Serving God. Loving All. Changing Lives.
St. Martin's Lutheran Church Newsletter

Le Breton, Jacques ; Gaudin, Jean. Christ addressing his disciples at the Last Supper, from Art in the Christian Tradition , a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

In This Issue
Pastor's corner
Holy Week
Lenten offering
Candy donations
Easter Egg Hunt
Saint Paul concert
Lutherhill Spring Retreat
Youth Sunday School
Lutherhill Day Camp
Youth Sunday School
Adult Sunday School
Poker for Peace
Bunko Babes
Quilting group
Bible Study opportunities
Pastor community hours
Book group
Women's Bible study
Lutherhill Golf
Support Family Promise
Shop at Kroger, support St. Martin's
Shop at Randalls, support St. Martin's
Amazon smile
Listen to past sermons
Thrivent corner
Stewardship thought
Prayer list
Birthdays & anniversaries
Calendar
Quick Links

Email Us
Pastor Will
Email: pastor
@stmartinslc.org

Office Manager
Parker Grimsby
Email: officemanager
@stmartinslc.org

Council President
Glenda Wilder
Email: council
@stmartinslc.org

Church Musician
Jenny Salyers
Email: churchmusician
@stmartinslc.org

Staff Tech
Amber Nichols
Email: stafftech
@stmartinslc.org
April 10, 2019
Pastor's Corner
Well friends, the day is almost here. For a while it seemed the wait would never end, but now the days are flying by and that for which we have hoped is almost upon us; the celebration of good triumphing over evil. Avengers: Endgame opens in theaters on April 24! What? You were expecting me to talk about something else?

For those unfamiliar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the last installment, Avengers: Infinity War, ended on a somewhat depressing note. The villian's evil plan is accomplished and the heroes lie dead and defeated. But even as the credits rolled, we knew the story wasn't over. In the end, good must triumph over evil, the heroes must save the day, the world must be saved from all that would destroy it.

There's a reason comic books and movies resonate with so many people. They tell the same stories as our faith. Stories of salvation by someone greater than us who chooses to be with us and for us. Stories of love winning out over fear and life over death. Stories of good triumphing over evil. One of the most well known heroes, Superman, was created by two Jewish men, and modeled after the great hero of their faith, Moses.

In the coming weeks, we enter into the central stories of our faith. We see Jesus hailed as a savior as he enters Jerusalem. We watch the master bend to do a servants work for those who will betray, desert, and deny him. We watch as the most innocent person to ever live is convicted of our crimes, beaten and humiliated. And as he hangs on a cross, it would seem that all is lost. The hero is dead. Evil has triumphed over good.

But we know the story isn't over. Easter is coming. A day that proclaims more powerfully than any movie ever could that good will always triumph over evil, love over fear, and life over death. A day when the hero returns to prove our salvation is secured. A day when the whole world is saved from the sins that have marred its created beauty.

I look forward to sharing these stories with you in this week we call Holy. Come, experience the Savior's love for you. And if you're in a place where all hope seems lost, come and be reminded that the story isn't over yet.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Will


Holy Week schedule

Please take note of these dates and be sure to join St. Martin's this year for Holy Week.

 
Palm Sunday
April 14 - 9:30 a.m.

Maundy Thursday
April 18 - 7 p.m.

Good Friday
April 19 - 7 p.m.

Easter Vigil
April 20 - 7 p.m.

Easter Sunday
April 21 - 9:30 a.m.
* followed by Easter Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt


Lenten offering
This year St. Martin's is designating our Lenten offering to Kairos Outside Houston, a local extension of Kairos Prison Ministry International . The mission of Kairos is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of the families of the incarcerated.  St. Martin's member Robin Bruso has been active in this ministry for years and Pastor Will has also served for them. 

Candy donations
Help fill our eggs

The Youth & Family team is getting ready for our Easter activities and need donations of candy to fill all our Easter eggs. The candy should be individually wrapped and they would prefer it not be chocolate. Candy donations will be accepted in a bin in the Narthex over the next few Sundays.  

