Weekly Announcements from St. Luke's 05-21-2023

100th Anniversary Celebration-Ascension Sunday

May 21, 2023

Worship In-Person and Online

8:30 AM and 10:00 AM

Guest Preacher - Bud Eskritt

Download the Bulletin

Online

A Live stream of our services is on Facebook and YouTube.

Go to facebook.com/stlukesbloomington or youtube.com/stlukesbloomington to view live streaming along with recorded worships.

Readings:

Ephesians 1:15-23

Luke 24:44-53

100th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, May 20^{th -}^{Remember to wear your name tags!}

4:00 PM “Through the Decades” Celebration Open House with food

6:00 PM Kids Dance Party and pizza - Fellowship Hall

6:00 PM 100th Anniversary Praise & Program - Sanctuary

Sunday, May 21^{st -}^{Remember to wear your name tags!}

8:30 and 10:00 Worship

9:00 to Noon 100th Anniversary Brunch with barista - Fellowship Hall

Stewardship Thought

Stewardship is about God's economy, God's will for the world. One part of God's stewardship is God's love for the whole world, no exceptions. This means that stewardship is concerned about the well-being of the whole world. -Bob Sitze

100th Anniversary Directory

St. Luke's is doing a new picture directory in-house.

No photos to buy, no appointments to make!

We'll be taking pictures in the narthex before and after Sunday morning services. With nice weather (finally!) we can take pictures outside.

If you have a picture you already like you can submit it for the directory to office@stlukesbloomington.org.

If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Diane LaFontaine, dmlafontaine@comcast.net, 952.686.3158.

Anniversary News

We've received greetings from former pastors & staff and are sharing some of them in the final weeks leading up to our May celebration weekend. Enjoy!

Pastor Bud Eskritt: Assoc Pastor January 1970 – February 1974; Sr Pastor 1978 – February1989

The Apostle Paul had a beautiful way of sending greetings to the churches he had been a part of and dearly loved. Both Helen and I along with our daughters Kathy and Beth remember and hold the same love in our hearts for St Luke’s congregation. Our family was called to be a part of this congregation two times. The first when I was called as youth pastor and the second time when called to serve as senior pastor. We were blessed to be a part of St Luke’s faith filled congregation for 15 years.

Now in May, we return to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of St Luke’s with you. In so doing we extend to you our heartfelt greeting. We do so in the words of St Paul as he wrote to the congregation in the Thessalonica church these words: “We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labors prompted by love, and our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We have followed you over the years and kept track of you as a parent keeps track of a child. Regardless of the years we have been separated we care for you as much as if it was just yesterday that we were together. Over the years faces have changed and some of the saints have been called to rest. Still the faith, service, and love of God in Jesus Christ is as evident in you today as it was when St Luke’s became a church body 100 years ago. Thanks be to God for each of you as you carry on the works and dreams of those who founded this congregation. Blessings.

Mark Your Calendars

Former Pastors Visiting

Former member, now Pastor Teleen Saunders will lead worship on June 25.

RaiseRight

Gift card program supports our Missions partners:

Since inception of the RaiseRight/Scrip gift card program, we have raised about $4500 for Missions. We recently issued or earmarked the following funds:

$1000 – Feed My Starving Children

$1000 – VEAP

$500 – Lift Garage

$200 – Card Ministry

$200 – Blankets of Love quilts

$100 – Tied quilts

In addition, in 2021-2022 we donated $2100 in gift cards to Kennedy Kids (purchased by congregation members) and in January 2023 we donated $485 in gift cards to Kennedy Kids and $400 to Oasis for Youth. This is the RaiseRight program (and your dedication to our Mission partners) at work!

We encourage you to enroll in the program: Download the RaiseRight app on your phone and purchase ecards wherever you can when you are shopping. There are over 750 participating vendors, and the gift cards can be added to your wallet or funds reloaded to existing gift cards within minutes of placing your order which allows you to purchase ecards on demand

Payments via ACH cost only 29 cents per transaction and are very safe. (I checked with my bank before starting the program). Rebates to the church from gift cards that are purchased through your RaiseRight app are tax deductible – you will receive receipt from the church at the end of the year.

