March 2022
St. Luke United Methodist Church
Message from the Pastor
“It’s not what goes into the mouth that contaminates a person in God’s sight. It’s what comes out of the mouth that contaminates a person.”
Jesus said these words in opposition to the religious perfectionists and legalistic bible teachers of his day. They were giving Jesus’ disciples a hard time because the disciples weren’t ritually purifying their hands by washing before eating. In doing so, they were “breaking the elders’ rules handed down to us.”
They were breaking with tradition! Sometimes, our traditions become so sacred to us that we get upset when someone doesn’t follow the old ways of doing things.
Perhaps you’ve been on the bad side of your elders by not following all of their instructions. Who among us obeyed every rule handed down by our parents? Very few, I suspect.
What matters to Jesus is not the human traditions we follow but the love we have in our hearts and the actions that come from our loving intentions.
“Don’t you know that everything that goes into the mouth entered the stomach and goes out into the sewer? But what goes out of the mouth comes from the heart.”
On March 2nd, Ash Wednesday, Christians enter the season of Lent, the 40 days before Easter during which Christians traditionally prepare themselves for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection. Christians have historically given up eating animal products like meat, eggs, butter, and milk. This was the origination of “Fat Tuesday” (Mardi Gras), when everyone would eat pancakes the day before Ash Wednesday, using up the eggs, butter, and milk that they’d be giving up for six weeks.
It sounds a bit like the kind of ritual purification that Jesus scorned! So why would Christians observe such a tradition of our elders? After all, it’s not what goes into the mouth that contaminates, but what comes out of our months.
First, the reason Christians take time to fast (abstaining from foods for a period of time) is to mimic the practice of Jesus in the desert, when before his ministry started and after his baptism, he spent 40 days in the wilderness, not eating any food. We trust that this practice of fasting—exercising self-control over our bodies and refraining from indulgences—was good for his spirit. Christians for many centuries have found that fasting from expensive and indulgent foods has been spiritually beneficial, drawing us closer to God, for God wants us to simply our lives and leave plenty of food on the table for others.
This leads to a second reason: Fasting helps us rethink our overactive consumerism. The first human disobedience was Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden—consuming something that was not theirs to eat. Ever since then, humans have destroyed Creation by our voracious appetites for more. We need to repent.
A third reason we fast is for the sake of controlling our whole selves: By fasting from a few foods, we gain practice for fasting from anger, lying, insults, and evil thoughts. In other words, if I can grow stronger in my ability to control what goes into my mouth, I can grow stronger in my ability to control what comes out of my mouth. Fasting from food is a starting place for learning to fast from callous and unkind thoughts, words, and deeds.
So I pray that we might all give up consuming something during Lent: Whether it be social media, sweets, alcohol, or meat. May this simple act of self control not be an end unto itself. May it certainly not be a goal that leads to prideful self-congratulation. But may it be a pathway toward greater dependence on God, toward living simply so that others may simply live, and toward greater love in our hearts.
Peace,
Pastor Brad
Lectionary Readings for March
Sermon Series: The Core Message of the Early Church
Wednesday, March 2 — Ash Wednesday
Luke 10 — Jesus Sends Out Ministers, Tell the Story
of the Good Samaritan, and Visits Martha & MarySunday, March 6 — First Sunday in Lent
Luke 11-12 — Jesus Teaches His Disciples
and Condemns the Religious PerfectionistsSunday, March 13 — Second Sunday in Lent
Luke 13-14 — Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
and Explains the Demands of DiscipleshipSunday, March 20 — Third Sunday in Lent
Luke 15-16 — Jesus Preaches About the Prodigal Son
and the Rich Man & LazarusSunday, March 27 — Fourth Sunday in Lent
Luke 17-18 — Jesus Teaches of the Coming Kingdom
and His Coming Death and Resurrection
The Mission of St. Luke UMC is to be a Place to Belong, Believe, & Become Disciples of Christ
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG
UMW Grace Circle meets Tuesday, March 1, 10 a.m. in the church library.
United Methodist Men will meet Tuesday, March 8, at 6:00 p.m. at 1st UMC for supper and a program.
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE
Please make plans to join us for the Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
The Young Adult Class is began a 7-part Lenten Study on February 27. The study book is 24 Hours That Changed the World, by Adam Hamilton. The book focuses on the period from the Last Supper through Jesus’ trial, crucifixion, death, and burial. 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! Class starts promptly at 9:30.
Family Movie Night: Everyone is welcome and invited to watch the new Disney film “Encanto” at St Luke on Friday, March 4, at 5:45 pm. This is not just a kid’s movie. It’s a family-friendly musical with a lot of depth, exploring themes of fear, trauma, and giftedness. A movie that people of all ages should see and discuss. We’ll make popcorn and have a little time for multi-generational discussion afterwards. You’re welcome to bring your own food and drink as well.
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
There will be a VBS Volunteers Meeting on Tuesday, March 8, at 5:15 p.m. at 1st Presbyterian Church. If you would like to help in any way, big or small, with VBS, you are welcome and encouraged to attend the meeting. VBS will be hosted by 1st Presbyterian this year and is scheduled for June 26-30.
The Finance Committee will meet Sunday, March 20, at 11:35 in the Fellowship Hall.
