The Monthly Newsletter of St. Luke United Methodist Church ¡ October 2019
he
St. Luke
LINE
Enjoying the September 15 Afternoon Tailgating in the Parking Lot!
Nancy McKenzie, Cathy Greene, Dawn Brodersen, and Susan Cutshall
"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
THIS MONTH
1. The Harvest 3. Announcements 4. A Special Message from Nicaragua 5. Holiday Market 6. Pumpkinfest 7. Health Expo 8. Stewardship Update 9. Giving Matters 10. St. Luke Financial Communication 11. New Prayer Wall 12. Revival Photos 13. Covenant Group Launch 14. Sunday School Teacher Appreciation 15. Stephen Ministry 16. Altar Guild 101 17. Blue Barrel Sunday 18. From the Pantry Shelf 19. Report on the 2019 Annual Conference 21. Music & Me by Lynn Hill
THE HARVEST
W
by Brian Ebel
e’re now in the full swing of fall. The leaves are preparing to change colors, the nights are getting longer and cooler. It’s great to enjoy tailgating with friends, enjoy a campfire, or just the joy of being in the great outdoors. It’s time for the beginning of The Harvest. Jesus tells us in Luke 10:1-3: "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” October is a great month in the life of the Church. Vacations slow, rhythms reset, and the spiritual growth season that extends through the end of Lent begins. It’s a great time to invite new people to church. People use this time to begin reflecting on how to grow in their relationship with God. Wednesday.comm studies are now fully underway. I’d love for you to consider, what Harvest God wants to reap in your life and the life of others. Reflect on these few questions as you think about the Harvest:
Where and how is Jesus Christ at work in my life – what can I celebrate? Simply put, what is God up to in your life? How is God at work? Where have you seen God at work? Do you find commonalities or patterns to where and how God is at work? 1 | October 2019
Whose Into whose life am I intentionally sowing the seeds of the Gospel?
What sightings of God’s glory to heal and transform your life can you identify? Then do something followers of Christ too often fail to do…celebrate them! Talk about them with your Sunday School class. Share them at Wednesday.comm. Discuss them with your covenant groups. Share what God is up to in your life and encourage others to do the same. The point is about bragging – the point is about celebrating God’s power at work and encouraging one another to find the same in their own lives.
What must I lose or gain to cultivate greater harvest of Jesus’ work in my life? There’s always opportunity to do a bit of cultivating for the harvest. Everyone loves fresh vegetables from the garden. Not everyone loves weeding the garden which helps cultivate the fresh vegetables. Spend time with God and people who you trust to reflect on this question. What spiritual practices can you take on? What hurts require healing? From whom do you need to seek forgiveness? Do you need to let go of anger? An abundant harvest requires partnership of God’s activity and power, and our participation. Cultivating the soils of our lives is critical to see more of Jesus’ work in our lives. Getting rid of the rocks, weeds, and thorns is
tough work, but God guides the process toward the outcome of a greater harvest in our lives.
Into whose life am I intentionally sowing the seeds of the Gospel? The harvest isn’t just about us. It’s about THEM. The Hurting, Errant, and Misinformed. When we’ve experienced the Harvest in our lives, we can’t help but want others to experience the abundance of the same in their lives. Sowing the seeds of the Gospel involves developing relationships, inviting people into the community called the Church, and having spiritual conversations in which the Holy Spirit is at work to plant the seeds of the Gospel. God has used people to sow into our lives, and as we experience the power of the Harvest, he – the Lord of the Harvest – sends us to do the same for others. Beginning October 13, we’ll be studying the passage of the Sower and the power of the seeds, soils, and harvest. I’m looking forward to this season of growth and all God is beginning to plant here at St. Luke. Let’s sow, cultivate, and prepare our hearts together richly in this season. God is at work…let’s celebrate, cultivate, and sow together. Enjoy the journey!
