The Waters of Baptism The Power of Expectancy byDr. Dr.Tom Tom Pace, Sr. Pastor by Pace, Sr. Pastor
You were trying to decide whether or not to buy a black car. Black cars are beautiful when clean, but look pretty crummy when they are dirty. So you start looking at black cars all around you. You begin to notice that there are black cars everywhere. You realize you are surrounded by black cars! Expectation is the essence of the Advent Season. We wait expectantly for God to show up, to be born into the world, to become flesh and “move into the neighborhood.” We begin to watch for God everywhere, and what we discover is signs of his presence everywhere we look. Sometimes, we head into the season expecting the wrong things. We expect stress, pressure, crowds of people, frenzied activity. If that is what you expect, then that is probably what you will find. On the other hand, the Bible points to a different way to look forward. It is characterized by a sense of expectancy and hope, trusting in the goodness of God.
There is a best-selling book popular with families awaiting the birth of their first child. It is titled, What to Expect When You Are Expecting. As we Christians await the birth of Jesus, there are some things we can expect: Expect Goodness (December 3) Expect Transformation (December 10) Expect Wonder (December 17) and Expect Love (Christmas Eve) Let’s head into this season with the right attitude of Expectancy. The Lord of life is on his way. Something is awesome is going to happen.
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IN THIS ISSUE
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THE POWER OF EXPECTANCY by Dr. Tom Pace EXPECT GOODNESS by Reverend Bill Denham
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EXPECT TRANSFORMATION by Reverend Katie Montgomery Mears
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EXPECT WONDER by Reverend David Horton
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EXPECT LOVE by Reverend Eric Huffman
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KEEPING THE JOY THIS CHRISTMAS by Sherry L. Yingling, LMFT, LPC
Spire (USPS 7190) is published monthly by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027-5334. Periodicals postage paid at Houson, TX and additional mailing offices.
Scripture+Shared for Advent | Daily Devotionals Begin Sunday, December 3 We hope you will follow our daily advent devotionals on the Scripture+Shared App beginning Sunday, December 3. If you haven’t already downloaded the St. Luke’s Scripture+Shared App, search “Scripture+Shared” (with quotation marks) in your app store, or visit Subsplash.com/ScriptureShared/ App in your mobile browser for a direct download link.
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Christmas Eve Services
I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
Westheimer Traditional
Westheimer Campus Encounter
The Story Houston
11 a.m. Traditional Service
4:15 p.m.* Family Worship with Encounter Band
8:30 a.m. (Carol Singing) 11:05 a.m. 5 and 8 p.m.
Sanctuary
3 and 4:15* p.m. Family Services with Encounter Band
Fellowship Hall
6 p.m.* Candlelight Service with St. Cecilia Choir
6 p.m.* Worship with Encouter Band
8 p.m.* Candlelight Service with Pure Sound Youth Choir 11 p.m.* Candlelight Service with Chancel Choir
The Story Houston Building (Westheimer Campus)
Gethsemane Campus 6856 Bellaire Blvd.
11a.m. Worship Service 6:30 p.m.* Candlelight Family Service with Children's Nativity
* Holy Communion served
All traditional services at the Westheimer Campus will be LiveStreamed at StLukesMethodist.org/livestream. Westheimer Campus: Nursery for ages 2 months-PreK available for services at 11 a.m., 5, 6 and 8 p.m. Gethsemane Campus: Nursery is open 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. for children birth-4 years. 5
Goodness EXPECT
by Reverend Bill Denham
C
ome back in time with me. Hear Burl Ives singing, “He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.”
I was probably five years old when I first heard this song. I was in a department store, Christmas shopping with my mother. The words struck home because I really wanted Santa to bring me an electric train for Christmas—a Lionel train with a switchbox to make the train go forward and backward and “smoke tablets.” You dropped those white aspirin-like tablets in the engine smokestack and they produced real smoke as the train chugged along. Yes, Santa was expecting me to be good. OK. I got that. But I had high expectations of him, too. If I were good, he was to do his part—deliver an electric train on Christmas Eve. At that age it was hard for me to distinguish between Santa Claus and God. Often the two seemed to be one and the same. Certainly God knew when I was sleeping or awake. He knew when I’d been bad or good. God knows everything. Right? Apparently, Santa did too. That was many years ago.
To begin with, we worship a triune God who loves each of us, loves us with a fierce, unrelenting love. As God said in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Joshua reminds us, “God will never leave you or forsake you.” Paul wrote, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This kind of love isn’t come-and-go. It isn’t conditional on our being good. It is here… forever.
I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD AND SANTA. SANTA PUTS CONDITIONS ON OUR EXPECTATIONS. GOD DOES NOT.
It’s now Christmas of 2017. I’m an adult. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I really should find it easy to expect goodness, especially during Advent. After all, I know that Jehovah God is about to do something spectacular. From the realms of glory, God is going to throw open the gates of heaven and send His Son into the world, not to condemn but to save. Heaven is reaching down, boldly and lovingly, like never before.
As Methodists, we celebrate Advent to give us time to come to expect goodness, days to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. But how do we do that?
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In an uncertain world, sometimes it is hard to have an “expect goodness” mindset. How can we live out our lives expecting goodness when there are tragic accidents, devastating hurricanes, ghastly medical diagnoses, betrayals within families, and so on? How can we bring ourselves to expect goodness?
I see repeatedly proof that the followers of the Babe of Bethlehem are responding to God’s goodness. We witness it in our church. I see it in the herculean efforts of our members for Hurricane Harvey victims. I see it in the faces of the children in their activities. I see it in the transformation of our youth as they come to know our Savior. I see it in hospital visits by our laity. I see it over and over and over. Because we worship and follow a loving God, we should expect goodness. God has proven His goodness in the past—God, Immanuel, God with us and for us.
Today I know the difference between God and Santa. Santa puts conditions on our expectations. God does not. We can expect goodness from God every day. We can give thanks to God in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. We expect goodness when we practice our five habits: We pray. We study our Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. During this month let’s join the angel choirs. Let’s sing along with them, “Glory to God. Glory to God. Glory to God in the highest.”
Transformat ion EXPECT
by Reverend Katie Montgomery Mears
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth. The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
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hese lyrics from my favorite Christmas hymn, O Holy Night, feel especially poignant this year. The world feels so full of sin and so, so weary. Shootings, wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes have delivered devastation to a countless number of communities and families this year. I’ll admit, there are days when it feels like a dream I cannot wake up from—so real and yet so unbelievable. We’re speechless in the face of such horror, yet we know that these tragedies do not have the final word. After the rain came the rescues— thousands of them, by neighbors and strangers. After the earthquake came hundreds of people forming human chains to remove rubble and search for missing children. After the shooting in Las Vegas came people throwing themselves on one another to protect them. The presence of God was palpable in the love and compassion offered in each of these situations.
He transformed the diseased into the healed and the outcasts into the celebrated guests. For the lepers who were healed and the marginalized who were included, it was a new and glorious morn. For those of us today who are weary and broken and left out, there is a new and glorious morn for us as well. The power of Christ transforms our lives, bringing about hope and wholeness.
THERE IS A NEW AND GLORIOUS MORN FOR US AS WELL.
As we enter this season of Advent, we are desperately in need of this love and compassion that comes from God. Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” We know that what is coming is the presence of Christ that brings transformation to the world, so we wait expectantly and hopefully. When Jesus was born more than 2,000 years ago, he transformed everything – political authority, religious rules, cultural norms.
In Romans, Paul writes, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” (Romans 12:2, The Message) Christian transformation isn’t about making small edits to our lives, but about complete renewal. The Greek word for transformation is metamorphoō, which is where we get the word metamorphosis. The caterpillar that changes into a butterfly offers us an image of the way in which God transforms our lives— we completely transcend our previous form in order to become a new creature. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are reshaped so that we are no longer molded, or attached, to the brokenness of sin. This Advent, ask God to transform you from the inside out, creating in you a new heart that bears the likeness of Christ and beats for the transformation of the world. God can, and does, take a weary world and bring about a new and glorious morn.
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Wonder EXPECT
by Reverend David Horton
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:20
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t’s better to be a shepherd than an angel.
