October 2016 Newsletter - St. Luke

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The Monthly Newsletter of St. Luke United Methodist Church · October 2016

Here We Are, Lord

This Month

The Church as Christ Intended

As I stood and looked out on the great congregation of people while we sang “Here I Am, Lord” at the end of the 40th Anniversary Worship Service on Sunday, September 18th, I couldn’t help but think that God was smiling on us today. And I whispered, “Behold your church, Lord.”

What I saw was a church of great diversity, young and old and every age in between. People from all

over the world. A blending of cultures and ethnicities.

I saw such excitement. As we changed the words of the last refrain from “Here I Am, Lord” to “Here We Are, Lord,” I saw hundreds of faces – some with big smiles, and others with tears of joy running down their cheeks. I saw people kneeling at the altar and others raising their hands to the sky. Our continued on next page

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Isaiah 6:8

• Thank You: Homecoming Sunday & Celebrations • Worship Services at St. Luke • Giving Matters • KRM Coat Drive • Stewardship Update • Going Forth Team Update • Nicaragua and Guatemala • Testimonies from Melissa Vancamp & Francie Sewell • Multicultural Revival • Holiday Bazaar • Health Expo • Pumpkinfest & Pumpkin Patch • Family Board Game Night • History of Aldersgate UMC • Silver Sneakers • Kids' Café Story • College Ministry • Sharing Thanksgiving

extraordinary lay leader Casey McKenzie, waiting to send us out in prayer, must have seen the same thing, as he commented this must be what Heaven will look like.

But my thought was not quite so celestial. I thought, this is what Christ intended His church to look like. And at that moment I felt so humbled, unworthy, excited, proud – to just be a part of something as special as St. Luke United Methodist Church. It was the kind of moment that pastors dream of, and I wanted it to never end.

One of our young adults, in assessing the service, made this

foundation of a great church, and to all of those visionary leaders through the years, who have boldly built upon that Foundation. And now it’s our turn.

look back on September 18, 2016 and say that was the day I knew that God was doing something special with St. Luke United Methodist Church and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

I write this on the day after. The Sanctuary is mostly empty now, all the people have gone back to everyday routines, but the Holy Spirit remains strong, ready to pick up where we left off next Sunday. It’s been a great 40 years, but as I looked out on all of those wonderful faces, I couldn’t help but get excited about what God is going to bring in the next 40 years.

statement: "I was really encouraged by the service; I almost cried at one point. I just felt that God was telling me that I am right where I need to be at St. Luke. I wasn't sure of this before, but I can see God is really doing some great things here." We are indebted to those pioneers who came together 40 years ago and laid the 2 | October 2016

I am pretty sure that I won’t be here forty years from now, but I can only hope that whoever stands before the congregation as they celebrate 80 years of ministry will have the same experience that I had but on a much bigger stage. Some of us will probably not be there, but how exciting to think that the children and young people will be able to

Pastor Mark

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

• To the 40th Anniversary celebration team for an amazing celebration on September 18th and for a year of great times as we all came together.

• To the Worship Planning Team for planning and putting together an incredible service of Worship • To all the musicians who enhanced our worship time.

• To those who prayed and shared reflections throughout the service.

• To the greeters (both inside and in the parking lot) who established the warm and friendly atmosphere that carried through worship and into the Life Center for the lunch.

• To the ushers who did a great job “directing” traffic in the area of the Sanctuary.

• To the staff who worked long and hard in the days leading up to Sunday to make sure everything was ready for an incredible day.

• To our Custodial Staff, who went way beyond the call to make sure that everyone had a place to sit in the Sanctuary and the Life Center and then put everything back together when we finished • To our translator, who brought the service alive for our Swahili family members • To all of our children and youth who touched and inspired us all • And to all who took up the call and parked in the remote parking lots around the church and left the church parking for the ones who couldn’t park so far away

We are no doubt leaving some out (completely unintentional), but know that we are indebted to all who worked so hard to make Sunday a very special day in the life of St. Luke United Methodist Church!

Photos by Harry Taylor October 2016 | 3

We Give Thanks for a Year of Amazing Celebrations!

by Bettie Ockerman for our stellar Planning Team

old photos and making beautiful posters with them.

You can still see some of them displayed around olossians 3:17 tells us that "whatever we do, whether the Connection Center. We also posted a St. Luke in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord historical fact on the back of the bulletin every Sunday Jesus." Colossians 3:23 reiterates: "whatever you do, work morning so that by the end of this year, everyone could at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord." Our tell the story of our beginnings. (In what shopping 40th Anniversary Planning Team at St. Luke took these center did we first meet?) We set the dates for an entire words to heart! For those who don't know who served on year of celebration activities! the team, giving many hard-working hours, they are: Sue Ann Breeze, Dawn Brodersen, Stephanie Bush, Barb Gillispie, Karen Girard, Lynn Hill, Denise Ockerman, Bettie Ockerman, Bob Ockerman, Dave Shepard, and Kathy Silberman. Working behind the scenes were Rod Hill, Corrie Hunter, Steve Gillispie, Debbie Kurz, and Sue Lord.

