Special Note:Worship services will be offered by Facebook LIVE. If the service is unavailable in this way, worship will also be accessible live via Zoom (no account required by either vendor). Details and links will be available here.
#SaintLukesConnected
.
Sunday! At-home Virtual Communion
As part of our normal worship practice on the first Sunday of the month, and because we know that Jesus met people where they were and he continues to meet us where we are, our church family will celebrate At-Home Virtual Communion this Sunday. Click here for more information on how we can share the Lord's Supper together, using whatever elements you may have available.
Update on Re-Gathering From the Session
Please click here to read the latest re-gathering update from the Session.
We Need Your Feedback!
As we continue to develop online offerings, and think about new ones, we would appreciate your feedback on experiences of online church so far. Please click here to take the survey!
Update: Food Ministry Program
Our friends at Dodd-Sterling UMC continue to serve the people in its community in many ways, and Saint Luke's is privileged to be able to provide some support for it. Every other Tuesday, approximately 15 volunteers between our two churches distribute food to people in need, providing food to approximately 125 families. Thank you to the Saint Luke's people (and there are many) who have volunteered to be a part of physically putting food into the families' vehicles that show up on distribution Tuesday! And thank you to Saint Luke's people who have been able to contribute financially! We are blessed to be a part of this ministry!
Update: Habitat for Humanity
A Place to Call Home - A House Rehabbed with Love
While we at Saint Luke's are missing the renovation of the Habitat house that is to become the home of Nilaja Brooks, we were able to be with her in spirit, thanks to Jenny Will, our Atlanta Habitat contact, who set up a ZOOM call on July 21. The call included several people from Saint Luke's, as well as other partner churches. It was great to meet Ms Brooks, along with her mother and her two children through ZOOM. She was the star of the session, proving to be a positive force, even with the delay that has taken place in the "building" of her Habitat home. Her project is a rehab of an existing house. Read more...
Sept. 12: Virtual Church Breakfast Featuring Mr. CFB
9 am via Zoom
The college football season is fast approaching and with it comes the traditional Saint Luke's Church Breakfast featuring Mr. College Football, Tony Barnhart! Put on your college colors and join us on Zoom on Sept. 12 at 9 am to hear Tony's prognostications on just what we might expect from our favorite and not-so-favorite teams this year. Questions? Contact Tom Loftis at tomloftis01@gmail.com. Zoom meeting invitation:
It is Kickoff time again and we can't wait to get off to a new start - and it will be easier than ever to participate! Join us for three virtual kickoff sessions on Sunday, September 13. Each session will explain how and when classes and groups will meet, give you a chance to ask questions - and probably best of all, provide you with a chance to catch up with fellow members you may not have "seen" in a while. So mark your calendars for time with the group or groups that will feed your faith! Look for zoom links in next week's Highlights!
Sept. 13 Virtual Kickoff Times:
Adults: 9:30 - 10 a.m.
Children (with parents): 11:30 a.m. - noon
Youth: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Potluck Dinner
Sept. 14: Presbyterian Women (PW) Groups to Meet via Zoom
All women invited! Presbyterian Women (PW) is an organization with a focus on fellowship, service, and a year long Bible Study, "Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament," by Lynn Miller. The study is very timely, as it will give us voice to articulate difficult emotions and fears and deep concerns - our laments - as we search for solace. First meeting is on Sept. 14! Not registered? Click here!Questions? Contact Stephanie McGoldrick or go to the PW web page.
THANK YOU to All of Our Front Line Heroes
We are so grateful for all the front line workers in our community! This week, we spotlight Saint Luke's member Dave Rickell (pictured in the middle). If you are a front line worker, please let us know so we can show you some Saint Luke's love!