October 2019 | 2
ANNOUNCEMENTS St. Luke Basketball is Now I Am Third at St. Luke! From Jay Hayslip: Over the past year, basketball leaders in Lexington have been discussing ways to make our leagues even better. I have been very impressed with the leadership team at IAM3rd and this is why I am excited to announce that St. Luke is joining forces with Centenary and Southern Hills and all three churches will be jointly hosting the IAM3rd basketball league this year. By joining together, St. Luke will be able to expand the number of age divisions we have and we anticipate serving youth from K-12 this year. Last year, St. Luke served grades K-8, so serving our high school age kids will be a big step forward. Although we are still finalizing some of the details, during sign up families will identify which church you want to practice in and have as your home gym. So that everyone can have more variety in the teams we play, we will be inviting teams from the other churches to St. Luke and they will also be inviting our teams. It will truly be an integrated league across the 3 churches. We think this will be a great opportunity for our kids and the Lexington community. Registration is open now at StLukeUMC.org/IAm3rd
Hospitality Team Training If you currently are, or are interested in getting, involved with the Hospitality team (ushers, greeters, lobby millers, or welcome desk team), then this training is for you! We will have training for all Sunday morning hospitality teams on October 13 from 8:30–9:15 am in the Loft. Email Brian for any questions or for more information bebel@stlukeumc.org.
Connect Are you new to St. Luke? Want to find out more about what we value, our ministries, and more about the church? Our Senior Pastor, Brian Ebel, would love to meet you on Wednesday, October 9 from 6-7 pm. This is an opportunity for new people to St. Luke to connect, learn more, and ask questions.
3 | October 2019
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM
NICARAGUA Dear St. Luke UMC, We visited communities, including Yakalwås, on the Rio Bocay last week. The school band did a 20-minute program with their new instruments. They are so proud of these instruments and their band! Leonardo gave his usual speech thanking the friends at St. Luke UMC that came and help to build the school so the children could be educated. He also said while he is living, there would be no drug dealing or liquor sold in the community. He is a real character! Leonardo showed us the church and asked if we could purchase some cement to block it. He also shared that they would like to have a computer room for the school. The community was so thankful for the clean spring water that now flows to their homes. Thank you, St. Luke’s UMC, for making the school and clean water possible for this community. Blessings, Ronnie Hopkins
October 2019 | 4
OCTOBER 18 & 19
The holidays are just around the corner. There is no better way to get ready for the holidays than to shop at the annual Holiday Market! Vendors and crafters will be in the Gym on Friday, October 18 from 6-9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, October 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Food is available to purchase both days. Come and find unique gifts and helpful items!
5 | October 2019
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 5:00 - 7:00 P.M.
O
n Saturday, October 19, from 5-7 p.m., we have a wonderful opportunity to impact our community as well as our church family. We plan to host our 6th Annual Pumpkinfest with games & activities from 5-6:30pm in our front parking lot, followed by watching the movie “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” in The Loft at 6:30! Children’s Ministry is happy to coordinate the event, yet we need groups, classes or individuals to make it happen by sponsoring an activity. There are some games/ booths that you can use!
PLINKO, Tic Tac Toe, Pumpkin Tower Bean Bag toss & a Photo Booth are all available. Your group would simply need to provide prizes and a couple of people to run the activity. Please email Susan (scutshall@stlukeumc. org) and let her know how you would like to help welcome our neighbors!
October 2019 | 6
+HEALTH EXPO & FLU SH OTS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019
R U O Y K R A M
5:00-7:30 P.M.
! R A D N E CAL
Join us for wellness checks in the gym during Wednesday.comm!
F
lu shots will be administered by the Health Department nurses. There is no charge if you bring your Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance card. Uninsured cost is $25 per shot. You are invited and encouraged to attend the St. Luke UMC Health Expo on Wednesday, October 23rd, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The expo will be held in the gym and flu shots administered in room 124. Fayette County Health Department nurses will administer 7 | October 2019
the flu vaccine to persons ages six-months and older. There will not be any nasal flu mist. To get an estimate for those requesting the vaccine, please sign up at the Connection Center or through your Sunday School Class so we can have an adequate supply. No reservations for the vaccine are necessary, however. It would be very helpful to know the number of children, so please sign up at the Connection Center and state the child’s age. Please bring your insurance or medicare care card with you. In the gym, there will be other information and stations for wellness checks and prevention.
For instance, come get your blood pressure checked and visit the information tables on nutrition, diabetes, mental health, dental health, and the mysterious "Germ Box" to teach kids how to effectively wash their hands (adults enjoy this, too)! There will be an abundance of door prizes so be sure to register when you visit the Health Expo. If you have questions, contact Carol Komara at 269-4736 (cakoma@windstream.net), or B.J. Carpenter at 309-1465 (makusnooze@gmail.com). We look forward to seeing you!
