Message from the Pastor

“I have a lot to tell you, but I don’t want to use paper and ink. I hope to visit you and talk with you face-to-face, so that our joy can be complete.”

So ends the letter of 2nd John in our New Testaments, written by an early Christian pastor to a beloved family. It’s one of the shortest books in our bible, written as a small note that nevertheless makes a strong emphasis on the humanity of Jesus Christ. It was important to the early Christian pastors to emphasize that Jesus was a human like us, who suffered like us and experienced our trials and tribulations. God was (and is) among us in the flesh. God knows how we feel. God is close. This is a core part of the Christian message.

The pastor of 2nd John wrote a short note because he or she would rather see this family face-to-face, instead of writing a letter. I can empathize greatly! After a month and a half of long-distance relationships, I want to see people in person.

On Thursday, April 30, the St. Luke church council had a video meeting, and it was wonderful to see everyone’s faces at the same time. We discussed a lot of the logistics that we’ll need to consider before gathering in person again soon, and there was a consensus that we’ll try something outside, in the parking lot or on the lawn, before we gather inside. We didn’t set a firm date, but we formed a small team of folks to make a more detailed plan. Many things like the passing of the peace, the offering, and communion will be different, but they’ll still be present in some way.

One of the main things we affirmed was that we want our online worship opportunities to continue, regardless of when or how we begin worshiping in person again. Even as we begin to gather in the sanctuary again, we want to have a camera set up so that people who are sick, out of down, or under quarantine will be able to worship with us.

I have a task for you: One of our youth, Meredith Wessel, is graduating from high school this year, and of course this is one of the strangest years to graduate from any school. I want you to send Meredith a letter of congratulations and encouragement from you, her church members. Her mailing address is 200 S. Leflore Ave., Cleveland, MS, 38732. Normally we would have held a graduation banquet in May, but all of these normal activities have been either cancelled or postponed. Hearing from you will be a comfort.

Furthermore, send many cards in the mail and make many phone calls! People will appreciate that you took the time to write them a note. Imagine the joy of families in the early Christian church who received a letter from their teachers and caregiving friends! It was not as easy of a task to send a letter then as it is today! The effort meant a lot. It will mean a lot when you send one as well.

“May you have more and more mercy, peace, and love.” - Jude, vs. 2

Peace be with you,
Pastor Brad

Lectionary Readings for May

Sermon Series: Sinners and Saints in Christian History

Sunday, May 3 — Fourth Sunday of Easter
1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10
Sunday, May 10 — Fifth Sunday of Easter — Mother’s Day
1 Peter 2:2-10; John 14:1-14
Sunday, May 17 — Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 17:22-31; 1 Peter 3:13-22; John 14:15-21
Sunday, May 24 — Ascension Sunday
Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:14-23; Luke 24:44-53; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
Sunday, May 31 — Pentecost Sunday
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13; Acts 2:1-21

The Mission of St. Luke UMC is to be a Place to Belong, Believe, & Become Disciples of Christ

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG

The St. Luke Council participated in a meeting on April 30 by video-conference. Representatives of all church Leadership Teams made reports, but the primary topic of discussion was a plan for reopening of the church facilities and resumption of worship services and church activities. Our Bishop has advised all churches in the Conference to consider maintaining the stay-at-home guidelines at least through the end of May. That said, there are various creative options for conducting worship in ways that will allow more members to participate, short of sitting in the sanctuary. Council members were in agreement that we need to embrace the video component of worship as a reality going forward, and to that end we will be exploring equipment and techniques to help us produce a more professional product. We also discussed other ways to gather safely for in-person worship, as well as strategies for cleaning and sanitizing the church. Council Chair Chris Bailey appointed Brent Rogers, Tricia Walker, Brad Corban, and himself to a Task Force charged with proposing a plan for reopening. You’ll be hearing more about this soon.

UMW Grace Circle will not meet on May 5. UMW Lunch Bunch is postponed until further notice.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE

St. Luke’s Education Committee, in conjunction with our other participating churches, announces that Vacation Bible School/Art Camp has been postponed until further notice. In all likelihood, we will not be able to hold VBS this summer. If that proves to be the case, St. Luke will serve as the host church the summer of 2021 and Art Camp will take place then.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES

United Methodist Women’s Spring No-Bake Sale is underway. You should have received a letter with a stamped, addressed envelope included for you to return your donation to Jackie Pennington. Please let us hear from you by May 9. This money is used to support various mission projects which are being highlighted each month. Previously you read about the Frances Perry Scholarship and Rust College. Today’s agency is Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi.

For over 122 years, the Methodist Children’s Homes have cared for over 11,000 children. The Methodist Children’s Homes believes that every child deserves to grow up in a place where they are safe and nurtured with compassion. At MCH, abused and neglected children are given a safe place in which they can heal and thrive through provision, guidance and counseling. MCH seeks to bring restoration to children and youth who have been neglected or abused. By the end of their time with MCH, they hope to see that each child finds reconciliation with their biological families, love within an adoptive family, or success as a productive, independent adult. MCH does this by offering safe, structured and supportive home environments, life skills training and therapeutic services. You can help the healing with your prayers, resources and time.

Therapeutic Group Homes provide for youth in MS Department of Child Protective Services custody, ages 13-21. While residing at MCH, youth participate in therapeutic services as well as campus life activities, independent living education and spiritual development.

MCH’s Foster Care program is made up of servant hearted individuals and families who are willing to provide a stable and loving home for children from birth to 21 years old. The Foster Care staff provides training, support and resources to each family throughout the fostering process.

The Independent Living Residential Care program is designed for young men and women ages 17 to 21. Its goal is to ease the transition from high school to college or to the workforce by providing instruction in budgeting, household management and job skills so that they can live independently as responsible adults.

Methodist Children’s Homes no longer receives support from our giving through Mission Shares to the Mississippi Conference UMC. United Methodist Women has budgeted $100 to Methodist Children’s Homes in 2020. You may go to the MCH website mchms.org for more information about their work and how to make a donation if you would like to support this vital ministry of the United Methodist Church.