary’s and to commemorate the occasion, Bob Chilcott composed a special carol which was dedicated to both the choir of St. Mary’s Shipton and our very own Pure Sound choir. The two choirs joined forces to sing the new carol, and Pure Sound went on to perform a few other works during the service. It was a most uplifting close to Shipton church’s year of celebrations. JOIN PURE SOUND FOR AN OPEN HOUSE ON JANUARY 3 AT 3:30 P.M. TO WELCOME NEW SINGERS JOINING IN 2016. All sixth through 12th graders are invited to attend. Parents of new singers are also welcome to come meet our director and sit in during the rehearsal from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 2016 promises to be an exciting year for Pure Sound, with a staged presentation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat after Easter, and our Annual Labor Day Choir Retreat in the fall. We hope to see you on January 3! 16

Building an Ebenezer by Joseph Patty

very year, as we finish walking through the first semester of confirmation with our sixth graders, we hold a ceremony. In this ceremony, we dedicate a cross for each student before friends and family, which will stand as an Ebenezer to look back on in every season of life. Most people might be asking at this point, what actually is an Ebenezer? We’ve sung about it countless times in the old hymn, Come Thou Fount: Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come. And I hope by thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home.

It is funny how we can gloss over a word in song. Where does this word, sung by all of us hundreds of times come from? The word actually comes from the Hebrew, eben ha-azer, meaning Stone of Help. In 1 Samuel 7, the Israelites and the Philistines are about to engage in battle. Samuel tells them that if they will return to the Lord, direct their hearts to Him and serve Him only, then he will deliver them. Collectively they fast and repent, and yet the Philistines advance on them. Israel is outmatched and terrified. Samuel makes a sacrifice and calls out to the Lord. The Lord steps in with thunder and brings a mass confusion over the Philistines, and Israel is saved. In response, Samuel sets up a stone, calling it the Stone of Help, that it would be a reminder to every generation after that comes across that place, that God was faithful to His word. God keeps his promises. The tradition goes back before Samuel into Genesis, when the

patriarchs of our faith set up stones as pillars of remembrance when they encountered the living God. The tradition continues for us today in the form of a small cross. It stands as a reminder of what God has done in Jesus upon that gruesome death trap, bearing our sin like the sacrificial lamb, which Samuel took before the battle with the Philistines. With this cross, we remember our baptism, with which God’s grace declares that we are His. HIS! We are the very possession, the very children of God! That’s what baptism declares to the world. Though we have no way of earning it, either as drooling infants or as toiling adults, God stepped in and said, “Though your sins are many, I choose you. Welcome to my family.” Confirmation stands as an opportunity for the youth of our church to step into God’s promise, which was declared both on the cross as well as in their baptism. And so our church family gathers around our sixth graders to give them crosses. Some receive crosses as passed down from older generations, like Davis Towns, who received his from his grandmother. Others recognize their family support in their faith journey, like Eleanor Kershner, whose cross was mailed all over the country to be signed by family members. Their crosses are hung on the wall here in the church throughout their years under our care, and we attempt to live up to our end of the baptism covenant, nurturing their faith as we would our own children. As they grow to become young men and

women in the Lord, the crosses hang as a constant reminder of what the Lord has done for them and the church family that supports them. As our students go off to college and start a new season of life, we mail their crosses to them at the end of the first semester, right in the middle of finals. This year, when Emily Grinstead received hers, she told us:

I got mine on my birthday. I was busy and flustered that day, so when I opened the package, it made me stop, slow down and think about confirmation and growing up in St. Luke’s. Getting the cross and Rob’s note was a much needed reminder about what really matters. Again these crosses stand as a monument, and Ebenezer, to God’s faithfulness in their lives and the Church family that continues to stand with them. God’s grace follows us. All that remains is for us to trust Him, to direct our hearts to Him.

ST. LUKE’S

LIFE

yes—absolutely yes. Join Rev. Bill Denham as he leads this Christian-based GriefShare group for people who are grieving the death of a loved one. Open to the public. A $20 donation is suggested to cover program costs. Free childcare is available with advanced reservation online at www.stlukesmethodist.org/childcarerequest.

MUSIC & FINE ARTS At St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 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. Discover new ideas and perspectives on how to live out your faith in your everyday life, and make some great friends along the way. Our desire is to provide resources, guidance and support for you to be a part of the life-giving relationship of the church, which includes joining our church family and finding a small group and Sunday morning class that truly fit. To learn more about all of our ministry groups, visit www.stlukesmethodist.org/ministries.

