March Newsletter

This is the topic of our St Luke Lenten Study. You are invited to join us as we dive deep into the care of our souls. First, we may ask what is a soul? As Christians we are taught that we are a body, and our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we die, our body shall rise and be reformed in heaven just as Jesus rose with a new body. God created a human body at the creation story and said it is good. So, in our Christian theology, we are a divinely created body. But this body is made up of many parts. The body consists of a will, a mind and a soul. All four parts make a whole. The will is the ability to choose, for God gave us free will. The mind is a person's thoughts and feelings. We are told in scripture to renew our minds, to use our minds, to grow in our thoughts. The body is what houses, or carries us around. Our body is fearfully and wonderfully made by God, but our body is flesh and bone. The soul is what integrates all of our different parts into a single person. It is the soul that integrates all of our different parts into a single person.

We want to spend some time learning about our Soul this lent. The first lesson of the soul is to "slow down and know that I am God." Our soul needs time with God, in prayer, in quiet, in peace. So, my first request of you this lent is to schedule time to be with God. To stop and let God meet you where you are. God always comes to where we are. We do not need to try and reach God, let God come to you. Make some time, this is the first step. If possible join the Soul Keeping study, get the work book, and go deeper. Each Sunday and Wednesday in lent I will draw on these topics in our worship services. Make an effort to attend Sunday and Wednesday services.

Take some time this week to consider these words, "You are an unceasing spiritual being with an eternal destiny in God's great universe." (Dallas Willard).

I look forward to growing with you, let us be keepers of our souls this lent,

Pastor Cliff

Lenten Announcements

Ash Wednesday, March 6, Imposition of Ashes, Noon and 7:00 pm.

Mid Week Lenten Services, Noon and 7:05 pm

Lenten Daily Devotions, are available free of charge in the Narthex, "Living Well Through Lent, Practicing Forgiveness With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind."

Lenten Study, Soul Keeping, books $8.00

Tuesday, 10 am

Wednesday, 5:00 meal, 5:30 study

Sunday, 9:00 am

Holy Week Schedule

Maundy Thursday, April 18, Service of Holy Communion @ 7:00 pm

Good Friday, April 19, Way of the Cross @ noon, Passion Reading @ 7:00 pm

Holy Saturday, Easter Egg Hunt 10 am., Decorate Sanctuary

The Resurrection of Our Lord, Easter

8:00 am and 10 am

New Members's Class

Wednesday, April 24, 5:00-7:30pm

Pilgrimage to Montgomery

This will be from Friday, April 26 - Saturday, April 27 to visit the new civil rights museums in Montgomery, AL.

This is a Southeastern Synod event. See Pastor Cliff for details.

Health Fair - Saturday, March 30 @ St. Luke

Worship Committee

Worship News

This month we conclude the season of light, Epiphany, and begin the season of Lent. Lent is traditionally a time of much prayer and introspection. People will often fast or give up something, or add acts of kindness to their daily routine. Another option for consideration would be to give one item per each day of Lent from your home to charity so others may benefit from them. Think about what inspires you to deepen your faith journey. Daily Lenten Devotions are available for your use at home, the theme this year is Forgiveness.

We hear a call to return to God with our whole heart. We recommit ourselves to our Lord and savior. Our awesome Savior wants us to come to him.

" Return to me with all your heart". Joel 2-12

Worship has been very busy planning for the season of Lent. It's hard to believe that Ash Wednesday, March 6 is upon us! We are happy to report that this year Noon and 7:05 services will be offered each week during Lent. We invite you to join us for these services as we prepare our hearts and minds for the Lenten journey which culminates in April with Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

The March Wednesday schedule is as follows:

March 6 Ash Wednesday. Noon and 7:05 PM

Our Mid Week Services will last 20-30 minutes, the theme of

Mid Week services will be from the Soul Keeping Lenten

Study.

