Message from the Pastor

"Lord Make me a house
Make me a house of prayer
Lord make me a house
Make me a house of prayer
A House of Prayer

May The Fire On My Altar Never Burn Out
The Fire On My Altar Never Burn Out
May the Fire on my Altar Never Burn Out
Make Me A House of Prayer"

I first heard this song by Eddie James at the special called session of Annual Conference last December. A dance team came out and danced to it. Then the Bishop preached on the text from this past Sunday in which Jesus says, "my house shall be a house of prayer." The song has been on my mind since then almost as a continual anthem.

This year, Bishop Lewis has encouraged and challenged all churches within the MS Annual Conference to nurture and grow a ministry of prayer. During the most recent Chat and Chew at Oxford First UMC, clergy and laity gathered and had time to reflect and share. One of the questions was "what is your ridiculous prayer for the state of Mississippi?" In other words, what is your prayer that feels too big to even speak out loud because it feels impossible without an intervention of the Spirit? It was beautiful to hear each group come forward and share in their ridiculous prayers. What might your ridiculous prayer be?

Last year, the Annual Conference asked clergy and laity all over the conference to submit prayers for the MS Annual Conference. Over 100 prayers were submitted and compiled together to create the following prayer for the Mississippi Annual Conference. Then this graphic was created from the words with the prayer (the largest words representing those shared most frequently).

I share both of these with you now so that we can join together in praying for the MS Annual Conference and in inviting the Spirit to lead us in continuing to become a house of prayer.

Grace and Peace,
Rev. Hannah

Lectionary Readings for March

Sunday, March 3 — Third Sunday in Lent
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
John 2:13-22

Sunday, March 10 — Fourth Sunday in Lent
Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Ephesians 2:1-10
John 3:14-21
Sunday, March 17 — Fifth Sunday in Lent
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12
Hebrews 5:5-10
John 12:20-33
Sunday, March 24 — Palm / Passion Sunday
Liturgy of the Palms…
Mark 11:1-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Liturgy of the Passion…
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Phil 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 (40-47)
Sunday, March 31 - Easter Day
Acts 10:34-43
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

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

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELONG

Everyone is invited to our Palm Sunday Potluck and Easter Egg Hunt on March 24 following worship service. There will be a container in the Narthex for anyone from the congregation that would like to donate a dozen treat-filled eggs. We are inviting kids from our “Letters to Santa” event so please bring extra eggs if you’re able. Parents can also place your kiddo’s treat-filled eggs in the container. Be sure to invite a friend or neighbor to the event! Kids, don’t forget your Easter baskets!!

On March 31, Easter Sunday, we will transform a mesh cross with flowers. Everyone will be invited to come up to the altar and help with the transformation. We will have fresh flowers available, but if you have access to some in your yard or garden please bring them to share.

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH of the Greenwood District invite all women of the church to participate in a Social Action Event planned by Ms. Yvonne Lovett, Social Action Coordinator, on March 16, 2024, at Revels UMC Family Life Center in Greenville. The meeting will begin at 10:30 and will end by 12:30. keynote speaker is Ms. Pam Chatman, Journalist, T.V. personality and owner of Boss Lady Transportation. Ms. Chatman’s remarks will focus on Proverbs 31:9 (KJV) “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Refreshments will be served at 10 a.m. The address for Revels UMC is 711 South Broadway Street, Greenville, MS 38701. For more information or travel plans, contact Jackie Pennington.

UWFaith LUNCH BUNCH will resume meeting in April. Watch the bulletin for the date. Members are encouraged to attend Lenten Luncheons each Wednesday at First UMC.

UWFaith GRACE CIRCLE will meet on Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m. in the church library. All women who are free at this time are welcome to join us. At Grace Circle meetings we attempt to carry out the work of our purpose which states.

United Women in Faith is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

Melba Washington, Coordinator for Spiritual Growth shares from the Prayer Guide. We have a program related to our work with women, children, and youth. This is followed by the business session.

We are trying to find a meeting time that will work for employed women and to explore what might interest women who are not currently able to participate in UWFaith. If you have ideas that you would like to share, contact Jackie Pennington.

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH presented six Special Mission Recognition certificates and pins on February 11 to Chris and Julianne Bailey, Sandi Melton, Beverly and Mike Gressett, and Brittany Dean. A $40 gift to mission was given for work with women, children, and youth in honor of each person.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BELIEVE

The Lenten Lunches have begun and meet at 1st UMC in their Fellowship Hall. These are lunch-time gatherings that feature a light lunch provided by different churches (donations collected go to a worthy cause), music and a devotional provided by different pastors, and an opportunity for fellowship. Please plan to attend on Wednesdays during Lent. The doors open at 11:45 a.m. and the remaining schedule follows: March 6 (meal provided by Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church), 13 (meal provided by First UMC), and 20 (meal provided by Calvary Episcopal Church).

Mark your calendars to attend the Maundy Thursday service on March 28 at 6:00 p.m. at St Luke UMC and Good Friday service on March 29 at 6:00 p.m. at First UMC.

Please join us in the Courtyard at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 31, for Easter Sunrise Service. A finger-food type breakfast of donuts, muffins, and coffee will be available in the fellowship hall afterwards. We will have our traditional Easter service at 10:30 a.m. Hope you can join us for both!

OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME DISCIPLES

If you would like to make a donation for a “Virtual Easter Lily” in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone who is special in your life, we are asking for a $10 donation per Lily. 100% of donations go to Camp Lake Stephens to help with their children’s summer camp programs. Forms are available on the table in the narthex and the church office. Place your form and donation in the offering plate or bring/mail to the office. Deadline to donate is Monday, March 25.

The United Methodist Men are having their annual “High on the Hog” Easter Pork Loin Sale. The pork loins are herb encrusted and slow smoked with select fruit woods to make these a perfect part of your Easter Sunday meal! Pick up at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at First UMC. Cost $30. See Jim Shempert or Billy Boswell for tickets. Tickets are also available in the First UM Church Office.

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 their discretion to help those in need.

Worship Greeters are still needed for June, July, and October. 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, please contact Al Williams or the church office. A sign-up sheet will also be available in the narthex.

The new 2024 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 Sundays, store your arrangement in the fridge during the week and re-use them the second Sunday. Please contact Sandi Melton (Flower Steward) or the church office to sign up or for more info.

Holy Week

United Methodist
Committee on Relief

Did you know how UMCOR was created? Eighty years ago, World War II was raging. Millions of people, displaced from their homes, sought refuge and hope. The church responded by creating the Methodist Committee on Overseas Relief (MCOR) and supporting MCOR through an annual offering called “One Great Hour of Sharing.”

The 2016 United Methodist General Conference changed the name to UMCOR Sunday to reflect the important work accomplished by the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

UMCOR Sunday calls the church to share the goodness of life with those who hurt. UMCOR Sunday reaches children, families and communities who have experienced devastation in the wake of disaster.

At St Luke, you may give to UMCOR Sunday any time during the month of March. We hope the Holy Spirit will inspire you to give generously and ask you to pray for those who serve — and are served. Through United Methodist sharing, vulnerable people affected by crisis or chronic need witness the love of Jesus Christ. We pray that you will give wholeheartedly.

Kairos Outside Weekend Retreat

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 April 5-7, 2024.

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/or 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 food items (all must be individually wrapped);
snacks (chips, nabs, cookies, raisins, nuts, snack cakes, etc.);
bags of chocolate candy or hard candies (individually wrapped);
sodas (cans or small bottles only, any variety or brand - no 2-liters);
water (preferably small bottles)

3. Providing cuddly stuffed animals (10” - no logos)
To be held by aching arms (preferable teddy bears).

4. Providing financial assistance to help with the cost of the retreat.
a. Sponsor a guest for the whole weekend: $100
(covers meal tickets & bed tickets)
Tickets are placed on guests’ bed w/message that reads
“Your stay has been paid for by a caring Christian in town/state”
b. Sponsor a guest with any monetary amount.
All donations will be helpful and greatly appreciated!

Please drop off donated items or monetary donations by Wednesday, March 27. Make checks payable to St Luke with “Kairos” on the memo line, place it in the offering plate or bring to the church office.

Freedom Trail Revival Tour

You are invited to come and worship during the 2024 Freedom Trail Revival Tour! The Mississippi Annual Conference's End Racism For Good Committee is excited to announce a series of Spirit-filled worship gatherings in 2024 involving five local communities that will inspire all who long to end the sin of racism in our churches, our communities, and our state. We will worship together, deepen our connection with United Methodists and others across racial lines, and honor the pain and hopes of each community. It is our desire to listen to the Spirit together and go back to our communities with renewed energy and hope! Through worship, we aspire to awaken to our calling to be communities of courage and love that can bind us together as One. We hope you can attend one of the worship events nearest you - all events begin at 2pm: February 3 (Greenwood UMC); March 2 (Rust College); April 6 (Jackson); May 4 (St Paul UMC in Hattiesburg); and June 15 (Gulfside Assembly w/Bishop Lewis preaching).

The St Luke Scene

United Women in Faith Lunch

Career Day at PDS

Rise Against Hunger Packing Event

Upcoming Dates for your Calendar

April 1, Monday
— Church Office Closed in Honor of Easter Sunday

April 5-7, Friday-Sunday
— Kairos Outside Weekend Retreat (Camp Wesley Pines)

April 7, Sunday
— Youth, 5-6:30 p.m. (First Presbyterian)

April 9, Tuesday
— United Methodist Men, 6:00 p.m. (First UMC)

April 14, Sunday
— Second Sunday Helping Hands Food Ministry Project

April 20, Saturday
— Invite by Outreach Team to DSU Baseball Game -details to come

April 21, Sunday
— Blue Grass Mass hosted by Calvary Episcopal (Dockery Farms)

April 28, Sunday
— Youth Service Project, 5:00 p.m. (location: TBA)

Memorials and Honorariums

By:

Jacki Burkhalter; Cleveland State Bank Employees; Dottie Collins; Don Conger; Joseph & Joanne Crews; Kay Daves; Jane Dunlap; Melanie & Woody Earls; Caroline Gaines; Lisa & Shaun Horton; Elaine & Larry Lambert; Charles & Jo Miller; Laura & Richard Noble; Jackie Pennington; Sally & Vernon Pleasant; Laura & Murray Riddle; Frances & Jim Tims; Sean & Susannah Wessel; Melba Washington

Sean & Susannah Wessel; Melba Washington

Mr. & Mrs. Jack Fletcher

Memorials for:

Bette Simpson

Bobby Horton

Sherry Jones

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
Hannah Shempert
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 2024

March 5, 2024St. Luke United Methodist Church

Message from the Pastor

Lectionary Readings for March