ADULTS DivorceCare Support Group Tuesdays, January 19-April 2 | 6:30-8 p.m. | R22 Contact: Susan Silvus, ssilvus@gmail.com Find help and healing for the hurt of separation and divorce. DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. The series covers a different topic each week for 13 weeks to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Program cost is $20. Free childcare is available with advanced reservation online at www.stlukesmethodist.org/childcarerequest. Grief Share Support Group Tuesdays, February 2-April 26 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. Hines Baker Room Contact: Shelley Quillin, squillin@stlukesmethodist.org Someone I loved has died. The funeral is past. The flowers are dead, the cards have stopped coming, and the casseroles are all eaten. I am beginning to process my loss. Can St. Luke’s do anything to help me work through my grief? The answer to this question is 18

Happy New Year from the Music & Fine Arts Ministry at St. Luke’s! If your list of resolutions includes music, we have great opportunities for you to get involved right away:

20th annual retreat. All interested singers are welcome to join this outstanding choir. Rehearsals are weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. ST. CECILIA CHOIR | Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. Contact: Randy Murrow, rmurrow@stlukesmethodist.org The St. Cecilia Choir invites all interested women to join their choir family in January as they begin a new year of music. VERITAS | Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. Contact: Ryan Jones, trjones@stlukesmethodist.org The men of Veritas also kick off the new year with their first rehearsal on Wednesday, January 6. CHANCEL BELLS | Sundays, 12:45 p.m. Contact: Noralyn, ncarpenter@stlukesmethodist.org New ringers are always welcome! Additional ringing ensembles may be formed as interest warrants.

CHILDREN’S CHOIRS | Congratulations to Joyful Noise!, SundaySing! and SundayRing! for a great fall season. We offer Children’s choirs for Pre-K through 5th grade. If your family missed out last fall, please put us on your list for 2016! Sundays, beginning January 10 Joyful Noise! | Pre-K & K | 4-5 p.m. | Library SundaySing! | Grades 1-5 | 4-5 p.m. | Rotunda SundayRing! Chime | Grades 3-5 | 3-4 p.m. | C263 Contact: Noralyn, ncarpenter@stlukesmethodist.org PURE SOUND | Open House | January 3 | 3:30 p.m. Contact: Sid Davis, sdavis@stlukesmethodist.org Join us for an Open House to welcome new singers. All sixth through 12th graders are invited to attend. Parents of new singers are also welcome to come meet our director and sit in during the rehearsal from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 2016 promises to be an exciting year for Pure Sound, with a staged presentation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat after Easter, and our Annual Labor Day Choir Retreat in the fall. We hope to see you on January 3! CHANCEL CHOIR | Annual Retreat | January 15-17 Contact: Sid Davis, sdavis@stlukesmethodist.org The Chancel Choir will travel to Camp Allen (near Navasota) the weekend of January 15-17 for their

TAPESTRY PLAYERS Interested in being on stage this year or helping out behind the scenes? Our Tapestry Players present several productions throughout the year, and we’re always looking for new talent. Join our mailing list to receive updates on shows, auditions and other opportunities: http://eepurl.com/btSqL9. BRIDGES ACADEMY Contact: Monica Griffin, mgriffin@stlukesmethodist.org Learn a new instrument or improve your skills this year with music instruction from the best teachers in Houston! We offer lessons in piano, voice, violin, cello, flute, guitar, clarinet and percussion, plus musical theater camps for children and youth every summer. Find out more at bridgesfinearts.org.

NICK FINNEGAN COUNSELING CENTER

Getting Your Kids to Listen February 8 | 8:15-8:45 a.m. | Condit Elementary Healthy Teen Relationships February 9 | 6-6:30 p.m. | Pershing Middle School Life Transitions for Kids March 4 | 9-9:30 a.m. | Roberts Elementary Worry and Anxiety in Young Kids March 7 | 8:15-8:45 a.m. | Condit Elementary Emotional Prep for High School March 24 | 2-2:30 p.m. | Grady Middle School Emotional Prep for Middle School April 11 | 8:15-8:45 a.m. | Condit Elementary

The Center also offers parenting talks at area private schools. While these talks are also free, they are only open to parents of students who attend that particular school. Simplicity Parenting 30-Min Book Club February 10 | 9:15-9:45 a.m. | St. Luke’s Day School Getting your Kids to Listen February 25 | 1:30-2 p.m. | Head Start Simplicity Parenting 30-Min book club March 23 | 9:15-9:45 a.m. | St. Luke’s Day School