Easter Egg Hunt
Youth events on Easter

On Easter Sunday,
April 21, after the breakfast the Youth & Family Team is planning an Easter Egg Hunt for the children, along with other family activities. There will be in need of volunteers, so if you are interested please contact Daniela Hammons at: daniela.hammons@centerpointenergy.com. 

Saint Paul special concert
SHOUT TO THE LORD!

Saint Paul Presbyterian invites us to their "SHOUT TO THE LORD!" concert, featuring their Calabash Choir, their praise band, as well as the Notre Dame Choir. The concert will be held at St. Martin's on April 13 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and children under 10 are free. All proceeds go to Saint Paul's ministries. For tickets and more info contact info@saintpaulhouston.org 



Lutherhill Spring Retreat
Consider attending the Lutherhill  Spring   Family   Retreat  on the weekend of May 3 - May 5 in La Grange, Texas. It's a great opportunity to spend quality time with your  family  doing fun activities that appeal to all generations. The camp offers activities such as archery and a high ropes course as well as Bible studies for all ages. Pastor Will has been invited to be the speaker for the retreat.  It costs $80 for adults, $55 for youth (4-12 years old), and free for campers 3 and under. You can register  here.  

Family Campout
A night of fun

Each year St. Martin's Youth & Family Team organizes this opportunity to pitch a tent on the church grounds and spend the night. St. Martin's family campout is scheduled for Friday, May 18 at 6 p.m. The fun lasts all evening as we tell stories around the campfire, play games, eat s'mores, watch a movie and generally connect. Breakfast is a shared affair, bright and early. Look forward to a sign up link coming soon and for any information contact Shannon Gillar at: shannongillar@hotmail.com

Lutherhill Day Camp registration
Week of fun

St. Martin's will again be hosting Lutherhill Day Camp this summer. Camp counselors and campers will be at the church  June 16 - June 21.  The camp is open to the community and all children ages kindergarten through eighth grade. It costs $85 for a single child and $80 for siblings. High school age students will be needed to volunteer at the camp. For more info contact Glenda Moya at: stmartinsdaycamps@gmail.com.

Registration is now open! If you would like to have your child attend Lutherhill Day Camp please fill out the following forms and return them to the church office.





Youth Sunday School 
Education for all ages

All Sunday School classes are after worship at  10:45 a.m. A Christian education gives a child a firm faith foundation for the rest of their lives. Consider allowing your child to stay after the worship service to engage more deeply in their faith with our seasoned Sunday School teachers. Listed below are the focuses of the upcoming classes.

On Easter Sunday, April 21, Sunday School will be on break to take part in the Easter Breakfast & Egg Hunt.

PreK-Grade 5: Lessons from Jesus
Middle School/Confirmation:  Lutheran history & Catechism 
High School: Echo the Story Bible Study

Adult Sunday School 
Always learning

The Adult Sunday Forum is continuing with our study of Paul with a few special events mixed in for a change of pace. Come join the class every Sunday after service at 10:45 a.m. 

On  Easter Sunday, April 21, Sunday School will be on break to take part in the Easter Breakfast & Egg Hunt.

Poker for Peace
Cards for fellowship

All men of the church are invited to join "Poker for Peace." This group normally meets at the house of one of their members the last Friday of the month for fellowship and cards. Their next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on April 26, at the house of Nate Hopkins.  For more information please contact Leon Miura at:  lgmiura@comcast.net  

Bunko Babes
Brunch & Bunko

All ladies of the church are welcome to join "Bunko Babes." This group usually meets at the house of one of their members the last Saturday of each month to share brunch and have a little fun. Their next meeting will be at 11 a.m. on April 27 at the home of Chrisy Woessner. For more information and to RSVP please contact Monika Miura at:  mmiura1@comcast.net

Quilting group 
The  St.  Martin's Lutheran World Relief quilting group is a great opportunity to support a great cause. The group produces quilts and blankets that are shipped around the world to help those in need through the Lutheran World Relief project. Novices are welcome! Quilting groups meet the first and third full weeks of the month on Monday mornings and Wednesday evenings to work on the quilts. If you have any questions please contact Jean Short at: jean12short@comcast.net . 