March 13 With One Voice (WOV) book service. Noon and 7:05PM

March 20 WOV Service at Noon

Taize at 7:05 PM

March 27 WOV Service at Noon

Celtic Service at 7:05 PM

( All the offerings from the Lenten Mid-week services will go to the St. Luke Food Pantry and Heifer International )

On March 31 we have a joint service with area ELCA congregations. Bishop Gordy will be our guest preacher. The choirs from the churches will unite to provide a special musical offering for the event. A question and answer session on the Election of a new Bishop for our Southeastern Synod will follow the service. Pease join us for this important gathering of ELCA Lutherans in West TN. A light lunch will be served in the CFC.

Music News

Our Music Director, Jacob Allen is planning some special music in the coming weeks and for Easter. You are invited to participate in the music ministry and make a joyful noise!

Bell Choir Sign up, see sign up sheet in the Narthex. All are invited to join the Bell Choir as they prepare for Easter. Jacob Allen will direct. Practice will be during the Sunday School hour. New members are welcome.

Organ update; the news is that our organ refurbishment is finished! Now the organ will be shipped from Canada to Cordova. A team of experts will then fine tune the organ for our worship space. We are hoping all will be completed in March.

More updates to come....

Upcoming events in April

Wednesday services continue at noon and 7:05PM

Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter!

Message From Our Council President

Greetings St. Luke Saints,

I knew there was a reason that I always waited until the last possible moment for writing my newsletter articles (my apologies to Connie and Patti). If I would have been on my game and written this last week, I would have missed the opportunity to write about St. Luke's Stephen Ministry program. This ministry consists of specially trained lay caregivers that minister one-on-one to those in need of Christ's love and mercy. As Pastor Cliff said (and I am paraphrasing here), "Yes, that is my job, which I excel at (my words and my experience), but I am only one person." Tammy Anderson, Becky Arendt, Kelsey Groff, Matt Lorenz, Anita Schroer and Larry Schroer as newly commissioned Stephen Ministers, join current Stephen Ministers Paul White, Connie White, Nancy Lendman, Lisa Bahlinger, Patti Calvert and Karen McCracken, St. Luke is blessed to have a multitude of caring, God-loving friends to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to us who are hurting due to any life experience. If life has you against the ropes, no matter what the reason, please seek out one of our Christian Brothers or Sisters who have the passion for bringing Christ's love and care during a time of need. Please don't let anything hold you back, Christ is waiting for you in their arms.

While the weather may not seem like it, we know that Spring has to be around the corner because Ash Wednesday and Lent are upon us. Lent is our season of preparation before Easter when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. A time when we observe a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ-his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial, and resurrection. St. Luke will again provide us and our neighbors (Jesus's definition here) many opportunities for these disciplines, beginning with Ash Wednesday services at Noon and 7:00 pm and continuing with Noon and 7:05 pm Lenten Services every Wednesday until Holy Week. We have two ways to aid our journey this year: a Lenten devotional, Living Well Through Lent, for your own quiet time with God (provided to us through our Memorial gifts), and a small-group study entitled Soul Keeping, Caring for The Most Important Part of You. Please contact the church office for additional information about current groups or consider forming your own small group. No matter what ways you choose to observe Lent this year, I pray that it brings you peace and joy, feeling Jesus Christ in your heart and soul.

God's Peace,

Jim Allay

Spiritual Growth Ministry

The Thursday Women's Bible Study Group

meets on Thursdays at 1:30. We are studying the book, Listening to God. Please join us in the Narthex for the study of God's word and great fellowship!

Tuesday Ladies' Bible Study

Join us on Tuesday mornings at 10am for a study by Jennifer Rothschild, Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark. The study contrasts the evidences of walking by faith and walking by sight and encourages participants to take risks and give God control. Led by Tanya Bolkcom.

The Women's Sunday School Class

The women's class is studying "Discerning the Voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer. It's not too late to join them Sunday mornings at 9am! See Jennifer Carkeet for more information (discipleship@stlukememphis.org).

Megan: "My Stephen Minister did a wonderful job of creating a warm, caring space for me to process my emotions and work through my issues."

Megan was new to the area, new job, new home and no friends! Her Stephen Minister walked beside her to help her make the transition into a new life.

Do you need someone to listen; to help you find your place to belong? Do you know someone going through a crisis? Then contact one of our Stephen Leaders; Paul White, Nancy Lendman, Connie White or Pastor Cliff. Our Stephen Ministers are there to care!