Parenting 101 NFCC Counselors will provide talks on different topics this Spring. Free to attend. No RSVP required. For questions, call 713-402-5046 or email Info@FinneganCounseling.org. All services are confidential. Visit the following link for more info: www.finnegancounseling.org/presentations

Discipline That Works March 24 | 1:30-2 p.m. | Head Start

Discipline That Works February 4 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Grady Middle School

Grief, Loss and Life Transitions for Kids April 21 | 1:30-2 p.m. | Head Start

Technology/Social Media Safety April 12 | 6:30-7 p.m. | St. Francis de Sales Simplicity Parenting 30-Min Book Club April 13 | 9:15-9:45 a.m. | St. Luke’s Day School

Technology/Social Media Safety February 5 | 9-9:30 a.m. | Roberts Elementary 19

CHILDREN Books Between Kids Fourth and Fifth Grade Service Social January 9 | 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. www.stlukesmethodist.org/children_socials Books Between Kids is our current Sunday School offering mission. Books Between Kids exists to ensure every Houston school child has a home library. In Houston ISD, 85 percent of children live in poverty. Most children who live in poverty do not have the privilege of owning books and, as a result, fall behind academically. Our fourth and fifth graders will serve at the Books Between Kids warehouse, sort the books collected for Houston school children, and prepare them for distribution We will meet at the church in the Youth Loft, and enjoy breakfast tacos. Transportation is provided. Please RSVP online. Parents are welcome but not required. Cost is $10/child. Third Grade Bible Presentation and Breakfast Sunday, January 10 | Worship Services Contact: Children’s Ministries, 713-402-5039 www.stlukesmethodist.org/thirdgradebible Dr. Pace and Julie Ellerbrock will present our Third graders with a Bible of their very own during the 8:30, 8:45, and 11 a.m. worship services. After the 11 a.m. service, third graders and their families will be treated to a lunch in their honor in the Fellowship Hall. It is our sincere hope that every third grader who attends St. Luke’s receives this gift whether or not they are able to attend the presentation on January 10. If you haven’t filled out a form for your child’s Bible, it’s not too late!

Third Grade Bible Exploration Friday, January 29 | 6 p.m. Contact: Children’s Ministries, 713-402-5044 www.stlukesmethodist.org/exploration All St. Luke’s third graders and their friends are invited for an evening of fun at our Westheimer Campus. We will gather at 6 p.m. for dinner followed by a scavenger hunt, lots of activities and conclude with a time of worship in the Youth Chapel. Online registration is now open, and the cost is $20 per child payable at

the door. Be sure to bring your new Bible and wear comfortable clothes and sneakers. Parents, we’d love for you to stay and help. A list of volunteer roles is available on the registration form.

STUDENTS Small Group Leader Gathering January 6 | 7-8:30 p.m. We are excited to welcome guest speakers from the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center for a night of dinner and discussion. All current small group leaders are encouraged to attend. College Prep | January 10 | 5:30-7 p.m. Contact: Rob Dulaney, rdulaney@stlukesmethodist.org Graduating seniors are invited to a five-part discussion series focusing on the challenges and opportunities unique to their age group. We are looking forward to talking about expectations and anxieties surrounding the transition from high school to college and the changes that often take place in relationships with friends and family members. Contact Rob to get added to the roster. Additional meeting dates are January 24, January 31, February 17 and February 21. Small Groups Resume | January 13 | 7-8:30 p.m. Contact: Katie Brown, kbrown@stlukesmethodist.org We are looking forward to welcoming our students back to Small Group after the Christmas break. The beginning of a semester is a great time to join a group! Contact Katie to sign up. DNow Winter Retreat: Tetelestai (It Is Finished) January 15-17 This in-town retreat for 6-12th graders is our biggest event of the year! Blake Bergstrom is our incredible guest speaker, worship music will be led by The Ryan DeLange Band, and there’s a ton of time for small group discussion and opportunities for outreach. Cost is $180, register online. Sticky Faith – New offering for parents of middle/ high school students Contact: Laurie Noteboom, lnoteboom@stlukesmethodist.org Most parents would give anything to anchor their children with a vibrant faith that “sticks” and continues to mature long-term. Building on years of research, Sticky Faith presents both a compelling

rationale and powerful tools you can begin using right away to developing lasting faith as a family. Gather with other parents to learn ways to actively encourage your children’s spiritual growth so that it will carry them into adulthood and empower them to develop a faith that “sticks.” Join us at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 24 in B232. Contact Laurie Noteboom at 713-402-5092 if you have any questions or would like more information.

