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November 2019
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Seek
G
od,
S
erve
O
thers,
S
hare Life
Sunday Worship at 10am!
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It's Our 35th Anniversary!
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St. Luke Lutheran 35th Anniversary
Worship Service and Luncheon
Join us Sun., Nov., 17. Pastor David Hood , the original mission developer, will return to St. Luke. A special meal will be served after service. Please use the Communication Cards to RSVP to the free catered meal.
All are welcome to attend.
We hope you will join us for this celebration!
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Bishop Kevin Strickland Visit and Potluck
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Join us Sun., Nov. 24, as Bishop Kevin Strickland visits St. Luke after service, for a Q&A and Potluck for local area ELCA congregations. Please email Pam in the office to RSVP for the potluck.
Potluck: A-N, please bring side dish; O-Z, please bring dessert. Church will provide ham and rolls.
We hope you will attend and welcome Bishop Strickland to St. Luke.
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A Message from Our Pastor
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For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest ...
Some thirty five years ago, a group of Lutherans met in Pastor David and Jo Hood's home and began to dream of a Lutheran congregation on Germantown Parkway in Cordova. Some future thinking synod planners had pre-purchased some land in east Shelby county, on a two-lane road, with the hope that one day the city of Memphis would grow east in this direction.
Today, St. Luke Lutheran Church is alive and well because God honored the dream, and the saints gave of their time, talents and treasure. It is not easy to grow a congregation, to call a pastor, build a building, to get a loan and to make mortgage payments. Many stories can be told of failed starts and missed opportunities. But St. Luke grew from a rented gymnasium of folding chairs and an altar under a basketball goal, to its present building. Three times we have added space, and three times the saints gave generously.
In the past ten years, we the St. Luke Saints, have paid off a second mortgage, and began to focus on paying down the last remaining mortgage debt. As we approach the 35th anniversary of St. Luke, we stand at an exciting moment. We are so very close to paying off our entire mortgage. It is hard to imagine that it is possible, but here we are, a few generous gifts away from doing just that.
This 35th anniversary year, we ask you to consider two gifts; one to give a percentage of your income to fund the ongoing ministries of St Luke, and two, a one-time gift or pledge to pay off the mortgage. A special anniversary worship service and congregational luncheon will be held on Sunday, November 17. Pastor David Hood will be our guest preacher.
One of the special characteristics of St Luke church is that we add and lose members each and every year. St Luke is a special place for us, whether we are a member for one year or 35 years. We understand the need for a grace-filled congregation, a place where we are fed and sent to serve. St Luke has helped form us into the men and women we are today. We give thanks for the saints before and the saints to come.
Blessings as we seek God, serve others, and share life,
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Newsletter
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Are you reading the entire Newsletter?
There may be a message at the bottom of your email stating
Don't miss out on important information!
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Congregational Meeting
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Please join us for the 2019 Congregational Meeting
St. Luke Lutheran Church
Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting
December 8, 2019
Agenda
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1.
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Establishment of quorum.
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Jim Allay
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2.
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Opening Prayer
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Pastor Cliff
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3.
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Approval of minutes of April 28, 2019 Congregational Meeting
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Jim Allay
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4.
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Financial Discussions:
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Kent Anderson/Tim Flohr
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a.
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2019 Update
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b.
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2020 Budget Review and Approval
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| 5. |
Constitutional Changes |
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Betty Blair |
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6.
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Election of Congregation / Council Officers
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Jim Allay
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7.
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Election of Ministry Representatives of Council
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Jim Allay
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8.
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Election of Two Synod Delegates - 2019
(Chattanooga, TN - June 1-3)
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Jim Allay
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9.
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2020 Stewardship Campaign Report
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David Carlson
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10.
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Mortgage Campaign Update
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Dale Ernst/Kent Anderson
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11.
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Recognition of Patti Calvert
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Jim Allay/Pastor Cliff
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12.
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Recognition of outing Council Members
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Jim Allay/Pastor Cliff
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Worship Committee News
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Join us in Worship
Sunday, November 10th
Praise Service, Holy Communion
If you want to listen to the music first so you'll be able to sing along better, our songs will be: Great Things, Your Grace is Enough, The Way, The Heart of Worship, and Holy is the Lord.
Sunday, November 10th
Worship Committee Meeting
Worship Committee will meet Sun., Nov. 10 following the service. Items to discuss include Advent/Christmas services and decorations. All are invited to attend.
Sunday November 17
35 Anniversary Worship Service and Luncheon
Pastor David Hood, the original mission developer will return to St Luke. A special meal is being planned, please mark your calendars.