Social Ministry

Social Media Team

Love taking pictures?

Do you know all the ins and outs of social media?

We would love to have you on our new Social Media Team! We are looking for a few people to help take pictures and videos on Sundays and during events, post about upcoming activities, and manage our social media platforms. If you are interested, please contact Jennifer Wright ( jennifer@stlukememphis.org )

St. Luke Health Fair March 30th!

WOW (Women of Wisdom) IS BACK!

All St.Luke Ladies and their friends are invited to coffee and conversation with no agenda and no homework! Panera Bread Company at Trinity Commons on the first Wednesday of the month, 10am. We will meet March 6th

Join St. Luke this Lenten season as we collect money to help end hunger and poverty by participating in a four week daily, missions giving program through Heifer International. The story of Noah's Ark and God's rainbow with its promise of a new day of dignity and productivity has never been more relevant. Through this program, we have the opportunity to offer a new and healthy life filled with anticipation and fruitfulness to a few of the world's "least of these". The money raised from our offerings will be split between Heifer International and the St. Luke Food Pantry. Fill the Ark giving banks will be handed out on Sunday, March 3rd. Fill the banks with loose change, and bring in your offering each week. Help St. Luke buy food for local families in need or buy a cow, pig or some chicks to end hunger for a family in need in another part of the world.

One person, one family, one congregation is all it takes to Fill the Ark and make a difference in today's world!

Attachments area

More Than A Meal

Dates to Remember!! March 17th and April 21st. Volunteers are appreciated from 3-5pm at Grace St Luke's Episcopal Church, 1720 Peabody in midtown.

Thank you,

Susie Carlson

Pay It Forward!

We couldn't help feed our community if it weren't for you all. We want to tell you how it is going. Last week Anita gave out 15 bags. One of the people who had gotten bags of food in the past came but not for food. She came to give back in appreciation for the help that she was given. She wanted to pay it forward and donated quite a lot of things for our food bags. Anita's words are "a receiver is now a giver. What a blessing."

Anita, Kelsey and her mom, Lívia, Alice, Paul and Ed participate in this ministry along with all of you saints. We are all surely blessed. Thank you.

Children & Youth Ministry News

March 3rd- Totally Awesome 80's All SLY Clue Party

On March 3rd, All SLY groups are invited to join us for our Totally Awesome 80's Clue Party! Polly Abdool is hosting a totally tubular album release party for her friend, Debbie Gribson, at a posh VIP Beverly Hills club. Debbie Gribson is a top international pop idol who is releasing her new album, Eclectic Youth! She is simultaneously releasing a new fragrance line of the same name! The guest list is stock full of big name celebrity guests who will undoubtedly hit the scene in outrageous '80s fashion! You are on the guest list! There are a few names on the guest list that you dread having to be around for the night, but you wouldn't mind the exposure. This is where your story begins...

We will meet in the CFC at 11:15 am. Come dressed in your most bodacious 80's outfit or wear one of the provided costumes that go with your assigned character. An email will be sent to sign up for food. Please bring $5 to help cover the cost of this event. Please RSVP to Jennifer Wright ( jennifer@stlukememphis.org) by Friday, March 1st. If you would like to help chaperone this event, please let Jennifer know.

March 13th- No Confirmation Class due to Spring Break

March 24th- All SLY SLYathalon- All SLY groups are invited to join us for our first ever SLYathalon on Sunday, March 24th. We will share a lunch in the Sr. SLY room before the games begin. An email will be sent to sign up for food. We will have several different sporting events (some active and others minute to win it type games) to compete in, and all winners will go home with their very own trophies. Dress in your favorite SLY t-shirt or wear lime green and black to show your support for all of our SLY competitors . Please RSVP to Jennifer Wright ( jennifer@stlukememphis.org ) by March 22nd . If you would like to help chaperone please let Jennifer know.

Finance

Dear Thrivent Members:

You have an opportunity to support St. Luke Ministries in a significant way through your membership. First there is the opportunity to select St. Luke for your annual Thrivent Choice Dollars donation. Second is the opportunity to support a St. Luke ministry project through your Thrivent Community Action Teams award. These are $250 awards and you have two opportunities each year. Attached are instructions for both of these opportunities as well as a list of potential ministry projects for a Community Action Team. Your support can do so much to advance St. Luke ministries.

