Message from the Pastor

This month, St. Luke UMC is hosting 24 relief workers from the Evangelical Covenant Church while they repair homes in Bolivar County that were damaged by the June 2021 floods. We had a smaller group come in November, and now we’re excited to welcome more Christians from across the United States and Mexico while they do justice and mercy in our community.

Years ago, when the education wing of St. Luke UMC was built, some wise planners decided to install showers in the bathroom, making it possible for us to use that space for mission groups needing an inexpensive place to stay. We’re saving the volunteers many thousands of dollars in costs that would otherwise need to be spent on hotel rooms. By hosting them, we make their mission trip affordable, and resources can go to building supplies.

The trip is organized locally by the Bolivar County Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee, headed up by Mrs. DeVoyce C. Morris, who has worked closely with me to make sure our volunteers have everything they need. In the evenings, area churches host the volunteers for meals. On Friday, February 4th, St. Luke will host the first week’s workers for a pizza dinner. On Tuesday, February 4th, the United Methodist Men’s group, which consists of men from First UMC and St. Luke, will host the second week’s workers for a meal at First UMC.

Two years ago, St. Luke decided to invest more money into local hospitality projects, local mission work, and local community events. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, we were hampered in our ability to really flesh out those ministry ideas. Now we have an opportunity to use those funds to make a positive difference in our community, in the lives of people in need, while supporting our fellow Christians in doing mission work. When you donate to St. Luke UMC, you support our local mission work and hospitality projects like hosting the relief workers from the Evangelical Covenant Church.

This ministry was recently featured in our local newspaper:

“Our mission is to provide ongoing preparedness within this community for relief in disaster contingencies and to provide simplified access to services for affected residents regardless of ethnicity, religious preference, gender or disability,” said DeVoyce Morris. “We are especially committed to those individuals who are most vulnerable to having their needs overlooked in the recovery process,” she said.

According to Emergency Management Agency Director, Michael Lamb, only 19 homes in Bolivar County were considered to have major damage. “At least 50 homes have to sustain major damage to receive a federal declaration,” said Lamb. “According to federal guidelines, a house has to sustain at least 18 inches of water to be declared major damaged.”

Some families were sleeping in the Walk of Faith Church where Darryl Johnson is the pastor. “Others sought refuge with family and friends and in hotels, if they could afford it, and there are some residents who will never be able to live in their homes again,” said Johnson.

“My husband, Rogers, got a call from friends living in the outskirts of Mound Bayou who had no way of getting out to purchase food and water. He filled their list and shopped for them, however to deliver their items to them he had to use one of his largest tractors to get through the water,” said Morris. “It was frightening, as water was almost up to the cab of the tractor,” she said.

In 2018, the state Legislature approved a program called Disaster Assistance Repair Program (DARP), which sends up to $250,000 to a county should it not qualify for federal aid. Bolivar County Long Term Disaster Recovery Committee was able to secure the $250,000 grant which was requested by the Emergency Management Agency under the directive of the Bolivar County Board of Supervisors.

”Because the area was not a declared disaster area, these funds are restricted to purchasing materials and supplies only and distributed in $50,000 increments. This is why we are so fortunate to have the Merge volunteers [from the Evangelical Covenant Church] come into the area and provide much needed construction work,” said Morris.

Check out the pictures and short video below (or click this link https://youtu.be/MWDr1pTNsyY to view video) about the flood and the volunteers. The video was made by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Peace,
Pastor Brad

Lectionary Readings for February

Sermon Series: The Core Message of the Early Church

Sunday, February 6 - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Luke 6 - Jesus Begins to Preach
Sunday, February 13 - Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
Luke 7 - Jesus Heals Gentiles and Preaches Forgiveness
Sunday, February 20 - Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Luke 8 - Jesus Tells Parables and Crosses a Stormy Sea to Free a Demon-Possessed Man
Sunday, February 27 - Transfiguration Sunday
Luke 9 - Jesus is Transformed on a Mountaintop, in a Turning Point in His Ministry

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

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG

On Tuesday, February 8, at 6:00 pm, the Relief Worker Mission Group will be hosted by the United Methodist Men at First UMC. The group will give a brief presentation on their project. All men of St Luke are invited to attend!