Sunday November 24
Bishop Kevin Strickland
will be at Living Word Lutheran Church in Arlington to preach at 9am.
St. Luke will host a Q&A and potluck for area ELCA congregations at 12pm.
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New Members
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Please welcome our NEW MEMBERS
to St Luke Lutheran
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New Members: William and Ellen Fox transfer from Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in Las Vegas; Elizabeth Cochran transfers from Prince of Peace, Old Tappan, NJ; Jim and Louella Lyon, both are retired United Methodist Pastors, received as associate members.
Elizabeth Cochran
1217 Macon Hall Road
Cordova, TN 38018
William and Ellen Fox
8396 Prestine Loope, Apt. 202
Cordova, TN 38018
Jim and Louella Lyon
2795 Kirby Whitten Rd., #202
Bartlett, TN 38134
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Spiritual Growth Ministry
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Dale and Vikki Ernst present
Keegan Carroll, Everleigh Emanus, Sophie Arendt and William Smith-Olsen who received their bibles on Reformation Sunday.
We are so proud of our second graders!!
Thursday Women's Bible Study
The Thursday Women's Bible Study group will start back up
 September 12th studying the book,
The Twelve Disciples by Douglas Connelly.
Please join us at 1:30pm in the Narthex for the study of God's Word and great fellowship.
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What does a Stephen Minister really do?
Some comments from people who have received care from a Stephen Minister:
- If you'd like a Stephen Minister to walk with you in the trials of life, contact Pastor Cliff, Paul White, or Nancy Lendman
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Private Prayer Every Sunday
Sometimes it is good to be able to share our prayer concerns with another Christian. That's what the after-service Prayer Room (#111, next to the nursery) is all about. If you want to share a prayer concern for yourself or someone you love, there will be a Stephen Minister waiting for you!
Remember Christ said,
"For where two or three gather in my name,
there am I with them."
Matt. 18:20
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Opportunities for Adult Spiritual Study
Sunday Morning Studies
Women of Faith
Room #152 Jennifer Carkeet
The Women of Faith class will be studying Seamless by Angie Smith. Seamless
covers the people, places and promises of the Bible, tying them together into the greater story of Scripture. Participants will gain an overarching understanding of the fundamental layout and meaning of God's Word.
Seamless
helps replace insecurity that holds participants back with clarity and helping them move forward with confidence in their understanding of Scripture.
New Sunday School Class
Based on Luther's Small Catechism
Conference Room Pastor Cliff
All are invited to attend. The entire course is built around three kinds of source materials that we see as essential to a meaningful experience of Luther's Small Catechism.
- Scripture and Tradition. For example, the Ten Commandments as cited in Exodus 20 or the Apostle's Creed as we have it from Christian traditions.
- Luther's explanations of the scripture or doctrine from Christian traditions.
- The "back story" of Luther's own life and times, the fertile soil of the Reformation itself.
Men of Faith Room #137 Choir Room Carl Ellsworth
& Tim Wright
Real Faith For Real Life
Room # 106/108 Connie White
Will be studying the book of Luke beginning November 3rd. Luke's message is one of new hope and new joy!
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| Social Ministry |
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Memphis
Habitat for Humanity
Community Volunteer
Build Days
and House Dedication
1742 Hays Road
Memphis, TN 38114
Saturday, November 9
7:30am-1:00pm
Sign up here
The fall build season is coming to an end. Many thanks to all of our St. Luke volunteers. Saturday, November 9 is the Dedication Day.
Volunteers are needed to do some interior painting.
Pastor Cliff will be helping with the house dedication
that will occur after 11:00am.
All are invited to attend the home dedication.
Vitalant Blood Mobile will be at St. Luke
Sunday, November 24th
9:00AM - 12:30PM in the parking lot
Vitalant is the Memphis region's only non-profit volunteer blood center, dedicated to meeting the needs of patients, healthcare facilities, medical professionals and the community at large. Every year Vitalant supplies more than 100,000 units of blood and blood products for local patient transfusion.
The donation process only takes about 1 hour and takes place entirely at St. Luke. Each donation of whole blood can help as many as 3 recipients - all of them our neighbors.
A sign-up sheet will be located on the bulletin board outside the office starting November 3rd. However, I strongly recommend you sign up at
clublifeblood.us. You can also complete your health questionnaire in advance the day of the drive at this website.
Don't forget you earn points with every donation that can be redeemed at
clublifeblood.us; rewards include t-shirts, movie passes, and gift cards.
Please contact Jon Klein (
[email protected], 901-268-5478), the St. Luke Vitalant Coordinator, with any questions.