AUGUST 2019
Budget needs
$103,109.56
Expenses Total income* Income-to-Expenses difference
$102,284.50 $87,673.46 ($14,611.04)
Alms contributions for August 2019 Balloon Fund contributions for 2019 Total Balloon Fund contributions to date
$2,881.57 $22,195.33 $325,822.78
Life Center mortgage balance (as of 8-31-19)
$1,972,985.70
FISCAL YEAR-TO-DATE
Budget needs (as of 8-31-19) Expenses (as of 8-31-19) Total income (as of 8-31-19)* Income-to-Expenses difference (as of 8-31-19)
$206,219.12 $196,981.41 $226,749.24 $29,767.83
There are several ways to give at St. Luke! • Online at www.stlukeumc.org (click “Give Online”) • Your cash or check placed in the offering plate on Sunday mornings or dropped off during the week, or your check mailed to the church • Through stock donations • Through IRA minimum required distributions (for persons at least 70 ½) • Through foundations (This can be a good way to contribute for some people who have received sizeable funds through sale of a property, an inheritance, etc. Funds are placed with a charitable foundation and are dispersed at your timing and direction.) Questions? Please contact Nora Conner, Executive Pastor
* Total income includes contributions, building use fees, and Kroger card receipts. ** Our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.
October 2019 | 8
GIVING MATTERS
Dear Church Family,
9 | October 2019
I am very excited to share with you a new plan for how we will communicate with you about our church finances. Our desire and goal has always been to be transparent and to communicate about our budget and finances. Our new plan is designed so that you can better understand and have confidence in how your giving goes to support the ministries of our church and also how the overall process works and your role in it. Beginning in October, we won’t show the monthly contributions each week; rather, we will have a bulletin insert once each month that shows the total giving for the previous month as well as how it relates to our expenses and other contextual information. We’ll also have a thorough explanation of finances quarterly in the newsletter. This kind of information has always been available; hopefully this new plan will also make it more accessible for you! We are also intentionally building in a time each year for you to be informed about our budget so that everyone is aware of how our vision, values, and finances work together to grow the Kingdom. Take a look at the graphic on the next page for more details! If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact me or Pastor Brian. We would love to chat with you! In Christ,
Nora Conner Executive Pastor
St. Luke Financial Communication Process We collect offerings on a weekly basis in three ways: (1) Sunday morning plate offerings, (2) from checks mailed to our offices, and (3) from online contributions. Those dollars are compiled and a weekly report is generated. The report is available to staff/ finance team no later than Thursday each week at 12 noon. Our financial statements including a balance sheet, and profitloss statement that are generated monthly. Monthly Financial Statements are prepared no later than the 10th of the following month. Annual budgets are created by our Staff, Finance, and Servant Leadership Teams. Financial statements are approved by our Finance Team which meets monthly. Financial updates will now be communicated in 4 ways: 1. We will produce a monthly bulletin insert on the third Sunday of the month. The insert includes monthly general offering dollars, general budget needs, and income/loss. 2. We will produce a quarterly newsletter update including a narrative profit-loss statement. Our goal is to describe the overall financial health at St. Luke, and provide financial transparency of budget needs versus revenue projections for the fiscal year. 3. We will provide in-worship video and executive level leadership announcements throughout the year. Our goal is to help people know the wins that are gained through generosity + encourage regular giving to St. Luke Church. 4. We will hold an annual charge conference to discuss our annual budget and provide financial transparency. Our goal is to help people be aware of how our vision, values, and finances work together to grow the Kingdom. October 2019 | 10
Check out our new Prayer Wall with a custom table built and designed by Allen Porter in the hallway between the Fellowship Hall and the Sanctuary! It provides information with opportunities for prayer, the latest prayer list, and a chance for you to "take a prayer" and "leave a prayer."
11 | October 2019
REVIVAL Members of our Swahili and Multicultural worshipping congregations held a revival here at St. Luke on September 15. They had three choirs from around the state, two guests speakers in addition to David Balondani and Issaya Leonard, and a special guest worship leader.
October 2019 | 12
COVENANT GROUPS LAUNCH
D
o you long for a deeper walk with God in daily life? Do you long for more intimacy with God, moment by moment, in all the circumstances you go through? Do you long to be filled with God's Spirit, to be transformed from the inside out? Do you long to make a difference in the world around you and be a faithful witness to the goodness of God? Perhaps joining a Covenant Group at St. Luke is right for you. A Covenant Group is 3-5 Christians gathering to share and reflect on their own walk with God so that together we can learn to hear God's voice, grow closer to him and be sent into the world on mission. Our 2019 Fall Launch of Covenant Groups will be on October 6th at 6:30 PM in room 126 at the church.