Next meeting times:
April 15 - 9:30 a.m.

Bible Study opportunities
Come and learn

Pastor Will facilitates a few Bible Studies throughout the week.  Wednesdays at 1 p.m. come for an hour of text study as we examine the readings for the coming Sunday. 

Pastor community hours
Meet outside of church

Every Friday Pastor Will holds office hours out in the community. Follow St. Martin's Facebook page to see where he'll be each Friday: here. Come out to talk or pray with Pastor Will and let God hold your worries for a while. 


Book club
books_opened_on_table.jpg
Join the St. Martin's book club to discuss a new book each month. They meet on the third Monday evening of each month to discuss that month's pick. Their next meeting is April 15  at 7 p.m. 

Book picks by the month:
April - "Molokai" - Alan Brennert

May - "Rebecca" - Daphne du Maurier
 

Thursday Women's Bible Study
The Thursday morning Ladies' Bible Study Group  is a great group of ladies who enjoy studying the Bible, good refreshments, and the company of one another. They welcome visitors and new members. They meet every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. For more info call Jill Keller at: 713.557.0893.

Lutherhill Golf Tournament
Do you enjoy  golf ? Well here is a chance to support  Lutherhill  and play  golf  at the same time.  Lutherhill 's 18th annual  golf  tournament is coming upon Friday,  April 26  at Cypresswood  Golf  Club in Spring, TX.  The format of the tournament will be four person scramble, so you will need to grab some friends and register as a team of four. Registration and lunch will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  that day, with the tournament starting at 1 p.m.  You can register online beforehand at  . Registration costs $140 per player and includes green fees, cart, practice balls, tournament gift, lunch, dinner, and drinks.

Support Family Promise
Donate for Family Promise

Do you enjoy a hot cup of coffee before starting your day? For as little as $3.50 a week, the price of hot beverage in the morning, you can join the Fort Bend Family Promise Coffee Club and be part of the caring community of people who are helping get homeless children and their families back to self-sufficiency.  You can join the club and support Family Promise at this link:  https://bit.ly/2JCo5sf

Shop at Kroger & support St. Martin's
If you shop at Kroger, you could help support St.Martin's financially. St. Martin's has enrolled in Kroger's Community Rewards Program and will receive a portion of all of your Kroger transaction if you sign up through their website.

1) First, you get a Kroger card. They are free and can be obtained at any Kroger location.  Sign up for a digital account on www. kroger.com.
2) Go to your account summary on the website and scroll down to "Community Rewards" and select "Enroll Now" (or the "Edit" option if you've already enrolled with another organization).
3) Fill out the information, then you will be prompted to search for an organization. Search for "St. Martin's" and it should appear. Click "Enroll". From now on when you shop with your member card at Kroger you will be supporting St. Martin's.

Thank you for your support! 
 
Shop at Randalls 
& support St. Martin's
If you shop at Randalls, you could help support St. Martin's financially. St. Martin's is enrolled in Randalls' Good Neighbor program and will receive a portion of all of your Randalls' transactions if you sign up. 

1) First, you need a Randalls card. You can sign up for these in any Randalls store.
2) Pick up a Randalls Good Neighbor form on the info table in the Narthex.
3) We have already filled out St. Martin's charity account number on the form, so you just have to fill in your personal information. Then, hand it in at any Randalls store and you will be part of the program.

Thank you for your support! 
 
Support St. Martin's when you shop
If you purchase goods through Amazon.com, there's an easy way to donate to St. Martin's at the same time. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and choose St. Martin's Lutheran Church, Sugar Land, as your charity of choice. Amazon will donate a percentage of your purchase directly to St. Martin's. It's so easy! 

 
Listen to past sermons
Did you  k now you can listen t o Pastor Will's previous sermons online? If you ever miss a Sunday or want to re-listen to a particular message you can find the last few week's worth of sermons on our SoundCloud account here . The account is typically updated every Thursday with the previous Sunday's message.