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
DSU Wesley Yard Sale
UMW Honors St. Luke Members
United Methodist Women honored 13 persons for their service to St. Luke on February 27. Seven persons were named as Mission Minute Persons. The amount given to mission for each was $20.23 which is the cost of supporting the global ministries of United Methodist Women for one minute. Receiving the blue pin with a dove on it and a certificate were Pastor Brad Corban, Allyson Hardy, O’Hara Koerber, and Sally Rogers. Sue Pearson was also chosen, but the pins did not arrive before her death. Her pin and certificate were mailed to her son, Denton. Melba Washington honored Deb Cole and Lisa Horton.
Those receiving a Special Mission Recognition got a gold pin embossed with the UMW cross and flame and a certificate. A $40 gift to mission was given in their honor. Receiving the Special Mission Recognition pin were Deb Cole, Kay Daves, Bobby Horton, Betty Augusta Hunter, O’Hara Koerber, Sheryl Stump, Frances Tims and Jim Tims.
The money given in both categories will be used throughout the world to better the lives of women, children and youth. As we honor these persons, we also give thanks for the St. Luke family who supports United Methodist Women by contributing to our No-Bake Sales. It is this money that makes these extra mission gifts possible.
Sheryl Stump, Lisa Horton, O’Hara Koerber, Frances Tims, Jim Tims, Brad Corban, Kay Daves, Sally Rogers, Betty Augusta Hunter. Not shown: Allyson Hardy, Deb Cole, Bobby Horton.
Little Kids’ Sunday School Talks About Ukraine
The Lower Elementary Sunday School class talked about the crisis in Ukraine, what the response from Christians should be, related it to the story of Queen Esther for our Bible story, and colored the Ukrainian flags to display in our homes to remind us to pray for the people of the Ukraine.
Thanks to Julianne Bailey for this creative and meaningful lesson for our kids.
Update on Braden Preus
On February 3, Braden got to ring the bell which means he is cancer free!! Prayers answered!
Upcoming Dates for your Calendar
March 1
—UMW Grace Circle, 10:00 a.m. (St Luke Library)
March 2
—Ash Wednesday Service, 6:00 p.m. (St Luke)
March 4
—Family Movie Night, 5:15 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
Movie to be shown: Encanto
March 7
—Spirituality Class, 7:00 p.m. (St Luke)
March 8
—VBS Volunteers Meeting, 5:15 p.m. (First Presbyterian)
March 8
—United Methodist Men, 6:00 p.m. (First UM)
March 9
—Lenten Luncheon, noon (First UM)
March 13
—Daylight Savings Time Begins, move clocks forward one hour
March 16
—Lenten Luncheon, noon (First UM)
March 20
—Finance Committee Meeting, 11:35 a.m. (St Luke FH)
March 21
—Spirituality Class, 7:00 p.m. (St Luke)
March 23
—Lenten Luncheon, noon (First UM)
March 28
—Spirituality Class, 7:00 p.m. (St Luke)
March 30
—Lenten Luncheon, noon (First UM)
April 2
—DSU Wesley Yard Sale, (904 S. First St)
April 3
—Church Council, 11:35 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)
April 4
—Spirituality Class, 7:00 p.m. (St Luke)
April 6
—Lenten Luncheon, noon (First UM), meal by St Luke
The St. Luke Scene
Memorials and Honorariums
By:
Kay Daves, Lisa & Shaun Horton, Jackie Pennington,
Frances & Jim Tims
Jim & Loretta Burdine, Beverly & Roy Jacks, Melba
Washington
Andy McMullen
Jackie Pennington
Steven & Zina Bass, Butch & Cindy Bassie, Jim &
Loretta Burdine, Kathleen & Walter Gex, Steve
Pittman, Glenda & Hilton Tarver, The Employees of
the Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg U.S. District
Court Clerk’s Office
Beverly & Roy Jacks
Dillard & Sandi Melton, The Morgans
By:
Sean & Susannah Wessel
In Memory Of:
James Moore
Kathryn Cain
Kathryn & William Cain
Estelle Graves
Bettye Johnston
Bettye & Robert Johnston
Sue Pearson
In Honor Of:
Lauren Williams
Attendance and Offering Report
Feb. 6
Feb. 13
Feb. 20
Feb. 27
Monthly Total
Monthly Budget
General Fund
$ 13,279
$ 3,108
$ 515
$ 595
$ 17,497
$ 20,872
Special
Fund
$ 380
$ 3,252
$ 300
$ 225
Sunday
School
18
15
28
21
Worship
60
59
53
54
Online
141
87
90
64
March Birthdays
Emma Hardy
Melanie Earls
Olivia Armstrong
Frankie Brewer
Hugh Sheets
Julia Sheets
Austin Tardy
McCulloch Tardy
Lindsey Givens
Linda Smith
Tricia Walker
Josh Armstrong
Danita Richardson-Reed
3/05
3/07
3/08
3/10
3/12
3/13
3/14
3/15
3/16
3/17
3/19
3/29
March Anniversaries
Dillard & Sandi Melton
Lisa & Shaun Horton
Frances & Jim Tims
Brittany & Trevor Runnels
Josh & Julia Sheets
3/09
3/14
3/21
3/23
3/29