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Our 40th year celebration began in January with a memorable Unity Service. Our now-retired Bishop in Residence Lindsey Davis preached, and the service included all five of our worshipping communities. That service was followed by a potluck lunch.

The planning team began to meet at least monthly.

We ordered t-shirts, insulated coffee cups, and water tumblers to commemorate the year, and we began the sales. It's great to see folks wearing the shirts! Some members of the team invested time in looking at 4 | October 2016

Our next event was a church-wide birthday party, which was held in April. There were cakes and tables decorated for each month of the year, and we enjoyed a concert by a barbershop quartet, which included our own Steve Brodersen. We played Bingo, hosted by Dave Shepard, with prizes...I mean, really nice prizes!

Guests were invited to play corn hole in the lobby for a chance to win UK basketball tickets!

In June, we had "Sundaes on Saturday," an ice cream

social followed by a talent show.

Team members who have the gift of persuasion got free ice cream and custard from Bruster's and Culver's, and you supplied all the toppings! Decorating for the event was over the top! Jeremy Arnold built ice cream stands, and team members added "awnings" to make them look real. Everyone wore soda jerk hats. The talent show was hosted by Casey and Kaleb McKenzie, who were a riot!

In August, we had another celebration called "Tailgate and Talent," a "Picnic with the Pops" type of event held in the Life Center Gym (due to the heat of August), with themed tables and costumes.

Prizes were awarded for the top three tables, with special awards for a kids' table. A variety show, held in the sanctuary and hosted by our own John Crissman, followed the picnic.

In September, the magnum opus...our grand finale was a Homecoming Sunday Worship Service, followed by a complimentary catered meal. All five of our worshipping communities took part in the service, which was perfectly planned by our Senior Pastor Mark Girard, the Worship Team, and the Multicultural and Swahili

Teams, and all of our choirs, ensembles, and praise teams took part, including children, youth, and adults. Linda and Brent Edmister returned to St. Luke from Tennessee for the event, working with Brent Merritt and Sue Lord in preparing a special musical presentation, Karen Girard led the handbell choir, and did you hear the bagpipes? The Swahili Destiny Youth Choir, the Swahili Children’s Choir, the Multicultural Children’s Choir, and the St. Luke Youth also blessed us with song. St. Luke pastors shared reflections on St. Luke’s past, present, and future.

We experienced what Heaven will surely be like during this glorious worship time. Just spectacular!

Following worship, the congregation went outside for a group photo, then nearly 600 people headed to the Life Center for a free catered meal. Thanks to City Barbecue for their excellent planning and implementation of that wonderful meal. The Life Center Gym was filled to capacity, and most of the classrooms around the perimeter were utilized as well.

In addition to our gifted planning team, we thank all of you who helped make our celebrations memorable, especially Carol and Cary Montgomery, our custodians who worked like crazy to get the church set up for every event. Thank you to our church staff for their support, especially to Mark Walz for taking care of all the technical challenges at the events, and to Elizabeth Ballard for answering our questions, helping us make printed programs, and just being patient with us month after month. So many of you asked us at every event: "What can I do to help?" It is heartwarming to the core that we have such serving hearts in our church!

Yes, our Planning Team did everything as unto the Lord with excellence and love! How blessed are we, St. Luke family, to have so many with servants' hearts? OK... we'll see you at our 50th Anniversary Celebration!

October 2016 | 5

WORSHIP Moving Forward

11:00 Service of Word and Table to Continue

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t the beginning of the summer we made a couple of changes to the 11:10 (third) worship service on Sunday morning. First, in response to those who had been asking to be finished by noon to minimize conflicts with Sunday afternoon community and school activities, we moved the start time of the service up to 11:00. And secondly, in recognition that we were not being as effective as we need to be in reaching young adults with our current services, we changed the worship "style" to that of Word and Table, which simply meant that we were going to emphasize two primary elements of worship: 1.) The preaching/teaching of the Word 2.) The Sacrament of Holy Communion.

This type of service has connected with young adults in other settings.

The plan was to try this out during the summer and then assess the reaction and impact and decide if we would continue beyond the summer.

6 | October 2016

Through feedback forms, personal conversations, and initial data, the response has been very positive to both the new format and new time.

The Servant Leadership Team, along with the staff, have come to the consensus that we should to continue this Service of Word and Table at 11:00 beyond the summer.

This change has precipitated a great deal of discussion about worship in general. We have heard many wonderful ideas on how we can also enhance our worship opportunities at the 8:30 and 9:45 hours, as well as the 11:00 service. One of the things we have clearly heard is that people like to have a bulletin and worship order at the 11:00 service. And so, on September 25th, we introduced a new bulletin format which includes more ministry information as well as an order of worship.

In response to feedback, we are also working on the ability to be able to live stream the worship service each Sunday. This will give us the potential of reaching unlimited numbers with the Gospel, as well as stay connected

with members of the church family who are traveling and/or unable to attend worship.