Please contact Bev Brosam with any questions: bevyb2@hotmail.com or

952-715-0158. We do have some Visa, Amazon and other cards in stock for purchase.

Thanks for participating in this program!

Bev Brosam

Missions/SLLC RaiseRight Coordinator

Altar Flowers

If you would like to order altar flowers for 2023, the cost is $40.00. Please sign up on the Altar Flower board in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Bette Gamboni at 952-888-8317 or bjgfree2010@gmail.com.

Altar Flowers donated by Linda Johnson,

in memory of her mother, Sine Hansen,

whose exceptional gardens were often

the source of altar bouquets in the 1940's and 50's.

Yard Care Group

No yard care next Tuesday or Thursday - May 23 & 25

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 AM

The Yard Care Group meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9:00. Join us when you can.

Mission Quilters Group

Time to start another quilting journey.

No meeting on Saturday, May 27th

Next meeting - June 14th at 6:00 PM

Beginning on June 14th they will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM, in the sewing room and the great room. Use Door D.

For more information: call Janet Lyson at 952-884-9475 or Diane Anderson for sewing at 952-888-4538 (she will be back before you know it!).

In concert - Community Handbell Ensembles(and organ)

June 3rd, 2023 3:00pm at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church sanctuary

As we prepare to begin our 2nd hundred years, “GatheRing in the Light” concert will be presented by three neighborhood church handbell ensembles, and the organist from St. Luke’s.

Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Christ the King Lutheran Church and

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

Each ensemble will perform two of their favorite pieces. The organist will share her favorite. All musicians will join in performing a beautiful Handel piece for handbells and organ.

Treats will follow the concert. Please BRING A FRIEND and a non-perishable food item or cash donation in support of VEAP Food Bank.

VBS Registration

Join us for an exciting week of VBS June 19th - 22nd from 9:00 AM to Noon for 3 years old through 5th grade.

Click here to register for VBS.

Click here to sign up to volunteer to help with VBS.

Feed My Starving Children

Saturday, June 30th, 4:30-6:45

Volunteer Spots are reserved for St. Luke's Lutheran at the Chanhassen Feed My Starving Children site.

If you are willing to join us, please contact Craig Brandt so your name can be added to our roster. Please invite your children and friends to give them an opportunity to help others. The sooner you can make a commitment, the sooner more spaces will be added for volunteers. **Drivers are needed. Please contact Craig if you can pick up other volunteers.

You can also sign up online: Volunteers still needed.

Click here for June 30th at 4:30 PM

Your hands are essential in the fight against world hunger. Contact Craig Brandt at craigbrandt_9@msn.com, if you would like to volunteer.

Softball Season!

St. Luke's Men's Softball season is underway. All games are at Dred Scott fields in Bloomington. It is a men's league and if anyone is interested in playing they can email me at aroberts907@gmail.com.

Highlights from May 9th - We won 22-4 against Transfiguration Lutheran Church on Tuesday night.

Click here for a full schedule

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Prayer Requests

This Week

We continue to hold our family members and friends in prayer. We appreciate any updates you can provide.

-Prayers for all St. Luke's members, past and present as we celebrate our 100th Anniversary.-Laurie Blanchard

Continued prayers:

-Prayers for Mary Ann Mulvey recovering from a stroke and has needed blood transfusions. - Jackie Miller

-Prayers for Barb Holmes and Mike Thelen, both recovering from strokes. Also, prayers for the Tim Doughty family on his passing. - Jackie Wakely

-Prayers of thanksgiving for Tom Swirtz. The pancreatic cancer tumor has shrunk in size & the chemical markers have reduced from 41 to 21.