Thanksgiving Baskets 2019
St. Luke is collecting food items for the upcoming Thanksgiving Baskets. We are hoping to help out 40-45 families. We will be focusing on families through Tonie Robinson and Peace Lutheran and of course our Outreach families. We are asking for all the Sunday School classes to participate in this worthwhile project
. St. Luke's Youth will be putting the bags together at the Lock in, Friday, November 22
nd
. Delivery will be on Saturday, November 23rd or Sunday, November 24th.
Each Sunday school student will receive a grocery bag. We ask that you bring the bag back to your Sunday school teacher along with the designated food items assigned to your class
. We will be collecting for the baskets the following Sundays: October 27
th
, November 3rd, November 10
th
and November 17th.
Again we are asking the Adult Sunday School classes to participate with a specific item. There is currently a sign up on the Communication card in the bulletin for turkeys, also due November 17.
This is a great opportunity as parents and caring adults to teach our children the importance of reaching out and helping those less fortunate. Thank you for your help and participation. Any questions please call Vikki Ernst at 378-8829.
2's and 3's: Large cans of soup and Cereal
Pre-K 4's and K 5's: Large cans of soup and Cereal
1
st
and 2
nd
graders: Large cans of soup and Cereal
3
rd
and 4
th
graders: 4 or 5 lb. bags of sugar and 5 lb. bags of flour
5
th
and 6
th
graders: 4 or 5 lb. bags of sugar and 5 lb. bags of flour
7
th
and 8
th
graders: Large jars of peanut butter and 5 lb. bags of flour
High School: 5 lb. bags of flour and Large jars of peanut butter
Women of Faith: Cookies
Men of Faith: 4 or 5 lb. bags of sugar and 5lb. bags of potatoes
Pastor's Class: 4 or 5 lb. bags of sugar and 5 lb. bags of potatoes
Real Faith For Real Life: 5 lb. bags of potatoes and 5 lb. bags of flour
Shady Oaks School children: Cereal
BE AN ANGEL
this Christmas by choosing a
colored tag
on our Angel Tree,
located in the
Narthex, and purchasing
a gift. The green ornaments
are for our Outreach
families, blue ornaments are for our
Refugee friends and red
ornaments
for the children at Peace. Please bring your wrapped gifts,
with the tag attached
to the outside of the packages, and
place under the Angel Tree
by Sunday, December 15th.
Thank you for sharing the
spirit of Christmas!!
POINSETTIA ORDERS
Watch for information to order poinsettias coming soon.
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St. Luke Christmas Musical
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"Light of the World"
Sunday, December 8th 
10am
On December 8th during service, we will present a short Christmas musical titled, "Light of the World." This musical combines original songs and familiar carols from around the world to tell the Christmas story. Through narrative, drama and song, we will share how Jesus came to be the "Light of the World" over 2,000 years ago. The story begins with the story of creation, turns to the prophetic words of Isaiah, and then recounts the events of Jesus' birth.
This project will bring together the adult choir, the cherub choir, elementary school aged children, and members of the church youth to present this special story during worship. Opportunities for children and youth to participate range from larger speaking roles, to small non-speaking roles perfect for younger children.
Anyone interested in participating should contact Jennifer Wright ( [email protected]) for more details. Adults not already singing with the choir that would like to participate should come to Wednesday evening rehearsals at 7pm beginning Nov. 13. (We are already working on it, but it is NOT too late to join us.) The cherub choir is working on their section during their regular rehearsals.
We look forward to sharing this with the congregation on Sunday, December 8th.
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Stewardship and Worship
Council Representatives
Needed
At the Congregational Meeting in December, we will be electing new council representatives for both the Stewardship and Worship Committees. Please prayerfully consider serving St. Luke Lutheran in either of these capacities.
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2019 Trunk-R-Treat
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Thank you to all who participated in Trunk-R-Treat on Sun., Oct. 27. We had over 300 people attend, and it was a huge success.
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2019 Ministry Fair
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Thank you to all who participated in the 2019 Ministry Fair. We had a great turn-out and lots of participation.
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Children & Youth Ministry News
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November 17th- SLY Pies on Sale!-
Beginning Sunday, November 17th, our Sr. SLY group will begin taking orders for pies before and after service to help raise funds for their upcoming 2020 Mission Jamaica Trip.
We will be offering pumpkin and pecan pies as well as 1lb. of chocolates for $10 each. Be sure to get your order in soon to help this great cause! All orders will be baked fresh on December 14th, and will be available for pick up during Brunch in Bethlehem on Sunday, December 15th.