13 | October 2019
Please join us if you are interested and contact John Duff at jduff@stlukeumc.org for more info!
NATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
by John Duff have great memories of my Sunday school classes as a youth. During Sunday school I learned how to have deep conversations about my faith and was taught things that I would not have learned elsewhere. The Sunday School teachers during that time had a big impact on me, just by showing up and creating an environment of learning and sharing. These folks sparked my love of Christian community and Discipleship that now has brought me to a place where I oversee Discipleship at St. Luke, hoping to continue on creating environments where loving, learning and growing can take place.
I
Sunday school teachers do some of the most important work of discipleship at St. Luke, and are often left unrecognized. They put in effort not only to plan lessons, but also to communicate and organize our groups. To recognize these folks, St. Luke will celebrate National Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day, which is on October 20th! At St. Luke we will be appreciating all our Sunday School teachers, young and old with recognition in the services. We will also ask members of classes to do something small to celebrate their leaders. A card, note, small gift or batch of cookies are great examples of small ways you can show appreciation for your Sunday School teachers. Join us in making our Sunday School teachers (of children, youth and adult classes alike) feel loved and appreciated on October 20th!
(classes and groups continued on next page)
October 2019 | 14
MOMENT
Could you or someone you know benefit from the one-to-one, Christcentered and confidential care of a Stephen Minister? If so, contact one of our pastors or our Referrals Coordinator, Karen Hinkle, to learn more.
15 | October 2019
How long has Stephen Ministry existed and what is its foundation? Stephen Ministries is a notfor-profit Christian education organization founded in 1975. It produces training and resources recognized for education excellence, practicality, psychological integrity, and theological depth. Their resources cover topics such as caring ministry, assertive relating, spiritual gifts discovery, grief support, spiritual growth and other topics that are essential to the training of Stephen Ministers. St. Luke is among thousands of congregations and other organizations that use Stephen Ministries resources to strengthen and expand ministry. Individuals use them to improve their ability to relate to and care for others, grow in faith, and journey through life crises.
ALTAR GUILD 101 by Lynn Hill
H
ave you ever heard the words "Altar Guild" and wondered who they are and what they do? The word "guild" had always made me think of the "lollipop guild" in Wizard of Oz before I knew anything about altar decorations!
Epiphany and Pentecost. Purple, the color of penitence and royalty, is used during Lent and Advent. Red, the color of fire, is used to symbolize the Holy Spirit and is used on Pentecost Sunday. Green, the color of growth, is used for most of the summer and fall months. The altar guild The Altar Guild is traditionally is also responsible for the made up of church volunteers candles, wicks and oil, brass who are tasked with items and floral arrangements. maintaining the ceremonial We decorate for Christmas, objects used in worship. Here Maundy Thursday, Good Friday at St. Luke, we serve in a bit Stations of the Cross and of an expanded role as well. Easter. We also enjoy setting We work with and maintain up displays from time to time the paraments which are the to provide visual prompts for a colored cloths on and around current sermon series. the altar area. White is used on communion Sundays, Easter, Since I assumed the role of and certain Sundays following Altar Guild Coordinator a few
years ago, I have spent much of my time trying to gather, organize, make room for and consolidate all of our supplies into a single area. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, I have been able to purchase some new items to
October 2019 | 16
replace many old and worn during Christmas and Easter out pieces that have served us which require larger and well for many years. heavier sanctuary decorations and ladder climbing. Todd Current Altar Guild Conner, Rusty and Janet members besides myself Wade, Rod Hill and a few include, Marietta Howard, others have served faithfully Miriam Williams, Melissa in this role for many years. Underwood, Sue Pixler, Karen Nicholson, Sheila Rentfrow I am always looking for and Bettie Ockerman. Each additional volunteers who member contributes their might be willing to serve with time and skill throughout the us in some capacity. New year according to what task or and creative ideas are always season they enjoy most and welcome. With Advent what fits their schedule best. season rapidly approaching, I recruit other helpers as I am also currently seeking needed for the bigger projects additional ladder climbers to
be mentored by our seasoned pros. There are no meetings to attend, no long term commitments to agree to, only a willingness to let me know what you might want to help with and use whatever gift you feel you can offer to help beautify our places of worship. If you would like more information or feel you might be able to serve in some way, feel free to let me know in person or contact me via email lynnhill6248@gmail.com or text/call 859-576-9238.