Both the Servant Leadership Team and the Staff have had a great deal of discussion around all that we have heard. We are considering many options, but we must take into consideration the impact that some of the proposed changes would have on the entire ministry (worship and Sunday School and Children's ministry) of the church on Sunday morning. We continue to discuss and study all of these issues, and we hope that you will continue to offer your input. Please continue to pray for the church, the Worship team and the Servant Leader Team, as we seek to involve as many persons as possible (both present and not yet present at St. Luke) in the worship of our great God. As always, we strive to live into our vision of Jesus Christ In Every Life in all we do. For the present, join us for worship on Sundays at 8:30 (Traditional), 9:45 (Blended Traditions), or now at 11:00 for a Service of Word And Table," 12:30 (Swahili) and 3:00 (Multicultural).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

October is Pastor & Staff Appreciation Month

Although we appreciate our pastors and staff all year long, October is designated as pastor/staff appreciation month by the United Methodist Church. This month is the perfect time to show the staff the love, honor and encouragement they so deserve in special ways. Baskets will be placed in the Connection and Welcome Centers for you to leave cards, letters, notes of appreciation etc. Many of the staff members also love gift cards, chocolate, cookies and donuts!! Let's be creative and show the staff how much we appreciate what they do for us all year long. Thank you from the SPRC.

St. Luke Holiday Bazaar October 14 & 15 • The Gym The United Methodist Women will be holding their annual Christmas Bazaar on Friday, Oct. 14 from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Come start your Christmas shopping early, find unique gifts and helpful items, and support local artists, vendors, and crafters!

Family Board Game Night and Potluck!

October 15 • 5:00-7:00 p.m. • The Loft We are looking forward to a great night of fellowship! Bring your favorite food and favorite board games to play! Please note on your registration card if you will be attending. Contact our Director of Children's Ministry, Susan, at scutshall@stlukeumc.org for more information.

Health Expo: Wellness Checks Wednesday, October 26th • 5:00 – 7:30 pm • The Gym Please join us for wellness checks in the gym during Wednesday.comm!

Flu shots will be given by the health department, and there is no charge if you bring either your Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance card; otherwise, the charge is $25. Pediatric doses will be available for children.

October is the preferred month to receive your flu immunization.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Holiday Bazaar Friday October 14, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 15, 9:00 a.m.

- 3:00 p.m.

Life Center Gym Family Board Game Night and Potluck Saturday, October 15 5:00-7:00 pm The Loft Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser October 17 - 31 11:00-7:00 p.m. everyday Front Lawn Pumpkinfest Saturday, October 29 5:00-7:00 pm Parking Lot/Life Center Gym Health Expo Wednesday, October 26th 5:00 – 7:30 pm Life Center Gym

In addition, there will be "Wellness Check" stations for blood pressure, pulse oximetry, glucose, dental health and a station where you can have your BMI calculated. Be sure to get a handout to maintain your health history.

Be the first 100 to attend and receive a free bag that displays the St. Luke logo!

October 2016 | 7

Giving MATTERS

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hy does giving matter? Why does giving to St. Luke matter? There are many things you could do with your money. There never seems to be a shortage of worthy causes and, of course, you want to be the best possible steward of the funds with which God has blessed you. You want to know that what you’re entrusting will actually make a difference.

Generous People in Action

your life. As you partner with God, as you entrust some of what God has given you to building God’s kingdom, you have a direct hand in changing the world, and your faithfulness enables us to continue to move toward our vision of Jesus Christ in Every Life.

Giving of your time through prayer and service is vital to everything we do, but more than that, these Consider these stories I have experienced in the past are important ways we grow as disciples of Jesus few weeks: Christ. No less important, though, is our call to • A neighborhood kindergartener and his friend who, support the ministries of the church financially, when Wednesday.comm activities started this fall, ran growing toward a tithe of our income. There are up to me, hugged me, and beamed as he said, “I’m back!” many ways you can give: • A single, middle-aged woman told me that St. Luke • Online at www.stlukeumc.org/give has healed her soul.

• Autotithe • A single mother from our neighborhood and her • Cash or checks, either placed in the offering plate four children, the oldest in 6th grade, told me, “I on Sunday mornings, dropped by the church, or always feel so welcome here.” Her children love your check mailed to the church. participating in our children’s and youth activities on • Donate stocks Wednesday evenings, and they remind her when it’s • Remember St. Luke in your will Wednesday and “time to go to church!”

Questions? Want more information, or just need a good Our Nicaragua mission partnership is just that; it’s a sounding board as you work through what God is calling partnership. We are intentional about "doing with" you to do? Please contact me at nconnner@stlukeumc. the people we are reaching there, with the assistance of org or 859-269-4687. I’d love to talk with you! local missionaries (who have also served at Red Bird Mission in Eastern Kentucky!). Through this work, and In Christ, through your generous support in providing supplies and sending St. Lukers, we are able to serve "unreached people groups" and develop locally-sustainable projects as we share the love of Jesus Christ.

Nora Conner Of course, there are many more stories than this.

