Message from the Pastor

Last year, I surveyed my church members to find out what sermon topics interest them. I enjoy planning my sermon series and selecting my scriptures about a year at a time, and of course I like hearing from my congregation.

What topics were people most interested in? The top four were

Moral Issues and Christian Responses: Ethical Approaches to Difficult Subjects
Practice Advice for Facing Death and Living Life
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Cultivating Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness/Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, & Self-Control
How to Be an Adult: Growing Up, Cultivating Assertiveness and Love, and Overcoming the Obstacles of Fear, Anger, and Guilt

I tried to cover some of the “How to Be an Adult” topics in January and February, by preaching about anger, fear, and unconditional love. After Easter, we’ll begin a series on The Fruit of the Spirit.

But now, during the season of Lent, I’ll try to tackle “The Christian Art of Facing Death and Living Life.” Our scriptures are mostly from the Revised Common Lectionary, which assigns scriptures to each Sunday of the Christian calendar. Starting on February 26th, we’ll encounter five stories from the Gospel of John, full of its unique signs and symbolism.

To be honest, sometimes I bite off more than I can chew, and this is almost certainly the case. However, I like a challenge. What do the stories of Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, the man born blind, and Lazarus have to say to humans who are conscious of their mortality? Spoiler Alert: I don’t know yet, but that’s the question I’m bringing to these passages of scripture. What does this text say to me, when I (surely more than any other animal) know that I will die?

There is practical advice that will be worth our attention: Make a will (and keep it updated), get rid of your literal baggage and your emotional baggage, write a letter, prepare for your funeral and burial, and choose a health care agent who can make decisions if you’re unconscious. There’re practical ways to deal with illness, and it’s appropriate to ask for help.

I don’t know yet how the spiritual messages of John’s Gospel and the practical advice will all fit together, if it will at all. John’s Gospel is about the meaning of life. It’s the least practical gospel! In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus gives detailed instructions on how to pray, how to fast, and how to give. In John’s gospel, Jesus says “I assure you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom… God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. It’s the same with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” What in the world does that mean? Even Jesus’s immediate audience was confused.

So, we’ll see. Maybe if we can grasp our ultimate purpose in life, then everything else can fall into place. If we realize that our purpose is to be born into eternal life (i.e., God’s way of life) right here and now, knowing God as the energy moving all around us and through us, then maybe everything else gets easier. Accepting death actually means embracing life, right now. Preparing for our eventual death means we will have a more mindful life in the present, and we will leave a better mark on the world.

Memento Mori,
Pastor Brad

Lectionary Readings for March

Sermon Series: The Christian Art of Facing Death and Living Life

Sunday, March 5 — Second Sunday in Lent
John 3:1-17 — A Visit from Nicodemus
Sunday, March 12 — Third Sunday in Lent
John 4:5-42 — A Samaritan Woman
Sunday, March 19 — Fourth Sunday in Lent
John 9:1-41 — Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
Sunday, March 26 — Fifth Sunday in Lent
John 11:1-45 — Lazarus is Revived

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

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG

UWFaith Grace Circle will NOT meet on March 7. We will meet in April.

UWFaith LUNCH BUNCH will resume meeting after Easter. Lenten luncheons begin on March 1. Lunch Bunch members are encouraged to attend the Lenten luncheons.

All women of St. Luke are invited to the Greenwood District Spiritual Growth Event on Saturday, March 18, at Revels UMC, Greenville. Refreshments will be served from 10-10:25 a.m. The program is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Theme is TURN IT UP! The message will be based on Matthew 11:4-6. Keynote speaker is Ms. Thelma Collins, Lay Servant, and member of Samuel Chapel UMC, Itta Bena. We all need time away to reflect on the healing powers of Jesus. For what do each of us need healing? For more information about the event or about travel plans, contact Jackie Pennington.

Everyone is invited to our Passion Sunday Potluck and Easter Egg Hunt on April 2 following worship service. Adults are asked to bring their favorite dish to share, and all kids are asked to bring one dozen treat filled plastic eggs and a basket for the hunt. Invite a friend or neighbor!

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE

Lenten Luncheons are scheduled at noon on Wednesdays beginning March 1-29 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.

Mark your calendars to join us for our Maundy Thursday service on April 6 at 6:00 p.m. at First UMC. The Good Friday service will be April 7 at 6:00 p.m. here at St Luke.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES

St Luke will provide the meal and serve at the Lenten Luncheon on Wednesday, March 29. If you can prepare food and/or serve, please contact Kay Daves.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be the mission opportunity highlighted during the month of March. This offering provides major support for immediate assistance in the wake of natural and human-caused disasters and helps support ongoing ministries of food, shelter, health, and peace. UMCOR Sunday giving allows 100% of designated gifts to be used for the specified disaster response or other ministry. You may give anytime during March.

United Women in Faith along with the EPHFIC Woman’s Club is asking members of St. Luke to bring breakfast/snack items for children of our school district. The goal is to get enough items to share with schools in the district so that children will not go hungry. Some children, even though eligible for free breakfast, do not get to school in time for breakfast. We all know that hungry kids do not learn as well as those with full stomachs. There is a need at this time for juice boxes/pouches and Applesauce Squeeze packs. Granola bars and other similar snacks are not needed now. All items must be packaged for individual servings. Please bring your items and place in the basket in the narthex. If you have questions, contact Megan Armstrong, Julianne Bailey or Jackie Pennington.

