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Scars
We’ve just experienced the joy of Easter, celebrating our risen Lord! Now we have the challenge of living as Easter people, carrying this hope with us each day and allowing it to shape how we serve. On one of the days right after Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to a group of disciples. They were startled to see Him suddenly standing there in front of them, and honestly weren’t sure if it really was Him! (Sometimes, you see, it takes a while for the good news to sink in.) Jesus reassured them that it really was Him not by doing a big, flashy miracle, but by pointing out the scars on his hands and feet from His crucifixion (Luke 24:40).
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Many of us have scars—some external from injuries or surgeries, some internal from emotional or mental wounds. Those we serve carry external and internal scars too—some old, some fresh, some that are still open wounds that haven’t begun to heal yet. As we continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus, let’s remember that even in His resurrected body, Jesus still bears the scars of his crucifixion. His ability to relate to us in our suffering and his presence with us through the best and the worst times ought to shape how we serve.
Amy
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In April, we are collecting school supplies for the children at Small Steps Nurturing Center. Small Steps is a St. Luke's Community Partner that provides, "an exemplary early childhood program to instill and foster the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth of economically at-risk children and their families." This program is offered at a small fee to the families they serve. Parents are only asked to complete tuition hours each year by attending parent education events and volunteering. School supplies collected will set the pre-K graduates up for Kindergarten success and keep the younger kiddos busy over the summer months. | |
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Sandwich-o-Rama
April 20 | Fellowship Hall
9:00 -10:30 a.m. and/or
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Calling all sandwich makers! Sadly, Harris County has the highest rate of child food insecurity in the nation for highly populated areas. Kids' Meals works every weekday to combat this dilemma by delivering over 6500 meals to pre-school aged children each day. Bring your friends, families or groups to our annual Sandwich-o-Rama event. As a team, we will assemble over 7,000 sandwiches for Kids' Meals. We will also have a bag decorating stations for the creative types. Two time slots available, sign up for one or both!
Ages 5+ is suggested, childcare is available, register HERE by April 16.
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One last day to build!
April 12 | Robins Landing
7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
St. Luke's 2023 Christmas Offering raised over $100,000 to build a Habitat for Humanity home in Robins Landing, Habitat’s new 127-acre affordable master-planned community in East Houston. Due to a rain out, we have one more day to build. Let's finish strong!
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Easter Offering Recap
So far we have raised $25,050 for our Easter Offering benefitting PM Pals. Funds will fund programming, sensory room updates, playground lighting, meals and compensation for special education teachers. Thank you for supporting PM Pals and their mission to provide community for children with special needs. Contact Bevin Barrett for volunteer opportunities.
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Second Saturday
Woodshop
April 13 | Westheimer
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
NEW! Sign up to volunteer in our brand new Woodshop. Help make toys for underprivileged children and other special projects. No experience required, must be age 10+.
Sign up here.
Childcare is available. Register by April 9 here.
Questions?
Contact Karen McCarver.
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Second Saturday
Food Drive
April 13 | Westheimer
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Second Saturday of each month we have a food drive for the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC).
Pull up to the Main Entrance porte-cochere with your non-perishable food donations. No need to get out of your car!
Sign up here to volunteer.
Questions?
Contact Karen McCarver.
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Wednesday Night Fellowship
Wednesdays | Gethsemane
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Each Wednesday night the Gethsemane community comes together for food, Bible studies and community engagement. Can your small group, family or friends help:
- prepare and serve
- serve only
- underwrite ($300)
a meal on a Wednesday night?
Sign up here.
Questions?
Contact Amy Kelley.
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Community Partner Updates | | |
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CCSC is Honoring Tom Pace, April 17
CCSC only has a few spots left for its Azalea Gala honoring Dr. Tom Pace on April 17 at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston. Purchase tickets or a table HERE. If you can’t make it to the gala, you can still bid on some great auction and raffle items HERE.
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PX Project Family Meal Fundraiser, May 11
PX is thrilled to welcome award-winning chef, Kaitlin Steets, to their upcoming Family Meal fundraising dinner! On May 11, PX fellows will cook alongside the 2020 James Beard semi-finalist and 2021 Culturemap Tastemaker Chef of the Year, making for an incredible evening. They would love to save you a seat! Sign up HERE.
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Small Steps is Growing in 2024
Small Steps Fifth Ward campus broke ground in December on an expansion that will add four classrooms, additional program services and administrative spaces. They ask for prayers for a smooth construction process and for the additional 60 students who will fill their classrooms. Contact Madeleine Haynes if you would like to volunteer or learn more about Small Steps.
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Houston Project Grant Recipient Updates | |
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The Mission of Yahweh
The 2023 Houston Project committee granted $20,000 to The Mission of Yahweh to furnish their new permanent housing complex for women and children. In February, ground was broken on a 5,400 sq. ft. building that will provide 25% more permanent beds, 25% more transitional beds and 50% more emergency beds. This supportive housing is scheduled to be open in January of 2025.
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Covenant House
The 2023 Houston Project committee granted $25,000 to the Covenant House clothing closet that serves homeless youth 18 - 24. In February, the St. Luke's congregation took their dedication one step further by donating over 200 pairs of shoes to the closet! The young lady photographed was tremendously grateful when she found a pair of shoes in her size! Contact Felicia Broussard to donate new clothing and shoes to the Covenant House clothing closet.
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The 2024 Houston Project grant cycle is open! Letter of Interests are due April 19. Click on the button below for more information. | |
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Are you looking for other ways to serve?
Check out the Love Our City page (stlukesmethdoist.org/loveourcity) , which allows you to search for service opportunities based on your skills, passion, and schedule. Scroll down the page and click "Other Ways to Serve in our Community" button!
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Your Outreach Team
Gethsemane
Amy Kelley - Director of Outreach (713-357-4464)
Noelia Fadic - Outreach Coordinator (713-622-5710)
Marci Pampe - Director of Kids Hope-Sutton (713-357-4466)
Westheimer
Amy Sumrall - Pastor of Outreach (713-402-5073)
Charity Autry -Associate Director of Outreach (713-402-5199)
Karen McCarver - Outreach Ministries & Director of Kids Hope-Briarmeadow (713-402-5152)
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If you receive an email from the church, please make sure that it is from (name)@StLukesMethodist.org. The stlukesmethodist.org (as opposed to @gmail.com or @yahoo.com or others) tells you it is from St. Luke’s and not spam. | | | | |