You remember the angels. They’re the glowing, largerthan-life mysteries who showed up in the middle of the night and scared a bunch of shepherds out of their pajamas. In a second, they formed the best choir that anyone ever heard. They sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace!” They had news to share, news that would spread across the earth, news that would become our standardized measure of time—it either happened before this news or after this news—but news that would have to start with shepherd boys and shepherd girls—and, of course, the sheep. Don’t forget the sheep. The news? There’s a savior been born. He’s the one your heart has been looking for while you were too busy to notice. He wears newborn diapers, and he’s lying in a manger in Bethlehem. You’ll find him if you go looking
But the angels get the lesser end of the deal. You see, they miss out on the wonder of seeing and hearing these things for themselves. They are messengers of a message that hasn’t happened to them. It’s sad, when you think about it. They are the storytellers of secondhand wonder: they tell someone else’s story, the shepherd’s story, our story, but not their story. They don’t get to be blown away by all these wonders like the shepherds have.
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT WONDER. IT’S ABOUT BEING BLOWN AWAY BY THE MIRACLES.
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him.
And the shepherds do go looking for him. They find him; and Mary and Joseph, the otherworldly sound of the angels still ringing in their ears, their hands shaking as Mary folds back the scraps of an old dress that keeps her son warm. They see that baby’s face. Can you imagine? It’s the face that said, “Let there be light!” and saw the first sunrise on the first day. It’s the face that will hang on a tree, looking down on the pain of this world and the everyday cruelty of you and me, and say, “It is finished.” It’s the face that knows nothing at all except a mother’s love, and for now, on this silent night, that’s enough. That face will grace the shepherds’ memory forever. No matter what troubles await them in the future, they will never unlearn the face of God.
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The shepherds leave the holy family, Mary nursing, Joseph fumbling with breakfast, and they are full to bursting with all they have heard and seen! The angels, the heavenly choir, the midnight shock of aliens in their tent, the mother, the baby, the face, the manger, the news—oh the news! All these wonders have happened to them. It’s the best kind of overwhelming.
It’s better to be a shepherd. They are the storytellers of firsthand wonder. It’s the difference between hearing you’re going to be a father and telling of that wonder happening to you, and telling the story of someone else hearing he’s going to be a father. It’s still good news, but it’s not wonder.
Christmas is about wonder. It’s about being blown away by the miracles God is working around you, if you will dis-disenchant your eyes and go looking for them. Christmas is about becoming shepherd boys and shepherd girls again, innocent recipients of God’s marvels, trembling with excitement at what God is doing, captivated by what feels like magic and what looks like love. Where is God captivating you by what feels like magic and looks like love? Let that story happen to you. Be overwhelmed by it. Be changed by it. Be born anew by it. Become a messenger of a message that is happening to you, a storyteller of firsthand wonders that make the angels jealous.
Love
EXPECT
by Reverend Eric Huffman Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
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n June 5, 1999, my wife and I stood trembling inside a church. We were getting married at the age of 20. Half the people there thought we were crazy for getting married at 20. The other half just thought we were pregnant. But we thought we were in love. Walking down the aisle, she was a vision. We stared into each other’s eyes. We swore before God and everybody that we would love and cherish each other until death do us part. We acted like we knew what we were doing, but we had no idea. We had such a romanticized view of love back then, we could not have known what we were saying when we said, “I love you.” What we really felt was lust, mostly, a desire to live together and sleep together and grow up before we were ready. And those feelings were real feelings, but we didn’t know what love was. We thought love was a feeling, like in the movies, but 15 years of marriage has taught us that love, more than a feeling, is a choice.
Our challenge as Christians is to reorient our lives around the virtue of love. It’s hard to do, isn’t it? Even when I think about my marriage—the woman I love most—my love can’t measure up to the love Paul talks about in this passage. Love is not irritable or resentful? When you’re married for 18 years, that gets to be a problem. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing? Yeah, except when I insisted on taking a shortcut and we got stuck in traffic for an hour. She should have been upset about the traffic, but she was just so happy she was right… I could feel her over there, rejoicing in my wrongdoing! I can’t love the way Paul says to love, and that’s with my wife; don’t even get me started on how hard it is to love my enemies.
ONCE YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO RECEIVE GOD'S LOVE, THERE'S NO STOPPING IT.
My dad is a pastor, and he was the officiant for our wedding. Just before we were supposed to walk out together to take our places for the ceremony, he turned to me and basically tried to talk me out of it. I thought he was crazy. I thought that, with love, there’s no changing your mind, because love was a feeling. But my dad, who had been married for 24 years, knew better. He knew that loving someone—even that special someone—is a choice you can make or not.
But if you really read 1 Corinthians 13, it’s clear that Paul isn’t just defining love; he’s describing a person. This is not a definition, but a description - a description of Jesus. You could replace every word “love” in this passage with “Jesus,” and it would still make sense. Paul is describing Jesus. And this is the good news we need to hear this Christmas. The choice we have to make isn’t to love like the Bible says, or not to. We could make the choice to love like the Bible says, and we would fail every time. No one here is up to the task of loving like the Bible says to love. We’re incapable, and that’s fine, because that’s not the choice that matters. The choice that matters is whether or not you let yourself receive God’s love in Jesus. Will you choose to believe that the One who knows you best loves you most? Letting the love of God fill your heart is all that matters. When you do that, what will invariably happen is that the love of God will overwhelm you, because no one’s heart is big enough to contain God’s love, and there will be an overflow in your life, an outpouring of God’s love in your home, with your family, friends, and even your enemies. Because once you make the decision to receive God’s love, there’s no stopping it. And for people who follow Jesus, nothing is more important.
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MARCH TO THE MANGER Sunday, December 3 | 9:45 a.m. Children in grades 2-5 will visit a live nativity with their unwrapped toys for Christian Community Center's (CCSC) Jingle Bell Express.
LAS POSADAS Sunday, December 10 | 9:45 a.m. Mary and Joseph (played by a St. Luke’s family), accompanied by children, reenact their search for shelter. The Sunday School hour ends with the breaking of a piñata.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT & CHILDREN’S PJ PARTY GETHSEMANE Friday, December 8 | 7-10 p.m. Parents enjoy an evening out while children enjoy Charlie Brown Christmas, dinner, s’mores, hot cocoa and crafts. Register with Juana Tavico at jchavez@stlukesmethodist.org or 713-357-4474.
CHILDREN’S HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY JESUS PARTY GETHSEMANE Sunday, December 17 |10 a.m. There will be snacks, crafts and games at this party to celebrate the birth of Jesus!
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MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET – LUX RADIO DRAMA Sunday, December 3 | 2:30 p.m. | Rotunda Tapestry Players present this beloved holiday classic transformed into live radio drama. Adapated from the screen play by George Seaton, based on a story by Valentine Davies. $10 Admission
CONSPIRARE CHRISTMAS WITH CARRIE RODRIGUEZ Friday, December 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Westheimer Sanctuary Grammy award-winning Conspirare delivers world-class vocal artistry in this celebration of love, connection and renewal. Please join us for an evening that will feed your soul and open your heart. Craig Hella Johnson's unique programming breaks down the conventional boundaries of pop, classical, folk and seasonal favorites, revealing the music's essence and embracing our shared humanity. Tickets $35 online or $40 at the door.
SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE (SNL): PROGRESSIVE DINNER Sunday, December 10 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. All students grades 6-12 are invited to one of our favorite St. Luke’s Student Ministries traditions — the Progressive Dinner! Meet at the Student Ministries Building and head out to host homes for appetizers and then to other host homes for fajitas! Afterwards, we will head back to the Student Ministries Building for yummy dessert and Christmas-themed worship and music. Be sure to come dressed "Tacky Christmas" becasue the winner will get a prize!
YOUTH POSADAS GETHSEMANE December 17, 3-9 p.m. Youth will meet at the church in traditional or tacky Christmas attire for a journey to view Christmas lights around Houston. We will stop for snacks and to visit friends along the way. Sign up in the youth area!
ROB LANDES
Annual Christmas Concert followed by a Cocoa Party! Sunday, December 10 | 4 p.m. | Sanctuary Come for a Carol Sing-A-Long with Rob on the piano and Children's Choirs. Stay for a Christmas party hosted by Children's Ministries in the Fellowship Hall. Oh... by the way... Santa will be there! 11
The Gift of Christmas
ENCOUNTER WORSHIP
December 10 | 8:45 a.m. | Fellowship Hall
This special Encounter Worship service is jam packed with music from the Encounter Band, our beautiful string section, and a special guest guitarist. There will be featured solos and duets by our own Faith Ayers, Caretta Bell, and Steve Lufburrow. You will won’t want to miss a second of this service as Dr. Tom Pace talks about the transforming power of Jesus. Luke 1:16-17 says: He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Things are gonna change. Expect it. Breakfast tacos and coffee start at 8:15a followed by worship at 8:45 a.m. We hope you will come, worship, and be uplifted as we celebrate the transforming presence of Jesus in our lives. 12 12
December 17 | 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m.