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 May, June, July, October, and November. A Greeter is a very important part of welcoming people to our worship service and helps by passing out bulletins, helping people in and out of cars (when needed), directing visitors to pews or various areas of the church, and helps in other capacities of the service. If you feel called to volunteer and want to sign up, a sign-up sheet is available in the narthex, or you can contact Bobby Horton or the church office.

Please consider signing up to help provide altar arrangements for our chancel area. Only one arrangement is needed, and you may choose to have a fresh arrangement from a florist, flowers from your garden, artificial flowers or greenery, or a potted plant. You may join with another person or family to help manage the expenses. Many arrangements will last for a week if stored in the "flower fridge" in the old kitchen, so please consider signing up for two Sundays in a row and plan to recycle! The Flower Calendar is available on the bulletin board across from the choir room. Please look it over and choose a date. You can contact Sandi Melton, Flower Steward, or the church office for more information.

Delta State University Hosts Jazz Big Band Concert

Catchings Baby Shower

Kairos Outside Central MS

Kairos Outside is a ministry designed for the wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, and any other female relative or partner of men and women who are incarcerated. So often, they are “doing time” right along with their incarcerated loved one.

Kairos Outside is set up as a Weekend Retreat to help strengthen the family unit and encourage small support groups. Two weekends each year provide a secure place for up to 24 women to share their struggles. We invite them into a Christian Community that cares about them and their needs.

Kairos means God’s Special Time and, in the lives of these women, we know it will truly be a Special Time. We ask for your support and participation, for our weekend of March 31-April 2, 2023.

Below are a few ways that you can show your support for the upcoming weekend. Contact Melba Washington or Deb Cole for more information and to offer your help.

1. Volunteering to work in the background as support staff or serve on the kitchen and prayer team (men are welcome to volunteer).

2. Providing new twin-size sheet sets (desperately needed!!);
new towel sets (towel, washcloth, hand towel);
bags of chocolate candy or hard candies;
snacks (chips, crackers, nuts, raisins, cookies, cakes, etc.);
2-liter sodas (any variety/brand);
homemade baked goods are also welcome.

3.    Providing financial assistance to cover the cost of the program.
a.      Sponsor a guest (whole weekend): $100 (or any portion)
b.      Sponsor a guest’s lodging (1 night): $20
c.      Sponsor a guest’s meal (1 meal): $10

Deadline to sign up, drop off donated items, or monetary donations is March 26. Please make checks payable to St Luke with “Kairos” on the memo line, place it in the offering plate or bring to the church office.

The St. Luke Scene

Dates for your Calendar

March 1, Wednesday
—Lenten Luncheon, 12:00 p.m. (First UMC) -love offering for charity

March 4, Saturday
—Dist. Convention for Northern Assoc. of Woman’s Clubs,
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Fellowship Hall)
—Jazz Big Band Concert, 6:30 p.m. (Cleveland Country Club)

March 8, Wednesday
—Lenten Luncheon, 12:00 p.m. (First UMC) -love offering for charity

March 12, Sunday
—Daylight Savings Time Begins -set clocks forward one hour
—2nd Sunday Mission Project for Helping Hands

March 14, Tuesday
—United Methodist Men, 6:00 p.m. (First UMC)

March 15, Wednesday
—Lenten Luncheon, 12:00 p.m. (First UMC) -love offering for charity

March 18, Saturday
—UWFaith Greenwood Dist. Spiritual Growth Event, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
(Revels UMC, Greenville)

March 19, Sunday
—Worship Team Meeting, 11:35 a.m. (St Luke Library)

March 22, Wednesday
—Lenten Luncheon, 12:00 p.m. (First UMC) -love offering for charity

March 25, Saturday
—Chat & Chew w/Bishop Sharma Lewis, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (First UMC)
—Catchings Baby Shower, 2:00 p.m. (St Luke Fellowship Hall)

March 26, Sunday
—Finance Meeting, 11:35 a.m. (St Luke Fellowship Hall)

March 31, Friday - April 2, Sunday
—Kairos Outside Weekend Retreat Begins (Camp Wesley Pines)

April 2, Sunday
—Palm Sunday Potluck & Easter Egg Hunt, 11:35 a.m. (St Luke FH)

April 6, Maundy Thursday
—Maundy Thursday Service, 6:00 p.m. (First UMC)

April 7, Good Friday
—Good Friday Service, 6:00 p.m. (St Luke UMC)

April 9, Sunday
—Easter Sunrise Service, 8:30 a.m. (St Luke Courtyard -weather permitting)
—Easter Worship Service, 10:30 a.m. (St Luke Sanctuary)

Memorials and Honorariums

By:

In Memory Of:

n/a

Attendance and Offering Report

March Birthdays

Emma Hardy
Melanie Earls
Olivia Armstrong
Frankie Brewer
Hugh Sheets
Julia Sheets
Austin Tardy
McCulloch Tardy
Lindsey Givens
Tricia Walker
Josh Armstrong
Danita Richardson

3/05
3/07
3/08
3/10
3/12
3/13
3/14

3/15
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

Contact Us

Newsletter Blog

March 2023

March 1, 2023St. Luke United Methodist Church

Message from the Pastor

Lectionary Readings for March