February 2021
St. Luke United Methodist Church
Message from the Pastor
“Choose the meekness of Moses and you will find your heart which is a rock changed into a spring of water.”
Amma Syncletica was a monastic Christian of the 4th century, living in a crypt, an underground chamber, after renouncing her wealth and becoming a hermit. Her holy life attracted visitors and students, such that many other women became monastic Christians, following her example.
“Just as the most bitter medicine drives out poisonous creatures, so prayer joined to fasting drives evil thoughts away.”
This Amma (mother) of the desert is the perfect teacher to lead us into Lent, the season before Easter, when we discipline our bodies and minds and focus on the sacrifices made by Jesus Christ on our behalf. We join Jesus Christ in his journey to the cross.
In our sermons, we will journey through Christian History, learning the stories of devout people who broke new ground in their devotion and boldness.
Benedict of Nursia, inspired by the desert fathers and mothers, started monasteries that live on today. His small book, “The Rule of St. Benedict,” is one of the most influential texts of all time, because of how European monasteries shaped Western civilization.
Hildegard of Bingen was one of the most well-read women in Christian history, composing music, interpreting visions, and writing on science and medicine. Catherine of Siena advised the Pope himself. Ellen and William Craft escaped slavery while under disguise. Jesus of Nazareth taught a radically different way of life and death—non-violent, healing, faithful.
We can learn from all of the saints, because they learned from Jesus Christ. They responded to the Lordship of Jesus in their own contexts and times. We will be inspired to do the same.
We will still need to make sacrifices to get through the rest of this pandemic. In a divisive culture, we will need to choose the meekness of Moses so that our hearts are not hardened like Pharaoh’s. We will need to choose prayer and fasting during lent, so that we might practice the self-control that is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. The result will be lives that are springs of water for parched souls.
We have many saints in our history from which we can learn, but you can be a saint as well. You will show others how to journey through this valley of death by clinging to our Good Shepherd.
Peace,
Pastor Brad
Lectionary Readings for February
Sermon Series: Love, Sex, and Relationships (continued)
Sunday, February 7 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Colossians 3:14-15Sunday, February 14 - Transfiguration Sunday
2 Kings 2:1-12; Mark 9:2-9
Sermon Series: Pandemic Spirituality: How Christians Have Faced Big Challenges
Wednesday, February 17 - Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; Matthew g:1-21
Sunday, February 21 - First Sunday in Lent
Psalm 25:1-10
Sunday, February 28 - Second Sunday in Lent
Psalm 22:23-31
The Mission of St. Luke UMC is to be a Place to Belong, Believe, & Become Disciples of Christ
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG
St. Luke’s Youth Group has begun a small group study based on The 13 Most Important Bible Lessons for Youth. Youth leader Lauren Williams is conducting the study via Google and she says they are participating in discussion and online games. So far there have been eleven youth to take part! If you have a student in junior high or high school who would like to join, please get in touch with Lauren. We all hope the youth will be back to meeting face-to-face soon.
The UMW Grace Circle meeting for February has been postponed. Watch the bulletin for updates on whether or not a meeting will be scheduled for March.
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE
We hope you will be able to join us for our Ash Wednesday Service on February 17 at 6:00 p.m. The service will also be live-streamed on our St. Luke Facebook page for those who wish to watch the service from the safety of their homes.
St. Luke UMC will offer two opportunities to observe Ash Wednesday: First, we’ll host a midday Drive-Through Imposition of Ashes, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. You’re invited to drive under the narthex portico to meet Pastor Brad and receive an imposition of ashes and a card with scripture on it. You also have the option of forgoing the ashes and receiving a blessing instead. At 6:00 p.m., we will have a brief Ash Wednesday worship service, broadcast on Facebook Live and open for limited seating indoors. Participants will be given ashes to impose upon themselves during the worship service.
I look forward to observing a Holy Lent with you. -Pastor Brad
OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES
United Methodist Women recognized members of our congregation for their service on Sunday, January 31. Those honored with a Special Mission Recognition pin and certificate were Pastor Brad Corban, D. D. Hardy, Carol McAdams, Carlie Rogers and Melba Washington. A $40 gift for the mission work of United Methodist Women on behalf of women, children and youth was given in honor of each person. Each of them has given to St. Luke in many areas through their involvement in committees, programs, music, teaching, and through their prayers for and support of the family called St. Luke.
The Church Council will meet after the worship service on Sunday, February 7, at 11:35 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All interested church members are welcome to attend. Social distancing will be observed and everyone in attendance should wear a mask.
The 2021 Flower Calendar is posted on the bulletin board across from the choir room. With worship services slowly opening back up, we need your help to provide altar arrangements throughout the year. Please look over the calendar, choose a date or two, and sign up. You may contact Sandi Melton, Flower Steward, or the church office for more information.
Memorials and Honorariums
Attendance and Offering Report
February Birthdays
February Anniversaries
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