Sunday, December 22nd, 2024

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

7:30AM in Emmanuel Chapel

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

10:00AM in the Nave & Livestreamed

A Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols

4:00PM in the Nave & Livestreamed

Holy Eucharist

5:15PM in Emmanuel Chapel

Welcome to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke

We are a community of faith with ancient worship and modern thought, catholic traditions and progressive theology. We proclaim a Biblical perspective for thinking people, a respect for reason, science, and a diversity of perspective. This empowers compassion and care for both the wider community and one another.

Our commitment to welcome and inclusion is central to our mission modeled on the Kingdom of God and proclaimed by Jesus Christ.

Sunday Service Bulletins

Livestreaming

Sunday Morning Service Participants

Preacher & Celebrant

The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Assisting

The Reverend Rebecca Grant, Deacon

Music Leader & Organist

Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music

Verger

Randi Hogan

Crucifer

Liam Coy

Lector

Peter Bingham

Prayers Leader

Mary Linneman

Advent Wreath Prayers Leader

Louisa Radtke-Rowe

Ushers

Bob Parshley, Melissa Coy, Susan McCuller, Deb Marcoux

Live Streaming

Jack Swanton, Sam Allen

Eucharistic Ministers

William Hoyt, Joseph deKay

The Healing Team

Gail Kesich, Elise Magnuson

Contributing Ministries

Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild

Lessons and Carols Service Participants

4:00PM in the Cathedral Nave

Lessons & Carols Bulletin

Lessons and Carols Bulletin

Livestreaming

Youtube Live

Facebook Live

Officiant

The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Head Verger

Eleanor Roberts

Ushers

Mary Linneman, Elizabeth Burger, Anna Messmer, Stan Kuziel

Readers

Mary Linneman; John Bancroft; Elizabeth Burger; Phoebe Blume; William Salomon; Judd Hume; Susan McCuller; Peter Bingham; the Rev. Christopher Worthley

Ushers

Mary Linneman, Elizabeth Burger, Anna Messmer, Stan Kuziel

Live Streaming

Jack Swanton, Sam Allen

Contributing Ministries

Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild

Music Leader & Organist

Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music

Members of the Cathedral Choir

* denotes guest singer

Terry Anderson • Georgia Bancroft • Onnie Benoist • Phoebe Blume • Robert Brokaw • Linda Carleton • Joseph Colquhoun • Lynn Dalheim • Ellise Johnson

• *Zen Kuriyama • Curtis Maurand • Jamie Moore •Suezan Moore • Parker Roberts

• Shana Rose • William Salomon • Connie Schmalz • Dan Schmalz

*Simon Smith • *Marguerite Toscano • Gay Tucker

• Kathy Watt • Stacie Webb • *Toby Webb

5:15PM Holy Eucharist

5:15 Service Bulletin

5:15 Hymns and Readings

Service Participants

Celebrant

The Reverend George Stevens, Interim Dean

Reflector

Peter Carleton

First Reader

Peter Carleton

Service Leader

Stehanie Miller

Music Leader

Terry Foster

Soloist

Judd Hume

HAPPENING TODAY

Coffee Hour

This morning’s coffee hour is offered by the building and grounds committee

Please join us after the 7:30AM & 10AM service for fellowship and refreshments in the Upper Hall, through the doors to the left of the altar.

All are welcome. Interested in hosting? This important part of our common life provides us with a time for connection.

Hosting is fun and easy; it requires only bringing in a baked good and brewing coffee.

Please consider volunteering; a lot of gratitude comes with it. Thank you!

Check the hosting schedule by visiting the link here.

Please email Meredith Cough with your date.

UPCOMING

Christmas Service Schedule

Looking for Ushers for Christmas Day

The cathedral ushers are looking for three volunteers who would be willing to serve on Christmas Day for the 10:00AM Eucharist.

If you are interested please email Anna Messmer.

Nominations Open!

Annual Meeting to be Held Sunday, February 2 at 11:30AM

Cathedral Nave

Nominations for Vestry, Senior Warden, and delegates to Diocesan Convention are being received by the Nominating Committee of the Lesser Chapter.

Members of the Nominating Committee are: Sam Allen, Catherine Hyde, Dan McDonald and the Rev. George Stevens.

At our Annual Meeting, scheduled for Sunday, February 2 at 11:30 a.m., we’ll elect a Senior Warden for a two year term, three vestry members for three year terms and five delegates (as well as alternates) for Diocesan Convention.

Please contact the Rev. George Stevens for ‘Job Descriptions’ or to nominate yourself or someone else. Please contact George via email.

Please note: please have permission of the person you’d like to nominate before submitting their name.

IN MEMORIAM

A Pastoral Note: Victor Wakefield

Earlier this week, December 19, we received notification of the passing of Victor Wakefield.

Victor and his wife Celia have long been associated with the Cathedral and are deeply loved by many.

Please hold Victor and his family in your prayers.

There will be a private burial.

Condolences can be sent to the family at: 223 Sliver Lane, Limerick, Maine, 04048.

Prayer for the Departed

Father of all, we pray to you for Victor and for all those whom

we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let

light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls

of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Prayer for Those Who Grieve

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our

understanding: Deal graciously with all who grieve.

Surround them with your love, that they may not be

overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your

goodness, and strength to meet the days to come;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

COMMUNITY NOTES

Parish Office To Be Closed During the Week Between

Christmas and New Years Day

The parish office will be closed the during the week between Christmas Day (12/25/24) and New Years Day (01/01/24).

In case of a pastoral emergency, please contact the Reverend George Stevens at 978-578-8084.