ADULTS Spring Learning Communities Contact: Adrianne McGee, 713-402-5031 To register for any of the Learning Communities below, visit www.stlukesmethodist.org/signups. Covenant Bible Study Two new groups beginning in January Mondays, beginning January 25 | 1-2:30 p.m. | R22 Led by Claud Riddles Tuesdays, beginning January 26 | 6:30-8 p.m. | R24 Led by Renita Demore Covenant is a 24-week comprehensive, in-depth study of the Bible and emphasizes the biblical concept of covenant as a unifying pattern through all the books in the Old and New Testaments. It highlights the unique relationship that God chooses to have with us as God’s people. Three 8-episode segments explore a different aspect of Covenant life. Each will examine what Covenant means, and the progression of a Covenant relationship with God: Creating the Covenant, Living the Covenant and Trusting the Covenant. Cost $50. Tattoos on the Heart Wednesdays, beginning January 20 | 6:30-8 p.m. | R21 Led by Rev. Gregg Taylor, Community Architect, reVision A six-week study of the book by Father Gregory Boyle, a priest living in the neighborhood with the highest concentration of murderous gang activity in Los Angeles. Father Boyle created an organization to provide jobs, training, and encouragement for young people so they could work together and learn the mutual respect that comes from collaboration. Tattoos on the Heart is a breathtaking series of parables distilled from his twenty years in the barrio. These essays offer a stirring look at how full our lives could be if we could find the joy in loving others and in being loved unconditionally.

The United Methodist Church: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Sundays, beginning February 21 | 4-5:30 p.m. | R21 Led by Rev. Thomas Harper With everything that is going on in our world today have you ever wondered what our response as a church should be? Have you come from a different denominational tradition and wanted to know what makes a Methodist a Methodist? Or maybe you have grown up in the Methodist Church your whole life and still want to know? What does the United Methodist Church officially say about the current cultural issues of our day? Over the course of this six-week study we will look at the history and theology of the United Methodist Church in order to tackle some of the more difficult cultural questions that the Church faces today.

On Prayer Tuesdays, beginning January 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | R23 Led by Billy McMahon “I’ve been told that I should pray, but most of the time it can be a confusing, awkward, or tricky thing to do. Does prayer actually change anything? Why should I pray? Is prayer just a helpful practice to do every once in a while, or can it be more significant and life-changing?” If you’ve ever wondered about any of these questions or would like to explore the topic of prayer further, join us for a six-week interactive study. Higher Ground Bible Study Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. | Gethsemane Campus Led by Corky Fowler This is a Bible study for adults of all ages who are interested in academic Bible study. Each session is a stand-alone so no one falls behind even if they have to miss a class. Scripture is studied in depth with extensive use of commentaries, dictionaries and Bible atlas. All are welcome to attend and registration is not required. 21

Lent 2016 Living in Faith Together (LIFT) Group Opportunities Beginning February 14 Contact: Rev. Thomas Harper, 713-402-5009 Register: www.stlukesmethodist.org/lift A new churchwide small group study co-written by Dr. Tom Pace and Rev. Eric Huffman. If you are not currently in a LIFT group or would like to join a new group, be sure to register today!

looking for? Do you think that if you met the ‘right person’ everything would turn out ‘right’? Think again. In The New Rules for Love, Sex and Dating, Andy Stanley explores the challenges, assumptions, and land mines associated with dating in the twentyfirst century. Best of all, he offers the most practical and uncensored advice you will ever hear on this topic. Join us for a four-week study that will use a video presentation and discussion format.

The Faces Men Wear | Men’s Life Wednesdays, beginning January 6 | 6:30-8 a.m. Led by Dr. Tom Pace | Fellowship Hall Register: www.stlukesmethodist.org/mens-life Learning to be who we are in the face of who we are expected to be. Men’s Life encourages men to be their best. We invite men of all ages to join Dr. Tom Pace for teaching, a light breakfast, and round-table discussion about real-life issues and life-approaches related to men.

SENIORS

Go With Grace | Led by Dr. Linda Christians Thursdays, 7:15-8:30 a.m. | Hines Baker Room Contact: Kathy Neely, 713-402-5139 Register: www.stlukesmethodist.org/form_go-with-grace Join this community of women seeking to know God more intimately through Bible study, prayer and fellowship.