St. Luke’s Christmas Festival is both traditional and non-traditional, all at once. Featuring the St. Luke’s Chancel choir and full orchestra, you can expect to hear wonderful and familiar sounds of the season such as, “O Tannenbaum” and “I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day,” as well as music from the gospel group, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and the final movement of Craig Hella Johnson’s, “Considering Matthew Shepherd.” The morning includes glorious carol singing for the congregation, so there is truly something for everyone. Join us at traditional worship and bring your friends and family! 13
Christmas Around the World, Dinner and Worship Gethsemane | Wednesday, December 13 | 5:30 p.m.
Prepare a holiday dish from your country and bring it to share with the Gethsemane community. Pot Luck dinner will be followed by a service of worship with Christmas music and stories from around the world.
Christmas in the Chapel
Friday, December 15 | Seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. | Chapel An intimate evening of Christmas music— Fantasia on Christmas Carols and the Houston premiere of Nativities by Nick Strimple— featuring Credo, St. Luke's Chamber Choir under the direction of Ryan Jones.
Christmas at The Story Houston Comfort and Joy new worship service at The Story Houston - Sundays at 8:30 a.m. We're so excited to let you know that, beginning November 12 and continuing through the Christmas season, you'll have yet another way to worship at The Story! This new service will be an especially good fit for you if: * you're an early riser! This service starts at 8:30 a.m. * you love Christmas songs! Music at Comfort & Joy will be 100% Christmas hymns and carols. * you like church to be short and sweet! This service will be around 45 minutes long. * you're not a fan of loud music! Comfort & Joy will feature one lead vocalist (Halie Sampiere) and one or two instrumentalists (piano and strings). We want to encourage you to check out Comfort & Joy on Sunday, November 12! Your presence there on "opening day" would mean the world to us, because you'll be helping us get this service off to a great start. So thank you, and we'll see you November 12 at 8:30!
The Story Kids Christmas Musical Sunday, December 17 | 9:40, 11:05 A.M. and 5 P.M. | The Story Houston Building Shh! Grab your trench coat and dark shades and go undercover to join the exciting Christmas mission of We Three Spies. Agents E, L, and F are recruits with the Christmas Intelligence Kids, a covert group of spies who secretly bring Christmas cheer to the needy. Come watch The Story Kids as they use a little espionage and a lot of God's unconditional love to help Ms. King understand and celebrate the true meaning of Jesus' birth.
Going out of town or working for Christmas Eve? The Story's Travelers' Service Wednesday, December 20 | 7 p.m. If you are traveling out of town for Christmas but still want to a chance to worship at home, please join us for a beautiful Candlelight Christmas Eve service. 14
St. Luke's Day School Book Fair
The SLDS Reading Express will be chugging into town for St. Luke's annual Book Fair. For over 30 years, the Book Fair has been a major fundraiser for St. Luke's Day School. The Book Fair is four fun filled days of shopping, children's activities, special events, music, fellowship, and more. The event is sure to be a magical way to kick off the holiday season, and fulfill items on your gift list. Monday, November 27 | 2–5 p.m. 12–5 p.m. Santa photos* Tuesday, November 28 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 1-5 p.m. Silhouettes by Cindi Rose* 2–5 p.m. Santa photos* 2:45 p.m. Story time theater Wednesday, November 29 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 9:30 a.m. Songplay session 12–5 p.m. Silhouettes by Cindi Rose* Santa photos* 2–5 p.m. Santa photos* 2:45 p.m. Story time theater
Thursday, November 30 | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 2:45 PM Marionette performance *Book your Santa Photos & Cindi Rose Silhouettes at StLukesDaySchool.org/book-fair
Keeping the Joy this Christmas by counselor Sherry L. Yingling, LMFT, LPC Nick Finnegan Counseling Center
The holidays can be a joyful time, yet some of us find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and over-stressed. This often happens because we have a tendency to over-promise, overspend, over-eat, over-commit, over-indulge…you get the picture. Some experts refer to this overarching sense of obligation and pressure as the “holiday blues.” You know the feelings: dread, anxiety, depression or disappointment. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can prevent these so called holiday blues from taking over and taking our joy. Many of the same principles that promote healthy life-balance and focused self-care throughout the year apply more than ever during the holidays. As with any other time of year, it is important to maintain a sense of who you are and what you want. This is especially true after a big change in your family or for new couples combining and forming traditions. It is important to be honest with yourself about how you feel and prioritize activities to care for yourself. Balancing self-care during the holidays means giving yourself permission to set healthy boundaries and limits for engaging in normal activities such as eating, sleeping, spending and socializing. We don’t have to overeat just because “it’s the holidays,” forego adequate rest to fulfill obligations, shop beyond our budget because it is expected or sacrifice alone time to appease everyone else. Caring for yourself is the key to feeling emotionally full, so you can give cheerfully of yourself to others. ‘Tis the season.
Be our Guest for Dinner Thursday, November 30 6:30-7:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Come learn about God's dreams and visions for the Christian Community Service Center and what St. Luke's can do to help make those dreams a reality. RSVP by November 27 at StLukesMethodist.org/ccsc-dinner Come as you are (Casual)
WE GIVE OURSELVES AWAY AT CHRISTMAS SUNDAY DECEMBER
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Friends at Home Advent Poinsettia Delivery | Sunday, December 3 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Spread some Christmas Cheer and volunteer to deliver a festive plant to a Friends at Home member at their residence. Our home bound members look forward to this annual St. Luke's tradition. Names and addresses will be available all morning in the Fellowship Walk. If you want to reserve a name in advance, contact Shelley Quillin, Caring Ministries at 713-402-5033 or squillin@stlukesmethodist.org.
Move Houston Service Project
Students grades 6-12 will deliver poinsettias on Satuday, December 2 | 1-4 p.m. Visit the
Sundays November 12, 19, and 26 at the Westheimer Campus to sponsor a child Signups at the Gethsemane Campus on Sunday, November 19 Please drop your gifts off no later than SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 at 5 P.M. Contact Meredith Davis at 713-402-5064 or mdavis@stlukesmethodist.org.
SATURDAY DECEMBER
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Wrapping Party | Sunday, December 9 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Join us for a Wrap Party on Saturday, December 9 at the Westheimer Campus. We’re looking for volunteers to help wrap and organize gifts, haul and load them, and deliver them to PEP’s offices. Sign up at StLukesMethodist.org/christmas. For more information, please contact Meredith Davis at 713-402-5064 or mdavis@stlukesmethodist.org.
St. Luke’s and Christian Community Service Center... a legacy of partnership in ministry For the last 37 years, CCSC (Christian Community Service Center) has been our church's response to poverty in our local community. Born of a vision by St. Luke's and a handful of churches, today a coalition of 42 churches unite to serve at and support CCSC. St. Luke’s continues its partnership through financial provison, volunteer hours, serving on the board of directors and space for Emergency Services-Southwest and garden at our Gethsemane Campus.
Located just blocks away from St. Luke’s at 3230 Mercer, CCSC’s Emergency Services-Central has always been cramped, but after flooding 3 times in the last 2 years, the last due to Hurricane Harvey, the structures must be replaced. St. Luke’s proudly stands on our legacy with CCSC and has committed the 2017 Christmas Offering to be directed to their building campaign.
The CCSC focus is trifold; 1. Basic needs: Emergency food pantry, clothing and more 2. Children: Vision care, Back to School drive and Jingle Bell Express 3. Employment: JobNet-resource center supports clients in search of employment, and “Martha’s Way”, a vocational program enabling women to start their own residential housekeeping businesses.