BLUE BARREL
SUNDAy
This month we are asking for protein items. This can be canned meat such as tuna, chicken, salmon, beef stew etc. Or, it can be mac n cheese or canned protein beans such pinto beans, great northern beans, cannellibeans, black-eyed peas. Pick up a Blue Barrel Bag on October 13th and return on Sunday, Octobeer 20th.
17 | October 2019
On vacation or out of town on those dates? You can drop off your contributions any time by leaving at the Blue Barrels by door 3 or at the pantry.
pantry St. Luke operates a food pantry through God's Pantry on Mondays through Fridays from 1-2:30 p.m. & 6-7:30 p.m. The clients are given an opportunity to pick food items to form a nutritional food selection. Food supplements are prepared from both donated and purchased food and contain the items necessary to prepare enough meals for five to seven days.
From the Pantry Shelf by Karen Hinkle
Mission at our back door St. Luke has always been known to be a congregation in which ministry is our mission. Historically we have ministered to others and served in numerous ways and in many places‌ Kids CafÊ, Nathaniel Mission, UMCOR, through Habitat for Humanity, Rescue Mission, to name just a few. Have you or your family been seeking a new way to serve or wondered how you could do meaningful volunteer work without traveling a great distance? Then I have news for you!
share a moment of levity. All of that is possible through serving as a volunteer in the pantry. You can support the operations with your food or financial donations. You can be a steward of the ministry by helping to stock shelves in the morning and get us ready to go. Or, you can put your faith and ministry to the test and serve clients face to face. Most are so very gracious and grateful.
Monday through Friday, St. Luke needs 4-5 volunteers each morning and another team of at least four in the afternoon and Actually the need comes to again on Wednesday night. That our back door. Each week we is about 45 energetic, caring welcome and serve over 200 persons each week. One can families who come to door 6 work a regular weekly slot, or for our Monday through Friday several times a month whatever pantry operations. In a four week fits your schedule. Or you can be period we have over 800 families a substitute to work various days coming to pick up food. Friends, when needed. that is more families than regularly attend St. Luke! If you Want to be a part of a ministry want to show Christian concern need that comes to us? Contact and caring, support a ministry, Karen Hinkle@twc.com or at offer an encouraging word or just 859-421-1232.
October 2019 | 18
Report of the 2019 Annual Conference by Jim Eastburn
T
he Kentucky Annual Conference (KAC) of the United Methodist Church took place on June 10–12, 2019 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington. Representing SLUMC were Mark Girard, Nora Conner, David Balondani, Bob Ockerman (clergy), and Jim and Donna Eastburn, Magy Balondani, Todd Conner (laity). Jessica Wells attended as Conference Secretary on Motions. Others attending from SLUMC were Mike Powers, Stephen Wells, Lowell and Betty Langefeld, Lindsey and Jennifer Davis, Karen Girard, Mark Walz. The theme of the Conference was “ See the Possibilites – Holy Imagination “ with each of the worship services representing a different part of the Lenten season, from Ash Wednesday to Easter – quite interesting. It was good to see more than 40 youth and young adults among the lay delegates attending as part of the nearly 1000 delegates from across the Conference All those attending were greeted, had doors opened for them, and were assisted in every way imaginable by volunteers decked out in red shirts - incredible hospitality! The most enjoyable parts of the Conference are always the worship time, the teaching time, and the chance to be reacquainted with Christian friends from all over Kentucky. The latter was wonderful as usual, but the worship and teaching times were 19 | October 2019
shortened in this Conference because our main objective was to elect clergy and lay delegates to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences, and that took a good bit of time. Monday morning there was an introductory video from Bishop Fairley: Welcome and request “ that we all be open to God’s leading. “ The Bishop brought a message – “ the Mark of Holiness.” Some of his points were: “ What if in this particular season of our lives personally and in the collective life of out denomination, God is calling us to tarry a little while longer in the wilderness of our brokenness “ / ala Lent, “ it’s Friday, but Sunday is coming. “ The Bishop’s message was partly one of reassurance and partly a call to civility among us as the UMC continues its long debate over LGBTQ issues. I was pleased that, for the most part, civility was demonstrated by all throughout the Conference. Following the opening, the clergy and laity broke into separate sessions to be briefed on the work before them over the next few days. During the break, the St Luke folks gathered together for lunch and fellowship and somehow Pastor Mark got away w/o buying lunch for us. How did we let that happen ? During the afternoon session, all delegates were trained on the new electronic voting procedures for the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences elections and the laity folks were surprised at how quickly the clergy picked things up! Among the business items