-Prayers for my friends, John & Cathy Bristle. They lost their home to a fire. - Kim Fokken

-Please pray for my brother-in-law who is in the process of end of life. May he be comforted. – Judy Gross Sandeen

-Prayers that the new chemo drug Kelly started will have less side effects .Kelly also will have radiation to her spine to hopefully help lessen her pain. - Becky Olson

-Prayers for Jerome, a 16-year-old, questioning himself and others. Pray he makes good decisions.- Jane Nechville

-Prayers for Michelle Sundet's niece, Marissa, sick in the hospital that she will regain her strength and be restored to health. Also, for her family during this time. - Michelle Sundet

-Prayers for Mary Fogelstrom who suffered a stroke. Healing as well as extra strength and patience for the family members in the coming weeks. - Al Buss

-Prayers for Jim Peavey for healing from a recent surgery for cancer and for upcoming chemo treatments to go smoothly and successfully. - Jane Nechville

-Continue healing for my friend Mary Kitzmann. - Pam Trutnau

-Prayers for Bonnie Hollenack for healing and comfort. - Pam Trutnau

-Continued healing prayers for my nephew, Andrew.-Judy Ludwigson

-Continued healing prayers for my brother, Gary, as he continues with his chemo - Judy Ludwigson

-Prayers for Gary's cousin, Sherri, who has been recently diagnosed with AML (leukemia).- Gary & Laurie Blanchard

-Pray for my sister-in-law, Candy Johnson. Her cancer has returned.-Helen (Smacky) Schillinger

-Pray for Gloria's great-grandson, Arthur, suffering with cancer. His treatment is going well.- Janet & Roger Lyson

-Pray for my friend and co-worker that she will be able to keep her job and for her 19-year-old daughter who is living on the street.- Carolyn Olson

-Prayers for my nephew who is currently serving as Deacon, but the priest is retiring so he will have full responsibility of their small church. J. Ekerberg

-Continued prayers for Christopher, Judy Ludwigson's nephew who has been deployed for a year.

-Please pray for peace in my personal life, work life and the world. Also, for a personal physical issue and safe travels on the roads and water - Julie Schroeder

-Prayers for my parents to continue positive health and live a long life. - Alfred

-Prayers for the people Liberia who live in such harsh conditions. May God bless their lands, families and communities. - Alfred

-Prayers for my mother, Natsy, may she find healing and wholeness.- David Roudebush

-Continued healing prayers for our neighbor and friend, Peggy, as she recovers from a stroke. - Judy Ludwigson

-My back is stable because of the prayers and my exercise regime! - Jane Ekerberg

-Prayers for continued healing and renewed health for both Tom and me. Tom has a hard time breathing and goes to rehab for that. Ongoing prayers for health and medications that will help me with my pain management. - Jackie Wakely

Ongoing prayers…

-Prayers for people who suffer from mental illness and depression.

-Prayers for the fallen world and for the unbelievers to come to know Christ.

-Prayers for peace in heart, mind and soul for our leaders, our country and the world to come together in kindness, joyfulness, open mindedness and love, especially in Ukraine.

-Prayers for the poor and homeless.

-Prayerfully remember friends and family of those who have committed suicide. Acknowledge the pain that they felt and the pain they have left behind.

-Prayers for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Give them strength and insight to the needs of these children.

-Prayers for those lost, the weak, the arrogant, and all of us sinners to find and follow the wonderful gift we were given through Jesus.

-Prayers for healing for the sick especially those with Covid as the pandemic continues.

-Prayers for our deployed service men and women.

-Prayers for those incarcerated in jail and prison to heal from past and find new life.

-Prayers for those uncertain in their faith to open their heart to the Lord.

-Prayers of thanksgiving for our wonderful congregation, for families and children to coming to St. Luke's in abundance and may all of the things we do (large and small) make the world a more loving and beautiful place.

To submit a prayer request, please contact the office: 952-881-5801 or office@stlukesbloomington.org.