Make a gift • • •
Online at StLukesMethodist.org/Christmas In special Christmas Offering envelopes found in the pews. By including "Christmas Offering" on your check 17
ST. LUKE’S
LIFE
Here at St. Luke’s, we want you to have every opportunity to build authentic bonds with other Christians—just like you—who are striving to walk the Christian journey faithfully, so check out the following events! Join our church family and find a small group and Sunday morning class that truly fits. To learn more about all of our ministry groups, visit StLukesMethodist. org/ministries.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN UMW District Christmas Brunch Saturday, December 9 | 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Hines Baker Room Registration is from 9:30-10-30 followed by a brunch. The speaker is Rev. Lynzey Guidry, youth pastor of Trinity East UMC. This is an opportunity to meet and greet UMW members from all the Central South District. For more information call JoNell Beadle at 614-736-2682. UMW Games Group Mondays, November 6, 20, 27, December 4 and 18 at 10 a.m. EN204 | Contact Lori Wilson-Reynolds, 713-665-3553. UMW Westheimer Book Group Mondy, November 13, 10 a.m. | ES306, To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin. Monday, December 11 | 10 a.m. | ES306 The Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber. Contact Dorothy Voss, 713-660-7243. UMW Afternoon Study Circle Tuesday, November 14, 12-2 p.m. | Hines Baker Room Thanksgiving Theme and Pot Luck Lunch We welcome Rev. Bill Denham as our speaker.Please bring a dish to share and canned food to donate to CCSC. Tuesday, December 12 | 12-2 p.m. | home of Carol Miller, 3511 Plumb St. | Musical Entertainment. Please bring can foods to donate to Christian Community Service Center (CCSC). Contact Kathy Austin at 713-252-6727. UMW Night Circle | Tuesday, November 14, 6:30-8 p.m., home of Adria and Ross Baker, 7918 Pagewood Lane (77063) Ross Baker, frequent Bible teacher, who seeks to teach from original Biblical languages, will talk about Psalm 19. Tuesday, December 12 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Westheimer Chapel Christmas in the Chapel - An Advent Celebration Join in the long-held tradition of stopping in the midst of the Christmas preparations for an evening that truly reflects the Spirit of the Season. Rev. Katie Montgomery Mears will bring our inspirational message and serve Holy Communion followed by a traditional Carol Sing. Refreshments will follow. Contact Pat Deckert at 713-334-6848.
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UMW Service Group Monday, November 20 | 10-11:30 a.m. | EN205/206 Monday, December 18 | 10-11:30 a.m. | EN205/206 Contact Mary White at 281-615-4115. UMW Gethsemane Book Group Saturday, November 18, 9:30 a.m. Any Dream Will Do by Debbie Macomber Saturday, December 16, 9:30 a.m. Everyone reading a poem or reading The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans. Contact Jo Ann Smith, 713-686-5859. UMW Shalom Circle Tuesday, November 14 | 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. We will meet at Clarewood House in Edna McDonald's apartment. RSVP to Edna at 713-778-8575 by November 4. Tuesday, December 12 | 10 a.m. | 1304, Gethsemane Campus Please bring a salad for 12 and games you wish to play. RSVP to May at 713-771-3279 by December 9.
UMW Advent Spiritual Growth Service and Pot Luck Tuesday, December 5 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. All St. Luke’s women and guests are invited to this traditional gathering as we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. Thelma Williams will speak on For I Know The Plans and there will be a beautiful presentation of hymns and carols in the Chapel. A brunch in the Hines Baker Room will follow the service. Please bring a dish to share as you enjoy fellowship together. No reservations are necessary, and childcare is available with reservation to Stlukesmethodist.org/childcare-request-form.
DOCENT TOURS Take this historical walking tour of the Westheimer Campus on November 26 and learn more about St. Luke's. Meet at the Connection Center in the Commons following the 11 a.m. worship service. There will not be a tour in December, but tours on the last Sunday of each month will resume in January.
GETHSEMANE Thanksgiving Sharing | Sunday, November 12 We share with those in need out of gratitude for God’s goodness to us. Families are invited to bring a grocery sack filled with non-perishable food (especially canned soups, stews, and meats) to Children’s Sunday School. Donations will be distributed by Christian Community Service Center to help feed Houston’s hungry. Thankful Lunch for Youth & Parents Sunday, November 19 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. Youth and their parents will share in a delicious lunch before we spend some time together in activities, and prayer. Wednesday Night Fellowship Thanksgiving Feast Wednesday, November, 15 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. Share in a traditional Thanksgiving experience with our multinational tapestry of friends at the Gethsemane Campus and our friends from Las Americas School for Newcomers. All are invited to come for dinner and activities in Canterbury Hall.
MAINSTREAMERS
and birthday celebrations at noon. Cost for lunch is $5. For reservations, please call Betsy Evans, 281-565-0348. Bridge Group | Mondays | 1:30–3:30 p.m. | Room EN205 Join this growing, informal group interested in learning or brushing up on bridge played by Goren rules. Contact Kathy Austin, 713-252-6727. No reservations needed. Program and Luncheon: Brain Health Thursday, January 11 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | ES 313/314 A speaker from Amazing Place will address current information about brain health. Buffet lunch ($10) following the program. Advance registration required. Call 713-402-5087 or email reservations@stlukesmethodist.org. Day Trip: Oscar de la Renta Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston | Tuesday, January 23 | 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Explore the splendor of the Oscar de la Renta exhibit that celebrates the life and career of the renowned fashion designer.
STUDENTS Gathering for Parents of College Freshmen Sunday, December 3 | 5-7 p.m. It is a joy and a blessing to welcome these young adults back after their first semester away, but it can also present a unique set of challenges and cause some shifts in the family dynamic. Join us for an evening of dinner and discussion. For more information, email Kimberly at kpinckney@stlukesmethodist.org.
CHURCH CONFERENCE
Holiday Lights Trip: Sugar Land Holiday Lights at Constellation Field | Tuesday, December 5 | 4:45–9 p.m. Travel with us to Sugarland for “the best holiday lights show in all the land!” More than 2.5 million lights, 8 themed areas, holiday shopping, great food, Santa sightings, and more. Dinner will be on your own at the newly reopened Cleburne Cafeteria! Cost: $10 per person. Advance registration required. Call 713-402-5087 or email reservations@stlukesmethodist.org. Program and Luncheon: Here’s a Christmas Gift You Didn’t Even Know You Wanted Thursday, December 14 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | ES 313/314 Experience the United Methodist Hymnal and Christmas Music with Sid Davis. Buffet lunch ($10) following the program. Advance registration required. Call 713-402-5087 or email reservations@stlukesmethodist.org. Gethsemane Silver Circle | Wednesday, December 15 9:30 a.m -1 p.m. | Gethsemane Campus Enjoy a morning of games and conversation with lunch
St. Luke’s Church Conference on June 25, 2017 adopted a new structure of governance as contemplated by the Church’s new Five-Year Plan. The new structure will replace the Board of Stewards with 2 All-Church Conferences per year to continue in-person communications about overall church activities. The first All-Church Conference under the new structure will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018, in The Story Houston Building, led by District Superintendent Andy Noel. This Church Conference will replace the previously scheduled Church Conference on November 15, 2017.
PRAYER Service of Prayer and Healing Wednesday, December 6 | 6-7 p.m. | Westheimer Chapel Join us the first Wednesday of every month for a Service of Prayer and Healing. Rev. Thomas Harper leads a time of prayer and communion where we ask God for spiritual and physical healing for you or a loved one. Contact Rev. Thomas Harper at tharper@stlukesmethodist.org. 19
GriefShare Support Group begins January 16, 2018
Tuesdays, January 16-April 10 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | HInes Baker Room
For some, it is the loss of a spouse. For others, it is the loss of a parent, a sibling, or a child. The pain is intense, and each person has a unique story. There are no quick fixes. No one ever gets over the loss of a loved one. Ever. But working on your grief, leaning into the grief, is worth the investment. A Christian-based Grief Support class under the supervision of Reverend Bill Denham will meet weekly for 13 consecutive weeks. Confidentiality is core to these sessions. The cost of the course is $35. Let your grief speak to you. If you feel this is the right time, make your reservation by contacting Shelley Quillin at 713-402-5156 or squillin@stlukesmethodist.org.
DivorceCare Support Group begins January 16, 2018 Tuesdays, January 16-April 10 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Room ES309
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. The group, covering a different topic each week, will meet for 13 weeks to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Program cost is $35, workbook included. To register contact Susan Silvus at ssilvus@gmail.com.