UMW Grace Circle will meet Tuesday, February 1, 10 a.m. in the church library. Melba Washington will lead the Call to Prayer & Self-Denial Service which is titled “Love, Justice and Service: Answering the Call.” The service will highlight the lay Order of Deaconess and Home Missioner, administered by United Methodist Women. Those attending are encouraged to give a special offering to support the education and training of deaconesses and home missioners who work in ministries of love, justice and service as well as retired deaconesses who continue to make a difference in the lives of women, children and youth. (Our March meeting will also be on the first day of the month. Mark your calendar now so you won’t forget.)

The DSU Wesley Foundation will be having a Larry’s Fish House Catfish Fundraiser on Tuesday, February 22 for Lunch (11am-2pm) and Dinner (4pm-7pm). Pick-up will be at the parking lot of FUMC Cleveland, 318 S. Court St. Plates cost $12 each and will have 4 pieces of fish, French fries, and 5 Hush puppies. Tickets are available in the church office. Thanks for your support!

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE

The Young(er) Adult Class will begin a 7-part Lenten Study during the Sunday School hour on February 27. The study book is 24 Hours That Changed the World, by Adam Hamilton, available at Cokesbury and Amazon. This book, which the class began in 2020 before we were interrupted by Covid, focuses on the period from the Last Supper through Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial. We will look at the geographical and historical setting of the events of that day, reflect on the theology of the story, and look to see ourselves in the story—whether we are like Pilate or Peter, Judas or John. You are welcome to come if you are a member of this class or of another class, or if you’re currently not attending Sunday School. You may buy the book to read at home, but that is not required. Please just come!

Spiritual Growth Retreat – The Spiritual Growth Retreat for United Methodist Women will be March 18 & 19 at Camp Wesley Pines, Gallman, MS. The theme is “Faith + Works = Faith.” Scripture is James 2:17. Cost for the full weekend is $60. Registration deadline is February 28. Any St. Luke woman who is interested may attend. You don’t have to be a member of United Methodist Women. For more information talk with Jackie Pennington.

Lenten Luncheons are scheduled at noon on Wednesdays beginning March 9 – April 6 at First UMC. Enjoy a meal with other churches and a short worship service. There is no cost for the meal, but a love offering for charity will be taken up each week if you’re able to give.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES

On January 7th members of St. Luke created a hot chocolate bar for students at Parks Elementary who had met their Accelerated Reading goals for the previous 9 weeks. With a high of 38 degrees outside that day, the hot chocolate hit the spot! Many thanks to Pastor Brad and Kay Daves for their help serving the students. Also many thanks to Megan Armstrong for the genius idea to heat up gallons of chocolate milk in crock pots rather than have to mix up a powder mix!
Stay tuned for announcements later this spring about our second phase of laying pea gravel on Parks’ playground. Our goal is to complete the project this spring!

St. Luke will host a Pizza Party on Friday, February 4, at 6:00 pm for the Relief Worker Mission Group from the Evangelical Covenant Church that will be staying with us while working on homes in the Mound Bayou area. You are invited to come meet the group and enjoy great pizza!

The Church Council will meet on Sunday, February 6, at 11:35 am in the Fellowship Hall. All interested Church members are encouraged to come. You are invited and welcome. Those obligated to attend are: Chris Bailey (Chair), Claire Rogers (Recording Secretary & Historian), Jim Tims (Lay Leader), Frances Tims (Education Team), Sheryl Stump (Worship Team), Kay Daves (Hospitality), Susannah Wessel (Service Project Outreach), Tricia Walker (Community Event Outreach), Jackie Pennington (Lay Delegate to AC), Adam Williams (Trustees), Brent Rogers (SPRC), Sean Wessel (Finance), Sandi Melton (Treasurer), Patrick Wessel (Youth Rep), Elaine Lambert (Member at Large), Bobby Horton (Member at Large), and Brad Corban (Pastor).

Worship Greeters are needed for June – December! If you can help welcome people to the worship service, pass out bulletins, help people in and out of cars, direct visitors to pews or various areas of the church, and help pass the offering plates, please contact Bobby Horton or the church office.