Why does giving to St. Luke matter? Because your faithfulness changes lives. It changes the lives of people served through our ministries, and it changes 8 | October 2016

Stewardship Update Through August 2016 August 2016

Budget needs

$ 101,184.92

Total income*

$ 83,218.95

Expenses

$

Expenses-to-Income surplus

$

9,554.80

Budget needs (as of 8-31-16)

$

885,368.05

Expenses (as of 8-31-16)

$

800,729.94

Total income (as of 8-31-16)*

$

759,624.98

Expenses-to-Income deficit (as of 8-31-16)

Alms donations for August 2016.

$ 4,047.00

Balloon Fund contributions year-to-date (as of 8-31-16)

2016 Year-to-Date

73,664.15

($41,104.96)

Balloon Fund contributions for August 2016.

$

2,963.00

$

67,186.85

Life Center mortgage balance (as of 8-31-16).

$ 2,577,146.04

*Total income includes contributions, building use fees, and Kroger card receipts.

Questions? Please contact Nora Conner, Associate Pastor/Director of Ministry and Stewardship

Coat Drive for Kentucky Refugee Ministry Fall is upon us! With these cool mornings and moving into winter, Kentucky Refugee Ministry (KRM) is in need of winter coats for newly-arrived/ arriving refugee families. We can accept new and gently used coats. We are also in need of warm blankets, hats, gloves, and scarves. Items can be dropped off at St. Luke UMC and marked KRM or at Kentucky Refugee Ministries, 1206 North Limestone, Lexington, KY 40505. Telephone 859226-5661. For more information contact Reid Buchanan 859-269-4687 or e-mail rbuchanan@stlukeumc.org.

October 2016 | 9

by Denise Ockerman

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ong ago and far away, a baby was born with a spinal malformation. Even though his mother took him to many doctors, no one knew how to treat him. While his condition progressed, there was a bright side – when the military came down the streets forcing young men to join them, the boy could safely distract them while his brothers and friends were able to escape being drafted.

At the age of 14, Carlos Iboy was discovered by a medical program from Kentucky. He was brought to Lexington to be seen at Shriners Hospital. Eventually, he underwent spinal surgery, which stopped the progression of the deformity.

He underwent extensive rehabilitation and spent his teen years in Lexington, belonging to St. Luke UMC and graduating from Henry Clay High School in 1999.

Once back in Guatemala, Carlos earned a nursing license hoping it would help him return to the states.

When that did not work out, he started teaching 10 | October 2016

English and eventually began his own school, contracting with nursery, elementary, and high schools, universities, and businesses. He and his friends developed a group called "The Friends of the Needy."

They raise money and provide other support for elderly people who were abandoned by their families.

In 2014, a group from St. Luke traveled to Jalapa, Guatemala to help with construction of a compound for senior citizens as well as doing medical screening for ‘The Grandparents,’ VBS at an orphanage, fluoride treatment in a rural village, and dispensing eyeglasses to crowds of appreciative people.

In June 2017, another St. Luke trip is being planned.

Since our last mission trip, the compound has developed into a multigenerational community, with orphans and grandparents living as families.

The needs are great for us to help with construction and medical and children’s programs.

Carlos will be in Lexington this November and there will be opportunities to learn more about the next June outreach event.

THE GOING FORTH TEAM Update on Mission work in Nicaragua

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t is with great excitement that we announce the completion of the school building in Yakalawas!

In May of 2015, we formed a partnership with Yakalawas, a village in a remote area of Nicaragua.

The partnership was formed to support a newly planted church through an intentional effort to combine discipleship and community development.

The community had no access to electricity, clean water, or formal education for the children. The only transportation is by the Coco and Bocay Rivers. The partnership’s vision is to build relationships and a school and to share Christ.

A small team will be traveling to Nicaragua on October 21st to celebrate with the Yakalawas in dedication of the school, a fulfillment of the vision.

The school is named “Escuela Sn. Lucas, un regalo de Dios” / “St. Luke School, a gift from God.” The people of St. Luke have graciously donated funds to purchase a solar power system, desk, tables, books, computer, back packs, supplies for the classroom, and much more. These items, which were bought in country, will be delivered for the use of the school and arrive prior to the dedication. The team will carry additional donated items requested, which include, pencils, rulers, sharpeners, erasers, ink pens, scissors, and a couple of soccer balls. For more information contact Reid Buchanan at rbuchanan@stlukeumc.org Thank you, St. Luke, for sharing to make this school a reality.

October 2016 | 11

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My Testimony

by Melissa Vancamp

s we head into October, we are already beginning to see significant changes in nature, like the leaves turning into some of the most beautiful colors, cooler mornings and nights, and the sights and smells of fall, with pumpkins and mulled cider in the air. The month of October is also known as Breast Cancer Awareness month, a cause that I hold dear to my heart. Yes, the month of October has a lot of significance to me because I lost my mother Patricia and sister Angela to breast cancer in this month.

With October upon us, I would like to share with you a personal testimony, one of my mother’s last wishes to me and my husband before she passed in 2013. She wanted my husband Colin and I to find a church home, and I can finally say to her that her wish has come true.