 
Thrivent corner
Thrivent is a unique kind of membership organization called a fraternal benefit society.
By definition, a fraternal benefit society is a not-for-profit organization that provides
insurance to its members and - this is key - has to carry out social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic or religious purposes for the benefit of its members and the public. So we don't simply sell insurance, and we don't simply do charitable work either. As a fraternal benefit society, we do both as we help Thrivent members on their wise with money journeys.

Strive to manage God's gifts wisely by putting your values and plans into practical
action. This can be anything from simple budgeting, to building insurance strategies, to
saving, investing, retirement planning, an annual giving plan and more. The best place
to start is answering the question, "Who or what is going to help me?" Contact for St. Martin's Members and our friends is Suzanne Kocurek Office Phone: 713-974-2843 Cell: 281-923-7623 or email:  suzanne.kocurek@thrivent.com
 
Stewardship Thought of the Week

 
"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

 - Matthew 7:11
 
People Need Your Prayers
Ephesians 6:18 
"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
 
Please keep the 
following people in prayer: 

Norma Becker
Michael Hoaks
Annamarie DeYoung
Al Warner
Alice Griffin
Pat Strom
Jeff Wilson
David Speer
Tom Janson
Victims & families of violence in our nation and the terrorist activity throughout the world.
Our sister synods in Peru and 
the Central African Republic
 
For prayers contact: officemanager@stmartinslc.org .  For privacy's sake we do not list specific concerns.  
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Let's celebrate!
 
Birthdays
Roy W.               April 14
Nate B.              April 16
Ethan G.            April 22
Marie B.             April 22


Anniversaries
James & Mary R.                   April 16
Mohammed & Molly J.           April 22


St. Martin's Calendar
What's happening at SMELC?
 
Want to know what's happening at St. Martin's? View the church calendar on our website. Click the Google calendar link and find out the who, what, when and where of any St. Martin's event.
  

April 11 - Thursday Women's Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
April 11 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
April 11 - Boy Scouts Arrowhead, 7 p.m.
April 11 - Handbell Choir practice, 7 p.m.
April 13 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
April 13 - "Shout to the Lord!" Concert, 6 p.m.
April 14 - Choir practice, 8 a.m.
April 14 - Sunday morning worship, 9:30 a.m.
April 14 - Saint Paul Sunday worship, 11:15 a.m.
April 15 - LWR Quilting group, 9:30 a.m.
April 15 - Book club, 7 p.m.
April 16 - Classical Conversations, 9 a.m.
April 16 - Boy Scouts 148, 6 p.m.
April 17 - Classical Conversations, 9 a.m.
April 18 - Thursday Women's Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
April 18 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
April 18 - Maundy Thursday worship, 7 p.m.
April 19 - Good Friday worship, 7 p.m.
April 20 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
April 20 - Easter Vigil worship, 7 p.m.
April 21 - Choir practice, 8 a.m.
April 21 - Easter Sunday worship, 9:30 a.m.
April 21 - Easter Breakfast, 11 a.m.
April 21 - Saint Paul Sunday worship, 11:15 a.m.
April 21 - Easter Egg Hunt & Activities, 12 p.m.
April 23 - Classical Conversations, 9 a.m.
April 23 - Boy Scouts 148, 6 p.m.
April 24 - Classical Conversations, 9 a.m.
April 24 - Wednesday Bible Study, 1 p.m.
April 25 - Thursday Women's Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
April 25 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
April 25 - Handbell Choir practice, 7 p.m.
April 26 - Poker for Peace (off-site), 7 p.m.
April 27 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
April 27 - Bunko Babes (off-site), 11 a.m.
April 28 - Choir practice, 8 a.m.
April 28 - Youth & Family Team meeting, 9 a.m.
April 28 - Sunday Morning worship, 9:30 a.m.
April 28 - Saint Paul Sunday Worship, 11:15 a.m.