Mainstreamer Day Luncheon and Program Thursday, January 14 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hines Baker Senior Adult Reservation Line: 713-402-5087 Candice Twyman of the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation will join us to discuss two innovative programs for older adults – Silver Sleuths (which helps Houston’s older adults identify and avoid fraudulent business practices) and Texas Senior Medicare Patrol (which uses volunteers to identify and educate others about Medicare fraud, abuse and waste). The program begins at 11 a.m., with a buffet lunch following. Cost for lunch is $10, payable at the door. There is no charge for the program, but reservations are requested. Mainstreamer Day Trip Friday, January 22 | 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science Senior Adult Reservation Line: 713-402-5087 Our day trip will take us for a visit and tour of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, better known as The Health Museum in the museum district. In addition to the Amazing Body Pavilion, other attractions include the McGovern 4D Theater and the Sue Trammel Whitfield Gallery for seasonal exhibits. Our tour will include a visit to the new DeBakey Cell Lab, a unique exhibit featuring seven authentic, biology-based science experiments. Cost for the tour is $10, plus your lunch at an area restaurant after the tour. We will gather in the Blanton Building at the Alabama side of the church parking lot. Parkway Place, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Wednesday, January 20 | 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact: Marlys Barry, 713-402-5008 Come along as we continue our visits to area independent living and assisted living facilities. Learn about what is available, what services

are offered, costs, what it is like to live with a community of other people, what you need to learn, even if you don’t think you want to make a move and more. Our visit will include a tour of the facilities, including apartments and all the other amenities, an opportunity to meet and talk with some residents and have lunch in the dining room. Transportation will be provided from St. Luke’s. Monday Bridge Group Mondays, beginning January 4 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | R25 Contact: Kathy Austin, 713-252-6727 All are welcome at this growing, informal group interested in learning or brushing up on bridge played by Goren rules. Gethsemane Silver Circle | Gethsemane Campus Wednesday, January 27 | 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact: Betsy Evans, 281-565-0348 Enjoy a morning of games and conversation, with lunch and birthday celebrations at noon. Cost for lunch is $5.

WOMEN

More Than

2016 Women’s Retreat Friday, February 5, at 4 p.m. through Sunday, February 7, at noon. Camp Allen Retreat Center Rev. Elizabeth Ethun Mosely, Speaker Contact: Laurie Noteboom, 713-402-5092 or lnoteboom@stlukesmethodist.org www.stlukesmethodist.org/women_retreat Retreat to the beautiful woods and lakeside cabins of Camp Allen to relax, recharge and fellowship with other woman of St. Luke’s. Rev. Elizabeth Moseley will explore the idea we are More Than forgiven, More Than loved, More Than offered grace by God. In fact, His love empowers us to forgive, love and offer grace to the world. Elizabeth grew up at St. Luke’s UMC, earned a degree in Theology from Boston College, and Masters of Theological Study from Perkins School of Theology. While attending Perkins, she began working at Highland Park United Methodist Church in their contemporary worship ministry. At HPUMC, she was promoted to a church-wide role overseeing all adult discipleship ministries in 2012, and a year later she was ordained

as a Deacon in the UMC. Currently, she serves HPUMC as Senior Associate Pastor of Discipleship, is a member of the North Texas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, and serves as the conference Chair of Certification. She is married to Neil Moseley, who is also in ministry at White Rock UMC in Dallas, and they have two children, Nathaniel, who is three years old, and Evangeline, who is one year old.

An Invitation to Join in a Circle Fellowship The United Methodist Women, or UMW, is the group of women in United Methodist Churches, approximately 800,000 members combined, whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop strong woman leaders in Christ and serve in Christian mission. At St. Luke’s, UMW members enjoy the fellowship of women in mixed ages and stages of life, who are committed to supporting Christian missions in the Houston area and around the world. A Circle is a small group of women within the UMW who meet monthly for different events or purposes. Each of these groups fall under their own leadership, but all are representative of the united missionary work of the UMW. Being part of a UMW Circle provides you with the opportunity to make lasting, Christian friendships and to strengthen your faith. You will also find many ways to serve in the mission of the church through the UMW. If you want to become active in the UMW or have questions on how to join, contact UMW President, JoNell Beadle at jnpohl@yahoo.com or (614) 736-2682. CURRENT UMW CIRCLES Afternoon Study Circle | Noon | Fourth Tuesday Night Circle | 6:30 p.m. | Third Tuesday Shalom Circle | 9:30 a.m. | First Tuesday St. Luke’s Book Group | 10 a.m. | Second Monday Gethsemane Book Group | 9:30 a.m. | Second Saturday Games Group | 10 a.m. | Mondays Community Service Group | 10 a.m. | Third Monday Servants of Christ | 11 a.m. | Third Thursday 23