conducted were: the proposed 2019/2020 budget and some of the efforts made to tighten expenses // coming changes to the health insurance program // presentations on our Aldersgate, Loucon, and Kavanaugh camps // a motion to expand the voting rights of local pastors for delegates to the 2020 Conferences was defeated // a change in the method of allocation of the net proceeds from the sale of church property was approved. That evening, a service of ordination and commissioning was held with a message from N.C. Bishop Paul Leeland. Tuesday began with worship in song, followed by a “ learning session “ led by Dr. Tod Bolsinger – “ Canoeing the Mountains “ – “ Christian Leadership in Unchartered Territory “ followed by a Plenary session where voting began for delegates to the 2020 Conferences. That was followed by a Retirement service where 21 clergy stepped into retirement, including our own Mark Girard, Dawn Beamish, and Randy Coy. Longtime friends of the Eastburns - Pat Hoeksema, Jerry Beck, Rick Holladay, and Rebecca Peterson were among those retiring. Following lunch, we celebrated the Church Beyond as Conference delegates participated in 7 different service projects in and around the community throughout the afternoon. Donna and I were among 20 + folks who wrote notes of encouragement to service men and women, shut-ins, and a local church that had a death in their church family. These services projects are a wonderful part of the Ky. Annual Conference! Tuesday evening was a focus on Mission and Ministry and the place was rocking as the Swahili choir from Buechel UMC sang and led the Conference in singing. The Offering was $ 73,649.41 to be divided between Grace Kids Church in Louisville, Encounter Missions in Paintsville , and a new Refugee Fund to facilitate communications
across the Conference. $ 2742.17 was also collected for the Isaiah Project which goes to fund internships for students who are pursuing a call to ministry. Wednesday began with an early Plenary session to catch up on our voting for delegates for the 2020 Conferences, followed by a Memorial Service for the 11 clergy and 14 clergy spouses who had passed away in the last year. That was followed by another Plenary session where we completed the voting for 2020 delegates. Elected were 5 clergy and 5 laity plus alternates to the General Conference, and these 5 clergy and 5 laity, and 5 more of each, plus alternates to the Jurisdictional Conference. There was emotional and sometimes painful discussion and debate on a Petition and a Resolution related to LGBTQ policy. The Petition to remove "incompatible language" from the 2016 Social Principles was defeated 452 to 285. The Resolution to be a 'church of open minds' was approved 409 to 285, after language was changed to remove language rejecting the Traditional Plan which followed current church doctrine as approved at the special called 2019 General Conference. Several other LGBTQ related motions were discussed briefly and withdrawn. The day concluded with a service of Sending Forth where all the pastoral appointments for the coming year were announced. St. Luke welcomes Brian Ebel as our new Pastor! The 2020 Ky. Annual Conference will again be held at the Northern Ky. Convention Center in Covington, June 8-10, 2020.
October 2019 | 20
MUSIC & ME
M
usic has always been a part of my life. I listen to music all day long and wake up every day with a song running through my head. Music moves my soul and I believe that God truly speaks to me in the lyrics of songs and sounds of beautiful melodies. The soundtrack of my life includes many genres of music. I am grateful that my parents had many albums to listen to as I grew up which have enriched my life so much. They encouraged me to pursue clarinet, choir and piano but once I became interested
21 | October 2019
by Lynn Hill
in participating in sports, these were no longer my priority. I much preferred batting practice or working on my jump shot than practicing my music. I found that music performances and recitals stressed me out anyway, so I was happy to continue my relationship with music as primarily a listener or member of a choir. Music always accompanies significant events of my life as specific details of time, place, sight, sound, smell and emotion can be rekindled within the first few notes of a song from the past or present. Barry Manilow's "Mandy" evokes the sadness of goodbye every time I hear it. I was a 12 year old middle schooler sitting in the car on a cold, rainy January day, waiting for my grandmother to come out of her house on the way to my grandfather's funeral when that song played on the car radio. I watched
the raindrops on the windshield of the car roll gently down and connect with other drops to form bigger trickles. They reminded me of my own tears as I confronted what death and loss of someone close to me felt like for the first time in my life. "Beach Baby" by First Edition evokes laughter as I remember crazy summers with my cousins on the beaches of Virginia, the smell of Coppertone and sand between my toes. We giggled all night long "camping out" in my grandparents' den surrounded by mounted deer heads and Air Force memorabilia. A lifelong animal lover, I used to climb up on the back of their sleeper sofa to touch the soft fur of the deer's neck and was always mesmerized by the realistic appearance of its eyes. I spent weekends and every New Year's Eve listening to the radio and waiting patiently to hear and record my favorite songs on Casey Kasem's countdown shows. I was so frustrated when the phone or doorbell rang, the dog barked or my brother and his friends would invade my living room recording studio to sabotage the song I had been waiting so long to capture.