Name: Dave Rickell
Occupation: EVP of Operations Waffle House
What is the biggest challenge about your job, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Waffle House's highest priority during Covid-19 has been the health and safety of our customers and associates. The good news is that restaurants have always had to follow strict policies with regards to food handling, exclusion of sick employees, hand washing, and sanitation. So we had a strong infrastructure already in place. We enhanced the behaviors that we were already doing, and also added many more to specifically address Covid-19. When you go into a location you can quickly notice that we have made some obvious adjustments, but there are also many subtle ones too.
What is the best thing about your job and/or what brings you satisfaction in your work and/ or what motivates you to keep doing what you are doing?
One of our great motivators, especially during times of crisis, is that Waffle House works as a team. We have a home grown leadership culture. Everybody starts as a Unit Manager, and works their way up through ranks, as we only promote from within. So there are many longterm relationships between the managers, and the managers and the hourly associates. When the going gets tough, we are all in it together, and there is a great sense of common purpose.
What's one thing you wish people knew about your job?
One thing I wish everyone knew about Waffle House is that it offers a great career path. There are significant opportunities for promotion on the management side as well as for the hourly work force. We see kids work during high school and college, and then come into the management program. It is because of this longterm mindset that Waffle House is able to perform so well during challenging times. We are always in it for the long haul!
Describe a typical day for you:
A typical day for me is balancing restaurant operations with leadership development and strategic planning. But the foundation for all 3 of these comes out of being in the restaurants. We try and work in 3-6 restaurants every day. This gives us a sense of how things are running, and what the leadership team's strengths and weaknesses are. Being in the restaurants so often also let's us see what the customers and hourly associates are experiencing. When we make changes or adjustments, it comes from our own hands on experiences.
NEW! Virtual Music and Arts
Check out our new Music and Arts resources for parents and kids with the theme of "In the Image." These are a series of various fun activities and songs based on the creation story that you can create, sing and discuss together in whatever way works best for your own home routine. We have created a special page on our church website, www.slpres.org/in-the-image, where you can find recordings, sheet music, "bible beats" spoken rhythms and suggestions for crafts and family worship/discussion time organized into 5 themed modules. We'd love to see what you're making, hear what you're learning, and spend time finding out how we are all made "In the Image" of God, and we look forward to a "creative" fall season of music and arts!
NEW! Listen, Learn and Play with Children's Ministry!
"Anyday School" Delivered Weekly!
Godly Play and Dig In are back this fall! Beginning September 18, we will email all lessons/videos each Friday so that your family may learn whenever it's convenient.
3's through Kindergarten - Godly Play
These Bible story videos, recorded by folks familiar to our kids, will include the simple visual pieces that engage young children and spark their imaginations.
1st-5th Grades - Dig In
Kids have always loved Dig In, which features music videos, a story-starter video, and then a discussion about the story itself. We'll also offer an optional family follow-up activity like a game or a fun object lesson.
Wednesday Story Time!
Toddlers, Preschoolers, and younger Elementary children will enjoy four weeks of hearing and seeing some beautiful books about inclusion and kindness. This series will begin on Wednesday, September 16 and will end on Wednesday, October 7. Details to follow.
Who Wants to Help With "Tell Us Our Story"?
Even though Catherine Anne still loves telling our children's stories in online worship, sometimes she really misses talking with kids "face-to-face". If anyone in your family is interested in joining on live video (from your home via Zoom), please email cathomas@slpres.org and we will find a Sunday that works for you!
We Want to See You Back at School!
Hey, kids! Here's your homework: Ask someone to take a photo of you doing something "back-to-school" related...it could be getting on the bus, riding in the car, working at your kitchen table, or sitting in front of your device. We just want to see YOU in this new school year! Photos will be posted without names on the Children's Ministry web page soon...and we can display them in the church hallways when we return! Help us see YOU shining God's light as you learn! Email photos to erinmurray@slpres.org.