Celebrating Lives

BUILDING FUND In Memory of: Randy Gorham by Timothy P. Hart Lee W. Lance, Jr. by Laura & Bill Denham CARING MINISTRIES In Memory of: Deborah Wiemers Hemphill by Robert Hemphill John Holland by Laura & Bill Denham CHILDREN’S MINISTRY In Honor of: The baptism of Jacob Ashby Bruno by Susan & Joe Bruno FRIENDS OF MUSIC In Honor of: Emily Griffin on her birthday by The Kuhn Family B.B. Bamberg Lesa Curry Bettina Hill Sally Matthews and Carol Mohrman by Betty Slagle In Memory of: James Otho Knight by Maureen Alsup Jan & George Atkinson Lavonne & Robert Baker and Katie Erich & Agatha Brann Ellen & Bill Castillo Calvin, Carla and Catherine Click

Leslie & Jeff Creel Laura & Bill Denham June & Raymond Helmer Carolyn & David Loos Marcia & Ben Mathes Fannie & Hugh Parker Pamela & Tommie Rape Mr. & Mrs. Jack Read Betty Slagle GENE DECKER OUTREACH ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of: Bob Foster Conger by Gene Decker Study Class Calvin & Carla Click Thomas Michael Melo by Gene Decker Study Class Calvin & Carla Click NICK FINNEGAN COUNSELING CENTER In Honor of: Jimmy McCartney for his service as Advisory Board Chair 2014-2015 by Amy Birchill-Lavergne Houston Country Club Debutantes by Page & Gregory Cokinos Cameron Dumas & Andi Berkman by Dumas/Johnson Family Fund In Memory of: Thomas Michael Melo by Cynthia Cohen James D. Thompson by Linda & Jim McCartney SR. ADULT MINISTRY In Memory of: Rev. J. Dean Robinson by Beverly Robinson

Caring Ministries 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.

Congratulations to:

Robert and Sara Jane Sondecker Fielder on the birth of twins, Robert Clark Fielder III and Lauralee Grace Fielder, on November 13. Rob and Courtney Adams on the birth of their daughter, Audrey Michele Adams, on November 14. Proud grandparents are Ed and Sally Mason. Eleanor Elizabeth Jones and Cole Wesley Harrison, who were united in marriage on November 21. Jud and Sami Morrison on the birth of their daughter, Margaret Grey Morrison, on November 23. Proud older brothers are Judson and Cooper Morrison. Matt and Laura Tovar on the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Lee Tovar, on November 29. Proud great-grandmother is Emily Griffin.

ST. LUKE’S MEMORIAL GARDEN In Memory of: David Click by The Click Family ST. LUKE’S METHODIST CHURCH FOUNDATION In Memory of: Grace Arnold by The Bayou Fund Jack Brennan by Linda & Joel Robuck Suzanne & Tom Hill Lee W. Lance, Jr. by Erich & Agatha Brann Eugene R. Werlein by Janelle F. Werlein Philip B. Werlein on his birthday by Janelle F. Werlein Ann Catlett Williams by Carol C. Allbritton Barbara B. Dundas Harper & Pearson Company, P.C. UMW SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: Shirley Boyer and Helen Tidwell by St. Luke’s UMW WOODSHOP In Honor of: Dave Barziza by J. Arnold Smith In Memory of: Jack Brennan by Sally Kate Weems James Otho Knight by Paul Renner

Bethany Lynn Prewett and Preston Scott Sauer, who were united in marriage on December 5. Drew and Lynsey Ward on the birth of their son, William Andrew “Dos” Ward II on December 7. Proud grandmother is Jill Mussman. Fred and Caroline Knapp on the birth of their son, Andrew Nolty Knapp, on December 9. Proud older brother is Knox Knapp and proud grandparents are Fred and Linda Knapp. Dave and Kristin Anderson on the birth of their son, Travis Wesley Anderson, on December 14. Proud older brother is Jacob Anderson.

