Message from the Pastor

This Sunday, we will join together with Calvary Episcopal, Boyle UMC, and others to share in World Communion. Then afterwards we will share in a large potluck. As a lifelong United Methodist, I have been to a potluck or two. I remember it always being one of my favorite Sundays as a child. Of course, I would check out the dessert table first. I remember the endless spread of food and how the table seemed to go on forever. Everyone brought their very best and everyone was invited. Kinda like World Communion. This Sunday, we will remember that at the table of the Lord, we are one. We remember that whenever we are gathered together and break bread together, whether for Holy Communion or BBQ and potluck, we are sharing in a foretaste of what will one day be. Our shared dishes and laughter become both a sign and foretaste of holy fellowship. So come and join us as we give thanks that God's table continues to extend, continues to make space, and continues to invite us all. As Jan Richardson says, it is a wide table. She says,

"And the table will be wide.
And the welcome will be wide.
And the arms will open wide to gather us in.
And our hearts will open wide to receive."

Grace and Peace,
Rev. Hannah

Lectionary Readings for October

Sunday, October 1 — Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32

Sunday, October 8 — Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Psalm 19
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46
Sunday, October 15 — Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 32:1-14
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14
Sunday, October 22— Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22
Sunday, October 29 — Reformation Sunday
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:35-46

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

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG

St. Luke’s Charge Conference with the District Superintendent will take place Sunday, October 29, at 3:00 p.m. at Grenada First UMC. Charge Conference is the meeting where we elect our church leaders, present our budget, and discuss with our DS our goals for the coming year. If anyone is willing and able to attend to represent St. Luke, please contact Pastor Hannah.

Greenwood District UWFaith Annual Meeting is Saturday, October 21, at DeCell UMC, Greenwood. The theme is “Where Do We Go from Here in These Troubled Times?” Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:00. The keynote speaker is Rev. Olivear Booker, Pastor of Union Memorial UMC in Pickens. If you are interested in going or would like more information, contact Jackie Pennington, 662-719-5064.

UWFaith Grace Circle will not meet in October but will meet on Tuesday, November 7, in the church library at 10:00 a.m.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE

Everyone is invited to a World Communion Service hosted by St. Luke UMC and Calvary Episcopal on Sunday, October 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Dockery Farms. We hope you can join us for this special service. We’ll have a potluck lunch afterwards so invite a friend, bring a blanket or chair, and a dish to share! (We will not have access to a kitchen so please bring your dish ready to serve. A serving utensil for your dish will also be needed.)

"For all the Saints who from their labors rest"
On Sunday, November 5th we will celebrate All Saints Sunday together. This is a special worship service in which we remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith. During worship, we will acknowledge these individuals by saying their name, ringing a bell, and inviting a family member or friend to come and light a candle in their memory. If you have a loved one that has passed away during the past year and you would like to honor them by lighting a candle in their memory as their name is called, please contact Lisa at the church office. As we are celebrating All Saints, we invite everyone to bring a framed photo of his/her loved one for us to place around the sanctuary on this Sunday. This includes any significant saint in your life, whether the loss was within the past year or in years prior. If possible, please bring your photo to the church office the week before.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES

World Communion Sunday is October 1 (Donations will be accepted throughout the month of October). Your donations support racial and ethnic students in achieving their educational goals and transforming communities. Your generosity provides scholarships, grants, mentoring and training for leadership development. The needs exceed what we can fund, and your gift can further growth and success. Through our gifts and support, we can invest in talented, qualified students from around the globe to transform the world as witnesses for Christ!

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH – It’s that time again!! Time for the Fall No-Bake Sale. The proceeds of this sale will be divided equally between the mission work of United Women in Faith and the St. Luke special account for White Christmas/Christmas in July. United Women in Faith will use the money for items in our budget such as Wesley Foundation, Helping Hands, the Community Centers in Mississippi and Zoe Ministries. The church’s White Christmas project sometimes needs extra funds to supply the needs and wants of the children we help through this program. Christmas in July uses the money to buy expensive items such as backpacks.

Church members and those who attend regularly will receive a letter and a stamped, addressed return envelope in early October asking you to give to the Fall No-Bake Sale. With prayerful consideration, decide what you can give and mail your check. If you prefer to give cash, you may give it to Jackie Pennington. Checks should still be made to St. Luke UMW. The No-Bake Sale end date is October 29.

United Women in Faith is grateful for the wonderful way we are supported by our church family. If you have questions about our mission work, please talk with President, Jackie Pennington.

The United Methodist Men’s Annual Fish Fry will be held on Tuesday, October 10, from 5-7:00 p.m. in the First UMC Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $15 each (carry-outs will be available). Proceeds will fund community organizations. Please see Jim Shempert (The Pastor’s Wife) if you would like to purchase a ticket.

St. Luke will provide supper for the students of the Wesley Foundation on October 25. Please contact Kay Daves if you would like to help.

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 is used at the pastor’s discretion to help those in need.

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.

Blessing of the Animals

Fall Fest & Trunk-or-Treat

Extra Table’s 5th Annual Empty Bowls Event

Join us for Empty Bowls!

Delta State University students are hard at work creating BEAUTIFUL bowls for Extra Table’s 5th Annual Empty Bowls event! Mark your calendar and grab your ticket to join us Friday, October 13th at the Delta Arts Alliance from 10:30-1:00. With a $30 ticket, you will receive a handcrafted bowl, soup, drink, dessert, and bread. World-renowned blues artist LaLa Craig will headline the event, promising an exciting lunch hour performance. Don't miss out! Secure your tickets before they sell out! These make great GIFTS too! ALL proceeds will go to provide new and healthy food to DELTA food pantries and soup kitchens. Tickets can be purchased at Mississippi Grounds, the Delta Arts Alliance or Balance Fitness. FEED THE NEED TODAY!

Together for Hope
Together for Better Health
Health Summit Event

Together for Hope, a nonprofit that is committed to fight persistent poverty in the poorest counties of America. Of the 82 counties in Mississippi, 53 are in persistent poverty. We are hosting a Better Health Summit in Cleveland, MS on Thursday, October 5th at Lyric Hotel (1300 MS-8). The thrust of this event is towards improving health care and access for people in rural communities. This improvement can be realized with expanding Medicaid in Mississippi.
The summit is FREE to the public, from 9:30a to 2p and will provide FREE lunch for all registered participants. The registration link is www.eventcreate.com/e/tfbhealth. This information is also noted on the attached flyer.

Thank You from
The Rogers Family

Dates for your Calendar

November 5, Sunday
—All Saints Service, 10:30 a.m.
—Finance Meeting, 11:35 a.m. (Fellowship Hall)

November 7, Tuesday
—UW Faith Grace Circle, 10:00 a.m. (St Luke Library)

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

November 22, Wednesday - November 24, Friday
—Church Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday

November 26, Sunday
—Decorate St. Luke for Christmas, 11:35 a.m.

Memorials and Honorariums

By:

In Memory Of:

n/a

Attendance and Offering Report

October Birthdays

Mike Givens
Wade Overstreet
Beverly Gressett
Libby Bassie
Will Dean
Susannah Wessel
Bertha Neal

10/02
10/14
10/16
10/18
10/25
10/26
10/28

October Anniversaries

Allyson & D.D. Hardy

10/22

Contact Us

Newsletter Blog

October 2023

September 28, 2023St. Luke United Methodist Church

Message from the Pastor

Lectionary Readings for October