Melissa and Colin Vancamp with Melissa's mother, Patricia, in Roanoke, Virginia.

12 | October 2016

My mother knew the importance of a church family, and I think she knew I was going to need one in the years to come in my own life. Her wish I can finally say has happened. St. Luke has been a blessing to me at a time when I so desperately needed it, blessing me with friendships through continuing education in the ladies Wednesday Bible study and also through fellowship on Sunday mornings. The outpouring of love has been incredible at my time of need, and I cannot even find the words to say of how deeply it has moved me. St. Luke is our home and I am so thankful that God led my husband Colin and me to this church to find our family. Christ has been so good to me, leading me to where I would find my home away from home, and all it takes is for us to ask him for his help and he will take us by the hand and walk with us, leading us where to go. What an awesome God we have.

Multicultural Revival I

t was Labor Day weekend, Sunday, September 4, 2016. The weather was warm with a cool breeze. The Multicultural Service usually begins at 3:00 pm at St. Luke UMC, but this was a different day altogether.

That day, the service began at 12:30 pm. This was not just a service; it was a “revival,” led by an invited speaker, an Anglican Priest from Asbury Theological Seminary. The theme for the revival was Luke 18:1 “… always pray and do not lose heart.” Prayer was the emphasis of this service. The speaker called prayer “a staff that steadies you when you cannot stand; it is like a third leg when one is weak.”

What struck me most on this day was the use of familiar hymns like “Sweet Hour of Prayer” to draw people closer to God. Some of the younger attendees, who had not heard this song before, felt lost at first, but as the preacher expounded the theology of the song, all joined to sing with a spiritual presence. Even more hymns became a fulfilling part of this revival with “He Touched Me” leading to the healing session.

The speaker led us to a new understanding of worship as an inclusive way of approaching the throne of grace, with both old and new worship, embracing the new and not forgetting the roots that brought us thus far. This was a revival we will all live to remember with “Sweet Hour of Prayer” ringing in our ears.

Irene M. Kabete Pastor of Multicultural Ministries

October 2016 | 13

The History of Aldersgate United Methodist Church

By Orin Simmerman

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ifty-four years ago, by the providence of God and the people called Methodists, Aldersgate United Methodist Church came into existence. It happened when Bishop Walter C. Gum appointed Reverend Orin M. Simmerman, Jr. to a 3.2 acre lot to start a new church in Northeast Lexington.

The Lexington Church Extension Society---members from all the Methodist Churches of Lexington--had previously purchased a 3.2 acre cul-de-sac, just off Eastland Parkway in what was to be called Dixie Plantation. The appointment was to raise up a Christian community and locate the church building on that piece of land.

Arrangements were made to use Yates Elementary School for services until a church building could be built.

The first service was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday August 19,1962 with the pastors and 300 people of Lexington District participating in the service.

Bishop Gum was the speaker.

14 | October 2016

In the meantime Rev. Simmerman had gone through all the subdivisions on both sides of New Circle Road, knocking on doors, handing out flyers and introducing himself and the new church to Lexington residents. After 5000 visits he stopped counting.

The first service held in the new church building was on March 28, 1965, with a record attendance of 322 in Sunday School and 390 in the morning worship service. Open house was held in the afternoon with a great number of visitors. That evening the

pastor's father, Orin Sr., delivered the sermon for evening worship.

From that time forward, Aldersgate was blessed with excellent clergy and lay leadership. Four of the pastors became District Superintendents: Pete Arnold, Lowell Langefeld, Lowell Ogden and Orin Simmerman. Of special importance is the number now in Christian ministry from Aldersgate. I can count at least 12 today.

In June of 2009, with some angst and a little bit of sadness, Aldersgate

Orin Simmerman, Pete Arnold, Lowell Langefeld and Lowell Ogden.

United Methodist Church merged with St. Luke United Methodist Church. Sadness, because we were leaving our church property, our history, our ministry and to some, our identity behind. But St. Luke did not long allow to us commiserate. With joyful hearts and loving care they received us.

Pastoral care was given us by Pastor Debbie and for many a smooth integration of congregations took place. A photo taken at a welcoming dinner (below) shows the large group that came.

After the Aldersgate properties were sold, some of the money was put into converting a space in the building for an Aldersgate Chapel. Today that chapel is used for prayer, weddings, and worship with a beautiful stained glass window, designed and made by our own Doug Sewell, as its focus.

On August 19, 2012, fifty years to the day of the first ever service at Aldersgate UMC, a great celebration took place at St. Luke. Some 220 former members of Aldersgate Methodist Church gathered at St. Luke to celebrate our founding, our history, our ministry, our fellowship.

It was a great day with a bountiful and grateful spirit among us. I want to share what one former Aldersgate UMC member wrote. Brad Smart, who is now a United Methodist pastor in Pikeville wrote: Thank you to all who helped organize the 50th Anniversary for Aldersgate UMC. It was an incredible day to celebrate all that God has done through the church.