Our Sympathy to:

Kathy Stockton on the death of her brother-in-law, James Michael “Mike” Green, on November 13. Tom Whitehead on the death of his wife, Jo-Ann Bonnell Hayward Whitehead, on November 15. Linda and David Elmer, Sam and Addie Elmer on the death of Linda’s father, Frank Richard “Dick” Folkerth, on November 16. Chris Holmes on the death of his father, James Robert “Bob” Holmes, on November 22.

Altar Flower Dedications The altar flowers were dedicated to the glory of God and were given... November 22, in celebration of the baptism of Phillip Garrett Ghutzman, Jr. by Tina and Phillip Ghutzman, Sr.; in celebration of the baptism of Louise Taylor Urquhart; in loving memory of Nancy Wade Taylor by Amy and Robert Urquhart; in celebration of the baptism of Robert Emerson Parry by Elizabeth and Robert Parry; in loving memory of Joyce Thompson by Tamyra, Mike, Annie and Matt Palmer; in loving memory of Lori Beth and Alan Brian Wimmer by DeLois Wimmer and Stephen Wimmer; in celebration of the baptism of Sadie Claire Burks by Steffi and Kyle Burks; in loving memory of William M. Merritt, Jr. on the occasion of his birthday by his family. November 29, in loving memory of Jerry Eckles’ 26th birthday by the Eckles family; in celebration of the baptism of James David Griffin by Sharon and Jason Griffin; in celebration of the baptism of Luke Harrison Borland by Laura and Seth Borland; in celebration of the baptism of Jacob Ashby Bruno by Katelyn and Stephen Bruno and grandparents Cindy and Brad Stafford; in celebration of the baptism of Hudson Elyn Barras by Gina and John Barras. December 6, in loving memory of Jack S. Blanton by Ginger Blanton and family; in celebration of the baptism of Faye Anne Earles by Nicole McWhorter and Nick Earles; in honor of Barbara and Joe Eason on the occasion of their 62nd Wedding Anniversary by Ann and Barry Seelen, Chuck Eason and Kathy and Mike Eason; in loving memory of Jean Mills Worsham and John Murfee Worsham by their family; in celebration of the baptism of Thomas Catlett Litton by Laura and Charles Litton; in celebration of the baptism of Grayson Amelia Eaton by Theresa and Jeffrey Eaton; in celebration of the baptism of Georgia Daphne Heinisch by Candice and Gunnar Heinisch; in celebration of the baptism of Robert Simon Haidamous by Bailey and Simon Haidamous; in celebration of the baptism of Andrew Zavala Wells by Angie and Aaron Wells. December 27, in honor of Linda and Barry Hunsaker and in celebration of their 40th Wedding Anniversary by Kelly and David Leonard and Lauren and Ryan Hunsaker; in celebration of the baptism of Robert Wentworth Eifler, Jr. by Sydney and Robert Eifler; in celebration of the baptism of Nathan Paul Halladay by Natalie and Ben Halladay.

Beth and Bill Banks, Hanly, Bill, and Bass Callahan, and Tom Banks on the death of Beth’s father, Thomas Joseph Feehan, on November 22. Deanna Murphy, Karen, Eugene, and Murphy Brennan, and Craig, Patricia, Christina, and Thomas Murphy on the death of Deanna’s husband, James Charles Murphy, on November 25. Suzy Brennan, Blake Collier, and Blanche and Kin Gill on the death of Suzy’s husband, Jack Rutherford Brennan, on November 26. Family and friends of Roy Kent Westmoreland, who died on November 26. Jean Hearon on the death of her son-in-law, Kenneth H. Magiera, on November 28. Family and friends of Ann Catlett Williams, who died on December 2. Pamalah and Stephen Tipps, Catherine and Keith Vendola, Peter and Claire Tipps, and David and Molly Tipps on the death of Pamalah’s father, Bob Foster Conger, on December 2.

Tina, Virginia, and Caroline Melo on the death of their husband and father, Thomas Michael Melo, on December 7. Family and friends of Laralee DeHart, who died on December 7. Sally Gray on the death of her aunt, Patricia Ann Moore Jones, on December 8. Kevin, Christy, and Alden Labban on the death of Kevin’s mother, Jacquelyn Melton McAdams, on December 10. Mark and Linda Evans, Liz and Robert Mann, Will Evans, Rob Evans, and their families on the death of Mark’s sister, Deborah Evans Bartzen, on December 11. Mark and Lisa Eaves, Marissa and Ted LePak on the death of Mark’s father, James Franklin Eaves, on December 14. Jo Jones on the death of her husband, Charles Donald “Buck” Jones, on December 14.