Middle & High School Youth Update
SAVE THE DATE: Sept. 13, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Potluck: We'll gather on zoom for a virtual potluck; grab your parents and treat yourselves to your family's favorite dish as we gather to fill you in on what's going on this year for youth at Saint Luke's, (youth group, retreats, summer trips) we may not have all the answers yet but this will be our chance to tell you what we know and what we're hoping for!
It's Not Too Late to Tie a Prayer!
We invite everyone, no matter your faith or affiliation, in our community to Tie a Prayer to the cross in the Saint Luke's front yard!
Choose a ribbon from the container (or bring your own) and as you tie it on, pray or lift up thoughts for whatever is on your heart. Our prayers will unite with one another and create a beautiful symbol of hope in our community!
Get a Saint Luke's Mask and Spread Love!
Great news! Now you can help protect others and yourself while sharing God's love. These 3-ply 100% cotton masks are available for purchase at $5 each. Click here to order as many as you need: https://slpres.org/masks/. Orders placed by Sunday evening of each week will be available for pick-up on Wednesday of the following week beginning at 3:00 pm. Look for the bin located just outside the main lobby entrance. All orders will be labeled by name.
Have You Seen our YouTube Channel?
You can check it out here. Most musical components of our online worship services are posted regularly, so if you missed something, you can watch it at your leisure.
Daily Devotional Available
The Upper Room is offering free online access to their daily devotional. This is the same resource that we usually offer in a printed form. To access, simply click here.
CAC Still Seeking Donations
Saint Luke's continues to hold a special food drive in support of CAC (Community Assistance Center), which is in critical need of these items. With the church being closed, please deliver items to church member Bob Schultz, at 1660 Kings Down Cir, Dunwoody GA 30338. For more information, including alternate to physical donations, click here.
UPDATE: Please leave donations on the front porch, keeping in mind social distancing. Also, due to heat, please no perishables.
Do You Need Assistance?
The Board of Deacons of the church has mobilized care and caregivers for anyone who needs assistance during this time of isolation, like shopping and other errands. Contact Pastor Shannon Dill or Loving Care Committee deacon chair Janis Kilgore for more information.
Wayfarers Bible Study on Wednesdays at 10 am
Join us every Wednesday at 10 am for the Wayfarers Bible Study! Join by Zoom here. PW is 1978.
Weekly Time for Prayer
Thursdays at Noon
In these weighty times, we will gather virtually for a time of prayer every Thursday at noon. Join by Zoom here or by phone (646-558-8656, meeting id 847 985 1970. PW is 1978). For more info about Zoom, click here. Feel free to light a candle as we hear scripture and pray together (15-20 minutes).
Saint Luke's Prayer Connections
One of the best ways we have to be connected together right now is through our prayers! For one another and for those who have named they would like to receive them. Would you like to be added to the Saint Luke's Prayer List, by which you can be guided in prayers for the community and congregation? If so, please email pastors@slpres.org and ask to be added to a weekly email distribution list.
Saint Luke's Support for Those in Job Transition
In these difficult economic times, furloughs and layoffs are becoming all too common, and we want to support each other and our neighbors in employment transition. Saint Luke's is so fortunate to have human resources professionals willing to support and network with those who need it. Jared Elliot (770-262-9601) and Tracy Coffie (404-273-3003) are each willing to help as they are able. And your pastors are, too! Let's support one another and share the burden of these difficult times.
Please Support Saint Luke's
Please support the work God is doing through Saint Luke's during this challenging time by giving online, via text, or by mail (1978 Mt Vernon 30338). Thank you for all you so generously give!
Sept. 7: Saint Luke's Staff Off
While the Saint Luke's office remains closed, the staff will be off on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Saint Luke's
Upcoming Events
#SaintLukesConnected
September 12: Virtual Church Breakfast featuring Tony Barnhart
Update: Food Ministry Program
Update: Habitat for Humanity 
What is the best thing about your job and/or what brings you satisfaction in your work and/ or what motivates you to keep doing what you are doing? 
Wayfarers Bible Study on Wednesdays at 10 am