It was such a blessing to worship together and be reunited with such good friends and family. I will treasure today's celebration

forever. Thanks be to God that I was nurtured in such a great church family. I would not be who I am today without so many of you who called Aldersgate home. You helped me learn about God's love and learn to listen to God's call upon my life. I thank God for each of you.

Today, by count, there are over a hundred members who came from Aldersgate to St. Luke. With them, there is an Aldersgate Charter Membership Roll on the wall in the corridor leading to the Connection Center. Beside it is the Aldersgate Tree of Life with all those members who have died in the Lord.

Praise be to God for the continued life and ministry of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church family as a part of St. Luke United Methodist Church!

Welcoming Aldersgate UMC during a potluck dinner at St. Luke UMC on June 10, 2009.

October 2016 | 15

LEARNING TO WALK WITH GOD’S GUIDANCE

by Francie Sewell

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earning to walk with God and surrendering to his timing is something you think you are accomplishing until a crisis occurs. If you are like me, when the crisis happens you find it hard to wait for God to open doors and are easily frustrated when doors close. I have always been a "take charge" person. Oldest is a family role that also lends itself to making decisions quickly and taking charge. I have had to learn from life experiences to wait on the Lord, especially when decisions are difficult and life changing. Learning the hard way that I am not God, I don’t always need to make things happen.

Learning to let go has been something God has been trying to demonstrate to me since my youngest son was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. He had just married, his wife was a nurse at UK, and I was no longer the primary care individual. During this process I was amazed at how God was working on the problem and again opening doors for wonderful doctors and closing doors to work conditions. In the past I would have been banging on those doors thinking I was causing things to happen, but that was not the case. My hands were tied and yet things were 16 | October 2016

working for our family without my involvement. I was totally amazed! Don’t get me wrong, everything didn’t go without problems. My son’s case is now a study for pharmacy students to try and solve why none of the medications were working to ease the side effects of the chemotherapy. But, he is well, back to a normal life and 10 years without complications.

This was a very important start for me in learning to let go and let God take the lead. I have to confess I went kicking and screaming. I never said I was easy!

"I learned that I am not alone. I am not in charge, and He doesn’t want me to do it alone."

During this difficult time in my life I had just retired, and I lost my parents and a dear first cousin to cancer.

I had felt a nudging from God to do a Bible study class, but I didn’t want to give up my “precious” time to do the work, so I put it off. It was during this difficult time that I started a Beth Moore class on my own called “Believing God.” I would read, cry and grow as I realized how much God loved me and only

wanted to help me during my good and bad times.

I also learned that He is such a wonderful problem solver if you just talk to Him and wait for help. I learned that I am not alone. I am not in charge, and He doesn’t want me to do it alone.

Over the last few years I am learning to trust more and wait patiently, always knowing that sometimes the answer is “NO.” Now, when that happens, I am more calm and realize that sometimes my ways are not what is best for my future, or He has something different in mind.

but I have learned some very important things about earthly trials: 1. God is always with us; we are never alone.

2. He only wants what is best for us, but sometimes we need to grow, and that means rough edges need sanding away.

3. "No," is not always bad; sometimes it means we are not on the best path for us.

4. Life on earth is a test, and sometimes I’m just a beginner, but my heavenly Father always knows what I can and can’t do.

5. Most of all I now know that the best way to receive peace is to sit quietly in God’s presence each and every day, talking to my best friend and trusting Him in every area of my life. He shows me the way and directs my steps through His Word, so Bible study is now a part of my day and I am eager to listen and see where He will lead me.

For example, in early August we noticed that Doug’s mother, age 92 needed to be closer to us, so we looked into purchasing a house for her here. This was not a solution that she agreed with at all. We left for 10 days to go to Europe, and the day before we returned she was hospitalized. Our sons were able to work together, travel to the hospital at her home town three hours away and stay with her until we could get home. During this time, her doctor said she could no longer live at home alone. So, a door to living alone here in Lexington closed.

We began a search to find a place she would like, could afford and would meet everyone’s approval. It was not an easy job! We continued our daily devotions, prayed for direction and asked our church family for God to guide our steps. We were again amazed at how things began to fall in place. We found a wonderful retirement home, a doctor, moved her in and she is doing well with the adjustment. All of this happened much too smoothly to be chance, we know who is in charge and He makes even the bad things in life have meaning. Do we always have an Francie easy trial? No, trials are always difficult,

and Doug Sewell October 2016 | 17

A

re you looking to get active, have fun, and live the healthy life you want? SilverSneakers® Fitness is a complete wellness program designed for all fitness levels and abilities. It’s available through select health plans at no additional cost and gives you access to exercise equipment, classes and social events at thousands of locations nationwide! Find out if you are eligible at: https://www.silversneakers.com/tools/eligibility.

One of the hottest trends in fitness is taking workouts beyond the gym. SilverSneakers FLEX® celebrates this trend with group classes offered outside of traditional gym locations. FLEX classes may be held at recreation centers, retirement communities, parks and other local venues.

All of the classes are conducted by certified instructors and, so far, more than 70 types of classes are included in FLEX. They range from tai chi to boot camp and Latin dance to yoga. Some may take place in community pools. Getting fit and having fun in your neighborhood: What's not to like?