If you know of a concern or a joy that the church should know about, contact Caring Ministries at 713-402-5004 or -5156

Baptisms

The Sacrament of Baptism was received by: Sadie Claire Burks, daughter of Kyle Ryan Burks and Steffi Cheryl Hutto Burks on November 22.

Robert Emerson Parry, son of Robert Alan Parry and Elizabeth Koval Parry on November 22.

Louise Taylor Urquhart, daughter of Robert Sean Urquhart and Amy Spalding Urquhart on November 22.

Hadley Greer Montgomery, daughter of Pearson Edward Montgomery and Ali West Montgomery on November 24.

Hudson Elyn Barras, son of John Denton Barras and Gina Renee Garza Barras on November 29.

Luke Harrison Borland, son of Seth Bosworth Borland and Laura Noel Borland on November 29.

Jacob Ashby Bruno, son of Stephen Michael Bruno and Katelyn Ann Stafford Bruno on November 29.

New Members

James David Griffin, son of Jason James Griffin and Sharon Noel Griffin on November 29.

Charles and Anna Evans transfer, he from another United Methodist church and she from another denomination. Charles is Director of Finance for Invesco and Anna is a senior accountant with Just Energy. They are the parents are Sophie, age 2, and Ivanna, age 10 months.

Laurie Krueger unites with St. Luke’s by transfer from another denomination. She is retired.

Faye Anne Earles, daughter of Nicholas William Earles and Nicole Sue McWhorter on December 6.

Fred and Caroline Knapp transfer from another denomination. He is Vice President of Investments for Cousins Properties. Fred and Caroline are the parents of Knox, age 2, and join Fred’s parents, Fred and Linda Knapp in the St. Luke’s membership.

Roger and Grace Zoorob and their daughter, Emily, transfer to our congregation from another United Methodist church. Roger is a professor with Baylor Family Medicine and Grace is a professor at Houston Baptist University.

Georgia Daphne Heinisch, daughter of Gunnar Robert Heinisch and Candice Sue Laymance’ Heinisch on December 6.

Whitney and Sterling Myers unite by transfer, he from another United Methodist Church and she from another denomination. Whitney is a land manager with Plantation Petroleum and Sterling is a registered nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Emily is in the 8th grade and a member of Pure Sound.

Thomas Catlett Litton, son of Thomas Charles White Litton and Laura Timanus Litton on December 6.

SJ Swanson transfers to St. Luke’s from another denomination. She is an attorney and principal of Swanson Law Firm PLLC.

Andrew Zavala Wells, son of Aaron Arthur Wells and Angela Marie Zavala Wells on December 6.

Tom and Michelle King and their daughter, Jeanne Marie, unite with our congregation by transfer from another United Methodist church. They join Tom’s mother, Beverly King, and his brother and sisterin-law, David and Alice King and family in the St. Luke’s membership.

Not pictured: Brenda Kissack transfers to our congregation from another denomination. She is employed by KBR and has two children: Connor, age 6, and Sienna, age 3. Darren and Loretta Horowitz unite with St. Luke’s, he by profession of faith and baptism and she by transfer from another United Methodist church. They are the parents of Avery, age 5, and Presley, age 3.

Grayson Amelia Eaton, daughter of Jeffrey Judson Eaton and Theresa Williams Eaton on December 6.

Update your records! Have you moved recently? Do you have a new phone number or email address? To update your contact information with the church, contact Laurie Kereluk at (713) 402-5004 or lkereluk@stlukesmethodist.org. Thanks so much for your help in keeping our records up to date. 27

Periodicals Postage Paid Houston, Texas

Westheimer Campus

Sanctuary 8:30 a.m. Sunday–Traditional Worship with Holy Communion 9:45 and 11 a.m. Sunday–Traditional Worship 9:45 a.m.–Sign interpreter provided Fellowship Hall 8:45 a.m. Sunday–Encounter Worship Activity Center 9:30 a.m. and 11:05 a.m.–The Story Houston Contemporary Worship Chapel 12 p.m.–Holy Communion

Gethsemane Campus 9 a.m. Sunday – Traditional Worship 11:15 a.m. – Contemporary Worship

Sermon podcasts available at: StlukesMethodist.org/Sermons

Spire (USPS 7190) is published monthly by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027-5334. Periodicals postage paid at Houston, TX and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027-5334.