Support Class Spring 2018
January 16-April 10 Tuesdays, 6:30–8 p.m. Room: ES309 $35 (course materials)
2018 Spring Learning Groups Register: ssilvus@gmail.com Childcare is available with advanced reservation at StLukesMethodist.org/ChildcareRequest
EQUIPPED TO SERVE
Sunday Afternoons, 4:00-5:30 p.m. | ES310 | February 11, 18, 25, and March 4 Facilitated by Rebecca Alsup and Jennifer Gould When we serve in a manner that matches who we are, we experience growth, joy, and fulfillment. In this 4-week class, we will consider our spiritual gifts as well as our talents, personalities, passions and experiences. Put together, these characteristics uniquely equip us for ministry within the church and the world. Come and discover your vital role in the body of Christ! At the end of the course, the adult ministry team will connect you to opportunities to put your gifts into action. Cost $25. Contact Rebecca Alsup at ralsup@stlukesmethodist.org
FIVE RECURRING TENSIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH: Sundays 4-5:30 p.m., January 21, 28, February 11, 18, 25, March 4, Room ES306 | Led by Rev. Thomas Harper Like most history that is worth telling, the history of Christian theology keeps changing directions. Theologians not only come up with new answers, they often ask new questions. Each age of Christianity has had to deal with different issues that are a part of their distinct culture. Still, some basic issues keep appearing throughout the centuries: 1. The Humanity and Divinity of Christ, 2. Reason and Revelation, 3. Works and Grace, 4. Spirit and Structure, 5. Church and State. In this six-week study we will explore the balance and mystery of five such tensions that have had a particular importance in Christian theology. CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE - a RenovarĂŠ study based on the book by Richard J. Foster Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. beginning in January | Led by Dr. Linda Christians and Ken Jacobson Celebration of Discipline is a contemporary exploration of the classical spiritual disciplines. In the life of Jesus, the Apostles, and the Church throughout history, the principal purpose of the disciplines is to intentionally place the believer in a position in which the Holy Spirit can work in his or her life. Each discipline is a practical step we can take to place ourselves before God and allow him to minister to us as we grow in our faith and understanding. Our goal in this study group is to consider each of the disciplines and work to put them into practice in our lives. Strong elements of the group will be discussion and accountability around the practice of the disciplines each week. Join us as we dig in and get to the place where God will change us this spring! 20
Celebrating Lives FLOOD RELIEF In Honor of: Dr. Tom Pace on the occasion of his birthday by Robert and Doyleen Pace Fab Little Wallace by Thomas and Alice Boggs Ashley Barela on the occasion of her birthday by Mrs. Richard McCubbin Susannah and Patrick McGown by Mark and Sally Cullum Stevenson Bunn by Barbara Bunn Sid Davis by Marsha and Roger Berthoff Rob Landes by Marsha and Roger Berthoff Dawn and Whitney Fournier by Vicki and Bill Hitzhusen Doug and Anne Culver by Vicki and Bill Hitzhusen Amber Shedd by Vicki and Bill Hitzhusen Gail and Tim Roth by Vicki and Bill Hitzhusen Kelly, Mike and Matt Borchelt by Vicki and Bill Hitzhusen Betsy Wiener by Vicki and Bill Hitzhusen Michelle Smith by Pat Deckert Bill and Nellieree Nantz by Pat Deckert Laurie Williamson by Pat Deckert In Memory of: James Broach by Barbara Broach BUILDING FUND In Honor of: Dr. Tom Pace by Betty and Bob Geary In Memory of: William James Greer by Laura and Bill Denham Tim Ryan's mother by Laura and Bill Denham Matt Walker by Laura and Bill Denham Janis Patton Conrad by Laura and Bill Denham Dr. Herb Loyd by Laura and Bill Denham Walta Jean Smith by Laura and Bill Denham Randy Gorham by Timothy P. Hart
CARING MINISTRIES In Honor of: Rev. Bill Denham on the occasion of his birthday by Marcella Blake Manning Laura and Bill Denham by Barbara Stovall In Memory of: Steve Farek by Laura and Bill Denham Mary Ruth Cantzler by Laura and Bill Denham Walta Jean Smith by Sharon Kann Elaine Herring FRIENDS OF MUSIC In Memory of: Kathryn McCanlies by Gloria and Marvin Merritt Joanne Mueller Mary Jo Gillaspy Juanita Cole by Ed Cole Jerry Webb by Carole Wakefield Claud and Kathryn Riddles Marietta Marich by Betty Kuhn Brouthers, Marsha, Jess, Diane and Sharon PURE SOUND YOUTH CHOIR SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: Gibbs Macdaniel III by The Campodonico Family Alwyn and Alice Hahn Bobbie Wisecup Laurie and Tom Kereluk Bill and Laura Denham Whit and Martha Campbell Jack and Bebe Boone Joan Duemer Maryann Quillin Sherman Macdaniel Josephine Helland Gene and Marilyn Shepherd Noralyn Carpenter Lucy Nazro John and Connie Stanley Esther Trueblood Amanda and Alfred Macdaniel Marsha and Ted Page Sam Perry Nan and Gibbs Macdaniel Don and Joanie Haley Clovis and Maryann Heimsath Gail and Jackson Nash
NICK FINNEGAN COUNSELING CENTER In Honor of: Susan Finnegan on the occasion of her birthday by John and Christiana McConn In Memory of: Ford Thanheiser by Bill and Susan Finnegan Deborah Wiemers Hemphill by Robert Hemphill KIDS HOPE USA In Honor of: Marci Pampe by Dick Brewer CCSC FOOD PANTRY In Honor of: Elinor Hart on the occasion of her birthday by Linda Burch Bobbie Wisecup Nancy Stephenson Betty Brown Pat Deckert Pamela Howard Susan Silvus UNITED METHODIST MEN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND In Memory of: Kenneth Crow by Dick Brewer HOUSTON PROJECT In Honor of: Margaret Funderberg by Sabrina Dimichele OUTREACH AND MISSIONS In Memory of: Dr. Abbe Ledbetter by Tracie and Blake Koen Betty Shaw Edwin and Tommye Torian Pat and Tamara Dyer Miriam Slemmons Sara and Bill Morgan Melinda and Willard Shuman Joy Brunner Gus and Agatha Brann Tommie and Dennis Beck Mr. and Mrs. Gordon McKissack Carolyn and James Robertson Pene Moore Carol and Barry Goodfriend Ann Trammell 21
Celebrating Lives continued Susan Ross Nancy and Walter Zama Bill and Laura Denham Alan Baum Barbara and David Henington Dr. and Mrs. Carlos Hamilton Danette and Donald Wood Kay Segrato Sharon Cantrell Grace Gandy Ann and Karl Tornyos Bitsey and Tom Hail George M. Luhn Robert Herrin WOODSHOP MINISTRY In Honor of: Paul Renner by Barbara Stovall In Memory of: Jim Hall by Joanne Mueller GENE DECKER STUDY CLASS ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory of: Ellen Frances Nunnally Owens by Betty and Bob Geary Henry Boley by Charles and Jane Szalkowski Betty and Bob Geary Myrtle Watkins Gerrard Swearingen by Charles and Jane Szalkowski Betty and Bob Geary Nancy Reistle Pierce Brumback by Betty and Bob Geary Henry Boley by Gene Decker Study Class Myrtle Watkins Gerrard Swearingen by Gene Decker Study Class Nancy Reistle Pierce Brumback by Gene Decker Study Class SALLY MATTHEWS ENDOWMENT FUND In Honor of: Sally Matthews by Betty and Bob Geary GETHSEMANE CAMPUS In Memory of: Toannie Lee by May and William Jee Doug Jeu by May and William Jee Gim Yin Gee by May and William Jee
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CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES In Memory of: Bill Ellerbrock by Whit and Martha Campbell Brucks Hall by Cleve Lockett EMMAUS In Memory of: Jerry Webb by John and Robbie Adams STEPHEN MINISTRY In Memory of: Walta Jean Smith by Jack and Val Dean Read ST. LUKE'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOUNDATION In Memory of: Missy Bandy by Henry Gissel Mr. and Mrs. George Williams Sharon and Maury Stiver Leslie Stiver Rice and James Rice Elizabeth Munger Stiver and John Stiver Chris Ayers Mary Margaret, Jay, Griffith and Courtney Greer Georganna and Peyton Barnes Barbara and David Henington Kate and Woody Scott Margaret and Kim Wheless Janet and Bill Head Don and Joanie Haley Ethel Dodge Agatha and Gus Brann Barbara Ledbetter Britt by Kim and Mark Strange Dr. Herb Loyd by Fannie and Hugh Parker Lisa and Wade Caldwell Carolyn Wildenthal Susan and Eugene Vaughan Mr. and Mrs. Charles Eisemann Bob and Peggy Beckham Nanette and James Stephens Gene Graham Joanne Mueller Agatha and Gus Brann Peggy Roe Jane and Charles Szalkowski Rusty and Jane Beard Gloria and Raymond McDaniel Debbie and Frank Jones Dean Johnson by Joanne Mueller
Wilma Lufburrow by Joanne Mueller Jack Dickerson by Joanne Mueller Nancy Brumback by Peggy Roe Robert H. Singleton by J. Wade Taylor Jerry Webb by Helen and Joe Allen Eileen and Robert Currie Carol and Charles Kingswell Smith Norma and Richard Graves Kathleen and Rex Butler Cathy and Scott Aulds The Goodwill Class Mr. and Mrs. Jack Read Pam and Mark Taylor Eleanor Jicha Barbara and Robert Iglesias Dr. Pamela Medellin Dr. Deepa Sashital Laura and Bill Denham Brownie Jeffries Maxine and T. J. Nelson Robert Hargrave Mollie Allen Gus and Agatha Brann Beth Haygood by Sherra and James Babcock Walta Jean Smith by Carolyn Wildenthal Pat Deckert Clara and Shed Boren Barbara and David Henington Margaret and Sophus Thompson Nancy Park Wheless by Jimmy and Pam Erwin Elizabeth Bills Broyles Petty by Louie Haden Alexander Frances Sharp O’Leary Frances Alexander Libby Sharp Frank ST. LUKE'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH In Memory of: Elizabeth Bills Broyles Petty by Betsy Broyles Breier Gary T. Stevenson by Mr. and Mrs. William Jee Sue G. Gin by Mr. and Mrs. William Jee Bobby L. Lloyd by Mr. and Mrs. William Jee
Welcome New Members! Rob and Eileen Scott unite by transfer from another United Methodist church. He is a consultant for Sure Built.