Don’t forget, you can also access the 13,000+ SilverSneakers fitness locations nationwide. FLEX is just another way to gather with friends and get fit.

Find a location near you at silversneakers.com/locations.

18 | October 2016

St. Luke is excited to offer four FLEX class opportunities each week in our gym. Classes are always free for SilverSneakers members. St. Luke members are also invited to attend at no charge, even if they do not have the SilverSneakers benefit. Other friends without the SilverSneakers benefit may attend at a nominal cost. Contact Rebecca Hanifan at rhannifan@gmail. com or Ed Towle at etowle@stlukeumc.org for more information or to get involved.

Class schedule at St. Luke:

Monday, 11:15 a.m., Chair Yoga Tuesday, 9:45 a.m., Chair Yoga Wednesday, 11:15 a.m., Cardio Strength Friday, 10:30 a.m., Dance

Making Plans for Thanksgiving?

P

lanning your menu, guest list or travel plans for the holidays? Thankfully, well over one hundred St. Luke Members always include the God’s Pantry Sharing Thanksgiving event in their plans. Tuesday, November 22nd is the day you can really be blessed before hitting the road or indulging to excess. Thirty to forty volunteers are needed for each of the three shifts 9:00 am to 11:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.; and 5:00 to 7 p.m. at the Imani Baptist Church on Georgetown Street.

There are tasks for every physical and ability level.

Need to sit? You can welcome and give directions to folks as they enter the building. You can even sit while bagging butter and eggs... just ask Neita Falkner. Are you good at interacting with people and knowing how to handle situations?

Then you can help with directing clients to the registration table or connecting folks to their filled carts. Just ask Pastor Nora, Nancy Alexander or Susan Stivers. Need some weight lifting time? You can get a good two-hour workout unpacking and handling 10 lb turkeys.

Just ask Todd Conner or Doug Sewell. There are also boxes of canned goods to put in carts.

Just ask Pastor Mark. If you need to make your steps goals before the turkey and dressing and

pumpkin pie, you can push filled carts and assist

folks to their cars. Just ask Casey Mackenzie, Stan Durbin, Doug or Marty Sell. It is fitness for a cause!

In the midst of the work there are the small blessings: Helping an elderly woman on oxygen who could hardly get out of her car who was afraid she was too late.

Volunteers directed her to a safe place to park, retrieved a wheelchair and assisted her through the entire process.

Just ask Julie Baltenberger. Or, when helping a woman unload grocers to her car, the volunteer found her near tears when she realized that "even onions" were included in her food! Just ask Arlene Stoll.

Please plan to sign up when the volunteer list is posted later this month. Be a blessing and get your blessing for the holidays.

October 2016 | 19

HOW MANY PUMPKINS SOLD IN TWENTY-FOUR YEARS?

W

e recently contacted Eric Newman, who was at one time our Youth Pastor, to ask him about the history of the pumpkin patch. Here's his story: In 1992 I was approached by a gentleman who asked me if we'd be interested in having a fall pumpkin patch at St. Luke. At that time it didn't seem to be something we'd want to do, so I declined.

In 1993 the CEO of the pumpkin patch idea called and set up a meeting with me and with Pastor Lindsey Davis. He convinced us to try for a year and see what would happen.

In preparation for the arrival of the pumpkins, we recruited many helpers...to unload the truck and to help with sales.

On October 25, 1993, the 18-wheeler pulled up and when the truck was empty, our lawn was a sea of orange.

That year, LEX18 did their morning program from our lawn. Teachers brought preschoolers to see and buy pumpkins as a field trip. The Herald-Leader printed a story about the pumpkin patch.

With every pumpkin sold, we also handed out 20 | October 2016

brochures about St. Luke and our ministries. That first year, we cleared $8,000 dollars!

The next year, 1994, two truckloads were delivered and unloaded on our lawn. This time, The LexingtonHerald Leader published our story, along with a photo of the pumpkins on the front page. That year, we cleared $12,000 dollars!

Popularity of the fall pumpkin patch continued to grow in popularity and today, 24 years later, we are often identified as the "pumpkin church."

PUMPKIN PATCH 2016 Our pumpkins will be arriving on Sunday, October 16 after the 11:00 service. Here is how you can help: Help us unload! Come join the assembly line after the service. We will even feed you pizza! Sign up to work a shift (or 2 or 3). The sign-up sheets are currently posted in the Connection Center Lobby.

Buy your pumpkins at St. Luke and tell your friends to do the same! We are open October 17-31. We realize that we cannot compete with Walmart or Kroger when it comes to price, but your money is going to our youth ministries!

On Saturday, October 29th, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., we have a wonderful opportunity as "The Pumpkin Church" to impact our church family as well as our community. We will hold our 3rd Annual Pumpkinfest with games and activities from 5-6:30pm in our front parking lot (inside the Life Center in the event of bad weather) followed by viewing of the movie “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” in the gym on a GIANT screen at 6:30!

