St. Luke's Church Newsletter: December 1, 2021

Come worship with us this Sunday

at 3810 Ridgewood Rd. Copley, OH

or on Facebook Live at 9:30 AM

Or visit our website: www.stlukesakron.com

Click Here to view this Sunday's Bulletin

Scriptures

for this Sunday,

December 5, 2021

Malachi 3:1-5

Psalm 126

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Luke 3:1-6

Message from Father Dan

Advent (the ‘Coming/Arrival’ from the Greek word “Parousia”) is here!

We are anticipating again the coming of Christ. We celebrate it each year as it is intended to ignite in us a sense of wonder, awe, hope, and resolve that we will be here to welcome Jesus’ second coming.

I encourage you all in a time where all the holiday fluff can get us spinning, to slow down, find some silence, take a hike in the woods, watch the sunrise, and experience the presence of God as he unfolds the story of His redemptive plan for the world.

During the next few weeks we will continue to build the stage for each of us to create our own “Rule of life”. Finding our Stability, our Daily Conversion of Life, and our Obedience to God’s guidance and plans will shape and form each of us into being more like Jesus. Each time we purposefully engage in prayer, work, study, hospitality and renewal while recognizing the presence of God, we grow more aware of our purpose, god’s presence, the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, and a pace that brings a joy that is lasting. Our hope is to help each one of us establish a lasting pattern to live life with the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy.

Here is a prayer that might be a great way to start your Days through Advent: “Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

(ACNA Book of Common Prayer)

This Advent, we have a few resources to help us prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas.

The first is a booklet called “Jesse Tree Devotionals” (which is particularly good for home with young children), and the second is a Family Prayer booklet with prayer services from our ACNA Book of Common Prayer.

You can pick one up for your family in the Café after the service.

St. Luke’s Church will be gathering together to watch Season One

of “The Chosen” on Friday evenings at 7:00 PM.

After each episode, we will have a discussion and dessert.

This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family to share

and learn of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Episode Schedule:

Nov 12th - Episode 1, "I Have Called You by Name"

Nov 19th - Episode 2, "Shabbat"

Dec 3rd - Episode 3, "Jesus Loves the Little Children"

Dec 10th - Episode 4, "The Rock on Which It is Built"

Dec 17th - Episode 5, "The Wedding Gift"

Jan 14th - Episode 6, "Indescribable Compassion"

Jan 21st - Episode 7, "Invitations"

Jan 28th - Episode 8, "I Am He"

We are distributing baskets for those in need

for Christmas on December 18th.

Volunteers are needed to shop for, assemble,

and distribute baskets. If you would like to serve,

contact Paula Prentice or call the church office.

If you would like to contribute to this ministry,

add 'Christmas Baskets' to the memo of your donation.

Our annual Angel Tree party will be held next

Sunday, December 12th, at 2:00 PM.

If you picked up a Gift Tag for a child, please bring your gifts

THIS Sunday, December 5th. You can also drop them off throughout the week in the church office.

Donations toward Gift Cards for caregivers can still be made

either in the offering or on the website.

We are also looking for volunteers for setup before and cleanup

after the party. If you can help, contact Kathy Nelson

or the church office.

Come celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus this season.

We have two special service times:

Christmas Eve at 7:00 PM

Christmas Day at 10:00 AM

We look forward to joining together bringing

Glory to the New Born King!

Online Directory App

Stay connected and have access to our church directory, links to our website, Facebook page, sermons, announcements, and more.

Contact Jim Fulton in the church office for details or assistance.

Anglicans For Life, in partnership with ACNA's Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic, invite you to attend Life SUMMIT 2022,

a Life-Affirming conference.

Life SUMMIT 2022 will feature presentations from leading pro-life advocates, eye-opening discussion focused on

life stages, fruitful conversation, and the opportunity

to participate in the March for Life with hundreds

of thousands of people in Washington D.C.

Participants will learn about the Sanctity of Life, bioethics, and the impact of abortion on men and women.

Learn from scholars, abortion survivors, and church leaders.

This unique opportunity is available to youth and adults alike.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Life Line Screening will be back to St. Luke’s again next year

on Wednesday, March 9th. Pre-registration is required.

Call 888-653-6450 or visit the Life Line website.

If you would like a prayer request sent out to the St. Luke's Prayer Team, call or text (330)-703-2932.

Or CLICK HERE to submit your request online.

If the request is for someone other than yourself, please obtain permission from them before sharing to preserve their privacy.

In an emergency, call our On-Call Pastor

(330)-665-2229

Contact the church office when you or a loved one will be in the hospital or would like a visit from the Clergy.

As COVID restrictions allow, they would be glad to visit, pray, and offer communion

if requested.

Inner Healing Prayer ministers to body,

soul, and spirit.

If you would like prayer or have any questions, contact Nancy Koly.

(330)-618-4036

Do you need to schedule an event? Suggest a building repair? Request a refund for purchases made?

Ask for a pastoral visit?

In the church office, next to the Cafe door, you'll find folders with a variety of forms to help with these and other issues. Find the right form, fill it out, then place your completed form in Jim's or Kathy's mailbox. Thank you!

Watch our Sunday Morning Worship on a Thursday,

or our Tuesday 'Worship with the Word' service on a Saturday!

You can view all of our previous Worship services on YouTube.

Just look for our channel: “St. Luke’s Church Akron”.

If you want to be notified when new content is available

go to the channel on YouTube and click ‘subscribe.’

We will continue streaming our services ‘Live’ on Facebook.

We are just adding another platform to share our content.

November Offering: $37,156

Monthly Budget: $40,417

YTD Offering: $417,236

YTD Budget: $449,798

YTD +/- ($32,562)

Ways to support St. Luke's Church

Mail checks to St. Luke's Church 3810 Ridgewood Rd Copley, OH 44321

PayPal - send to donations@stlukesakron.com.

St. Luke's Website - stlukesakron.com - in the upper right corner, click on the button that says, "Give." You can fill out the form with a credit card/debit card or bank routing and account number. You will receive a receipt by email. This can be set up as recurring if you choose. There is a 2.9% surcharge for this option. Click here to be taken to the website.

Your Own Bank - send a payment through your own bank account's bill pay on the bank website. The church will receive a paper check in the mail. This can be set up as recurring if you choose.

Drop off in the church mailbox or come inside to the office if you're driving by.

To help those in need in our community, St. Luke’s is partnering with the Copley Outreach Center.

The Copley Outreach Center is a privately funded, volunteer-driven center founded to reach out to the community to assist families who find themselves unable to provide basic needs such as food or shelter.

CLICK HERE for a list of the food needs or if you prefer to give a monetary donation, you can write a check to St. Luke’s and write 'Copley Outreach' in the memo.