Chris and Kelly Pepper unite with St. Luke’s by profession of faith. He is in business development for Medical Metrics and she is a teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. Chris and Kelly are the parents of James Christopher Pepper.
Christen Bagley unites with St. Luke’s by profession of faith. She is a Vice President of Communication at the Texas Medical Center and joins her husband, Brian, in St. Luke’s membership. Christen and Brian have a daughter, Caroline, and a son, Charles.
Cameron James and Lauren Pham join our church, he by profession of faith and baptism and she by profession of faith. He is operational director for Latrelles and she is a financial consultant with AIG and has a daughter, Ava Grace Pham. Cameron and Lauren are engaged to be married.
Jay and Ashley Kingham unite by transfer, he from another denomination and she from another United Methodist church. He is a construction manager for KDW Ltd. and she is a physician assistant with Radiology Partners. Matthew Lowe and Erin Krah join St. Luke’s, he by profession and faith and she by profession of faith and baptism. Matthew is a financial advisor for Merrill Lynch and Erin is a regional director with Leukemia Texas and a member of the Chancel Choir. They are engaged to be married.
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Marsha Rose tranfers to our congregation from another denomination.
Ryan Chamberlain and Katie Klouda unite by transfer from another denomination. Ryan is Marketing Manager with Hudson Field and Katie is in operations for Total USA.
Jason and Shannon Leonhardt unite with our congregation, he by profession of faith and baptism and she by transfer from another denomination. He is a senior process engineer with Keystone Engineering, Inc. and she is a geophysicist for BHP Billiton.
Matthew Seliger and Elizabeth Collins join St. Luke's by transfer from another denomination. He is a senior associate with Transwestern and she is an analyst for Norton Rose Fulbright.
Terry Mackie unites with St. Luke’s by transfer from another denomination.
Shane and Jen Harlow transfer to St. Luke’s from another denomination. She is a senior accounting manager with Direct Energy. 923
New Members continued Andy and Caroline Harrison unite by profession of faith. He is a geologist with Apache and she is a realtor for Greenwood King Properties. They are the parents of Hunter “Watts” Harrison.
Richey and Katy Richardson unite by transfer from another United Methodist church. Richey is a real estate agent with John Daugherty Realtors and he and Katy are the parents of Tripp, age 4, and Luke, age 7 months.
Ken and Gwen Ennis transfer from another denomination. Ken is a physician at the V.A. Hospital and Gwen is a retired speech therapist. They join their daughter and son-in-law, Emily and Justin Leitch, and family in the St. Luke’s membership.
Brian Felker tranfers to St. Luke’s from another denomination. He is a global sales manager with Weatherford International.
Leslie Sellin transfers to St. Luke’s from another United Methodist church. She is Marketing Brand Manager for Houston Methodist and joins her sister and brotherin-law, Stephanie and Mark Donaho, and family in St. Luke’s membership. Leslie and her husband are the parents of James Curtis Sellin. Tim and Natalie Johnson join our congregation by transfer from another denomination. Tim is in marketing and Natalie is a teacher in Spring Branch ISD and a member of the Chancel Choir
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Cynthia Coleman unites by profession of faith and baptism. She works in corporate communications for BHGE.
William Dille and Amanda Tanner join St. Luke, he by transfer from another United Methodist church and she by profession of faith and baptism. They are engaged to be married.
Peter and Kat Jones unite with St. Luke’s by profession of faith. He is a senior associate with Citadel and she is in designer relations and sales management with Lam Bespoke.
Dallas and Ashton Garrison unite with our congregation by profession o faith. He is the Owner/President of Garrison Construction Group, LLC and she is in sales for G & H Diversified Manufacturing.
Scott and Alicia Reis unite with St. Luke’s by profession of faith. Scott is a surgeon and Alicia is an investment banker. They are the parents of Brooklyn Elizabeth Reis.
Jason Gibson and Casey Jordan unite with St. Luke’s by transfer from another denomination. He is the owner of The Gibson Law Firm and she is an attorney. They are engaged to be married. 9
Joe and Rachel Gillespie transfer to St. Luke’s from another denomination. He is a trader with Engie and she works in finance for Hess Corporation. They are the parents of Georgia Halls “GG” Gillespie.
Cary and Amber Gray transfer to our congregation from another United Methodist church. He is Managing Partner with Gray Reed and McGraw, LLP and she is a therapist with Eddins Counseling Group. Carolyn Isaacson unites by transfer from another United Methodist church. She is a registered nurse and the Director of Quality Management for Altus ACE. Carolyn has a daughter, Malia, who is in the 6th grade.
Megan Kessler unites with St. Luke’s by transfer from another denomination. She is a music teacher in the Katy ISD and a member of the Chancel Choir.
Ricky Kuruvilla transfers to our congregation from another denomination. He is an analyst with Chevron.
Susan MacDonald unites with our congregation by transfer from another denomination.
Zack Sledge and Maria Marinez join St. Luke’s by transfer, he from another United Methodist church and she from another denomination. He is a mechanical engineer with Koch Heat Transfer and she is a chemical engineer with Chevron Phillips. They are engaged to be married. Dane and Morgan Petersen unite by transfer from other denominations. He is an analyst for HFF, LP and she is an analyst with MUFG.
Paul Ribe and Kaitlyn Woods transfer to St. Luke’s from another denomination. He is a physical therapist at Select Physical Therapy and she is a buyer and merchandise manager for the Lakeside Country Club. They are engaged to be married. Keith and Lauren Lane transfer to St. Luke’s, he from another United Methodist church and she from another denomination. He a financial advisor with Fidelity and she is Director of Partnerships for Petwell. They have a son, Rob Lane.
NOT PICTURED: Randy and Leslie Newcomer unite with our congregation by transfer from another denomination. He is president of Riverbend Oil & Gas. Randy and Leslie are the parents of Sydney, age 12, Holton, age 10, and Cannon, age 5. Melissa Fairey tranfers to our congregation from another United Methodist church. She is an engineer with BP. Bruce and Jennie Randall unite with our congregation by profession of faith.
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Congratulations Baptisms! Sadie McMahan Alsup, daughter of Richard Barrett "Barry" Alsup and Rebecca Creel Alsup, on August 6.
Alaina Ann Ross, daughter of John Byron Ross and Kristen Winship Ross, on August 20.
Taylor Dean Graham, daughter of Jeremy Blake Graham and Emily Holzhauer Graham on August 6.
Logan Thomas Goebel, son of Thomas Normal Goebel and Stephanie Ashley Arnold Goebel, on September 10.