Click HERE for instructions!

Peace and thank you,
Gary Conway

T-2 Ministry

On February 16^th, St. Luke T-2 ("Transformation 2.0") Team Members met with the other three Memphis-area congregations (Faith, Living Word and Peace) for Cohort training number three. At this training we shared our purpose statements and guiding principles as well as discussed how transformation is already happening within our congregations. This all-day workshop also focused on missional stewardship, faith formation, communications (including websites and social media), visitor friendly worship & hospitality, developing missional plans as well as additional homework assignments to help direct where we go from here.

Our Team's next step is to begin working with the Council and each of the Committees to develop a written plan to direct the activities of each ministry unit (discipleship, evangelism/ outreach, finance, fellowship, property, stewardship, and social). As our ELCA Liaison Wayne Fell repeatedly stated during our training sessions, we must be both "formal" and "intentional" about what is next or we won't move forward as a missional church.

As you may recall a missional church is one which focuses outward on meeting the needs of the community through the ministry activities of the church with spiritual growth at the heart of the journey. This spiritual growth is driven by individuals working collectively to deepen their relationships with our Creator as well as with one another. This process is not one that can be approached like a checklist where we are going through the motions in order to move from one step to the next, rather it must be more organic in nature where the desire is to draw closer to God and to one another so that we are truly fulfilling the vision of St. Luke: Seek God. Serve Others. Share Life.

If you have any questions about how you can play a role in helping to ensure that transformation is continually happening here at St. Luke, then please reach out to one of our Team members: Paul Wright, Sue Malone, Sandy Oakley, Cathy Dafoe, Burk Renner and Pastor Cliff.

In Christ,

Paul Wright

Parish Talk

Need Some Help?

From Feb.1 and until Apr. 15 Volunteers will be helping low to middle income taxpayers prepare and e-file their tax returns. There is no fee and AARP membership is not required. All preparers are certified by the IRS each year.

They do Capital Gains and Business income with the following limitations:

No employees

No inventory

No business use of home

Less than $25,000 expenses

Standard mileage only (no depreciation)

Can claim QBI (Qualified Business Income) deduction

They do not do:

Farm income

Home rentals (if to active duty military must have MILITARY certification - go to NSA Millington)

They also prepare and e-file state returns from TN, Miss, & Ark.

There are five AARP Tax-aide sites in Shelby County that are open February 1 through April 17, 2019. All sites are open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. First come, first served. They are:

Benjamin Hooks Central Library - 3030 Poplar Ave., Memphis - Monday through Saturday. This site opens 9 am.

Bartlett Library - 6884 Stage Road, Bartlett - Monday and Tuesday only.

Collierville Library - 501 Poplar View Pkwy, Collierville - Tuesday only

Cordova Library - 8457 Trinity Road, Cordova - Thursday only

Millington Library - 4858 Navy Road, Millington - Friday only

Questions: See Dutch Schroer

Tidbits of the Week - Feb. 24, 2019

Family Promise received some good news about a trailer. The Memphis area Via de Cristo group, Notes of Grace, has agreed to give Family Promise their trailer. This will be a huge blessing to the Family Promise ministry.

If those pesky few pounds left over from Christmas celebrating are still hangin' on, we have the perfect solution for you: show up this Saturday at 7:30am and join our work day force. A group will gather at the church to do some spring cleaning of the church grounds. Done and done!

B-I-N-G-O! Yup, we're going to have an evening of great fun on Saturday, March 9th, from 5-9pm. For the small price of $5 (for prizes) you can try your luck. It's BYOB, as well - the fun just keeps happening!

Our Lenten study is Soul Keeping for The Most Important Part of You. There are several study opportunities available and, if you'd like to lead a group, we'll have even more!

Cliff Notes: Luke 6: 32-42. We celebrated the commissioning of our new Stephen's Ministers Sunday. Many thanks to the Stephen Ministry staff at St. Luke for all their hard work and dedication in training Tammy Anderson, Becky Arendt, Kelsey Groff, Matt Lorenz, Anita Schroer, and Larry Schroer. We will support your ministry and we thank you for your hard work and time, as well.

