August 2022
St. Luke United Methodist Church
Message from the Pastor
For my pastor’s column for August, I want to relay to you some portions of the official report from the 2022 Session of the Annual Conference, which took place July 13-15 in Tupelo. You can find the longer report here: https://www.mississippi-umc.org/newsdetail/2022-annual-conference-session-report-16586880 At this link you can watch videos of the various worship services and reports, along with reading the resolutions that were passed.
I want to thank Melba Washington for serving as our delegate this year, since Jackie Pennington could not attend because of a family reunion. It was a “short and sweet” conference, our first in-person gathering since the pandemic, and it was great to reunite with many old friends.
2022 Annual Conference Session Report
The 2022 Session of the Mississippi Annual Conference convened at the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, from Wednesday, July 13 to Friday, July 15. This was the last annual conference presided over by retiring Bishop James E. Swanson Sr., and a celebration of his legacy with the Mississippi Annual Conference. The annual conference theme was “The Journey Continues Together.” The scripture reference was Matthew 26: 17-30.
The first official event for the 2022 Session of the Annual Conference was a Consecration for Church and Community Worker, Althea Belton.
On Thursday, conference attendees celebrated #BeUMC day, commemorating the values that make being a part of The United Methodist Church extraordinary.
The Memorial Service honored 29 clergy and 17 clergy spouses who have joined the Church Triumphant.
The Methodists of Mississippi honored Bishop and Mrs. Swanson by contributing a gift of more than $58,000 to the Methodist Children’s Homes for facility refurbishment. A recently built facility on the campus will be named the Swanson House in honor of Bishop James E. Swanson Sr. The Swansons were also presented with two portraits of buildings at Methodist Children’s Homes’ campus by renowned artist Wyatt Waters in appreciation for all they’ve done for the children who have resided there.
The conference board of medical benefits reported they were able to reach receipts 98.95% for the 2021 budget.
Actions Enacted by the Conference
The conference approved the proposed budget for 2023 of $11,265,145 about a two and a half percent decrease from $11,547,527 budget in 2022.
Ordination and Retirees
The Service for the Ordering of Ministry took place Wednesday, July 13. The conference happily welcomed 14 newly commissioned clergy members who will go forth answering their call from God in service to the Mississippi United Methodist Conference. Bishop Swanson ended the service with a sermon titled “By Whose Authority Will You Journey?” Bishop Swanson’s inspiring sermon reminded the ordinands they serve with the authority of God Almighty and that the presence of the Holy Spirit will lead and guide them through any challenges in their charges.
The newest class was made up of nine elders, four commissioned and one associate member. The average age for those ordained was 35.
Click here to see a list of the 2022-2023 Mississippi Conference Appointments.
Lectionary Readings for August
Sermon Series: Creed: The Construction of Christian Beliefs
Sunday, August 7 — Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Psalm 19 — God, the Almighty
Sunday, August 14 — Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Matthew 9:35-38; Philippians 2:6-8 — Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Our LordSunday, August 21 — Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Acts 2:1-4 — The Holy SpiritSunday, August 28 — Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 12:1-2 — The Church and the Communion of Saints
The Mission of St. Luke UMC is to be a Place to Belong, Believe, & Become Disciples of Christ
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG
United Women in Faith Grace Circle will meet on Tuesday, August 2, 10 a.m. in the church library. Grace Circle will not meet on September 6, but will meet on October 4 and November 1.
Lunch Bunch will meet on Wednesday, August 24. Bring your own lunch and drink, dessert will be provided.
United Women in Faith Mississippi Conference Annual Meeting will be an in-person meeting September 30 – October 1 at St. Matthew UMC in Madison. The deadline for registration is September 12. Contact Jackie Pennington for information regarding hotels and registration fee if you are interested in attending.
United Methodist Men will meet Tuesday, August 9, at 6:00 pm at 1st UMC.
Mark your calendars for our Back-to-School Cookout on Sunday, August 14, beginning at 6:00 pm. We hope everyone will join us for fun games, friendly fellowship, and yummy burgers and hot dogs. Pastor Brad will also do a special “Blessing of the Backpacks”. Kids, youth, and college students are asked to bring your backpacks to the cookout.
OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE
Sunday School will resume August 14, which we will observe as Promotion Sunday. Parents are asked to bring their children (4K - 6th grade) to the sanctuary at 9:30. There they will meet their new teachers, who will lead them to their new classrooms. After the 14th, children can go directly to their classrooms at 9:30.
4K - 5K Class: Austin Armstrong, Beau Bailey, Anton Dahman Teachers: Julianne Bailey, Allyson Hardy, Claire Rogers, Kathleen Shaffer Location: former NCP Room, next to Fellowship Hall
Lower Elementary Class: Faulkner Bailey, Edith Corban, Polly Sheets, June Williams
Teachers: Kay Daves, Melanie Earls, Sally Rogers, Megan Armstrong, Brittany Runnels, Elaine Lambert—sub. Location: Art Room, on hall leading to Fellowship Hall
Youth: Taylor Anderson, Daniela Dahman, Isabella Givens, Zane Hardy, Hugh Sheets, Patrick Wessel, Wyatt Williams. Teachers: Brittany Dean, Megan Munro Location: Youth Room, west Education Wing
OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES
Thank you to all who helped with the Christmas in July mission! Your efforts helped a total of 19 children in our community receive school supplies. Plus, $100 was collected to help provide school supplies for the children at the Methodist Children’s Home. Thank you for making such a difference for children whose parents are unable to buy all the supplies needed and for giving those children confidence to start the school year off in the right way.
Don’t forget that on the second Sunday of every month we collect bags of apples, jars of peanut butter, and also canned goods for the Helping Hands Ministry. That day is also our Dollar Sunday, when you are invited to drop a dollar or two into the basket in the narthex to help support our Compassion Fund, which the pastor uses at his discretion to help those in need.
Worship Greeters are needed for 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.
The Flower Calendar is available on the bulletin board across from the choir room. If you would like to help provide an altar arrangement sometime during the year, please look over the calendar, choose a date or two, and sign up. We also have a “flower fridge” so you can sign up for two consecutive Sunday, store your arrangement in the fridge during the week and re-use them the second Sunday. You can contact Sandi Melton (Flower Steward) or the church office to sign up and for more info.
Upcoming Dates for your Calendar
August 2, Tuesday
—United Women in Faith: Grace Circle, 10:30 a.m. (St Luke Library)
August 7, Sunday
—Church Council. 11:35 a.m. (St Luke Fellowship Hall)
August 9, Tuesday
—United Methodist Men, 6:00 p.m. (First United Methodist Church)
August 14, Sunday
—2nd Sunday Mission for Helping Hands, 10:30 a.m.
August 14, Sunday
—Sunday School Kick-Off, 9:30 a.m. (All Classes)
August 14, Sunday
—Back to School Cookout, 6:00 p.m. (St Luke Fellowship Hall & Backyard)
August 24, Wednesday
—Lunch Bunch, 12:00 p.m. (St Luke Fellowship Hall)
Memorials and Honorariums
By:
Kay Daves, Mary & John Hobbs, Bruce & Christyn Holder, Lisa & Shaun Horton, Elaine & Larry Lambert, Jackie Pennington, Connie & Danny Smith, Carol Tatum, Mari Thornton, Frances & Jim Tims
Melba Washington
Melba Washington
In Memory Of:
Ben Brewer
Hugh HolderCummings
Terry Carlson
Attendance and Offering Report
July 3
July 10
July 17
July 24
July 31
Monthly Total
Monthly Budget
General Fund
$ 15,482
$ 1,705
$ 1,817
$ 1,096
$ 3,958
$ 24,058
$ 20,872
Special
Fund
$ 675
$ 1,345
$ 3,725
$ 200
$ 75
Sunday
School
9
9
8
7
11
Worship
31
43
44
28
42
Online
79
93
56
95
56
Special Offerings:
Methodist Children’s Home: School Supplies
$ 100
August Birthdays
Bobby Horton
Lyndell Dilly
Beau Melton
June Williams
Marie Boswell
Claire Rogers
Trevor Runnels
Austin Armstrong
Melba Washington
8/02
8/04
8/05
8/06
8/17
8/24
8/25
8/28
August Anniversaries
Beverly & Mike Gressett
Carol & Charles McAdams
Adam & Lauren Williams
Al & Melanie Williams
8/09
8/22