James Richard Dallas, son of Clayton Richard Dallas and Ava Elizabeth Jones Dallas, on August 13.
Paige Georgia Ellis, daughter of Carlton Matthew Ellis and Lauren Goodnight Ellis, on September 17.
Anna Patricia Fahrbach, daughter of Joseph Dean Fahrbach and Lori Ann Elliott Fahrbach, on August 13.
Lilah True Patterson, daughter of Phillip Loyd Patterson and Paige True Farrow, on September 17.
Mackenzie Charlotte Braud, daughter of Kenneth Colton Braud, III and Brooke Mackenzie Adams Braud, on August 20.
Grace Isla Richardson, daughter of Thomas James Richardson and Sara Lindsay Scott Richardson, on September 17.
Blakely Frances Martin, daughter of Devin Martin and Taylor Coon Martin, on August 20.
Katherine Eloise Dupre Dugan, daughter of Patrick John Dugan and Renee Angelle Dupre Dugan on September 24.
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Ealand Virginia Eifler, daughter of Robert Wentworth Eifler and Sydney Ealand Eifler, on September 24.
Julianna Birgitt Purvis, daughter of Robert Jeffery Purvis and Christine Knickrehm Purvis, on October 15.
Henry Ray Cobble, son of Andrew Carter Cobble and Coatney Pace Cobble, on October 8.
Reid Fenner Bolling, son of Harrison Fenner Bolling and Whitney Herring Bolling, on October 29.
Nathan Glen Coffey, son of Matthew Hayden Coffey and Holly Hightower Coffey, on October 8.
Scarlett Elise Garcia, daugther of Brian Edward Garcia and Crystal Alexander Garcia, on October 29.
Landrum "Land" Garvey Monroe, son of William Frank Monroe, Jr. and Kendall Joyce Pace Monroe, on October 8.
Hayes Allen Turner, son of Christover Everett Turner and Kathryn Lyon Turner, on October 29.
Margaret Ann "Molly" Buster, daughter of Todd Bradley Buster and Kelly Fly Buster, on October 15.
Carter Patrick Wilbanks, son of Mitchell Tyler WIlbanks and Carter Holly Patteson Wilbanks, on October 29.
CWP is a casual gathering led by Sr. Pastor, Dr. Tom Pace. It is the perfect way to learn more about St. Luke’s and is the first step on the path to membership. Sign up online at StLukesMethodist.org/im-new/#jointhefamily
Upcoming Dates:
Sunday, November 12, 4-5:30 p.m. Sunday, January 21, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 5:30-7 p.m. 27
Caring and Sharing
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: Andy and Caroline Harrison on the birth of their son, Hunter “Watts” Harrison, on May 14. David Malbin and Abby Coleman on the birth of their daughter, Celeste Rice Malbin, on May 25. Proud older sister is Mila Malbin and proud grandparents are Hank and Kathryn Coleman. Dave and Jennifer Simon on the birth of their daughter, Rosalie Adeline Simon, on June 8. Proud older sister is Livia Simon and proud grandparents are Charles and Jane Szalkowski. Patrick and Christy Luquire on the birth of their daughter, Catherine Durham Luquire, on July 12. Proud older brother is Jack Luquire. Toby and Sara Coleman on the birth of their daughter, Amelia Grace “Gracie” Coleman, on August 8. Jaime Santiallano and Yulissa Luna on the birth of their son, Jayden Gianni Santiallano, on August 16. Whit and Martha Campbell on the birth of their son, Bryant Buchanan Campbell, on August 18. Proud older brother is William Campbell and proud grandparents are Bill and Laura Denham. Deeya Elizabeth Daniel and David Peter Chaney, who were united in marriage on August 19. Courtney Marie Cornelius and Robert Thompson Hughes, who were united in marriage on August 19. Michael and Michelle Giroir on the birth of their son, Matthew Everett Giroir, on August 24. Proud older brother is Mason Giroir. Jason and Christy Nolingberg on the birth of their son, Henry Earl Nolingberg, on August 30. Proud older brother is Jack Nolingberg and proud grandmother is Susan Nolingberg. Eric and Maggie Cummings on the birth of their daughter, Josephine “Josie” Kathleen Cummings, on September 7. Proud grandparents are Pam Cummings and Berry Davis. Elizabeth Renee Greene and Andrew Marshall Smith, who were united in marriage on September 9. Robert and Rachel Brown on the birth of their daughter, Penelope Joan Brown, on September 17. Maria Candelaria Mendez and Stefano Poisl, who were united in marriage on September 23. Colby Maria-Elizabeth Boers and Andrew Clark Biberstein, who were united in marriage on September 30. Jessica Elaine Bone and William Edward Whitehouse, who were united in marriage on October 7. Maria C. Fuliar and Brian Erik Henry, who were united in marriage on October 14. Hannah Elizabeth Zinser and Taylor Hampton Slimp, who 28
were united in marriage on October 14. Allison Padilla Webb and Brady Lee Kirchof, who were united in marriage on October 21. Our Sympathy to: Family and friends of Dorothy King Johnson, who died on July 11. Tim and Wendy Conrad, Claire Conrad, and Amanda Conrad on the death of Tim’s mother, Janis Patton Conrad, on July 12. Family and friends of Suzanne Sandlin Gay, who died on July 18. Ron Bandy, Griff and Lisa Bandy, Margo and Curt Crofford, and Liz and Ermal Shpata and their families on the death of Margaret Jones Bandy on July 24. Family and friends of John Stadtler Pruitt, Sr., who died on July 25. Missy and Trey Murphy on the death of their mother, Nancy Carter Murphy, on July 25. Bob and Laura Schmitt on the death of Bob’s mother, Doris E. Schmitt, on July 25. Pam Cummings and Berry Davis, Eric and Maggi Cummings on the death of Pam’s mother, Florence Matyuf, on July 26. Carolyn and Ron Pope on the death of Carolyn’s son, Chad Eric Barnes, on July 26. Gibbs and Nan Macdaniel, Shelley and James Quillin, and Henry and Wyatt Quillin on the death of Gibbs Macdaniel III on July 28. Maurice and Cindy Jett on the death of Maurice’s mother, Margaret Meriwether Jett, on August 2. Philip, Michele, and Robert Navratil on the death of Philip’s brother, John Francis Navratil, on August 2. Family and friends of Martin “Marty” Earl McVey, who died on August 3. Mark and Analyn Lee, Meredith Lee, and Cameron Lee on the death of Mark’s father, Roy Lee, Jr., on August 4. Ethel Dodge and Alice Anne Dodge on the death of their sister and aunt, Marion Wiley Fersing, on August 4. David and Jill Almaguer on the death of David’s mother, Alice Goebel King, on August 10. Marilyn Greer and Alan Nash, Cole and Johana Broskay and family, and Mary Greer on the death of William “Bill” James Greer. Hooper Haygood on the death of his wife, Mary Beth Wells Haygood, on August 12. Ruth McCurdy on the death of her sister, Susan Annette Pipkin, on August 14. Mary Jo Loyd on the death of her husband, Herbert Melton Loyd, on August 20.
Larry and Martha Loyd on the death of Martha’s brother-inlaw, Dean Henning Johnson, on August 15 and on the death of Larry’s brother, Herbert Melton Loyd, on August 20. Linda Ledbetter, Dale and Kate Ledbetter and their families on the death of Abbe A. Ledbetter, Jr. on August 17. Jean McNamara, Paige McNamara, and Jack McNamara on the death of Jean’s mother, Mary Sue Burks Anderson, on August 18. Jim Caldwell on the death of his mother, Marjorie Caldwell, on August 19. Betty Pierce, Ann and Bob Arnett, George and Cindy Pierce, Richard Arnett, Allen and Juliana Pierce, Sarah and Adrian Schoolar and their families on the death of Nancy Reistle Pierce Brumback on August 19. Family and friends of Jacob Allen De Leon, who died on August 22. Tom Perry on the death of his father, Thomas Oliver Perry, Jr., on August 26. Charles and Catherine Reavis on the death of Charles’ sister, Mary Ruth Cantzler, on August 26. Katie Kennedy and Andy Noel and Rebecca Noel on the death of Katie’s father, Clyde Marion Kennedy III, on September 1. Jeanne, David, and Katie King on the death of Jeanne’s brother, Michael Joseph Walker, on September 9. Grady Light on the death of his mother, Alma Sue Kent, on September 11. Jess Pettey and Betsy Breier on the death of their wife and mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Bills Broyles-Pettey, on September 13. Norma Lee Batte on the death of her husband, Charles “Charlie” Richard Batte III, on September 16.