A Note from the Interim Dean

regarding the departure of Parish Administrator,

Avery Levesque-Schott

Dear Friends,

Last week I received word that our beloved Parish Administrator, Avery Levesque-Schott, will be leaving the Cathedral for a position with the University of Southern Maine Foundation. Avery joined the staff in June of 2022.

Since that time, he has generously shared his gifts with this community. He is a great listener and clear communicator, has brought organization and technical skills to the office, and possesses a keen attention to detail. But his most important gifts are his patience, warmth and sense of humor.

I am truly grateful for his work among us. Avery will be working through the end of December, but has agreed to be thanked publicly on Sunday 5 January at Coffee Hour following the 10:00AM service. There will be more to say later about hiring a new Parish Administrator. Until then I hope you will join me in sharing appreciation for all Avery’s hard work. — George Stevens

Ad Hoc Preparedness Committee

At its November meeting the vestry unanimously approved the formation of an ad hoc Preparedness Committee. Chaired by Linda and Peter Carleton and Ruth Roemer, the purpose of the committee is to help St. Luke’s address for the threatened mass deportations and the growing number of transgender people fleeing from hostile states.

In the coming days, the Committee will gather information as to what ideas and actions are being considered by the State of Maine, the City of Portland, the Maine Council of Churches, the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, and local immigrant and transgender rights groups. The committee will then present findings to the vestry and the Cathedral and will give suggestions as to ways St. Luke’s and its members might participate in these efforts.

Please contact Linda Carleton via email with any questions or to join the effort.

Eco Tips & Announcements

from the St. Luke's Public Policy

and Environmental Action Team

Avoiding consumerism at Christmas

1. Question your purchases

-Are you spending money just because of sales?

-Are you buying gifts out of obligation?

-Is buying more toys for a child the best thing for him or her?

2. Focus on people and not presents

-Being fully present to another is the best gift you can give.

-Children will remember your loving attention, presence and memories, not all the stuff purchased for them.

3. Rethink your traditions

-Keep traditions that make the holidays meaningful.

-Leave out traditions that create stress, debt, and fatigue.

4. Consider “no cost gifts”

-Be generous with your time by spending it with a loved one, having friends over for coffee or tea, going for a walk or to a movie or museum.

5. Donate to a charity in honor of a loved one.

Interested in learning more? Visit the webpage here to read in greater depth.

PPEAT Book Discussion Group

The Public Policy and Environmental Action Team (PPEAT) would like to host a 6 to 8-session book discussion beginning in mid to late January on Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World, by Andrew Doyle, an Episcopal bishop from Texas.

Citizen provides a biblically and theologically grounded guide to how we can be both citizens of the kingdom of God and citizens of our community, state and country. The discussion will be led by Sarah Braik.

If you are interested please email Sarah Braik and indicate your preference for Monday or Wednesday evening, and whether you would prefer in-person or Zoom. Thank you!

To read the most recent minutes from the PPEAT Meeting held on December 10, please click here.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

The Healing Team

Prayers of Healing are offered at the 10AM service each Sunday, during or after communion and to the end of the postlude. Two members of the Healing Team offer these healing prayers in All Saints’ Chapel (the small chapel to the right of the communion rail.) The following team members will offer healing prayers:

December 24, 2024 Sara Schmalz, Judd. Hume

The Healing Team will not be offering prayers on December 30

Soul Talk

Every Fourth Tuesday of the Month

10-11:30AM in the Oratory

Soul Talk is an informal coffee and discussion group exploring our faith and experience of God meeting on fourth Tuesdays, 10-11:30 in the Chapter Room.

Come once a month or once in a while!

If you’d like to receive materials prior to each month’s meeting contact Linda Carleton via email.

The Biblical Study Group

The Biblical Study Group meets in the Chapter Room at 8:30AM.

In January, we will learn about the development of Jesus. We will look at how he grew from being a rural peasant apocalyptic preacher to later become the son of man, the son of God, the Risen Christ, the person of God, and finally the sovereign Ruler of the Universe. In February, we will consider how to live the vital life of Christ. Stay tuned!

We are led by Bob Hanson, retired university professor, Episcopal priest, author, peace activist, and Jungian analyst. Contact Bob at (207) 405-8250.

Sing With the Cathedral Choir

The Cathedral Choir is welcoming new members! We hope you’ll join us for fun, learning, fellowship, and the joy of music-making in community.

Previous singing experience is not required. Short-term commitments are possible.

Rehearsals most Thursdays 7-9PM, singing most Sunday 10AM liturgies & for several additional services throughout the year.

If you are interested in joining, please contact Christian Clough.

Sunday 5:15PM Service of Holy Eucharist

The 5:15PM Service is a lay-lead worship service of Holy Eucharist and meditation which gathers each Sunday in Emmanuel Chapel. Each week we welcome a member of the clergy to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

The service invites all in attendance into a space of quiet and stillness, with music, scripture, and reflections.

We look forward to welcoming you to future services. Please join us!

The Kneeler Guild and

Prayer Shawl Knitters

Tuesday

2:30PM

The Upper Hall.

For additional information contact Jeri Edgar 207-303-8447 or Nancy Mawhinney 207-775-7500

Everyone is welcome, whether you are curious or want to begin. Kneeler kits cost $75, which include directions, yarn, needles & canvas. Novices are welcome; we will teach you as needed. Prayer Shawls: 26-29” by 60”; select your yarn & needles. Coffee & Tea available.

Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer meets every Thursday at 4:30 PM on Zoom.

Please join us for a half hour of silent meditation followed by a brief conversation about our experience. All are welcome. No experience is necessary.

For more information email Sarah Braik.