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

Turner, J. M. W. (Joseph Mallord William), 1775-1851. The Burning of the Houses of Parliament, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

In This Issue
Pastor's corner
School supply drive
Movie night
Family Promise week
Handbell choir
Directory update
FBRR Golf Tournament
Poker for Peace
Bunko Babes
Quilting group
Book group
Bible Study opportunities
Women's Bible study
Pastor community hours
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
August 14, 2019
Pastor's Corner
Today is Ryan's first day of Kindergarten. For weeks now, we've been talking about what school will be
like and practicing some of our new routines. We have been learning about learning. And this morning, practice paid off. Ryan was excited when she woke up. She was exuberant while eating breakfast. She was bouncing up and down as we got ready. And by the time we got to her classroom, she was ready for me to go so she could get down to the serious business of learning.

Back to school time is a good time to think about the Christian call to learning as well. When the people are preparing to enter the Promised Land, Moses commands them to "put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." We are called to be lifelong learners; to reflect daily on God's word by ourselves and with our families. What's more, we are meant not only to teach God's word to others, but to teach others how to learn about God's word themselves, both by our words and
our actions.

Just as Moses commanded that his words be bound to the hands and forehead (a practice still observed in worship by our friends at Beth El Shalom), we are called to be visibly Christian, clothed in Christ and and living out the promises of our baptism. We do that by daily dwelling in the Word, daily learning about God's love for us and the world, and daily practicing following in Jesus' footsteps. The more we do that, the more the world will see Christ in us.

It's Back to School time. As we prepare to begin another programming year, may we look for
opportunities in and out of church to deepen our faith. May we help one another learn and grow in love. And may we be visibly Christian in the world around us, spreading hope to all we meet.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Will

School supply drive
Help kids in need

We will be collecting school supplies for the Fort Bend Rainbow Room's Back to School Project. The Fort Bend Rainbow Room serves abused and neglected children in the Fort Bend area. They are collecting school supplies as well as shoes, socks, underwear, and backpacks for all school ages. All items should be in new condition. Drop these items off in the narthex in the designated bin. The last day to donate will be Aug. 19.

Breakthrough movie night
St. Martin's has received the opportunity to hold a viewing of the Christian drama film Breakthrough. Join us this Saturday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. to watch this movie together in the St. Martin's sanctuary. Starting at 6 p.m. that evening we will meet up and share snacks, so please bring your favorite to share.

Breakthrough is the true story of a St. Louis teenager who fell through an icy lake in January 2015 and how his family went through the ordeal. You can watch the trailer here.

Join our event on Facebook to let us know you're coming and share it with your friends! Hope to see you there!

Family Promise week
Help the homeless

Our next week of Family Promise is scheduled for Sept. 1 - Sept. 8. Each quarter St. Martin's turns its Sunday School classrooms into bedrooms for local homeless families. We partner with Fort Bend Family Promise to provide food and shelter to these families that have hit hard times. Volunteers are needed to cook meals, welcome the families, unlock the church, set up the rooms and do laundry. Please sign up in the Narthex if you can help!

Handbell choir resumes
St. Martin's Handbell Choir is resuming their weekly practices starting next week on Thursday, Aug. 22. The Handbell Choir treats us to beautiful performances about every two months. They practice weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and are accepting new members of all ages, little to no experience needed. If you are interested in joining contact our Handbell Choir Director David Moore at dcmoore2@gmail.com

July 2019 Directory
Get updated

A new St. Martin's pictorial directory has been made and it's ready to share! Download it here. If you would like a paper copy please come by the office during office hours. Let us know if you notice any corrections need to be made.


Rainbow Room Golf Tournament
Support FBRR

On Monday, Sept. 23, Fort Bend Rainbow Room will be holding their 9th Annual Pot of Gold Classic golf tournament at the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch (23030 Cinco Ranch Blvd, Katy). The tournament kicks off with registration at  noon, shotgun start at  1 p.m., and dinner and awards will follow at  6 p.m. Fort Bend Rainbow Room is an emergency resource center that helps abused and neglected children in our area. Proceeds from the golf tournament will fund this worthy cause. 