Cliff Notes (con't): Being different, even strange shouldn't keep us from the acceptance of others. Sharing our sufferings is the work of Stephen Ministry. If we take the log out of our eye, we will see the speck in another's eye and be able to take it out for them. Walk beside a person in their time of need. This is our Christian ministry, the Christ-centered ministry. Serve God, Serve our Neighbor!

Lawn Schedule

2019 Lawn

Team Schedule

Newsletter

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Good Stewards

March Good Stewards

Click HERE for the March Good Stewards Schedule.

The Good Stewards schedule is also found on our church website under Calendar and Events from the "Get Involved" icon.

Are you having trouble with Planning Center?

https://accounts.planningcenteronline.com

March Birthdays

Marlena Light 1-Mar

Dan Glover 4-Mar

Connor Hughes 6-Mar

Emily Galbraith 7-Mar

Chrissy Sowell 7-Mar

Jacob McGhee 8-Mar

Rick Hetherington 9-Mar

Ryan Romero 9-Mar

Leslie Davis 9-Mar

Linnea Bahlinger 10-Mar

Ron Todd 11-Mar

Sophie Arendt 11-Mar

Patti Calvert 12-Mar

Carol Mattison 12-Mar

Abby Hetherington 13-Mar

Jack Carlson 14-Mar

Agatha Miller 16-Mar

Marta Lopez-Flohr 17-Mar

Tyler Milone 17-Mar

Gabrielle Robbins 18-Mar

Michelle Lorenz 18-Mar

Ed Cooley 19-Mar

Cathy Dafoe 23-Mar

Lillie Mixon 25-Mar

Leif Karnuth 26-Mar
Kelvin Miskowiec 27-Mar
Bev McGhee 30-Mar
Breanna Kramer 31-Mar

March Anniversaries

Ken & Mary Westphal 3/1/1975

Richard & June Morgan 3/11/1995

Tracy & Paul Kwiatkowski 3/12/1994
Jan & Alan Wentz 3/15/1969
Stephen & Christine Vacante 3/15/1986
John & Chris Galbraith 3/18/1989
Adam & Meredith Watson 3/24/2007
Kevin & Cindi Harris 3/26/2011
Chris & Kristin Lievens 3/28/1995

March Calendar

2 Sat.	7:30 am	Spring Clean Up Day
3 Sun.		Food First Sunday Transfiguration of Our Lord Exec. Comm. Meeting All SLY CLUE Party Stephen Min. Supv. Continuing Ed, Group 1&2
6 Wed.	12:00 pm 7:05 pm	Ash Wednesday Service Ash Wednesday Service
9 Sat.	8:00 am 5:00 pm	Lawn Team - Blue Bingo Night
10 Sun.		First Sunday in Lent Girl Scouts Sunday Daylight Saving Time Begins
11-15	7:00 pm	Spring Break for schools Church Council Meeting
12 Tue.	12:00 pm 6:30 pm	Stephen Ministry Peer Supervision Group 1 Mutual Ministry Meeting
16 Sat.	8:00 am	Lawn Team - Gold
17 Sun.	3:00 pm	St. Patrick's Day More Than A Meal
23 Sat.	8:00 am	Lawn Team - Green
24 Sun.	11:15 am	All SLY SLYathon Church Potluck
28 Thur.	6:00 pm	Stephen Min. Peer Supervision Group 2
30 Sat.	8:00 am 9:00 am	Lawn Team - Brown Health Fair with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
31 Sun.	11:30 am	Bishop Gordy Preaching Joint Service with ELCA churches Luncheon after Service

St. Luke Lutheran Church Follow us @stlukememphis

2000 Germantown Parkway N.

Cordova, TN 38016

901-756-8850

www.stlukememphis.org

stluke@stlukememphis.org Pastor Cliff

jennifer@stlukememphis.org Jennifer Wright

jacobgallen@gmail.com Jacob Allen

patti@stlukememphis.org Patti Calvert

Follow the Youth activities on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Luke-Youth-SLY/386992871467