Tina Throckmorton and Jerry Kahn and Tessa and Wyatt Throckmorton-Kahn on the death of Tina’s grandmother, Helen Frances Little Gordon, on September 17. Celia and Larry Veselka, Hana and Carlos Vizcarra, and Sam, Allison, and Max Veselka on the death of Celia’s mother, Myrtle Lucille Gerrard Swearingen, on September 18. Susan Hulburt on the death of her brother, John Stephen “Steve” Farek, on September 20. Tom and Amy Butler, William and Clayton Butler on the death of Tom’s father, William C. Butler, on September 22. Dave and Becky Palmer, Allison Palmer, Will Palmer, and Margaret Palmer on the death of Dave’s stepmother, Nell R. Palmer, on September 23. Family and friends of Robert Hampton Singleton, who died on September 28. Pat Webb, Brendan Webb, Stephen and Caroline Webb and family on the death of Pat’s husband, Jerry Worley Webb, on September 29. Family and friends of Walta Jean Sturgis Smith, who died on October 18. If you know of a concern or a joy that the church should know about, please contact Caring Ministries at 713-4025004 or -5156 We Care! Are you or a loved one facing surgery or hospitalization? A crucial aspect of St. Luke’s Caring Ministry is prayers we have with members prior to surgeries and during hospitalizations. Contact Laurie Kereluk with details at 713-402-5004 or lkereluk@stlukesmethodist.org
Remembering the Saints On November 5, All Saints Day, we remembered by name and honored all members of our congregation who died during the past year. Margaret Anne Jones Bandy Charles Richard Batte III James Merchant Bauknight, Jr. Jarline Marie Beaty Barbara Ledbetter Britt Marie Collonge Brown Elizabeth Bills Broyles-Pettey Mary Ruth Reavis Cantzler Lois Wilson Conwell Jeffrey Alan Davis Wanda Woodard deGraffenried Jacob Allen De Leon Sandra Ann “Mimi” Smith Dompier Richard Willard Dyer Suzanne Sandlin Gay Robert Gow Keith Luane Greear Violet Robinson Gronlund James A. Gwaltney
Brucks Ent Hall James Shull Hall Mary Beth Haygood Odudu Stanley Ikpo Marjorie Uptmor Jennings Dorothy King Johnson Josephine Young Jones Abbe A. Ledbetter Jr. Herbert Melton Loyd Gibbs Macdaniel III Ana Shepherd Mangione Mary Lee Marshall McMurrey Adele Mohr Miller John Henry Monroe Jr. Faye Miller Moore Nancy Carter Murphy Brenda Kay Parsell Willard Thompson Pennington Lewis Forsythe Pennock
Betty Higginbotham Petty Richard Raymond Prigmore Jr. John Stadtler Pruitt Sr. Betty Sue Evans Ramey Terry Lee Richardson Beverly Moore Robinson Lavonna Bonnie Sapp Marcy Sartin Frances Huber Scherer Jo Rene Rousseau Schroeder Eloise Wildenthal Selke Robert Hampton Singleton Walta Jean Sturgis Smith Danny Lou Spiller Russell Taylor Venable III William Robert Wallace Jerry Worley Webb Nancy Park Wheless James Richard Wilkinson
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Advent Dedications Contributions to the Advent Decorations Fund are a wonderful way to honor or remember loved ones. Seasonal decorations are a beautiful enhancement to our worship experience. Acknowledgements will be made in the Sunday bulletins on December 17, 2017. Forms are available at the Information Desk or the Church Office. Dedications must be received by Monday, December 4, 2017. Give online at StLukesMethodist.org/seaasonal-flowers
The altar flowers were dedicated to the glory of God and were given August 6 in celebration of the baptism of Sadie McMahan Alsup by Rebecca and Barry Alsup. August 13 in celebration of the baptism of James Richard Dallas by Ava and Clayton Dallas; and in celebration of the baptism of Anna Patricia Fahrbach by Lori and Joe Fahrbach. August 20 in celebration of the baptism of Mackenzie Charlotte Braud and in loving memory of William Braud, Mary Lou Adams, Rudy Trabanio and Alex and Hazel Haick by Brooke and Colton Braud; and in celebration of the baptism of Mackenzie Charlotte Braud, daughter of Brooke and Colton Braud, by proud grandparents Kim and Ken Braud; and in celebration of the baptism of Alaina Ann Ross, daughter of Kristen and John Ross, by Alaina’s proud grandparents; and in celebration of the marriage of Courtney Cornelius and Robert Hughes by their parents. August 27 in celebration of the baptism of Oliver James Gamble by David and Lindsay Gamble. September 3 in celebration of the baptism of Owen Thomas Jones and in honor of his parents Kristin Leigh and Taylor Jones by Kathy and Henry Jones, Molly and Bryan Doppel, Matthew Jones, and Jess Rosen; and in celebration of the baptism of Owen Thomas Jones by Marilyn and Jim Smith and Kelly Beth, Charlie, Libby and John Hapgood. September 10 in celebration of the marriage of Elizabeth Renee Greene and Andrew Marshall Smith by Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Greene. September 17 in celebration of the baptism of Paige Georgia Ellis by Lauren and Carlton Ellis; and in celebration of the baptism of Grace Isla Richardson by Sara and Tom Richardson. September 24 in celebration of the baptism of Ealand Virginia Eifler by Sydney and Robert Eifler; and in celebration of the baptism of Katherine Eloise Dupre Dugan by Renee and Patrick Dugan. October 1 in loving memory of Thomas Oliver Perry, Jr. by Susie Mitchem Stroud & family October 8 in celebration of the baptism of Henry Ray Cobble by Coatney and Andrew Cobble; and in celebration of the baptism of Landrum “Land” Garvey Monroe by Kendall and Will Monroe, Jr. October 15 in celebration of the baptism of Margaret Ann “Molly” Buster by Kelly and Todd Buster; and in celebration of the baptism of Julianna Birgitt Purvis and in loving memory of twins, Sophie Marie and Lily Caroline Purvis by Tine and Robert Purvis. October 29 in celebration of the baptism of Hayes Allen Turner by Katy and Chris Turner; and in celebration of the baptism of Carter Patrick Wilbanks by Holly and Mitch Wilbanks; and in celebration of the baptism of Reid Fenner Bolling, son of Whitney and Harrison Bolling, by Judy Bolling.
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November 5 in honor of the founding of St. Luke's Methodist Church, November 11, 1945 and in honor & memory of our beloved parents, brotherin-law and husband: Lurlyn & Durwood Fleming, Virginia & Kenneth Shamblin, Kenneth Shamblin, Jr., Doris & Ben Curtis, and Loraine & Roy Lindberg by: Jon Hugh and Cheryl Lindberg Fleming, Pamela Fleming Shamblin, Steve & Marty Fleming Curtis.
End of Year Giving There's still time to make a gift to a charity or to St. Luke's at the end of the year! Here are several options which will insure that your giving qualifies as a 2016 donation with the IRS. By Mail: Year-end donations must be postmarked no later than December 30. Many postal facilities may not be open on Saturday the 31st, so plan to have your gift in the mail by Friday, December 29. Please mail your check to St. Luke’s Finance Office, PO Box 22013, Houston, TX 77227-2013. In Person: The Finance Office will be open until 2 p.m. on Friday, December 29 to receive donations, or you may place it in the offering plate on Sunday, December 31 or drop your envelope in the church mail slot located outside the church office door before midnight on December 31. Online: Gifts may be made at StLukesMethodist.org/Give any time before midnight December 31. Stock: Gifts of appreciated securities are a good way to give to a charity. If you wish to make a stock gift this year, please contact the Finance Office for instructions and plan to complete your transfer by Wednesday, December 13 so that the sale can be settled by year end. IRA Charitable Rollover: Last year Congress approved legislation permanently to allow for tax-free distributions from IRA accounts up to $100,000 for individuals 70 ½ years old and older. Please contact your tax or financial advisor if you wish to consider this giving option. You can also contact Karen McCarver at 713-402-5026 or kmccarver@stlukesmethodist.org. All gifts not postmarked or received by December 31, 2017 will qualify as a 2018 tax deduction. Thank you for considering a year-end gift to support the ministries of St. Luke’s.
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