If you have any interest in participating, either as a sponsor or a golfer, take a look at their tournament packet and follow the instructions within.

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 Aug. 30, at the house of Nate HopkinsFor 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 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 31 at the home of Joyce Ingram. For more information and to RSVP please contact Monika Miura at:  mmiura1@comcast.net

Quilting group 
The  StMartin'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:
Aug. 19 - 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 21 - 7 p.m.

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. Next meeting will be Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.

Book picks by the month:
Aug. - "Call the Midwife" by Jennifer Worth

Sept. - "Original Sin" by P.D. James

Oct. - "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles

Nov. - "The Paris Architect" by Charles Belfoure
 

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. 

Thursday Ladies' Bible Study

This is a group of ladies who meet every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. to have lively discussions and enjoy learning together. They always welcome new members and visitors. It is a great way to make friends and there's always tasty refreshments. If you have any questions call Jill Keller at: 713.557.0893.


 

The Ladies' Bible Study group will be on break Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. They will resume their normal 9:30 a.m. Bible Study on Aug. 29 with a new book, "Living in Covenant," about the new covenant of the New Testament. This is a great time for new members!

 

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.


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
NURTURING GENEROUS HEARTS, the Thrivent Way...
 
Recently while reading this article and it called to mind our very own St. Martin's congregation "Next Generation" which are near and dear to my heart and most likely yours as well! Because you and I know that if we do not instill certain values in the "Next Generation" of our great Lutheran heritage they could make wrong choices and not know the value of money or the heart of giving generously.
 

 
Stewardship Thought of the Week

 
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' "

 - Mark 10:21
 
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
Kim Kenimer
Arlene Peters
Barbara Jacobs
Gene Farris
Mitzi Thornton
James Langford
John Beury
Sean O'Sullivan
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
green-blue-balloons.jpg Let's celebrate!
 
Birthdays
David S.                    Aug. 14
Mary R.                     Aug. 15
Mona F.                     Aug. 18
Carl P.                       Aug. 21
Isabel S.                   Aug. 21
Rene P.                     Aug. 22
Ana G.                      Aug. 23
Emilie H.                   Aug. 25
Sharon H.                 Aug. 25
Al W.                        Aug. 26
Emily Y.                    Aug. 28


Anniversaries
Chuck & Abigail O.             Aug. 26
Al & Hildy W.                     Aug. 26
Shannon & Debra G.          Aug. 28


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.
  

Aug. 15 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
Aug. 17 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
Aug. 17 - Breakthrough movie night, 6 p.m.
Aug. 18 - Sunday morning worship, 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 18 - Saint Paul Sunday worship, 11:15 a.m.
Aug. 18 - Pastor Wickoren's Memorial, 3 p.m.
Aug. 19 - Quilting group, 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 19 - Book club, 7 p.m.
Aug. 20 - Boy Scouts 148, 6 p.m.
Aug. 21 - Wednesday Bible Study, 1 p.m.
Aug. 21 - Quilting group, 7 p.m.
Aug. 22 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
Aug. 22 - Handbell choir practice, 7 p.m.
Aug. 24 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
Aug. 25 - Sunday morning worship, 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 25 - Saint Paul Sunday worship, 11:15 a.m.
Aug. 27 - Boy Scouts 148, 6 p.m.
Aug. 28 - Wednesday Bible Study, 1 p.m.
Aug. 29 - Thursday Women's Bible Study, 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 29 - Houston Area Parkinson's Tai Chi, 10 a.m.
Aug. 29 - Handbell choir practice, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 - Poker for Peace (off-site), 7 p.m.
Aug. 31 - Beth El Shalom worship, 8 a.m.
Aug. 31 - Bunko Babes (off-site), 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 1 - Family Promise week
Sept. 1 - Sunday morning worship, 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 1 - Saint Paul Sunday worship, 11:15 a.m.