Groups, classes or individuals are invited to sponsor an activity for the families who attend. We even have some ideas for those who need suggestions. Please email Susan (scutshall@ stlukeumc.org) and let her know how you would like to help welcome our neighbors!

From the Pantry Shelf Why do we periodically ask our congregation to donate food or money to support our God’s Pantry operations? Why do we appeal for volunteers?

The St. Luke Pantry site is serving between 3550 families every day and is open 10 times a week Monday thru Friday in the afternoon from 1 to 2:30 and at night from 6 to 7:30.

It requires a minimum of 350 cans of fruits, vegetables and soups EVERY day to serve thirty-five small families of 2-3 persons. That is 1750 cans of

By Karen Hinkle

food each week.

It requires a minimum of 280 cans or packages of cereals, pasta¸canned meat and non-meat protein items EVERY day. That is 1400 items every week.

It takes a minimum of 30 people each week to stock the pantry and serve clients. Ideally we need 40 people for those tasks in order to operate most efficiently.

It takes a lot of grocery bags for over 3,000 items each week. Your clean bags are always welcome. And your food donations are blessings!

October 2016 | 21

The Blessing of a “Restart"

by Sue Lord

L

ast spring, when we wrapped up our Tuesday afternoon Kids Café, we were exhausted! The seven-year vision of providing a good meal, homework help, recreational activities and building relationships was impeded by too many kids and too little help.

Yet some things were very right: Children and families of varied ethnicities and faiths were coming through our doors.

Volunteers sacrificed time and effort because they desired to share Christ.

Fatigue, Honest Discussion and much Fervent Prayer followed.

22 | October 2016

How God provided hope and help: In May we were selected as a site by the UK Student Service Corps, providing the blessing of 8 trained and committed college students to work alongside us in the fall.

God provided wise counsel through Susan Cutshall, our Director of Children’s Ministry – and together we restructured the program.

How things are going: We began Tuesday, September 13, 3:30-5:00 pm, with 27 kids (K-8th grade) and had a wonderful time!

We anticipate substantial growth in numbers as the word spreads and will tweak the schedule and offerings as we grow.

What we still need: We need more volunteers to come alongside the children – playing a game, helping with a craft, teaching a faith lesson, mentoring homework.

Each volunteer agrees to serve one or more Tuesday afternoons per month, and since individual schedules may vary month to month, each agrees to keep the coordinators informed of their monthly availability to serve.

We need people committed to pray for this outreach. Only by God’s help were we enabled to restart.

Only by God’s help will we make a difference for Christ.

We could make good use of a big tub of Legos! Please check your closets!

Questions? Ideas? Please contact Pam Harned (494-8677, kidscafeslumc@gmail.com or Sue Lord (797-1586/suzannehlord@ gmail.com) or Mary Ross (333-2145/maryjross@att.net).

COLLEGEMINISTRY

By John Duff

A

s the new Director of Adult Discipleship at St. Luke, I am extremely excited to start working alongside the congregation as we grow together in love of God and each other. I hope that together we can find paths to deeper growth and maturity in our Christian lives. One aspect of my new position that I am eager to begin is working with our college students. The nation-wide church has faced the issue of how to reach young adults and help them mature into the disciples that Jesus Christ wants them to be. As we face this challenge I will be the first to say

that I do not have the solution, but I am enthusiastic about pushing into ministry as Lewis and Clark pushed into the new world: unmapped territory. The good news is that we have a good core of college students who are strong and faithful Christians who desire to grow into the leaders and disciple-makers that Christ has called them to be. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit we together are being and making disciples of Jesus Christ.

John Duff

October 2016 | 23

Notes of Thanks Dear St. Luke, Last week was a big week here at the Mission.

One of our Jobs for Life students, a man who has been homeless for 15 years and struggled to find work, went in for a job interview and landed the position! Friday, we celebrated his graduation, along with our entire Jobs for Life class.

It’s amazing to see how much each of these men and women exude joy, gratitude, and something they didn’t have when they first walked through our doors: hope.

Thank you for your gift. It will give countless people hope this Thanksgiving season. You’re helping turn lives around for people who desperately need it – whether they’ve been homeless, hungry, struggling with abuse or an addiction, or just found themselves at the lowest point in their lives without any hope for their future. Thank you for sharing hope with them.

Gratefully, Jim Connell Executive Director of Lexington Rescue Mission

2351 Alumni Dr., Lexington, KY 40517 · 859-269-4687

Dear St. Luke Family, [Neither] our family, nor I, can thank everyone who prayed for us over these last years. Also, for communion at home. The service was outstanding, like our church, which is so friendly and welcoming!

Love all of you, Betty Stone and Family

Want to write for the November newsletter? We'd love to have your contribution to our monthly church stories and news! Email it to mwalz@stlukeumc.org with your idea or your piece before the deadline of October 15!

Worship Schedule: Sanctuary: 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

God’s Backyard (K - 5th grade): 11:00 a.m.

Swahili Worship: 12:30 p.m.

Multicultural Worship: 3:00 p.m.

Child care available at all services.