November 22nd-23rd
Mid / Sr. SLY Give Thanks Lock-in
All Mid and Sr. SLY youth are invited to join us on Friday, November 22nd for our 6th Annual Give Thanks Lock-In.The Lock-In will last from 7:00pm-8:00am. Our theme for this event is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for it is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." The night will be filled with fun, fellowship, and learning to give thanks to our awesome God. This year we will be going through the ELCA Hunger Catechism as a group. This exercise will give our youth an interactive experience about hunger in the United States and around the world. Our service project will be putting the Thanksgiving Baskets together so they are ready to be delivered. We will have all of our favorite lock-in activities as well as some new ones this year. This year we will compete in a new game called Battle of the Instant Dance Crews and have some of our old favorites: a karaoke room, a video game room, photo booth, a craft room, and we will introduce some new games. The church will provide dinner and breakfast. Please bring some snacks to share. RSVP to Jennifer Wright (
[email protected]) by November 17th. If you are interested in helping chaperone (staying the full night or staying for a certain shift) please contact Jennifer Wright.
November 27th- NO CONFIRMATION DUE TO THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 8th -Christmas Musical
"Light of the World"-. If you would like more details contact Jacob Allen or Jennifer Wright.
Sunday School Classes
Preschool
2's and 3's Room#109 Donna Meili
(Nursery)
Aaron Tidwell
Pre-K 4's and K 5's Room #113 Amy Wright
Michelle Feuerborn
Carol Mattison
Elementary
1st &
2nd grades Room #111 Vikki & Dale Ernst
3rd & 4th grades Room #145 Terri & Richard Williamson
Youth
5th & 6th grades Room #154 Priscilla Hughes
Jesse Feuerborn
7th & 8th grades Room #142 Jim Allay
Mary Ann Honeycutt
Senior High Youth
9th - 12th grade Youth Room Jennifer & Paul Wright
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Financial News
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Cick our QR code to give via text:
You may also give online through
Simply Giving.
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Parish Talk
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 This year's Aldo Leopold Memorial Award was presented to Alan Wentz, who accepted the award via video. "I appreciate in all those jobs, all the bosses I had they tried to get me to do more work with The Wildlife Society and other like-minded conservation organizations," he said. "I'm very honored and humbled to receive this award, and I'd like to thank anyone that had to do with my success." Alan will be the keynote speaker at the 2020 convention in Kentucky.
The highest honor bestowed by The Wildlife Society is the Aldo Leopold Memorial Award for distinguished service to wildlife conservation. The basic selection criterion is the significance of an individual's contribution(s) to the wildlife field. Recipients receive a medal, plaque, and honorary membership in The Wildlife Society
The
Leopold Conservation Award i
s a competitive award that recognizes landowner achievement in voluntary conservation.
 On Sunday, October 13th,we celebrated the baptism of Liora Wright. Welcome child of God!
Pictured: Pastor Cliff, parents Tim and Amy Wright, Godparents Paul Wright and Jennifer Wright (not shown)
St. Luke is proud of Tim Flohr for being named the
new Program Manager for the new Kemmons Wilson
Culinary Institute of the University of Memphis.
See the invitation below to attend the grand opening.
Click here to register for this event.
A Gathering of Saints
A great time was had when the St. Luke Senior Saints explored the Metal Museum!
( And of course when to lunch afterwards!) Plans are being made for a Christmas time exploration - wait for the details!
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Sue_ Karen and an iron corn crop_ |
For all of those St Luke Saints who are recyclers, here are some tips:
- Will you please crush the cans before putting them into a plastic bag of your choice.The result will be more cans (weight) in each bag and fewer trips to our outdoor storage area and more $dollars$ on each trip to the recycling company which is HWY 51 near the Mississippi River.
- They only accept aluminum, that is aluminum cans. No other types of aluminum uses. They will just throw anything else out.
- Place your cans next to the Coca Cola machine or in the outdoor storage area and we will transport them to be recycled.
- This does not raise a lot of money but there are many uses for small items or programs that could be easily paid for.
Continue or become a Recycler.
It is good for you, St Luke and America
.
Thank you
Elvin Carlson and Richard Morgan
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RV Campers Needed!
Faithful Parking provides church locations for
overnight RV camping.
Contact Pastor Cliff if you are interested in how this may benefit St. Luke
and provide hospitality to travelers
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| Stewardship |
Stewardship Campaign Time of the Year!