With this in mind, I have never believed that it is a random thing that God chose to influence my Christian growth through music. I was raised in the church and attended regularly because it was what was expected of me. I felt guilty if I didn't go but never really felt drawn into a personal relationship with Jesus. As a shy introvert, I was never totally immersed in the activities of the youth groups of the churches I attended as a child, but one thing I always DID show up for were the concerts. I remember going to contemporary christian and gospel concerts in churches around town, to the Convention Center in Frankfort, to the Ichthus festival in Wilmore and to the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. I don't remember details of who I went with, how we got there or where we went to eat afterward. I only remember that feeling of me, alone, absorbing every note and every word of whoever was on stage at the time. I actually FELT that music, deep in my soul. I seemingly had
entered another realm that others hadn't traveled to as they
talked excitedly about other things on the way home. They apparently hadn't heard that still, small voice that I had heard or at least had never shared it with me. It wasn't until I was introduced to the music of Amy Grant, The Imperials, Keith Green, Sandi Patti, Larnelle Harris, Second Chapter of Acts, Steven Curtis Chapman, Petra and many more, that my desire to delve deeper into a meaningful relationship with Jesus began. I had always liked the traditional hymns of the church, but some of the old English lyrics and ideas were hard for me to understand. Their writers had died many years ago and the stories behind their songs weren't readily apparent to me at that time. Their lyrics described sentiments of those who were already in the fold, mature in the faith, but I could never discern direction on how I was to get there. These new Christian artists were alive and spoke and sang words I understood in musical styles that I was familiar with. I could see and hear them in person and their lyrics were able to tell a
story that I could relate to. I was able to hear them talk about the pain and struggle of their lives in their testimonies and see how they had been transformed by their relationship with Christ. I appreciated their praise songs that represented humanity communicating directly to God and not just to each other. My love of praise and worship music has only grown over the last 40 years. I hear new songs every day that become just as meaningful in my Christian growth as those of long ago. When I started reading the Bible more and actually studying it instead of just checking it off my daily "To-Do" list, one of the things I began to realize was that many lyrics I loved were actually Bible verses. Songs are Psalms in that there's always the perfect one to strengthen and affirm your faith no matter what emotion you (continued on next page) October 2019 | 22
(continued from previous page) parents and also embrace the newer contemporary and gospel are feeling at the time. Today, I artists of today. Lyrics written rarely read the Bible without a long ago are just as applicable song coming to mind. I always today as they were then. Today's take time to listen to and absorb Christian/gospel musicians , each one that God brings me writers and singers don't seem to throughout the day. Without fail, focus on their own performances. it's always the perfect song, at the Their gifts are evident as they perfect time. It helps me keep communicate Jesus' invitation my focus on things above, not the equally to everyone. chaos of this world. Music is a constant source of joy Now, I feel a deeper appreciation in my life. It comforts me and and love for the traditional inspires me like nothing else can. hymns of my grandparents and Music is truly one of God's many
gifts and I am thankful to have the opportunity to appreciate it every single day. I usually listen to KLove 89.9 FM as I drive around or music/podcasts streamed through my TV or phone. I'd encourage you to put the chaos of the world on the back burner for awhile and embrace music. There's a chance that your tender heart just might get hooked by a lyric and you'll be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus too!
This newsletter is also available online in full color at stlukeumc.org/newsletter. Worship Schedule: 9:30 a.m., 10:45 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. 2351 Alumni Dr., Lexington, KY 40517 ¡ 859-269-4687 Child care available at all services.