Mark Cummins and his family and friends are establishing a scholarship in memory of Mark’s late wife and our beloved St. Luke member, Cheryl. The scholarship will go to support teacher candidates as they complete their degree at DSU. To make a contribution, please designate your check for Cheryl Jackson Cummins Memorial Scholarship and send to DSU Foundation, c/o Mary Parker Janoush, DSU PO Box 3141, Cleveland 38733.

Lenten Small Group Class

Welcome to our Newest Members

We’re happy to welcome Amanda and Omar Catchings to our St. Luke family. Be sure to introduce yourselves and make them feel welcome!

And the Winners Are…..

St. Luke folks celebrated with their second annual Crockpot Cookoff Sunday evening, January 23. Many of our cooks brought crockpots full of their best culinary creations and everyone sampled, sampled, and sampled some more. When the voting was tallied, Kay Daves had won the coveted Golden Spoon trophy with her offering of shrimp bisque. Melanie Williams, in second place and scoring the Silver Spoon, made something delicious, but details were not available at press time. You’ll have to ask her! Josh Armstrong was awarded third place and the Wooden Spoon for his dish of shredded beef tacos with pico de gallo and avocado crema. Thanks to everyone who competed and to other cooks who brought cornbread and desserts. A good time was had by all!

Upcoming Dates for your Calendar

February 1
—UMW Grace Circle, 10:00 a.m. (St Luke Library)

February 4
—Pizza Party for Evangelical Covenant Mission Group, 6:00 p.m. (St Luke FH)

February 6
—Church Council, 11:35 a.m. (St Luke FH)

February 8
—United Methodist Men, 6:00 p.m. (First UMC)

February 27
—Pancake Luncheon, 11:35 a.m. (St Luke FH)

February 28
—Lenten Small Group Class, 7:30 p.m. (St Luke)

March 6
—Ash Wednesday Service, 6:00 p.m. (St Luke)

March 9
—Lenten Lunch, noon (First UMC)

The St. Luke Scene

Memorials and Honorariums

By:
John & Sharon Aguzzi, Kay Daves, Lisa & Shaun Horton, Elaine & Larry Lambert, Jackie Pennington, Jimmy & Margaret Anne Robbins, Sheryl Stump & Rick Torgerson

Diane & Howard Boone, Barry & Linda Bowman, Chic & Peggy Chicorelli, Don Conger, Katy & Nelson Creath, Kay Daves, Susan Denton, Melanie & Woody Earls, Lisa & Shaun Horton, Mr. & Mrs. Gary Jones, Lee & Marion Jordan, Joyce Kennedy, Elaine & Larry Lambert, Judge & Mrs. Tom Lee, Carol & Charles McAdams, Betty & Ned Mitchell, Courtney & Rob Myers, Halil & Shannon Ozerden, Kirkham & Hilda Povall, Connie & Danny Smith, Linda Smith, Carol Tatum, Frances & Jim Tims, Melba Washington, Sean & Susannah Wessel, The Friday Morning Men’s Bible Study (Chris Blount, Mike Lightsey, Rob McElhaney, Larry Phillips, Paul Young)

Helen & Walter Boone, Jim Dawkins, Anna Furr & Terry Dexter, Karen & William Mitchell

Gray & Laurie Flora, Betty Hill, Dillard & Sandi Melton, Kirkham & Hilda Povall, Frederick & Nancy Thompson, The DSU Wesley Foundation

In Memory Of:
Kathryn Cain

Bettye Johnston

Bettye & Robert Johnston

Sue Pearson

Attendance and Offering Report

UM Human Relations Special Offering $ 50

February Birthdays

Chris Powell
Brittany Dean
Neal Anderson
Rick Torgerson
Laura Bassie
Carol Tatum
Bev Card
Roy Jacks
Lisa Horton
Shaun Horton
Allyson Hardy
Lillie Claire Dean
Kevin Vickers

2/02
2/09
2/12
2/14
2/18

2/19
2/20
2/21
2/22
2/25
2/26
2/29

February Anniversaries

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February 2022

February 1, 2022St. Luke United Methodist Church

Message from the Pastor

Lectionary Readings for February