As we kick off our Stewardship Campaign this year I thought it would be helpful to provide some information we compiled in 2018. Be on the lookout for our 2019 numbers during the month of November and thank you for thinking about how you might "Grow by One Step" this year!
Dear St. Luke Saints,
Thank you for making our recent Ministry Fair a great success! Frankly, I'm always inspired by the many active ministries at St. Luke. Our time and talent touches so many people at our Church and in our community. You might agree that the time and talent aspect of stewardship is very fulfilling. We learn about the needs that surround us and respond with care, sometimes muscle, and always a touch of love. This focus on others is the bedrock of healthy congregations and you and all of our St. Luke Saints honor God by a selfless, giving attitude.
In looking at different aspects of giving I've noted congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective don't view the money given to their church as just a way to pay bills. Instead, these congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church's mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.
St. Luke's Stewardship Program is also based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship.
Your Stewardship Team encourages you toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, "What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?" During worship over the next few Sundays, we are asking you to make your financial commitments to St. Luke's missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.
ACTIONS
- Please prayerfully consider completing an Estimate of Giving Card, available in bulletins this weekend, and deposit it in the confidential collection box on Sunday.
- Please attend our special 35th Anniversary Sunday service and RSVP for our Sunday Celebration Luncheon to be held November 17th using the communication cards at Sunday service.
- For those who prefer to communicate electronically that you are stepping up with us, please email Patti of your monthly estimate of giving.
Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in our Stewardship events.
Dave Carlson
Stewardship Council Chairman
Biblical Principles for Christian Giving:
Give First
Whenever you receive income, first give a portion to support Christ's mission on earth. Giving is a response to God's love. Making our giving our first priority can help us to trust that God will provide for our every need.
Give Regularly
Whenever you receive income (weekly, monthly, etc.), that's when you should give.
Give Proportionately
Christian giving is about equal commitment, not equal giving. Set aside a percentage of your income, growing toward and beyond a tithe (10%).
Grow
Your joyful growth in Christian giving can help you grow in faith and love. Challenge yourself to grow by 1% of your income annually.
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Good Stewards
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Click HERE
for the November Good Stewards Schedule.
The Good Stewards schedule is also found on our church website under Calendar and Events from the "Get Involved" icon.
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ELCA News
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Constitutional Changes
Every three years the ELCA mandates changes to the congregation model constitution. This is the year! On December 8th at the Congregational Meeting, we will be voting on those changes in our Constitution. Our current Constitution is posted on the bulletin board across from Pastor Cliff's office, as are the required changes. Once our constitution with the changes is approved by the Synod Office, it will be posted there. You can check it all out there.
Click
HERE For ELCA Sanctuary Denomination Talking Points
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Thank You to All Our St. Luke Veterans
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Veterans Day
November 11 
Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a tribute to military veterans
who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Thank you to all of our St. Luke veterans.
St. Luke members currently serving or country in the Armed Forces at home and abroad: Anja Dabelic Bacon, Todd Carroll, Robert Dafoe, Carl Ellsworth, Kristen Ellsworth, and Tyler Phillips.
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November Birthdays
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Mark Hodnicak 11/1
Peggy Nutzell 11/1
Jim Steadman 11/1
Casey Lawhead 11/1
Jodie Morley 11/5
Jeffrey Oakley 11/6
Mike Metcalfe 11/8
Edmund IJumba 11/9
Naomi Wright 11/9
Kristen Ellsworth 11/10
Paul Cagle 11/11
Matt Searight 11/13
Tom Kliman 11/15
Jerel Blair 11/15
Mori Welborn 11/16
Sophia Reeves 11/16
Natalie Phillips 11/16
Sydney Chase 11/20
Ryan Oleartchick 11/20
Tracy Kwiatkowski 11/20
Annalise Klobe 11/24
Mary Chandler 11/24
Ella Wright 11/24
Alex Nordby 11/25
Steven Killebrew 11/26
Jennifer Chandler 11/27
John Boevingloh 11/28
Sarah Klein 11/28
Sam Dafoe 11/29
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November Anniversaries
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Jim & Esther Allay 11/1/1991
Matt & Michelle Lorenz 11/3/2001
John & Lynda Nichols 11/5/1983
Heather Hemphill 11/8/2014
Rich & Terri Williamson 11/16/1991
Sophia Reeves 11/17/2018
Jerry & Michelle Sitko 11/23/1974
Bev McGhee 11/26/2013
Steve & Jenny White 11/28/1998
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St. Luke Lutheran Church Follow us @stlukememphis
2000 Germantown Parkway N.
 Cordova, TN 38016
901-756-8850
Follow the Youth activities on Facebook at:
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